No racing this week, however not lengthy till the TDU and there’s a ton of different high information in right this moment’s EUROTRASH Thursday: Remco Evenepoel talks about his 2024 season – TOP STORY.
Rider information: Wout van Aert thinks the Visma | Lease a Bike Classics staff is stronger, Primoz Roglič misses hilly Classics and has a really sturdy staff for the Tour, Pavel Sivakov predicts ‘fireworks’ from UAE ‘dream staff’ within the Tour, Julian Alaphilippe to journey the Flemish Classics, Bradley Wiggins struggled with ‘imposter syndrome’, Arkéa-B&B Accommodations backs Florian Sénéchal within the spring Classics, Quinn Simmons witnessed Mäder’s deadly crash, Mikel Landa to steer Soudal Fast-Step in la Vuelta a España, Arnaud Démare begins his season in Spain, Tim Merlier doesn’t know which Grand Tour he’ll journey, Julien Vermote to Visma | Lease a Bike, Andreas Kron wished to interrupt his contract to go to Visma | Lease a Bike, Asgreen to start season on the Opening Weekend, Floortje Mackaij’s contract with Movistar has been prolonged, Tiesj Benoot caught covid throughout Visma | Lease a Bike coaching camp and Fabio Jakobsen is making ready for his debut within the Giro d’Italia.
Workforce information: Soudal Fast-Step introduced in Calpe, BORA – hansgrohe enters the 2024 season with Grand Tour ambitions, Australian abilities Hamish McKenzie and Wil Holmes signal for Jayco AlUla, CANYON//SRAM roster for the Santos Tour Down Underneath, Filippo Ganna and Elia Viviani lead INEOS Grenadiers in Tour Down Underneath, UAE Workforce Emirates start season with Tour Down Underneath, Intermarché-Wanty begins the season with three races in Australia, dsm-firmenich PostNL kick off 2024 season, Bahrain Victorious set for season opener – Santos Tour Down Underneath, Gerben Kuypers ends his cyclocross season, dsm-firmenich PostNL agree multi-year contracts with Nils Eekhoff and Casper van Uden, Israel – Premier Tech Academy unveils 2024 roster and Pas Regular Studios launches New PAS Racing Gravel Workforce for 2024 with 18 worldwide riders.
Race information: Milano-Sanremo is not going to begin in Milan this yr and 23 Nationwide Champions Topped on the 2024 Esports Nationwide Championships.
A BIG EUROTRASH espresso on the way in which.
TOP STORY: Remco Evenepoel Talks About His 2024 Season
On Tuesday, the 2024 Soudal Fast-Step staff was introduced in Calpe, Spain and most consideration was on Remco Evenepoel. The Belgian champion’s race program was introduced, he begins his season as anticipated in Portugal. Evenepoel will race first within the Figueira Champions Basic (tenth February) after which the Volta ao Algarve (14-18th February). The 23-year-old Belgian has not ridden the Figueira Champions Basic earlier than, he has gained the Volta ao Algarve twice.
After a Portuguese begin to the season, Evenepoel strikes on to Paris-Good. His first WorldTour race of the season additionally presents him the chance to see some essential phases and climbs of the ultimate week of the Tour de France. A debut in Milano-Sanremo and the Tour of Flanders is not going to occur in 2024 and the Tour of Catalonia can be not on the schedule. As a substitute the Tour of the Basque Nation (1-Sixth April) is, Evenepoel hopes to arrange for the Classics within the robust Spanish stage race. Evenepoel is aiming for a 3rd consecutive victory in Liège-Bastogne-Liège (April 21th), however within the run-up to La Doyenne he can even journey the Amstel Gold Race (April 14th) and the Flèche Wallonne (April seventeenth). This would be the first time that he’ll take part within the Dutch basic, however he did journey Flèche Wallonne in 2022.
After Liège-Bastogne-Liège Evenepoel will go on his first altitude coaching camp, within the run-up to his first Tour de France. The Critérium du Dauphiné (2-Ninth June) and the Belgian championships (20-23th June) will likely be his final appearances earlier than the Tour. After the Tour de France, Evenepoel has made a objective of the Olympic Video games in Paris (time trial on July twenty seventh, street race on August third) and the World Championships in Zurich (particular person time trial on September twenty second, street race on September twenty ninth).
Remco Evenepoel is going through an necessary yr in his profession. There are the Olympic Video games in Paris, however the Belgian can be making his debut within the Tour de France this yr. On the media day of his staff Soudal Fast-Step, Evenepoel regarded forward to the Tour de France with WielerFlits.
What does the 23 year-old rider really count on from the Tour? What query does he need a solution to in July? “Gosh, I don’t know. I simply wish to get by means of the Tour with out what occurred within the Giro d’Italia,” his covid an infection and retirement, when he was nonetheless in pink.
“The reply to the query whether or not I can win a Grand Tour is sure. Within the final Giro I used to be there for a short while – with out sickness. However the Tour is a special story,” Evenepoel is cautious. “I’m simply going to take it day-to-day. Going dwelling with a stage win can be nice.”
Within the Tour he must compete towards three different high riders: Jonas Vingegaard, Tadej Pogačar and Primoz Roglič. How does Evenepoel view their relations? “I’ve already raced rather a lot towards Roglic. Within the Tour of Catalonia we have been on the similar degree. I’ve knocked him off a couple of instances within the Vuelta and he’s knocked me off. So I do know Roglic nicely. I haven’t raced a lot towards Jonas and Tadej within the Grand Excursions but. That’s one thing new, however after all I can not reply that in the intervening time. We’ll see within the Tour.”
Why the Amstel Gold Race? “I’m not going to a Grand Tour in Might now and so it’s a good choice to participate. It’s a course that fits me. It’s a very open race with few restoration moments. It’s good to have a brand new objective within the spring, with Paris-Good and subsequently the Amstel. The Flèche Wallonne continues to be an open query. It’ll depend upon how I come out of the Tour of the Basque Nation and Amstel, however Amstel and Liège-Bastogne-Liège are already two certainties.”
Remco Evenepoel’s Race Programme:
10-02 Figueira Champions Basic
14-02 – 18-02 Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta
03-03 – 10-03 Paris-Good
01-04 – 06-04 Itzulia Basque Nation
14-04 Amstel Gold Race
17-04 La Fleche Wallonne
21-04 Liege-Bastogne-Liege
02-06 – 09-06 Criterium du Dauphine
29-06 – 21-07 Tour de France
03-08 Olympic Video games Highway Race
29-09 UCI World Championships – Highway Race.
Evenepoel outlines his Season in Calpe:
Wout van Aert Thinks the Visma | Lease a Bike Classics Workforce is Stronger
Wout van Aert has almost completed his cross season and is now making ready for the spring street Classics. The 29 year-old Belgian needs victory within the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix in 2024 and might as soon as once more depend on a robust Classics staff behind him.
On the Visma | Lease a Bike web site, Van Aert seems forward to the spring and is speaking concerning the his squad: “Confidence is excessive and our classics staff is in good condition once more this yr. For my part, the staff has even develop into stronger once more, with the arrival of Matteo Jorgenson and the acquisition of Per Strand Hagenes from the Improvement Workforce.”
This yr, Van Aert can now not depend on his loyal teammate and good friend Nathan Van Hooydonck, who was compelled to cease racing on account of coronary heart issues. “The lack of Nathan Van Hooydonck is after all a serious loss,” Van Aert described it.
Christophe Laporte is again this season and Van Aert expects rather a lot from his French teammate. “Christophe is somebody who can be of inestimable worth to me. His qualities are after all past dispute. In any case, with him there we’re a power to be reckoned with. I belief him implicitly and the collaboration is superb, as has been evident in recent times.”
Van Aert nonetheless has the Benidorm UCI World Cup cyclo-cross on January 21, however after that, it’s all the pieces for the street. His race programme has already been introduced: Van Aert is not going to journey in Strade Bianche and Milan-San Remo and he will likely be on the start-line of the Giro d’Italia this yr for the primary time.
Wout van Aert’s 2024 Race Programme:
21-01 UCI Cyclocross World Cup #13 Benidorm
12-02 Clásica Jaén
14-02 – 18-02 Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta
24-02 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
25-02 Kuurne – Bruxelles – Kuurne
22-03 E3 Saxo Financial institution Basic
24-03 Gent-Wevelgem
27-03 Throughout Flanders
31-03 Tour of Flanders
07-04 Paris-Roubaix
14-04 Amstel Gold Race
04-05 – 26-05 Giro d’Italia
03-08 Olympic Video games Highway Race
17-08 – 08-09 Vuelta a España
29-09 UCI World Championships – Highway Race.
Van Aert and Laporte:
Primoz Roglič to Miss Hilly Classics
We’ve got to attend till Wednesday for Primoz Roglic’s remaining competitors program, however based on GCN, the Slovenian is not going to full too many competitions within the spring. The brand new chief of BORA-hansgrohe would miss the hilly classics.
The 34-year-old Slovenian will reportedly begin his ninth season as an expert in early March, with the 82nd version of Paris-Good (March 3-10). On this match he’ll in all probability cross swords with Remco Evenepoel. The Belgian champion of Soudal Fast-Step additionally appears to be interested by collaborating within the ‘Course to the Solar’. Roglic was the strongest in Paris-Good two years in the past.
After Paris-Good we must wait one other three weeks earlier than we see Roglic again within the peloton. The previous Jumbo-Visma rider will then put on a jersey quantity for the Tour of the Basque Nation (April 1-6), the place he’ll in all probability compete once more towards his former teammate Jonas Vingegaard.
After the Tour of the Basque Nation, a race-less interval follows for Roglic. In different phrases, the three-time winner of the Vuelta a España is not going to take part within the Ardennes classics. His focus is totally on the Tour de France (June 29-July 21) and within the run-up to his essential objective of 2024, he’ll sharpen his type within the Critérium du Dauphiné (June 2-9).
Roglic will solely determine after the Tour which competitions he’ll full within the second half of 2024. “It’ll depend upon how nicely he comes out of the Tour and whether or not he’s chosen for the Olympic Video games in Paris,” mentioned GCN. BORA-hansgrohe will unveil Roglic’s program on Wednesday throughout a staff presentation.
Primoz Roglič Race Programme:
03-03 – 10-03 Paris-Good
01-04 – 06-04 Itzulia Basque Nation
02-06 – 09-06 Criterium du Dauphine
29-06 – 21-07 Tour de France.
Not many Classics for Roglič:
Primoz Roglič has a Very Sturdy BORA-hansgrohe Workforce for the Tour
BORA-hansgrohe introduced their choice for the 2024 Tour de France at their press day in Spain, with newcomer Primož Roglič because the chief. The Slovenian will deliver with him a formidable staff, together with former Giro winner Jai Hindley, Aleksandr Vlasov, Daniel Felipe Martinez and Danny van Poppel.
Roglič ended his contract with Jumbo-Visma final autumn to affix BORA-hansgrohe. The Tour de France specifically is excessive on Rogla’s record, who has already gained the Giro and the Vuelta. He has sturdy climbers round him with Hindley, Vlasov, Martínez. Lennard Kämna can be a part of the longlist, though he can even contest the Giro d’Italia earlier within the yr after which a call will likely be made whether or not he’ll do the Giro/Tour mixture. Along with Van Poppel, Nico Denz and the Italian Matteo Sobrero will work on the flat.
“I consider that I can win the Tour,” Roglič mentioned on the press convention, on RTV Slo. “We shouldn’t be afraid of the ultimate end result, however we must always do our greatest. If we do no matter it takes, we might be pleased on the finish. For me, the Tour de France is the icing on the cake, however it isn’t an obsession.”
With this choice, BORA-hansgrohe hopes to have the ability to compete for general victory within the Tour de France. Roglič will compete there towards his outdated Visma | Lease a Bike staff and chief Jonas Vingegaard, who has gained the Tour the final two years. UAE Workforce Emirates can be coming to France with a high group in the summertime, the place Tadej Pogačar is the chief.
Sports activities director Rolf Aldag emphasises that Roglič is the one chief. “We go for the technique of only one chief,” he mentioned. “If Vlasov is fifth, we are able to use him tactically, however we aren’t going to disclose all our plans publicly now. We’ve got just one objective and one chief. We’re going with no sprinter and haven’t set any extra objectives.”
“Primož creates constructive stress on the staff to succeed and win,” the German sports activities director continues. “He has already gained a number of Grand Excursions and is taking a look at the long run. If we do that properly and assist him nicely, Hindley and Vlasov, who’re a lot youthful, can even develop. They’re actually not going to be typical servants.”
BORA-hansgrohe staff for Tour de France:
Primož Roglič (Slo)
Jai Hindley (Aus)
Danny Van Poppel (Ned)
Daniel Felipe Martínez (Col)
Matteo Sobrero (Ita)
Lennard Kämna (Ger)
Aleksandr Vlasov (-)
Nico Denz (Ger).
Roglič needs Tour yellow:
Pavel Sivakov Predicts ‘Fireworks’ from UAE ‘Dream Workforce’ within the Tour
UAE Workforce Emirates will likely be beginning the Tour de France this summer season with a really sturdy staff. The choice was unveiled in mid-December and consists of new staff member, Pavel Sivakov. “I don’t suppose anybody has ever seen such a staff,” the 26 year-old Frenchman instructed GCN.
“Will probably be fireworks,” mentioned Sivakov, who got here from INEOS Grenadiers. Within the Tour he’ll journey for Tadej Pogačar, together with Adam Yates, João Almeida, Juan Ayuso, Marc Soler, Tim Wellens and Nils Politt, however the stress will nonetheless on Visma | Lease a Bike, mentioned Sivakov. “Though we might have the dream staff on paper, the stress to win the Tour is on them. They gained three Grand Excursions final season. We’re in a great place, so I’m trying ahead to it.”
Pogačar gained the Tour in 2020 and 2021, however the next two editions he needed to accept second place, each instances behind Jonas Vingegaard. “The thought that we are able to beat them subsequent yr offers a sure motivation. It’s satisfying to win, however I additionally suppose we wish to finish their streak. That might be nice!”
Sivakov will likely be working for Pogačar within the Tour de France, however the Frenchman additionally has ambitions of his personal. He might also journey the Vuelta this yr and he may have his personal possibilities there. “My dream is to win a Grand Tour in my profession. I feel the subsequent three years will likely be essential for myself. I wish to do all the pieces I can to see the place I can get. Then perhaps I can say: that is my ceiling. However I’m 26 and haven’t reached my full potential but.”
Sivakov anticipating huge issues on the Tour:
Julian Alaphilippe to Journey the Flemish Classics
Julian Alaphilippe selected to overlook the Flemish opening weekend in 2023, however he will likely be there this yr. The 2-time World champion has the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on his programme, the Soudal Fast-Step staff introduced at their presentation in Calpe, Spain.
Julian Alaphilippe’s program was disclosed on the presentation: The 31-year-old Frenchman was not current on the staff presentation, as he in Australia for the Tour Down Underneath (January 16-21th), the place Alaphilippe begins his season. Within the Tour Down Underneath, Alaphilippe hopes to arrange himself for the spring Classics. Alaphilippe additionally introduced on the finish of final yr that he’ll begin Strade Bianche, Milano-Sanremo and De Ronde van Vlaanderen within the spring. Flanders could be very excessive on his want record. “The Tour is certainly one of his greatest objectives this spring,” staff DS Tom Steels mentioned.
Alaphilippe’s Race Programme:
16-01 – 21-01 Santos Tour Down Underneath
24-02 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
02-03 Strade Bianche
16-03 Milano-Sanremo
31-03 Tour of Flanders.
*** Doable Giro d’Italia ***
All of the Classics for Alaphilippe and perhaps Giro:
Bradley Wiggins Struggled with ‘Imposter Syndrome’
Bradley Wiggins took many huge wins throughout his profession, however he now says he didn’t get pleasure from them. The British rider suffered from ‘impostor syndrome’, felt that he didn’t deserve his success, regardless of their apparent expertise and success.
In a BBC documentary collection, Wiggins goes again to when he was knighted, in December 2012. Earlier that yr, he had develop into the primary British rider to win the Tour de France. “The day I used to be knighted, impostor syndrome hit me arduous,” he acknowledged. “My knighthood didn’t coincide with different athletes, I used to be primarily amongst navy personnel. It was a lesson in humility standing in keeping with them. Troopers who have been lacking limbs wished to take photos with me, however I didn’t really feel like a hero that day. I didn’t suppose I used to be worthy of being knighted.”
The imposter syndrome additionally manifested itself at different instances, based on Wiggins. “I had a troublesome interval in 2019. My spouse had a really arduous time mentally and I additionally overlooked the larger image. I smashed all my trophies,” referring to awards like BBC Sports activities Persona of the Yr and his memento of his knighthood. “I stored the biking medals and trophies for my victories, however they’re collectively in a bag someplace. My Olympic medals are additionally in a plastic bag.”
Arkéa-B&B Accommodations Backs Florian Sénéchal within the Spring Classics
Florian Sénéchal left Soudal Fast-Step after 5 years, however he’s now with Arkéa-B&B Accommodations. With the French staff he would be the chief within the spring Classics.
The 30 year-old Sénéchal will nonetheless need to work for sprinter Arnaud Démare in his first two races of the season; the Clásica de Almería and the Volta ao Algarve. Within the Flemish spring races, the Frenchman may have freedom to do his personal factor. The Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne are the primary necessary Classics for Sénéchal.
“Florian should assert himself as chief of Arkéa-B&B Accommodations,” former rider Didier Rous, now staff sports activities director, mentioned. “It’s a position he should assume firstly of the season within the semi-Classics and cobbled Classics, and particularly in Paris-Roubaix. That’s his favorite race and we count on him to carry out at a really excessive degree. At first of the season he’ll nonetheless play his position within the sprint-train for Démare, particularly throughout the Volta ao Algarve and Paris-Good. However from the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad onwards he’s the designated chief within the cobblestone races in Flanders. It’s as much as Florian to show that he can perform as the one chief.”
Sénéchal has made no secret of his ambitions. “I wish to win. Paris-Roubaix can be actually nice, it’s the Basic that fits me greatest. However I must present myself in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. I all the time need to journey within the high 10 there. Should you can’t do this, it’s a failure.”
Florian Sénéchal Race Programme:
11-02 Clasica de Almeria
14-02 – 18-02 Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta
24-02 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
25-02 Kuurne – Bruxelles – Kuurne
03-03 – 10-03 Paris-Good
07-04 Paris-Roubaix.
Florian Sénéchal to steer Arkéa-B&B Accommodations within the spring Classics:
Quinn Simmons Witnessed Mäder’s Deadly Crash: “Thought I’d By no means Cycle Once more”
It has now been virtually seven months since Gino Mäder crashed within the Tour of Switzerland. The biking world was very upset, however for Quinn Simmons it was even a shock. The younger American from Trek-Segafredo was using behind the Swiss on the time of Mäder’s fall.
Mäder suffered a critical crash in June 2023 within the fifth stage of the Tour of Switzerland. The 26-year-old Swiss left the street whereas descending the Albula Move and fell into the ravine. Mäder was discovered immobile, mendacity within the water, and was then resuscitated. He was handled for a very long time after which taken to hospital by air ambulance, however assist was of no avail.
Simmons noticed all of it occur up shut and continues to be troubled by this tragic occasion. “Once I obtained on the aircraft dwelling, I used to be certain I wouldn’t go to Europe once more. And that I’d by no means cycle once more,” the American champion makes himself weak in an interview with Velo.
Nonetheless, the 22-year-old Lidl-Trek rider managed to drag himself collectively once more. Simmons determined to take part within the American street championships and gained the race. “I made an settlement with myself that I’d give all the pieces for Gino and dedicate the victory to him.”
Simmons continues to be not utterly again to regular, as he nonetheless suffers from concern of going downhill. “It took a really very long time. I used to be even scared throughout coaching. I actually have extra doubts now than earlier than. I can now descend usually once more once I cycle alone, nevertheless it stays to be seen how the race will go.”
Simmons thought he would by no means race once more:
Mikel Landa to steer Soudal Fast-Step in la Vuelta a España
Mikel Landa will journey two Grand Excursions in 2024 for his new staff, Soudal Fast-Step. This was introduced on Tuesday throughout the staff presentation in Calpe. Landa will work for Remco Evenepoel within the Tour de France, however will then be the chief within the Vuelta a España.
The 34 year-old Landa, who raced for Bahrain Victorious final yr, regarded ahead to subsequent season and talked about his position within the Grand Excursions. “We’ve got already broadly mapped out my program. I’ll assist Remco Evenepoel within the Tour de France after which I hope to have the ability to compete within the Vuelta a España.”
The Basque climber has already been at first of the Spanish tour seven instances. In 2015 he gained a troublesome mountain stage, ending in Cortals d’Encamp. Final yr he had a very good remaining general place for the primary time within the Vuelta, he end fifth general behind the Jumbo-Visma males.
Mikel Landa’s Race Programme:
18-02 Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta
29-06 – 21-07 Tour de France
17-08 – 08-09 Vuelta a Espana
Landa prepared for 2024:
Arnaud Démare Begins his Season in Spain
Arnaud Démare kicks off his biking marketing campaign with two Spanish races. The dash chief from Arkéa-B&B Accommodations begins with the Problem Mallorca (24-28 January) and can then additionally take part within the Clásica de Almería (11 February).
Démare’s employer has already revealed a part of his competitors program for 2024. After the Clásica de Almería, the 32-year-old Frenchman is not going to need to journey too far, as Démare is predicted to start out the Volta ao Algarve (14-18 February) three days after the Spanish one-day race.
Underneath the Portuguese solar, Démare is making ready for 3 necessary spring races, specifically Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne (25 February), Paris-Good (3-10 March) and Dwars door Vlaanderen (27 March). It isn’t but recognized what his program will appear to be after Dwars door Vlaanderen.
Former rider Didier Rous, at the moment staff chief at Arkéa-Samsic, has plenty of confidence in Démare. The skilled sprinter should present the staff with the required victories. “He already gained two matches final yr, in his first months with the staff. Now you will need to get the dash practice absolutely on monitor for 2024.”
“Arnaud is already used to racing with Miles Scotson, which is a giant benefit to implement all the pieces. It’s a matter of additional perfection. Arnaud is aware of that rather a lot is at stake, each for him and for the staff. His objective is to report 100 skilled victories. We’ll assist him on this.” Démare’s victory counter at the moment stands at 95 victories.
Arnaud Démare’s Race Programme:
25-01 Trofeo Port D’Alcudia – Port D’Alcudia
26-01 Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana
27-01 Trofeo Pollença – Port d’Andratx
28-01 Trofeo Playa de Palma – Palma
11-02 Clasica de Almeria
14-02 – 18-02 Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta
25-02 Kuurne – Bruxelles – Kuurne
03-03 – 10-03 Paris-Good
27-03 Dwars door Vlaanderen
29-06 – 21-07 Tour de France.
Early Spanish races for Arnaud Démare:
Tim Merlier Doesn’t Know which Grand Tour he Will Journey
Tim Merlier beforehand made no secret of the truth that he needs to journey the Tour de France in 2024, however the 31 year-old sprinter nonetheless doesn’t know which Grand Tour he’ll contest this yr. Merlier spoke on Tuesday on the Soudal Fast-Step media day.
Merlier was not at first of any of the Grand Excursions in 2023. “Did I miss that? Not very. This allowed me to set different objectives and I managed to attain them. I can look again on that with satisfaction. As a substitute of the Vuelta, I gained my phases within the Tour of Poland and different races.”
This yr he hopes to take part in a Grand Tour, however Merlier continues to be at nighttime in the intervening time. “There may be not but 100% readability. They’re all Grand Excursions and I’ve my ambitions for all three. However what it is going to be… we’ll see later. We’re nonetheless taking a look at it with the staff. The Vuelta is certainly a plan, however there should nonetheless be dash phases. The Vuelta appears to be very robust this yr. If I nonetheless need to win a stage in a Grand Tour someplace, it’s the Vuelta. That is a vital tour for me personally, however we even have to take a look at what’s necessary for the staff.”
Merlier can’t say a lot concerning the Grand Excursions but, however he already is aware of what he will likely be doing this spring. Clearly he’ll focuses on the sprints, however can be using the spring Classics. “The Basic Brugge-De Panne and Scheldeprijs will likely be added to my programme. Gent-Wevelgem after all stays a giant objective, Paris-Roubaix can even be a part of it and maybe I can even add the Tour of Flanders to my program.”
Merlier has already gained many smaller Belgian one-day races in his profession, however desires of extra. “I’m a bit greater than a pure sprinter. I’ve already confirmed that in earlier years. I’ve already been to Gent-Wevelgem twice for a comparatively quick time period. Not fairly prepared for victory but, however I proceed to consider that it’s attainable.” Earlier than that occurs, Merlier will kick off his season within the Center East with first the Saudi Tour after which the UAE Tour. Then follows the primary European race of the season with Tirreno-Adriatico, adopted by ‘the Flemish work’, as Merlier describes it.
Tim Merlier’s Spring Race Programme:
30-01 – 03-02 AlUla Tour
19-02 – 25-02 UAE Tour
04-03 – 10-03 Tirreno-Adriatico
20-03 Basic Brugge-De Panne
24-03 Gent-Wevelgem
03-04 Scheldeprijs
07-04 Paris-Roubaix,
All the highest Classics for Tim Merlier
Julien Vermote to Visma | Lease a Bike
Julien Vermote will race for Visma | Lease a Bike in 2024. As reported in EUROTRASH on Monday, Vermote was strongly rumoured to be going to Visma. Now the Dutch staff has introduced him as a rider. Vermote has signed a contract for one season.
“With the departure of Lennard, we needed to rapidly search for a worthy alternative and we’re pleased that we have been in a position to signal Julien,” mentioned sports activities director Merijn Zeeman. “He has a wealth of expertise and might instantly be deployed as a helper for us. He’s very motivated and captivated with his career.”
Vermote himself could be very proud of the chance he has been given. “Visma | Lease a Bike is a number one staff and I wish to contribute to that. I can’t wait to get began with the staff throughout the coaching camp beginning subsequent week.”
The 34 year-old Vermote has a protracted profession. The Flemish rider turned skilled with Fast-Step in 2011 and stayed there till the top of 2017. He then raced for Dimension Knowledge, Cofidis and Alpecin-Deceuninck. He has ridden the Giro d’Italia 3 times and the Tour de France 4 instances and completed each time. He additionally ridden 18 Monuments, ending 11.
He didn’t obtain a contract extension from Alpecin-Deceuninck after 2022. He educated by means of the winter of 2022/23 and raced in Belgian kermis races final season. Vermote felt too good to cease.
Vermote goes to Visma | Lease a Bike:
Andreas Kron Wished to Break his Contract to Go to Visma | Lease a Bike
Visma | Lease a Bike had plenty of issues once they introduced Cian Uijtdebroeks as a brand new rider, whereas he was nonetheless underneath contract with BORA-hansgrohe till the top of 2024. Ultimately all events got here to an settlement. There was almost one other tough scenario because the staff additionally negotiated with Lotto Dstny’s Andreas Kron.
Stéphane Heulot, the staff supervisor of Lotto Dstny, reveals the story and lashes out at colleague Richard Plugge to RTBF. “The Uijtdebroeks case is distressing and really unhealthy for biking. The second we fail to honour the contract, we’re sliding down a harmful slope. This summer season we had the case with Caleb Ewan (who had a contract till the top of 2024), however that was totally different. We’d have honoured his contract if he wished us to, however each events agreed to half methods.”
“A majority of these processes can kill curiosity within the sport,” mentioned Heulot. “It’s sophisticated to carry your individual towards groups which have greater budgets, groups whose firepower is 3 times ours. What’s annoying is that the Visma | Lease a Bike supervisor Richard Plugge is the president of the AIGCP, the affiliation of all skilled groups. When we have now a president who doesn’t respect the foundations, he’s arduous to belief. What they did with Cian, in addition they tried with Andreas Kron with us. It’s annoying and never for biking.”
In keeping with Visma | Lease a Bike, the story surrounding Kron is barely totally different from that of Uijtdebroeks. “Andreas’ supervisor contacted us and mentioned that he had a clause in his contract that acknowledged that he may go away for a WorldTeam. When it turned out that that clause was not there – or no less than when Lotto Dstny disputed it – we withdrew.” WielerFlits contacted Joona Laukka, Kron’s supervisor, for his model of the story, however he didn’t reply.
There may be additionally the hearsay that Kron has signed a letter of intent that commits him to Lidl-Trek from January 1, 2025. Nonetheless, the staff denies it.
Kron almost went to Visma | Lease a Bike:
Asgreen to Start Season at Opening Weekend
The soon-to-be 29-year-old will focus once more on the one-day races within the first a part of the season.
One of many few Danish riders in historical past to have gained a Monument, Kasper Asgreen is prepared for his seventh yr with Soudal Fast-Step, which he’ll kickstart in six weeks. Kasper is trying ahead to being again at his greatest degree for the Classics, after final season he couldn’t sort out the spring marketing campaign at full capability as he was nonetheless recovering from a knee harm.
The street again was a protracted and arduous one, however Kasper by no means gave up, and final summer season he was absolutely rewarded for his arduous work and unimaginable dedication with a maiden stage victory on the Tour de France. It was a serious confidence-boost for the highly effective Dane, who’s now hoping to be once more among the many protagonists within the one-day races he loves a lot.
“I had a stable season, throughout which I put the accidents behind and returned to my regular self. In fact, successful that stage on the Tour de France was the cherry on the cake, it was a terrific day and a much-needed confidence-boost after all the pieces I had endured for the reason that summer season of 2022. If all the pieces goes nicely the subsequent couple of weeks, I hope to be in competition for a very good outcome within the Classics”, mentioned Kasper, who for the primary time in his profession will kick off the season on the Opening Weekend.
“Everyone is aware of how a lot I like these races. I’m delighted to get issues underway at Omloop and Kuurne, having gained the latter a few years in the past. It was my first huge victory and the reminiscences of that day are nonetheless contemporary. From there, it’s Strade Bianche once more, after which Tirreno-Adriatico. I’ll proceed working arduous within the subsequent weeks and hopefully be there along with the staff throughout this yr’s Spring Classics”, added the 2021 Ronde van Vlaanderen and E3 Harelbeke winner.
Kasper Asgreen to journey Omloop and Kuurne:
Floortje Mackaij’s Contract with Movistar has been Prolonged Till the Finish of 2026
Floortje Mackaij will likely be with Movistar till no less than the top of 2026. The Dutch rider had a contract till the top of this season, however this contract has been prolonged by two years, based on the Movistar staff.
“It makes me very pleased to signal till the top of 2026,” mentioned Mackaij. “I nonetheless wish to develop. It’s been ten years since I began my WorldTour profession. I wish to get one of the best out of myself within the spring classics, take part within the finals, within the unhealthy climate. That’s the place it began for me a decade in the past. However after that there are additionally some nice objectives within the stage races that observe. I wish to get higher and with the way in which we work right here, I really feel like that is the proper place for that.”
For Mackaij, 2023 was her first season at Movistar. She beforehand rode for Iwan Spekenbrink’s staff for a few years, the place she began her profession as a stageiere in 2013. Her greatest victory continues to be Gent-Wevelgem in 2015. 4 years later, in 2019, she was additionally second in Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
On her debut within the Spanish staff, in February 2023, Mackaij gained the Vuelta CV Feminas. It could stay her solely victory of the season, however within the spring she was tenth in Strade Bianche Donne and Sixth in Dwars door Vlaanderen.
Movistar has additionally signed Olivia Baril with a contract till the top of 2026. The 26 year-old Canadian, who comes from UAE Workforce ADQ, gained two races final yr: the Gran Premio Ciudad de Eibar and the ultimate stage of the Tour Cycliste Féminin Worldwide de l’Ardèche. She was additionally fourth within the Tour of the Basque Nation for girls.
Floortje Mackaij and Olivia Baril with Movistar until 2026:
Tiesj Benoot Caught Covid Throughout Visma | Lease a Bike Coaching Camp
Tiesj Benoot has had a set-back within the run-up to the spring Classics. The Belgian is in Spain on a coaching camp with Visma | Lease a Bike, however must miss some coaching rides as he has contracted covid.
“An ideal place to get well from covid,” Benoot wrote on Instagram on Sunday. Within the picture he’s on the swimming pool of the Cycle Espresso Society resort, in Alicante. Visma | Lease a Bike is there to arrange for subsequent season. It isn’t recognized whether or not different riders from the staff are additionally contaminated.
In December, throughout the Visma | Lease a Bike staff presentation, the Dutch staff additionally needed to take care of covid circumstances. At the moment, it was riders from the ladies’s staff who have been affected by the virus and have been lacking from the occasion.
Fabio Jakobsen is Getting ready for his Debut within the Giro d’Italia
Fabio Jakobsen has already rode the Tour de France and Vuelta a España in his profession, however has not but been at first of the Giro d’Italia. That can change this yr because the sprinter will make his debut within the Italian tour on behalf of his new staff: dsm-firmenich PostNL. Jakobsen can even be within the Tour de France.
Workforce dsm-firmenich PostNL met on Monday in Calpe, Spain, the place the ladies’s, males’s and improvement staff are coaching for the brand new season. The staff has already chosen 5 riders for the Tour of Italy they usually embrace Fabio Jakobsen. It’s the first time the sprinter will journey the Giro. “We search for success within the sprints, one thing that has been within the staff’s DNA for years,” defined Rudi Kemna, Head of Teaching. “We’ll subsequently assist Fabio Jakobsen with a very good dash practice and chase outcomes collectively in phases.”
Romain Bardet, Max Poole, Chris Hamilton and Matt Dinham are additionally a part of the Giro choice. Kemna: “In the course of the Giro, we particularly wish to present who we’re as a staff, by being lively each day and animating the race. Within the battle for the rankings we are going to select our playing cards properly by means of sensible and tactical racing. Let’s see how the race unfolds and what place we are able to get to with this strategy.”
Workforce dsm-Firmenich PostNL for the Giro d’Italia
Romain Bardet (Fra)
Max Poole (GB)
Chris Hamilton (Aus)
Matthew Dinham (Aus)
Fabio Jakobsen (Ned).
Jakobsen will take part within the Giro d’Italia for the primary time this yr, however he’ll nonetheless journey the Tour de France in the summertime of 2024. The 27 year-old Dutchman is making ready for the double, similar to Romain Bardet. Warren Barguil can be already assured of a spot within the Tour staff.
“Our strategy to the Tour de France will likely be utterly centered on stage outcomes, the place we wish to compete for victory on each stage. With Romain, Warren and Fabio we have now a number of choices right here with our proficient group. Whether or not from breakaways or sprints,” Kemna outlined.
Workforce dsm-Firmenich PostNL for the Tour de France:
Fabio Jakobsen (Ned)
Warren Barguil (Fra)
Romain Bardet (Fra)
Julius Van Den Berg (Ned).
Giro and Tour for sprinter Fabio Jakobsen:
Soudal Fast-Step Introduced in Calpe
Belgian Champion Remco Evenepoel confirmed his presence at first of this summer season’s Tour de France.
Our staff returned to the beautiful Estimar Sol y Mar Lodge this week for the primary coaching camp of the yr, which additionally included the staff presentation forward of the 2024 season, which we are going to begin in simply a few days on the Tour Down Underneath.
Comprising 27 riders – together with 4 who made the step to the World Tour from our Devo squad – representing 9 totally different international locations, and having a median age of 27 years, the Soudal Fast-Step roster is without doubt one of the youngest within the World Tour, however that doesn’t imply it lacks any expertise, the members of the squad boasting a mixed 218 professional wins.
The primary particular person to take middle stage Tuesday afternoon in Calpe was CEO Patrick Lefevere: “We enter this season after what has been one other sturdy yr for the staff. We gained from the primary till the final month, we loved many unforgettable moments and wins, and we hope to be once more on the high. We’ve got a stable squad, comprising riders able to getting leads to all varieties of races, and we begin the season with a very good morale, an enormous motivation and the hope to win early once more. We additionally wish to put money into new folks, in younger riders as you’ll be able to see, but in addition in employees, and Jurgen Foré is certainly one of these individuals, somebody who I’m assured might help our undertaking in each short-term and long-term.”
“I’m pleased to be on this staff, which gave me a really heat welcome in December, once I joined them for the primary time, and I already really feel a part of this organisation. I discovered a terrific mentality right here and going into this season we wish to stay a successful staff, and for this all people must be one of the best model of themselves. We wish to develop a technique that focuses not simply on this season, but in addition on the way forward for the staff. This can be a sturdy and resilient squad, we wish to stand by our values and to protect the Wolfpack tradition”, added Jurgen Foré, Soudal Fast-Step’s Chief Operation Officer.
In the course of the presentation it was introduced that Belgian Champion Remco Evenepoel will make his much-anticipated Tour de France debut this season, and the 23-year-old – who has one of the vital spectacular lists of achievements within the present peloton – talked about discovering the Grande Boucle in July.
“Final yr was a really particular one, with many ups, from successful Liège–Bastogne–Liège within the rainbow jersey to turning into ITT World Champion, so I might be pleased with how issues went, regardless of a few downs, like getting ailing throughout the Giro and retiring in a second once I was main the race”, mentioned Remco, who will begin his marketing campaign subsequent month on the Figueira Champions Basic, which will likely be adopted by the Volta ao Algarve. “However all that occurred in 2023 is prior to now now and my complete focus is on this yr. I’ll race rather a lot in France within the coming months and I’m hoping for some extra good outcomes and a pleasant debut in Le Tour.”
The most effective climbers within the World Tour, twice a top-three finisher on the Giro d’Italia, and victorious on what was arguably the toughest stage within the historical past of La Vuelta 9 years in the past, Mikel Landa has joined the Wolfpack forward of this season. The skilled Basque, who will reinforce our climbing contingent, is trying ahead to this contemporary problem and to bringing his contribution to the staff’s achievements.
“Coming to this staff motivated me, and I can’t wait to get issues began in simply a few weeks. I’ve plenty of expertise and I hope to share it with the youthful riders right here. I wish to use my Grand Excursions expertise to assist the staff and Remco as I actually consider I can contribute to the general success right here. On the similar time, I’ll go for my possibilities every time attainable, and later into the season I hope to do nicely on the Vuelta a España”, defined Mikel, whose 14th professional season will get underway in the identical Portuguese races.
Soudal Fast-Step’s roster for 2024:
Julian Alaphilippe
Kasper Asgreen
Ayco Bastiaens
Mattia Cattaneo
Josef Cerny
Remco Evenepoel
Gil Gelders
Jan Hirt
Antoine Huby
James Knox
Yves Lampaert
Luke Lamperti
Mikel Landa
William Junior Lecerf
Paul Magnier
Fausto Masnada
Tim Merlier
Gianni Moscon
Casper Pedersen
Pieter Serry
Martin Svrcek
Bert Van Lerberghe
Ilan Van Wilder
Warre Vangheluwe
Mauri Vansevenant
Louis Vervaeke
Jordi Warlop.
BORA – hansgrohe Enters the 2024 Season with Grand Tour Ambitions
The Grand Excursions are BORA – hansgrohe’s focus each season, however this yr, the staff’s ambitions are rising. With new signing Primož Roglič as chief, and a robust roster by his aspect, the German staff will make a mark on the 2024 Tour de France.
Primož Roglič and BORA – hansgrohe are working intensively on their shared dream of successful the Tour de France. One of many first milestones on the way in which there’s his racing debut within the staff’s new look. Primož Roglič will put on the BORA – hansgrohe jersey for the primary time in a race early March.
BORA – hansgrohe is counting on stable teamwork for the three-week Tour in July. Riders similar to Jai Hindley and Aleksandr Vlasov, who’ve each already completed the world’s greatest race inside the high 10, will be capable of deliver their abilities to bear, particularly within the decisive excessive mountains. Highly effective assist can be out there on the flats from riders similar to Nico Denz, who’s aiming to make his debut on the Tour de France.
Giro d’Italia with a co-lead
The staff will sort out the Giro d’Italia with two leaders. Lennard Kämna, a stage winner in all Grand Excursions, confirmed his potential to battle for the general classification final yr. Daniel Martínez, fifth within the 2021 Giro d’Italia, will begin as co-leader. Two very long time trials will swimsuit each riders, so a high 5 end within the general standings is the acknowledged objective. German champion Emanuel Buchmann, in addition to Giovanni Aleotti, are set for the Italian Grand Tour as nicely. The staff can even be on the hunt for phases: Sam Welsford has his sights set on the numerous sprinting alternatives out there, and Danny Van Poppel will be capable of play to his strengths on the hilly terrain.
Vuelta a España
The Vuelta line-up will likely be determined because the season progresses. However the lengthy record is already tailor-made to the Spanish race’s demanding profile. Along with triple winner Primož Roglič, Jai Hindley, Aleksandr Vlasov, Emanuel Buchmann and Sergio Higuita even have the third Grand Tour of the yr of their provisional race program. Identical to in Italy, the intention is to complete within the high 5 in Spain as nicely.
Rising Australian Skills Hamish McKenzie and Wil Holmes Signal for Workforce Jayco AlUla in 2025 and 2026 Respectively
Workforce Jayco AlUla is delighted to announce that rising Australian abilities Hamish McKenzie and Wil Holmes will race for the Hagens Berman Axeon-Jayco staff in 2024 and 2025, respectively, earlier than getting into the WorldTour peloton with Workforce Jayco AlUla.
McKenzie will transfer to the WorldTour in 2025 on a two-year contract and Holmes will be a part of his compatriot in 2026, having signed a three-year deal.
Hagens Berman Axeon-Jayco, run by former rider Axel Merckx, is co-sponsored by Workforce Jayco AlUla. It is a vital partnership for creating a robust pathway for younger riders to study their craft earlier than progressing to the WorldTour.
McKenzie, 19, is a burgeoning expertise who rode for ARA Skip Capital and with GreenEDGE Biking final yr as a stagiaire for Workforce Jayco AlUla. He completed a formidable third place within the U23 time trial on the world championships in Glasgow final season and is a former junior Australian time trial and criterium champion.
17-year-old Holmes has confirmed his promise already this season, and adopted within the footsteps of McKenzie, with a win within the junior time trial on the Australian nationwide championships in Ballarat final week. Holmes, who at the moment rides for ARA Skip Capital will head over to Europe to compete with the celebrated La Pomme Marseille Provence junior staff in 2024 earlier than stepping up with the Hagens Berman Axeon-Jayco staff in 2025.
Merckx and his staff have been key in guiding a few of biking’s high abilities by means of the beginning of their careers. By way of this relationship with the event squad, Workforce Jayco AlUla will be capable of proceed to identify proficient riders early.
Axel Merckx – Normal Supervisor Hagens Berman Axeon-Jayco: “It’s essential for our partnership that the riders really feel snug on our staff and to have Hamish already dedicated to maneuver as much as the WorldTour in 2025 is clearly defining the trail for these riders. We’re very excited to have Will Holmes on the staff in 2025. He’s clearly a giant expertise and large hope in Australia and we’re trying ahead to working with him.”
Brent Copeland – Normal Supervisor Workforce Jayco AlUla: “Hagens Berman Axeon-Jayco is a well-established and essential staff that has confirmed time and time once more to nurture and assist younger expertise and assist ship them to the WorldTour. By coming collectively, having Jayco a co-sponsor of the staff because of Gerry Ryan’s continued assist, it creates a transparent pathway for younger expertise and we’re thrilled with the signings of two upcoming Australian stars. Hamish McKenzie and Wil Holmes have big potential, and by offering them with a extremely skilled setting to grown inside, we’re assured they are going to be able to make the step into the WorldTour peloton within the coming years. Hagens Berman Axeon-Jayco is a vital a part of their skilled improvement. With the announcement of the 2024 staff jersey, the undertaking has come to life, and we’re honoured to be part of the event of subsequent era of bicycle owner.”
Hamish McKenzie
2024 – Hagens Berman Axeon-Jayco
2025/26 Workforce Jayco AlUla.
“Becoming a member of Hagens Berman-Jayco after which Workforce Jayco AlUla is a dream state of affairs for me. I’ve excessive ambitions for this season. I actually wish to get some wins or persistently get first rate outcomes on the board all through the entire season. My essential focus would be the U23 time trial world championships and having a very good spring classics marketing campaign, that is one thing I’ve not but found and I’m extraordinarily excited to check myself towards one of the best on the cobblestones.
My huge hope for my profession is to proceed on the trail to the WorldTour with Workforce Jayco-AlUla and make it my profession for so long as attainable. Not many individuals get to decide on one thing they really get pleasure from as their job, so I’d love to have the ability to do that for so long as attainable. As for greater objectives, the races I dream of successful at some point can be the Tour of Flanders and the world championships time trial.”
Wil Holmes
2024 ARA Skip Capital/La Pomme Marseille Provence
2025 Hagens Berman Axeon-Jayco
2026/27/28 Workforce Jayco AlUla.
“I’m tremendous excited to be becoming a member of Workforce Jayco AlUla within the coming years and stay up for having a unbelievable pathway with becoming a member of one of the best U23 improvement staff Hagen’s Berman Axeon-Jayco as I study to develop as a rider. It has been a dream of mine to affix Workforce Jayco Alula since I used to be a child watching them race on the Tour Down Underneath. I hope I can at some point race the Tour de France and a dream race for me to win must be the Tour Down Underneath.”
(Left) Hamish McKenzie (proper) Wil Holmes:
CANYON//SRAM Racing’s Roster for the Three-Day Santos Tour Down Underneath
CANYON//SRAM Racing pronounces its roster for the primary Ladies’s World Tour race of 2024. The staff’s lineup for the Santos Tour Down Underneath from 12 to 14 January will likely be headed by Australian duo Neve Bradbury and Tiffany Cromwell. Alongside Alex Morrice, Soraya Paladin and Alice Towers, the staff brings a robust all-round squad to the three-day stage race in Adelaide. Bradbury arrived in Adelaide right this moment, contemporary from her nationwide title within the U23 street race yesterday.
For Cromwell, it’s her sixth look on the race. “TDU is a particular race for me. It’s my dwelling race; it’s the first-ever street race I watched on the aspect of the street once I began my biking profession again in 2013 with a Expertise ID program, and we race on the roads I’ve grown up coaching on.”
“It’s been nice watching the race develop through the years from a assist criterium collection to a national-level stage race and now the opening race of the WWT. I dreamt for years that there can be a ladies’s version of the TDU. Now Stuey (O’Grady), Nettie (Edmondson) and Carlee (Taylor) are placing plenty of effort into creating an thrilling ladies’s race and making an attempt to develop it additional every year.”
“I’ve had the chance to coach on the programs for all three phases during the last weeks. I just like the phases. They’re unpredictable and might swimsuit many varieties of riders. Finally, the general will likely be an all-rounder who may also climb.”
Cromwell summarises every of the three phases. “Stage 1 on paper, most will count on it to be a sprinter stage. The opening lap is sort of undulating, with a leg burner climb for the categorized climb. Sprinters have to recover from a number of small climbs, and opportunists will look to take an opportunity for a shock stage upset.”
“Stage 2 is a stage of two elements. The opening kilometres are fairly undulating as we make our manner from the seaside by means of the southern hills. There’s a little bit of restoration from Meadows by means of to Mylor, after which all the main focus goes to the Stirling end circuit. One in all my common coaching laps. It’s a quick circuit with a troublesome end. You’re successfully climbing in steps for the final 5km, and the ultimate 1.5km is an annoying drag all the way in which to the road. Sometimes, a diminished bunch dash involves the end.”
“The ultimate stage is the place the GC will likely be determined with the end on high of the long-lasting Willunga Hill. The course connects to among the stage two roads earlier than heading to the wine nation of McLaren Vale. If we get among the sturdy winds Adelaide can produce, it may trigger some crosswind harm if in the proper path. Ultimately, all eyes are on Willunga.”
“My 2024 season preparations appear to be going. Individuals say I’m going nicely, however I’m nonetheless not 100% satisfied. I’ve been doing loads of high quality coaching to get a very good base. I nonetheless have some work to do on my high finish. However I’m proud of the place I’m at proper now and the way the pre-season has gone.”
“Our staff for TDU is a robust and numerous roster. I see it as an opportunistic staff. On common, it’s a fairly younger staff, and we gained’t be the staff everyone seems to be watching. However we have now plenty of playing cards to play within the sprints and loads of firepower for the climbs. Our fixed objective is all the time to win, however getting a few podiums right here can be a very good begin to the season. The last word objective of the race is to be a robust and united staff to attain one of the best outcomes we are able to to assist create sturdy staff foundations for the season forward.”
Chloé Dygert, who was initially named as racing the Santos Tour Down Underneath, gained’t be a part of the staff as she recovers from a minor harm.
Tiffany Cromwell:
Filippo Ganna and Elia Viviani Lead INEOS Grenadiers in Tour Down Underneath
It was already introduced that Filippo Ganna and Elia Viviani can be a part of the INEOS Grenadiers staff for the Tour Down Underneath (January 16-21). The British staff has additionally revealed the opposite 5 riders for the Australian season opener.
Ganna and Viviani will each begin the Tour Down Underneath after which the Italians will competing on the monitor within the Nations Cup in Adelaide firstly of February, with a view to the Olympic Video games in Paris. The qualification necessities for the Olympic Video games are all the time strict. The UCI has drawn up a particular Observe Olympic Rating, which runs over a interval from 2022 to 2024. Ganna will primarily concentrate on the staff pursuit, whereas for Viviani the omnium is necessary to attain factors in direction of Paris.
Within the Tour Down Underneath, Ganna and Viviani are, on paper, the leaders of INEOS Grenadiers, though Jhanatan Narváez ought to present on the extra hilly phases. Sprinter Viviani has ridden the Australian stage race 5 instances in his and gained two phases, in 2018 and 2019. This yr will likely be Ganna’s debut within the Tour Down Underneath, just lately he has began his season in France or Argentina.
Along with Ganna, Viviani and Narváez, INEOS Grenadiers additionally has Laurens De Plus, Leo Hayter, Ben Swift and Joshua Tarling. Tarling is not going to, like Ganna, be capable of present his time trial qualities, because the Tour Down Underneath doesn’t embrace a race towards the clock this yr. The deciding phases are the penultimate stage on Willunga Hill and the ultimate stage on Mount Lofty.
INEOS Grenadier for Santos Tour Down Underneath:
Filippo Ganna (Ita)
Elia Viviani (Ita)
Laurens De Plus (Bel)
Leo Hayter (GB)
Jhonatan Narváez (Eu)
Joshua Tarling (GB)
Ben Swift (GB).
Ganna and Viviani to the TDU’24:
UAE Workforce Emirates Start Season with Tour Down Underneath
Workforce go in defence of title gained by Vine in 2023
UAE Workforce Emirates have introduced the staff to tackle the primary problem of the yr because the staff heads to Australia for the Santos Tour Down Underneath (16-21 Jan).
The six days of competitors will likely be based mostly in and round Adelaide, kicking off with a 144km street stage in Tanunda.
The staff go into the race as defending champions after Jay Vine claimed the title in superb trend in 2023.
This yr the UAE contingent will likely be captained by the skilled head of Diego Ulissi on the street with a younger however promising staff behind him.
Diego Ulissi: “We’re actually trying ahead to beginning the 2024 season right here in Australia.We’ve got a really sturdy staff coming into the race with loads of choices for wins. I’ve had some good outcomes right here prior to now and hope to be aggressive but in addition be capable of lend my expertise to the youthful guys who’re rising within the staff. We obtained collectively as a gaggle for a giant staff coaching camp in December which went very nicely and we’re actually centered on getting the season began on the proper foot.”
The staff will likely be guided by Sports activities Director Marco Marcato (Ita) who will oversee the seven man squad.
The identical staff can even participate within the Down Underneath Basic criterium (13 January).
Santos Tour Down Underneath [2.UWT] – 16 Jan-2024 / 21-Jan-2024:
Alessandro Covi (Ita)
Isaac Del Toro (Mex)
Finn Fisher Black (NZ)
Alvaro Hodeg (Col)
Antonio Morgado (Por)
Diego Ulissi (Ita)
Michael Vink (NZ)
Intermarché-Wanty Begins the Season with Three Races in Australia
This Sunday seventh of January, the delegation of Intermarché-Wanty arrived in Adelaide, within the south of Australia, for the primary races of the 2024 street season. In a interval of two weeks, the Walloon World Workforce will take part in three occasions on the continent Oceania: the Tour Down Underneath, the Surf Coast Basic and the Cadel Evans Nice Ocean Highway Race.
In 2023, Intermarché-Wanty was within the combine for the victory each day within the Tour Down Underneath (2.UWT), with a number of high 5 finishes and a high ten within the remaining classification. This yr, the occasion from sixteenth to twenty first of January is split in six phases and doesn’t begin with a prologue, in opposite to the earlier version. The profile of the primary 4 days alternates possibilities for sprinters and punchers, earlier than an explosive closing weekend on the slopes of Willunga Hill (Saturday) and Mount Lofty (Sunday).
However earlier than beginning the World Tour season, the choice directed by Steven De Neef will race for the primary time within the new equipment of Verge Sport within the Down Underneath Basic, a criterium by means of the streets of Adelaide on thirteenth of January.
On Thursday twenty fifth of January, or 4 days after the Tour Down Underneath, Intermarché-Wanty will take part for the primary time to the Surf Coast Basic (1.1), a race which was organised a primary time in 2020 within the state of Victoria. After a ten kilometre climb from the beginning in Lorque, the parcours in direction of Torquay is beneficial for sprinters.
The Australian marketing campaign will likely be concluded on Sunday twenty eighth of January with the Cadel Evans Nice Ocean Highway Race (1.UWT). Final yr, Hugo Web page achieved his first World Tour podium by ending second in a gaggle dash with 35 riders, wherein additionally Dion Smith (seventh) was current.
The principle obstacles throughout this basic of 176 kilometre round Geelong are the open roads at first of the race and the technical urbain circuit of 17 kilometre with Challambra climb (900m at 8.9%) which needs to be coated 4 instances within the remaining.
The seven riders who will signify Intermarché-Wanty are Lilian Calmejane, Biniam Girmay, Madis Mihkels, Tom Paquot, Simone Petilli, Dion Smith and Georg Zimmermann.
Aike Visbeek (Efficiency Supervisor): “The superb outcomes we achieved twelve months in the past in our first participation to the Australian races tasted like extra. Remembering final yr’s nice season begin, we composed a stable and balanced line up for these 2024 opening races again in October. With Lilian Calmejane, Dion Smith and Georg Zimmermann we have now a number of playing cards to play for the final classification and the troublesome finals. Biniam Girmay and Madis Mihkels are our leaders for the dash, the programs swimsuit them very nicely. These males can depend on two exemplary teammates on all terrains: Tom Paquot and Simone Petilli. Our plan is to supply these seven riders a protracted coaching block after these races, on altitude for a few of them, in an effort to put together nicely for the classics on European soil.”
“For his or her preparation, nearly all of our choice completed their 2023 street season comparatively early. All adopted a selected coaching programme throughout our staff coaching camp in December, together with particular person coaching classes behind the scooter for instance. Our staff travelled to Adelaide sooner than a lot of the different groups, in an effort to have sufficient time for acclimatisation, buying coaching rhythm and course recons. I count on this transition to go easily, particularly for Biniam Girmay and Dion Smith who’ve been making ready these races of their dwelling nation the previous three weeks. Dion comes from New-Zealand and advantages from a brief journey. Biniam’s benefit is the same climate circumstances in Eritrea in comparison with what we are able to count on in Australia. I’m actually trying ahead to this primary appointment with a gaggle of bold riders, whereas we unite the remainder of the staff in Spain to finalise our preparation for the primary races on European soil.”
Workforce dsm-firmenich PostNL Kick Off 2024 season
With the opening races of the 2024 season simply across the nook, Workforce dsm-firmenich PostNL gathered right this moment in Calpe, Spain with all three of their packages – Ladies, Males and Improvement – as they lay the ultimate preparations of their construct up in direction of the brand new season. Looking forward to the brand new yr full of ambition and motivation in direction of some their huge objectives, the staff introduced its new appear and feel to the surface world, with their distinctive two Maintain Difficult stripes taking over a hanging orange color for 2024 and past.
Going from power to power with two sensible co-title companions
2023 marked the third yr with dsm-firmenich – main innovator in vitamin, well being and wonder – because the staff’s title associate, constructing on a long-established relationship that has continued to develop and develop since its starting again in 2015.
In 2024, the staff welcomes aboard PostNL – the main parcel and postal firm of the Netherlands – as a co-title associate, bringing collectively two giant prestigious companions; with dsm-firmenich and PostNL committing to what’s set to be an thrilling future for the staff.
Making the subsequent step – Ambitions for 2024
2024 presents one other alternative for the staff to take the subsequent step-up; pushing one another to greater and higher issues, creating some particular moments alongside the way in which.
Discussing objectives and plans for the yr forward, right here from Workforce dsm-firmenich PostNL head coach Rudi Kemna about what’s in retailer for the staff’s three packages right here.
Wanting contemporary in 2024
With the brand new identify as Workforce dsm-firmenich PostNL, the staff are excited to totally reveal their brand-new appear and feel for the 2024 marketing campaign.
The 2 distinctive Maintain Difficult stripes, which symbolise the DNA of the staff flip orange to have fun the addition of PostNL. The left stripe represents the continual improvement of every particular person particular person, whereas the proper stripe visualises their ever-improving progressive setting.
Set on a stunning and predominantly white equipment with numerous blue and lightweight blue touches, the orange stripes will immediately see the Workforce dsm-firmenich PostNL squad stand out within the peloton, as they cost in direction of many particular moments within the coming yr. The expertly crafted, purpose-built race put on that has been developed by Nalini along with the staff, combines that stand-out look with efficiency on the bike, whereas assembly the calls for of one of the best riders.
The feel and appear refresh doesn’t cease there with the staff’s stunning SCOTT bikes, geared up with one of the best Shimano elements, getting a contemporary lick of paint as a modern new design with flashes of color on a white base actually makes them a murals. Some stunning orange detailing makes the staff’s premium DRIIVE race eyewear pop with its contemporary white base design. Additionally, you will be capable of spot the staff within the convoy too, as their sensible Volvo automobiles get the white, orange and blue makeover as nicely.
Well being, sustainability and inclusivity – key themes we take into 2024 and past
The bike is of course an emblem for a wholesome life-style, for sustainability, and our Maintain Difficult strategy, carried out by the collective of a staff is a good image for inclusivity which underlines the sturdy staff tradition which we captivate by ‘actually collectively’; actually committing to and empowering one another.
All through the years the staff has centered on a wide range of initiatives to progress in direction of reaching its sustainability objectives, similar to its ambassadorship of Timber for All since 2010 to testing with electrical Volvo automobiles. Extra is about to come back on this subject within the subsequent months with Workforce dsm-firmenich PostNL.
Ongoing extra unbiased anti-doping efforts
Ethics is without doubt one of the staff’s key values. The staff have been one of many first members of the MPCC (Mouvement pour un Cyclisme Crédible) and are devoted to being strictly compliant with the moral code of the MPCC, whose guidelines are extra rigorous than the UCI guidelines. Along with their MPCC membership, they’ve carried out an extra unbiased anti-doping program since 2018. This system is carried out by the Dutch Dopingautoriteit and has been funded by dsm-firmenich.
The extra unbiased exams are based mostly on out-of-competition blood and urine exams, on the idea of the “Whereabouts” of the riders, and the interpretation of the check outcomes by Dopingautoriteit. The exams are shared with WADA and ITA, and the outcomes are added to the athletes “organic passport”. Ladies, Males and Improvement packages are underneath the identical strict anti-doping regime.
Learn extra about anti-doping right here.
A brand new appear and feel on-line
With the up to date appear and feel of the staff, additionally comes an up to date web site area and social media handles too. You may also click on by means of and discover our new English and Dutch web sites, and our social media channels by way of the icons on the high of this mail.
Workforce Bahrain Victorious Set for Season Opener – Santos Tour Down Underneath
Glad New Yr, and Glad New Season!
The opening race of the 2024 UCI WorldTour is already upon us, with the Santos Tour Down Underneath operating from Tuesday sixteenth, to Sunday twenty first. The six days cowl a complete of 825km from Tanunda to Mount Lofty, and Workforce Bahrain Victorious are in Australia with a balanced staff, able to battle for victory on every stage, and problem for the general GC.
Lead Sports activities Director is Neil Stephens, who feedback, “4 of the blokes are younger and new to this race, are actually excited to be right here and all actually eager to do their jobs nicely. Everyone seems to be having fun with the Australian expertise to date. It’s a race in two elements actually: phases 1-4 are alternatives for the sprinters however we’ll actually attempt to preserve the totally different areas coated after all.”
Our quick man in Australia is Phil Bauhaus, who took the second stage when the race returned after Covid in 2023. His first probability comes on day one, which takes in three circuits in Barossa totalling 144km. The next day is one other potential dash end, though this time, there’s a quick however very steep climb: Fox Creek. The peloton will sort out it twice, and we are going to absolutely see that 1.6km ascent utilized by those that wish to skinny out the main group, and problem for the win in Lobethal.
Stephens says, “Phil Bauhaus is coming again to the TdU for a second consecutive yr. Final yr, he had some nice assist from the staff and was in a position to pull off stage one. He’s actually coming again making an attempt to intention for phases, he’s in all probability in even higher form than he was final time round, and he’s actually trying ahead to the race as soon as once more”
Day 3 is one other flat profile of simply over 140km. Will probably be a quick, flat end into Campbeltown and guarantees to be a frantic battle for victory at a frenetic tempo.
Supporting Bauhaus within the latter kilometres on these opening days will likely be certainly one of two Australians in our staff, Cameron Scott.
“Cam is one other rider who was right here final yr,” explains Stephens. “He’s an Adelaide boy too – a neighborhood, so he’s been serving to us throughout the coaching days since we arrived. His job, in addition to supporting the staff typically, after all – will likely be because the final man within the lead out for Phil.”
On Friday, the race begins to be extra selective, as stage 4 has an uphill end in Port Elliot, with the ocean within the riders’ sight as they strategy the road. After which it’s the weekend, and people GC boys who’ve made it safely by means of the primary a part of the TdU can come out to play.
Our chief is Jack Haig, using on dwelling roads, and Stephens is constructive about Haig’s possibilities now he’s returned to his dwelling nation for the primary time in a couple of years!
“It’s nice to have Jack on board. It’s some time since he’s completed the TdU and it’s sensible to have him right here main the staff. He’s actually eager to do nicely on this race for the staff, and it’s an added bonus being an Australian in Australia! We’ll attempt our greatest to be amongst one of the best riders and end with a excessive GC for Jack”
Stage 5 sees a return to Willunga Hill. The climb is a favorite of the race organisers and of the spectators; a lot so it has virtually develop into synonymous with the Tour Down Underneath itself. It’s 3km, averaging 7.4% (with a most gradient of 15.6%), and this yr, the bunch will crest it as a part of a two-lap closing circuit earlier than ascending it once more to the end line.
Together with Jack, Phil and Cameron, Bahrain have three newcomers to the season opener, in Fran Miholjević, Johan Value Pejtersen, Nicolò Buratti and, making his debut for the staff: Torstein Træen. The Norwegian could also be one thing of an unknown for our supporters, having signed from UNO-X within the shut season, however Stephens is assured within the 28 yr outdated’s potential.
“Torstein will likely be there as a extremely huge assist within the mountains, and who is aware of … he may even do nicely in GC on his personal! The others are all younger guys, and all have totally different experiences in several areas. They’re a very good bunch who work nicely collectively, and every of them is trying ahead to doing his greatest out right here.”
The Santos Tour Down Underneath is held within the top of the Southern Hemisphere summer season, which explains why not one of the race days are over 146km. And the scorching warmth is as a lot of an element within the battle for the ochre jersey because the parcours.
The 2024 winner of that chief’s jersey will likely be determined – because it was final yr – atop Mount Lofty. Three loops of a ending circuit means 3 times up the 1.3km climb, which averages 7.3% and maxes out at 13.3%.
It was a massively constructive begin to 2023 for TBV, with stage wins for Bauhaus and Pello Bilbao, who additionally completed third general, and Stephens sees no cause why we are able to’t repeat, and even higher, these outcomes this time round:
These final 2 phases are the GC phases. There are many hills and there’s going to be loads of motion! I’m hopeful we can not solely win no less than one early stage with Phil, but in addition get our GC riders into the excessive positions general. Whichever of the GC hopefuls can maintain it collectively throughout the week, and switch it on up Wilunga and the ultimate mountain, will attain the ‘lofty’ heights of 2024 Tour Down Underneath champion.
Let the season start!
Gerben Kuypers Ends his Cyclocross Season
Gerben Kuypers is not going to present the colors of Charles Liégeois Raostery CX in cyclocross races anymore this season. The 23 yr outdated Belgian rider will prolong the remaining interval he began after the World Cup in Gavere on twenty sixth of December due to well being points and absolutely think about his restoration and his second street season with the construction of Intermarché-Wanty.
Paul Jorna (Workforce Physician): “Gerben Kuypers attracted a viral an infection a few weeks in the past, which then led to a vicious circle of disturbed restoration and fatigue. He particularly had respiratory complaints. Within the meantime his physique is recovering nicely. We’ll hope he will likely be absolutely recovered in a few weeks.”
Gerben Kuypers: “After two weeks of restoration I’m progressively regaining my power, nonetheless, I don’t really feel absolutely recovered but. Collectively we have now chosen to take it simple in my comeback quite than to arrange for my final cyclocross races underneath stress. It was after all irritating that my good collection of outcomes was interrupted by well being issues. However now the causes are recognized and we have now established a plan for my restoration, I’m very a lot trying ahead to my first street races of 2024 with Wanty-ReUz-Technord and Intermarché-Wanty. From April, I’ll take part in a number of prestigious races. This proves that additionally the World Workforce counts on me, which is a pleasant mark of confidence. I can’t wait to get again to coaching, however first I would like to remain affected person a bit longer in an effort to absolutely get well.”
Bart Wellens (Sports activities Director): “Gerben Kuypers realised a superb season begin in cyclocross. We’re after all lacking his preventing spirit to make the colors of Charles Liégeois Roastery CX shine. Nonetheless, inside our efficiency staff all of us agree that well being is a precedence. An prolonged relaxation interval is one of the best strategy. In precept, Gerben deliberate to conclude his cyclocross season after the championships, in his dwelling race in Middelkerke. As he didn’t absolutely get well but and this race is approaching, we unanimously determined that he wouldn’t resume his cyclocross season and concentrate on his first street races as a substitute.”
Aike Visbeek (Efficiency Supervisor): “After a brand new medical analysis of the well being situation of Gerben Kuypers, we unanimously determined to cease his cyclocross season in an effort to give him sufficient time to arrange his second street season with our construction in a serene manner. As for his street programme, we keep on with the preliminary plan we established this winter. He’ll virtually solely race with the World Workforce, which will likely be an enormous step ahead in comparison with his mixed programme with Wanty-ReUz-Technord in 2023. Our intention is to pick him for a collection of races which swimsuit him completely, notably in Might and June, such because the classics Tro Bro Léon, Antwerp Port Epic, Brussels Biking Basic or Dwars door het Hageland, and a number of other stage races such because the Excursions of Norway and Belgium. We’re trying ahead to witness the development of Gerben, each on the street in 2024 as within the subsequent cyclocross season 2024-2025.”
No extra cross for Gerben Kuypers this season:
Workforce dsm-firmenich PostNL Agree Multi-Yr Contracts with Nils Eekhoff and Casper van Uden
Workforce dsm-firmenich PostNL are thrilled to disclose that home-grown abilities Nils Eekhoff and Casper van Uden have dedicated their long-term future to the staff, each penning contracts till the top of the 2026 marketing campaign.
Each graduates from the Improvement program, Eekhoff has been sporting the two-striped jersey in some type since his debut in 2017 earlier than making the step-up to the Males’s program in 2020; whereas Van Uden has been with the squad since 2020 earlier than turning professional in the midst of the 2022 marketing campaign. The multiple-year contracts are a mark of intent and stability as Workforce dsm-firmenich PostNL seems to construct for the long run.
Nils Eekhoff
Hailing from Rijsenhout within the Dutch province of North Holland, the rangy Eekhoff has progressed steadily by means of the ranks with the staff and is an integral member of the squad on and off the bike. A robust U23 profession noticed him declare a memorable cobblestone win with the staff at Paris-Roubaix Espoirs in 2017, alongside a number of different successes, earlier than a promotion to the WorldTour. Since then, Eekhoff has discovered from the extra skilled riders round him and has proven nice psychological resilience and fortitude to return from setbacks by means of sickness or harm. That arduous-work paid off within the 2023 marketing campaign the place he took his first professional win with the staff on the ZLM Tour and rode strongly in classics-style races similar to a third-place end at Tro-Bro Leon. It was additionally a marketing campaign that noticed Eekhoff report his greatest outcome at a Grand Tour with fifth place on stage eight of the Tour de France, and he has his sights set firmly on persevering with that development and successful feeling with the staff sooner or later.
Eekhoff expressed: “The staff appears like dwelling for me, I do know my manner round and all of the folks rather well. It’s been a terrific setting for me to constantly make steps as a rider and I wish to proceed that journey with the staff. All through the years I’ve discovered that setbacks are additionally a part of being an expert athlete and so long as we carry on making steps in the proper path it should deliver one thing good sooner or later. It was nice to subsequently be capable of lastly take my first professional win in 2023. It’s proof of what I, and the staff, know I’m able to, so I’m actually motivated to proceed these steps with the staff and present much more within the coming years. I feel with my ardour to provide my all, I hope to have the ability to encourage the opposite guys to push one another additional and in flip that can hopefully make us obtain nice issues collectively as we’d like everybody to provide 110 %. I wish to work in direction of being one of many key riders within the basic finals, and being of worth wherever else I can for the staff’s objectives.”
Workforce dsm-firmenich PostNL head coach Rudi Kemna added: “Nils has been with the staff for a number of years already now and we have now actually seen him develop as a rider each on and off the bike; and he’s an actual tradition provider inside the group. We’ve seen him make good progress within the final yr and we wish to proceed that improvement with him, notably within the Classics. These are races the place we predict Nils has the qualities to actually make the subsequent step and never solely deliver himself, however these round him, to the next degree.”
Nils Eekhoff:
Casper van Uden
Nonetheless very a lot in his early twenties, Schiedam born Van Uden is nearly to start his second full-season as an expert, having been promoted to the Males’s program in mid-2022. That promotion was nicely deserved after a barnstorming few seasons which noticed him take seven UCI degree wins as a part of the Improvement program, the place he confirmed his dash capabilities towards not solely different younger abilities however seasoned veterans and robust riders from the Continental degree scene. The step-up to the WorldTour with the Males’s program has seen Van Uden start to seek out his toes and study from these round him, with promising leads to the dash finishes, similar to third at Milano – Torino and second on a stage on the Tour of Britain, a glimpse at the place his future lies with the staff.
Van Uden mentioned: “I like the way in which the staff’s construction works, they offer you plenty of assist and construction however all the time preserve you considering and difficult your self and the folks working inside the staff. It appears like a extremely snug and relaxed setting for me. I feel it was very nice to come back by means of the Improvement program, it made me develop all the fundamentals that I wanted to be in a very good place for the WorldTour. Then once I made the step-up it has all been about simply superb tuning these issues and getting stronger. In my first full-year as a professional I’ve discovered to be affected person and work arduous. Going into the season my objective was that I actually wished to win immediately however sadly didn’t handle to. It was a bit mentally robust, however I acquired plenty of assist from the opposite guys and the employees within the staff helped me to get by means of it and preserve me hungry; and we nonetheless managed to get some good outcomes. Wanting forward I need to have the ability to share my data that I’ve of the staff with the opposite guys and be somebody that may deliver the group collectively. On the bike I wish to develop into a extra constant sprinter and battle for these wins within the races the place I’m the finisher, however I’m additionally excited to get caught in and be a staff participant too.”
Workforce dsm-firmenich PostNL head coach Rudi Kemna continued: “Casper is a man who all the time offers his all for the staff and that’s a really commendable high quality which he brings to our dash group. We consider that he has the expertise to proceed to enhance as a finisher inside the staff and additional develop within the races towards the easiest sooner or later as we glance to proceed to hunt for extra outcomes with our dash group. We’ve had some good years with Casper as far as he’s progressed by means of the ranks, and we’re excited to proceed that.”
Casper van Uden:
Israel – Premier Tech Academy Unveils 2024 Roster
Eleven new riders – together with reigning European and nationwide age group champions, and essentially the most promising Israeli abilities – will strengthen the new-look IPT Academy staff in 2024.
Underneath the steerage of Tim Elverson, IPT’s new Academy Supervisor, the staff will look to proceed the extent of commencement that has seen six riders – Oded Kogut, Riley Pickrell, Nadav Raisberg, Marco Frigo, Mason Hollyman, and Derek Gee – step as much as the professional ranks prior to now two years.
9 riders on the staff’s 20-man roster raced for the Academy in 2023. Amongst these are Canadian Dylan Bibic, already a world champion on the monitor on the age of 20, and Portuguese climber Daniel Lima.
Israeli riders Aviv Bental and Rotem Tene can even stick with the Academy in 2024, with the nation’s presence being bolstered by new signings Imry Faingezicht, Matar Peretz, and Man Tahar. Promising time trialist Faingezicht (20) gained the U23 nationwide title within the self-discipline final yr, two years on from claiming the junior crown. Peretz, 18, is the nation’s reigning junior street race champion, whereas 19-year-old Tahar, positioned sixth within the U23 street race.
Different new arrivals embrace Floris Van Tricht (Belgium), Joe Blackmore (Nice Britain), and Luke Valenti (Canada). All three of them be a part of the Academy having already established themselves in off-road disciplines: Van Tricht gained the European Gravel Championships in October, Blackmore is the British U23 XCO mountain bike champion, and Valenti claimed the Canadian under-23 cyclo-cross title final November. Added expertise comes from Pier-André Côté, who has loved 5 seasons using at UCI ProTeam degree and gained the Canadian street race championships in 2022.
Elverson says: “We’ve obtained some actually thrilling new riders becoming a member of who will complement those that have been a part of the staff in 2023. We’ve got an actual unfold of riders who can compete in all disciplines.
“We’re very proud to proceed the event of Israel’s greatest younger riders – in 2024 we’ll have 5 of them aged 23 or underneath, and I’m excited to see what they will obtain. The staff examined all of the promising younger Israeli riders earlier than 24 and Man confirmed some nice numbers, good abilities, and potential, and we are going to now assist him obtain the utmost. On condition that they’re reigning nationwide champions, it feels proper that we must always assist Imry and Matar develop in our race household, too.”
“Pier-André will likely be invaluable to the staff subsequent yr. We’re going to be competing at plenty of UCI .1-ranked races, and he has nice expertise in these occasions. This data will solely speed up the progress of the youthful riders within the staff, however, on the similar time, he’ll get alternatives to compete for outcomes.”
Moritz Kretschy (Germany), Karl Kurits (Estonia), and Kiaan Watts (New Zealand) full the incoming riders for 2024. Kretschy completed sixth within the under-23 street race on the world championships in Glasgow final August weeks after claiming the nationwide street and time trial titles in his age group.
Kurits is a promising younger sprinter who has gained worldwide races as a junior, whereas Watts is a former junior world champion on the monitor. IPT beforehand unveiled the signing of reigning Spanish junior street race champion Alvaro Garcia in August.
Israel – Premier Tech Academy 2024 Workforce Roster:
Aviv Bental (Israel, 20)
Dylan Bibic (Canada, 20)
Joe Blackmore (Nice Britain, 20)
Pier-André Côté (Canada, 26)
Luca D’Hollander (Belgium, 20)
Imry Faingezicht (Israel, 20)
Alvaro Garcia (Spain, 18)
Moritz Kretschy (Germany, 21)
Karl Kurits (Estonia, 18)
Daniel Lima (Portugal, 19)
Jesse Maris (USA, 19) Pau Marti (Spain, 19)
Carson Mattern (Canada, 19)
Viggo Moore (USA, 19)
Matar Peretz (Israel, 18)
Man Tahar (Israel, 19)
Rotem Tene (Israel, 22)
Luke Valenti (Canada, 19)
Floris Van Tricht (Belgium, 22)
Kiaan Watts (New Zealand, 22).
Pas Regular Studios Launches New PAS Racing Gravel Workforce for 2024 with 18 Worldwide Riders
Danish premium biking attire model Pas Regular Studios pronounces their all-new PAS Racing staff for the 2024 season. The brand new gravel biking staff includes 18 female and male international riders, rigorously chosen from the Pas Regular Studios neighborhood and past. Riders embrace high expertise from the worldwide gravel biking circuit; Amity Rockwell (USA) and Anna Kollmann-Suhr (AUT), Tobias Kongsted (DEN), Nils Correvon (SWI) and Chad Haga (USA). They’ll race a number of key worldwide occasions and kick the season off at La Santa Vall in Catalunya adopted by a staff camp.
Efficiency and variety are core values of the brand new PAS Racing set-up. All riders are hand-selected and contracts are agreed with every rider to predetermine an optimum, individualised assist framework that produces the very best outcomes at every race.
Supporting the staff are additionally trade leaders Velux, Salomon, Fizik, By no means Second, Ceramic Pace, Oakley, Pirelli, and Candy Safety, Volvo.
The Riders
Europe
Anna Kollmann-Suhr, Austria
Karolina Migon, Poland
Klara Sofie Skovgaard Hansen, Denmark
Mie Pedersen, Denmark
Chad Haga, USA (Europe)
Tobias Kongstad, Denmark
Nils Correvon, Switzerland
Simen Svendsen, Norway
Thomas Bundgaard, Denmark
Seppe Rombouts, Belgium
Christian Kreuckler, Germany
APAC
Emma Johansson, Thailand
Sea Keong Loh, Malaysia
Ryan Petrie, Australia
USA
Amity Rockwell, USA
Emily Pleasure Newsom, USA
Maude Farell, USA
Matt Wiebe, USA
PAS Racing will likely be managed by the skilled Lars Moss, World Partnership Supervisor at Pas Regular Studios. 2023 was a combined yr for the Danish premium attire biking model in terms of its nascent foray into sports activities advertising and marketing. In keeping with Moss “It’s no secret that we have been scouting the World Tour for a possible associate in 2024. We had sponsorship discussions with quite a few groups and even entered into the closing phases of signing one, however ultimately, we failed to achieve an settlement. This motivated us to discover the choice of sponsoring our personal gravel racing staff to strengthen our assist of riders from our present, worldwide neighborhood which have proven efficiency potential, and enabling us to recruit new athletes among the many international gravel racing scene. PAS Racing will assist these gravel cyclists with a team-oriented framework, along with different sponsors to ensure that them to excel. Being a title-sponsor additionally permits us to actually keep true to our imaginative and prescient and objectives as a model and neighborhood.”
Workforce Mission
PAS Racing is on a mission to win the largest races on the calendar – The Traka, Unbound, races from the GRVL collection, The Rift and UCI Gravel Sequence races. Over the approaching months, the staff will form and type a brand new manner of partaking with athletes and occasions. In keeping with Peter Lange, CEO Pas Regular Studios: “With the launch of this new PAS Racing Workforce idea, we merge our deep love for racing and creating high-end efficiency biking attire with main ambassadors from our Worldwide Biking Membership and past. On the coronary heart of it lies the person rider, and bringing these personalities collectively underneath the umbrella of such a various staff will likely be a extremely fascinating problem! We’re excited to pioneer an setting the place expertise and ambition meet in an attractive show of athleticism and friendship.”
Pas Racing Workforce Package
PAS Racing Workforce equipment relies on the Mechanism PRO Assortment that was launched in Spring 2023. The Mechanism PRO line is created from a proprietary Pas Regular Studios cloth developed along with cloth mills in Italy. It encompasses a four-way stretch created from woven materials that are compressive, abrasion-resistant, high-wicking and fast-drying. The 2024 PAS Racing staff equipment will likely be unveiled on February twenty eighth however is not going to be out there for buy.
Study extra concerning the staff right here: www.pasnormalstudios.com
Milano-Sanremo will Not Begin in Milano this Yr
Milan-Sanremo is not going to begin in Milan this yr both. The primary Monument of the season will transfer to Pavia in 2024, Het Laatste Nieuws experiences.
Pavia is a metropolis of about 80,000 inhabitants, 35 kilometres south of Milan. This isn’t the primary time that ‘La Primavera’ has not used Milan as a place to begin. Final yr the riders lined up on the start-line in Abbiategrasso, 20 kilometres west of Milan. As a result of the beginning is now in Pavia, based on HLN, there’s a probability that the riders must cowl much more kilometres this yr. Final yr there have been 294 kilometres from the begin to the end in Sanremo.
Final yr, Mathieu van der Poel soloed to victory after a profitable assault on the Poggio:
23 Nationwide Champions Topped on the 2024 Esports Nationwide Championships
Duffy and Kulchinsky earn Elite Esports Nationwide Titles.
WATOPIA, Zwift – The 2024 USA Biking Esports Nationwide Championships introduced by the Echelon Racing League (ERL) have been held on Zwift over the weekend. Athletes from round the US competed for the Stars and Stripes jersey from the consolation of their properties. Given the stacked discipline sizes, athletes have been absolutely ready for extremely aggressive and thrilling racing.
On Saturday, age-group classes raced three laps of the New York Park Perimeter loop for a complete distance of 18.3 miles. Within the Ladies’s 35-39, Stefanie Sydlik (Pittsburgh, Penn.; Coalition Alpha) took gold. Emily Nyquist(Herndon, Virginia; Workforce RIOT) held off the competitors to take first within the Ladies’s 40-44. Within the Ladies’s 45-49, Jenn Actual (Fredericksburg, Texas; Workforce RIOT) rode sturdy to take the win. Theia Friestedt(Glenview, Sick.; Revolution Velo Racing/Fairlife Racing) took the win within the Ladies’s 50-54. Andi Smith (Bend, Ore.) took the win within the Ladies’s 55-59 for the second yr in a row. Jennifer Slawta (Medford, Ore.; Workforce Landshark) took dwelling the win within the Ladies’s 60-64 with Sherry Berde Townsend (Mendota Heights, Minn.; NorthStar Improvement) successful the Ladies’s 65-69. To spherical out the ladies’s fields, each Margaret Thompson (Clinton, N.Y.; Workforce Hammer Vitamin) and Wendy Skean (Nathrop, Colo.; Workforce Hammer Vitamin) gained one other Esports Nationwide title within the Ladies’s 70-74 and 80-84 classes, respectively.
Within the Males’s 35-39, 2023 Elite Males’s winner, Scott Catanzaro (Washington, D.C.; NeXT eSport pb Enshored) took the victory. Multi-time Nationwide Champion, Jadon Jaeger (Wauwatosa, Wisc.; Restart Racing p/b Alex Coh), got here out on high within the Males’s 40-44 and teammate Mason Rocca (Evanston, Sick.; Restart Racing pb Alex Coh) held off the competitors within the Males’s 45-49. Within the Males’s 50-54, Scott Cunningham (Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah) had a robust efficiency to take the gold. David Henderson (Columbia, Miss.; World Elite Zwifters) confirmed his Zwift abilities to come back out on high within the Males’s 55-59. Kevin Metcalfe (Nice Hill, Calif.; Inventive Blue Racing) and Jeffrey Moreton (San Gabriel, Calif.; SC Velo) repeated their 2023 wins within the Males’s 60-64 and 65-69, respectively. Lastly, within the Males’s 70+ discipline, Michael Kurtz (Lisle, Sick.; EMC2), Scott Bulfinch (Lincoln, Neb.; Workforce KAOS), and Dominic Rossetto (Grafton, Wisc.; Mission Echelon Vanguard) took dwelling the win within the Males’s 70-74, 75-79, and 80-84 classes, respectively.
Within the Collegiate division, Fred Meredith (Indianapolis, Ind.; Marian College) rode his approach to gold within the Males’s Collegiate class, whereas Megan Lester (Eagle River, Wisc.; Lindenwood College) grew to become the brand new Ladies’s Collegiate Nationwide Champion.
On Sunday morning, the Elite Males and Ladies competed in a three-race omnium-style occasion with a street race on the 2015 UCI Worlds Richmond course, the Bologna Time Trial, and completed on the Neokyo Criterium Circuit. A stay stream of the occasions handled spectators to quick and livid racing, commentated by Nathan Guerra and Dave Towle. Within the Males’s Elite omnium, Brian Duffy (King of Prussia, Penn.; NeXT eSports pb Enshored) got here away with a commanding win for the general by taking first within the Highway Race and Time Trial, and ending second within the Neokyo Criterium simply behind Neal Fryette (Seattle, Wash.; Premier Racing Seattle) in a detailed two-up dash. Kristin Kulchinsky (Dix Hills, N.Y.; Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24) took first within the Highway Race and second within the Time Trial. Regardless of falling behind the lead pack within the Neokyo Criterium, she managed to safe a sixth place, accumulating sufficient factors to safe each the general victory and the nationwide title.
Congratulations to all of the individuals. Yow will discover the complete record of outcomes right here.
The Echelon Racing League continues with three extra occasions on Zwift all through the month of January. Study extra and register right here.
Go to USACycling.org for extra data on the athletes, occasions, and membership packages, and observe @USACycling throughout all channels for the newest on Workforce USA.
Watch the complete Elite race on YouTube:
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