Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Friday, June 25, 2021
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2020 Tour de France | 2021 Giro d'Italia
The audiobook version of The Story of the Tour de France, Volume 1 is available.
If any of you cry at my funeral, I'll never speak to you again! - Stan Laurel
Upcoming racing:
- June 26 - July 18: Tour de France
- July 27: GP di Lugano
Cancelled & postponed races:
- May 21 - 24:
Tour of Norway - May 22:
Veenendaal-Veenendaal Classic - June 6:
Rund um Köln - June 16:
Halle-Ingooigem - June 16 - July 1:
Tour of Austria/Osterreich Rundfahrt
Latest completed racing:
- June 24: Giro dell'Appennino
- National time trial and road race championships
- June 15: Paris- Camembert
- June 6 - 13: Tour de Suisse
- June 9 - 13: Baloise Belgium Tour
- June 10 - 13: La Route d'Occitanie
- May 30 - June 6: Critérium du Dauphiné
- June 4: GP Kanton Aargau
- May 8 - 30: Giro d'Italia
Koen de Kort suffers serious hand injury requiring amputation of fingers
Here’s the report from de Kort's Team Trek-Segafredo
We are sad to inform that early Thursday afternoon Koen de Kort was a victim of an accident while driving a vehicle off-road that resulted in the amputation of his third, fourth, and fifth fingers of his right hand.
Koen de Cort showing the 2019 Trek-Segafredo kit.
Our expert road captain has been a resident of Andorra for some years and unfortunately was involved in an accident in the Pyreenes area and suffered serious damage to his right hand. The gravity of his injury required an emergency transfer by helicopter to hospital Parc Tauli in Sabadell, in the province of Barcelona.
After assessing the severity of the situation, the decision was made for immediate surgical intervention. In spite of the doctors’ effort in a procedure that lasted over three hours, it was necessary to amputate three fingers.
“Unfortunately, Koen has lost the third, fourth, and fifth finger of his right hand. The amputation has been total removal,” explained Trek-Segafredo physician Dr. Manuel Rodrìguez Alonso, who has been in close contact with the medical staff at the Catalan hospital.
“Dr. Jorge Serrano, who operated on him and to whom we must thank for his work, told me that from the first findings the functionality of the hand will be maintained thanks to the thumb and index finger. The latter also suffered a considerable damage but, thanks to the efforts of the doctors, was saved from amputation.
“Because of considerable dirt around the wounds, the risk of infection has not been ruled out, but the most appropriate antibiotic therapy is being administered. Obviously, Koen will remain in the hospital for the next few days.”
Dr. Rodríguez Alonso was able to speak with the Trek-Segafredo rider before and after the surgery, and reports that Koen is in good condition physically and mentally.
Alexandr Vinokourov no longer running Astana-Premiere Tech team
Not a whole lot is known at this point, but it looks as if Alexandr Vinokouov has been fired by the Astana team just two days before the start of the Tour de France. It is said that Vinokourov has already taken legal steps to be re-instated. I'm sure there is an interesting story behind this.
Here’s the rather saccharine press release Astana-Premier Tech put out:
Astana – Premier Tech today announces that Alexandr Vinokurov will step down as Sports Team Principal.
Alexandr Vinokourov with 2013 Giro d'Italia winner Vincenzo Nibali. Sirotti photo
Despite the current decision, which has come from the team’s Board of Directors, Vinokurov will remain a valued member of Astana – Premier Tech but relinquish his management responsibilities for the time being.
Giuseppe Martinelli and Steve Bauer will assume responsibility for the Sports Team Principal role for the foreseeable future, working alongside Managing Director Yana Seel to coordinate the team’s day to day sporting operations.
“We can confirm that Alexandr Vinokurov will not be present at the Tour de France this year as he will step down as Sports Team Principal. Alexandr still remains part of the team but he will not be in charge of the team’s sporting operations at the moment and will move into another role. I hope that during this period Giuseppe Martinelli and Steve Bauer will work well together to lead the team from a performance standpoint and guide our riders to success, starting here at the Tour de France where Steve will work alongside Dmitry Fofonov and Stefano Zanini”, – said Yana Seel, Astana – Premier Tech Managing Director.
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