Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Sunday, January 10, 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.
The things that we love tell us what we are. - Thomas Aquinas
Upcoming racing:
- Jan 19 - 24, 2021: Santos Festival of Cycling
- Jan 24 - 31, 2021: Vuelta a San Juan
- Jan 28 - 31, 2021:
Challenge Illes Belears(postponed)
Latest completed racing:
- Jan 1: GP Sven Nys Cyclocross
- Dec 26: Heusden-Zolder Cyclocross
- Dec 23: Azencross-Herentals
- Dec 20: Namur Cyclocross
- Dec 13: Gavere Cyclocross
- Dec 12: Scheldecross
- Nov 14: GP Leuven Cyclocross
- Nov 7 - 8: European Cyclocross Championships
UAE Team Emirates signs Marc Hirschi
Marc Hirschi had recently left Team DSM before his contract with the team had expired. It was assumed another team wanted the services of the talented rider.
Here is the announcement from UAE Team Emirates:
UAE Team Emirates announce the signing of Marc Hirschi for the 2021 season.
Marc Hirschi in his new colors.
The 22 year old from Bern, Switzerland had a breakthrough season in the pro ranks in 2020 with highlights including a stunning solo stage win in the Tour de France, victory at Flèche Wallone, second place at Liege-Bastogne-Liege and a bronze medal at the World Championships.
Hirschi, former under-23 World Champion, will now join the team at their pre-season camp in UAE.
Marc Hirschi winning stage 12 of the 2020 Tour de France
Marc Hirschi: “Firsty, I’d like to thank my previous team for everything they’ve done for me over the past three years. I am now happy to be able to say that I am joining UAE Team Emirates. I’m really excited about the move.
"We share the same approach and goals. The UAE team is moving in the right direction and have been growing a lot over the past years. I look forward to benefit from that dynamic, both for the team and the development of my career.
"Now I’ll turn my attention to the training camp and getting to know everybody and settling in. This will be my first time ever visiting the UAE so I look forward to discovering the country”.
Judge rules in favor of Ironman in lawsuit over refunds
Triathlete posted this:
Yesterday, U.S. District Judge Tom Barber granted Ironman’s request for a summary judgement in a proposed class action lawsuit over the lack of refunds for races canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Florida judge ruled that the “no refund” clause athletes agree to when registering for a race was clear and fair.
The suit was filed against Ironman and the World Triathlon Corporation in May, alleging the company and its subsidiary, Competitor Group, owe athletes refunds for events canceled or postponed due to COVID-19. It was originally filed on behalf of one athlete, Mikaela Ellenwood, a Colorado resident who had registered for the Rock n’ Roll San Francisco half-marathon, which was scheduled for April 5. She had also purchased flights and accommodations for the event, according to the complaint. When that race was canceled on March 14, registrants had their entries deferred to the next year and were not given the option of a refund. Jorge Casanova, of Vallejo, California, was also added as a primary plaintiff to the suit. He registered for Santa Rosa 70.3, which was also canceled.
“Defendants should not be permitted to force Plaintiff and members of the class to bear the financial burden of the events canceled as a result of COVID-19,” read the complaint, which was filed in the Middle District of Florida, where Ironman is headquartered.
The suit argued that Ironman Group, which operates hundreds of races around the globe, including the Rock n’ Roll running races, was “neither flexible nor understanding of participants’ concerns.”
Ironman’s lawyers argued that the case should be dismissed because the athletes signed a contract acknowledging no refunds would be given. Judge Barber agreed.
In his decision, the judge wrote: “This is a very simple case. No refunds means exactly what it says — no refunds.”
You can read the entire story here.
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