Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Sunday, January 17, 2016

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I hope that no more groans of wounded men and women will ever go to the ear of the Great Spirit Chief above, and that all people may be one people. - Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce, the real owners of eastern Oregon.

BikeRaceInfo will cover these races next:

January 17: Peoples Choice Classic, Australia (results now posted)

January 18 - 24: Tour de San Luis, Argentina

January 19 - 24: Santos Tour Down Under, Australia

Garfoot grabs first Santos Women’s Tour jersey with stage one win

Orica-AIS sent me this update:

2016 Australian time trial champion Katrin Garfoot has claimed victory on the opening stage of the Santos Women’s Tour in Adelaide today. Garfoot escaped with a group of seven in the final ten kilometres of the 95km race around Mt Torrens and surprised her breakaway companions with a long launch to the line to secure the win.

“I think it was a surprise because they knew I was the worst sprinter and I knew that too,” Garfoot admitted. “I just had to do something to at least try. We banked on the move going on the last lumpy ten kilometres. I got away with a group of girls, all of them sprinters, so I wasn’t too happy with that situation.

“With 500metres to go I went for it, I went from last wheel and I don’t think they expected that.”

Katrin Garfoot at the 2014 World Championships

ORICA-AIS sport director Gene Bates said the team had tried to break up the racing to drop the sprinters but commended Garfoot on her strategy in the final. “We wanted to make it hard from the mid-way point and the girls worked really well to try to break it up,” Bates said. “It was touch and go. If it was a sprint she was running fifth out of five but to Kat's credit, she had a think about it and hit them at a perfect time and won the stage.”

The Santos Women’s Tour continues tomorrow with a 1.7km criterium circuit prior to the men’s People’s Choice Classic.

How it happened: The Santos Women’s Tour kicked off the racing action in Adelaide with a lumpy road circuit around Mt Torrens. The race stayed together for the first of five 19kilometre laps before Charlotte Lucus (Holden Racing) escaped and rode out to a 25second advantage on the second lap.

As the peloton rolled through to complete their third lap the race was largely back together and about to begin in earnest. ORICA-AIS was active on the penultimate lap, counter-attacking in attempt to break up racing but it wasn’t until the final ten kilometres that a move got away.

Garfoot escaped with six for company, but recogising the quality of sprinters in the group the 34-year-old attacked with 500metres to go to surprise her companions for the victory.

Santos Women’s Tour – Stage 1 and Overall Results:

1.     Katrin Garfoot (OGE) 2:35:12
2.     Shelley Olds (CPC) ST
3.     Danielle King (WHT) ST

Shimano Issues Safety Warning For Rear Wheel Roller Brakes

Bike Europe was good enough to post this important news:

NUNSPEET, the Netherlands – Shimano has identified a potential safety issue involving BR-C3000-R, BR-C3010-R and the BR-C6000-R rear wheel roller brakes, which were fitted to bicycles sold to consumers after 1 July 2015.

Shimano has discovered that some of the affected rear wheel roller brakes can suddenly lose their braking power even when assembled correctly. To date there have been no reports of incidents. However, as all Shimano products should meet the highest industry standards and in the interest of putting the safety of its consumers first, Shimano voluntarily decided to undertake a recall of the affected roller brakes.

The affected brakes have been fitted to new bicycles sold by many different bicycle brands. The affected roller brakes are only those with the following production codes: NF, NG, NH, NI, NJ, NK and NL. Roller brakes for front wheels are not affected.

Bicycles purchased before 1 July 2015 are not subject to this recall. Also, affected rear wheel roller brakes that are marked with a white dot have already been checked and repaired by Shimano and are also not subject to this recall.

Consumers who are in the possession of a bicycle with an affected roller brake should stop using the bicycle immediately and contact their dealer to arrange a free of charge replacement of the brake. Consumers who are not certain whether their bicycle is assembled with an affected rear wheel roller brake, should also stop using their bicycle immediately and go to their dealers to have their brakes checked.

The Bike Europe has pictures of the affected parts

Cannondale Pro Cycling Team hosting webcast to kick off 2016 season

This release came from the team:

The 2016 Cannondale Pro Cycling Team presentation will be hosted via global webcast on Monday, January 18. The webcast invites fans from around the world to learn more about the 2016 Cannondale Pro Cycling Team and take part in the excitement heading into the 2016 season.

The online presentation coverage will feature an interview with Jonathan Vaughters, team CEO and manager, where he will take viewers through the 2016 team-building process; interviews with key returning and new riders; and interviews with sport directors Charly Wegelius and Andreas Klier, who will talk about 2016 race goals, tactics and mentoring young athletes. The launch will also provide an inside look at the team’s camp in Aspen, Colorado and the unveiling of an all-new fan kit.

Brad Sohner, pro cycling announcer and the voice of the Amgen Tour of California and USA Pro Challenge, will serve as launch host, while Tim Johnson, Cannondale Brand Ambassador, will serve as color commentator. Together, they will provide their own insight into the building of the 2016 Cannondale Pro Cycling team, the athletes and the season ahead.

WHEN: 
Monday, Jan. 18, 2016 at 2 p.m. EST.

WHERE:
Access video of the webcast here.

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