Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
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2022 Tour de France | 2022 Giro d'Italia
The World is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion. - Thomas Paine
Bill & Carol McGann’s book The Story of the Tour de France, 2022: The Fastest Tour Ever is available as in both Kindle eBook & audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.
Upcoming racing
- Dec 10: Exact Cross Essen
- Dec 26: Gavere Cyclocross
- Dec 27: Heusden-Zolder Cyclocross
- Dec 29: Diegem Cyclocross
- Dec 30: Azencross-Loenhout
- Jan 1: GP Sven Nys Cyclocross
- Jan 14 - 22: Schwalbe Classic & Tour Down Under
- Jan 22 - 29: Vuelta a San Juan
- Jan 25 - 29: Challenge Illes Balears-Volta Ciclista a Mallorca
- Jan 28 & 29: Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
Latest completed racing:
- Dec 4: Scheldecross Antwerp
- Nov 20: Vlaamse Druivenveldrit Overijse Cross
- Nov 5 & 6: European Cyclocross Championships
- Nov 1: Trofee Oudenaarde-Koppenbergcross
- Oct 29: Superprestige Ruddervoorde Cyclocross
- Oct 11 - 18: Tour de Langkawi
The team sent me this news:
The 28-year-old Frenchman, who has to date celebrated his greatest successes in mountain biking, will compete for BORA - hansgrohe on the road in 2023. However, Koretzky will also continue to compete in offroad events and will most likely also be seen at a few gravel races.
Victor Koretzky getting a little air time.
"I have to say that I am really happy that we were able to sign Victor. We have already presented ourselves off road in the past, but with Victor’s signing we are now taking on this theme more strategically. In our sport, it is becoming increasingly important to be present over a variety of terrains, especially with a partner like Specialized. Together we can offer Victor a perfect platform both on and off road. The plan is for him to continue racing in the MTB World Cup, but he will also do a slimmed down road race program. In terms of the type of rider he is, I can well imagine that one or two semi-classics in the spring would suit him well. How that can work in practice remains to be seen, and is also new territory for us. But it's definitely a new challenge that I'm looking forward to." - Ralph Denk, Team Manager
"I am overjoyed to be provided with this opportunity by BORA - hansgrohe. I have already gained experience on the road this year, but with a top team it's an entirely different ball game. I would definitely like to develop further on the road and become a pillar for the team there. But my big dream is the 2024 Olympic MTB race in Paris. The nice thing is that with BORA - hansgrohe and Specialized, I’ll have a perfect set-up for every terrain." - Victor Koretzky
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Team Lotto Dstny sent me this:
In leading European CRM [customer relationship management] company Efficy, cycling team Lotto Dstny has found a new partner for the 2023 season. The Brussels based company wants to expand its exposure in Europe and sees the Belgian professional cycling team as the perfect opportunity. The Efficy logo will appear on the back of the new Lotto Dstny jersey.
Here's the Lotto kit in 2022. It will be quite diffetent in 2023.
Lotto Dstny welcomes new partner Efficy on board of the team and the 2023 kit. In the ambitious Belgian CRM specialist, the team has found a perfect match. “We are very happy a leading company like Efficy joins our team”, says Chief Business Officer Yana Seel of Lotto Soudal. “Cycling brings people together. We aim for the same with our team: we want to bring fans but also companies together. Sponsorship in cycling is much more than just investing budget and getting visibility in return. We want businesses to find each other through our cycling team. They can reinforce each other’s marketing strategy and improve direct sales thanks to us. With tech companies like Dstny, Efficy, but also the National Lottery, finding each other through the sport project like our team, I am convinced they will benefit with more than just expanded exposure.”
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Here’s the team’s post:
“I have a lot of beautiful memories from these three years with Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl. To have been part of one of the best teams in the world and in the history of this sport, to have made friendships that will last forever – these are things that I will always treasure and carry with me in the years to come.
Stijn Steels racing in 2014. Sirotti photo
"When I was just a small kid, I was a fan of this team and used to go to the races with my flag to support the riders, so you can imagine how it was when I got a phone call asking me if I would like to join the squad. I was on cloud nine and accepted it immediately.
"Due to the pandemic, I missed a lot of races and experiences – like Down Under, Argentina or Colombia – but I got to live so many great moments that I will always remember with fondness. One of the best memories is the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana. In 2020, that was my first race with the team, and before the last stage Fabio was upset that he got beaten in the previous sprint by centimeters. We were roommates and we had a long and relaxing talk about it in the evening, then the next day the entire team did a flawless work and a perfect lead-out, and he won.
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The Wolfpack isn’t just a name, it’s something real, and I could see that multiple times, including after my crash at the Six Days of Gent last month. All my teammates contacted me, they were genuinely interested in how I felt, and I could feel again what it means to be part of this team. I am quite ok at the moment; I already did my first training session on the rollers and hopefully everything is going in the right direction.
I’m sad that my time there is over, but I’m happy I’ve made many friends and people were satisfied with the way I rode and gave everything. That’s why I want to thank the entire squad – riders and staff – for their work and the atmosphere they created. During my three years with the Wolfpack, I could see that the mentality and the friendly environment are the factors that make this team one of the best to ride for. Everybody is connected and cares for each other, and that’s only one of the reasons I will always support the Wolfpack.”
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