Marcel Kittel is back, after his disastrous 2015 season, with a win in the Dubai Tour out-sprinting Mark Cavendish. All the results, rider quotes and video from Dubai, Valencia, Qatar and Bessèges. The Van den Driessche family are our Top Story and we have news from the Tour of America’s Dairyland, John Degenkolb, Adriano Malori, Alexander Kolobnev and Lampre-Merida. To finish; a masterclass on how to descend from Vincenzo Nibali.
TOP STORY: What a Family!
It has come to light that the family of Femke Van den Driessche, who is accused of having a motorized bike at the World cyclocross championships, has quite a reputation. Her brother Niels is at the moment serving a doping ban, but it has been reported by hnl.be that Niels and his father, Peter, have been charged with theft. It appears that Niels and Peter, with an accomplice, stole two expensive Lancashire parakeets from a pet shop in Varsenare in February 2015. The owner of the shop, Patricia Inghelbrecht, had security film of the theft and posted photographs on social media, but when she saw Peter with Femke in the news over the bike doping, she knew it was him. The shop owner said the bird theft took place in her store while she was serving another customer. Father and son are facing prison and a fine, if proven guilty. Inghelbrecht described how the theft took place: “You can see how the father, Peter, looked around the corner and then signaled to indicate to his son and his friend to strike.”
As to the alleged owner of the bike, Nico Van Muylder, has told Het Nieuwsblad that: “It’s my bike, all I can say is that it is my bike.” Femke Van den Driessche and her father claimed that they sold the bike to Van Muylder a year ago and he must have fitted the motor. The plot thickens.
Father and daughter Van den Driessche:
Dubai Tour 2016
Marcel Kittel (Etixx – Quick-Step) won Stage 1 of the Dubai Tour 2016, from Dubai to Fujairah (173km), in a bunch sprint and took the lead in the overall General Classification. On the podium he was rewarded with the first race leader’s Blue Jersey, sponsored by Commercial Bank of Dubai, and also the Red Jersey, sponsored by Emirates, of the points leader. Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) was second and Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek-Segafredo) took third.
Four riders made the early escape, they were joined by two more for a group of six up front: Martin Mortensen (One Pro), Marc Soler (Movistar), Soufiane Haddi (Skydive), Charles Planet (Team Novo Nordisk), Jesus Alberto Rubio (Al Nasr) and Loic Vliegen (BMC), they worked well to gain a 5 minuet lead. Dimension Data, Astana and Etixx – Quick-Step led the chase and with 30 kilometers to go the lead was down to 2:30.
Haddi won both of the day’s two intermediate sprints to claim the UAE flag jersey. The second sprint was with just 10km to go, while the peloton was on the edge of reeling in the escapees. The inevitable bunch gallop saw the obvious superiority of the Etixx – Quick-Step team who gave Kittel the dream lead-out. Cavendish jumped onto the wheel of Andrea Gaurdini (Astana). As the sprint opened up, Cav came from 5th wheel to pass the 3 riders ahead of him but could just not haul in Kittel before the line.
The powerful German sprinter leads the Dubai Tour with the aim of succeeding Cavendish to overall classification victory as well, receiving the Blue Jersey at the presence of H.H. Sheikh Saif bin Hamad bin Saif Al Sharqi, Chairman of Fujairah Free Zone and Chairman of Fujairah Marine Club and H.E. Saeed Hareb, Dubai Sports Council General Secretary.
Stage winner, Marcel Kittel (Etixx – Quick-Step): “Especially after the hard season I had last year, I’m incredibly happy that I could win today for my first race with my new team. Everything has worked so well that I can’t think of any topic to raise to make it better. The boys have done a good job. We were the strongest in the lead out and the timing was perfect. We made a plan and we executed it. I surely enjoy the win. This one has a special flavor. As I said before the season, I restart at zero. I feel very good about today’s outcome. We’ll stay focused and hopefully there’s more to come for us at the Dubai Tour.”
2nd, Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data): I’m obviously disappointed not to win today, but I’ve taken a lot of positives from the race. The Team Dimension Data boys took control and rode brilliant all day to set up a sprint finish. When I saw Etixx had a lot of guys in the final, I wanted Kittel’s wheel, but so did the other sprinters. In the end I started from too far behind Marcel in the sprint but to close 1.5 bike lengths on him in the final, I’m pretty happy with my condition and with the work the boys did for me today. I’m sorry I couldn’t pay them back with the win, but we’ll keep trying.”
4th, Sacha Modolo (Lampre-Merida): “At 400 meters to go, I made a first sprint to follow Cavendish’s wheel, but we still were a little bit to far from Kittel. When Marcel started the sprint, his advantage was too large and he deserved the victory. My progression was good, I had good feelings and my legs had enough power. These are interesting feedbacks in view of the next races.”
Dubai Tour Stage 1 Result:
1. Marcel Kittel (Ger) Etixx – Quick-Step in 3:35:21
2. Mark Cavendish (GB) Dimension Data
3. Giacomo Nizzolo (Ita) Trek-Segafredo
4. Sacha Modolo (Ita) Lampre-Merida
5. Andrea Palini (Ita) SkyDive Dubai
6. Andrea Guardini (Ita) Astana
7. Chris Opie (GB) One Pro Cycling
8. Elia Viviani (Ita) Sky
9. Michal Kolar (Svk) Tinkoff
10. Tomas Vaitkus (Ltu) Al Nasr Pro Cycling Team-Dubai.
Dubai Tour Overall After Stage 1:
1. Marcel Kittel (Ger) Etixx – Quick-Step in 3:35:11
2. Mark Cavendish (GB) Dimension Data at 0:04
3. Giacomo Nizzolo (Ita) Trek-Segafredo at 0:06
4. Sacha Modolo (Ita) Lampre-Merida at 0:10
5. Andrea Palini (Ita) SkyDive Dubai
6. Andrea Guardini (Ita) Astana
7. Chris Opie (GB) One Pro Cycling
8. Elia Viviani (Ita) Sky
9. Michal Kolar (Svk) Tinkoff
10. Tomas Vaitkus (Ltu) Al Nasr Pro Cycling Team-Dubai.
Dubai Stage 1:
Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2016
Wouter Poels (Sky) showed his versatility and won with authority the opening time trial Stage 1 of the Tour of Valencia, 16.6 kilometers between Benicassim and Oropesa del Mar, taking in the 3rd Cat climb of the Mirador. The Dutch climber surpassed Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) and his Sky teammate, World champion Vasil Kiryienka, by 15 and 21 seconds, respectively.
Poels and team Sky must defend his lead on Thursday on the summit finish of Fredes (La Pobla de Benifassà), 15.5 kilometers at 4.5%. Team Sky has an impressive team in Valencia, Poels, Intxausti, Nieve, Kiryienka, König, Lopez, Roche and Peters. Poels was a key rider for Chris Froome in the last Tour de France, especially in the final climb to Alpe d’Huez; also he won a stage in the Tirreno-Adriatico and the Tour of Britain.
Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana Stage 1 Result:
1. Wout Poels (Ned) Sky in 22:34
2. Luis Leon Sanchez (Spa) Astana in 0:14
3. Vasil Kiryienka (Blr) Sky at 0:20
4. Diego Rosa (Ita) Astana at 0:21
5. Jesus Herrada (Spa) Movistar at 0:25
6. Victor Campenaerts (Bel) LottoNL-Jumbo at 0:26
7. Bob Jungels (Lux) Etixx – Quick-Step
8. Leopold Konig (Cze) Sky at 0:28
9. Reto Hollenstein (Swi) IAM Cycling 0:00:29
10. Imanol Erviti (Spa) Movistar.
Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana Overall After Stage 1:
1. Wout Poels (Ned) Sky in 22:34
2. Luis Leon Sanchez (Spa) Astana at 0:14
3. Vasil Kiryienka (Blr) Sky at 0:20
4. Diego Rosa (Ita) Astana at 0:21
5. Jesus Herrada (Spa) Movistar at 0:25
6. Victor Campenaerts (Bel) LottoNL-Jumbo at 0:26
7. Bob Jungels (Lux) Etixx – Quick-Step
8. Leopold Konig (Cze) Sky at 0:28
9. Reto Hollenstein (Swi) IAM Cycling at 0:29
10. Imanol Erviti (Spa) Movistar.
Stage 1 time trial:
Ladies Tour of Qatar 2016
Two years after last winning the Ladies’ Tour of Qatar, Kirsten Wild returned in the same triumphant fashion. The Dutch rider indeed claimed Stage 1 of the 2016 edition, going through the final circuit of the next UCI road World Championships before heading to the Qatar University. In a final bunched sprint, the already four-time winner of the event beat Annaliza Cucinotta and Lizzie Williams to the line. The Hitec Products team leader naturally conquers the overall leader’s Golden Jersey.
Ideal conditions and almost no wind welcomed the 90 riders of the 8th edition for the start of stage 1 of the event at the Qatar University. The pack took off just after 1 o’clock for a 99-km ride.
After a fairly quiet start heading north, the real action started just before the first intermediate sprint of the day when teams Orica-AIS and Boels-Dolmans powered to the front of the bunch. Eventually the pack broke up into two groups leaving 46 riders in the lead. The sprint at km 39 was then to be claimed by Kirsten Wild (Hitec Products) ahead of Chloe Hosking (Wiggle-High5) and Marta Tagliaferro (Alé-Cipollini) while the dropped riders were 35’’ adrift. Five kilometers later, the pack bunched up together again.
The situation remained unchanged all the way to the circuit where the next UCI World Championships will be held in October. After covering the first two hours of racing at an average speed of 41 km/h, the second bonus sprint taking place on the exact finish line of the next ‘Worlds’ (km 90) was won by Chantal Blaak (Boels-Dolmans) beating Hosking and Marta Tagliaferro (Alé-Cipollini).
Well controlled by the strong sprinting teams, the pack stayed compact until the final explanation by the Qatar University. On a slightly uphill straight, Kirsten Wild again showed what a powerful rider she was, making her effort in the last 200m to out-sprint Annaliza Cucinotta (Alé-Cipollini) and Lizzie Williams (Orica-AIS) and capture her 10th stage success in Qatar.
Thanks to her first win in 2016, Wild conquers the overall leader’s Golden Jersey with a 7 second advantage over Cucinotta and 9 seconds over Williams. The Dutch rider also leads the points’ classification while Arianna Fidanza (Ita) is the best young rider and will wear the Pearl White jersey for tomorrow’s stage 2 from the Sheikh Faysel Museum to the Al Khor Corniche.
Thanks to ASO for the race info.
Stage winner, Kirsten Wild (Hitec Products): “It’s not easy. Maybe it looks easy but it’s really hard racing. My heart rate was over 200 bpm in the sprint. My team helped me really and that makes it easier of course. It’s a good start but the finish is far off and there are still three stages to go, but this is a nice start and we’re really happy with the jersey. We’ll see.”
Ladies Tour of Qatar Stage 1 Result:
1. Kirsten Wild (Ned) Hitec Products in 2:19:04
2. Annalisa Cucinotta (Ita) Alé-Cipollini
3. Lizzie Williams (Aus) Orica-AIS
4. Chantal Blaak (Ned) Boels-Dolmans
5. Shelley Olds (USA) Cylance-Incycle p/b Cannondale
6. Susanna Zorzi (Ita) Italy
7. Monique Van De Ree (Ned) Lares-Waowdeals
8. Barbara Guarischi (Ita) Canyon-SRAM
9. Katrin Garfoot (Aus) Orica-AIS
10. Sara Mustonen (Swe) Liv-Plantur
Ladies Tour of Qatar Overall After Stage 1:
1. Kirsten Wild (Ned) Hitec Products in 2:18:51
2. Annalisa Cucinotta (Ita) Alé-Cipollini at 0:07
3. Lizzie Williams (Aus) Orica-AIS at 0:09
4. Chloe Hosking (Aus) Wiggle-High5
5. Chantal Blaak (Ned) Boels-Dolmans at 0:10
6. Marta Tagliaferro (Ita) Alé-Cipollini at 0:11
7. Shelley Olds (USA) Cylance-Incycle p/b Cannondale at 0:13
8. Susanna Zorzi (Ita) Italy
9. Monique Van De Ree (Ned) Lares-Waowdeals
10. Barbara Guarischi (Ita) Canyon-SRAM.
Stage 1:
After a fantastic start to the season including victory at the Tour Down Under and the national time-trial title, 34-year old Katrin Garfoot made the best of her experience to conquer Stage 2 of the Ladies Tour of Qatar. The Australian made the best of an extremely eventful day to not only clinch her first success in Qatar, after a final solo effort, but also to claim the overall leader’s Golden Jersey. This second day of the event will be one Kirsten Wild will want to forget: a broken chain followed by a crash saw her hopes of winning a fifth crown fade away.
Under a cloudy sky and fairly mild temperatures, the 90 riders of the Ladies Tour of Qatar took off at 12:30 for stage 2 of the event: a 120-km ride from the splendid Sheikh Faysal Museum all the way to the Al Khor Corniche. After a first attempt at kilometer 3, Swedish rider Alexandra Nessmar (Lares-Waowdeals) managed to break free from the pack 8 kms later and was rapidly joined by Chinese Yue Bai (China-Chongming-Liv-Champion System). Both ladies enjoyed a maximum 2:20 advantage at km 39 before seeing the pack move closer.
They reached the first intermediate sprint, won by Bai, with a 35 seconds lead, but were eventually caught a kilometer later. That’s precisely when the action really started between the top contenders of the race. Indeed, making the best of the crosswind a group of 11 ladies powered away, while poor Golden Jersey Kirsten Wild (Hitec Products) was left stranded with a broken chain. At the front were the likes of Chloe Hosking (Wiggle-High5) and Marta Tagliafero (Alé-Cipollini), the best placed riders in the GC.
After having a 15 seconds lead the front group was caught by 15 other ladies at km 60. Meanwhile Wild remained 2’30 adrift, loosing almost all hopes of keeping her leadership. The leading 26 continued their progression. At the second bonus sprint (km 92) won by Shelley Olds (Cylance-Incycle p/b Cannondale) ahead of Hosking and Gracie Elvin (Orica-AIS), they had a 1:35 advantage over the first chasing group and 2:45 over the golden jersey pack. To make things even worst, Wild suffered a crash but still managed to remain in the main peloton.
Eventually at km 102, 10 riders took off at the front including Hosking, Longo Borghini & Pieters (Wiggle-High5), Van Dijk, Kasper (Boels-Dolmans), Worrack, Cromwell, Guarischi (Canyon-SRAM), Elvin and Garfoot (Orica-AIS). Their lead reached 48 seconds with 10kms to go and even 1:15, five kilometers from the line. Moving closer to the finish in Al Khor, four riders made a decisive move: Pieters, Kasper, Worrack and Garfoot. Not chased by their former group companions, working as perfect team mates, they would enjoy a 50 seconds lead with 2 kilometers to go.
Just before the final kilometer, Katrin Garfoot managed the perfect attack and powered off. The Australian would never be caught and she victoriously crossed the finish line with a 13 seconds gap over Worrack and Pieters. Meanwhile the Hosking group made it to the finish with a 58 seconds deficit. Clinching her first ever success in Qatar, Garfoot captures the overall lead with an interesting 17 seconds advantage over Worrack and 19 seconds over Pieters. Wild remains the points classification leader and will tomorrow leave her golden jersey to wear the silver one. The new best young rider of the event is now Dutch rider Aniouska Koster.
Thanks to ASO for the race info.
Stage winner, Katrin Garfoot (Orica-AIS): “When I turned around, no one was there, so if I went for it and they didn’t seem to chase. No one wanted to chase. That was it – head down and go for it, and either I made it or I didn’t.”
Ladies Tour of Qatar Stage 2 Result:
1. Katrin Garfoot (Aus) Orica-AIS in 3:07:13
2. Trixi Worrack (Ger) Canyon-SRAM at 0:13
3. Amy Pieters (Ned) Wiggle High5
4. Romy Kasper (Ger) Boels-Dolmans
5. Chloe Hosking (Aus) Wiggle High5 at 0:58
6. Eleonora Van Dijk (Ned) Boels-Dolmans
7. Barbara Guarischi (Ita) Canyon-SRAM
8. Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita) Wiggle-High5
9. Gracie Elvin (Aus) Orica-AIS
10. Tiffany Cromwell (Aus) Canyon-SRAM.
Ladies Tour of Qatar Overall After Stage 2:
1. Katrin Garfoot (Aus) Orica-AIS in 5:26:07
2. Trixi Worrack (Ger) Canyon-SRAM at 0:17
3. Amy Pieters (Ned) Wiggle-High5 at 0:19
4. Romy Kasper (Ger) Boels-Dolmans at 0:23
5. Chloe Hosking (Aus) Wiggle-High5 at 1:02
6. Gracie Elvin (Aus) Orica-AIS at 1:07
7. Barbara Guarischi (Ita) Canyon-SRAM at 1:08
8. Eleonora Van Dijk (Ned) Boels-Dolmans
9. Tiffany Cromwell (Aus) Canyon-SRAM
10. Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita) Wiggle High5.
Stage 2:
Etoile de Bessèges 2016
Bryan Coquard could not have had a better debute for his new sponsor; Direct Energie team, the replacement for Europcar. After the fifth place finish on Sunday in the GP La Marseillaise with Canadian Ryan Anderson, now Coquard has added the team’s first win on European soil. Adrien Petit won three stages and the overall classification at La Tropicale Amissa Bongo.
Coquard won the sprint from the Belgian Timothy Dupont (Veranda’s Willems) and Antoine Demoitie (Wanty-Groupe Gobert).
3rd, Antoine Demoitie (Wanty-Groupe-Gobert): “On these local laps the team really protected me which enabled me to sprint for the victory. I started my sprint at 200 meters from the line but Coquard already had several lengths on me. He was very strong today. I am pretty content that I could show the team straight away that they can count on me.”
Etoile de Bessèges Stage 1 Result:
1. Bryan Coquard (Fra) Direct Energie in 3:25:38
2. Timothy Dupont (Bel) Veranda’s Willems
3. Antoine Demoitie (Bel) Wanty-Groupe Gobert
4. Rudy Barbier (Fra) Roubaix Metropole Europeenne de Lille
5. Baptiste Planckaert (Bel) Wallonie Bruxelles-Group Protect
6. Bert Van Lerberghe (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise
7. Anthony Maldonado (Fra) HP-BTP-Auber 93
8. Justin Jules (Fra) Veranclassic-AGO
9. Arnaud Demare (Fra) FDJ.fr
10. Nicolas Vereecken (Bel) An Post-ChainReaction.
Etoile de Bessèges Overall After Stage 1:
1. Bryan Coquard (Fra) Direct Energie in 3:25:28
2. Timothy Dupont (Bel) Veranda’s Willems at 0:04
3. Antoine Demoitie (Bel) Wanty-Groupe Gobert at 0:06
4. Tony Gallopin (Fra) Lotto Soudal at 0:07
5. Sean De Bie (Bel) Lotto Soudal at 0:09
6. Rudy Barbier (Fra) Roubaix Metropole Europeenne de Lille at 0:10
7. Baptiste Planckaert (Bel) Wallonie Bruxelles-Group Protect
8. Bert Van Lerberghe (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise
9. Anthony Maldonado (Fra) HP-BTP-Auber 93
10. Justin Jules (Fra) Veranclassic-AGO.
Bessèges Stage 1:
8th Annual Tour of America’s Dairyland Race Cities Announced
Schedule Includes Return to National Criterium Calendar
In 2015, the Tour of America’s Dairyland (“ToAD”) presented by Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board hosted roughly 5,000 racers of multiple categories from Junior to Pro level, from 36 U.S. states and 13 countries. More than $175,000 in cash and primes was awarded before an estimated crowd of 155,000 cowbell-clanging spectators, who snapped photos of 245 athlete podium presentations.
Continuing the momentum, ToAD race promoter Midwest Cycling Series, LLC, has released its 2016 preliminary schedule for the eighth year of the omnium competition, which will travel to 10 Wisconsin communities, June 17-26, including one new race venue and two dates on the USA Cycling National Criterium Calendar (NCC).
Friday, June 17
East Troy Cycling Classic presented by Dennis & Janice Klumb Family Foundation
(Criterium)
Saturday, June 18
Giro d’ Grafton presented by Aurora Health Care and Celebrate Grafton
(Criterium)
Sunday, June 19 – Father’s Day
Waukesha Carl Zach Cycling Classic presented by Couri Insurance
(Criterium)
Monday, June 20
Downtown West Bend Criterium presented by Delta Defense
(NEW VENUE)
Tuesday, June 21
Schlitz Park Criterium
(Downtown Milwaukee)
Wednesday, June 22
TBA
Thursday, June 23
Shorewood Criterium Cycling Classic presented Tim Hart DDS, Rainbow Jersey Bicycles & the Village of Shorewood
Friday, June 24
Café Centraal Bay View Classic presented by the KK BID
(Second-year Criterium on Milwaukee’s South Side)
Saturday, June 25 – USA Cycling NCC Event
ISCorp Downer Classic presented by Smart Choice MRI
(Criterium on Milwaukee’s Eastside)
Sunday, June 26 – USA Cycling NCC Event
East Tosa Gran Prix presented by East Tosa Alliance
(Criterium in Wauwatosa)
Online registration will open in late February through USA Cycling.
“We will continue to feature omnium competitions with unique Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board cow print jerseys for every ToAD race category from Juniors on up to Pros,” said Executive Director Bill Koch. “Stay tuned in the coming weeks and months as we unveil some specific race category changes and some exciting new sponsorship partnerships, all of which will empower us to continue to raise the bar as the largest competitive road cycling event in the United States”
No Spring Classics for Degenkolb
Giant-Alpecin rider, John Degenkolb has confirmed that he will not ride the Spring Classics due to his injures sustained in the training crash in Spain that almost severed a finger.
Via his Facebook he said: “The healing process is going very well and as expected and yesterday I was also able to get on the trainer for the first time to get the circulation going. I am lacking nothing for rehab and physiotherapy. I am really happy with the care. Anyone who knows my ambition, knows that I only want to be there if I can get a top result again. So, I prefer to use the time to completely heal all injuries.”
John Degenkolb:
Malori continues to progress well
According to the medical services at the Buenos Aires clinic where Adriano Malori is now convalescing, the rider’s condition continues to progress. He is fully conscious and aware. The sense of touch in his limbs and his response to external stimuli are normal. He underwent surgery on Friday, with a successful outcome. In the constant presence of his family, Adriano’s progress follows the normal pattern in this type of case.
Adriano’s condition will be evaluated over the coming days with a view to his possible transfer to Italy.
Adriano Malori:
Alexander Kolobnev Signs for Gazprom-RusVelo
Russian Alexander Kolobnev has signed a contract that will tie him to Gazprom-RusVelo. Kolobnev, 35 years on April 4th, is one of the most famous and appreciated riders in Russia. He has a respectable curriculum, with a bronze medal at Olympic Games 2008, two silver medals at World Championships (2007 and 2009), numerous prestigious placings at classic races such as Strade Bianche, Liege-Bastogne-Liege and Giro di Lombardia, but also two titles of Russian road champion.
Renat Khamidulin, general manager of Gazprom-RusVelo, is pleased with the new acquisition: “The arrival of a rider at this level will help the team to grow up and to achieve significant seasonal targets,” he explained. “Alexander needs no introduction, everyone knows its value and I am sure that it is the ideal man to grow up our guys in the best way. Alexander is a tenacious rider, he has a strong personality and he’s able to interpret the races like few can do. In recent years he has faced many battles in the professional cycling and he will certainly be the leader we needed.”
Alexander Kolobnev did not hide his happiness: “It was certainly a nice surprise. Thanks to the fans I found a great charge and the right motivation to remain in group. Renat has seen in me the qualities to be shared with the team, which is very young but composed of guys with absolute value. I’m excited and I feel like I had signed my first professional contract. I’d like to thank Renat for his confidence and I hope to be able to repay him and all the sponsors of the trust they have placed in me.”
Alexander Kolobnev:
Ulissi to Lead Lampre-Merida in the GP Costa degli Etruschi
After he came back from Australia, where he was 2nd in one stage and he missed by a couple of seconds the top ten of the final classification, Diego Ulissi will now focus his attention on the GP Costa degli Etruschi.
The race will take place on Sunday 7th February on Ulissi’s hometown roads, starting from San Vincenzo and finishing in Donoratico (distance 190,6 km), with the final 40 km with the double passage on the climb of Torre Segalari (2.900 mt at 9%,summit at 9 km to the arrival).
Ulissi will be supported by the experience of Niemiec and Mori, by the young climbers Cattaneo and Koshevoy and by Durasek, who’ll be at his first race in 2016.
LAMPRE-MERIDA will be directed by Vicino, who’ll work with the mechanics Bortoluzzo and Chiodini, by the masseurs Della Torre and Napolitano, by the driver Bozzolo and the physician Ronchi.
“Ulissi has already demonstrated that his legs are in a good fit and, moreover, he’ll have extra spurs for racing near home: his target is the victory in the race, after the second place he obtained in 2013 – sport director Vicino said – The members of our selection are all good climbers, who’ll have to pay attention to the breakaways in the early part of the course and to the attacks in the final kilometers.”
Diego Ulissi:
Tour of Sufferlandria Benefits Davis Phinney Foundation
Cyclists who compete this month in a nine-day mythical stage race will be helping out the Davis Phinney Foundation.
The “Tour of Sufferlandria” is an indoor cycling event where riders complete nine consecutive days of videos produced by The Sufferfest. With a $10 donation, participants are eligible for the Tour’s list of special prizes, which include a road bike from BMC and autographed items from several professional cyclists. BMC Racing Team’s Taylor Phinney will serve as official starter for the event, which begins Saturday.
The Davis Phinney Foundation was created in 2004 to help people with Parkinson’s disease live well today. Its major initiatives include: the Every Victory Counts® manual; The Victory Summit® symposia series; the Living Well Challenge™ educational webinar series; the “Parkinson’s Exercise Essentials” video and the funding of research focused on quality of life therapies.
The Sufferfest has a passionate following of “Sufferlandrians” in 70 counties. To date, the Tour of Sufferlandria has raised more than $165,000 during its four editions.
For more information, visit www.thesufferfest.com/pages/tour-of-sufferlandria.
Descent of the year 2015
Vincenzo Nibali making his winning move on the Civiglio in the Giro de Lombardia. Don’t try this at home, folks.
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 Fan Page.
Comments are closed.