Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Saturday, November 23, 2019
Back to news and opinion index page for links to archived stories | Commentary | Our YouTube page
2019 Tour de France | 2019 Giro d'Italia
One of the sanest, surest, and most generous joys of life comes from being happy over the good fortune of others. - Robert A. Heinlein
Upcoming racing:
- Dec 7: IKO Cyclocross-Essen
- Dec 15: Vlaamse Druivencross
- Dec 22: World Cup, Namur
- Dec 26: World Cup Heusden-Zolder
- Dec 27: Azencross
- Dec 29: Superprestige Diegen
- Jan 1: GP Sven Nys
- Feb 22: GP Leuven
Latest completed racing:
- Nov 17: Flandriencross
- Nov 10: European Cyclocross Championships
- Nov 3: Telenet Superprestige Ruddervoorde
- Oct 27: Superprestige Gavere Cyclocross
- Oct 26: Cincinnati Cyclocross
- Oct 17-22: Tour of Guangxi
- Oct 20: Japan Cup
- Oct 20: Chrono des Nations
Bora-hansgrohe strengthens its performance team
Bora-hansgrohe sent me this:
Following an amicable conclusion to its collaboration with Patxi Vila, BORA – hansgrohe will now be strengthening its team with the addition of Sports Director Jean-Pierre Heynderickx and Coach Hendrik Werner.
“After the departure of Patxi Vila, who had looked after a significant area of responsibility, we had to strengthen our team in some areas. On the technical side, we have been able to reallocate responsibilities internally. However, I am also pleased to have been able to find quality new staff on short notice. With Jean-Pierre Heynderickx, we will have a very experienced Sports Director within our ranks, who brings additional know-how particularly to the Belgian races. Hendrik Werner is a top-level coach, who has already been able to make a name for himself in the international cycling scene. I think that he will fit very well within our team and our coaching philosophy in particular. With both of these new additions, we will be able to strategically reinforce our team, and we now sit in an optimal position ahead of the forthcoming season.” – Ralph Denk, Team Manager
Team Sunweb welcomes new training staff
Here's the team's update:
Team Sunweb are pleased to enhance their team of experts with three new additions to their trainer group as Steve Benton, Dajo Sanders and Camiel Dénis, join their ranks ahead of the 2020 season.
2020 will see Team Sunweb aim take an expert-driven approach to training, using the latest science and effective monitoring and feedback tools to measure both rider fitness and physical improvement. These methods will allow the team to implement and realise more targeted training, increasing the level of their riders, ultimately helping them reach their new season goals and beyond.
Steve Benton (GBR):
As part of the team’s increased focus on high-performance training, Benton joins the team as a trainer coordinator, working on the planning, monitoring and evaluation of training for all riders across the team. He brings with him 23 years of performance experience; having coached and managed athlete performance programmes and support teams at over 40 elite level championships at pro, world and Olympic level. Most recently Benton worked as performance director of the UK’s first pro continental cycling team, One Pro Cycling.
“I’m excited about joining Team Sunweb as they take a 360 degree approach to creating a cohesive and successful team,” explained Benton. “I’m looking forward to working with a group of professionals who embrace and blend excellence in their respective fields. Bringing the team’s training program to an increased and more advanced level will be a great new challenge and I’m really excited for the new adventure.”
Camiel Dénis (NED):
Another addition to Team Sunweb’s trainers group, Camiel Dénis also joins the team ahead of the 2020 season. Having specialised in Human Movement Sciences, Dénis has ten year’s professional experience as a trainer, including time spent with Team Novo Nordisk.
Dénis said: “I’m really happy to join Team Sunweb and look forward to working within the trainer group to develop and implement the best, high level training programs for the team’s riders. I’m really motivated to use the structure to help riders get into their best shape at the season’s peak moments, helping the team on their way to the best possible results.”
Dajo Sanders (NED):
Joining the team as a trainer, Sanders brings with him a strong research background, holding a PhD in Sport and Exercise Science where he focused on different methods and metrics to monitor the training process of elite road cyclists. Sanders joins the team’s ranks from his previous role with Dimension Data, where he worked as head of sport science and performance coach. Sanders now returns to a familiar environment, having previously worked with Team Sunweb in 2013 on a performance analysis project.
“I am excited to be joining the trainers group,” said Sanders. “I previously worked with the team in 2013 alongside my university degree, and I’m happy to be returning here now. Continuously looking at ways to develop, learn and improve is something that I really believe in and I feel this strongly aligns with the team’s vision and philosophy. I look forward to working with a great group of staff and riders and bringing the team’s training to the next level.”
Jasper De Plus & Alexander Evans join Wanty Gobert-Tormans
Here's the team's release:
Wanty Gobert - Tormans will collaborate with two new young neopros for the next two years. The Belgian rider Jasper De Plus leaves Home Solution - Soenens, and the Australian Alexander Evans makes the transition from the SEG Racing Academy Continental team.
Younger brother of Laurens, Jasper De Plus, 22, concluded his last season in the U23 category with a win in the Chrono des Nations. The resident of Outer showed his time trial capacities already earlier in the season with a silver medal at the Belgian time trial championships. A second place in the individual time trial at the five day Tour of East-Flanders resulted in a second place in the general classification of this U23 race. The young rider signed a two year contract, until the end of 2021.
Alexander Evans, 22, also signed a two year contract with Wanty Gobert - Tormans. The Australlian climber showed his climbing capacities in the Alps and Pyrenees during his first season on European soil. Riding for the national team in the U23 category, he won a challenging stage in the Tour de l'Avenir on top of Méribel, after a second place on La Planche des Belles Filles in the Tour d'Alsace a couple of weeks earlier. The resident of Bendigo, living in Girona during the European season, only switched from triatlon to cycling less than two years ago and will add climbing skills to Wanty Gobert - Tormans until the end of the 2021.
Jasper De Plus:
"I concluded my last season in the U23 category with a fantastic win at the Chrono des Nations, before signing my first pro contract with Wanty Gobert - Tormans. I'm very enthusiastic to start this new experience, expecting the team to guide me for my first steps in the pro peloton. I hope to learn as much as possible and I want to grab all chances which will be given to me!"
Alexander Evans:
"I'm thrilled and proud to be selected to ride for Wanty Gobert - Tormans. As a first year pro, I aspire to learn from the more experienced riders on the team. The European races are notably more aggressive and more challenging, for example in terms of positioning, small roads and descending. I experienced how great it was to demonstrate what I can do on my favorite terrain in world's most important U23 race. I'm looking forward to my first year with Wanty Gobert - Tormans and hope to be as competitive as possible!"
Hilaire Van der Schueren (sportive director):
"I'm happy to give one of the most talented Belgian baroudeurs a chance in the pro peloton. His victory at the U23 Chrono des Nations convinced me that his time trial capabilities will add value to our team. The positioning game will be his most difficult challenge. With our support, I hope he becomes as good as his elder brother!"
"One of the most challenging stages in the Tour de l'Avenir was won by Alexander Evans. We continue our investment in young riders, hoping that he can deliver. We're looking forward to see this talented climber gaining experience!"
Back to news and opinion index page for links to archived stories | Commentary