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Monday, October 14, 2024
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2024 Tour de France | 2024 Giro d'Italia
Success is having to worry about every damn thing in the world, except money. - Johnny Cash
Les Woodland's book Cycling Heroes: The Golden Years is available in the print, Kindle eBook & audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.
Upcoming racing:
- October 15 - 20: Tour of Guangxi
- October 16: Giro del Veneto
- October 20: Japan Cup Road Race
Latest completed racing:
- October 13: Chrono des Nations
- October 12: Il Lombardia
- October 10: Gran Piemonte
- October 8: Tre Valli Varesine
- October 7: Coppa Bernocchi
- Sept 29 - Oct 6: Le Tour de Langkawi
- October 6: Paris-Tours
- October 6: Coppa Agostoni-Giro delle Brianze
- October 5: Giro dell'Emilia
- October 3: Sparkassen Münsterland Giro
- October 1: Binche-Chimay-Binche
- September 22 - 29: World Road Cycling Championships
- September 18 - 22: Tour de Luxembourg
We posted the report from fifth place Alex Segaert's Team Lotto Dstny with the results.
Here's the report from winner Stefan Küng's Team Groupama-FDJ:
In Les Herbiers, on Sunday, Stefan Küng put a victorious end to his 2024 season. As in 2021 and 2022, the Swiss rider dominated the Chrono des Nations, and therefore remains undefeated in the event with three victories in three participations. Over the 45 kilometres of the route he got the better of Jay Vine by a handful of seconds, and therefore scored his third win of the year, and the fifteenth for the Groupama-FDJ cycling team.
The podium, from left: Jay Vine (2nd), Stefan Küng (1st) & Johan Price Pejtersen (3rd). Photo: M. L'Azou
Two years after his last participation in the Chrono des Nations, Stefan Küng was back this Sunday in Les Herbiers to try to reclaim his crown, which Joshua Tarling took in 2023. “I had given my agreement to the organization a month ago,” said the Swiss man. “It wasn’t extremely easy to get back on track after the world championships, but I’m a man of my word and I wanted to finish the season in style. Yet, in order to do that, I also had to prepare well. It’s a time trial that suits me well, and it’s the only one-day event for specialists apart from the championships. So it’s also up to us, the specialists, to come and honour this event.”
The route, meanwhile, was similar to the one he had covered in 2022, when he won by two seconds against Tobias Foss. A little over 45 kilometres were on the menu. “The conditions were really good,” said Benoît Vaugrenard. “It was almost 20 degrees this afternoon, which is great conditions for a time trial in October. As usual, the course was never very hard but never flat either. You always need to push. It was a route for specialists, and like every year, it was a close call at the end”.
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At the first checkpoint after ten kilometres, Stefan Küng, who was the last rider to start, took third place, five seconds behind the leader Mikkel Bjerg. However, in the middle section, the Swiss rouleur proved to be the strongest and came to the second checkpoint, located at km 34.5, with a lead of seven seconds over his closest rival, Jay Vine. In the last ten kilometres, the Groupama-FDJ rider was able to remain in the lead, and finally took victory by five seconds over the Australian, after a tough ride. “I’m happy with my performance today, I was able to manage the effort well”, commented Stefan. “Stefan had the advantage to know the course by heart”, added Benoît. “That obviously played a role. When it comes down to very little, to knowing the route quite well is a big advantage. Beyond that, he’s still got his good form of the Vuelta, and he really masters this type of long effort. He also and once again showed how reliable he is. We can always count on him. It was not easy, because after having competed in the Vuelta, followed by the European championship and then the world championships at home, he could have had a decompression. It would have been normal, but he managed to stay motivated to compete in this Chrono des Nations and win it.”
Thanks to his third win of the year, the third against the clock, the 30-year-old rider also allowed Groupama-FDJ to reach the fifteen-win mark. “It’s always good to finish with a victory and end the season on a good note,” he said. “It’s good for me, and good for the team. It was a long and demanding season, with big goals throughout the year. There were some great things, but there were also more difficult moments with the approach of the Tour which was complicated, and which impacted my entire summer until the Olympic Games. I got back to my best level on the Vuelta, and finally took this victory on a Grand Tour. It’s rather a good season. To be able to perform well on all the events is not the simplest thing either. I’m not Pogacar, but I always give my all.”
“It’s an important victory for him, because it was his last race of the season and it’s always good for morale to finish with a victory”, Benoît concluded. “It allows you to go on vacation with peace of mind and satisfaction. It’s also a nice return on an investment for the team and Wilier with regard to Supersonica SLR.”
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Here’s the team’s news:
The 2024 Gree Tour of Guangxi, which runs from Tuesday to Sunday next week promises to be an exciting finale to the WorldTour season for both riders and spectators. Set against the stunning landscapes and rich cultural backdrop of the Southern China region, the race has evolved from its sprint-centric past to now also feature opportunities for classic riders and puncheurs. With a revamped course, this year promises to be more unpredictable and dynamic than ever.
Bahrain Victorious will look to end the season on a high, with Torstein Træen leading the charge as the team’s General Classification (GC) contender. He will be supported by Finlay Pickering and Robert Stannard, who will play vital supporting roles. For the flat finishes, Matevž Govekar currently in top form, will spearhead the team’s efforts, backed by Alberto Bruttomesso and Dušan Rajović as alternatives. The experienced Łukasz Wiśniowski will be key both in lead-outs and as all-round support, ensuring the team is equipped for every possible scenario. The team’s goals are clear: a stage victory and a top 5 finish in the overall standings.
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Matevž Govekar winning stage 6 of the 2024 Tour of Britain.
The race kicks off with a circuit around Fangchenggang, a coastal city near the Vietnamese border. The short, sharp climbs on this stage are unlikely to trouble the sprinters, and offer a chance to shake off the effects of the long journey. The following day also suits the fast men, although they will need to navigate a punchy Category 3 climb at the 148km mark before reaching the finish in Jingxi.
Stage 3 is the longest of the race at 214km, with the rolling terrain in the second half likely to reduce the size of the peloton. Despite this, a reduced bunch sprint is still likely. Friday presents the best opportunity for breakaway specialists, especially if the sprinters’ teams fail to keep the time gaps under control.
Stage 5 is the Tour of Guangxi’s signature stage, finishing at the Nongla Scenic Area. The 3.3km climb at an average gradient of 6.6%, with a maximum slope of 13.5%, is likely to be decisive for the general classification. Finally, the race concludes with five laps of a circuit around Nanning, the capital of Guangxi, with another chance for the sprinters to shine.
Bahrain Victorious’ lead sports director, Gorazd Štangelj, concludes: “The stages are different from last year, and riders who are still motivated at this point in the season will have an advantage. We see this race as an opportunity to win stages and continue to grow. We aim to fight for stage victories and a top-5 finish in the GC. The intermediate sprints will be key, as time bonuses could play a significant role. Our riders have clear roles, but there’s also room for individual ambitions.”
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Here’s the team’s announcement:
Dutch trio Jeanne Korevaar, Silke Smulders and Quinty Ton have all put pen to paper, inking new two-year contracts with Liv AlUla Jayco after all finding their place within the GreenEDGE Cycling family.
The three talents came over to Liv AlUla Jayco in January 2024 following the merger with their former team Liv Racing TeqFind, and the trio quickly found their feet, proving to be crucial team members, each in their own right.
Experienced Korevaar
After racing as a pro for the past 10 seasons, Korevaar has a wealth of experience and has used it throughout her first year with Liv AlUla Jayco as a determined and loyal teammate. Ready to challenge for more in 2025, the 28-year-old ‘Dutchie’ is looking to grow with the squad over the next two years.
“I’ve really enjoyed this year, which is important for me to be able to perform well. I’ve seen myself and the team grow during the races from the beginning until now. The progress is really important. I often start as the road captain, and I’m developing myself in that role.
"This team is special because of its culture. We race with a plan, and everyone is committed to that plan. Alongside the hard work, there is also room for fun. I think this combination is important.
"In the coming years, I want to improve and achieve results together with the team. My specialty lies in the spring season, and I’m already looking forward to it. I hope to showcase myself and the team there and be valuable for sprint finishes and aggressive racing.”
Jeanne Korevaar
Age: 28
Nationality: Netherlands
Joined GreenEDGE Cycling: 2024
New Contract: 2025 & 2026
Smulders stays
Young Silke Smulders has enjoyed a standout season, most notably after her late call up to the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, where she consistently placed highly on the stages whilst also racing in a support role. Her victory at the Vuelta Ciclista Andalucia and 13th place overall at the Giro d’Italia demonstrated her ability and talent and brings a lot of motivation heading into the new season.
Silke Smulders in 2022
“This year I made huge steps as a rider, thanks to the support of the team in all different areas. I just feel in my place here at Liv AlUla Jayco surrounded by hard working, positive people. What I found special is that we are there for each other and want to improve together and can push each other. I feel very lucky to be a part of this team. I want to keep building over the next two years like I did this year and be a key asset to the team and dare to take opportunities to win.”
Silke Smulders
Age: 23
Nationality: Netherlands
Joined GreenEDGE Cycling: 2024
New Contract: 2025 & 2026
Tenacious Ton
After a hampered start to the 2024 racing season following an injury, Ton managed to fight her way back and begin racing again with the team in May. She quickly found her race rhythm with a superb second-place finish at Vuelta Ciclista Andalucia. Over the remainder of the season, Ton has proven herself to be a trusty teammate, helping Liv AlUla Jayco in a wide range of race situations with still a lot more inside of the gutsy 26-year-old.
“Despite a nasty start to the season, which left me out of action for the first half, the team has given me a lot of confidence and support. It feels like we have just started and I am happy that I can continue to work on my rehabilitation in this environment and come all the way back to my level next year (and hopefully a bit better).
"It is a very professional environment, but at the same time it feels familiar. The Australian vibe that prevails in the team also matches well with the Dutch culture brought by the Dutch girls and staff. Next year I hope to continue this and have a good spring, in which I can show myself. Next to that, I hope to be of value for both the GC riders and the sprinters in their hunt for victories.”
Quinty Ton
Age: 26
Nationality: Netherlands
Joined GreenEDGE Cycling: 2024
New Contract: 2025 & 2026
Brent Copeland – General Manager:
“Renewing the contracts of these three riders was very pleasing for us. They have all, in their own right, given a lot to the team this year and as Liv AlUla Jayco continues to grow, these riders make up the foundations of a solid group of riders. We’re hoping for big things in 2025 and we’re very happy to keep these three talented riders onboard.”
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