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Wednesday, November 20, 2024
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2024 Tour de France | 2024 Giro d'Italia
In 1969, I gave up women and alcohol - it was the worst 20 minutes of my life. - George Best
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Upcoming racing:
- December 15: Namur Cyclocroos-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
The team sent me this:
At this moment, Lotto Dstny Team is in discussion with Maxim Van Gils and his management to decide about their future together. Ongoing talks regarding a potential departure are part of this process. All parties, however, wish for this to proceed in the most proper, legal, and serene manner possible. For the time being, we do not wish to provide further comments to ensure the discussions can continue calmly. Once there is official news, it will be communicated.
To understand what's going on, Here's an explanation from idlprocycling.com:
Maxim van Gils has informed Lotto Dstny of his intention to terminate his contract with the team, according to Belgian outlet HLN. This news has sent shockwaves through the cycling world and the Belgian team. It is unclear whether Van Gils has already found a new team, or how Lotto Dstny will respond to this move. Will they simply agree to the departure of their best rider of 2024?
Here's Van Gils racing in the Ruta del Sol ealier this year. Sirotti photo
A plot twist in the cycling peloton. Maxim Van Gils, who in March extended and improved his contract with Lotto Dstny, has now expressed that he wants to dissolve that same contract. The Belgian rider from Antwerp had an agreement valid until the end of 2026, but has indicated via a registered letter that he wants to leave immediately. This decision is sure to dominate discussions in the cycling world in the coming period. Finding a new team seems unlikely to be an issue – his phone will undoubtedly be ringing off the hook. However, the 24-year-old Belgian will first need to reach a resolution with his current team.
You can read the entire post here.
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Here’s the team’s news:
Evolution over revolution is the focus for the Israel – Premier Tech Academy going into 2025 as it looks to build on a season in which two more riders – Joe Blackmore and Pier-André Côté – graduated up to its ProTeam.
Fourteen riders on the 20-man roster have been retained for 2025, including Giro Next Gen podium finisher Pau Martí Soriano and Israeli national champions Imry Faingezicht (time trial) and Matar Peretz (road).
The six new signings for 2025 are reigning Israeli and Irish road race champions Roei Edinger (18) and Patrick Casey (18), highly-rated British time trial specialist Finlay Tarling (18), Jens Verbrugghe (20, Belgium), Samuel Coleman (18, Ireland), and Euan Woodliffe (20, Britain).
“I’m really pleased we’ve been able to attract in-demand riders,” says Academy Manager Tim Elverson. “I think most of the reasoning behind that is the opportunity for progression: riders want to win bike races, and they want to know they can step up to a good professional team, and I think we’ve proven that, with Joe being the best example in 2024.
Pier-André Côté leads a group.
“They’ve chosen to come to us as they decided that we were the best option for them and their future. It’s really nice to get the team into this position going into 2025.”
Progression pathways weren’t just on offer for Blackmore and Côté: of those returning riders, 10 stepped up at least once last season to ride with IPT’s ProTeam in 2024.
“We want nothing more than to see one of our riders excel and get them into the ProTeam as quickly as possible,” Elverson adds. “We did that with Joe and that’s not a one-off opportunity. It’s not all talk: we have a process, we have a performance-driven attitude.”
The arrival of Edinger is a reminder of one of the Academy’s core values: the development of the next generation of Israeli riders. “He’s here on merit,” says Elverson. “Obviously we have one eye on emerging Israeli riders as we want to see them flourish and come through. Roei fits this: he has proven himself in the juniors, getting results in top European races. His determination shines through.”
Elverson describes Casey and Coleman, the two Irish signings, as riders “who like a tough day out”. He adds: “Patrick is a really intelligent rider, he’s good at sniffing opportunities out. Sam can climb well – he’s really strong. We’ll work with them alongside the Irish Federation, which will strengthen their camaraderie.”
Tarling’s signing with the Academy was previously unveiled in May; since then he has finished on the podium in both the junior British time trial and road race championships. “Time trialling is his passion; it’s also an area in which the team is really keen to improve,” says Elverson. “He’s also got an eye on Classics racing, and that’s a big area in which we can work together.”
Verbrugghe and Woodliffe complete the new arrivals, with Elverson confident they’ll thrive in their new environment. He says: “I’ve been talking with Jens for a long time: he was a very strong talent as a junior and I think if we can get the coaching right he can become a very good rider in those grippy one-day races. Euan has had some bad luck this season, but he’s fit and healthy now. I think the project we have for him will be good for him.”
Australian rider Brady Gilmore, who joined the Academy in September, also returns for his first full season in the team.
Elverson adds: “He’s really exciting. He came to cycling late so he’s green, but he’s got a great engine. This year we’ll be looking to develop his race craft, getting him used to as many different scenarios as possible, and allowing him to use his engine as best he can.”
The team’s racing program will largely replicate its schedule from 2024, with a handful of additional stage races added. “We’d like to go back to those races we performed well in and see if we can repeat that success, especially with alternate riders,” Elverson says.
Israel – Premier Tech Academy in 2025: Dylan Bibic (CAN), Patrick Casey (IRL), Samuel Coleman (IRL), Roei Edinger (ISR), Imry Faingezicht (ISR), Alvaro Garcia (ESP), Brady Gilmore (AUS), Moritz Kretschy (GER), Karl Kurtis (EST), Daniel Lima (POR), Pau Martí Soriano (ESP), Viggo Moore (USA), Matar Peretz (ISR), Finlay Tarling (GBR), Rotem Tene (ISR), Luke Valenti (CAN), Floris Van Tricht (BEL), Jens Verbrugghe (BEL), Kiaan Watts (NZL), Euan Woodliffe (GBR)
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Team Soudal Quick-Step posted this:
At AG Insurance-Soudal and Soudal Quick-Step, we understand that there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to cycling nutrition.
Each cyclist has unique needs that depend on their body composition, training schedule, and environmental conditions. Zoë Overzee, one of our nutritionists, supports our team by developing tailored nutrition strategies that consider personal preferences and the influence of different weather conditions.
Hydration and electrolyte balance: Personalized strategies for optimal performance. Hydration is essential for cyclists, especially during long rides and races. We emphasize that fluid loss and the concentration of electrolytes in sweat can vary significantly from one cyclist to another. Through specialized sweat testing, the team gains insights into the exact amount of fluid and electrolyte loss per individual and under different conditions. These tests measure sweat rate per hour and sodium concentration, helping to determine the right fluid and electrolyte intake.
In warmer conditions, fluid loss generally increases, and cyclists adjust their hourly fluid intake accordingly. Sodium loss remains relatively stable, but acclimatization to heat can also affect the amount of electrolytes needed. We carefully tailor electrolyte and hydration strategies to environmental factors and the intensity of exertion, ensuring that each cyclist stays optimally hydrated on race days.
Individual adjustments and dietary preferences: In the cycling world, we frequently encounter dietary preferences, food intolerance, and allergies that require specific adjustments. Cyclists with lactose intolerance, gluten allergies, or specific dietary preferences require precisely adjusted nutrition plans. We ensure that each individual receives the right food and nutrients without compromising their performance.
Nutrition in extreme weather conditions: Adapting for heat, cold, and humidity. Extreme weather conditions pose specific challenges for cyclists. In hot conditions, for example, the body increases sweat production to cool down, raising the risk of dehydration. We advise drinking from bottles with cold water both before and during the race to help regulate body temperature. Cold water not only helps keep the internal temperature stable but also provides a cooling sensation.
In cold conditions, sweat-related fluid loss is often less noticeable, but fluid loss through breathing increases, especially in cold and dry weather. In these situations, warm or lukewarm water in bottles is recommended. This helps to keep body temperature stable and prevents unnecessary heat loss.
In high humidity, the body has more difficulty evaporating sweat, which can lead to increased sweat production. Fluid intake is adjusted to the specific weather conditions to ensure our cyclists maintain a constant fluid balance, essential for endurance and performance. Dehydration can lead to decreased performance, fatigue, and heat-related health risks.
A personalized nutrition plan for peak performance: Thanks to carefully tailored, individualized nutrition strategies, our cyclists can perform at their best, regardless of weather conditions and personal dietary preferences. By thoughtfully and attentively addressing the unique needs of each athlete, AG Insurance – Soudal and Soudal Quick-Step ensure that nutrition serves as a foundation not only for energy but also for recovery and protection against the challenges of every race.
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Here's the team's post:
The campaign of 2024 will always be remembered as the year of firsts for Intermarché-Wanty. The first stage win in the Tour de France, on 1st of July in Turin, the first distinctive jersey with the green jersey of the Tour de France won in Nice on 21st of July, but also the first titles of European Champion in the youth categories.
With thirteen victories for the World Team and a fifteenth place in the UCI Team Ranking, the Belgian team can boast of a successful campaign, relying on a young team while having confidence in some more experienced riders like Taco Van der Hoorn who made his return to the highest level. On the occasion of the winter break, General Manager Jean-François Bourlart takes stock and is already looking ahead to next season.
Points classification winner Biniam Girmay in green after stage 21 of the 2024 Tour de France.
"This year 2024 will be etched in memory. Not only for the 50th anniversary of the founding of VC Ath, but also and especially for the number of prestigious victories. These results are the reward of long term work and of our strategy of developing young talent, but above all also of the unwavering commitment of all members of our team." "Our spring hasn't been easy, with certainly some beautiful victories for Gerben Thijssen or Laurenz Rex, but also with many crashes during the classics, which sidelined Arne Marit, Gerben Thijssen or Biniam Girmay for example. Not to mention the long absences of Taco Van der Hoorn or Kobe Goossens. However, we always continued to work with the will to shine during the summer.
"Inevitably, the very first stage victory in the Tour de France for our team was a crowning achievement. The accomplishment of our project which has progressed step by step over the years to finally triumph at the highest level of cycling. But the following two stage wins and the green jersey have above all shown that this is only another step in the development of our project." "Our strategy of long term investment in talent development is paying off. We have been following Biniam Girmay for many years, and since his recruitment, we have established a long term plan with objectives that mark his progress. These victories in the Tour de France call for more, why not in a first Monument. Alongside him, we have built a strong and promising team with notably Hugo Page, Laurenz Rex, Huub Artz, Vito Braet, Dries De Pooter or Roel van Sintmaartensdijk.
"We're already building the generation of tomorrow, with our Continental team, with for example European titles for Huub Artz in the U23 category and Felix Ørn-Kristoff in the Junior category. But they're not alone, as young talents like Gualdi and Claisse are growing in their shadow. I'm convinced that our approach, despite working with one of the smallest but continuously growing budget in the World Tour, remains the healthiest on the long term." "I'm also proud to be able to count on the support of our historic partners, with whom we've worked to secure our future, both sporting and commercial.
"We're also pleased to welcome new partners, as the arrival of any new company interested in our project helps us grow. We can rely on a team built around the classics, particularly around Biniam Girmay, who is tied to our project until 2028. We're proud, along with all the riders and the performance team, to fight every day to reach the top and make the colours of our team and our partners shine. We already started the preparation for the next season before uniting again in December for our first annual collective winter training camp. This will be an opportunity for the riders to discover our new colours and prepare for a 2025 season that I can't wait to begin!" - Jean-François Bourlart (Managing Director)
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