EUROTRASH Thursday: All of the Tour Down Below Motion…

Because the 2024 season will get into ‘full fuel’ we have now a full EUROTRASH: Video and stories from the primary levels of the Santos Tour Down Below and the Betafence Cyclocross in Otegem.

Robert Gesink welcomes UCI guidelines on brake levers, Quinn Simmons not – TOP STORY.

Rider information: BORA-hansgrohe desires Wout van Aert and Remco Evenepoel for 2025, Remco Evenepoel has been testing his biking equipment in a wind tunnel, Richard Plugge on Michel Hessmann’s optimistic medication check, Egan Bernal’s early season race schedule, Mikel Landa will assist Remco Evenepoel, but in addition desires to race for himself, Milan Vader sees alternatives in Tour Down Below, Michael Valgren to debut within the Giro d’Italia, Isaac del Toro is not going to trip a Grand Tour this 12 months, Chris Lawless ends his profession, Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale confirms the signing of Edvald Boasson Hagen, Merhawi Kudus finds a brand new crew on the final minute and Johannes Staune-Mittet desires to turn out to be the perfect rider within the World.

Crew information: L39ION and Blazers announce 2024 crew rosters, Crew SD Worx – Protime: new identify for world’s finest ladies’s biking crew and ENVE to trip for 2 extra years with Crew Polti Kometa.

Race information: Routes unveiled for the boys’s and girls’s 2024 UAE Tour, Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne groups introduced and La Vuelta not allowed to complete on the very best asphalted climb in Europe.

Plus nineteen WorldTour professionals nonetheless with out a contract for 2024.

 

TOP STORY: Robert Gesink Welcomes UCI Measures Towards Turned-In Brake Levers, Quinn Simmons Not so A lot
Any longer, riders are not allowed to place their shifters as far inwards as attainable. The UCI has imposed restrictions on the angle that the brake levers and also will perform checks. This led to completely different reactions within the Tour Down Below, the primary WorldTour race of the yr.

By turning your bake levers inward, you possibly can cut back your frontal space for a extra aerodynamic place. This additionally signifies that you adjust to the UCI rule that you should contact your brake levers when your wrists relaxation in your handlebars. The UCI launched this rule in 2021 to fight the so-called ‘pet paw place’: earlier than then, riders had with their wrists free on the handlebars. The UCI considers it harmful to trip with levers bent inwards and introduced that it could deal with excessive instances. Which they’ve now began doing.

Robert Gesink understands the UCI’s measures. “I believe it’s an excellent resolution general,” he mentioned to GCN. “We solely noticed some fairly excessive changes. These items (the brake levers) are in fact designed to brake and to regulate your bike. If a sure adjustment results in much less protected conditions, it’s a good factor that measures are taken.”

Enforcement may nonetheless be improved, thinks the Visma | Lease a Bike rider. “Now we have now seen the primary measurements. I don’t know if this would be the last measurement technique, but it surely nonetheless regarded a bit clumsy, with a plastic machine that also left fairly a little bit of area. However checking it out is unquestionably an excellent first step.”

The UCI measurements

Whereas Gesink agrees with the UCI’s resolution, Quinn Simmons is much less pleased with it. “I’m very a lot in favour of every thing that promotes security,” the American emphasised. “It’s ridiculous how harmful our sport is. Generally it’s actually over the restrict, the game usually. It’s too harmful and we have now to alter issues. However I don’t suppose that is one thing that may actually result in change.”

“It’s the harmful finishes and harmful programs that organisers get away with that trigger the crashes. And riders who do silly issues,” mentioned Simmons. “It doesn’t change security now that my shifters are adjusted outward three inches. It simply makes it uncomfortable for me. However on the finish of the day it’s a brand new rule and we have now to comply with the foundations in our sport. Not less than the tremendous excessive instances are disappearing now. I simply hope they don’t do silly issues should you’re off by one diploma or so.”

No extra of this:

 

Santos Tour Down Below – Males 2024
Because of TDU for the race stories
Australia’s Sam Welsford claimed the most important win of his UCI WorldTour profession at Tanunda on Tuesday. Welsford received the Ziptrak Tanunda to Tanunda Stage 1 after an emphatic dash, beating final yr’s Tanunda stage winner Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain Victorious) and Intermarche-Wanty’s Eritrean star Binian Girway. Welsford’s victory noticed the WA-born street and observe star put on the sought-after Santos ochre chief’s jersey for the primary time after an excellent debut for his new crew Bora Hansgrohe.

The peloton noticed an unimaginable 74 riders make their Santos Tour Down WorldTour debut of the 139 that began in Tanunda. Australian nationwide crew’s Jackson Medway was the youngest debutant at 19 years and 93 days, with Lidl-Trek’s Dutchman Bauke Mollema the oldest at 37 years and 51 days. Medway, the 2024 Australian under-23 nationwide time trial champion, crashed 11km earlier than the end however gallantly bought again on his bike regardless of hitting the tarmac fairly exhausting. It was additionally the primary time no previous Santos Tour Down Below champion began since present race director Stuart O’Grady received the inaugural race in 1999. South Australian Tristan Saunders additionally made his debut on the WorldTour race.

New Zealand gun Fin Fisher-Black of UAE Crew Emirates took out the primary Ziptrak prime dash, with the peloton out of consolation mode within the warmth quickly after. A counterattack after the primary prize disappeared into Kiwi arms hardly fazed favourites throughout the first lap previous Angaston earlier than the primary efex King of the Mountain climb approached Menglers Hill. Frenchman Louis Barre (Arkea B&amp,B Resorts) claimed most factors earlier than he was joined by Georg Zimmerman (Intermarche-Wanty). The pair then launched a daring breakaway which blew out to greater than three minutes with about 100km earlier than the race end. The peloton would face the identical climb two extra occasions earlier than the marginally uphill Tanunda end line. Zimmerman used his expertise to assert the second Ziptrak intermediate dash forward of Barre, with New Zealand’s Corbin Sturdy (Israel Premier Tech) taking out the ultimate bonus second earlier than the peloton chased down the leaders 68km earlier than the Tanunda end line. Barre made positive he could be carrying the efex King of the Mountain jersey throughout efex Stage 2 from Norwood to Lobethal on Wednesday when he was first over the road forward of Zimmerman for the second time at Menglers Hill.

The peloton was collectively for the ultimate lap 24km from Angaston. Reigning Australian nationwide champion Luke Plapp led the cost as his Jayco AlUla teammate, dash gun Caleb Ewan, stayed properly protected against head and cross winds which picked up throughout the 30C scorching afternoon. Nonetheless the brand new season began with drama for Bahrain Victorious’s Norwegian Torstein Traeen when he crashed right into a median strip earlier than the primary prime dash as all members of the peloton have been attempting to navigate their method out of bother. Traeen hit the deck and promptly bought again on his bike, with Santos Tour Down Below medicos then patching up the 28-year-old’s arm from a rolling automobile and giving him the all-clear to renew the race. Bahrain Victorious’s Italian Nicolo Buratti’s later crash with 10km to go was a blow to his crew and put strain on his Australian teammate Jack Haigh amid a push get final yr’s Tanunda stage winner Phil Bauhaus atop the rostrum given Traeen can be a possible GC contender.

Key Factors:
24.5km: Ziptrak Dash 1 – Murray Road, Angaston close to Penrice Highway
UAE Crew Emirates’ New Zealand gun Fin Fisher-Black drew first blood for the brand new 2024 UCI WorldTour season when he claimed the primary intermediate dash of the day and a provisional lead. Fisher-Black, 22, claimed a three-second time bonus forward of a fellow Kiwi – Israel Premier Tech’s Corbin Sturdy – whereas the 2024 Down Below Traditional champion Jhonatan Narvaez (Ineos Grenadiers) earned a one-second bonus in third place.

32km: efex King of the Mountain 1 – Menglers Hill (Class 4)
Louis Barre (Arkea B&B Resorts) earned three factors, forward of Georg Zimmerman (Intermarche-Wanty) and Austria’s Tobias Bayer (Alpecin – Deceuninck). The trio have been content material to bag their first factors of a brand new WorldTour season.

73.9km: Ziptrak Dash 2 – Murray Road, Angaston close to Penrice Highway
Louis Barre (Arkea B&B Resorts) earned three bonus seconds, forward of Georg Zimmerman (Intermarche-Wanty).The pair reaped their rewards from a counterattack after the primary KOM at Menglers Hill.

81.3km: efex King of the Mountain 2 – Menglers Hill (Class 4)
Barre claimed extra factors when he was first atop Menglers Hill for the second time forward of Zimmerman. That win earned him the polka dot jersey for Tuesday’s efex Stage 2.

130.7km: efex King of the Mountain 3 – Menglers Hill (Class 4)
Australia’s Luke Burns claimed the ultimate efex King of the Mountain on provide earlier than the race settled to arrange the grand finale.

All of the Jerseys:
Santos Chief’s Jersey – Sam Welsford (Bora Hansgrohe)
efex King of the Mountain – Louis Barre (Arkea – B&B Resorts)
Ziptrak Sprinter’s Jersey – Sam Welsford (Bora Hansgrohe)
Zwift Younger Rider’s Jersey – Mads Mihkels (Intermache – Wanty)
Most Aggressive – Louis Barre (Arkea – B&B Resorts).

Stage winner and general chief, Sam Welsford (BORA-hansgrohe): “This was loopy! I’m misplaced for phrases. It was fairly bushy down the hill and there have been some crashes and close to misses, however the boys stored calm and did a tremendous job. It’s a dream come true – it’s the primary race of the season and my first win with the crew. The boys backed me 100 per cent and profitable right here is absolutely particular. The crew right here might be the strongest on paper with our lead out, and all of it paid off right now. The blokes rode on the entrance at the start of the race to not permit a breakaway to flee too far, after which I had the right lead-out. This can be a huge crew win and I’m actually stoked for them.”

2nd on the stage and general, Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain-Victorious): “It’s the finest outcome I can do. I really feel I’m the strongest to be sincere. It’s a good outcome to start out the season. I’m pleased with the legs. I undoubtedly have the legs to win, but it surely’s skilled sport, you possibly can’t at all times win so it’s good to be second. I had an excellent winter with good coaching. Previously years I used to be at all times good in Australia. There are a number of possibilities left for sprinters, so I hope perhaps I can win one. Jack is our GC man, I actually respect that somebody like him was doing the lead-out for me. Additionally Fran and Cameron did rather well. Within the final km I used to be alone. Perhaps I hesitated to go on Sam’s wheel, pondering Caleb was additionally good. I got here shut, which gave me plenty of confidence within the subsequent dash. I wish to pay my teammates again with hopefully one win this week.”

third on the stage and general, Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty): “There’s no higher feeling than crossing the end line first, so at first it’s at all times disappointing to complete in second or third place. However I’ll keep in mind my good feeling within the dash. The crew protected me within the entrance within the last kilometres, till I misplaced some positions on a pace bump simply earlier than a nook with 1.5 kilometre to go. It wasn’t simple to make up for this, given the excessive pace of the lead out of BORA-Hansgrohe. So I completed one bike size away from the victory. Tomorrow is a brand new probability, which could swimsuit me even higher. Due to the hilly parcours it is going to be a problem for the sprinter’s groups to regulate. I’m assured that I can survive on this terrain and I’m hoping for an additional good dash.”

Santos Tour Down Below – Males Stage 1 Outcome:
1. Sam Welsford (Aus) BORA-hansgrohe in 3:25:56
2. Phil Bauhaus (Ger) Bahrain-Victorious
3. Biniam Girmay (Eri) Intermarché-Wanty
4. Caleb Ewan (Aus) Jayco AlUla
5. Jhonatan Narváez (European) INEOS Grenadiers
6. Max Kanter (Ger) Astana Qazaqstan
7. Danny van Poppel (Ned) BORA-hansgrohe
8. Corbin Sturdy (NZ) Israel-Premier Tech
9. Madis Mihkels (Est) Intermarché-Wanty
10. Mathias Vacek (CZ) Lidl-Trek.

Santos Tour Down Below – Males Total After Stage 1:
1. Sam Welsford (Aus) BORA-hansgrohe in 3:25:46
2. Phil Bauhaus (Ger) Bahrain-Victorious at 0:04
3. Biniam Girmay (Eri) Intermarché-Wanty at 0:06
4. Corbin Sturdy (NZ) Israel-Premier Tech at 0:07
5. Georg Zimmermann (Ger) Intermarché-Wanty
6. Finn Fisher-Black (NZ) UAE Crew Emirates
7. Louis Barré (Fra) Arkéa-B&B Resorts at 0:08
8. Jhonatan Narváez (European) INEOS Grenadiers at 0:09
9. Caleb Ewan (Aus) Jayco AlUla at 0:10
10. Max Kanter (Ger) Astana Qazaqstan.

TDU’24 stage 1:

 

UAE’s Mexican star Isaac del Toro introduced himself to the UCI WorldTour on crew debut in the very best method at Lobethal on Wednesday. Del Toro, 20, claimed efex Stage 2 from Norwood to Lobethal to indicate that he’s arguably essentially the most thrilling prospect the WorldTour has on its roster in 2024.

Bora Hansgrohe’s Australian gun Sam Welsford wore ochre with pleasure on Wednesday after he received Ziptrak Stage 1 within the Barossa on Tuesday. Del Toro is the brand new race chief and likewise holds the Zwift Younger Rider jersey going into day three. The Mexican has a three-second lead over New Zealand’s Corbin Sturdy (Israel Premier Tech), who completed second with teammate Stephens Williams third on the demise.

Binian Girway (Intermarché-Wanty) ended the day in fourth place to safe the Ziptrak Dash jersey for Thursday’s Well being Companions Stage 3 from Tea Tree Gully to Campbelltown, with Australia’s nine-time Santos Tour Down Below stage winner Caleb Ewan (Jayco AlUla) claiming fifth in a bunch dash at Lobethal. Australian Nationwide Crew star Luke Burns snared the efex King of the Mountain jersey. The 25-year-old, previously a star triathlete, mentioned he hoped to carry on to the coveted jersey till the very finish of Australia’s best biking race on Sunday. Burns has been racing a motorbike for somewhat greater than two-and-a-half years.

After a cool begin to the day, the race ended with fireworks. Assault after assault got here simply earlier than the Lobethal end. It was simply 15C on the Norwood begin line on The Parade after yesterday’s 30C warmth probably fatigued among the riders who left the European winter to be on the summery Santos Tour Down Below. With WA dash gun Welsford within the Santos Ochre Chief’s jersey after his empathic maiden WorldTour stage win in Tanunda on Tuesday, a lot of the peloton eased into efex Stage 2.

Riders from the Australian Nationwide Crew together with Burns and Tristan Saunders took full benefit of a quick and livid end alongside EF Training-Easypost’s Jardi van der Lee. They charged up in the direction of Norton Summit to take factors within the first efex King of the Mountain at Ashton earlier than making use of extra strain on the peloton to react earlier than the primary Ziptrak prime at Woodside. Burns and van der Lee earned essential bonus seconds earlier than del Toro added a one-second bonus to his GC time.

Because the race continued to ease in the direction of the Lobethal end alongside the three circuits across the Fox Creek climb, sportsmanship got here to the fore earlier than the enterprise finish of the race. With Burns and van der Lee extra the 2 minutes forward of the primary peloton the Dutchman was compelled to alter his tyre. Burns waited for van der Lee earlier than charging forward because the peloton closed in quick, with Italian Elia Viviani – a two-time Santos Tour Down Below stage winner – experiencing a mechanical earlier than re-joining the race. Pre-race dash favorite Ewan additionally had a mechanical with about 20km earlier than the end after the peloton had caught Burns and van der Lee.

Key Factors:
9.9km: efex King of the Mountain 1 – Stony Rise Highway, Ashton (Class 2)
Luke Burns from the Australian Nationwide Crew grew to become the provisional chief of the KOM jersey regardless of ending behind EF Training-Simple Submit’s Jardi van der Lee. South Australia’s Tristan Saunders, (Australia) who is aware of Adelaide Hills roads extraordinarily properly, picked up two KOM factors at Ashton after the Norton Summit climb. He was adopted by teammate Liam Walsh.

30.7km: Ziptrak Dash 1 – Onkaparinga Valley Highway, Woodside at Bedford Lodge
UAE Crew Emirates’ Isaac del Toro confirmed some good type throughout the Down Below Traditional final Saturday and picked up a worthwhile one-second bonus as groups produced lead-out trains earlier than Woodside. Breakaway rider Jardi van der Lee (EF Training-Easypost) was first throughout the road earlier than the Australian Nationwide Crew’s Luke Burns, 25.

63.5km: efex King of the Mountain 2 – Fox Creek Climb (Class 2)
The second KOM noticed a headwind take the leaders throughout the road which might have made the skilled sprinters comfortable. Jardi van der Lee, 22, and Luke Burns’ 3min 21sec hole over the primary peloton meant the pair battled for the important thing KOM factors with 78km earlier than Lobethal. Burns kicked exhausting about 100m from the road and dropped the Dutchman. Burns’ feat meant he shall be carrying the polka dot jersey for the Well being Companions Stage 3 from Tea Tree Gully to Campbelltown on Thursday.

71.7km: Ziptrak Dash 2 – Essential Road, Lobethal at End Line
In a repeat of the primary intermediate dash breakaway riders Jardi van der Lee (EF Training-Easypost) earned the primary of the bonus factors forward of Australia’s Luke Burns. Jayco AlUla’s Caleb Ewan – winner of 9 levels on the Santos Tour Down Below – was made to work exhausting to jag the bonus second with Mexico’s Isaac Del Toro (UAE Crew Emirates) guaranteeing the Australian didn’t have all of it his personal method.

98.4km: efex King of the Mountain 3 – Fox Creek Climb (Class 2)
Burns glued the polka dot jersey to his again after profitable the KOM once more, taking his tally to 23 factors. Van der Lee needed to accept second because the pair once more sprinted to the road for factors.

All of the Jerseys:
Santos Chief’s Jersey – Isaac del Toro Romero (UAE Crew Emirates)
efex King of the Mountain – Luke Burns (ARA Australian Biking Crew)
Ziptrak Sprinter’s Jersey – Biniam Girway (Intermarche-Wanty)
Zwift Younger Rider’s Jersey – Isaac del Toro Romero (UAE Crew Emirates)
Most Aggressive – Luke Burns (ARA Australian Biking Crew)

Stage winner and general chief, Isaac del Toro (UAE Crew Emirates): “I don’t know, it’s an excessive amount of for me. I dreamt about profitable a stage and I’ve been right here for some time (in Adelaide) and attempting to do my finest at all times, but it surely feels unimaginable. It’s a really large race and I attempt to do my finest. The crew did an excellent job and the ambiance is wonderful, they’re all very supportive.To be sincere, the final kilometre felt like 5 (kilometres) and I simply tried to complete and revel in it. The race has already been successful for me, something that comes subsequent is a bonus. I’m so so comfortable.”

KOM, Luke Burns (ARA Australian Biking Crew): “My purpose is to make it to the professional groups. I’ve bought much more potential to develop as a 25-year-old in comparison with different 25-year-olds which were within the sport for lots longer. I did triathlon at a really excessive stage, and it’s helped me progress shortly I might say. I may be an opportunity to choose up extra factors within the KOM however levels 5 and 6 all of the GC guys shall be up there, and it could be exhausting to scrape factors. I’ll attempt to get a little bit of a lead earlier than these final two levels – that might be very best.”

Luke Plapp (Jayco AlUla): “Excellent signal in the direction of last levels. It was an excellent effort. I do know the climb properly, after fairly a number of reconnaissances. I actually needed to go for it right now, however I used to be adopted by Jhonatan Narváez” “Narváez is without doubt one of the quickest males on this race. I do know that in a dash I at all times must acknowledge my superiors. I needed to cancel my assault try, additionally as a result of Caleb (Ewan) was nonetheless within the chasing group. We had already mentioned it beforehand: I might not take Jhonathan or Corbin Sturdy to the end. Then it was vital to maintain our legs nonetheless. I continued driving for some time, however finally noticed fairly shortly that it wouldn’t work. Jhonatan is a good rider who has additionally managed to gather fairly a number of bonus seconds. He will definitely compete for the general victory. The truth that I rode so properly uphill provides me an excellent feeling. I see it as an excellent signal heading into Saturday and Sunday’s levels. We’re assured.”

Santos Tour Down Below – Males Stage 2 Outcome:
1. Isaac del Toro (Mex) UAE Crew Emirates in 3:29:37
2. Corbin Sturdy (NZ) Israel-Premier Tech
3. Stephen Williams (GB) Israel-Premier Tech
4. Biniam Girmay (Eri) Intermarché-Wanty
5. Caleb Ewan (Aus) Jayco AlUla
6. Lars Boven (Ned) Alpecin-Deceuninck
7. Ruben Guerreiro (Por) Movistar
8. Danny van Poppel (Ned) BORA-hansgrohe
9. Max Kanter (Ger) Astana Qazaqstan
10. Laurence Pithie (NZ) Groupama-FDJ.

Santos Tour Down Below – Males Total After Stage 2:
1. Isaac del Toro (Mex) UAE Crew Emirates in 6:55:22
2. Corbin Sturdy (NZ) Israel-Premier Tech at 0:02
3. Biniam Girmay (Eri) Intermarché-Wanty at 0:07
4. Stephen Williams (GB) Israel-Premier Tech
5. Georg Zimmermann (Ger) Intermarché-Wanty at 0:08
6. Finn Fisher-Black (NZ) UAE Crew Emirates
7. Louis Barré (Fra) Arkéa-B&B Resorts at 0:09
8. Caleb Ewan (Aus) Jayco AlUla at 0:10
9. Jhonatan Narváez (European) INEOS Grenadiers
10. Danny van Poppel (Ned) BORA-hansgrohe at 0:11.

TDU’24 stage 2:

 

Australia’s highly effective dash gun Sam Welsford claimed his second UCI WorldTour stage win of the Santos Tour Down Below in resounding trend on Thursday. The vigorous West Australian thanked his Bora-hansgrohe teammates after a near-perfect lead-out prepare noticed him take Well being Companions Stage 3 from Tea Tree Gully to Campbelltown with an unimaginable end on Gorge Highway at Athelstone. Welsford, 27, ended the stage forward of two-time Santos Tour Down Below stage winner Elia Viviani (Ineos Grenadiers) and Nice Britain’s Daniel McLay (Arkea-B&B) in a bunch dash end.

Welsford’s sprint to the end earned him the correct to put on the Ziptrak Dash Jersey throughout Friday’s Hahn Stage 4 from Murray Bridge to Port Elliott. He wore the Santos Ochre Chief’s Jersey throughout efex Stage 2 from Norwood to Lobethal after his debut WorldTour win for Bora-hansgrohe on Tuesday at Tanunda.

Wednesday’s Lobethal stage winner, Mexican rising star Isaac Del Toro, 20, (UAE Emirates) will keep in ochre for Friday’s stage. The second-youngest rider at this yr’s Santos Tour Down Below is 2 seconds clear general of New Zealand’s Corbin Sturdy (Israel Premier Tech). ARA Australia’s Luke Burns locked within the efex King of the Mountain Jersey whereas his teammate Tristan Saunders earned the Yahama Most Aggressive Rider Jersey after main the breakaway for a lot of the stage.

A nasty crash involving a number of members of the Astana Qazaqstan crew marred the ultimate levels of the race which began at Tea Tree Gully for the primary time. With 31 nationalities on the 2024 Santos Tour Down Below begin listing – the very best quantity in occasion historical past – Jayco AlUla and Bora-hansgrohe managed the breakaway, opening up a 2min 49 sec hole over the primary peloton after the primary efex King of the Mountain climb at 2.2km from the beginning line.

Burns stored up his good type by taking out the primary prize of the day earlier than SA’s Saunders charged to the entrance of the peloton to make his mark on the coveted race. Saunders, 23, opened a 1min 55-sec hole with 77km to go close to Springton earlier than the second Ziptrak prime dash of the day approached at Mt Nice. He earned a one-second bonus at Lyndoch behind Axel Mariault (Cofidis) who claimed the utmost time bonus and South Africa’s Stefan De Bod (EF Training Easypost). Saunders’ information of the Adelaide Hills roads made it simpler for the sensible WorldTour heads of Mariault and De Bod to comply with the native rider. Mariault claimed the second Ziptrak prime dash at Mt Nice forward of De Bod and Saunders earlier than riders entered the charge

Key Factors:
2.1km: efex King of the Mountain 1 – Tea Tree Gully Hill (Class 3)
efex King of the Mountain chief Luke Burns claimed the primary factors of Well being Companions Stage 3 by profitable the day’s first king of the mountain climb forward of fellow ARA Australian Biking Crew rider Tristan Saunders and Cofidis’s Axel Mariault. Burns broke away instantly following the race begin and charged in the direction of the primary climb.

34.6km: efex King of the Mountain 2 – Whispering Wall Climb (Class 4)
Luke Burns took out the second efex King of the Mountain climb. He beat ARA Australian Biking Crew team-mate Tristan Saunders, Axel Mariault of Cofidis and South African rider Stefan De Bod of EF Training-Simple Submit, who joined the trio after the primary efex King of the Mountain climb.

46.8km: Ziptrak Dash 1 – Barossa Valley Method, Lyndoch close to Dawn Bakery & Café
Cofidis’s Axel Mariault received the Ziptrak Dash #1 forward of Stefan De Bod from EF Training-Simple Submit and ARA Australian Biking Crew’s Tristan Saunders. Mariault powered previous De Bod and Saunders to take the primary dash factors of Well being Companions Stage 3.

83.6km: Ziptrak Dash 2 – Melrose Road, Mt Nice at Mt Nice Bakery & Café
Alex Mariault made it two Ziptrak sprints from two and claimed very helpful bonus seconds, pipping EF Training-Simple Submit’s Stefan De Bod on the road. The Cofidis rider claimed the factors in a photograph end whereas ARA Australian Biking Crew’s Tristan Saunders completed behind the pair.

All of the Jerseys:
Santos Chief’s Jersey – Isaac del Toro Romero (UAE Crew Emirates)
efex King of the Mountain – Luke Burns (ARA Australian Biking Crew)
Ziptrak Sprinter’s Jersey – Sam Welsford (Bora-hansgrohe)
Zwift Younger Rider’s Jersey – Isaac del Toro Romero (UAE Crew Emirates)
Most Aggressive – Tristan Saunders (ARA Australian Biking Crew).

Stage winner, Sam Welsford (BORA-hansgrohe): “It’s a little bit of a blur, it was superfast. We knew on the high of Gorge Highway (within the Adelaide Hills) we needed to be in an excellent place. It was a loopy downhill, it was fairly technical with numerous corners, the boys did an excellent job of holding the trip and ensuring it wasn’t too early and ensuring that we stored out of the wind. We knew if we went too early, we might go to the again and the boys at that pace have been wonderful and did a very good job of main me out. It’s very particular to come back to the race with the crew and the primary one collectively and decide up two levels, it’s a product of how dedicated we’re and the way motivated we’re to verify we win collectively in an enormous method. Now we have our eyes set on some actually large targets this yr and it’s a good stepping stone to verify once we come to the Grand Excursions or one-day races, we have now it dialled.”

Total chief, Isaac del Toro Romero (UAE Crew Emirates): “It was an excellent day for us. Everybody has helped me all day and it was loopy, it’s good for us, we’re okay and wholesome.”

KOM, Luke Burns (ARA Australian Biking Crew): “Two days in a row (with the KOM jersey) that I had plan A and executed it properly. I believe we’ll attempt to maintain onto the jersey till the top, however we nonetheless have Michael Storer up there and we’ll attempt to defend his place on the GC. He’s going to have a crack for the final two levels.”

Santos Tour Down Below – Males Stage 3 Outcome:
1. Sam Welsford (Aus) BORA-hansgrohe in 3:20:42
2. Elia Viviani (Ita) INEOS Grenadiers
3. Daniel McLay (GB) Arkéa-B&B Resorts
4. Laurence Pithie (NZ) Groupama-FDJ
5. Max Kanter (Ger) Astana Qazaqstan
6. Caleb Ewan (Aus) Jayco AlUla
7. Álvaro José Hodeg (Col) UAE Crew Emirates
8. Biniam Girmay (Eri) Intermarché-Wanty
9. Jhonatan Narváez (European) INEOS Grenadiers
10. Emīls Liepiņš (Lat) dsm-firmenich PostNL.

Santos Tour Down Below – Males Total After Stage 3:
1. Isaac del Toro (Mex) UAE Crew Emirates in 10:16:04
2. Corbin Sturdy (NZ) Israel-Premier Tech at 0:02
3. Axel Mariault (Fra) Cofidis at 0:05
4. Biniam Girmay (Eri) Intermarché-Wanty at 0:07
5. Stephen Williams (GB) Israel-Premier Tech
6. Stefan de Bod (SA) EF Training-EasyPost
7. Georg Zimmermann (Ger) Intermarché-Wanty at 0:08
8. Finn Fisher-Black (NZ) UAE Crew Emirates
9. Louis Barré (Fra) Arkéa-B&B Resorts at 0:09
10. Caleb Ewan (Aus) Jayco AlUla at 0:10.

TDU’24 stage 3:

 

Betafence Cyclocross Otegem – Males 2024
Eli Iserbyt received took first victory within the Belgian champion jersey on Monday. The Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal rider soloed to victory within the Betafence Cyclocross in Otegem, the day after profitable the Belgian champs in Meulebeke. Cameron Mason was second, Jente Michels third.

The day after the Belgian Championships, the subsequent cyclo-cross is in Otegem in West Flanders: The Betafence Cyclocross. On this cross, the riders have been offered with a ‘stompers course’. “In Otegem the riders know that they may see plenty of mud, in flat meadows which might be typically not simple to get to,” organiser Benny Lavaert mentioned.

With the brand new Belgian champion Eli Iserbyt, defending champion Laurens Sweeck, Niels Vandeputte, Ryan Kamp, Joran Wyseure and the British champion Cameron Mason, have been on the beginning line in Otegem. Earlier than the beginning, Iserbyt, the newly topped champion, was clearly eager to indicate off his new jersey. The Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal rider began quick and was the instigator of a number one group of 5 riders. Iserbyt was joined by Cameron Mason, Jente Michels, Ryan Kamp and Tim Merlier, who’s making ready for the street season. This main group of 5 didn’t keep collectively for lengthy on account of an assault by Iserbyt. Iserbyt determined to go once more within the sixth lap and solely Michels, the U23 European champion, was in a position to react. Kamp and Mason needed to cross and needed to chase, however for Merlier it was too quick. A battle between Iserbyt and the younger Michels appeared to be on the playing cards.

With three laps to go, Iserbyt took management of the race. With a brand new assault he managed to shake off the courageous Michels. This turned out to be the start of a profitable solo to the end. With two laps to go, his lead over Michels was 18 seconds and the win was within the bag. Mason, who was third at that time, was 25 seconds behind Iserbyt. Iserbyt had no extra issues within the final two laps and took his first victory within the Belgian champions jersey, his eighth win of the season. Michels gave the impression to be on his method to second place, however was caught by Mason within the last lap. The British rider then out-sprinted Michels.

Betafence Cyclocross Otegem – Males Outcome:
1. Eli Iserbyt (Bel) in 1h02m56
2. Cameron Mason (GB) at 0:22
3. Jente Michels (Bel)
4. Ryan Kamp (Ned) at 0:44
5. Tim Merlier (Bel) at 1:06
6. Joran Wyseure (Bel) at 1:10
7. Jens Adams (Bel) at 1:15
8. Lander Loockx (Bel) at 1:20
9. Niels Vandeputte (Bel) at 1:50
10. Tom Meeusen (Bel) at 2:17.

Otegem’24 podium:

 

Betafence Cyclocross Otegem – Girls 2024
Marion Norbert Riberolle received the Betafence Cyclocross in Otegem on Monday, similar to final yr. After an thrilling race, the Belgian of Crelan-Corendon beat her teammate Sanne Cant and the Dutch rider Aniek van Alphen.

Within the ladies’s race, everybody was taking a look at Sanne Cant, who received her fifteenth consecutive Belgian cyclo-cross title final Saturday. In Otegem she needed to compete in opposition to Marion Norbert-Riberolle, Aniek van Alphen, Yara Kastelijn, Clara Honsinger and Anna Kay. The race would finally come all the way down to the ultimate lap. After six of the seven laps, 4 riders have been nonetheless in a position to take the victory. It was a battle between the Netherlands and Belgium, with Van Alphen and Kastelijn for the Dutch and Cant and Norbert Riberolle for the Belgians.

These 4 riders proved to be evenly matched, however ultimately Norbert Riberolle took the victory. On the Belgian Championships in Meulebeke she misplaced out to Cant, however now the outcome was reversed. The 25 year-old crossed the road first, forward of her older compatriot, Cant and Van Alphen in third. Kastelijn completed in fourth place. Norbert Riberolle received the Precise Cross in Essen earlier this winter and has additionally been on the rostrum in Ardooie, Ruddervoorde, Merksplas and final Sunday in Meulebeke.

Betafence Cyclocross Otegem – Girls Outcome:
1. Marion Norbert Riberolle (Bel) in 50:40
2. Sanne Cant (Bel) at 0:04
3. Aniek van Alphen (Ned)
4. Yara Kastelijn (Ned) at 0:14
5. Clara Honsinger (USA) at 1:05
6. Anna Kay (GB) at 1:31
7. Febe De Smedt (Bel) at 2:53
8. Joyce Vanderbeken (Bel) at 3:25
9. Jana Dobbelaere (Bel) at 3:39
10. Lara Defour (Bel) at 4:47.

Otegem’24:

 

BORA-hansgrohe Exhibits Curiosity in Wout van Aert and Remco Evenepoel for 2025
In keeping with the German information company DPA, BORA-hansgrohe need Wout van Aert and Remco Evenepoel. The German crew is claimed to be chasing the 2 Belgians and has already had contact with each.

BORA-hansgrohe must dig deep into their pockets to draw the 2 Belgians, however the crew could also be in for a big monetary enhance. Pink Bull managed to amass a majority share in RD Professional Biking and RD Beteiligungs, the 2 corporations that run the BORA-hansgrohe crew. Offered the Austrian Competitors Authority approves the plans, the vitality drink will be part of the German crew. The switch of the shares ought to happen on January 26.

There are already plenty of Pink Bull athletes within the peloton. One in every of these is Wout van Aert, who’s now linked to BORA-hansgrohe. The Belgian nonetheless has a contract with Visma | Lease a Bike till the top of 2026. Remco Evenepoel, who can be mentioned to be of curiosity to the crew, additionally has a three-year contract together with his present crew, Soudal Fast-Step. Nonetheless, BORA-hansgrohe want to signal them for 2025, in keeping with DPA.

Van Aert and Evenepoel to BORA?

 

Remco Evenepoel has Been Testing his Biking Equipment in a Wind Tunnel
Remco Evenepoel is at current coaching for the brand new season and on Monday he went to clothes sponsor Castelli in Italy for wind tunnel assessments on his 2024 equipment.

The present time trial World champion examined several types of clothes made by clothes sponsor Castelli. “The time we spend and the information we extract are invaluable,” mentioned his coach Koen Pelgrim in an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws. “In time trialling on the stage at which Remco does it, small particulars could make an enormous distinction. Within the managed setting {that a} wind tunnel gives, we are able to see the variations the several types of supplies make and the way they react to completely different positions on the bike. Remco already has an excellent place on the bike and Castelli already makes a superb time trial swimsuit, so we don’t have to make any main modifications. Fairly, fine-tune what we have already got.” Some vital time trials await Evenepoel in 2024. The 23 year-old rider desires to carry out in addition to attainable within the Tour de France, the Olympic Video games and the World championships.

Evenepoel will begin its season in Portugal, first within the Figueira Champions Traditional after which the Volta ao Algarve. After that, he’ll trip Paris-Good, the Tour of the Basque Nation, Amstel Gold Race, Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Then Evenepoel faces his three greatest targets of the yr: the Tour de France, the Olympic Video games and the World Championships.

TT wind tunnel assessments for Evenepoel:

 

Richard Plugge on Michel Hessmann’s Optimistic Medication Check: “Appears to Have Been Contamination”
Visma | Lease a Bike rider Michel Hessmann remains to be on suspension after an alleged violation of the doping guidelines. There was little information on the topic, however crew supervisor Richard Plugge has spoken about it. “It appears to have been contamination,” he mentioned on the RadioCycling podcast.

In mid-August, Jumbo-Visma made it clear in a brief assertion on X (Twitter) that Hessmann had a banned substance in his urine throughout an out-of-competition test on June 14, 2023. The product detected was a diuretic drug. On Friday, November 3, the German Doping Authority (NADA) confirmed that the ‘B’ pattern was additionally optimistic. Doping is a felony offence in Germany and so the Public Prosecution Service can be concerned within the case.

“It takes plenty of time,” mentioned Plugge when requested in regards to the place of the Hessmann case. “We all know the outcomes of the ‘A’ pattern and the ‘B’ pattern, which have been optimistic. Now it’s as much as NADA, the German doping authority. I believe it’s as much as them to be the primary to say whether or not or not there shall be a suspension. We’re nonetheless ready for that. For the rider himself, on a private stage, it’s in fact very irritating that it takes so lengthy. However sure, we have now to attend for these procedures.”

The attainable reason behind the optimistic check may additionally imply that every thing will take longer, mentioned Plugge. “It seems to have been a contamination. Which will additionally take a while, as a result of he’ll then must defend himself. I learn one thing a couple of Belgian rider (Shari Bossuyt) and it might take a very long time earlier than there’s a last judgement. On the one hand I perceive that, as a result of it’s important to be very cautious and thorough in what you do, however it’s irritating and troublesome to cope with if you’re a younger rider who desires to race.”

Plugge can’t say whether or not it’s a contaminated complement. “It appears to be like like one thing like contamination, however I’m unsure. Now we have to attend for the official outcomes from NADA.”

The Michel Hessmann case nonetheless on going:

 

Egan Bernal – Giro or Tour?
Egan Bernal will begin his season in his personal nation after which race a stable European program, though it stays unclear whether or not Bernal will trip the Giro d’Italia or Tour de France in 2024.

It was beforehand introduced that Bernal would trip his first race of 2024 in his dwelling tour. The 2019 Tour de France winner will first race within the Colombian street championships after which the Tour Colombia (6-11 February). This guarantees to be a particular race for Bernal, because the 4th stage finishes in his hometown of Zipaquirá.

Bernal will then fly to Europe for a block of races. “I’ll take part in O Gran Camiño, Strade Bianche, the Tour of Catalonia, the Tour of the Basque Nation and the Tour de Romandie,” he mentioned in an interview with Revista Mundo Ciclistico. “However I’ll deal with the Tour Colombia first. I wish to do an excellent job there.”

Bernal doesn’t but know but whether or not he shall be at the beginning of the Giro d’Italia this yr, or whether or not he’ll take part within the Tour de France. A choice on this may solely be made at a later time, the Colombian mentioned within the podcast The Geraint Thomas Biking Membership.

final yr, Bernal has already mentioned he would trip the Vuelta a España in 2024. The large query is whether or not Bernal can nonetheless attain his former stage after a number of troublesome years. If he manages to win the Vuelta, he’ll be part of an inventory of winners of the three Grand Excursions.

Residence begin for Bernal:

 

Landa will Assist Evenepoel, however Additionally Desires to Race for Himself
Mikel Landa will race within the Soudal Fast-Step equipment this season. The Basque will play a job as Remco Evenepoel’s predominant helper within the Tour de France, however would be the crew chief within the Vuelta a España. Landa has ambition. “I hold dreaming of profitable a Grand Tour,” he informed Sporza.

“That’s changing into more and more troublesome for me, as a result of the years cross and new rivals emerge,” mentioned the 34 year-old. “However in recent times I got here near the ultimate podium. So why ought to last victory not be attainable?” Landa has stood on the rostrum of the Giro d’Italia in 2015 and 2022 in third place. He has additionally been fourth within the Giro (2019) and twice fourth within the Tour de France (2017 and 2020) In 2023 he was fifth within the Vuelta.

Landa shall be working for Evenepoel on the Tour: “To begin with, I’ll assist the crew as a lot as attainable. Generally this shall be within the service of Remco, generally within the service of another person,” he mentioned. “I wish to help Remco till the top of the mountain levels. That’s my job as a climber.”

“Whether or not Remco can win the Tour? I don’t suppose that’s unimaginable. However we’re not going to place strain on him but. Remco is using the Tour for the primary time. There are rivals who’ve every received the Tour twice. We are going to attempt to keep as near them as attainable and see the place that may take us.” Landa admitted that the crew round Evenepoel ‘will not be as robust as Visma | Lease a Bike and UAE Crew Emirates’. “However Soudal Fast-Step has already received a serious tour with the Vuelta. And the crew has been additional strengthened.”

Not all for Remco:

 

Milan Vader Sees Alternatives within the Tour Down Below
The Santos Tour Down Below is the primary race of the brand new yr for a lot of riders. Milan Vader debuts Down Below for his crew, Visma | Lease a Bike, and would be the chief within the Australian stage race.

The 27 year-old Dutchman is properly ready as chief for the Australian stage race. “After I got here again from Guangxi I didn’t take too lengthy of a vacation, as a result of the Tour Down Below requires particular preparation. And with all of the assessments in between, that are normal within the autumn, among the coaching time was taken away. I truly went straight to Spain to coach intensively for a number of weeks. Throughout this era I used to be additionally in a position to get used to the warmth, as a result of it might get highly regarded in Australia,” Vader mentioned on the Visma | Lease a Bike web site. “Along with the coaches and the crew, we regarded on the proper ways to make it a profitable and academic week.”

Vader, who has not been racing on the street for very lengthy, sees alternatives within the Tour Down Below. “This course could be very completely different from the course in China. There are extra elevation meters and the racing may also be tougher. Numerous levels may swimsuit me properly. The second stage has a steep climb a number of kilometres from the end, and there could already be alternatives there.”

“Stage 5 ends on Willunga Hill, a end that actually fits me. I believe there are additionally nice alternatives on the final day (Mount Lofty). Nonetheless, it stays to be seen how everybody has emerged from the winter interval.” Vader shall be joined by Koen Bouwman, Bart Lemmen, Robert Gesink, Loe van Belle, Johannes Staune-Mittet and Mick van Dijke within the Tour Down Below (16-21 January).

Milan Vader Down Below:

 

Michael Valgren to Debut within the Giro d’Italia
Michael Valgren will begin the Giro d’Italia this yr for the primary time in his profession. The Danish Traditional rider made the announcement in an interview with SpazioCiclismo. “I’ve already heard many good tales in regards to the Giro.”

The 31 year-old Valgren has ridden the Tour de France seven occasions and likewise the Vuelta a España twice, however has not beforehand participated within the Giro d’Italia. “I believe the route of the upcoming Giro fits me finest. It’s also not too scorching within the Giro,” defined the rider of EF Training-EasyPost.

Earlier than that, Valgren will first trip a full spring program. He begins his season within the Problem Mallorca this month. The Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, a race he received in 2018, is adopted by Paris-Good and the cobbled Classics, together with the Tour of Flanders.

Valgren will race for the EF Training-EasyPost WorldTour crew. He was nonetheless below contract with the Continental improvement crew, EF Training-NIPPO final season, however is now a part of the primary crew once more. Valgren has been using for crew supervisor Jonathan Vaughters since 2021, however needed to step again from the WorldTour squad to the Continental devo crew after two seasons.

Valgren had a critical crash two years in the past in La Route d’Occitanie, after which he had a really lengthy restoration. EF Training-EasyPost determined to register the Dane with the coaching crew and this gave Valgren the chance to proceed engaged on his restoration. Within the autumn of 2023 he confirmed that he was getting again to his outdated health.

Valgren to trip the 2024 Giro:

 

Isaac Del Toro will Not trip a Grand Tour this 12 months
Isaac Del Toro could be the subsequent large factor in professional biking. The 20 year-old Mexican, who made his debut this week within the Tour Down Below, is taken into account one of many greatest new abilities, however his UAE Crew Emirates doesn’t wish to go too quick with its new star.

This was introduced by sporting supervisor José Antonio ‘Matxin’ Fernández in dialog with Sporza. “Del Toro ought to first have raced for Caja Rural, however we agreed with all events that he would make his debut with us this yr. Isaac is a climber who is sweet in opposition to the clock. He can finally rating in stage races. However we first have to find how properly he recovers after troublesome levels.”

Del Toro made his breakthrough final yr within the U23 class. He achieved some good ends in the primary months of 2023, however he solely actually impressed within the Giro della Valle d’Aosta and the Tour de l’Avenir. Within the Italian race he got here third within the last general and he took the win the Tour de l’Avenir, changing into the primary Mexican winner.

Del Toro signed with UAE Emirates for 3 years and his first skilled yr shall be “a mixture of stage races within the WorldTour and stage races of a decrease stage,” mentioned Matxin. “He’ll acquire expertise within the WorldTour races. Within the stage races beneath, he begins with the ambition to win. Usually, Del Toro is not going to trip a Grand Tour this yr, until he goes by a really main evolution. In his second yr he’ll make his debut in a Grand Tour with out strain, to be taught.”

No GT for Isaac Del Toro in 2024:

 

Chris Lawless Ends his Profession
Chris Lawless has determined to finish his biking profession on the age of 28. Lawless has beforehand raced for Crew Sky/INEOS Grenadiers and TotalEnergies.

“For me, a brand new yr additionally means a brand new begin. In 2024 I’ll combine myself again into the actual world and my pastime will not be my job,” Lawless wrote on Instagram. “I want to thank everybody for the help. There are too many to say. I stay up for the subsequent chapter in my life. I’m positive that I’ll stay concerned in biking ultimately.”

Lawless turned skilled in 2018 with Crew Sky and finally rode for them for 3 seasons. Lawless determined to depart INEOS Grenadiers for TotalEnergies on the finish of 2020. Within the French crew he was given extra space to pursue his personal desires, however this didn’t work out. Lawless needed to take a step again to Continental stage. He rode for the British AT85 Professional Biking crew for a number of months, however was then picked up by the Lotto Dstny improvement crew, though this turned out to be short-lived.

Lawless received two skilled races: In 2018 he received a stage within the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali and in 2029 he was the ultimate general winner of the Tour de Yorkshire. Lawless additionally completed on the rostrum twice, third in 2018 and 2019 of the Scheldeprijs.

The top of the skilled street for Chris Lawless:

 

Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Confirms the Signing of Edvald Boasson Hagen
It has been rumoured for a while, however now it has been confirmed that Edvald Boasson Hagen will trip for Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale in 2024. The French crew has now confirmed his signing. The 36 year-old Norwegian has a one season contract. This completes the crew’s roster of 30 riders.

Edvald Boasson Hagen made his skilled debut in 2008, however regarded like his profession was over after sixteen seasons. The Norwegian’s contract was not prolonged by TotalEnergies. It was not a simple quest for him to discover a new crew. Initially, the all-rounder appeared to have two choices. INEOS Grenadiers and dsm-firmenich PostNL began discussions with the three-time Tour stage winner, however the discussions with each groups got here to nothing. Boasson Hagen has discovered a brand new crew for 2024 with Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale.

“I’m very pleased with this chance. Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale is a part of the historical past of biking and is a really stable crew,” he mentioned on the web site of his new crew. “I’m coming to strengthen the spring core, with the goal of serving the crew as finest as attainable. I wish to cross on my expertise to the youthful riders, but in addition guide one final skilled victory.”

Crew supervisor Vincent Lavenu is comfortable together with his newest acquisition for 2024. “Edvald has plenty of expertise and has additionally had many successes. I’ve been following him since his time within the amateurs, when he was a category too robust for the competitors. Edvald will strengthen the spring core inside our crew. His expertise shall be very worthwhile. He is ready to drop our leaders on the proper time, additionally within the sprints.”

Boason Hagen nonetheless a professional:

 

Merhawi Kudus Finds a New Crew on the Final Minute
Merhawi Kudus will proceed his profession. The 29 year-old Eritrean rider, who didn’t get a contract extension from EF Training-EasyPost, will race with the Terengganu Biking Crew in 2024.

The Terengganu Biking Crew is a Continental biking crew from Malaysia and has been within the peloton for greater than 10 years. The crew primarily works with Malaysian riders and riders from different Asian nations, though Maarten de Jonge and Jeroen Meijers rode for the crew up to now. With the signing of Kudus, the Terengganu Biking Crew now has 18 riders. Kudus isn’t the one Eritrean on the crew, Metkel Eyob has been racing for the Continental crew for some years.

Kudus began his skilled profession in 2014 with MTN-Qhubeka and rode for the South American crew for five seasons. He then rode for Astana from 2019 to 2021 and EF Training-EasyPost, 2022 to 2023. He has had 6 skilled victories, all in Africa.

The climber has began in 9 Grand Excursions. In 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2022 he rode the Vuelta a España, in 2016 and 2022 he was at the beginning of the Giro d’Italia and in 2015 he rode the Tour de France. It was solely the 2017 Vuelta that he didn’t end.

Merhawi Kudus to hold on racing:

 

Johannes Staune-Mittet Desires to Grow to be the Finest Rider within the World
Visma | Lease a Bike could have two high Norwegian riders in 2024: Per Strand Hagenes and Johannes Staune-Mettet. “Johannes says he desires to turn out to be the perfect rider on this planet,” mentioned Robbert De Groot, Head of Improvement of the Dutch crew, in dialog with Sporza in regards to the 21 year-old rider.

“However many boys that age need that,” says De Groot. “They often come dwelling from a impolite awakening. I believe it’s good that he no less than desires to make an try. It’s a good mindset and we’ll see in a number of years whether or not he has succeeded.”

Staune-Mittet has ridden for the Jumbo-Visma improvement crew for the previous three years. Throughout that point he received the Ronde de l’Isard and the Giro Subsequent Gen, the U23 Giro d’Italia. He additionally made his mark among the many professionals: in 2023 he was the perfect in a mountain stage of the Czech Tour. “Johannes is made for tour work,” mentioned De Groot. “We don’t instantly take into consideration profitable with him, however about creating, supporting and studying from the massive boys. Earlier than he may take into consideration a classification, his time trial actually must be tinkered with.”

Whereas Staune-Mittet is especially good at climbing, his countryman, Per Strand Hagenes is a barely completely different kind. “I see Per as a traditional rider who ought to be capable of carry out very properly in races akin to Paris-Roubaix, the Tour of Flanders and by extension the whole Flemish spring,” mentioned De Groot. “However Per may also grow to be an excellent rider who may also distinguish himself in smaller stage races. Perhaps to trip a classification sooner or later and definitely to win levels.”

De Groot already expects a number of issues from Hagenes subsequent yr. “We will definitely see Per within the Classics this spring. Whether or not that is instantly in a profitable, dominant or supporting function shall be determined within the preparation for these races.” The 20 year-old rider confirmed final yr that he can end off in races. With the professionals, he received the Ronde van Drenthe, the Sparkassen Münsterland Giro and a stage within the 4 Days of Dunkirk.

Johannes Staune-Mittet in Australia:

 

Miami Blazers 2024 Crew Roster
The Miami Blazers is a Skilled Biking Crew based mostly out of Miami, Florida. Based in 2020, the crew consists of high biking expertise representing the immense cultural variety in Miami and throughout america.

The Miami Blazers introduced their 2024 crew roster on Monday.

New Riders:
● Cory Lockwood
● Cory Williams
● Eder Frayre
● Gavin Hoover
● Julyn Aguilar
● Samantha Schneider
● Skylar Schneider.

Returning Riders:
● Alexi Ramirez
● Brandon Feehery
● Dante Younger
● Oscar Quiroz
● Spencer Moavenzadeh
● Tanner Ward.

Be taught extra at www.miamiblazers.com.

Miami Blazers:

 

L39ION of Los Angeles 2024 Crew Roster
Based in 2019 by Justin and Cory Williams, L39ION of Los Angeles is born from a dream to advertise variety and illustration within the sport of biking. L39ION of Los Angeles is within the enterprise of difficult outdated concepts and destroying boundaries.

L39ION of Los Angeles introduced their 2024 crew roster on Monday.

New Riders:● Danny Estavez
● Llori Sharpe
● Richard Holec.

Returning Riders:
● Alec Cowan
● Alexis Ryan
● Justin Williams
● Kendall Ryan
● Kyle Murphy
● Robin Carpenter
● Tyler Magner
● Yarely Salazar.

Be taught extra at /www.l39ionla.com.

L39ION of Los Angeles:

 

Crew SD Worx – Protime: New Title for World’s Finest Girls’s Biking Crew
Below the brand new identify Crew SD Worx – Protime, the perfect ladies’s biking crew will begin this season. With Protime, a subsidiary of SD Worx, because the second title sponsor, the biking crew will be capable of take the required monetary steps within the coming years to stay on the high. Crew SD Worx – Protime grew to become the perfect crew within the UCI rating for the eighth time in 2023.

Protime, based in 1995, is the market chief in time registration, workforce scheduling and entry management. It gives its Workforce Administration options to greater than 5,000 clients in Europe, throughout quite a few industries. Protime has about 500 colleagues in Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, the Nordics, Spain and the UK. It reported a income of EUR 55 million in 2023.

With high riders akin to world champion Lotte Kopecky, Demi Vollering, Marlen Reusser, Lorena Wiebes and Mischa Bredewold, amongst others, Crew SD Worx – Protime appears to be like optimistically in the direction of the upcoming biking season. The sponsorship agreements with SD Worx and Protime run till 2026. “We’re very comfortable that Protime has joined the crew,” signifies crew supervisor, Erwin Janssen. “Girls’s biking has developed enormously in recent times and the game is anticipated to proceed to develop within the coming years. Because of this, the budgets may also proceed to develop. With SD Worx and Protime, however actually additionally Specialised, we have now companions who wish to develop with us within the coming years in order that we are able to preserve our place on the high of girls’s biking.”

Gille Sebrechts, CEO Protime: “We already entered as a shirt sponsor final yr simply earlier than the Tour de France Femmes and noticed immediately its optimistic impression. Because of this we needed to proceed full steam forward. At Protime, we have now the ambition to turn out to be the European chief in our area of interest market. We encounter the identical drive and imaginative and prescient within the crew. A transparent focus to be European and even world chief, but in addition a transparent deal with ladies’s biking. As an HR-tech firm, we additionally think about it our responsibility to have a optimistic impression on society and likewise to do our bit on vital social subjects. By specializing in ladies’s biking, we already consider that we are able to have a optimistic impression.”

Kobe Verdonck, CEO of predominant sponsor SD Worx: “We begin our fifth season as sponsor of the world’s finest ladies’s crew in biking in 2024. In 2021, we grew to become the primary sponsor, which in fact has a a lot larger impression than simply your brand on the shorts. As a reputation sponsor, your model will get rather more visibility wherever the crew is at the beginning. The worldwide setting of biking helps us completely in our ambition to be the main European provider in HR options. Clients and prospects frequently discuss to us about our dedication to additional professionalise ladies’s biking and about giving younger expertise alternatives to develop as high athletes. It’s implausible that our subsidiary Protime is now additionally stepping in as a reputation sponsor. We’re trying ahead to a profitable season.”

Details about Protime:
Based in 1995, Protime is the market chief in time recording, worker scheduling and entry management, briefly “Workforce administration”. Right this moment, Protime gives options in a variety of sectors, to greater than 5,000 clients throughout Europe. Initially a Belgian-Dutch group, it has been strongly dedicated to worldwide progress in recent times. Protime now has places of work or native folks in Be, NL, Lux, Fr, De, Uk, the Nordics and not too long ago made an acquisition in Spain. Protime was voted Nice Place to Work 10 years in a row and strives to be a “As soon as in a lifetime employer”. The organisation has some 500 ‘Protimers’ and turned a turnover of 55 million euros in 2023.

New sponsor for SD Worx:

 

ENVE to Journey for Two Extra Years with Crew Polti Kometa
ENVE wheels and parts will proceed to equip Polti Kometa’s AURUM Bikes till 2025. A sponsorship that’s extended as a result of satisfaction of the cyclists with the fabric and the nice dedication of the corporate to be a part of the challenge.

ENVE Composites and Polti Kometa will proceed collectively till no less than 2025, with a renewal of the settlement that deepens and consolidates even additional, with the continued help of the model based mostly in Ogden, Utah. The corporate gives a variety of top of the range carbon merchandise and has been a pioneer within the improvement of this materials.

On the coronary heart of ENVE’s success are its acclaimed, hand-crafted wheels, that are performing so properly for Polti Kometa riders within the season’s large occasions, such because the Giro d’Italia, the place the calls for are excessive and the tools should meet all racing conditions. Right here ENVE has proved to be the perfect ally for the foremost goals of the Alberto Contador Basis sports activities groups.

The wheels that shall be used are their new SES mannequin, with an ENVE hub, straight pull and straight spokes, mounted on tubeless. The two.3 model shall be used for days with excessive finishes, with plenty of gradient, which is the lightest model of the model; the three.4 for mountain days or robust facet winds; and the 4.5, which is essentially the most rolling model, would be the most used wheel by default. For the time trial bike, the crew will use ENVE’s DISK lenticular rear wheel. In the meantime, on the entrance, the 7.6 shall be used, which is the very best profile model, at all times in tubeless.

It is going to be the primary season of the Polti Kometa utilizing tubeless tyres, an advance that goals at a sooner rolling, a greater consolation because of the truth that it permits to make use of decrease pressures and the tyre has a greater contact with the street. Energy is transmitted higher and resistance values are optimised for higher efficiency in competitors.

As for the stems, the crew will use the STEM mannequin. An aerodynamic stem with adjustable size and angle, which goals to optimise the bike owner’s place. As for the seatpost, the SEATPOST mannequin is the one chosen for its lightness, reliability and match, with its patented Twin-Bolt design to attain the perfect efficiency in competitors.

One situation that’s forcing using essentially the most superior know-how is tyre inflation, and given the growing significance of the selection and precision of pressures, the Polti Kometa depends on the ENVE inflation station, which permits a really tight strain selection with out oscillations by reducing the inflation electronically, as soon as the chosen strain has been reached.

In 2024, all of the buildings, from the professionals to the youth crew by to the U-23s, will use the Compact handlebar. Some riders will use the Aero mannequin for its versatility when it comes to angle, because it gives the potential of inclination at -12 or -17 levels.

Iván Moya, head of mechanics at Polti Kometa, values very positively to proceed utilizing the ENVE materials for 2 extra seasons: “It’s nice information to proceed relying on the arrogance of ENVE, we have now achieved nice outcomes from their hand, having fun with materials of huge high quality in essentially the most demanding environments. For me, working with ENVE materials is synonymous with reliability, we have now been working with them for 3 seasons now and the outcomes have been spectacular. As well as, we’re speaking a couple of premium model, which equips the AURUM with a outcome when it comes to picture and efficiency on a par with the perfect bikes on this planet”.

From ENVE, advertising director Neil Shirley says: “Persevering with our sponsorship after a lot success over the past three seasons is an thrilling alternative for us, particularly because the crew brings in a brand new title sponsor with a wealthy historical past in biking. Having taken half within the Giro d’Italia’s large stage win on the high of Monte Zoncolan in 2021, and Campo Imperatore in 2023, progress is unstoppable, and we’re decided to proceed to develop in 2024.

 

Routes Unveiled for the Sixth Version of the UAE Tour
The 2024 UAE Tour will set off on the nineteenth of February from Madinat Zayed to complete, after seven levels, on Jebel Hafeet. The route, that includes two mountain-top finishes and one ITT, is accomplished by 4 flat levels. Riders will compete for the race’s Pink, Inexperienced, White, and Black jerseys – sponsored by Worldwide Holding Firm, Nakheel, and Bin Hamoodah Auto respectively. The official jerseys shall be supplied by Alé. The 2023 version was received by former world champion Remco Evenepoel.

The official route, jerseys and sponsors for the sixth version of the UAE Tour have been introduced. The UAE Tour race organisers, Abu Dhabi Sports activities Council, are happy to substantiate that this yr’s version of the race, beginning and ending in Abu Dhabi, will characteristic 4 sprinters’ levels, two mountain levels finest suited to the peloton’s climbers, and a 12.1-km lengthy, high-speed particular person time trial.

From 19 to 25 February, the UAE Tour will characteristic over 980 km of racing throughout the seven levels. 4 of them shall be good alternatives for the sprinters who could have loads of possibilities to combat for a prestigious win. Stage two shall be a person time trial, and levels three and 7 (the ultimate day) could have summit finishes alongside the standard climbs of Jebel Jais, the place earlier stage winners embrace Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard, and Jebel Hafeet, an epic climb that has seen three stage victories for Tadej Pogačar in 2020, 2021 and 2022. The Slovene was adopted by his teammate Adam Yates in 2023, the yr wherein the overall classification was received by former world champion Remco Evenepoel.

H.E. Aref Al Awani, Normal Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports activities Council mentioned: “The UAE Tour is essentially the most prestigious biking occasion within the Center East and attracts the eye of high world manufacturers and media shops. We’re assured that in 2024, we can see a top-class occasion as soon as once more. If we take a look at the extent of the winners, each within the normal classification and within the single levels, we see the elite stars of world biking, affirming the speedy progress of this challenge in so few years. Seeing the nice champions of two wheels battle it out is a driver for the event of biking in our nation, and that is demonstrated by its rising reputation, which in flip popularises a wholesome way of life amongst all teams”.

Fabrizio D’Amico, Chief Working Officer RCS Sports activities and Occasions and UAE Tour Director mentioned: “We’re prepared for the sixth version of the UAE Tour that has been made attainable as soon as once more because of the management of the nation, the Abu Dhabi Sports activities Council and all of our stakeholders who’re dedicated within the supply of the UAE Tour additionally in 2024. In these years we have now seen stellar lineups of champions of the world of biking taking the problem throughout the seven levels and we’re positive that within the subsequent version, we’ll see much more stars of the 2 wheels accepting this problem. The route will provide possibilities for victory to each kind of rider, with two uphill finishes and one particular person time trial that may most certainly make the overall classification even when there shall be tips in each stage, as occurred with the echelons stage within the final version”.

The Route of the sixth UAE Tour
19.02.2024 Stage 1 Al Dhafra Stroll Madinat Zayed-Liwa Palace, 143km
20.02.2024 Stage 2 Al Hudayriyat Island ITT, 12.1km
21.02.2024 Stage 3 Al Marjan Island-Jebel Jais, 176km
22.02.2024 Stage 4 Dubai Police Officer’s club-Dubai Harbour, 173km
23.02.2024 Stage 5 Al Aqah-Umm al Quwain, 182km
24.02.2024 Stage 6 Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum-Abu Dhabi Breakwater, 138km
25.02.2024 Stage 7 Al Ain Bait Mohammed Bin Khalifa-Jebel Hafeet, 161km

Stage 1, Al Dhafra Stroll Madinat Zayed-Liwa Palace, 143km

The route:
The stage of the desert. The primary half (north-south route) is about 45 km lengthy, on vast, straight roads. After reaching Liwa, the race enters an space of very pronounced dunes, which make up the majority of the stage. A collection of ups and downs results in Moreeb Dune, the place the race will take two laps of the Moreeb Dune cycle path (18.1 km every lap), marked by slightly steep ups and downs with double digit gradients. It then returns to Liwa for the end. The stage is on vast, straight roads with good pavement.

Ultimate kilometres
The stage finale options one vast bend on a roundabout. The house straight is all uphill, round 3%.

Stage 2, Al Hudayriyat Island ITT, 12.1km

The route:
Stage 2 is a person Time Trial that takes place totally inside Al Hudayriyat Island. The route could be very quick and is characterised solely by a number of proper angle bends and two U-turns. The street is completely flat, vast and with wide-ranging turns, which is able to permit riders to carry very excessive speeds (wind allowing).

Ultimate kilometres
Large curves, vast street, wonderful pavement. The end line is on asphalt.

Stage 3, Al Marjan Island-Jebel Jais, 176km

The route:
The primary of two mountain levels of the UAE Tour. The stage is split into two distinct elements. The primary approaches the ultimate mountain undulating by the desert, whereas the final is characterised by roughly 20 km of steady climbing as much as the end. Ranging from Al Marjan Island, the course reaches Ras al Khaimah and returns to the desert. After the Ras al Khaimah airport, the race heads straight for Jais Mountain. The ultimate climb is roughly 20 km lengthy at fixed 5% gradient, with barely larger gradients round 7% within the final 2 km.

Ultimate kilometres
The ultimate climb winds by hairpin bends on a really vast roadway. Gradients are primarily round 4-5% within the first half and 5-7% in the second, with a peak of 9% round 2 km from the end. The end is on straight asphalt roads.

Stage 4, Dubai Police Officer’s Membership-Dubai Harbour, 173km

The route:
A stage in Dubai. The primary half is in Downtown Dubai, passing across the Burj Khalifa earlier than crossing Deira and skimming previous the Large Flag. The race will head out of the town within the route of the desert, passing the traditional websites of those levels akin to Al Qudra Cycletrack and Jumeirah islands. It then cross by Palm Jumeirah to complete in Dubai Harbour. The complete route winds alongside very vast, and considerably straight, roads interspersed with roundabouts which have a really giant radius and are properly paved.

Ultimate kilometres
The ending is on a large avenue, with the strategy to the end line on asphalt.

Stage 5, Al Aqah-Umm Al Quwain, 182km

The route:

Ranging from Al Aqah to achieve Umm Al Quwain, the stage heads by the desert areas on the sting of the Hajar Mountains. Right here it covers a number of stretches of motorway till reaching Umm al Quwain for the ultimate dash. The complete route takes place on vast, straight and well-paved roads by the desert.

Ultimate kilometres
The ultimate km is on a large avenue that’s barely curved. The strategy to the end line is on asphalt.

Stage 6, Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum-Abu Dhabi Breakwater, 138km

The route:
Stage across the metropolis of Abu Dhabi. Ranging from Louvre Abu Dhabi, the primary a part of the route heads to Saadiyat Island after which to Yas Marina the place the race continues westwards earlier than re-entering the town by Khalifa Metropolis. It returns to Abu Dhabi Metropolis and passes over Al Reem Island (Sorbonne College Abu Dhabi) and Al Maryah Island. Passing Qasr Al Hosn, the riders will strategy the finale from south to north, to complete at Abu Dhabi Breakwater.

Ultimate kilometres
The final 5 km are on a large street with giant semi-curves that result in the end line on asphalt.

Stage 7, Al Ain-Jebel Hafeet, 161km

The route:
The traditional mountain stage of the UAE Tour. Within the first half, the route winds its method by Al Ain, the place lots of its landmarks are visited (Al Ain College, Al Qattara, Al Hili), after which takes a protracted tour of the desert to the west till it returns to Inexperienced Mubazzarah. Right here the ultimate climb of Jebel Hafeet begins, which with its 10 km part would be the last choose of the race.

Ultimate kilometres
The ultimate climb winds by wide-ranging hairpin bends on a 3-lane roadway. Gradients are primarily round 8-9% with a peak of 11%, 3 km from the end. There’s a very quick descent within the final km, earlier than the final ramp. The end line is on straight asphalt.

UAE Tour Official Chief Jerseys
The official race jerseys shall be supplied by Italian model, Alé. The high-tech attire line gives performance and an ergonomic match for good aerodynamics. On the coronary heart of Alé is all-Italian craftsmanship. Utilizing insights and enter from designers, professional groups and riders, the Alé R&D lab constantly research supplies and develops progressive options to ensure the perfect efficiency with most consolation.

Pink Jersey
Normal Classification: worn each day, ranging from Stage 2, by the chief of the Normal Classification by time.
Sponsor: Worldwide Holding Firm

Inexperienced Jersey
Factors Classification: worn each day, ranging from Stage 2, by the quickest sprinter, who has obtained the perfect placement in every stage and intermediate sprints.

White Jersey
Younger Rider Classification: worn each day, ranging from Stage 2, by the perfect younger rider (U25) within the general classification by time.
Sponsor: Nakheel

Black Jersey
Intermediate Dash Classification: worn each day, ranging from Stage 2, by the rider who has gained extra Intermediate Dash Factors than some other rider.
Sponsor: Bin Hamoodah Auto

Official Sponsors of The 2024 UAE Tour
Alongside the ‘Prime Sponsors’ of the 4 jerseys (Worldwide Holding Firm, Nakheel and Bin Hamoodah Auto) gratitude can be expressed to the next sponsors.

Stage Sponsors: Burjeel Holdings, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Improvement Authority, Dubai Sports activities Council, Presight.ai, Aldar, Worldwide Holding Firm; Stage Companions: Al Marina Holding, Dubai Harbour, and Louvre Abu Dhabi; Host Broadcasters: Abu Dhabi Sports activities Channel; Official Companions: Alé (Official Jersey), Bin Hamooda Auto (Official Automobile Accomplice), Tudor (Official Timekeeper), Abu Dhabi Aviation (Official Accomplice) and Tadweer (Official Accomplice).

 

UAE Tour Girls 2024: The Route has been Introduced
The second version of the one and solely UCI Girls’s WorldTour race within the Center East will run from the eighth to the eleventh of February. Three dash levels and the uphill end on Jebel Hafeet are on the menu. Riders will compete for the race’s Pink, Inexperienced, White and Black jerseys – sponsored by Al Ain Water, Tadweer, Burjeel Holdings and Aldar respectively, and supplied by Alé.

Three levels for sprinters and an uphill end. That is the menu of the 2nd version of the UAE Tour Girls, which is able to happen from eighth to eleventh February 2024. Abu Dhabi Sports activities Council, the race organisers, are happy to substantiate that the race will begin in Dubai and end in Abu Dhabi after a complete of 468 km.

The ladies’s peloton will head to the Center East’s one and solely World Tour race for the second time after final yr’s debut version received by the Italian Nationwide champion Elisa Longo Borghini, who took the Pink Jersey atop Jebel Hafeet. The identical climb, averaging 8-9% gradients, shall be featured on this version’s third stage, offering one shining alternative for every crew’s general contender to depart their mark on the race.

H.E. Aref Al Awani, Normal Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports activities Council mentioned: “We’re delighted and proud to be right here for the presentation of the second version of the UAE Girls’s Tour, a repeat demonstration of a really profitable 2023 version each when it comes to high quality, with stage winners of the very best worldwide stage, and when it comes to the media, as this historic occasion was broadcast dwell worldwide, changing into a showcase for the territories touched by the race. Even in 2024, we could have among the finest feminine cyclists on this planet competing in an occasion that goals to turn out to be one of many greatest in ladies’s biking and, on the identical time, promote this sport within the area”.

Fabrizio D’Amico, Chief Working Officer RCS Sports activities and Occasions and UAE Tour Director mentioned: “Constructing on the success of the inaugural occasion, confirmed by the response of the general public and the business, the UAE Tour Girls returns to the World Tour calendar. This yr guarantees much more pleasure, showcasing the resilience, expertise, willpower of the athletes on the worldwide stage. This occasion is not only a race; it’s a testomony to the UAE’s unwavering dedication to fostering the expansion of girls within the sport. We wish to drive increasingly consideration to this occasion, which is the one one at World Tour stage within the Center East for each women and men”.

The Route of the 2nd UAE Tour Girls
08.02.2024 Stage 1 Dubai Miracle Backyard-Dubai Harbour, 122km
09.02.2024 Stage 2 Al Mirfa Bab Al Nojoum-Madinat Zayed, 113km
10.02.2024 Stage 3 Al Ain Police Museum-Jebel Hafeet, 128km
11.02.2024 Stage 4 Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum-Abu Dhabi Breakwater, 105km

Stage 1, Dubai Miracle Backyard-Dubai Harbour, 122km

The route:
A stage in Dubai. Beginning in Dubai Miracle Backyard, the race will cross the traditional websites of those levels akin to Dubai Sports activities Metropolis, Al Qudra Cycle Observe, and Dubai International Village ending in Dubai Harbour. The complete route winds alongside very vast, and considerably straight, roads interspersed with roundabouts which have a really giant radius and are properly paved.

Ultimate kilometres
The ending is on a large avenue, with the arrival to the end line on asphalt.

Stage 2, Al Mirfa Bab Al Nojoum-Madinat Zayed, 113km

The Route:

The stage of the desert. It begins from Al Mirfa on the Arabian Gulf coast and crosses a big portion of desert (over 60 km) to Madinat Zayed. There are vast, straight roads punctuated by sequences of roundabouts when you arrive within the built-up space.

Ultimate kilometres
The final 10 km are on a large straight street.

Stage 3, Al Ain Police Museum-Jebel Hafeet, 128km

The route:
The traditional mountain stage of the UAE Tour. Within the first half, the route winds its method by Al Ain, the place lots of its landmarks are visited (Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, UAE College), after which takes a protracted tour of the desert alongside Truck Highway E30 till it returns to Inexperienced Mubazzarah. Right here the ultimate climb of Jebel Hafeet begins, which with its 10 km part would be the last choose of the race.

Ultimate kilometres
The ultimate climb winds by wide-ranging hairpin bends on a 3-lane roadway. Gradients are primarily round 8-9% with a peak of 11%, 3 km from the end. There’s a very quick descent within the final km, earlier than the final ramp. The end line is on straight asphalt.

Stage 4, Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum-Abu Dhabi Breakwater, 105km

The route:
Stage across the metropolis of Abu Dhabi. Ranging from Louvre Abu Dhabi, the primary a part of the route heads to Saadiyat Island after which to Yas Marina. It returns to Abu Dhabi Metropolis and passes over Al Reem Island (Sorbonne College Abu Dhabi) and Al Maryah Island. It then passes in Qasr Al Hosn, arriving at Abu Dhabi Breakwater for a dash end.

Ultimate kilometres
The final 5 km are on a large street with giant semi-curves that result in the end line on asphalt.

UAE Tour Girls OFFICIAL LEADER JERSEYS
The official race jerseys shall be supplied by Italian model, Alé, an organization with a deep female soul. Alé is aware of the significance of providing ladies technical, comfy clothes with a specifically designed match and distinctive type. The model’s love for girls’s biking led to the delivery of the Alé BTC Ljubljana ladies’s crew in 2011, later changing into the primary Italian crew to hitch the UCI World Tour in 2020.

Pink Jersey
Normal Classification: worn each day, ranging from Stage 2, by the chief of the Normal Classification by time.
Sponsor: Al Ain Water

Inexperienced Jersey
Factors Classification: worn each day, ranging from Stage 2, by the quickest sprinter, who has obtained the perfect positions in every stage and intermediate sprints.
Sponsor: Tadweer

White Jersey
Younger Rider Classification: worn each day, ranging from Stage 2, by the perfect younger rider (U25) within the general classification by time.
Sponsor: Burjeel Holdings

Black Jersey
Intermediate Dash Classification: worn each day, ranging from Stage 2, by the rider who has gained extra Intermediate Dash Factors than some other rider.
Sponsor: Aldar

Official Sponsors of The 2024 UAE Tour Girls
Alongside the ‘Prime Sponsors’ of the 4 jerseys (Al Ain Water, Tadweer, Burjeel Holdings and Aldar) gratitude can be expressed to the next sponsors.

Stage Sponsors: Dubai Sports activities Council, Modon, Presight.ai; Stage Companions: Dubai Miracle Backyard, Dubai Harbour, Bab Al Nojoum and Louvre Abu Dhabi; Host Broadcasters: Abu Dhabi Sports activities Channel; Official Companions: Alé (Official Jersey), Tudor (Official Timekeeper), Bin Hamoodah Auto (Official Automobile Accomplice), Abu Dhabi Aviation (Official Accomplice) and Tadweer (Official Accomplice).

 

Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne Proclaims Groups
The organisers of Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne could have 25 groups at the beginning on Sunday, February 25. There shall be 17 WorldTeams and eight ProTeams. The ProTeams that may seem at the beginning of the 76th version of the Flemish spring Traditional are Lotto Dstny, Crew Flanders-Baloise, Israel-Premier Tech, Bingoal WB, TotalEnergies and Uno-X.

Seventeen of the eighteen WorldTeams shall be current in Kuurne. Solely the American EF Training-EasyPost crew is lacking from the 1.Professional Traditional. Jonathan Vaughters’ crew additionally missed final yr’s race.

Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne is not going to begin in Kuurne for the subsequent three editions. Kortrijk has signed an settlement with the organisers to host the beginning from 2024. Francis Benoit, the mayor of Kuurne, spoke of a ‘black day for our municipality.’

Final yr, Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne was received by Tiesj Benoot. The Belgian’s Jumbo-Visma crew dominated the race. The listing of previous winners contains: Peter Sagan, Mark Cavendish, Tom Boonen, Peter Van Petegem, Johan Museeuw, Jan Raas and Roger De Vlaeminck.

2023 Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne:

 

La Vuelta Not Allowed to End on the Highest Asphalted Climb in Europe
The Vuelta a España is, for the second, not allowed to have a end on La Veleta, which has its summit at 3,300 metres above sea stage. Race boss, Javier Guillén, spoke about it throughout a gathering of the sports activities press within the metropolis of Valladolid.

“We want to end a stage on La Veleta, at an altitude of greater than 3,000 metres, however in the intervening time we would not have the required permits from the authorities,” Guillén mentioned, in keeping with Ciclo 21. “We respect that, however we’re nonetheless engaged on ending a stage at a better altitude than has ever been accomplished earlier than.”

The 42.5 kilometre lengthy climb to Pico La Veleta is positioned within the Sierra Nevada. At 3,300 meters it’s not solely the very best asphalted climb in Spain, but in addition Europe. The street, which is a lifeless finish, takes you from Granada in roughly 40 kilometres from an altitude of 709 meters to the summit at 3,300 meters. The precise summit is one other kilometre additional on, however it’s on an unpaved street. With a median gradient of 6.5%, it climbs 2,688 metres altitude.

Barely decrease, at 2,851 metres, is the Observatorio del Pico Veleta. To succeed in this summit you comply with the identical street, however the citadel is on a special street. So that is the second highest climb in Spain. There was discuss of a end on the observatory in 2022.

Someday the Vuelta will go to the very best asphalted climb in Europe:

 

19 WorldTour Execs Nonetheless And not using a Contract for 2024
The 2024 season has began Down Below, however there are nonetheless nine-teen WorldTour riders, who wish to keep on racing, with out a crew for this yr.

Listed here are those that nonetheless want a job:
Alpecin-Deceuninck
Robert Stannard (Aus)

Arkea-B&B Resorts
Nicolas Edet (Fra)

Astana Qazaqstan
Leonardo Basso (Ita)
Joe Dombrowski (USA)
Yuriy Natarov (Kaz)
Nurbergen Nurlykhassym (Kaz)
Alexandr Riabushenko (-)

BORA hansgrohe
flag-fr Victor Koretzky (Fra)

Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale
flag-fr Antoine Raugel (Fra)

EF Training – EasyPost
Odd Christian Eiking (Nor)
Tom Scully (NZ)
Łukasz Wiśniowski (Pol)

Intermarché-Wanty
Julius Johansen (Den)

Lidl Trek
Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier (Eri)
Asbjørn Hellemose (Den)

Movistar
Abner González (PueRic)

dsm-firmenich PostNL
Leon Heinschke (Ger)

Jayco AlUla
Alexandre Balmer (Sui)
Lukas Pöstlberger (Aut).

Joe Dombrowski out of contract:

 

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