I hope you’re all having an ideal day? Nonetheless lots of EUROTRASH to get by way of: The UCI Cyclocross World Cup from Antwerpen and the Precise Cross Zilvermeercross in Mol – Studies, outcomes and video.
Jonas Vingegaard and Sepp Kuss prolong their contracts – TOP STORY.
Rider information: Nairo Quintana leads Movistar within the Giro and the Vuelta, Nairo Quintana feels renewed vitality in new function, BORA – hansgrohe and Cian Uijtdebroeks mutually terminate their contract, Florian Vermeersch again in cyclo-cross and Tiesj Benoot needs to push sporting boundaries.
Crew information: Two riders of Intermarché-Circus-Wanty growth staff in a critical coaching crash, new Colombian Continental staff introduced, Crew Visma | Lease a Bike goals to make historical past once more in 2024, no Tour de France, however Giro/Vuelta mixture for Wout van Aert in 2024, renewed impulse for Movistar in 2024 as blues have a good time Telefónica’s a centesimal anniversary, EF Schooling-EasyPost: Gearing up for 2024 and Astana Qazaqstan growth staff presents its roster for 2024.
Race information: UCI extra protocol for very excessive temperatures and Tirreno-Adriatico 2024 route introduced.
All the perfect for the vacations.
TOP STORY: Jonas Vingegaard and Sepp Kuss Prolong their Contracts
Two-time Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard and Vuelta a España winner Sepp Kuss have each prolonged their contracts with Crew Visma | Lease a Bike. Vingegaard can be with the staff till the tip of 2028, whereas Kuss now has a contract till 2027. Fem van Empel has prolonged her contract with the ladies’s staff till 2027.
Vingegaard had already prolonged his contract till the tip of 2027 and has now added one other 12 months, exhibiting his pleasure at being a part of the Yellow Crew, which has guided him to double general victory within the Tour de France. Sepp Kuss had a contract with Visma | Lease a Bike till the tip of 2024. A number of groups needed his signature after his victory in La Vuelta. It will be important for Lease a Bike to make use of an excellent American rider, as a result of the PON firm will give attention to the American marketplace for bicycle leasing within the coming years.
Fem van Empel can be one of many leaders of the ladies’s staff for the following 4 years. The 21 year-old had a powerful season on the highway, together with eleventh place general within the Giro Donne and sixth place within the Tour de l’Avenir Femmes. Van Empel can also be one of many prime cyclo-cross riders, she gained the World title in Hoogerheide earlier this 12 months. She is the European cyclo-cross season champion once more this 12 months and has gained two World Cup races.
Longer contracts for Vingegaard and Kuss:
UCI Cyclocross World Cup – Antwerpen Males 2023
Mathieu van der Poel gained his third cyclo-cross race in a row. The World champion had a tough begin within the Antwerp World Cup, however rapidly fought his approach again to the entrance and instantly dropped everybody. Wout van Aert was second, Eli Iserbyt third.
Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert and Tom Pidcock met up for the primary time this cyclo-cross season. Two of the large three didn’t get an excellent begin. Van der Poel misplaced his pedal initially, Pidcock crashed after the primary nook. Van der Poel was additionally held up by that crash. The Dutchman and the Briton have been in round twenty fifth place after 1 minute. Wout van Aert didn’t have any issues and hit the off-road round tenth place. Ryan Kamp had the perfect begin, however quickly World Cup chief Eli Iserbyt took over. There have been no actual gaps but. After the primary lap, Dutchmen Joris Nieuwenhuis and Pim Ronhaar led a big peloton. On the tail finish of this group have been Pidcock and Van der Poel, who have been in thirteenth and fifteenth locations. Van Aert was round sixth.
Within the second lap, Van der Poel continued his advance and moved as much as 2nd place simply earlier than the ending straight. He didn’t keep there for lengthy, as a result of when Iserbyt made a mistake, the World champion handed him and instantly attacked. Nobody had a solution and Van der Poel was on his solo trip. The distinction after three of the eight laps was 16 seconds on the 5 chasers: Pim Ronhaar, Vanthourenhout, Iserbyt, Nieuwenhuis and Van Aert. Pidcock was in eleventh place, two locations behind Thibau Nys. Nys, Laurens Sweeck and Niels Vandeputte joined the pursuers on lap 4, the place Van Aert was dropped. Iserbyt did many of the work, however he couldn’t forestall the group from shedding increasingly more time to Van der Poel. The World champ had a lead of fifty seconds after 5 laps. Within the subsequent lap he would prolong the hole to over 1 minute. The victory was his, the third in a row in his quick cyclo-cross season to this point. There was nonetheless the battle for second place between Iserbyt and Van Aert, who left Nieuwenhuis and Sweeck behind initially of the penultimate lap. The 2 Belgians stayed collectively for a lap, however Van Aert attacked within the closing lap. Iserbyt didn’t quit but and held on for some time. Van Aert held Iserbyt off and the Jumbo-Visma rider completed second, identical to Friday. Third place went to Iserbyt.
Race winner, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck): “It was necessary to attempt to transfer up calmly. I missed my begin a bit. I got here off my pedal. Then I ended up in chaos. So I needed to take my time to trip again to the entrance. However I felt that the legs have been good, so I didn’t panic and took my time. Swearing is claimed lots, I at all times keep calm. However you do find yourself within the chaos, all types of issues occurred. There have been some elements the place you may simply overtake, so I by no means needed to panic. And it additionally makes a distinction should you trip with good legs. I’ve had an excellent 12 months on the highway. And the again issues that I struggled with final 12 months in cross nation are presently superb. Then I can lose my power. I believe that’s the largest distinction. It’s going properly, I can’t complain. I used to be behind Eli. He made a mistake and I observed that they have been having a little bit of bother with the sand passage, so I attempted to race by way of it as easily as attainable. I instantly had a spot. I hoped that they’d have a look at one another behind me, as a result of it was a reasonably quick race, with fairly a little bit of wind. However I used to be capable of sustain my tempo and felt good till the tip.”
2nd, Wout van Aert (Jumbo Visma): “I felt fairly good really. I used to be in an excellent place firstly. I believe I rode this race a bit extra conservatively. I attempted to trip between the wheels. That was the precise tactic. Why did I select that? As a result of I don’t have the form to trip the complete cross full throttle. Now I used to be capable of speed up within the final two laps with Iserbyt. I used to be somewhat proud of the place I had and tried to carry on to it. It went fairly rapidly within the first lap. I believed it was spectacular how rapidly Mathieu got here up. After that we additionally noticed that he was the higher one. I’m glad that I didn’t get burned by that at present and selected to trip my very own course. The primary cross was one thing fully completely different from yesterday and at present. That was actually within the mud. I’m additionally trying ahead to doing that once more these weeks. Quick cross-country, like yesterday (in Mol), is de facto robust. It is usually essentially the most tough to coach on. As we speak I felt lots higher than yesterday and I’m proud of the way it ended.”
third, Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal): “I had superb legs. It was a bit tough with a really giant group, however I used to be at all times in an excellent place firstly of the lap. I believed they could be on the finish of their power, so with three laps to go I attempted to go. I used to be fortunate that Van Aert got here previous me so I had a motorbike to observe. It was a disgrace that I had a small crash on the final lap. My plan was to take a seat in entrance of Wout on the beams and do one thing, however I didn’t get round to that. Usually this isn’t actually my factor, however they have been all quick, fairly technical sections. I felt good. I’ve had every week of coaching in Spain, so I’m a really recovered individual at present. That is very useful. I believe that behind Mathieu I used to be additionally the one who needed to set the race. To start with, Nieuwenhuis and Ronhaar have been taking part in the sport a bit. I used to be getting a bit carried away by them. That gave me simply that little bit extra to make a distinction. So all in all it was an excellent good race.”
eighth, Tom Pidcock (INEOS Grenadiers): “I haven’t educated all week, I’m drained. I don’t know the way it will go (he stated earlier than the beginning). However I’m joyful that I’m higher with a view to the upcoming races.”
UCI Cyclocross World Cup – Antwerpen Males End result:
1. Mathieu van der Poel (Ned) Alpecin-Deceuninck in 1:00:20
2. Wout van Aert (Bel) Jumbo-Visma at 0:29
3. Eli Iserbyt (Bel) Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal at 0:37
4. Laurens Sweeck (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 0:43
5. Joris Nieuwenhuis (Ned) Baloise Trek Lions at 0:46
6. Lars van der Haar (Ned) Baloise Trek Lions at 1:00
7. Niels Vandeputte (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck at 1:07
8. Tom Pidcock (GB) INEOS Grenadiers at 1:14
9. Thibau Nys (Bel) Baloise Trek Lions at 1:22
10. Toon Vandebosch (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 1:26.
Antwerpen’23
UCI Cyclocross World Cup – Antwerpen Ladies 2023
Fem van Empel gained her eleventh cross of the season. She gained the Antwerp World Cup by distancing herself from the others within the penultimate lap. Lucinda Model completed second, Puck Pieterse third.
All the highest cyclo-cross girls have been on the beginning line in Antwerp. World champion Fem van Empel began on the second row, however received off to an excellent begin and was off-road in third place. Solely Marie Schreiber and Lucinda Model have been in-front of her. Sara Cassola, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado and Puck Pieterse have been in 4th, fifth and sixth place for the primary a part of the lap. Model took the lead. The Baloise Trek Lions rider accelerated laborious and solely Van Empel may observe Model, there was a spot behind her. Pieterse didn’t wish to let the 2 go and tried to shut on her personal. That appeared to work, however on account of a crash, the Dutch champion fell again to the second group. After one lap, along with Pieterse, that group consisted of Alvarado and Inge van der Heijden. They have been 8 seconds behind the main duo.
Within the second of six laps, Van Empel and Model have been a bit additional forward, however Pieterse didn’t lose an excessive amount of floor and he or she saved the 2 in sight. Van Empel put stress on her companion, however Model was firmly on her wheel. In actual fact, she took over at occasions and in addition put in some assaults herself. Nevertheless, these accelerations couldn’t forestall Pieterse from becoming a member of on the 4th lap. Alvarado was additionally nonetheless on the ropes. The choice in the end got here within the fifth lap. Van Empel made the distinction within the sand after which steadily rode additional away from Model and Pieterse. Pieterse in flip needed to go Model, who appeared to regain her legs in direction of the tip of the fifth lap. Her deficit of 11 seconds fell to six. The ultimate lap wasn’t too thrilling, as a result of Van Empel prolonged her lead once more and held her personal. Second place went to Model, at 18 seconds. Puck Pieterse was the one one to complete inside a minute, 55 seconds behind Van Empel.
Race winner, Fem van Empel (Jumbo-Visma): “It took some getting used to, however throughout the race, I gained increasingly more confidence and felt stronger and stronger. I’m thrilled with this win. I practiced lots on Wednesday, and I’m joyful that I used to be capable of make a distinction at present as a result of the obstacles adopted one another rapidly and have been conveniently positioned on the straight. The nearer the extent, the upper the extent on the finish. I just like the battle, and it is usually nice for the spectators to see.”
2nd, Lucinda Model (Baloise Trek Lions): “Possibly I may have stayed with Fem a bit longer. When Puck got here again, I made some small errors, however it was very robust to beat her (Van Empel). Leaping over the beams was very decisive right here. It was then very quick to the end. It was nonetheless a tricky half, however we have been about the identical power. When you have a small hole, you may preserve it. We not solely need that, we now have to. It really works over low bars, however in competitions and so excessive, it’s a distinct story. There’s nonetheless some work to be achieved. As we speak you see how necessary it’s and it’ll solely turn out to be extra so. That can be an necessary half for the close to future. I believe we races simply as quick at present, however she simply had a small hole. The beams made the distinction at present. We each tried to maintain the tempo excessive. Fem perhaps rather less, however we each knew that it was for the opposite riders to get again into the combat.”
third, Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck): “I suffered lots. I used to be in a spot from the beginning. I didn’t have the perfect begin, I used to be in fifth place or so. Cracks quickly appeared within the sand. Fem and Lucinda left a spot. After I was in third place I nearly received there, however I made a mistake myself. The following lap Ceylin and I nearly got here again, however Ceylin made a mistake. We have been chasing the complete cross, however I knew that Fem or Lucinda would assault instantly after I joined. The tempo did certainly decide up, so I used to be nearly alone for the complete race. It was robust to maintain pushing. The second I joined, I used to be on the restrict. However there was a lot wind, so should you can trip sure elements on the wheel, you may recuperate considerably. Nevertheless, once they went quiet, I didn’t need Ceylin to return again. I needed to maintain the stress on. Then Fem rode away and I used to be left with Lucinda. That was okay, however you needed to depart a small hole within the sand so you may trip your individual line. Solely Lucinda had one superb piece, which left her with a spot. That’s the place the spring broke for me. I continually noticed Fem and Lucinda sitting collectively on the wheel. That saves lots of vitality.”
UCI Cyclocross World Cup – Antwerpen Ladies End result:
1. Fem van Empel (Ned) Jumbo-Visma in 52:00
2. Lucinda Model (Ned) Baloise Trek Lions at 0:18
3. Puck Pieterse (Ned) Fenix-Deceuninck at 0:55
4. Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Ned) Alpecin-Deceuninck at 1:26
5. Laura Verdonschot (Bel) De Ceuster-Bonache at 1:36
6. Shirin van Anrooij (Ned) Baloise Trek Lions at 1:47
7. Inge van der Heijden (Ned) Crelan-Corendon at 2:06
8. Marie Schreiber (Lux) SD Worx at 2:17
9. Leonie Bentveld (Ned) Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal at 2:35
10. Zoe Backstedt (GB) Canyon-SRAM at 2:42.
Antwerpen’23
Precise Cross Zilvermeercross – Mol Males 2023
Mathieu van der Poel gained his first battle along with his massive adversary, Wout van Aert, in Mol. The World champion made a decisive assault within the third lap after which expanded his lead. Within the Zilvermeercross he confirmed himself to be in a category of his personal within the first duel with Van Aert, who completed second. Niels Vandeputte was third.
Initially in Mol, Van der Poel and Van Aert have been the primary two riders to hit the off-road. Whereas Van der Poel led the primary few meters, Van Aert took over on the sand. Van der Poel’s teammates, Quinten Hermans and Niels Vandeputte, have been additionally on the entrance.
It didn’t take lengthy earlier than the 2 prime males have been on their very own. On the second sand passage, Van Aert gave the impression to be the strongest, however it was Van der Poel who went by way of it sooner. In a single go, Van der Poel opened a spot. Nevertheless, Van Aert managed to tug him again. After one lap the pair crossed the road collectively. Van der Poel’s two teammates have been at 3 seconds. The 2 continued to have a look at one another, whereas the opposite riders tried to meet up with the leaders. Quinten Hermans managed to attach initially of lap three. Behind them, Toon Vandebosch and Niels Vandeputte have been nonetheless in chasing. On laps two and three Van der Poel tried to interrupt away from Van Aert. On the second sand passage, the World champion opened a spot. Within the laps that adopted he tried to make a distinction on the similar place. In lap three, Van der Poel opened up a giant hole after a mistake by Van Aert and took 5 seconds.
On the finish of the third lap, his lead had grown to greater than 10 seconds on Wout van Aert. Van der Poel confirmed his type in Namur final week, whereas Van Aert is just not making cyclo-cross a precedence this winter. MvdP’s lead grew to fifteen seconds, however he had issues along with his chain and needed to get off the bike to type it out. In consequence, Van der Poel’s lead shrink, however he quickly constructed it again up once more. Behind; the battle for third place was nonetheless on-going. Quinten Hermans, Niels Vandeputte and Toon Vandebosch have been collectively for the battle. In lap 5, Vandebosch attacked the boys of Alpecin-Deceuninck. Solely Hermans managed to combat again to the Crelan-Corendon’s man.
At this level Van der Poel was 50 seconds up. Niels Vandeputte managed to rejoin the battle for third place and pulled away in lap eight. Sadly he had a motorbike drawback, however nonetheless managed to get away. Within the closing laps, Mathieu van der Poel’s lead was not going to be threatened. Mathieu van der Poel managed the race from begin to end. Within the sand of Mol, Van der Poel took his second victory after two races this season. Wout van Aert crossed the road in second. Within the battle for third place, Toon Vandebosch tried his luck, however Niels Vandeputte’s acceleration just a few laps from the end proved to be sufficient to take third place.
Race winner, Mathieu van der Poel (Ned): “I had enjoyable at present. I felt superb. I rode properly by way of the sand and that was an important factor right here. Then you may rapidly make a distinction. I had organised my race and my circuit properly. I used to be capable of recuperate to race error-free within the sand. And like I stated, that’s an important factor right here. I loved myself right here. It’s a quick lap and in addition a really quick lap. So the 80% rule is rapidly utilized. I had good type and an excellent tempo with out going over the restrict. This manner I may proceed to race good occasions. It’s in fact not a lot, however not everybody was initially right here. Wout indicated that he’s tackling the winter with out being in the perfect form. That appears sensible to me in his case. I believe he will certainly make it tough for me in different races and sit on the entrance. He’s actually going to win just a few this season.”
2nd, Wout van Aert (Bel): “I didn’t really feel snug within the sand at present. There was nothing extra I may do at present. Mathieu rapidly put stress on me and I made just a few errors within the sand. Then it’s over rapidly. So there was simply no extra choices. I didn’t really feel snug. Usually you need to have some left over on the sand. As we speak the sand strips have been only a bit harder. Issues went higher within the second half of the cross. Then I discovered my very own rhythm and I additionally received higher technically. I’m joyful that I simply completed. The sand doesn’t lie and the variations rapidly turn out to be clear. I’m probably not disillusioned, as a result of I hadn’t taken it into consideration. I’d at all times include my bike after a tiring day with the staff presentation yesterday. So it has nothing to do with the completely different method this winter.”
third, Niels Vandeputte (Bel): “To be trustworthy, I didn’t suppose it went nice at present. Usually I wish to trip within the sand, however at present I couldn’t discover my approach. I made lots of errors. I felt like I used to be underneath stress on a regular basis. Then I lastly rode an excellent sand passage, however shortly afterwards I received caught within the sand and my chain fell off. Fortunately I used to be simply capable of preserve a spot. That was actually not straightforward, as a result of Quinten was nonetheless gaining momentum. I believe many riders are jealous of me that I can share the rostrum with Mathieu and Wout. It’s one thing I’m going to cherish. Whenever you hear the lap occasions, it’s unbelievable. It’s only a playground right here for Mathieu and he has proven once more that he’s completely advantageous.”
Precise Cross Zilvermeercross – Mol Males 2023
1. Mathieu van der Poel (Ned) in 58:29
2. Wout van Aert (Bel) at 1:16
3. Niels Vandeputte (Bel) at 2:11
4. Quinten Hermans (Bel) at 2:16
5. Toon Vandebosch (Bel) at 2:31
6. Gianni Vermeersch (Bel) at 4:54
7. Anton Ferdinande (Bel) at 5:19
8. Sander De Vet (Bel) at 5:29
9. Jarno Bellens (Bel) at 5:31
10. Tom Meussen (Bel) at 5:32.
Zilvermeercross’23
Precise Cross Zilvermeercross – Mol Ladies 2023
Lucinda Model gained the Zilvermeercross for ladies in Mol. The Baloise Trek Lions rider went on the assault within the first lap and by no means seemed again. Shirin van Anrooij was capable of observe her teammate at first, however within the third lap, Model went solo and managed to lived as much as her favorite standing. Shirin van Anrooij and Laura Verdonschot have been second and third.
Sadly there was lots of riders who pulled out of the girl’s race: Fem van Empel, Puck Pieterse and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado weren’t initially, giving the opposite rider a greater probability.
Zoe Backstedt took the lead and got here by way of the primary nook within the lead, however Lucinda Model was fast to go her. The Dutch rider of Baloise Trek Lions opened a small hole, however was quickly overtaken by teammate Shirin van Anrooij. After one lap, solely Laura Verdonschot was the one rider to carry them. Behind; Zoe Backstedt, Manon Bakker and Sanne Cant have been chasing. In lap two these pursuers couldn’t get any nearer. Solely Laura Verdonschot continued to maintain the Baloise Trek Lions duo in sight. It was on the tough sand sections that Lucinda Model was capable of make the distinction on her teammate on lap three. Van Anrooij couldn’t preserve tempo and dropped again to Verdonschot. The Belgian of De Ceuster-Bonache staff rapidly went all out to place Van Anrooij in bother. When beginning the fourth lap, Model had a lead of just about 20 seconds and he or she continued decisively. Van Anrooij seemed to have blown up. The battle for the rostrum was nonetheless fully open with Verdonschot, Van Anrooij, Cant and Backstedt inside just a few seconds of one another.
Going into the penultimate lap, the pursuers have been trailing by greater than 30 seconds. Whereas the battle for victory appeared over, the pursuers made it thrilling. Van Arooij managed to rejoin Verdonschot, whereas Backstedt needed to drop out of the highest motion. Sanne Cant additionally appeared to must let go, however made an acceleration. The Belgians ended up in second and third place. Shirin van Anrooij managed to attach with Cant and Verdonschot. The three pursuers bombarded one another with assaults, however have been unable to shake one another off. On the bell, they checked out one another for a second. The rostrum locations could be divided within the closing lap. Within the closing lap it was Van Anrooij who opened the battle. The Belgians needed to depart a spot and had no reply to the Baloise Trek Lions rider. Whereas Lucinda Model crossed the road for her third victory of the season, her teammate safe a one-two for his or her staff. Laura Verdonschot accomplished the rostrum with a intelligent assault within the closing.
Race winner, Lucinda Model (Ned): “I really don’t like biking on the sand. Generally issues go higher than others. So at present went properly. It was robust, however it felt good. I felt it was time to go. I believed I higher simply give it a attempt. It was dramatic, however at present it went properly. This week I educated with Sven Nys to be good right here. Shiri is nice within the sand. After I entered the sand on the third lap I handed the underside and after I turned on the backside she was gone. I simply tried it. Apparently she had a foul lap, so that you lose lots of power.”
2nd, Shirin van Anrooij (Ned): “Model was the strongest at present. We have been shut at first, however I had a foul lap and missed all the great traces. After that I merely didn’t see her once more.”
Precise Cross Zilvermeercross – Mol Ladies 2023
1. Lucinda Model (Ned) in 42:59
2. Shirin van Anrooij (Ned) at 0:21
3. Laura Verdonschot (Bel) at 0:28
4. Sanne Cant (Bel) at 0:40
5. Zoe Backstedt (GB) at 1:43
6. Manon Bakker (Ned) at 2:13
7. Aniek van Alphen (Ned) at 3:06
8. Marthe Truyen (Bel) at 3:11
9. Julie Brouwers (Bel) at 3:15
10. Anna Kay (GB) at 3:33.
Zilvermeercross’23
Nairo Quintana Leads Movistar within the Giro and the Vuelta 2024
Nairo Quintana would be the chief of the Movistar staff within the 2024 Giro d’Italia. He may even trip the Vuelta a España, along with Enric Mas. The Spaniard would be the chief within the Tour de France.
Quintana could have his countryman, Einer Rubio with him within the Giro d’Italia. In 2014, Quintana gained the Italian Grand Tour. He was additionally second in 2017, behind winner Tom Dumoulin. Quintana additionally gained the 2016 Vuelta a España. He has additionally completed 4th twice within the Vuelta.
Quintana will make his return to WorldTour in 2024, after he left Arkéa-Samsic on the finish of 2022 as a result of traces of tramadol have been present in a doping assessments throughout the Tour de France earlier that 12 months. Final 12 months Quintana was with no staff, however Movistar took him again. Initially, the plan was for Quintana to make his 2024 debut within the Tour of Valencia, however he just lately stated that he prefers the Tour Colombia.
Quintana to trip the Giro and the Vuelta in 2024:
Nairo Quintana Feels Renewed Power in New Function
Nairo Quintana nonetheless has each toes on the bottom forward of his return to the WorldTour in February. The Colombian, who will race for Movistar once more, however he sees that there’s a new era within the peloton. “I cannot be the identical rider as earlier than with these tremendous winners on the stage,” Quintana advised El Pais.
After a break of greater than twelve months following a optimistic check for tramadol, Nairo Quintana is prepared for his comeback to the WorldTour. This coming season, the Colombian can be again within the blue of Movistar, he beforehand raced for the large phone firm between 2012 and 2019. The GC man sees that the peloton has modified. “Everybody needs me to win, however we now have to remember {that a} new era of riders has come,” stated Quintana. “Though I actually wish to and nonetheless have an excellent bike, I don’t suppose I would be the similar rider as earlier than with all these tremendous winners on the scene.”
“The very last thing I wish to do is mislead anybody, say I’m going to win, once we really don’t know what the reply can be from a sporting stage. I’m not 20, 22 or 23, like these younger leaders,” Quintana continued. But the Colombian doesn’t fully erase himself. “I’m certain I’ll be very near some massive names, however I don’t suppose I’ll be on the stage of the three, 4 or 5 prime leaders who’re at all times preventing for nearly all the highest races.”
Now that Nairo Quintana himself is not competing for the very best prizes and Miguel Angel López is dealing with an extended doping ban, Colombian biking appears to be in a foul place. Final 12 months there have been no Colombian riders who may compete for podium locations within the Grand Excursions. Quintana recognises that Colombian biking wants a giant star. Though the little Colombian additionally stays lifelike. “Occasions have modified, issues are getting previous and so are folks. I’m not twenty anymore, like I used to be after I actually shone and thrilled folks with my victories.”
Subsequent season Quintana will trip the Giro d’Italia. There he’ll attempt to go for the general classification. He’ll make his official return in his personal nation within the Tour Colombia which begins on February 6.
New vitality for Quintana:
BORA – hansgrohe and Cian Uijtdebroeks Mutually Terminate their Contract
BORA – hansgrohe, Cian Uijtdebroeks and Jumbo – Visma have concluded a three-party-agreement. The UCI has accredited the settlement with an pressing determination. Because of this the present rider contract between Cian Uijtdebroeks and BORA – hansgrohe can be terminated by mutual settlement on December 31, 2023. BORA – hansgrohe needs Cian Uijtdebroeks the perfect of luck within the subsequent step in his profession.
Ralph Denk, Crew Supervisor BORA – hansgrohe: “As we speak is a day of combined emotions. I used to be stunned to be approached on quick discover with the need to succeed in an settlement. However it’s well-known that I’m open to talks and that I gained’t stand in the way in which of a switch if the circumstances are proper, and if it’s achieved in line with the foundations. That was the case three weeks in the past and it was the identical at present.”
“I’m happy that the mud has lastly settled, and that the case is now closed. The settlement reveals that it’s by no means too late for an inexpensive, private dialogue. I would love this case to stay an remoted incident for the complete biking household: Let’s respect contracts and guidelines, let’s be honest with one another. Above all, I stand behind my staff. When false accusations are made towards our riders, a line is crossed. To be clear: these accusations didn’t come from Cian. They have been by no means voiced to us by Cian as a motive to alter groups.”
Cian Uijtdebroeks – Free eventually:
Florian Vermeersch Again in Cyclo-Cross
Florian Vermeersch makes 4 appearances in cyclo-cross races over the Christmas interval. The Lotto Dstny rider began within the Zilvermeercross on Friday.
Vermeersch began his profession as a cross rider. He was Belgian newcomers (junior) champion. He gained the Zilvermeercross within the junior class, however after that he centered increasingly more on the highway. He additionally rode cross just a few occasions final 12 months. Along with Mol (Precise Cross, December 22), Heusden-Zolder (Superprestige, December 27), Diegem (Superprestige, December 28) and Loenhout (Precise Cross, December 29) are on his program.
Vermeersch has had a reasonably profitable highway season with Lotto Dstny, with good rides within the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. On the finish of the 12 months he additionally impressed on the gravel bike, with a second place on the World Gravel Championship and a win within the Serenissima Gravel.
Florian Vermeersch rides cross over Christmas:
Tiesj Benoot Desires to Push Sporting Boundaries
Tiesj Benoot is without doubt one of the sturdy males of the peloton for Jumbo-Visma, the Belgian additionally needs to tackle different challenges. He’s pondering of collaborating in a marathon and a triathlon, Benoot stated within the Dwell Sluggish Journey Quick podcast.
Working is just not new for the Jumbo-Visma rider. Benoot just lately ran the path in La Roche. “I really run each winter season. My coach let me do this and I continued to do it. I beforehand ran a half marathon on the seaside. I discover operating a pleasant change. In a single hour you already really feel like you’ve got achieved lots of train, in comparison with biking.”
Because of the threat of damage, Benoot is just not but allowed to completely open the engine throughout his runs. In that respect, he appears to be like at Tom Dumoulin with jealousy and admiration. The Limburger just lately ran the Amsterdam half marathon in 1:10. “I benefit from the numbers. Dumoulin is a expertise. I’m curious how briskly I may run myself, however undoubtedly not as quick as Tom. However that’s the athlete’s coronary heart: pushing the boundaries a bit, that additionally appeals to me. I wish to run a marathon in the future and do a triathlon in the future. However that’s one thing for later.”
Tiesj Benoot needs to run and check out some tri:
Two Riders of Intermarché-Circus-Wanty Improvement Crew in a Critical Coaching Crash
On Tuesday, December 19, two riders of the Wanty-ReUz-Technord staff, the devo staff of Intermarché-Circus-Wanty, have been victims of a site visitors accident throughout their coaching camp. The riders in query, each Belgian, are 20 year-old Wout Geerinckx and 21 year-old Obie Vidts. The accident occurred within the province of Alicante in Spain.
Throughout coaching with the staff, the 2 riders collided head-on with a automotive. After major care on the road-side, each riders have been taken to a neighborhood hospital, the place a full-body CT scan was carried out. Each Wout Geerinckx and Obie Vidts suffered a number of fractures. Thankfully, no harm to inner organs or concussion was discovered. They are going to be out of motion for a number of months on account of their accidents.
The staff physician offered extra details about the riders’ accidents in a press release from the staff. “Wout Geerinckx broke his left thigh and proper elbow along with numerous wounds and bruises. After a profitable operation in a hospital in Benidorm, he can be transferred to Belgium subsequent Friday,” stated Gerald Ackerl.
Vidts is now again in Belgium, the place he has been handled for his accidents. “Obie Vidts suffered a number of fractures in each palms. He was transferred to Herentals hospital, the place he underwent profitable surgical procedure on Thursday. Each riders could have an extended restoration interval.”
Obie Vidts – A number of fractures in each palms:
New Colombian Continental Crew Introduced
In 2024, Colombia could have three groups that may compete at Continental stage as there’s a new staff: The biking staff Nu Colombia Ciclismo. The staff for 2024 consists of seventeen riders, with some well-known names. The need begin within the Tour Colombia in February.
The most important title within the staff is Sergio Henao. The 36 year-old climber rode for Crew Sky (2012-2018), UAE Crew Emirates (2019-2020) and Qhubeka ASSOS (2021). The final two seasons he rode at a decrease stage within the South American and US circuit. This 12 months he raced for Denver Disruptors, an American membership staff. Henao was the perfect in Paris-Good and in addition stood on the rostrum of the Flèche Wallonne and the Tour of the Basque Nation, is just not the one former WorldTour rider who will compete for Nu Colombia Ciclismo in 2024.
Andrés Camilo Ardila, previously with UAE Crew Emirates, has additionally signed for the brand new Conti staff, whereas Rodrigo Contreras, who raced with Etixx-Fast Step and Astana, and Cristian Camilo Muñoz, additionally of UAE Crew Emirates, switches from membership staff EPM.
The staff can be led by Raúl Mesa, who has been a staff supervisor in South America and Colombia. With Mesa on the helm, the staff hopes to have a world program in 2024. The 2 different Colombian Continental groups for 2024 are GW Shimano-Sidermec and Crew Medellín-EPM.
You’ll be able to’t miss the Nu Colombia Ciclismo staff:
Crew Visma | Lease a Bike Goals to Make Historical past Once more in 2024
In 2023, for the primary time, one staff gained three Grand Excursions in a single season. Crew Jumbo-Visma, which can turn out to be Crew Visma | Lease a Bike on 1 January, achieved this extraordinary feat with three completely different winners. Primoz Roglič gained the Giro, Jonas Vingegaard the Tour and Sepp Kuss the Vuelta. A historic first in a prime season with a complete of 69 victories.
“An unprecedented success and the results of the dedication of the complete organisation”, stated CEO Richard Plugge on the staff presentation in MOVE Amsterdam. Sports activities Director Merijn Zeeman added that the staff won’t be sitting nonetheless and has excessive expectations for the upcoming season. The staff goals to shine within the spring Classics, win levels on the Giro d’Italia, win the Tour de France closing for the third consecutive 12 months, and excel as defending champions on the Vuelta a España. “You’ll be able to count on bold objectives from our staff. We wish to proceed creating sports activities historical past, and we’ll accomplish that if we obtain these objectives collectively subsequent 12 months”, Zeeman continued.
With riders similar to Wout van Aert, Christophe Laporte, Tiesj Benoot and Dylan van Baarle, the staff hopes for prime performances within the spring Classics. The main target can be on the monuments of Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. Wout van Aert: “It stays a dream to win one in every of these monuments, and we’ll do every thing we will to make this dream come true.”
Crew Visma | Lease a Bike targets stage wins on the Tour of Italy. With riders like Wout van Aert, Olav Kooij and Cian Uijtdebroeks initially, the staff ought to have the ability to win a number of levels. Kooij: “I can’t watch for the Giro. I grew up on the Improvement Crew of this outfit. It’s nice to have the possibility to observe up my sturdy 2023 season with my first grand tour.”
Two-time winner Vingegaard will as soon as once more be chasing the general title on the Tour de France, looking for his third consecutive victory on this planet’s biggest biking race. The Dane would be part of an distinctive listing of riders. Vingegaard: “After all, it gained’t be straightforward. The competitors is hard, however we imagine in our method and can guarantee we now have a wonderful plan once more.”
As defending champions, Crew Visma | Lease a Bike enters the Vuelta a España with excessive ambitions. The season will present how these ambitions can be realised. Zeeman: “Final season was historic, and as defending champions we’re at all times bold, however our concrete plans for the Vuelta can be finalised later.”
Along with the sporting challenges for 2024, the staff is proud to announce that cyclocross world champion Fem van Empel, Vuelta winner Kuss and two-time Tour winner Vingegaard have all signed new contracts. Kuss and Van Empel have signed till 2027. Vingegaard has prolonged his contract till the tip of 2028.
Zeeman: “This is good news for us. We wish to enter into long-term partnerships, and we’re joyful that Fem, Sepp and Jonas really feel the identical approach. We’ll proceed to make sports activities historical past within the years to return.”
Jonas Vingegaard: “I really feel very a lot at dwelling with this staff. And we’re very profitable with our method. That’s why I’m joyful to increase my contract once more. My future is right here, and I’m happy with it.”
Sepp Kuss: “This staff is sort of a household. I really feel at dwelling right here. The wonderful outcomes we now have achieved as a staff and my private victory within the Vuelta a España are proof of that. It is usually an excellent feeling to have the ability to construct on this for the approaching years. Collectively, we can be much more profitable!”
Fem van Empel: “I’ve the precise folks round me at Crew Visma | Lease a Bike to proceed to develop and obtain nice outcomes. Issues are already going properly, however I’m satisfied that much more is feasible. I’m due to this fact delighted to have the ability to depend on the help of this staff for a few years to return.”
Through the staff presentation, Crew Visma | Lease a Bike additionally unveiled its new emblem and jersey for the 2024 biking season. The mixture of Visma and Lease a Bike as foremost sponsors marks a contemporary begin, constructing on every thing the staff has achieved and constructed over the previous few years. That is mirrored within the staff’s equipment, which is dominated by yellow and black. These colors are embedded in Yellow B., the brand new title of the corporate behind the biking staff, which replaces Blanco Professional Biking.
Visma | Lease a Bike introduced its groups for the 2024 season on Thursday. After the staff gained the Giro d’Italia, the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España final 12 months, it can as soon as once more be in search of success within the Grand Excursions subsequent season.
Listed below are the provisional Visma | Lease a Bike groups for the 2024 Giro, Tour and Vuelta:
Giro d’Italia:
Wout van Aert
Olav Kooij
Cian Uijtdebroeks
Wilco Kelderman
Tour de France:
Jonas Vingegaard
Sepp Kuss
Tiesj Benoot
Matteo Jorgenson
Steven Kruijswijk
Jan Tratnik
Dylan van Baarle
Christophe Laporte
Vuelta a España:
Sepp Kuss
Wout van Aert
Ben Tulett
Jonas Vingegaard
Robert Gesink
No Tour de France, however Giro-Vuelta Mixture for Wout van Aert in 2024
It has been confirmed that Wout van Aert won’t be initially of the Tour de France in 2024. The Belgian, who has persistently excelled within the French tour in recent times, will trip the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España subsequent season.
Wout van Aert was on the Visma | Lease a Bike staff presentation on Thursday in Amsterdam. The 29 year-old Belgian was waiting for the approaching season and his foremost objectives for 2024. Van Aert is first specializing in the spring Classics, and specifically the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. “The classics are my foremost objective. Our staff is stronger than final 12 months. Though we misplaced Nathan Van Hooydonck, we additionally added many sturdy boys. My first objective is to have a shot at profitable the Tour of Flanders or Paris-Roubaix.”
The main target then turns to a race that’s ‘unknown’ to Van Aert: the Giro d’Italia. “It’s nice enjoyable to discover the Giro. I hope to win a number of levels there. It’s a tricky race. It’s a distinct method than ordinary for me, however I’m trying ahead to selecting my levels.”
After the Tour of Italy, there can be a second Grand Tour, however the Tour de France. Van Aert needs to organize for the Olympic Video games in Paris and the Tour doesn’t match into his program. After the Video games, there can be his first participation within the Vuelta a España. Then after La Vuelta, the World championships in Zurich, Switzerland are his closing objective.
Van Aert has many massive objectives in 2024:
Renewed Impulse for Movistar Crew in 2024 as Blues Have a good time Telefónica’s a centesimal Anniversary
Spanish outfit launches its forty fifth season in professional biking with Thursday occasion at Madrid’s Telefónica headquarters, bringing 14 new faces plus revamped equipment from GOBIK.
Barely just a few days after the celebrations began for Telefónica’s a centesimal anniversary in 2024, the Movistar Crew had the pleasure to carry their girls’s and males’s biking groups to the corporate’s headquarters Auditorium in Madrid to begin their forty fifth season within the peloton. A legendary squad with an extended trajectory, together with greater than 1,000 skilled victories, the construction managed by Eusebio Unzué gathered at their ‘dwelling’, the central places of work of the corporate, riders, sports activities leaders, staff of their foremost sponsors and pals of biking and the staff.
Identical to occurred final 12 months as in-person occasions received again into schedule, the 44 highway athletes -to be added to the Blues’ esports / digital biking group, the Movistar eTeam, in addition to the new-for-2024 initiative, the Movistar Crew Gravel Squad, on off-road competitions- climbed onto the stage of an occasion the place the media was capable of meet the quite a few new options from the Telefónica-backed squad for subsequent 12 months. The brand new GOBIK jersey from the Movistar Crew, with lighter tones and the #Telefonica100 emblem, in addition to VIVO – the corporate’s model in Brazil- on the jersey, was proven for the primary time dwell on the occasion.
The primary focus for the media was the looks, for the very first time in Spain after the announcement of his return to the staff again in October, of Nairo Quintana, one of many Movistar Crew’s largest names in its decade-and-a-half with Telefónica as sponsor. Winner of just about fifty races in Blue colors, his addition reinforces a males’s roster -30 riders- with a minimum of ten newcomers. Enric Mas, Iván García Cortina, Alex Aranburu, Fernando Gaviria and Einer Rubio will once more be the principle references of a bunch together with, amongst these becoming a member of, U23 World time trial champion Lorenzo Milesi, French champ Rémi Cavagna, former Italian ‘tricolore’ holder Davide Formolo or a few of Spain’s largest prospects, similar to Javier Romo, Pelayo Sánchez, Carlos Canal or Jon Barrenetxea.
The ladies’s roster -14 riders, to be accomplished with teenager Cat Ferguson, who will take part August as a trainee- can be extra balanced and stronger than ever. Two 2023 Tour de France Femmes stage winners and world-class athletes, Liane Lippert and Emma Norsgaard, lead a bunch with two top-of-the-line signings, Canadian Olivia Baril and Brit Claire Steels, in addition to stalwarts of the staff like Sara Martín, Arlenis Sierra, Paula Patiño, Jelena Erić or Floortje Mackaij, all of them winners throughout the 2023 season. 19-year-old Spaniards Laura and Lucía Ruiz full the listing of reinforcements.
The Blues couldn’t begin the 2024 season with no tribute to probably the greatest riders to have ever donned the Movistar Crew jersey in nearly half a century. Annemiek van Vleuten left professional biking final September and was provided a standing ovation on the Telefónica Auditorium throughout the occasion, with a real-size portray of her determine being gifted to her on the Distrito places of work. A well-deserved applause for somebody who remodeled the Blue organisation in all methods possible, profitable Tour, Giro, Vuelta and Worlds with the ‘M’ on her again. Her farewell is the largest change for a staff that includes three new sports activities administrators: Tim Harris, with the ladies’s squad; and, inside the males’s, Alexis Gandía and recently-retired José Joaquín Rojas, with Xabier Muriel and Iván Velasco now spearheading the efficiency division collectively.
Telefónica, foremost non-public help to biking in Spain by way of their backing of the Movistar Crew since 2011 and its Ladies in Bike initiative, along with the Royal Spanish Biking Federation, will have a good time its a centesimal Anniversary with a really distinctive occasion: the ultimate stage of the 2024 La Vuelta, departing from the very Distrito premises the place at present’s launch was held and ending subsequent to the historic Gran Vía constructing.
The Movistar Crew will correctly begin its highway season on Saturday thirteenth January with the prelude criterium of the boys’s Tour Down Underneath, first spherical of the UCI WorldTour, in Adelaide (Australia). The ladies’s squad will kick off sooner than ever: after a ten-day coaching camp in Jávea, much like the one the boys loved in Calpe till yesterday, they may debut on the Problem Mallorca, Saturday twentieth. The 2 packages’ calendar consists of 350 days of racing in Europe, the Americas and Asia / Pacific.
Movistar Crew – 2024 Rosters:
Males’s Crew: Alex Aranburu, Jorge Arcas, Jon Barrenetxea, Will Barta (USA), Carlos Canal, Rémi Cavagna (FRA), Davide Cimolai (ITA), Davide Formolo (ITA), Iván García Cortina, Fernando Gaviria (COL), Ruben Guerreiro (POR), Johan Jacobs (SUI), Oier Lazkano, Enric Mas, Lorenzo Milesi (ITA), Manlio Moro (ITA), Gregor Mühlberger (AUT), Mathias Norsgaard (DEN), Nelson Oliveira (POR), Antonio Pedrero, Nairo Quintana (COL), Vinícius Rangel (BRA), Iván Romeo, Javier Romo, Einer Rubio (COL), Pelayo Sánchez, Sergio Samitier, Gonzalo Serrano, Iván Sosa (COL), Albert Torres.
Ladies’s Crew: Olivia Baril (CAN), Aude Biannic (FRA), Jelena Erić (SRB), Sheyla Gutiérrez, Liane Lippert (GER), Floortje Mackaij (NED), Sara Martín, Mareille Meijering (NED), Emma Norsgaard (DEN), Paula Patiño (COL), Laura Ruiz, Lucía Ruiz, Arlenis Sierra (CUB), Claire Steels (GBR). Joins in August as a trainee: Cat Ferguson (GBR).
Normal Supervisor: Eusebio Unzué. CEO: Miguel Grávalos. COO / Ladies’s Crew Supervisor: Sebastián Unzué. Heads of Efficiency: Xabier Muriel, Iván Velasco. Sports activities Administrators: Chente García Acosta, Pablo Lastras, Maximilian Sciandri (GBR), Jorge Sanz, Jürgen Roelandts (BEL), José Joaquín Rojas, Alexis Gandía, Tim Harris (GBR).
*ESP until talked about.
Gearing up for 2024
Our 2024 roster highlights youth and expertise. We’re counting down the weeks till the 2024 season kicks off.
With our staff camp just lately wrapped up and the Tour Down Underneath on the horizon, we couldn’t be extra excited to get again to racing. In 2023, we had one in every of our greatest seasons in our staff historical past with 26 wins, together with six nationwide champions jerseys, a pair of stage wins on the Giro d’Italia, a breakout season for Ben Healy, and extra – and we wish to construct on that.
“We have to preserve doing what we’ve achieved properly,” says head sport director Charly Wegelius. “Enjoying on our strengths. We’ve made some good steps ahead. A rider like Ben Healy, we have been tremendous enthusiastic about what he did final 12 months and wish to see what he does going ahead. Neilson Powless additionally took some massive leaps. After which we now have riders who’re one thing of the completed product, riders like Alberto Bettiol and Richard Carapaz.”
Charly believes that having riders with a variety of strengths and expertise is vital to the staff.
“We’ve received an excellent mixture of riders. Some are arriving at their peak, we’ve received some riders who’re at their peak after which we’ve received this new wave of riders coming in.”
That new wave of riders is important. Of the 9 new faces becoming a member of our staff, seven are making their WorldTour debut.
“It’s a very long time since we’ve had such a younger roster,” he says. “There’s lots of optimism as a result of we imagine in them. We’re ready to provide them the area to learn the way they should develop and we’ll additionally give them the area to work by way of that. As a staff, we do properly at adapting to what we discover as soon as we begin to work with the riders, so I’d say we’re feeling lots of optimism with out the burden of any explicit expectations.”
Our new signings are all feeling that optimism, to not point out loads of enthusiasm. Rui Costa is eager to share his experiences with the youthful riders. Lukas Nerurkar and Markel Beloki grew up listening to their mother and father’ tales of being athletes on the highest stage – now it’s their flip to write down their very own tales. Yuhi Todome and Jardi Christiaan van der Lee, who’ve each sampled racing with our squad on the Tour de Langkawi, will now sink their enamel of their first WorldTour seasons. Harry Sweeny can be racing his fourth professional season with us and, like Archie Ryan, Jack Rootkin-Grey, and Darren Rafferty, is trying ahead to taking the following step in his biking profession.
It’s no accident that our roster options so many younger riders this 12 months. Director of scouting Sebastian Langeveld performed a major function in looking for out younger expertise that aligned with our objectives.
“This was my first 12 months scouting so I had lots of assist from contained in the staff and going by way of knowledge. It’s a duty however I’m tremendous proud of it. I wish to be a DS however I additionally needed to do one thing the place I can have a distinct affect as properly — I’m actually proud of what I get to do inside the staff,” he says.
“What we did very well was to keep in touch with these younger riders, to indicate the staff in a optimistic approach, but in addition in an trustworthy and lifelike approach,” Sebastian says. “I didn’t chase them down or fly to their houses. It’s not an excellent fancy story of how we signed them, however I believe the way in which we went final 12 months as a staff, with lots of victories early on, and the way we approached the riders, helped make us an excellent engaging staff. That’s why younger guys wish to signal for us. I’m tremendous excited to see what they’re able to within the upcoming 12 months however it’s actually a course of to see them develop over two or extra years. I’m fairly assured we’ll see some good progress in our roster.”
Jonathan Vaughters, CEO of EF Professional Biking, agrees that our riders, from the youngest rookies to the skilled vets, have what it takes to make 2024 a banner 12 months. “If I have a look at this roster on paper, I see a succesful group of riders that may, and will, shock at races from the begin to the tip of the season. I believe each supervisor says one thing related this time of 12 months. However we all know our races aren’t gained in December, and so they’re not gained on paper. I’m proud of the group we’ve put collectively. It’s dynamic, and it’s full of fellows with attacking spirits. It’s very younger, which is thrilling, but in addition a giant duty for us as managers and for the older guys on the staff,” he says.
We’re immensely happy with what we achieved in 2023. Alberto Bettiol opened the WorldTour season by profitable the Tour Down Underneath prologue. Neilson’s fifth place at his Tour of Flanders debut had us fired up for the cobbled classics. Sean Quinn and Ben Healy took their first professional wins on consecutive days at Coppi e Bartali. Ben then went on to win 4 extra occasions within the season, together with soloing to a memorable grand tour stage win on the Giro d’Italia. And don’t overlook his back-to-back podiums within the Ardennes. Michael Valgren confirmed us the significance of exhibiting up and placing within the work. He’ll return full time to our WorldTour roster. Esteban Chaves profitable the Colombian nationwide championship for the primary time in his profession moved us. And, as he at all times does, Lachlan Morton impressed us to get on the market and trip, for the pure love of journey.
As we glance forward, you might be certain our staff will trip as one as we glance to make 2024 our greatest season ever.
Our 2024 Roster:
Andrey Amador, 37
Markel Beloki, 18
Alberto Bettiol, 30
Stefan Bissegger, 25
Richard Carapaz, 30
Simon Carr, 25
Hugh Carthy, 29
Alexander Cepeda, 25
Esteban Chaves, 33
Rui Costa, 37
Stefan de Bod, 27
Owain Doull, 30
Ben Healy, 23
Mikkel Honore, 26
Lachlan Morton, 31
Lukas Nerurkar, 20
Andrea Piccolo, 22
Neilson Powless, 27
Sean Quinn, 23
Darren Rafferty, 20
Jack Rootkin-Grey, 21
Jonas Rutsch, 25
Archie Ryan, 22
James Shaw, 27
Georg Steinhauser, 22
Harry Sweeny, 25
Yuhi Todome, 21
Rigoberto Urán, 36
Michael Valgren, 31
Marijn van den Berg, 24
Jardi van der Lee, 22.
Ben Healy again for extra:
Astana Qazaqstan Improvement Crew Presents its Roster for 2024
The UCI Continental staff Astana Qazaqstan Improvement Crew accomplished its roster for the following season.
Along with six riders (Alexandr Vinokurov, Andrey Remkhe, Davide Toneatti, Simone Zanini, Nil Aguilera Jorba, Savelii Laptev) who have been competing within the season 2023, the staff can be strengthened with seven newcomers:
Ruslan Yelyubaev (Kazakhstan) – bronze medalist of the Asian Continental Championships in monitor biking.
Ilkhan Dostiyev (Kazakhstan) – winner of the one-day race Tour of Bostonliq II in 2023 and silver medalist of the U23 Nationwide championships of Kazakhstan within the highway race.
Rudolf Remkhi (Kazakhstan) – stage-winner at Tour of Sharjah, the perfect younger rider at Tour of Iran and silver medalist of the Nationwide championships of Kazakhstan within the ITT in 2023.
Alessandro Romele (Italy) – stage-winner at Giro Subsequent Gen and winner of three one-day races in 2023.
Mattia Negrente (Italy) – gained 5 races amongst Juniors in Europe in 2023.
Artem Fofonov (France) – stage-winner at Tour du Léman in 2023.
Jonas Reibsch (Germany) – gained two races amongst Juniors in Germany in 2023.
“Once we created our continental staff in 2022, we had an goal of making ready younger athletes for his or her future step up into our World Tour staff. This 12 months we now have already seen good progress with the primary worldwide victories and promotion of the three riders to the highest division. Thus, we see that our system is working as anticipated. Along with strengthening the line-up of riders, we now have additionally introduced in an skilled specialist Dmitry Sedoun to work with the event staff in 2024. At our pre-season coaching camp in December the staff’s Sports activities Administrators outlined objectives for the upcoming season and riders accomplished a large amount of joint work. We’re optimistic about our future and are assured that the continental staff will proceed to carry us younger proficient riders who’re prepared for the World Tour stage the Astana Qazaqstan Crew”, stated Alexander Vinokurov, Normal Supervisor of the Astana Qazaqstan Crew.
The complete 2024 roster:
Alexandr Vinokurov (KAZ), Andrey Remkhe (KAZ), Ruslan Yelyubaev (KAZ), Ilkhan Dostiyev (KAZ), Rudolf Remkhi (KAZ), Davide Toneatti (ITA), Simone Zanini (ITA), Mattia Negrente (ITA), Alessandro Romele (ITA), Artem Fofonov (FRA), Jonas Reibsch (GER), Nil Aguilera Jorba (ESP), Savelii Laptev.
UCI Extra Protocol for Extraordinarily Excessive Temperatures
The UCI will broaden the Excessive Climate Protocol with a particular protocol for very excessive temperatures. As Medical Director on the UCI, Professor Xavier Bigard introduced his proposal to all events throughout a current convention on the WorldTour and Ladies’s WorldTour. The UCI Administration Committee will vote on it firstly of 2024.
The ‘Excessive Temperature Protocol’ is an addition to the present Excessive Climate Protocol, which has been in existence in biking since 2015 and covers all climate circumstances. Because of the current growth of local weather change, the UCI needs a greater definition for this protocol in excessive warmth.
If circumstances require, on the request of the UCI, the groups, the riders or the race organisers, a working group can be convened underneath the management of the chairman of the commissioners. That group will decide an motion plan to establish the well being dangers and security of the riders. The brand new ‘sensible and user-friendly’ protocol permits the working group to make an goal evaluation. The goal is to cut back the danger of heat-related accidents.
A consequence could also be that the beginning location is moved to an space with lots of shade, that groups obtain additional chilly drinks and ice throughout the race, that there are extra bikes on the race with water, {that a} beginning time is modified or that elements of the race are neutralised. These are suggestions, the UCI studies, as a result of the duty for the choice at all times lies with the related working group.
Approval for the Excessive Temperature Protocol can be requested on the subsequent assembly of the UCI Administration Committee. That assembly will happen between January 31 and February 2 within the Czech Republic, throughout the Cyclo-Cross World championships.
UCI sizzling climate protocol:
Tirreno-Adriatico 2024: Route Introduced
The 59th version of the Race of the Two Seas will begin on 4 March from Lido di Camaiore with a person time trial, ending after seven levels and 1,115 km in San Benedetto del Tronto. There can be three levels for sprinters, two for finisseurs, and an uphill end at Cagli (Monte Petrano). Like yearly, massive names are anticipated initially.
A person time trial, three levels for sprinters, two for finisseurs, and an uphill end are on the menu of the 59th version of the Tirreno-Adriatico Crédit Agricole that may happen from 4th to tenth March 2024. In its 1,115-km journey, the Race of the Two Seas will contact 4 areas of Central Italy beginning in Tuscany and passing by way of Umbria and Abruzzo earlier than ending, as has turn out to be custom, in Marche.
From left Daniele Bennati, Head Coach of the Italian Nationwide Crew, Stefano Allocchio, RCS Sport Race Director, Antonio Spazzafumo, Mayor of San Benedetto del Tronto, and Mauro Vegni, Biking Space Director at RCS Sport
Mauro Vegni, Biking Space Director at RCS Sport: “As in previous editions, it guarantees to be an enthralling and spectacular Tirreno-Adriatico, stuffed with nice stars who’ve made the Race of the Two Seas essentially the most prestigious one-week stage race on this planet. Each levels and the final classification are the territories of riders who play an impressive and main function all through the season, from the Classics to the three-week races. All these circumstances create nice curiosity and guarantee that there’s a second of monumental visibility for the territories, additionally because of the dwell TV broadcast deliberate globally”.
Stefano Allocchio, RCS Sport Race Director: “In step with current custom, we now have mapped out a route that may, over the course of every week, provide alternatives for all sorts of riders. We begin with a time trial, on a route that has seen Filippo Ganna triumph within the final two years, and shut with a stage for quick wheels in San Benedetto del Tronto. In between, we now have two levels for sprinters, two medium mountain levels, and an uphill end at Monte Petrano, a 10-km climb with a mean gradient of 8%. The combat for the Maglia Azzurra can be laborious as it’s yearly, and we’re sure that the winner, as ordinary, can be an all-round rider”.
Daniele Bennati, Head Coach of the Italian Nationwide Crew: “This 12 months’s version appears to be like thrilling as soon as once more. From a technical perspective, it is going to be necessary to judge what the riders will accomplish on every sort in fact. As Head Coach of our Nationwide Crew, I hope to see the Italian riders excel and placed on a present in order to have necessary indications for the upcoming worldwide competitions of 2024 such because the Olympics and the World Championships. I just like the route lots, it’s properly balanced and I’m certain that it’s going to showcase an ideal week of biking”.
Antonio Spazzafumo, Mayor of San Benedetto del Tronto: “San Benedetto del Tronto is within the DNA of this race as we now have hosted the grand finale of all of the editions, excluding the primary 12 months. This race is essential to us as it’s a driver for selling our territory and we’re joyful to have the ultimate stage in 2024 as properly, with the circuit crossing our streets earlier than the end line on the seaside”.
Marcello Pierucci, Mayor of Camaiore: “2024 can be a 12 months to have a good time for Camaiore: it is going to be the tenth consecutive time that we’ll host the primary two levels of the Tirreno-Adriatico. Since far-off 2014, every version renews the keenness and honour of getting turn out to be the official beginning venue for the Race of the Two Seas. Ours is a real land of biking: a ten-year historical past that’s renewed and continues to develop, evolve and strengthen, defending a ardour widespread in our neighborhood that may by no means stop to burn within the hearts of so many biking followers. Camaiore and the Tirreno-Adriatico: a now conventional binomial, destined to strengthen, final and develop increasingly more”.
Mauro Vegni, Stefano Allocchio and Daniele Bennati on stage with the representatives of the Stage Committees of the 59th Tirreno-Adriatico Crédit Agricole
The Route of the 59th Tirreno-Adriatico Crédit Agricole
04.03.2024 Stage 1 Lido di Camaiore-Lido di Camaiore (ITT), 10 KM
05.03.2024 Stage 2 Camaiore-Follonica, 198 KM
06.03.2024 Stage 3 Volterra-Gualdo Tadino, 220 KM
07.03.2024 Stage 4 Arrone-Giulianova, 207 KM
08.03.2024 Stage 5 Torricella Sicura-Valle Castellana, 146 KM
09.03.2024 Stage 6 Sassoferrato-Cagli (Monte Petrano), 180 KM
10.03.2024 Stage 7 San Benedetto del Tronto-San Benedetto del Tronto, 154 KM
STAGE 1, LIDO DI CAMAIORE-LIDO DI CAMAIORE (ITT), 10 KM
The route
A superbly flat particular person time trial consisting of two just about straight sectors, taking a ‘spherical journey’ alongside the Camaiore and Viareggio seafronts with just a few connecting bends, and a ‘U-turn’ at km 5.4 in Viareggio the place cut up time is taken. The route then heads straight again to Lido di Camaiore, the place an S-bend leads into the ultimate kilometre
Remaining kilometres
The final 3 kilometres are flat and straight, heading north. With 1,600 metres to the end line, there are a few left-right bends main onto the seafront the place, about 300 metres from the end line, one other pair of right-left bends leads into the house straight.
STAGE 2, CAMAIORE-FOLLONICA, 198KM
The route
This stage is wavy and undulating, particularly within the second half. Beginning in Camaiore and transferring by way of Montemagno, the route reaches Pisa and the district of Livorno on fully flat roads, then climbs as much as Castellina Marittima and continues southwards, passing by way of Riparbella and Canneto. On the finish of the lengthy and largely downhill phase that follows, the course enters the ultimate circuit of about 20 km to be repeated as soon as.
Remaining kilometres
The closing circuit is sort of completely within the metropolis, with just a few twists and turns. The final km are largely straight, on 8 m vast asphalt.
STAGE 3, VOLTERRA-GUALDO TADINO, 220 KM
The route
This stage could be very lengthy and pretty wavy at first, operating by way of the hills round Siena, and in addition crossing Siena. To be famous, there are 4 consecutive stage crossings on the identical (secondary) line within the first half. After Torrita di Siena, the gradients ease out and the route continues totally on straight roads, narrowed at factors, alongside the plain surrounding Lake Trasimeno that results in Perugia. Then comes the lengthy, manageable climb of Casacastalda, whose descent leads on to the end. The highway could be very bumpy and demanding, particularly on the descent.
Remaining kilometres
The final kilometres are undulating and largely downhill till the final kilometre, the place a somewhat sharp flip to the left marks the start of the finale. The highway first presents vast bends after which ends in a straight line. The ultimate straight has a slight uphill gradient of round 4%. The end line sits on an 8 m vast asphalt straight.
STAGE 4, ARRONE-GIULIANOVA, 207 KM
The route
The stage is split into two elements: the method to the ultimate circuit and the circuit itself. The primary half takes place on the Sibillini Mountains. After Norcia, the route clears the Valico di Castelluccio, crosses the plain of the identical title, and passes the Forca di Presta to succeed in Arquata del Tronto and the Salaria. The roads listed below are normally vast and properly paved, solely narrowed at factors, with some tunnels alongside the route. Road furnishings would be the foremost obstacle because the stage passes by way of city areas. The closing circuit begins at km 178.
Remaining kilometres
The ultimate kilometres are a part of a 22.7-km circuit to be repeated as soon as. The circuit consists of an undulating first half by way of Mosciano Sant’Angelo, adopted by a barely downhill sector all the way in which to the ocean. The final 3 km have a gentle uphill gradient of about 4.5%.
STAGE 5, TORRICELLA SICURA-VALLE CASTELLANA, 146 KM
The route
A really bumpy stage with a tough climb within the finale. From Torricella Sicura, previous km 0 in Teramo on the finish of the opening descent, the route is an infinite succession of climbs and descents, linked with out pause for breath. The stage passes by way of among the hottest areas of the Race of the Two Seas, similar to Castellalto and Bellante, and a few from the current previous similar to Campli and Civitella del Tronto. The route could be very demanding in each course and profile, and it runs primarily on barely worn roads. After Villa Lempa, the peloton climbs to San Giacomo from the japanese facet (12 km at a mean 6.2%) after which descends into the Castellano valley, taking in 10 km of flat roads beside the lake.
Remaining kilometres
The final kilometres are flat till about 1,000 metres to go, the place the house straight begins, with a mean gradient of round 7% and barely larger peaks.
STAGE 6, SASSOFERRATO-CAGLI (MONTE PETRANO), 180 KM
The route
That is the hardest stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico Crédit Agricole that includes an uphill end. It winds its approach alongside the valleys of the Marche hinterland, rising and falling continuous within the first half, and taking in some main climbs such because the Forchetta di Valle Avellana and the ascent of Pian di Trebbio. On the slopes of Monte Petrano, the peloton will negotiate the quick, steep climb of Moria (about 2.5 km at 9%) to succeed in Cagli the place the ultimate ascent begins.
Remaining kilometres
The ultimate kilometres correspond to the climb to Monte Petrano. At 10.1 km in size and a mean gradient of 8.1%, the climb rises steeply within the first kilometres (as much as 12%), and with fixed grades within the second half, with quite a few hairpins. When approaching the summit plateau, the gradient decreases.
STAGE 7, SAN BENEDETTO DEL TRONTO-SAN BENEDETTO DEL TRONTO, 154 KM
The route
The primary half of the stage is wavy, whereas the final 80 kms are completely. Beginning instantly uphill, the route passes by way of Monteprandone and takes in a tricky climb to Montedinove. It then undulates by way of Montalto delle Marche all the way in which to Ripatransone. A protracted descent by way of Grottammare then leads into the circuit of about 15 km to be repeated 5 occasions. The circuit is principally performed out on vast and straight tarmac roads.
Remaining kilometres
The final 3 km run alongside vast and primarily straight roads, with just a few delicate bends on medium-width roads within the first half. There’s one final double bend about 1 km from the end.
The rostrum of the Tirreno-Adriatico 2023:
The Chief’s Jerseys of the 59th Tirreno-Adriatico Crédit Agricole
On the 59th version of the Race of the Two Seas, Sportful will as soon as once more present the 4 chief’s jerseys – the coveted Maglia Azzurra of the GC chief, the Maglia Ciclamino of the factors classification, the Maglia Verde of the mountains classification, and the Maglia Bianca reserved for riders born after 1st January 1999. Who will take them dwelling?
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