The 2024 season has began! All of the information from Australia: The Ladies’s Tour Down Underneath and the Down Underneath Criterium. Plus the Belgian and Netherlands cyclo-cross championships – Reviews, outcomes and video.
Patrick Lefevere: “Evenepoel shouldn’t be inferior to Pogačar, Roglič and Vingegaard” – TOP STORY.
Rider information: Julian Alaphilippe to experience the Giro d’Italia, unfit Caleb Ewan not sure for Tour Down Underneath, Ilan Van Wilder will get alternatives with Soudal Fast-Step, Shari Bossuyt is not going to attraction towards doping suspension, Ben O’Connor returns to the Giro d’Italia and Sam Bennett begins his season in France.
Group information: BORA-hansgrohe places an finish to the Uijtdebroeks case, Visma | Lease a Bike Ladies needs to win a Grand Tour sooner or later, Ryan Kamp colors extra Italian with FENIX as first shirt sponsor, Q36.5 Professional Biking Group unveils 2024 equipment, Peter van Petegem to be Bingoal-WB sport and enterprise improvement supervisor and MAAP broadcasts sponsorship of Lifeplus-Wahoo.
Race information: ASO and Golazo to assist the organisation of the 2025 World championships in Rwanda, Belgian star Remco Evenepoel opens season at Figueira Champions/On line casino Figueira and the Classica Comunitat Valenciana 1969.
Bonzer espresso time, cobber!
TOP STORY: Patrick Lefevere: “Evenepoel shouldn’t be inferior to Pogacar, Roglic and Vingegaard”
Remco Evenepoel is dealing with, most likely his most essential yr in his biking profession. The Belgian is making ready for his debut within the Tour de France. Patrick Lefevere, the staff boss of Soudal Fast-Step, has quite a lot of confidence in his rider. “He shouldn’t be inferior when it comes to high quality,” Lefevere informed WielerFlits on the staff’s media day.
Remco Evenepeol must compete towards Jonas Vingegaard, Tadej Pogačar and Primoz Roglič for victory within the coming Tour: “He shouldn’t be inferior when it comes to high quality,” Lefevere believes. “Remco has turn out to be a traditional, is World champion on the highway and within the time trial and has gained the Vuelta the place the highest 10 of the Giro have been current. He needed to depart the Giro final yr due to corona, however I don’t suppose they have been finished with him but. He really took the Vuelta afterwards, as a result of that was not on his program. I’ve confidence.”
Evenepoel himself doesn’t exaggerate an excessive amount of; “a stage win could be nice”, however Lefevere doesn’t conceal his ambitions. “A stage win or the classification? Each in fact. You usually don’t end excessive within the rankings with no stage win. Few riders have gained the Tour with no stage win. Everybody is aware of I prefer to win. The day that is not the case, I higher cease. That won’t occur.”
Lefevere additionally spoke to WielerFlits concerning the failed merger between Soudal Fast-Step and Jumbo-Visma. “I’m pleased to be right here with my very own staff. And particularly for the folks round me. I’m somebody who may be very loyal to his workers. There are individuals who have been with me for 25 years. To should ship it in a sure means could be very painful. However we don’t reside with blinders on. Good and unhealthy mergers occur daily in society. However we’re not going to know and we don’t must know. I managed to publish it. It was not such a turbulent interval for me. Our proprietor Zdeněk Bakala is a really sincere particular person. I by no means felt like conferences have been occurring with out me.”
Patrick Lefevere and his possible successor, Jurgen Fore on the Soudal Fast-Step 2024 staff presentation in Calpe, Spain:
Santos Tour Down Underneath – Ladies 2024
Race experiences due to TDU
New Zealand observe and now highway sensation Ally Wollaston claimed a debut Ladies’s WorldTour main prize by successful Ziptrak Stage 1 of the brand new 2024 UCI season.
Wollaston, 23, barnstormed throughout the Maryvale Highway, Athelstone end line to beat a brilliant quick bunch to earn her staff AG Insurance coverage Soudal an ideal begin to the brand new yr. Wollaston’s efforts earned her a hat trick of wins on her most profitable Ladies’s WorldTour day, together with the Santos ochre chief’s jersey, the stage win, and the Ziptrak dash jersey. Wollaston beat Liv Jayco AlUla’s Georgia Baker to the Fox Oval end line with Italy’s Sofia Bertizzolo, 26, (UAE Emirates) incomes a valuable third putting on equal time simply forward of Kristyna Burlova.
“I’m actually happy with being affected person and backing myself,” Wollaston mentioned. “As soon as I dedicated to the dash I believed, oh hell, I might really win this however it wasn’t till the ultimate few metres for certain.”
Wollaston mentioned she had educated exhausting in heated settings in New Zealand in a bid to acclimatise earlier than coming to Adelaide and it paid off in 36C warmth. Wollaston final yr upstaged the superstars of the Santos Tour Down Underneath on the Criterium Basic within the streets of Adelaide after successful New Zealand’s Criterium championship. The day’s work most likely completed as deliberate for many riders and their groups – a bunch dash end – as Italy’s Katia Ragusa entertained followers early on.
Ragusa had a superb begin, successful the efex Queen of the Mountain jersey after driving powerfully within the breakaway throughout her staff debut for Human Powered Well being. Nevertheless, Ragusa’s day turned bitter when she was pressured to cease albeit briefly for a puncture and a wheel change through the quick Gorge Highway descent into Campbelltown. Nevertheless, after the intermediate sprints and Queen of the Mountain polka dot jersey have been determined Matilda Raynolds (Bridgeland) launched an audacious solo counterattack 58km from the end line. The 36-year-old set the nervous chasing bunch alight with the hole closing to 56 seconds with about 30km to go after it blew out to nearly two minutes.
Raynolds was swallowed up by the breakaway group contained in the final10km because it appeared {that a} bunch dash was what the contenders have been aiming for earlier than the Czech Republic’s Burlova from Lifeplus Wahoo was rewarded with the Zwift younger rider’s jersey on the rostrum. And as groups have been organising their dash trains for the primary time within the new Ladies’s WorldTour season Hyundai Stage 3 favorite Sarah Gigante (AG Insurance coverage-Soudal) dodged a few nasty crashes close to the again of the race. In a stupendous gesture, all the peloton, followers, and officers commemorated the lifetime of Australian bicycle owner Melissa Hoskins who died tragically late final yr. A minute’s silence was noticed for Hoskins on the Hahndorf begin line earlier than the beginning gun was fired to sign the 2024 Ladies’s WorldTour season was underway.
Key Factors:
12km: Ziptrak Dash 1 – Adelaide Highway, Echunga
Australia’s WorldTour outfit Liv Jayco-AlUla ensured the nation’s latest highway champion Ruby Roseman-Gannon earned the primary bonus of the brand new season by taking out the Ziptrak Dash 1 at Echunga with teammate Georgia Baker who was tipped as a possible stage winner shut behind, adopted by UAE Group ADQ’s Dominika Wlodarczyk.
29.7km: efex Queen of the Mountain 1: (Class 3) Hawthorn Climb: Hawthorn Highway, Echunga
Italian breakaway rider Katia Rugusa (Human Powered Well being) earned most factors forward of Coop Repsol’s French gun India Grangier and Bridgelane’s Matilda Raynolds.
49.3km: Ziptrak Dash 2 – Onkparinga Valley Highway, Woodside
Rugusa was once more dominant at Woodside, beating Raynolds at Woodside.
58.1km: efex Queen of the Mountain 2: (Class 3): Kenton Valley Climb: Kenton Valley Highway, Lobethal
Ragusa wasn’t going to let this one slip, after doing quite a lot of work through the breakaway to earn a wholesome 10 factors for her QOM efforts. The Italian made certain the efex QOM jersey was hers to maintain at first line for the Well being Companions Stage 2 Glenelg to Stirling on Saturday.
93.7km: Race End – Maryvale Highway, Athelstone: Time: 2hr 32min 37sec
Stage Winner – Ally Wollaston (AG Insurance coverage Soudal)
All of the Jerseys:
Santos Chief’s Jersey – Ally Wollaston (AG Insurance coverage Soudal)
efex Queen of the Mountain – Katia Rugusa (Human Powered Well being)
Ziptrak Sprinter’s Jersey – Ally Wollaston (AG Insurance coverage Soudal)
Zwift Younger Rider’s Jersey – Kristyna Burlova (Lifeplus Wahoo)
Most Aggressive – Matilda Raynolds (Bridgelane).
Santos Tour Down Underneath – Ladies Stage 1 Outcome:
1. Ally Wollaston (NZ) AG Insurance coverage-Soudal in 2:32:37
2. Georgia Baker (Aus) Liv AlUla Jayco
3. Sofia Bertizzolo (Ita) UAE Group ADQ
4. Kristýna Burlová (CZ) Lifeplus Wahoo
5. Gladys Verhulst-Wild (Fra) FDJ-SUEZ
6. Francesca Barale (Ita) dsm-firmenich PostNL
7. Roxane Fournier (Fra) St Michel-Mavic-Auber93 WE
8. Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (Den) FDJ-SUEZ
9. Soraya Paladin (Ita) Canyon//SRAM
10. Amanda Spratt (Aus) Lidl-Trek.
Santos Tour Down Underneath – Ladies Total After Stage 1:
1. Ally Wollaston (NZ) AG Insurance coverage-Soudal in 2:32:27
2. Georgia Baker (Aus) LIV-AlUla-Jayco at 0:02
3. Sofia Bertizzolo (Ita) UAE Group ADQ at 0:06
4. Ruby Roseman-Gannon (Aus) LIV-AlUla-Jayco at 0:07
5. Katia Ragusa (Ita) Human Powered Well being
6. India Grangier (Fra) Coop-Repsol at 0:08
7. Dominika Wlodarczyk (Pol) UAE Group ADQ at 0:09
8. Matilda Raynolds (Aus) Group Bridgelane
9. Kristyna Burlova (CZ) Lifeplus Wahoo at 0:10
10. Gladys Verhulst Wild (Fra) FDJ-SUEZ.
TDU’24 stage 1:
Denmark’s Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig claimed Well being Companions Stage 2 of the Santos Tour Down Underneath with a punchy end at Stirling on Saturday.
The 28-year-old FDJ-Suez gun gained the longest Santos Tour Down Underneath ladies’s stage in historical past with 104.2km between the Glenelg beachside begin and the end at Stirling within the picturesque Adelaide Hills. “Plan A was to dash for (teammate and reigning Santos Tour Down Underneath champion) Grace Brown,” Ludwig informed TV Seven Plus. “We had all of it found out and the way we have been going to do it, however Grace didn’t really feel good and we needed to change the plan and it’s now time to have fun. It’s so good to be in Australia the place my boyfriend (WorldTour rider Miles Scotson) comes from and it’s superior.”
After successful a stage of the Tour de France in 2022, the victory has put Ludwig in pole place to assert the Santos Tour Down Underneath title. The Ladies’s WorldTour’s Hyundai Stage 3 from Adelaide to Willunga Hill on Sunday fits Ludwig. Friday’s stage winner and Santos chief Ally Wollaston relinquished the ochre jersey to the Dane after Sofia Bertizzolo (UAE Group ADQ) completed second at Stirling forward of Australia’s reigning highway champion Ruby Roseman-Gannon (Liv AlUla Jayco). Bertizzolo additionally claimed the Ziptrak dash jersey whereas Human Powered Well being’s Italian Katia Ragusa stored the efex Queen of the Mountain jersey after a superb day within the saddle. Bertizzolo is simply two seconds behind Ludwig and one second forward of Roseman-Gannon.
Temperatures in Stirling hovered round 24C which suited the riders after Friday’s searing 35C. The peloton reached speeds of as much as 85 kph, with Henrietta Christie from Well being Powered Well being pressured out of the race after a crash on Friday. AG Insurance coverage Soudal attacked about 72km from the end line with Australian Sarah Gigante on the entrance. It was a becoming return to the massive stage for Gigante, who described her kind as the perfect it has been starring on the Santos Pageant of Biking in 2021. Group Bridgelane labored exhausting early and mirrored Friday’s opening stage when a solo assault from Matilda Raynolds noticed the Australian staff take the highlight.
Come Saturday it was time for Raynolds’ teammate Haylee Fuller to hit centre stage. She was the primary rider to check what the potential finish of the race would really feel like as she crossed the Stirling end line for the primary of the three circuits. Lidl-Trek then heaped stress on the peloton because the race approached the second efex Queen of the Mountain end. The staff checked out preserving three-time Santos Tour Down Underneath champion Amanda Spratt in fine condition for a becoming finale. ARA Australian Biking Group’s Emily Watts additionally attacked exhausting to open up a 29-second hole 12.4km out from the end, however the peloton caught the 23-year-old Australian seven kilometres from Stirling. Watts, nonetheless, was rewarded with the Yamaha best rider’s jersey.
Key Factors:
12.4km: efex Queen of the Mountain 1: (Class 1) Cherry Gardens Hill
Human Powered Well being’s Italian gem Katia Ragusa took out her third QOM win since claiming the pair throughout Ziptrak Stage 1, incomes most factors. Ragusa claimed 20 factors and held onto the QOM podium earlier than the Stirling end.
35.7km: Ziptrak Dash 1 – Mawson Highway, Meadows at Meadows Bakery
The challengers have been nervous and took what appeared an eternity to earn bonus seconds.
UAE Group ADQ’s Dominika Wlodarczyk used each sinew to pip Australia’s Roseman-Gannon (Liv Jayco AlUla) whereas Ruth Edwards (Human Powered Well being), the 2020 Santos Tour Down Underneath champion, took third place in a protracted race to the bonus seconds line.
53.4km: Ziptrak Dash 2 – Strathalbyn Highway at Mylor Oval, Mylor
Poland’s Wlodarczyk earned the utmost three-second time bonus forward of Australia’s Ruby Roseman-Gannon and US rider Lily Williams from Human Powered Well being. Roseman-Gannon provisionally moved inside three seconds of race chief Ally Wollaston (AG Insurance coverage Soudal) till the Kiwi gave up her chief’s jersey. Wollaston is 31 seconds behind Ludwig.
82.9km: efex Queen of the Mountain 2: (Class 2) Stirling Climb
Ragusa was too good and can put on the polka dot jersey for the Hyundai Stage 3 on Sunday.
The Italian simply powered away at Stirling in what ought to have been an end-of-race costume rehearsal on the similar place 21.3km later.
All of the Jerseys:
Total Stage Winner – Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ-Suez)
Santos Chief’s Jersey – Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ-Suez)
efex Queen of the Mountain – Katia Rugusa (Human Powered Well being)
Ziptrak Sprinter’s Jersey – Sofia Bertizzolo (UAE Group ADQ)
Zwift Younger Rider’s Jersey – Francesca Barale (Human Powered Well being)
Most Aggressive – Emily Watts (Australian Nationwide Group).
Santos Tour Down Underneath – Ladies Stage 2 Outcome:
1. Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (Den) FDJ-SUEZ in 2:54:28
2. Soraya Paladin (Ita) Canyon//SRAM
3. Sofia Bertizzolo (Ita) UAE Group ADQ
4. Francesca Barale (Ita) dsm-firmenich PostNL
5. Heidi Franz (USA) Lifeplus Wahoo
6. Alexandra Manly (Aus) Liv AlUla Jayco
7. Amanda Spratt (Aus) Lidl-Trek
8. Ruth Edwards (USA) Human Powered Well being
9. Sarah Gigante (Aus) AG Insurance coverage-Soudal
10. Ruby Roseman-Gannon (Aus) Liv AlUla Jayco.
Santos Tour Down Underneath – Ladies Total After Stage 2:
1. Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (Den) FDJ-SUEZ in 5:26:55
2. Sofia Bertizzolo (Ita) UAE Group ADQ at 0:02
3. Ruby Roseman-Gannon (Aus) Liv AlUla Jayco at 0:03
4. Dominika Włodarczyk (Pol) UAE Group ADQ
5. Soraya Paladin (Ita) Canyon//SRAM at 0:04
6. India Grangier (Fra) Coop-Repsol at 0:08
7. Francesca Barale (Ita) dsm-firmenich PostNL at 0:10
8. Amanda Spratt (Aus) Lidl-Trek
9. Lieke Nooijen (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike
10. Nienke Vinke (Ned) dsm-firmenich PostNL.
TDU’24 stage 2:
Sarah Gigante delivered a serious WorldTour title to her new staff AG Insurance coverage Soudal as promised on the Santos Tour Down Underneath Stage 3 on Sunday.
The 23-year-old Australian pressured her rivals to crack on the best way atop Willunga Hill to take the Tour Down Underneath Basic Classification and a Hyundai stage 3 win which began in Adelaide. Gigante’s victory was emphatic contemplating she bounced again from a number of setbacks together with myopericarditis – irritation of each the center muscle and the pericardium and damaged bones from bike crashes.
Her former staff Movistar launched her from her contract in 2023 earlier than she signed with the brand new WorldTour outfit in December.
“I solely raced one race final yr, however I’ve been going on the market each single day and doing coaching periods,” Gigante mentioned. “I’m again in nice kind and I’m with my previous coach Dylan Lindsay and I went from the very backside of (Willunga Hill), my teammates helped me, I used to be out of place, however they drove me as much as close to the entrance (of the peloton). As quickly because the highway went upwards, I went.”
Gigante’s win capped off a profitable WorldTour for the staff. It began with New Zealand gun Ally Wollaston claiming the Ziptrak Stage 1 and the Santos chief’s jersey on Friday. Wollaston relinquished the jersey to FDJ-Suez’s Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig on Saturday earlier than Gigante’s claimed general honours. The Kiwi was doing her justifiable share of the work to get the Australian into form earlier than the Willunga Hill climb. However earlier than Gigante’s emphatic victory, Liv AlUla Jayco’s tactical nous noticed nationwide highway champion Ruby Roseman-Gannon was the provisional chief. She earned three bonus seconds when she claimed the primary Ziptrak preme dash which noticed her on equal time with in a single day race chief Ludwig (FDJ-Suez).
The stress was on Ludwig and her staff as Roseman-Gannon earned one other bonus second to take the general lead when she completed third within the second Ziptrak dash of the day at Aldinga Seashore. However UAE Group ADQ’s Dominika Wlodarczyk was on her sport too when she took most bonus seconds at Aldinga Seashore to take the equal provisional lead alongside Roseman-Gannon. That sensible intermediate dash tactic turned the race on its ear, however Gigante quashed these feint hopes atop Willunga Hill.
The Hyundai Stage 3 Adelaide to Willunga Hill additionally conquered two important milestones. The stage departed for the primary time from house base – the Tour Village in Victoria Sq., Adelaide and it was additionally the primary time the race completed atop Willunga Hill. Simply 10 seconds separated Ludwig (FDJ-Suez) and 6 riders together with Roseman-Gannon who was sitting third general earlier than Sunday’s stage. Ludwig’s major contenders for the Willunga Hill climb included, three-time Santos Tour Down Underneath champion Amanda Spratt, and Gigante have been solely 20 seconds behind the flamboyant Dane. The Danish famous person is the very best ranked UCI rider on the Tour Down Underneath, after ending seventh in 2023.
With about 70km earlier than the end, three riders Stine Dale (COOP-Repsol) Haylee Fuller (Group Bridgelane) and Lucie Fityus (ARA Skip Capital) attacked however they have been no rapid menace to the principle GC contenders. The trio opened a niche of 49 seconds earlier than the peloton had sufficient as Ludwig rode comfortably as her sturdy staff stored the Dane out of bother. Gigante was affected person earlier than the principle peloton flew into the Willunga township which signalled the enterprise finish of the race was about to kick off. Spratt’s Lidl-Trek staff stored the three-time Santos Tour Down Underneath in fine condition led by Lauretta Hanson’s domestique duties Aldinga seashore approached however Gigante was far too sturdy in the long run.
Key Factors:
3.8km: efex Queen of the Mountain 1: (Class 1) Belair Highway at Belair Household Well being Centre, Belair
Italy’s Katia Ragusa (Human Powered Well being) claimed her third main prize of the stage race at Windy Level which was a part of the race route for the primary time in historical past. Ragusa earned 37 factors and was at that time, 26 factors away from second positioned Well being Companions stage 2 winner Cecelie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ-Suez).
49.1km: Ziptrak Dash 1 – Principal Highway at Willunga Present Corridor, Willunga
Reigning nationwide highway champion Ruby Roseman-Gannon (Liv AlUla Jayco) claimed a well timed bonus by successful the primary dash of the day. Roseman-Gannon at that time was on equal time with the then race chief Ludwig.
66.8km: Ziptrak Dash 2 – Esplanade at Snapper Level, Aldinga Seashore
UAE Group ADQ’s Dominika Wlodarczyk grew to become a thorn between Australia’s Liv AlUla Jayco staff to assert the three second bonus forward of teammates Georgia Baker and Roseman-Gannon.
93.2km: efex Queen of the Mountain 2: (Class 1) Previous Willunga Hill Highway, Willunga Hill
Sarah Gigante did untold harm to the chasing bunch on the prime of Willunga Hill earlier than incomes the title.
All of the Jerseys:
Santos Tour Down Underneath Champion – Sarah Gigante (AG Insurance coverage Soudal)
Hyundai Stage 3 Winner – Sarah Gigante (AG Insurance coverage Soudal)
efex Queen of the Mountain – Katia Rugusa (Human Powered Well being)
Ziptrak Sprinter’s Jersey – Sofia Bertizzolo (UAE Group ADQ)
Zwift Younger Rider’s Jersey – Nienke Vinke (DSM-Firmenich POSTNL)
Yamaha Most Aggressive – Stine Dale (Group COOP-Repsol)
Santos Tour Down Underneath – Ladies Stage 3 Outcome:
1. Sarah Gigante (Aus) AG Insurance coverage-Soudal in 2:30:38
2. Nienke Vinke (Ned) dsm-firmenich PostNL at 0:16
3. Neve Bradbury (Aus) Canyon//SRAM at 0:27
4. Amanda Spratt (Aus) Lidl-Trek
5. Dominika Włodarczyk (Pol) UAE Group ADQ at 0:46
6. Victorie Guilman (Fra) St Michel-Mavic-Auber93 WE at 0:47
7. Ella Wyllie (NZ) Liv AlUla Jayco
8. Maud Oudeman (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike
9. Rosita Reijnhout (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike
10. Julie Van de Velde (Bel) AG Insurance coverage-Soudal.
Santos Tour Down Underneath – Ladies Last Total Outcome:
1. Sarah Gigante (Aus) AG Insurance coverage-Soudal at 7:57:33
2. Nienke Vinke (Ned) dsm-firmenich PostNL at 0:20
3. Neve Bradbury (Aus) Canyon//SRAM at 0:33
4. Amanda Spratt (Aus) Lidl-Trek at 0:37
5. Dominika Włodarczyk (Pol) UAE Group ADQ at 0:44
6. Victorie Guilman (Fra) St Michel-Mavic-Auber93 WE at 0:57
7. Ella Wyllie (NZ) Liv AlUla Jayco
8. Julie Van de Velde (Bel) AG Insurance coverage-Soudal
9. Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (Den) FDJ-SUEZ at 1:02
10. Nicole Frain (Aus) Australia.
TDU’24 stage 3:
Down Underneath Basic 2024
Jhonatan Narvaez gained the Down Underneath Basic in Adelaide, Australia. The Ecuadorian of INEOS Grenadiers held off the peloton with a small main group.
The Down Underneath Basic shouldn’t be an official UCI race, however the criterium is held yearly a number of days earlier than the beginning of the boys’s WorldTour stage race, the Tour Down Underneath. The sector of individuals is usually the identical as within the six-day race. Sprinter Caleb Ewan gained 5 of the final six editions, however not this yr. Jayco AlUla didn’t have to regulate the race, and it confirmed, because it was a chaotic criterium, with many assaults. In the long run, a bunch together with Jhonatan Narvaez and Natnael Tesfatsion escaped off the entrance. The peloton misjudged their try, though it nonetheless got here fairly shut within the ultimate kilometre. Narvaez was the quickest of the main group for the win.
third, Isaac Del Toro (UAE Group Emirates): “I really feel actually good after that. It’s my first time racing with the staff and I’m attempting to get pleasure from all of it and take all of it in as a lot as attainable. It’s one of many largest desires simply to be right here so to choose up a pleasant consequence on day one is past expectation. We’re actually wanting ahead now to the massive race subsequent week.”
Down Underneath Basic Outcome:
1. Jhonatan Narvaez (Eu) INEOS Grenadiers in 1:01:33
2. Natnael Tesfatsion (Eri) Lidl-Trek
3. Isaac Del Toro (Mex) UAE Group Emirates
4. Harry Sweeny (Aus) EF Training-EasyPost
5. Gil Gelders (Bel) Soudal Fast-Step
6. Oscar Onley (GB) dsm-firmenich PostNL
7. Phil Bauhaus (Ger) Bahrain Victorious
8. Laurence Pithie (NZ) Groupama-FDJ
9. Daniel McLay (GB) Arkéa-B&B Inns
10. Corbin Sturdy (Aus) Israel-Premier Tech.
Down Underneath Basic’24:
Belgian Nationwide Cyclo-cross Championships – Males 2024
On Sunday Eli Iserbyt gained the Belgian skilled cyclo-cross championship for the primary time in his profession. The Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal rider went solo within the ultimate laps for the win. Joran Wyseure was second, Michael Vanthourenhout third.
The Cyclocross Championships promised to be an thrilling race, however with out Wout van Aert at first, so there was no prime favorite. Eli Iserbyt, Laurens Sweeck, Thibau Nys, defending champion Michael Vanthourenhout, all had an opportunity of victory. Nys and Vanthourenhout didn’t begin properly within the mud, in contrast to Niels Vandeputte, Sweeck and Iserbyt. Iserbyt went for it within the first lap.
With Vandeputte and Sweeck in his wake, Iserbyt opened a small hole, though Toon Vandebosch, Quinten Hermans and Joran Wyseure weren’t too far behind. Nys and Vanthourenhout have been within the subsequent group with Lander Loockx and Jens Adams. However on the finish of the primary lap every part was collectively once more. There was a number one group of 10 riders. This included Wyseure, who took the initiative within the second of seven laps. First he escaped with Nys. When the 2 have been introduced again, he went once more with Nys and likewise Vanthourenhout. After two laps, the three had a lead of virtually 10 seconds over the seven pursuers, the place Iserbyt had taken the lead. He received nearer, however on the entrance his teammate Vanthourenhout additionally accelerated. Nys was in bother, however Wyseure managed to observe.
On the finish of the third lap, Nys was in a position to come again, as was Iserbyt who then went with Wyseure. Not a lot later, Nys and Vanthourenhout made the contact once more. This appeared to be the 4 that will battle for victory. Sweeck tried to cross from the chasing group, he couldn’t get shut. Within the main group it was primarily Iserbyt who did the work. This resulted in him breaking away from the others on the fifth lap. He had 11 seconds on Wyseure and Nys on the finish of the lap, Vanthourenhout adopted somewhat additional again. The hole appeared bridgeable at that second, however within the penultimate lap Iserbyt put the foot on the gasoline. He prolonged his lead over Wyseure and Vanthourenhout, the primary pursuers, to 30 seconds. Nys the perfect was now at 50 seconds. Within the ultimate lap, Iserbyt’s victory was not in peril. The 26 year-old had gained a number of Belgian titles within the youthful classes, however he had not been profitable within the elite and U23 classes. He beat Wyseure, who had dropped Vanthourenhout within the ultimate lap. completed third this yr. Nys had dropped to sixth place.
2024 Belgian champion, Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal): “There are nonetheless targets this season, however I can get pleasure from this. I’ve been in a daze since half of the cross. It was selecting traces and focusing. It was additionally stone chilly. It’s good that I can tame the demons for as soon as, as a result of I’ve already been tamed loads myself. Originally of the race I used to be somewhat too scorching and received I used to be not in my rhythm. Once I began to get somewhat colder, it was superb. First Michael had a powerful assault, then I selected my very own traces and put everybody beneath stress. I felt on the observe that they have been not in a position to decide on a place. Then I believed that everybody was by way of it, that was the second for me to maneuver. Because of Michael Vanthourenhout. We’ve quite a lot of assist for one another, we raise one another to a better stage. It hasn’t been straightforward for him, identical to me in latest weeks. Fortunately it comes up on the proper time. There are nonetheless targets this season, however I can get pleasure from this. Tomorrow my house cross in Otegem is 5 minutes from my door, splendid.”
2nd, Joran Wyseure (Crelan-Corendon): “I felt very sturdy, I had a brilliant day like in Fayetteville. For a second I believed I might battle for the win, however when Eli went, I shortly realised that he was stronger. He could have even been driving round with some left. The circumstances suited me. I used to be laughing within the camper beforehand, particularly when some rain nonetheless fell. It was all good for me. It’s a day to not be forgotten.”
third, Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal): “If I want it for anybody, it’s Eli. I already knew earlier than the cross that it was an Eli course, so it’s good that the jersey stays within the staff. He was the perfect right this moment, I believe. I believe Joran (Wyseure) additionally had an excellent day. He additionally took initiative in the beginning of the race. However you felt that issues have been going sooner two per hour when Eli took over on the straights. Then you definitely additionally noticed that he ultimately constructed up a giant lead. This is essential to me. I’ve stored it quiet for some time, however since Wednesday I’ve had some abdomen flu. I used to be at first right here with quite a lot of doubts. I definitely didn’t count on to play a job up entrance, so in that respect I’m very happy. I shocked myself. Yesterday night it was not but sure that I might be at first. It went properly and it turned out to be a really good day for the staff. It can be crucial that Eli gained and that we are going to be at first subsequent yr with two very good jerseys.”
Belgian Nationwide Cyclo-cross Championships – Males Outcome:
1. Eli Iserbyt (Bel) in 1:02:28
2. Joran Wyseure (Bel) at 0:25
3. Michael Vanthourenhout (Bel) at 0:37
4. Niels Vandeputte (Bel) at 1:00
5. Jens Adams (Bel) at 1:06
6. Thibau Nys (Bel) at 1:31
7. Toon Vandebosch (Bel) at 1:54
8. Laurens Sweeck (Bel) at 2:07
9. Quinten Hermans (Bel) at 2:14
10. Lander Loockx (Bel) at 2:47.
Belgian cross champs’24:
Netherlands Nationwide Cyclo-cross Championships – Males 2024
Joris Nieuwenhuis gained the Netherlands cyclo-cross title on Sunday in Hoogeveen. His teammates; Pim Ronhaar and Lars van der Haar have been second and third.
Mathieu van der Poel missed out the cyclo-cross Nationwide Championships this yr in Hoogeveen. All eyes have been on the Baloise Trek Lions riders: Joris Nieuwenhuis, Pim Ronhaar and defending champion Lars van der Haar. Nieuwenhuis received off to the perfect begin. As soon as on the mud he had Mees Hendrikx on his wheel, however the Crelan-Corendon rider crashed. Van der Haar was in a position to go, Pim Ronhaar and Ryan Kamp have been held up. This gave Nieuwenhuis a small hole, however he didn’t make his transfer but, Van der Haar after which Ronhaar have been quickly with them. After lower than 1 minute of racing, the three prime favourites have been on the entrance. The trio didn’t keep collectively for lengthy. Nieuwenhuis continued to use stress, inflicting Van der Haar to lose a number of meters. Ronhaar handed him and when the defending champion misplaced his bike, he misplaced contact for good, so there could be a battle between Nieuwenhuis and Ronhaar.
Ronhaar had a niche, however ultimately managed to shut it. Within the second lap it was Nieuwenhuis who took the initiative. He additionally did that within the subsequent laps, till Ronhaar slipped midway by way of the race. Nieuwenhuis noticed his probability. He persevered and was nearly 10 seconds up after 4 of the eight laps. Within the subsequent laps, Nieuwenhuis prolonged his lead. With 2 laps to go, he had nearly 40 seconds on Ronhaar. Lars van der Haar, nonetheless in third place, was at greater than 1:30. The title holder would have a podium place, as a result of Ryan Kamp and Tibor Del Grosso, in 4th and fifth place, weren’t in sight. The title went to Nieuwenhuis. After his second place final yr, he was now primary. Ronhaar completed in second place, Van der Haar third. Behind them, Kamp and Del Grosso fought for fourth place. Kamp got here out on prime, however Del Grosso was the perfect U23 together with his fifth place.
2024 Netherlands champion, Joris Nieuwenhuis (Baloise Trek Lions): “I had a extremely nice day, I additionally know that I’ve to do it this manner if I wish to have an opportunity. It was additionally my intention to depart on a very good notice. Then I do know that afterwards I can experience my very own traces and do my very own factor. That’s the way it occurred. I might already hear one thing occurring behind me, however I couldn’t see precisely what was happening. Happily, it didn’t hassle me. I didn’t give it my all, I used to be simply attempting to determine what Pim was like. I did put some stress on him, sure. My intention was to maintain the tempo excessive, whereas nonetheless feeling comfy. Did I instantly comprehend it was inside after I had a niche? No, as a result of I had one good passage, however then it may be that Pim simply had one thing there and he simply comes again. And in any case, I by no means wish to instantly suppose: this has arrived. It was solely the final half lap that I believed: I’ve 45 seconds, now I can get pleasure from it. It is rather cool that I can now race in pink, white and blue.”
2nd, Pim Ronhaar (Baloise Trek Lions): “I believed within the title for a very long time, till Joris pulled away from me really. Within the first lap I needed to shut a rattling hole as a result of somebody crashed in one of many first corners. That took numerous power, however after I was there, I felt very sturdy. I felt like I used to be stronger. However simply as I used to be about to put my assault, Joris positioned his. And it was simply higher. So yeah, I simply received knocked on worth. Lastly he rides away for a minute. Then Joris is just the perfect. He merely raced sooner, when it comes to method and on the straights. Second place was the very best achievable right this moment, so he can now lead all the week in Spain. It was awarded to him and I mentioned beforehand: if I can get probably the most out of it, I will likely be happy, whether or not that leads to a primary, second or third place. I’m probably not going to chop again through the week. After Benidorm I’ll drive to Hoogerheid, after which I’ll do little for per week. Then it’s a blast in Tabor.”
third, Lars van der Haar (Baloise Trek Lions): “There have been two higher. I had a very good day, I had good legs, it was a pleasant course, however there have been two higher. I can’t make far more of it. I already knew on Friday, through the reconnaissance: if you wish to win, you’ll have to go previous Joris Nieuwenhuis. This course is tailored for him. There are few actual energy strokes, it’s loads about method. And a really exhausting working part has been added. That’s what Joris is so good at. Final yr he could have misplaced the Nationwide Championships to me in a little bit of a lame means. I used to be very proud of that, however this yr he actually, actually deserved to win. He has proven that he’s actually value it. Tomorrow we’ll go to Spain with the boys. We are going to prepare there and participate in Benidorm (World Cup). Then we go to Tábor. I don’t must take further relaxation in the direction of the World champs, I really really feel good. Final week I had a really unhealthy day in Zonhoven, right this moment I had a very good day. It’s all the time tough to measure, as a result of I couldn’t compete for the win, however I felt like my legs have been superb. I’m simply on schedule for the World championships.”
Netherlands Nationwide Cyclo-cross Championships – Males Outcome:
1. Joris Nieuwenhuis (Ned) in 1:01:47
2. Pim Ronhaar (Ned) at 0:53
3. Lars van der Haar (Ned) at 2:28
4. Ryan Kamp (Ned) at 3:13
5. Tibor Del Grosso (Ned) 3:32
6. Mees Hendrikx (Ned) at 3:52
7. Stan Godrie (Ned)
8. Luke Verburg (Ned)
9. Klaas Groenen (Ned)
10. Koen van Dijke (Ned).
Netherlands cross champs’24 podium (nonetheless on the lookout for video):
Julian Alaphilippe Will Journey the Giro d’Italia
Julian Alaphilippe is not going to be at first of the Tour de France this yr. The French favorite of Soudal Fast-Step is taking a unique line in 2024 and can experience the Giro d’Italia for the primary time. “It has been in my head for some time,” he informed L’Équipe.
After beginning the Tour de France in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023, Alaphilippe is now, for the primary time in his profession, driving the Giro d’Italia. “It isn’t a non-selection and it isn’t a punishment in any respect. Driving the Giro has been in my head for some time,” the double World champion defined. “It’s in fact unusual to overlook the Tour, however I’m happy with my targets and a attainable participation within the Olympic Video games in Paris. It’s a chock-full season and so it’s a must to make selections and persist with them,” he mentioned.
Within the first Grand Tour of the season, Alaphilippe will likely be up towards one other Giro virgin: Wout van Aert. The Belgian of Visma | Lease a Bike can also be aiming for stage victories. Tadej Pogačar may also be driving his first Giro, however will likely be going for the general, however will take stage wins if they arrive his means.
Alaphilippe has introduced his spring program. The Frenchman begins his season within the Tour Down Underneath, then again in Europe he’ll experience the opening weekend’s Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, adopted by Strade Bianche, Milan-San Remo and the Tour of Flanders.
Julian Alaphilippe’s Race Programme:
16-01 – 21-01 Santos Tour Down Underneath
24-02 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
02-03 Strade Bianche
16-03 Milano-Sanremo
31-03 Tour of Flanders
04-05 – 26-05 Giro d’Italia.
Alaphilippe to the Giro:
Unfit Caleb Ewan Uncertain for Tour Down Underneath
Caleb Ewan didn’t win the Down Underneath Basic, as he normally does. The Australian sprinter is ‘not 100% match’, his staff sports activities director, Matt White informed GCN.
The Down Underneath Basic is the criterium earlier than the Tour Down Underneath, however it’s one which Ewan has gained 5 occasions previously six editions, together with final yr.
Earlier than the Basic in Adelaide, Ewan was not feeling properly, after which the staff determined it was higher to relaxation and shift the main focus to the Tour Down Underneath, which begins on Tuesday. Ewan had a tough coaching day on Friday and apparently gave up within the warmth.
“Yesterday it was greater than forty levels Celsius and Caleb was not feeling one hundred pc match. That’s why we thought it will be higher to let him relaxation a bit till the true WorldTour race begins. We are going to proceed to observe the state of affairs, as Caleb performs an essential position in our plans for subsequent week. Hopefully he recovers properly, we’ll decide on Sunday afternoon.”
Luke Durbridge and Lucas Hamilton are mentioned to be within the space. “However we wish to give Caleb the chance to be prepared.” The Tour Down Underneath will likely be Ewan’s first official race for Jayco-AlUla, after his switch from Lotto Dstny on the finish of 2023.
Ewan not 100%:
Ilan Van Wilder Will Get Alternatives with Soudal Fast-Step
Ilan Van Wilder will lead Soudal Fast-Step in a number of race this yr, the 23 year-old rider introduced earlier this week in dialog with Sporza. “A pleasant mixture of private alternatives and assist,” Van Wilder mentioned.
The Belgian rider appeared forward to subsequent season on the Soudal Fast-Step media day, the place spoke of his program for the primary months. Van Wilder begins his season within the Problem Mallorca. “After that I’ll have an excellent alternative for a classification within the UAE Tour. Then follows Paris-Good with Remco (Evenepoel). We’re beginning with a very good staff. It’s a major objective to do very properly there.” Van Wilder will then once more experience for himself within the Tour of Catalonia and Tour de Romandie. “At Soudal Fast-Step I get a pleasant mixture of my very own alternatives and assist. I discover a good steadiness there. It’s constructed up yearly and I attempt to take a step yearly. That works properly.”
In the summertime of 2024, Van Wilder hopes to make his debut within the Tour de France and help Remco Evenepoel within the general classification. “That has not but been decided. I’m within the massive preselection. Let’s hope so. There are quite a lot of sturdy guys. I actually see a powerful staff for the Grand Excursions.”
Van Wilder had a very good 2023 season, he completed third within the Trofeo Serra and third within the Volta ao Algarve, in Might he completed twelfth within the Giro d’Italia, however the Belgian solely actually impressed within the autumn. He gained the Deutschland Tour and Tre Valli Varesine in a interval of simply over a month.
Ilan Van Wilder’s Race Programme:
24-01 Trofeo Calvia
25-01 Trofeo Port D’Alcudia – Port D’Alcudia
26-01 Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana
27-01 Trofeo Pollença – Port d’Andratx
28-01 Trofeo Playa de Palma – Palma
19-02 – 25-02 UAE Tour
03-03 – 10-03 Paris-Good
18-03 – 24-03 Volta a Ciclista a Catalunya
23-04 – 28-04 Tour de Romandie.
Van Wilder is wanting ahead to 2024:
Shari Bossuyt will Not Enchantment Towards Doping Suspension
Shari Bossuyt Is not going to attraction towards the two-year doping suspension. She made the announcement on Instagram. The Belgian rider maintains her innocence.
“On December 4, I acquired the choice from the AFLD (anti-doping company) with a proposal for my suspension,” Bossuyt said. “As anticipated, they’ve proposed a two-year ban. They affirm and acknowledge the truth that the contamination was not intentional. However we can’t, as with Toon Aerts, show the supply of the contamination. For that cause, they can’t restrict the punishment additional. It’s exactly at this level that the entire thing frustrates me enormously! There isn’t a humanity or nuance, nor deliberation. Clarify to me how an athlete can be capable to show contamination by meals,” mentioned Bossuyt.
“By placing all of the items of the puzzle collectively one after the other, we now nearly know for certain the place the contamination got here from. However sadly we can’t formally show this. This requires official experiences. These experiences can solely be issued by official our bodies, such because the Meals Security Company, or after a full examine by a laboratory or college. Sadly, such research value some huge cash and take quite a lot of time.”
The excessive prices of such research are additionally one of many causes for Bossuyt to not attraction towards her suspension. “I don’t have the energy or the cash for this. The sensation of preventing a dropping battle, the sleepless nights as a consequence of fixed worrying and the monetary struggling of getting to spend tens of hundreds of euros on an already misplaced trigger, made me determine to depart it at that…”
Bossuyt is having a tough time mentally due to the entire state of affairs, she says. “I’m a 23-year-old lady who was in a position to flip her passion into her career. I’m not a doping sinner and have by no means thought of taking any. I’ll preserve repeating this till the day comes when every part is cleared up. Nobody appears to understand how a lot influence this has on somebody’s psychological well being. My Olympic dream has been destroyed and I’ve to stroll round daily with the label of ‘doping sinner’. It’s nearly insufferable. Happily, I discover assist from the individuals who actually take heed to me, who imagine me. Within the meantime, I’ll proceed to train, as a result of it does me good. I’ll show that I’ll come again stronger!”
Bossuyt examined constructive after she gained the third stage within the Tour of Normandy on March 19, 2023. As a result of her Canyon//SRAM staff has a zero tolerance coverage, she was positioned on inactive standing, however she maintained her innocence. Cyclo-cross rider Toon Aerts additionally examined constructive for letrozole metabolite and was ultimately suspended for 2 years.
Shari Bossuyt accepts a two yr ban:
Ben O’Connor Returns to the Giro d’Italia and Sam Bennett Begins the Season in France
Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale has introduced the packages for the primary half of the season for a number of riders. The French staff revealed that Ben O’Connor will experience the Giro d’Italia in Might and Sam Bennett will begin his season within the Tour de la Provence.
For O’Connor it is going to be his fourth Tour of Italy. In 2018 he made his Grand Tour debut within the Giro, however didn’t end. In 2020 he completed twentieth general and took a stage win. O’Connor hasn’t been again to the Italian Grand Tour since, driving the Tour de France thrice, with a 4th place and a stage win in 2021. O’Connor’s full race schedule earlier than the Giro d’Italia shouldn’t be but absolutely identified, however he’ll experience the Vuelta a Murcia (February Tenth), the Clásica Jaén (February twelfth) and the UAE Tour (February 19-Twenty fifth).
Ben O’Connor’s Race Programme:
11-02 Vuelta Ciclista a la Area de Murcia “Costa Calida”
12-02 Clásica Jaén
19-02 – 25-02 UAE Tour
04-05 – 26-05 Giro d’Italia
Sam Bennett, who joined from BORA-hansgrohe, will begin his season in February with the Tour de la Provence (8-Eleventh February). Then, like O’Connor, he’ll go to the UAE Tour. In March, the Irish sprinter will contest Paris-Good (March 3-Tenth).
Sam Bennett’s Race Programme:
08-02 – 11-02 Tour de la Provence
19-02 – 25-02 UAE Tour
03-03 – 10-03 Paris-Good
In 2024, 5 Belgians will race with Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale. Dries De Bondt makes his debut for the French staff within the Etoile de Bessèges (thirty first January – 4th February). He’ll then be at first of the Ruta del Sol and the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Sander De Pestel begins earlier, with the Classica Communitat Valencia 1969 (January twentieth) and Ruta de la Ceramica (January Twenty first). He’ll then begin the Etoile de Bessèges.
Oliver Naesen will likely be in motion within the Ruta del Sol from February 14th. He’ll then experience the Opening Weekend of the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. Gianluca Pollefliet has the UAE Tour, Grand Prix de Denain (March 14th) and Basic Loire Atlantique (March sixteenth) on his program. Stan Dewulf underwent surgical procedure for a narrowed femoral artery in December and can return to racing later, however hopes to be at first of the Giro.
Ben O’Connor to the Giro:
BORA-hansgrohe Places an Finish to the Uijtdebroeks Case
The switch of Cian Uijtdebroeks triggered quite a lot of dialogue and disruption for all involved. BORA-hansgrohe has now drawn a line beneath the case, after an inner investigation into alleged bullying behaviour. “We actually haven’t discovered something,” sports activities supervisor Rolf Aldag emphasised on the staff’s press day.
Uijtdebroeks was concerned in a switch ‘controversy’, after Visma | Lease a Bike offered the younger Belgian as a brand new staff member. Uijtdebroeks and his administration believed that he was free to signal for an additional staff, however BORA-hansgrohe didn’t agree. The issues between the assorted events have now been sorted out. An settlement has been reached between Uijtdebroeks, his former staff BORA-hansgrohe and his new staff Visma | Lease a Bike. The UCI has additionally agreed to the switch. “This was a foul factor for the staff and for the game. There may be now an answer and we wish to depart it at that. However we do take this matter critically,” Aldag informed Het Laatste Nieuws.
It was steered that Uijtdebroeks could have been bullied at BORA-hansgrohe. “You don’t need that in your staff. We’ve investigated that. We’ve spoken to all our riders, however we actually haven’t discovered something,” the German former rider emphasises. “That in fact says nothing concerning the emotion that Cian felt. I’m simply saying that we didn’t discover any indication that he was being excluded or bullied. What nonetheless bothers me is: if one thing occurred within the Vuelta, why didn’t he instantly put it on the desk?”
The Cian Uijtdebroeks case is completed:
Visma | Lease a Bike Ladies Needs to Win a Grand Tour sooner or later
The Visma | Lease a Bike males’s staff gained the Giro, Tour and Vuelta final yr. The ladies’s staff additionally has nice ambitions in the case of the Grand Excursions. “We hope to win one of many Grand Excursions within the coming years,” mentioned sports activities technical supervisor Rutger Tijssen.
The riders of Visma | Lease a Bike Ladies, this yr are primarily going to the Grand Excursions with ‘studying ambitions’. “Our largest objective is one in the long run,” Tijssen refers to successful a Grand Tour within the coming years. “This yr we’ll acquire data for the long run, however on the similar time we additionally set the bar excessive. Maybe we will obtain a podium in one of many massive excursions this season.”
On paper, Riejanne Markus is the principle candidate inside Visma | Lease a Bike Ladies for a podium end in a Grand Tour. The 29-year-old time trial rider was fourth within the Vuelta a España final yr. Subsequent yr she is going to contest the Vuelta once more (April Twenty ninth-Might fifth), after which she is going to take part within the Tour de France Femmes in August.
By 2024, Visma | Lease a Bike additionally needs to indicate within the spring Classics. “We’re at first of the spring classics with nice ambitions. We wish to begin the competitions with well-structured plans, with the purpose of over performing and attaining podium locations at quite a few Classics. It is going to come as no shock that the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix particularly have our consideration. We are going to seem there, identical to on the Amstel Gold Race, with a powerful choice and purpose for the very best attainable objective: successful.”
Within the meantime, expertise improvement continues to be a prime precedence for the staff, Tijssen emphasiSes. “This yr we hope to see that the younger abilities proceed to develop and that their studying curve continues. One of many essential spearheads of Visma | Lease a Bike is to coach future winners. We don’t instantly count on the younger riders to win, however we hope to see progress, improvement and potential yearly.”
Riejanne Markus to steer the Visma | Lease a Bike ladies’s staff:
Ryan Kamp Colors Extra Italian with FENIX as First Shirt Sponsor
Ryan Kamp is not driving within the black oufit he has been sporting for the previous week and a half. Within the meantime, with FENIX, a primary shirt sponsor has arrived. Clothes producer Alé and shoe provider Sidi present much more Italian enter.
Colnago and Campagnolo initially ensured that Ryan Kamp might stay a professional rider – on an particular person foundation. He did so in black equipment for the previous few races, however that can change from Sunday on. Within the Dutch championship, Kamp will race in “Verde Comodoro,” the long-lasting FENIX colors.
FENIX, which produces revolutionary supplies for inside design, already indicated on Jan. 1 that they needed to assist in the start-up of the Italian undertaking round Kamp. Over the previous week, every part got here to an accelerated conclusion. Ryan stays a person rider, however thus positive factors a primary jersey sponsor.
“As an Italian model, we’re proud to assist this new FENIX undertaking. It has an revolutionary method and depends on Made-in-Italy companions. We’re excited to be a part of the event and progress of this younger and gifted rider,” mentioned Stefano Mion, CEO of Arpa Industriale, the corporate that developed the revolutionary FENIX supplies for inside design.
The undertaking round Ryan Kamp is getting much more Italian, as a result of along with FENIX, shoe provider Sidi and clothes producer Alé, that made the long-lasting Verde Comodoro outfit in only one week.
Ryan Kamp:
Q36.5 Professional Biking Group Unveils 2024 Equipment
Q36.5 Professional Biking Group is thrilled to disclose the cutting-edge 2024 race equipment, a testomony to our dedication to #RacingTheFuture. Embodying the essence of our inaugural season’s premium design, this yr’s official staff equipment boasts a classy and smooth color palette.
Drawing inspiration from our staff’s resolute dedication to advancing the way forward for biking, the second-season equipment showcases a darker aesthetic with a charming thermo-regulating sample adorning the again. Neon accents add a dynamic contact, guaranteeing that our cyclists stand out with added visibility throughout intense racing situations.
This equipment represents not solely a development in design but in addition an emblem of our unwavering pursuit of excellence in biking.
Q36.5 Professional Group 2024 Equipment in Element
The official 2024 Professional Group Biking equipment options Q36.5’s most superior and sustainable RaceWear items: the signature R2 Jersey and Gregarius Extremely Bib Shorts. Two staples of Q36.5’s RaceWear line which have helped the staff grasp probably the most tough and difficult races and stored their physique temperature on the splendid 36.5ºC – always.
The Q36.5 brand takes centre stage on the entrance of the jersey, proudly accompanied by our esteemed companions UBS, SCOTT, and SRAM. The sleeves boldly showcase the Breitling brand, exuding a way of daring sophistication, whereas the higher rear shoulders show the SCOTT brand.
Embarking on our mission of #RacingTheFuture, the again panel of the jersey turns into a canvas for our staff’s imaginative and prescient, firmly anchoring our goal within the peloton. As a testomony to innovation, Q36.5’s revolutionary body-mapping and thermoregulation expertise thread seamlessly by way of all the Professional Group Assortment.
The lighter gray backdrop of the jersey is complemented by the logos of UBS, Mercedes Benz, and Breitling, making a harmonious design that underlines our highly effective collaboration. Neon accents on the within of the sleeves and aspect panels not solely add a vibrant contact but in addition improve visibility within the peloton, making our staff unmistakable amidst the racing frenzy.
Nationwide Satisfaction
Nick Zukowsky will proceed to don the distinctive Canadian Nationwide Champion jersey while Giacomo Nizzolo’s jersey is adorned with alternating sleeves that includes the European Champion and Italian Nationwide Champion bands. Lastly, former Irish Nationwide Champion Rory Townsend’s jersey pays homage to his roots with the Irish flag bands gracefully adorning the sleeves, whereas Negasi Haylu Abreha will sport the Ethiopian Nationwide Champion bands as a former highway Nationwide Champion of Ethiopia. This yr’s equipment is not only a uniform; it’s a vibrant narrative of particular person and collective achievements, intertwining type and goal on the biking stage.
“Our staff actually loved their first-season sporting Q36.5’s technical attire within the hardest biking circumstances culminating in 200 race days. The truth that the riders discovered consolation, sturdiness, and technical performance in Q36.5 attire throughout such intensive race days speaks volumes concerning the high quality and reliability of the model. Enduring varied climate circumstances and rigorous biking environments whereas sustaining consolation is essential for optimum efficiency, and Q36.5 delivered on all fronts. Our 2024 staff equipment builds on this yr’s unbelievable design exhibiting elevated funding from our companions and visible consciousness for our riders within the neon accents while in shut fight within the peloton,” mentioned Doug Ryder, Basic Supervisor Q36.5 Professional Biking Group
Technical Options
With solely 110 grams, the Q36.5 R2 Professional Group Jersey is extraordinarily light-weight, breathable and tremendous fast-drying, combining 4 proprietary materials, produced utilizing 70% recycled yarns and 11 patterns, all strategically positioned to permit for max aerodynamics and thermoregulation.
The Q36.5 Professional Group Bib Shorts are equally light-weight, with 175 grams, and sport the model’s Tremendous Moulded Chamois, Tubular Strap System and Leg-band Ending, all developed by their in-house R&D staff for optimum RaceWear advantages and energy switch. Comprised of 100% recycled yarns, and like Q36.5’s complete line sourced and handcrafted inside a 350 km radius of their Bolzano headquarters, they’re bringing sustainability and efficiency biking clothes to the following stage. UBS brand is featured on the proper aspect of the bib brief whereas the Q36.5 brand takes up the left aspect. The brand new mannequin is accomplished with neon accents within the again that flatter the appear and feel of elevated visibility of the jersey.
Luigi Bergamo, CEO and Head of R&D Q36.5 explains the idea behind the brand new equipment: “It’s impressed by our Physique Mapping research and primarily based on our core rules of progress and innovation, our second-season Professional Group Race Equipment was developed to assist our athletes transcend their very own limits. We’re extraordinarily proud to see the staff’s riders profit from our merchandise and produce efficiency biking to the following stage. Collectively we’re #RacingTheFuture.”
The objective for our second season on the highway is to construct on the momentum created in our 1st yr and transfer up the world rankings by way of creating extra depth and high quality in our gifted riders to be extra aggressive and win extra races. By leveraging areas like efficiency evaluation and technical enhancements to repeatedly adapt and enhance whereas residing our mission of #RacingTheFuture.
The 2024 Q36.5 Professional Biking Group equipment is accessible to buy right here.
Welcome to Peter van Petegem! Sport and Enterprise Improvement Supervisor
Peter van Petegem (53) joins Bingoal WB as Sport and Enterprise Improvement Supervisor. Peter intervenes within the sporting area by sharing his lengthy expertise with riders. He’s additionally concerned in improvement and contacts with companions.
Peter van Petegem: “I’m very pleased and really proud to affix the Bingoal WB staff. I’ve been lively within the insurance coverage area for a few years and I’ve lengthy needed to become involved with a biking staff to deliver my expertise. I definitely remained within the area of biking, after my profession, particularly with my two sons Axandre and Maurits who’re younger riders, with the Flanders Classics, with my Primus Basic. The Bingoal WB undertaking provides me the chance to immerse myself within the coronary heart of a staff. The target is to develop, each on a sporting stage and within the space of contacts with companions and public relations. So I will likely be on the sector fairly often to inform our runners that we’re there to be in entrance, to offer every part to attempt to win. It’s in my DNA, I’ve all the time finished every part to win. I additionally wish to open new doorways to assist the staff develop additional. I believe the prospects are very broad.”
Christopher Brandt: “It’s a nice pleasure to now be capable to depend on the experience of Peter van Petegem. We’ve identified one another for a few years, we rode in the identical staff and we remained in shut contact. Peter’s expertise is essential for our quickly creating construction, each on a sporting stage and when it comes to relationships with companions.”
Former skilled rider (1992-2007), Peter van Petegem notably gained the Tour of Flanders (1999, 2003), Paris-Roubaix (2003), the Grand Prix de l’Escaut (194), the E3 Grand Prix (1999), the Omloop Het Volk (1997, 1998, 2002), the Three Days of De Panne (1999, 2002). He acquired the bike from Cristal in 2003. He was additionally sports activities director at Gamin-Cervelo in 2011.
Administration Bingoal WB 2024
Christophe Brandt: CEO/Basic Supervisor
Peter Van Petegem: Sports activities and Enterprise Improvement Supervisor
Mattijs Dachy: Basic administration
Sports activities administration: Christophe Detilloux, Olivier Kaisen, Alessandro Spezialetti, Julien Stassen, Jean-Denis Vandenbroucke; Jon Wiggins (efficiency director).
Peter van Petegem working with Bingoal-WB:
MAAP Proclaims Sponsorship of Lifeplus-Wahoo
Melbourne attire model to outfit British ladies’s staff with race equipment, coaching put on and off-bike attire
2024 sees the debut of MAAP within the professional peloton as attire sponsor of British Ladies’s Continental Group Lifeplus-Wahoo. Bringing their signature design aesthetic, MAAP will likely be offering the staff with race equipment, coaching put on and off-bike attire, this newest enterprise marking the continuation of MAAP’s pursuit to progress the game by way of its product and the packages it helps.
Present on the intersection of efficiency and goal, MAAP and Lifeplus-Wahoo characterize two organisations difficult conference in biking. Their partnership marks a dedication not solely to drive the staff’s efficiency but in addition to play their half in propelling the game {of professional} ladies’s biking to the following stage.
Lifeplus-Wahoo has been a long-standing function of the British and European biking scene. Beginning as a home staff and evolving by way of varied guises, they’re now one of many leaders within the present crop of Continental groups. Their sturdy performances final season will see them return to battle it out with WorldTour groups all through 2024 together with on the Tour de France Femmes.
Tom Varney, Lifeplus-Wahoo Basic Supervisor: ”As we head into our ninth season as an unbiased ladies’s staff, it’s actually particular to have the ability to associate with MAAP, a model we see because the market chief in biking attire. We’ve felt reinvigorated by their assist, not solely by the recent equipment design but in addition their dedication to our founding rules of fostering a supportive surroundings for our riders to flourish irrespective of their age or background.”
In addition to outfitting the staff, MAAP may also be lifting the lid on what it takes to make it on this planet of ladies’s skilled biking by way of an unique sequence of behind-the-scenes content material. With ladies’s biking persistently disadvantaged of the eye it deserves, the sequence will present the extent of dedication, complexity and need on the present isn’t any completely different to the boys’s aspect of the game and look to right the present imbalance.
Oliver Cousins, MAAP co-Founder and co-CEO: ”We’re honoured to be sponsoring the Lifeplus-Wahoo skilled ladies’s staff. The staff’s values, focus and dedication to the development of ladies’s biking is really inspiring. For us at MAAP, this isn’t only a dedication to excellence in biking; it’s an important funding within the empowerment of ladies in sports activities. We wish to foster athletic prowess in addition to actively propel the game ahead by cultivating a extra equitable future on this planet of biking.“
Lifeplus-Wahoo will likely be showing of their new equipment for the primary time January twelfth at MAAP’s house WorldTour race, the UCI Tour Down Underneath in Adelaide, Australia. MAAP will likely be internet hosting a pop-up expertise the place followers can get unique entry to an accompanying Lifeplus-Wahoo capsule that includes the reproduction race jersey, bibs, off-bike tees and equipment.
The pop-up will likely be working from the thirteenth to the Twenty first January, discover out extra details about at adl2024.com. The Lifeplus-Wahoo capsule will then be made out there to buy to all from January 16 at MAAP.cc and choose companions.
ASO and Golazo Assist the Organisation of the 2025 World Championships in Rwanda
The 2025 World Championships in Rwanda is not going to solely be organised by a neighborhood committee. The biking federation of Rwanda has appointed skilled organisers ASO and Golazo to assist. It’s the first time that the Biking World championships will likely be held in Africa.
“We’re honoured to assist information this historic sporting second for Africa,” says Bob Verbeeck of Golazo. “We’ve been lively in East Africa for greater than ten years. Lately, our actions in Kenya have gained momentum. That is the following massive step in creating our presence in Africa. Along with the present workplace in Nairobi (Kenya), Golazo will open a second department in Kigali, Rwanda.”
Biking affiliation FERWACY and the Rwandan ministry of sport issued a bid and skilled organisers ASO and Golazo emerged because the winners. The ASO is the behind the Tour de France (and plenty of different races) and Golazo organises the Baloise Belgium Tour, the Renewi Tour and the X2O Bogs Trophy cyclo-cross sequence.
ASO and Golazo will help the native organisers within the area of sports activities technical facets, the aspect program, communication and promotion. “We’re so proud of this historic second,” mentioned affiliation chairman Samson Ndayishimiye. “Not just for our nation however for all the continent. We’re able to get began along with Golazo and ASO and ship nice championships.”
The 2025 World championships are scheduled for September Twenty first-Twenty eighth, with Rwanda’s capital Kigali because the centre. “Don’t put a sprinter in your forecast, as a result of with Mount Kigali, the notorious Mur de Kigali and particularly the cobblestone slope within the final two kilometres, this can be a very powerful course,” mentioned Christophe Impens of Golazo.
“The elite males will flirt with the 5,000 altitude metre mark at an altitude of over 1,400 metres. We’re additionally impressed by the standard of the roads and the out there infrastructure. Kigali has all of the substances to current a high-quality World Cup to biking followers.”
ASO to assist the Worlds in Rwanda:
Belgian Star Remco Evenepoel Opens Season at “Figueira Champions/On line casino Figueira”
Belgian Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Fast-Step), one of many largest names in world biking, will begin the season in Portugal at “Figueira Champions/On line casino Figueira”, on February Tenth, a race the place he may also make his debut. The present world time trial champion will cycle by way of the 14 parishes of the Municipality of Figueira da Foz, the place the resorts are all virtually full, for a weekend that has all of the circumstances to make it memorable.
The quantity three within the worldwide rating and Belgian long-distance champion, Remco Evenepoel, will likely be one of many standout figures within the traditional that has risen to class 1. Professional of the UCI ProSeries circuit and that can definitely deliver lots of people to Figueira da Foz to see reside and applaud the younger 23-year-old world star. The municipality’s resorts, particularly these within the metropolis, are nearly absolutely booked, reflecting the mobilisation generated by the occasion.
In a area that can exceed 150 runners – which is able to embody the ten already confirmed Phrase Tour groups, plus the 4 ProTeams and the 9 invited Portuguese groups, in a complete of 23 groups, a number of extra names that can seem on this group are beginning to turn out to be identified.
The Basque Mikel Landa (Soudal Fast-Step), Remco’s colleague, is likely one of the notable runners who ought to participate in Figueira da Foz and it’s also the Portuguese that the eye is directed to, with the confirmations of João Almeida, Rui Oliveira and António Morgado, UAE Group Emirates trio. Rui Costa, making his debut within the colors of EF Training-EasyPost, is one other affirmation and it appears that there’s a sturdy chance that Rúben Guerreiro, from Movistar Group, may also be current, a World Tour formation that will likely be current, for the primary time, at “Figueira Champions/On line casino Figueira”.
In Figueira da Foz, the world biking pageant begins on the ninth, Friday, with the Presentation of the Groups from 4:30 pm to six:30 pm. Will probably be on Avenida 25 de Abril, subsequent to the departure location, on the Clock Tower. This second will function a presentation by the Giro D’Italia speaker, Stefano Bertolotti and a visitor DJ, who will assure a number of pleasure and pleasure. Based on Carlos Pereira, basic director of the occasion, “this presentation will likely be one thing unprecedented and by no means finished earlier than in our nation. Moreover, this would be the first nice alternative for the general public to see the celebs of the world squad. We will likely be excited and it is going to be a second the place we hope to have a powerful assist from the general public, to applaud and watch every of the 23 groups current and their stars take the stage”.
The traditional, the next day, is assured to be broadcast reside on the Eurosport channel (from 3 pm to five pm) and Sport TV (begin, first half hour of the race and the final three hours).
The Granfondo “On line casino Figueira Champions Day”, a contest aimed toward amateurs, closes this weekend on the Eleventh, Carnival Sunday. Registration continues to be open, however ends on January Twenty first and so excess of a thousand individuals are assured. Amongst them will likely be Sean Kelly with number one and Marco Chagas, two former skilled runners who will cycle alongside everybody passionate concerning the sport.
Keep in mind that ten WorldTour formations are confirmed within the “Figueira Champions / On line casino Figueira” squad: Lidl-Trek (United States of America), Alpecin-Deceuninck (Belgium), Group dsm-firmenich PostNL (Netherlands), Astana Qazaqstan Group (Kazakhstan), Arkéa-B&B Inns (France), Intermarché-Wanty (Belgium), Movistar Group (Spain), EF Training-EasyPost (United States of America), Soudal Fast-Step (Belgium) and UAE Group Emirates (United Arab Emirates). Additionally confirmed are 4 ProTeams, that are the Tudor Professional Biking Group (Switzerland), Equipo Kern Pharma (Spain), Euskaltel-Euskadi (Spain) and Caja Rural-Seguros RGA (Spain). The 9 Portuguese groups are all invited.
Classica Comunitat Valenciana 1969
The Problem Mallorca, the Ruta del Sol and the Vuelta a Murcia are all conventional Spanish spring races, however the Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana 1969 has been round for a very long time. This one-day race has a protracted historical past and a formidable checklist of winners.
Because the title suggests, the primary version of the Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana 1969 was in 1969. At the moment the race was referred to as the Gran Premio de Valencia (Trofeo Luis Puig). The win in that opening version went to Carlos Echeverría, who rode for Kas-Kaskol for nearly his complete profession. In 1970 the victory additionally went to a Spaniard, seven-time Vuelta stage winner Ramón Saéz, however Belgians then dominated the race.
From 1971 to 1975, a Belgian was the winer. Frans Verhaegen, adopted by Eric Leman, Gustaaf Van Roosbroeck and Eddy Peelman, who gained twice in a row. At the moment, Peelman was the file holder when it comes to the variety of victories, however within the early Nineteen Eighties, Noël Dejonckheere bettered him. Dejonckheere gained thrice. Peter Van Petegem (1996), Andrei Tschmil (1998, he was Belgian at the moment) and Arnaud De Lie (2023) have all gained, giving Belgium eleven victories.
The variety of Dutch victories is restricted to 2. Mathieu Hermans was on the occasion in 1988, Tom Cordes in 1989. Final yr, WielerFlits spoke to Hermans about his victory within the Trofeo Luis Puig, because the race was referred to as. “You actually needed to win the Trofeo Luis Puig,” mentioned the person from North Brabander. “Luis Puig was a giant title. He was the UCI president till his dying in 1990, after which Hein Verbruggen succeeded him.”
Earlier than Hermans, Bernard Hinault (1986) gained, and plenty of extra prime riders adopted. Sean Kelly, Laurent Jalabert, Mario Cipollini, Alessandro Petacchi, Óscar Freire and Erik Zabel. The German gained thrice (1997, 2000, 2001), placing himself stage with Dejonckheere. They’re joint file holders.
Petacchi, winner in 2003 and 2005, appeared like he would possibly be a part of the file holder, however in 2006 the race disappeared as a consequence of lack of sponsors. Fifteen years later, the Membership Ciclista La Marina revived the Trofeo Luis Puig, now with the title Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana 1969. In 2021 and 2022 the race was a UCI 1.2 class occasion, however in 2023 the step was made to 1.1. stage. Arnaud De Lie was the winner final yr, perhaps in the future he will likely be a giant bunch winner like Petacchi and Zabel.
Winners of the Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana 1969 (beforehand Trofeo Luis Puig):
1969: Carlos Echeverría (Spa)
1970: Ramón Sáez (Spa)
1971: Frans Verhaegen (Bel)
1972: Eric Leman (Bel)
1973: Gustaaf Van Roosbroeck (Bel)
1974: Eddy Peelman (Bel)
1975: Eddy Peelman (Bel)
1976: Tomas Nistal (Spa)
1977: Domingo Perurena (Spa)
1978: Francisco Elorriaga (Spa)
1979: Antoine Gutierrez (Fra)
1980: No race
1981: Noël Dejonckheere (Bel)
1982: Reimund Dietzen (W. Ger)
1983: Noël Dejonckheere (Bel)
1984: Noël Dejonckheere (Bel)
1985: Enrique Aja (Spa)
1986: Bernard Hinault (Fra)
1987: Pello Ruiz Cabestany (Spa)
1988: Acácio da Silva (Por)
1989: Mathieu Hermans (Ned)
1990: Tom Cordes (Ned)
1991: Andreas Kappes (Ger)
1992: Sean Kelly (Irl)
1993: Laurent Jalabert (Fra)
1994: Adriano Baffi (Ita)
1995: Mario Cipollini (Ita)
1996. Peter Van Petegem (Ger)
1997: Erik Zabel (Ger)
1998: Andrei Tchmil (Bel)
1999: Mario Cipollini (Ita)
2000: Erik Zabel (Ger)
2001: Erik Zabel (Ger)
2002: Sergei Ivanov (-)
2003: Alessandro Petacchi (Ita)
2004: Óscar Freire (Spa)
2005: Alessandro Petacchi (Ita)
2006–2020 No race
2021: Lorenzo Manzin (Fra)
2022: Giovanni Lonardi (Ita)
2023: Arnaud De Lie (Bel).
The 2024 Classica Comunitat Valenciana 1969 – twentieth January:
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