Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Saturday, December 7, 2024
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2024 Tour de France | 2024 Giro d'Italia
That pleasure which is at once the most pure, the most elevating and the most intense, is derived, I maintain, from the contemplation of the beautiful. - Edgar Allan Poe
Bill & Carol McGanns book The Story of the 2024 Tour de France: The Happy Warrior Triumphs is available as a Kindle eBook. To get your copy, just click on the link on the right.
Upcoming racing:
- December 15: Namur Cyclocross-Citadelcross
Latest completed racing:
- November 17: Flandriencross
- November 3: European Cyclocross Championships
- November 1: X20 Trofee Oudenaarde-Koppenbergcross
- October 27: Superprestige Overijse-Vlaamse Druivencross
- October 15 - 20: Tour of Guangxi
- October 20: Japan Cup Road Race
- October 20: Veneto Classic
- October 16: Giro del Veneto
- October 13: Chrono des Nations
Here’s the Team Visma | Lease a Bike’s update
The cyclo-cross calendar of Wout van Aert is now announced. The multiple cyclo-cross world champion will compete this winter in Mol, Loenhout, Gullegem, Dendermonde, Benidorm, and Maasmechelen.
“Cyclocross remains my first love, which is why I enjoy returning to it every winter", says Van Aert. “This winter, we’ve opted for a compact schedule of six races that fit well into my training plan. It will be a cyclocross season I approach purely out of love for the sport, but with modest ambitions. After my crash in the Vuelta and my knee injury, it’s essential to make the best use of the time I have to prepare for the road season. A few cyclocross races fit nicely into that plan, but the schedule is deliberately more limited than in previous years.”
Wout van Aert wins the 2022 Loenhout cross race.
Van Aert does not expect to show his top form during his first race, in Mol. “That will be the first target to work toward, but I certainly won’t reach my highest level there.” He will then compete in Loenhout, Gullegem, and Dendermonde, after which he will join Team Visma | Lease a Bike for a training camp.
“After that camp, there are two great races on the calendar in Benidorm and Maasmechelen, where I expect to be in better condition. I’m incredibly excited to get back into the field and look forward to reconnecting with the fans,” Van Aert concludes.
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Here’s Team Q36.5 Pro Cycling not-unexpected news
Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team is proud to welcome Tom Pidcock, as he embarks on an exciting new chapter in his career. Known for his versatility and relentless drive, the 25-year-old Brit is set to bring his passion, ambition, and world-class talent to the team as they take on new challenges together.
Pidcock’s decision to join Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team reflects the shared vision for growth and the freedom to pursue big objectives. Having already claimed five professional road victories, including the illustrious Strade Bianche and Amstel Gold Race, Pidcock is driven to reach even greater heights as he approaches the peak of his career.
Tom Pidcock wins the 2023 Strade Bianche. Sirotti photo
“This isn’t just a change of jersey; it’s the start of something special,” said Pidcock. “The chance to work with a team that’s growing, with incredible partners and brands, is something that motivates me. I can’t wait to see what we’ll achieve together.”
For Pidcock, this new start is not just about personal ambition; it is also about being part of a mission to elevate the team and its partners to new heights. “I know the challenge that we face getting to where we want to be but it’s an adventure and I’m excited for it,” he added.
Pidcock’s decision reflects the alignment of his personal goals with the team’s innovative and forward-thinking approach. “The chance to work with a team that’s growing, with incredible partners and brands, is something that motivates me. I can’t wait to see what we’ll achieve together.”
“We are honoured to welcome Tom Pidcock to the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team,” said Team Manager Doug Ryder. “Tom is a true embodiment of passion and competitive spirit, qualities that resonate deeply with our team’s values. His extraordinary talent, both on and off the bike, and his proven ability to win at the WorldTour level make him a game-changing addition to our roster. We look forward to writing this next chapter together.”
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Pidcock’s arrival signals an exciting new era for Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team and our partners, with plans to compete more consistently at the highest level and make its mark on the world of cycling.
“With his revolutionary, multi-disciplinary approach that has versatility at its heart, Tom is the perfect embodiment of our own approach to product development,” added Luigi Bergamo, Chairperson of Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team, Founder, and R&D Director of Q36.5. “Having Tom as part of the team offers us the opportunity not just to compete for victory at the world’s most prestigious races but also to continue to push the very boundaries of Q36.5’s vision of what the future of performance cycling clothing can be. I can’t wait to send him his first pair of Dottore bib shorts and hear what he thinks!”
Looking to take on new challenges, Pidcock is ready to embrace the opportunities ahead. “I love racing my bike, and I’m looking forward to making that a priority. Joining a team that believes in me and shares my vision of success makes this an incredibly important step in my career. Let’s make it happen.”
Tom Pidcock has signed a 3-year contract and will join the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team squad in the upcoming pre-season training camp, which is set to take place in Calpe, Spain in January.
“I know the challenge that we face getting to where we want to be but it’s an adventure and I’m excited for it,”
Tom Pidcock’s career highlights:
2020: Winner of the U23 Giro d’Italia and UCI MTB World Championships
2021: Olympic MTB Champion in Tokyo
2022: UCI Cyclo-Cross World Champion and stage winner on the legendary Alpe d’Huez in the Tour de France (13th overall)
2023: Winner of Strade Bianche
2024: Olympic MTB Champion in Paris and the winner of the Amstel Gold Race
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Here’s the team’s news:
Lidl-Trek is turning heads once again with a vibrant and dynamic design for its 2025 kit. Known for making waves when its striking patterned colors debuted in 2023, the partnership between Lidl and Trek has already cemented its place in cycling lore with an iconic jersey that’s as memorable as the victories it represents.
Lidl-Trek's 2025 racing kit
Over 18 unforgettable months, the original Lidl-Trek kit became synonymous with triumphs at the Tour de France, Tour of Flanders, and Giro d’Italia. Now, as Lidl-Trek celebrates its most successful season to date, the team gears up for an even brighter future. With the bold new design crafted by Santini, 2025 promises not just to look better, but to deliver even greater results.
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