Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Sunday, December 22, 2024
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2024 Tour de France | 2024 Giro d'Italia
We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations. - Charles R. Swindoll
Les Woodland's book Tour of Flanders: The Inside Story - The rocky roads of the Ronde van Vlaanderen is available in print, Kindle eBook and audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.
Upcoming racing:
- December 26: Gavere Cyclocross
- December 27: Exact Cross Loenhout-Azencross
- December 30: Diegem Cyclocross
- January 1: GP Sven Nys Cross
- January 18 - 26: Tour Down Under
Latest completed racing:
- December 15: Namur Cyclocross-Citadelcross
- 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
Here's the team's announcement:
The 17-year-old junior rider Ashlin Barry will take his first steps in the professional peloton with Team Visma | Lease a Bike. The American will become part of the Dutch WorldTeam’s development pyramid starting next season.
Barry is considered one of the biggest talents of his generation. In the limited races he competed in as a first-year junior in 2024, he showcased his abilities by winning the U.S. national road and time trial titles, along with victories in the Ster van Zuid-Limburg, Valley Sun Tour, Henderson Classic, and Tour du Bocage et de l’Ernée. Additionally, he demonstrated his versatility with a win in the UCI Gravel Series Blue Mountains and a second-place finish in the World Omnium Championships on the track.
Barry is the son of former professional cyclists Michael and Dede Barry. Born in Girona, Spain, he grew up in Toronto, Canada, but represents the U.S. national team through his mother.
Next season, Barry will join JEGG Skil DJR, the junior team collaborating with Team Visma | Lease a Bike. "We see immense talent in Ashlin, along with significant room for growth," said Robbert de Groot, Head of Development at Team Visma | Lease a Bike. "We are therefore very pleased that he will be part of our team in the coming years. This is the first time we have signed someone so young directly for our WorldTeam. It reflects our confidence in Ashlin’s potential and underscores our belief in long-term collaborations. Only by working closely with a talent from a young age can we fulfill their maximum potential,”
Barry himself is equally enthusiastic about his move: "Team Visma | Lease a Bike is truly a dream team. It’s incredibly inspiring to sign with the same team as riders like Wout van Aert and Jonas Vingegaard. They are great examples of how you can develop further within this team. Of course, I’m still very young and in the process of discovering my specialties. I believe the classics and time trials might suit me best, but I’m confident that this team is the perfect choice to guide me on that journey."
After completing his final year as a junior with JEGG Skil DJR, Barry will transition to Team Visma | Lease a Bike in 2026. "Whether and how long he will race for the Development Team and when he will step up to the WorldTour will depend on his progress," De Groot explained. "Thanks to our development pyramid, which includes a junior, development, and WorldTeam, we can remain flexible and offer riders like Ashlin a tailored pathway to further their growth. When it comes to talent development, we can truly offer customized solutions."
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Here’s the team’s announcement:
Team dsm-firmenich PostNL, UCI World Tour team and winner of first stage Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes and Sena Technologies Inc, the global leader in the integrated communications systems, have announced a renewal in their partnership for the 2025 UCI race year.
Sena is a pioneer in integrated motorcycle communications systems and Sena’s products are known for combining cutting-edge technology with reliability and user-centric designs. Their mission focuses on safety, communication, and innovation, backed by a robust team of over 100 engineers leading Sena’s R&D efforts in South Korea while the brand continues to soar new heights globally under the long-term vision of the Founder, Mr. Tae Kim. They’ve consistently expanded their footprint, becoming a favourite for outdoor enthusiasts worldwide. Such is the 25-year-old legacy created by the brand and its ever-growing team of experts.
Sena launched their first integrated communication systems in cycling helmets in 2020, and shortly after, began speaking with professional cycling teams to better understand their needs. What resulted was a communication solution for riders and sports directors based on Sena’s advanced communication protocol, Mesh Intercom™, allowing an unlimited number of athletes to communicate with the Team director and Teammates while racing, with unparalleled sound quality and enhanced focus on the race.
Sena Technologies Inc. CEO Tae Kim said: “We are excited to continue our partnership with Team dsm-firmenich PostNL, as it represents an important step in enhancing in-race communication at the highest level of cycling. We are proud that Sena’s technology can not only bridge the gap left by traditional race radio, but also elevate the overall rider and team experience with the state-of-the-art communication equipment. Team dsm-firmenich PostNL’s quest for innovation and drive to improve performance align perfectly with Sena’s focus on technology.”
Team dsm-firmenich PostNL is a Dutch-licensed global professional cycling team operating at the highest level of the sport since 2008, with a unique scientific and innovative focus which is really implemented through a culture of true cooperation. With three programs (men, women and development) under that same umbrella, the team is known for their Keep Challenging mantra: to redefine cycling through cooperation and innovation. The team achieved big victories with their men’s and women’s programs in monumental classic races, many stage victories in grand tour, for example the first stages of Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes in 2024, and the overall victory of the Giro d’Italia in 2017.
Team dsm-firmenich PostNL R&D expert Piet Rooijakkers added: “We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Sena and use their innovative communication system. We’re looking forward to combining our experience with their years of knowledge and expertise to improve communication between riders and coaches during training and races.”
The cooperation between Team dsm-firmenich PostNL and Sena began in 2022, when Sena introduced a Mesh Intercom system, allowing easy communication between riders and their sports directors. Sena’s technology is compatible with Shimano’s Di2 system. A button directly integrated into the handlebars allows athletes to activate the Sena microphone in their team helmet, while keeping their hands and sights in position at all times.
With one of the most significant race radio innovations in decades and a partnership with Team dsm-firmenich PostNL, a top cycling team in UCI World Tour, Sena breaks away from the pack into the future of competitive cycling. Sena’s Mesh Intercom™ technology is available for pro-cyclists in their professional race communication system, and for all cyclists in their full line of smart cycling helmets and headsets. Sena takes pride in reiterating its brand as a strong and reliable partner for the millions of fans of cycling.
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NIPPO to be co-title partner of Wanty-NIPPO-ReUz
Here's the team's news:
Intermarché-Wanty proudly announces the joining of NIPPO Corporation into its partner family. NIPPO Corporation, a leading Japanese construction company with a long history of supporting cycling, is significantly expanding its involvement in the cycling world.
Starting January 1, 2025, NIPPO will become a co-title partner of the UCI Continental Development team Wanty-NIPPO-ReUz, further solidifying its dedication to nurturing the next generation of cycling talent. NIPPO’s logo will also feature prominently on the Intermarché-Wanty UCI World Team jersey. This dual partnership demonstrates NIPPO’s comprehensive approach to supporting cycling at all levels, from development to the highest echelons of the sport.
NIPPO’s long-standing involvement in cycling began in 1988 with the Seoul Olympics. Their expertise in constructing velodromes and other race tracks, including the Suzuka Circuit, underscores their genuine passion for the sport. This expanded partnership with Wanty-NIPPO-Re-Uz and continued presence with Intermarché-Wanty marks a new chapter in their commitment to supporting cycling at all levels and building a brighter future for the sport.
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The Wanty-NIPPO-Re-Uz partnership will focus on identifying, developing, and mentoring promising young cyclists, with a particular emphasis on fostering Japanese talent. The team will provide a platform for these riders to gain valuable experience in international competition and progress through the ranks of professional cycling. NIPPO’s continued presence on the Intermarché-Wanty WorldTeam jersey further reinforces the synergy between the two teams. This integrated approach will allow for seamless collaboration and knowledge sharing, maximizing opportunities for young riders to learn from experienced professionals.
“We are thrilled to elevate our involvement in cycling by becoming a title partner of Wanty-NIPPO-ReUz. This partnership represents a significant investment in the future of cycling, particularly in the development of young Japanese riders. We believe that by working closely with the established structure of Intermarché-Wanty, we can create a pathway for these talented athletes to reach their full potential. In only two years of existence, their Continental Team has brought nine riders into the professional peloton. We are honoured to join team partners who are passionate about cycling, such as WANTY, a historical sponsor who is a leader in the same construction industry as NIPPO, and VINI FANTINI, with whom we have taken on challenges together as team sponsors in the past.”
Hiroshi Daimon (Representative of sports department, NIPPO Corporation)
“We are delighted to welcome NIPPO as a co-title partner of our Continental team. NIPPO has a long-standing history in cycling, and I am convinced our structure is ready to extend that heritage. NIPPO’s commitment to developing young riders aligns perfectly with our own values, and we are confident that together we can create a highly successful development program. This collaboration strengthens the bridge between our Continental and WorldTeam structures, offering a clear path for world- class talents to progress within our organization. We are also looking forward to discovering new races in Japan and in Asia.”
About NIPPO Corporation:
Founded in 1934, NIPPO is a major Japanese company with about 6,500 employees (total number of the corporate group) active in pavement, civil engineering, building, building, proving grounds for car and tire brands, airports and road construction, and real estate, with a strong emphasis on quality and technical expertise. NIPPO also builds 90% of the velodromes in Japan and other race tracks, including the Suzuka Circuit. Since 1988, NIPPO Corporation has sponsored Japanese national teams in various disciplines and numerous teams throughout Europe as a name sponsor, including NIPPO-Vini Fantini (2015-2019, with three Giro d’Italia participations and riders such as Damiano Cunego) and EF Education- NIPPO (2021). One of NIPPO Corporation’s aims is to support and empower Japanese cyclists and cycling team staff, thus furthering cycling in Japan.
About Wanty-NIPPO-Re Uz:
Wanty-NIPPO-Re Uz, formerly Wanty-Re Uz-Technord, is a Belgian UCI Continental Development Team launched by UCI WorldTeam Intermarché-Wanty in 2023. Under the guidance of former professional rider Kevin Van Melsen, the UCI Development Team has achieved more than 25 victories in two years, including the European U23 Championship (2024, Artz), Liège-Bastogne-Liège U23 (2023, Busatto), Gent-Wevelgem U23 (2024, Artz), the French U23 Championship (2023, Faure-Prost), the Italian U23 Championship, a stage in the Giro d’Italia Next Gen (2024, Artz), and the Giro Valle d’Aosta (2023, Vandenstorme). Wanty-Re Uz-Technord has already graduated nine talents to the professional level, five of whom joined UCI WorldTeam Intermarché-Wanty.
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