One other bulging EUROTRASH sack to empty: Mathieu van der Poel retains on profitable – Report, outcome and video from the X²O Badkamers Trofee GP Sven Nys in Baal.

Melissa Hoskins’ mother and father make an announcement.

Rider information: Wout van Aert seems to be forward to the Giro, Remco Evenepoel recons Tour gravel stage, Simon Yates to experience the Tour in 2024, Mark Cavendish to overlook Milano-Sanremo in his last season, Tim Wellens’ race program and predominant objective, Bauke Mollema needs to skate the Elfstedentocht, Zdenek Stybar to finish his profession in a one-man group and Ryan Kamp continues his profession on Colnago and Campagnolo.

Staff information: Pink Bull takes a majority stake within the BORA-hansgrohe group, Hermann Pernsteiner and Sebastian Schönberger to experience for Conti group, Giacomo Nizzolo leg fracture, Jess Allen: The subsequent step, Santini Biking turns into associate of the Tour de Tietema-Unibet group, Patrick Lefevere: “We wish to maintain profitable!” BORA-hansgrohe companions with SRAM, Polti Kometa presents its new Gsport package and Soudal Fast-Step prepared for 2024.

Race information: Koksijde organiser intervenes after fan issues and Israel-Premier Tech and Movistar riders for the Tour Down Below.

Plus three juniors will go straight to the WorldTour in 2024.

We want espresso!

 

TOP STORY: Melissa Hoskins Mother and father Make a Assertion
Because the horrible information of the demise of Melissa Dennis, née Hoskins, there was a lot written and hypothesis about how the 32 year-old Australian was killed, after which her husband, Rohan Dennis, was arrested and charged. The mother and father of Melissa Hoskins have now launched an announcement.

“Phrases can not describe our grief, disappointment and tragic state of affairs after Melissa’s demise,” wrote Peter Hoskins, Melissa’s father. “Myself, Amanda, Jess and all the opposite relations are devastated and we’re nonetheless struggling to return to phrases with what has occurred.”

“Not solely have we misplaced a daughter and a sister, however their youngsters have additionally misplaced their mom, a free spirit, a giver with an enormous coronary heart, persistence and stuffed with zest for all times. She was the rock of their lives and ours. We should honour her reminiscence in order that they’ll develop up understanding who she was, what she stood for and what she gave to all whose lives she touched.”

“The outpouring of grief and help has overwhelmed us. In her quick life, Melissa has had so many optimistic contact moments all around the world. The funeral will happen in Perth, her birthplace, with a memorial service in Adelaide after the Tour Down Below.”

“We should now course of our grief privately and can make no additional remark. We ask the media to respect our privateness and that of Melissa’s youngsters,” father Peter concludes the message on behalf of himself, his spouse Amanda and Melissa’s sister Jess.

Everybody at PEZ sends their condolences to the Hoskins’ household and mates and particularly the 2 youngsters.

 

X²O Badkamers Trofee GP Sven Nys – Baal Males 2024
Mathieu van der Poel gained the GP Sven Nys on Monday the primary of January 2024. Within the first lap and a half he held Wout van Aert and Pim Ronhaar, however after that he went for one more solo win. Van Aert was second, Ronhaar third.

Within the X2O Trofee in Baal, the ‘Huge Three’ had been again in motion, and the powerful, muddy course appeared good for Wout van Aert to battle Mathieu van der Poel. This he did within the first lap, whereas Pidcock discovered himself left behind. Van Aert and Van der Poel had good begins. They took turns on the entrance of the race, though it was primarily the Belgian who took the lead.

Pim Ronhaar managed to leap to the duo on the entrance on the finish of the lap, to begin the second lap with three leaders. At the start of that lap, Van Aert continued to place the stress on. Ronhaar held on as Van der Poel sat on the wheel. Till Van Aert made a slip within the mud. The World champion got here to the entrance and carried on the hassle, this may show to be the decisive transfer. Earlier than the subsequent time by way of the end, Van der Poel had 10 seconds, after which his lead shortly elevated to twenty seconds. Within the meantime, Ronhaar and Van Aert bought collectively and the Dutchman even went forward off the Visma | Lease a Bike rider. Behind this duo was Tom Pidcock, who had moved as much as 4th place after catching up. Michael Vanthourenhout and Lars van der Haar had been fifth and sixth, whereas Thibau Nys, who began effectively, had fallen again to seventh place.

The battle for victory was over. Van der Poel continued to steer Van Aert, who had dropped Ronhaar. After 5 of the six laps, the distinction between first and second was greater than 1 minute, and in the beginning of the ultimate lap Van Aert was 1:20 behind. Van der Poel would lengthen its result in virtually 2 minutes and took his eighth victory in a row. Van Aert completed in second place, greater than 30 seconds forward of Ronhaar. The Dutch rider was assured third place, as his pursuers was nowhere to be seen. Behind; it was not Tom Pidcock, however Lars van der Haar who completed 4th. Vanthourenhout and Nys completed fifth and sixth. Pidcock fell to items within the second a part of the cross and completed exterior the highest ten.

Race winner, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck): “I loved it. It had been a very long time since I had ridden right here, however it’s a good cross that fits me effectively. That is nonetheless the most effective as a cyclo-cross rider, particularly right here. It is vitally technical with these deep ruts. This can be very tough. I at all times discover that essentially the most trustworthy and enjoyable factor. Van Aert instantly set a powerful tempo. I took over, after which I instantly had a pleasant hole. I don’t know if he made a mistake. After that I rode pretty flawlessly. It was a pleasant day. Particularly in such mud races, there may be little level in making an attempt to reap the benefits of the wheel.”

2nd, Wout van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike): “Mwa, probably not a disappointment. I had hoped to make it a bit tougher for Mathieu. At first it labored effectively. However I do know what I’m doing, so I can publish this. It was stunning that I completed to this point behind Mathieu. He was tremendous robust at present. All I might do was give my greatest on this powerful course. I actually needed to undergo, however second was the very best attainable. After that (Koksijde cross and Spanish coaching camp) I’ll have a weekend of relaxation, which I’m trying ahead to as effectively. I’ve labored fairly laborious in latest weeks, with all these crosses. It was very intensive. Hopefully I can nonetheless experience a pleasant cross in Koksijde (Thursday), I at all times wish to go there. I’m trying ahead to that.”

third, Pim Ronhaar (Baloise Trek Lions): “If I’m lifelike, I’ve to say that it couldn’t be higher. It was actually powerful. I couldn’t go tremendous deep, however my fundamental tempo was very excessive. I might instantly be a part of Mathieu and Wout. I wished to affix in, as a result of it makes a distinction in the event you can sit within the wheel on some elements and preserve the excessive tempo. I lasted fairly some time. Wout fell by way of for a second with Mathieu, however later he accelerated. Third was the very best attainable, however I’ve actually taken a step in comparison with final yr. I can now experience above my pace within the first few laps and get again to a excessive tempo. I don’t fall silent anymore. At the start of the season there was the occasional unhealthy race, however I’m very glad with how issues are going now.”

X²O Badkamers Trofee GP Sven Nys – Baal Males Outcome:
1. Mathieu van der Poel (Ned) Alpecin-Deceuninck in 57:22
2. Wout van Aert (Bel) Visma | Lease a Bike at 1:54
3. Pim Ronhaar (Ned) Baloise Trek Lions at 2:44
4. Lars van der Haar (Ned) Baloise Trek Lions at 3:31
5. Michael Vanthourenhout (Bel) Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal at 3:47
6. Thibau Nys (Bel) Baloise Trek Lions at 3:49
7. Emiel Verstrynge (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 3:59
8. Cameron Mason (GB) Cyclocross Reds at 4:02
9. Jens Adams (Bel) Athletes for Hope at 4:08
10. Joris Nieuwenhuis (Ned) Baloise Trek Lions at 4:16.

Baal’24:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO-j0gsZdRg

 

X²O Badkamers Trofee GP Sven Nys – Baal Girls 2024
The Visma | Lease a Bike group obtained their first victory on the primary day of the yr. Fem van Empel gained the X2O Trofee cross in Baal on New Yr’s Day. The World champion battled for a very long time with Lucinda Model, to make the distinction within the last lap. Canada’s Ava Holmgren of Lidl-Trek was third.

Puck Pieterse and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado weren’t in Baal on Monday, however Lucinda Model and World champion Fem van Empel had been, and the 2 prime favourites had a great begins. Van Empel was the primary off highway, however Model shortly took over on the muddy course. The duo instantly created an enormous hole on the remainder of the pack. After one lap, Sanne Cant, Ava Holmgren and Clara Honsinger had been already greater than 1 minute behind the leaders. At first, Model appeared to be the higher rider on the day, as a result of within the second lap the Baloise Trek Lions rider opened up a niche. Nevertheless, Van Empel didn’t hand over. She returned and instantly selected to assault. Model managed to counter, so the 2 had been collectively after two laps.

At the start of the third lap, Van Empel attacked once more, however this time Model had a solution and took over the initiative. Van Empel got here underneath stress after she fell whereas operating. The battle was not over but both, as a result of the Visma | Lease a Bike rider returned once more. Within the fourth lap it was Van Empel once more who put stress on Model. This time her transfer labored. Van Empel made a niche, which she expanded. She crossed the road 25 seconds forward of Model in second, it was a protracted watch for the third positioned, Ava Holmgren. The 18 year-old Canadian, the dual sister of junior World champion Isabella Holmgren, stood on the rostrum of a prime cyclocross for the primary time. Sanne Cant completed simply off the rostrum in 4th.

Race winner, Fem van Empel (Visma | Lease a Bike): “It’s good to begin the brand new yr with a victory. It was a really difficult course, however we knew it could be. Lucinda put me underneath loads of stress on the descents. It looks as if my method has let me down a bit currently, however possibly it’s one thing psychological. Anyway, it’s good to win right here.”

2nd, Lucinda Model (Baloise Trek Lions): “Perhaps we’d have been sooner with out a bike. It was very powerful. On many elements it was higher to only stroll, however that was very powerful. It actually wasn’t a circuit wherein you can recuperate. I believe Fem was a bit higher uphill, in the event you needed to maintain some grip. I made too many small errors as a result of I wished to place stress. Perhaps I wished a bit of an excessive amount of. I believe I used to be actually in a position to apply good technical stress, however in fact it’s important to stay error-free. It’s a must to do every part very effectively to win. And she or he rides very well, she doesn’t let herself be fooled. After the end I checked out my coronary heart fee, it wasn’t that prime anymore. However everybody has to take care of it.”

third, Ava Holmgren (Lidl-Trek): “That is unimaginable. I began the race fairly effectively. I used to be round fifth place and thought: third place is inside attain, attempt to do your greatest and never make too many errors. Out of the blue I used to be in third place and I believed: now you actually can’t make any errors anymore and it’s important to go as quick as attainable. It was very powerful, there was loads of mud. More often than not you can proceed biking and the mud didn’t persist with your bike as a lot as in another races. I loved it. I’m very comfortable she’s again (her twin sister Isabella). I’m certain she’ll be right here with me very quickly, and even sooner.”

X²O Badkamers Trofee GP Sven Nys – Baal Girls Outcome:
1. Fem van Empel (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike in 47:12
2. Lucinda Model (Ned) Baloise Trek Lions at 0:25
3. Ava Holmgren (Can) Lidl-Trek at 3:15
4. Sanne Cant (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 3:59
5. Clara Honsinger (USA) S&M CX at 4:13
6. Alessandra Keller (Sui) at 4:55
7. Denise Betsema (Ned) Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal at 5:00
8. Anna Kay (GB) Cyclocross Reds at 6:08
9. Isabella Holmgren (Can) Lidl-Trek at 6:51
10. Rafaelle Provider (Can) at 7:34.

Baal’24:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0OmhONyBYQ

 

Wout van Aert Seems to be Forward to the Giro
Wout van Aert possibly driving cyclo-cross in the intervening time, however he’s busy planning his highway season. The Visma | Lease a Bike rider hopes to take the victory within the Tour of Flanders and/or Paris-Roubaix within the spring, however will then make its debut within the Giro d’Italia.

The Belgian has been speaking to the Italian sports-paper La Gazzetta dello Sport for the primary time concerning the first Grand Tour of 2024. “I believe it’s time to contest one other main stage race than the Tour de France. The main focus can be completely on reaching stage victories. We don’t have an actual classification rider in our Giro group. I’m aiming for stage victories myself, however I don’t know but which days I’ll consider.”

“I’m actually trying ahead to beginning on Might 4. The route of the opening stage is already in my head. Difficult climbs and an arrival in Turin instantly comply with. After which we even have a time trial within the first week,” Van Aert refers to stage 7. “I’m curious to see the way it will all go, particularly as a result of there’s a rider of the caliber of Tadej Pogačar in the beginning. We’ll see, however the first week might be mine.”

Van Aert will experience the Tour of Italy alongside two different Giro debutants; Cian Uijtdebroeks and Olav Kooij. Does the group have a plan? “We don’t have a rider for the (general) rankings,” the Belgian defined. “We take a look at it stage by stage. This additionally provides the chance to see an attention-grabbing younger rider like Cian Uijtdebroeks at work.”

Having a great Giro d’Italia is actually a objective for Van Aert, however that’s actually not the one purpose why he opted for the Italian tour this yr. “Additionally it is an necessary competitors to arrange me as greatest as attainable for the Olympic Video games. After the final day of the Giro I nonetheless have a month to finish my preparation. However I don’t wish to put an excessive amount of stress on myself both.”

Wout van Aert’s Race Programme:
04-01 X²O Loos Trophy Vlaamse Duinencross Koksijde
21-01 UCI Cyclocross World Cup #13 Benidorm
12-02 Clásica Jaén
24-02 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
25-02 Kuurne – Bruxelles – Kuurne
22-03 E3 Saxo Financial institution Traditional
24-03 Gent-Wevelgem
27-03 Throughout Flanders
31-03 Tour of Flanders
07-04 Paris-Roubaix
14-04 Amstel Gold Race
04-05 – 26-05 Giro d’Italia
03-08 Olympic Video games Street Race
17-08 – 08-09 Vuelta a Espana
29-09 UCI World Championships – Street Race.

Classics, Giro, Olympics and Worlds for Van Aert:

 

Remco Evenepoel Recons Tour Gravel Stage
Remco Evenepoel will make his debut within the Tour de France in the summertime of 2024. The Belgian of Soudal Fast-Step has been busy checking-out just a few Tour levels within the final days of 2023.

Simply earlier than the brand new yr, Evenepoel was in France together with his teammate Louis Vervaeke, sports activities director Klaas Lodewyck, mechanics Nicolas Coosemans and Dario Kloeck and soigneur David Geeroms, to have a detailed take a look at among the Tour levels.

Evenepoel and his entourage appeared on the seventh, eighth and ninth levels of the 2024 Tour de France. The seventh stage is a person time trial by way of Burgundy, stage eight is a transition stage to Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises and the ninth stage is the gravel stage round Troyes.

Evenepoel has not but revealed his last race program and the 23 year-old rider doesn’t wish to reveal the place he’ll begin his season. It’s anticipated that he’ll begin the Volta ao Algarve (14-18 February). “What I can say is that I can’t full any altitude coaching for Liège. It is going to be a season with few races,” he advised Het Nieuwsblad final month.

“From Might, within the build-up to the Tour and the Video games, I’ll not be at house and can alternate altitude coaching with races. So for Liège I wish to spend as a lot as attainable in my Spanish base, near the household. I can prepare effectively uphill there, it’s simpler to cowl the kilometres with the time trial bike. And most significantly, it’ll maintain me mentally contemporary. I wish to begin my preparation for the Tour with a contemporary and clear head.” Remco Evenepoel is not going to compete in lots of races in 2024, however he can be within the Tour de France: “High 5 is the ambition.”

Remco Evenepoel’s Doable Race Programme:
14-02 – 18-02 Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta
03-03 – 10-03 Paris-Good
21-04 Liege-Bastogne-Liege
02-06 – 09-06 Criterium du Dauphine
21-07 Tour de France.

Evenepoel heading for the Tour:

 

Simon Yates to Trip the Tour in 2024
Simon Yates will focus totally on the Tour de France in 2024, sources inform La Gazzetta dello Sport. The 31 year-old British rider completed fourth within the Tour final yr.

Yates will make his seventh look within the Tour de France. He completed within the prime 10 twice: in 2017 he was seventh and gained the younger rider competitors, then final yr he completed fourth. In 2019 he didn’t have a great last general, however he did win two levels.

In November, La Gazzetta revealed that the organisers of the Giro d’Italia had been relying on the chief of Jayco AlUla to be in the beginning, however in line with new data from journalist Ciro Scognamiglio, he’ll go to the Tour. Luke Plapp would in all probability go to the Giro once more with Jayco AlUla. The newcomer from INEOS Grenadiers has solely completed one Grand Tour to this point, the Vuelta a España in 2022.

The Tour de France for Simon Yates:

 

Mark Cavendish to Miss Milano-Sanremo in his Last Season
Mark Cavendish is not going to experience Milano-Sanremo in his final yr as knowledgeable bike owner. The sprinter of Astana Qazaqstan gained La Primavera as soon as in 2009.

La Gazzetta dello Sport stories a part of Cavendish’s spring program primarily based on hearsay. The 38 year-old sprinter was initially going to retire on the finish of 2023, however after dropping out of the Tour de France following a crash, group boss Alexander Vinokourov satisfied Cavendish to proceed for a yr, chasing the Tour stage victory file.

Cavendish will begin his season in Colombia. It’s anticipated that Astana’s sprinter will then go to the UAE Tour. In March he has to decide on between Tirreno-Adriatico and Paris-Good and in line with La Gazzetta, Cavendish is leaning in the direction of an look within the Italian race. Usually Tirreno-Adriatico is an efficient preparation for Milano-Sanremo, the primary Monument of the yr, however Cavendish appears to be lacking the race. Final yr he completed in a hundred and fiftieth place.

Mark Cavendish’s Race Programme:
06-02 – 11-02 Tour Colombia
19-02 – 25-02 UAE Tour
04-03 – 10-03 Tirreno-Adriatico
13-03 Milano – Torino
20-03 Traditional Brugge-De Panne
03-04 Scheldeprijs
29-06 – 21-07 Tour de France.

No last Sanremo for Cavendish:

 

Tim Wellens’ Race Program and Foremost Aim for 2024
Final yr’s winner, Tadej Pogačar, is not going to experience the Tour of Flanders in 2024. So UAE Staff Emirates will wager on two riders within the Ronde: Nils Politt and Tim Wellens. Wellens will even make his debut in Paris-Roubaix, however will miss the Ardennes Classics, he advised Het Nieuwsblad.

Wellens begins his season in Spain, first with the Vuelta a la Area de Murcia, then the Clasica Jaen and the Ruta del Sol. He returns to Belgium for the Opening Weekend. He’ll experience Strade Bianche and Milano-Sanremo as Pogacar’s right-hand man, however after that he can do his personal factor within the Flemish cobbled Classics. Along with Politt he’ll type a duo within the Tour of Flanders and possibly the identical within the E3 Saxo Traditional and Dwars door Vlaanderen, Wellens mentioned to Het Nieuwsblad.

Wellens’ spring doesn’t end with the Tour of Flanders as he will even begin Paris-Roubaix. He’ll in all probability not contest the Ardennes Classics, that are usually on the 32 year-old rider’s programme. “Will I miss the Walloon races? It depends upon if I attain the end in Roubaix with a brilliant good feeling, then sure. If I’m going to be comfortable that Roubaix is over, then not. Within the first case, I don’t rule out that I’ll nonetheless begin in a kind of races, however then again, it is rather optimistic to increase such a protracted interval once more.”

Wellens will even in all probability take part within the Tour de France in 2024. UAE Staff Emirates has already introduced the provisional choice for La Grand Boucle and the Belgian is amongst them. “I not solely hope that I can be there, but additionally that we will win with the group. That may make me very proud. In case you ask what’s on the prime of my bucket checklist for 2024, that’s it.”

If UAE Staff Emirates needs to win the Tour de France, chief Tadej Pogačar should be in the beginning refreshed from the Giro d’Italia. Prior to now two years, Jonas Vingegaard of Jumbo-Visma was too robust, however in line with Wellens, UAE doesn’t need to base its techniques on what Visma | Lease a Bike does. “I don’t suppose we should always throw Jumbo off stability. Simply comply with Matxin’s plan. He’s a grasp tactician. I used to be not within the Tour final yr, however I did take part within the earlier altitude coaching camp. So I had a entrance row seat in any respect the tactical briefings and it was nice to see how every part went precisely as agreed within the first two weeks. I can actually deny that every part at Visma | Lease a Bike is deliberate out far more meticulously than ours.”

Tim Wellens has a full season forward:

 

Bauke Mollema Desires to Skate the Elfstedentocht
Bauke Mollema has been knowledgeable for years, however he’s additionally a skating fanatic. If there was ever one other Elfstedentocht, he would cease in a race and shortly fly again to the Netherlands. He mentioned in an interview with Algemeen Dagblad.

Mollema, who performed ice hockey as a toddler and whose associate Jane is a former marathon skater, is a member of the Royal Affiliation of De Friesche Eleven Cities. “If the Elfstedentocht ever comes, I can take part. The one query is whether or not that can ever occur once more. But when it occurs, I might fly again. Cease in a race. Then I’ve to be there. Certain.”

Lately, Mollema, who now lives in Monaco, has been on the ice much less. However at the start of his profession as a bike owner, he nonetheless usually skated. “There have been sure winters after I nonetheless skated lots, at the same time as knowledgeable. In 2011, after I rode for Belkin, I skated round for an hour each two weeks,” mentioned the 37 year-old rider, who now extra usually chooses operating in its place coaching.

Mollema additionally spoke about biking to AD. The Dutchman emphasised that he hopes to begin the Tour de France in 2024, after he was not chosen final yr. “I actually wish to go for that. That’s the objective,” mentioned the Lidl-Trek rider. “Hopefully my degree is sweet sufficient. And in any other case it will likely be the Vuelta.”

Mollema needs to go skating:

 

Zdenek Stybar to Finish His Profession with Cyclo-Cross in a One-Man Staff
Zdeněk Štybar is beginning the ultimate weeks of his skilled profession. Earlier than he lastly hangs up his bike on February the 4th, after the World Championships in Tábor, the Czech rider has just a few extra races. He does this in a white and black package and on a Ridley for his new one-man group.

At the beginning of 2024, Stybar’s contract with Jayco AlUla expired. As he beforehand knowledgeable WielerFlits, he needed to organize a special jersey for the final weeks of his profession. His one-man group will experience round in black and white, with ‘Stybar’ on the chest. Ridley is the bicycle sponsor of the two-time cross world champion, who will instantly compete within the X2O Trophy Baal on January 1.

Stybar’s prepared for his final races:

 

Ryan Kamp Continues his Profession on Colnago and Campagnolo
Ryan Kamp (23) continues his profession as a person rider as of January 1, with the help of two premium Italian manufacturers: Colnago and Campagnolo.

The previous U23 cyclo-cross World champion didn’t see his contract renewed together with his earlier group and contacted the Roodhooft brothers, amongst others, in his search.

“They didn’t have any vacancies both, however requested me to present them a name in early December if I didn’t have anyplace to go,” Kamp mentioned. “So I did, after which they organized a wage and prime gear for me. Each Colnago and Campagnolo are new to me however these two prime manufacturers make an incredible mixture though they’ve disappeared from view in cyclo-cross lately.”

“It was all quick discover, I’ve solely had the bikes for just a few days and it’s removed from completed. I don’t also have a shirt sponsor however I’m relieved to maneuver ahead. Perhaps this can develop into one thing larger or I can finally go elsewhere, I’ll see. However for now the aid is immense, as a result of I used to be satisfied that skilled life was over for me.”

Kamp to hold on with Colnago and Campagnolo:

 

Pink Bull Takes a Majority Stake within the BORA-hansgrohe Biking Staff
Pink Bull was already sponsoring sure riders, however now could be investing much more in biking. The power drink model has had a majority share in RD Professional Biking and RD Beteiligungs since December 29. These corporations personal the group sponsored by and often called BORA-hansgrohe.

Pink Bull has acquired 51% of the shares of the 2 corporations, which had been beforehand owned by BORA-hansgrohe group supervisor Ralph Denk. This has now been confirmed by the Austrian Competitors Authority. The switch of shares must be accomplished by January 26. The BORA-hansgrohe group is not going to change in the meanwhile.

It appears that evidently Pink Bull will make investments much more in BORA-hansgrohe within the close to future and can play a extra distinguished function throughout the WorldTour group. The 2 events have been working collectively for a very long time. Because the starting of 2023, BORA-hansgrohe has been on the lookout for new expertise for its junior group with Pink Bull. This scouting program is named ‘Pink Bull Junior Brothers’.

There are a variety of Pink Bull athletes within the peloton: Wout van Aert, Tom Pidcock and BORA-hansgrohe rider Anton Palzer experience with particular Pink Bull helmets.

Extra Pink Bull:

 

Pernsteiner and Schönberger Signal with the Austrian Continental Staff
Staff Felt-Felbermayr, an Austrian Continental group, has signed Hermann Pernsteiner and Sebastian Schönberger for 2024. Pernsteiner needed to go away Bahrain Victorious after six years and his fellow countryman Schönberger was additionally on the lookout for a brand new group after Human Powered Well being stopped its males’s group.

Pernsteiner (33) and Schönberger (29) are two welcome additions to Staff Felt-Felbermayr for 2024. Pernsteiner has a background as a mountain biker. In 2018, on the age of 27, he switched to the highway with a contract with Bahrain Merida, as Bahrain Victorious was then. In his debut season, he gained the Gran Premio Citta di Lugano. In 2018 and 2019 he rode the Vuelta a España, in 2020 the Giro d’Italia. Within the 2020 Giro, Pernsteiner completed tenth within the last general classification and rode to second place within the mountain stage to Madonna di Campiglio. Pernsteiner additionally rode to prime 10 finishes within the Tour of Austria and Tour Down Below.

Schönberger is an all-rounder and rider with a nostril for the appropriate escape. When driving for Wilier Triestina-Selle Italia, B&B Resorts-KTM and final yr Human Powered Well being, he managed to get into the appropriate break up. The Austrian, who rode the Tour de France in 2022, remains to be on the lookout for his first skilled victory.

Staff Felt-Felbermayr, the brand new group of the 2 Austrians, now has sixteen riders underneath contract for the approaching season. Different prime riders are: Miguel Heidemann (B&B Resorts), Michael Kukrle (Gazprom-RusVelo), Patryk Stosz (CCC Sprandi Polkowice) and Riccardo Zoidl (Trek-Segafredo).

Pernsteiner to race for his house group:

 

Giacomo Nizzolo to Endure Restoration Interval Following Leg Fracture
Giacomo Nizzolo, who has signed a two-year contract with Q36.5 Professional Biking Staff starting in 2024, was concerned in an accident on December twenty third leading to a leg fracture.

The 34-year-old Italian underwent profitable surgical procedure at Kantonsspital Graubünden in Chur, Switzerland on December twenty seventh and was discharged 4 days later, on New Yr’s Eve.

Commenting on the state of affairs, Lorenz Emmert, Q36.5 Professional Biking Staff Chief Medical Physician, defined, “On December twenty third, Giacomo Nizzolo had an accident with a fractured tibial plateau on his proper leg. He underwent surgical procedure and was launched from the hospital. The therapeutic and rehabilitation course of has already begun. We’re very optimistic that we’ll get him again to his ordinary efficiency degree throughout the subsequent months, as shortly because the damage permits.”

Regrettably, Giacomo Nizzolo gained’t attend the upcoming Q36.5 Professional Biking Staff coaching camp in Calpe, Spain, scheduled from January 11 to 22. Additional updates on Nizzolo’s damage rehabilitation progress can be communicated in the end. The complete group needs Giacomo Nizzolo a swift and full restoration.

Damaged leg for Giacomo Nizzolo:

 

Jess Allen: The Subsequent Step
After eight years with GreenEDGE Biking, Jess Allen is about to tackle a brand new problem with the group in 2024.

The 30-year-old, who introduced her retirement as knowledgeable bike owner on the finish of final season, will work as a press officer for Staff Jayco AlUla and Liv AlUla Jayco. She will even attend a number of races this season as a sport director for the elite ladies’s group and the brand new Liv AlUla Jayco Continental Staff.

Allen is trying ahead to taking over her new roles whereas having fun with the acquainted environment of the GreenEDGE biking household.

“It’s tremendous good, and in a manner, it doesn’t really feel like I’m retiring. I believe if I used to be to do one thing fully completely different, or with one other group, that possibly I really feel a bit completely different, however it feels very pure,” Allen mentioned. “It’s good to nonetheless be a part of the GreenEDGE household however in a special function and use the experiences I’ve had as a rider, as a workers member.

“One of many issues I really like most about being a bike owner is the folks you meet the locations you go. We did a media camp with GreenEDGE in Barcelona, in November, and that was superior as a result of I bought to satisfy new folks and meet the group I’m working for subsequent yr. That’s crucial factor to me. I wish to be in a job the place I can nonetheless be a part of a group. Though I gained’t be racing, you’re nonetheless one group and it was actually cool to satisfy everybody plan subsequent yr.”

Allen had not initially deliberate on quitting racing on the finish of 2023, and she or he had the choice of a racing contract on the desk for her. Nevertheless, her ardour for the game and her creativity made her a great candidate as GreenEDGE Biking appeared to increase its media group for the brand new season.

When the brand new concept was posited to her over the summer time, Allen quickly realised she was prepared for one thing new. After taking a while to ruminate on the supply, she made the choice to finish her racing profession and be a part of the group’s workers.

Her first race as a press officer for the group would be the Cadel Evans Nice Ocean Street Race on the finish of January, the place she is going to take care of each males’s and ladies’s groups.

“It’s been on the again of my thoughts the final couple of years as to after I would retire. I believed it’d be in just a few extra years however it was throughout the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, the place I made a decision that that is going to be my final yr,” she mentioned.

“It wasn’t as a result of I wasn’t having fun with it. I beloved being on the Tour de France, however I used to be on the beginning line at some point and simply trying round and Gracie Elvin was doing media work, there was Annette Edmondson doing administration work, and Jolien D’hoore doing directing. After which I believed, ‘Oh, doing one thing within the sport exterior of racing is definitely thrilling me greater than racing now’. And in order that’s when that first actually crossed my thoughts.

“After the tour, I sat down with my supervisor, and she or he talked about to me that the group had been taking a look at somebody to work within the communications division and my title bought talked about. Straightaway, I used to be like that excites me far more than racing.”

The concept so as to add sport director to her new checklist of expertise got here later, however it was a chance that was too good to surrender. She is going to do a small choice of races for the 2 ladies’s groups, beginning with the UAE Tour Girls in February.

“I didn’t plan on being a sport director and I didn’t suppose I wished to be. However the utility got here up and I made a decision to use for the scholarship and see if I get it, it is perhaps good simply to have on the resume,” she mentioned. “I ended up getting the scholarship, which was actually cool. I went to Switzerland, did the course handed. That was tremendous enjoyable as a result of there was loads of lately retired women and men there and it was good to speak to them about their experiences, and undergo the method collectively.”

Along with her work with the GreenEdge Biking groups, Allen will even take up a brand new function with AusCycling mentoring younger riders from Australia. The function begins in earnest on the ladies’s Santos Tour Down Below and also will embrace main the U19 Girls for a month-long stint in Europe in addition to at world championships in September.

“When that job alternative popped up, I used to be actually excited, however I wasn’t certain if it was going to have the ability to work in with the group as a result of I’d already dedicated to being a press officer and sport director with the group, however we’ve managed to juggle it effectively,” Allen mentioned.

“It’s going to be a busy yr for me, however the considered serving to juniors notably as a result of I used to be there, notably the under-19s. I gained a junior world title, so I do know what it’s wish to be them and what it’s like come to Europe for the primary time, dwelling out of house and being in that group setting.

“Working with the juniors goes to be incredible and to make use of all of the expertise I’ve to assist them. Working with GreenEDGE and AusCycling, notably the U19s, is an efficient strategy to see the up-and-coming expertise in Australia after which hopefully have them come into our growth group sooner or later as effectively.”

 

Santini Biking Turns into Companion of the Tour de Tietema-Unibet Biking Staff
From January 1st 2024, Santini Biking is the official biking clothes associate of the Tour de Tietema-Unibet biking group. The Italian firm who produces technical biking clothes joins Tour de Tietema of their pursuit to the very best degree in professional biking.

Josse Wester, co-owner of Tour de Tietema: “This partnership is a milestone for Tour de Tietema, as Santini Biking is without doubt one of the most famous biking clothes manufacturers on this planet. We’re very honoured and proud to affix forces in the direction of the longer term, as it’s one other step in our growth as a professional biking group. We visited the headquarter in Bergamo a few occasions and had been amazed to see how all the event and manufacturing is carried out in-house. We sit up for offering our riders with Santini’s information and progressive merchandise.”

Monica Santini, CEO of Santini Biking: “We have now been following the event of Tour de Tietema over the previous few years. They’re one of the vital thrilling and progressive tasks in biking and with the expansion of TDT-Unibet right into a UCI ProTeam, our missions for the longer term aligned. Our firm has a big heritage in skilled biking, and with this partnership, we intention to proceed being leaders. We sit up for contributing to this nice mission.”

The 2024 jersey for TDT-Unibet can be produced by Santini Biking, which has collaborated with the group to create a jersey that displays their enthusiasm. Along with the jersey, Santini additionally manufactures bibshorts and varied equipment for the group. Monica Santini: “I actually like how the design identifies with Tour de Tietema and Santini, as we’re each recognized for our vibrant designs. We have now produced fairly some extravagant kits through the years, however truthfully, I’ve not seen one thing like this within the professional peloton earlier than. It’s going to undoubtedly flip heads and I sit up for seeing it on the races.”

Tour de Tietema was based in 2019 by Bas Tietema, Devin van der Wiel and Josse Wester. Initiator Bas Tietema is a former professional bike owner, who rode for BMC Growth Staff till medical causes pressured him to give up. Tour de Tietema grew to become well-known for its YouTube movies, following its three founders of their discovery of biking. They launched the UCI Continental Tour de Tietema-Unibet group in 2023. The group has made a fast growth and can experience on a UCI ProTeam licence in 2024.

 

Patrick Lefevere: “We Wish to Maintain Successful!”
Soudal Fast-Step’s CEO talks concerning the group’s exceptional 2023 season and his expectations for this yr:

“Each new yr brings a brand new starting and maybe by no means extra in order now, as we embark on our twenty second consecutive season. Final season, we had been as soon as once more among the best groups on this planet, as evidenced by our greater than 50 victories. It was a efficiency that made us extremely comfortable, as a result of it confirmed not simply amount but additionally high quality – a Monument, half a dozen Grand Tour levels, the ITT World Championships and loads of different prestigious races.

It was a powerful yr not only for Soudal Fast-Step, but additionally for our ladies’s group – who displayed the Wolfpack mentality in each single race they did final season and bought a well-deserved promotion to the World Tour – and our devo group, which confirmed loads of depth as they captured virtually 30 wins.

After a turbulent autumn, there have been some adjustments throughout the group, with a turnover of workers and riders that’s a part of the cycle of any skilled biking group. The appointment of Jurgen Foré as our Chief Working Officer has caught many a watch, and I’m trying ahead to working with Jurgen on constructing constructions and processes that can maintain us combating to be among the best biking groups on this planet for a few years to return.

On the bike we may have a contemporary really feel too, with ten new riders becoming a member of us. They vary from the expertise of Mikel Landa and Gianni Moscon, who will bolster our Grand Tour and Classics squads respectively, to the six neo-pros that can give us a youthful really feel. We’re notably pleased with the 4 younger riders who’ve been promoted from our Devo Staff.

We are able to all be proud, from riders and workers to sponsors and followers, of the unimaginable season we had final yr, and we wish to stay there on the prime and maintain profitable, though we all know it gained’t be straightforward. We’re decided to work laborious and write historical past on the highway whereas bringing moments of pleasure to everybody supporting the group specifically and to biking followers on the whole.

On behalf of everybody at Soudal Fast-Step, I wish to want you a Completely happy New Yr and all the most effective to you and your households!”

 

BORA – hansgrohe Companions with SRAM
As of the 2024 season SRAM will formally grow to be the drivetrain associate for BORA – hansgrohe. The riders will race with SRAM RED eTap AXS groupset and Hammerhead head items.

“For me, the partnership with SRAM additionally means a really private return to the corporate,” says Ralph Denk, BORA – hansgrohe Staff Supervisor. “Within the 90s, SRAM gave me the chance to take the very first steps in my skilled profession. Again then I skilled SRAM as an innovation-driven firm with a powerful hands-on mentality. Now we’re waiting for our partnership with SRAM and after our preliminary talks, I can already affirm that the mentality and motivation from again then are nonetheless there!”

“SRAM, together with our OE associate Specialised, is worked up to be racing with BORA – hansgrohe, one of many strongest groups within the WorldTour,” commented SRAM CEO Ken Lousberg. “We sit up for working with Jai Hindley and Aleksandr Vlasov, and persevering with with Primož Roglič on SRAM, among the best riders of this era.”

“I’m tremendous excited to experience on SRAM subsequent yr!” says Jai Hindley. “I used to be already in a position to take a look at the RED AXS groupset and I’m actually pleased with it. Notably the opportunity of utilizing a single chainring set-up for some races or levels might be very useful for my part.”

“This group is thrilling to look at; they’ve all of the instruments to win the world’s greatest races, and our focus is to assist them,” provides Jason Phillips, SRAM Street Racing Director.

“From day one we felt the complete dedication of SRAM, which gave us loads of confidence for the partnership,” said the group’s Head of Technical Efficiency Gerd Kodanik. “From the technical aspect, we’ve seen large developments at SRAM over the previous years. One factor I actually wish to level out is the tremendous wide selection of gearing choices. For each rider and each race we’ve particular person and really particular set-up choices. We examined SRAM in many alternative situations and environments – from cobbles to wet and sunny climate. We’re very a lot trying ahead to working collectively.”

The group will even be outfitted with Hammerhead computer systems. “Hammerhead Karoo 2 is a robust coaching software, and can information our athletes to a aggressive benefit on the race course with every rider’s most related real-time knowledge,” says Kodanik.

 

Polti Kometa Presents its New Gsport Package for 2024
The skilled, under-23 and junior Polti Kometa groups will put on Gsport kits for no less than the subsequent three seasons. An settlement that coincides with the change of title and design of the package with which the three groups of the Alberto Contador Basis will compete in the most effective races all over the world.

Gsport will not be solely a biking clothes model, it’s a firm that gives its personal manufacturing. Of their amenities they cowl your entire strategy of growth and manufacture of the biking kits, a bonus that differentiates them from different manufacturers, whereas permitting them to create prime quality garments for riders.

Proactive, collaborative and versatile, they’ve recognized learn how to develop lately, responding to the needs and wishes of the biking group, providing the chance to reside the most effective experiences to all those that belief them.

At Gsport, the intention is to accompany cyclists in all levels of their lives and to help their ardour, challenges, successes and failures. By dressing everybody who understands biking as a lifestyle, whether or not professionally or as a interest wherein to find landscapes and create friendships.

The arrival of Polti because the group’s predominant sponsor has led to the conception of a brand new design for the biking kits. Respecting the company colors of the primary sponsors (purple, inexperienced and blue), a brand new brilliant and vibrant package has been created that can stand out within the peloton.

As a nod to the legendary Staff Polti, the identical animal print sample we used to see the Italian group in (yellow and inexperienced) has been used, however in a way more delicate manner. This sample is used on the bottom of the jersey in a really gentle shade of inexperienced, as a slight reminder of the previous. As for the bib shorts, the color purple will take centre stage. The daring contact that can make this design go down in historical past.

In 2024, the Polti Kometa will use a large repertoire of garments and equipment from the Gsport Customized vary, tailored to the excessive competitors and calls for {of professional} biking. Their clothes contains maillots, bib shorts, jackets, waistcoats, coveralls, waterproof garments and extra.

As a part of their predominant gear, the Polti Kometa cyclists will put on PRO SKIN bib shorts and a brand new maillot developed completely for the group, whose most explicit traits lie within the waistband, extremely technical materials and flat seams. The Professional Pores and skin bib shorts are one of the vital attribute mannequin of the Gsport model the place the cuffs disappear and the seams are minimised to the utmost, on the lookout for the feeling of a second pores and skin.

“It’s an honour for your entire Gsport group to be a part of this mission,” says the Spanish model. “It’s a actual privilege to be a part of biking historical past with the return of the legendary Staff Polti. We have now labored on the event of biking package and equipment that adapt as a lot as attainable to the calls for {of professional} biking. Our philosophy, ‘made by cyclists, for cyclists’, implies that we’re absolutely concerned with every rider and do our bit to make their season as straightforward as attainable, from a textile perspective”.

Fran Contador, normal supervisor of the Alberto Contador Basis groups, additionally values this settlement: “From the primary time we met and mentioned the opportunity of working collectively there was whole concord with Gsport, each events had been very eager to begin working collectively. As soon as the settlement was closed, we’re actually comfortable. Their want and motivation make us really feel necessary and I hope that they already really feel the mission as a part of their very own. That is the start of a three-year relationship that we hope to increase for a lot of extra years so as to obtain the targets that each events have set for ourselves. We wish to develop collectively to the highest”.

 

Soudal Fast-Step Prepared for 2024
New riders, new targets, new challenges however the identical Wolfpack spirit and ambition to win for the group as we embark on our twenty second consecutive season.

 

The Koksijde Organisers Intervenes after Fan Issues
After the unsportsmanlike spectators within the UCI World Cup in Hulst, the organisers of the Koksijde Duinencross on January the 4th needs to stop a recurrence and is taking measures.

Riders can level out troublemakers on the course to the police on Thursday after they’ve finished their apply laps of the course in Koksijde. The organisers needs to take away any troublemakers within the crowd earlier than the race. “If throughout the exploratory coaching laps, riders are confronted with individuals who assault them with boos and swear phrases or who pelt them with beer and urine, they’ll notify us earlier than the beginning,” defined Jan Deramoudt of the organising committee.

“We’re in direct contact with the police, who will make further efforts this version of the Duinencross to stop so-called supporters from disturbing or hindering the members.” By further efforts, Deramoudt refers to the usage of police drones and the hiring of further plainclothes law enforcement officials. The pictures from the tv cameras are additionally carefully monitored, even when the cross has not but been proven reside on tv.

De Duinencross hopes to ‘reply to the present state of affairs’ with these further measures. “As an organisation, we’re taking the lead in eliminating this drawback from cyclo-cross. As an organisation it’s our obligation to care for each the general public and the riders. Everybody ought to have the ability to expertise cyclo-cross in a enjoyable and secure manner: whether or not you might be supporting, working or biking,” mentioned Deramoudt.

Adrie van der Poel applauded the initiative of the organisers of the Duinencross. “It’s a incredible initiative, however it’s also a tragic and lethal disgrace that the organiser has to rent further folks for the security and well-being of the riders. That additionally means further prices for them. Hopefully they gained’t need to make them once more sooner or later and the misconduct will disappear once more. There was no negativity in any respect over the last cross.”

No extra bother for Van der Poel:

 

Israel-Premier Tech and Movistar Riders for the Tour Down Below
The primary WorldTour race of 2024: the Santos Tour Down Below begins in two weeks. The primary group choices for the Australian tour have been introduced. Israel-Premier Tech is relying on Corbin Robust and Stephen Williams, Movistar may have Iván García Cortina and Gonzalo Serrano.

Israel-Premier Tech has introduced its seven-man choice for the Tour Down Below (January 16-21). The Israeli formation has a number of prime males. The largest contender for a great last rating might be Corbin Robust. The 23 year-old New Zealander was one of many 2023 seasonal revelations and the course in Australia ought to swimsuit him. The group will even have the Canadian all-rounder Derek Gee, the skilled Simon Clarke, the British puncheur Stephen Williams and newcomer within the Tour Down Below, George Bennett. Nick Schultz and Guillaume Boivin full the squad.

The Spanish WoldTour Movistar group has additionally listed its males for the Tour Down Below. The blue group may have Iván García Cortina, Gonzalo Serrano and Ruben Guerreiro. García Cortina, Serrano and Guerreiro are the highest names, however there may be additionally Vinícius Rangel, Johan Jacobs and new signings, Jon Barrenetxea and Manlio Moro.

The Tour Down Below is not going to begin with a prologue in 2024. The riders have a 144 kilometre stage beginning and ending in Tanunda. The final two levels are crucial for the GC males. The penultimate stage finishes on Willunga Hill, the ultimate stage on Mount Lofty.

Israel Premier Tech riders for the Santos Tour Down Below
Corbin Robust (NZ)
Derek Gee (Can)
Nick Schultz (Aus)
Simon Clarke (Aus)
Guillaume Boivin (Can)
George Bennett (NZ)
Stephen Williams (GB).

Movistar riders for the Santos Tour Down Below:
Jon Barrenetxea (Spa)
Vinicius Rangel (Bra)
Johan Jacobs (Sui)
Ruben Guerreiro (Por)
Iván García Cortina (Spa)
Manlio Moro (Ita)
Gonzalo Serrano (Spa).

Not lengthy to the TDU:

 

Three Juniors will go Straight to the WorldTour in 2024
Three riders who had been juniors final season will make their debut in a WorldTeam in 2024, following within the footsteps of Remco Evenepoel, who was the primary to make such a transfer in 2019. Markel Beloki, AJ August and Theodor Storm (all 18 years-old) are going as much as the very best degree.

A complete of 11 cyclists have made the step from the U19 Class to the WorldTour peloton for males. Remco Evenepoel was the primary in 2019, he signed with Deceuninck Fast-Step. Later, prime skills comparable to Carlos Rodriguez (2020, INEOS Grenadiers), Quinn Simmons (2020, Trek-Segafredo), Cian Uijtdebroeks (2022, BORA-hansgrohe) and Joshua Tarling (2023, INEOS Grenadiers) adopted.

Three new names can be added within the 2024 season. The Basque expertise Markel Beloki goes to EF Schooling-EasyPost. His father, Joseba Beloki, left the professional peloton on the finish of 2007.

INEOS Grenadiers beforehand signed Rodriguez, Tarling and Michael Leonard from the juniors and has now introduced in two extra younger skills. The American Andrew ‘AJ’ August switches from the U19 class, as does the Danish rider Theodor Storm, who gained the EPZ Omloop van Borsele and was third in Paris-Roubaix for juniors.

The twelfth rider for this checklist has additionally already been introduced, Danish prime expertise Albert Withen Philipsen will make his WorldTour debut in 2025. The one 17 year-old Philipsen was junior World highway champion and European time trial champion final yr. He’s additionally very robust in cyclocross and mountain bike. From 2025 he’ll race for Lidl-Trek.

Juniors who’ve gone Straight to WorldTour:
Remco Evenepoel
Carlos Rodriguez
Quinn Simmons
Marco Brenner
Cian Uijtdebroeks
Luis-Joe Lührs
Joshua Tarling
Michael Leonard
Markel Beloki
AJ August
Albert Withen Philipsen
Theodor Storm.

Who would be the subsequent Remco?

 

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