Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
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2024 Tour de France | 2024 Giro d'Italia
The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried. - G. K. Chesterton
Bill and Carol McGann's book The Story of the Giro d'Italia, A Year-by-Year History of the Tour of Italy, Vol 1: 1909 - 1970 is available in print, Kindle eBook & audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.
Upcoming racing:
- November 17: Flandriencross
- December 15: Namur
Latest completed racing:
- 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’s announcement:
Michael Schwarzmann will stay on with Israel – Premier Tech in 2025, as the team and the 33-year-old German have agreed on a one-year contract extension.
“I really like the atmosphere in this team,” Schwarzmann explains. “This year, we showed that everybody works really well together, riders and staff, and I hope that we can continue on this path next year and do even better.”
The 2024 season was Schwarzmann’s first year with IPT, joining as a key leadout rider for his countryman and top sprinter Pascal Ackermann. After fine-tuning the leadouts throughout the season, Schwarzmann believes next year will be even better.
Michael Schwarzmann racing in stage 4 of the 2021 Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré. Sirotti photo
He adds: “This year, most of us were racing together for the first time. We all learned a lot, and I think this will be an advantage for us next year. We have a good mix of young and talented riders as well as more experienced guys, and I’m eager to help the team reach its goals.”
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IPT’s General Manager, Kjell Carlström, is pleased to see Schwarzmann continuing with the team, highlighting his great spirit and dedication to the team’s success.
“Michael is a valued member of our IPT family,” says Carlström. “He comes to races and camps with a great attitude and really adds a lot to the good atmosphere of the team, on and off the bike. Michael is a loyal teammate and fully dedicated to the team’s goals. He’s also a key member of our leadout train, adding strength and experience to the hectic sprint finals.”
Team owner Sylvan Adams, too, is happy that Schwarzmann will stay within the IPT ranks next year.
“Schwarzie has been a reliable rider since he joined our team last year. He’s done everything that the performance group has asked of him, and more. Moreover, he fits right in and adds to the team chemistry. I’m very pleased that he will continue with IPT.”
Schwarzmann’s contract extension completes IPT’s 2025 roster with the German filling the team’s 30th spot.
Israel – Premier Tech in 2025:
* Pascal Ackermann (GER)
* George Bennett (NZL)
* Joseph Blackmore (GBR)
* Guillaume Boivin (CAN)
* Simon Clarke (AUS)
* Pier-André Côté (CAN)
* Itamar Einhorn (ISR)
* Marco Frigo (ITA)
* Chris Froome (GBR)
* Jakob Fuglsang (DEN)
* Derek Gee (CAN)
* Jan Hirt (CZE)
* Hugo Hofstetter (FRA)
* Hugo Houle (CAN)
* Oded Kogut (ISR)
* Matîs Louvel (FRA)
* Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ)
* Krists Neilands (LAT)
* Riley Pickrell (CAN)
* Nadav Raisberg (ISR)
* Matthew Riccitello (USA)
* Nick Schultz (AUS)
* Michael Schwarzmann (GER)
* Riley Sheehan (USA)
* Jake Stewart (GBR)
* Corbin Strong (NZL)
* Tom Van Asbroeck (BEL)
* Ethan Vernon (GBR)
* Stephen Williams (GBR)
* Michael Woods (CAN)
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Here’s the team’s news:
Ivan Basso saw his potential, bringing him into the U23 ranks of the Fundación Contador in 2022, and after an outstanding season he promoted him to the professional roster. Now, after two seasons with the ProTeam, Andrea Pietrobon is ready for two more, as he has extended his contract with Polti Kometa through 2025 and 2026.
Always prepared to support, pull and dive into the action when the opportunity arises, as well as to entertain those around him with his charismatic personality and piano skills, the 1999-born cyclist from the Cadore made a mark this year by winning the breakaway classification in his first Giro d’Italia. He also reached the podium in Lucca, nearly snatching victory in the corsa rosa’s fifth stage: “This team has given me the chance to do the work I dreamed of as a kid,” he says, “and I’m very happy that they’ve renewed their confidence in me. I know next two years will be crucial, as I’ll no longer be a youngster. I want to put my growing experience and athletic endurance to use to achieve even better results!”
I'm sorry, this is my best picture of Andrea Pietrobon, finishing third in stage 5 of the 2024 Giro d'Italia. Sirotti photo
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Stefano Zanatta: “Pietrobon has followed a well-timed growth path that we all agreed upon. He’s shown strong values in every sense, can push himself beyond his limits and is strong in both character and physique. He has the right level of boldness and can rise to the occasion in any situation, providing valuable support to both his teammates and us as sporting directors. He could become one of the most representative members of our team, alongside men like Maestri and Sevilla.”
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