Lars van der Haar is getting over his corona virus – Top Story. All the week’s EUROTRASH: Carapaz is on the way to Europe, Pogačar to ride Tour of Flanders, Van der Poel Vs Rebellin, no champs for Dumoulin, Naesen to the Tour, 8 WorldTour Teams in Poitou-Charentes, hard training for Van Aert, Chiola improves, Italian investigation, contracts for Honoré and Brändle, what team for García. Race news from Québec and Montréal, Milano-Torino, La Course by Le Tour de France, European and French champs, GP Vermarc. Tormans cyclo cross team, Jumbo-Visma and AGU and 2020 DK Event Cancelled. Big news!
TOP STORY: Lars van der Haar Recovered from Covid-19
Lars van der Haar – possibly during a ski trip – became infected with Covid-19. “Once I started training again, I took it very easy for two weeks to give my lungs time to fully recover. I was really worried.”
After the cross season, Van der Haar left with some friends on a ski trip in Gerlos, Austria. A week and a half after returning to the Netherlands, he fell ill. “At first I got tired quickly, then I got a high fever and even with normal breathing I felt my lungs burn,” the Telenet-Baloise professional told Het Nieuwsblad. “Then I knew: this must be corona.”
Home quarantine turned out to be sufficient. The fever quickly disappeared. “Still I had lung pain for two weeks and at some point I noticed that my sense of smell and taste were gone.” In total, he was off the bike for six weeks. “When I started training again, I did not cycle for more than two hours in two weeks. At a low intensity, to make sure the lungs had time to recover.”
Even though everything pointed at the time that he had corona, only two weeks ago after a test in Belgium, he knew for sure. “I had a lot of antibodies in the blood. So we did a good job, because if I had trained hard again too quickly, I could have suffered permanent lung or heart damage.”
“On August 25, I have an extensive tests on the bike, I will certainly ask that the lung capacity be tested as well. At first I was worried: I was already out of breath when I had to climb the stairs. But in the meantime I have had intensive training, I am quite comfortable with it. On Sunday I was also happy that I got through the race in Rotselaar well. I had to gasp for air, but that was no more than usual. Everyone did.”
Van der Haar back to full fitness:
Carapaz to Fly Directly to Madrid from Ecuador
Good news for Giro d’Italia winner Richard Carapaz. He and his Ineos teammate Jhonatan Narváez will be able to fly directly from the Ecuadorian capital of Quito to Madrid next week and join their teammates.
An exit ban still applies to Ecuadorians, which has caused some headaches for Richard Carapaz. The Colombian Sports Flight was an alternative, but traveling from Ecuador to Bogota was not an option, as it turned out. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. Velonews.com has reported that on July 15, Carapaz will be able to fly directly to Madrid from Quito with Narváez.
The news follows a decision by the Spanish authorities to contribute to a solution to allow foreign athletes to enter Spain, despite a ban on most flights from America to the European Union. This means that Carapaz can complete its original program, with the Vuelta a Burgos as the first stage race.
Carapaz back in Europe:
Pogačar to ride the Tour of Flanders
Tadej Pogačar will be on the start line of the Tour of Flanders for the first time, according to his race program published by Sporza on Wednesday.
It will not be the first time for Pogačar to contest the Flemish hills and cobblestones, because he rode the U23 Tour of Flanders two years ago. Pogačar finished six seconds behind winner James Whelan, the Slovenian crossed the line in the first group with the favourites.
The UAE Emirates leader will start the second part of the season with Strade Bianche and Milan-San Remo. After that it is still uncertain whether he will stay in Italy for the Tour of Lombardy or whether he will travel to France for the Critérium du Dauphiné. Then he makes his first appearance in the Tour de France.
After his debut in the Tour de France he starts in the hilly classics, La Flèche Wallonne, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the Amstel Gold Race. The Tour of Flanders will be his last race of the season.
Tadej Pogačar 2020 Provisional Schedule:
Strade Bianche (August 1)
Milan-San Remo (August 8)
Critérium du Dauphiné (12-16 August) (or Tour of Lombardy)
Tour of Lombardy (August 15) (or Critérium du Dauphiné)
Tour de France (August 29 – September 20)
Flèche Wallonne (September 30)
Liège-Bastogne-Liège (October 4)
Amstel Gold Race (October 10)
Tour of Flanders (October 18).
Tadej Pogačar:
Mathieu van der Poel Resumes Season in the Sibiu Tour
Mathieu van der Poel will resume his season in Romania at the end of July. The leader of the Alpecin-Fenix team will be on the start line of the Sibiu Cycling Tour, a four-day stage race at UCI 2.1 level.
Next week, Van der Poel will go to La Plagne in France with his Belgian team on an altitude training camp in preparation for the busy autumn. In the Sibiu Tour (July 23-26) the Dutchman will be up against two WorldTour teams; Bora-Hansgrohe (including Pascal Ackermann) and Israel Start-Up Nation.
For Van der Poel, the Sibiu Tour will be his last preparation kilometres in the run-up to the Italian five-part Strade Bianche, Milan-Turin, Milan-San Remo, Gran Piemonte and the Tour of Lombardy. The gravel race through Tuscany is the first WorldTour race on the adjusted calendar on Saturday 1st August, and one of the main goals of Van der Poel. There are six days between the final stage in Romania and Strade Bianche.
Preliminary 2020 program for Mathieu van der Poel:
July 23-26: Sibiu Cycling Tour
August 1: Strade Bianche
August 5: Milan-Turin
August 8: Milan-San Remo
August 12: Gran Piemonte
August 15: Tour of Lombardy
September 7-14: Tirreno Adriatico
September 20: Les Gets (MTB) (with a big question mark)
September 30: Walloon Arrow
October 4: Liège-Bastogne-Liège
October 10: Amstel Gold Race
October 18: Tour of Flanders
October 25: Paris-Roubaix.
On the road again soon:
Rebellin Racing Against a Van der Poel Again After 22 years
Van der Poel Vs Rebellin! At the end of July, when Mathieu van der Poel makes his appearance in the Sibiu Tour he will be up against the 48-year-old Davide Rebellin.
In 1998 Davide Rebellin and Mathieu’s father Adrie van der Poel faced each other. In that year’s Grand Prix de Fourmies in France, the then 27-year-old Rebellin finished 12th. Adrie – 39 years old and at the end of his career – finished 42nd. Van der Poel senior and Rebellin raced regularly against each other, 28 years ago in Paris-Tours in 1992 and a year later in the Amstel Gold Race and La Flèche Wallonne in 1993.
And now, almost thirty seasons later, we have another duel between Van der Poel and Rebellin. The Italian has ridden on for another year with the Croatian Meridiana Kamen team and are on the provisional starting list of the Sibiu Tour.
Another year for Rebellin:
No National Champs for Dumoulin
Tom Dumoulin will not start the Dutch National championships in Drenthe at the end of August. The leader of Jumbo-Visma skips the title battle around the VAM-Berg on August 23 in order to prepare for the Tour de France.
Dumoulin prefers a training camp in France in the run-up to the Tour start, which is scheduled for August 29 in Nice. “I already have a very busy program, with altitude training camps, races and then another altitude camp,” he told NOS. “Then it is not possible to return for the championships. I will stay in France between the Dauphiné and the Tour de France.”
The World championships time trial on September 20 will also be missed, because it is scheduled on the final day of the Tour in Paris. “I’ll finish the whole Tour,” he is certain. “Even if I have bad legs and I can’t compete for the overall, hopefully the team will back one of the other leaders for the rankings. Then I am still very valuable of course.”
Tom Dumoulin:
Oliver Naesen to the Tour
Oliver Naesen is already certain of participating in the 2020 Tour de France. The Classics leader of AG2R-La Mondiale told Belga. “Benoît Cosnefroy, Romain Bardet and Pierre Latour will also be present,” said Naesen.
“I will have more freedom than in the other years. Of course, the rankings are important, as always in our team, but stage wins are also a big goal and then I hope to seize my chance,” said the 29-year-old rider.
It is not yet known which riders will join Naesen, Bardet, Latour and Cosnefroy. Earlier, AG2R-La Mondiale presented a preselection of twelve, from which four riders must be chosen.
On Monday it was confirmed that the European Championship road race is scheduled in Plouay a few days before the Tour. “Of course I would like to ride the European Championship. I think I have a better chance than the World championships in Switzerland. I still have to consult with the team and the national coach also has to select me, of course,” laughs Naesen, who starts his season again on August 1 in Strade Bianche.
Oliver Naesen’s Race Program:
Strade Bianche (August 1)
Milan-Turin (August 5)
Milan-San Remo (August 8)
VOO-Tour de Wallonie (August 16-19)
Bretagne Classic (25 August, possible)
European Road Championship (August 26, possible)
Tour de France (August 29-September 20).
Oliver Naesen:
Bahrain-McLaren Eighth WorldTour Team in Poitou-Charentes
Seven WorldTour teams were already on the start list of the Tour du Poitou-Charentes (UCI 2.1), the organisers have now added Bahrain-McLaren. The four-day stage race runs at the end of August and therefore partly coincides with Le Grand Départ.
With AG2R-La Mondiale, Cofidis, Groupama-FDJ, Astana, CCC, Deceuninck – Quick-Step and Lotto Soudal, they already had a nice field in the west of France. The organisers reported yesterday that Bahrain-McLaren has also been added as the eighth and final team.
In addition, twelve ProTeams, including Alpécin-Fenix and Circus-Wanty Gobert, and two French continental teams will be at the start. Poitou-Charentes is on the calendar from August 27 to 30, so it clashes with the Tour de France, which starts on August 29 in Nice.
Bahrain-McLaren to race in France:
Wout van Aert: 33 hours and 1,010 kilometres in Spain
Wout van Aert has completed a seven-day training camp in Girona, Spain. He shared his training data on Twitter. Van Aert is now starting an altitude internship with Jumbo-Visma in Tignes, France.
The triple cyclo-cross world champion is also in the last stage towards the restart of the competition. For him it will start again on August 1 with the Strade Bianche. In the run-up to an altitude camp with Jumbo-Visma in Tignes, together with the team mates who will ride the Tour.
Van Aert was in Catalonia, luckily more than a hundred kilometres from the region where a new corona outbreak is raging, he clearly has not been lazy. Van Aert shared his data with the world via his social media. In seven days he covered 1,010 kilometres.
Van Aert now travels from Girona by car to Tignes for a training camp with his teammates from Jumbo-Visma. The joint training camp starts on July 9 and lasts until July 30, although Van Aert will travel to Italy earlier for Strade Bianche before Saturday August 1.
Van Aert in Het Nieuwsblad’20:
Nicolas Chiola’s Condition Improves
Encouraging reports about Nicolas Chiola’s medical condition. The 19-year-old Italian rider, who was admitted to intensive care after a crash with a car on Friday morning with a serious head injury, is now conscious.
Nineteen year-old Chiola was training when he was hit in Chieti. Due to the impact he hit his head hard on the road, after which he was rushed to hospital. There, serious head injuries were found. Chiola is an U23 rider with club team Stipa, last year he rode for the junior Vini Fantini team.
The young Italian regained consciousness during the weekend, the team management of Team Stipa reported on their social media. The rider does not seem to have any neurological damage from his fall and has eaten and his lung and liver values should recover. According to the team, he is already thinking about a return on the bike. According to the local newspaper Il Centro, Chiola also had a short visit from his mother.
Nicolas Chiola on Facebook:
Italian Federation Opens Investigation into Banned Racing
The Italian cycling federation has opened an investigation into members who may have taken part in competitions when they were not allowed to. The union put the federal prosecutor’s office on the case.
The file was opened on June 30, the Federation said on their website. “The case concerns the participation of FCI members in competitions held during the emergency period. As a result of the emergency, sports and competitive activities were suspended.”
The Italian governing body made a short statement, in which it reported that multiple messages have been received about “prohibited” participations. It is not known whether it concerns races inside or outside Italy. An investigation may be conducted into the participation of CCC rider Alessandro De Marchi in the Slovenian Time Trial Championship, where he took part at the end of June.
Maybe not De Marchi:
Mikkel Honoré adds one more year to his contract with Deceuninck – Quick-Step
The young Dane has signed a new deal with the most successful squad of the past eight seasons.
A member of the Wolfpack since 2019, when he turned pro, Mikkel Honoré has added an extra year to his contract with the team, which will see him ride in the colours of Deceuninck – Quick-Step until at least the end of 2021. Now in his second season, Mikkel has shown his quality on numerous occasions, including at the Ardennes Classics and the Giro d’Italia (his Grand Tour debut), where his work for the team didn’t go unnoticed, but also in several other races, such as the Adriatica Ionica and Ardèche Classic, which he both finished in the top 10.
“After my first year with the Wolfpack, which was really unforgettable, I had no second thoughts when I got the opportunity to pen a new agreement. I feel great in this amazing squad, I have fantastic teammates, and it really is the perfect environment for me to develop and learn. I want to thank the team, the staff, and our sponsors for believing in me. This motivates me even more to work so I can become better and achieve my goals. I can’t wait to join the guys this week for our training camp in Val di Fassa and prepare the restart of the season”, said the 23-year-old Mikkel Honoré.
Equally happy with Honoré’s contract extension was Deceuninck – Quick-Step CEO Patrick Lefevere: “We are delighted that Mikkel will continue to be part of our family. He’s a very talented and versatile rider, has a lot of room for improvement, but is also a selfless team player, who always gives everything for his leaders, something which he has shown on many occasions. Considering all this, it was only logical to retain his services and continue this partnership that has worked so well until now.”
Mikkel Honoré:
Two More Years for Brändle with Israel Start-Up Nation
Matthias Brändle has extended his contract with Israel Start-Up Nation for two seasons. “I am really very happy. I feel a lot of confidence,” said the Austrian rider in a press release.
30 year-old Brändle previously rode for IAM Cycling and Trek-Segafredo and is now in his second season for Israel Start-Up Nation. “It really feels like a family, so I can also give more for my teammates. I really race with a lot of motivation and that is because of the team.”
The Austrian managed some nice results last year. He was national time trial champion for the fifth time in his career, triumphed in the prologue of the Tour of Estonia and finished third in the Duo Normand and the Tour of Taihu Lake. Brändle also rode several stage races this year, before the corona break.
Unfortunately, it’s not all rose and moonshine for Brändle, as his father was hit by a car not so long ago on a motorbike ride. Brändle senior was in intensive care for some time, where he was kept in an artificial coma. “It indicates that life is so fragile.” Fortunately for the Brändle family, things are now going in the right direction, now that Arnold Brändle has regained consciousness. “I can communicate with him again, he will have to recover for months now, but he is a fighter.”
Matthias Brändle:
New Team for Iván García?
Iván García looks like he is on the transfer market. The Bahrain-McLaren rider is currently considering the different options and hopes to make a decision before the Tour de France.
“In principle, I wanted to wait for the Tour de France to decide,” the 24 year-old García told Biciciclismo. But the coronavirus and the shaken up race calendar changed the situation. “If I wait for the Tour, it’s too late. Together with my managers Egoi Martínez and Ángel Edo I’ll talk to teams and we look at the different possibilities, besides Bahrain McLaren.”
He does not mentioned which teams. A month ago, he was linked to Movistar by Spanish media, where he could sign a three-year contract. But soon he responded to the transfer rumour himself. The rider, who is on his fourth season with Bahrain McLaren, said via his social media: “I like that some journalists know more about me than I do.”
The Spaniard is happy that he could take a victory before the lockdown. In Paris-Nice, he defeated Peter Sagan on the third day. “I’m quite relieved that I don’t have an unwritten season, so I can’t complain.” In the second part of the season, he may start in Strade Bianche and Milan-San Remo, before going on altitude in Andorra. He also hopes to participate in the Tour de France.
Iván García:
Situation Update with Respect to the Grand Prix Cyclistes de Québec and Montréal
On June 19, the International Cycling Union (UCI) published a protocol detailing procedures to be followed for resumption of the road cycling season in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, in particular as concerns health measures.
Following careful and thorough analysis of the protocol along with the other instructions and recommendations issued, and after discussion with UCI sport and medical authorities, the organisers of the Grands Prix Cyclistes de Québec et de Montréal (GPCQM) are continuing with preparations for their events, scheduled for September 11 and 13. The GPCQM, the only UCI WorldTour races in the Americas, will be held one week before the UCI Road World Championships, taking place in Aigle and Martigny, Switzerland, from September 20 to 27, 2020.
Serge Arsenault, President of the GPCQM, made the following remarks on the subject. “Since the onset of the pandemic, we have been fully focused on how we should act in response to this unprecedented situation, monitoring ongoing developments, and working in accordance with the directives issued by the competent Canadian and Quebec authorities. We have the support of the cities of Québec and Montréal along with our other public- and private-sector partners, and remain convinced that we will be able to present two very-high-calibre races featuring the world’s best teams in mid-September.
We are particularly vigilant about changes in quarantine conditions and travel restrictions, especially with respect to measures that could be validated as professional sports, such as the National Hockey League, resume competitions. Since their very first editions, the GPCQM have established a rational organisational concept which includes, notably, a charter flight from Europe and unique hotels for all the riders and their entourage.
Over the past few months, we have maintained our focus and mapped out a number of scenarios for presenting the GPCQM. The health and safety of all stakeholders in our races, including spectators, the athletes, members of the team support personnel and our organisation, are of course our main concern, and we are working to implement a protocol for implementing the necessary, adapted measures that will ensure full compliance with the health directives issued by all relevant authorities.
Every effort will be made to ensure the 2020 GPCQM are on the same level as the ten previous editions while maintaining the safety of everyone involved. We will keep you informed on the concrete progress of our work in mid-July.”
GP Montréal:
Milano-Torino: Edition 101 Returns to its Historic Schedule
From Mesero to Stupinigi, with the finish line in front of the Savoy palace and a route suitable for the fast wheels. The world’s oldest classic finds its original position in the calendar ahead of Milano-Sanremo.
The oldest classic, raced for the first time in 1876, organised by RCS Sport / La Gazzetta dello Sport in collaboration with the Piedmont Region and scheduled for Wednesday 5 August, returns to its historic calendar position, anticipating Milano-Sanremo by a few days.
While its first editions were raced in March, a few days before the Spring Classicissima, Milano-Torino then became an autumn classic as early as 1911, before returning to being a March fixture in the period after the Second World War up until 1975.
The 101st edition of Milano-Torino is characterised by a flat route that suits the sprinters: 198km departing from Mesero and finishing in Stupinigi, in front of the Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi where, in 2018, Sonny Colbrelli sprinted to win the GranPiemonte.
The Route
The route of the 101st edition is basically flat except for the crossing of Monferrato where a series of short climbs will be faced. After departing from Mesero it crosses Magenta before continuing along the Po Valley on wide and straight roads. In addition to the usual city obstacles such as roundabouts, traffic islands and raised sections, there are four level crossings, all concentrated in the first 60km. After crossing the Po near Valenza, the route takes in the undulations of Monferrato, before crossing Asti. The final 70km are practically flat to the finish in Stupinigi.
Last km
The route’s last 5km are mostly flat or slightly uphill on medium width city roads including a series of roundabouts. The last corner is 400m from the finish.
RCS Sport comments: “With this year’s edition of the Milano-Torino we have returned to its historic calendar position, anticipating Milano-Sanremo by a few days, as it used to happen back in the past. It will probably be a Milano-Torino for the sprinters, given the mainly flat route. We will start from Mesero just outside Milan to finish in front of Stupinigi’s Palazzina di Caccia, one of the residences of the Royal House of Savoy. Also this race will symbolise a restart, not only from a sporting point of view but also from a tourist point of view, since cycling is closely connected to the promotion of the territory. The proximity to the first Classic Monument of the season offers a new interpretation for this race which will be a real test for all those who want to try to win Milano-Sanremo on Saturday 8 August. Our Region is proud to host the Milano-Torino, an exceptional race which, after a terrible time for our country due to the virus, will help reconnect the two Italian cities, thanks to sport,” says Regional Councillor for Sport Fabrizio Ricca. The race will end in front of the Palazzina di Caccia in Stupinigi and will be the opportunity to show everyone the beauty of our territory, which also offers athletes the chance to practice their sport in contact with nature, history and art.”
The Mayor of Mesero Riccardo Molla, said: “It is with great pride that this year Mesero will host the 101st edition of the Milano-Torino. Such a significant sporting event at national and international level fully reflects the desire and the potential of the city of Mesero, already a great tourist destination due to the presence of Santa Gianna Beretta Molla.
Hearing the big names that will parade in our streets is a great emotion and we are sure that our citizens will participate with great warmth and enthusiasm.”
The Mayor of Nichelino, Giampietro Tolardo, said: “The city of Nichelino is proud to host the arrival in Stupinigi of the 101st edition of the Milano-Torino, one of the oldest and most glorious races on the Italian and international cycling scene. We eagerly anticipate the winner crossing the finish line, right in front of the splendid Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi, a World Heritage site. I hope that all the participants have a great race!”
#MilanoTorino
The 101st edition of Milano-Torino will finish in Stupinigi, in front of the Palazzina di Caccia where Sonny Colbrelli won the 2018 GranPiemonte with a sprint:
La Course by Le Tour de France 2020 avec FDJ: Sélection des Équipes/Teams Selection
In accordance with the Union Cycliste International’s regulations, the eight UCI Women’s WorldTeams automatically entered are:
ALE’ BTC LJUBLJANA (ITA)
CANYON / /SRAM RACING (GER)
CCC – LIV (POL)
FDJ NOUVELLE – AQUITAINE FUTUROSCOPE (FRA)
MITCHELTON SCOTT (AUS)
MOVISTAR TEAM WOMEN (ESP)
TEAM SUNWEB (GER)
TREK – SEGAFREDO (USA)
As well as the eight teams already selected, the organisers have extended invitations to the following fifteen UCI Women’s Continental Teams:
AROMITALIA – BASSO BIKES – VAIANO (ITA)
ASTANA WOMEN’S TEAM (KAZ)
BIZKAIA – DURANGO (ESP)
BOELS DOLMANS CYCLINGTEAM (NED)
CERATIZIT – WNT PRO CYCLING TEAM (GER)
CHARENTE – MARITIME WOMEN CYCLING (FRA)
COGEAS METTLER LOOK PRO CYCLING TEAM (RUS)
HITEC PRODUCTS – BIRK SPORT (NOR)
LOTTO SOUDAL LADIES (BEL)
PARKHOTEL VALKENBURG (NED)
PAULE KA (SUI)
RALLY CYCLING (USA)
TEAM ARKEA (FRA)
TEAM TIBCO – SILICON VALLEY BANK (USA)
VALCAR-TRAVEL & SERVICE (ITA)
All information about La Course by Le Tour de France with FDJ on www.lacoursebyletourdefrance.com/en/
The 2020 European Road Championships to be Held in Plouay
The city of Plouay (France) will host the 2020 Road European Championships from 24 to 28 August. The decision was taken in the last few hours after preparatory talks with the French Cycling Federation, the organising committee of the City of Plouay and local authorities.
Located in the heart of Britanny in the department of Morbihan, the city of Plouay has always had very close links with cycling with over 80 editions of the Bretagne Classic Ouest-France, a race registered on the UCI World Tour calendar, the GP de Plouay – Lorient Agglomération Trophée WNT for the Women’s Elite and the UCI Road World Championships in 2000 then, this year, the Road European Championships that will strengthen even further this bond with cycling.
Although the final details of the circuit are still being determined, the programme for the continental event includes all Time-Trial races on the opening day (Monday 23 August), then Road races with the Men’s Elite race on Wednesday 26 August. That will enable Elite riders to first of all compete in the national championships scheduled in most European countries on 23 August, then travel to Nice (France) for the start of the Tour de France.
Rocco Cattaneo, President of the Union Européenne de Cyclisme: “In view of the especially difficult season because of the Covid-19 health crisis, being able to stage the European Road Championships is undoubtedly a great source of achievement and pride. Since the start of the health crisis that has affected the whole word, we have worked tirelessly to try and save, as far as possible, scheduled events and following the postponement of the Trento Championships (Italy) in 2021, we initiated a series of contacts in order not to lose our major event.”
“The organising committee of the city of Plouay, who we would like to sincerely thank, is a team of passionate, organised and professional people. Their experience in terms of the organisation of major events is a guarantee for the success of the European Championships that will held this year in close co-operation with the Bretagne Classic Ouest-France planned on Tuesday 25 August. I would like to especially thank the French Cycling Federation, its President, Michel Callot, the Ligue National de Cyclisme, its President Marc Madiot, the Préfet du Morbihan, M. Patrice Faure, the city of Plouay, in particular its Mayor Gwenn Le Nay who, together with the President of the International Cycling Union (UCI) David Lappartient, who immediately accepted our proposal, with enthusiasm, passion and great dedication, bringing together all the relevant organisations in the area. We have consulted with them over the last few days to determine all the details of the general organisation as well as Eurovision who will as usual provide wide coverage of the event.”
The UEC is already defining a health and organisational protocol based on the measures of the competent authorities, the Prefecture of Morbihan, the Union Cycliste Internationale and the French Cycling Federation.
2020 Road European Championships programme – Plouay (France):
Monday 24 August: Juniors-U23-Elite, Men’s and Women’s Individual Time-Trial
Wednesday 26 August: Women’s U23 and Men’s Elite Road races
Thursday 27 August: Men’s U23 and Women’s Elite Road races
Friday 28 August: Men Juniors and Women Juniors Road races, Mixed Relay.
All information (circuit, technical guide and information) will be published in the next few days on the website www.uec.ch.
2019 Euro road champ:
Alternative Location for French Championship
The French road championships will be held in Grand-Champ in less than seven weeks. With that, the national federation has found an alternative location for the battle for the tricolore, after Plumelec renounced the organisation.
Three weeks ago it was announced that Plumelec had left the organisation of the title battle. The municipality saw too many economic and organisational concerns and there were also concerns about a new outbreak of the corona virus. But the cycling union refused to throw in the towel and looked for an alternative location in the Morbihan region. It was found in the town of Grand-Champ, half an hour’s drive southwest of Plumelec.
In the past, the municipality with about 6000 inhabitants was already a stage in the Tour de l’Avenir, the Tour de Bretagne and the Trophée Center Morbihan. The battle for the French tricolor begins on Friday, August 21, with the time trial for men and women between Locminé and Grand-Champ. On Saturday and Sunday, the road races will be held on a local lap of 18.3 kilometres through the Landes de Lanvaux.
The French championships will be held from August 21-23.
Program French championships 2020:
August 21
12:46 – time trial for elite women (28.4 km)
14:24 – time trial for elite men (43.6 km)
August 22
09:00 – road race for amateurs (164.7 km)
13:45 – road race for elite women (109.8 km)
August 23
11:00 – road race for elite men (237.9 km).
2019 French champ Warren Barguil:
Belgian Cycling on Rotselaar
Belgian Cycling looks back with satisfaction on the first professional race after Sunday’s corona break in Rotselaar. Yet in some places, such as behind the finish zone and on the climbs, there was too many fans. “We should have closed certain strips of the slopes and we shouldn’t have allowed any public there,” said director Jos Smets of Belgian Cycling to VTM.
“That is something we should consider and evaluate afterwards,” says Smets. “Particularly in areas where audiences can be expected. We made sure that there was no public at the finish zone to avoid a build-up there, but then it moves a bit backwards. We will have to pay more attention to that.”
GP Vermarc winner Senechal:
Kevin Kuhn and Théo Thomas Newest Additions to Tormans Cyclo Cross Team
The Tormans Cyclo Cross Team is gradually growing towards its final composition for the upcoming cyclocross winter 2020-2021. The Swiss rider Kevin Kuhn and Frenchman Théo Thomas are the newest additions to the group with Quinten Hermans, Thomas Mein, Corné Van Kessel and Emiel Verstrynge under the direction of Bart Wellens.
The 22 year old Kevin Kuhn has a successful winter in the U23 category behind his back, before making his debut in the elite category in the colours of Tormans Cyclo Cross Team. The Swiss rider won the U23 World Cup, thanks to wins in Bern, Namur and Heusden-Zolder. In Tabor he was defeated by his future teammate Thomas Mein. Later, the duo also shared the podium steps in the World Cup in Nommay. The Swiss U23 champion missed the rainbow jersey at the World Championships in Dübendorf, close to his residence in Gibswil. The German speaking rider combines cyclocross with mountain bike, and will defend the colours of Tormans Cyclo Cross Team until the end of winter 2020-2021.
The French rider Théo Thomas will be added to the U23 squad next winter. The rider from the Alsace region finished 10th in the World Cup in Koksijde, a race in which he also shone in the junior category with a 4th place. For the upcoming winter, the 19 year old rider changes from CC Etupes, but he will stay with the French development team from Circus-Wanty Gobert-Tormans for the road season.
Kevin Kuhn: “I’m very happy with this new challenge with the Tormans Cyclo Cross Team. I’ve got an excellent winter behind my back, and I’m curious about what my first season in the elite category will bring. Just like last winter, I will focus on the World Cup. Two training camps with the team are planned in July, before some mountain bike races in August to prepare the cyclocross season. Let’s get it started!”
Théo Thomas: “I’m very enthusiastic to start with Tormans Cyclo Cross Team! Thanks to my team CC Etupes, I got in touch with the team at the World Cup in Koksijde. From then on, they’ve been following me. Sand courses suit me, so I’m already looking forward to the World Championships in Ostend. I’m happy to be integrated to the team at our first training camp this week!”
Bart Wellens (Sports Director Tormans Cyclo Cross Team): “Kevin Kuhn is a very talented rider with a great deal of perseverance. I’m looking forward to get to know his personality and capabilities in training better during our training camp this week. It’s a nice challenge to start working with this Swiss rider! Théo Thomas is an element from our development team CC Etupes. We haven’t seen him racing much in Belgium, but I’ve learnt about his great ambition and motivation during our first meeting. I’m looking forward to the development of both riders! Our group for next winter is gradually growing towards its final composition. Our pro riders Quinten Hermans and Corné Van Kessel have proven their status already, but they are ambitious to reach a higher level. Our youth riders want to follow in their footsteps, and therefore they receive the opportunity to slowly grow in our young project. Thanks to the limited dimension of our team, we’ve got time to devote enough attention to each of the riders.”
Jumbo-Visma and AGU Extend Contract
Team Jumbo-Visma and AGU have broken open their contract, which took effect a year and a half ago, and extended it indefinitely, with a minimum term until the end of 2023. The contract was signed on Monday in the TUE wind tunnel. “Our sponsorship model with main sponsors for an indefinite period of time is unique. The fact that AGU has joined that model as a clothing and eyewear partner and that we are going into the future together indefinitely confirms the trust we have in each other,” says Richard Plugge, director of Team Jumbo-Visma.
AGU is the official supplier for Team Jumbo-Visma’s cycling clothing, cycling goggles and casual sportswear. All clothing is fully custom made, for both the professional and the development team. Just like Plugge, Björn Jeurissen, CEO of the Dutch AGU, is also proud of the continuing cooperation. “Our product development has gained momentum since the start of the collaboration. The feedback we receive from the team, both from the coaching and from the riders, is priceless. The bicycle market is showing plenty of potential and growth right now. We are very proud that the innovative products we develop with Team Jumbo-Visma are available to everyone in our collection.”
AGU and Team Jumbo-Visma have been working on two ambitious projects since the start of the collaboration: developing the fastest sprint suit and developing the fastest time trial suit. This resulted last year in the sprint victory of Mike Teunissen in the first Tour stage in Brussels and the victory in the team time trial one day later. One year later, AGU and Team Jumbo-Visma presented a new time trial suit in Eindhoven that is even faster. Innovation partner TUE played an important role in the development.
All time trial specialists of the team receive a tailor-made suit, specifically adapted and tested in the wind tunnel. “This is a very intensive process, which already results in no less than 3.7% less drag and up to 1.3% time savings compared to the initial situation,” professor Bert Blocken of Eindhoven University of Technology announced on the basis of tests in the wind tunnel.
Plugge: “For riders like Tom Dumoulin every millisecond counts. Time saving is extremely important and can be found in the smallest details. AGU has put its shoulder to the wheel with us and taken us to the next level. In addition, with this partnership AGU shows that it not only supports the professional team, but also the development team and the future plans of the team for one hundred percent.”
2020 DK Event Cancelled as a Result of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Life Time, the nation’s premier healthy lifestyle brand which owns and produces the Garmin DK, the world’s premier gravel event, today announced the 2020 DK, which had been rescheduled for September 12, 2020, has been cancelled due to persisting COVID-19 concerns. The decision to cancel comes after thorough input from community leaders and reviewing the latest scientific data trends on the Coronavirus pandemic.
“Our team has worked hard for many weeks to determine if an event could take place in Emporia this Fall and we have been in regular communication with local community and health leaders to determine our best path forward,” said Lelan Dains, DK Race Director at Life Time. “While we hoped that something could be done, if even with an altered capacity, we now realise the safest and most responsible thing to do for our athletes, volunteers, and community is cancel the 2020 event.”
Life Time is offering registered athletes their choice of four options. Participants have been requested to select their choice by August 7:
● Complimentary deferral into the 2021 event (June 5, 2021)
● Complimentary deferral into the 2022 event (June 4, 2022)
● Donation of original entry fee to the Life Time Foundation (benefitting the Emporia Unified School District 253 school lunch program) and receive a guaranteed, non-complimentary entry into their choice of the 2021 or 2022 event
● Full refund (excluding processing fees)
Danny Giefer, Mayor City of Emporia added, “The decision to cancel an event is never an easy one, and I appreciate the thought and work that Life Time has put into planning the 2020 race. While we are all disappointed the event can’t occur as planned, we can look forward to 2021 and a continued long-term relationship hosting the world’s premier gravel cycling race right here in Emporia.”
The DK team at Life Time is looking ahead with both reflection of the past and excitement for the future. With a promised new name, fresh look and a continued focus on growing the sport, the 2021 event is promised to be a first-of-its-kind experience for athletes, volunteers and community members. In addition to the rebrand, which is set to roll out over the coming months, Life Time is in the process of creating an event industry-focused diversity, equity and inclusion coalition.
For more information please head to: https://dirtykanza.com/new-dirt/2020-event-status-update/
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