Archiv für den Tag: 15. November 2019

2019 TdF ŠKODA SHANGHAI CRITERIUM: Pocket rocket Ewan crowned prince of Shanghai

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Shanghai (China) – Saturday, November 16th 2019 – Australian Caleb Ewan (Lotto–Soudal) claimed the third edition of the Tour de France Škoda Shanghai Criterium in a three-way sprint against Italian Matteo Trentin (Mitchelton-SCOTT), the silver medallist in the road race at the recent Worlds, and Steven Kruijswijk (Jumbo–Visma), third overall in the 2019 Tour de France, who took the remaining steps on the podium in this same order. Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain–Merida) was rewarded for his kick at the four intermediate sprints with the green jersey, while Egan Bernal (Team Ineos), took the combativity prize clad in the yellow jersey of the Tour de France. 25-year-old Caleb Ewan also won the best young rider’s white jersey as well as the team classification together with teammates Adam Blythe, Thomas De Gendt and Tim Wellens!

Key points:
 On the eve of the third edition of the Tour de France Škoda Shanghai Criterium, the Tour de France riders got a crash course in Chinese cuisine and put their reflexes to the test in front of a swarm of eager fans.
 Team Ineos’s young climber Egan Bernal, who became the first Colombian to claim the Yellow Jersey earlier this year, will spring into action almost at the crack of dawn for an amateur time trial in which fans will get to see how they fare against their idol clad in his famous Jersey.
 The main race will consist of 17 laps of the 3.6 km circuit, with 28 Chinese cyclists ready to take the fight to the likes of Ewan, Trentin, Nibali and Kruijswijk.

Caleb Ewan: „It’s always fun to race in a big city!“

Foto: Gerhard Plomitzer – www.plomi.smugmug.com
„It feels great to be back in China!“, chirped the affable rider from Down Under —and winner of stage 21 of the Tour de France on the Champs-Élysées— as he defied jet lag this morning, five years after taking part in the Tour of Beijing. „The roads are in good condition and the organisation is perfect.“ The 25-year-old sprinter landed in Shanghai yesterday and put his spare time to good use by checking out the breath-taking view of the Bund from the Ritz-Carlton’s restaurant, perched on the 58th floor of a building in the bustling Pudong district. Panoramic photos in hand, he described the enormity of this megalopolis with as many contrasts as skyscrapers. „I love the special atmosphere of big cities. On these circuits, fans get to see the peloton blast past several times, in contrast to the courses of traditional races, which are more of a ‚blink and you’ll miss it‘ affair.“ Turning to Chinese fans, he added: „I have no idea whether they know as much about cycling as European fans, but their interest in the sport is growing. There weren’t so many cyclists in the streets in 2014!“ The Lotto–Soudal rider will be flanked by teammates Thomas De Gendt, Adam Blythe and Tim Wellens, who will also be taking part in this race like no other.

Steven Kruijswijk: „I like the idea of getting to know a new culture“
After finishing third overall in the Grande Boucle in July, the 32-year-old Dutchman pounced on the opportunity to enter a race that feels like stage 22 of the Tour de France: „I think it’s an amazing experience to be able to ride in such a vast city!“ The Jumbo–Visma man, a rider who likes to fly under the radar while racking up Grand Tour starts —17 so far— rose with the sun to go for a ride around a city that is usually known for its congested streets. „You need to wake up early to get an accurate picture of Shanghai“, he says adamantly. „Robert [Gesink] and I went around a few parks with 50-odd cycling enthusiasts who came especially to ride at our sides!“ After wrapping up their ride, the duo were invited to a 100% local breakfast in an old-town café known for its numerous regional specialities. It was an opportunity to enter uncharted gastronomical territory, as exemplified by their curious and mischievous tone: „You never really know what you’re tasting.“

Wonton workshop
Rave ravioli or pasta la vista? Gathered around a masterful chef from Guangdong, a province in south-east China, Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain–Merida), Tim Wellens (Lotto–Soudal), Luka Mezgec (Mitchelton-SCOTT) and Koen Bowman (Jumbo–Visma) learned to make wonton (dumplings similar to ravioli) in front of an audience of Chinese influencers late in the morning. One of them, 2018 FIFA World Cup presenter Rachel Liu, lent a hand to those who felt like fish out of water in the kitchen: „The way we make dumplings varies from one region to the next. In my village back in Sichuan, we like to shape them like birds.“ Some apprentices were bewildered by the highly technical method. After wearing the polka-dot jersey for a fortnight in the last Tour de France, Tim Wellens faced an entirely different kind of mountain: „I’m no good at cooking… But I am great at eating!“ Nibali was the first to tackle the challenge one day after his 35th birthday on 14 November, a special date that the Italian shares with another Tour de France champion, Bernard Hinault. A smile crosses the face of the Shark from Messina as he adds with a touch of national pride: „I love the diversity of Chinese cuisine, but nothing —nothing— can compare to a good pasta dish!“

A whiff of July in the middle of November
The third edition of the Criterium will feature the cream of the crop of the international peloton. The new whiz kid of world cycling and youngest Tour de France champion since the war, Egan Bernal (Team Ineos), will clash with Steven Kruijswijk (Jumbo–Visma), third in the Grande Boucle at 1′31″, as well as pocket rocket Caleb Ewan (Lotto–Soudal), who racked up three stage wins in his Tour debut, Matteo Trentin (Mitchelton-SCOTT), the 2019 European champion and silver medallist in the recent Worlds in Harrogate, and Bahrain–Merida leader Vincenzo Nibali, whose list of victories speaks for itself. These men, the five stars on the official poster of the Asian race, will soon go head to head in a summer atmosphere opposite the China Art Museum, the majestic pavilion built for the Expo 2010 Shanghai China.
@ASO

CONTINENTAL AND UNIPUBLIC ADVOCATE FOR THE PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE BETWEEN CYCLISTS AND DRIVERS

Allgemein,

 On the occasion of the World Day in Memory of the Victims of Road Traffic Accidents, Continental and La Vuelta, in the company of representatives from the DGT’s National Road Safety Observatory, the Scarponi Foundation and the Stop Accidentes Foundation, have raised awareness and debated the need and the importance of educating both cyclists and drivers about safety.
 According to DGT data, the total number of cyclists involved in accidents with victims was 7598 in 2018.
 This event is part of Continental’s initiative ‘Distánciate’, that features the support of Unipublic and whose aim is to reduce the number of road accident fatalities.
Continental and La Vuelta have discussed road safety today in Madrid on the occasion of the World Day in Memory of the Victims of Road Traffic Accidents. During a round-table discussion, attendees debated and raised awareness regarding the need to educate both cyclists and drivers about road safety in order to guarantee a better coexistence between the two, thus improving their mobility during the race.

The event is part of the ‘Distánciate’ initiative that Continental, with the support of Unipublic, organiser of La Vuelta, presented last year with the aim to considerably reduce the road accident death toll. Although the numbers have improved with regards to 2017 according to the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT), in 2018 the data continues to be alarming, as the total number of cyclists involved in accidents with victims was 7598. The urgent need to deal with road safety was what led to the creation of ‘Distánciate’, in order to raise road safety awareness among all road users, to develop good practice guidelines, improve the coexistence between cyclists and drivers and contribute to the reduction of road accident fatalities.

The round-table discussion was moderated by Óscar Pereiro, ex-cyclist – Tour de France winner and Ambassador for Continental and La Vuelta– and participants included Jorge Cajal, Communications Director for Continental Tires España; Marco Scarponi, brother of Michele Scarponi, representing Fundación Scarponi; Álvaro Gómez, Director of the DGT’s National Road Safety Observatory; Fernando Muñoz, Vice-President of the Stop Accidentes Foundation; and Martín Giacchetta, amateur cyclist.
Álvaro Gómez, Director of the DGT’s National Road Safety Observatory, began the discussion by pointing out that the bicycle “is an economic, healthy and sustainable mode of transport”, and that it is “a priority for everyone to make it safe”. “The latest data shows that the increase in bicycle use has not resulted in an increase in cyclist deaths. In order to make sure it stays that way, local governments must be responsible for creating friendly, peaceful cities”. He also mentioned the National Bicycle Strategy, created through a consultation process involving administrations and companies within the sector.
During the event, the role of brands in the prevention of road accidents was also emphasised. In the case of Continental, Jorge Cajal, Director of Communications for the company, explained that “Continental has equipped the majority of high-level UCI World Tour teams for many years. Our bicycle tires have earned the recognition of professionals and amateurs alike worldwide and we would like for that renowned excellence in the cycling sector to spread to other vehicles as well. We have to keep in mind that tires are the main active safety element that enable accident prevention when well-maintained. In the case of cycling, bike users are generally more aware of safety, but we have to remember that almost all of them are drivers too”.
Martín Giacchetta, amateur cyclist, added that “it is not a question of having more laws to keep us safe. I would suggest educating young children at school: a civic education program that teaches them to respect the choices of others. Responsible driving should be taught in school, in order to create more respectful, aware and educated drivers later on”. Fernando Muñoz, Vice-President of the Stop Accidentes Foundation, agreed and also argued that “education is essential for everything and, of course, also for road safety. It should be implemented in such a way so that it is addressed in all subjects”. He added that it is important for everyone to be involved from a personal point of view, meaning that “all of us, as individual citizens, have to assume our responsibility in avoiding road accidents and respect the rules so that we may share the common space, whether we are a pedestrian, a driver or a passenger”.
Óscar Pereiro, concluded the event with a reflection. “These types of events are essential for raising awareness and preventing accidents. At a time when cyclists and drivers seem to be at war, we must focus on mutual respect and collaboration in order to avoid unnecessary accidents”. Along the same principle, Marco Scarponi wished to remind us of his brother Michele, a cyclist who won the Giro d’Italia 2011 and died in a road accident in 2017. He explained that “It is important to remember that we are not talking about bicycles and cars, but about people. When we don’t respect the security distance or drive above the speed limit, we are risking the life of someone with parents, siblings, friends and children”.
@Unipublic

Mit der Verpflichtung von Patrick Gamper vervollständigt BORA – hansgrohe seinen Kader für 2020

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Foto: Gerhard Plomitzer – www.plomi.smugmug.com
Der 22-jährige Österreicher erhält bei BORA – hansgrohe seinen ersten Profivertrag. Gamper gilt als ausgewiesener Roller, der seine Stärken im flachen Gelände hat. Mit seiner Verpflichtung hat der Raublinger Rennstall auch seine Kaderplanung für 2020 abgeschlossen.

„Ich muss sagen, dass es mit dem Wechsel in die WorldTour jetzt doch noch geklappt hat, war eine wunderschöne Überraschung für mich, und dass es auch noch mein absolutes Wunschteam, BORA – hansgrohe, geworden ist, ist umso schöner. Natürlich habe ich etwas Respekt vor der Aufgabe, die WorldTour ist doch eine ganz andere Nummer, aber in einem der Topteams sollte die Anpassung an das neue Niveau gut zu schaffen sein. Ich bin wirklich gespannt auf das Umfeld, BORA – hansgrohe ist unglaublich professionell, da fühle ich mich sehr gut aufgehoben. Natürlich hilft auch, dass schon einige Österreicher im Team unter Vertrag sind. Ich bin überglücklich, freue mich auf die neue Herausforderung und weiß, dass ich auf meinem Weg die bestmögliche Unterstützung bekomme.“ – Patrick Gamper

„Patrick ist ein junger Fahrer, der vor allem im flachen Gelände sehr gute Qualitäten als Roller hat. Er wird unseren Sprintzug verstärken und vorrangig Helferdienste leisten. Natürlich wollen wir auch ihn weiterentwickeln, seine Stärken forcieren. Es wird etwas dauern bis er sich an das WorldTour Niveau gewöhnt hat. Wir werden ihm die nötige Zeit geben, um Erfahrung zu sammeln, sicherlich auch bei dem einen oder anderen Rennen in Belgien. Als Österreicher wird er sich sicherlich schnell bei uns integrieren, wir haben ja schon den einen oder anderen Landsmann von ihm im Team.“ – Ralph Denk, Team Manager

Kader 2020: Pascal Ackermann (Ger), Erik Baska (Svk), Cesare Benedetti (Ita), Maciej Bodnar (Pol), Emanuel Buchmann (Ger), Marcus Burghardt (Ger), Jempy Drucker (Lux), Matteo Fabro (Ita), Patrick Gamper (Aut), Oscar Gatto (Ita), Felix Großschartner (Aut), Lennard Kämna (Ger), Patrick Konrad (Aut), Martin Laas (Est), Rafal Majka (Pol), Jay McCarthy (Aus), Gregor Mühlberger (Aut), Daniel Oss (Ita), Lukas Pöstlberger (Aut), Pawel Poljanski (Pol), Juraj Sagan (Svk), Peter Sagan (Svk), Maximilian Schachmann (Ger), Ide Schelling (Ned), Andreas Schillinger (Ger), Michael Schwarzmann (Ger), Rüdiger Selig (Ger)
© BORA – hansgrohe

Deutschland Tour endet am 23.8.2020 im Zielort Nürnberg!

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Foto: Gerhard Plomitzer – www.plomi.smugmug.com

Die Deutschland Tour 2020 findet vom 20.8. bis 23.8.2020 statt und wird am Schlußtag im Zielort Nürnberg enden.
Im Rahmen der Rundfahrt findet am Finaltag, Sonntag den 23. August, für die Hobbyradsportler die Jedermann Tour 2020 statt.
Näheres hierzu wird am Dienstag, den 19.11.2019, bei einer Pressekonferenz bekanntgegeben.

Die Deutschland Tour ist vom Weltradsportverband UCI in die neue UCI ProSeries aufgenommen worden. Die ProSeries vereint zukünftig die weltweit besten Rennen unterhalb der WorldTour. Diese Einordnung ist eine Wertschätzung für die Deutschland Tour, die bereits in diesem Jahr eine Rekordzahl von 15 Mannschaften aus der WorldTour und viele der weltbesten Profis angezogen hat. Deutschlands größtes Radsportfestival verbleibt in der zweiten Augusthälfte und wird im kommenden Jahr vom 20. bis 23. August ausgetragen. Nachdem die neue Deutschland Tour mit ihren ersten beiden Austragungen bereits die Hälfte aller Bundesländer besucht hat, wird das Rennen in 2020 neue radsportbegeisterte Regionen besuchen.