Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Friday, December 9, 2016

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2017 Tour de France | 2017 Giro d'Italia

Nostalgia isn't what it used to be. Nor is there any future in it. - The first part is by writer Peter de Vries. The entire quote, anonymous.

Upcoming racing:

• January 1-3: Michelton Wines Bay Cycling Classic

Latest completed racing:

• October 20-23: Abu Dhabi Tour
• October 23: Chrono des Nations
• October 23: Japan Cup
• October 22-30: Tour of Hainan

2017 Volta ao Algarve route presented

The February Portuguese race (now upgraded to HC) posted this news:

The 43rd Volta ao Algarve (15 to 19 February) will have five stages and a total of 770.2 kilometers. The final design of the stages confirms the Volta ao Algarve as a great race for the beggining of the season, with opportunities to all kind of riders.

Geraint Thomas, winner of the Algarve Tour in 2015 and 2016

The race will be similar to the last editions offering two chances for sprinters, one individual time trial and two uphill finishes. A complet rider will probably win the Volta ao Algarve, but we also expect to see in the south of the Portugal some of the best sprinters, time trialists and classics specialists of the international peloton.

The first stage will link Albufeira to Lagos by a 180,3 kilometers flat route. The sprints should show their strength.

The riders who want to wear the final yellow jersey have their first test on the second stage, 189.3 kilometers from Lagoa to the Fóia, the highest point of Algarve (900 meters). The climb to the finish line has 9.1 kilometers and a medium gradient of 6.2 per cent. The first kilometer of the climb is the steepest with a medium gradient of 9.6 per cent.

The third stage is a flat individual time trial of 18 kilometers around Sagres. The route is the same of last year.

The fourth stage is the longest of the competition with 203.4 kilometers from Almodôvar to Tavira. It is the second chance for sprinters.

The 2017 Volta ao Algarve will end with a 179.2 kilometers stage from Loulé to the top of Malhão (2.8 km with a medium gradient of 8.9 per cent). The last 41.5 kilometers include three climbs in a circuit that are reminiscent of the Ardennes Classics.

The peloton of the 43rd Volta ao Algarve is growing. In the last week three more WorldTour teams joined the bunch: FDJ, Lotto NL-Jumbo and Movistar. There are already confirmed ten teams from the first division of cycling.

Teams already confirmed:

WorldTour: Astana (CAZ), Bora-hansgrohe (GER), Cannondale-Drapac (EUA), Dimension Data (RSA), FDJ (FRA), Katusha-Alpecin (SUI), Lotto NL-Jumbo (NED), Lotto Suudal (BEL), Movistar (ESP) and Quick-Step Floors (BEL).

Continental Professonal: Caja Rural-Seguros RGA (ESP), Gazprom-RusVelo (RUS), Manzana Postobón (COL) and Wanty-Groupe Gobert (BEL)

Continental: Efapel, LA Alumínios-Metalusa, Louletano-Hospital de Loulé, RP-Boavista, Sporting-Tavira e W52-FC Porto (POR), and Rally Cycling (EUA)

2017 Stages:
15 February – 1st Etapa: Albufeira – Lagos, 180.3 km
16 February – 2nd Etapa: Lagoa – Fóia (Monchique), 189.3 km
17 February – 3rd Etapa: Sagres – Sagres (C/R Individual), 18 km
18 February – 4th Etapa: Almodôvar – Tavira, 203.4 km
19 February– 5th Etapa: Loulé – Malhão, 179.2 km

Takeover associates Pinarello with luxury brands like Dior & Louis Vuitton

On December 5 we reported that there were talks to take over Pinarello and Rapha clothing. Bike-eu.com sent me this follow-up:

VILLORBA, Italy – It’s said that cycling is the new golf; the announced acquisition of Pinarello by an investment company which operates luxury brands emphasizes this. The takeover associates Pinarello with Dior, Louis Vuitton, Hublot, Moët & Chandon and many more brands for the rich and famous.

It is like the image of an ultra-expensive racing bike that is hung on the wall of the living room; it elevates the bike to cult status. This is where the acquisition of Pinarello is all about. The new owner wants to turn it into a brand like Ferrari.
L Catterton, one of the world’s largest consumer-focused private equity firms, has taken over the majority of the shares of Pinarello Holding. Fausto Pinarello, current CEO of Cicli Pinarello Spa, remains as CEO.

Fausto Pinarello, Pinarello CEO, commented, “L Catterton’s unparalleled experience in building leading brands and deep understanding of the global consumer market make them the ideal partner for Pinarello. With even more passion than before, we will write a new page of the company story. It is still the story of our company which will continue to be led by the same team that made Pinarello as it is today. With L Catterton Pinarello will see new growth perspectives.”

In a press release Pinarello announces plans to expand its presence globally and the company aims at opening new concept stores. The investment operation was conducted jointly by L Catterton Europe and L Catterton North American Growth funds and regards the majority of Pinarello Holding capital, while Fausto Pinarello maintains a minority – although significant – stake. The amount of investment or L Catterton’s stake in the holding was not published.

Pinarello Holding counts € 52 million revenues during fiscal year 2015/2016, 90% of which are realized abroad. Operating in more than 50 countries around the world, Pinarello has more than 50 employees and invests 4% of revenues in R&D.

You can read the entire story here.

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