Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Back to news and opinion index page for links to archived stories | Commentary | Our YouTube page
2017 Tour de France | 2017 Giro d'Italia

The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits. - Albert Einstein

Upcoming Racing:

• January 15 - 22: People's Choice Classic & Tour Down Under

Latest completed racing:

• January 1-3: Mitchelton Wines Bay Cycling Classic
• October 20-23, 2016: Abu Dhabi Tour
• October 23, 2016: Chrono des Nations
• October 23, 2016: Japan Cup

2017 Paris-Nice Route unveiled

The Paris-Nice, called "The Race to the Sun", will be held March 5 - 12. There's more info on the 2017 race here.

Here's our Paris-Nice index page with a links to previous editions as well as a complete podium history.

Map of 2017 Paris-Nice

Porte to headline BMC's Santos Tour Down Under team

BMC sent me this news:

03 January, 2016, Santa Rosa, California (USA): Two-time runner up, Richie Porte is set to headline BMC Racing Team's seven rider roster at the first UCI WorldTour race of the year, the Santos Tour Down Under.

Richie Porte descending in stage 8 of the 2016 Tour de France

Porte, who finished second overall in 2015 and 2016 and has claimed victory on Willunga Hill on the past three occasions, has his sights set on opening the 2017 season well. "I love racing in Adelaide and having already been on the podium twice, I'd like to start the year with a good result at the Santos Tour Down Under and hopefully go one better. I've had a particularly long off season since Rio so I'm ready to get back to racing. I have a strong team by my side and as an Australian it's great to have all of the support from fans," Porte explained.

Having conquered Willunga Hill on stage 5 since 2014, Porte is aiming for a fourth consecutive win. "I've won on Willunga Hill on three occasions, so why not go for the fourth? The atmosphere on Willunga Hill is as good as any race in Europe, so I'm excited to get back there and test my legs."

BMC Racing Team Sports Director Fabio Baldato said an experienced team will be riding in support of Porte, including local riders Rohan Dennis and Miles Scotson. "Richie is in good shape for this time of the year and is motivated, so it is important that we bring a solid team to help him go for a good result. We have former winner Rohan Dennis and new recruit Miles Scotson who, coming from Adelaide, know the roads well," Baldato said.

"Damiano Caruso, Amaël Moinard, Danilo Wyss and Francisco Ventoso complete the very experienced team and will provide key support for Richie in the crucial stages on the race. I think we have a great team and I'm confident that we can start the 2017 season well at the Santos Tour Down Under."

People's Choice Classic (15 January) and Santos Tour Down Under (17-22 January)

Rider Roster: Damiano Caruso (ITA), Rohan Dennis (AUS) Amaël Moinard (FRA), Richie Porte (AUS), Miles Scotson (AUS), Danilo Wyss (SUI), Francisco Ventoso (ESP).

Sports Director: Fabio Baldato (ITA)

UAE Abu Dhabi team to train in Terracina, Italy

The team sent me this update:

The program of the new year of the team UAE Abu Dhabi is full of activity and the core of them in the early days will be in Italy, where the team will train in Terracina from January the 3rd.

Until January the 14th, the team will stay in Hotel Fiordaliso, the presence of each rider in the meeting will vary depending on the many appointments which are scheduled for the team in January (press conference in Abu Dhabi, departure to Australia for participating in the Tour Down Under, departure to Argentina for the Vuelta de San Juan).

Under the supervision of the six sports directors (Maini, Marzano, Pedrazzini, Righi, Scirea and Vicino), the cyclists will pedal on Colnago bikes on the Italian roads complying with their training programs drafted by the team's training and performance managers (trainers Marangoni and Notari, assisted by Marco Marzano and supervised by Dr Corsetti).

The team medical staff will complete the riders necessary checks and will assist them in reading and understanding the team's health rules and regulations.

For the riders and the staff will be also important to strengthen the team spirit which will be the basis of the achievement of all the team's goals.

Cannondale-Drapac to partner with Tacx

This press release came from the team:

Cannondale-Drapac will partner with Tacx as a technical partner starting in 2017, using the company’s trainers, trainer software, bottles, bottle cages and repair stands. As technical partner, Tacx will use feedback from the team’s riders, coaches and other team members to improve performance.

The team will train and warm up with the award-winning NEO Smart, the most powerful and silent indoor trainer to date. The NEO is also the only indoor trainer that can simulate different types of road surfaces. In addition, Tacx will also supply the team with high-quality lubricants under the brand Dynamic, new in the Tacx range of products.

“I’m excited we’re partnering with Tacx,” said Jonathan Vaughters, manager of Cannondale-Drapac. “We have a renewed focus on time trials next season, and warming up is a key part of this sport, for TTs, climbing stages, racing in the cold… you name it. Quality equipment is essential. And I know our team will provide solid feedback to improve the products, for professionals and customers alike.”

Koos Tacx, CEO of Tacx B.V., looks forward to innovating Tacx products with the help of the team. “Tacx is very proud to partner with Cannondale-Drapac and looks forward to supporting this team in reaching its goals for the next two seasons. We believe that, together with Cannondale-Drapac, we can highly improve our products and gain more insight in the North-American market,” he said.In partnering, the team and Tacx start an intercontinental relationship. Tacx, a European brand and manufacturer, and the US-based Cannondale-Drapac Pro Cycling Team, both look forward to the cooperation.

The company’s main strength lies in the fact that nearly everything is designed and manufactured in-house and products are developed and optimized in cooperation with professional athletes.

To celebrate our partnership, Cannondale-Drapac and Tacx will organize a large online group ride via Zwift with several Green Argyle riders later this month.

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