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