Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Saturday, January 6, 2024
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2023 Tour de France | 2023 Giro d'Italia
People understand me so poorly that they don't even understand my complaint about them not understanding me. - Soren Kierkegaard
Upcoming racing:
- 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:
- Jan 1: GP Sven Nys
- Dec 29: Exact Cross Loenhout-Azencross
- Dec 28: Superprestige Diegem
- Dec 27: Superprestige Heusden Zolder
- Dec 26: World Cup Gaver Cyclocross
- Dec 17: World Cup Namur Cyclocross
Here’s the post from GreenEdge Cycling:
GreenEDGE Cycling dominated the Australian Criterium Championships as Ruby Roseman-Gannon led home a Liv AlUla Jayco one, two, three while Caleb Ewan sprinted to victory on his team return.
Roseman-Gannon finished off a superb team performance in the women’s race as she attacked solo to take her second criterium title, with teammates Georgia Baker and Alex Manly locking out the podium places from the bunch sprint behind.
The Champions. Photos: Henry Yates
Team Jayco AlUla then controlled an aggressive men’s race as they shut down a series of breakaway attempts over the course of the 40-lap race before 2023 champion Kell O’Brien and Blake Quick teed Ewan up for the sprint finale. Once the 29-year-old opened up his kick there was no stopping him as he raced away to secure his fourth national criterium title in style.
With three gold medals across the opening four events at the Australian National Championships, GreenEDGE Cycling now switch their focus to the ‘big one’ on Sunday as they look to reclaim the men's and women's road race championships on Mount Buninyong.
Ruby Roseman-Gannon (Winner)
“The race was good, a bit windy and nice weather, there wasn’t a lot of aggression early on but it started getting hard and I actually didn't feel so good. We had Amber [Pate] covering a lot of the moves early on.
Then I realised that I probably didn't feel good because actually it had been kind of hard so that's when I went and we got it pretty big gap, Gina Ricardo and I, pretty early on. I was working pretty hard and I wasn't sure whether Gina was feigning a bit so I started attacking her a bit and she was still holding on and then I eventually dropped her.
I think it's my first solo win since I became professional and maybe my first ever, so I’m really happy to win today. In the end we got one, two, three so I can’t thank the girls enough, it’s such great team to race with and what a great way to start the year.”
Caleb Ewan (Winner):
“It's amazing to be back and back in the team and I really wanted to start the year really well, and that was going to be here at the crit. I was super nervous before the race to be honest, I felt like a kid racing again.
The team did an amazing job we rode quite aggressive and then yeah in the end when we knew breaks were going away we set up for the sprint.
I think it's a good thing [to feel nervous], when you’re nervous it mean you care and it’s your body getting ready for whatever is coming up, so it's good to feel it again and it’s good to have the arms in the air again."
2024 Australian Criterium Championships – Women:
1. Ruby Roseman-Gannon (Liv AlUla Jayco) 50:25
2. Georgia Baker (Liv AlUla Jayco) +0:14
3. Alex Manly (Liv AlUla Jayco) +0:14
2024 Australian Criterium Championships – Men:
1. Caleb Ewan (Team Jayco AlUla) 59:16
2. Jensen Plowright ST
3. Sam Welsford ST
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Here’s the team’s update:
Soudal Quick-Step is ready to kick off the season in less than two weeks at the most important Australian race on the calendar, the Tour Down Under, which this year runs its 24th edition. Taking place between 16-21 January, the race will see the riders take on the now traditional Adelaide Criterium before embarking on a challenging 800km journey peppered with plenty of challenges, including the Willunga Hill and Mount Lofty.
Julian Alaphilippe descending the Joux Plane in stage 14 of the 2023 Tour de France. Sirotti photo
Ten years after making his debut for the team at the Tour Down Under, Julian Alaphilippe returns at the start of the race which will now mark the first outing in the pro ranks for two Soudal Quick-Step riders: Gil Gelders and Antoine Huby. The squad for the six-day event will be rounded out by Josef Cerny, James Knox, Casper Pedersen and Pieter Serry.
“I’m happy to be returning to Down Under after a decade. Australia is a great country, with fans that love the sport and show you their support every time. I still remember the emotion and joy I felt upon pinning on a number for my first race with the team there in 2014. I’m excited to go back where it all began and I hope for a good start to the season”, said Julian ahead of his first appointment of the year.
“We come with a strong squad and we’re looking forward to the race. Julian can get some opportunities with the support of the experienced guys on the squad, while Casper can get involved in the fight for a good result on the flat stages. For Gil and Antoine this will be a nice way to start with Soudal Quick-Step and we can’t wait to see them in action”, added sports director Geert Van Bondt.
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Here’s the post from Van de Velde’s Team AG Insurance-Soudal:
Julie Van de Velde, the newest addition to the AG Insurance - Soudal team, shares her excitement and preparations for her upcoming debut in the Tour Down Under.
Julie Van de Velde racing in the 2020 World Road Championships. Sirotti photo
“I am incredibly excited to start the season, especially in sunny Australia, while the weather in Belgium is currently not so great. This is a fantastic opportunity to race in a pleasant climate," says Julie. "My preparations have gone smoothly, both during the training camp and in my performance tests. I am very curious to see how this will translate into the race. I am also looking forward to defending the colors of AG Insurance - Soudal and giving my best for my new team.”
“We still have to discuss my role during the Tour Down Under in detail, but regardless of the results, I hope to return from Australia stronger. The intensity of the races will provide a good foundation for the rest of the season.”
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“In Calpe, I did a lot of uphill training, with both calm and more intensive blocks. I even asked to do certain flat trainings uphill because I prefer climbing. I have also prepared for the heat with sauna sessions and heat training, even during the holidays at home.”
“The first stage seems to be heading for a sprint, but I am particularly looking forward to stages two and three. They seem more my specialty," explains Julie. "I have heard that the climbs in the second stage are similar to the Walloon climbs, so they should definitely suit me. And the last stage has an uphill finish, something I am really looking forward to.”
“The guidance I have received from AG Insurance - Soudal has been fantastic. Their support in the run-up to my debut has been indispensable, and I feel completely ready for this new challenge,” concluded Julie.
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