Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Friday, December 24, 2021
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2021 Tour de France | 2021 Giro d'Italia
Stupidity is also a gift of God, but one mustn't misuse it. - Pope John Paul II
Bill and Carol McGann's book The Story of the Tour de France, 2021: The Little Cannibal Dominates is available as an audiobook here. For the Kindle eBook version just click on the Amazon link on the right.
Upcoming racing:
- Dec 27: Heusden Zolder Cyclocross
- Dec 29:
DiegemcrossCancelled - 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 19: Namur Cyclocross
- Dec 11: Ethiascross-Essen
- 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
Even though this happens from time to time in pro cycling, writing this still makes me sad.
According to several web sites, Team Qhubeka NextHash has been unable to find a sponsor for 2022 and will fold. According to Cycling News.com the riders were sent this message from team boss Doug Ryder: “I am very sad to send this message. We have tried everything to find sponsors for our team for next season, right up until the last few days, but nothing has materialised in time. “
“We have engaged with ten sports’ marketing agencies across the world and spoke to over one hundred companies. I am thankful to those of you who also supported us through talking to potential sponsors. There has not been a day that went by since NTT opted to end their support that we did not work on securing our long-term future.”
Domeinco Pozzovivo racing for the team in the 2020 Giro d'Italia when it was NTT Pro Cycling. Sirotti photo
After the UCI refused the team a World Tour license December 9, the team was probably doomed.
Under several different names, the team has been on the road since 2008. It become a WorldTour squad in 2016 as Dimension Data with super sprinter Mark Cavendish winning twelve races for the team.
This leaves several riders with a team for 2022, including, last time I checked, Domenico Pozzovivo and Sergio Henao.
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Here’s Jumbo-Visma’s announcement
Vacansoleil and Team Jumbo-Visma are joining forces. With this partnership, the tour operator for camping holidays returns to the sport. After an absence of eight years, Vacansoleil sees a good fit with Team Jumbo-Visma.
They will work together around the races throughout Europe in which Team Jumbo-Visma participates. “Where the cyclists ride, we promote the region and campsites under the heading “Explore Europe Together”, Vacansoleil’s commercial director Jacky Lambert said. “We reinforce each other and complement each other very well.” Vacansoleil will also be the jersey sponsor of the women’s team and is a partner of the entire top sports team, including the speed skating team.
Vacansoleil is returning to the sport after parting ways with the former Vacansoleil cycling team as the main sponsor in 2014. The company used that budget to invest in its internet presence from that moment on. It has ensured that the camping holiday tour operator has a solid online position. “This is the moment to link our strong position to other premium brands. Team Jumbo-Visma is a strong A-brand, and we are proud that, as Vacansoleil, we can join this world-class top sports team”, Lambert said. “The fact that both the men and women will be racing all over Europe is a perfect match. Our campsites are spread all over Europe. There is always a Vacansoleil campsite nearby, no matter where the races are. We are going to focus a lot of attention on that.”
The new Jumbo-Visma women's jersey
“We are proud to welcome Vacansoleil as a major partner of our team”, said Richard Plugge, general manager of Team Jumbo-Visma. “The European visibility and presence is something that connects us as A-brands. That is what we’re going for: Going into Europe together and winning together.”
Women’s team
Vacansoleil will be on the jersey of the women’s team of Team Jumbo-Visma from next season. The exposure of cycling for women is growing strongly. Next summer, after years of absence, there will be another Tour de France Femmes, with Team Jumbo-Visma participating. The start in Paris is on the same day as the finish of the men’s race. Lambert: “The eight stages over different terrain through the French countryside will pass countless campsites where the guests of Vacansoleil will be staying this summer. An excellent opportunity for us to show even more people the beautiful places you can stay at on our campsites.”
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