Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Thursday, December 30, 2021
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2021 Tour de France | 2021 Giro d'Italia
There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about. - Oscar Wilde
David L. Stanley's's book Melanoma: It Started with a Freckle is available as an audiobook here. For the print and Kindle eBook versions, just click on the Amazon link on the right.
Current racing:
- Dec 30: Azencross
Upcoming racing:
- Jan 1, 2022: GP Sven Nys Cross
- Jan 16 - 23, 2022: Le Tour de Langkawi
- Jan 22, 2022: Flandriencross
- Jan 26 - 29, 2022: Challenge Illes Balears
- Jan 30 - Feb 6, 2022: Vuelta a San Juan
- Feb 12, 2022: Gavere Cyclocross
Latest completed racing:
- Dec 29:
DiegemcrossCancelled - Dec 27: Heusden Zolder Cyclocross
- Dec 19: Namur Cyclocross
- Dec 11: Ethiascross-Essen
- Dec 5:
Scheldecross Antwerp- Cancelled because of Covid-19 - Nov 13: GP Leuven
- Nov 7: Elite Men European Cyclocross Championships
- Nov 6: Elite Women European Cyclocross Championships
- Nov 1: Koppenberg Cyclocross
The team sent me this:
It’s not only the jersey design, but also the bikes and accessories which have been completely redesigned for the 2022 season. In so doing, Specialized and Le Col took inspiration from U.S. sports. The result is visually compelling, yet also enables BORA - hansgrohe to set new technical standards.
Bora-hansgrohe's 2022 look.
"The design that Specialized and Le Col developed with us is a winner. We’ll definitely stand out in the field in 2022. The starting point was U.S. college sports, particularly baseball. I have to admit that at first, I may have been a little sceptical, but the results ended up being very convincing. For us, however, the focus is not only on looking smart, we also want to be fast. During our wind tunnel tests in winter, we compared our new kit with competitors’ products, and I can say that we will be fast, very fast. The name of the collection is “No Off Season” and relates to the camaraderie within the team. Because true camaraderie takes no hiatus." - Ralph Denk, Team Manager
Here's the 2022 team bike.
“The design was inspired by the raw athleticism among riders and their immense respect for each other as teammates. We look at historical moments within professional sports to draw our aesthetic. Moments where bold color contrast and beautiful typography stood the test of time for teams that will always be known as the greats. It’s about confidence and control to create a look that boldly states for BORA-hansgrohe, there is no off season.” - Kayla Clarot, SpecializedSenior Concept Designer
"Over a decade's worth of research has gone into the package of kit we have pulled together for the BORA - hansgrohe team. Hours spent in the wind tunnel have perfected the layup of tripping fabrics and breathable, fast wicking materials used in all our kits to ensure we provide the best technical apparel to help the team go faster and further. Every single detail from team jerseys, skinsuits and bib shorts to socks and baselayers have been designed to perform through a tough WorldTour race calendar, and we are delighted to partner with such an exciting team for the season." Yanto Baker, Le Col Founder and CEO
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Jakobsen’s Deceuninck-Quick step team posted this:
“Winning my first Grand Tour stage just four days into La Vuelta was a dream! I remember how moments after I had crossed the line I was thinking of my family and my team, my second family, because they were the reason I was there. The road to that moment had been a long one, but I made it with the support I got and took what I still consider to be the most beautiful victory of my career.”
Fabio Jakobsen winning 2021 Vuelta stage four. Sirotti photo
“To double up in the same week meant a lot to me, because two years before that I had taken a brace of stage wins at my Vuelta debut, and the moment I repeated that feat was special. The finale was a hectic one that day in La Manga del Mar Menor, with both the sprinters and the GC teams jostling for position, but I had once again a fantastic team around me and that made the difference. It was an important victory also because it allowed me to retake the green jersey, which was an important boost of confidence at that time.”
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“The third and final win was the most hard-earned one. Some teams pushed hard on the small hills inside the final 40 kilometers and I got dropped, but knowing I could rely on my amazing teammates allowed me to remain calm and they brought me back, making sure I was where I needed to be for the last 15 kilometers, which featured more hurdles. In the end, I pulled it off and it was a double celebration. I got the stage on my birthday and at the same time took the victory for the boys on that beautiful and memorable day.”
“But my biggest win was finishing the race in Santiago de Compostela, something no one would have believed that in the summer of 2020? A hat-trick of stages and the green jersey is something I would have never dreamed of at the start of the race, an achievement that was possible with the help of my teammates. They were with me everywhere – on the climbs, on the descents, in the valley – they rode themselves inside out for me and I’m incredibly grateful to them. That green jersey I took home represents the Wolfpack, everything that this stands for and our strong connection.”
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