Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Tuesday, December 27, 2016

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2017 Tour de France | 2017 Giro d'Italia

There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is having lots to do and not doing it. - Andrew Jackson

Upcoming racing:

• January 1-3: Michelton Wines Bay Cycling Classic

Latest completed racing:

• October 20-23: Abu Dhabi Tour
• October 23: Chrono des Nations
• October 23: Japan Cup
• October 22-30: Tour of Hainan

Fernando Gaviria to Race Giro d'Italia in 2017

Here's the news From Etixx-Quick Step:

The Colombian Fernando Gaviria will make his much-awaited Grand Tour debut next year, at the 100th edition of the Corsa Rosa.

Fernando Gaviria, arguably the best neo-pro of 2016, a season which saw him win stages at the Tour de San Luis, Tour de Provence, Tirreno-Adriatico and Tour de Pologne, but also GP Impanis-Van Petegem and Paris-Tours, one of the oldest classics on the calendar, is poised to get the taste of a three-week race next spring, at the Giro d'Italia. His presence in the season's first Grand Tour marks a step up for the South American rider and comes as a natural progression in the development of Fernando, who made a big impression in his maiden year in the pro ranks.

"He deserves to ride a Grand Tour after the solid season he's had, during which he proved how strong he is, but at the same time I want to be clear that we won't put any pressure on Fernando, who'll rely on some experienced riders to guide him through", said Davide Bramati, the team's sport director. "Of course, if a chance will come, he will try to grab it, as he's shown on several occasions last year that he can go head-to-head with some of the best sprinters in the world and defeat them. But, as I've said, we will take each step at a time and first see how he copes with the difficulties of the race before laying out any goals."

Fernando Gaviria wins stage three of the 2016 Tour of Provence

One of the most exciting young riders of the peloton, Fernando Gaviria – who proved he can win either in a sprint, or by escaping from the clutches of the bunch with a last-minute audacious attack – declared himself excited of the opportunity he has been given.

"I am already looking forward to it. I'm aware I still have plenty of things to learn, but I'm motivated for the Giro d'Italia. I want to thank the team for putting their faith in me and for giving me this chance. At the moment, I don't want to think too much about it, as my focus is on the first races of the season, but when the time will come, I'll do all that I can to be prepared for this challenge", said the 22-year-old.

The 100th edition of the Giro d'Italia (5-28 May) starts on the island of Sardinia and comes to a conclusion three weeks later, in Milan, which will be the location of the final stage of the race for the third time in six editions.

Marc Soler & Jasha Sütterlin extend with Team Movistar through 2019

Here's the update from the team

Both the Catalan - brilliant winner of the Queen stage in last season's Route du Sud - and the German - outstanding all over 2016 - are poised to ride for another three years in Blue colours.

The Movistar Team announces that Marc Soler and Jasha Sütterlin, two of its most promising riders, have both re-signed with Eusebio Unzué's squad through the end of 2019, both having their previous contracts running out at the end of 2017.

Marc Soler having a good day at the 2016 Route du Sud

Soler, an excellent climber and a hope of future for Grand Tours with still much room to improve, will fulfil his third season in Movistar Team colours in 2017. As part of the UCI WorldTour's best team, he's grown calmly while offering two glimpses of his unquestionable quality: the overall victory in the 2015 Tour de l'Avenir and a win in the Queen stage of last June's Route du Sud, supported by Nairo Quintana.

In turn, the Blues have a magnificent rouleur in Sütterlin, a powerhouse capable covering hundreds of kilometers at the front of the pack or shining in the always-difficult Northern campaign. 2017 will be his fourth year within Unzué's ranks, having debuted last year in the Giro and also collected a silver medal in the German TT Champs, behind Tony Martin, or an 11th-place GC finish in the Eneco Tour, where he came 3rd in Breda's ITT and rode courageously over the cobblestones of Flanders on the final day.

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