Tadej Pogačar is halfway to the double, but is he thinking of the triple? A very full EUROTRASH this Thursday. Race reports, results and rider quotes from the Circuit Franco-Belge, the Mercan’Tour Classic Alpes-Maritimes and the Gullegem Koerse – All with video.
Tadej Pogačar’s Giro/Tour Double and what about La Vuelta? – TOP STORY.
Rider news: Jonas Vingegaard is training at altitude, UAE Team Emirates wants to extend Tadej Pogačar’s contract, Geraint Thomas to ride the Tour, super combativeness prize went to Julian Alaphilippe, Miguel Ángel López suspended for 4 years for doping in the Giro’22, Olympic Champion Carapaz not going to the games, only place for Narváez, Jay Vine medical update, Chris Froome resumes racing, Buchmann will leave BORA-hansgrohe after this season and Miguel Indurain will be at the Waain Cycling weekend after 30 years.
Team news: BORA team boss on Van Aert, Pidcock and Evenepoel, Roger Hammond joins BORA-hansgrohe from INEOS Grenadiers, from dominance in breakaways to the best overall result Ever Team Polti Kometa’s Giro d’Italia, first Giro d’Italia completed with a Top-10 in the general classification for Tudor, Visma | Lease a Bike Development Team signs young British talent Elliot Rowe, Soudal Quick-Step to the Critérium du Dauphiné, the next races for dsm-firmenich PostNL and Jan Hirt: “A Giro to remember with the Wolfpack”.
Race news:Salzburg wants the Giro d’Italia, the second mural of the Giro d’Italia has been unveiled in Rome and the Tour de France Femmes Avec Zwift Challenge: Climbing Alpe d’Huez.
Plus: The best moments of the 2024 Giro d’Italia | INEOS Grenadiers video.
TOP STORY: Tadej Pogačar’s Giro/Tour Double: “It’s going even better than expected”
Tadej Pogačar dominated the Giro d’Italia, but the Slovenian will not be able sit back, because in a month he will be trying to win the Tour de France.
His team manager, Mauro Gianetti spoke to L’Équipe. “We are now halfway through, now we just have to win the Tour de France. It’s a big challenge, we knew that from the start. But our attitude is: if you don’t try, you can’t achieve it. This year we have set ourselves the goal of achieving the double (Giro and Tour) and we are working towards that.”
“So far everything has gone according to plan,” Gianetti said after Pogačar won the Tour of Italy. “And so from Tuesday we will concentrate on the Tour de France and completing the double. Tadej has now reached an age where he can focus on the doubles. The Giro route this year was not as difficult as in previous editions and was therefore perfect. This is the year to give it a try.”
Gianetti has seen a better Pogačar at work in recent weeks. A Pogačar who was also not challenged by his rivals and did not have to go too deep every day. “So far everything is going well. Tadej was really great in the Giro. As everyone has seen, he is currently in incredibly good form. That’s because he worked so hard and so seriously from the start of the season.”
“We let him work quietly at home this winter, but in the right way, specifically for the tour work,” explained Gianetti. “We are keeping an eye on everything and so far everything is going according to plan. In fact, it’s even going better than expected. That’s great to see. Now that we have won the Giro, we are ready for the Tour.”
Is Pogačar Thinking about the Treble?
After his Giro d’Italia win, Tadej Pogačar is now busy getting ready to win the Tour de France. What the Vuelta a España too? No cyclist has ever won all the three Grand Tours in the same year and Pogačar doesn’t see this happening anytime soon.
The Slovenian may be the right rider to give it a try this year. “But I can assure you that the Vuelta is not on my program this year,” he said to Eurosport. “It is certainly on my wish list to win every Grand Tour, but it seems unrealistic to achieve that in the same year. Races that I have not ridden or won before do attract my special attention. I like new challenges to maintain a certain sharpness. But I am always realistic. Every competition requires adaptability,” said the 25-year-old UAE Team Emirates rider. “It is not the case that starting also means a great chance of winning. Every rider will agree that it is not easy to ride many races in one year.”
Pogačar was the overall winner of the 107th Giro d’Italia last Sunday, but he still sees plenty of challenges this season. “The Tour and the World championships are the absolute main goals for me,” he does not hide his ambitions. “That is not only the case this year, but actually every year. I don’t feel a lot of pressure, because I’m still young and I know that I have what it takes to become World champion one day.”
The Slovenian is now focused on the Tour de France (June 29-July 21), which starts in a month’s time in Florence, Italy. Pogačar will not be at the start of any races in the run-up to the Tour, but will prepare himself at altitude in Isola 2000 for the French tour.
Pogačar’s Giro/Tour double is on track:
Circuit Franco-Belge 2024
Biniam Girmay won a difficult edition of Circuit Franco-Belge on Wednesday. The leader of the Intermarché-Wanty team was the fastest in the uphill sprint from a thinned peloton, ahead of Axel Zingle (Cofidis) and Marc Hirschi (UAE Team Emirates). A late attack by three riders in the final kilometre nearly succeeded.
After the start in Tournai, the riders headed north, where after passing through the finish on Mont-de-l’Enclus (Kluisberg), there was a different local circuit. The final started 110 kilometres from the finish, at the start of the local circuit that had to be ridden six times. A circuit with the Cote du Trieu (1.2km at 7.4%) and the Cote de l’Horlitin (1km at 5.9%). With the top of the last climb more than 10 kilometres from the finish and a difficult final kilometre.
The leading group of the day built up in several groups. In the end, 5 riders got away: Martijn Rasenberg (Parkhotel Valkenburg), Victor Vercouillie (Team Flanders-Baloise) and Theo Bonnet (Philippe Wagner-Bazin). Nathan Smith (Novo Nordisk) and Maximilien Juillard (Van Rysel-Roubaix Lille Métropole) joined them. They managed to gain a 5 minute lead. Due to the work of Alpecin-Deceuninck, Intermarché-Wanty and UAE Team Emirates, the lead quickly dropped. Rasenberg and Bonnet were the strongest, but they were caught 60 kilometres from the finish. Kaden Groves then opened the final among the favourites, but it went quiet at that point. Jonas Abrahamsen, Pascal Eenkhoorn and Jérémy Leveau then jumped away.
Intermarché-Wanty control of the peloton and chased Abrahamsen and Eenkhoorn, who dropped Leveau and had a 40-second lead. The peloton worked hard to pull them back 25 kilometres from the finish. Tour de Tietema-Unibet then went on the attack, but were unable to get away. Lorenzo Rota, Sjoerd Bax and Rasmus Tiller were able to get away and made it dangerously exciting. But they were nearly stopped on the uphill final kilometre. The winner would came from the thinned peloton. Tiller went for a long sprint, but he was caught 200 metres from the finish. Marc Hirschi then went too early and Biniam Girmay finished the job with hard jump. Axel Zingle was second, well behind, and Hirschi third. The other favourite, Kaden Groves, was not involved in the final kilometre and finished 10th.
Biniam Girmay Hailu (Intermarché-Wanty): “I had a great feeling. I have to thank my team for the good work today. I felt great and am happy with this victory. It was good that Lorenzo Rota was with the attackers. We rode well as a team. After my crashes in the spring (Dwars door Vlaanderen) and in the Giro d’Italia, I am happy with this victory. I have felt good in recent weeks.”
3rd, Marc Hirschi (UAE Team Emirates): “We had Bax in the breakaway and I think he was super strong but just missing a bit of cooperation in that group. When it came back I knew it was up to me to sprint. I liked the finish and it suited me well but was just missing a little bit in the final. I think Girmay was the strongest today. My shape in general is good and I hope to be in the fight for wins again soon.”
Circuit Franco-Belge Result:
1. Biniam Girmay Hailu (Eri) Intermarché-Wanty in 4:37:52
2. Axel Zingle (Fra) Cofidis
3. Marc Hirschi (Sui) UAE Team Emirates
4. Jenno Berckmoes (Bel) Lotto Dstny
5. Emilien Jeannière (Fra) TotalEnergies
6. Vincenzo Albanese (Ita) Arkéa-B&B Hotels
7. Pau Miquel Delgado (Spa) Equipo Kern Pharma
8. Matyas Kopecky (CZ) Team Novo Nordisk
9. Eduard Prades Reverte (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA
10. Kaden Groves (Aus) Alpecin-Deceuninck.
Circuit Franco-Belge’24:
Mercan’Tour Classic Alpes-Maritimes 2024
Lenny Martinez won the Mercan’Tour Classic Alpes-Maritimes in an exciting final. The 20-year-old of Groupama-FDJ crossed the finish line solo after a tough race through the Alps, after pulling away from fellow countryman Clément Berthet (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) in the final kilometre. Harm Vanhoucke (Lotto Dstny) was third.
The Mercan’Tour Classic Alpes-Maritimes finished just after the Col de la Couillole, the same route as the penultimate stage of the Tour de France this summer. Before that there was the Baisse de Cabanet (20.4km at 4.7%) and La Colmiane (15.km at 5.4%). After the Couillole (15.8 km at 7.3%), there was a short descent and a climb of 7 kilometres to Valberg.
Valentin Retailleau of Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale was one of the first attackers and was off the front for a long time. First he joined a break group of five, with French Conti riders Israel-Premier Tech and Groupama-FDJ controlled the peloton at more than 3 minutes. At the top of Baisse de Cabanet, Retailleau dropped the others. Pierre Latour, who had missed the first move, fought his way forward, was also unable to keep up with Retailleau’s pace. The lone escapee had no answer on La Colmiane to the acceleration in the Groupama-FDJ led peloton, which had two favourites for the win with Lenny Martinez and David Gaudu. Just before the top, Retailleau was caught.
Everyone was now waiting for the Col de la Couillole, where Groupama-FDJ continued to increase the pace. That prompted an attack by Martinez 24 kilometres from the finish, but he was unable to keep it going. Martinez then crashed with Lukas Nerurkar, and later Guillaume Martin and Iván Ramiro Sosa also came down. They were able to continue. David Gaudu chose this moment to attack, together with George Bennett. Five kilometres from the top, Bennett decided to go solo, but he was passed again by Martinez, who took Clément Berthet, Harm Vanhoucke and Matthew Riccitello with him. It was Decathlon AG2R climber Berthet who managed to open a gap of 25 seconds just before the summit, but they were not slowing behind. Martinez recovered and joined Berthet just before they crested the summit. The two Frenchmen started the last 10 kilometres to Valberg and the battle for victory. Martinez and Berthet, who also met in the final of the Tour du Doubs, left it to the last kilometre. There the Groupama-FDJ rider made the decisive attack, to which Berthet had no answer. Martinez took the sixth victory of his career. Third place went to Harm Vanhoucke.
Race winner, Lenny Martínez (Groupama-FDJ): “It’s a pretty tough race, there was a homogeneous level, plus I crashed quite stupidly when I touched a wheel. We were in a small group with two Israel-Premier Tech, it was quite tactical, at the end of the last climb I tried again and managed to get out. Then I caught up with Clément, I told him to come in because behind them they were going to collaborate. Then he got on the pedal, I did a sprint a little before the finish line and he did it, so I was very happy. I was 8th 2 years ago, 4th last year, it was a race that I really wanted to win, so I’m happy, that shows the progress.”
2nd, Clément Berthet (Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale): “As soon as Valentin (Retailleau) was no longer part of the morning breakaway, we took control of the race by leading the descent of the Colmiane. At the foot of the Col de la Couillole, I was ideally positioned, and the team did a great job. It was a tactical climb with a lot of attacks and accelerations to close the gaps. A small group broke away at the front, and I managed to go with them. Lenny (Martinez) caught up at the end of the climb, just like in the Tour du Doubs, which brought back memories. Then, we worked well together to prevent the group behind from catching up, but I was really at my limit. I didn’t have the legs to sprint that long when he attacked with one kilometre to go. It’s always frustrating to finish second; I would have preferred to win, but my condition is good, and the work done during the training camp is paying off. I think I can confidently approach the next races.”
3rd, Harm Vanhoucke (Lotto Dstny): “I didn’t expect to be able to get on the podium here already, so I’m pleased with this result. After the Tour of Hungary I rested for a week and I only trained again for ten days. You always have to wait a little to see what that will bring. Now I’m heading to Andorra to train at altitude, followed by Slovakia and the Tour of Sibiu. Being able to have a good race here already gives me a boost. Better than realising there’s still a lot of work ahead, right?”
Mercan’Tour Classic Alpes-Maritimes Result:
1. Lenny Martinez (Fra) Groupama-FDJ in 4:49:28
2. Clement Berthet (Fra) Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale at 0:10
3. Harm Vanhoucke (Bel) Lotto Dstny at 0:15
4. Iván Ramiro (Col) Sosa Movistar
5. Gregor Muhlberger (Aust) Movistar at 28
6. Guillaume Martin (Fra) Cofidis at 30
7. George Bennett (NZ) Israel-Premier Tech at 0:31
8. Jose Manuel Diaz Gallego (Spa) Burgos-BH at 0:38
9. Lukas Nerurkar (GB) EF Education-EasyPost at 1:01
10. Matthew Riccitello (USA) Israel-Premier Tech at 1:03.
Mercan’Tour’24:
Gullegem Koerse 2024
Soudal Quick-Step made it ten victories at the Belgian race on Tuesday. Martin Svrcek celebrated his maiden win in the Soudal Quick-Step jersey at the most important kermesse of the season, Gullegem Koerse. It was a well-deserved success for the talented 21-year-old, bronze medalist at last year’s U23 World Championships, who finished alone after launching a daring attack just 1 kilometre from the line.
“I feel great! It’s just my second race after two months, and to show this good form and be able to finish it off after a hard day, it’s something incredible. I can’t tell you how delighted I am with this win”, Martin said after becoming the first Slovak rider to come out on top in Gullegem Koerse, which was created in 1942.
Tuesday’s 176km race was a lively one from the beginning, when Varre Vangheluwe tried to go in the breakaway. The young Belgian made it, but things kept changing and soon after another group was in the lead. This time, Ayco Bastiaens was there for Soudal Quick-Step, and the Belgian tapped out a solid rhythm, only for a crash to put an end to his time at the front. Crosswinds then split the peloton in the second part of the day, leaving a small but strong group in pursuit of the leaders. Two-time Gullegem Koerse winner Yves Lampaert, Martin Svrcek and Warre all booked a place in the move that gradually clawed back time and joined the breakaway riders with just a couple of laps to go. It looked like it would all come down to a reduced sprint, but just before the flamme rouge, Svrcek launched a powerful acceleration and put some daylight into the others, carrying that small gap to the finish, where he celebrated Soudal Quick-Step’s fifth consecutive victory in Gullegem Koerse.
Race winner, Martin Svrcek (Soudal Quick-Step): “This was my first kermesse and I enjoyed every single moment of it. It was similar to the junior races – attacks from the start and full gas the entire day. I liked it a lot and I want to do more races like this in the future. We wanted to win the race and tried to shape it by going on the offensive from the opening lap. I am happy I was the one to bring the win, my first in the Soudal Quick-Step jersey. I can’t tell you how much this means for me and for my confidence.”
Gullegem Koerse Result
1. Martin Svrček (Slo) Soudal Quick-Step in 3:48:52
2. Yves Lampaert (Bel) Soudal Quick-Step at 0:01
3. Lionel Taminiaux (Bel) Lotto Dstny
4. Julien Vermote (Bel) Visma | Lease a Bike
5. Oliver Naesen (Bel) Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale
6. Jensen Plowright (Aus) Alpecin-Deceuninck
7. Joran Wyseure (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck Development Team at 1:11
8. Tim Declercq (Bel) Lidl-Trek
9. Warre Vangheluwe (Bel) Soudal Quick-Step at 1:17
10. Max Kroonen (Ned) VolkerWessels Cycling Team.
Gullegem’24:
Jonas Vingegaard is Training at Altitude
Jonas Vingegaard is training in Tignes, France at the moment. The Danish media, BT, spoke to the double Tour winner’s coach. The Visma | Lease a Bike rider is training at altitude for the first time and hopes to be able to join the camp of the Tour de France selection after the Critérium du Dauphiné.
Vingegaard had been riding for a while, as he was seen in Mallorca a few weeks ago, together with his family. “He spent a lot of time climbing and descending in Mallorca. He really picked up speed again for the first time, but it was mainly about the good climate and enjoying it with his family in addition to the training sessions,” said his coach, Tim Heemskerk.
Vingegaard is now stepping up his training. Instead of riding the Criterium du Dauphiné, which was the original plan for his run-up to the Tour, he will train at altitude in Tignes. “My hope is that he can train with the rest of the team when, after the Dauphiné, coming to Tignes for the training camp in the run-up to the Tour. Hopefully he can be a full part of that team,” said Heemskerk.
His trainer cannot yet say whether the Dane will be able to defend his title in a month. “We haven’t made a choice yet. The most important thing for Jonas is today and tomorrow.” In addition to fitness on the bike, Vingegaard also focuses on strengthening his shoulder through exercises, according to Heemskerk, and he is also working on his ideal weight.
Vingegaard training at altitude:
UAE Team Emirates Wants to Extend Tadej Pogačar’s Contract
Tadej Pogačar is in contract with UAE Team Emirates until 2027, but according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the team is busy behind the scenes to break his contract and making a new one that keeps him with the team until perhaps the end of 2030.
Pogačar has a multi-million contract with UAE Team Emirates, the winner of the Giro d’Italia has a contract until 2027. According to La Gazzetta, Pogacar is the biggest earner in the men’s peloton with an annual salary of 6 million euros. He will receive 24 million euros in salary over the next four years.
UAE Team Emirates is very keen to keep Pogačar for longer, the Italian sports-paper says this has to do with the 2028 World Championships being held in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Exploratory talks have already been held between the team management and the Pogačar’s people. At the moment, the Slovenian earns six million euros per year and there will be an escape clause included in the contract, said to be 150 million euros.
With the new agreement, Pogacar will receive an annual salary of eight million euros. It would be a commitment until the end of 2029 or even 2030. A team thinking of taking the two-time Tour winner would, reportedly, need to pay 180 or even 200 million euros to the UAE Team Emirates, plus the Slovenian’s wages.
If you want Pogačar, you need to save up:
Geraint Thomas to Ride the Tour
Geraint Thomas finished the Giro d’Italia on Sunday in third place overall. The 38-year-old British rider will be at the start of the Tour de France in a months time. “I’m honestly looking forward to it,” he said to Cycling Pro Net after the final stage of the Giro in Rome.
“It’s a big challenge,” said Thomas. “I have to get fresh again and stay away from the beer after enjoying tonight. I have to keep my head down. I am going to the Tour via an altitude internship.”
Thomas was also asked whether he would go to a Grand Tour again as a GC rider after the 2024 Giro. “I told a lot of people that this was the last time I rode for a classification, but in a week I will probably think differently… I don’t know. Now it’s time to rest, go to the Tour de France and help the boys there, and try to go for a stage. Then we will assess it.”
The Tour for Thomas:
Giro Super Combativeness Prize Went to Julian Alaphilippe
Julian Alaphilippe was voted the most combative rider of the 2024 Giro d’Italia. The Frenchman of Soudal Quick-Step was on the attack many times in the past three weeks and won stage 12.
Julian Alaphilippe showed that he is far from finished. The 31-year-old was a star for many years, but after his second World title in Leuven things changed. there were crashes, injuries and his performances were not the same. The Soudal Quick-Step rider wasn’t producing the wins and received a lot of criticism.
Much of it came from his own team manager, Patrick Lefevere, who was critical of his rider on a number of occasions in the media. Alaphilippe seemed to be on his way out of the team, but his legs did the talking in the Giro. Alaphilippe attacked many times in the Giro, he was in the early break seven times and took the stage win in Fano. Then on Sunday after the final stage in Rome, he was named the most combative rider by the Giro d’Italia.
Alaphilippe – Not finished yet:
Miguel Ángel López Suspended for 4 years for Doping in the Giro’22
Miguel Ángel López has been suspended for four years for doping during the 2022 Giro d’Italia. This is the ruling of the UCI anti-doping tribunal, which has found evidence that the Colombian used the hormonal drug Menotropin during that Giro and had it in his property. López’s suspension expires on July 24, 2027.
The UCI anti-doping tribunal has found López guilty of a violation of the anti-doping regulations, according to a press release from the International Cycling Union. During the 2022 Tour of Italy, López is said to have used and possessed the substance Menotropin. He has therefore been suspended, retroactively, from July 25, 2023 to July 24, 2027.
‘Superman’ López was already suspected of doping after the Spanish Guardia Civil and the Spanish anti-doping organisation provided evidence to the UCI. That evidence from ‘Operacion Ilex’ surrounding doctor Marcos Maynar was added to an investigation that the ITA (International Testing Agency) had started.
The 30-year-old López, former Movistar rider and racing for Astana Qazaqstan in 2022, still has one month to appeal to the sports tribunal CAS against the four-year suspension imposed by the UCI.
López not so super:
Olympic Champion Carapaz Not going to the Games, Only Place for Narváez
Richard Carapaz will not defend his Olympic road title this summer as he has not been selected for the Olympics Games. The Ecuadorian cycling federation was only allowed to have one rider and they have chosen Jhonatan Narváez.
The choice of who would go to the Olympic Games for Ecuador, Carapaz or Narváez, has been going on for some time. On ‘X’ (Twitter), Carapaz expressed his dissatisfaction with Santiago Rosero Cambi, the president of the national cycling association. “Ecuador needs a neutral association, without cronyism. This president shows every day with his actions that he does not stand for a fair union.”
About an Olympic ticket, Carapaz wrote: “It is something I deserve. A person sitting behind a desk isn’t going to take that away from me. I have contributed the most to the number of UCI points achieved in Ecuador, with almost fifty percent.” The EF Education-EasyPost rider built up 6009 UCI points in the last Olympic cycle, the other riders from Ecuador together earned 8514.
This may not help Carapaz: the gold medal winner in Tokyo has been left out. Instead, Narváez goes to Paris. The 27-year-old will ride both the road race and the time trial. The road race is on a course where he should be able to handle well as it is punchy and has cobbles. Narváez is also having a good season. He finished second in the Santos Tour Down Under and won the national road championship. At the beginning of May he also won the opening stage of the Giro d’Italia, beating Tadej Pogačar in Turin.
No Olympics for Carapaz:
Jay Vine Medical Update
Jay Vine seems to be recovering well. The 28-year-old Australian is now allowed to train outdoors. Vine was one of the main victims of the massive crash in the Itzulia Basque Country, two months ago. The UAE Team Emirates rider broke a cervical vertebra and two thoracic vertebrae in his spine.
Dr.Adrian Rotunno (Medical Director) said this in a UAE team press release on Wednesday: “The interval CT scan shows adequate bone healing, so at this stage the neck brace can be removed. The spine is now stable enough to start with easy gentle outdoor rides with the aim of improving posture on the bike, and is key in preventing neuromuscular atrophy. This process is being very carefully controlled, and Jay still has several weeks of focused rehabilitation to achieve. But this is the first big step up he’s taken in 7 weeks, which is good from a mental and physical perspective for him.”
Jay Vine recovering:
Chris Froome Resumes Racing after Scaphoid Fracture
Chris Froome was at the start of the Mercan’Tour Classic Alpes-Maritimes on Wednesday. It is the British rider’s first race since Tirreno-Adriatico, where he had to abandon due to a crash. The four-time Tour winner suffered a scaphoid fracture.
It has been almost 2 months since Froome competed in a race. The Israel-Premier Tech rider crashed in Tirreno-Adriatico on March 5. An X-ray initially revealed no fractures, so he continued the race. After stage 4 he had an MRI scan and it showed a fracture of the scaphoid, a bone in the hand.
Froome was not selected for the Tour de France in 2023, but at the end of that season he expressed his hope of being at the start in 2024. “If I can return to the Tour de France and be there when the race becomes selective, whether that’s to win another stage or even try to go for a classification, for whatever position… That would be a dream,” he said.
The 39-year-old has about a month until the start of the Tour de France (June 29-July 21), but he has only had twelve race days. In February he rode the eight-day Tour du Rwanda, which he finished 27th overall. He then started Tirreno-Adriatico, where he gave up after the fourth stage. Froome made his return in the Mercan’Tour Classic Alpes-Maritimes, a one-day race. He is also on the provisional start list of the Critérium du Dauphiné (2-9 June).
Froome racing again:
Buchmann will Leave BORA-hansgrohe After this Season
Emanuel Buchmann is in his last season with BORA-hansgrohe. The 31-year-old German climber has been riding for the team since 2015, but contract expires at the end of the year and will not renew it. “He no longer wants to race with and for us,” team boss Ralph Denk stated.
“He did not say that to me personally, but he did let the team management know,” Denk told Eurosport Germany. “However, we want to handle this in a businesslike and professional manner and so we are giving Emanuel the space to still compete in races this season.”
The fact that Buchmann is leaving BORA-hansgrohe after this season doesn’t come out of the blue. There had been tensions between him and the German team for some time. Buchmann was recently left out of the selection for the Giro d’Italia, to his own surprise and dissatisfaction and he expressed his frustrations on Instagram. “I cannot describe my disappointment and frustration regarding my non-selection for the Giro d’Italia. I have been preparing for months and making plans for the Giro. BORA-hansgrohe even promised me that I would be co-leader of the rankings. The form was there and the training went well, but sixteen days before the start of the Giro I received the phone call with the bad news,” wrote a disappointed Buchmann.
Emanuel Buchmann’s wife, Claudia Eder, also decided to get involved on social media. On her ‘X’ account she states that her husband was in very good shape and had been on the shortlist for the Giro for a long time.
Buchmann will leave BORA-hansgrohe at the end of the season:
Tom Gloag Sidelined for Almost a Year, Expected to Return after the Tour
It will take at least another two months before Tom Gloag can race for Visma | Lease a Bike. The 22-year-old British rider was hit by a car while training at the end of August 2023, sustaining a serious knee injury, which needed immediate surgery. Gloag is back in full training, but his return to racing is planned for after the Tour de France. Visma | Lease a Bike told WielerFlits.
Initially, Gloag was to start in the Tour of Switzerland or a race around the same time. According to the team, that was a cautious expectation and a lot has changed since then. Due to the many injuries within the Dutch WorldTeam, various selections and schedules of riders have been completely changed. It is still a question mark whether Jonas Vingegaard will make it to the Tour and whether Wout van Aert will also be in the French Grand Tour.
Visma | Lease a Bike emphasises that Gloag is doing well and is therefore back in full training. However, they want to bring him carefully without rushing things. As it now appears, the British round talent will not compete in any competitions in June. This also applies to July, because there are hardly any competitions on the calendar besides La Grande Boucle and Visma | Lease a Bike that certainly doesn’t run. If Gloag’s recovery continues as it is now, he will normally be ready to compete again after the Tour.
Gloag has now completed almost a year of rehabilitation. His last race was the Clásica San Sebastián on July 29, 2023. The crash was in the third week of August, resulting in the operation. Last year, Gloag finished eleventh in the Tour de Romandie and then rode the Giro d’Italia. Due to injuries and covid cases, he was called up as the fifth reserve. Gloag finished the Giro and helped teammate Primož Roglič to his overall win.
Tom Gloag to Return after the Tour:
Florian Vermeersch Stands again for his Municipal Council
The Belgian municipal elections will take place on Sunday, October 13. Residents of the municipality of Lochristi-Wachtebeke can vote for Florian Vermeersch again. The Lotto Dstny rider has been a councillor since 2018 and is again on the electoral list of the Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats.
In an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws, Vermeersch calls the past six years as a municipal councillor an ‘educational and fun period’. “But when they recently asked if I wanted to do it again, I hesitated. I am recovering from a fractured femur and would like to do a lot of racing in the autumn, just around the time of the elections… After I received reassurance from some party members that there would be no pressure on me, I agreed.”
“It is my ambition to move up a gear in politics only after my career. If I were to get out now and have little involvement for six years, I would have missed a large amount of information and dossier knowledge within six or twelve years,” said Vermeersch, who is currently on an altitude training camp in Sierra Nevada and is expected to race again in August.
Because the municipality of Lochristi has merged with Wachtebeke, Vermeersch is on the list of the Open Vld and is therefore quite low. “I’m in 25th place. My position on the list doesn’t matter much to me. I hope my preferential votes are enough.”
Vermeersch sometimes talks about politics with his colleagues in the cycling peloton, but according to him, most cyclists are ‘barely interested’ in it. “Many riders, and people in general, will think that our country is ungovernable and that politicians only argue or get into scandals… I don’t think that politics has a positive image among my colleagues.” When people ask him why he is in politics, Vermeersch answers: “That I find politics interesting and have the feeling that I can help people in this way.”
There will also be national elections in Belgium on June 9. Vermeersch has an idea of what political preferences most of his colleagues have. “Almost all cyclists think they pay too much taxes, so it will lean more to the right. I don’t know if Open Vld would do very well. I’m guessing that N-VA (the New Flemish Alliance, a Flemish nationalist, liberal-conservative party) would get the most votes, but in any case the peloton would be a good reflection of society in terms of political choice.”
Florian Vermeersch to stand again for his local council:
Miguel Indurain Will be at the Waain Cycling Weekend after 30 Years
Miguel Indurain will be in Roosendaal during the Waain Cycling Weekend. The five-time Tour winner will participate in the derny competitions for former professionals on Saturday, July 27. Thirty years ago, Indurain also came to Roosendaal.
The Waain Cycling Weekend takes place on the weekend of July 27 and 28. The main act takes place on Saturday, with the well-known Volksronde. During the ‘Grand Prix Ladies SMS Metal Service’ and the subsequent ‘Grand Prix Men SMS Pompenservice’, former professional riders race each other behind dernys. Leontien Zijlaard-Van Moorsel, Jolien D’Hoore, Erik Dekker, Erik Breukink, Leon van Bon and Gerrit Solleveld, and others, will make an appearance, with Miguel Indurain.
Indurain had been at the top of the organisation’s wish list for a long time, wrote the Roosendaalse Bode. After long negotiations, they managed to persuade him to come to Roosendaal. This is not the first time, because in 1994, Indurain also traveled to North Brabant for the Volksronde. He had just taken his fourth overall victory in the Tour de France. That year, Indurain didn’t win the criterium in Roosendaal. Djamolidin Abdushaparov, winner of two stages and the green jersey in the Tour that year, took the victory.
Miguel Indurain in Roosendaal for the Waain Cycling Weekend:
BORA Team Boss on Van Aert, Pidcock and Evenepoel: “We Respect Long-Term Contracts”
At the beginning of this month it was announced that Red Bull will be the name sponsor of the WorldTeam BORA-hansgrohe from the Tour de France. Red Bull has also been sponsoring Wout van Aert and Tom Pidcock as individual athletes for several years and so rumours started. “But we haven’t talked about them yet,” emphasised team boss Ralph Denk in conversation with Sporza.
“We normally do not respond to rumours, but the Red Bull deals with Van Aert and Pidcock are separate from Red Bull’s partnership with BORA-hansgrohe,” Denk stated. “We have a partnership with Red Bull headquarters in Austria. For Van Aert and Pidcock, this concerns deals with Red Bull Belgium and Red Bull UK respectively.”
“We haven’t talked about them in our meetings yet,” Denk said. “In addition, Van Aert (until 2026) and Pidcock (until 2027) have long-term contracts. We respect that.”
With Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, a new power block is being created in the peloton. Austrian media report that the budget will increase from 25 million euros to around 45 million euros per year. This puts it in a comparable position to Tadej Pogačar’s UAE Team Emirates. The team will continues with a German license and the management has already said that 30% of the budget will be invested in improvements to the team structure.
Denk is particularly ambitious for the coming years and is aiming for the highest: winning the Tour de France. The team decided to take Primoz Roglič from Visma | Lease a Bike during the winter, but the 34-year-old Slovenian can’t have many more years in the peloton. Two other Tour riders, Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard, have long-term contracts with their current teams.
Remco Evenepoel also has a contract with Soudal Quick-Step until the end of 2026, but has already been linked to BORA-hansgrohe. “Remco is an interesting rider. It’s always better to have him by your side than to have him opposite you. But I can confirm that there is certainly no deal with Remco,” Denk responds. “Rumours are part of the game. But just like Van Aert and Pidcock, Evenepoel has a long-term contract with Soudal-Quick Step. For our part, we will respect that contract.”
Van Aert and Pidcock not on the BORA radar, yet:
Roger Hammond Joins BORA-hansgrohe from INEOS Grenadiers
BORA-hansgrohe has expanded its technical staff with Roger Hammond. The former World junior cyclo-cross and British road champion joins the technical staff of the German team. Hammond will start work from June 1 and will be in the team car for the first time during the Tour of Switzerland.
On the team website, Hammond, who has been with INEOS Grenadiers for many years as ‘Head of Racing’, is enthusiastic about his new step. “I have enjoyed the growth that the team has experienced from a continental team to a leading team in the WorldTour. The ambitions that Ralph Denk and BORA-hansgrohe have for the future sound very inspiring. I look forward to being part of this journey,” said Hammond.
Head of the technical staff; Rolf Aldag is happy with the new addition to the team. For him, attracting Hammond means a reunion. Aldag commented: “Roger and I have known each other for many years. We used to ride against each other in the peloton, but then we enjoyed working together in different roles. It’s great that our paths now cross again. I appreciate Roger’s highly professional match preparation and his strong match analyses and am pleased that he will be joining our team of sports directors.”
From the Tour de France onwards, BORA-hansgrohe will be known as Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe. Hammond was previously also linked to Israel-Premier Tech, but it didn’t happen.
Roger Hammond to Red Bull:
From Dominance in Breakaways to the Best Overall Result Ever Team Polti Kometa’s Giro d’Italia
In their first Giro d’Italia under the current name, Team Polti Kometa gain the best GC result ever: 13th place with Davide Piganzoli, 4th in the Youth final standings.
Moreover, the Italian ProTeam wins the breakaway’s and the intermediate sprints’ classifications with Andrea Pietrobon, achieving a total of 6 top-10 finishes (one with Pietrobon himself, 4 with Giovanni Lonardi, and one with Mirco Maestri), including two podiums: Pietrobon 3rd place in Stage 5 and Lonardi 3rd place in Stage 11.
In total, there were 14 breakaways by Polti Kometa in the 107th edition of the Giro, spanning 21 racedays, and a total of 5 combativity prizes were won: Fran Muñoz (Stage 4), Mattia Bais (Stage 5), Maestri (Stage 9), Pietrobon (Stage 13), Maestri (Stage 18). The captain’s long attack with Alaphilippe, and the subsequent friendship that blossomed between the two, on the mid-Giro stage on the Marche walls will remain in the history of the Corsa Rosa.
Sports director Stefano Zanatta: “We interpreted well and honoured the most important appointment of the season, setting out both with the desire to show ourselves and fight for victory, and to protect Piganzoli’s excellent overall placement. It’s a pity for some health issues that occurred to Matteo Fabbro, but we brought all eight riders to the grand finale in the capital city and above all we bring home a beautiful performance. We fully justified the wild card thanks also to athletes who have proved or confirmed themselves to be very valid: in addition to the two guys I just mentioned, I would mention Lonardi, a good sprinter, Maestri, a total team man, Muñoz and Pietrobon who, together with Piga, grew up in our structure and testify to the quality of the project, the Bais brothers who are a guarantee. But thanks and congratulations go to the entire team, including coaches, soigneurs, mechanics, nutritionists, and an entire staff that served as an extraordinary glue for a Giro experienced with enthusiasm and performance. We have increased both results and visibility, we are proud and even more motivated for the future.”
First Giro d’Italia Completed with a Top-10 in the General Classification
The long-awaited 2024 Giro d’Italia came to an end yesterday in the streets of Rome. Tudor Pro Cycling walks away from their first Grand Tour with a Top-10 in the General Classification, ten Top-10 stage finishes, and above all with a lot of experience gained over the three weeks of racing.
After great consistency throughout the race, Australian climber Michael Storer sealed his Top-10 in the general classification in the penultimate stage. “I am super happy about this top 10. It shows that I can mix up with the best guys for three weeks. If I keep improving, maybe I can maybe turn this top 10 into a podium one day.” Even the scare following a little crash in the streets of Rome didn’t spoil his joy after crossing the finish line next to the Coliseum.
Sport Director Matteo Tosatto is also happy with the outcome of the team’s first Grand Tour: “We came here to win a stage. We didn’t but we built a great group, and we go home knowing that we always gave our best. We lost two important riders for our leadout train and couldn’t get a sprint victory, but for the mountain stages our goal switched as the race went, seeing how Michael rode with the best GC contenders.” Leading the Tudor troops was a different experience for Tosatto: “After years fighting for the GC podium, I lived this Giro with the same emotions. I’m very happy about the team’s results, I liked the atmosphere and I am very proud of the way we approached the race.”
Team Manager Raphael Meyer shares Toso’s opinion: “We rode well, at the front, took on responsibility, with the mentality of a WorldTour Team. A GC Top-10 in a first Grand Tour is a huge achievement. Of course, there is slight disappointment with the fact that we didn’t win a stage, but we must put things into perspective. We have been in the Pro Peloton for less than a year and a half.”
Over and above the sporting results, Meyer is proud that the team was capable of going through a first Grand Tour after such a short history. “I am super happy with the way we went through these three weeks as a group. We lost two riders on the way, but we had no misunderstandings nor fights. We learned a lot about each other,“ explains Raphi before adding “This Giro was a milestone. It shows that we are capable and that the sky is the limit for this team.”
Standing on the finish line with a big smile across his face, Team Owner Fabian Cancellara enjoyed a Giro finish for the first time: “I never experienced the last day of Giro as a rider, so I am very proud that I could now in a different role. The experience we gathered on the way is our biggest victory and I am convinced it will help lift the team to another level.”
The future looks bright, and we are already looking forward to our next Grand Tour. But it is now time for a short recovery before the season kicks off again with ZLM Tour in the Netherlands and Tour de Suisse, another special race for Tudor Pro Cycling.
Visma | Lease a Bike Development Team Signs Young British Talent Elliot Rowe
The Visma training team | Lease a Bike has managed to attract a new promising rider from Great Britain. It’s about Elliot Rowe. The 17-year-old Briton currently competes as a junior, but has signed a contract with the Dutch formation for his first two years as a promising rider.
Rowe has achieved honours in several important junior races over the past two seasons. He finished among the top ten in Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, among others. According to Head of Development Robbert de Groot, Rowe has a very all-round profile. “Elliot has a background on the track, a fast sprint, great endurance and also a strong time trial. He still has everything to discover, but we are confident that he can develop into a strong rider.”
Rowe, who comes from the same junior team as Matthew Brennan and Jed Smithson, is very enthusiastic about his move to Team Visma | Lease a Bike. “With this team, the focus is very clearly on talent development. I look forward to further developing myself here. Here I am surrounded by the best specialists and riders in the world and I am convinced that they will help me further in my career.”
There are currently three Britons – Tomos Pattinson, Jed Smithson and Matthew Brennan – playing for the Visma training team | Lease a Bike. The latter is already taking the step to the WorldTour next season. Last week, 18-year-old Brennan signed a contract with the main team until 2027. The youngster is known as a great talent and has already distinguished himself several times among the professionals this year.
Elliot Rowe starting his career with Visma | Lease a Bike Development Team:
Soudal Quick-Step to the Critérium du Dauphiné
Remco Evenepoel and Mikel Landa are back in action for Soudal Quick-Step
If it’s the first weekend of June, then it must be the start of the Critérium du Dauphiné, the prestigious race won in the past by the likes of Louison Bobet, Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Luis Ocaña or Bernard Hinault. Taking place between 2-9 June, the Dauphiné will be for many the last important test before this summer’s Tour de France, which starts one month from now.
The course of this 77th edition will be heavily tilted towards the climbers, who’ll take on a total of five uphill finishes: Col de la Loge, Les Estables, Le Collet d’Allevard (11.2km, 8.1%), Samoëns 1600 (10km, 9.3%) and Plateau des Glières (9.4km, 7.1%). Squeezed between these is the 34.4km individual time trial held around Neulise, which comes just four days into the race and promises to widen the gaps between the general classification contenders.
Critérium du Dauphiné will mark Remco Evenepoel’s return to competition following the Itzulia Basque Country crash that derailed his spring campaign almost two months ago. The Belgian Champion, making his Dauphiné debut, leads a strong Soudal Quick-Step squad comprising also neo-pro Antoine Huby, James Knox, Volta a Catalunya runner-up Mikel Landa, Gianni Moscon, Casper Pedersen and Ilan Van Wilder, a top-five finisher this season at the UAE Tour and the Tour de Romandie.
“I am looking forward to returning to racing in a couple of days’ time. I am in a good place after the crash in Itzulia and the injuries I sustained there, but there is still some work to do so I get back to my top shape. I am happy to discover the Dauphiné, but I will look less towards my general classification position, as this will be more a chance to return to the race rhythm and see where I’m at”, said Remco Evenepoel ahead of his first appearance at the French World Tour event.
“It’s going to be a hard race, with a demanding course overall and a tough weekend. The many summit finishes will be important, as they will give us the chance to see where Remco stands at this point in the season. We also want to discover how he will fare in the time trial, which will be his first since that injury. The confidence is there, the team is a very good one, consisting mainly of strong and experienced riders, but the plan is to take it one day at a time as we know we still have some progression to make”, added Soudal Quick-Step sports director Tom Steels.
02.06–09.06 Critérium du Dauphiné (FRA) 2.UWT
Riders:
Remco Evenepoel (BEL)
Antoine Huby (FRA)
James Knox (GBR)
Mikel Landa (ESP)
Gianni Moscon (ITA)
Casper Phillip Pedersen (DEN)
Ilan Van Wilder (BEL)
Sports Directors: Dries Devenyns (BEL), Klaas Lodewyck (BEL) and Tom Steels (BEL).
Evenepoel and Landa to the dauphiné:
The Next Races for dsm-firmenich PostNL
Tour de l’Oise – MAY 30 – JUN 02
Asbjørn Kragh Andersen – Team dsm-firmenich PostNL coach: “Ronde de l’Oise is a nice four-day stage race which should have a bit of everything in it. The roads in the region aren’t mountainous but they aren’t pure flat either so we can expect lots of small climbs, narrow roads and even some crosswinds in the more exposed areas. Our focus will be on taking things day-by-day and really working on the basics of racing and getting them right in what is often a hectic race. It’s important for us to focus on that development from the guys and not necessarily day results. It’s also the last race for the Development program before a short break, so everyone is really motivated for it.”
Line-up:
Vincent Bodet (FRA)
Johan Dorussen (NED)
Milan Kadlec (CZE)
Axel Källberg (FIN)
Benjamin Peatfield (GBR)
Mees Vlot (NED).
Heistse Pijl – JUN 01
Roy Curvers – Team dsm-firmenich PostNL coach: “Heistse Pijl is a race that normally ends in some type of sprint finish. However, with a technical final that goes over the cobbled climb in the town centre of Heist just inside two kilometres before the line; it isn’t a walk in the park for the fast men and there are always people that try attacks. We have to be on point with our positioning and teamwork going into that final so that we can be in the mix for the sprint and go for a result with one of our fast guys.”
Line-up:
Pavel Bittner (CZE)
John Degenkolb (GER)
Tim Naberman (NED)
Frank Ragilo (EST)
Timo Roosen (NED)
Casper van Uden (NED)
Bram Welten (NED).
Brussels Cycling Classic – JUN 02
Roy Curvers – Team dsm-firmenich PostNL coach: “Brussels Cycling Classic is race that lets the classics lovers’ hearts open up again after two months since the Flemish Ardennes. The key part of the race is the loop over the Muur van Geraardsbergen and Bosberg, so we must be ready to rumble and go for it there. Riders like Nils, Pavel and John are in their natural habitat there so we’ll have to make sure they are supported well for those points, but we also have a fast finisher in Casper who can also go far on a parcours like this. In the end, we aim to have multiple cards to play as a team as we make our way back to Brussels and go for the best result possible.”
Line-up:
Pavel Bittner (CZE)
John Degenkolb (GER)
Tim Naberman (NED)
Frank Ragilo (EST)
Timo Roosen (NED)
Casper van Uden (NED)
Bram Welten (NED).
Critérium du Dauphiné – JUN 02 – 09
Phil West – Team dsm-firmenich PostNL coach: “The Critérium du Dauphiné is always a hard race and this year’s parcours will be no different. Although there will not be any straightforward sprint stages, we see two opportunities for a possible sprint and with more rolling terrain on those days we hope that can suit the abilities of Emils as our finisher. Aside from that, we will start with the team goal of bringing Warren into the GC fight as our finisher there, but we also want to keep an eye on each stage as it comes in the pursuit of day results. The final three stages are all difficult mountain days where a lot will still be possible, so it is important that we come through the first half of the race well as a team, with energy and motivation to really go for it on those final days.”
Line-up:
Warren Barguil (FRA)
Romain Combaud (FRA)
Enzo Leijnse (NED)
Emils Liepiņś (LAT)
Niklas Märkl (GER)
Martijn Tusveld (NED)
Kevin Vermaerke (USA).
Warren Barguil to the Critérium du Dauphiné:
Jan Hirt: “A Giro to remember with the Wolfpack”
Fresh off his eighth place overall at the Corsa Rosa, Soudal Quick-Step’s Czech looked back on the season’s first Grand Tour.
“The Giro was a beautiful race on a personal level, thanks to the atmosphere we had in the team. It was a fantastic group – comprising both riders and staff – that supported each other. That made the three weeks of the race a truly incredible journey. That atmosphere helped me perform, and I couldn’t be happier with how things panned out.
We won four stages, we had the most combative rider of the race, and took a top 10 on the general classification – it’s without doubt one of the best Giro participations in Soudal Quick-Step’s history. Two years ago I finished sixth overall, and I am delighted I could show myself again at the same level, especially as this year the race had more time trialling kilometres than in 2022. Unlike that edition, where I gained time by going in the breakaway, now it was a different story, as I stayed with the top guys deep into the mountain stages, and this makes me happy.
The most difficult moment of these three weeks was Monte Grappa, the second ascent of this climb. The tempo was really big there, and at one point I found myself alone, behind the first group, but ahead some of the chasers. It wasn’t easy, but I kept pushing because I wanted to get to the finish line as fast as possible, it was the only thing I had in mind, knowing that from there we had only Rome left to complete the Giro.
At the opposite end, I would place the euphoria that came with each win the moment you found out in the earpiece that your teammate was successful on a certain stage. Each time I got the info from the car it was such an incredible feeling, because in those moments you love even more what you do and being part of that group. It was an amazing group of friends, of riders who got along well on and off the race every day.
I’m a bit tired now, which is normal, but at the same time happy, because the Giro is finally over. I enjoyed it, but it was very demanding. This race was a culmination of all the hard work and preparations that I put in since winter, so I’m obviously happy it all paid off. I will always remember these three weeks with the Wolfpack.”
Jan Hirt looks back on the Giro:
Salzburg Wants the Giro d’Italia
The Giro d’Italia might be heading to the Austrian city of Salzburg in the near future. Politicians and sports officials are busy behind the scenes to make this possible, reports ORF Salzburg.
According to the Austrian news website, discussions are currently being held with RCS Sport, the organisers of the Giro d’Italia. An Austrian delegation was present at the start of the 107th Tour of Italy in Turin at the beginning of May, to see how it all works. “We have indeed spoken with the Giro d’Italia,” said sports councillor Martin Zauner of the political party FPÖ. “It is a very interesting project and an opportunity to offer Salzburg an international stage. It would also be desirable from a sporting point of view.”
Experts say that a Giro stage in Salzburg is only possible if the various parties (the city, sports departments, tourism and the national cycling association) enter into intensive co-operation. According to ORF Salzburg, securing and organising a start or finish of a Giro stage costs half a million euros.
Salzburg would not only be busy with the Italian Grand Tour. The city would also like to welcome the Tour of Austria or the Deutschland Tour in the coming years. In 2006, Salzburg organised the World Championships.
Giro start in Salzburg?
The Second Mural of the Giro d’Italia has been Unveiled in Rome
The second mural dedicated to the Corsa Rosa created by Roman artist Lucamaleonte was unveiled today at the Conca d’Oro underground station, following the one created in 2023 in Marconi. The Giro d’Italia winner Tadej Pogacar attended the event
The second mural dedicated to the Corsa Rosa, created by Roman artist Lucamaleonte in collaboration with RCS Sport, Roma Capitale, Atac and the Municipality, was inaugurated today at the Conca d’Oro metro station in Rome.
The event was attended by Tadej Pogacar, winner of the Giro d’Italia, Roberto Gualtieri, Mayor of Rome, Paolo Bellino, Managing Director and General Manager of RCS Sport, Eugenio Patanè, Councillor for Mobility of the Municipality of Rome, Alberto Zorzan, General Manager of Atac, and Paolo Emilio Marchionne, President of the III Municipality of Roma Capitale.
The Philosophy of Lucamaleonte’s Work
The work is spread over three walls visible from the same viewpoint; it begins with the Trofeo Senza Fine, the finish line that drives every sportsman to compete. In the central part, the main one, three cyclists are intertwined with images of Rome, specifically in the places that the stage of the Giro has touched, from Ostia to the Fori Imperiali. The cyclists are generic, there is no portrait of anyone specifically because it was important to emphasise sportsmanship and athleticism without specific mention. The direction of the cyclists is towards the last wall with flowers in the colour of the Italian flag to symbolise Italian excellence as the true goal of the Giro.
Roberto Gualtieri, Mayor of Rome: “The Giro d’Italia in Rome was a success also thanks to those who worked to ensure that everything went smoothly. We brought the Grande Arrivo of the Corsa Rosa to the capital for two years in a row, for the first time in history, involving the population and tourists who came on the streets. Rome and the Romans have shown that they love the Giro and cycling, a sport in tune with the principles of sustainable mobility that we promote. We have shown this love to the world and it will live on thanks to works like this one”.
Alessandro Onorato, Councillor for Major Events, Tourism, Sport and Fashion of the Municipality of Rome: “The mural in Conca d’Oro is part of the concrete legacy that the Giro d’Italia leaves to Rome and its citizens. Last year we chose the Marconi underground stop to create an artistic work, now we are in Conca d’Oro, after having organised free cultural and entertainment shows in Ostia. Our goal is to involve the whole city, not just the historic centre, during the big events, which generate positive effects on the tourist economy, on the induced activities and on employment in the city, providing tourists with a new opportunity to come to Rome. I thank RCS Sport, the Mayor and all my fellow councillors for having teamed up in this very positive Rosa adventure for Rome”.
Paolo Bellino, CEO of RCS Sport: “For the second year in a row, Roma Capitale has welcomed the Carovana Rosa as a major event of world importance. Among the many collateral activities organised is the inauguration of the second city mural, which will bind the citizenship even more closely to the Giro d’Italia. The Corsa Rosa is also a promotion of Made in Italy, and there is no better business card than Rome to enhance the beauty of our country”.
Tour de France Femmes Avec Zwift Challenge: Climbing Alpe d’Huez
Opening the road to cycling fans a few days before the champions has been the tried and tested formula since 1993 for tens of thousands of cyclists on L’Etape du Tour de France. This year, the principal has been adapted with the creation of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Challenge, which invites amateur cyclists to raise the curtain on the last climb on the women’s race programme. The village of Bourg d’Oisans will host the start for all amateur riders who wish to tackle the 21 switchback turns on the famous Alpe d’Huez route. The Isère resort will greet the final confrontation among the favourites for the Yellow Jersey.
A few hours earlier, the amateurs will have a unique opportunity to test themselves on the climb that has seen Tom Pidcock, Thibaut Pinot, Pierre Rolland and, a little earlier in cycling history, Lucho Herrera, Joop Zoetemelk and Fausto Coppi suffer and triumph. The challenge will unfold on a closed course, but also in the presence of the many spectators who will already be in place, and on a completely private stretch of two kilometres to the finish arch which will be the ultimate goal just as it will be for the champions. A Dutchwoman or not in the lead at the top of the Dutch mountain? That’s what the amateur climbers will be able to witness from the best vantage point as they enjoy privileged conditions to take in the final finish. It’s a spectacle well worth a bike climb!
Key points:
- The first edition of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Challenge will be held on Sunday 18 August on the road to Alpe d’Huez where the Yellow Jersey of the women’s professional race will be decided a few hours later.
- Whereas the professional peloton will set off from Le Grand Bornand, the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Challenge participants will start from Bourg d’Oisans, en route for the 14-kilometre climb and 1,120 metres of ascent.
- The challenge is open to cyclists of all abilities, whether on an electric bike, tandem, or mountain bike. Once at the summit, participants will become spectators again to enjoy the champions’ arrival in privileged conditions. Sign up on timeto.com.
Useful Information
- Registration opens on 22 May: €45 (for the first 1,000 race numbers) / €49 for last-minute entries.
- Open starts from 12:30 to 2:30 pm from Le Bourg d’Oisans (deadline for arrival at 4:30 pm).
- All participants will receive an exclusive Santini jersey.
- The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Challenge supports the Alpe d’HuZes movement to raise funding against cancer.
- Learn more about the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Challenge here.
- Information and registration on timeto.com.
Best Moments of the 2024 Giro d’Italia | INEOS Grenadiers
The first Grand Tour of 2024 was a race to remember, with two stage wins for the INEOS Grenadiers and third place overall for Geraint Thomas. Take a look back at how the Giro unfolded.
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