Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Sunday, August 20, 2023
Back to news and opinion index page for links to archived stories | Commentary | Our YouTube page
2022 Tour de France | 2023 Giro d'Italia
Oh, these vast, calm, measureless mountain days, days in whose light everything seems equally divine, opening a thousand windows to show us God. - John Muir
Les Woodland's book Cycling Heroes: The Golden Years is available in the print, Kindle eBook & audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.
Current racing:
- August 9 - 20: Volta a Portugal
- August 17 - 20: Arctic Race of Norway
- August 20: Bemer Cyclassics
Upcoming racing:
- August 22 - 25: Tour Poitou-Charentes en Nouvelle Aquitaine
- August 23 - 26: Renewi Tour
- August 26 - Sept 17: Vuelta a España
Latest completed racing:
- August 15 - 19: Tour of Denmark
- August 15 - 19: Vuelta a Burgos
- August 15 - 18: Tour du Limousin
- August 13: La Polynormande
- August 5 - 13: World Road Championships
- July 29 - August 4: Tour of Poland
- July 31 - August 2: Tour de l'Ain
- July 30: Circuito de Getxo
- July 29: Clásica de San Sebastián
- July 26 - 27: Vuelta a Castilla y Leon
- July 22 - 26: Tour de Wallonie
- July 1 - 23: Tour de France
We posted the report from stage winner & final GC leader Primoz Roglic's Team Jumbo-Visma with the results.
Here's the report from second-place Aleksandr Vlasov's Team Bora-hansgrohe:
The last stage of the five-day Vuelta a Burgos in Spain traversed 161km from Golmayo to the tough mountain finish in Lagunas de Neila. An early breakaway dominated the race for a long time, but was caught by the peloton 10km before the finish. The stage win and GC came down to the 7km long and up to 18% steep final climb. Roglič, Yates and Vlasov went clear from the peloton over the last 3km. In the sprint, Roglič won not only the stage but also the race GC. Aleksandr Vlasov crossed the line in third place and defended second place in the overall rankings.
Winner Primoz Roglic partway into stage five.
During the race, the team from Raubling was active in the breakaways and finished with a strong 3rd place in the team time trial, a 2nd place with Aleksandr Vlasov on the queen stage, 3rd place on today's stage and second place in GC.
“The guys did a great job to bring me well to the decisive climb today. I started the steepest and most important part in a good position and it looked promising as I had good legs today. I felt like I was able to ride for a good result, but ultimately Yates and Roglič were that bit faster in the uphill finish, so it wasn't possible to do any more. However, from how I've ridden this week here, I can say that I'm really pleased with my form at the moment and I'm also happy to have defended my second place in GC which is a very strong result.” - Aleksandr Vlasov
Content continues below the ads
Here's the report from third-place Adam Yates' UAE Team Emirates:
The last stage of the five-day Vuelta a Burgos in Spain traversed 161km from Golmayo to the tough mountain finish in Lagunas de Neila. An early breakaway dominated the race for a long time, but was caught by the peloton 10km before the finish. The stage win and GC came down to the 7km long and up to 18% steep final climb. Roglič, Yates and Vlasov went clear from the peloton over the last 3km. In the sprint, Roglič won not only the stage but also the race GC. Aleksandr Vlasov crossed the line in third place and defended second place in the overall rankings.
Adam Yates winning stage four of this year's Tour of Romandie.
During the race, the team from Raubling was active in the breakaways and finished with a strong 3rd place in the team time trial, a 2nd place with Aleksandr Vlasov on the queen stage, 3rd place on today's stage and second place in GC.
“The guys did a great job to bring me well to the decisive climb today. I started the steepest and most important part in a good position and it looked promising as I had good legs today. I felt like I was able to ride for a good result, but ultimately Yates and Roglič were that bit faster in the uphill finish, so it wasn't possible to do any more. However, from how I've ridden this week here, I can say that I'm really pleased with my form at the moment and I'm also happy to have defended my second place in GC which is a very strong result.” - Aleksandr Vlasov
Content continues below the ads
Here’s the post from Merlier’s Team Soudal Quick-Step:
“I’m very happy with my season so, only the period in between the classics and the Belgian Championship I expected a bit more from but it can’t always go as you want. After the altitude camp I returned to my level, so it’s a bit of a shame I was sick after a very successful Tour de Pologne.
"On Sunday it will be my first time taking on the BEMER Cyclassics. The first part of the race will be relatively easy, but the final with three times the Waseberg is a bit harder and very hectic. A good positioning will be important as well, because it will be quite technical in the run-in to the Waseberg. I hope to have the legs to make it and be up there. I think tomorrow is one of the strongest teams I could have around me, so for sure we have a good chance to go for the win.
Tim Merlier wins this year's Nokere Koerse
"When I heard I wouldn’t do the Vuelta at first it was a bit of a disappointment. But quickly I adapted and began focusing on the races that I can do now. I had two nice wins in Poland, which put me on eight wins, ten if you count my cyclo-cross victory and our team time trial success in UAE Tour. I want to go for ten wins on the road, or maybe more. My record is nine victories in one season, so I would like to aim higher. My win in Nokere Koerse was the most beautiful one, as it was in front of my home crowds and the atmosphere was just unbelievable. I will never forget it!
"Being a dad now myself means it’s not always so easy being away from home. My son evolves quickly and starts smiling now when he sees me, fortunately he isn’t aware yet when I’m away or not. But I’m grateful for having my girlfriend Cameron by my side, she helps in everything with our little son. The times I changed his diapers I can still remember well. Later on, I will have more time for a life besides the bike, but now the focus is on my cycling career.”
Content continues below the ads
Here’s the team’s post:
Nine of our “New Generation” riders will be facing the ultimate test in their young careers at the Tour de L’Avenir, starting on Sunday.
This 8-day race, which spans nine stages in the Rhône-Alpes region of France, is often dubbed the “Tour De France for the U-23s”. There’s ample evidence to support this title; the best young riders in the world have tested their mettle in the Tour de L’Avenir over its 58 editions. Moreover, the race’s top victors have risen to the pinnacle of the sport, clinching 15 Tour de France titles. The latest? Tadej Pogacar, just five years ago.
“We are certainly plunging our ‘kids’ into deep waters,” says Aviad Izrael, the longtime leader of the Israel – Premier Tech Academy development project. Izrael particularly highlights the six young Israeli riders who will compete under the banner of “Team Israel”. This marks the first occasion that the Israeli National team will participate in the race, alongside 24 other national teams. This roster includes powerhouses such as France, Belgium, Australia and the USA. In fact, the Israelis (all but one hail from the IPT Cycling Academy) will be racing against some familiar teammates, Australian Alastair Mackellar, Canadian Riley Pickrell, and Israel – Premier Tech’s own American, Matthew Riccitello.
Matthew Riccitello racing stage 20 of the 2023 Giro d'Italia. Sirotti photo
Turning our focus to the Israelis and the highest-quality race they’ve ever confronted as a team, Aviad, who will helm their journey as their Sports Director in the coming week, believes this is a pivotal moment for Israeli cycling. “I hope it serves as an inspiration for the upcoming generation of Israeli riders, especially those aged 15 to 17. I want them to see this as their guiding star. They, too, can race here in the forthcoming years, on the grandest of stages.”
As anticipated, the race promises to be dominated by climbs. The final three stages, as well as the individual time trial, will culminate in climbs. Only one stage (the second, on Monday) is set to end with a classic sprint. Naturally, this is the day when Israeli sprinter Oded Kogut, and Canadian Riley Pickrell, pin their hopes for victory. “In Team Israel we’re all aware of the challenge ahead,” commented Kogut, “but we’re undeterred. We aim to be highly active in every stage. Otherwise, what’s the point of reaching this milestone?”
One of the standout names in the race is our 21-year-old climbing prodigy, Matthew Riccitello. He’s pegged to be one of Team USA’s leaders. Aviad is confident that Riccitello could be a formidable contender in the general classification battle. Matthew, who left a lasting impression during his Giro d’Italia debut, isn’t shying away from the challenge: “I’ve been itching to compete in this race since I began cycling, especially after having to depart prematurely last year. We have several shots at stage victories, and I’m setting my sights on the overall title. I can’t wait to get started!”
Team Israel:
Nadav Raisberg (22)
Jonathan Abudraham (18)
Rotem Tene (22)
Oded Kogut (22)
Imry Faingezicht (20)
Aviv Bental (20)
IPT Riders In Other National Teams:
Team Canada:
Riley Pickrell (22)
Team Australia:
Alastair Mackellar (21)
Team USA:
Matthew Riccitello (21)
Back to news and opinion index page for links to archived stories | Commentary