Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
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2018 Tour de France | 2018 Giro d'Italia
I have noticed that nothing I never said ever did me any harm. - Calvin Coolidge
Current racing:
- August 25 - September 16: Vuelta a España
Upcoming racing:
- September 12: GP de Wallonie
Latest completed racing:
- September 2 - 9: Tour of Britain
- September 9: GP de Montréal
- September 9: Tour du Doubs
- September 7: GP de Québec
- September 2: GP de Fourmies
- September 1: Brussels Cycling Classic
- September 26: Bretagne Classic-Ouest France
- August 22: Veenendaal - Veenendaal Classic
- August 13 - 19: BinckBank Tour (formerly Eneco Tour)
- August 16 - 19: Colorado Classic
Ag2r headed to GP de Wallonie
Here's the Squad Ag2r is sending to the race:
- Aurelien Paret-Peintre
- Nico Denz
- Jan Bakelants
- Samuel Dumoulin
- Stijn Vandenbergh
- Nicolas Prodhomme
- Gediminas Bagdonas
Jan Bakelants winning a stage in the 2016 Mediterranean Tour. Sirotti photo
JAN BAKELANTS: “I LOVE THIS RACE”
“The GP de Wallonie is a great race where I really like to participate. The start has changed but it will not change the course. I hope to be an animator. The final section is demanding but I’m in good shape right now. I participated in the GP Quebec and Montreal and the time difference with the trip in the night from Monday to Tuesday will make things a little more difficult. I have done it in the past and it has never been that huge of a problem. I hope I will have enough in my legs to play for the victory.”
Tiesj Benoot & Tim Wellens on their selection for the Belgian World Championships team
Lotto-Soudal sent me this:
Federal coach Kevin De Weert has officially announced the Belgian line-up for the World Championships in Innsbruck. Lotto Soudal riders Tiesj Benoot and Tim Wellens will both be taking part in the road race on Sunday 30 September, while Victor Campenaerts will ride the time trial on Wednesday 26 September.
The Belgian national team for the men elite road race consists of eight riders. Benoot and Wellens are in a team with Laurens De Plus, Ben Hermans, Xandro Meurisse, Serge Pauwels, Dylan Teuns and Greg Van Avermaet.
Tim Wellens: “We go to Austria with four leaders. In theory I am the one who can wait the longest. Tiesj Benoot and Dylan Teuns can attack earlier in the finale. And we also have Greg Van Avermaet up our sleeve. With this quartet we have a strong line-up to be able to play along in the finale. The other four riders will definitely play their role in the run-up to that finale.”
“It’s a very tough course in Innsbruck. It will be a matter of following as long as possible and playing all or nothing at the end. I think the last climb, which is very steep, will be decisive. We only have to cover that climb once. The climb on the local lap, which we need to ride seven times, is a smoother climb, but after several ascents that will become tiring as well. It will be a matter of being as fresh as possible at the foot of the last climb. Afterwards there’s still a technical descent towards the finish. I hope to be in the shape of my life.”
Tim Wellens. Sirotti photo
Tiesj Benoot: “At this moment I’m still suffering a bit here at the Vuelta after my crash at the Tour. I hope that with today’s rest day and tomorrow’s time trial my body can recover a bit. It’s a very tough course at the Vuelta, with many elevation metres. It’s also a hard race, something that’s difficult to simulate on training. Hopefully I can benefit from riding the Vuelta in the upcoming weeks, also at the Worlds.”
“I am looking forward to defending my country. As Belgians we don’t need to wait until the last climb to try something, we need to join the moves earlier. I’ll have to wait how I feel after the Vuelta to determine my exact role. I do hope to get some super compensation after the Vuelta.”
Three Lotto Soudal Ladies are part of the Belgian line-up for the women’s road race on Saturday 29 September: Valerie Demey, Julie Van De Velde and Kelly Van den Steen. Bjorg Lambrecht and Brent Van Moer of the Lotto Soudal U23 team will participate in the U23 road race on Friday 28 September. Brent Van Moer will also contest the time trial for men U23 on Monday 24 September.
CycleItalia blowing out Santini Clothing
Our friends at CycleItalia/Piedmont Cycling Resort are closing out their Santini clothing. I've never had a piece of Santini clothing that I didn't love.
Here's part of the note Larry at CycleItalia sent me:
Santini Blowout Sale: Many of you know we've recently switched official suppliers from one of the two most prestigious clothing makers in Italy - Santini, to the other leading producer - Nalini so...
Everything Santini must go! From our now iconic tricolore summer jersey to the Coolmax socks - it's all gotta move to make room for our Nalini clothing collection, so take advantage of the amazing deals while supplies last.
One of the jerseys on sale
Everything is brand-new in the original packaging. No seconds or used items. $5 covers the shipping no matter how much you buy.
Jerseys, windvests, windbreakers $20
Bib-shorts $20, Summer gloves $10,
Socks, headbands, arm warmers $5
Here's what's on hand:
- Jerseys-Classic tricolore S, M, L, X, 2X, 3X, Summer mesh-S, M, L, 2X
- Ladies-M Sportwool (red) S, M, X
- Windstopper/mesh vest S, L, X, 2X,
- Packable windbreaker-L, X, 2X
- Bib-shorts-S, 2X
- Summer gloves-S, L, X, 2X
- Windstopper fleece headband-one size
- Arm warmers-M, L, X
- Coolmax socks-S (35-38) M (39-42)
- Wooleator socks-X
To order just send an email to larry@cycleitalia.com with the items you'd like and a shipping address. He'll send you a Paypal invoice.
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