Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Saturday, January 14, 2023
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2022 Tour de France | 2022 Giro d'Italia
Growing old is like being increasingly penalized for a crime you haven't committed. - Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
Bill & Carol McGann’s book The Story of the Tour de France, 2022: The Fastest Tour Ever is available as in both Kindle eBook & audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.
Current racing:
- Jan 14 - 22: Schwalbe Classic & Tour Down Under
Upcoming racing
- Jan 22 - 29: Vuelta a San Juan
- Jan 25 - 29: Challenge Illes Balears-Volta Ciclista a Mallorca
- Jan 28 & 29: Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
Latest completed racing:
- Jan 1: GP Sven Nys Cyclocross
- Dec 30: Azencross-Loenhout
- Dec 28: Diegem Cyclocross
- Dec 27: Heusden-Zolder Cyclocross
- Dec 26: Gavere Cyclocross
- Dec 10: Exact Cross Essen
- Dec 4: Scheldecross Antwerp
Ferrand-Prevot’s Team INEOS Grenadiers sent me this bad news:
Pauline Ferrand-Prevot will end her 2022-23 cyclocross season earlier than planned due to the injury she incurred whilst racing in the Gavere World Cup Cyclocross Race on the 26th of December
Ferrand-Prévot, whilst disappointed to have to end her cyclocross season early, is still incredibly pleased with her 2022 season and is planning to start competing again in mountain bike races in the spring.
Ferrand-Prevot winning stage 5 of the 2015 Giro Rosa.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot said: “Obviously I would have loved to compete at the cyclocross World Championships but my leg just hasn’t healed as quickly as we would have thought. So I have taken the decision, along with my coach and the team, to concentrate on recovery so I can come out fit and strong for the start of the mountain bike season in April.”
The last season has been a standout one for Ferrand-Prévot, having secured four world championship titles, three in mountain bike and one in gravel racing, as well as coming on board and being the first female athlete to compete with the INEOS Grenadiers.
Pauline added: “I cannot be disappointed with how this season has gone, to have won four rainbow jerseys is pretty mind blowing when I look back at it. Then joining this Team has been incredible, everyone has really welcomed me in and I already feel at home here. The support I receive from all the staff is pretty special. I’m looking forward to having some downtime and then coming back and seeing what we can do together for the rest of the year.”
Rod Ellingworth, Deputy Team Principal said: “Pauline can only look back on this last season and be really proud of what she has achieved. She has been such a great addition to the Team and we have all been impressed with her work ethic, attitude and knowledge. It’s now important that she takes some time to heal so she can come back stronger and ready to go all in for 2023.”
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The team sent me this schedule:
During its annual press day, Lotto Dstny has announced the season planning of its riders. The Belgian ProTeam targets sprint wins with amongst others Caleb Ewan and Arnaud De Lie, but also wants to play a role in the one-day races and the biggest Classics.
Despite taking seven wins last year, Caleb Ewan is eager to do better in 2023. Milano-Sanremo, where Ewan was not able to take the start due to sickness last year, will again be the first big goal. “Despite several nice wins, it was not the season I hoped for. I want to turn things around in 2023. I have several nice goals coming up, starting with Milano-Sanremo, several Belgian Classics which I really look forward to and of course the Tour, where I’ll target sprint victories.”
Caleb Ewan wins the 2022 GP Formies. Sirotti photo
Race schedule Caleb Ewan: Tour Down Under (17/1 - 23/1), Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race (29/1), UAE Tour (20/2 - 26/2), Milano-Sanremo (18/3), Classic Brugge - De Panne (22/3), Gent-Wevelgem (26/3), Dwars Door Vlaanderen (29/3), Scheldeprijs (5/4), Tour de France (1/7 - 23/7).
Breakaway artist Thomas De Gendt took a memorable stage win at the Giro last year. Also at the start of his fifteenth year as a pro, De Gendt still remains ambitious. “Also in my fifteenth year as a pro, the ambition remains the same and that is to win races. In Paris-Nice and Volta a Catalunya combined, I already won seven times. I hope to perform well in those races this year. Besides, I want to help the team as much as possible where I can.”
Race schedule Thomas De Gendt: Mallorca Challenge (25/1 tm 29/1), Muscat Classic (10/2), Tour of Oman (11/2 - 14/2), UAE Tour (20/2 - 26/2), Paris-Nice (5/3 - 12/3), Volta a Catalunya (20/3 - 26/3), Brabantse Pijl (12/4).
Andreas Kron wants to show himself again on hilly terrain. The Dane will target Strade Bianche, the Ardennes Classics and a possible second Tour participation. “I can’t wait for the season to start, where my first big goal will be Strade Bianche. It’s a hectic but beautiful race which suits me well. I will also be back in Catalunya, where I took my first stage win for the team. I would like to repeat that this year."
Race schedule Andreas Kron: Vuelta a Murcia (11/2), Jaén Paraiso Interior (13/2), Ruta del Sol (15/2 - 19/2), Faun-Ardèche Classic (25/2), Faun Drome Classic (26/2), Trofeo Laiguelia (1/3), Strade Bianche (4/3), Volta a Catalunya (20/3 - 26/3), GP Indurain (1/4), Brabantse Pijl (12/4), Amstel Gold Race (16/4), Flèche Wallonne (19/4), Liège-Bastogne-Liège (23/4).
With nine wins, Arnaud De Lie was one of the revelations of the 2022 season. The strong sprinter will have a taste of several Flemish WorldTour Classics and two Monuments: Milano-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix. “I am really eager to further discover myself in races of the highest level. It will be a nice test and I obviously want to show myself. I can’t wait to know how it feels to be riding two Monuments such as Milano-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix.”
Race schedule Arnaud De Lie: Classica Communitat Valenciana (22/1), GP Marseillaise (29/1), Etoile de Bessèges (1/2 - 5/2), Clasica de Almeria (12/2), Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne (26/2), Le Samyn 28/2), Paris-Nice (5/3 - 12/3), Milano-Sanremo (18/3), Gent-Wevelgem (26/3), Dwars door Vlaanderen (29/3), Paris-Roubaix (9/4), Brabantse Pijl (12/4).
Newcomer Pascal Eenkhoorn conquered the Dutch road title last year and wants to show it at Lotto Dstny. “Of course, I look forward to showing the Dutch tricolour at Lotto Dstny during a nice and varied schedule. The ambition is to win races. I can’t wait for my first Amstel Gold Race participation. To start in my home race as Dutch champion will be really special.”
Race schedule Pascal Eenkhoorn: Mallorca Challenge (25/1 - 29/1), Vuelta a Murcia (11/2), Jaén Paraiso Interior (13/2), Ruta del Sol (15/2 - 19/2), Faun-Ardèche Classic (25/2), Faun Drome Classic (26/2), Paris-Nice (5/3 - 12/3), Milano-Sanremo (18/3), Volta Limburg Classic (1/4), Brabantse Pijl (12/4), Amstel Gold Race (16/4), Flèche Wallonne (19/4), Liège-Bastogne-Liège (23/4).
Also this year, the always ambitious Victor Campenaerts will focus on the Classics. “This will only be my third ‘real’ spring Classics season, but I feel that I’ve gathered the necessary experience to perform. Also as a team, we’re again really motivated to show ourselves. This year, Dwars door Vlaanderen has become a bit less tough, I primarily dream of winning Omloop Het Nieuwsblad this year, that is currently what drives me during training.”
Race schedule Victor Campenaerts: Omloop het Nieuwsblad (25/2), Le Samyn (28/2), GP Criquielion (4/3), Ronde van Drenthe (12/3), Nokere Koerse (15/3), Bredene Koksijde Classic (17/3), E3 Saxo Classic (24/3), Dwars door Vlaanderen (29/3), Ronde van Vlaanderen (2/4), Brabantse Pijl (12/4).
Last year he took his maiden win at the Antwerp Port Epic, this year Florian Vermeersch wants to show himself once again during his beloved cobbled Classics. “At the moment, we’re working hard during training camp to start the season in the best possible shape. Due to obvious reasons, I look forward to Paris-Roubaix the most. There’s a good vibe within the team and I am convinced that we can take the next step during the spring classics.”
Race schedule Florian Vermeersch: Vuelta a Murcia (11/2), Clasica de Almeria (12/2), Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (25/2), Le Samyn (28/2), GP Criquielion (4/3), Ronde van Drenthe (12/3), Nokere Koerse (15/3), Bredene Koksijde Classic (17/3), Gent-Wevelgem (26/3), Dwars door Vlaanderen (29/3), Ronde van Vlaanderen (2/4), Paris-Roubaix (9/4), Brabantse Pijl (12/4).
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Here’s the team’s update:
The 39th edition will take place between 22-29 January
Just like in 2019 and 2020, Remco Evenepoel will start his season in Argentina, at the Vuelta a San Juan, a race where our team has racked up a dozen victories in four participations, including the GC win of three years ago. The World Champion, who was recently named the Belgian Sportsman of the Year in recognition of his astonishing 2022 season, will showcase his rainbow jersey there, part of a strong Soudal Quick-Step squad.
Remco Evenepoel time-trialing in the 2020 Vuelta a San Juan.
European Champion Fabio Jakobsen, who concluded last season as the most successful sprinter in the bunch, will too be present in South America, where he will rely on the experience and skills of Michael Mørkøv to guide him in the bunch sprints. Rounding out the team for the Vuelta a San Juan will be Jan Hirt – making his first appearance for the Wolfpack – Yves Lampaert and Pieter Serry.
Bookended by flat stages – two of the four opportunities to shine that the sprinters will have at this 39th edition – held in and around San Juan, the race lacks an individual time trial, meaning the GC contenders will have to try and make the difference on the stages to Barreal and Alto Colorado, which will both feature first-category climbs.
“It’s our first time in Argentina in three years and we are happy to be back in this beautiful country. Remco won the last time we were here, and he now returns as World Champion, ready to kick off a season that we all hope will deliver many great moments. San Juan will be a nice test also for Fabio, who has a good lead-out and will look to show his speed and pick up a victory on one of the many flat days of the race. Without an individual time trial, Alto Colorado will be decisive for the general classification, so we’ll see how things go on that stage and what we can do there”, said Soudal Quick-Step sports director Davide Bramati.
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The team sent me this list of each rider’s first three races:
Alex Baudin
Schwalbe Classic (January 14)
Santos Tour Down Under (January 17-22)
Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race (January 29)
Clément Berthet
UAE Tour (February 20-26)
Paris-Nice (March 5-12)
Volta Ciclista a Catalunya (March 20-26)
Franck Bonnamour
Etoile de Bessèges - Tour du Gard (February 1-5)
Faun Drôme Classic (February 26)
Paris-Nice (March 5-12)
Geoffrey Bouchard
Muscat Classic (February 10)
Tour of Oman (February 11-15)
UAE Tour (February 20-26)
Mikaël Cherel
Tour of the Alpes Maritimes and Var (February 17-19)
Faun Ardèche Classic (February 25)
Strade Bianche (March 4)
Benoît Cosnefroy
Grand Prix Cycliste de Marseille - La Marseillaise (January 29)
Etoile de Bessèges - Tour du Gard (February 1-5)
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (February 25)
Stan Dewulf
Muscat Classic (February 10)
Tour of Oman (February 11-15)
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (February 25)
Felix Gall
Tour of the Alpes Maritimes and Var (February 17-19)
Faun Ardèche Classic (February 25)
Faun Drôme Classic (February 26)
Pierre Gautherat
Muscat Classic (February 10)
Tour of Oman (February 11-15)
Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne (February 26)
Dorian Godon
Schwalbe Classic (January 14)
Santos Tour Down Under (January 17-22)
Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race (January 29)
Jaakko Hänninen
Classica Comunitat Valenciana (January 22)
Grand Prix Cycliste de Marseille - La Marseillaise (January 29)
UAE Tour (February 20-26)
Paul Lapeira
Schwalbe Classic (January 14)
Santos Tour Down Under (January 17-22)
Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race (January 29)
Oliver Naesen
Grand Prix Cycliste de Marseille - La Marseillaise (January 29)
Etoile de Bessèges - Tour du Gard (February 1-5)
Muscat Classic (February 10)
Lawrence Naesen
Classica Comunitat Valenciana (January 22)
Grand Prix Cycliste de Marseille - La Marseillaise (January 29)
Tour of Oman (February 11-15)
Ben O'Connor
Schwalbe Classic (January 14)
Santos Tour Down Under (January 17-22)
Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race (January 29)
Aurélien Paret-Peintre
Tour of the Alpes Maritimes and Var (February 17-19)
Faun Ardèche Classic (February 25)
Faun Drôme Classic (February 26)
Valentin Paret-Peintre
Classica Comunitat Valenciana (January 22)
Etoile de Bessèges - Tour du Gard (February 1-5)
UAE Tour (February 20-26)
Nans Peters
Schwalbe Classic (January 14)
Santos Tour Down Under (January 17-22)
Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race (January 29)
Antoine Raugel
unavailable 2 months
Valentin Retailleau
Classica Comunitat Valenciana (January 22)
Grand Prix Cycliste de Marseille - La Marseillaise (January 29)
Etoile de Bessèges - Tour du Gard (February 1-5)
Marc Sarreau
UAE Tour (February 20-26)
Paris-Nice (March 5-12)
Grand Prix of Denain (March 16)
Michael Schär
Schwalbe Classic (January 14)
Santos Tour Down Under (January 17-22)
Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race (January 29)
Damien Touzé
Schwalbe Classic (January 14)
Santos Tour Down Under (January 17-22)
Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race (January 29)
Bastien Tronchon
Tour of the Alpes Maritimes and Var (February 17-19)
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (February 25)
Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne (February 26)
Greg Van Avermaet
Etoile de Bessèges - Tour du Gard (February 1-5)
Muscat Classic (February 10)
Tour of Oman (February 11-15)
Andrea Vendrame
Classica Comunitat Valenciana (January 22)
Muscat Classic (February 10)
Tour of Oman (February 11-15)
Clément Venturini
Tour of the Alpes Maritimes and Var (February 17-19)
Faun Drôme Classic (February 26)
Trofeo Laigueglia (March 1st )
Larry Warbasse
Grand Prix Cycliste de Marseille - La Marseillaise (January 29)
Etoile de Bessèges - Tour du Gard (February 1-5)
Tour of the Alpes Maritimes and Var (February 17-19)
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