One other full weekend of cyclo-cross: UCI Cyclocross World Cup in Zonhoven, Hexia Cyclocross in Gullegem and X²O Badkamers Trofee Vlaamse Duinencross in Koksijde, plus Jayco-AlUla dominate the Australian TT, Crit and Highway championships.
Tom Boonen talks about his ‘odious’ former teammate: Lance Armstrong – TOP STORY.
Rider information: Wout van Aert going to BORA-hansgrohe? Wout van Aert – From cross to street, Paul Penhoët out because of damage, Romain Bardet desires a stage win in each Grand Tour, Tim Wellens believes in Tour possibilities of Remco Evenepoel, Arnaud De Lie will trip the Tour de France, Stefan Küng desires the UCI to take motion after his crash within the European TT champs, Simon Geschke begins his closing season, French workforce saves Edvald Boasson Hagen’s profession, Julien Vermote might have the final place with Visma | Lease a Bike, Edoardo Affini and Jan Tratnik to Be a part of Van Aert and Kooij within the Giro d’Italia and Imanol Erviti to be a DS.
Group information: Soudal Fast-Step to the Tour Down Below, UAE Group Emirates in search of minimal features utilizing AI, Lotto Dstny won’t trip the Giro d’Italia, Tirreno-Adriatico and Tour of the Basque Nation, Jumbo CEO Ton van Veen talks concerning the finish of the workforce sponsorship, Orbea and Lotto Dstny embark on a brand new period within the pursuit of excellence and Etixx new diet companion with Intermarché-Wanty.
Race information: Elite and masters athletes set for historic 2024 Canadian observe championships.
Huge EUROTRASH Monday – Huge espresso!
Tom Boonen Talks About his ‘Odious’ Former Teammate: Lance Armstrong
Tom Boonen has opened up about his time with Lance Armstrong within the podcast PHOTOS WITH KURKDROOG. Boonen made his skilled debut with the US Postal workforce in 2002. The Belgian has few good phrases for teammate Lance Armstrong.
Within the podcast, Tom Boonen repeats some tales he has concerning the American: “The way in which Armstrong has handled his associates is detestable. Along with his greatest buddy Frankie Andreu, for instance.” Frankie Andreu was a teammate and testified within the doping case towards Armstrong.
In 1996, throughout most cancers remedy, Armstrong listed to a physician all of the doping substances he had used. Andreu and his spouse have been additionally within the room on the time. After the testimony, they have been each intimidated by Armstrong. Boonen: “He had ratted out Armstrong, however the one factor he mentioned is what was mentioned in that hospital room. Armstrong is a horrible particular person in that regard. He ought to have confessed a lot earlier.”
Boonen additionally remembers nicely the second he left the workforce. “I despatched a message to everybody round Christmas to thank them for a unbelievable yr. I acquired many good messages again. They known as me Tommie Boner. Then out of the blue I bought a message from Armstrong. He despatched ‘Good luck, you’ll want it’. I used to be solely 21 years outdated on the time.”
Boonen and Armstrong by no means turned shut throughout his profession. Boonen wasn’t too put out: “Lance didn’t communicate to me for six years after that. I used to be like ‘f*ck you dude’. Throughout all of the races the place each Armstrong and I have been initially, I might trip previous him and say ‘hey Lance’. He stared into house.”
‘Hey Lance!’
UCI Cyclocross World Cup – Zonhoven Males 2024
Mathieu van der Poel took his tenth cyclo-cross win out of ten begins within the Zonhoven World Cup on Sunday. The race was nonetheless thrilling for the primary 20 minutes, however after an assault from the World champion, he soloed to the win. Joris Nieuwenhuis was second at 20 seconds, Laurens Sweeck was third, 2 seconds later.
Wout van Aert is at a coaching camp and Tom Pidcock is unwell, so everybody was taking a look at Mathieu van der Poel on a chilly Sunday in Zondhoven. The World champion needed to begin from the second row, behind Eli Iserbyt, who had returned from sickness. Van der Poel bought off to begin and hit the well-known Kuil van Zonhoven for the primary time behind Laurens Sweeck, Iserbyt and Joris Nieuwenhuis.
There was unhealthy luck for Cameron Mason, who bought into hassle and instantly deserted. A big main group emerged on the entrance, from which Nieuwenhuis, Van der Poel and Sweeck broke away on the finish of the opening lap. Some riders got here again from behind, this opened up the race. Lars van der Haar was lacking from the entrance, in round eleventh place, nicely behind. Michael Vanthourenhout was additionally lacking and finally gave up. Everybody was ready for Mathieu van der Poel to assault. This got here after 24 minutes, on the fourth lap of eight. The World champ opened a small hole, after which he was the primary onto the Kuil van Zonhoven and climbed at full energy. All his chasers needed to dismount, so he quickly had an enormous lead. The hole was quickly 20 seconds, though Nieuwenhuis pulled away from the group together with Pim Ronhaar, Toon Vandebosch, Emiel Verstrynge and Sweeck. Thibau Nys was additionally within the race, however he dropped out because of unhealthy luck. On the entrance there was nothing anybody might do about Van der Poel.
Three laps from the end, Van der Poel had a 30 second lead over a gaggle with Nieuwenhuis, Sweeck, Ronhaar and Vandebosch and he steadily gained extra time. The 2 riders of Baloise Trek Lions and Crelan-Corendon fought for the 2 podium locations behind the World champion. Vandebosch crashed on the penultimate on the Kuil and had no probability of a podium place. The large crowd in Zonhoven gave Van der Poel an enormous ovation within the closing lap, however the motion was behind him. Ronhaar took the initiative within the battle for second place, however Sweeck and Nieuwenhuis didn’t hand over. Nieuwenhuis took the lead within the tough finale and took a niche on Sweeck. On the end, second place went to Nieuwenhuis, forward of Sweeck and Ronhaar. For Mathieu van der Poel it’s his tenth victory in a row this season. He now takes a relaxation from cyclo-cross to coach on the street for the World championships and the Classics. He’ll trip the Benidorm UCI World Cup in two weeks.
Race winner, Mathieu van der Poel (Ned): “I’m tremendous pleased with how this season went on this first half, however I’m additionally completely happy to go to Spain to work on my type. I needed to see how the competitors developed. Joris Nieuwenhuis additionally rode a reasonably sturdy tempo on the primary lap, and I used to be in a fairly good place there. It was very chilly for the primary time this winter, so it took some time earlier than I bought into my rhythm. I didn’t actually get heat after my assault, however it’s a tough cross and I didn’t wish to waste an excessive amount of vitality. I’m at all times completely happy to win and I felt fairly good. However I’m additionally completely happy to have the ability to practice much more. It was a special story final yr.”
2nd, Joris Nieuwenhuis (Ned): “We have been a gaggle and everybody was equally sturdy, nobody actually stood out. Ultimately I believe I made the best selections on the proper moments and that’s the reason I got here second phrase” “Sure and no” “This yr is somewhat bizarre. All of the races the place I by no means rode nicely in recent times at the moment are going rather well. Gavere, Growth and the identical right here… I shocked myself a bit. Within the sand I discover that I’ve been coaching on my cross bike all yr lengthy, together with in the summertime. You discover that on these kind of programs. Now we have three guys from our workforce who’re doing nicely now. It’ll rely upon the form of the day who will win there (the Nationwide champs).”
third, Laurens Sweeck (Bel): “In Koksijde it was not the case that I used to be on the rostrum, but it surely’s simply going somewhat higher than a couple of weeks in the past. That didn’t occur out of the blue, I’ve at all times continued to work. It simply didn’t go nicely. It began badly and was good a couple of occasions, however by no means persistently. And that didn’t verify that it was higher. Nevertheless, I felt that it was nonetheless there. It’s now a matter of looking for affirmation that issues are getting higher. Koksijde was not unhealthy, however barely worse than at present. However at present I verify that I’m going in the best path. I don’t know if I’m the favorite now, however I used to be one of the best Belgian. Then sure, I’m getting higher each week and the objective is to win subsequent week. I’ll do every little thing I can to do this.”
UCI Cyclocross World Cup – Zonhoven Males Consequence:
1. Mathieu van der Poel (Ned) in 59:35
2. Joris Nieuwenhuis (Ned) at 0:20
3. Laurens Sweeck (Bel) at 0:22
4. Pim Ronhaar (Ned) at 0:29
5. Toon Vandebosch (Bel) at 0:59
6. Eli Iserbyt (Bel) at 1:11
7. Emiel Verstrynge (Bel) at 1:17
8. Lars van der Haar (Ned) at 1:39
9. Joran Wyseure (Bel) at 1:55
10. Ryan Kamp (Ned) at 1:58.
Zonhoven’24
UCI Cyclocross World Cup – Zonhoven Girls 2024
Puck Pieterse received her fourth cyclocross in a row within the Zonhoven UCI World Cup. The Dutch champion bought off to a nasty begin because of a puncture, however took the lead midway by the race from Lucinda Model, who crashed laborious and needed to abandon. Pieterse then soloed to victory, forward of Inge van der Heijden and Zoe Bäckstedt.
Within the absence of Fem van Empel at a coaching camp and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado with a again damage, all eyes have been on the 2 favourites, Puck Pieterse and Lucinda Model. The highest begin got here from Marie Schreiber (as common), however the Luxembourger rapidly misplaced floor. Model then took the lead, whereas Pieterse needed to chase after flat tyre.
The Dutch champion quickly needed to go to the pits and so she misplaced fairly a couple of positions. Pieterse rapidly recovered and joined Zoe Bäckstedt, the winner in Gullegem, and Inge van der Heijden, who was about 20 seconds behind Model. Within the third lap of six, Pieterse broke away from Bäckstedt for a battle with Model. All was misplaced when Model crashed laborious going by the forest. She fell laborious on her face and injured her nostril, forcing her to withdraw. Pieterse took over the lead, however had problem distancing himself from Van der Heijden and Bäckstedt.
Two laps from the end, the hole between Pieterse and Van der Heijden was about 15 seconds and it remained that approach for a very long time. Going into the ultimate lap, the Dutch champion’s lead had elevated barely to twenty seconds. Van der Heijden then cracked, permitting Pieterse to race to victory. Solely Van der Heijden and Bäckstedt completed inside a minute of the winner. Behind them, Annemarie Worst and Kristyna Zemanova accomplished the highest 5.
Race winner, Puck Pieterse (Ned): “Her crash (Lucinda Model) was fortunate for me, however I hope every little thing goes nicely for her. This was a race with a little bit of unhealthy luck and in addition luck. On the primary climb I bought a flat tyre on the again, however I attempted to remain on the entrance. That took some vitality, however Lucinda opened up a niche of 20 seconds. It additionally took quite a lot of vitality to overhaul and chase riders. Then I out of the blue noticed her stopped. At first I assumed she was unfortunate, however somewhat later I noticed that she was now not there. That was fortunate for me, however I hope every little thing goes nicely for her. I had some issues within the sand typically, however tried to play it protected. Right here you might be overrated by the group to go quick, however it’s higher to remain upright than to fall.”
2nd, Inge van der Heijden (Ned): “Second behind Puck is a victory for me. I actually shocked myself, particularly how I felt after yesterday. Throughout the reconnaissance I had unhealthy legs, however through the race I felt myself sturdy in every single place. I took it straightforward on the descents, I didn’t take any dangers there, however uphill I went full throttle. I actually shocked myself right here. The laborious work is rewarded and I hope to have the ability to preserve this type. In the present day was a fantastic day. At first I assumed I had put all my vitality down yesterday, which actually felt like an assault on my physique. However Zonhoven at all times does one thing with me, it’s such a cool occasion. Being right here on the rostrum actually feels good to me.”
third, Zoe Bäckstedt (GB): “I’m nonetheless a bit chilly, however in ten minutes I’ll be actually over the moon. Fortunately my physique warmed up rapidly through the race. I don’t suppose I might have received at present. Lucinda flew over the sand, she went actually quick. I’m completely happy that I got here third, however fourth would have been good too. Sadly, Lucinda fell. Usually I’m not good at that, as a result of I solely practice particularly for sand races. It was a double weekend for me with out expectations, however I’m pleased with it.”
UCI Cyclocross World Cup – Zonhoven Girls Consequence:
1. Puck Pieterse (Ned) in 51:39
2. Inge van der Heijden (Ned) at 0:24
3. Zoe Bäckstedt (GB) at 0:41
4. Annemarie Worst (Ned) at 1:19
5. Kristyna Zemanova (CZ) at 1:24
6. Laura Verdonschot (Bel) 1:29
7. Leonie Bentveld (Ned) at 2:15
8. Kata Blanka Vas (Hun) at 2:37
9. Sanne Cant (Bel) at 2:49
10. Lauren Molengraaf (Ned) at 2:58.
Zonhoven’24
Hexia Cyclocross – Gullegem Males 2024
Michael Vanthourenhout received the Hexia Cross Gullegem on Saturday. The Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal rider, who took his first victory since profitable his European title in Pontchâteau in November, went solo midway by the cross for the victory. Cameron Mason was second and Joran Wyseure, third.
The Hexia Cross Gullegem didn’t have the strongest discipline, however there have been a couple of large names initially, together with Michael Vanthourenhout, Thibau Nys and Gianni Vermeersch. They’d a golden alternative to take the win. Nys was the primary to off the street. He then dropped again, whereas Vermeersch and Joran Wyseure moved ahead. These two had a small lead over Vanthourenhout and Nys after one lap. Cameron Mason and Lander Loockx have been simply behind with others.
On the second lap the riders closed up and within the third lap there was a number one group of six: Vermeersch, Wyseure, Nys, Mason, Loockx and Vanthourenhout. It was Vanthourenhout who attacked within the second a part of the third lap. Nys was in a position to comply with him at first, however he began to lose floor. After three of the seven laps, the European champion had a 12 second lead over Wyseure and Nys, who have been collectively. Mason and Vermeersch have been additionally shut, so there was a gaggle of 4 in pursuit on the fourth lap. Mason took the initiative. He picked up the tempo and dropped his companions. The British rider was now Vanthourenhout’s first chaser. The European champion didn’t actually have to fret, as a result of the distinction was nonetheless greater than 20 seconds after 5 laps. Wyseure and Nys have been preventing for third place at greater than 30 seconds.
Going into the ultimate lap, Wyseure and Nys had misplaced some floor, however the distinction between Vanthourenhout and Mason remained steady at 23 seconds. Vanthourenhout couldn’t calm down, but it surely appeared unlikely that he would lose the victory. After 7 laps Vanthourenhout crossed the road because the winner for under the second time this season. Behind; Mason took second place. Originally of December he completed second within the Superprestige Growth, however after that he was solely within the prime 5 as soon as. Within the closing lap Wyseure had received a duel with Nys.
Race winner, Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal): “It truly went very nicely. I began somewhat slower, however I felt from the beginning that I might rapidly take part on the entrance. Slightly earlier than midway by the race I then tried to make a niche. I rapidly elevated that to about twenty seconds after which I attempted to maintain it that approach. The course had modified rather a lot in comparison with the reconnaissance, as a result of girls’s race. You had to decide on your individual traces rather a lot. And when you will have fifteen, twenty seconds, you are able to do your individual factor. Then it’s simpler to trip alone. I noticed for a second that Cameron (Mason, 2nd) was coming somewhat nearer. Then I needed to push myself a bit additional. Then I noticed that I used to be gaining a couple of extra seconds. On the finish of the second pits it was nearly not possible to cycle by it. However all in all, with the climate forecast and the circumstances, I nonetheless thought it was a really good course. I really feel prefer it’s getting somewhat higher each week. That’s why I needed to incorporate this cross, in order that I might go deep once more and compete for the win. That can be necessary. With the Huge Three it isn’t at all times straightforward to succeed in the ultimate. It is vitally necessary in such a cross.”
2nd, Cameron Mason (Cyclocross Reds): “It was a troublesome cross, a sort of time trial. I didn’t have one of the best begin, however that didn’t actually matter right here. It’s a tractor race in spite of everything. I recovered, discovered what the best traces have been and labored my approach again to the entrance. It was considerably similar to the European Championships (the place Mason additionally completed second behind Vanthourenhout). The second I got here to the entrance, Michael already had a niche. He was clearly the strongest at present. I believe the hole remained steady, round twenty-five seconds. It feels good to be driving for a podium place once more, after probably not being myself the previous month. It felt rather a lot higher at present. here’s a motive I didn’t begin nicely. I’m simply not superb at that. I can’t simply begin higher, I’ve to work on that. I’m going to do this. Hopefully that may assist me sooner or later. It was like a cross in Nice Britain. The floor is similar in every single place, so there isn’t a excellent line. You will need to subsequently watch out together with your efforts, in figuring out the place you speed up and the place you get well. I’m fairly good at that. It’s good you can undergo, you can go as deep as you wish to go. In another races I reached my restrict too early. In the present day I let it occur to me. That’s a pleasant feeling. Now on to tomorrow’s World Cup (Zonhoven) and subsequent week’s nationwide championship.”
third, Joran Wyseure (Crelan-Corendon): “I didn’t get my podium place as a present. It was a really powerful cross. Thibau was additionally effective, so I’m happy that I might simply beat him within the final lap. How deep did I’ve to go? Nonetheless fairly deep. It was on the leading edge. I believe Thibau made a mistake, which allowed me to go. Nevertheless, then I made one other mistake, so it was fairly laborious towards laborious. However I’m actually happy. It was a really powerful cross, which can be tough for everybody heading into tomorrow. It’s at all times enjoyable to cross in West Flanders, I at all times like to return to Gullegem. In the present day I actually had feeling. I’ll take that with me to the subsequent races. To tomorrow and to subsequent week, the Belgian championship, the place it can even be fairly tough. I’m trying ahead to it.”
Hexia Cyclocross – Gullegem Males Consequence:
1. Michael Vanthourenhout (Bel) Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal
2. Cameron Mason (GB) Cyclocross Reds
3. Joran Wyseure (Bel) Crelan-Corendon
4. Thibau Nys (Bel) Baloise Trek Lions
5. Lander Loockx (Bel) Tour de Tietema-Unibet
6. Felipe Orts (Spa) La Vila Joiosa-Neteo
7. Gianni Vermeersch (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck
8. Thijs Aerts (Bel) Charles Liégeois Roastery
9. Wout Janssen (Bel)
10. Scott Funston (USA).
Gullegem’24
Hexia Cyclocross – Gullegem Girls 2024
Zoe Bäckstedt received the Hexi Cross Gullegem (C2) race on Saturday. The 19 year-old British rider was with Manon Bakker and Inge van der Heijden of Crelan-Corendon for the primary a part of the cross, however attacked initially of the penultimate lap. Bakker completed second at 28 seconds, Van der Heijden was third, 8 seconds later.
Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado was the highest favorite for the Hexia Cross in Gullegem. Fem van Empel, Lucinda Model and Puck Pieterse have been lacking, so the competitors needed to come from riders equivalent to Kata Blanka Vas and Inge van der Heijden. One of the best begin went to Zoe Bäckstedt with Marion Norbert Riberolle and Van der Heijden on her wheel. The Dutch rider quickly took over the lead. She initially opened up a niche, however Bäckstedt and Manon Bakker joined her later within the first lap.
They have been adopted by a gaggle of Amandine Fouquenet, Alessandra Keller, Vas and Alvarado. On the finish of the primary lap Alvarado dropped her companions. She was nonetheless 15 seconds behind the three leaders. Within the second of 5 laps she bought somewhat nearer, however on the ending stretch she had misplaced a while. Bäckstedt, Van der Heijden and Bakker have been nonetheless collectively and dealing nicely. Alvarado couldn’t make connection within the third lap, actually she was handed by Marion Norbert Riberolle after which determined to desert. Whereas she was in fifth place, she left the race. On the entrance there was an acceleration initially of the fourth lap. Bäckstedt rode away from Bakker and Van der Heijden and instantly had hole.
At first of the final lap Bäckstedt had about 20 seconds on Bakker, her first chaser. Van der Heijden adopted after greater than half 1 minute. The 2 teammates have been collectively within the closing lap, after a mistake by Bakker. Catching Bäckstedt was not going to occur. The European U23 champion held her floor for her third skilled victory of the season. In October she received two crosses in the US. Behind Bäckstedt; Bakker was nonetheless forward of her teammate Van der Heijden within the battle for second place. With Marion Norbert Riberolle, one other rider from Crelan-Corendon, completed in fourth place. Blanka Kata Vas was fifth.
Race winner, Zoe Bäckstedt (Canyon-SRAM): “I actually loved it, This was in all probability one of the crucial enjoyable races I’ve finished. Why? I’m lined in mud from head to toe, that’s what I like. As well as, I used to be on the entrance of the race. It was a fierce battle, with another person at all times taking the lead. I made a decision to assault with two laps to go and see how far I might get. Manon checked out her pedals, whereas I used to be already clipped in. I assumed, what if she’s not trying, what occurs? I went for it, regarded again on the finish of the straight, I noticed that I had a niche. After that I simply tried to not make a mistake. It turned out nicely. My legs felt good. It was so muddy that your bike was already lined in mud after half a lap. Or you may skip a lap, however I figured it wouldn’t be a lot slower to undergo the transition station. I would as nicely get a clear bike each lap. I seen that it made my bike a bit lighter once I needed to run.”
2nd, Manon Bakker (Crelan-Corendon): “It was powerful, but in addition an excellent enjoyable battle with Zoe and Inge. Originally I assumed: I actually just like the final half. I attempted there too, however Zoe is so sturdy. She rode away from us on the asphalt. I truly hoped that Inge would shut the hole on the straight as a result of I do know she is somewhat higher at that. However we couldn’t get to her anymore. I believe she is the deserved winner. I used to be truly somewhat too gradual to react. I actually ought to have recognized, as a result of Zoe does it on a regular basis. I typically name it the ‘Zoe assault’, destroying everybody on the straights of the street. I used to be too late. I gambled on Inge, but it surely didn’t work. Then I made a mistake myself, which made it much more thrilling for second place. However fortunately I used to be higher in the long run. Once I made that mistake, I assumed shit for a second. I rode into the obstacles there, since you needed to trip near the sting. I assumed: oh, right here I’m going… Then Inge overtook me. I truly needed to be within the lead on the final bit, however on the bridge down I used to be in a position to overtake her once more.”
third, Inge van der Heijden (Crelan-Corendon): “The primary lap additionally went very nicely (after her good begin). I used to be in a position to preserve that tempo for some time, however within the fourth lap I discovered myself considerably dissatisfied. Zoe positioned an assault and I actually couldn’t reply to that. However general I’m happy with a 3rd place on this course. I might solely pedal at one tempo, probably not speed up. I don’t suppose it was a mistaken selection to right away take the lead. However sure, these programs simply don’t go well with me very nicely. I’m happy with the outcome. I do get the sensation that I’m doing higher and higher. That’s optimistic and I’ll take it with me to the subsequent races.”
Hexia Cyclocross – Gullegem Girls Consequence:
1. Zoe Bäckstedt (GB) Canyon-SRAM in 46:41
2. Manon Bakker (Ned) Crelan-Corendon at 0:28
3. Inge van der Heijden (Ned) Crelan-Corendon at 0:36
4. Marion Norbert Riberolle CNed) Crelan-Corendon at 0:48
5. Kata Blanka Vas (Hun) SD Worx at 1:53
6. Clara Honsinger (USA) S&M at 2:05
7. Aniek van Alphen (Ned) Cyclocross Reds at 3:03
8. Alessandra Keller (Sui) Thömus maxon at 3:25
9. Amandine Fouquenet (Fra) Arkéa-B&B Lodges at 4:03
10. Maghalie Rochette (Can) at 4:21
Gullegem’24
X²O Badkamers Trofee Vlaamse Duinencross – Koksijde Males 2024
Mathieu van der Poel continues to be undefeated within the 2023/24 cyclo-cross season. Within the X2O Trophy in Koksijde, Pim Ronhaar initially managed to stick with him, however in the long run the World champion received the sandy cross with an enormous lead. Ronhaar was second and Wout van Aert third.
Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert confronted one another once more in Koksijde, earlier than they each go to Spain for a coaching camp. The 2 won’t meet once more till January 21 within the Benidorm UCI World Cup. In Koksijde, Tom Pidcock was lacking because of sickness. Pim Ronhaar, Lars van der Haar and sand specialist Laurens Sweeck have been on the start-line.
One of the best begin went to Van der Poel. Van Aert initially appeared to not be within the combine, however simply earlier than the pack hit the off-road, he had moved up once more. Sweeck was additionally close to the entrance and he took the lead earlier than the sand. On his wheel was Van Aert and Van der Poel. The World champion waited somewhat earlier than launching his assault. He shot by the sand and instantly had an enormous hole. Van Aert couldn’t comply with and Sweeck additionally fell again. After one lap they weren’t the primary pursuers, the closest chaser was Pim Ronhaar. The Dutchman was 7 seconds behind the World champion, Van Aert adopted with a gaggle on his wheel, 6 seconds later. The Belgian got here by one lap later, 23 seconds behind Van der Poel, with Michael Vanthourenhout and Lars van der Haar, who had moved up after a nasty begin.
Ronhaar continued to maintain Van der Poel in sight. After two laps, Van der Poel’s lead was nonetheless solely 7 seconds. Within the third lap, Van der Poel doubled his lead, however Ronhaar nonetheless had an opportunity. The third group, which Gianni Vermeersch was now additionally with. They have been thus far behind that third place was their very best end place. In that battle, Lars van der Haar took the initiative. Whereas Vanthourenhout needed to go within the fourth lap, as Van Aert additionally had a tough time. The Visma | Lease a Bike rider noticed the Dutch champion trip away with Vermeersch in a sand part. After that, Van der Haar continued alone, however on the finish of lap 5 he had Wout van Aert again with him. The Visma | Lease a Bike rider left Van der Haar within the subsequent lap to take a podium place. Within the final lap, Van Aert even got here near Pim Ronhaar, who had misplaced extra floor on Van der Poel lap after lap. The Dutchman of Baloise Trek Lions was greater than 1 minute behind Van der Poel after six of the seven laps. The World champion now not needed to make an efforts within the closing lap to take his ninth victory of the season. Ronhaar completed second, Van Aert third.
Race winner, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck): “It was tough, particularly to trip at your individual tempo. Koksijde is at all times one of many tough races to steer, as a result of if you get to the sand sections, the observe is gone. That at all times rides one of the best, however I rode very nicely by the sand twice, which allowed me to right away have a pleasant gorge. Then I selected tempo. Pim Ronhaar got here shut, so I needed to preserve driving. I can positively get higher in the direction of the World championships. I educated very nicely for the cross season, however since Herentals I’ve truly educated little or no. I simply did these crosses. After Zonhoven (Sunday) I’ll return to Spain to place the ending touches to the preparation for the World championships. How far more might be added? It’s important to ask the coach about that. After all we’re below building. First to the World champs, then to the spring. In any case, the height must be within the spring. That’s nonetheless an important factor.”
2nd, Pim Ronhaar (Baloise Trek Lions): “I didn’t look again as soon as, however within the final lap I nonetheless bought a bit nervous, as a result of Wout nonetheless got here very shut, I used to be in a position to race by at velocity. Then I knew that second place was in. I simply really feel actually good about myself. All of it occurs automated. I nonetheless can’t consider that I’m within the image like this, that I’m racing round like that. I’m getting round higher, however I don’t essentially really feel higher, however the consistency is simply there. Apparently my physique has turned a swap and I’m doing rather well now.”
third, Wout van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike): “No, I intentionally didn’t attempt to comply with him (Van der Poel). At first I got here off my pedal, so I did a severe dash to get away nicely. Which may have been one thing an excessive amount of of factor. I began the primary sand part with a really excessive coronary heart fee. Mathieu then did the identical as within the different crosses. I selected my very own tempo, which was not very excessive. We educated quite a lot of fundamental coaching till the cross part and just a few blocks. Now we’ve finished quite a lot of depth in a short while. It’s now necessary to make the swap once more and solely simply earlier than the traditional spring will that depth be added once more. I’ve had higher legs in cyclo-cross up to now, so typically I needed to adapt to that feeling, however I nonetheless loved it. I took a pleasant victory in Zolder and on the different races there have been additionally lots of people alongside the aspect of the street. It was a pleasure to see my followers once more.”
X²O Badkamers Trofee Vlaamse Duinencross – Koksijde Males Consequence:
1. Mathieu van der Poel (Ned) Alpecin-Deceuninck in 59:21
2. Pim Ronhaar (Ned) Baloise Trek Lions at 1:20
3. Wout van Aert (Bel) Visma | Lease a Bike at 1:43
4. Lars van der Haar (Ned) Baloise Trek Lions at 1:53
5. Gianni Vermeersch (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck at 2:12
6. Laurens Sweeck (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 2:46
7. Joran Wyseure (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 3:04
8. Michael Vanthourenhout (Bel) Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal at 3:10
9. Jens Adams (Bel) Athletes for Hope at 3:37
10. Niels Vandeputte (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck at 3:48.
Koksijde’24:
X²O Badkamers Trofee Vlaamse Duinencross – Koksijde Girls 2024
Fem van Empel received the X2O Trophy Koksijde on Thursday. She selected to assault within the first lap and the opposite riders didn’t see her once more till the end line. Lucinda Model was second, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado third.
Fem van Empel was the highest favorite for victory in Koksijde within the girls race, however there was potential doubt because of a knee damage within the Baal race, which she did win. The competitors in Koksijde was additionally powerful. Puck Pieterse was not there, however Lucinda Model and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado have been.
The three all had begin. Van Empel was the primary onto the grass, however Alvarado and Model have been on her wheel. Model needed to go away a niche within the first lap, whereas Alvarado fell again to Laura Verdonschot and Annemarie Worst. Later, Alvarado was in a position to go away them behind, however after one lap she was 30 seconds behind Van Empel. Model had 21 seconds. Within the second of 5 laps, Van Empel bought additional away. Model was now 39 seconds behind; Alvarado and Verdonschot, who fought a duel for third place, adopted a couple of minute later. The battle appeared to be over rapidly, however within the third spherical it was nonetheless a little bit of a shock for Van Empel. She fell within the transition station, when getting on a brand new bike.
Nevertheless, the world champion was in a position to proceed her approach rapidly and hardly misplaced her feathers, because it turned obvious on the subsequent end passage. Alvarado, who took far from Verdonschot, got here a couple of seconds nearer, however Model was nonetheless 39 seconds behind. At first Verdonschot made it tough for Alvarado, however going into the ultimate lap there was going to be a struggle for second place, between Alvarado and Model. Model received, very narrowly. She needed to push herself to the restrict, however managed to remain simply forward of Alvarado within the dash. The Baloise Trek Lions rider completed second, behind Van Empel. It had already been acquired for a very long time. The Visma rider | Lease a Bike received her fourteenth cross of the season by an enormous margin.
Race winner, Fem van Empel (Visma | Lease a Bike): “I’m thrilled to have received this lovely race. The primary factor was to have the ability to trip my very own traces on this course. The truth that I used to be in a position to do this gave me a bit extra confidence. That’s why I began quick. After that, I used to be in a position to trip at my very own tempo. It has been a busy however great time. Now it’s time to take a while off to get well and construct up for what’s to return.”
2nd, Lucinda Model (Baloise Trek Lions): “Didn’t wish to hand over second place identical to that. I believe we rode on the similar distance from one another for the complete race. Within the final two laps I had some problem with that second lengthy dune part in entrance of the pits. You probably have a nasty passage and one other one, the opposite one rapidly catches up. She had a pleasant purpose on the finish. And I didn’t race it any sooner, let’s go away it at that. However I didn’t wish to simply hand it over. It’s very unusual, however that doesn’t actually assist me in any respect. It sounds a bit silly, however after all it was additionally a bit additional away. And there was a very completely different ambiance on the time (because of covid), so I’ll have skilled it a bit otherwise. It stays a bit unusual that I turned champion in an occasion that I like least. You actually discover that somewhat freshness will do you good. However sure, that applies to all of us.”
third, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Alpecin-Deceuninck): “I believe I positively might have completed one place increased. However I had somersaulted within the first lap. In consequence, I misplaced some locations and I needed to discover my rhythm once more, however I already had that through the reconnaissance. I needed to wait and see how issues would go at present, however in the long run I held up fairly nicely. It wasn’t till I might actually give nicely on the street that it began to occur once more. However I did my greatest to get essentially the most out of it. I additionally had Laura (Verdonschot) behind me. She rode a bit higher by the sand than me, however I believe I used to be a bit sooner on the intermediate sections. At first I assumed it was not possible to get Model again, however lap after lap I bought somewhat nearer. At one level I stored watching her race. Then I assumed: it’s all or nothing. I used to be a meter brief or so.”
X²O Badkamers Trofee Vlaamse Duinencross – Koksijde Girls Consequence:
1. Fem van Empel (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike in 52:15
2. Lucinda Model (Ned) Baloise Trek Lions at 0:39
3. Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Ned) Alpecin-Deceuninck
4. Laura Verdonschot (Bel) De Ceuster-Bonache at 1:20
5. Sanne Cant (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 3:15
6. Denise Betsema (Ned) Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal at 3:31
7. Annemarie Worst (Ned) Cyclocross Reds at 3:44
8. Isabella Holmgren (Can) Lidl-Trek at 5:51
9. Julie Brouwers (Bel) Charles Liégeois Roastery at 6:42
10. Alessandra Keller (Sui) at 6:46.
Koksijde’24:
Golden Debut: Plapp Win’s Australian TT Title as Group Jayco AlUla Lock Out the Podium
2024 new recruit Luke Plapp made it a dream begin to life in Group Jayco AlUla colors as he claimed the Australian Time Trial Championship for the second time forward of teammates Chris Harper and Michael Hepburn. The 23-year-old was a purple scorching favorite for the title in Ballarat and he demonstrated why, as he powered across the 37.5km course in a time of 46:19:54 to take the victory by 32 seconds over Harper.
It was a memorable day and begin to the 2024 season for Group Jayco AlUla as they made it a clear sweep of the rostrum placings with Harper taking the silver medal, whereas former champion Hepburn took residence the bronze. Kell O’Brien made it 4 Group Jayco AlUla riders within the prime 4. Over within the girls’s race, Georgie Howe fought to 3rd place for Liv AlUla Jayco to cap off a shocking day for the Australian squad.
Consideration then turned to the criterium championships the place defending champions Amber Pate and O’Brien can be in motion, lining-up alongside Caleb Ewan with the workforce desperate to defend the title on Sturt Avenue.
Race winner, Luke Plapp (Jayco AlUla):
“It’s particular, I really feel like I’m again residence being in Group Jayco AlUla and I’m again within the inexperienced and gold stripes within the TT, I actually missed these stripes since 2021. It’s wonderful being again in them, the workforce has been wonderful within the construct as much as the race and to have all 4 of us as the highest 4 may be very, very thrilling going into Sunday and hopefully the boys can pull off one other win within the crit tomorrow night time.”
2024 Australian Time Trial Championships Consequence:
1. Luke Plapp (Jayco AlUla) in 46:19:54
2. Chris Harper (Jayco AlUla) at 0:32.71
3. Michael Hepburn (Jayco AlUla) at 0:55.01.
Australian TT champs podium:
GreenEDGE Biking Dominate as Ewan and Roseman-Gannon Declare Australian Criterium Championships
GreenEDGE Biking dominated the Australian Criterium Championships as Ruby Roseman-Gannon led residence a Liv AlUla Jayco one, two, three whereas Caleb Ewan sprinted to victory on his workforce return.
Roseman-Gannon completed off an excellent workforce efficiency within the girls’s race as she attacked solo to take her second criterium title, with teammates Georgia Baker and Alex Manly locking out the rostrum locations from the bunch dash behind.
Group Jayco AlUla then managed an aggressive males’s race as they shut down a collection of breakaway makes an attempt over the course of the 40-lap race earlier than 2023 champion Kell O’Brien and Blake Fast teed Ewan up for the dash finale. As soon as the 29-year-old opened up his kick there was no stopping him as he raced away to safe his fourth nationwide criterium title in fashion.
With three gold medals throughout the opening 4 occasions on the Australian Nationwide Championships, GreenEDGE Biking now swap their focus to the ‘large one’ on Sunday as they give the impression of being to reclaim the boys’s and girls’s street race championships on Mount Buninyong.
Girls’s winner, Ruby Roseman-Gannon (Liv AlUla Jayco): “The race was good, a bit windy and good climate, there wasn’t quite a lot of aggression early on but it surely began getting laborious and I truly didn’t really feel so good. We had Amber [Pate] overlaying quite a lot of the strikes early on. Then I realised that I in all probability didn’t really feel good as a result of truly it had been sort of laborious in order that’s once I went and we bought it fairly large hole, Gina Ricardo and I, fairly early on. I used to be working fairly laborious and I wasn’t certain whether or not Gina was feigning a bit so I began attacking her a bit and he or she was nonetheless holding on after which I ultimately dropped her. I believe it’s my first solo win since I turned skilled and possibly my first ever, so I’m actually completely happy to win at present. Ultimately we bought one, two, three so I can’t thank the women sufficient, it’s such nice workforce to race with and what a good way to begin the yr.”
Males’s winner, Caleb Ewan (Jayco AlUla): “It’s wonderful to be again and again within the workforce and I actually needed to begin the yr rather well, and that was going to be right here on the crit. I used to be tremendous nervous earlier than the race to be trustworthy, I felt like a child racing once more. The workforce did a tremendous job we rode fairly aggressive after which yeah in the long run once we knew breaks have been going away we arrange for the dash. I believe it’s factor [to feel nervous], if you’re nervous it imply you care and it’s your physique preparing for no matter is developing, so it’s good to really feel it once more and it’s good to have the arms within the air once more.”
2024 Australian Criterium Championships – Girls Consequence:
1. Ruby Roseman-Gannon (Liv AlUla Jayco) in 50:25
2. Georgia Baker (Liv AlUla Jayco) at 0:14
3. Alex Manly (Liv AlUla Jayco) at 0:14.
2024 Australian Criterium Championships – Males Consequence:
1. Caleb Ewan (Jayco AlUla) in 59:16
2. Jensen Plowright (Alpecin-Deceuninck)
3. Sam Welsford (BORA-hansgrohe).
2024 Australian Criterium podiums:
Clear Sweep – Plapp Wins Third Australian Highway Race Championship Title as Group Jayco AlUla Go One, Two, Three
Group Jayco AlUla dominated the Australian Highway Race Championships as Luke Plapp secured his third title in as a few years, crossing the road alongside teammate Chris Harper whereas Kelland O’Brien grasped the ultimate podium spot.
Plapp and Harper went clear with greater than 100km to go as they jumped away from a harmful breakaway group that fashioned early within the 16-lap race. As soon as the pair had a niche there was no trying again because the benefit grew lap after lap whereas O’Brien fashioned a part of a three-rider chase group behind.
With greater than six minutes over the chasers, Plapp and Harper have been in a position to savour the second on the ultimate lap as they shared a smile earlier than crossing the road collectively to complete off a shocking and dominate trip.
O’Brien then made it an historic day for GreenEDGE Biking as he sprinted residence to take third place and lock out the rostrum for the workforce. The result’s the third podium clear sweep for the workforce after Plapp, Harper and Michael Hepburn within the time trial and a Liv AlUla Jayco one, two, three within the criterium.
In whole, the squad roll away from Ballart and the nationwide championships with 9 medals in whole, together with 5 gold medals throughout the six elite races.
Race winner, Luke Plapp (Jayco AlUla): “The Aussies are again, GreenEDGE is again! That was wonderful on the market, I believe from the gun we had every little thing below management and me and Harper had a good time on the market, I can’t thank him sufficient. We simply needed to be in management the entire time and I believe we noticed it, we knew we might take management early and as soon as we have been on the market we at all times had it within the bag. It was a tremendous workforce effort, from Blake [Quick] initially, Rudy [Porter] following the strikes, then Kell, we have been by no means out of it.”
2nd, Chris Harper (Jayco AlUla): “I believe from the beginning we have been all on prime of it, Plappy and I got here throughout the road one-two and it actually was a workforce effort at present, everyone performed their half. We had numbers and will dictate the race actually. Plappy was completely flying on the finish there, so I needed to inform him to ease up somewhat bit for me, but it surely’s a fantastic day and hit out for us going to Tour Down Below subsequent week as nicely.”
2024 Australian Highway Race Championships – Males Consequence:
1. Luke Plapp (Jayco AlUla) in 4:34:26
2. Chris Harper (Jayco AlUla)
3. Kelland O’Brien (Jayco AlUla) at 6:09.
Roseman-Gannon Takes Gold and Manly Bronze as Liv AlUla Jayco Gentle up the Australian Highway Race Championships
Ruby Roseman-Gannon made it a dream begin to the 2024 season for Liv AlUla Jayco, conserving her cool to win the Australian Highway Race Championship in a tense dash finale in Ballarat as teammate Alexandra Manly took residence the bronze medal.
After taking the criterium title in gorgeous fashion on Friday night, Roseman-Gannon lined-up for Sunday’s street race as a transparent race favorite, and the 25-year-old demonstrated why with a calculated and aggressive efficiency.
It was a sometimes attacking race with Liv AlUla Jayco by no means removed from the motion as each rider headed up the street in some unspecified time in the future through the nine-lap battle. Because the bell rang for the ultimate lap a number one trio of Roseman-Gannon, teammate Georgia Baker and Lauretta Hanson held a sizeable benefit over a choose chasing group following a collection of breakaway makes an attempt.
Nevertheless, issues finally got here again collectively over the crest of Mount Buninyong as quite a few chasing teams made their approach again to the pinnacle of the race to arrange an exciting end.
Because the main group raced by the ultimate kilometre Amber Pate pulled an enormous flip to tee up her teammates, with Roseman-Gannon proving to be the quick within the sprint for the road with Manly charging by for third place and the bronze medal.
The double medal haul makes it six medals in whole for Liv AlUla Jayco on the Australian Nationwide Championships in 2024 – a dream begin to the season.
Race winner, Ruby Roseman-Gannon (Liv AlUla Jayco): “I’m in shock. The final couple of years I’ve needed this so unhealthy and yearly I completed only a bit dissatisfied. I had wonderful legs, I imply it helped I used to be at all times up the street on the climb, however I can’t thank my workforce sufficient, like actually, actually that is one of the best group and I’m simply in shock. The final time Ballarat, it means rather a lot, I believe it simply doesn’t really feel actual. I believe everybody was simply on one other degree, we had the workforce assembly earlier than and everybody was 100% in. we actually needed this, you understand we had tears within the assembly about how a lot it meant to us. It’s an Australian workforce and it means a lot to deliver it again to the Europe, so I can’t thank the women sufficient. I can’t thank the workforce sufficient, it seems like a dream, I’ve finished quite a lot of work for this second.”
2024 Australian Highway Race Championships – Girls Consequence:
1. Ruby Roseman-Gannon (Liv AlUla Jayco) 3:04:52
2. Lauretta Hanson (Lidl-Trek)
3. Alexandra Manly (Liv AlUla Jayco).
Wout van Aert Going to BORA-hansgrohe?
RedBull has purchased a majority stake of 51% in Ralph Denk’s firm that runs the German WorldTeam, BORA-hansgrohe. The vitality drink firm already sponsor Tom Pidcock and Wout van Aert on a person foundation, might this imply a transfer for these riders to signal for the German workforce sooner or later?
The switch of the shares ought to happen on January 26. “Sponsorship insiders predict that RedBull’s entry can be a recreation changer,” in accordance with Youri of the WielerFlits Podcast. “That might solely be excellent news for the game. Simply take a look at what number of thousands and thousands of euros they beforehand pumped into mountain biking and different excessive sports activities. To not point out Max Verstappen’s System 1 workforce.”
The RedBull helmets are well-known within the peloton and much more so in mountain biking. Can the vitality drink firm go away the identical mark on biking because it does in different sports activities. Maxim of WielerFlits thinks: “if there’s a sponsor who can do this, I consider it’s RedBull. What I do surprise: will all BORA-hansgrohe riders quickly trip with a RedBull helmet? And when will Wout van Aert race for the Germans? You normally make daring statements, however now I dare to make them. I’ll let you know upfront: Wout van Aert will race for BORA-hansgrohe from 2025. They may purchase out his contract on the finish of this yr.”
Youri however doesn’t see that occuring anytime quickly. “Though I need to say that Ralph Denk has at all times been requested by the sponsors to have an enormous title within the workforce once more after Peter Sagan. Remco Evenepoel and Mathieu van der Poel have already been handed, however so has Van Aert. However in precept they’ve now simply attracted that prime rider with Primož Roglič. Given the current developments surrounding him and Cian Uijtdebroeks, I don’t suppose a swap for Van Aert to BORA-hansgrohe can be straightforward. That received’t be an inexpensive enterprise for them.”
What subsequent for RedBull?
Wout van Aert – From Cross to Highway
Wout van Aert’s cyclo-cross winter season is sort of over. He completed third within the X2o Trophy in Koksijde, which was his final Flemish cyclo-cross of this winter. He’ll race once more in Benidorm, however he’s now specializing in the spring Classics. “I really feel that I began my Christmas interval with a lot much less health,” he mirrored.
“It was a really powerful and enjoyable interval,” Van Aert mentioned after the cross in Koksijde about his cross season. “There have been lots of people on the cross and I loved that immensely. Bodily it was adapting to the legs that allowed what I used to be in a position to present. That’s completely different from different years, however we knew that upfront. Ever since I placed on my (race) quantity, I wish to do one of the best I can. I’ve at all times finished that. That resulted in good locations of honour, however few victories.” Solely in Essen and Heusden-Zolder did did he take the wins, however right here have been second and third locations, and a fifth place in Hulst after a crash.
Now Van Aert shifts his focus to the street. That build-up in the direction of spring and the Giro is barely completely different. He used the cyclo-cross winter for this. “I’ve already taken a pleasant step ahead, however I want days of relaxation,” mentioned Van Aert. “Then we are going to proceed to construct progressively. My absolute predominant objectives are three months away, which continues to be some time. There’s nonetheless quite a lot of work to be finished.”
The Classics and the Giro subsequent for Van Aert:
Groupama-FDJ With out Paul Penhoët because of Damage
Paul Penhoët will miss the beginning of the 2024 season. The Groupama-FDJ sprinter suffered a cruciate ligament damage and can be unable to compete for at the least three months.
The workforce introduced that “Paul suffers from a knee ligament damage in his proper knee, which requires surgical procedure. He will be unable to take part in competitions for roughly three months,” It isn’t recognized precisely what occurred to Penhoët to trigger this damage.
Twenty-two year-old Penhoët, managed to take three skilled victories final season, all in France. He received the Tour du Finistère and the Tour Poitou-Charentes, with two stage victories. Within the autumn he additionally had a number of locations of honour in French one-day races, ending fifth within the GP de Fourmies and tenth in Paris-Excursions.
With Groupama-FDJ, Penhoët is among the workforce’s sprinters for subsequent season. Arnaud Démare and Jake Stewart left final yr, however sprinters Marc Sarreau and Matthew Partitions joined.
Paul Penhoët out:
Romain Bardet Desires a Stage Win in Each Grand Excursions
Romain Bardet has already received levels within the Tour de France and la Vuelta a España, however no wins within the Giro d’Italia, but. The 33 year-old French climber hopes to finish the trilogy this yr.
The Group dsm-firmenich PostNL rider introduced this to Eurosport. Bardet has received three levels within the Tour and as soon as within the Vuelta in 2021. Bardet has not received within the Giro, regardless of driving in 2021 and 2022.
Bardet didn’t say a lot about his race program for 2024 in the meanwhile, but it surely seems he can be initially of the Tour of Italy this yr. “I wish to win a stage within the Giro earlier than I retire. That might be a fantastic second, despite the fact that I don’t have a lot Giro expertise but. I’ve solely ridden the Giro twice and managed to succeed in the end solely as soon as.”
If Bardet manages to win a stage within the Giro this yr, this could be his final objective as a rider. The Frenchman doesn’t rule out that 2024 can be his final season as knowledgeable. Bardet will race for DSM PostNL this yr, however his contract with the Dutch workforce expires on the finish of 2024, so it’s time for Bardet to consider his future. “It’s nonetheless utterly open. I nonetheless get pleasure from what I do, however I’ve now reached an age the place I’ve to judge and see what continues to be in retailer. I’ll resolve earlier than the Tour what the subsequent step is. Behind my thoughts I do know this might be my final yr, however I would simply preserve going. That’s nonetheless open in the intervening time.”
What’s the future for Bardet?
Tim Wellens Believes in Tour Probabilities of Remco Evenepoel
Remco Evenepoel will begin his first Tour de France in 2024. The Belgian of Soudal Fast-Step is making ready for La Grande Bouclebut can he struggle for the ultimate victory? “Nobody doubts that Remco can compete with one of the best riders,” is the opinion of Tim Wellens.
In an interview with Cyclingnews, Wellens seems forward to the 111th Tour de France (June 29-July 21) and was requested about Evenepoel. “Remco additionally actually has an opportunity. Lower than Tadej Pogačar, though I’m after all biased. However nobody doubts that Remco can take part within the Tour with one of the best riders. If he can win the Vuelta, he can after all additionally win the Tour.”
Evenepoel must take care of the present Tour winner Jonas Vingegaard, Primoz Roglič and Tadej Pogačar. Wellens hopes to play a vital function for Pogačar. The Belgian is stuffed with reward for his UAE teammate. “How he at all times retains his toes on the bottom… That’s what makes essentially the most impression. He doesn’t really feel higher than anybody else, despite the fact that he’s the one who might. He’s one of the best rider on this planet. Quite the opposite, he has remained completely regular. The way you see him on tv is how he’s in actual life. He performs no function. We get alongside nicely as he is a good man.”
Wellens hopes to make a bid for the general victory within the Tour de France with Pogačar, however his Slovenian chief will first trip the Giro d’Italia. Is that this a good suggestion? “I believe they know what they’re doing at UAE Emirates. They don’t simply do something. Tadej has now confirmed for 3 years in a row that he’s one of the best rider on this planet,” mentioned Wellens.
Pogačar qnd Evenepoel:
Arnaud De Lie Will Trip the Tour de France in 2024
Throughout the Lotto Dstny workforce presentation, this system of Arnaud De Lie was introduced. The younger Belgian will begin his first Grand Tour in 2024. De Lie additionally has a full spring marketing campaign, however will miss the European Championships.
Arnaud De Lie begins his season in Spain, in Almeria and Murcia. Within the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad he can be seeking to enhance on his third place final yr. Le Samyn, Paris-Good, Milano-Sanremo, the E3 Saxo Basic, Gent-Wevelgem and Dwars door Vlaanderen are additionally on his program within the spring. De Lie’s program is topic to alter, however he must also trip the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. He additionally desires to trip the Brabantse Pijl and the Amstel Gold Race.
After spring he can be initially of the Tour de France in search of stage dash victories. De Lie won’t trip the European Championship and ends its season in Canada.
Arnaud De Lie’s Race Programme:
11-02 Vuelta Ciclista a la Area de Murcia “Costa Calida”
12-02 Clasica de Almeria
24-02 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
27-02 Le Samyn
03-03 – 10-03 Paris-Good
16-03 Milano-Sanremo
22-03 E3 Saxo Financial institution Basic
27-03 Dwars door Vlaanderen
31-03 Ronde van Vlaanderen
07-04 Paris-Roubaix
01-05 Eschborn-Frankfurt
29-06 – 21-07 Tour de France
13-09 Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec
15-09 Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal
Arnaud De Mislead the Tour:
Stefan Küng Desires the UCI to Take Motion After His Crash within the European Time Trial Championships
Stefan Küng rode into the obstacles through the European time trial Championships and crashed badly, he continued to the end in Emmen, but it surely was discovered later that that he had concussion.
Küng was badly injured within the crash, however bought again up once more with a damaged helmet. The Swiss federation got here below quite a lot of criticism, together with from the UCI, as a result of the protocol within the occasion of a suspected concussion was not adopted. The federation subsequently indicated that it could analyse the matter internally. It later turned out that Küng had suffered a concussion, a fractured cheekbone and a number of other fractures in his hand.
With the German biking web site Radsport-Information, Küng regarded again intimately at his crash and the results. The 30 year-old rider of Groupama-FDJ primarily seems on the UCI and appeals to the worldwide governing physique. “The UCI ought to sort out the issue. You may’t inform a rider to simply put his head up in instances like this. A rider is at all times in search of one of the best and quickest biking place.”
“The UCI should create higher circumstances, in order that the game can happen safely in the way in which it’s at present practiced. The aerodynamic positions on a bicycle have gotten more and more excessive and as a bike owner you might be additionally delicate to that.”
Küng has already extensively analysed his crash, along with the Swiss Biking Federation. “It was an pointless crash and it additionally regarded unusual, so we checked out it fastidiously and drew our conclusions. However right here too the ball is again within the UCI’s court docket. The UCI got here to the conclusion a couple of years in the past that smaller riders had a bonus in a time trial. They subsequently determined to regulate the bicycle positions, however I’m one of many taller riders. For me, the house between the contact floor and the highest of the attachments is 14 centimetres. Perhaps they need to have left it because it was, however that’s not my space of experience.”
Küng’s crash within the European TT champs:
Simon Geschke Begins his Ultimate Season
Simon Geschke will retire from skilled biking on the finish of 2024. The 37 year-old German, who rides for Cofidis, introduced the information through social media. Geschke began his profession in 2009 with the Skil-Shimano workforce.
“Blissful New Yr to everybody! 2024 can be a particular season for me, as I’ve determined that it is going to be my final as knowledgeable bike owner. I’m very motivated to retire after season, so deliver it on!” Geschke continues to be filled with preventing spirit on the age of 37.
He began his profession 15 years in the past in 2009 with Skil-Shimano and finally raced for ten seasons for supervisor Iwan Spekenbrink’s workforce. Geschke then rode for CCC (2019-2020) and now for the French Cofidis workforce. Geschke, with one of the best beard within the peloton, has taken three victories with the professionals. His greatest victory was in 2015 when he received the seventeenth stage of the Tour de France, a troublesome Alpine stage, ending in Pra-Loup. He additionally received the Canton Aargau GP and a stage within the Critérium Worldwide stage race.
He has additionally been initially of a Grand Tour 18 occasions in his profession. Eleven occasions within the Tour de France, 3 times within the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España 4 occasions.
Simon Geschke’s final season:
French Group Saves Edvald Boasson Hagen’s Profession
Edvald Boasson Hagen seems like he’ll nonetheless be within the WorldTour subsequent season. The sturdy Norwegian left TotalEnergies and now appears to be signing with the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, in accordance with Landevei.no.
36 year-old Edvald Boasson Hagen has been knowledgeable bike owner since 2008, however after final yr it regarded like his profession was over. The Norwegian’s contract was not prolonged with TotalEnergies, so Boasson Hagen needed to search for a brand new workforce and that wasn’t straightforward. Uno-X Mobility, the ProTour workforce from Norway, appeared an apparent selection. Nevertheless, the workforce had no room for him. INEOS Grenadiers and DSM-PostNL began discussions with the Tour de France stage winner, however the talks got here to nothing.
Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale is now mentioned to have an interest within the Norwegian. No signature has been signed but, however it’s mentioned that this won’t take lengthy. Boasson Hagen may need a seventeenth season as knowledgeable bike owner.
Edvald Boasson Hagen to Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale:
Julien Vermote Might Have the Final Place with Visma | Lease a Bike
Visma | Lease a Bike is in discussions with Julien Vermote to fill the vacant closing spot within the workforce as a result of retirement of Lennard Hofstede. A number of sources confided to WielerFlits that the Dutch WorldTeam has already had a number of discussions with the 34 year-old Belgian and that they’re near an settlement.
Vermote impressed Jumbo-Visma final season through the Belgian street championship in Izegem as he was very lively within the closing. As a substitute for Hofstede, the workforce is especially in search of a rider with expertise. Moreover, Wout van Aert would strongly help the potential arrival of Vermote. The Flemish rider has a protracted historical past, however was sidelined final season. With Alpecin-Deceuninck there was no contract extension for a second time, however that didn’t cease Vermote from racing. He educated all through the winter of 2022/2023 and continued that into the next street season.
As a single rider, he raced in Belgian skilled kermis races in 2023. He recorded good ends in a lot of them. Vermote nonetheless felt too good to cease and stored repeating many times that he would like to race for a couple of extra years. That persistence now appears to be paying off. The Kortrijk native made his skilled debut with Fast-Step in 2011 and stayed there till the tip of 2017. He then moved to Dimension Information for 2 years. Subsequent Cofidis for one season, however he mentioned he turned the sufferer of the covid season with the French workforce.
He didn’t discover a new workforce, however continued to coach. Not for nothing, because it turned out. In April 2021 he acquired a contract with Alpecin-Fenix. Shortly afterwards, a corona an infection and toxoplasmosis led to a months-long absence, which in the end meant that Vermote was unable to finish a single race with Alpecin-Fenix that season. Nevertheless, that workforce confirmed leniency. The workforce determined to increase his contract for one more yr till the tip of 2021. In 2022 he was Mathieu van der Poel’s teammate within the Tour of Flanders, which the Dutchman received for the second time that yr. Vermote additionally rode Paris-Roubaix per week later, adopted by many extra one-day races and 5 smaller stage races. However, he didn’t obtain a brand new contract for 2023.
His perseverance to maintain racing final yr now appears to be rewarded. Because of the retirement of Hofstede on the finish of December 2023 and since Michel Heßmann is inactive pending a doping investigation, Visma | Lease a Bike are taking a look at Vermote. The Belgian has been an on-the-road captain, as Hofstede was. Hofstede was not the costliest rider on the payroll and so a potential substitute mustn’t have an enormous price ticket. Somebody like Edvald Boasson Hagen was not keen to race for a small contract and can go to Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale. In his profession so far, the Belgian has ridden the Giro d’Italia 3 times and the Tour de France 4 occasions, all of which he completed. He additionally began eighteen Monuments, eleven of which he accomplished.
Julien Vermote to Visma | Lease a Bike?
Edoardo Affini and Jan Tratnik to Be a part of Van Aert and Kooij to Giro d’Italia
The Visma | Lease a Bike workforce choice for the Giro d’Italia is taking form. Leaders, Wout van Aert and Olav Kooij can be joined by Edoardo Affini and Jan Tratnik for the Italian Grand Tour.
“With Edoardo and Jan we have now riders who know precisely how you can do a lead-out. Furthermore, I can be taught from their experiences in Grand Excursions. I’ll be taught rather a lot from that,” mentioned Kooij on the Dutch workforce’s web site. The Dutch sprinter will make his debut in a Grand Tour, the Giro, with Van Aert as his lead-out within the dash levels.
Throughout the workforce presentation in December it was additionally introduced that Visma | Lease a Bike would additionally take Cian Uijtdebroeks and Wilco Kelderman to Italy. As well as, Robert Gesink confirmed that he can be working in the direction of the Giro in his closing yr as knowledgeable rider and race organiser RCS introduced in December that Child Giro winner Johannes Staune-Mittet would take part.
“Olav, Wout and Cian will get their probabilities within the Giro,” confirmed Merijn Zeeman. “I believe we will create quite a lot of spectacle in Italy with this workforce. Not going for a common classification is a special method than final yr and requires a special approach of racing. However after all we additionally wish to implement this plan to perfection.”
Edoardo Affini to the Giro:
Imanol Erviti to be DS with INEOS Grenadiers
Imanol Erviti can be workforce DS with INEOS Grenadiers from January 1. It has been a hearsay for a while, however now the British workforce has confirmed the information. The 40 year-old Spaniard retired as a racing bike owner on the finish of final season.
Erviti raced for the Movistar workforce all through his 19 yr profession, primarily as a domestique, however he additionally received 3 times himself. He received a stage within the Vuelta a España in 2008 and 2010, and in 2011 he received the Vuelta Ciclista a La Rioja.
Within the final years of his profession, Erviti had an necessary function as street captain. He additionally speaks good English, which can be helpful with INEOS Grenadiers.
Imanol Erviti now a DS with INEOS Grenadiers:
Soudal Fast-Step to the Tour Down Below
Two-time World Champion Julian Alaphilippe will lead the workforce on the first World Tour competitors of the yr.
Soudal Fast-Step is able to kick off the season in lower than two weeks at an important Australian race on the calendar, the Tour Down Below, which this yr runs its twenty fourth version. Going down between 16-21 January, the race will see the riders tackle the now conventional Adelaide Criterium earlier than embarking on a difficult 800km journey peppered with loads of challenges, together with the Willunga Hill and Mount Lofty.
Ten years after making his debut for the workforce on the Tour Down Below, Julian Alaphilippe returns initially of the race which can now mark the primary outing within the professional ranks for 2 Soudal Fast-Step riders: Gil Gelders and Antoine Huby. The squad for the six-day occasion can be rounded out by Josef Cerny, James Knox, Casper Pedersen and Pieter Serry.
“I’m completely happy to be returning to Down Below after a decade. Australia is a good nation, with followers that love the game and present you their help each time. I nonetheless bear in mind the emotion and pleasure I felt upon pinning on a quantity for my first race with the workforce there in 2014. I’m excited to return the place all of it started and I hope for begin to the season”, mentioned Julian forward of his first appointment of the yr.
“We include a powerful squad and we’re trying ahead to the race. Julian can get some alternatives with the help of the skilled guys on the squad, whereas Casper can become involved within the struggle for outcome on the flat levels. For Gil and Antoine this can be a pleasant solution to begin with Soudal Fast-Step and we will’t wait to see them in motion”, added sports activities director Geert Van Bondt.
16.01–21.01 Santos Tour Down Below (AUS) 2.UWT
Riders:
Julian Alaphilippe (FRA)
Josef Cerny (CZE)
Gil Gelders (BEL)
Antoine Huby (FRA)
James Knox (GBR)
Casper Phillip Pedersen (DEN)
Pieter Serry (BEL).
Sports activities Director: Geert Van Bondt (BEL).
Julian Alaphilippe to the TDU:
UAE Group Emirates Searching for Minimal Features Utilizing A.I.
The peloton has additionally been unable to keep away from the technological revolution in recent times. Tech and massive information are additionally storming the WorldTour groups and providing new alternatives to get essentially the most out of each rider. UAE Group Emirates desires to find what synthetic intelligence can do for them.
Tadej Pogačar’s workforce hopes {that a} dive into large information will present new insights into potential performances of their riders. “There will definitely be a breakthrough by the usage of A.I. within the coming years,” mentioned efficiency coordinator Jeroen Swart in dialog with Velo.
“We at the moment are working with an A.I. companion to sift by huge quantities of coaching, efficiency information and different variables that we will enter and overview. We take a look at coaching protocol, race alternatives and far more. It’s removed from sure what this may yield, however the workforce desires to find what is feasible. It might not yield a lot, however investing in A.I. might present us the subsequent step ahead,” mentioned Swart.
Not everyone seems to be pleased with the arrival of analysing expertise within the biking world. Romain Bardet of DSM-firmenich PostNL, in an interview with Eurosport, he sees the allure of the game disappearing. “I believe there was an even bigger human ingredient to it. I’ve at all times preferred the self-taught a part of biking. This half has nearly disappeared from the planning and coaching. I’ve the sensation that we have gotten increasingly more performers.”
Swart solely sees alternatives round A.I in the meanwhile. “Such an evaluation can reveal every kind of issues. Insights might emerge that we have now not but thought of. That’s the beauty of AI: it has no preconceived concepts. It takes the information, analyses it and spits out a bunch of solutions. You then check it.”
AI to assist Pogačar win the Tour:
Lotto Dstny Will Not Trip the Giro d’Italia, Tirreno-Adriatico and Tour of the Basque Nation
Like final yr, Lotto Dstny won’t be initially of some large races subsequent season. The Belgian ProTour workforce won’t be on the Giro d’Italia for the second yr, however in contrast to final yr, the workforce has chosen to not begin within the Tour of Poland. All WorldTour groups are required to take part within the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and Vuelta a España, however this isn’t the case for ProTeams, like Lotto Dstny. The workforce was eager to gather as many UCI factors as potential in different, smaller competitions. This yr too, the workforce consciously chooses its races. Along with the Giro d’Italia, the workforce additionally misses the Tour Down Below, Tirreno Adriatico, Tour of the Basque Nation and the Tour of Poland.
Lotto Dstny choosing their races:
Jumbo CEO Ton van Veen Talks Concerning the Finish of the Group Sponsorship
It’ll take some getting used to for a lot of biking followers to not see Jumbo-Visma, now Visma | Lease a Bike. Jumbo Supermarkets’ selection to go away sports activities sponsorship has a transparent objective, CEO Ton van Veen emphasised within the Volkskrant. “Jumbo has misplaced a few of its focus in recent times,” he mentioned.
“Now we have added quite a few actions that haven’t essentially strengthened the formulation,” mentioned Van Veen. “We entered the flash supply enterprise with Gorillas and we have now grow to be very lively in sports activities sponsorship. However if you take a look at the successes of the athletes and groups, you need to ask your self whether or not that fits us.”
Jumbo has been concerned with Richard Plugge’s workforce since 2015, first for 4 years as co-sponsor after which for 5 years as predominant sponsor. As well as, the grocery store chain was a motorsport sponsor for a few years. “Max Verstappen is a World champion. However we’re a Dutch grocery store firm, not even the most important. We don’t have a lot to do on the world stage,” mentioned Van Veen.
That’s the reason Jumbo Supermarkets will modify its technique, partly as a result of its market share has fallen in 2023 and earnings have declined. “Now we have nearly no room to soak up the worth will increase ourselves. Our internet revenue margin was lower than 1% in 2023. We would like the easiest vary and one of the best service on the lowest worth. Combining these extremes is just potential if your organization is in tip-top form. Which means we now not make investments tens of thousands and thousands in sports activities sponsorship, however use them to decrease costs. That’s the essence of Jumbo because it was meant.”
Jumbo CEO Ton van Veen:
Orbea and Lotto Dstny Embark on a New Period within the Pursuit of Excellence
The model and the workforce share a historical past of ties to biking, rooted in referential territories and social dedication; the union pursues excellence by steady enchancment.
There are tales destined to unfold and paths designed to fulfill because of shared values. We’re delighted to announce that Lotto Dstny and Orbea have sealed a partnership settlement, a union stemming from the deep convictions of each the model and the workforce and materialised in an ambition to succeed in new objectives in each sport and enterprise.
In its 38 year-long historical past, the workforce has grow to be a benchmark within the peloton, and Lotto maintains the longest-standing biking sponsorship within the sport. In the meantime, Orbea has 183 years of expertise and racing DNA, and always pursues excellence by enchancment, the one solution to assure long-term success.
Each the workforce and Orbea have origins in passionate territories with long-standing biking heritage. Belgium, Euskadi and the followers in each locations dwell and breathe biking by and thru, upholding the accountability and honour that comes with it. Orbea works laborious every single day with enthusiasm to consolidate the positions they’ve achieved, to proceed producing wealth and sharing it with society.
“Like Lotto Dstny, we’re a model with a powerful world presence. By this collaboration, we aspire to broaden our influence and strengthen our recognition worldwide”, says Ander Olariaga, Orbea’s Model and Communications Director.
Past these basic values, each events even have the conviction that solely adopting excellence, dedication and perseverance in day-to-day work, will permit them to make their approach in the direction of extraordinary achievements.
“Lotto Dstny finds in Orbea a really perfect ally to proceed enhancing the efficiency of our total construction. The variation to the brand new bikes has been fast and the willingness to proceed engaged on their growth is at all times there. Collectively, I’m sure we will obtain nice issues”, says Stéphane Heulot, CEO of Lotto Dstny.
This biking venture goes past names or individuals. Lotto Dstny and Orbea be a part of forces to begin a brand new period wherein they wish to encourage passionate cyclists everywhere in the world to dream large.
Etixx Turns into New Vitamin Companion
From January 2024, Etixx Sports activities Vitamin will be a part of forces with Intermarché-Wanty as a brand new sports activities diet companion alongside Maurten, Cellavent Healthcare and Crampfix.
Etixx, a Belgian benchmark model within the discipline of sports activities diet, provides sports activities bars and gummies, restoration drinks and dietary supplements to the riders of the World Group, Wanty-ReUz-Technord Growth Group and Charles Liégeois Roastery CX, who’ve already examined the merchandise of their first cyclocross races of 2024.
The mission of Etixx is to help athletes to succeed in their objectives by providing a whole vary of tasty, science primarily based sports activities diet, made out of one of the best and progressive substances and tailor-made to the wants of all those that dedicate themselves to their sport, professionally, as amateurs, or simply for enjoyable.
Etixx sports activities diet has been developed with and for athletes and their medical groups specializing in well being and well-being of the athlete. The Belgian model collaborates with a assorted workforce of specialists from varied sectors, equivalent to biochemistry, sports activities docs, physiotherapists, biomedical scientists, pharmacologists and prime athletes. The suggestions of the riders and sports activities dieticians of the construction Intermarché-Wanty is an added worth within the growth of its product vary.
All Etixx merchandise carry the internationally recognised ‘Knowledgeable Sport’ high quality label. Each batch from every manufacturing run of the complete Etixx vary undergoes an evaluation by an impartial laboratory to ensure that assessments the merchandise for banned substances.
Jana Camphens (Sports activities Dietitian): “Because the workforce’s sports activities dietitian, I’m very excited concerning the collaboration with Etixx. This Belgian model stands out for its transparency, dedication to innovation and shut monitoring of scientific developments. Its big selection of merchandise consists of not solely sport-specific diet, but in addition an intensive vary of sports activities dietary supplements, giving riders optimum help earlier than, throughout and after coaching and races. What makes Etixx really dependable is its ‘Knowledgeable Sport’ doping-free high quality label. Every batch undergoes thorough testing in an impartial laboratory for banned substances, permitting riders to depend on the very best high quality requirements. This method ensures that the model meets the strict necessities of our medical workforce.”
Kenny Van Damme (Model Supervisor Etixx Sports activities Vitamin): “This new collaboration with Intermarché-Wanty brings us to the World Tour in 2024, or the very best degree of worldwide biking, which makes us very proud. The partnership primarily based on shared values of innovation, scientific method and dedication to success. A pioneer in sports activities diet growth, Etixx units the bar excessive with science-based merchandise that assist riders optimise efficiency and get well. By this partnership, Etixx Sports activities Vitamin will supply customised dietary options that intently match the person wants of Intermarché-Wanty’s riders. From the begin to fast restoration, the vary of Etixx merchandise will contribute to the workforce’s bodily and psychological well-being throughout coaching and races.”
Elite and Masters Athletes Set for Historic 2024 Canadian Observe Championships
Elite and Masters athletes are touring from throughout the nation to the Mattamy Nationwide Biking Centre in Milton, ON, for the largest-ever version of the Canadian Observe Championships, to be held Jan. 5-7, 2024.
Over 170 athletes will compete for maple leaf jerseys in particular person, workforce, dash and endurance occasions over three days of racing. New titles can even be up for grabs for our Elite Males and Girls – Observe Elimination and Observe Factors – and a newly recognised class for Masters D 65+ in each Males’s and Girls’s fields.
“The Canadian Observe Championships are such a particular solution to kick of the brand new yr and we will’t wait to have fun with our greatest crowd of members but,” mentioned Jolène Dupuis, Biking Canada Supervisor of Occasions and Officers. “We’re excited for the addition of those new titles and new schedule, which is a direct impact of our sport’s profitable growth nationwide. The Championships additionally assist construct pleasure and foster Canada’s love of observe racing upfront of the Tissot UCI Observe Nations Cup this upcoming April.”
Strengthened from their medal-winning experiences on the Santiago 2023 Pan American Video games, 10 athletes can be seeking to proceed their podium streaks: Jackie Boyle; Chris Ernst; Michael Foley; James Hedgcock; Kiara Lylyk; Carson Mattern; Sarah Orban; Tyler Rorke; Emy Savard; and Nick Wammes. Foley, Hedgcock, Orban and Savard can even be seeking to maintain onto the nationwide titles they received in 2023.
After turning into Males’s Endurance Champion within the 2023 UCI Observe Champions League, Dylan Bibic can be in attendance to defend his 2023 Canadian Champion titles within the males’s scratch race, omnium and Madison.
Having set a outstanding three Canadian information final yr within the time trial, workforce pursuit and workforce dash, Amy Maher will return to interrupt new obstacles within the Grasp B Girls’s class. For the Grasp C Males, it is going to be Frank Kovacs who will hit the observe in an try and prime his 2023 Canadian file.
The complete technical information and necessary occasion info might be discovered on the Occasions Web page of the Biking Canada web site.
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