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Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Wednesday, January 8, 2020

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2019 Tour de France | 2019 Giro d'Italia

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Two more Tour Down Under team roster confirmations

The organizer sent me these two updates:

Lotto Soudal has confirmed their squad that will take to the start line of the 2020 Santos Tour Down Under.

Australian Caleb Ewan will lead the team in the opening UCI WorldTour event for 2020, saying he is excited to get the season underway in Australia.

“This is my home race and of course I am more than motivated. Having won already seven stage wins in the Santos Tour Down Under, I missed a stage win last season. This year I want to be back on the podium,” said Caleb Ewan.

“I have the form and the speed to win, but many things will depend on tactics, other circumstances and other sprinters. I will be ready… I cannot wait to start my season,” he said.

LOTTO SOUDAL (BEL)
•Caleb EWAN (AUS)
•Thomas DE GENDT (BEL)
•Adam HANSEN (AUS)
•Matthew HOLMES (GBR)
•Roger KLUGE (GER)
•Jonathan DIBBEN (GBR)
•Tosh VAN DER SANDE (BEL)

Caleb Ewan

Caleb Ewan at the rider presentation ceremony of the 2019 edition of the Tour Down Under. Sirotti photo

UAE Team Emirates has confirmed their squad that will take to the start line of the 2020 Santos Tour Down Under.

Jasper Philipsen, who in 2019 won Stage 5 at the Santos Tour Down Under, returns as the lead rider in the seven-man squad. 

UAE TEAM EMIRATES (UAE)
•Jasper PHILIPSEN (BEL)
•Sven BYSTROM (NOR)
•Mikkel Baeko BJERG (DEN)
•Vegard Stake LAENGEN (NOR)
•Marco MARCATO (ITA)
•Aleksandr RIABUSHENKO (BLR)
•Diego ULISSI (ITA)

U.S. Trade Representative grants tariff exclusion to kids' bikes

Bicycle Retailer & Industry News sent me this report:

WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — The U.S Trade Representative has granted tariff exclusions to two more categories of kids bikes from China. Combined with other exclusions granted late last year, now all bikes with wheels from 12-inch through 24-inch diameter are exempt from the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration in September 2018.

The additional tariff on those bikes was 25%, it now reverts to the 11% tariff in place before the administration's trade war with China.

Several importers and trade groups had requested the exclusion, which was dated Dec. 31, 2019. The exclusion means importers should be able to recover the additional tariffs they've been paying.

Alex Logemann, policy counsel for PeopleForBikes, said, "We are very pleased that these new exclusion requests have been granted and will provide complete relief for kid's bikes from the Section 301 tariffs. We estimate that the three collective kid's bikes exclusions will enable the industry recover more than $62 million dollars in tariffs that have already been paid, and they could be worth more than $100 million over the next year if the tariffs remain in effect."

Arnold Kamler, chairman and CEO of Kent, a major importer of kids bikes from China, called the move "great news for our customers and for consumers."

You can read the entire report here.

Giant Ibérica (Spain, Portugal, Andorra) and Giant France join forces

Bike Europe sent me this industry update

LELYSTAD, the Netherlands - Giant Ibérica and Giant France have joined forces and are with that becoming the biggest distributor within Giant Europe. The two southwestern European companies have sealed a collaboration agreement last month which entails that with the start of the New Year the Giant distributor for Spain, Portugal and Andorra operates through Giant France.

With the consolidation of the two distribution companies, the largest European representation of the Taiwanese brand arises which generates an annual turnover exceeding 100 million euro.

Giant France and Giant Ibérica agreed to coordinate their activities in marketing, logistics as well as product development without compromising the specific needs of their mutual markets and consumers. The agreement also aims to secure the significant growth that Giant has experienced in the last years in the French market, where it has established itself as a leading brand.

“Giant France, with its experience and strong leadership, will provide us with the necessary knowledge to defend, and ultimately grow our customer base during these times of rapidly changing market conditions. I have no doubt that it will be a great agreement for all,” said José Casla, the veteran general director of Giant Ibérica.

You can read the entire story here.

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