Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
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2024 Tour de France | 2024 Giro d'Italia
I've heard 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' read, and I tell you Mrs. Stowe's pen hasn't begun to paint what slavery is as I have seen it at the far South. I've seen de real thing, and I don't want to see it on no stage or in no theater. - Harriet Tubman
Les Woodland's book Dirty Feet: How the Great Unwashed Created the Tour de France is available in print, Kindle eBook & audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.
Upcoming racing:
- November 17: Flandriencross
- December 15: Namur
Latest completed racing:
- November 3: European Cyclocross Championships
- November 1: X20 Trofee Oudenaarde-Koppenbergcross
- October 27: Superprestige Overijse-Vlaamse Druivencross
- October 15 - 20: Tour of Guangxi
- October 20: Japan Cup Road Race
- October 20: Veneto Classic
- October 16: Giro del Veneto
- October 13: Chrono des Nations
Here’s the team’s news:
Two-time Canadian junior road race champion Alex Volstad will join EF-Oatly-Cannondale next season.
The eighteen year old scaled back track racing in 2024 to focus on road racing, and the change paid off. Alex made ten podium appearances racing across Europe and North America this past season, including successfully defending her junior Canadian road title and adding junior Canadian crit champion to her palmarès.
Alex Volstad
Alex is still learning where her strengths lie but she knows what she loves to do.
“Descending and sprinting. Anything that goes fast!” she said. “I would say I’m a sprinter but I’m a little bit punchy too so I can get over some of the shorter climbs pretty well. I’m developing into a classics type of rider.”
Growing up in Calgary, Alberta, Alex spent her winters speed skating and was looking for a summer sport when she had her first track session.
“I did a ‘try the track’ session in the velodrome when I was 10,” she said. “From there, I got into a kids’ cycling group and I was doing that for fun in the summers, alongside speed skating which was my main sport. Eventually I took the track a little bit more seriously and then I got into mountain biking a lot, plus cyclocross and road.”
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As she realized her love of speed didn’t have to be confined to an oval, Alex spent more time riding outside.
“I love the outdoors. I just love exploring places and going as far as I can on my bike and meeting people from all over the world. Honestly, I don’t think anything else could have brought me this far across the world. It’s a unique experience and I just love it so much,” Alex said.
Still a teenager, Alex has navigated major life decisions, like whether to accept an offer to study engineering at university or become a professional athlete, with a maturity beyond her years. EF-Oatly-Cannondale general manager Esra Tromp immediately noticed this quality in Alex.
“I was impressed by her maturity,” Esra said. “She’s a young woman on a mission, who knows what she wants and what she needs. Alex has a really good sprint, has technical ability, and can read a race. Alex is super young. She’ll be a first-year elite next year so we need to make her a program that fits her development. Her great character and great physical capabilities make Alex a perfect addition for our team.”
Alex’s goals for 2025 are as down-to-earth as she is.
“Next year, I just want to learn as quickly as I can and to get the hang of elite racing,” she said. “I’ll help my teammates as much as I can and learn from them as much as I can. I think EF-Oatly-Cannondale will be a great team to help me develop. I can learn a lot from the experienced riders here and the bold style of racing inspires me a lot. I’m not nervous but I am buzzing!”
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The team posted this:
Team General manager Dominique Serieys:
"We are delighted to announce the arrival of our new Medical Center Director, Jacky Maillot, as of November 1, 2024. The creation of this position marks an essential step in the professionalization of our team and the consolidation of the 2028 strategic plan with our partners. With his experience and expertise, Jacky Maillot will make an active contribution to strengthening the support and personalized monitoring of riders World Tour and NewGen athletes."
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Jacky Maillot:
“Decathlon Ag2r La Mondiale wanted to structure the Medical Center by having a salaried doctor, with a regular presence in the team while supporting young talent. This will enable us to get to know riders better, to have more time for them and to monitor them optimally. It's a highly motivating challenge. I've sensed a great dynamic in the management team, who are keen to move forward and implement new things. As Director of the Medical Department, I'll be in charge of coordinating the medical service (physiotherapists, osteopaths, nutritionists, mental coach, psychologist and doctors) with the different parts of the team."
His background:
Jacky Maillot joined the Cofidis cycling team in 2007, and in 2016 became head of the Groupama-FDJ team's Medical Department. In parallel to this position, Jacky Maillot was in charge of the medical follow-up of the French mountain bike team athletes for the Paris Olympic Games.
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