Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
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2019 Tour de France | 2019 Giro d'Italia
Forgive me my nonsense, as I also forgive the nonsense of those that think they talk sense. - Robert Frost
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
Aimé De Gendt and Wesley Kreder extend with Wanty-Gobert until the end of 2021
Here's the team's release:
The contracts of Aimé De Gendt and Wesley Kreder until the end of 2020 were extended for another year.
Wesley Kreder at the Tour of Flanders in 2014. Sirotti photo
Aimé De Gendt recently won his first pro race at the Antwerp Port Epic. The 25 year old Belgian rider came already close to the victory with a second place at the GP Samyn in the spring. Besides that, the resident of Erembodegem achieved good results in the general classifications of short stage races like the Dunkirk Four Day (6th) and the Baloise Belgium Tour (9th). Aimé De Gendt, winner of the combativity award in stage eleven of his first Tour de France last summer, will represent the colours of Wanty Gobert - Tormans until the end of 2021.
Also Wesley Kreder extended his contract with Wanty Gobert - Tormans for another year. The Dutch 29 year old represented the Belgian team for the first time in 2014 en will complete his fourth consecutive year with Wanty-Gobert next month. The Tour de Vendée (2012) and a stage in the Ster ZLM Tour (2016) are listed on the palmares of the resident of Hapert, however, the Dutch rider is mainly respected for his dedication to teamwork, which is expressed in a contract extension until the end of 2021.
Aimé De Gendt:
"I feel very good with Wanty-Gobert and was happy with the team's proposal for contract extension, proving our mutual appreciating. I hope to make further progression next year, and expect the team to do the same. The transfers are promising. It looks like we'll be at the start of the classics, the big races suiting me best, with a solid team. I'm looking forward to next season with much confidence!"
Wesley Kreder:
"I'm very happy that the dream I share with Danny and Boy Van Poppel to represent the same team becomes reality. We became good friends when we were teammates in the Rabobank Continental team and Vacansoleil-DCM, directed by Hilaire Van der Schueren. Both Boy and myself know Danny's capabilities, although he didn't always show them. Wanty Gobert - Tormans gives us the opportunity to make this happen the next two seasons!"
"My contract extension until the end of 2021, even if I still had a contract for next season, given me a lot of confidence. I'm happy about the team's satisfaction, so I'll keep working as I'm used to do!"
Hilaire Van der Schueren (sport director):
"I insisted to extend the contract of Aimé De Gendt, to highlight our confidence in him. We believe in his capacities to play a major role in the classics and are working towards this mutual goal. An important point in his growing process to work on remains for him the positioning on critical points. This young rider has a great potential, I'm very happy to continue helping building his career!"
"Wesley Kreder always sacrifices for the team. He doesn't need a lot of instructions to accomplish his tasks, and furthermore, he has the will to do it well. He'll become an important element in the sprint train with Danny and Boy Van Poppel. So I'm satisfied that Wanty Gobert - Tormans brings this trio together for a two year period."
Jumbo-Visma talks to development team member Rick Pluimers
Here's the team's post:
Rick Pluimers has finished his debut season as a U23 rider. The student of Mechanical Engineering will race for Development Team Jumbo-Visma in 2020.
When did you pick up cycling?
“I have had a license since 2010. My parents used to cycle. That’s how they met. For me it started by cycling in the forest. I went to watch a race a number of times, which made me want to do it too. My parents bought me a bicycle so that I could try it myself. After one or two training sessions I got excited and I stored my football boots away.”
Which rider do you see as an example?
“Julian Alaphillipe. Just like me, he is an ‘Ardennes type’. The short climbs are my thing. His way of racing also appeals to me. He has an attacking style. I like that. I also like to attack. In the past year I was not always able to show that, but I am determined to show myself.”
How did you experience the switch from the juniors to the U23 category?
“Of course it was quite a step. I was able to come along, but sometimes I just fell short to make the difference. It was more a matter of following. I hope to regain the strength to make the difference next year. As a junior I was able to do so and I was often one of the tastemakers in the race.”
“I expected to have more trouble coping with the distance, although it was very hard work. Of course you are less fresh at the end, but that makes sense.”
What are your favourite meals around a race?
“The evening before a race I like to eat rice or pasta. On race day I mainly eat bread or a pasta salad. In recent weeks we have had some presentations regarding nutrition. That was very interesting. I never really thought about it, but I like to learn more about it. We were instructed by our nutritionist Karin Lambrechtse to keep track of what we eat at home. I know the basics about nutrition, but to learn specific things about it is interesting.”
Shimano to upgrade STEPS E-Bike drives with gearbox
Bike Europe posted this interesting development:
OSAKA, Japan – Is Shimano advancing further on the e-bike market with a new technical development? The company filed an application at the US Patent Office for a gearbox in combination with an e-bike mid-motor.
According to information provided by the patent filing, the gearbox is developed for electric MTB’s, city bikes and road bikes. A major part of the patent describes the lubricant and coating used on the moving components of the proposed gearbox, as Bike Radar earlier reported.
You can read the entire story here along with a link to Bike Radar's story that shouldn't be missed.
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