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Monday, September 23, 2024

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2024 Tour de France | 2024 Giro d'Italia

There is no greatness where there is no simplicity, goodness and truth. - Leo Tolstoy

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Current racing:

• September 22 - 29: World Road Cycling Championships

Upcoming racing:

• Sept 29 - Oct 6: Le Tour de Langkawi
• October 12: Il Lombardia

Latest completed racing:

• September 18 - 22: Tour de Luxembourg
• September 21: Super 8 Classic
• September 20: Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen
• September 18: GP de Wallonie
• September 15: Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal
• September 15: Trofeo Matteotti
• September 14: Memorial Marco Pantani
• September 13: Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec
• September 12: Coppa Sabatini
• September 11: Giro della Toscana
• September 8: GP Industria & Artigianato di Larciano
• September 8: GP de Formies
• August 17 - Sept 8: Vuelta a España
• September 3 - 8: Tour of Britain
• September 8: Bemer Cyclassics

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Tour de Luxembourg stage five reports

We posted the report from the race organizer with the results.

Here's the report from stage winner David Gaudu's Team Groupama-FDJ:

The great momentum he’s been enjoying for a few weeks finally paid off. On Sunday, David Gaudu confirmed his excellent form by winning the closing stage of the Tour de Luxembourg, after an intense and hard-fought final in the capital of the Grand Duchy. A solo winner thanks to an explosive attack one kilometre from the finish, the Frenchman secured his second win of the season, and he also climbed on the final podium of the event (3rd). A very good day before the last big goals of the year.

David Gaudu wins stage five.

The week of racing in Luxembourg was to come to an end this Sunday with a final stage of 177 kilometres towards the capital and no less than 3,000 metres of elevation gain to cope with. So nothing was done regarding the GC, especially since the final circuit, to be done three times, looked rather dynamic with two climbs over just eleven kilometres. Yet, the fight began much earlier in the day. From the start in Mersch, on a hilly first part of the race, the strong men quickly stood out.

“Van der Poel only had two teammates, so we expected a big fight,” said Benoît. “But since the best defense is attacking, Van der Poel himself attacked and caused a big mess. Seventeen riders came out with almost all the GC guys.” Up there alongside his rivals, David Gaudu just made sure to “follow the wheels” while waiting for the race to calm down. This finally happened after seventy kilometres, and three men then formed the proper breakaway, which the peloton controlled all day. “We wanted to be in front with Valentin, but he didn’t manage to bridge across,” added David. “So we waited, and waited, and the guys did an incredible job all day to keep me in a good position.”

On the finishing circuit, even before crossing the line, the peloton really increased the pace, and UAE Team Emirates went full gas for the first time up the steep climb (800m at 9%) located just one kilometre from the finish. The bunch temporarily split apart, but then got back together, and the first counterattacks occurred. The leading duo eventually kept on going until the next lap, when Marc Hirschi and Mathieu van der Poel made another big push. David Gaudu joined the main favourites at the top after he had to close a small gap, and he therefore started the last lap together with his rivals.

“We knew we had to anticipate,” added Benoît. “We were a bit frustrated on Friday because we got kind of trapped with everybody looking at each other. We said that we had to risk it all today to win, and not wait for the last climb. We wanted to go all-in on the last lap, even if it meant losing everything, but we didn’t want to settle for seventh place overall. We kind of knew that Van der Poel and Hirschi were going to look at each other, and that’s exactly what happened. David was able to take advantage of it, but that’s also because he was very strong. It’s one thing to say it, it’s another to execute it”.

Thanks to a sharp acceleration eight kilometres from the finish, at the start of a more rolling climb, David Gaudu was able to take place in a leading quartet with Antonio Tiberi, Quinn Simmons and Jordan Jegat. “I was more than 30 seconds back on the general classification, so I wanted to take a gap before the last climb,” said David. “I felt really good today, and I found myself with Tiberi, who was really strong. I gambled a bit about the fact that he was ahead of me on GC to save a bit of energy in the downhill and flat sections.”

The leading group managed to get a thirty-second gap as it headed towards the final climb, and victory then seemed really possible. In Tiberi’s wheel at the bottom of the hill, David Gaudu waited a few moments before making his final effort. “I knew it was going to be difficult in the sprint, so on the last climb I said to myself: go all-in in the last 300 meters, all the way to the top, and with the adrenaline, that will be enough until the finish”, said David. “That’s what happened.” “I was pretty confident, even I was a bit worried of Simmons because he hadn’t pulled at all,” said Benoît. “But David was really very strong, and when I saw him attack, I realized that it was done”.

With another strong attack, the Breton gradually distanced himself from his three rivals, and finally clearly dropped them before tackling the downhill to the finish. After a well-controlled final kilometre, he claimed a solo victory on the closing stage of the Tour de Luxembourg, and therefore had plenty of time to celebrate his second victory of the season. “It’s just wonderful,” he said immediately after the finish line. “I’ve been in good shape for a while, and it didn’t work out as we hoped on Friday. It’s a super good feeling today. I spent a difficult year and a half on my bike, and I think that for a rider, crossing the finish line first is the best thing in the world.” “Above all, it’s well deserved,” added Benoît. “David was at the top of his game today. He came out of the Vuelta in good shape, and we knew he could be strong, or even very strong here. That was confirmed as the days went by.”

Thanks to a nice gap on the line, the Frenchman also climbed on the race’s final podium, in third position behind Tiberi and Van der Poel. “We came here to win a stage and do well in the general classification,” added Benoît. “We finished in the best possible way, so we can say that the balance is very good.”

For David Gaudu, this is also a great reward after a successful Vuelta, which he however finished without a stage win. “He finished the Vuelta with a growing shape, not a decreasing one, so we knew that it could be very interesting for the end of the season,” concluded Benoît. “This is indeed interesting! He now has a big goal next Sunday at the World Championships, where he could have a nice role to play considering his form. He will be in the mix, that’s for sure, we now have to see the tactics. In any case, it bodes well for the races to come.” “We have a very good French national team, and I can’t wait to discover what briefing Thomas [Voeckler] is going to put together for us,” said David. “I’m extremely motivated, and my confidence is high. After the World Championships, there will be the Italian classics. I want to take advantage of my good form until Lombardy and starting from next week!”

Here's the report from GC winner Antonio Tiber's Team Baharin Victorious:

A second place finish in Saturday’s time trial at the Tour of Luxembourg meant that coming into the final day, Bahrain Victorious’ Italian Antonio Tiberi lay in fifth overall, ten seconds behind race leader Mathieu van der Poel (ADC). Sunday’s profile was always going to provide both challenges and opportunities, with 3,116 vertical metres over the 177km from Mersch.

Early in the stage, 17 riders went clear, including Tiberi and the World Champion, who tried unsuccessfully to go solo before the halfway point. The climbing was unrelenting, and van der Poel also picked up some bonus seconds along the way, but there was to be a further twist as the leading group of 25 were on the three laps of a finishing circuit. With just under nine kilometres to go, on a short ascent of 800m at 5.7%, David Gaudu (GFC) and Bastien Tronchon (DAT) went clear. Gaudu would eventually win the stage, but behind, Antonio sensed the chance to make a decisive move, and took it.

“In the final circuit, my legs felt even better, and I expected a lot of attacks. I decided to push to the limit on the longest climb all the way to the finish. I was with three other riders, and my goal was to gain as many seconds as possible to try and win the general classification.”

Within three kilometres the 23 year old was the virtual leader, as he joined the front group of three. Van der Poel was 500 metres back at this point, and understanding the race situation, he tried to cut the deficit. Under the ‘Flamme Rouge’ Gaudu went away and powered to the line, followed three seconds later by Tiberi and two others. The stopwatch started, and soon it was clear that Bahrain’s leader had done enough to turn the final standings on it’s head, and his 26 second gap on the line to the Dutchman meant a first GC win. Coming in a season in which he has already taken the white jersey at the Giro d’Italia, it also serves as further confirmation of his talent and potential.

Antonio Tiberi after stage 7 of the 2024 Vuelta a España. Sirotti photo

“When they told me at the finish line that I did it, I was super happy! This is my first stage race win and the first time wearing the yellow jersey. I’m so happy. It’s been a fantastic week with great results. Everyone on the team performed well, and we were really united. Luxembourg is a beautiful place, and I truly enjoyed this week. This victory boosts my morale for the upcoming races, especially the Worlds and Il Lombardia.”

Here's the Luxembourg Tour report from Quinn Simmon's Team Lidl-Trek:

Quinn Simmons’ star shines again. Not on the top step of the podium, but after a difficult period away from racing to reset and find himself again, a second place is worth a lot.

In the fifth and final stage of the Tour of Luxembourg, Simmons finished second, three seconds behind winner Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) and ahead of Jegat (Total Energie) and Tiberi (Bahrain) in a sprint. Fifth went to Mads Pedersen, first of the main group.

In a hectic day, both for the stage win and the GC, Quinn proved that the journey to return to the his real level is the on track. An important sign, which many had been waiting for, most of all Quinn himself.

Quinn Simmons before the start of stage 1 of the 2023 Tour de France. Sirotti photo

Quinn’s reaction:
"Second is not bad, but I always race to win. I didn’t have many opportunities like this to win, and when you miss one of these it’s normal to have some regrets.

"In the end today we played the game. Tiberi had to ride for the GC and we, as Lidl-Trek, had Mads in the main group. I really had the free card to do my race. It’s just a shame I really missed that last punch to follow Gaudu on the steep climb, but well, it’s under everyone’s eyes the physique difference between me and him on such terrain. In the sprint for the podium I still had the kick to get second. It was a quite hard race, both for the profile and the way we approached it. It was a nice sign to see that also on such a hard race, after a full week working, I still had something in the tank.

"I’m happy with my performances after my return in July. But I think also this is my level. I don’t think it’s a surprise. Unfortunately I had to stay far from racing for a while and maybe people forgot that I’m still a good rider. So, it’s nice to be back, to be again in the front. My season unfortunately is short, I haven’t had and will not have many chances so I’m really trying my best to get the most out of it.

"It’s good to be back racing. Tour de Luxembourg is a good step in view of the Worlds and the remaining races, especially for the limited time I had to find race rhythm. It was the last test in view of Zurich, where I’ll race with a super strong national team, maybe the best team we have had in the last few years. I can approach it at least with good feedback and enough morale.

"I really want to be these weeks as the first step towards the new season, to come back to where I belong in the peloton."

Here's the Tour of Luxembourg report from King of the Mountains Pepijn Reinderink's Team Soudal Quick-Step:

Pepijn Reinderink took his biggest result in the pro ranks at one of the season’s oldest races, the Tour de Luxembourg, which this year ran its 84th edition. The 22-year-old, who had already impressed in 2024 at a number of races – from the Tour du Rwanda to Okolo Slovenska – became the Dutchman in 12 years to finish at the top of the climbers’ classification.

It was a success that Pepijn built on the back of some solid outings in the first two stages of the event, where he went in the breakaway and took maximum points on a total of ten classified ascents. This put him in control of the standings with a hefty gap on the other riders and helped Soudal Quick-Step’s neo-pro carry the jersey to Luxembourg, where the race came to a conclusion Sunday afternoon.

Pepijn Reinderink riding Tour de Luxembourg stage two.

“Luxembourg was a pretty hard race, but I enjoyed being here. I came in quite a good shape at the start and I am content with how I rode and proud of the whole team. To be on the podium at the end of the race and get my first pro jersey here makes me happy and feeds my confidence ahead of the final appointments of the season, where I’m motivated to do my best again”, Pepijn said at the finish.

In the general classification, Mauri Vansevenant came just outside the podium after a brave effort on the last day. The stage 3 winner was extremely active on the hilly roads around the country’s capital, picking up bonus seconds at the last intermediate sprint and going on the attack, and in the end, he finished fourth overall – the ninth time in his career that he took a top ten result in a stage race.

And here's the final Luxembourg Tour report from Wilco Kelderman's Team Visma | Lease a Bike:

Wilco Kelderman finished 11th in the final stage of the Skoda Tour de Luxembourg. The 33-year-old Dutchman attacked multiple times in the finale, but he was unable to compete for the stage win. Johannes Staune-Mittet was part of the day’s breakaway.

The Skoda Tour de Luxembourg headed to the capital for the 177-kilometre hilly final stage. Bart Lemmen, who crashed in yesterday's time trial, was no longer at the start. The 28-year-old Dutchman did not want to take any extra risks ahead of next Sunday's world championships. 

In the opening phase of the stage, GC leader Mathieu van der Poel accelerated. He was joined by sixteen riders, including Staune-Mittet and Tijmen Graat. The peloton immediately hunted down the strong leading group. Just before merging with the peloton, three riders managed to stay in front: Staune-Mittet, Archie Ryan and Lorenzo Milesi. Twelve kilometres from the finish line, the trio was reeled in by the peloton, where a few riders still had a chance for the final victory. 

In the meanwhile depleted peloton, Kelderman showed his excellent form. The 33-year-old Team Visma | Lease a Bike rider reacted sharply several times to accelerations of the classification favourites. He also tried a few times himself. After a rain of attacks, four riders, including later stage winner Gaudu, managed to break away from the group of favourites. The four battled for the stage win. Kelderman eventually finished 11th in both the stage and the general classification. 

Wilco Kelderman earlier this year racing in the Tour de France. Sirotti photo

“We wanted to race agressively and so we did”, sports director Maarten Wynants reflected. “Johannes and Tijmen were in the breakaway after the start. They did very well, as some of the biggest names in the peloton were in that breakaway. Johannes ended up staying in front for a long time with Ryan and Milesi, but unfortunately it didn't prove to be enough to stay out of reach.” 

“Wilco rode a clever final”, Wynants added. “He accelerated several times himself. When the decisive attack was placed, he just couldn't follow. That's sour, but we went down fighting. I'm proud of how the guys showed themselves again here.”

Elite World Time Trial Championships reports

We posted the report from winner Remco Evenepoel's Team Soudal Quick-Step with the results.

Here's the report from second-place Filippo Ganna's Team INEOS Grenadiers:

Filippo Ganna put in a phenomenal ride to take a close silver medal at the Time Trial World Championships in Zurich.

The Grenadier was representing Italy across the 46.1-kilometre course and pulled back 13 seconds during the final split, crossing the line with a time just 6.4 seconds back on victor Remco Evenepoel (Belgium).

Ganna caught two-minute man Primoz Roglic (Slovenia) at the finish after leaving it all out on course, on the way to a fifth Worlds podium in the last six years.

Filippo Ganna on his way to a silver medal. Sirotti photo

In the colours of Great Britain, Josh Tarling followed up last season’s third place with a hard-fought fourth place in 2024. The Brit was in the medal battle throughout the intermediate splits, eventually finishing 23 seconds back on bronze medallist Edoardo Affini (Italy).

2022 champion Tobias Foss (Norway) put together a consistent ride on the way to seventh place, with Magnus Sheffield (United States) taking 13th place on the day.

And here's the report from Primoz Roglic's Team Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe:

Today's World Championship individual time trial was Primož Roglič's first day of racing after his Vuelta victory. The race covered 46.1 kilometers around Zurich.

Wearing the jersey of the Slovenian national team, Primož Roglič finished the course in 55:08.50. He was just over two minutes behind the defending world champion Remco Evenepoel - for Roglič it was enough for 12th place.

Primoz Roglic time-trialing at the 2023 Vuelta a España. Sirotti photo

In addition to the Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe leader, Maximilian Schachmann (Germany) and Filip Maciejuk (Poland) also rode for their nations. Schachmann finished the time trial in 23rd place and Maciejuk in 28th.

The Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe riders will continue at the World Championhips with the U23 road race on Friday. The two youngsters Alexander Hajek and Emil Herzog will start for Austria and Germany respectively. The elite road race will take place on Sunday with ten riders from the team. In addition to Roglič, Schachmann and Maciejuk, Alex Vlasov, Frederik Wandahl (Denmark), Jai Hindley (Australia), Florian Lipowitz (Germany), Bob Jungels (Luxembourg), Roger Adria (Spain) and Daniel Martinez (Colombia) have been nominated.

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