Roster and media opportunities ahead of Tour de France
Team KATUSHA ALPECIN is happy to announce its line-up for the 106th Tour de France.
Riders: Jens Debusschere (BEL), Alex Dowsett (GBR), José Gonçalves (POR), Marco Haller (AUT), Nils Politt (GER), Rick Zabel (GER), Mads Würtz Schmidt (DEN) & Ilnur Zakarin (RUS)
Team Directors: José Azevedo (POR), Dirk Demol (BEL) & Xavier Florencio (ESP)
Riders and management of the team will be available for the media on Wednesday July 3rd from 3:30 PM at the KATUSHA Pop Up Store & Café and Alpecin Pop Up Barber.
Location: BMW Brussels, Leuvensesteenweg 864, 1140 Brussels
Date : Wednesday, July 3 at 3:30 PM

Foto: Gerhard Plomitzer
Alex Dowsett earns gold medal for sixth time in British ITT
Taking the gold medal for a record-tying sixth time on Thursday in Norfolk, Team KATUSHA ALPECIN’s Alex Dowsett acknowledged that winning it this time is something special.
“There were a few years where getting this jersey came quite easy and I guess I took it for granted. I think I will enjoy wearing it this time more than the other times I’ve had them. Today was a fight.”
Dowsett, age 30, put up a top time of 49:25 (48.57 km/h) on the 27.4k flat course in Norfolk. Starting second from last just in front of teammate Harry Tanfield among a field of 35 riders, Dowsett wasn’t seeing early results in his time checks that gave him an over-abundance of confidence.
Dowsett: “I think I was down after one-third of the distance and this was a bit of a worry because I’d given a lot in this part of the course. Then at two-thirds it was touch and go, but then I brought it home well. We have some real fast guys in the U.K. and the caliber of riders coming through is huge, so I don’t know when the last time in the national stripes will be so I’m going to enjoy every moment of this.”
Joining Dowsett on the podium were John Archibald for the silver medal (+.06) and Steve Cummings with the bronze at +.27.
Dowsett had nothing but praise for his team equipment: “We’ve got fantastic equipment: the Oakley helmet, the Canyon bike, the Katusha Sports skinsuits – it’s all fully optimized to make us as quick as possible. It worked!”
Dowsett concluded: “Each year is a pleasure and I think even more so this time. It’s my sixth title but it feels like my first. It’s going to be very special riding in the stripes this year. I’m very happy.”

Gonçalves beats twin brother to become national time trial champion
José Gonçalves was highly motivated to go faster than the 2017 and 2018 Portuguese TT champion Domingos Gonçalves (Cara Rural – Seguros RGA). The KATUSHA ALPECIN rider kept his promise and was 21 seconds faster than his twin brother. António Carvalho (W52 / FC Porto) finished 3rd, 1’03” behind. For José Gonçalves it was his second national time trial title. He was also the best in 2012.
The 32,3 km course in Melgaço was challenging. “The course suited me very well, but I started a bit too fast and paid for it on the first climb. Fortunately, I managed to recover and go again at full speed. After my second-place last year behind my brother Domingos, I was really keen to beat him in Melgaço. This title is good motivation for me. I will be able to show my new jersey in the Tour de France next week. And why not trying to win the road championships as well? I’ve never won that race,” said José Gonçalves.