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Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Sunday, December 10, 2023

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2023 Tour de France | 2023 Giro d'Italia

If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is, infinite. - William Blake

James Witherell's book Bicycle History: A Chronological History of People, Races and Technology is available in both print and Kindle eBook formats. To get your copy just click on the Amazon link on the right.

Upcoming racing:

• Dec 17: World Cup Namur Cyclocross
• Dec 26: World Cup Gaver Cyclocross
• Dec 27: Superprestige Heusden Zolder
• Dec 28: Superprestige Diegem
• Dec 29: Exact Cross Loenhout-Azencross
• Jan 12-21: Santos Tour Down Under
• Jan 20: Clasica Comunitat Valenciana
• Jan 24-28: Challenge Illes Balears-Volta Ciclista a Mallorca
• Jan 28: GP d'Ouverture-La Marseillaise
• Jan 28: Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
• Jan 30 - Feb 3: Saudi Tour

Latest completed racing:

• Nov 5: European Cyclocross Championships
• Nov 1: Trofee Oudenaarde-Koppenbergcross
• Oct 28: Superprestige Ruddervoorde
• Oct 22: Superprestige Overijse-Vlaanse Druivencross
• Oct 12 - 17: Tour of Guangxi
• Oct 15: Japan Cup
• Oct 15: Veneto Classic

I received this email from Jumbo-Visma early this morning:

Talented Cian Uijtdebroeks strengthens Team Visma | Lease a Bike

Cian Uijtdebroeks will join Team Visma | Lease a Bike on 1 January 2024. He will sign a four-year contract until 2027.

The talented GC rider has been on the team's radar for a long time. At Team Visma | Lease a Bike, the 20-year-old Belgian will have every opportunity to develop.

Despite his young age, Uijtdebroeks has already shown that he is one of the biggest talents on the WorldTour. In 2022, he won the Tour de l'Avenir, the premier stage race for U23 riders, and this year, he finished eighth in the Vuelta a España.

Cian Uijtdebroeks climbing the Angliru in the 2023 Vuelta a España. Sirotti photo

"We have been following Cian since his junior days", sportive director Merijn Zeeman says. "When the opportunity arose to sign Cian as of December 1st, we didn't hesitate. Cian is a perfect fit for our team. He wants to develop in all areas. We are happy that he has chosen us and our approach."

As a result, he will be able to develop in abundance with Team Visma | Lease a Bike. "In the coming years, the focus will be on improvement and growth. He can learn from our top riders like Jonas Vingegaard, Wout van Aert and Sepp Kuss. We see Cian as a future leader of our team", Zeeman says.

Uijtdebroeks: "I am delighted to be joining Team Visma | Lease a Bike. It has proven to be a leading team in recent years. And it was absolutely outstanding in 2023, winning the three Grand Tours. It is an honour to learn from guys like Jonas, Wout and Sepp. I am looking forward to start with Team Visma | Lease a Bike."

A couple of hours later Team Bora-hansgrohe sent me this:

Statement concerning today's news from Jumbo - Visma regarding our rider Cian Uijtdebroeks

Cian is and will remain a member of BORA - hansgrohe, also in the coming 2024 season. He is contractually bound with us until 31 December 2024.

Here’s the announcement from team Lidl-Trek:

17-year-old Wunderkind Albert Withen Philipsen entrusts his future to Lidl-Trek after dream season

Lidl-Trek is thrilled to announce the signing of rising star Albert Withen Philipsen, who will join the American outfit’s World Tour road racing team starting in 2025, and will represent it for the subsequent four seasons (through 2028).

In August, Albert added the Junior World Championship title to his palmarès, becoming the youngest rider to do so in the process.

Albert Withen Philipsen. Lidl-Trek photo

Five days later, he also claimed the rainbow jersey in the XCO mountain-bike discipline. In addition to two world titles, Albert struck gold twice in the European Championships, this time pairing an XCO title with the individual time trial on the road. Albert’s magnificent season has confirmed him as the brightest young talent on the market, especially given his remarkable cross-discipline ability.

In 2024, Albert will continue to race on the road with his current junior team, Tscherning Cycling Academy, whilst he will be supported by Trek in off-road disciplines. Albert will join Lidl-Trek in person for the first time at its upcoming winter training camps, from which point he will begin to receive support from the Team and its sponsors’ many experts. Starting January 1st, Albert will be racing and training on Trek bikes.

On his decision to join Lidl-Trek, Albert Withen Philipsen said:
“For me Lidl-Trek was just the best match. My most important criteria when I had to choose my upcoming team, was to find the one that could best help me develop as a rider. I could really feel from the start how enthusiastic and passionate the people working in the team were, while still focused on not rushing the process and not putting too much pressure on my shoulders. With my multi-discipline approach it was also important for me to find a team that not only had the best setup on the road, but also on the MTB and cyclocross, and I really feel that Lidl-Trek does that.

“I’m really looking forward to getting to know everyone on the team. As a Dane I’m particularly excited to join Mads Pedersen and Mattias Skjelmose. In the next few years my plan is to continue to mix the different disciplines, but primarily focus on the road. I want to keep focusing on the process, and work on some of my weak points. For me that will be my general experience and tactical skills. I’m still trying to figure out which races I will focus on in the future. Right now I’m a bit ‘in between’ as a rider type, so I hope to become the best all-rounder in the world.”

Speaking of the exciting deal, Luca Guercilena, Lidl-Trek General Manager, said: “Attracting Albert to join Lidl-Trek when so many teams were chasing his signature is testament to the structure we have built here. A special thanks must go to Markel Irizar (Talent Scout) and Josu Larrazabal (Head of Performance), whose passion for working with young riders has made Lidl-Trek a great prospect for developing the very best talent.

“Our approach with Albert remains the same as it is with all young riders: to give him all the support we can whilst we let him develop naturally, not to rush him. When he joins the team, we plan to set Albert a calendar that incorporates his various disciplines, but with a focus on road racing. On the road he will split his time between racing with our Development Team and the World Tour Team to ensure a balanced progression. Personally, I can’t wait to see Albert put on the Lidl-Trek jersey and begin his professional career with us!”

Lidl-Trek Talent Scout Markel Irizar added: “For us as a team, and also personally, it is a big satisfaction that Albert has chosen our team to continue with his promising career. But at same time we take this as a big responsibility, and we want to support him at the highest level to ensure his best development.

“Looking at Albert’s qualities as a rider there are two things that make him stand out: his determination and his desire to learn. He has a huge engine, but probably it’s his head that makes the difference. We are very happy to have such a talented multi-disciplined rider in our team, which will give us a big boost across the different disciplines. We are especially motivated to support him, but at the same time we don’t want to put any pressure on him, we will be there to support and protect him.”

Van Aert’s Team Jumbo-Visma sent me this:

Wout van Aert has won the Exact Cross in Essen. On his return to cyclocross, the 29-year-old rider of Team Jumbo-Visma rode to victory in a convincing way on a challenging course. Jens Adams and Thijs Aerts completed the podium.

The riders were presented with a puddle of mud in Essen. Van Aert, who had taken a wait-and-see approach at the start, stayed close to the three leaders for several laps. At the halfway point, the Belgian decided to increase the pace. In no time, he had a safe lead and was riding solo towards his fifth professional win in Essen.

A muddy day in Essen. Jumbo-Visma photo

"I needed the first few laps to assess my form and assess the competition", Van Aert said. "Every lap, the conditions got harder and harder, and halfway through the race, I noticed I was the best in the running sectors. Then, I found my rhythm, which allowed me to build up a lead. I struggled a bit at the end, but that is not unusual on a course like this. It's always good to start here. I am happy that I was able to please the crowd.

"The feeling today was better than I had hoped", he continued. "It was difficult to predict how I would do here. This winter, I am deliberately taking a calmer approach than in previous years. It's good not to put too much pressure on myself during the winter. Above all, I want to have fun, and that was the case today."

Van Aert heads to Spain next week for a training camp with Team Jumbo-Visma. The Belgian will return to racing on 22 December in Mol. "I hope to improve my form during the training camp for the upcoming Christmas period. After my last race in January, I will concentrate on the upcoming road season."

And Marion Norbert Riberolle won the Womens Exact Cross:

Photo: photopresse.be

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