Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
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2017 Tour de France | 2017 Giro d'Italia
Current racing:
- August 19 - Sept 10: Vuelta a España
Latest completed racing:
- August 27: Bretagne Classic - Ouest France
- August 20: EuroEyes Cyclassics Hamburg
- August 15 - 18: Tour du Limousin
- August 18: Veenendaal - Veenendaal
- August 7 - 13: BinckBank Tour (formerly Eneco Tour of Benelux)
- August 10 - 13: Arctic Race of Norway
- August 10 - 13: Colorado Classic
Orica-Scott Signs Jack Bauer
The team sent me this news:
Monday, 28th August 2017: ORICA-SCOTT is pleased to announce the latest signing, New Zealand all-rounder Jack Bauer for the next two seasons.
The New Zealand time trial champion has proven to be a versatile and powerful rider and is a much-welcomed addition to the Australian outfit. The 32-year-old will boost the team’s classics squad and play an important role in the team’s hunt for grand tour success.
Haven ridden for multiple international teams over the years, Bauer is excited at the idea of joining the Australian squad and has high ambitions for the coming season. “Riding for ORICA-SCOTT is a really exciting prospect for me, it was an offer impossible to turn down,” Bauer explained. “As an Australian team, for me it's the closest thing to riding for an outfit from back home. I know all the boys on the team really well, and have done for quite some years, so it seems like the perfect fit.”
“I especially look forward to linking up for the first time on a professional level with my good mate Sam Bewley, we'll bring a two-pronged Kiwi attack which should fit well in the ORICA-SCOTT line-up.”
As the team continues to grow and develop in all areas, Bauer hopes to help take the team to the next level, especially in their early season classics campaign. “With ORICA-SCOTT, you have a very balanced team that is proven and capable of delivering in the sprint, the mountains, team time trials and general classification,” he said.
“As an all-rounder myself, I look forward to giving my best and bringing support to the team year-round. I have proven myself as a reliable and strong workhorse over the years and a big goal for the season will be to line up alongside Luke Durbridge and Matteo Trentin in the Northern Classics and ride for the win. That's something I really look forward to.
“To bring the New Zealand road champion jersey to the team will be an early season personal goal. I would of course love to return to the Tour de France as a Kiwi in an Aussie team, but there will be a few boxes to tick before that.”
Fitting in with the team’s long term plans, sport director Matt White believes Bauer will be an important asset with a lot to offer. “Jack is a rider who we have had our eyes on for a couple of years now,” White said. “He is a really versatile rider and a really good worker. He can ride almost anywhere in the calendar.”
“He is a big strong guy and a good teammate which we have seen him when riding for other teams. We are thinking long term and he fits into our plans. With the team rosters set to be smaller in the future we need guys who can do a lot and offer a lot on different terrains. I think he will be a really great addition to our team and fit in really well with our work ethic and team dynamics.”
Jack Bauer:
- Date of Birth: April 7, 1985 (age 32)
- Place of Birth: Takaka, New Zealand
- Turned Pro: 2010
Key results:
- 1st National championships TT 2017
- 1st Japan Cup Cycle Road Race 2013
- 1st stage 5 Tour of Britain 2016
- 1st prologue Herald Sun Tour 2014
- 1st stage 2 Tour of Utah 2011
- 1st National championships road race New Zealand 2010
- 2nd Commonwealth Games road race 2014
- 10th Olympic Games 2012
Bram Tankink continues another year with Team LottoNL-Jumbo
This came to me from the team:
Bram Tankink has signed another one-year-contract with Team LottoNL-Jumbo. Next year will be Tankink’s eighteenth season as a pro rider. “I’m excited to announce the news”, Tankink says. “The respect that I get from the riders, the staff and the management made me decide to go on another year with this team.” On Twitter Tankink published a movie in which he discusses his choice to continue or not with two of his daughters.
Managing director Richard Plugge of Team LottoNL-Jumbo is glad to have Tankink’s experience, knowledge and qualities in his squad for at least another year. “Bram has reached again a very high level this season and has proven to be very valuable. Also for the atmosphere within the team Bram is key. He’s a mentor too for the youngsters of our team. Hopefully Bram will conclude his career with us in a good manner, whenever that may be.”
Team Sunweb race preview
Here's what the team is up to:
BRUSSELS CYCLING CLASSIC (1.HC)
Taking place this Saturday, the 97th edition of the Brussels Cycling Classic gets underway with a 198 kilometre route through Belgium. The race is usually a day for the fast men to battle it out, providing they can contend with the thirteen demanding bergs along the race route. Team Sunweb line-up with German U23 road race champion Max Kanter, who is riding in his second race after joining the WorldTour roster as a stagiaire.
Team Sunweb coach Aike Visbeek (NED) said: "Our goal here is to sprint with Phil and we have a strong team around him to support this goal. The race has a history of bunch sprints, but every now and then a breakaway makes it to the line so we have to remain focused on both of these scenarios. It will be important to keep our eyes open at the groups that do go away, especially during the hilly section in the middle of the race that can often be really tricky. We have to be attentive and stay focused on both potential race scenarios in order to be successful."
RACE: Brussels Cycling Classic (1.HC)
DATE: 02/09/2017
COACH:Aike Visbeek (NED)
LINE-UP
Phil Bauhaus (GER)
Bert De Backer (BEL)
Max Kanter (GER)
Sindre Skjøstad Lunke (NOR)
Ramon Sinkeldam (NED)
Mike Teunissen (NED)
Zico Waeytens (BEL)
Max Walscheid (GER)
OLYMPIA'S TOUR (UCI 2.2)
Development Team Sunweb line-up for six days of racing action at Olympia's Tour next Tuesday, September 5th. The opening stage features a 4.5 kilometre prologue, with five road stages to follow. The race closes with its longest stage of 160 kilometres with some challenging climbs to contend with before the finish in Noorbeek.
Team Sunweb coach Tom Veelers (NED) said: "We line-up in Holland for Olympia's Tour with a strong group of riders. The race starts in the North of Holland with an opening prologue. After four stages in the North we head South for the hillier stages. Our goal is to explore GC possibilities with both Nils and Jarno and this race will be an important step in development for the team when racing to goals of this nature. The weather is always an important factor when racing in Holland and echelons are always a risk, so the team will need to be sharp and race smart in order for us to reach this goal."
RACE: Olympia's Tour (UCI 2.2)
DATE: 5-10/09/2017
COACH: Tom Veelers (NED)
LINE-UP:
Nils Eekhoff (NED)
Felix Gall (AUT)
Maxime Gressier (FRA)
Jarno Mobach (NED)
Martin Salmon (GER)
Florian Stork (GER)
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