Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Friday, February 5, 2021
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2020 Tour de France | 2020 Giro d'Italia
The audiobook version of The Story of the Tour de France, Volume 1 is available.
You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Current racing:
- Feb 3 - 7: Etoile de Bèsseges
Upcoming racing:
- Feb 11 - 14: Tour de la Provence
- Feb 14: Clasica de Almeria
Cancelled & postponed races:
- Jan 30-Feb 6:
Tour de Langkawi(cancelled) - Jan 31:
Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race(cancelled) - Feb 2 - 6:
Herald Sun Tour(cancelled) - Feb 3 - 7:
Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana(postponed) - Feb 9 - 14:
Tour of Oman(cancelled)
Latest completed racing:
- Jan 31: GP Cycliste la Marseillaise
- Jan 21 - 24: Santos Festival of Cycling
- Jan 23: Flandriencross
- Jan 1: GP Sven Nys Cyclocross
Etoile de Bèsseges stage two team reports
We posted the report from Team Lotto-Soudal with the results.
Here's the report from Bora-hansgrohe:
The 154 km-long route between Saint Geniès de Malgoirès and La Calmette was, at least on paper, a day for the fast men. Throughout the stage, BORA - hansgrohe was always visible, along with the other sprinter teams, at the front end of the peloton. After the last breakaway rider was reeled back in 10 km ahead of the finish, the teams commenced their preparations for the finale in all earnest.
However, several crashes marred the final few kilometres of racing, with Patrick Gamper and Jordi Meeus both hitting the deck. Pascal Ackermann, one of the favourites for today's stage, was held up behind the second crash, which occurred just 400m from the finish, and so the team was unable to take a top result. Teammates Patrick and Jordi were both able to finish the stage, with initial examinations indicating that they have not suffered any serious injuries.
Timothy Dupont wins the stage.
From the Finish Line:
"Our goal was to go for the sprint and help Pascal to take his first season win. We already saw yesterday that the racing can be quite nervous and so we wanted to keep the team at the front end of the field as early as possible. So we sent Frederik to the front at 30 km to go, to try to keep our riders in a good position. This worked out well, the guys were able to remain well positioned and protected, but unfortunately Patrick Gamper crashed 5 km ahead of the finish line. Then, with only 400m remaining, our lead-out rider Jordi was also involved in a crash when a rider from another team slipped in front of him. The most important thing is that none of our riders were seriously injured. Initial examinations by the team doctor have ruled out any broken bones and the abrasions suffered are not too serious." - Christian Pömer, Sports Director
Danny Van Poppel's Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux team posted this race report:
This Thursday, the riders embarked for the second stage of the Etoile de Bessèges (2.1, 3-7/02) around Saint Geniès de Malgoires, with a route tailored for the sprinters. Five escapees quickly broke away and gained a maximum lead of around 3 minutes. Ludovic Robeet (Bingoal) fought hard against the sprinter teams, but he was eventually caught with around 15 kilometers to the finish. Just like yesterday, this was the moment chosen by the Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux riders to put their noses in front in order to hold sprinter Danny Van Poppel in a good position.
The build up to the sprint was nervous, which inevitably resulted in multiple crashes. At around 500 meters to go, Van Poppel exited the last roundabout in fifth position, but he was caught by the rider in front of him, who slipped. Timothy Dupont (Bingoal) won the disrupted sprint, while Jonas Koch crossed the line in 15th place. Fortunately, Danny Van Poppel was able to cross the line with what appeared to be scrapes, which should not prevent him from starting tomorrow's stage. This Friday, the peloton will travel around Bessèges in a 156 kilometer-long hilly course.
Miguel Angel Lopez back on the road
Lopez's Movistar team post this short note on Instagram:
A very special message, in the day of his 27th birthday, from Miguel Ángel López as he's finally received a negative result in his latest covid test and got back on the road several months after his injury in the Giro. So happy for you, buddy!
Lopez winning stage 17 of the 2020 Tour de France. Sirotti photo
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