Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Tuesday, December 7, 2021
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2021 Tour de France | 2021 Giro d'Italia
One word frees us of all the weight and pain in life. That word is love. - Sophocles
Upcoming racing:
- Dec 11: Ethiascross-Essen
- Dec 19: Namur Cyclocross
- Dec 27: Heusden Zolder Cyclocross
- Dec 29: Diegemcross
- Dec 30: Azencross
- Jan 1, 2022: GP Sven Nys Cross
- Jan 16 - 23, 2022: Le Tour de Langkawi
- Jan 22, 2022: Flandriencross
- Jan 26 - 29, 2022: Challenge Illes Balears
- Jan 30 - Feb 6, 2022: Vuelta a San Juan
- Feb 12, 2022: Gavere Cyclocross
Latest completed racing:
- Dec 5:
Scheldecross Antwerp- Cancelled because of Covid-19 - Nov 13: GP Leuven
- Nov 7: Elite Men European Cyclocross Championships
- Nov 6: Elite Women European Cyclocross Championships
- Nov 1: Koppenberg Cyclocross
- Oct 31: Vlaamse Druivenveldrit Overijse Cross
- Oct 24: Ronde van Drenthe
- Oct 23: Ruddervoorde Cyclocross
Plato's Crito is available as an audiobook here.
Evenepoel’s Team Deceuninck-Quick Step posted this piece:
21-year-old Remco Evenepoel talked about his first GC victory of the season and what made it so special.
“The Belgium Tour was just my second race of the season and winning it was a big relief. After a long injury and a long way back, it was very special to win again, to know that I returned close to my previous level. It also served as confirmation of the hard work I had put in and the support I got from the team, which is something I was and am very grateful for.”
Remco Evenepoel on his way to winning the stage two time trial in the 2021 Tour of Belgium. Getty Sports photo
“I remember the race kicking off with a very hot and hard stage, but the guys did a beautiful job and put me in the right place at the right moment, and once I noticed some of our opponents were suffering, I just decided to attack and split the field, which worked out well. I didn’t win that day, but I managed to gain time on the other GC contenders and that made for a perfect start. Then the time trial came – and with it, my first victory of the year – and achieving it on home soil made everything even more special. The only regret of that day is that Yves couldn’t be on the first step of the podium with me, as he too was very strong and would have deserved the win as well.”
“The next couple of days, the Wolfpack continued to do a flawless job, protecting me and making sure nothing would happen on the remaining tricky stages, and that made things easier. All I needed to do was remain attentive and follow my teammates, before wrapping it up on what turned out to be another great day for Deceuninck – Quick-Step, with Mark notching up the victory on the final stage.”
“During that week, everyone could see again the Wolfpack mentality, this incredible spirit that has carried us and continues to carry us to so many amazing victories. We fought hard and we worked hard, always believing in ourselves. Taking the general classification brought back a winning feeling that I had been missing since last year’s Tour de Pologne and an important morale boost for the second part of the season.”
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Here’s the announcement from Lotto Soudal
Anna Plichta (29) has decided to retire from cycling immediately and therefore she won’t be part of the Lotto Soudal Ladies team next season. The Polish rider joined our team this year and had signed a two-year contract, which will now end at the end of the year. Plichta is a two-time Polish time trial champion and past summer she animated the Olympics road race by being part of a long breakaway.
“I have always enjoyed being a professional cyclist; to train hard and to fight in the races, but past year I realized that I lost a bit of the anger, the feeling to be competitive and the guts to take a risk,” testifies Anna Plichta. “I still could train very hard, be focused and motivated, but I did not have this happy feeling anymore when the race day was coming. It made me aware of the fact that something was changing in my mind, and that maybe I should take time to think about my future. A few weeks ago I made the decision to quit cycling.”
“I had always promised myself that I would retire when I still enjoyed cycling,” says Plichta. “And at this moment I just feel like it’s time to take another step, and to try something new. I am ready for new challenges. I will keep all the great memories in my mind and I will always look back on my career with a warm heart and a big smile. Mostly for the people I have met, and the amazing stories that were written. I would like to say thanks to everyone who supported me during my career, and a big thank you to Lotto Soudal for understanding my decision, and letting me take another path.”
The team wishes Anna all the best for the future.
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Bicycle Retailer & Industry News posted this report:
BURLINGTON, Vt. (BRAIN) — The Flagg Bicycle Group announced Wednesday that it acquired women's cycling company Terry Bicycles, which will be renamed Terry Precision Cycling.
The sale was completed Tuesday.
Liz Robert will remain president and CEO and shareholder in Terry Precision Cycling and continue to lead the staff at its Burlington facility.
Flagg Bicycle Group also has full or partial ownership of QBP, SmartEtailing, and Wheels Manufacturing.
"We are thrilled to join the family of companies owned by Flagg Bicycle Group, each of which is an industry leader in their respective areas of business," Robert said. "This acquisition will maximize the opportunities Terry has to get more women riding bicycles comfortably, safely, and beautifully, and to serve our loyal customers."
You can read the entire story here.
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