We round-up the Santos Tour Down Below and highway racing begins in Europe with the Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana 1969 and the Ruta de la Cerámica – Gran Premio Castellón. Cyclo-cross remains to be scorching with the UCI World Cup Cyclocross in Benidorm and the Precise Cross in Zonnebeke – All outcomes, reviews and video.
Tadej Pogačar the largest earner with an annual wage of €6 million – TOP STORY.
Rider information: Tiesj Benoot postpones the beginning of his season after covid an infection, Tom Boonen to be ambassador of the Piotr Havik gravel workforce, physician Toon Claes Wout van Aert’s savior retires, Matteo Trentin needs outcomes with Tudor, Jake Stewart misses season begin resulting from fractured tibia and Rohan Dennis attended the emotional funeral of his spouse Melissa.
Staff information: Belgium has new equipment for the Olympic Video games.
Race information: ASO announce WildCards for the Tour de France 2024, the Ladies’s E3 Saxo Basic race is canceled and former Tour of Britain organiser bankrupt after dropping British race contract.
Monday EUROTRASH espresso time.
TOP STORY: Tadej Pogačar the Largest Earner with an Annual Wage of €6 Million
Tadej Pogačar is the highest earner within the males’s peloton with an annual wage of 6 million euros. La Gazzetta dello Sport has a full web page article on the topic. In keeping with the Italian sports-paper, GC riders Primož Roglič, Jonas Vingegaard, adopted by Mathieu van der Poel are subsequent greatest paid cyclists.
La Gazzetta dello Sport calls the listing ‘an unofficial rating of the rider salaries’, put collectively from discussions with a number of certified sources. The newspaper additionally notes that not the entire riders’ revenue has been included, akin to private sponsorship contracts with sure manufacturers or corporations.
It was recognized that two-time Tour winner Pogačar has a multi-million contract with UAE Staff Emirates. The 25 year-old Slovenian is contracted till 2027 and can obtain a wage of 24 million euros over the following 4 years. Primož Roglič has reportedly signed a two-year contract with BORA-hansgrohe, for an annual wage of 4.5 million euros. The approaching half possession by Pink Bull might have one thing to do with it.
Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike) and World champion Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) observe with estimated annual salaries of 4 million euros. Wout van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike) earns 3.5 million euros. Remco Evenepoel follows with an estimated wage of two.8 million euros.
In keeping with La Gazzetta, INEOS Grenadiers additionally has a number of million-dollar contracts with riders. Tom Pidcock (2.7 million euros per yr), Egan Bernal (2.5 million euros), Carlos Rodriguez (2.5 million euros) are additionally within the high 10 earners listing, Filippo Ganna on 2.3 million euros falls simply outdoors that. Adam Yates earns round 2.7 million euros with UAE Staff Emirates.
Cyclings high earner – Tadej Pogačar:
Santos Tour Down Below 2024
Sam Welsford celebrated his twenty eighth birthday in absolute type when he claimed a 3rd Santos Tour Down Below victory – this time at Port Elliot on Friday. The Bora-hansgrohe dash gun smashed his rivals to items to say the main prize for the Hahn Stage 4 from Murray Bridge to Port Elliot. Welsford’s hat-trick of stage wins was a primary for the Santos Tour Down Below since Caleb Ewan (Jayco AlUla) claimed 4 levels through the 2017 occasion.
Welsford completed forward of Eritrean star Binian Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty). He’ll maintain the Ziptrak Dash Jersey whereas Mexican sensation Isaac Del Toro remains to be race chief and 40 seconds away from Welsford. The 20-year-old is one second forward of Girmay and two seconds forward of New Zealand’s Corbin Sturdy (Israel Premier Tech) earlier than the back-to-back queen levels take the race by storm over the weekend.
Del Toro performed down his probabilities of claiming the Assume! Street Security Stage 5 from Christies Seaside to Willunga on Saturday earlier than the 2024 version of the race ends at Mount Lofty summit on Sunday. ARA Australia’s Luke Burns will maintain the efex King of the Mountain Jersey for Saturday after one other arduous day of labor. His teammate Jackson Medway, the youngest rider on this yr’s Santos Tour Down Below at 19 years of age, claimed the Yahama Most Aggressive Jersey after being on the entrance for a lot of the race alongside Brazilian Movistar rider Vinicius Rangel earlier than they had been caught by the principle peloton at Goolwa.
Bora-hansgrohe managed the principle bunch in an apparent bid to guard Welsford. Australia’s reigning three-time highway champion Luke Plapp (Jayco AlUla) was a non-starter after being injured in a nasty crash alongside Gorge Street throughout Well being Companions Stage 3 on Thursday. There was additionally crash on Friday within the peloton, this time about 100km earlier than the end. GC contender and climbing specialist Axel Mariault from workforce Cofidis was concerned, together with team-mate Piet Allegaert and Arkea-B&B Lodges riders Louis Barre and Laurens Huys.
Key Factors:
66.7km: Ziptrak Dash 1 – Bridge Street at Langhorne Creek Basic Retailer, Langhorne Creek
ARA Australian Biking Staff’s Jackson Medway claimed Hahn Stage 4’s Ziptrak® Dash #1. Medway crossed the road forward of Movistar’s Vinicius Rangel after the pair broke away early within the stage. Kelland O’Brien from Staff Jayco AlUla took the bonus second forward of Jhonatan Narvaez from Ineos Grenadiers.
82.2km: Ziptrak Dash 2 – Industrial Street close to Colman Terrace, Strathalbyn
Alex Mariault made it two Ziptrak sprints from two and claimed very helpful bonus seconds, pipping EF Training-Straightforward Put up’s Stefan De Bod on the road. The Cofidis rider claimed the factors in a photograph end whereas ARA Australian Biking Staff’s Tristan Saunders completed behind the pair.
88.3km: efex King of the Mountain 1 – Gemmell Hill (Class 3)
Movistar’s Vinicius Rangel took out efex King of the Mountain forward of Jackson Medway from ARA Australian Biking Staff. Medway’s team-mate, efex King of the Mountain chief Luke Burns, crossed the road in third so as to add two factors to his tally.
All of the Jerseys:
Santos Chief’s Jersey – Isaac del Toro Romero (UAE Staff Emirates)
efex King of the Mountain – Luke Burns (ARA Australian Biking Staff)
Ziptrak Sprinter’s Jersey – Sam Welsford (Bora-hansgrohe)
Zwift Younger Rider’s Jersey – Isaac del Toro Romero (UAE Staff Emirates)
Most Aggressive – Jackson Medway (ARA Australian Biking Staff).
Stage winner, Sam Welsford (BORA-hansgrohe): “I’m speechless. The way in which we’ve been using all week, we had a little bit of stress right now, as anticipated, however we rode very effectively. It was such a quick method and I don’t know precisely the way it all occurred, however I had good momentum popping out of the nook. I wasn’t proper on Danny’s again wheel, however he knew it as much as that time and I simply used the fellows between us as my lead-out. This win is simply wonderful, it’s the right begin to the yr for us. It’s additionally actually particular for me to return into a brand new workforce and get that assist immediately. Ultimately, this win is a reward for the arduous work the fellows have put in all week.”
2nd on the stage and total, Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty): “The workforce protected me effectively all day in direction of this final anticipated dash on this Tour Down Below. Madis Mihkels completely positioned me earlier than the final nook with 500 meter to go, however within the closing Sam Welsford was once more the quickest of the peloton. Saturday, the ultimate might be explosive with two instances climbing Willunga Hill, after the start of the stage on flat and enormous roads. I’m anticipating a tricky battle between the GC contenders, which is good for Georg Zimmermann and our different climbers. However I even have the intention to present all the pieces and see the way it goes, as a result of I’ve nothing to free!”
Santos Tour Down Below Stage 4 Consequence:
1. Sam Welsford (Aus) BORA-hansgrohe in 2:59:50
2. Biniam Girmay (Eri) Intermarché-Wanty
3. Lars Boven (Ned) Alpecin-Deceuninck
4. Milan Fretin (Bel) Cofidis
5. Laurence Pithie (NZ) Groupama-FDJ
6. Gonzalo Serrano (Spa) Movistar
7. Max Kanter (Ger) Astana Qazaqstan
8. Antoine Huby (Fra) Soudal Fast-Step
9. Phil Bauhaus (Ger) Bahrain-Victorious
10. Simon Clarke (Aus) Israel-Premier Tech.
Santos Tour Down Below Total After Stage 4:
1. Isaac del Toro (Mex) UAE Staff Emirates in 13:15:54
2. Biniam Girmay (Eri) Intermarché-Wanty at 0:01
3. Corbin Sturdy (NZ) Israel-Premier Tech at 0:02
4. Axel Mariault (Fra) Cofidis at 0:05
5. Stephen Williams (GB) Israel-Premier Tech at 0:07
6. Lars Boven (Ned) Alpecin-Deceuninck
7. Stefan de Bod (SA) EF Training-EasyPost
8. Georg Zimmermann (Ger) Intermarché-Wanty at 0:08
9. Finn Fisher-Black (NZ) UAE Staff Emirates
10. Louis Barré (Fra) Arkéa-B&B Lodges at 0:09
TDU’24 stage 4:
Oscar Onley of Staff dsm-firmenich PostNL claimed the 129.3km THINK! Street Security Stage 5 after an exciting end at Willunga Hill within the Santos Tour Down Below on Saturday. The 21-year-old completed forward of Israel Premier Tech’s Stephen Williams and Jhonatan Narváez of Ineos Grenadiers following a quick and gruelling climb. Williams’ second place end sees him take the Santos Ochre Chief’s Jersey heading into the ultimate stage as earlier chief, 20-year-old Mexican Isaac Del Toro (UAE Staff Emirates), completed the stage in eighth – six seconds behind Onley. Within the race to the end Onley took on skilled specialist climber Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal Fast-Step), sprinting up Willunga Hill forward of the Frenchman who completed fourth.
The riders set a blistering tempo following the Christies Seaside begin and it wasn’t lengthy earlier than Casper Pedersen (Soudal Fast-Step), Johan Jacobs (Movistar), Samuele Battistella (Astana Qazaqstan Staff) and Liam Walsh (ARA Australian Biking Staff) broke away. The group led the peloton and maintained a constant hole both facet of three minutes, with Walsh and Jacobs every claiming Ziptrak® Dash wins.
The peloton was stretched across the midway mark of the stage as common speeds topped 46km/h. The primary group started to reel within the breakaway riders across the 85km mark because the climbers ready to ascend Willunga Hill. efex King of the Mountain chief Luke Burns from ARA Australian Biking Staff claimed the primary King of the Mountain on lap one among Willunga Hill, whereas Alaphilippe received the second.
Key Factors:
22km: Ziptrak Dash 1 – Important Street at Willunga Present Corridor, Willunga
ARA Australian Biking Staff’s Liam Walsh took out Ziptrak® Dash #1 forward of Movistar’s Johan Jacobs and Astana Qazaqstan Staff’s Samuele Battistella. The trio had been a part of an early breakaway which led from the outset of THINK! Street Security Stage 5.
80.1km: Ziptrak Dash 2 – Esplanade at Snapper Level close to Butterworth Street, Aldinga Seaside
Movistar’s Johan Jacobs claimed the second Ziptrak® Dash of THINK! Street Security Stage 5. Liam Walsh from ARA Australia Biking Staff and Samuele Battistella of Astana Qazaqstan Staff crossed second and third respectively.
106.6km: efex King of the Mountain 1 – Willunga Hill (Class 1)
efex King of the Mountain chief Luke Burns took out the primary climb of THINK! Street Security Stage 5, powering throughout the road forward of Jardi Christiaan van der Lee of EF Training-Easypost and Burns’ teammate Luke Howson.
129.1km: efex King of the Mountain 2 – Willunga Hill (Class 1)
French climber Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal Fast-Step) received the second efex King of the Mountain climb forward of stage winner Oscar Onley from Staff dsm-firmenich PostNL and Israel Premier Tech’s Stephen Williams.
All of the Jerseys:
Santos Chief’s Jersey – Stephen Williams (Israel Premier Tech)
efex King of the Mountain – Luke Burns (ARA Australian Biking Staff)
Ziptrak Sprinter’s Jersey – Sam Welsford (Bora-hansgrohe)
Zwift Younger Rider’s Jersey – Oscar Onley (Staff dsm-firmenich PostNL)
Most Aggressive – Casper Pederson (Soudal Fast-Step)
Stage winner and 2nd total, Oscar Onley (dsm-firmenich PostNL): “It’s fairly unimaginable. We knew I used to be in good type coming right here however in opposition to the standard of men right here, I wasn’t positive how it could go. I’m actually grateful to the entire workforce and everybody who helped get me right here. It’s going to be robust tomorrow however we have now a very good workforce right here and we are going to do our greatest to try to go for it once more and see if we are able to transfer up that one spot. The workforce knew I may do it, they’ve had a variety of religion in me and have been conserving me calm the previous few days. Within the hectic dash levels the remainder of the fellows have actually invested in me to maintain me protected and never lose any time, so it’s good to have the ability to pay again their arduous work right here. It’s a reasonably iconic climb Willunga Hill so to have my title on the winner’s listing is absolutely cool.”
Total chief and 2nd on the stage, Stevie Williams (Israel-Premier Tech): “It was a tricky closing, as anticipated. We knew it could simply be whittled down till the road and I discovered myself with good legs with 500 meters to go, in an ideal place. I barely underestimated how far the end line was from the final nook. Ideally I might have gone into that final nook first and will have held on however credit score to Oscar Onley. I’m proud of my efficiency. I’m actually happy with my teammates and the way they backed me all day. It was such an important journey from everybody. Clearly, Corbin had a troublesome day and needed to withdraw which is a disgrace for us as a result of he’s one other rider who may have performed effectively on a end like this. I knew it was going to be shut. Clearly we’re on the identical time, so I’ve the lead on depend again. That dash end on stage 2 has turn out to be useful with these 4 bonus seconds I picked up. I’m actually happy to be on this jersey and provides it again to the boys who’ve performed such a very good job right now. Tomorrow might be a tricky stage and arduous to regulate as it’s nonetheless very shut there on the Basic Classification with the highest 5 or 6 guys inside a handful of seconds. I anticipate it is going to be a reasonably tense day however the guys I’ve listed here are so skilled so I’ve little question we are going to do our greatest to struggle for it. There is no such thing as a one higher to have within the automobile or in my ear than Daryl Impey and Sam Bewley. Daryl was giving me a pep speak at breakfast this morning and it’s nice to have his expertise mixed with Bewls. Simon Clarke is such a very good highway captain to have. Each ascent, each descent, simply to have somebody that skilled within the chaos is unbelievable. He simply has this knack of being in the precise place on the proper time. To have him in my nook, and the entire different guys, has simply been so good.”
eighth on the stage and 4th total, Isaac del Toro (UAE Staff Emirates): “I did my greatest and I’m actually proud of that. At the moment was my first actual day climbing on the World Tour stage and I’m happy with the way it went contemplating the corporate I used to be in. The workforce helped me quite a bit and I loved the environment on the highway sporting the leaders jersey, a tremendous feeling. I’ll attempt to recuperate, be relaxed and tomorrow attempt once more.”
KOM, Luke Burns (ARA Australian Biking): “We had a number of totally different plans right now and it simply labored effectively that the break was caught on the backside. And it wasn’t too flat out up the climb and I may sneak throughout for optimum factors.”
Santos Tour Down Below Stage 5 Consequence:
1. Oscar Onley (GB) dsm-firmenich PostNL in 2:52:23
2. Stephen Williams (GB) Israel-Premier Tech
3. Jhonatan Narváez (Eu) INEOS Grenadiers
4. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Soudal Fast-Step at 0:03
5. Bart Lemmen (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike
6. Simon Yates (GB) Jayco AlUla
7. Valentin Paret-Peintre (Fra) Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale at 0:06
8. Isaac del Toro (Mex) UAE Staff Emirates
9. Damien Howson (Aus) Australia at 0:12
10. Finn Fisher-Black (NZ) UAE Staff Emirates at 0:20.
Santos Tour Down Below Total After Stage 5:
1. Stephen Williams (GB) Israel-Premier Tech in 16:08:18
2. Oscar Onley (GB) dsm-firmenich PostNL
3. Jhonatan Narváez (Eu) INEOS Grenadiers at 0:05
4. Isaac del Toro (Mex) UAE Staff Emirates
5. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Soudal Fast-Step at 0:13
6. Bart Lemmen (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike
7. Simon Yates (Fra) Jayco AlUla
8. Valentin Paret-Peintre (Fra) Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale at 0:16
9. Damien Howson (Aus) Australia at 0:22
10. Axel Mariault (Fra) Cofidis at 0:24
TDU’24 stage 5:
Stephen Williams of Israel Premier Tech stormed residence in a frantic end at Mount Lofty to say the Schwalbe Stage 6 win and total victory of the 2024 Santos Tour Down Below on Sunday. Williams edged out Ineos Grenadiers’ Jhonatan Narvaez and Isaac Del Toro Romero of UAE Staff Emirates who completed second and third respectively, in each Schwalbe Stage 6 and total. The trio had been locked in a battle within the race to the end with Del Toro Romero main the way in which till the previous few hundred metres. Within the closing dash, Williams burst previous his rivals and crossed the road within the Ochre Jersey to safe high spot within the Basic Classification.
After beginning in Unley, riders went early with the primary King of the Mountain climb factors obtainable simply 3.8kms from the beginning. Jersey chief Luke Burns of ARA Australian Biking Staff amongst these main the cost. Burns completed second behind Staff Jayco AlUla’s Chris Harper, additional cementing his lead within the climbing classification.
With round 100kms to race, a bunch of seven broke away together with Stefan De Bod from EF Training Straightforward-Put up and Simon Geschke of Cofidis, who had been each beneath two minutes off the lead within the Basic Classification. The breakaway continued to push forward and lead the peloton by as a lot as three minutes after 40kms. With De Bod among the many bunch, he took the lead within the digital standings.
The peloton was persistently round three minutes behind the breakaway, however started reeling them in with beneath 50kms to go earlier than the hole was slashed to beneath 90 seconds with 33kms remaining. With 7.5kms to race, there was a crash in direction of the again of the peloton with a bunch of riders hitting the deck, with the frontrunners avoiding getting caught up within the tangle. The breakaway was formally caught inside the ultimate three kms to arrange an exciting end which culminated in a scintillating closing 300 metres.
Burns’ efex King of the Mountain #1 victory early within the day to make sure he sealed King of the Mountain classification. West Australian Sam Welsford of Bora-Hansgrohe was the winner of the Ziptrak® Dash classification following three stage wins. Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale took out the final groups’ classification after the ultimate stage.
Key Factors:
3.8km: efex King of the Mountain 1 – Windy Level (Class 1)
Staff Jayco AlUla’s Chris Harper took out the primary efex King of the Mountain climb of Schwalbe Stage 6. King of the Mountain jersey chief Luke Burns (ARA Australian Biking Staff) additionally collected worthwhile factors in second, whereas Alessandro Covi of UAE Staff Emirates completed third.
56.1km: Ziptrak Dash 1 – Strathalbyn Street at Mylor Oval, Mylor
Maurice Ballerstedt from Alpecin-Deceuninck claimed Schwalbe Stage 6’ Ziptrak® Dash #1 forward of Soudal Fast-Step’s Gil Gelders and EF Training Straightforward-Put up’s Stefan De Bod who earned a worthwhile second bonus.
69.5km: efex King of the Mountain 2 – Mount Lofty (Class 1)
Soudal Fast-Step’s Gil Gelders crossed the road uncontested forward of Jacopo Mosca of Lidl-Trek and EF Training Straightforward-Put up’s Stefan De Bod within the first of three climbs of Mount Lofty.
79.9km: Ziptrak Dash 2 – Greenhill Street at Uraidla Resort, Uraidla
Jacopo Mosca of Lidl-Trek received Ziptrak® Dash #2 with Franck Bonnamour (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Staff) and Antonio Morgado (UAE Staff Emirates) crossing the road shut behind.
98.2km: efex King of the Mountain 3 – Mount Lofty (Class 1)
Gil Gelders of Soudal Fast-Step took out the ultimate efex King of the Mountain for Schwalbe Stage 6, edging out Antonio Morgado from UAE Staff Emirates and Franck Bonnamour of Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Staff.
All of the Jerseys:
Santos Tour Down Below Champion – Stephen Williams (Israel Premier Tech)
Schwalbe Males’s Stage 6 Winner – Stephen Williams (Israel Premier Tech)
efex King of the Mountain – Luke Burns (ARA Australian Biking Staff)
Ziptrak Sprinter’s Jersey – Sam Welsford (Bora-hansgrohe)
Zwift Younger Rider’s Jersey – Isaac del Toro Romero (UAE Staff Emirates)
Most Aggressive – Antonio Morgado Tomas (UAE Staff Emirates)
Total and stage winner, Stephen Williams (Israel-Premier Tech): “What a stage. That end is ideal for me. It’s so punchy. I’ve received a knack of with the ability to maintain on and maintain on and fortuitously I used to be in a position to get again on the wheel [in the finale], learn the scenario and capitalised by opening up at 250 meters to go. Everybody’s legs had been useless by then so I assumed if I received the leap, I might be in with a very good probability. I might at all times again myself coming into it in a small, choose group like that and to do it on this jersey as effectively, makes it much more particular. Actually, the assist the workforce has given me over the previous two days has been unimaginable. I can’t thank them sufficient. The workers, soigneurs, mechanics, the boys, the riders, everybody. All week the boys have been wonderful. They’ve performed an important job and that is undoubtedly a workforce victory. With the caliber of riders we had right here, we had been backing ourselves and we weren’t right here to make up numbers, that’s for positive. I’m actually proud to return down right here and begin the season like this on the entrance foot, and head again to Europe and proceed on. Biking is humorous as a result of wins don’t come round fairly often. So when you get a victory like this, it’s important to ensure you take pleasure in it and take it in. For me to win a WorldTour GC at this level within the season is absolutely vital for my improvement.”
third on the stage and 2nd total, Isaac Del Toro (UAE Staff Emirates): “I nonetheless tried and I’m proud of that. For my first expertise it could have been higher if I had received, however that is in fact additionally good. Though, it may have been even higher. I’ve been making an attempt to make up for misplaced time. And extra importantly, I loved my first race at WorldTour stage. It is very important continue to learn and provides all the pieces. You by no means know what to anticipate in biking. However I do know that I’ll give it my all, and possibly much more, as quickly as I get on the bike. I did that once more on this stage, however it turned out to not be sufficient for the victory. Higher luck subsequent time.”
4th total, Oscar Onley (dsm-firmenich PostNL): “I’m dissatisfied now, however that is perhaps totally different in a number of hours. I really feel fairly empty. I’m dissatisfied with the truth that I needed to let go within the closing, however it’s what it’s. In a number of hours I’ll most likely be very proud of my stage victory on Saturday. However in the mean time the frustration is predominant. It was an important alternative to race as a frontrunner, I realized quite a bit from that. I can take that with me into the longer term, however for now I’ve to congratulate Williams. He rode actually sturdy and is the deserved total winner, after all the pieces he has proven.”
sixth on the stage and total, Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal Fast-Step): “I’ve gained confidence right here. The motivation was there for the final stage. It was a very good day for us, with Gil (Gelders) within the early breakaway. The opposite guys rode with me all day, till the foot of the final climb. They labored arduous. I’m proud of what the workforce is exhibiting, and I felt good myself. I’ve confidence, particularly after this robust weekend. I really feel that I’m slowly getting again into higher form. I loved this competitors and can now go residence to organize for my subsequent targets.”
eighth total, Valentin Paret-Peintre (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale): “Very glad with my first WorldTour high 10. It’s my first high 10 end in a normal classification, and in a WorldTour race at that, so I’m very glad. The workforce labored very well all week and we’ve received a very good dynamic going. That’s promising for all the remainder of the season. I’ve been very severe about my coaching this winter and I arrived in Australia very motivated. Placement was actually vital on this sort of route. The workforce did an important job all through the week once we all raced collectively and on the entrance. It was not simply our bodily form, but additionally the way in which we rode, which enabled us to win the workforce classification. My subsequent purpose would be the UAE Tour, the place my job might be to assist Ben so far as doable within the mountains.”
Ziptrak Sprinter’s Jersey, Sam Welsford (Bora-hansgrohe): “It’s undoubtedly greater than I used to be anticipating to return away with right here on the Santos Tour Down Below however the boys have been tremendous magical.”
efex King of the Mountains, Luke Burns (ARA Australian Biking Staff): “It’ feels superior. I used to be there for the factors on the primary one so, locked it up on the first KOM.”
Santos Tour Down Below Stage 6 Consequence:
1. Stephen Williams (GB) Israel-Premier Tech in 3:05:26
2. Jhonatan Narváez (Eu) INEOS Grenadiers
3. Isaac del Toro (Mex) UAE Staff Emirates
4. Bart Lemmen (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike
5. Laurence Pithie (NZ) Groupama-FDJ at 0:03
6. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Soudal Fast-Step at 0:10
7. Damien Howson (Aus) Australia
8. Christian Scaroni (Ita) Astana Qazaqstan
9. Bauke Mollema (Ned) Lidl-Trek
10. Lars Boven (Ned) Alpecin-Deceuninck.
Santos Tour Down Below Ultimate Total Consequence:
1. Stephen Williams (GB) Israel – Premier Tech in 19:13:34
2. Jhonatan Narváez (Eu) INEOS Grenadiers at 0:09
3. Isaac del Toro (Mex) UAE Staff Emirates at 0:11
4. Oscar Onley (GB) dsm-firmenich PostNL at 0:20
5. Bart Lemmen (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike at 0:23
6. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Soudal Fast-Step at 0:33
7. Simon Yates (GB) Jayco AlUla
8. Valentin Paret-Peintre (Fra) Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale at 0:36
9. Damien Howson (Aus) Australia at 0:42
10. Jack Haig (Aus) Bahrain-Victorious at 0:50
TDU’24 stage 6:
Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana 1969 2024
The primary European highway race of 2024 was received by Dylan Groenewegen. The Dutch sprinter of Jayco AlUla was the quickest after 200 kilometres within the Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana 1969. Within the bunch dash he beat Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) and Tim Torn Teutenberg (Lidl-Trek Future Racing).
The route of the Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana 1969 had modified from final yr. After the beginning in La Nucia, got here the well-known climb of the Coll de Charges (14.1km at 2.9%) and after 70 kilometres there was the Alto de Barx (3.6km at 6.5%). This was adopted by a number of extra smaller climbs, however after 120 kilometres the climbing was over and the race route was flat to the end line in Valencia.
Early within the race, 4 riders broke away, however 12 extra joined them. Lotto Dstny, Burgos-BH, Bingoal WB, Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale and Movistar all riders off the entrance. The sixteen had a lead of greater than 2 minutes over the peloton. It was Jayco AlUla and Astana Qazaqstan who had been main the chase behind for his or her sprinters; Dylan Groenewegen and Gleb Syritsa. These WorldTeams made positive that the benefit was lower than 1 minute, after which the co-operation within the main group fell aside. Liam Slock (Lotto Dstny), Valentin Retailleau (Decathlon AG2R) and Stefano Oldani (Cofidis) then rode away and the others of the early break had been caught.
The main three pushed on for some time, however couldn’t maintain off the peloton and had been caught just below 15 kilometres from the end. The sprinter’s groups then took management to carry their fast-finisher into the ultimate straight in a very good place. Groenewegen was in an ideal place, a kilometre from the end, together with his Jayco AlUla prepare as Lotto Dstny additionally got here to the entrance. The final kilometre was chaotic, however Groenewegen fought himself free and crossed the end line first. He was effectively forward of Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) and Tim Torn Teutenberg (Lidl-Trek Future Racing) in Valencia. The primary victory of 2024 in Europe went to Groenewegen.
Race winner, Dylan Groenewegen (Jayco AlUla): “It was a bit hectic within the closing, however we had ready a very good plan. The ultimate wasn’t very robust both. It was very robust within the preliminary part. However the workforce did a very good job placing me again in place once we rejoined the peloton. We then managed to catch the main group of sixteen riders. We had Felix Engelhardt on the flight with us, in order that was good for us anyway. Every part went effectively within the run-up to the ultimate. Afterwards I used to be in a bubble and barely behind the opposite guys, however that was truly good, as a result of I may use the slipstream of the opposite sprinters. Fortunately I used to be in a position to end. It’s good to pay again the arduous work of the workforce.”
Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana 1969 Consequence:
1. Dylan Groenewegen (Ned) Jayco AlUla in
2. Bryan Coquard (Fra) Cofidis
3. Tim Torn Teutenberg (Ger) Lidl-Trek Future Racing
4. Davide Cimolai (Ita) Movistar
5. Gleb Syritsa (-) Astana Qazaqstan
6. Carlos Canal (Spa) Movistar
7. Marc Sarreau (Fra) Groupama-FDJ
8. Luca Mozzato (Ita) Arkéa-&B Lodges
9. Rui Oliveira (Por) UAE Staff Emirates
10. Amaury Capiot (Bel) Arkéa-B&B Lodges.
Clàssica Valenciana’24:
Ruta de la Cerámica – Gran Premio Castellón 2024
Michael Matthews has given Jayco AlUla one other victory. A day after his teammate Dylan Groenewegen received the Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana, the Australian was the most effective within the Gran Premio Castellón. He sprinted to victory on a barely uphill end. Pierre Gautherat was second, Alex Aranburu third.
The Gran Premio Castellón was the second European race of 2024, after Saturday’s Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana 1969, the riders needed to cowl nearly 174 kilometres. Ten kilometres from the end was the highest of the Collado de Ayódar (5.2km at 4.3%), however would the sprinters survive.
Within the opening half, many riders tried to get away, however the break that ultimately emerged consisted of solely three riders. Jelle Vermoote (Bingoal WB) and Paul Hennequin (Good Métropole Côte d’Azur) had been the primary to get a spot. After; Duarte Marivoet, who usually rides for the UAE Staff Emirates devo workforce, however was with the WT squad, joined them. The trio gained a lead of virtually 6 minutes.
Within the chase it was primarily Movistar and Jayco AlUla that set the tempo. They ensured that the final escapee, Vermoote, was caught with 25 kilometres to go. The race then hit the Collado de Ayódar. On the primary part, Astana Qazaqstan rider Nicolas Vinokurov was off the entrance for some time, however he didn’t sustain his effort up for lengthy. Alex Baudin (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) did a bit extra. He crossed the highest first, forward of Igor Arrieta (UAE Staff Emirates), and stayed on the entrance solo for a very long time. However, within the final 3 kilometres the peloton pulled him again and the race would finish in a dash. Within the dash there was no match to Michael Matthews. The Australian put in an extended assault on the marginally uphill end and didn’t cease. He received convincingly forward of Pierre Gautherat and Alex Aranburu.
Race winner, Michael Matthews (Jayco AlUla): “It was an exquisite day right now, the climate was wonderful and the group right here in Spain at all times provides me such a pleasant feeling. I’ve had a variety of my good victories in Spain and to be the primary winner right here on this race is absolutely particular. I feel the primary lap we got here by [the finish] was truly more durable, there was a variety of stress as a result of everybody knew the principle climb within the closing was developing two kilometres after the end line, so there was a variety of stress after which it was full gasoline from there all the way in which to the end. I feel yesterday we labored wonderful as a workforce and right now we took it up from the beginning, we took the accountability and we had confidence in ourselves to ship the consequence. Full credit score to the fellows who rode all day right now and yesterday for me and for Dylan, it exhibits that the arduous work pays off.”
Ruta de la Cerámica – Gran Premio Castellón Consequence:
1. Michael Matthews (Aus) Jayco AlUla in 4:09:47
2. Pierre Gautherat (Fra) Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale
3. Alex Aranburu (Spa) Movistar
4. David González (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA
5. Stefano Oldani (Ita) Cofidis
6. Jenthe Biermans (Bel) Arkéa-B&B Lodges
7. Pau Miquel (Spa) Equipo Kern Pharma
8. Jasper De Buyst (Bel) Lotto Dstny
9. Lennert Teugels (Bel) Bingoal WB
10. Bryan Coquard (Fra) Cofidis.
Castellón’24:
UCI World Cup Cyclocross – Benidorm Males 2024
Wout van Aert received his final cross of his winter season on the Benidorm World Cup. The Visma | Lease a Bike rider crossed the road solo within the Spanish cross (with out a saddle), forward of Michael Vanthourenhout. There was no massive struggle between Van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel, because the Dutchman crashed within the penultimate lap. Thibau Nys was third.
Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, Tom Pidcock, Eli Iserbyt and Michael Vanthourenhout had been all current within the Benidorm World Cup. Van der Poel was anticipated to crush everybody as he has performed in all his earlier races. Nevertheless, we had not seen Van der Poel in motion for 2 weeks.
The very best begin in Benidorm was not for one of many massive names, however for Laurens Sweeck. Van der Poel was round eighth place, Van Aert was additional again. Inside a only a few minutes, it was the Dutchman who was within the worst place of the 2. The World champion needed to get off his bike resulting from a sequence drawback and misplaced a variety of locations and had a race to catch up. After the primary of 9 laps, Van der Poel had already picked up the mandatory riders and completed seventeenth. He was then 12 seconds behind Joris Nieuwenhuis, who was the primary of a most important group of riders. This bunch additionally included Ronhaar, who gave it a go. Behind them, Van Aert additionally moved up and within the third lap the Belgian hit the entrance with Iserbyt and Thibau Nys on his wheel.
Within the fourth lap, Van der Poel joined the main trio, the place Van Aert continued to place the stress on as Iserbyt received into bother. When Van Aert went even quicker on the asphalt climb, essentially the most troublesome ramp on the course, it was additionally too quick for Nys. It wasn’t quick sufficient for Van der Poel. He countered Van Aert’s assault after which put extra stress on. The Visma | Lease a Bike rider held agency and so after 4 laps there have been two leaders. Within the fifth lap, Michael Vanthourenhout and Tom Pidcock joined the entrance, like Van der Poel, they needed to move many riders. Pidcock nonetheless had one thing left within the tank and selected to assault at the beginning of lap six. Van Aert needed to go away a spot, which was closed by Van der Poel. The World champion then began the climb within the lead and put the hammer down. Vanthourenhout and Pidcock needed to let go, however had been in a position to return afterwards. The tempo eased a bit
Due to the slowing on the entrance, the pursuers had been in a position to return. This group consisted of Nys, Iserbyt, Toon Vandebosch, Felipe Orts, Lars van der Haar and French champion, Clément Venturini. Van der Poel was on the entrance of this group, however crashed on the eighth lap. At that second, Vanthourenhout pressed on, after which Van Aert took over. Van der Poel was inside 20 seconds very quickly, however it was an excessive amount of, because it turned out. He wouldn’t be capable of compete for the victory. On the entrance there was a battle between Van Aert and Vanthourenhout. Van Aert appeared to have received after he dropped Vanthourenhout on the climb, however within the closing minutes he crashed as he jumped on his bike too early after the beams. Van Aert hit the bottom after which when remounting, he kicked hid saddle off the bike. Vanthourenhout got here nearer. Van Aert had sufficient time and ended his cyclo-cross winter with a victory. Vanthourenhout took second place, Nys stayed forward of Iserbyt within the battle for the ultimate podium spot. Fifth place went to Van der Poel, who had moved up within the closing lap. This was the primary race this cross season that Van der Poel didn’t win.
Race winner, Wout van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike): “Not like earlier years, I’ve not been working in direction of this era. The main target is on the highway, however once I’m at the beginning, I received’t journey with the brakes on. I need to give all the pieces I’ve and be ok with the cyclo-cross season. It’s at all times good to win a race, however it wasn’t a very powerful factor right now. I hoped to have good legs and finish the season with a very good feeling. I managed to try this, and in the long run, I’m happier with that than the win itself. I used to be in a position to dig deep and struggle with Mathieu. I haven’t been in a position to try this this winter. It’s a disgrace that we couldn’t have a duel in the long run, however there have been a variety of different sturdy riders that I needed to beat. It wasn’t simple, however I’m glad I received. I assumed I used to be good by not leaping over the boundaries, so I used to be positive I wouldn’t make a mistake. I underestimated the floor as a result of my bike bounced, and I jumped up in opposition to my saddle. Then my bike hit the bottom, and my saddle broke off. That brought on a variety of stress.”
2nd, Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal): “Possibly I ought to at all times rise up at 4 o’clock. I didn’t anticipate this after yesterday. It wasn’t simple to rise up for 4 o’clock after which catch a flight, however I had good legs and a very good day. Possibly I ought to get away from bed at 4 o’clock each weekend. On the final lap I felt that it was going a bit too quick for me on the climb. I used to be desirous about second place, however then I noticed Van Aert fall close to the beams and I began to imagine in it once more. However it was too brief to the end.”
fifth, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck): “To start with my chain got here off and I needed to chase, however that was nonetheless doable” However within the penultimate lap, after the sandpit, I hit the sting a bit an excessive amount of with my shoulder and I knew it was over. That half is just too brief to drop a rider like Wout. It’s also fairly brief, and the one one the place you’ll be able to actually lose your power. It’s a disgrace in fact, however it doesn’t maintain me awake at night time. I didn’t actually damage myself, that’s not too unhealthy. My shoulder is okay, I can proceed coaching. That’s not likely a problem for me. I attempt to be at my greatest inside two weeks, I’ve additionally skilled arduous for that. That’s why I felt that I definitely didn’t have the freshest legs. It’d nonetheless have labored, however it could definitely have been thrilling proper right down to the end. In my view, there ought to be no extra programs like this in cross. That’s what I mentioned final yr once I received. The viewers clearly makes up for lots, however purely when it comes to the course it’s definitely not one thing that I want. I perceive that it’s improbable for the viewers, as a result of it is going to at all times be a battle to the end, as it’s nearly unimaginable to do away with one another.”
UCI World Cup Cyclocross – Benidorm Males Consequence
1. Wout van Aert (Bel) Visma | Lease a Bike
2. Michael Vanthourenhout (Bel) Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal at 0:03
3. Thibau Nys (Bel) Baloise Trek Lions at 0:07
4. Eli Iserbyt (Bel) Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal
5. Mathieu van der Poel (Ned) Alpecin-Deceuninck 0:12
6. Toon Vandebosch (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 0:13
7. Lars van der Haar (Ned) Baloise Trek Lions 0:15
8. Felipe Orts (Spa) La Vila Joiosa-Neteo 0:21
9. Tom Pidcock (GB) INEOS Grenadiers at 0:27
10. Clément Venturini (Fra) Arkéa-B&B Lodges at 0:31.
Benidorm’24:
UCI World Cup Cyclocross – Benidorm Ladies 2024
Fem van Empel received the Benidorm World Cup for the second yr in a row. Within the closing lap she fought an thrilling duel with Puck Pieterse, who finally needed to accept second place. Ceylin del Carmen del Alvarado got here third. The organisers of the Benidorm World Cup had the strongest doable discipline: Puck Pieterse, World Cup chief Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, Dutch champion Lucinda Model and World champion Fem van Empel had been all in Spain.
Of the highest favourites, Van Empel had the most effective begin, however Alvarado and Pieterse had been simply behind. Model was a bit additional again. She needed to watch as Pieterse accelerated on essentially the most troublesome climb of the lap. Van Empel was on her wheel, Alvarado adopted at a number of metres, the remaining had been additional again. Model did transfer up on the second lap within the firm of Sara Casasola, however was already nearly 20 seconds behind.
Pieterse continued to place the stress on on the entrance. Van Empel needed to go away a spot in a technical part, however then got here again and took over. Alvarado had additionally been in a position to reconnect, however she didn’t keep on the entrance of the race for very lengthy. The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider had an issue on the third lap and needed to attempt to catch up. This was additionally resulting from Pieterse’s acceleration, however she couldn’t do away with Van Empel. The distinction between the main duo and the primary pursuer then fluctuated, till Alvarado was in a position to catch up once more on the fifth lap. The trio behind them of Model, Casasola and Kata Blanka Vas, additionally received a bit nearer. However simply then there was one other leap from Van Empel within the sand. Then Pieterse took over on the highway climb. Alvarado was dropped once more and the others misplaced extra time.
Once more Alvarado was again on the entrance after six of the seven laps. Van Empel and Pieterse had began watching one another and slowed. At the beginning of the ultimate lap, Alvarado got here to the entrance, however Van Empel was quickly in cost once more. Regardless that the tempo was excessive, the three stayed collectively. That modified on the climb. Pieterse went into battle right here, however Van Empel handed her simply earlier than the highest. However Pieterse took the lead once more on the descent. It was now a dash from bend to bend and the Fenix-Deceuninck rider managed to maintain the World champion behind her for a very long time. On a right-hand bend, Van Empel got here by and gave Pieterse a shoulder push. She held her main place and with a closing dash and, similar to final yr, she received the Benidorm World Cup. Pieterse was second, Alvarado adopted in third place to secured the ultimate victory within the World Cup.
Race winner, Fem van Empel (Visma | Lease a Bike): “It was an thrilling battle between me and Puck. I couldn’t get away from her. I knew it could be troublesome if I took her to the boundaries. My final probability was to get by the final nook first. It was a threat, however fortunately, it labored. Races like this push you and the others to a better stage. I feel that may solely be good for the world championships. It’s weird how many individuals got here to see this. The group applauded everybody, and I feel they noticed an important race. I’m grateful to all of the folks for his or her encouragement. This was solely my fourth cross at this stage and the final for this winter. It was a very totally different course to what I’m used to, however I’m comfortable to be within the high twenty. Once you begin with one thing new, it’s simpler to make vital steps and at all times go quicker whenever you like one thing. For me, it’s an important coaching incentive for the highway marketing campaign and motivating. I take pleasure in doing one thing utterly totally different within the winter.”
2nd, Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck): “It went effectively. Fem and I had been evenly matched. I feel it was a really good race to journey and watch. Sadly I simply missed it within the final lap, however I had progressed additional than final yr, so who is aware of, possibly I’ll have one other probability subsequent yr. Whether or not I failed? That’s at all times the case, isn’t it, in such a dash. We each know that we need to be the primary to get by that final nook. And I additionally know that Fem needs to move me there, as a result of that was the final second the place it was actually doable. She got here with a variety of pace, however you can’t block your complete highway. You may make your self broad, however that’s it. I assumed: I’ll take one other line after which cross it. However she was gone so shortly, so it was a misplaced trigger then. Did I go away an excessive amount of area? Possibly so, but when I had ridden proper, she would have handed on the left.”
third, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Alpecin-Deceuninck): “This makes me very comfortable. It’s the first time that I’ve received this classification. I’m glad I lastly received it. I additionally misplaced the rankings once more within the final race. Now I lastly have. This was the one factor I used to be lacking. This makes my profession full. My chain got here off as soon as on the second step. I needed to get off the bike to place it again on. That was an extended chase. Ultimately it labored, however they dropped me once more as a result of I used to be drained. The legs had been empty. That’s the way it went your complete race. It was fairly good, till midway by the cross. After that we needed to struggle the ache, however it was higher than the previous few video games. I’m glad there’s some enchancment, however it nonetheless must be higher.”
UCI World Cup Cyclocross – Benidorm Ladies Consequence:
1. Fem van Empel (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike
2. Puck Pieterse (Ned) Fenix-Deceuninck at 0:01
3. Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Ned) Alpecin-Deceuninck at 0:16
4. Lucinda Model (Ned) Baloise Trek Lions at 0:27
5. Kata Blanka Vas (Hun) SD Worx at 0:33
6. Sara Casasola (Ita) FAS Airport Providers-Guerciotti at 0:44
7. Laura Verdonscchot (Bel) De Ceuster-Bonache at 1:28
8. Marie Schreiber (Lux) SD Worx at 1:46
9. Annemarie Worst (Ned) Cyclocross Reds at 2:23
10. Zoe Backstedt (GB) Canyon//SRAM at 2:23
Benidorm’24:
Precise Cross Zonnebeke Kasteelcross – Males 2024
Michael Vanthourenhout took the victory within the Precise Cross in Zonnebeke on Saturday. Within the Kasteelcross, the European champion received after a battle with Gianni Vermeersch (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Tim Merlier (Soudal Fast-Step), when he dominated within the final two laps.
The very best begin went to Yordi Corsus, however Lander Loockx took over quickly after. European champion Michael Vanthourenhout was on their wheels, however quickly determined to place the stress on. He was the one one of many high cross riders who selected to mix Zonnebeke with Sunday’s Benidorm World Cup, and was the highest favorite.
Tim Merlier, Gianni Vermeersch, Vincent Baestaens and Tom Meeusen had been additionally current, so wouldn’t be an ‘simple’ race. Vermeersch took the lead within the first lap and pulled the main group away. Solely Vanthourenhout, Merlier, Loockx and Corsus may observe him. Within the sixth lap of ten), after a crash by Loockx, three males remained within the lead, whereas the stunning Kay De Bruyckere additionally misplaced his place on the entrance resulting from a crash. The battle for victory was going to be between Vanthourenhout, Merlier and Vermeersch.
It was the European champion who made a severe assault within the penultimate lap, leaving Vermeersch and Merlier behind. It turned out to be the decisive transfer, as a result of the road-men of Alpecin-Deceuninck and Soudal Fast-Step had no reply to Vanthourenhout’s acceleration. The winner had a flight to Spain on Sunday morning, the place he’ll journey within the World Cup in Benidorm.
Race winner, Michael Vanthourenhout (Bel): “Hopefully I might be in mattress early tonight and be capable of recuperate shortly for tomorrow. This implies quite a bit to me, it’s a TV cross in spite of everything. It was not so simple as it could have regarded. There have been a variety of ice spots and it was troublesome to run somebody off the wheel. Gianni and I had been the higher ones. I’m comfortable that I got here out on high in the long run, however Gianni rode a creditable race. Tim additionally made fairly a number of errors, however I feel he has another priorities in the mean time. This allowed me to make a distinction with my method. Hopefully I’ll recuperate shortly for tomorrow, with this victory in my pocket the weekend can’t be ruined. I’ll undoubtedly do my greatest in Benidorm, as a result of it isn’t that I might be a lot worse tomorrow.”
2nd, Gianni Vermeersch (Bel): “I’m comfortable that I can finish the season effectively. Now we are able to concentrate on the highway season. What do I take away from this? You can not simulate this depth in coaching, however second was the very best doable. Michael had a surplus and jumped easily over the beams, that was an issue. That’s why I’m proud of second place. Michael was a bit faster by the bends. I used to be in a position to grasp on for a very long time, however he made the largest distinction on the beams. I knew that the Belgian champs was going to be troublesome, however you at all times hope for a consequence. That was a giant disappointment, however I’m comfortable that I can finish the season on a very good word.”
third, Tim Merlier (Bel): “Conditionally it’s definitely good” “I can definitely reside with this, this was the very best doable” “I haven’t raced sufficient to have that feeling. I didn’t have the pace within the corners” “I made some errors and I didn’t handle to make a distinction.” “I skilled with Michael and Eli Iserbyt final yr, however Michael has a particular method,” says Merlier. “Usually you’ll be able to observe the strains of the particular person in entrance of you, however with him you’ll be able to’t. He cuts corners.” “It was a brief winter, however I at all times returned residence with a very good feeling. The situation is definitely good and issues ought to prove effectively in direction of the highway season. I’ll undoubtedly take away from this the intensive, full-throttle hour, the intervals.”
Precise Cross Zonnebeke Kasteelcross – Males 2024
1. Michael Vanthourenhout (Bel) in 56:31
2. Gianni Vermeersch (Bel) at 0:24
3. Tim Merlier (Bel) at 0:48
4. Lander Loockx (Bel) at 1:06
5. Tom Meeusen (Bel) at 1:30
6. Yordi Corsus (Bel) at 1:41
7. Arno Van den Broeck (Bel) at 2:54
8. Silas Kuschla (Ger) at 2:55
9. Ingmar Uytdewilligen (Bel) at 2:56
10. Robbe Marchand (Bel) at 2:57.
Zonnebeke’24:
Precise Cross Zonnebeke Kasteelcross – Ladies 2024
Marion Norbert Riberolle took full benefit of the absence of all the highest riders within the Precise Cross Zonnebeke on Saturday. The Belgian of Crelan-Corendon fulfilled her function as favorite on the partially snow-covered course of the Kasteelcross. Norbert Riberolle received solo, forward of the Dutch Larissa Hartog.
Marion Norbert Riberolle was the large favorite, within the absence of all of the world’s high riders, who most well-liked the Benidorm World Cup on Sunday and a coaching week in Spain. Within the first lap, Norbert Riberolle lived as much as her standing. On the arduous and typically snowy floor, the Crelan-Corendon rider proved to be in a category of her personal. The most important risk got here from the Dutch rider, Larissa Hartog. American champion Clara Honsinger had a foul begin and needed to struggle her method again.
Norbert Riberolle had a lead of virtually 30 seconds over Hartog by the half-way level, behind her the hole to the battle for third place had grown to greater than a minute. Honsinger battled with Liv Wenzel from Luxembourg for that final podium place. Within the final two laps, the American was the stronger and took third place. This was effectively behind Norbert Riberolle and Hartog. For the Belgian it was her third victory this winter, after earlier victories in Essen and Otegem. It was 22 year-old Hartog’s first podium end in a televised cross. Final week she completed twelfth on the cyclo-cross Nationwide Championships and this season she has had a number of podium locations in smaller crosses in Luxembourg and Germany.
Race winner, Marion Norbert Riberolle (Bel): “I used to be sixth on the European Championships and hope for a greater day on the World Championships. That is the right week. It was my option to journey right now and fly to Spain tomorrow, for a very good coaching week with the workforce. It was not simple to journey quick in all of the corners, however it was a enjoyable and delightful course. Generally it was an ice rink. Possibly a high 5 is feasible on a very good day. After which I hope for a very good finish to the season.”
2nd, Larissa Hartog (Ned): “That is definitely a very good consequence, however I knew that the majority of them could be in Spain. That was an important alternative for me to journey from the entrance. The rostrum was a purpose and that turned out to be doable. The truth that I’m not a well known title additionally gave me some peace of thoughts. I first rode in Norbert Riberolle’s wheel, however made a mistake on the camber. Then she was gone, however I used to be in a position to journey my very own strains. I’m not but on the peak of my skills, however I’m doing effectively. I’m comfortable that I can cycle once more and that that is now figuring out. It’s my very first time on the rostrum of a TV cross, so I can’t assist however be comfortable. On the finish of the season I nonetheless need to compete for the prizes.”
Precise Cross Zonnebeke Kasteelcross – Ladies 2024
1. Marion Norbert Riberolle (Bel) in 45:12
2. Larissa Hartog (Ned) at 0:34
3. Clara Honsinger (USA) 1:46
4. Liv Wenzel (Lux) at 2:03
5. Kiona Crabbé (Bel) at 2:09
6. Xan Crees (GB) at 2:22
7. Maïté Barthels (Lux) at 2:22
8. Bloeme Kalis (Ned) at 2:32
9. Noï Moes (Ned) at 2:50
10. Joyce Vanderbeken (Bel) at 3:11.
Zonnebeke’24:
Tiesj Benoot Postpones the Begin of his Season After Covid An infection
Tiesj Benoot’s covid an infection has had a severe impression on the Visma | Lease a Bike rider. The Belgian missed a variety of coaching and can begin his season later than initially deliberate.
Benoot grew to become in poor health in early January, when he was in Spain for a workforce coaching camp. He was then unable to coach for per week and the next week he was nonetheless ‘at half pace’, in keeping with Het Laatste Nieuws. “Nonetheless a blow to my invoice,” Benoot instructed the newspaper. “You’ll be able to’t simply make amends for that backlog – that’s a utopia.”
Benoot was supposed to begin his season on February 10, with the Vuelta a Murcia. Nevertheless, that has been canceled resulting from his covid an infection. The Clásica Jaén Paraiso Inside has even be deleted from his schedule. Benoot ought to now kick off with the Volta ao Algarve, from February 14th to 18th. “We didn’t need to push,” mentioned Visma | Lease a Bike. “These few additional days of preparation are welcome. Tiesj has suffered quite a bit.”
Later begin to the season for Benoot:
Tom Boonen to be Ambassador of the Piotr Havik Gravel Staff
Piotr Havik was the one rider within the Labeled Manufacturing facility Staff fuelled by Foodmaker final yr, however subsequent season he may have 4 teammates, because the gravel workforce is increasing. The title has been modified to the Labeled x Ridley Manufacturing facility Staff and former skilled, Tom Boonen, would be the workforce ambassador, reviews Belga.
In 2024, Havik, who raced as a one-man workforce final season, may have two male teammates: the Belgian rider Daan Grosemans and the British racer Toby Perry. With Annabel Fisher and Freya Rawlins, there are additionally two girls within the five-person workforce. Subsequent yr, the Labeled x Ridley Manufacturing facility Staff will take part within the UCI Gravel World Collection, Gravel Earth Collection and the World Championships in Leuven in October. Unbound Gravel can also be on this system.
Ambassador Tom Boonen seems to be forward with enthusiasm. “Some main sponsors needed to assist the Labeled Manufacturing facility Staff, which now permits us to strengthen our one-man workforce and transfer up a gear with Labeled-Ridley. We’re at the beginning of a really stunning story. We imagine very strongly within the gravel scene and can proceed to assist it sustainably,” he mentioned in a press launch.
The presentation of the Labeled x Ridley Manufacturing facility workforce happened on Saturday on the worldwide bicycle honest Velofollies in Kortrijk.
Labeled x Ridley Manufacturing facility Staff ambassador – Tom Boonen:
Physician Toon Claes, Wout van Aert’s Savior, Retires
The Belgian physician Toon Claes is among the best-known medical doctors within the biking peloton. Wout van Aert, Cadel Evans and Remco Evenepoel, and others, had been amongst his sufferers. After an extended profession, 68-year-old Claes is asking it a day. “Serving to folks realise their desires has at all times been my purpose,” Claes instructed Het Nieuwsblad.
On January 1 of this yr, a profession of greater than thirty years got here to an finish for the well-known sports activities surgeon Toon Claes. From motorsports to rallying, Claes handled a variety of athletes. He was additionally a well known title in biking. The primary bike owner he operated on the knee was Gino Van Hooydonck, Nathan’s father.
Certainly one of Claes’s interventions with the best impression was Wout van Aert’s operation. The category rider from Herentals got here to the highest physician after his horrible fall within the time trial of the 2019 Tour. It was Claes who saved Van Aert’s profession. “A couple of days after his fall he got here to me. I instantly noticed that we needed to intervene or Wout would limp all his life.”
Though it was a performed deal for Claes, the pursuits in high sport stay excessive. Such a call was by no means made shortly. “It led to tensions with the workforce medical doctors, who doubted the need of an operation. This stress between totally different opinions usually happens. Mathieu’s again, Alaphilippe’s knee… I’ve realized to carry everybody collectively. I’ve at all times discovered communication important. Everybody should assist the choice.”
The opposite high rider from Belgium, Remco Evenepoel, additionally got here to Claes after his fall within the Tour of Lombardy. “Remco was not a giant problem,” mentioned Claes. “It was a pelvic fracture with out displacement. Then you definitely simply should let nature do its work. With Remco I can’t say that I wrote a big a part of his story. For different athletes, sure. Serving to folks realise their desires, that has at all times been my purpose.”
Claes might have retired, however he definitely hasn’t stopped. Together with his basis ‘To Stroll Once more’ he’ll assist folks with a major bodily incapacity to nonetheless be cellular.
Matteo Trentin Needs Outcomes with Tudor
Matteo Trentin might be a mentor on the formidable Tudor workforce in 2024, however the skilled Italian additionally needs outcomes for himself. “I feel I can get extra freedom at Tudor after which I need to convert my good knowledge into outcomes,” he instructed WielerFlits.
Final yr, Tudor, with Fabian Cancellara as the large man behind the workforce, made its debut as a ProTeam. In its second yr, the workforce has expanded with, along with Trentin, Alberto Dainese, Marco Brenner, Marius Mayrhofer, Michael Storer and Alexander Krieger. “Tudor is a younger workforce that wishes to develop. They need to do this shortly, however above all in a great way,” mentioned Trentin.
“The truth that I may be a part of a workforce with that ambition feels superb and delightful. I feel I can have extra freedom at Tudor after which I need to convert my good knowledge into outcomes. As a result of my greatest pals journey in coaching, which is nugatory,” he laughed. “To develop you additionally want skilled riders who know what to do and when to do it. The workers can also be effectively ready, however you additionally want somebody within the race who has that overview.”
As highway captain, Trentin will usually race with fellow countryman Dainese or the opposite sprinter, the Dutchman Arvid de Kleijn. “Arvid has actually taken a step,” mentioned Trentin. “He was already a very good sprinter, however he has proven that he has potential and I feel he can develop even additional.” Final yr, De Kleijn received Milan-Turin and a stage within the Deutschland Tour.
“With him and Dainese we have now two sprinters who can take their possibilities in stage races or one-day races. I additionally suppose that Alberto may also make the step in harder competitions.” The now 34 year-old Trentin left UAE Staff Emirates on the finish of final yr, the place he had been for 3 seasons. “Final yr was very unhealthy for me, taking a look at my outcomes. Regardless that my preparation was good, and I feel I’ll have had my greatest yr when it comes to knowledge, these numbers nonetheless imply nothing if you happen to don’t get good outcomes.”
“I seen that I may be actually aggressive. Particularly within the Tour de France, as a result of once I received my very own probability, I used to be there,” Trentin took eighth and ninth locations within the closing week of the Tour. Why was his season disappointing? “I used to be sick fairly often, or I fell. In present biking it’s troublesome to get again to straightforward. Take a look at Zdenek Stybar, he had the identical factor. Once you simply come again and everyone seems to be in high type, you get a kick out of it. Thankfully, I seen that I can nonetheless take part within the finals, as a result of that’s what I favor to do within the coming years.”
Tudor Riders for 2024:
Tom BOHLI
Marco BRENNER
Nils BRUN
Alois CHARRIN
Alberto DAINESE
Arvid DE KLEIJN
Jacob ERIKSSON
Lucas ERIKSSON
Robin FROIDEVAUX
Mika HEMING
Alexander KAMP
Petr KELEMEN
Arthur KLUCKERS
Sebastian KOLZE CHANGIZI
Alexander Krieger
Marius MAYRHOFER
Simon PELLAUD
Rick PLUIMERS
Sebastien REICHENBACH
Michael STORER
Florian STORK
Joel SUTER
Roland THALMANN
Matteo TRENTIN
Yannis VOISARD
Hannes WILKSCH
Luc WIRTGEN
Maikel ZIJLAARD.
New job for Matteo Trentin with Tudor:
Jake Stewart Misses Season Begin resulting from Fractured Tibia
Jake Stewart is not going to race for his new Israel-Premier Tech workforce, simply but. The British rider, who was with Groupama-FDJ final yr, has suffered a fractured tibia and has a tear within the meniscal cartilage of his knee.
Israel-Premier Tech doesn’t clarify what occurred to Stewart. He received’t be out of motion for lengthy, because the tibia fracture has not moved and the crack is small. Consequently, 24 year-old Stewart doesn’t require surgical procedure. He is not going to be allowed to raise or do something with weights for the following three weeks. He’s allowed to journey indoors.
Israel-Premier Tech expects Stewart to return to racing on the finish of the spring, however he’ll miss the primary weeks of the season. In 2021 he was second for Groupama-FDJ within the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.
Jake Stewart out for the beginning of the season:
Rohan Dennis Attended the Emotional Funeral of his Spouse Melissa
Rohan Dennis attended the funeral of his spouse Melissa Dennis on Wednesday. The funeral happened in Perth after she died on December 30 following a collision for which her husband, Rohan Dennis, was charged with demise by harmful driving. As a result of the previous bike owner is out on bail, he was in a position to attend the funeral.
In keeping with ABC, Rohan Dennis was there together with his two kids, whom he had with Melissa Hoskins. Her father Peter Hoskins and her former coach Gary Sutton spoke through the funeral.
“At the moment we have a good time a life that lasted far too brief. Melissa was simply getting began. Her greatest achievements had been but to return,” her father mentioned through the ceremony. “When Melissa stopped biking, she selected her targets once more. It was time to change into the most effective mom, a champion mum. Melissa was the cornerstone of her household.”
Following the demise of his spouse Melissa, Rohan Dennis was charged with ‘demise by harmful driving, careless/inaccurate driving and endangering human life’. He was launched on bail however is because of seem in court docket in Adelaide on March 13. The Australian bike owner, who was twice World time trial champion, had been knowledgeable since 2013 and ended his profession with Jumbo-Visma on the finish of 2023.
Belgium Has New Package for the Olympic Video games
Staff Belgium and Belgian Biking have offered their equipment for the 2024 Olympic Video games. The jersey known as ‘The Embrace’ and is a change from the earlier design. “Unity was central to the creation of The Embrace, impressed by the nationwide motto: ‘Unity is energy’,” the federation wrote a press launch.
“It harmoniously combines the long-lasting Belgian Blue, the Olympic rings and the Belgian tricolor. This highly effective image of connection is embodied by two arms within the colors of the Belgian flag embracing one another, a gesture that encompasses triumph and luxury. The yellow represents gentle, power, and above all the desire to excel in sports activities. Collectively, We Are Staff Belgium!”
“This biking jersey is an expression of unity and power. It combines the long-lasting ‘Belgian Blue’ with the Olympic rings, dressed within the colors of the Belgian flag. A tribute to the wealthy heritage of Belgian biking, the place the recognisable blue colors create a robust hyperlink with the authenticity and success of Belgian biking historical past.” In August, Van Aert, Evenepoel, Kopecky and the remainder of the Belgian workforce might be seen within the new equipment.
The Belgian Olympic jersey:
ASO Announce WildCards for the Tour de France 2024
Together with the eighteen WorldTeams, Lotto Dstny and Israel-Premier Tech had been already assured of a spot within the 2024 Tour de France. Tour organiser, ASO has now introduced the wildcards groups: Uno-X and TotalEnergies.
In 2024, the identical 22 groups will take part within the Tour de France as in 2023. The eighteen WorldTeams are current and the ProTeams that had been current final yr: Uno-X, TotalEnergies, Lotto Dstny and Israel-Premier Tech are additionally on the beginning line once more. Lotto Dstny and Israel-Premier Tech have an computerized invitation, as they completed in first and second locations within the UCI rankings for ProTeams in 2023. Uno-X and TotalEnergies have acquired a wildcard from ASO.
Uno-X made its debut within the Tour de France final yr. “To be invited to the Tour de France for the second yr in a row is a big recognition,” mentioned Jens Haugland, the supervisor of the Norwegian workforce, in a press launch. “We’re full of gratitude and pleasure. We’re very happy that our efficiency final yr has led to a brand new invitation. We’ve labored arduous and brought new steps, together with signing Andreas Leknessund and Magnus Cort. We’re trying ahead to contributing to a different massive biking pageant in June and June, and making an attempt to be even higher ready this time. It will be nice to take residence a stage win.”
In final yr’s Tour de France, Uno-X was unable to realize any stage success. There have been a number of high ten finishes, together with from Tobias Halland Johannessen, Jonas Abrahamsen and sprinter Alexander Kristoff. The Norwegian workforce in 2024 will embrace Rasmus Tiller and Søren Wærenskjold.
TotalEnergies is nearly as good as a everlasting fixture within the Tour de France. Like Uno-X, the French workforce didn’t have a stage victory within the 2023 Tour, however they did come shut a number of instances. Pierre Latour was second within the stage to the Puy de Dôme, Mathieu Burgaudeau was second within the stage to Belleville-en-Beaujolais received by Ion Izagirre and Burgaudeau was additionally third on the day that Wout Poels received in Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc.
ASO, the organiser of the Tour de France, additionally handed out the wildcards for Paris-Good and the Critérium du Dauphiné. Paris-Good may have TotalEnergies and Tudor Professional Biking at the beginning. TotalEnergies will miss the Critérium du Dauphiné, the final preparatory race for the Tour de France. Uno-X and Q36.5 might be there.
Lotto Dstny and Israel-Premier Tech will each journey Paris-Good and the Critérium du Dauphiné with their computerized invites.
Uno-X to the Tour once more:
Ladies’s E3 Saxo Basic Canceled
The ladies’s model of the E3 Saxo Basic is not going to happen this yr. The intention was to make Leiedal Koerse a race equal to the lads’s race, however resulting from monetary and sporting issues, that received’t occur. “The organiser fears that the final version could be too loss-making and didn’t need to find yourself with a mountain of debt,” mentioned spokesperson Jacques Coussens to Sporza.
Leiedal Koerse has existed since 2022 and is the sister of the E3 Saxo Basic. Nevertheless, the ladies will race on the finish of April, as a result of full calendar in March when the E3 race for the lads might be held. In keeping with the organisers, the plan was to additionally organise the ladies’s occasion on the Friday from 2025, however that won’t occur.
Coussens calls it a drastic resolution, partly resulting from issues with the calendar. Brugge-De Panne (Thursday) and Gent-Wevelgem (Sunday) guarantee a packed racing week for the ladies. “As a result of pushing a 3rd WorldTour race turned out to be unimaginable within the brief and medium time period. As well as, most girls’s groups have too few riders to divide the races amongst a number of groups,” he mentioned.
Issues had been additionally not going effectively financially. “Organisational prices proceed to rise, whereas the attraction for sponsors stays beneath progress expectations,” Coussens mentioned. The approaching loss gave an additional push. “That’s the reason the board of the Nieuwe Velovrienden determined to tug the plug on the Leiedal Koerse girls’s race resulting from a scarcity of long-term perspective on the calendar and resulting from a scarcity of wholesome monetary prospects.”
Julia Kopecky – The winner in 2023:
Former Tour of Britain Organiser Bankrupt after dropping British Race Contract
The British firm SweetSpot has been in bother for a while and goes to be liquidated, The Guardian reviews. The previous organiser of the Tour of Britain had misplaced the contract with British Biking and is now dealing with authorized claims totalling nearly 1 million kilos (€1.16 million).
The corporate that organised the Ladies’s Tour and the Tour Collection along with the Tour of Britain has confirmed it has employed assist to cope with its collectors after voluntarily getting into the termination course of. The transfer comes a yr after the cancellation of the Ladies’s Tour and the 2023 Tour Collection resulting from a scarcity of funding and business companions.
Six months in the past the corporate helped organise the Tremendous World Championships in Glasgow, however two months in the past it grew to become clear as soon as once more that the corporate was in dire straits. The corporate’s long-term contract to organise the Tour of Britain was terminated by British Biking over unpaid rights charges of £750,000.
After the lack of this contract, CEO Hugh Roberts and race director Mick Bennett resigned. In dialog with The Guardian, the previous CEO supplied explanations in regards to the finish of SweetSpot. “The liquidation began to change into a risk in July. As a result of we had been already beneath a variety of stress financially with the Tour of Britain. There was a possible title sponsor who needed to be concerned, within the males’s Tour and the ladies’s Tour, so we went forward with the race.”
In the end, the British firm needed to face actuality. “It’s the tip of an period. It’s twenty years of arduous work that has led to this. We’ve confronted so many headwinds over the past three or 4 years that it’s gotten to the purpose the place we actually can’t proceed within the present local weather and enterprise setting that we’re in.”
British Biking has beforehand insisted it is going to stage this yr’s Tour of Britain. Nevertheless, SweetSpot owns the Ladies’s Tour, placing the way forward for that race unsure. In an announcement, British Biking mentioned: “We’re dedicated to making sure that the Tour of Britain and a UCI Ladies’s World Tour stage race happen in 2024 and past.”
Prime racing stops within the UK:
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