One other ‘enjoyable packed’ EUROTRASH Thursday. A great deal of biking information and even some racing: the Vuelta a Guatemala and the Taiwan nationwide time trial championships.
Ian Boswell talks concerning the issues within the INEOS Grenadiers workforce – TOP STORY.
Rider information: Wout van Aert begins his cross coaching, Tom Pidcock’s cyclo-cross season, Van der Poel and Evenepoel coaching collectively in Spain, Nairo Quintana seems to be ahead to his return in Valencia, Matteo Sobrero to Assist Primoz Roglič, one other yr for Oscar Sevilla, Italian Federation banned Filippo Pozzato’s championship jersey, Michael Woods isn’t enthusiastic about quitting, Antwan Tolhoek hopes to relaunch his profession in Portugal, Arnaud De Lie begins his season in Spain in mid-February, Chris Froome begins his season later, Roger Hammond DS with Israel-Premier Tech, Tom Dumoulin learns ‘from one of the best’ on the athletics monitor and Nathan Van Hooydonck attended the Jumbo-Visma workforce day.
Staff information: Tobias Foss indicators with INEOS Grenadiers, AG2R Citroën Turns into Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale – New bikes, clothes, riders and a finances of 26 million, Jumbo-Visma receives trophy for ‘Greatest Biking Staff of the 12 months’, meet Tudor Professional Biking’s 2024 BMC Teammachine R, Visma | Lease a Bike defends Jonas Vingegaard’s O Gran Camiño win and security for Israel-Premier Tech riders.
Race information: 2024 Vuelta a España returns to steep climb in Asturias and Pageant Elsy Jacobs is not going to be a stage race in 2024.
Sit again to your EUROTRASH espresso.
TOP STORY: Ian Boswell Talks About INEOS: “Riders Choose to Journey for A lot Much less Cash with Jumbo-Visma”
Staff Sky was as soon as the highest workforce of the peloton, however that is not the case for its successor, INEOS Grenadiers. Ian Boswell, who raced for Staff Sky till 2017, finds the present state of affairs within the British workforce worrying. “I’m associates with some riders who in recent times selected to not signal with the workforce and as an alternative determined to go to Jumbo for lots much less cash,” he mentioned on The Biking Podcast.
In accordance with Boswell, Staff Sky/INEOS Grenadiers has not been in a position to reinvent itself after the profitable years during which it dominated the Tour de France with Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome, Geraint Thomas and Egan Bernal. “It was a British workforce with a really sturdy id. They knew very properly who they had been and what they wished,” mentioned the 32 year-old former rider, who ended his profession in 2019. “Afterwards, they by no means requested or decided the query once more: who’re we as a workforce? They’ve caught to the concept: we’re a workforce for the Grand Excursions, we wish to win the Tour. However when you have a look at the choice now: have they got somebody who can theoretically do this? I don’t assume so.”
Boswell states that the workforce has not taken a unique path for the Classics or the sprints, the workforce has not introduced in any new riders. “It’s a bit worrying. I’m associates with some riders who in recent times selected to not signal with the workforce and as an alternative determined to go to Jumbo for a lot much less cash. Simply due to what they’ve heard internally, due to what is occurring at INEOS Grenadiers, due to the tradition of the workforce, the dynamics… The riders I do know wish to race for lots much less cash with a workforce the place they’ll most likely obtain extra success, at a workforce that’s extra… I don’t wish to say ‘extra practical’, however a workforce that’s presently increased, a workforce that’s on the rise as an alternative of a workforce that appears to take a step backwards yearly.”
Ian Boswell not impressed with INEOS:
Crash for Total Winner and his Teammates as they Have fun Vuelta a Guatemala Last Victory
The Vuelta Ciclistica Internacional a Guatemala (2.2) completed badly for the general winner and his workforce. The ultimate total victory went to Gerson Toc, on the finish of the final stage he couldn’t be crushed, so he and his Decoba-ASO Quetzaltenango teammates celebrated because the had been about to cross the finish-line. This didn’t go to plan as they crashed and crossed the road truly on the street.
The tenth and ultimate stage of the Tour of Guatemala began and completed in Finca el Zapote. Sebastian Brenes (7C – Financial system – Lacoinex) narrowly held off the sprinting peloton and received the stage. Behind the peloton, yellow jersey wearer Toc and 4 teammates from Decoba-ASO Quetzaltenango had been celebrating the ultimate victory. They approached the road arm in arm, however simply earlier than they crossed the road, considered one of them slipped and took all however considered one of his teammates with him.
Toc crossed the road whereas sliding and didn’t lose any time total. The Guatemalan received his house tour, the largest victory of his profession.
Vuelta Ciclistica Internacional a Guatemala Last Total End result:
1. Gerson Toc (Gua) Decoba-ASO Quetzaltenango in 34:39:27
2. Byron Guamá (European) Movistar-Greatest PC at 1:42
3. Stalin Wladimir Puentestar (European) Ecuador at 2:17.
Vuelta Ciclistica Internacional a Guatemala stage 10 end:
Taiwan Nationwide Time Trial Championships 2023
Sergio Tu is the Taiwanese time trial champion for the subsequent yr. The 26 year-old rider, who races for WorldTeam Bahrain Victorious, put an finish to the dominance of former skilled Chun Kai Feng by 32 seconds.
Chun Kai Feng received the final three editions of the Taiwanese TT championships in 2013, 2015 and 2019, however the 35 year-old former Lampre-Merida and Bahrain Victorious misplaced out to Sergio Tu. Tu’s ultimate time of 54:13 over 44.8 kilometres, was ridden at a mean velocity of 49.579kph.
Feng completed in second place, simply over half a minute behind the winner. The bronze medal went to 33 year-old Chih Hao Wu, who misplaced nearly 3 minutes. Taiwan’s new time trial champion, Sergio Tu, has been using for Bahrain Victorious this yr. Earlier than that, he rode for the coaching groups of Staff Sunweb, CCC and the Spanish Equipo Kern Pharma workforce. This yr, with Bahrain Victorious, Tu raced solely 13 days.
Within the elite girls’s race, Ke Xin Zeng was the quickest, forward of Ya Yu Tsai and Hsiu Ju Cheng. The opposite champions are: Shi Ru Xu (males’s junior), Ying Hsiu Lei (girls’s junior), En Teng Zhang (junior males) and Ting Yu Yang (junior girls).
Taiwan Nationwide Time Trial Championships Taiwan End result:
1. Sergio Tu (Tai) Bahrain Victorious in 54:13
2. Chun Kai Feng (Tai) Utsunomiya Blitzen at 0:32
3. Chih Hao Wu (Tai) at 2:46
4. Kuan Hsien(Tai) Li at 3:08
5. Yen Yi Ho (Tai) Galibier-Finisher at 3:37
6. Ting Wei Li (Tai) at 4:02
7. Shao Hsuan Lu (Tai) at 6:04
8. Hao Peng Shen (Tai) at 7:42
9. Min Ying Tsai (Tai) at 7:54
10. Cheng Yu Tsai (Tai) at 9:52.
Taiwan TT champs – Sergio Tu:
Wout van Aert Begins His Cross Coaching: “Annual Wake-Up Name”
Wout van Aert will return to cyclo-cross for the primary time on Saturday, December the ninth, for the Actual Cross in Essen. The Jumbo-Visma rider was again on his cross bike this week for the primary time since final yr.
Van Aert calls it an ‘annual wake-up name’ on Strava. The 29 year-old rider had a coaching experience of just below 70 kilometres on Tuesday close to his hometown of Herentals on his Cervélo R5-CX. Fellow cyclo-cross rider Eli Iserbyt responded to Van Aert’s publish with: “Please don’t get up an excessive amount of.”
The three-time world champion can be in motion for the primary time within the Actual Cross of Essen (9/12), adopted by Mol (22/12, Actual Cross), Antwerp (23/12, World Cup), Gavere (26/12, World Cup), Zolder (27/12, Superprestige), Hulst (30/ 12, World Cup), Baal (01/01, X2O Trophy) and Koksijde (04/01, X2O Trophy). There could also be two extra races, the World Cup races in Zonhoven and Benidorm. Nevertheless, that is nonetheless topic to alter. Additionally it is sure that Van Aert will begin the Belgian and World Championship.
“It’s a aware option to experience a shorter program,” Van Aert mentioned when saying his cross program. “Final yr I seen that it was mentally troublesome to essentially give attention to the cross season after which transfer on to the spring. I’ve determined for myself that I not wish to go away something to probability on the subject of the spring Classics. That’s the reason, with a heavy coronary heart, I’m operating a extra restricted program.”
Van Aert again to cyclo-cross:
Tom Pidcock’s Cyclo-Cross Season Begin in Herentals – No World Champs in Tábor
Tom Pidcock is not going to seem initially of the Cyclo-cross World Championships in Tábor, Czech Republic, this winter. This has been coming for a while, however has now additionally been confirmed by his workforce INEOS Grenadiers. The Brit will compete in ten races within the coming interval, together with six World Cups.
It’s no shock that the 24-year-old Pidcock is not going to take part within the world title combat in Tábor early subsequent yr. But his coach Kurt Bogaerts saved the door ajar for a very long time. Final cross season, Pidcock began on November 19 in Merksplas, and after fourteen crosses led to Benidorm in mid-January. He then additionally ignored the World Cup.
The versatile driver is not going to full fourteen, however ‘solely’ ten races this yr. On December 16 we’ll see Pidcock within the area for the primary time for the X2O cross of Herentals. This can be adopted by three consecutive World Cups with Namur (December 17), Antwerp (December 23) and Gavere (December 26). In different phrases, Pidcock instantly begins with a double weekend of Herentals-Namur.
After three World Cup rounds, it’s time for the Diegem Superprestige Cross (December 28), adopted by the Hulst World Cup (December 30), X2O Koksijde (January 4), Cyclocross Gullegem (January 6) and the Zonhoven World Cup (January 7). His final cyclo-cross of the season is the World Cup in Benidorm on Sunday, January 21. In brief, Pidcock is not going to take part within the Hoogerheide World Cup and – much more importantly – the World Cup.
Pidcock will cross swords with Mathieu van der Poel and/or Wout van Aert a number of instances this winter. Cyclo-cross fans can be handled to an actual three-way battle within the World Cups of Antwerp, Gavere and Hulst and the X2O-cross of Koksijde. This additionally appears to be the case in Zonhoven and Benidorm, Spain, though it isn’t but sure whether or not Van Aert will take part in these races.
Pidcock’s 2023/24 Cyclo-Cross Programme:
16-12 X²O Bogs Trophy Herentals Cross
17-12 UCI Cyclocross World Cup #8 Namur
23-12 UCI Cyclocross World Cup #9 Antwerp
26-12 UCI Cyclocross World Cup #10 Gavere
28-12 Telenet Superprestige Diegem
30-12 UCI Cyclocross World Cup #11 Hulst
04-01 X²O Bogs Trophy Vlaamse Duinencross Koksijde
06-01 Hexia Cyclocross Gullegem
07-01 UCI Cyclocross World Cup #12 Zonhoven
21-01 UCI Cyclocross World Cup #13 Benidorm.
Ten cross races for Pidcock:
Van der Poel and Evenepoel Coaching Collectively in Spain
World champions Mathieu van der Poel and Remco Evenepoel went on a coaching experience collectively in Spain on Wednesday. The leaders of Alpecin-Deceuninck and Soudal Fast-Step left Calpe collectively for a coaching session of greater than 4 hours.
Van der Poel rode in his rainbow jersey because the reigning World street (and cross) champion, whereas Evenepoel, who can also be the World time trial champion, wore his Belgian tricolore as nationwide street champion. They had been on the street with, amongst others, a few of Van der Poel’s teammates and the Australian former rider, Freddy Ovett.
On Strava you possibly can see that Evenepoel educated 123 kilometres in simply over 4 hours. They climbed greater than 2,000 metres. Van der Poel is in Spain to arrange for his cyclo-cross winter. The cross World champion can be initially of his first cross of 2023 on December 22, the Zilvermeercross in Mol.
Photograph by Freddy Ovett:
Nairo Quintana Seems Ahead to His Return
Nairo Quintana has been with no workforce since October 2022, however the Colombian climber will compete once more within the WorldTour subsequent yr. The 33 year-old has been given the chance to relaunch his profession together with his previous workforce, Movistar. “Regardless of all the pieces, I’m in fine condition,” he advised Cyclingnews.
Quintana, who misplaced his sixth place within the Tour de France after a optimistic check for Tramadol, seemed forward to 2024 after his personal Gran Fondo in Colombia. “It is very important be affected person. I haven’t raced for some time. When different riders rode the Giro d’Italia, I used to be in Colombia. Some individuals advised me I used to be loopy, that I ought to cease racing.”
Quintana had no intention of giving up and began a seek for a brand new workforce. After a number of failed conferences, the Colombian was lastly rescued by Movistar. Quintana rode for the Spanish WorldTour workforce from 2012 to 2019 and took his largest successes, together with wins within the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España.
The 2-time runner-up within the Tour de France hopes to achieve his previous degree once more within the previous and acquainted workforce. “Regardless of all the pieces, I’m in fine condition. I nonetheless obtain the identical values in coaching as earlier than, after I nonetheless took half in main cycle races. So I’m not anxious about that, however racing is in fact one thing else. I should proceed coaching and have good legs.”
Nairo Quintana has been with no workforce since October 2022, however the Colombian will kick off his 2024 marketing campaign within the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana (January 31-February 4). Quintana has not competed at worldwide degree for the reason that 2022 World Biking Championships in Wollongong, Australia. His final race was in February, the Colombian street championship.
Quintana has ridden the Tour of Valencia previously. In 2017 he was the general winner. That yr Quintana defeated Ben Hermans and the now retired Manuel Senni. It’s not but clear what his additional program for 2024 will seem like, however there are rumours that he’ll take part within the Giro d’Italia once more subsequent yr. In his two earlier participations in 2014 and 2017, Quintana got here first and second respectively.
Quintana again in blue:
Matteo Sobrero will Assist Primoz Roglič at BORA-hansgrohe
Matteo Sobrero is transferring from Jayco AlUla for BORA-hansgrohe for 2024. Along with his new workforce he can be a teammate of Primož Roglič. “It’s the largest switch of the yr,” Sobrero mentioned to WielerFlits about Roglič’s change from Jumbo-Visma to BORA-hansgrohe. “I’m actually wanting ahead to racing with him, to see what that’s like and why not get some nice outcomes with him and the workforce?”Sobrero expects to be taught extra concerning the workforce’s plans for him on the first coaching camp. “I hope to a minimum of begin with spring, together with the Ardennes classics, and obtain some outcomes for myself there. Then will comply with the Grand Excursions, the place I’ll assist the classification guys.”
Sobrero to BORA-hansgrohe:
Oscar Sevilla to Proceed for One other 12 months
Óscar Sevilla could already be 47 years previous, however the Spaniard actually has no plans to hold up his bike simply but. The previous rider of Kelme and T-Cellular, amongst others, will proceed his twenty sixth (!) biking season with the continental Staff Medellín-EPM.
For the beginning of his (skilled) profession we’ve to return 25 years, to the yr 1998, when Sevilla made his debut for Kelme-Costa Blanca. Sevilla rapidly turned one of many higher climbers within the European biking peloton. For instance, in 2001 he completed second within the Vuelta a España and seventh within the Tour de France. He additionally received the white youth jersey within the 2001 Tour.
Sevilla’s profession suffered a serious blow in 2006, nevertheless, as he was suspended for his involvement within the Spanish doping case Operación Puerto, with physician Eufemiano Fuentes on the centre of the doping scandal. Sevilla returned to the peloton after his suspension, however by no means obtained one other probability with a prime workforce. The Spaniard then started an extended wandering by modest and unique continental groups.
Nevertheless, it turned out to be a really profitable ‘ramble’, as a result of Seville continues to be reaching good outcomes at the moment – regardless of his retirement age. Final season he was profitable in, amongst others, the Vuelta Bantrab, Tour of the Gila, Tour de Panamá and the Clásico RCN. Nevertheless, he achieved his largest victory on the final minute with a ultimate victory within the Tour of Hainan (2.Professional), forward of Ben Hermans and Valerio Conti, amongst others.
In different phrases, Sevilla continues to be very profitable and has no plans to surrender simply but. “I’ve now began coaching once more after a brief relaxation interval,” he advised Revista Mundo Ciclístico. “I’m already enthusiastic about the brand new season. I nonetheless take pleasure in biking and I hope to have one other good season subsequent yr. It is going to be troublesome to match 2023, as I can look again on a really profitable season.”
Óscar Sevilla – Nonetheless wanting 16!
Italian Federation Banned Filippo Pozzato’s Championship Jersey
The primary model of Filippo Pozzato’s 2009 Italian champion’s jersey was banned by the Italian biking federation as a result of it confirmed the Moscow skyline. “With the Kremlin on it certainly.” The previous bike owner advised RIDE Journal fourteen years later.
On the finish of June, Pozzato received the nationwide title in Imola, beating Damiano Cunego and Luca Paolini. Katusha then made a tricolor jersey with the design of the then equipment of the Russian workforce. That was a blue and white shirt with the Moscow skyline on it. The champion’s jerseys used the identical primary design.
Every week after his Italian title, ‘Pippo’ Pozzato appeared within the Tour de France, sporting the particular Italian champion jersey. “After all, the concept for the sweater didn’t come from me. Staff boss Andrei Tchmil was behind it, however I used to be confronted about it. Italian journalists shouted: “That’s actually not attainable!” Compatriots within the peloton in fact additionally reacted and that was normally not optimistic. “What a shit jersey!”, these sorts of feedback,” mentioned Pozzato.
The Italian federation additionally obtained concerned and despatched an offended letter to Katusha. “I solely wore this jersey for a couple of days, as a result of after that letter the workforce designed a brand new jersey. There was no different outfit prepared. They needed to produce that instantly,” the Italian remembers that Tour de France.
The banned jersey on Tour’09 stage 2:
Michael Woods Isn’t Fascinated with Quitting
Michael Woods celebrated his thirty seventh birthday final month, however the Canadian is actually not enthusiastic about quitting simply but. The explosive climber is for certain who he’ll race with: “I’ve made an settlement with Sylvan Adams that I’ll finish my profession working for Israel-Premier Tech.”
Woods has been racing for the Israeli workforce since 2021 and won’t change workforce on the finish of his profession. “I’m actually fortunate that I can fall again on Sylvan Adams,” he praised the Israel-Premier Tech boss. “He is likely one of the most important the reason why I’m an expert bike owner. Sylvan has supported me since 2013 and has performed a serious position in my profession.”
“Just a little over a yr in the past we sat down to debate an extension of my contract. We lastly agreed that I’ll end (my profession) working for Israel-Premier Tech. I cease after I really feel I’ve nothing left to supply. I don’t wish to race if I’m not in a position to carry out on the highest degree. I’m nonetheless captivated with racing.”
At 37, Woods nonetheless feels the drive to carry out, to get higher. “Life is about pushing your self, discovering and doing new issues. To problem your self. If that’s not the case, it’s time to flip the web page. However I really feel like I’m nonetheless making progress. There are additionally quite a few issues I want to obtain. There are nonetheless a couple of victories lacking from my checklist of achievements.”
Woods primarily seems to be on the Giro d’Italia. “I received my first stage within the Tour de France this yr, however I’ve not but received a stage within the Giro. After two stage victories within the Vuelta and one stage within the Tour, I’d now wish to triumph within the Giro. That’s actually one thing that motivates me. I realise that I’m in an expensive place, and the way fortunate I’m to have Sylvan’s assist.”
Woods to race with IPT to the tip of his profession:
Antwan Tolhoek Hopes to Relaunch his Profession in Portugal
Antwan Tolhoek has discovered a brand new workforce for 2024. After a yr and a half of accidents, the 29 year-old couldn’t depend on a contract extension with Lidl-Trek. Tolhoek couldn’t get a contract with an expert workforce and is about to signal a contract with a Portuguese Continental workforce, in keeping with WielerFlits.
He can be becoming a member of the Sabgal-Anicolor workforce, which was Glassdrive Q8 Anicolor in 2023. Earlier than that, the workforce was known as Efapel for a few years. Efapel continues to be within the peloton as it’s now the sponsor of José Azevedo’s new workforce. Azevedo was beforehand workforce supervisor of Katusha-Alpecin for a few years. The workforce for which Tolhoek will race is run by the Pereira household. It has been agreed with new sponsor, Sabgal Meals, that the workforce may have a extra worldwide program.
With Sabgal-Unicolor Tolhoek will attempt to relaunch his profession. Tolhoek was with Roompot-Oranje Peloton in 2016 after Rabobank’s coaching workforce and a stagiaire with Tinkoff-Saxo. He made an impression in his first season, after which LottoNL-Jumbo took him on. After a number of promising years he find yourself in a domestique position the Dutch WorldTeam, after which he determined to go away. He ought to have had extra alternatives with Lidl-Trek, however he was by no means in a position to take them on account of a knee damage.
In recent times, his new workforce solely rode races in Portugal and really sometimes a race in Spain. Annual highlights had been the Volta ao Algarve and the Tour of Portugal. Final season, Uruguayan Maurico Moreira managed to win the Portuguese tour. He can even be a part of Sabcal-Unicolor subsequent yr, together with Gabriel Baptista, Duarte Domingues, Frederico Figueiredo, Luís Mendonça, Artem Nych and Rafael Reis. Sabgal-Unicolor may have fourteen rider in 2024, with British, Danish and Spanish riders.
The Portuguese workforce will work with a bigger finances and a unique imaginative and prescient and possibly they’ll say goodbye to the a shadowy previous. Efapel was a haven for ex-dopers greater than as soon as. In recent times, André Cardoso, Domingos Gonçalves and Carlos Iván Oyarzún have had contracts with the Portuguese workforce, who within the extra distant previous additionally had riders reminiscent of David Blanco, Santiago Pérez and David Bernabéu on their payroll.
Antwan Tolhoek off to Portugal:
Arnaud De Lie plans to Begin his Season in Spain in Mid-February
Arnaud De Lie will begin his 2024 season in mid-February. Sports activities director Kurt Van de Wouwer of Lotto Dstny advised La Dernière Heure. In accordance with Van de Wouwer, the Vuelta a Murcia and the Clásica de Almería are on De Lie’s programme.
The 2 one-day races in Spain can be held on Saturday, February 10 and Sunday, February 11. De Lie will begin his season later than in 2023, when he received the Clásica Comunitat Valenciana on the finish of January.
“Arnaud begins three weeks later, in Murcia and Almeria,” acknowledges Van de Wouwer. “Final yr, after his first Valencia race, he was already very sturdy within the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Possibly he’s rather less good this yr, however that’s not an enormous drawback. You’ll be able to nonetheless win when you’re not in prime type, and Arnaud continues to be younger. At his age he can rapidly attain his prime type.”
Lotto Dstny wouldn’t elaborate on the remainder of the season for De Lie but. “We do have his program in thoughts, however we’ll wait a bit of longer, particularly due to the Tour de France. Solely after we know the route of the Vuelta will we make a alternative about it.”
Arnaud De Lie’s Early Race Programme:
11-02 Vuelta Ciclista a la Area de Murcia “Costa Calida”
12-02 Clasica de Almeria
24-02 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.
Early win for De Lie:
Chris Froome Begins his Season a Little Later
Chris Froome will begin his sixteenth season as a professional a bit of later. Kjell Carlström, basic supervisor of Israel-Premier Tech, knowledgeable GCN.
The now 38 year-old Froome began his 2023 marketing campaign early. The British rider, winner of the Tour de France in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017, began his first race of 2023 in January within the Tour Down Beneath (17-22 January). Froome solely raced 39 days final season, partly on account of accidents and his non-selection for the Tour de France. The Briton will strategy the approaching season in a different way and, in keeping with Carlström, will begin his biking marketing campaign a bit of later than regular.
Froome nonetheless has a contract with Israel-Premier Tech till the tip of 2025, however they don’t appear to be a cheerful collectively. Sylvan Adams, the boss of Israel-Premier Tech, has not held again on his ideas. At the start of November, Chris Froome mentioned he had been using with the unsuitable bike place for years. “Does it make sense for somebody who has received seven Grand Excursions to say that his saddle place is off by an inch or no matter he says? Does that sound credible for somebody who just isn’t even launched on the final climbs, however on one of many first climbs? He can speak about his biking place till the cows come house, that also received’t get him chosen for a Grand Tour,” Adams identified.
Later begin for Froome in 2024:
Roger Hammond to be DS with Israel-Premier Tech
Roger Hammond could also be behind the wheel of the Israel-Premier Tech workforce automotive subsequent yr? The 49 year-old former rider is lined as much as grow to be a brand new DS with the Israeli workforce. In recent times, Hammond has been with INEOS Grenadiers as Head of Racing.
Kjell Carlström, the final supervisor of Israel-Premier Tech, advised GCN that Hammond is within the image as the brand new workforce DS. “However we’ve polled and interviewed much more candidates. We are actually within the ultimate phases, however we’ve not decided but. Roger is actually one of many candidates to grow to be workforce DS in our formation.”
Hammond himself was an expert with Discovery Channel, T-Cellular and Cervelo Check Staff and others. The Briton was generally known as a quick Classics rider, in his greatest years he completed second in Gent-Wevelgem and third in Paris-Roubaix. After his skilled profession, he began working as a DS with Dimension Knowledge, Bahrain Victorious after which INEOS Grenadiers.
“Roger is likely one of the candidates, however we nonetheless have 5 or 6,” emphasised Carlström. “I hope we will make the choice inside every week.” With Steve Bauer, Rik Verbrugghe and Sam Bewley, the workforce already has a number of well-known former riders on board. Sep Vanmarcke, who retired this yr, can even work as a DS with Israel-Premier Tech in 2024.
Hammond to IPT:
Tom Dumoulin Learns ‘From the Greatest’ on the Athletics Observe
Tom Dumoulin stopped racing greater than a yr in the past, however the 33 year-old Dutchman continues to be eager on sport. He proved that he’s a jack of all trades final month by finishing a half marathon in a time of 1:10:04.
He could also be even sooner sooner or later, now that Dumoulin has acquired operating ideas from Sifan Hassan. The reigning Olympic champion within the 5000 and 10,000 metres shared a photograph on Instagram, exhibiting her with Dumoulin on the Nijmegen athletics monitor. “I discovered my new exercise buddy,” the caption reads.
Dumoulin shared the identical picture on his Instagram and wrote: “Studying from one of the best. Thanks Sifan Hassan! Quickly at Studio Sport,” referring to a program quickly to be proven on NOS with Dumoulin and Hassan within the main roles.
Final month, Dumoulin had a really quick time within the Amsterdam half marathon. The 2017 Giro winner ran the 21 kilometres in a time of simply over one hour. “This was a very cool expertise. I used to be aiming for time below an hour and fifteen minutes, however I discovered a pleasant group that went a bit of sooner,” he mentioned after his half marathon.
Tom Dumoulin getting operating ideas:
Nathan Van Hooydonck Attended the Jumbo-Visma Staff Day
Nathan Van Hooydonck needed to finish his profession instantly after struggling cardiac arrest earlier this yr. Nevertheless, he not too long ago attended a Jumbo-Visma workforce day (Visma | Lease a Bike from January): “It was very good to see everybody once more, but in addition very confrontational and really painful,” the Belgian mentioned within the podcast De Rode Lantaarn.
“It’s all the time about subsequent yr,” defined 28 year-old Van Hooydonck. “Nobody hears it, however I do. Then they are saying: the riders have began coaching once more, subsequent month the riders will go on a coaching camp. That’s not me anymore.”
Fortuitously, many individuals got here to Van Hoondonck to assist him. “They present a whole lot of understanding for the state of affairs. And the way I understood it’s that I would get an opportunity from Merijn Zeeman if I requested him subsequent yr if I might grow to be a workforce DS. It’s a candy workforce.”
“I feel I additionally get these alternatives as a result of as a rider I’ve all the time carried out all the pieces for the workforce. I actually noticed it as my workforce, greater than the opposite groups I rode for. That was actually about successful collectively. That’s a slogan, however it’s not one thing the advertising and marketing division simply got here up with. It’s one thing we actually stand for. There are lots of people who don’t consider that, however it’s true. We do it collectively. I obtain the identical therapy and services as Wout (Van Aert) and Jonas (Vingegaard). That’s the way you grow to be one of the best workforce on this planet.”
Nathan Van Hooydonck to be a DS?
Tobias Foss Indicators with INEOS Grenadiers
We’re delighted to announce that Tobias Foss has joined the Grenadiers on a three-year deal. Comply with the hyperlink to listen to from the previous World Time Trial champion on transferring to the workforce he adopted as a teenager in addition to his hopes for 2024 and past.
The 26-year-old Norwegian from Lillehammer, who turned skilled in 2020, has signed a three-year contract till the tip of 2026.
In 2022, Foss scored the largest results of his profession capturing the World Time Trial title in Wollongong, Australia. His palmarès additionally consists of a powerful victory on the Tour de l’Avenir in 2019, in addition to twice being topped Norwegian time trial champion in addition to street race champion in 2021.
In celebrating the information of his transfer, Foss mentioned: “After I was 14 years previous and began biking, Edvald Boasson Hagen and Staff Sky turned my idols and my favorite workforce. After that Chris, Bradley and Geraint impressed me as I dreamt of the Tour de France. All of this made the INEOS Grenadiers my dream workforce so this was an enormous consider me signing, along with my perception that this workforce will help me additional my profession.”
Foss has ridden on the highest degree for 4 seasons and established himself as one of many largest abilities within the professional peloton.
“I do know a number of the guys on the workforce a bit from earlier than, and my impression is that it’s a nice group of individuals inside the workforce. So, I’m wanting ahead to assembly everybody and creating good reminiscences on the bike collectively. I want to have a season the place I might be in step with one of the best. I don’t have any particular objectives, however I wish to take my probability, contribute to the workforce getting good outcomes and go for a medal on the Olympics,” he mentioned.
Foss will be part of a workforce boasting vital expertise within the likes of Tour de France champions Geraint Thomas and Egan Bernal alongside a number of the sport’s most fun younger abilities.
“I actually assume there are some correct position fashions inside this workforce. I’m extraordinarily excited to race with these guys and develop in my very own expertise. The way forward for the INEOS Grenadiers could be very thrilling; we’ve good mentors that we will be taught from, in order that we, the younger riders, can keep the tradition and make this workforce larger yearly. I nonetheless can’t consider that that is occurring, it’s humorous as I used to be the largest ‘fanboy’ ever of this workforce and now I’m truly within the workforce!”
John Allert, Managing Director, INEOS Grenadiers mentioned: “Tobias is an thrilling and established expertise and somebody who we consider will attain his full potential with our workforce. He has clear ambitions for 2024 together with the Paris Olympics and the workforce are wanting ahead to supporting him in what may very well be an enormous yr forward. We’re very happy to welcome him and want him each success as a Grenadier.”
Steve Cummings, Sport Director, mentioned: “Tobias is famend for his time trialling capacity, however with what he’s achieved previously he has additionally proven he can actually climb too. he’s achieved a variety of superb outcomes and we totally consider he has the flexibility to play a key half in a GC workforce. We’re all wanting ahead to working with him and our present group of riders, who’re all as motivated and hungry for fulfillment as he’s in 2024 and past.”
Foss with INEOS Grenadiers:
AG2R Citroën Turns into Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale – New Bikes and Clothes
From 2024, the AG2R Citroën workforce can be knowns as Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale. It has been recognized for a while that Decathlon would be part of the workforce, now it has been confirmed by the workforce in a presentation in Lille.
Decathlon is dedicated to the WorldTeam for five years. The workforce can also be altering bike suppliers. AG2R has been using BMC since 2021, however is now switching to Van Rysel. This model is a part of Decathlon and also will provide the helmets and glasses.
Decathlon is a global sports activities retailer chain based mostly in France. The corporate, which was based in 1976, has not too long ago invested much more in biking. Now it’s taking the subsequent step by co-sponsoring an expert biking workforce. It replaces Citroën. Since 2021, the French automotive producer has been a co-sponsor with the workforce.
On the presentation in Lille, Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale additionally introduced the riders for 2024. This consists of six newcomers: Sam Bennett, Victor Lafay, Bruno Armirail and the Belgians Dries De Bondt, Sander De Pestel and Gianluca Pollefliet.
New bike for AG2R:
Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Confirms the Arrival of Sam Bennett and Victor Lafay
Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale confirmed the arrival of a number of riders in the course of the workforce presentation in Lille on Monday. Victor Lafay and Sam Bennett will strengthen the workforce in 2024. The Belgians Gianluca Pollenfliet, Dries De Bondt and Sander De Pestel are additionally becoming a member of the workforce. One other newcomer is Bruno Armirail.
Lafay had beforehand introduced that he would change Cofidis for AG2R, however the information had not but been confirmed by his new workforce. The hearsay that Bennett would signal with the French workforce has additionally been round for a while. “I used to be very comfortable after I obtained this chance,” mentioned the Irish sprinter, who rode for BORA-hansgrohe for the previous two years, in Lille. “I feel that is one of the best atmosphere for me. As a toddler I additionally seemed as much as Nicholas Roche, who rode on this workforce. That makes it further good.” Lafay and Bennett have each signed contracts till the tip of 2025.
Dries De Bondt, Gianluca Pollefliet and Sander De Pestel have additionally been related to AG2R for a while. De Bondt, like Lafay and Bennett, will stay with Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale till a minimum of the tip of 2025. He comes from Alpecin-Deceuninck, the place he had been for a very long time. In 2019 he was with Corendon – Circus. A yr later, De Bondt turned Belgian street champion. In 2022 he received a stage within the Giro d’Italia.
Pollefliet makes the change from the Lotto Dstny coaching workforce. The 21 year-old rider, who received the U23 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad this yr, will begin his skilled profession with Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale. He has signed a contract till the tip of 2026. The 25 year-old rider turned skilled with Flanders-Baloise in 2020 and is now making the step to the WorldTour.
Bruno Armirail was already within the WorldTour, with Groupama-FDJ. The 29 year-old Frenchman, who is principally generally known as a powerful time trialist, wore the pink jersey for a couple of days in the course of the Giro d’Italia this yr. His contract additionally runs till the tip of 2025.
Regardless of the arrival of the six riders talked about, there are additionally a number of departures. Greg Van Avermaet, Mikaël Cherel and Michael Schär are all retiring, Clément Venturini continues his profession with Arkéa-B&B Motels and Marc Sarreau is switching to Groupama-FDJ. It’s not but recognized what the way forward for Lawrence Naesen and Antoine Raugel is.
AG2R presentation:
Price range of Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Grows to 26 million
The finances of the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale workforce will improve significantly within the coming years. With the sports activities chain Decathlon becoming a member of as most important sponsor, the French workforce will work with an annual finances of 26 million euros. In accordance with L’Équipe, that is three million euros greater than this yr.
As a result of introduced departure of Citroën as identify sponsor, which reportedly induced a niche of six million euros within the finances, workforce boss Vincent Lavenu needed to search for a brand new sponsor. He discovered it in Decathlon, which additionally brings bike sponsor/provider Van Rysel. “That is distinctive, a historic second,” Lavenu mentioned in the course of the workforce presentation earlier this week.
“There was a threat that the workforce would disappear, so the primary objective was to make sure that most of it will be preserved. And now we actually proceed by 2028, with encouraging prospects,” Lavenu mentioned. “With a finances of 26 million euros, we’re positioning ourselves at degree.”
L’Équipe reported that Decathlon AG2R is now within the prime 5 of the WorldTeams when it comes to monetary capabilities. “However you will need to do not forget that, in contrast to a number of different groups, our riders are employed and that we additionally pay social safety contributions,” mentioned the sports activities supervisor.
More cash for Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale:
Jumbo-Visma Receives Trophy for Greatest Biking Staff of the 12 months
Jumbo-Visma has been voted one of the best Biking Staff of the 12 months. The Dutch workforce is the primary winner of this new trophy. 2023 was a fantastic yr for Jumbo-Visma, together with total victories in all three Grand Excursions.
The Dutch workforce achieved a novel efficiency this yr by successful all three main excursions with Primoz Roglič within the Giro, Jonas Vingegaard within the Tour and Sepp Kuss the Vuelta. By no means earlier than has one other workforce received all three Grand Excursions in the identical yr, in addition they received 69 races in 2023. Jumbo-Visma was additionally very profitable originally of the yr. Richard Plugge’s workforce received the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, Tirreno-Adriatico, E3 Saxo Traditional, Gent-Wevelgem, Dwars door Vlaanderen and the Tour of the Basque Nation, and extra.
Jumbo-Visma acquired essentially the most votes from the members of the Dutch Union of Skilled Cyclists (VVBW) and the general public, who voted through WielerFlits. The opposite nominees on this class had been SD Worx and the nationwide monitor workforce. Richard Plugge, Jumbo-Visma’s workforce supervisor, accepted the award. “It is a great prize. We now should see if we will a minimum of equal this yr’s successes, however that can be troublesome. We should ask ourselves: what will we wish to obtain? For us, it’s all about working collectively and successful collectively. Everybody inside our workforce is equally necessary.”
High workforce Jumbo-Visma:
Meet Tudor Professional Biking’s 2024 BMC Teammachine R
We’re excited to point out you the quick and excellent BMC Teammachine R that Tudor Professional Biking can be using in 2024.
The body, developed by BMC and RedBull Superior Applied sciences, has been examined efficiently by the workforce all through the 2023 season and received on 5 events already with Arvid De Kleijn.
The workforce can be using a particular version body outfitted with SRAM drivetrain and brakes, DT Swiss wheels, Schwalbe tyres, Wahoo pedals and computer systems and Selle Italia saddles and bar tape.
We had been there as the primary body was constructed at Tudor Professional Biking Service Course in Sursee. Lay again and revel in this beautiful bike construct video:
Visma | Lease a Bike Defends Jonas Vingegaard’s O Gran Camiño Win
Visma | Lease a Bike, the brand new identify for Jumbo-Visma, will take part in O Gran Camiño once more in 2024. The WorldTeam was initially of the second version of the Spanish stage race final yr. Jonas Vingegaard took the general victory.
O Gran Camiño is a four-day occasion in Galicia, which has been on the calendar since 2022. The primary version was received by Alejandro Valverde. Subsequent yr the occasion will run from February 22 to 25. The route of the race can be offered quickly.
Final yr, the primary stage of O Gran Camiño was canceled on account of excessive climate situations. The remaining three phases and the ultimate classification had been received by Jonas Vingegaard. It was the Dane’s first race of an especially profitable season. It’s not but recognized who of the Visma | Lease a Bike will journey to O Gran Camiño in 2024. Together with Visma | Lease a Bike, there may be solely Groupama-FDJ and Movistar on the provisional begin checklist.
Vingegaard successful the O Gran Camiño 2023:
Security for Israel-Premier Tech Riders
Israel has been attacking the Gaza Strip for nearly two months. The Israel-Premier Tech workforce declare they experiences the implications of this day-after-day, so they’re taking measures. The workforce confirmed this in a press release to WielerFlits.
The riders and employees say that they don’t like bing in automobiles and clothes with Israel printed on it. They worry retaliation. In some instances, riders go protests or pro-Palestine demonstrations whereas coaching. The best worry is that somebody would monitor down riders or employees. Staff DS’s would favor to not have workforce automobiles of their driveway with Israel on them and riders would favor to not practice within the workforce’s equipment.
WielerFlits understands {that a} particular coaching jersey has been made, with out print. The workforce confirmed this by an official assertion: “2024 is our tenth season within the skilled peloton and we proceed to proudly race as Israel-Premier Tech. The security and safety of our workforce members is of the utmost significance to us. That’s the reason we’ve taken quite a few measures. This consists of using a coaching equipment. Our riders can put these on when they’re outdoors the racing bubble or are solely coaching, in the event that they really feel compelled to take action.”
The security of riders is at stake. In accordance with quite a few them, this turned noticeable over the last races of the season in Veneto, Italy. The workforce bus was accompanied by closely armed police escorts and initially and end, workforce automobiles had been checked a number of instances to ensure there wasn’t any explosives put in or on them. Inquiries with the workforce revealed that the escorts have been the norm for Israel-Premier Tech at each race in Italy for a couple of seasons. In accordance with a spokesperson, that is nothing new on account of the battle within the Gaza Strip.
The workforce proprietor is the rich Canadian businessman Sylvan Adams. He’s Jewish and emigrated to Israel in 2015. He not too long ago spoke to Radio Biking concerning the conflict, however his statements would solely have elevated the considerations of riders and employees. “Ought to we be intimidated by genocide terrorists? When ISIS threatened the World, did It Cease Turning? Ought to we be afraid then? No, we’re not going to bow right down to that. We proceed with our day by day work. We anticipate a traditional season and aren’t going to cover,” mentioned Adams.
There are a number of races within the Center East in February. Israel-Premier Tech didn’t take part within the AlUla Tour, Muscat Traditional and Tour of Oman final yr. The workforce has a assured ‘WildCard’ for the WorldTour UAE Tour race, however they don’t should experience, in the event that they select to not.
No writing on the Israel-Premier Tech coaching equipment:
Vuelta 2024 Returns to Steep Climb in Asturias
Native web site CiclismoenAsturias is aware of that the Vuelta a España will end once more subsequent yr on the steep climb to Cuitu Negru. Eleven years in the past, within the 2012 Vuelta, the race tackled this climb for the primary time, with percentages of as much as 24%. Dario Cataldo received the stage to Cuitu Negru from the early break, beating Thomas De Gendt after an thrilling battle, however the true story was occurring behind. Alberto Contador and Joaquim Rodríguez had been concerned in a battle for the ultimate victory in Spain that yr.
Contador tried to crack his rival with a number of assaults on the ultimate climb of Cuitu Negru, however Rodríguez managed to comply with. Within the final metres, with ramps properly above 20%, Purito began his dash and managed to realize a couple of extra seconds. Contador had the final phrase as he took the general victory.
Since then, the organisers of the Vuelta a España has ignored the climb within the Asturias area, however the race will return to this location in 2024. The climb to Cuitu Negru is an extension of the Puerto de Pajares. Within the final 3 kilometres it hardly drops under 15%, with percentages properly above 20%.
The riders should be prepared for a double mountain battle in Asturias, as a result of the climb to Lagos de Covadonga additionally seems to be to be within the 2024 Vuelta. The 12.5 kilometre climb, at a mean of 6.9%, with peaks of as much as 16%, is a real Vuelta basic. The Tour of Spain has completed on this iconic climb 23 instances.
The presentation of the route of the 79th version of the Vuelta a España will happen on Tuesday, December 19.
Vuelta’12 Contador:
Pageant Elsy Jacobs Will Not be a Stage Race in 2024
In 2024, the Elsy Jacobs Pageant is not going to be a stage race, however two separate one-day races. Race director Claude Losch introduced this in dialog with the day by day newspaper Le Quotidien. The race can even not be a part of the UCI Professional Sequence subsequent yr.
Attributable to numerous components, the organisers have been compelled to alter the present format. “The concept is to scale back prices. We’re additionally coping with fewer and fewer volunteers, particularly younger volunteers. Organising a three-day competitors is turning into more and more troublesome. It’s turning into an rising problem to safe the finances.”
And in keeping with Losch, there may be much more occurring within the background. “At our final version we couldn’t depend on the participation of all skilled groups. The sphere of contributors was considerably disappointing. And on prime of that, the UCI out of the blue determined to maneuver the Vuelta to our week. Because of this, a number of prime riders determined to go for our race. Groups that registered with us finally didn’t take part.”
Losch, nevertheless, doesn’t intend to surrender, though there can be some modifications. “Why ought to we proceed to pay for a spot within the UCI Professional Sequence? We are able to additionally organise the competitors at a decrease degree. We are going to then proceed to broadcast the race, regardless that we’re not obliged to take action. An extra benefit is that we will now additionally welcome regional groups.”
Losch and his committee will organise two one-day competitions in 2024; on April 27 there would be the Pageant Elsy Jacobs in Garnich and April 28, the Pageant Elsy Jacobs in Luxembourg. “The race with a end in Garnich will largely correspond to earlier years. The concept is to barely modify the course in Luxembourg, however we’re nonetheless in discussions with the municipality about this.”
New Zealand’s Ally Wollaston was the final winner of the multi-day Elsy Jacobs Pageant. Wollaston was too sturdy for Marta Bastianelli and Anouska Koster earlier this yr. With Bastianelli, Emma Norsgaard, Lisa Brennauer, Katarzyna Niewiadoma, Anna van der Breggen (twice) and Marianne Vos (thrice), the race has had some huge winners.
Three time winner of the Pageant Elsy Jacobs – Marianne Vos:
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