Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
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2024 Tour de France | 2024 Giro d'Italia
An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox. - Lao Tzu
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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
Team Visma | Lease a Bike posted this report too late to be part of yesterday's news, so here it is:
Edoardo Affini has won a bronze medal at the World Time Trial Championships. On the undulating course in Zurich, the 28-year-old Italian rushed to a time of 53 minutes and 56 seconds. Only Remco Evenepoel and Filipo Ganna were faster.
Affini, who took the European time trial title eleven days ago, again showed his excellent form on the 46-kilometre course. The Italian clocked the fastest time at every intermediate point and was allowed to take the hot seat after just under an hour. In the end, only Evenepoel and Ganna managed to finish below Affini's time.
Edoardo Affini riding to a bronze medal. Sirotti photo
"I am very happy with this", Affini said. "I didn't expect to be on the podium. Beforehand, I was hoping for a place in the top 10 and if things worked out, in the top five. When I was in the hot seat and saw that the other guys were slower, I quietly started to believe that a podium finish was in the cards. That was a great feeling."
According to Affini, there is no specific secret to his successful month, in which he took two European titles and a bronze medal at the World Championships. "I didn't have much time to train specifically. After the Vuelta and the European Championship, it was about recovering as much as possible and getting fit. Apparently that paid off."
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Here’s the team’s news:
Another new reinforcement for the 2025 Lotto Dstny Team: Reuben Thompson. The 23-year old rider from New Zealand joins the squad for the next two seasons.
Reuben Thompson, who has been a pro rider since 2023 and became second in the fourth stage of the Itzulia Basque Country this year, will join the Lotto Dstny Team next season. “I’m excited for a fresh start. I’ve been with Groupama - FDJ for four years now, I’m looking forward joining Lotto Dstny next season, to improve and to discover a new environment. My focus is on the longer efforts and becoming a really good support in the mountains, step by step. In my first pro seasons I made a lot of mistakes, but I’m excited to keep on growing with my new team.”
Reuben Thompson. Cauld Photo
“I’m sure I’ll like it in a Belgian team, I like the attitude of Belgian riders and I’ve raced a lot with Belgian guys. In my free time I like to watch other sports. When I’m back in New Zealand I like to watch some rugby, motocross and a bit of surfing.” Thompson finished his first grand tour in the beginning of the month at the Vuelta. “It was a positive experience, I just had a little stomach bug around the second rest day.” Being from New Zealand, Thompson lives in France during the season and will move to Andorra soon.
Stéphane Heulot, CEO of Lotto Dstny, is very pleased to see Thompson joining the team. “In the U23 category, Reuben showed his mountain qualities on several occasions. With our long term strategy in mind, we want to have diverse strong riders and Reuben is an important new signing for that. He is still very young, so there is definitely margin to grow and gain experience.”
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Here’s the team’s announcement:
The 22-year-old Dutch rider Darren Van Bekkum will begin his professional career with the WorldTour team Astana Qazaqstan Team. Van Bekkum has signed a two-year contract with the team, where he will compete in the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
This season, Darren Van Bekkum won the prestigious French stage race Ronde de l’Isard and also finished second overall in the Istrian Spring Trophy. During one of the stages of the Tour de l’Avenir Darren came close to a victory, finishing in second place.
Darren Van Bekkum
“I’m truly excited and proud to make my WorldTour debut with Astana Qazaqstan Team. After four great years with my current team, Visma-Lease a Bike Development Team, I’m ready for a change, a new environment, and a new approach to working and racing. I always give 100% in both training and racing, and next year I will continue to show everything I’m capable of, day by day, to become stronger and more successful. I hope to become a valuable part of the team on its path to new achievements”, – said Darren Van Bekkum.
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“Darren is a young rider with serious potential and notable experience not only in youth races but also in professional events. His strong season and solid results speak for themselves, but beyond that, I would also highlight his strong work enthusiasm and determination. His move to the WorldTour is happening at the right time. Darren has every opportunity to thrive in our team, gain experience, help others succeed, and showcase his own abilities. Two exciting seasons lie ahead, and I hope that he will fully realize his potential within our project”, – said Alexandr Vinokurov, General Manager of Astana Qazaqstan Team.
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