Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Thursday, November 12, 2020
Back to news and opinion index page for links to archived stories | Commentary | Our YouTube page
2020 Tour de France | 2019 Giro d'Italia
Yesterday's the past, tomorrow's the future, but today is a gift. That's why it's called the present. - Bil Keane
Upcoming racing:
- Jan 21 - 24, 2021:
Schwalbe Classic & Tour Down Under - Jan 28 - 31, 2021: Challenge Illes Belears
Latest completed racing:
- Nov 7 - 8: European Cyclocross Championships
- Oct 24: Cyclocross Ruddervoorde
- Oct 20 - Nov 8: Vuelta a España
- October 3 - 25: Giro d'Italia
- Oct 21: Driedaagse Brugge-De Panne
- October 18: Ronde van Vlaanderen
- October 14: Scheldeprijs
- October 11: Gent-Wevelgem
- October 11: Paris-Tours
- October 7: De Brabantse Pijl/ La Flèche Brabanconne
Bjarne Riis to leave NTT Pro Cycling team
The team sent me this press release:
NTT Pro Cycling has announced that team manager Bjarne Riis is to step down from his role at the conclusion of the 2020 season
CAPE TOWN, South Africa, November 11, 2020/ -- Riis joined Africa’s only UCI-registered WorldTour team at the start of the year and departs the organisation by mutual consent.
Bjarne Riis at the 2020 Tour Down Under. Sirotti photo
Douglas Ryder, Team Principal, said: “I’d like to thank Bjarne for the experience and leadership that he has brought to our environment, and the contribution he has made. We’d like to wish him all the very best for the future.”
“To be a part of NTT Pro Cycling during a unique year for all of us has been a great experience,” said Riis. “I have a lot of respect for the team that Doug has built and want to thank him for the opportunity. I wish him all the best for the future.”
Riis and his partners, Jan Bech Andersen and Lars Seier Christensen along with Ryder have also discontinued further discussions about a purchase of a part of NTT Pro Cycling.
As NTT Pro Cycling continues to fight to secure its future, further updates regarding the sustainability of our team will follow in due course.
Dylan Groenewegen gets nine-month suspension for causing Tour of Poland crash
Groenewegen’s Jumbo-Visma team sent me this:
Team Jumbo-Visma is relieved that clarity has come in the disciplinary case against Dylan Groenewegen following the incident during the first stage of the Tour of Poland in August. A nine-month suspension period, starting from the date of the incident, has been accepted by the sprinter from Amsterdam. Groenewegen will be back in action for Team Jumbo-Visma from 7 May 2021.
“It was a crash where the severity of the consequences was unfathomable. Now that the disciplinary case has been concluded, we can start looking forward again. We will do that together with Dylan. We are relieved that there is now perspective and clarity. We wish Fabio Jakobsen the same. The encouraging reports about his recovery do us good”, director Richard Plugge of Team Jumbo-Visma says.
The terrible 2020 Tour of Poland stage 1 crash.
Groenewegen has cooperated fully with the investigation and has once again acknowledged his regrets for deviating from his line during the sprint in question. He also emphasized that he had no intention of endangering people or inflicting physical injury. The 27-year-old sprinter will make an effort for activities to promote safe cycling.
Groenewegen: “The crash in the first stage of the Tour of Poland will forever be a black page in my career. During the sprint I deviated from my line. I am sorry, because I want to be a fair sprinter. The consequences were very unfortunate and serious. I am very aware of that and I hope this has been a wise lesson for every sprinter. I follow the news of Fabio’s recovery very closely. I can only hope that one day he will return completely. Closing the disciplinary matter creates clarity. That gives me the opportunity to look ahead again. I am happy about that, even though May 7th is still far away. I am happy with the support I get from Team Jumbo-Visma, my family and friends. Together we will work towards that day both mentally and physically.”
2020 Tour de Yorkshire postponed
Here's the race organizer's announcement:
As part of the fight against the spread of Coronavirus (COVID19), Welcome to Yorkshire and the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) have made the joint decision to postpone the 2020 Tour de Yorkshire and Asda Tour de Yorkshire Women’s Race.
Heres the route and schedule that was planned.
The event is one of the best supported races in the cycling calendar but the safety of everyone involved from the athletes to the spectators must be the number one priority.
Following consultation with stakeholders and sponsors Welcome to Yorkshire held in depth and constructive discussions with both ASO and British Cycling (both TDY race partners) with all parties in agreement that this is the right and responsible course of action.
The sixth edition of the annual cycle race was scheduled to take place between 30th April and 3rd May 2020 but the developing situation with regards to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) means continuing with the event as planned simply became untenable.
A key factor in the decision-making process was the consideration of the additional burden that such a large-scale event places on the emergency services and local authority partners, at a time when their priorities are rightly elsewhere. It is important to reiterate that the overriding concern for all partners involved is the health and safety of the public at this time.
Peter Box CBE, Chair of Welcome to Yorkshire said: “The race is a great spectacle, but we all know that the health and well-being of everyone across the region, and the country, is frankly more important than a sporting event. Our attention now turns to supporting those tourism businesses across the region, many still reeling from the floods, during this unprecedented crisis.”
Welcome to Yorkshire, ASO and British Cycling are working with the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) to find alternative dates in the international cycling calendar for the race to take place.
Welcome to Yorkshire understands the impact that postponing the race will have on the tourism industry across the region. This early decision gives us the opportunity to focus our efforts on how we can support businesses at this time and continue to promote the region as a destination to visit going forward.
Back to news and opinion index page for links to archived stories | Commentary