Archiv der Kategorie: Vorschau

Eschborn-Frankfurt und ŠKODA Velotour finden am 19. September statt

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Gemeinsam mit der Stadt Eschborn und der Stadt Frankfurt am Main hat die Gesellschaft zur Förderung des Radsports entschieden, die Jubiläumsausgaben von Eschborn-Frankfurt und der ŠKODA Velotour auf den 19. September 2021 zu verschieben.

Trotz aller Zuversicht und einem angepassten Veranstaltungskonzept kann die Durchführung des Radklassikers am 1. Mai nicht sichergestellt werden. Sechs Wochen vor dem traditionellen Termin ist eine verlässliche Planung nicht möglich, da Großveranstaltungen in Deutschland weiterhin untersagt sind. Der neue Veranstaltungstermin, Sonntag der 19. September, wurde gemeinsam mit der Stadt Eschborn und der Stadt Frankfurt am Main festgelegt. Die Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) hat das neue Datum für das WorldTour-Rennen heute ebenfalls bestätigt.

„Der 1. Mai kommt in diesem Jahr leider etwas zu früh für den Radklassiker. Es ist noch nicht an der Zeit für ein so vielfältiges Event wie Eschborn-Frankfurt, inklusive Besuchern an der Strecke und Teilnehmern der ŠKODA Velotour. Ab heute sind es genau 6 Monate bis zum 19. September. Wir sind zuversichtlich, dass wir dann ein Jubiläum mit allen Zutaten feiern werden, die den Radklassiker ausmachen“, sagt Claude Rach, Geschäftsführer der Gesellschaft zur Förderung des Radsports.
„Mein Dank gilt den Behörden und der UCI für ihre Flexibilität und Unterstützung, einen neuen Platz im Kalender zu finden. Wir werden versuchen, den Profis die bestmögliche Generalprobe für die UCI Road World Championships zu bieten, denn eine Woche nach Eschborn-Frankfurt findet in diesem Jahr das UCI Worlds-Straßenrennen statt“, blickt Rach voraus auf den 19. September.
General Manager Claude Rach
Foto: Gerhard Plomitzer

David Lappartient, Präsident des Radsport-Weltverbandes UCI, sagt: „Ich freue mich, dass es gelungen ist eine Lösung zu finden, damit Eschborn-Frankfurt trotz der derzeit schwierigen gesundheitlichen Situation in diesem Jahr stattfinden kann. Diese Verschiebung bedeutet, dass der Radklassiker wieder Teil der UCI WorldTour ist, nachdem das Rennen letztes Jahr aufgrund der Covid-19-Pandemie abgesagt werden musste. Das sind nicht nur für den deutschen Radsport gute Nachrichten, sondern für alle Anhänger unseres Sports. Ich möchte mich bei allen Beteiligten, die an diesem Ergebnis gearbeitet haben, für ihre Kooperation bedanken, insbesondere den Städten Eschborn und Frankfurt sowie allen Akteuren des Profi-Radsports.“

Foto: Gerhard Plomitzer

Adnan Shaikh, Bürgermeister der Stadt Eschborn, unterstützt die Entscheidung: „Wir sind noch nicht im Ziel auf dem Weg zurück zur Normalität. Es gibt ein sehr großes Fragezeichen, ob am 1. Mai ein unbeschwertes Feiern des Fahrrades möglich wäre. Mit Blick auf den September sind wir viel optimistischer, die Radklassiker-Topstars gemeinsam mit den Teilnehmern der ŠKODA Velotour und feiernden Zuschauern wieder bei uns in Eschborn zu begrüßen.“

Markus Frank, Stadtrat und Dezernent für Wirtschaft, Sport, Sicherheit und Feuerwehr der Stadt Frankfurt am Main, ergänzt: „Der Radklassiker gehört zur Sportstadt Frankfurt und gerade für das Jubiläum verdient das Radrennen ein Fest mit allen zusammen. Aber in den kommenden Wochen konzentrieren wir uns weiter darauf, die Verbreitung des Coronavirus einzuschränken. Nur dann können wir uns für einen Event-Sommer öffnen. Dafür ist der neue Termin fest eingeplant: am 19. September wird das 60. Jubiläum gefeiert.“

Neben dem Profi-Rennen werden die 20. ŠKODA Velotour, die Rennen des Süwag Energie Nachwuchs-Cup und die „kinder+Sport mini tour“ auf den September verschoben. Auf Eschborn-Frankfurt und Skoda-Velotour werden damit verbundene Fragen beantwortet.

2021 ardennes classics

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Key points:
 The men and women’s versions of the Flèche Wallonne and Liège–Bastogne–Liège have been scheduled for 21 and 25 April, respectively, after returning to their usual slots on the calendar.
 The Flèche Wallonne is bringing back the traditional start in Charleroi, with a course steeped in the history of the race all the way to the final climb up the Mur de Huy, while Liège–Bastogne–Liège will have an extra sting in the tail thanks to the addition of the new Côte de Desnié.
 The women’s two races have also been backloaded by the organisers. The men and women’s courses will converge in the final 90 kilometres in the Flèche Wallonne and the final 80 kilometres on the road to Liège.
 New partners are stepping up to the plate, including AG, Shimano and Decathlon, while Cofidis has renewed its commitment to the ardennes classics.

The newly crowned world champion was the only one left with a bitter taste in his mouth after the exceptional autumn editions of the classics, held at the tail end of the 2020 season. Marc Hirschi and Anna van der Breggen’s wins in the Flèche Wallonne, followed by Primož Roglič and Lizzie Deignan’s victories in Liège–Bastogne–Liège, were in line with the character of the Ardennes classics, coming at the end of gruelling races in which only the strongest and toughest riders stayed in contention until the finish. Six months later, it is time for the pretenders to the crown of the Flèche Wallonne to reset their clocks to the usual dates. The men will roll out of Charleroi, which hosted the start of the race from 1998 to 2012. The road to Huy will follow the traditional east-west trajectory and pit the peloton against the Côte d’Yvoir for the first time, but the Côte de Gives, another addition to the course, is where things will really get serious. Following two 32 km loops with a profile that looks like the serrated edge of a saw blade, the final showdown will take place on the unique Mur de Huy, the ultimate litmus test for punchers. The women’s race will merge onto the course of the men’s race for the final 90 kilometres. Will Anna van der Breggen, the undisputed master of the Chemin des Chapelles, with six victories to her name, be able to extend her dominance on this beefed-up course?

Liège–Bastogne–Liège moved its finish line back downtown in 2019. An audacious solo move earned Jakob Fuglsang the win that year, while last October it was a group of five attackers that vied for victory in a messy sprint. This time round, the home straight on Quai des Ardennes will come after almost 260 kilometres of racing on a course featuring the brand-new Côte de Desnié, a nasty climb (1.6 km at an average gradient of 8%) that comes shortly before the decisive Côte de la Redoute, the point where lactic acid starts to reach agonising levels. The riders will have to leave something in the tank if they want to use the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons as a springboard to try and win the Old Lady. The same holds true for the ladies, who will start this year’s edition in Liège and tackle another gruelling 141 km course: the fifth running of the women’s race will take the peloton to the Côte de Desnié, Col du Rosier and Côte des Forges for the first time.

Three new partners and a renewed commitment
• In 2021, the ardennes classics are delighted to welcome AG on board as the new „Major Partner“ of the four Belgian races. Cycling has been part of AG’s DNA for a long time. Through its partnerships, AG seeks to promote cycling as a sport and as part of everyday life. This partnership is a long-term commitment, running until the end of 2024.
• As announced a month ago, Shimano is now an „Official Partner“. The Japanese firm will leverage its experience and know-how in the field of neutral technical support.
• Decathlon is now an „Official Provider“. Its focus will be on young fans and bicycle safety.
• Finally, Cofidis, which has been at our side since 2012, is extending its commitment to the Ardennes classics as an „Official Partner“.

Amaury Sport Organisation is proud to have the support of all the partners of the ardennes classics and acknowledge their strong commitment.

Participating teams Amstel Gold Race

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Participating teams Amstel Gold Race and Amstel Gold Race Ladies Edition announced

The organisation of the Amstel Gold Race has announced the 6 wildcards for the Amstel Gold Race 2021. The 55th Amstel Gold Race on Sunday 18 April will feature the UCI ProTeam Alpecin-Fenix (Belgium) alongside the 19 WorldTeams whom are obligatory invited.

The remaining 5 Wildcards are awarded to:
• Bingoal WB (Belgium)
• Gazprom – Rusvelo (Russia)
• Sport Vlaanderen – Baloise (Belgium)
• Team Arkéa – Samsic (France)
• UNO – X Pro Cycling Team (Norway)
As the winning team of 2019, Alpecin – Fenix will be invited again this year. They will have the first start numbers assigned. The Dutch spring classic is once again part of the UCI WorldTour this year. The 19 WorldTeams of the UCI WorldTour are automatically entitled to participate in the Amstel Gold Race.

In accordance with UCI rules, the following 19 UCI WorldTeams are automatically invited to the race:
• AG2R Citroen Team (France)
• Astana – Premier Tech (Kazakhstan)
• Bahrain Victorious (Bahrain)
• Bora – Hansgrohe (Germany)
• Cofidis (France)
• Deceuninck – Quick-Step (Belgium)
• EF Education – Nippo (United States)
• Groupama – FDJ (France)
• INEOS Grenadiers (Great Britain)
• Intermaché – Wanty – Gobert Matériaux (Belgium)
• Israel Start-up Nation (Israel)
• Jumbo – Visma (The Netherlands)
• Lotto Soudal (Belgium)
• Movistar Team (Spain)
• Team DSM (Germany)
• Team Qhubeka Assos (South Africa)
• Team BikeExchange (Australia)
• Trek – Segafredo ( United States)
• UAE Team Emirates (United Arab Emirates)

The participating teams in the Amstel Gold Race Ladies Edition have also been announced. Next to the 9 UCI Women’s WorldTeams 15 UCI Women’s Continental Teams have been invited.

In accordance with UCI rules, the following 9 UCI Women’s WorldTeams are automatically invited to the race:
• Ale‘ BTC Ljubljana (Italy)
• Canyon // SRAM Racing (Germany)
• FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope (France)
• Liv Racing (The Netherlands)
• Movistar Team Women (Spain)
• Team BikeExchange (Australia)
• Team DSM (Germany)
• Team SD Worx (The Netherlands)
• Trek – Segafredo (United States)

De 15 UCI Women’s Continental Teams
• Andy Schleck – CP NVST – Immo Losch (Luxembourg)
• A.R. Monex Women’s Pro Cycling Team (Italy)
• Bingoal Casino-Chevalmeire Cycling Team (Belgium)
• CAMS-Tifosi (Great Britain)
• Ceratizit-WNT Pro Cycling Team (Germany)
• Cogeas Mettler Look Pro Cycling Team (Russia)
• Doltcini – Van Eyck – Proximus Continental Team (Belgium)
• GT Krush Tunap Pro Cycling (Netherlands)
• Jumbo-Visma Women Team (The Netherlands)
• Lotto Soudal Ladies (Belgium)
• Multum Accountants Ladies Cycling Team (Belgium)
• NXTG Racing (The Netherlands)
• Parkhotel Valkenburg (The Netherlands)
• Team Tibco-Silicon Valley Bank (United States)
• Valcar Travel & Service (Italy)

17-kilometre circuit
On Sunday 18th April, the elite women and men will be riding 7 and 13 laps of 17 kilometres respectively, with each lap climbing the Geulhemmerberg, the Bemelerberg and the Cauberg. The final circuit of the men’s race will omit the Cauberg. The Amstel Gold Race Ladies Edition will be held in the morning, with the start at approximately 8.30 a.m. and the finish around noon. The men’s Amstel Gold Race starts at 12.15 pm and is expected to finish at around 5.45 pm. Because of the current Covid-19 measures the start will not take place on the Vrijthof square in Maastricht, but within a closed area at the top of the Cauberg. The organisation asks everyone to watch the race from home and not to travel to Limburg.

URL : https://nieuws.amstel.nl/deelnemende-teams-amstel-gold-race-en-amstel-gold-race-ladies-edition-bekend/

Amstel Gold Race to return on Sunday April 18th

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Valkenburg, March 8th – This year’s Amstel Gold Race and Amstel Gold Race Ladies Edition, part of the UCI WorldTour and the Women’s WorldTour, will take place on Sunday April 18th, on a modified circuit through the municipalities of Valkenburg aan de Geul, Maastricht and Eijsden-Margraten. The circuit, of approximately 17 kilometres, will be hermetically closed to day tourists and public. The organisation asks everyone to watch the race from home and not to travel to Limburg.

Leo van Vliet, Race Director Amstel Gold Race: “We are very happy with the message from the authorities that the Amstel Gold Race and the Amstel Gold Race Ladies Edition can be held on the April 18th. Since the cancellation in October 2020, we have continued to talk to the authorities and have been able to work out the plans in detail. We are aware that a lot can still happen towards 18th April, but we thank the national and regional authorities for their support in this process.”

Public not allowed

The three mayors of the municipalities have decided that the Amstel Gold Race can take place on April 18th, but they have attached conditions to it. The entire area around the circuit will be hermetically closed to day tourists and cycling public. No spectators are allowed on the circuit either. This will be strictly enforced by the municipalities. The organisation will ensure that the area remains accessible for residents and businesses.
Mayor Jan Schrijen of Valkenburg aan de Geul explains the decision to allow the organization to organize the Amstel Gold Race: „In October there was an emergency order and therefore other rules. With the temporary Covid-19 law the local mayors got authorized for these decisions. The current ministerial regulation makes it possible for the races to go ahead this year. The ministry of Health, Wellbeing and Sports has also granted permission. The Amstel Gold Race is regarded as a top-class sporting event and for that reason it can be organised this year. However, this means that no public is allowed and that all peripheral activities such as the VIP tents and the advertising caravan cannot take place. It is also important to us that the accessibility of all villages in the closed area is guaranteed at all times. The organisation has now had more time to prepare everything carefully. This is why we think it is responsible for the Amstel Gold Race to be held in our region again this year. We are confident that the organization will ensure that everything will run safely and the cycling fans can enjoy a beautiful cycling race in front of their television.“

UCI President David Lappartient also declared: „On behalf of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), I would like to say how pleased we are that the Amstel Gold Race and the Amstel Gold Race Ladies are being maintained this year, after their cancellation in 2020. I would like to thank the competent Dutch authorities for their support and for finding a solution with this 17 km circuit. It is very important that the races on our UCI International Road Calendar, and in particular the UCI WorldTour and the UCI Women’s WorldTour, take place, with of course all the adaptations made necessary by the current pandemic context. This excellent news confirms that our sport knows how to find solutions, thanks to the collaboration of all its stakeholders, despite the difficult circumstances of the health crisis. Congratulations to Leo van Vliet and the entire organization team of the men’s and women’s Amstel Gold Race!“

17-kilometre circuit
On Sunday 18the April, the elite women and men will be riding 7 and 13 laps of 17 kilometres respectively, with each lap climbing the Geulhemmerberg, the Bemelerberg and the Cauberg. The final circuit of the men’s race will omit the Cauberg. The Amstel Gold Race Ladies Edition will be held in the morning, with the start at approximately 8.30 a.m. and the finish around noon. The men’s Amstel Gold Race starts at 12.15 pm and is expected to finish at around 5.45 pm. Because of the current Covid-19 measures the start will not take place on the Vrijthof square in Maastricht, but within a closed area at the top of the Cauberg.

Organisation calls on everyone to follow race at home

„In order to close off the area hermetically to the public, we will deploy approximately 350 traffic controllers, security guards and staff. We therefore ask everyone to watch the Amstel Gold Race at home this year. The NOS will be there all day and will broadcast both the men’s and women’s races live, so the cycling fan who stays at home won’t have to miss a thing. I hope that everyone can enjoy an exciting race. Together, we really have to make sure that the race can take place in a safe way”, says Van Vliet.
Residents in the closed off area will be informed further in the coming weeks and will of course be able to access their homes throughout the day.
Tour version Amstel Gold Race
Earlier, the organisation had already decided to move the Tour Version of the Amstel Gold Race with 15,000 participants to Saturday 11th September. Already registered participants have been informed and can postpone their registration to 11 September. There are still a few tickets available. For more information go to www.amstelgoldrace.nl.

La Vuelta 21: teams selection

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The organizers of La Vuelta have chosen the teams that will take part in the 76th edition of the Spanish Grand Tour. La Vuelta 21 will start on Saturday the 14th of August and finish on Sunday the 5th of September, from Burgos to Santiago de Compostela.

In accordance with UCI rules, the following 19 UCI WorldTeams are automatically invited to the race:
VE21_FB_Equipos_V1_1000x565px

AG2R Citroen Team (FRA)
Astana – Premier Tech (KAZ)
Bahrain Victorius (BHR)
Bora – Hansgrohe (GER)
Cofidis (FRA)
Deceuninck – Quick – Step (BEL)
EF Education-Nippo (USA)
Groupama – FDJ (FRA)
Ineos Grenadiers (GBR)
Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert Matériaux (BEL)
Israel Start-Up Nation (ISR)
Jumbo-Visma (NED)
Lotto Soudal (BEL)
Movistar Team (ESP)
Team BikeExchange (AUS)
Team DSM (GER)
Team Qhubeka Assos (RSA)
Trek – Segafredo (USA)
UAE Team Emirates (UAE)

Furthermore, Alpecin-Fenix (BEL), leader in the 2020 classification of UCI ProTeams will take part by right in La Vuelta 21.

In addition to these 20 teams, the organizers have awarded the following wildcards:

Burgos – BH (ESP)
Caja Rural-Seguros RGA (ESP)
Euskaltel – Euskadi (ESP)

More information about La Vuelta : www.lavuelta.com
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Paris-Nice 2021 / Richie Porte : „keen to race ‘at home’ again“

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Richie Porte and Paris-Nice in figures
. Winner in 2013 and 2015
. 8 participations between 2010 and 2020 (Saxo Bank x 2 / Team Sky x 3 / BMC x 2 / Trek x 1)
. 5 stage victories: the leading collector of Paris-Nice stage wins still racing
. Winner of the two highest finishes in the event’s history, at 1,678 metres on the Col de la Couillole (in 2017) and at 1,600 metres on the Montagne de Lure (in 2013)
. 19’16’’: the 2nd best time in history achieved on the climb up the Col d’Eze in 2013, one year after the record (19’12’’) was set by his team-mate at the time, Bradley Wiggins.


Foto: Gerhard Plomitzer

36-year-old Richie Porte is uncontestably a Paris-Nice expert. He will be the only two-time winner of the race taking starter’s orders for the 79th edition in the Yvelines department on Sunday 7th March. He is also the only rider to have triumphed twice since Alberto Contador in 2010. His successes in 2013 and 2015, when riding for Team Sky, chiefly as a super domestique for Chris Froome on the Tour de France, shaped his career, until he experienced a second youth last September to finish third on the Tour de France!

He is only the second Australian to have climbed onto the final podium of the Tour de France (after Cadel Evans, second in 2007 and 2008, before winning in 2011), finishing behind Slovenians Tadej Pogacar and Primoz Roglic. This allowed him a triumphant return home in spite of the travel restrictions in force during the off-season. With his wife and two children, including little Eloise, born during the Tour de France 2020, they touched down on 5th December in Perth to start the required fourteen days of isolation down under before moving onto to his native Tasmania.

In January, he was victorious like almost every year at the summit of Willunga Hill (for the seventh time!) during the Santos Festival of Cycling, which replaced the Tour Down Under, bringing together a field exclusively made up of antipodean riders this year. A member of the national team, he won the queen stage ahead of his young team-mate Luke Plapp, 20 years old, while apologising for not being on his usual level of form for January.

But what sort of shape will he be in as he tackles his first European test of 2021? “I can’t really say what my ambitions are for this edition of Paris-Nice,” he replies. “I’ve just arrived from Australia and even in normal conditions it’s already an extremely complicated race to win. This time, I just don’t know what sort of form I’ll be in. I’ve only raced in January in Australia, whereas my rivals have already taken part in very competitive races in Europe”.

However, he knows all about the nature of the Race to the Sun. “Paris-Nice is not an easy race to win, so to have won it twice is gratifying,” he adds. “It’s a special race for me. Because I live in Monaco, I mainly train on the roads around Nice. So, I’ll have the feeling of racing at home towards the end of the week. It’s also a tricky race, with sidewinds on the first days and the mountains on the second weekend. It’s a difficult race for everybody”.

His 9th participation on the Race to the Sun will also witness another return ‘home’, re-joining the British team that is now known as Ineos Grenadiers and whose leader, for the occasion, is likely to be Tao Geoghegan Hart. The winner of the Giro d’Italia 2020 has already proved to be at ease on the steep roads of Southern France, with 10th position (and a 2nd place finish on the last stage) on the Tour des Alpes Maritimes et du Var. “We have a very strong team for this edition of Paris-Nice,” concludes Richie Porte. “First and foremost, I want to play a role as part of group and help the team to win, whoever it is with. Most importantly, I can’t wait to get started!”
@ASO

79. Paris-Nice 2021

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Key points:
 The 2021 edition of Paris-Nice, which will start on Sunday 7th March in the Yvelines department, will give a number of insights into the form of some of the main players in elite cycling pack, at a stage of the season when the indicators are still vague.
 For all that, the battle has already commenced between Jumbo-Visma and Ineos Grenadiers: for the first time on the Race to the Sun, the Dutch team will be lining up Primoz Roglic, who has not raced competitively since his triumph on the Vuelta, while the British squad will be placing their hopes in the winner of the Giro d’Italia, Tao Geoghegan Hart.
 Title holder Max Schachmann and his Bora-Hansgrohe colleagues as well as the DSM Team of Jai Hindley will be looking to join in the contest for victory, while David Gaudu, among others, will be defending French hopes of success.
 Beyond the stakes of the general classification, stage wins on the sprint finishes will be especially sought after. Arnaud Démare will be up against tough rivals such as Sam Bennett, Michael Matthews, John Degenkolb, Giacomo Nizzolo, Nacer Bouhanni and Bryan Coquard.

Each season’s beginning brings with it a number of questions and uncertainties. This is even more true as the start to Paris-Nice 2021 approaches, with postponements and cancellations of races in the first weeks of the year added to significant changes in team compositions and jerseys during the winter. In an already shaky cycling world in March 2020, Germany’s Max Schachmann won authoritatively after taking control on the very first stage of the race. There is no guarantee of a repeat on the route into Saint-Cyr-l’Ecole, but then again nothing prevents him from believing in a second success if he can prove to be better than his rivals on the time-trial at Gien, then in Chiroubles or also on La Colmiane. His plans could come up against a major obstacle in the form of Primoz Roglic, who will be making the first appearance of his career on the Race to the Sun, supported in the ranks of Jumbo-Visma by George Bennett and Steven Kruijswijk. The title to be won in Nice may seem to be reaching out to him, but the Slovenian world number 1 also does not always win! Indeed, he could be challenged by Team DSM, formerly Sunweb, who began the 2020 vintage of Paris-Nice in lively fashion, thanks to Kragh Andersen (who won the time-trial at Saint-Amand-Montrond) and Tiesj Benoot (2nd in the general classification). The two men will be accompanied this year by Australian Jai Hindley, who finished 2nd on the Giro 2020 and who will be keen to have his word to say in the outcome.

Paris-Nice 2021 is also an invitation for the Ineos Grenadiers team to show a new face after an underwhelming year in 2020. Indeed, the British team will be counting on its rider who stood out the most, by shining on the roads of Italy. For the occasion, Tao Geoghegan Hart will be supported by Richie Porte, 3rd on the Tour de France and two-time winner of the Race to the Sun (in 2013 and 2015), who has returned to the squad where he enjoyed his best successes. The French riders could spoil the party for the favourites, and, during their first outings of the year, have displayed form that allows them to aim for the leading positions. Such is the case for David Gaudu, who was victorious last weekend in the Ardèche, while Warren Barguil and Guillaume Martin also looked dynamic.

When looking through the list of participants, it becomes evident that there will be fierce battle for all the winners’ bouquets handed out during the week. Classics specialists such as Bob Jungels, Philippe Gilbert, Matteo Trentin, Mads Pedersen and Dylan Teuns will, for example, have their eyes on the stages at Chiroubles or Biot, while top level sprint finishes are to be expected in Saint-Cyr, Amilly or Bollène. The most prolific winner of 2020, Arnaud Démare, has already won three stages on Paris-Nice, but will have to tackle an enormous field of speedsters this year: Sam Bennett, Pascal Ackermann, Alexander Kristoff, Michael Matthews, Sonny Colbrelli, John Degenkolb, Giacomo Nizzolo, Jasper Philipsen, Nacer Bouhanni, Bryan Coquard, Christophe Laporte and Hugo Hofstetter are unlikely to be content with playing supporting roles, but there will not be room for everyone at the top of the pile.
23 TEAMS – THE MAIN PARTICIPANTS:

Australia
Team BikeExchange: Matthews (Aus)

Bahrain
Bahrain Victorious: Colbrelli (Ita), Poels (Ned), Teuns (Bel)

Belgium
Deceuninck-Quick Step: Cavagna (Fra), Bennett (Irl)
Lotto Soudal: Degenkolb (Ger), Gilbert, De Gendt (Bel)
Intermarché-Wanty Gobert Matériaux: Eiking (Nor), Meintjes (Saf)
Alpecin-Fenix: Philipsen (Bel)

France
AG2R Citroën Team: Jungels (Lux), Naesen (Bel), Paret-Peintre (Fra)
Cofidis: Martin, Laporte (Fra)
Groupama-FDJ: Démare, Gaudu (Fra)
Total Direct Energie: Boasson Hagen (Nor), Latour, Vuillermoz (Fra)
Team Arkea-Samsic: Barguil, Bouhanni (Fra)
B&B Hotels p/b KTM: Coquard, Hivert (Fra)

Germany
Bora-Hansgrohe: Schachmann, Ackermann (Ger), Grossschartner (Aut)
Team DSM: Kragh Andersen (Den), Benoot (Bel), Hindley (Aus)

Israel
Israel Start-Up Nation: Hofstetter (Fra)

Kazakhstan
Astana–Premier Tech: Lutsenko (Ukr), Vlasov (Rus), Fraile, L.L. Sanchez (Spa)

Netherlands
Jumbo-Visma: Roglic (Slo), Bennett (NZ), Kruijswijk (Ned)

South Africa
Team Qhubeka Assos: Walscheid (Ger), Aru, Nizzolo (Ita), Henao (Col)
Spain
Movistar Team: Mühlberger (Aut), Rojas (Spa)

United Arab Emirates
UAE Team Emirates: Kristoff (Nor), Trentin (Ita), De la Cruz (Spa)

United Kingdom
Ineos Grenadiers: Geoghegan Hart (UK), Porte, Dennis (Aus)

USA
EF Education Nippo: Powless (USA), Nielsen (Den)
Trek-Segafredo: Elissonde (Fra), M.Pedersen (Den)

@ASO

Critérium du Dauphiné 2021

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Key points:
 The course of the 2021 Critérium du Dauphiné, consisting of eight stages and running from 30 May to 6 June, was unveiled at the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Regional Council building in Lyon this morning.
 Following the start in Issoire with a loop stage on a dynamic circuit, the organisers have cooked up a tough yet balanced course and brought back the Wednesday time trial to keep fans on the edge of their seats.
 A gruelling Alpine trilogy with finishes in Le Sappey-en-Chartreuse and the ski resorts of La Plagne and Les Gets will decide the showdown among the stars of the peloton, who will be hunting for a victory in the Dauphiné to boost their confidence ahead of the Tour de France.
 Antargaz also becomes an official partner of the Critérium du Dauphiné as the sponsor of the most aggressive rider classification for the first time.

Even in recent years, the various theories on how to interpret the Critérium du Dauphiné to predict how the Tour de France will unfold a month later have been tried and found lacking. Whereas Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas got a taste of success here ahead of the greatest victories of their careers, Alberto Contador would often struggle in the Critérium du Dauphiné, even at his peak, while the winners of the last two editions, Jakob Fuglsang and Dani Martínez, proved unable to follow up their promising results in June with a similar performance in July. However, one thing always remains the same: even as the Tour looms on the horizon, the stars of the peloton take the challenge seriously, put on a spectacular show and attach a great deal of importance to the Alpine duels that take place here. The 2021 course has been designed to gradually turn up the heat on the peloton in a trek from the Central Massif to the Alps. The rubber will hit the road in the inaugural stage starting and ending in Issoire, where sprinters will have their work cut out for them to stay in contention until the finish. It will be more of the same two days later in Saint-Haon-le-Vieux, where the 800 m home straight bends towards the sky. At 16.5 kilometres, the time trial from Firminy to Roche-la-Molière will be just long enough to shake things up a bit but, at the same time, short enough to keep the race wide open.

After four stages run mostly in Auvergne and a plunge to the Rhône Valley that could force a selection among the punchers for the showdown in Saint-Vallier, the peloton will head to the Alpine peaks, where the mountain warriors will hog the limelight from the stage to Le Sappey-en-Chartreuse, featuring the Col de Porte. This will be just an appetiser, as the next day will see the Dauphiné discover the La Plagne ski resort, coming after a 17 kilometre ascent with an average gradient of 7.5% and with the riders‘ legs already softened up by the Col de Pré and the Cormet de Roselend. On Sunday, the 145 km grand finale will serve up a succession of climbs ready for use as a launch pad for an epic adventure: the roads up the Col des Aravis, Col de la Colombière, Côte de Châtillon and, especially, Col de Joux Plane, are the perfect terrain to go on the offensive, as is the plunge to Morzine, where the top descenders in the peloton will come out to play. The ascent to Les Gets will wrap up this climbing-fest. On clear days, it is said you can see Brest from the top of the mountain…

Critérium du Dauphiné 2021 stages :
Sunday, May 30th – Stage 1 – Issoire > Issoire, 182 km
Monday, May 31st – Stage 2 – Brioude > Saugues, 173 km
Tuesday, June 1st – Stage 3 – Langeac > Saint-Haon-Le-Vieux, 172 km
Wednesday, June 2nd – Stage 4 – Firminy > Roche-La-Molière, 16,5 km (individual time trial)
Thursday, June 3rd – Stage 5 – Saint-Chamond > Saint-Vallier, 175,5 km
Friday, June 4th – Stage 6 – Loriol-sur-Drôme > Le Sappey-en-Chartreuse, 168 km
Saturday, June 5th – Stage 7 – Saint-Martin-Le-Vinoux > La Plagne, 171,5 km
Sunday, June 6th – Stage 8 – La Léchère-les-Bains > Les Gets 147 km

Team selection
In accordance with Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) rules, the following nineteen UCI WorldTeams are automatically invited to the race:

AG2R Citroën Team (Fra)
Astana – Premier Tech (Kaz)
Bahrain Victorious (Brn)
Bora – Hansgrohe (Ger)
Cofidis (Fra)
Deceuninck – Quick-Step (Bel)
EF Education – NIPPO (Usa)
Groupama – FDJ (Fra)
Ineos Grenadiers (Gbr)
Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert Matériaux (Bel)
Israel Start-Up Nation (Isr)
Jumbo – Visma (Ned)
Lotto Soudal (Bel)
Movistar Team (Esp)
Team BikeExchange (Aus)
Team DSM (Ger)
Team Qhubeka Assos (Rsa)
Trek – Segafredo (Usa)
UAE Team Emirates (Uae)

The organizers invite the following teams:

B&B Hotels P/B KTM (Fra)
Team Arkéa – Samsic (Fra)

Paris-Roubaix 2021 team selection

Eintagsrennen, Frühjahrskassiker, Vorschau, ,

The organisers of Paris-Roubaix have chosen the teams for the first edition, Sunday, April 11th.
In accordance with the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) regulations, the nine UCI Women’s WorldTeams automatically entered are:

Alé BTC Ljubljana (Ita)
Canyon / /SRAM Racing (Ger)
FDJ Nouvelle – Aquitaine Futuroscope (Fra)
Liv Racing (Ned)
Movistar Team Women (Esp)
Team BikeExchange (Aus)
Team DSM (Ger)
Team SD Worx (Ned)
Trek – Segafredo (Usa)

Furthermore, the six following UCI Women’s Continental teams will participate by right in Paris-Roubaix Femmes:

A.R. Monex Women’s Pro Cycling Team (Ita)
Ceratizit – WTN Pro Cycling Team (Ger)
Lotto Soudal Ladies (Bel)
Parkhotel Valkenburg (Ned)
Team Tibco – Silicon Valley Bank (Usa)
Valcar – Travel & Service (Ita)

The organisers have invited the following teams:

Arkéa Pro Cycling Team (Fra)
Ciclismo Mundial (Bel)
Cogeas Mettler Look Pro Cycling Team (Rus)
Doltcini – Van Eyck Sport – Proximus Continental Team (Bel)
Drops – Le Col supported by Tempur (Gbr)
Hitec Products (Nor)
Jumbo – Visma Women Team (Ned)
NXTG Racing (Ned)
Stade Rochelais Charente-Maritime Women Cycling (Fra)

2021 PARIS-ROUBAIX: TEAM SELECTION

The organisers of Paris-Roubaix have chosen the teams for the 118th edition, Sunday, April 11th.
In accordance with Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) rules, the nineteen UCI WorldTeams are invited:

AG2R Citroën Team (Fra)
Astana – Premier Tech (Kaz)
Bahrain Victorious (Brn)
Bora – Hansgrohe (Ger)
Cofidis (Fra)
Deceuninck – Quick-Step (Bel)
EF Education – NIPPO (Usa)
Groupama – FDJ (Fra)
Ineos Grenadiers (Gbr)
Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert Matériaux (Bel)
Israel Start-Up Nation (Isr)
Jumbo – Visma (Ned)
Lotto Soudal (Bel)
Movistar Team (Esp)
Team BikeExchange (Aus)
Team DSM (Ger)
Team Qhubeka Assos (Rsa)
Trek – Segafredo (Usa)
UAE Team Emirates (Uae)

Furthermore, the two highest ranked UCI ProTeams in 2020, Alpecin – Fenix (Bel) and Team Arkéa – Samsic (Fra), will participate by right in Paris-Roubaix.

The organisers have invited the following teams:

B&B Hotels p/b KTM (Fra)
Bingoal WB (Bel)
Delko (Fra)
Total Direct Energie (Fra)

©A.S.O.

More information about Paris-Roubaix Femmes on www.paris-roubaix-femmes.fr/en/
More information about Paris-Rouaix on www.paris-roubaix.fr/en/

Nizzolo & Pozzovivo lead Team Qhubeka ASSOS at UAE Tour

Etappenrennen, Teamnews, Vorschau, ,

The UCI World Tour gets underway this weekend with the UAE Tour taking place between 21-27 February. The Italian duo of Giacomo Nizzolo and Domenico Pozzovivo will lead Team Qhubeka ASSOS at the middle-east’s premier cycling race.

The UAE Tour will consist of 7 stages; four of which suit the sprinters, two summit finishes and an individual time trial. With something for every type of rider, and as the debut UCI World Tour race of the season, the 2021 UAE Tour has attracted arguably its strongest peloton ever.
Team Qhubeka ASSOS will have one of the race’s headline sprinters at the start, European and Italian Champion Giacomo Nizzolo, fresh off his victory at Clasica de Almeria this past weekend. Veteran climber, Domenico Pozzovivo will be taking aim at the two climbing stages and a strong overall GC result for Team Qhubeka ASSOS.

Support for our co-leaders will come in the form of Max Walscheid, Lasse Norman Hansen, Bert-Jan Lindeman, Harry Tanfield and Matteo Pelucchi.

Aart Vierhouten – Sport Director
At our first WT race in 2021 the UAE Tour, Team Qhubeka ASSOS has two goals;
To learn from each sprint stage, working on the right setup of our lead-out train for the benefit of our leader and sprinter Giacomo Nizzolo.

Besides the sprint stages we have also two stages which finish up a mountain, therefore we have our climber Domenico Pozzovivo. We will protect him during the flat stages and help him on his way towards the climbs to achieve a good result on the GC as well.

Giacomo Nizzolo
I am really looking forward to the UAE Tour, where the complete World Tour peloton will line up for the first time this year. It is an important race for our team, Team Qhubeka ASSOS, and a great opportunity for us to show our colours and our purpose to a global cycling audience.
We have some good feelings from the first races of the season already and I am feeling confident with the team around me here, so we look forward to some fast and exciting sprints in the desert.

Domenico Pozzovivo
I am looking forward to starting my season with Team Qhubeka Assos at the UAE Tour, where it will be a nice change to ride in a warm climate once again. The first race is always interesting to see how the legs will respond after a long period of training but for sure we will give 100% every day.
@Qhubeka Assos

Team selection for 2021 Tour de France

Etappenrennen, Tour de France, Vorschau, ,

The organisers of the Tour de France have chosen the teams that will take part in the 108th edition (June 26- July 18).

In accordance with Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) rules, the following nineteen UCI WorldTeams are automatically invited to the race:

AG2R Citroën Team (Fra)
Astana – Premier Tech (Kaz)
Bahrain Victorious (Brn)
Bora – Hansgrohe (Ger)
Cofidis (Fra)
Deceuninck – Quick-Step (Bel)
EF Education – NIPPO (Usa)
Groupama – FDJ (Fra)
Ineos Grenadiers (Gbr)
Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert Matériaux (Bel)
Israel Start-Up Nation (Isr)
Jumbo – Visma (Ned)
Lotto Soudal (Bel)
Movistar Team (Esp)
Team BikeExchange (Aus)
Team DSM (Ger)
Team Qhubeka Assos (Rsa)
Trek – Segafredo (Usa)
UAE Team Emirates (Uae)

Furthermore, the Alpecin – Fenix, the leader in the 2020 classification of UCI ProTeams will take part by right in Tour de France 2021.

Following the decision of the Union Cycliste Internationale’s (UCI) directors’ committee to increase the maximum number of riders allowed at the start of Grand Tours from 176 to 184, the organisers of the Tour de France extend invitations to the following three teams:

B&B Hotels P/B KTM (Fra)
Team Arkéa – Samsic (Fra)
Total Direct Energie (Fra)