Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Monday, November 13, 2023

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2023 Tour de France | 2023 Giro d'Italia

What we anticipate seldom occurs: but what we least expect generally happens. - Benjamin Disraeli

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Bill and Carol McGann's book The Story of the Giro d'Italia, A Year-by-Year History of the Tour of Italy, Vol 2: 1971 - 2011 is available in print, Kindle eBook and audiobook versions. 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

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

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World Cup Dendermonde Cross race results

This is not a race we cover, but here are the top placers of both the women's & men's races.

Women:

Ceylin Del Carmen Alvarado has left everyone else behind again.

1	Ceylin Del Carmen Alvarado	Alpecin-Deceuninck	55min 45sec
2	Lucinda Brand	Baloise Trek Lions	@ 37sec
3	Zoe Backstedt	Canyon-SRAM	1:35
4	Marion Norbert Riberolle	Crelan-Corendon	2:01
5	Manon Bakker	Crelan-Corendon	2:11
6	Kristyna Zemanová	Brilon Racing Team	2:22
7	Aniek Van Alphen	Cyclocross Reds	2:27
8	Laura Verdonschot	De Ceuster-Bonache	2:43
9	Sanne Cant	Crelan-Corendon	2:47
10	Alicia Franck	De Ceuster-Bonache	2:57

 

Men:

Pim Ronhaar wins the elite men's race.

1	Pim Ronhaar	Baloise Trek Lions	56min 4sec
2	Lars Van Der Haar	Baloise Trek Lions	@ 16sec
3	Laurens Sweeck	Crelan-Corendon	0:27
4	Eli Iserbyt	Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal	0:33
5	Gerben Kuypers	Circus-Reuz-Technord	0:40
6	Kevin Kuhn	Circus-Reuz-Technord	0:42
7	Jens Adams	Belgium	0:45
8	Joran Wyseure	Crelan-Corendon	0:48
9	Toon Vandebosch	Crelan-Corendon	0:54
10	Ryan Kamp	Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal	0:56

 

UCI threatens World Championships ban for cyclo-cross riders skipping World Cup events

Procyclinguk.com posted this:

It has been reported that the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has expressed profound dissatisfaction following the decision of cyclist Thibau Nys to skip the Wereldbeker Dendermonde. UCI President David Lappartient is of the opinion that participation in UCI World Cup events should be mandatory. He has cautioned that failure to attend could result in riders being barred from subsequent World Cup races and even the World Cyclo-cross Championships.

Thibau Nys wins the 2023 Koppenbergcross

Reigniting the World Cup Calendar Debate
The debate surrounding the World Cup calendar has been reignited as a consequence of Nys choosing to participate in the Superprestige Niel over the Wereldbeker Dendermonde. UCI official Peter Van den Abeele has voiced his concerns, stating that if the World Cup is viewed merely as an optional event, it presents a significant problem for the sport.

Adding to the discussion in an interview with DirectVélo, Lappartient questioned Nys’ reasoning for missing the World Cup, given that he had decided to race in Niel despite claiming to be fatigued after a disappointing European Cyclo-cross Championship performance. The UCI President acknowledged that although Nys is a significant figure in cyclo-cross, he is not the only rider overlooking World Cup events. On the topic of logistical challenges, specifically the solitary US World Cup round, Lappartient suggested that combining it with a Canadian event could alleviate travel strain on riders.

You can read the entire story here.

Five riders re-sign with Bardiani CSF-Faizanè

The team sent me this update:

5 confirmed athletes. Luca Colnaghi renews for one year. Manuele Tarozzi and Alessio Martinelli renew for two years, while Enrico Zanoncello and Martin Marcellusi renew for three years.

Luca Colnaghi racing at the 2023 Tour of Norway. Loken pohoto

The #greenteam, which will be called VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè from next year, has confirmed 5 riders, including Luca Colnaghi, born in '99, who has renewed his commitment with the Italian team for another season. In 2023, he achieved 4 podium finishes and 10 Top 10 placements. His 3rd place in the fourth stage of the Tour of Denmark, behind Mads Pedersen and Fabio Jakobsen, was particularly significant.

Colnaghi's statements: "I am pleased with the renewed mutual trust. I spent two years focused on growth and gaining experience. This will be my third year as a professional, and I have consistently improved. I believe I had a great Tour of Turkey. The outlook is promising, and I have a strong desire to perform. I thank the team and the sponsors who believe in me. I hope to entertain and enjoy myself next year."

Martin Marcellusi will also represent the #greenteam until 2026. In 2023, he participated in his first Giro d'Italia, completing it in his hometown, Rome. He won the climber's classification at the Tour du Limousin and finished in the top 10 at the Gran Piemonte. In his last race of the season, Il Lombardia, he played a leading role in the breakaway with his teammate Alex Tolio.

His words: "It was a challenging season where I had to chase right from the start due to a collarbone injury. During recovery, I always felt the support and trust of the team. That's why I decided to renew for 3 years. The next season will be important for me, and I aim to achieve some significant results. I definitely want to participate in the Giro d'Italia again and with a bit more experience, manage the season better overall."

The italian rider Manuele Tarozzi, who won the queen stage of the Tour du Rwanda, will also continue with the Reverberi family's team for another two years.

His words: "In the 2023 season, my goal was to win at least one race. My year started with the Vuelta a San Juan, where I tried to attack on several occasions and won the climber's classification. My first professional victory came at the Tour du Rwanda, so I had achieved my goal. There's a bit of regret because in the second part of the season, I didn't find the opportunity to win again. I will try to approach the winter preparation in the best way to be ready for the next season. Of course, I am happy with the renewal. I feel very comfortable here, both with the staff and teammates."

Alessio Martinelli, a young talent from Valtellina born in 2001, finished 6th in the Giro Next Gen and was the top Italian in the general classification. He has renewed for another two years: "If I were to rate my season, it would be an 8 out of 10. It was a year where I confirmed that when I'm in good condition, I can compete in races. In the pro races, I started well. In Palma di Maiorca, I got two Top 10 finishes. The season with the Under23s was overall good. I finished 6th in the general classification at the Giro Next Gen, showing that I can be a stage race rider. It would be fantastic to participate in the Giro d'Italia next year, and I will try to earn a spot. I still hope to improve and raise the bar season after season. I thank the staff, teammates, and management who believe in my abilities."

Enrico Zanoncello concludes this significant series of renewals. In 2023, he achieved an impressive 4 victories, 11 podium finishes, and 32 Top 10 placements. The Italian rider had the best season of his career. His words upon signing the three-year contract: "I am overjoyed with the renewal. My first year here was very challenging; I lacked awareness. This year, the team designed a perfect calendar for my characteristics. When you start winning, you gain more and more confidence and belief in your abilities, and you always want to improve. I have always found the support of my teammates, and it is also thanks to them that I had a good season. I hope to take another step forward in 2024. I like the team's project, and there is mutual trust."

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