Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Thursday, June 1, 2017
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2017 Tour de France | 2017 Giro d'Italia
Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet deprecate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. - Frederick Douglass
Current racing:
- May 31 - June 1: Skoda Tour de Luxembourg
Upcoming Racing:
- June 4 - 11: Critérium du Dauphiné
- June 8: GP Kanton Aargau
Latest completed racing:
- May 5 - 28: Giro d'Italia
- May 24 - 28: Baloise Belgium Tour
- May 24 - 28: Tour des Fjords
- May 17 - 21: Tour of Norway
- May 19 - 21: Vuelta a Castilla y Leon
- May 14 - 20: Tour of California
Richie Porte primed for Critérium du Dauphiné showdown
Team BMC sent me this:
31 May, 2017, Santa Rosa, California (USA): Tour de Romandie winner Richie Porte will return to the Critérium du Dauphiné from 4-11 June to race for the last time before the Tour de France.
Porte, who finished fourth overall in 2016, is looking to secure his third UCI WorldTour stage race win this year. "The Critérium du Dauphiné is the last big test before the Tour de France so it is a chance to see where I stand compared to everyone else. I'm taking a lot of confidence out of my Tour de Romandie win and a good result at the Critérium du Dauphiné would set me up perfectly for July," Porte explained.
"I'm coming into the race from a two-week altitude camp so I am as prepared as possible. I'm feeling really good right now and although the Tour de France is obviously the main goal this year, I would love to add the Critérium du Dauphiné to my palmarès. We have a strong team to support me and we'll take things stage by stage."
Richie Porte on his way to winning this year's Tour de Romandie
Sports Director Fabio Baldato said he believes Porte continues to get better with each race this season. "In the lead up to the Tour de France, the Critérium du Dauphiné is one of the biggest goals for Richie Porte and the team. A good result at the Critérium du Dauphiné will prove that we are on track for the Tour de France, and also give Richie a lot of confidence. Richie is in great shape at the moment and I think he can definitely finish on the top step of the podium." Baldato said.
"When you look at our roster, with the exception of neo pro Kilian Frankiny, we have a wealth of experience behind Richie. With Brent Bookwalter, Kilian Frankiny and Amaël Moinard we have strong riders to protect Richie on the flat, whereas Alessandro De Marchi, Ben Hermans, Nicolas Roche and Danilo Wyss will provide key support on the climbs. I think with this team, and a strong and motivated Richie, we are going to the Critérium du Dauphiné in a really good position."
Critérium du Dauphiné (4-11 June)
Rider roster: Brent Bookwalter (USA), Alessandro De Marchi (ITA), Kilian Frankiny (SUI), Ben Hermans (BEL), Amaël Moinard (FRA), Richie Porte (AUS), Nicolas Roche (IRL), Danilo Wyss (SUI).
Sports Directors: Fabio Baldato (ITA), Yvon Ledanois (FRA).
André Greipel looking forward to Hammer Sportzone Limburg
Lotto-Soudal sent me this release:
André Greipel is one of the seven Lotto Soudal riders to participate in the Hammer Sportzone Limburg (2 to 4 June). Instead of one rider, a whole team will be crowned as winner. They are tested in three disciplines: climbing (Hammer Climb), sprinting (Hammer Sprint) and team pursuit (Hammer Chase). These three races are all organised on a local circuit and are between 44.5 and 100 kilometres long. A concept that the German champion likes very much.
André Greipel winning stage two of this year's Giro d'Italia
André Greipel: “Cycling is a team sport, there is no doubt about that. So it would be nice to stand on the podium with all my teammates next to me for a change, because I am always very grateful for their support.”
“This type of race requires special tactics. It is a unique concept. Teams can let several riders sprint for the points during the race. I’m looking forward to see how the teams will do that. There could be surprises. I expect Quick-Step Floors to be strong. I think the team pursuit will be the key to winning the Hammer Series. I will have the usual opponents for the sprint, like Ewan, Gaviria, Groenewegen and Viviani.”
“The Hammer Sportzone Limburg will be intensive and that will help to build up my condition again on the way to the Tour. I’m an advocate of shorter races, that’s more interesting for the viewers as well. Cycling on a local circuit is saver and better for the spectators. That are two things I very much like about the Hammer Series.”
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