Archiv für den Monat: Februar 2023

WM Vorschau Heizomat Radteam p/b Kloster Kitchen

Cyclocross, Teamnews, Vorschau, ,

Fünf FahrerInnen vom Team Heizomat p/b Klosterkitchen für die CROSS WM nominiert


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Vom 3. bis 5. Februar finden die Cyclo-Cross-Weltmeisterschaften im niederländischen Hoogerheide statt. Der Bund Deutscher Radfahrer (BDR) hat vom fränkischen Team Heizomat p/b Klosterkitchen die neue deutsche Meisterin der Elite, Judith Krahl, und den neuen Deutschen Meister U23, Hannes Degenkolb, dafür nominiert. Judith Krahl, die 3-fache deutsche Meisterin in der U23 wird bei der WM letztmalig in der U23 starten, bevor sie künftig ausschließlich Elite Wettkämpfe bestreitet.

Krahl und Degenkolb hatten bei den deutschen Meisterschaften Mitte Januar im Münchner Olympiapark souverän die deutschen Meistertitel der jeweiligen Klasse geholt.
Weiterhin sind aus dem Team Heizomat p/b Klosterkitchen Lukas Herrmann (U23) und der Hamburger Max Oertzen (U19) für die Weltmeisterschaft nominiert. Zusätzlich wird Lars Sommer (U23), vom Schweizer Radverband an den Start in Hoogerheide geschickt.

In den Niederlanden verfolgen bis zu 30.000 Zuschauende die großen Rennen des Cyclocross live vor Ort. Cross ist dort ein Spektakel mit Volksfestcharakter. Der kurze Rundkurs von knapp drei Kilometern wird auf einem relativ kleinen Gelände abgesteckt, das Publikum ist immer mittendrin, während die FahrerInnen immer wieder vorbeifahren oder laufen oder gar, den Cyclo-Crosser geschultert, Anstiege oder Treppen hochtragen.

PRESSEKONTAKT: Lydia Bänsch
presse@heizomat-radteam.de | https://www.heizomat.de/heizomat-radteam https://www.instagram.com/heizomat_kloster_kitchen | https://www.facebook.com/heizomat.kloster.kitchen

Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana – 1. Etappe

Ergebnisse, Etappenrennen, , , , , ,

Orihuela – Altea – 180 Km


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1 GIRMAY Biniam ERI INTERMARCHÉ-CIRCUS-WANTY 04:38:11
2 KOOIJ Olav NED JUMBO-VISMA 00:00
3 GARCÍA CORTINA Iván ESP MOVISTAR TEAM 00:00
4 ROJAS José Joaquin ESP MOVISTAR TEAM 00:00
5 ARANBURU Alex ESP MOVISTAR TEAM 00:00
6 SOTO Antonio ESP EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI 00:00
7 BATTISTELLA Samuele ITA ASTANA QAZAQSTAN TEAM 00:00
8 BARCELÓ Fernando ESP CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA 00:00
9 BENDIXEN Louis DEN UNO-X PRO CYCLING TEAM 00:00
10 CICCONE Giulio ITA TREK-SEGAFREDO 00:00
11 WRIGHT Fred GBR BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS 00:00
12 SCARONI Cristian ITA ASTANA QAZAQSTAN TEAM 00:00
13 ULISSI Diego ITA UAE TEAM EMIRATES 00:00
14 VLASOV Aleksandr RUS BORA-HANSGROHE 00:00
15 MARTIN Gotzon ESP EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI 00:00

Gesamt:

1 GIRMAY Biniam ERI INTERMARCHÉ-CIRCUS-WANTY 04:38:01
2 KOOIJ Olav NED JUMBO-VISMA 00:04
3 GARCÍA CORTINA Iván ESP MOVISTAR TEAM 00:06
4 ROJAS José Joaquin ESP MOVISTAR TEAM 00:10
5 ARANBURU Alex ESP MOVISTAR TEAM 00:10
6 SOTO Antonio ESP EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI 00:10
7 BATTISTELLA Samuele ITA ASTANA QAZAQSTAN TEAM 00:10
8 BARCELÓ Fernando ESP CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA 00:10
9 BENDIXEN Louis DEN UNO-X PRO CYCLING TEAM 00:10
10 CICCONE Giulio ITA TREK-SEGAFREDO 00:10
11 WRIGHT Fred GBR BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS 00:10
12 SCARONI Cristian ITA ASTANA QAZAQSTAN TEAM 00:10
13 ULISSI Diego ITA UAE TEAM EMIRATES 00:10
14 VLASOV Aleksandr RUS BORA-HANSGROHE 00:10
15 MARTIN Gotzon ESP EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI 00:10
16 SCOTSON Callum AUS TEAM JAYCO-ALULA 00:10
17 KÄMNA Lennard GER BORA-HANSGROHE 00:10


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Solider Start für BORA – hansgrohe bei der Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana

Im Süden Spaniens begann heute die fünftägige Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana (2.Pro). Zum Auftakt stand eine 190km lange Etappe am Programm – zwei Bergwertungen der zweiten Kategorie und ein schnelles, kurvenreiches Finale stellten die Hauptschwierigkeiten des Tages dar. Eine fünfköpfige Ausreißergruppe bestimmte lange Zeit die Etappe, wurde aber 70km vor dem Ziel am Anstieg zum Coll de Rates gestellt. Nach dem zweiten Anstieg des Tages erreichte ein deutlich reduziertes Peloton die Sprintankunft in Altea. Der Sieg ging an B. Girmay. Die BORA – hansgrohe Kapitäne Aleksandr Vlasov, Lennard Kämna und Bob Jungels erreichten das Ziel mit der ersten Gruppe und ohne Zeitverlust.

Reaktionen im Ziel

„Ich hatte etwas mehr Angriffe an den Anstiegen erwartet, aber letztendlich kontrollierten jene Teams das Rennen, die einen Sprinter dabei haben. Dank deren Einsatz war es ein recht ruhiger Tag. Die Jungs sind stets aufmerksam und sicher gefahren – für uns und unsere Kletterer war es eine solide Etappe und ein guter Start in die Rennwoche.“ Enrico Gasparotto, Sportlicher Leiter

Etoile de Bessèges – 1. Etappe

Ergebnisse, Etappenrennen, , ,

Bellegarde – Bellegarde – 161 Km


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1 DE LIE Arnaud BEL LOTTO DSTNY 03:30:35
2 PEDERSEN Mads DEN TREK-SEGAFREDO 00:00
3 COSNEFROY Benoît FRA AG2R CITROËN TEAM 00:00
4 TEUNS Dylan BEL ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH 00:03
5 PICCOLO Andrea ITA EF EDUCATION-EASYPOST 00:03
6 SKJELMOSE JENSEN Mattias DEN TREK-SEGAFREDO 00:05
7 POWLESS Neilson USA EF EDUCATION-EASYPOST 00:05
8 VAN POUCKE Aaron BEL TEAM FLANDERS-BALOISE 00:05
9 MIQUEL DELGADO Pau ESP EQUIPO KERN PHARMA 00:08
10 JOHANNESSEN Anders Halland NOR UNO-X PRO CYCLING TEAM 00:08
11 WATSON Sam GBR GROUPAMA-FDJ 00:08
12 TULETT Ben GBR INEOS GRENADIERS 00:08
13 BONNET Thomas FRA TOTALENERGIES 00:08
14 LATOUR Pierre FRA TOTALENERGIES 00:08
15 BERCKMOES Jenno BEL TEAM FLANDERS-BALOISE 00:08

Saudi Tour – 3. Etappe

Ergebnisse, Etappenrennen, , , , , ,

Al Manshiyah Train Station – Abu Rakah – 160 Km

1 WÆRENSKJOLD Søren NOR UNO-X PRO CYCLING TEAM 04:23:18
2 MILAN Jonathan ITA BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS 00:00
3 BOL Cees NED ASTANA QAZAQSTAN TEAM 00:00
4 CONSONNI Simone ITA COFIDIS 00:00
5 GUERREIRO Ruben POR MOVISTAR TEAM 00:00
6 GROSSSCHARTNE Felix AUT UAE TEAM EMIRATES 00:00
7 FORMOLO Davide ITA UAE TEAM EMIRATES 00:00
8 FEDELI Alessandro ITA Q36.5 PRO CYCLING TEAM 00:00
9 KANTER Max GER MOVISTAR TEAM 00:00
10 CÔTÉ Pier-André CAN HUMAN POWERED HEALTH 00:00
11 LOPEZ DE ABETXUKO Andoni ESP EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI 00:00
12 TIZZA Marco ITA BINGOAL WB 00:00
13 FERNANDEZ Ruben ESP COFIDIS 00:00
14 MEZGEC Luka SLO TEAM JAYCO-ALULA 00:00
15 BUITRAGO Santiago COL BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS 00:00

Gesamt:

1 MILAN Jonathan ITA BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS 13:24:46
2 BOL Cees NED ASTANA QAZAQSTAN TEAM 00:08
3 KANTER Max GER MOVISTAR TEAM 00:16
4 GUERREIRO Ruben POR MOVISTAR TEAM 00:17
5 GROSSSCHARTNER Felix AUT UAE TEAM EMIRATES 00:18
6 CONSONNI Simone ITA COFIDIS 00:19
7 MEZGEC Luka SLO TEAM JAYCO-ALULA 00:19
8 CÔTÉ Pier-André CAN HUMAN POWERED HEALTH 00:19
9 LOPEZ DE ABETXUKO Andoni ESP EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI 00:19
10 TIZZA Marco ITA BINGOAL WB 00:19
11 FORMOLO Davide ITA UAE TEAM EMIRATES 00:19

FIRST PRO WIN FOR WAERENSKJOLD

After two stages designed for sprinters, it looked like it would be the GC specialists’ turn to battle for glory at the Saudi Tour.

But despite the steep final climb before the finish in Abu Rakah, young Norwegian wonder boy Sören Waerenskjold managed to conquer his first ever pro victory after winning the decisive group sprint. The 2022 U23 time trial World Champion beat yesterday’s winner Jonathan Milan (Bahrain Victorious) to the line while Cees Bol (Astana Qazaqstan Team) finished third. In the general classification, Milan captures the leader’s Green jersey.
For some, exhausted, it was good news, for others a disappointment, but as they woke up this morning, the wind had suddenly calmed down and the temperature slightly dropped. As they took off for the third stage of the Saudi Tour, the 106 remaining riders of the peloton could expect a slightly calmer day in the sun. On the menu: 159.2kms from the Al Manshiyah Train Station to Abu Rakah. After battling it out during the first two stages, the sprinters knew that it would probably be the turn of the GC boys to shine on the final climb of the day.

5 MEN AT THE FRONT
As soon as km 0 was passed, four men broke away: Alabdulmunim (SAU), Juaristi (EUS), Barac and Masotto (COR). They would rapidly be caught by a fifth rider, Yamamoto (JCL). Not too concerned, the peloton let the front men go clear. After only 10kms, the gap had reached 2’30’’. It even went up to 8’30’’ at km45 when team Jayco AlUla of race leader Dylan Groenewegen decided to push harder. The Aussie squad even managed to split the pack into two but a left hand turn and the resulting headwind calmed things down.

JUARISTI LAST MAN STANDING
At the first intermediate active sprint (km72) won by Juaristi, the pack had moved closer (6’10’’). The Spaniard would also be the last man to remain in the lead while all his breakaway companions were gradually caught. After capturing 3 seconds and points at the bonus sprint (km 122) he was finally caught. From then on a new race started. The pack at a very fast pace made it bunched to the second intermediate active sprint (km153) where Juaristi beat Rajovic and Kepplinger.

FIRST PRO WIN FOR WAERENSKJOLD
On the final climb of the day heading towards the heights of Abu Rakah, Zdenek Stybar (JAY) managed to pull away before being caught, first by Buitrago (TBV) and then by a group of around twenty men. Victory was finally decided in a small bunched sprint. Fourth of the opening stage of this Saudi Tour, Soren Waerenskjold (UXT) flew to his first ever professional success. The rising star of Norwegian cycling who conquered the U23 World time-trial title last year in Wollongong managed to beat Jonathan Milan (TBV) and Cees Bol (AST) to the line.

MILAN NEW LEADER
In the new general classification, Milan captures the leader’s Green jersey with an 8’’ lead over Bol and 16’’ over Kanter (MOV) with two more stages to go. The Italian also remains the best young rider (White jersey) and takes command of the points classification (Red jersey) while Marcus Hansen (UXT) keeps his most active rider’s Blue jersey.

Saudi Tour – 2. Etappe

Ergebnisse, Etappenrennen, , , ,

Winter Park – Shalal Sijlyat Rocks – 184 Km


Plomi Foto

1 MILAN Jonathan ITA BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS 04:53:35
2 GROENEWEGEN Dylan NED TEAM JAYCO-ALULA 00:00
3 BOL Cees NED ASTANA QAZAQSTAN TEAM 00:00
4 BLIKRA Erlend NOR UNO-X PRO CYCLING TEAM 00:00
5 KANTER Max GER MOVISTAR TEAM 00:00
6 WALSCHEID Max GER COFIDIS 00:00
7 GIBBONS Ryan RSA UAE TEAM EMIRATES 00:00
8 MEZGEC Luka SLO TEAM JAYCO-ALULA 00:03
9 CONSONNI Simone ITA COFIDIS 00:03
10 SAJNOK Szymon POL Q36.5 PRO CYCLING TEAM 00:03

Gesamt:

1 GROENEWEGEN Dylan NED TEAM JAYCO-ALULA 09:01:28
2 MILAN Jonathan ITA BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS 00:06
3 WALSCHEID Max GER COFIDIS 00:12
4 BOL Cees NED ASTANA QAZAQSTAN TEAM 00:12
5 KANTER Max GER MOVISTAR TEAM 00:16
6 GIBBONS Ryan RSA UAE TEAM EMIRATES 00:16
7 BLIKRA Erlend NOR UNO-X PRO CYCLING TEAM 00:16
8 MEZGEC Luka SLO TEAM JAYCO-ALULA 00:19
9 CÔTÉ Pier-André CAN HUMAN POWERED HEALTH 00:19
10 CONSONNI Simone ITA COFIDIS 00:19
11 GUERREIRO Ruben POR MOVISTAR TEAM 00:19
12 GROSSSCHARTNE Felix AUT UAE TEAM EMIRATES 00:19
13 LOPEZ DE ABETXUKO Andoni ESP EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI 00:19
14 AZURMENDI Ibai ESP EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI 00:19
15 VAN UDEN Casper NED TEAM DSM 00:19

SWEET REVENGE FOR MILAN

A year after struggling in the echelons of a similar stage on the Saudi Tour, a day after suffering a mechanical incident in the final moments of the opening stage, Jonathan Milan (Bahrain Victorious) concluded a windy day in style. A sweet revenge for the Italian who beat Dylan Groenewegen (Team Jayco AlUla) and Cees Bol (Astana Qazaqstan Team) in a final bunched sprint. Thanks to his second spot, Groenewegen keeps the overall leader’s Green jersey.
After a first demanding stage to the south-east of the ALUla region, the 107 remaining riders were offered another grueling test on day 2. On the menu : a rectangular course from the Winter Park to Shalal Sijlyat Rocks over 184kms. With the wind picking up and the changes in direction it would promise to be an exciting day, a frightening one for those not to used to echelons.

4 AND THEN 2 IN LEAD
While many were expecting fireworks straight from the start, the pack took off at a fairly quiet pace allowing four men to break away: Azparren (EUS), Vacek (COR), Mohd Zariff (TSG) and Ishibashi (JCL). The front four would drop down to two after 10kms, Vacek suffering mechanical issues and Mohd Zariff struggling after all his efforts in yesterday’s breakaway. At the bonus sprint (km 18,9) won by Azparren, the pack had a deficit of 6’10. The gap would grow to a maximum 7’30’’ before dropping down under the influence of teams Jayco AlUla and Bingoal WB.

ECHELONS OF COURSE
While the peloton moved closer to the escapees, three teams (DSM, Jayco AlUla and Uno X) moved to the front and “put the hammer down”. The pack rapidly broke into several echelons at km 68 leaving only 20 men in the first part of the peloton (including the likes of Groenewegen, Stybar, Milan, Formolo, Degenkolb, Walscheid, Waerenskjold). Meanwhile the front two were eventually caught at km 83.
After enjoying a 30’’ lead over a group including Rajovic and Ackermann, the leading Green jersey group was finally caught and the entire peloton bunched up together after a left turn into headwind. The first intermediate active sprint (km 123) was then claimed by Walscheid (COF) ahead of Hansen (UNO) and Goikoetxea (EUS). The situation calmed down for the next 50kms before the big teams again powered to the front shattering the pack into several groups. At the front just under 40 riders took off leaving in a second echelon riders like Rajovic (TBV), Buitrago (TBV), Ackermann (UAE) and white jersey Hansen (UNO). Just after Walscheid again captured the most points at the second intermediate active sprint (km 160), the front group could enjoy a 30’’ advantage with 15kms to go.

NORSGAARD POWERS AWAY
Another change in direction saw the second group catch the leaders with just under 10kms to go. That was the moment chosen by Mathias Norsgaard (MOV) to try his luck in a solo breakaway. The Norwegian had a 10” lead with 5kms left but he would later be gobbled up by the pack. It finally all came down to a bunched sprint by the Shalal Sijlyat Rocks. With his team mate, red jersey wearer and second yesterday Dusan Rajovic (TBV) out of contention, Jonathan Milan flew to his first win of the season, the third of his career after two successes at the Cro Tour last year. The young Italian beat Dylan Groenewegen (JAY) and Cees Bol (AST) to the line.

GROENEWEGEN STILL LEADER
Thanks to his second spot, yesterday’s stage winner Groenewegen keeps his overall leader’s green jersey. He also stays in command of the points classification while 22-year-old Milan captures the white jersey for the best young rider. Marcus Hansen keeps the blue jersey for the most active rider.

Colbrelli über die Tour of the Alps: „Eine Rundfahrt für echte Superstars“

Etappenrennen, Vorschau, ,

Mit Sonny Colbrelli hat kein Geringerer als der Straßenrad-Europameister und Sieger von Paris-Roubaix von 2021 die Etappen der #TotA 2023 (17. bis 21. April) in fünf Kurzvideos genau unter die Lupe genommen. „Die fünf Teilstücke bieten reichlich Spektakel und dürften der Crème de la Crème der modernen Radsport-Szene entgegenkommen“, so das erste Fazit des ehemaligen italienischen Radprofis.


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Sonny Colbrelli verbindet besondere Erinnerungen an die Europaregion Tirol-Südtirol-Trentino – in erster Linie an die Provinz Trentino. Der „Azzurro“ kürte sich 2021 in Trient nämlich zum Straßenrad-Europameister und feierte damit einen der größten Erfolge seiner Karriere. Im selben Jahr triumphierte er außerdem beim Klassiker Paris-Roubaix und unterstrich damit, dass er zu den formstärksten Fahrern des Kalenderjahres gehörte. Nur ein Jahr später wurde Colbrelli jedoch von einem gesundheitlichen Schicksalsschlag abrupt ausgebremst: Nach einem Herzstillstand, den der Italiener bei der Katalonien-Rundfahrt erlitt, musste der 32-Jährige seine Karriere leider vorzeitig beenden.


Foto Plomi Mille Miglia 22

Für die Tour of the Alps ist Colbrelli heuer als Botschafter im Einsatz. Das Sprint-Ass hat alle fünf Etappen auf den Straßen Tirols, Südtirols und des Trentino zurückgelegt und zeigt in seinen Videos, worauf es ankommt, wenn in der Alpenregion vom 17. bis 21. April dieses Jahres die 46. Ausgabe des grenzüberschreitenden Etappenrennens über die Bühne geht.
In den Kurzvideos bringt Colbrelli die Erfahrung aus über einem Jahrzehnt im professionellen Straßenradsport ein. Neben einer Analyse der entscheidenden Stellen der fünf TotA-Etappen von Rattenberg nach Bruneck kommen dabei auch landschaftliche Besonderheiten sowie eindrucksvolle Panoramen nicht zu kurz.

„Die Rundfahrt ist sehr anspruchsvoll und dürfte für einiges an Unterhaltung sorgen. Zwar ist keiner der Anstiege endlos lang, aber dennoch dürften sich die Fahrer im Anschluss an das Rennen noch lange an die Berge erinnern“, so Colbrelli. Der Europameister von 2021 betont aber auch, dass ein Videostudium der Etappen nicht ausreicht, um sich optimal auf die einzelnen Teilstücke vorzubereiten: „Man darf nicht vergessen, dass auch der Faktor Müdigkeit eine Rolle spielt und schnelle Abfahrten für einen Unterschied sorgen können. Um die TotA zu gewinnen, benötigt es ein umfangreiches Gesamtpaket: Einerseits muss man ein starker Kletterer sein, andererseits muss man auch dazu in der Lage sein, auf allen Terrains mit den Besten mitzuhalten.“

Auch in diesem Jahr wartet die Tour of the Alps mit kurzen, aber selektiven Anstiegen, schnellen Abfahrten und keinen endlos langen Etappen auf. Dadurch soll die Rundfahrt vom ersten bis zum letzten Kilometer umkämpft und spannend bleiben. Dieses Erfolgsrezept ist seit der ersten Ausgabe im Jahr 2017 in der DNA der TotA verankert und hat sie zu jener Erfolgsgeschichte gemacht, die sie heute ist.

„Auf kurzen Etappen gibt es weitaus mehr Angriffe, Zweikämpfe und Spektakel. Die Strecke der Europameisterschaft 2021 war auch nicht sonderlich lang, dafür aber umso schwieriger. Dieses Rennen war das härteste meiner Karriere – im Vergleich dazu war Paris-Roubaix wesentlich einfacher. Der Radsport hat sich in den letzten Jahren gewandelt: Während lange Ausreißversuche ebenso der Vergangenheit angehören wie längere Verschnaufpausen, fahren die ‚Jungen Wilden‘ sprichwörtlich mit dem Messer zwischen den Zähnen und geben vom ersten bis zum letzten Kilometer Vollgas. Im Laufe eines Rennens kommt es dadurch ständig zu Führungswechseln und es gibt immer wieder Szenen, in denen sich das Blatt von einem Moment auf den anderen wendet“, erklärt Colbrelli.

Die fünf Videos, in denen Sonny Colbrelli die einzelnen Etappen unter die Lupe nimmt, werden auf der Website der Tour of the Alps sowie den offiziellen Facebook-, Instagram- und YouTube-Kanälen der Veranstaltung publiziert. Das Video zur ersten Etappe von Rattenberg nach Alpbach (127,5 km) ist bereits online und auf allen Kanälen einsehbar.

TRO BRO LEON 2023: A LAND AND SEA MENU

Eintagsrennen, Frühjahrskassiker, Vorschau, ,

Key points:
 The 39th edition of the Tro Bro Leon will be held on 7 May on a 203.1 km course starting and ending in Lannilis, with 28.9 km of ribinoù, the dirt and gravel roads that give the Breton race its special flavour.
 This escapade through the Pays de Leon, in the far south-west of the Finistère department, will take the field to Pointe Saint-Mathieu on a course with almost no respite from the wind.
 Any favourites and outsiders who withstand the fury of the elements will have to contend with the toughest of the tough on the final circuit around Lannilis, which has the „ribin du château“ as a sting in the tail.

As with kouign-amann and, especially, the kig ha farz in the Pays de Leon, a winning recipe should never be changed, but it is perfectly fine to tinker with the amounts and origins of certain key ingredients. This is how Jean-Paul Mellouët, the chef at the helm of the Tro Bro Leon since its launch in 1984, sees it: „I have never cooked up the same course twice“, he explains at the unveiling of the menu that will be served to runners on 7 May. The race will still be centred on the town of Lannilis, but the first change for the 2023 edition has to do with the direction of the loop, with the field heading south at the beginning, then cutting through the middle of the mini-peninsula to reach its tip in Le Conquet, and tackling the return trip largely on coastal roads. „The course is a bit less steep than usual, but it is much more exposed to the wind, which will blow sideways if it comes from the west, as is often the case“, explains Mellouët, also raising the possibility of splits near the halfway point.
However, the dirt and gravel roads that put the riders‘ acrobatic skills to the test —27 in total— remain the calling card of the Tro Bro Leon. Coming into the decisive phase of the race, the peloton will tackle one of the five brand-new sectors on the menu: „The Saint-Mathieu lighthouse ribin is the longest on the course, at 2.3 kilometres. The exit of the sector is 115 km from the finish line, but an early selection is on the cards“. Much further down the road, the Meshuel ribin will turn the screws on the peloton and knock out many other pretenders before the final circuit. However, the final contenders will have to wait until the exit of the famous Keroüartz Castle ribin, stretching for 1,600 metres and culminating under the tunnel of ambition, to play their ace cards. „This is the make-or-break moment“, admits the cook and designer, always eager to watch the last tussles, in which the last men in contention for the win will clash with less than 7 kilometres to go.
© A.S.O.

Paris-Roubaix and Paris-Roubaix Femmes avec Zwift – Teams selection

Eintagsrennen, Frühjahrskassiker, Vorschau, Weltcup und Klassiker, ,

The organisers of Paris-Roubaix Femmes avec Zwift have selected the teams for the 3rd edition, Saturday, April 8th.

In accordance with the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) regulations, the fifteen UCI Women’s WorldTeams automatically entered are:

Canyon / / SRAM Racing (GER)
EF Education – Tibco – SVB (USA)
FDJ – Suez (FRA)
Fenix – Deceuninck (BEL)
Human Powered Health (USA)
Israel Premier Tech Roland (SUI)
Liv Racing TeqFind (NED)
Movistar Team Women (ESP)
Team DSM (NEd)
Team Jayco Alula (AUS)
Team Jumbo – Visma (NED)
Team SD Worx (NED)
Trek – Segafredo (USA)
UAE Team ADQ (UAE)
Uno-X Pro Cycling Team (NOR)

Furthermore, the two best 2022 UCI Women’s Continental teams will participate by right in Paris-Roubaix Femmes avec Zwift:

Ceratizit – WNT Pro Cycling Team (GER)
Lifeplus Wahoo (GBR)

The organisers have invited the following teams:

AG Insurance – Soudal Quick-Step Team (BEL)
Arkéa Pro Cycling Team (FRA)
Cofidis Women Team (FRA)
Parkhotel Valkenburg (NED)
St Michel – Mavic – Auber 93 (FRA)
Stade Rochelais Charente Maritime (FRA)
ZAAF Cycling Team (ESP)

PARIS-ROUBAIX: TEAM SELECTION

The organisers of Paris-Roubaix have selected the teams for the 120th edition, Sunday, April 9th.
In accordance with the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) rules, the eighteen UCI WorldTeams are invited:

AG2R Citroën Team (FRA)
Alpecin Deceuninck (BEL)
Astana QazaQstan Team (KAZ)
Bora-Hansgrohe (GER)
EF Education-Easypost (USA)
Groupama-FDJ (FRA)
Ineos Grenadiers (GBR)
Intermarché-Circus-Wanty (BEL)
Jumbo-Visma (NED)
Movistar Team (ESP)
Soudal Quick-Step (BEl)
Team Arkea-Samsic (FRA)
Team Bahrain Victorious (BRN)
Team Cofidis (FRA)
Team DSM (NED)
Team Jayco AlUla (AUS)
Trek-Segafredo (USA)
UAE Team Emirates (UAE)

Furthermore, the three highest ranked UCI ProTeams in 2022 will participate by right in Paris-Roubaix:

TotalEnergies (FRA)
Lotto Dstny (BEL)
Israel Premier Tech (ISR)

The organisers have invited the following teams:

Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB (BEL)
Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team (SUI)
Team Flanders-Baloise (BEL)
Uno-X Pro Cycling Team (NOR)

ARDENNES CLASSICS: THE COURSE OF HISTORY

Frühjahrskassiker, Vorschau, Weltcup und Klassiker, ,

Key points:

 In the Ardennes classics, there are, first of all, classics! The Flèche Wallonne (194.2 km) and Liège-Bastogne-Liège (258.5 km), which will take place respectively on 19 and 23 April, will be based on the key passages that have marked the history of these races.
 The Mur de Huy and the final loop, including the Ereffe and Cherave climbs, will also be on the programme of the Flèche Wallonne Femmes, which has a total route of 131.5 km. Four days later, the riders of the seventh edition of Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes will, for the first time, confront the Wanne, Stockeu and Haute-Levée sequence of climbs before attacking La Redoute and finish their race in the Liège city centre after 140 km.
 25 teams, including four invited by the organisers, will each nominate seven cyclists to form pelotons of 175 riders for the Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, while 144 female riders from 24 teams will form those of the Flèche Wallonne Femmes and Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes.

The evocation of the Ardennes classics campaign always triggers memories, and congers up either distant or recent images, which have become embedded in the consciousness of cycling enthusiasts. In terms of history, the Flèche Wallonne experienced a significant turning point in 1985, when the finish line was painted indelibly at the top of the Mur de Huy. Several variants have been tried on the approach of the now famous Chemin des Chapelles, which the riders climb three times, at the end of a final circuit, including the climbs of Ereffe and Cherave as springboards for the ambitious riders who hope to present themselves at the foot of the Mur with a slight advantage. And if no solo rider has managed to resist the peloton of punchers for 20 years, the most spectacular kilometre of the cycling world still retains its indomitable character.

Since 1998, the women’s peloton has joined the train of history by confronting the iconic hill-climbing reference giving rise to hard-fought battles and cycles of domination that are occasionally interrupted. The Valverde and Alaphilippe in the women’s record book are Marianne Vos and Anna van der Breggen, the latter having even hit harder on the heights of Huy with a series of seven consecutive victories. However, it was only in 2022 that the women riders had the opportunity to climb the Mur three times in a row. It will be the case again this year during the 131.5 km expedition.

The course of La Doyenne features references all too familiar to history lovers. The most well-known round trip on the calendar has had slightly different versions according to the era, with a constant sequence of steep and short climbs that provide the race to the finish line in Liège its character. The names of La Redoute, the Roche-aux-Faucons or the age-old Côte des Forges have become part of the vocabulary of connoisseurs, as well Wanne, Stockeu and Haute-Levée sequence of climbs concentrated in 15 kilometres and where the shrinking of the peloton becomes increasingly evident. The champions will reunite with this trio, whilst a small subtlety will perhaps modify the strategy applied on La Redoute, which will immediately precede a new addition to the race, the Côte de Cornémont.

The contenders for the title on Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes start for the seventh time from Bastogne on a course that is increasingly similar to the route of the men’s race. In 2023, the race distance will be 130 kilometres and include the famous Wanne, Stockeu and Haute-Levée triptych, which will be a first for the ladies, before the action-packed final stretch heading towards Liège. For example, it was on the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons where Annemiek van Vleuten dealt a crushing blow to her remaining rivals in last year’s edition. The race is once again wide open.

LIÈGE-BASTOGNE-LIÈGE CHALLENGE: THREE ROUTES FOR THE CYCLISTS
It has also become a classic for cyclists. Liège-Bastogne-Liège Challenge has taken on the promise of taking amateur cyclists on the legendary roads of the Doyenne. For its 12th edition, 8,000 cyclists are once again expected on Saturday 22 April 2023 to register for one of the three proposed routes according to their level and motivation: 80km, 150km and 260km to be covered, starting from the town of Banneux, located 20 km from Liège. Registration on the website lblchallenge.be

EF Education-EasyPost – Team News

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Marijn van den Berg wins the Trofeo ses Salines-Port d’Alcudia

Dutchman outsmarts his rivals in Mallorca


Plomi Foto

The EF Education-EasyPost rider attacked into the final corner and left his rivals gasping, as he held his speed across the line and celebrated his first ever professional win. Afterwards, Marijn thanked his teammates for the work they did to set him up for the wet and tricky finale.

“I stayed with the first group and then we had a perfect lead out with Neilson and Owain and Julius,” Marijn said. “They did a great job. I just had to finish it so it was good. It’s the first win of my career with the pros. Hopefully there are more to come.”

This victory proved the second-year pro’s resilience, daring, and skill.

1 VAN DEN BERG Marijn NED EF EDUCATION-EASYPOST 03:37:31
2 VERNON Ethan GBR SOUDAL QUICK-STEP 00:00
3 GIRMAY Biniam ERI INTERMARCHÉ-CIRCUS-WANTY 00:00
4 ZINGLE Axel FRA COFIDIS 00:00
5 SOTO Antonio ESP EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI 00:00
6 KANTER Max GER MOVISTAR TEAM 00:00
7 CANAL Carlos ESP EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI 00:00
8 OLIVEIRA Rui POR UAE TEAM EMIRATES 00:00
9 TEUNISSEN Mike NED INTERMARCHÉ-CIRCUS-WANTY 00:00
10 KONRAD Patrick AUT BORA-HANSGROHE 00:00

It was another cold wet day in Mallorca. The second of the Spanish island’s early-season races, the Trofeo Port d’Alcúdia, looped around the rugged northeast corner of the island, crossing the second-category Coll sa Batalla and then the Coll Femenia, before the swooping return to the beachside town of Port d’Alcúdia and the finish-line. Marijn had to get over the mountains with the front group before he could let loose in the rainy, technical final kilometre. The plan from the start was to hit the last corner first and not look back.

That’s exactly what Marijn did. He worked his way forward through the surging group with the help of his teammates. Hugh Carthy had done a huge turn to bring back the last attacker and keep the bunch together for the sprint. Then, Neilson Powless, Owain Doull, and Julius van den Berg took over and brought Marijn to the front. Marijn launched when he saw the final turn. He knew the line was right around the bend. The others never had a chance.

“I’m not really a bunch sprinter, but this was perfect for me,” he said. “It was a hard race, small group, and then a sprint. I think that’s what my power is. I feel really good. I felt good during the training camp and during training in the last weeks. I had good legs today and to finish it is always nice.”

Congratulations Marijn!

Saudi Tour 2023 – Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team Roster

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Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team will make its 2023 racing debut this week at the Saudi Tour (Jan 30 – Feb 3) with a diverse and ambitious seven-rider squad.

The Swiss-registered team will take on the five-stage UCI 2.1 race in Saudi Arabia with a strong roster and clear goal of being competitive on each of the stages and of making a strong first impression in the Q36.5 jersey.
Three sprint stages and two hillier stages are up for grabs in a race that is typically held in sweltering temperatures and where the desert wind is often the catalyst for the infamous echelons.

Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team will be represented by a multicultural roster spearheaded by Brit Mark Donovan, Italian Alessandro Fedeli and Polish sprinter Szymon Sajnok. The three will be the team’s protected riders and will look for their chances to fight for a top result throughout the week in the desert.

Experienced New-Zealander Jack Bauer and American Joey Rosskopf will play a crucial support role on the flat terrain, whereas Polish Kamil Małecki brings climbing firepower for the hillier stages. The seven-rider roster is completed with former Canadian champion Nick Zukowsky, whose versatility and previous experience racing in the Saudi Tour will prove invaluable all week.
Ready and Eager
“This will be our first race of the season and we’re eager to show our jersey, race aggressively and make our partners proud. We’re bringing a strong team and our main objective is to take a stage win. Szymon Sajnok will be our card for the sprint stages while both Donovan and Fedeli will aim for the uphill finishes. This will be a competitive race but we’re confident that we can leave our mark and start the 2023 season on a good note,” said Gabriele Missaglia, DS at Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team.

“The Saudi Tour will be the curtain raiser for our team and the first time to pin numbers onto our technology advanced Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team jersey. We are fully committed to start our journey of #RacingTheFuture in the best possible way. The team is strong, ready and united and I truly believe that will propel us to achieve great results and do our sponsors and our fans proud. We have options to fight for victory in all stages and come away with a nice result that will set the momentum for what will be a very busy Spring of racing,” added Doug Ryder, General Manager of Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team.

Racing at the Saudi Tour for the first time in his career 26-year-old Italian Alessandro Fedeli believes the race will serve up good opportunities to show his early season form and his looking forward to the challenge ahead.

“The Saudi Tour is a great race to start the season. Personally, I really enjoy to start racing outside of Europe, in sunny, warmer locations. I will be my first time in Saudi Arabia so I’m excited to visit a new country and discover a new culture. I’m in good shape and very motivated for this race where I will try to do my best. I believe we can achieve a good result and get a stage win,” said Fedeli.

Five Exciting Stages
The Saudi Tour covers a total distance of 830 km over the course of five days with Stage 1 starting in Alula Airport and finishing in Khaybar providing a flat opener suited for the fast men in the peloton. Stage 2 from Winter Park to Shalal Sijlyat Rocks will be the longest of the race with 184km and will serve up another chance for a bunch sprint finale.The race enters hillier terrain on Stage 3 from Al Manshiyah to Abu Rakah and the uphill finale will certainly bring the General Classification contenders to the fore. A steep short climb within the final 15 km of the penultimate stage from Maraya to Skyviews of Harrat Uwairid will provide the perfect backdrop for the punchier climbers to take their chances and seize stage glory. The Saudi Tour concludes on Friday, February 3rd with a sprinter friendly Stage 5 from Alula Old Town to Maraya.

Gabriele Missaglia and Piotr Wadecki will be Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team’s DS’s for the Saudi Tour, a race which will be televised internationally on Eurosport, GCN and other major sport broadcasters.
Saudi Tour 2023 – Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team Roster

Jack Bauer (NZL)
Mark Donovan (GBR)
Alessandro Fedeli (ITA)
Kamil Małecki (POL)
Joey Rosskopf (USA)
Szymon Sajnok (POL)
Nick Zukowsky (CAN)