Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Back to news and opinion index page for links to archived stories | Commentary | Our YouTube page
2023 Tour de France | 2023 Giro d'Italia
If people never did silly things nothing intelligent would ever get done. - Ludwig Wittgenstein
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:
- March 13: Danilith Nokere Koerse
- March 13: Milano-Torino
- March 14: GP de Denain
- March 15: Brendene Koksijde Classic
- March 16: Milano - Sanremo
- March 16: Classic Loire Atlantique
Latest completed racing:
- March 3 - 10: Paris-Nice
- March 4 - 10: Tirreno-Adriatico
- March 2: Strade Bianche
- February 28: Trofeo Laigueglia
- February 27: Le Samyn
- February 19 - 25: UAE Tour
- February 22 - 25: O Gran Camiño
- February 25: Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne
- February 25: Faun-Drôme Classic
Here’s the team’s update:
The only team to have won Nokere Koerse five times this century, Soudal Quick-Step will be in action this Wednesday at the Belgian one-day race, which will once again revolve around the Nokereberg, where home favourite Tim Merlier – clad in the Belgian Champion jersey – triumphed last year. The short but demanding hill will feature several times on the route of the 77th edition (189.8km), and it’s also the place where the race will conclude.
Tim Merlier wins 2023 Nokere Koerse
Two days later, Bredene Koksijde Classic (200.9km) awaits with a combination of cobbled hills – including the iconic Kemmelberg, which has become synonymous with Gent-Wevelgem over the years – pavé stretches and narrow roads. To add to these, strong winds could once again make an appearance, as was the case three years ago, and spread chaos in the bunch, changing the whole dynamic of the race and bringing more riders, not just the sprinters, in contention.
Content continues below the ads
Soudal Quick-Step will send to Nokere Koerse a seven-man squad comprising Ayco Bastiaens, Antoine Huby, Luke Lamperti, Tim Merlier, Pepijn Reinderink, Lars Vanden Heede and Bert Van Lerberghe. On Friday, Gil Gelders, Paul Magnier, Warre Vangheluwe, Leander Van Hautegem and Jordi Warlop will join Bastiaens and Huby for the 22nd edition of the Bredene Koksijde Classic.
“We go with a lot of confidence to these two races. Tim will be our leader for Nokere, where he’ll have Bert to guide him in the finale. Luke is also set to compete there, and taking on the cobbles will be a nice experience for him. In Bredene, Paul will be back in action, part of a young but very motivated team. The races won’t be easy, but we are confident in our chances of getting a good result”, said sports director Dries Devenyns.
Content continues below the ads
Here’s the team’s post:
When Jake Stewart lines up at Milano – Torino on Wednesday, it will almost feel like the first day at school. The 24-year-old’s debut with IPT may have been postponed due to injury but after an 11-week recovery and return to race form, Stewart is more than ready to pin those numbers on.
Jake Stewart wins stage one of the 2023 Tour de l'Ain
“I think it goes without saying that I’m super excited to pin a number on this week at Milano – Torino and start the season for 2024,” says Stewart. “It has been a really long 11 weeks. The build up in the winter was going really well and then it was disrupted a bit with an injury so I’m really motivated.
“Training has been going really well, I’ve been working really well with the team’s coaches, physios and medical staff and we all believe I am in a really good place to start racing. The numbers in training have also been really encouraging so I think it’s going to be a good race to start my season at. With a new team, I want to come in and show what I can really do.”
Content continues below the ads
Stewart’s 2024 race debut will see him unite with British compatriot and friend Ethan Vernon, who will line up as IPT’s leader at the 177-kilometer race from Rho to Salassa.
“Obviously, it’s a really good opportunity for Ethan in the sprint. That kind of finish is pretty perfect for him so I hope I can be there with him in the final and do a good job as his last man and get a bit of practice in before we go to the Giro d’Italia. That’s the main plan, to reacquaint ourselves and get stuck into the sprints there. So, I’m super excited and can’t wait to get going,” adds Stewart.
Joining Stewart and Vernon at the start line are Nick Schultz (AUS), Riley Sheehan (USA), Nadav Raisberg (ISR), and IPT Academy riders Pier-André Coté (CAN) and Moritz Kretschy (GER).
Back to news and opinion index page for links to archived stories | Commentary