Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Monday, December 2, 2019
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2019 Tour de France | 2019 Giro d'Italia
Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything. - Plato
Upcoming racing:
- Dec 7: IKO Cyclocross-Essen
- Dec 15: Vlaamse Druivencross
- Dec 22: World Cup, Namur
- Dec 26: World Cup Heusden-Zolder
- Dec 27: Azencross
- Dec 29: Superprestige Diegen
- Jan 1: GP Sven Nys
- Feb 22: GP Leuven
Latest completed racing:
- Nov 17: Flandriencross
- Nov 10: European Cyclocross Championships
- Nov 3: Telenet Superprestige Ruddervoorde
- Oct 27: Superprestige Gavere Cyclocross
- Oct 26: Cincinnati Cyclocross
- Oct 17-22: Tour of Guangxi
- Oct 20: Japan Cup
- Oct 20: Chrono des Nations
Julian Alaphilippe wins Velo d’Or
Here's the release from Alaphilippe's Deceuninck-Quick Step team:
Julian Alaphilippe became just the second Frenchman in history (and the first in 24 years) to receive the Velo d’Or Mondial, the award won since 1992 by some of cycling’s biggest names, including two former Deceuninck – Quick-Step riders, Tom Boonen (2005) and Paolo Bettini (2006).
Professional since 2014, when he joined Deceuninck – Quick-Step after a solid and spectacular U23 season, Alaphilippe has continually moved through the ranks within the Wolfpack and became one of the sport’s household names – a rider who possesses a fantastic power to astonish and turn his immense talent into marquee victories.
In 2019, he won 12 races, from Strade Bianche, Milano-Sanremo and Flèche Wallonne in the spring to a pair of stages at the 106th Tour de France. But maybe his most impressive feat of the year was keeping hold of the iconic yellow jersey – which last summer turned 100 years – for a full two weeks, breathing life into his home Grand Tour and capturing the hearts and imagination of the entire French nation.
Julian Alaphilippe wins the 2019 Strade Bianche. Sirotti photo.
Despite putting an end to his season after the World Championships, Julian remained in the spotlight, being named International Flandrien of the Year a couple of weeks ago – the first Frenchman recipient of this award – in recognition of his outstanding season, to which he now added both the Velo d’Or Français and Mondial after receiving the most votes from the international journalists.
“I am very happy with the incredible season I’ve had and to receive the Velo d’Or is a beautiful way to conclude this amazing year. I want to thank those who voted for me and decided that I should receive this trophy, it’s a great honour. It was an unforgettable campaign, with many beautiful moments – from winning my first Monument in March to wearing the yellow jersey for 14 days – which wouldn’t have been possible without my extraordinary squad”, said an elated Julian, whose results in 2019 contributed to Deceuninck – Quick-Step’s second consecutive triumph in the UCI World Team Classification.
Lotto Soudal Ladies 2020 team roster is finalized
Here's the team's announcement:
A new year is just around the corner and the Lotto Soudal Ladies team for 2020 is complete. Our team will consist of fourteen elite riders and two youth riders.
As we already announced earlier, we can welcome six newcomers: Belgian champion Jesse Vandenbulcke (23), Teuntje Beekhuis (NL, 24), Ariana Fidanza (IT, 24), Lone Meertens (BE, 21), Abby-Mae Parkinson (GB, 22) and Christina Siggaard (DK, 25).
The following eight riders will continue to defend the team’s colours: Danique Braam (NL, 24), Alana Castrique (BE, 20), Dani Christmas (GB, 31), Annelies Dom (BE, 33), Lotte Kopecky (BE, 24), Thi That Nguyen (TH, 26), Julie Van De Velde (BE, 26) and Cameron Vandenbroucke (BE, 20).
Youth riders Emke De Keyser (BE, 16) and Julie Roelandts (BE, 16) will remain in the team too.
Video: Tour de France, The Inside Story
In this book trailer author Les Woodland explains some little-known facts about the origins of the Tour de France and goes on to tell about the men who organized and ran the Tour over its more than 100-year history.
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