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