Bicycle Racing News and Opinion:
Thursday, June 4, 2015

Back to news and opinion index page for links to archived stories

Today's Racing

The Tour de Luxembourg is currently running. After yesterday's prologue time trial, today is stage 1, 212.6 kilometers going from Luxembourg to Clemency.

New post in training section

Each month Peaks Coaching Group sends me an article, sometimes it's on training, other months it might be riding or nutrition, coaching or tactics. They are always written by people who know their stuff and always filled with good science and often not a small touch of wisdom. The June article is easily the most provocative and interesting one they've sent so far. Can a simple mouth rinse allow you to time trial faster? Maybe...

Richie Porte riding a time trial at this year's Giro d'Italia.

Kettler Files for Insolvency

You could have knocked me over with a feather when I read this in Bike Europe. I'll quote directly from the web site:

ENSE, Germany – It is one of the icon brands of the German bicycle industry and was founded in 1949. Last Tuesday CEO Karin Kettler, daughter of company founder Heinz Kettler, filed insolvency at the court in Arnsberg. The insolvency proceedings allows Heinz Kettler GmbH & Co. KG to realign its financial position and, “To avoid a hostile takeover by a private equity firm,” says Kettler in a statement. “The daily operation is business as usual.” In Germany Kettler employs some 1,100 people.

The local newspaper Soester Anzeiger already reported last 25 April on the financial difficulties at Kettler. The report says that, “The banks were no longer willing to provide the necessary resources and investors are interested in the company.”

The article goes on to note that Kettler is especially know as being the first to introduce aluminum biles, in 1977.

Click here for the entire Bike Europe Article

Cult Energy on Luxembourg Prologue

Wednesday was the Luxembourg Tour's prologue time trial, won by Cofidis' Adrien Petit. Cult Energy was there and sent me this release:

Wednesday evening, the 75th edition of Tour of Luxembourg was launched with a 2.6 kilometer short prologue in Luxembourg City. In spite of the relatively short distance, the time differences at the finish line were rather big due to the steep and cobbled climb near the finish line taking the pace of the rhythm.

Last year, Cult Energy Pro Cycling’s home turf hero, Alex Kirsch finished 3rd on the prologue on home ground and tonight, he did yet another solid result crossing the finish line in 7th position after spending 4 minutes and 6 seconds on the course.

Alex Kirsch

Adrian Petit (Cofidis) was the fastest rider and the Frenchman will be wearing the leader's jersey tomorrow on the 212.6 kilometer long first stage from Luxembourg to Clemency where Cult Energy Pro Cycling DS, Luke Roberts expects a bunch sprint decision: "I think we had a good start and it was important to have at least one rider up there in the GC but our other riders weren't that far off the pace and we'll have different cards to play later on in the race. Tomorrow, I expect a bunch sprint and we will try our best to put Russell in a good position for the sprint," says Roberts.

Cult Energy Pro Cycling's Alex Kirsch was very happy about his result: "I knew that it was going to be very difficult to follow up on last year's result because in the 2014 version of the stage, I was fortunate enough to ride in good weather conditions compared to the rest of the peloton as it started to rain halfway through while in tonight's version, everyone was suffering equally. But everything went according to plan. I managed the the fast descent well towards the foot of the climb where I just closed my eyes and gave everything. I hated every meter but it was worth it afterwards. Now, I'm in a good position overall but anything can still happen. Besides, it's not important that I get the top result. It's important that one of Cult Energy's riders get a good overall result," concludes home ground hero, Kirsch.

Velocio-SRAM will be racing in Quebec

The team sent me this update:

Syracuse, USA -  1 June, 2015 - Velocio-SRAM are set to line up in two races in the Quebec provincial city of Gatineau, the hometown of Karol-Ann Canuel. A UCI 1.1 road race on the evening of 4 June is followed by a UCI 1.1 Individual Time Trial on 5 June.

"I'm really excited to be racing in Gatineau. I've been living there for a few years now so I have now lots of friends and I'm excited to race in front of them and my family. I'm living in Gatineau now but I grew up in Amos which is about 5-6 hour drive up north from Gatineau," said Canuel. "I don't remember the last time I raced at home. I think the last time was in 2012 at Gatineau. I was supposed to do the race last year but I couldn't because I was injured. I was really disappointed to have missed it," Canuel added.

Velocio-SRAM are set to send out a strong roster of riders for the 108 kilometre course. The peloton will start with a 36.7 kilometre hilly lap through the Gatineau park, followed by six smaller 10.1 kilometre finishing circuits. "I'm really excited about the course this year. We are doing a lap of the Gatineau park which have a couples hills in it. I think it will bring a new dynamic to the race and it will be interesting to see what happens."

Karol-Ann Canuel

Alena Amialiusik will join Canuel and is in good form after her win at Winston-Salem Cycling Classic on 31 May. "I think our team have a pretty good chance to do well this week. With the recent win in Winston Salem I think we are riding super well together as a team and I think we can do well in Gatineau. We have a few cards we can play and I think we are all excited about this race," said Canuel.

On Friday 5 June, the individual time trial, Chrono Gatineau Feminin UCI WE 1.1 will take place over a short 11.5 kilometre circuit. Tayler Wiles, who was the 2014 winner of this race, will take to the start ramp to aim for back to back wins.  Wiles will be joined by team mates Elise Delzenne, Amialisuik and Canuel, three riders who will use this time trial as part of their National Championships preparation. Tiffany Cromwell and Loren Rowney will also race to make up a strong Velocio-SRAM squad.

"Personally, I'll have some extra motivation by racing in front of my friends and family. For the TT, it's a hard and short TT. I've never done it before but I think it is hard one with lots of false flat and some short hills and lots of corners. I think our team will be well represented with Tayler who won it last year," said Canuel.

Back to news and opinion index page for links to archived stories