EUROTRASH News Round Up Thursday!

Bad news for Chris Froome might be good news for Vincenzo Nibali – Top Story. Aside from inhalers and Salbutamol, there is a quite a sack full of cycling news: LottoNl-Jumbo discipline three riders, BMC team for the Tour Down Under and their new kit, new Trek-Segafredo kit, Ramūnas Navardauskas back in the saddle, Gazprom-RusVelo win medals, Rally go ProConti, Nippo-Vino Fantini rider tests, rider and sponsor for Alecto and the Katusha boys make a coffee stop in Mallorca.

TOP STORY: Too Much Inhaler for Froome!
Chris Froome won the 2017 Vuelta a España against top competition, something he has been trying to do for a few years. Happy smiles all round. But now it has transpired that on stage 18 it was found that Froome had twice the permitted level of Salbutamol in a urine test doping control after the stage.

As always with these ‘Grey Area’ cases it will be painted in black and white. There are a few ways of looking at the situation, and people are split for and against based on more than just this occasion. There is history.

This is not a doping ban, yet. But it is a warning that has led to an investigation. Salbutamol is used for asthma and when inhaled it opens the lungs. Obviously that would be an advantage if you didn’t have asthma, but it is well documented that Froome has suffered since he was a young boy.

You can also look at it in a similar way as the Wiggins TUE case, that the athlete should not compete if he is so ill he needs that amount/strength of medication. On the other hand; inhalers are not syringes and Salbutamol is not a Corticosteroid.

Anything to do with the Sky team seems to put people in either ‘Fan Boy’ or ‘Hater’ camp. It basically doesn’t matter what is discovered as most people have already made up their mind on the subject. The Team Sky medical/legal team will be at ‘Full Gas’ to prove that metabolism and excretion of Salbutamol caused the adverse finding.

If the case goes against Froome he’s facing a ban and losing his Vuelta win and there will be a happy shark in Italy with a second Spanish Grand Tour win. A rule is a rule and the athlete has the control of what he puts in his body, Ask Alessandro Petacchi.

Chris Froome Responds to UCI Enquiries about Asthma Medication
Chris Froome has responded to a request for information from the UCI, the world governing body for cycling, about his use of medication for asthma during the 2017 Vuelta a España. This is a process that in normal circumstances would be confidential. However, in light of media interest, we believe it is important that the facts are set out clearly for all.

Chris has had asthma since childhood and uses an inhaler to take a common medication, Salbutamol, to prevent and ease symptoms brought on by exercise. Salbutamol is permitted by WADA rules (without the need for a TUE) when inhaled up to a limit of 1,600 micrograms (mcg) over a period of 24 hours and no more than 800mcg over 12 hours.

The UCI informed Chris that a urine test conducted on 7 September 2017, following Stage 18 of the Vuelta, revealed a concentration of Salbutamol which exceeds a threshold that requires him to provide information to confirm that he inhaled no more than the permissible dose. Analysis indicated the presence of Salbutamol at a concentration of 2,000 nanograms per millilitre (ng/ml), compared with the WADA threshold of 1,000ng/ml. None of the 20 other urine tests taken by Chris required any further explanation.

During the final week of the Vuelta, Chris experienced acute asthma symptoms. On the advice of the Team Sky doctor, he used an increased dosage of Salbutamol (still within the permissible doses) in the run-up to the 7 September urine test. As race leader, Chris was tested after every stage through this period and he declared his use of the medication as part of the process.

The notification of the test finding does not mean that any rule has been broken. The finding triggers requests from the UCI which are aimed at establishing what caused the elevated concentration of Salbutamol and to ensure that no more than the permissible doses of Salbutamol were inhaled.

There is considerable evidence to show that there are significant and unpredictable variations in the way Salbutamol is metabolized and excreted. As a result, the use of permissible dosages of Salbutamol can sometimes result in elevated urinary concentrations, which require explanation. A wide range of factors can affect the concentrations, including the interaction of Salbutamol with food or other medications, dehydration and the timing of Salbutamol usage before the test.

Chris Froome said: “It is well known that I have asthma and I know exactly what the rules are. I use an inhaler to manage my symptoms (always within the permissible limits) and I know for sure that I will be tested every day I wear the race leader’s jersey. My asthma got worse at the Vuelta so I followed the team doctor’s advice to increase my Salbutamol dosage. As always, I took the greatest care to ensure that I did not use more than the permissible dose. I take my leadership position in my sport very seriously. The UCI is absolutely right to examine test results and, together with the team, I will provide whatever information it requires.”

Team Principal Sir Dave Brailsford said: “There are complex medical and physiological issues which affect the metabolism and excretion of Salbutamol. We’re committed to establishing the facts and understanding exactly what happened on this occasion. I have the utmost confidence that Chris followed the medical guidance in managing his asthma symptoms, staying within the permissible dose for Salbutamol. Of course, we will do whatever we can to help address these questions.”

La Vuelta Official Statement
Regarding today’s news about Christopher Froome’s adverse test result During 2017 Vuelta, Unipublic, the organizer of the Vuelta, wishes to state that it will await the UCI’s official conclusions. The regulator has launched an investigation and the position of La Vuelta’s organizer is one of extreme caution, as it hopes for this issue to be resolved as Quickly as possible.

Katusha-Alpecin Tony Martin on FaceBook:
I am totally angry. There is definitely a double standard being applied in the Christopher Froome case. Other athletes are suspended immediately after a positive test. He and his team are given time by the UCI to explain it all. I do not know of any similar case in the recent past. That is a scandal, and he should at least not have been allowed to appear in the World Championships.

Not only the public but also I have immediately the impression that there is wheeling and dealing going on behind the scenes, agreements are being made and ways are being sought as to how to get out of this case. Do he and his team enjoy a special status?

These actions are major blow to the difficult anti-doping fight, which I am leading with riders like Marcel Kittel. We need a consequent and transparent approach by the UCI. What is going on here is inconsequent, not transparent, unprofessional and unfair.

Vuelta a España 2017 stage 18 – The day of Froome’s test:

Team LottoNL-Jumbo sends three riders home
Team LottoNL-Jumbo has expelled Juan-José Lobato, Antwan Tolhoek and Pascal Eenkhoorn from the training camp in Girona for disciplinary reasons. The three riders had used or were in possession of (non-doping-related) sleep medication that was not provided by or used in the team. This is a serious violation of the strict regulations of the cycling team.

Because of their unacceptable behaviour, the team’s management has expelled the three riders indefinitely. At a meeting with all riders and staff present earlier this evening, the entire team strongly distanced themselves from this behaviour, which contravenes the core values of the team. The three riders involved were also present. Where necessary, they shall be guided to prevent recurrence.

Team LottoNL-Jumbo’s training camp will last until this Friday.

Antwan Tolhoek – One of the disciplined riders:

BMC Racing Team Target Santos Tour Down Under Defense
BMC Racing Team is set to animate January’s Santos Tour Down Under with the winners of the past four editions, Richie Porte, Simon Gerrans and Rohan Dennis, set to line up at the first UCI WorldTour race of the season, General Manager Jim Ochowicz today announced at BMC Racing Team’s pre-season media day.

2017 Australian National Road Race champion Miles Scotson, BMC Racing Team’s first New Zealander, Patrick Bevin and the Swiss duo of Tom Bohli and Danilo Wyss complete the seven-rider roster.

“The Santos Tour Down Under is one of our key races of the season and we’re excited to go there with the formidable team that we have. I don’t think we have ever started with such an impressive line up and with Richie Porte as our captain, and former champions Rohan Dennis and Simon Gerrans at his side, both of whom are obviously capable of winning the race themselves, we are in for a great start to the season,” Ochowicz said.

After winning his first title in 2017, defending champion Porte is looking forward to returning to the race where he has earned the title of ‘King of Willunga Hill’ having claimed the iconic stage win for the last four consecutive years.

“I’m excited to go back to the Santos Tour Down Under in 2018 and try to defend the ochre jersey. After mostly missing the last part of the 2017 season, it will be good to get 2018 underway, especially at the Santos Tour Down Under which is one of my favorite races of the calendar,” Porte explained.

Sports Director Fabio Baldato expects strong competition with the first UCI WorldTour points of the season on offer.

“Richie Porte is the defending champion and we know what he can do so we are ready to support him in his bid to win again. But, with Rohan Dennis and Simon Gerrans, who are both past winners, we have a lot of options to choose from,” Baldato added.

Dennis, who claimed the ochre jersey in 2015 with BMC Racing Team, is looking forward to racing on home soil at the start of the season.

“I do enjoy going back to Adelaide, my hometown, for the Santos Tour Down Under. I get to see my family and they get to see me race, but that always adds pressure. It’s definitely a full-on week for me as I don’t go back often but we know how to manage it. The racing itself is really exciting. It’s short, it’s fast, and there aren’t any 200km transfer stages. It’s a great race, and the crowds treat us as if we’re at a big European UCI WorldTour race,” Dennis said.

Gerrans returns to the Santos Tour Down Under as the winner of a record four editions at what will be the 20th anniversary of the race.

“I’m really excited about the Santos Tour Down Under this year especially because it is my first race with BMC Racing Team. We’re going to have a really formidable line-up, and I think there will be a lot of attention on us. I have always made a point of trying to start my seasons in good shape, and for my entire career this race has always been on the calendar, so it has worked out really nicely for me that I have been able to target a race on Australian soil at the beginning of the season,” Gerrans said ahead of his first UCI WorldTour race in the BMC Racing Team kit.

Porte, Gerrans and Dennis have won a combined six General Classification titles and 11 stages since 2006.

Richie Porte and DS Fabio Baldato:

Ramūnas Navardauskas is back in full training at TC in Hvar Croatia
Ramūnas Navardauskas is back in full training with the rest of the BAHRAIN MERIDA Team after recovering from an operation to treat his cardiac arrhythmia. His condition is getting better every day and he is already on the schedule for next season.

Dr. Carlo Guardascione, a medical doctor of BAHRAIN MERIDA Team, explained Navardauskas’ condition: “After the ablation treatment done in Munich last September, Ramūnas Navardauskas obtained the physical fitness for complete training and racing in Turin on 2nd December. During the cardiology tests in Turin, no arrhythmia or heart problem occurred, so there will be no special therapy. He is 100% capable of training with his teammates.”

Ramūnas Navardauskas confirmed that he has gone through many medical checks since the surgery and that finally, after the last one, his doctors confirmed that he is 100% ready for regular training. He already joined his teammates on the training camp in Hvar, Croatia, Team’s last training camp before the new season. He said that after a period of low intense training and slow riding, he is most excited to be able to train again with full power and most of all to train together with the other riders. The recovery period was, of course, stressful for him but he is happy now that things turned out good: “I am thankful for the support from my team and the medical staff because without it, the situation would have been very different. I’m back on the bike now and I’m happy with where I am. I just need to wait for the first race, to see how my form is and how my legs are turning. It’s hard to predict how it’s going to be in the future, but maybe now I’ve had a long break, I can use this rest period cleverly, and I’ll come back even more competitive.”

Gorazd Štangelj, Head of Sports Directors at BAHRAIN MERIDA Team, added: “Since the doctors confirmed that he has no health problems and that he is 100% capable of all physical work, he is training like all the rest of the riders and he is also a candidate for the first WorldTour Race in 2018, The Tour Down Under.”

Everyone at BAHRAIN MERIDA Team is happy that Ramūnas is back on the roads and they will offer him full support also in the future.

Ramūnas Navardauskas training again:

Gazprom – RusVelo Riders Won Three Medals at UCI Track World Cup in Chile
Last weekend 9-10 December the fourth round of UCI Track Cycling World Cup took place in Santiago, Chile. Gazprom – RusVelo members earned three medals for the Russian National team.

On Saturday the trio: Shane Perkins, Denis Dmitriev and Pavel Yakushevskiy claimed the gold medals in team sprint, setting the Russian national record with the result — 42,955 seconds.

Later on in individual sprint, Daria Shmeleva added another silver medal to her imposing collection. That medal was already the fifth one for Daria during the current World Cup season.

In the men’s individual sprint on Sunday Denis Dmitriev showed the best result in flying 200m time trial qualification — 9,567. However, in the final Denis was edged by Lithuanian rider Vasilijus Lendel. The Chilean round of Track World Cup was the first for Dmitriev in 2017-2018 season, and Denis made it successful, he is leaving South America with two medals.

General Manager of Gazprom – RusVelo summed up the results and reflected on changes in track team for the next season: “The Russian National track team as always showed an astonishing result. The men’s trio (Dmitriev, Perkins and Yakushevskiy) made their debut in Chile and the first place with national record says it all. In close cooperation with the Russian Cycling Federation, we will continue developing the track unit. This year we have already signed Shane Perkins and at the moment we are negotiating about Pavel (Yakushevskiy). We believe that this powerful trio is able to prevail in prestigious international competitions representing both Gazprom – RusVelo and Russian National team.”

Shane Perkins, Denis Dmitriev and Pavel Yakushevskiy:

Trek-Segafredo Proudly Presents 2018 Kits
Trek-Segafredo is delighted to present their new race and training kits for the 2018 season. The new pinstriped kits, respectively in red and high visibility, were revealed at JSH Il Picciolo Etna Golf Resort in Sicily at the team’s Media Day. Worldwide, fans could follow the unveiling of the kit through live streaming on Facebook.

The launch of the new race kit also marks the start of the new clothing partnership with Santini Cycling Wear, which will officially begin on January 1, 2018. The 28 cyclists on the team will wear the Bergamo company’s top-of-the-range custom line and received full training and race kits capable of tackling all seasons and conditions with ease, notably the Beta collection which offers multi-weather protection through spring, autumn and winter.

Luca Guercilena, General Manager: “Right from the start of our collaboration I sensed that the people at Santini were very motivated and driven to deliver to Trek-Segafredo a superior quality and service. The fact that we can present today both our training and our racing kit for 2018 is a result of that, and it makes me very proud. I particularly like the new design of both kits, that is very much in line with 2017 but still refreshingly different.”

Matt Shriver, Technical Director: “Safety is an important issue for Trek-Segafredo. Therefore, we expect our riders as of January 1st to train only in the high visibility clothing, with the Bontrager daytime running lights always on. The red kit will be used solely for racing.”

The aerodynamically-cut jersey is made from Bodyfit, an extremely light but hardwearing fabric.

The sides and back of the bib-shorts are protected by Dyneema® by Sitip, which is tear and abrasion-resistant. Dyneema® is one of the toughest materials in the world, 15 times stronger than steel.

“This partnership slots right into the company’s long tradition of ‘dressing’ professional teams,” commented Monica Santini, CEO of Santini Cycling Wear. “And it is also synonymous with the superb technical, quality, and personalization standards that Santini is able to guarantee to prestige teams of the likes of Trek-Segafredo.”

The replica kit will be available in the Trek retailers around the globe and on www.santinisms.it by late January.

Aqua Blue Sport Unveils Team Kit for 2018
Aqua Blue Sport has revealed its new team kit for the 2018 season, retaining its signature navy blue and gold color scheme and distinctive front/rear chevrons while adding some subtle updates to reflect new partnerships and further showcase the team’s Irish roots.

The Irish Professional Continental cycling team has once again partnered with Vermarc Sport for the coming season and will wear the Belgian firm’s flagship Pro Racing Research (PRR) clothing line, designed for the demands of the professional peloton and meeting the highest standards of fit, performance and durability.

The shamrock, symbolizing the team’s Irish heritage, will continue to feature prominently on the jersey and the bib shorts but has also been incorporated into subtly patterned shoulder and sleeve panels, adding texture and depth to the design.

The team’s kit sponsor, Vermarc Sport will feature alongside logos from additional partners including bike sponsor 3T, beverage partner Oranjeboom and saddle provider Selle San Marco.

The jersey collar will sport the pink ribbon for breast cancer awareness, a cause that is close to the heart of the team owner, Rick Delaney.

US National road champion Larry Warbasse will sport the stars and stripes personalized kit

Larry Warbasse, as the current US national road champion, will continue to proudly wear the stars and stripes design of the American flag in his personalized kit, which will match his unique 3T bike paint job. Each rider will also wear a personalized jersey with their name across the back, while Adam Blythe and Matt Brammeier will sport the flag armbands (of the UK and Ireland, respectively) which they have earned as former national champions.

Adam Blythe (above) and Matt Brammeier will sport flag armbands as former national champions

The team will remain focused on their pursuit of excellence and loyal to the colors which have embodied the essence of the Aqua Blue Sport brand worldwide.

“We’ve maintained the design elements which our team kit has become known for, such as the royal blue color scheme, the gold chevron representing our ambition and the shamrock that reflects the Irish spirit. As we lay the foundation for a successful 2018, we want to continue to stand out in the peloton as one of the most stylish, sophisticated and avant-garde jerseys,” said Stephen Moore, team General Manager.

BMC Racing Team Reveal 2018 Kit
The BMC Racing Team have revealed the 2018 racing kit made by ASSOS of Switzerland, featuring the addition of blue panels on the collar and back of the bib short which highlights BMC Racing Team’s Official CyberSecurity Partner, Sophos.

BMC kit for 2018:

Rally Team Enters Pro Continental ranks
The Rally Cycling men’s team is proud to announce it will be joining the Professional Continental ranks in 2018, after eleven years of racing on the Continental circuit.

The move to cycling’s second division is a milestone achievement for one of America’s oldest domestic cycling programs. It means bigger races, a stronger roster, and higher expectations.

The team has begun revamping its race calendar, adding more excursions into Europe, but will also continue to target key North American races. The upgrade to Pro Continental status means access to a new level of international competition.

“Races such as the Tour of California, Tour of Utah, Colorado Classic and Tour of Alberta will be our main North American objectives in 2018,” said Jonas Carney, Performance Director, Rally Cycling. “Internationally, the move to Pro Conti opens up a lot of doors for us. It will allow us to pursue prestigious races around the globe.”

With the upgrade in status, events on the international WorldTour racing calendar open up in 2018, and the team is close to finalizing important invitations to start the season.

Learning to spin before you can sprint
Through 11 seasons of Continental racing, the team evolved into one of America’s best. 2017 was a culmination of a decade of hard work, and full of milestone achievements – Evan Huffman made history at the WorldTour ranked Tour of California, winning two stages. Rob Britton took his career to new heights, winning “America’s Toughest Stage Race,” the Tour of Utah. Sara Poidevin took an emphatic overall victory at the inaugural Colorado Classic, sweeping the jersey classifications in the process. The team also accumulated an unprecedented nine national titles in Canada and the United States.

Many of these wins came against the world’s biggest teams and the most talented cyclists. They led the men’s team to the overall title in the prestigious UCI America Tour, which features North, South and Central America’s top races.

“2017 was a year for the record books within our program, and we couldn’t be more ready to move up a division,” said Carney. “It grants us access to the world’s biggest races, and we have already proven we can compete on a global level.”

The upgrade is the result of a steady, purposeful progression since founding the program in 2007. At its inception, the team was known for its strength on the one-day criterium circuit, yielding a hard-fought underdog victory at the US Pro Criterium Championships in its inaugural season. From there, the team grew, hiring additional talented riders and winning on a consistent basis. In its current form, the team is not only a force to be reckoned with in the sprints, but a general classification powerhouse.

“When we started out, our strength was in lead-outs, in executing as an entire team,” said Carney. “We didn’t always have the strongest rider but we knew how to give our leaders the best shot at winning bike races. We’ve used the lessons we learned in the early years of the program and applied those same principals to the current group of phenomenal athletes with spectacular results.”

The team helped build bikes for children of service members at Coronado Naval Base

Apart from winning races at all levels of the sport, the team has shared a message of health and wellness with fans around the globe. Whether it’s building bikes for charity, encouraging people to stay active, or joining forces with Rally Health Ambassadors, Rally Cycling follows through on its mission to embrace the goals of its partners.

“Our partnership with Rally Cycling is integral to our efforts to widely communicate the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle,” said Rhett Woods, Chief Creative Officer, Rally Health. “Not only does each rider serve as an outstanding role model for adopting healthy behaviors — sharing how the bicycle can help improve lives — each is also dedicated to giving back to the community. We congratulate the team on its progress towards the upper echelons of the sport and look forward to joining them on the journey.”

The team’s athletes and Rally’s members have a lot in common. They all make it a point to set goals and track their progress while achieving success along the way. The partnership with Rally Health has been a perfect fit for the team’s platform approach to cycling. For Managing Director Charles Aaron, 2017 will stand out in the program’s 11-year history.

“What we were able to accomplish this season was inspiring,” said Aaron. “We have always stayed true to the values and business goals of our partners, and that has led to long-lasting and successful relationships. We have always strived to be more than just a racing team. We want to inspire people to take positive steps toward improving their own health, hopefully by bringing a bicycle along for the ride.”

Details Matter: All the New #ORANGEBLUE Riders for Biomechanical Check-Up
Before to start with the intense trainings and athletic test, also in 2018 season the NIPPO Vini Fantini Europa Ovini team doesn’t want to leave any details out of the plans, thanks to the support of many professionals. Together with the complete visit and the osteophatic check-up of FK Team, for the new riders of the team it’s now time to focus on Anthropometric measures and positioning test with the Biomechanics Fulvio Valentini. The goals: to reduce the risk of injuries and to improve the riders performances.

The team training camp has officially started and the #OrangeBlue riders are supported by a whole team of Professionals ready to help them, because every detail matters and make the difference. With method and professionals the team reached important results in the 2017 season, and is now working on the same basis for the 2018 season. Already made test, medical analysis and osteopathic visits, for the new #OrangeBlue riders is now time for anthropometric measures and bike positioning tests in order to prevent injuries and improve the rider performances. To coordinate this work with the team is Fulvio Valentini, founder of Ergonomic Center.

“My job is made in perfect coordination and collaboration with all the team staff, the FK Team professionals and the riders of the team.” explains Fulvio Valentini, “together we work in collaboration with the rider putting him in the best condition as possible. Our goal is to help the riders in the injuries prevention and in the improvement of the performances. The team professionals are then free to decide which correction to apply after our complete check-up. Our job doesn’t finish in the begin of the season. During all the season we will check the riders, measuring performance improvements and growth after the osteopathic treatments and the posture change applied.”

The job made together with the #OrangeBlue riders by Fulvio Valentini starts from the conversation with the rider to verify all the previous problems and injuries, going on then with the anthropometric measures of the rider. The postural check-up gives the chance to put in connection the previous bike postural problems of the rider with his previous problems. Before to put the riders on the saddle, a digital measurement is made to create the static image of the rider, while in the following phase, on a bike simulator the power coming from the legs and the angles of work of the body are checked.

The overview sheets generated is given to the Professional rider with suggested osteopathic treatments and saddle position suggestion. In collaboration with the team partner Selle Italia, thanks to this visits the rider is able to chose the perfect Saddle for each rider of the team.

To know more visit the Ergonomic Center official website.

Bas van der Kooij 10th Rider of the Team – Slenders Beauty Confirms as New Co-Sponsor
22y-old Bas van der Kooij from Maassluis will add an extra pair of explosive legs to Alecto cycling. Bas transferred from Conti team Destil and won the point-jersey in Carpathian Couriers tour for them. As a result of his mountain bike experience he can cope some hills but his best weapon is his sprint. At Alecto cycling Bas hopes to learn extra tips and tricks of the art of sprinting. Team staff is convinced with the right amount of dedication he will succeed. Together with Patrick van der Duin this will be the two fast guys next season.

Slenders Beauty: a new face with the team!
Slenders Beauty has also joined the team for the upcoming season. The logo of the Westerhoven wholesaler in beauty-, welness- and massage articles will be on the chest of the riders throughout the year.

Director Wil Slenders has been following the team for a while and is an avid cyclist: “Young athletes who place their body at the center of achieving the highest level appeals to me enormously, and cyclists are often vain and therefore excellent ambassadors for our sector.”

Bas van der Kooij:

Katusha Boys Coffee Stop
Glad Raymond Cox reminded us about the great Katusha-Alpecin team videos: “My buddy Willie is riding in the big times now!”

This video is about Coffee stop with Katusha-Alpecin World Tour Team in Majorca.

---

The PEZ INSTAGRAM Take a look at our Instagram page for a live feed of #PeloPics, #DailyDistractions, and giveaways straight from your phone: https://www.instagram.com/pezcyclingnews

*****
The PEZ NEWSWIRE!
Don’t forget to check the “NEWSWIRE” section, you can find it on the homepage, just above the EuroTrash section. The bits of news that missed the EuroTrash deadline are in there, plus any news as-it-happens will be added there too.

*****
Any comments drop me a line, email address: [email protected] or Twitter. And check the PezCyclingNews Twitter and Facebook Page.