Bicycle Racing News and Opinion
Sunday, April 19, 2015

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Today's Racing

Lots of big racing today: First, there is the World-Tour ranked Amstel Gold Race. We've got the start list, race map and profile posted. After the race, we'll post complete results, photos and race story.

Then there is the final stage (third of three) of the Spanish Vuelta a Castilla y Leon. And finally the Tro-Bro Léon is being run in France Sunday.

An Unashamed Plug for Something Good

Have you spent any time on the Red Kite Prayer (RKP) website? You should. It has some of cycling's finest writing. But, the site's excellent, high-quality, informed content is not just worth reading to learn about cycling. You can read the postings for nothing more than the simple pleasure of enjoying really good writing. The site's owner and webmaster, Pat Brady was born to write.

I've known Patrick Brady for decades. He has an unabashed passion for cycling in all its forms. Plus, he has a deep knowledge of all aspects of the sport and its equipment. He was writing for the old Bicycle Guide when I met him. But by that time he had already cut his teeth working in bike shops, racing, writing for Dirt Rag, Bicycling, VeloNews and Outside. He has seen the sport and the industry from all sides.

He came with me on my 1998 cycling trip to Italy. So in proper disclosure, we've been friends for a long time. But it was a friendship initially born out of my admiration for his work.

Mauro Mondonico (pink jersey) and Pat Brady stop for a moment on our 1998 Italy cycling trip.

He's had numerous writing and publishing adventures since, including several books. But I think he's really hit his stride with his web site. Check it out.

Looking for Women's Racing Correspondent

Before proceeding with the next news item, which is about an important women's race, I would like to send out a plea. I want to go beyond just an occasional news item about women's racing to posting results and stories about highly-ranked women's races. Currently we cover men's professional 1,1, 2.1, HC and World Tour races and that has me maxed out.

My ambition is to promote, publicize and help build women's racing by bringing the same coverage to their races. It's only right. It's only fair.

So, I am looking for help, someone who would like to join me in my ambition by being a women's racing correspondent. The position would be unpaid. The only compensation would be the satisfaction of knowing that that our readers would get a chance to learn and enjoy reading about some of the world's finest athletes.

We currently average about 2,600 unique visitors to our site a day, and that soars during Tour de France time. Interested? Shoot me an email.

Kröger & Delzenne rejoin Velocio-Sram for Ronde Van Gelderland

Matera, Italy - April 18, 2015 - Velocio-SRAM will take part in Ronde van Gelderland, tomorrow Sunday 19th April in The Netherlands. After taking a break following the UCI Track World Championships in February, Mieke Kröger and Elise Delzenne will rejoin the squad for the first time on the road this season.

Ronde van Gelderland starts and finishes in Apeldoorn. The 127 kilometer course is typical of dutch style racing with narrow roads and a few small climbs in the early part of the race. The race has usually been won in a bunch sprint, with Kirsten Wild the winner in 2014. Former team member, Ina Teutenberg has won this race on two occasions in 2009 and 2011.

Mieke Kröger. Photo ©Mani Wollner

Kröger and Delzenne are looking forward to being back racing with the Velocio-SRAM squad. Delzenne said, "The team is obviously in good form after we won a stage and finished first and second in the overall at last week's Energiewacht Tour. I'm excited to be back racing on the road with the girls."

Karol-Ann Canuel, will also line up with the team and expects a solid performance by the team. "Overall we have shown that we are working well together as a team and Energiewacht proved this to a lot of other riders in the peloton. I think that we can expect a hard race tomorrow. Of course it is likely to come down to a bunch sprint finish but that's not to say there isn't an opportunity for a successful, well-timed attack," said Canuel.

The roster for Ronde Van Gelderland will be Karol-Ann Canuel, Mieke Kröger, Elise Delzenne, Tayler Wiles and Barbara Guarischi for a strong Velocio-SRAM squad.

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