We round-up the Santos Tour Down Below and highway racing begins in Europe with the Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana 1969 and the Ruta de la Cerámica – Gran Premio Castellón. Cyclo-cross remains to be scorching with the UCI World Cup Cyclocross in Benidorm and the Actual Cross in Zonnebeke – All outcomes, experiences and video.

Tadej Pogačar the largest earner with an annual wage of €6 million – TOP STORY.

Rider information: Tiesj Benoot postpones the beginning of his season after covid an infection, Tom Boonen to be ambassador of the Piotr Havik gravel workforce, physician Toon Claes Wout van Aert’s savior retires, Matteo Trentin needs outcomes with Tudor, Jake Stewart misses season begin as a consequence of fractured tibia and Rohan Dennis attended the emotional funeral of his spouse Melissa.

Group information: Belgium has new package for the Olympic Video games.

Race information: ASO announce WildCards for the Tour de France 2024, the Ladies’s E3 Saxo Traditional race is canceled and former Tour of Britain organiser bankrupt after dropping British race contract.

Monday EUROTRASH espresso time.

 

TOP STORY: Tadej Pogačar the Largest Earner with an Annual Wage of €6 Million
Tadej Pogačar is the highest earner within the males’s peloton with an annual wage of 6 million euros. La Gazzetta dello Sport has a full web page article on the topic. Based on the Italian sports-paper, GC riders Primož Roglič, Jonas Vingegaard, adopted by Mathieu van der Poel are subsequent greatest paid cyclists.

La Gazzetta dello Sport calls the checklist ‘an unofficial rating of the rider salaries’, put collectively from discussions with a number of certified sources. The newspaper additionally notes that not all the riders’ revenue has been included, equivalent to private sponsorship contracts with sure manufacturers or corporations.

It was identified that two-time Tour winner Pogačar has a multi-million contract with UAE Group Emirates. The 25 year-old Slovenian is contracted till 2027 and can obtain a wage of 24 million euros over the following 4 years. Primož Roglič has reportedly signed a two-year contract with BORA-hansgrohe, for an annual wage of 4.5 million euros. The approaching half possession by Purple Bull might have one thing to do with it.

Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike) and World champion Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) observe with estimated annual salaries of 4 million euros. Wout van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike) earns 3.5 million euros. Remco Evenepoel follows with an estimated wage of two.8 million euros.

Based on La Gazzetta, INEOS Grenadiers additionally has a number of million-dollar contracts with riders. Tom Pidcock (2.7 million euros per 12 months), Egan Bernal (2.5 million euros), Carlos Rodriguez (2.5 million euros) are additionally within the high 10 earners checklist, Filippo Ganna on 2.3 million euros falls simply exterior that. Adam Yates earns round 2.7 million euros with UAE Group Emirates.

Cyclings high earner – Tadej Pogačar:

 

Santos Tour Down Below 2024
Sam Welsford celebrated his twenty eighth birthday in absolute fashion when he claimed a 3rd Santos Tour Down Below victory – this time at Port Elliot on Friday. The Bora-hansgrohe dash gun smashed his rivals to items to assert the main prize for the Hahn Stage 4 from Murray Bridge to Port Elliot. Welsford’s hat-trick of stage wins was a primary for the Santos Tour Down Below since Caleb Ewan (Jayco AlUla) claimed 4 levels through the 2017 occasion.

Welsford completed forward of Eritrean star Binian Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty). He’ll maintain the Ziptrak Dash Jersey whereas Mexican sensation Isaac Del Toro remains to be race chief and 40 seconds away from Welsford. The 20-year-old is one second forward of Girmay and two seconds forward of New Zealand’s Corbin Robust (Israel Premier Tech) earlier than the back-to-back queen levels take the race by storm over the weekend.

Del Toro performed down his probabilities of claiming the Suppose! Highway Security Stage 5 from Christies Seashore to Willunga on Saturday earlier than the 2024 version of the race ends at Mount Lofty summit on Sunday. ARA Australia’s Luke Burns will maintain the efex King of the Mountain Jersey for Saturday after one other exhausting day of labor. His teammate Jackson Medway, the youngest rider on this 12 months’s Santos Tour Down Below at 19 years of age, claimed the Yahama Most Aggressive Jersey after being on the entrance for many of the race alongside Brazilian Movistar rider Vinicius Rangel earlier than they had been caught by the principle peloton at Goolwa.

Bora-hansgrohe managed the principle bunch in an apparent bid to guard Welsford. Australia’s reigning three-time highway champion Luke Plapp (Jayco AlUla) was a non-starter after being injured in a nasty crash alongside Gorge Highway throughout Well being Companions Stage 3 on Thursday. There was additionally crash on Friday within the peloton, this time about 100km earlier than the end. GC contender and climbing specialist Axel Mariault from workforce Cofidis was concerned, together with team-mate Piet Allegaert and Arkea-B&B Inns riders Louis Barre and Laurens Huys.

Key Factors:
66.7km: Ziptrak Dash 1 – Bridge Highway at Langhorne Creek Normal Retailer, Langhorne Creek
ARA Australian Biking Group’s Jackson Medway claimed Hahn Stage 4’s Ziptrak® Dash #1. Medway crossed the road forward of Movistar’s Vinicius Rangel after the pair broke away early within the stage. Kelland O’Brien from Group Jayco AlUla took the bonus second forward of Jhonatan Narvaez from Ineos Grenadiers.

82.2km: Ziptrak Dash 2 – Business Highway close to Colman Terrace, Strathalbyn
Alex Mariault made it two Ziptrak sprints from two and claimed very helpful bonus seconds, pipping EF Training-Straightforward Put up’s Stefan De Bod on the road. The Cofidis rider claimed the factors in a photograph end whereas ARA Australian Biking Group’s Tristan Saunders completed behind the pair.

88.3km: efex King of the Mountain 1 – Gemmell Hill (Class 3)
Movistar’s Vinicius Rangel took out efex King of the Mountain forward of Jackson Medway from ARA Australian Biking Group. Medway’s team-mate, efex King of the Mountain chief Luke Burns, crossed the road in third so as to add two factors to his tally.

All of the Jerseys:
Santos Chief’s Jersey – Isaac del Toro Romero (UAE Group Emirates)
efex King of the Mountain – Luke Burns (ARA Australian Biking Group)
Ziptrak Sprinter’s Jersey – Sam Welsford (Bora-hansgrohe)
Zwift Younger Rider’s Jersey – Isaac del Toro Romero (UAE Group Emirates)
Most Aggressive – Jackson Medway (ARA Australian Biking Group).

Stage winner, Sam Welsford (BORA-hansgrohe): “I’m speechless. The way in which we’ve been driving all week, we had a little bit of strain immediately, as anticipated, however we rode very effectively. It was such a quick strategy and I don’t know precisely the way it all occurred, however I had good momentum popping out of the nook. I wasn’t proper on Danny’s again wheel, however he knew it as much as that time and I simply used the blokes between us as my lead-out. This win is simply superb, it’s the proper begin to the 12 months for us. It’s additionally actually particular for me to come back into a brand new workforce and get that assist right away. In the long run, this win is a reward for the exhausting work the blokes have put in all week.”

2nd on the stage and total, Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty): “The workforce protected me effectively all day in the direction of this final anticipated dash on this Tour Down Below. Madis Mihkels completely positioned me earlier than the final nook with 500 meter to go, however within the ultimate Sam Welsford was once more the quickest of the peloton. Saturday, the ultimate might be explosive with two instances climbing Willunga Hill, after the start of the stage on flat and enormous roads. I’m anticipating a troublesome battle between the GC contenders, which is right for Georg Zimmermann and our different climbers. However I even have the intention to provide every thing and see the way it goes, as a result of I’ve nothing to unfastened!”

Santos Tour Down Below Stage 4 End result:
1. Sam Welsford (Aus) BORA-hansgrohe in 2:59:50
2. Biniam Girmay (Eri) Intermarché-Wanty
3. Lars Boven (Ned) Alpecin-Deceuninck
4. Milan Fretin (Bel) Cofidis
5. Laurence Pithie (NZ) Groupama-FDJ
6. Gonzalo Serrano (Spa) Movistar
7. Max Kanter (Ger) Astana Qazaqstan
8. Antoine Huby (Fra) Soudal Fast-Step
9. Phil Bauhaus (Ger) Bahrain-Victorious
10. Simon Clarke (Aus) Israel-Premier Tech.

Santos Tour Down Below General After Stage 4:
1. Isaac del Toro (Mex) UAE Group Emirates in 13:15:54
2. Biniam Girmay (Eri) Intermarché-Wanty at 0:01
3. Corbin Robust (NZ) Israel-Premier Tech at 0:02
4. Axel Mariault (Fra) Cofidis at 0:05
5. Stephen Williams (GB) Israel-Premier Tech at 0:07
6. Lars Boven (Ned) Alpecin-Deceuninck
7. Stefan de Bod (SA) EF Training-EasyPost
8. Georg Zimmermann (Ger) Intermarché-Wanty at 0:08
9. Finn Fisher-Black (NZ) UAE Group Emirates
10. Louis Barré (Fra) Arkéa-B&B Inns at 0:09

TDU’24 stage 4:

 

Oscar Onley of Group dsm-firmenich PostNL claimed the 129.3km THINK! Highway Security Stage 5 after an exhilarating end at Willunga Hill within the Santos Tour Down Below on Saturday. The 21-year-old completed forward of Israel Premier Tech’s Stephen Williams and Jhonatan Narváez of Ineos Grenadiers following a quick and gruelling climb. Williams’ second place end sees him take the Santos Ochre Chief’s Jersey heading into the ultimate stage as earlier chief, 20-year-old Mexican Isaac Del Toro (UAE Group Emirates), completed the stage in eighth – six seconds behind Onley. Within the race to the end Onley took on skilled specialist climber Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal Fast-Step), sprinting up Willunga Hill forward of the Frenchman who completed fourth.

The riders set a blistering tempo following the Christies Seashore begin and it wasn’t lengthy earlier than Casper Pedersen (Soudal Fast-Step), Johan Jacobs (Movistar), Samuele Battistella (Astana Qazaqstan Group) and Liam Walsh (ARA Australian Biking Group) broke away. The group led the peloton and maintained a constant hole both facet of three minutes, with Walsh and Jacobs every claiming Ziptrak® Dash wins.

The peloton was stretched across the midway mark of the stage as common speeds topped 46km/h. The principle group started to reel within the breakaway riders across the 85km mark because the climbers ready to ascend Willunga Hill. efex King of the Mountain chief Luke Burns from ARA Australian Biking Group claimed the primary King of the Mountain on lap one among Willunga Hill, whereas Alaphilippe gained the second.

Key Factors:
22km: Ziptrak Dash 1 – Principal Highway at Willunga Present Corridor, Willunga
ARA Australian Biking Group’s Liam Walsh took out Ziptrak® Dash #1 forward of Movistar’s Johan Jacobs and Astana Qazaqstan Group’s Samuele Battistella. The trio had been a part of an early breakaway which led from the outset of THINK! Highway Security Stage 5.

80.1km: Ziptrak Dash 2 – Esplanade at Snapper Level close to Butterworth Highway, Aldinga Seashore
Movistar’s Johan Jacobs claimed the second Ziptrak® Dash of THINK! Highway Security Stage 5. Liam Walsh from ARA Australia Biking Group and Samuele Battistella of Astana Qazaqstan Group crossed second and third respectively.

106.6km: efex King of the Mountain 1 – Willunga Hill (Class 1)
efex King of the Mountain chief Luke Burns took out the primary climb of THINK! Highway Security Stage 5, powering throughout the road forward of Jardi Christiaan van der Lee of EF Training-Easypost and Burns’ teammate Luke Howson.

129.1km: efex King of the Mountain 2 – Willunga Hill (Class 1)
French climber Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal Fast-Step) gained the second efex King of the Mountain climb forward of stage winner Oscar Onley from Group dsm-firmenich PostNL and Israel Premier Tech’s Stephen Williams.

All of the Jerseys:
Santos Chief’s Jersey – Stephen Williams (Israel Premier Tech)
efex King of the Mountain – Luke Burns (ARA Australian Biking Group)
Ziptrak Sprinter’s Jersey – Sam Welsford (Bora-hansgrohe)
Zwift Younger Rider’s Jersey – Oscar Onley (Group dsm-firmenich PostNL)
Most Aggressive – Casper Pederson (Soudal Fast-Step)

Stage winner and 2nd total, Oscar Onley (dsm-firmenich PostNL): “It’s fairly unbelievable. We knew I used to be in good type coming right here however towards the standard of men right here, I wasn’t certain how it could go. I’m actually grateful to the entire workforce and everybody who helped get me right here. It’s going to be powerful tomorrow however we now have a very good workforce right here and we are going to do our greatest to try to go for it once more and see if we will transfer up that one spot. The workforce knew I may do it, they’ve had numerous religion in me and have been maintaining me calm the previous couple of days. Within the hectic dash levels the remainder of the blokes have actually invested in me to maintain me secure and never lose any time, so it’s good to have the ability to pay again their exhausting work right here. It’s a fairly iconic climb Willunga Hill so to have my title on the winner’s checklist is admittedly cool.”

General chief and 2nd on the stage, Stevie Williams (Israel-Premier Tech): “It was a troublesome ultimate, as anticipated. We knew it could simply be whittled down till the road and I discovered myself with good legs with 500 meters to go, in an ideal place. I barely underestimated how far the end line was from the final nook. Ideally I might have gone into that final nook first and will have held on however credit score to Oscar Onley. I’m pleased with my efficiency. I’m actually pleased with my teammates and the way they backed me all day. It was such an ideal trip from everybody. Clearly, Corbin had a troublesome day and needed to withdraw which is a disgrace for us as a result of he’s one other rider who may have completed effectively on a end like this. I knew it was going to be shut. Clearly we’re on the identical time, so I’ve the lead on depend again. That dash end on stage 2 has turn out to be useful with these 4 bonus seconds I picked up. I’m actually happy to be on this jersey and provides it again to the boys who’ve completed such a superb job immediately. Tomorrow might be a troublesome stage and exhausting to regulate as it’s nonetheless very shut there on the Normal Classification with the highest 5 – 6 guys inside a handful of seconds. I anticipate it will likely be a fairly nerve-racking day however the guys I’ve listed below are so skilled so I’ve little question we are going to do our greatest to combat for it. There is no such thing as a one higher to have within the automotive or in my ear than Daryl Impey and Sam Bewley. Daryl was giving me a pep speak at breakfast this morning and it’s nice to have his expertise mixed with Bewls. Simon Clarke is such a superb highway captain to have. Each ascent, each descent, simply to have somebody that skilled within the chaos is unbelievable. He simply has this knack of being in the appropriate place on the proper time. To have him in my nook, and all the different guys, has simply been so good.”

eighth on the stage and 4th total, Isaac del Toro (UAE Group Emirates): “I did my greatest and I’m actually pleased with that. Immediately was my first actual day climbing on the World Tour degree and I’m happy with the way it went contemplating the corporate I used to be in. The workforce helped me lots and I loved the environment on the highway carrying the leaders jersey, an incredible feeling. I’ll attempt to get well, be relaxed and tomorrow strive once more.”

KOM, Luke Burns (ARA Australian Biking): “We had just a few totally different plans immediately and it simply labored effectively that the break was caught on the backside. And it wasn’t too flat out up the climb and I may sneak throughout for max factors.”

Santos Tour Down Below Stage 5 End result:
1. Oscar Onley (GB) dsm-firmenich PostNL in 2:52:23
2. Stephen Williams (GB) Israel-Premier Tech
3. Jhonatan Narváez (Eu) INEOS Grenadiers
4. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Soudal Fast-Step at 0:03
5. Bart Lemmen (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike
6. Simon Yates (GB) Jayco AlUla
7. Valentin Paret-Peintre (Fra) Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale at 0:06
8. Isaac del Toro (Mex) UAE Group Emirates
9. Damien Howson (Aus) Australia at 0:12
10. Finn Fisher-Black (NZ) UAE Group Emirates at 0:20.

Santos Tour Down Below General After Stage 5:
1. Stephen Williams (GB) Israel-Premier Tech in 16:08:18
2. Oscar Onley (GB) dsm-firmenich PostNL
3. Jhonatan Narváez (Eu) INEOS Grenadiers at 0:05
4. Isaac del Toro (Mex) UAE Group Emirates
5. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Soudal Fast-Step at 0:13
6. Bart Lemmen (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike
7. Simon Yates (Fra) Jayco AlUla
8. Valentin Paret-Peintre (Fra) Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale at 0:16
9. Damien Howson (Aus) Australia at 0:22
10. Axel Mariault (Fra) Cofidis at 0:24

TDU’24 stage 5:

 

Stephen Williams of Israel Premier Tech stormed dwelling in a frantic end at Mount Lofty to assert the Schwalbe Stage 6 win and total victory of the 2024 Santos Tour Down Below on Sunday. Williams edged out Ineos Grenadiers’ Jhonatan Narvaez and Isaac Del Toro Romero of UAE Group Emirates who completed second and third respectively, in each Schwalbe Stage 6 and total. The trio had been locked in a battle within the race to the end with Del Toro Romero main the way in which till the previous couple of hundred metres. Within the ultimate dash, Williams burst previous his rivals and crossed the road within the Ochre Jersey to safe high spot within the Normal Classification.

After beginning in Unley, riders went early with the primary King of the Mountain climb factors out there simply 3.8kms from the beginning. Jersey chief Luke Burns of ARA Australian Biking Group amongst these main the cost. Burns completed second behind Group Jayco AlUla’s Chris Harper, additional cementing his lead within the climbing classification.

With round 100kms to race, a bunch of seven broke away together with Stefan De Bod from EF Training Straightforward-Put up and Simon Geschke of Cofidis, who had been each below two minutes off the lead within the Normal Classification. The breakaway continued to push forward and lead the peloton by as a lot as three minutes after 40kms. With De Bod among the many bunch, he took the lead within the digital standings.

The peloton was persistently round three minutes behind the breakaway, however started reeling them in with below 50kms to go earlier than the hole was slashed to below 90 seconds with 33kms remaining. With 7.5kms to race, there was a crash in the direction of the again of the peloton with a bunch of riders hitting the deck, with the frontrunners avoiding getting caught up within the tangle. The breakaway was formally caught inside the ultimate three kms to arrange an exhilarating end which culminated in a scintillating ultimate 300 metres.

Burns’ efex King of the Mountain #1 victory early within the day to make sure he sealed King of the Mountain classification. West Australian Sam Welsford of Bora-Hansgrohe was the winner of the Ziptrak® Dash classification following three stage wins. Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale took out the overall groups’ classification after the ultimate stage.

Key Factors:
3.8km: efex King of the Mountain 1 – Windy Level (Class 1)
Group Jayco AlUla’s Chris Harper took out the primary efex King of the Mountain climb of Schwalbe Stage 6. King of the Mountain jersey chief Luke Burns (ARA Australian Biking Group) additionally collected invaluable factors in second, whereas Alessandro Covi of UAE Group Emirates completed third.

56.1km: Ziptrak Dash 1 – Strathalbyn Highway at Mylor Oval, Mylor
Maurice Ballerstedt from Alpecin-Deceuninck claimed Schwalbe Stage 6’ Ziptrak® Dash #1 forward of Soudal Fast-Step’s Gil Gelders and EF Training Straightforward-Put up’s Stefan De Bod who earned a invaluable second bonus.

69.5km: efex King of the Mountain 2 – Mount Lofty (Class 1)
Soudal Fast-Step’s Gil Gelders crossed the road uncontested forward of Jacopo Mosca of Lidl-Trek and EF Training Straightforward-Put up’s Stefan De Bod within the first of three climbs of Mount Lofty.

79.9km: Ziptrak Dash 2 – Greenhill Highway at Uraidla Lodge, Uraidla
Jacopo Mosca of Lidl-Trek gained Ziptrak® Dash #2 with Franck Bonnamour (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Group) and Antonio Morgado (UAE Group Emirates) crossing the road shut behind.

98.2km: efex King of the Mountain 3 – Mount Lofty (Class 1)
Gil Gelders of Soudal Fast-Step took out the ultimate efex King of the Mountain for Schwalbe Stage 6, edging out Antonio Morgado from UAE Group Emirates and Franck Bonnamour of Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Group.

All of the Jerseys:
Santos Tour Down Below Champion – Stephen Williams (Israel Premier Tech)
Schwalbe Males’s Stage 6 Winner – Stephen Williams (Israel Premier Tech)
efex King of the Mountain – Luke Burns (ARA Australian Biking Group)
Ziptrak Sprinter’s Jersey – Sam Welsford (Bora-hansgrohe)
Zwift Younger Rider’s Jersey – Isaac del Toro Romero (UAE Group Emirates)
Most Aggressive – Antonio Morgado Tomas (UAE Group Emirates)

General and stage winner, Stephen Williams (Israel-Premier Tech): “What a stage. That end is ideal for me. It’s so punchy. I’ve bought a knack of with the ability to maintain on and maintain on and fortuitously I used to be in a position to get again on the wheel [in the finale], learn the state of affairs and capitalised by opening up at 250 meters to go. Everybody’s legs had been useless by then so I assumed if I bought the leap, I might be in with a superb probability. I might all the time again myself coming into it in a small, choose group like that and to do it on this jersey as effectively, makes it much more particular. Actually, the assist the workforce has given me over the previous two days has been unbelievable. I can’t thank them sufficient. The workers, soigneurs, mechanics, the boys, the riders, everybody. All week the boys have been superb. They’ve completed an ideal job and that is positively a workforce victory. With the caliber of riders we had right here, we had been backing ourselves and we weren’t right here to make up numbers, that’s for certain. I’m actually proud to come back down right here and begin the season like this on the entrance foot, and head again to Europe and proceed on. Biking is humorous as a result of wins don’t come round fairly often. So when you get a victory like this, it’s a must to be sure you take pleasure in it and take it in. For me to win a WorldTour GC at this level within the season is admittedly essential for my improvement.”

third on the stage and 2nd total, Isaac Del Toro (UAE Group Emirates): “I nonetheless tried and I’m pleased with that. For my first expertise it could have been higher if I had gained, however that is in fact additionally good. Though, it may have been even higher. I’ve been attempting to make up for misplaced time. And extra importantly, I loved my first race at WorldTour degree. You will need to continue learning and provides every thing. You by no means know what to anticipate in biking. However I do know that I’ll give it my all, and possibly much more, as quickly as I get on the bike. I did that once more on this stage, nevertheless it turned out to not be sufficient for the victory. Higher luck subsequent time.”

4th total, Oscar Onley (dsm-firmenich PostNL): “I’m disillusioned now, however that is perhaps totally different in just a few hours. I really feel fairly empty. I’m disillusioned with the truth that I needed to let go within the ultimate, however it’s what it’s. In just a few hours I’ll in all probability be very pleased with my stage victory on Saturday. However in the meanwhile the frustration is predominant. It was an ideal alternative to race as a pacesetter, I realized lots from that. I can take that with me into the longer term, however for now I’ve to congratulate Williams. He rode actually sturdy and is the deserved total winner, after every thing he has proven.”

sixth on the stage and total, Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal Fast-Step): “I’ve gained confidence right here. The motivation was there for the final stage. It was a superb day for us, with Gil (Gelders) within the early breakaway. The opposite guys rode with me all day, till the foot of the final climb. They labored exhausting. I’m pleased with what the workforce is displaying, and I felt good myself. I’ve confidence, particularly after this powerful weekend. I really feel that I’m slowly getting again into higher form. I loved this competitors and can now go dwelling to organize for my subsequent targets.”

eighth total, Valentin Paret-Peintre (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale): “Very glad with my first WorldTour high 10. It’s my first high 10 end in a normal classification, and in a WorldTour race at that, so I’m very glad. The workforce labored rather well all week and we’ve bought a superb dynamic going. That’s promising for all the remainder of the season. I’ve been very severe about my coaching this winter and I arrived in Australia very motivated. Placement was actually essential on this type of route. The workforce did an ideal job all through the week after we all raced collectively and on the entrance. It was not simply our bodily form, but in addition the way in which we rode, which enabled us to win the workforce classification. My subsequent objective would be the UAE Tour, the place my job might be to assist Ben so far as doable within the mountains.”

Ziptrak Sprinter’s Jersey, Sam Welsford (Bora-hansgrohe): “It’s positively greater than I used to be anticipating to come back away with right here on the Santos Tour Down Below however the boys have been tremendous magical.”

efex King of the Mountains, Luke Burns (ARA Australian Biking Group): “It’ feels superior. I used to be there for the factors on the primary one so, locked it up on the first KOM.”

Santos Tour Down Below Stage 6 End result:
1. Stephen Williams (GB) Israel-Premier Tech in 3:05:26
2. Jhonatan Narváez (Eu) INEOS Grenadiers
3. Isaac del Toro (Mex) UAE Group Emirates
4. Bart Lemmen (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike
5. Laurence Pithie (NZ) Groupama-FDJ at 0:03
6. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Soudal Fast-Step at 0:10
7. Damien Howson (Aus) Australia
8. Christian Scaroni (Ita) Astana Qazaqstan
9. Bauke Mollema (Ned) Lidl-Trek
10. Lars Boven (Ned) Alpecin-Deceuninck.

Santos Tour Down Below Last General End result:
1. Stephen Williams (GB) Israel – Premier Tech in 19:13:34
2. Jhonatan Narváez (Eu) INEOS Grenadiers at 0:09
3. Isaac del Toro (Mex) UAE Group Emirates at 0:11
4. Oscar Onley (GB) dsm-firmenich PostNL at 0:20
5. Bart Lemmen (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike at 0:23
6. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Soudal Fast-Step at 0:33
7. Simon Yates (GB) Jayco AlUla
8. Valentin Paret-Peintre (Fra) Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale at 0:36
9. Damien Howson (Aus) Australia at 0:42
10. Jack Haig (Aus) Bahrain-Victorious at 0:50

TDU’24 stage 6:

 

Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana 1969 2024
The primary European highway race of 2024 was gained by Dylan Groenewegen. The Dutch sprinter of Jayco AlUla was the quickest after 200 kilometres within the Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana 1969. Within the bunch dash he beat Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) and Tim Torn Teutenberg (Lidl-Trek Future Racing).

The route of the Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana 1969 had modified from final 12 months. After the beginning in La Nucia, got here the well-known climb of the Coll de Charges (14.1km at 2.9%) and after 70 kilometres there was the Alto de Barx (3.6km at 6.5%). This was adopted by just a few extra smaller climbs, however after 120 kilometres the climbing was over and the race route was flat to the end line in Valencia.

Early within the race, 4 riders broke away, however 12 extra joined them. Lotto Dstny, Burgos-BH, Bingoal WB, Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale and Movistar all riders off the entrance. The sixteen had a lead of greater than 2 minutes over the peloton. It was Jayco AlUla and Astana Qazaqstan who had been main the chase behind for his or her sprinters; Dylan Groenewegen and Gleb Syritsa. These WorldTeams made certain that the benefit was lower than 1 minute, after which the co-operation within the main group fell aside. Liam Slock (Lotto Dstny), Valentin Retailleau (Decathlon AG2R) and Stefano Oldani (Cofidis) then rode away and the others of the early break had been caught.

The main three pushed on for some time, however couldn’t maintain off the peloton and had been caught slightly below 15 kilometres from the end. The sprinter’s groups then took management to convey their fast-finisher into the ultimate straight in a superb place. Groenewegen was in an ideal place, a kilometre from the end, along with his Jayco AlUla prepare as Lotto Dstny additionally got here to the entrance. The final kilometre was chaotic, however Groenewegen fought himself free and crossed the end line first. He was effectively forward of Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) and Tim Torn Teutenberg (Lidl-Trek Future Racing) in Valencia. The primary victory of 2024 in Europe went to Groenewegen.

Race winner, Dylan Groenewegen (Jayco AlUla): “It was a bit hectic within the ultimate, however we had ready a superb plan. The ultimate wasn’t very powerful both. It was very powerful within the preliminary section. However the workforce did a superb job placing me again in place after we rejoined the peloton. We then managed to catch the main group of sixteen riders. We had Felix Engelhardt on the flight with us, in order that was good for us anyway. All the things went effectively within the run-up to the ultimate. Afterwards I used to be in a bubble and barely behind the opposite guys, however that was truly good, as a result of I may use the slipstream of the opposite sprinters. Fortunately I used to be in a position to end. It’s good to pay again the exhausting work of the workforce.”

Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana 1969 End result:
1. Dylan Groenewegen (Ned) Jayco AlUla in
2. Bryan Coquard (Fra) Cofidis
3. Tim Torn Teutenberg (Ger) Lidl-Trek Future Racing
4. Davide Cimolai (Ita) Movistar
5. Gleb Syritsa (-) Astana Qazaqstan
6. Carlos Canal (Spa) Movistar
7. Marc Sarreau (Fra) Groupama-FDJ
8. Luca Mozzato (Ita) Arkéa-&B Inns
9. Rui Oliveira (Por) UAE Group Emirates
10. Amaury Capiot (Bel) Arkéa-B&B Inns.

Clàssica Valenciana’24:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjM9HpLn-c8

 

Ruta de la Cerámica – Gran Premio Castellón 2024
Michael Matthews has given Jayco AlUla one other victory. A day after his teammate Dylan Groenewegen gained the Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana, the Australian was the most effective within the Gran Premio Castellón. He sprinted to victory on a barely uphill end. Pierre Gautherat was second, Alex Aranburu third.

The Gran Premio Castellón was the second European race of 2024, after Saturday’s Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana 1969, the riders needed to cowl nearly 174 kilometres. Ten kilometres from the end was the highest of the Collado de Ayódar (5.2km at 4.3%), however would the sprinters survive.

Within the opening half, many riders tried to get away, however the break that finally emerged consisted of solely three riders. Jelle Vermoote (Bingoal WB) and Paul Hennequin (Good Métropole Côte d’Azur) had been the primary to get a niche. After; Duarte Marivoet, who usually rides for the UAE Group Emirates devo workforce, however was with the WT squad, joined them. The trio gained a lead of virtually 6 minutes.

Within the chase it was primarily Movistar and Jayco AlUla that set the tempo. They ensured that the final escapee, Vermoote, was caught with 25 kilometres to go. The race then hit the Collado de Ayódar. On the primary part, Astana Qazaqstan rider Nicolas Vinokurov was off the entrance for some time, however he didn’t sustain his effort up for lengthy. Alex Baudin (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) did a bit extra. He crossed the highest first, forward of Igor Arrieta (UAE Group Emirates), and stayed on the entrance solo for a very long time. However, within the final 3 kilometres the peloton pulled him again and the race would finish in a dash. Within the dash there was no match to Michael Matthews. The Australian put in an extended assault on the marginally uphill end and didn’t cease. He gained convincingly forward of Pierre Gautherat and Alex Aranburu.

Race winner, Michael Matthews (Jayco AlUla): “It was a ravishing day immediately, the climate was superb and the gang right here in Spain all the time provides me such a pleasant feeling. I’ve had numerous my good victories in Spain and to be the primary winner right here on this race is admittedly particular. I believe the primary lap we got here via [the finish] was truly more durable, there was numerous stress as a result of everybody knew the principle climb within the ultimate was arising two kilometres after the end line, so there was numerous stress after which it was full gasoline from there all the way in which to the end. I believe yesterday we labored superb as a workforce and immediately we took it up from the beginning, we took the accountability and we had confidence in ourselves to ship the outcome. Full credit score to the blokes who rode all day immediately and yesterday for me and for Dylan, it exhibits that the exhausting work pays off.”

Ruta de la Cerámica – Gran Premio Castellón End result:
1. Michael Matthews (Aus) Jayco AlUla in 4:09:47
2. Pierre Gautherat (Fra) Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale
3. Alex Aranburu (Spa) Movistar
4. David González (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA
5. Stefano Oldani (Ita) Cofidis
6. Jenthe Biermans (Bel) Arkéa-B&B Inns
7. Pau Miquel (Spa) Equipo Kern Pharma
8. Jasper De Buyst (Bel) Lotto Dstny
9. Lennert Teugels (Bel) Bingoal WB
10. Bryan Coquard (Fra) Cofidis.

Castellón’24:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-41VQiJY_Q4

 

UCI World Cup Cyclocross – Benidorm Males 2024
Wout van Aert gained his final cross of his winter season on the Benidorm World Cup. The Visma | Lease a Bike rider crossed the road solo within the Spanish cross (with out a saddle), forward of Michael Vanthourenhout. There was no huge combat between Van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel, because the Dutchman crashed within the penultimate lap. Thibau Nys was third.

Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, Tom Pidcock, Eli Iserbyt and Michael Vanthourenhout had been all current within the Benidorm World Cup. Van der Poel was anticipated to crush everybody as he has completed in all his earlier races. Nevertheless, we had not seen Van der Poel in motion for 2 weeks.

The very best begin in Benidorm was not for one of many huge names, however for Laurens Sweeck. Van der Poel was round eighth place, Van Aert was additional again. Inside a only a few minutes, it was the Dutchman who was within the worst place of the 2. The World champion needed to get off his bike as a consequence of a sequence downside and misplaced numerous locations and had a race to catch up. After the primary of 9 laps, Van der Poel had already picked up the mandatory riders and completed seventeenth. He was then 12 seconds behind Joris Nieuwenhuis, who was the primary of a foremost group of riders. This bunch additionally included Ronhaar, who gave it a go. Behind them, Van Aert additionally moved up and within the third lap the Belgian hit the entrance with Iserbyt and Thibau Nys on his wheel.

Within the fourth lap, Van der Poel joined the main trio, the place Van Aert continued to place the strain on as Iserbyt bought into hassle. When Van Aert went even sooner on the asphalt climb, essentially the most troublesome ramp on the course, it was additionally too quick for Nys. It wasn’t quick sufficient for Van der Poel. He countered Van Aert’s assault after which put extra strain on. The Visma | Lease a Bike rider held agency and so after 4 laps there have been two leaders. Within the fifth lap, Michael Vanthourenhout and Tom Pidcock joined the entrance, like Van der Poel, they needed to move many riders. Pidcock nonetheless had one thing left within the tank and selected to assault in the beginning of lap six. Van Aert needed to go away a niche, which was closed by Van der Poel. The World champion then began the climb within the lead and put the hammer down. Vanthourenhout and Pidcock needed to let go, however had been in a position to return afterwards. The tempo eased somewhat

Due to the slowing on the entrance, the pursuers had been in a position to return. This group consisted of Nys, Iserbyt, Toon Vandebosch, Felipe Orts, Lars van der Haar and French champion, Clément Venturini. Van der Poel was on the entrance of this group, however crashed on the eighth lap. At that second, Vanthourenhout pressed on, after which Van Aert took over. Van der Poel was inside 20 seconds very quickly, nevertheless it was an excessive amount of, because it turned out. He wouldn’t be capable of compete for the victory. On the entrance there was a battle between Van Aert and Vanthourenhout. Van Aert appeared to have gained after he dropped Vanthourenhout on the climb, however within the ultimate minutes he crashed as he jumped on his bike too early after the beams. Van Aert hit the bottom after which when remounting, he kicked hid saddle off the bike. Vanthourenhout got here nearer. Van Aert had sufficient time and ended his cyclo-cross winter with a victory. Vanthourenhout took second place, Nys stayed forward of Iserbyt within the battle for the ultimate podium spot. Fifth place went to Van der Poel, who had moved up within the ultimate lap. This was the primary race this cross season that Van der Poel didn’t win.

Race winner, Wout van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike): “In contrast to earlier years, I’ve not been working in the direction of this era. The main target is on the highway, however after I’m in the beginning, I gained’t trip with the brakes on. I wish to give every thing I’ve and be ok with the cyclo-cross season. It’s all the time good to win a race, nevertheless it wasn’t an important factor immediately. I hoped to have good legs and finish the season with a superb feeling. I managed to do this, and in the long run, I’m happier with that than the win itself. I used to be in a position to dig deep and combat with Mathieu. I haven’t been in a position to do this this winter. It’s a disgrace that we couldn’t have a duel in the long run, however there have been numerous different sturdy riders that I needed to beat. It wasn’t straightforward, however I’m glad I gained. I assumed I used to be good by not leaping over the boundaries, so I used to be certain I wouldn’t make a mistake. I underestimated the floor as a result of my bike bounced, and I jumped up towards my saddle. Then my bike hit the bottom, and my saddle broke off. That prompted numerous stress.”

2nd, Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal): “Possibly I ought to all the time stand up at 4 o’clock. I didn’t anticipate this after yesterday. It wasn’t straightforward to stand up for 4 o’clock after which catch a flight, however I had good legs and a superb day. Possibly I ought to get off the bed at 4 o’clock each weekend. On the final lap I felt that it was going somewhat too quick for me on the climb. I used to be desirous about second place, however then I noticed Van Aert fall close to the beams and I began to imagine in it once more. Nevertheless it was too quick to the end.”

fifth, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck): “To start with my chain got here off and I needed to chase, however that was nonetheless doable” However within the penultimate lap, after the sandpit, I hit the sting somewhat an excessive amount of with my shoulder and I knew it was over. That half is just too quick to drop a rider like Wout. It’s also fairly quick, and the one one the place you’ll be able to actually lose your power. It’s a disgrace in fact, nevertheless it doesn’t maintain me awake at evening. I didn’t actually damage myself, that’s not too unhealthy. My shoulder is okay, I can proceed coaching. That’s probably not a difficulty for me. I attempt to be at my greatest inside two weeks, I’ve additionally educated exhausting for that. That’s why I felt that I definitely didn’t have the freshest legs. It’d nonetheless have labored, however it could definitely have been thrilling proper right down to the end. In my view, there needs to be no extra programs like this in cross. That’s what I stated final 12 months after I gained. The viewers clearly makes up for lots, however purely by way of the course it’s definitely not one thing that I want. I perceive that it’s implausible for the viewers, as a result of it is going to all the time be a battle to the end, as it’s nearly inconceivable to do away with one another.”

UCI World Cup Cyclocross – Benidorm Males End result
1. Wout van Aert (Bel) Visma | Lease a Bike
2. Michael Vanthourenhout (Bel) Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal at 0:03
3. Thibau Nys (Bel) Baloise Trek Lions at 0:07
4. Eli Iserbyt (Bel) Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal
5. Mathieu van der Poel (Ned) Alpecin-Deceuninck 0:12
6. Toon Vandebosch (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 0:13
7. Lars van der Haar (Ned) Baloise Trek Lions 0:15
8. Felipe Orts (Spa) La Vila Joiosa-Neteo 0:21
9. Tom Pidcock (GB) INEOS Grenadiers at 0:27
10. Clément Venturini (Fra) Arkéa-B&B Inns at 0:31.

Benidorm’24:

 

UCI World Cup Cyclocross – Benidorm Ladies 2024
Fem van Empel gained the Benidorm World Cup for the second 12 months in a row. Within the ultimate lap she fought an thrilling duel with Puck Pieterse, who in the end needed to accept second place. Ceylin del Carmen del Alvarado got here third. The organisers of the Benidorm World Cup had the strongest doable discipline: Puck Pieterse, World Cup chief Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, Dutch champion Lucinda Model and World champion Fem van Empel had been all in Spain.

Of the highest favourites, Van Empel had the most effective begin, however Alvarado and Pieterse had been simply behind. Model was somewhat additional again. She needed to watch as Pieterse accelerated on essentially the most troublesome climb of the lap. Van Empel was on her wheel, Alvarado adopted at just a few metres, the remainder had been additional again. Model did transfer up on the second lap within the firm of Sara Casasola, however was already nearly 20 seconds behind.

Pieterse continued to place the strain on on the entrance. Van Empel needed to go away a niche in a technical part, however then got here again and took over. Alvarado had additionally been in a position to reconnect, however she didn’t keep on the entrance of the race for very lengthy. The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider had an issue on the third lap and needed to attempt to catch up. This was additionally as a consequence of Pieterse’s acceleration, however she couldn’t do away with Van Empel. The distinction between the main duo and the primary pursuer then fluctuated, till Alvarado was in a position to catch up once more on the fifth lap. The trio behind them of Model, Casasola and Kata Blanka Vas, additionally bought somewhat nearer. However simply then there was one other leap from Van Empel within the sand. Then Pieterse took over on the highway climb. Alvarado was dropped once more and the others misplaced extra time.

Once more Alvarado was again on the entrance after six of the seven laps. Van Empel and Pieterse had began watching one another and slowed. At first of the ultimate lap, Alvarado got here to the entrance, however Van Empel was quickly in cost once more. Regardless that the tempo was excessive, the three stayed collectively. That modified on the climb. Pieterse went into battle right here, however Van Empel handed her simply earlier than the highest. However Pieterse took the lead once more on the descent. It was now a dash from bend to bend and the Fenix-Deceuninck rider managed to maintain the World champion behind her for a very long time. On a right-hand bend, Van Empel got here via and gave Pieterse a shoulder push. She held her main place and with a ultimate dash and, identical to final 12 months, she gained the Benidorm World Cup. Pieterse was second, Alvarado adopted in third place to secured the ultimate victory within the World Cup.

Race winner, Fem van Empel (Visma | Lease a Bike): “It was an thrilling battle between me and Puck. I couldn’t get away from her. I knew it could be troublesome if I took her to the boundaries. My final probability was to get via the final nook first. It was a danger, however fortunately, it labored. Races like this push you and the others to a better degree. I believe that may solely be good for the world championships. It’s weird how many individuals got here to see this. The gang applauded everybody, and I believe they noticed an ideal race. I’m grateful to all of the folks for his or her encouragement. This was solely my fourth cross at this degree and the final for this winter. It was a very totally different course to what I’m used to, however I’m joyful to be within the high twenty. Once you begin with one thing new, it’s simpler to make vital steps and all the time go sooner while you like one thing. For me, it’s an ideal coaching incentive for the highway marketing campaign and motivating. I take pleasure in doing one thing utterly totally different within the winter.”

2nd, Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck): “It went effectively. Fem and I had been evenly matched. I believe it was a really good race to trip and watch. Sadly I simply missed it within the final lap, however I had progressed additional than final 12 months, so who is aware of, possibly I’ll have one other probability subsequent 12 months. Whether or not I failed? That’s all the time the case, isn’t it, in such a dash. We each know that we wish to be the primary to get via that final nook. And I additionally know that Fem needs to move me there, as a result of that was the final second the place it was actually doable. She got here with numerous pace, however you can’t block all the highway. You may make your self broad, however that’s it. I assumed: I’ll take one other line after which cross it. However she was gone so shortly, so it was a misplaced trigger then. Did I go away an excessive amount of house? Possibly so, but when I had ridden proper, she would have handed on the left.”

third, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Alpecin-Deceuninck): “This makes me very joyful. It’s the first time that I’ve gained this classification. I’m glad I lastly bought it. I additionally misplaced the rankings once more within the final race. Now I lastly have. This was the one factor I used to be lacking. This makes my profession full. My chain got here off as soon as on the second step. I needed to get off the bike to place it again on. That was an extended chase. In the long run it labored, however they dropped me once more as a result of I used to be drained. The legs had been empty. That’s the way it went all the race. It was fairly good, till midway via the cross. After that we needed to combat the ache, nevertheless it was higher than the previous couple of video games. I’m glad there may be some enchancment, nevertheless it nonetheless must be higher.”

UCI World Cup Cyclocross – Benidorm Ladies End result:
1. Fem van Empel (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike
2. Puck Pieterse (Ned) Fenix-Deceuninck at 0:01
3. Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Ned) Alpecin-Deceuninck at 0:16
4. Lucinda Model (Ned) Baloise Trek Lions at 0:27
5. Kata Blanka Vas (Hun) SD Worx at 0:33
6. Sara Casasola (Ita) FAS Airport Companies-Guerciotti at 0:44
7. Laura Verdonscchot (Bel) De Ceuster-Bonache at 1:28
8. Marie Schreiber (Lux) SD Worx at 1:46
9. Annemarie Worst (Ned) Cyclocross Reds at 2:23
10. Zoe Backstedt (GB) Canyon//SRAM at 2:23

Benidorm’24:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeYFu2iySgg

 

Actual Cross Zonnebeke Kasteelcross – Males 2024
Michael Vanthourenhout took the victory within the Actual Cross in Zonnebeke on Saturday. Within the Kasteelcross, the European champion gained after a battle with Gianni Vermeersch (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Tim Merlier (Soudal Fast-Step), when he dominated within the final two laps.

The very best begin went to Yordi Corsus, however Lander Loockx took over quickly after. European champion Michael Vanthourenhout was on their wheels, however quickly determined to place the strain on. He was the one one of many high cross riders who selected to mix Zonnebeke with Sunday’s Benidorm World Cup, and was the highest favorite.

Tim Merlier, Gianni Vermeersch, Vincent Baestaens and Tom Meeusen had been additionally current, so wouldn’t be an ‘straightforward’ race. Vermeersch took the lead within the first lap and pulled the main group away. Solely Vanthourenhout, Merlier, Loockx and Corsus may observe him. Within the sixth lap of ten), after a crash by Loockx, three males remained within the lead, whereas the stunning Kay De Bruyckere additionally misplaced his place on the entrance as a consequence of a crash. The battle for victory was going to be between Vanthourenhout, Merlier and Vermeersch.

It was the European champion who made a severe assault within the penultimate lap, leaving Vermeersch and Merlier behind. It turned out to be the decisive transfer, as a result of the road-men of Alpecin-Deceuninck and Soudal Fast-Step had no reply to Vanthourenhout’s acceleration. The winner had a flight to Spain on Sunday morning, the place he’ll trip within the World Cup in Benidorm.

Race winner, Michael Vanthourenhout (Bel): “Hopefully I might be in mattress early tonight and be capable of get well shortly for tomorrow. This implies lots to me, it’s a TV cross in spite of everything. It was not so simple as it might have appeared. There have been numerous ice spots and it was troublesome to run somebody off the wheel. Gianni and I had been the higher ones. I’m joyful that I got here out on high in the long run, however Gianni rode a creditable race. Tim additionally made fairly just a few errors, however I believe he has another priorities in the meanwhile. This allowed me to make a distinction with my approach. Hopefully I’ll get well shortly for tomorrow, with this victory in my pocket the weekend can’t be ruined. I’ll positively do my greatest in Benidorm, as a result of it’s not that I might be a lot worse tomorrow.”

2nd, Gianni Vermeersch (Bel): “I’m joyful that I can finish the season effectively. Now we will deal with the highway season. What do I take away from this? You can’t simulate this depth in coaching, however second was the best doable. Michael had a surplus and jumped easily over the beams, that was an issue. That’s why I’m pleased with second place. Michael was somewhat faster via the bends. I used to be in a position to cling on for a very long time, however he made the largest distinction on the beams. I knew that the Belgian champs was going to be troublesome, however you all the time hope for a outcome. That was a giant disappointment, however I’m joyful that I can finish the season on a superb word.”

third, Tim Merlier (Bel): “Conditionally it’s definitely good” “I can definitely dwell with this, this was the best doable” “I haven’t raced sufficient to have that feeling. I didn’t have the pace within the corners” “I made some errors and I didn’t handle to make a distinction.” “I educated with Michael and Eli Iserbyt final 12 months, however Michael has a particular approach,” says Merlier. “Usually you’ll be able to observe the strains of the individual in entrance of you, however with him you’ll be able to’t. He cuts corners.” “It was a brief winter, however I all the time returned dwelling with a superb feeling. The situation is definitely good and issues ought to end up effectively in the direction of the highway season. I’ll positively take away from this the intensive, full-throttle hour, the intervals.”

Actual Cross Zonnebeke Kasteelcross – Males 2024
1. Michael Vanthourenhout (Bel) in 56:31
2. Gianni Vermeersch (Bel) at 0:24
3. Tim Merlier (Bel) at 0:48
4. Lander Loockx (Bel) at 1:06
5. Tom Meeusen (Bel) at 1:30
6. Yordi Corsus (Bel) at 1:41
7. Arno Van den Broeck (Bel) at 2:54
8. Silas Kuschla (Ger) at 2:55
9. Ingmar Uytdewilligen (Bel) at 2:56
10. Robbe Marchand (Bel) at 2:57.

Zonnebeke’24:

 

Actual Cross Zonnebeke Kasteelcross – Ladies 2024
Marion Norbert Riberolle took full benefit of the absence of all the highest riders within the Actual Cross Zonnebeke on Saturday. The Belgian of Crelan-Corendon fulfilled her position as favorite on the partially snow-covered course of the Kasteelcross. Norbert Riberolle gained solo, forward of the Dutch Larissa Hartog.

Marion Norbert Riberolle was the large favorite, within the absence of all of the world’s high riders, who most well-liked the Benidorm World Cup on Sunday and a coaching week in Spain. Within the first lap, Norbert Riberolle lived as much as her standing. On the exhausting and typically snowy floor, the Crelan-Corendon rider proved to be in a category of her personal. The largest menace got here from the Dutch rider, Larissa Hartog. American champion Clara Honsinger had a foul begin and needed to combat her manner again.

Norbert Riberolle had a lead of virtually 30 seconds over Hartog by the half-way level, behind her the hole to the battle for third place had grown to greater than a minute. Honsinger battled with Liv Wenzel from Luxembourg for that final podium place. Within the final two laps, the American was the stronger and took third place. This was effectively behind Norbert Riberolle and Hartog. For the Belgian it was her third victory this winter, after earlier victories in Essen and Otegem. It was 22 year-old Hartog’s first podium end in a televised cross. Final week she completed twelfth on the cyclo-cross Nationwide Championships and this season she has had a number of podium locations in smaller crosses in Luxembourg and Germany.

Race winner, Marion Norbert Riberolle (Bel): “I used to be sixth on the European Championships and hope for a greater day on the World Championships. That is the proper week. It was my option to trip immediately and fly to Spain tomorrow, for a superb coaching week with the workforce. It was not straightforward to trip quick in all of the corners, nevertheless it was a enjoyable and delightful course. Generally it was an ice rink. Possibly a high 5 is feasible on a superb day. After which I hope for a superb finish to the season.”

2nd, Larissa Hartog (Ned): “That is definitely a superb outcome, however I knew that the majority of them could be in Spain. That was an ideal alternative for me to trip from the entrance. The rostrum was a objective and that turned out to be doable. The truth that I’m not a well known title additionally gave me some peace of thoughts. I first rode in Norbert Riberolle’s wheel, however made a mistake on the camber. Then she was gone, however I used to be in a position to trip my very own strains. I’m not but on the peak of my talents, however I’m doing effectively. I’m joyful that I can cycle once more and that that is now understanding. It’s my very first time on the rostrum of a TV cross, so I can’t assist however be joyful. On the finish of the season I nonetheless wish to compete for the prizes.”
​
Actual Cross Zonnebeke Kasteelcross – Ladies 2024
1. Marion Norbert Riberolle (Bel) in 45:12
2. Larissa Hartog (Ned) at 0:34
3. Clara Honsinger (USA) 1:46
4. Liv Wenzel (Lux) at 2:03
5. Kiona Crabbé (Bel) at 2:09
6. Xan Crees (GB) at 2:22
7. Maïté Barthels (Lux) at 2:22
8. Bloeme Kalis (Ned) at 2:32
9. Noï Moes (Ned) at 2:50
10. Joyce Vanderbeken (Bel) at 3:11.

Zonnebeke’24:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJvzt2ZNH54

 

Tiesj Benoot Postpones the Begin of his Season After Covid An infection
Tiesj Benoot’s covid an infection has had a severe influence on the Visma | Lease a Bike rider. The Belgian missed numerous coaching and can begin his season later than initially deliberate.

Benoot turned sick in early January, when he was in Spain for a workforce coaching camp. He was then unable to coach for per week and the next week he was nonetheless ‘at half pace’, in line with Het Laatste Nieuws. “Nonetheless a blow to my invoice,” Benoot advised the newspaper. “You’ll be able to’t simply compensate for that backlog – that’s a utopia.”

Benoot was supposed to start out his season on February 10, with the Vuelta a Murcia. Nevertheless, that has been canceled as a consequence of his covid an infection. The Clásica Jaén Paraiso Inside has even be deleted from his schedule. Benoot ought to now kick off with the Volta ao Algarve, from February 14th to 18th. “We didn’t wish to push,” stated Visma | Lease a Bike. “These few further days of preparation are welcome. Tiesj has suffered rather a lot.”

Later begin to the season for Benoot:

 

Tom Boonen to be Ambassador of the Piotr Havik Gravel Group
Piotr Havik was the one rider within the Categorized Manufacturing facility Group fuelled by Foodmaker final 12 months, however subsequent season he can have 4 teammates, because the gravel workforce is increasing. The title has been modified to the Categorized x Ridley Manufacturing facility Group and former skilled, Tom Boonen, would be the workforce ambassador, experiences Belga.

In 2024, Havik, who raced as a one-man workforce final season, can have two male teammates: the Belgian rider Daan Grosemans and the British racer Toby Perry. With Annabel Fisher and Freya Rawlins, there are additionally two girls within the five-person workforce. Subsequent 12 months, the Categorized x Ridley Manufacturing facility Group will take part within the UCI Gravel World Collection, Gravel Earth Collection and the World Championships in Leuven in October. Unbound Gravel can also be on this system.

Ambassador Tom Boonen appears to be like forward with enthusiasm. “Some main sponsors needed to assist the Categorized Manufacturing facility Group, which now permits us to strengthen our one-man workforce and transfer up a gear with Categorized-Ridley. We’re in the beginning of a really lovely story. We imagine very strongly within the gravel scene and can proceed to assist it sustainably,” he stated in a press launch.

The presentation of the Categorized x Ridley Manufacturing facility workforce occurred on Saturday on the worldwide bicycle honest Velofollies in Kortrijk.

Categorized x Ridley Manufacturing facility Group ambassador – Tom Boonen:

 

Physician Toon Claes, Wout van Aert’s Savior, Retires
The Belgian physician Toon Claes is likely one of the best-known medical doctors within the biking peloton. Wout van Aert, Cadel Evans and Remco Evenepoel, and others, had been amongst his sufferers. After an extended profession, 68-year-old Claes is looking it a day. “Serving to folks realise their desires has all the time been my objective,” Claes advised Het Nieuwsblad.

On January 1 of this 12 months, a profession of greater than thirty years got here to an finish for the well-known sports activities surgeon Toon Claes. From motorsports to rallying, Claes handled a variety of athletes. He was additionally a well known title in biking. The primary bike owner he operated on the knee was Gino Van Hooydonck, Nathan’s father.

One in all Claes’s interventions with the best influence was Wout van Aert’s operation. The category rider from Herentals got here to the highest physician after his horrible fall within the time trial of the 2019 Tour. It was Claes who saved Van Aert’s profession. “A couple of days after his fall he got here to me. I instantly noticed that we needed to intervene or Wout would limp all his life.”

Though it was a completed deal for Claes, the pursuits in high sport stay excessive. Such a choice was by no means made shortly. “It led to tensions with the workforce medical doctors, who doubted the need of an operation. This pressure between totally different opinions typically happens. Mathieu’s again, Alaphilippe’s knee… I’ve realized to convey everybody collectively. I’ve all the time discovered communication important. Everybody should assist the choice.”

The opposite high rider from Belgium, Remco Evenepoel, additionally got here to Claes after his fall within the Tour of Lombardy. “Remco was not a giant problem,” stated Claes. “It was a pelvic fracture with out displacement. Then you definately simply must let nature do its work. With Remco I can’t say that I wrote a big a part of his story. For different athletes, sure. Serving to folks realise their desires, that has all the time been my objective.”

Claes might have retired, however he definitely hasn’t stopped. Along with his basis ‘To Stroll Once more’ he’ll assist folks with a major bodily incapacity to nonetheless be cellular.

 

Matteo Trentin Needs Outcomes with Tudor
Matteo Trentin might be a mentor on the formidable Tudor workforce in 2024, however the skilled Italian additionally needs outcomes for himself. “I believe I can get extra freedom at Tudor after which I wish to convert my good information into outcomes,” he advised WielerFlits.

Final 12 months, Tudor, with Fabian Cancellara as the large man behind the workforce, made its debut as a ProTeam. In its second 12 months, the workforce has expanded with, along with Trentin, Alberto Dainese, Marco Brenner, Marius Mayrhofer, Michael Storer and Alexander Krieger. “Tudor is a younger workforce that wishes to develop. They wish to try this shortly, however above all in a great way,” stated Trentin.

“The truth that I may be a part of a workforce with that ambition feels excellent and delightful. I believe I can have extra freedom at Tudor after which I wish to convert my good information into outcomes. As a result of my greatest pals trip in coaching, which is nugatory,” he laughed. “To develop you additionally want skilled riders who know what to do and when to do it. The workers can also be effectively ready, however you additionally want somebody within the race who has that overview.”

As highway captain, Trentin will typically race with fellow countryman Dainese or the opposite sprinter, the Dutchman Arvid de Kleijn. “Arvid has actually taken a step,” stated Trentin. “He was already a superb sprinter, however he has proven that he has potential and I believe he can develop even additional.” Final 12 months, De Kleijn gained Milan-Turin and a stage within the Deutschland Tour.

“With him and Dainese we now have two sprinters who can take their probabilities in stage races or one-day races. I additionally suppose that Alberto may make the step in tougher competitions.” The now 34 year-old Trentin left UAE Group Emirates on the finish of final 12 months, the place he had been for 3 seasons. “Final 12 months was very unhealthy for me, my outcomes. Regardless that my preparation was good, and I believe I’ll have had my greatest 12 months by way of information, these numbers nonetheless imply nothing in case you don’t get good outcomes.”

“I seen that I may be actually aggressive. Particularly within the Tour de France, as a result of after I bought my very own probability, I used to be there,” Trentin took eighth and ninth locations within the ultimate week of the Tour. Why was his season disappointing? “I used to be sick fairly often, or I fell. In present biking it’s troublesome to get again to straightforward. Have a look at Zdenek Stybar, he had the identical factor. Once you simply come again and everyone seems to be in high type, you get a kick out of it. Luckily, I seen that I can nonetheless take part within the finals, as a result of that’s what I favor to do within the coming years.”

Tudor Riders for 2024:
Tom BOHLI
Marco BRENNER
Nils BRUN
Alois CHARRIN
Alberto DAINESE
Arvid DE KLEIJN
Jacob ERIKSSON
Lucas ERIKSSON
Robin FROIDEVAUX
Mika HEMING
Alexander KAMP
Petr KELEMEN
Arthur KLUCKERS
Sebastian KOLZE CHANGIZI
Alexander Krieger
Marius MAYRHOFER
Simon PELLAUD
Rick PLUIMERS
Sebastien REICHENBACH
Michael STORER
Florian STORK
Joel SUTER
Roland THALMANN
Matteo TRENTIN
Yannis VOISARD
Hannes WILKSCH
Luc WIRTGEN
Maikel ZIJLAARD.

New job for Matteo Trentin with Tudor:

 

Jake Stewart Misses Season Begin as a consequence of Fractured Tibia
Jake Stewart won’t race for his new Israel-Premier Tech workforce, simply but. The British rider, who was with Groupama-FDJ final 12 months, has suffered a fractured tibia and has a tear within the meniscal cartilage of his knee.

Israel-Premier Tech doesn’t clarify what occurred to Stewart. He gained’t be out of motion for lengthy, because the tibia fracture has not moved and the crack is small. In consequence, 24 year-old Stewart doesn’t require surgical procedure. He won’t be allowed to raise or do something with weights for the following three weeks. He’s allowed to trip indoors.

Israel-Premier Tech expects Stewart to return to racing on the finish of the spring, however he’ll miss the primary weeks of the season. In 2021 he was second for Groupama-FDJ within the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.

Jake Stewart out for the beginning of the season:

 

Rohan Dennis Attended the Emotional Funeral of his Spouse Melissa
Rohan Dennis attended the funeral of his spouse Melissa Dennis on Wednesday. The funeral occurred in Perth after she died on December 30 following a collision for which her husband, Rohan Dennis, was charged with loss of life by harmful driving. As a result of the previous bike owner is out on bail, he was in a position to attend the funeral.

Based on ABC, Rohan Dennis was there along with his two kids, whom he had with Melissa Hoskins. Her father Peter Hoskins and her former coach Gary Sutton spoke through the funeral.

“Immediately we have fun a life that lasted far too quick. Melissa was simply getting began. Her greatest achievements had been but to come back,” her father stated through the ceremony. “When Melissa stopped biking, she selected her targets once more. It was time to turn into the most effective mom, a champion mum. Melissa was the cornerstone of her household.”

Following the loss of life of his spouse Melissa, Rohan Dennis was charged with ‘loss of life by harmful driving, careless/inaccurate driving and endangering human life’. He was launched on bail however is because of seem in court docket in Adelaide on March 13. The Australian bike owner, who was twice World time trial champion, had been an expert since 2013 and ended his profession with Jumbo-Visma on the finish of 2023.

 

Belgium Has New Equipment for the Olympic Video games
Group Belgium and Belgian Biking have offered their package for the 2024 Olympic Video games. The jersey is known as ‘The Embrace’ and is a change from the earlier design. “Unity was central to the creation of The Embrace, impressed by the nationwide motto: ‘Unity is energy’,” the federation wrote a press launch.

“It harmoniously combines the long-lasting Belgian Blue, the Olympic rings and the Belgian tricolor. This highly effective image of connection is embodied by two arms within the colors of the Belgian flag embracing one another, a gesture that encompasses triumph and luxury. The yellow represents gentle, power, and above all the need to excel in sports activities. Collectively, We Are Group Belgium!”

“This biking jersey is an expression of unity and power. It combines the long-lasting ‘Belgian Blue’ with the Olympic rings, dressed within the colors of the Belgian flag. A tribute to the wealthy heritage of Belgian biking, the place the recognisable blue colors create a strong hyperlink with the authenticity and success of Belgian biking historical past.” In August, Van Aert, Evenepoel, Kopecky and the remainder of the Belgian workforce might be seen within the new package.

The Belgian Olympic jersey:

 

ASO Announce WildCards for the Tour de France 2024
Together with the eighteen WorldTeams, Lotto Dstny and Israel-Premier Tech had been already assured of a spot within the 2024 Tour de France. Tour organiser, ASO has now introduced the wildcards groups: Uno-X and TotalEnergies.

In 2024, the identical 22 groups will take part within the Tour de France as in 2023. The eighteen WorldTeams are current and the ProTeams that had been current final 12 months: Uno-X, TotalEnergies, Lotto Dstny and Israel-Premier Tech are additionally on the beginning line once more. Lotto Dstny and Israel-Premier Tech have an computerized invitation, as they completed in first and second locations within the UCI rankings for ProTeams in 2023. Uno-X and TotalEnergies have acquired a wildcard from ASO.

Uno-X made its debut within the Tour de France final 12 months. “To be invited to the Tour de France for the second 12 months in a row is a large recognition,” stated Jens Haugland, the supervisor of the Norwegian workforce, in a press launch. “We’re crammed with gratitude and satisfaction. We’re very happy that our efficiency final 12 months has led to a brand new invitation. Now we have labored exhausting and brought new steps, together with signing Andreas Leknessund and Magnus Cort. We’re trying ahead to contributing to a different huge biking competition in June and June, and attempting to be even higher ready this time. It will be nice to take dwelling a stage win.”

In final 12 months’s Tour de France, Uno-X was unable to realize any stage success. There have been a number of high ten finishes, together with from Tobias Halland Johannessen, Jonas Abrahamsen and sprinter Alexander Kristoff. The Norwegian workforce in 2024 will embrace Rasmus Tiller and Søren Wærenskjold.

TotalEnergies is pretty much as good as a everlasting fixture within the Tour de France. Like Uno-X, the French workforce didn’t have a stage victory within the 2023 Tour, however they did come shut just a few instances. Pierre Latour was second within the stage to the Puy de Dôme, Mathieu Burgaudeau was second within the stage to Belleville-en-Beaujolais gained by Ion Izagirre and Burgaudeau was additionally third on the day that Wout Poels gained in Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc.

ASO, the organiser of the Tour de France, additionally handed out the wildcards for Paris-Good and the Critérium du Dauphiné. Paris-Good can have TotalEnergies and Tudor Professional Biking in the beginning. TotalEnergies will miss the Critérium du Dauphiné, the final preparatory race for the Tour de France. Uno-X and Q36.5 might be there.

Lotto Dstny and Israel-Premier Tech will each trip Paris-Good and the Critérium du Dauphiné with their computerized invites.

Uno-X to the Tour once more:

 

Ladies’s E3 Saxo Traditional Canceled
The ladies’s model of the E3 Saxo Traditional won’t happen this 12 months. The intention was to make Leiedal Koerse a race equal to the lads’s race, however as a consequence of monetary and sporting issues, that gained’t occur. “The organiser fears that the final version could be too loss-making and didn’t wish to find yourself with a mountain of debt,” stated spokesperson Jacques Coussens to Sporza.

Leiedal Koerse has existed since 2022 and is the sister of the E3 Saxo Traditional. Nevertheless, the ladies will race on the finish of April, because of the full calendar in March when the E3 race for the lads might be held. Based on the organisers, the plan was to additionally organise the ladies’s occasion on the Friday from 2025, however that won’t occur.

Coussens calls it a drastic determination, partly as a consequence of issues with the calendar. Brugge-De Panne (Thursday) and Gent-Wevelgem (Sunday) guarantee a packed racing week for the ladies. “As a result of pushing a 3rd WorldTour race turned out to be inconceivable within the quick and medium time period. As well as, most ladies’s groups have too few riders to divide the races amongst a number of groups,” he stated.

Issues had been additionally not going effectively financially. “Organisational prices proceed to rise, whereas the attraction for sponsors stays beneath progress expectations,” Coussens stated. The approaching loss gave an additional push. “That’s the reason the board of the Nieuwe Velovrienden determined to drag the plug on the Leiedal Koerse girls’s race as a consequence of an absence of long-term perspective on the calendar and as a consequence of an absence of wholesome monetary prospects.”

Julia Kopecky – The winner in 2023:

 

Former Tour of Britain Organiser Bankrupt after dropping British Race Contract
The British firm SweetSpot has been in hassle for a while and goes to be liquidated, The Guardian experiences. The previous organiser of the Tour of Britain had misplaced the contract with British Biking and is now dealing with authorized claims totalling nearly 1 million kilos (€1.16 million).

The corporate that organised the Ladies’s Tour and the Tour Collection along with the Tour of Britain has confirmed it has employed assist to take care of its collectors after voluntarily getting into the termination course of. The transfer comes a 12 months after the cancellation of the Ladies’s Tour and the 2023 Tour Collection as a consequence of an absence of funding and industrial companions.

Six months in the past the corporate helped organise the Tremendous World Championships in Glasgow, however two months in the past it turned clear as soon as once more that the corporate was in dire straits. The corporate’s long-term contract to organise the Tour of Britain was terminated by British Biking over unpaid rights charges of £750,000.

After the lack of this contract, CEO Hugh Roberts and race director Mick Bennett resigned. In dialog with The Guardian, the previous CEO supplied explanations in regards to the finish of SweetSpot. “The liquidation began to turn into a risk in July. As a result of we had been already below numerous strain financially with the Tour of Britain. There was a possible title sponsor who needed to be concerned, within the males’s Tour and the ladies’s Tour, so we went forward with the race.”

Finally, the British firm needed to face actuality. “It’s the top of an period. It’s twenty years of exhausting work that has led to this. We’ve confronted so many headwinds during the last three or 4 years that it’s gotten to the purpose the place we actually can’t proceed within the present local weather and enterprise surroundings that we’re in.”

British Biking has beforehand insisted it is going to stage this 12 months’s Tour of Britain. Nevertheless, SweetSpot owns the Ladies’s Tour, placing the way forward for that race doubtful. In a press release, British Biking stated: “We’re dedicated to making sure that the Tour of Britain and a UCI Ladies’s World Tour stage race happen in 2024 and past.”

High racing stops within the UK:

 

The PEZ INSTAGRAM
See our Instagram web page for a fast repair in your telephone: https://www.instagram.com/pezcyclingnews

---

The PEZ NEWSWIRE!
Don’t neglect to test the “NEWSWIRE” part, you will discover it on the homepage, simply above the PEZ Store part. The bits of stories that missed the EuroTrash deadline are in there, plus any information as-it-happens might be added there too.

---

Any feedback drop me a line, at: [email protected] or Twitter. And test the PezCyclingNews Twitter and Fb Web page. And say hello on Zwift while you move me.