Vuelta a Burgos Feminas: Vollering, of course

Vuelta a Burgos Feminas: Vollering, of course

by | May 22, 2023 | news, Non classé

© Vuelta a Burgos

Vuelta a Burgos Feminas: Vollering, of course

The Dutch Demi Vollering imposed herself in an authoritarian manner on Sunday in the 4th and last stage of the Vuelta a Burgos Feminas, which earned her the overall victory in the general classification. She thus effectively concluded the domination of her team SD Worx.

Vollering took control 8 kilometers from the finish on the final climb Lagunas de Neil, when the gradient entered its highest percentages (13%). The SD Worx rider was followed, from a distance, by her compatriot Shirin van Anrooj. The Trek-Segafredo rider was never able to close the gap of fifteen, then twenty seconds, which separated her from the leader. Vollering never stopped widening the gap and won at the top with 1’35 ahead of the Italian Erica Magnaldi and 1’38 over her compatriot Silvia Persico, both riding for UAE Team ADQ.

Vollering scored a double on Sunday by climbing, thanks to her victory on the day, to the top of the final general classification where she finished ahead of her compatriot Shirin van Anrooij (Trek-Segafredo) and the South African Ashley Moolman (AG Insurance-Soudal-Quick step). Demi Vollering highlighted, along with her compatriot and teammate Lorena Wiebes, the domination of the SD Worx team on the Spanish roads by winning the 4th and last stage, after success in the second. Wiebes for her part won in the first and third.

 The results : 1. Vollering (Team SD Worx) ; 2. Van Anrooij (Trek-Segafredo) ; 3. Moolman (AG Insurance – Soudal Quick Step)…

*****

Giro d’Italia: Armirail, la vie en rose

Surprise leader of the Giro d’Italia after two weeks of racing, Bruno Armirail relishes the opportunity. “It’s exceptional for a helper teammate like me,” he said after a 14th stage which was won by Nico Denz at Cassano Magnago. Armirail had gained enough to allow him to take control of the lead in the general classification. “All the work I do during the year, the sacrifices, I still give a lot for my leaders. Friday again, I was helping Thibaut Pinot. It’s a personal reward.”

Armirail is therefore at the top of the general classification ahead of a third week which promises to be daunting with the high mountains. The favorites will finally have to reveal themselves. Geraint Thomas, who wore the pink jersey for four days after Remco Evenepoel abandoned, is still in pole position, second overall, two seconds ahead of Primoz Roglic and 22 ahead of João Almeida.

It should be noted that this second week of racing was once again marked by difficult weather conditions, having forced the organizers to reduce the route of the 13th stage to Crans Montana.

Stages won by : Cort (EF Education-EasyPost) ; Ackermann (UAE Team Emirates) ; Denz (Bora-Hansgrohe) ; Rubio (Movistar Team) ; Denz (Bora-Hansgrohe) ; McNulty (UAE Team Emirates).

*****

4 jours de Dunkerque: Grégoire makes a name for himself

At 20, he has already confirmed the hopes placed in him: Romain Grégoire, seen as one of the future big names in French cycling, won the Four Days of Dunkirk. The sixth stage, relatively flat between Avion and Dunkirk, presented little risk for the Groupama-FDJ rider, who had taken the lead at the end of the fifth stage, Saturday in Cassel. His lead of 13 seconds in front of 2nd place was bigger than the bonus seconds up for grabs at the line for the final stage.

Grégoire had a week of great firsts with his first professional victory on Wednesday, raising his arms at the end of the second stage, in Laon (Aisne). Well placed in the general after that success, he held his own perfectly by taking tenth place in the time trial on Thursday, in Saint-Quentin. He had had few reference points to how he would actually perform in a time trial on this level. Then, on Saturday, he blasted the final of the queen stage, on the slopes of Mont-Cassel, to crack the other favorites including the leader Kasper Asgreen (Soudal – Quick-Step) and seize the leader’s jersey.

“The team did their best to protect me and give me confidence. I owe them this victory 100%, the job was enormous and I just want to say a big thank you,” he explained at the finish. “I will enjoy this moment for a while.”

The results: 1. Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ) ; 2. Asgreen (Soudal – Quick Step) ; 3. Bol (Astana Qazaqstan Team)… 

Stages won by: Jooij (Jumbo-Visma Development Team) ; Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ) ; Thomas (Cofidis) ; Kooij (Jumbo-Visma Development Team) ; Hagenes (Jumbo-Visma Development Team) ; Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step).

***** 

Circuit de Wallonie: Meeus’ triumph

The Circuit de Wallonie ended with a resounding victory for Jordi Meeus (Bora-Hansgrohe). The event was unusual, since 90km from the finish the riders had to stop due to an accident between two motorcyclists requiring the intervention of the emergency services. After more than an hour of stoppage, the race started again before ending in a sprint.

Launching his sprint from afar, the Belgian managed to outlast all his competitors. The podium was completed by two riders from Alpecin-Deceuninck, Lionel Taminiaux and Timo Kielich.

The results: 1. Meeus (Bora-Hansgrohe) ; 2. Taminiaux (Alpecin-Deceunick) ; 3. Kielich (Alpecin-Deceuninck)…

***** 

Veenendaal-Veenendaal Classic: Groenewegen gets his fifth

There is Dylan Groenewegen and then all the others at the Veenendaal-Veenendaal Classic. The 29-year-old sprinter, defending champion, won the 36th edition of the Dutch classic and put his name on the record at the top of the Batavian event for the fifth time (including 2015, 2016, 2018, 2022 and 2023). As expected, the 175.8km route around the town of Veenendaal was not difficult enough to prevent a bunch sprint. Perfectly supported by his team Jayco AlUla, Groenewegen had no trouble getting his speed up and finishing ahead of his compatriot Arvid De Kleijn (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) and the Australian Sam Welsford (Team DSM) on the line.

“I didn’t really have great legs, but I was perfectly positioned for the sprint,” he explained. “It’s a very good victory. This period is always hectic, we spend a lot of time away from home with the races, so it’s nice to be able to race in your country. I don’t live that far from here, it’s only 70 kilometers away, and it’s good that my wife and child were able to come. It makes winning really special. It’s my fifth success here in Veenendaal and I hope I can get a sixth next year.”

The results: 1. Groenewegen (Team Jayco AlUla) ; 2. De Kleijn (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) ; 3. Welsford (Team DSM)…

***** 

Rund um Köln: van Poppel in a photo-finish!

Dutchman Danny van Poppel (Bora-Hansgrohe) won the sprint in the 105th edition of Rund um Köln.

The first attack, fueled by three riders, Ewen Costiou (Fra), Jakub Otruba (Tch) and Ben Zwiehoff (Ger), was neutralized by the peloton after 50 kilometers of racing. Several attacks then were attempted, and just over 70 kilometers from the finish, a group of 25 riders formed a breakaway, including the active German talent Nils Politt, the Dutchman Dylan Groenewegen, the German Maximilian Schachmann and the Belgians Jordi Meeus, Robbe Ghys, Gerben Kuypers, Jasper De Buyst and Milan Menten.

Schachmann attacked the leading group 67 kilometers from the finish, taking around thirty seconds from his pursuers. The German was joined 18 kilometers from the line by a group including Politt, O’Brien, De Buyst, Ghys, Schachmann, Mozzato, Kuypers, Van Poppel, Menten, Paasschens, Keup, Eriksson.

A group of 14 riders passed under the flamme rouge to battle it out in the final sprint. Dany Van Poppel (Bora-Hansgrohe) emerged victorious in a photo-finish, ahead of the Belgians Milan Menten and Jasper De Buyst (Lotto-Dstny).

The results: 1. Van Poppel (Bora – Hansgrohe) ; 2. Menten (Lotto Dstny) ; 3. De Buyst (Lotto Dstny)…

***** 

Upcoming races:

Until 28/05 : Giro d’Italia 

24-29 May: Tour of Norway

Giro d’Italia: Evenepoel, the twist of fate

Giro d’Italia: Evenepoel, the twist of fate

by | May 15, 2023 | news, Non classé

©Giro d’Italia

Giro d’Italia: Evenepoel, the twist of fate

 Remco Evenepoel was forced to say goodbye to the first Grand Tour of the season after a routine test carried out before the first rest day came back positive for Covid-19. His Soudal-Quick Step team made the announcement on Sunday evening, a few hours after Evenepoel’s victory in the stage 9 time trial, retaking the pink jersey as a bonus.

“I am really sorry to leave the race,” Evenepoel, the current world champion said in a press release. “As part of team protocol, I had a routine test, which unfortunately came back positive. My experience here has been really special and I was looking forward to competing over the next two weeks. I cannot thank the staff and the riders enough who have sacrificed so much to prepare for the Giro. I will cheer for them over the next two weeks.”

Evenepoel had had a thunderous start to the Giro, winning the inaugural time trial, before crashing twice on Wednesday during the fifth stage and being dropped by Roglic on Saturday. In the meantime, the native of Herentals had relinquished his pink jersey to Andreas Leknessund (Team DSM), who escaped in the successful breakaway towards Lago Laceno during the 4th stage where Aurélien Paret-Peintre (AG2R Citroën) won the day.

In the general classification, the Belgian was 45 seconds ahead of Geraint Thomas, who will be the virtual leader of the race this Tuesday after the first rest day of this 106th edition, and 47 seconds ahead of Roglic. Enough to redistribute the cards when the high mountains arrive this week, with in particular finish at Crans Montana.

 Stages won by:  Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) ; Milan (Bahrain-Victorious) ; Matthews (Team Jayco AlUla) ; Paret-Peintre (AG2R Citroën) ; Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck) ; Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) ; Bais (EOLO-Kometa) ; Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) ; Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step).

******


Bretagne Ladies Tour Ceratizit: Brown calm as a bomb

After winning the Tour Down Under at the start of the season, Grace Brown added a new race to her prize list by winning the Bratagne Ladies Tour Ceratizit. At the top of the general classification after her victory in the time trial, the Australian from FDJ-Suez did not hesitate to succeed her teammate Vittoria Guazzini who was the winner in 2022. Despite the attempts of 2nd place rider Coralie Demay (St Michel-Mavic-Auber 93) during the last stage, Brown did not waver before winning the 17th victory of her career. “Winning a stage race is great,” Brown said. “It is a team effort, something you can never do alone. Even if there were not many of us here, we controlled well. We wanted to take charge of the race once we had the leader’s jersey and make sure that no one who was a threat in the general classification got too much time. We worked very well even though there were only three of us. This situation was not a handicap. Frankly, it gave the impression that there were more than three of us.” 

The results: 1. Brown (FDJ-Suez) ; 2. Demay (St Michel-Mavic-Auber 93) ; 3. Vigilia (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo)…

Stages won by: Lach (Ceratizit-WNT Pro Cycling) ; Fortin (Cofidis Women Team) ; Brown (FDJ-Suez) ; Pikulik (Human Powered Health) ; Fortin (Cofidis Women Team). 

******


Grand Prix Herning: Nosgaard’s huge performance

 Fifty-five kilometers alone. This is what Mathias Norsgaard faced in order to win his second victory in the professional peloton. The Dane from Movistar beat his compatriots Rasmus Bogh Wallin (Restaurant Suri-Carl Ras) and Michael Valgren (Danish selection). “I had good legs. I just had to take advantage of it,” the 26-year-old Norsgaard explained. “I’m really relieved finally to get my first victory in a road race. This is another important step in my long journey to build my professional career.”

 

The results: 1. Mathias Norsgaard (Movistar) ; 2. Rasmus Bogh Wallin (Restaurant Suri-Carl Ras) ; 3. Michael Valgren (sélection danoise)…

******


Upcoming races: 

Until 28 May: Giro d’Italia, https://www.giroditalia.it/fr/
16-21 May: 4 jours de Dunkerque, https://www.4joursdedunkerque.com/
18-21 May: Vuelta a Burgos Feminas, https://www.vueltaburgos.com/feminas/
18 May: Circuit de Wallonie, https://lecircuitdewallonie.be/
20 May: Veenendaal-Veenendaal Classic, https://veenendaal-veenendaal.nl/
21 May: Rund um Köln, https://www.rundumkoeln.de/

Van Vleuten writes her legend on the Vuelta Femenina

Van Vleuten writes her legend on the Vuelta Femenina

by | May 9, 2023 | news

© Unipublic / Charly Lopez

La Vuelta Femenina: Van Vleuten, victory by a hair

First and second place were separated by nine small seconds. Less dominant but still as resilient, Annemiek van Vleuten won her third consecutive La Vuelta Femenina by pushing herself to the limit to maintain a slim lead over her Dutch compatriot Demi Vollering.

At 40, the world champion on the Movistar team, who notably won the three Grand Tours (France, Italy, Spain) and the world title last year, adds to her exceptional record before retiring at the end of this season. This was a success taken, however, in pain. While she had a 1 minute and 11 second lead in the general classification on the morning of the last stage over Demi Vollering, the Dutchwoman almost lost everything during the final ascent of 12.5 km at an average speed of 6.9%. to the incredible natural theater of the lakes of Covadonga. But she hung on to limit the damage after being dropped five kilometers from the goal by Vollering (SD Worx), who escaped to win her second stage in this Vuelta, with the Italian Gaia Realini (Trek- Segafredo), who took second on the stage and third overall.

At the top, in thick fog, Annemiek van Vleuten ultimately kept a small nine-second lead over Demi Vollering, who has had an exceptional season so far, after having notably achieved the hat-trick in the Ardennes. “I am super happy and very tired,” van Vleuten said at the finish. “I didn’t have my best day, I may have felt the efforts of Saturday, but I fought until the end, and I didn’t give up. The team was great on Sunday, it’s really a team victory.”

The results: 1. Van Vleuten (Movistar Team) ; Vollering (Team SD Worx) ; 3. Realini (Trek-Segafredo)…

Stages won by: Team Jumbo-Visma ; Kool (Team DSM) ; Vos (Team Jumbo-Visma) ; Vos (Team Jumbo-Visma) ; Vollering (Team SD Worx) ; Realini (Trek-Segafredo) ; Vollering (Team SD Worx).

*****

Carpathian Couriers Race in memory of Wacław Felczak: Glivar overturns everything

The 2023 edition of the Carpathian Couriers Race in memory of Waclaw Felczak kept the suspense alive since everything was decided during the final stage with the victory of Gal Glivar (national team of Slovenia). Winner of the queen stage, which took place between Iwonicz Zdroj and Rymanow Zdroj (83.5 km), the Slovenian won the general classification as a result. He succeeds the 2022 winner Croatian Fran Miholjevic’s , who is now racing with the Bahrain – Victorious team. The final podium was completed by the Italians Giulio Pellizzari (Green Project-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè) and Davide De Cassan (Cycling Team Friuli ASD). Having been in the leader’s jersey before this last day of racing, the Lithuanian Aivaras Mikutis (Tudor Pro Cycling Team U23) ultimately fell to seventh place.

The results: 1. Glivar (Slovénie) ; 2. Pellizzari (Green Project-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè) ; 3. De Cassan (Cycling Team Friuli ASD)…

Stages won by: Cycling Team Friuli ASD ; Mouris (Scorpions Racing Team). ; Glivar (Slovénie) ; Bruttomesso (Cycling Team Friuli ASD) ; Glivar (Slovénie).

*****

Giro d’Italia: Evenepoel, the first boss

He immediately lived up to his status as top favorite. A brilliant winner of Liège-Bastogne-Liège on April 23, Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) dominated the opening time trial of the Giro, in Abruzzo, to pull on the pink jersey for the first time in his career as leader of the race. Above all, the world champion immediately sent a strong signal to his rivals by gaining significant time on them in barely 20 kilometers. The contenders João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates), 3rd at 29 seconds and Tao Geoghegan Hart (Ineos Grenadiers), 4th at 40 seconds, placed themselves well but could not follow the pace set by the Belgian prodigy. The same goes for Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma), designated as one of the big favorites for the final victory. He ultimately took 6th losing 43 seconds to the leader.

With this authoritative victory, Remco Evenepoel, 23, winner of the Vuelta last summer, took the lead in the Giro that will have its first summit finish this Tuesday at Lago Laceno. “The goal is to have the pink jersey in Rome. But I want to enjoy every moment with this jersey, probably until Tuesday, he warned Monday. For three days, I was even able to meet my wife Oumi on the side of the road and clap her hand. She knows, since last winter, that this pink jersey in Rome is my goal for the year. On Monday, she went back to Belgium, so I made the necessary arrangements before! (laughs)”

Stages won by: Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) ; Milan (Bahrain-Victorious) ; Matthews (Team Jayco AlUla).

***** 

Grand Prix du Morbihan : De Lie, more than a sprinter

Arnaud De Lie won the Grand Prix du Morbihan. The sprinter from the Lotto Dstny team beat the Frenchman Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ) and the Norwegian champion Rasmus Tiller (Uno-X) in a strongman’s sprint.

De Lie, 21, took the fourth victory of his season, the thirteenth of his career.

After 65 kilometers and a breakaway of a group of six riders, the peloton entered the local circuit, where it completed five long laps and six short laps. The regrouping took place about fifty kilometers from the finish, and the consistent attempts of the attackers did not bear fruit.

The Lotto Dstny team, at the service of its sprinter, took control of the peloton as they approached the last climb of the Côte de Cadoudal. The punchers no longer had the opportunity to anticipate the sprint, De Lie slipped into Rasmus Tiller’s slipstream before overtaking the Norwegian to claim victory ahead of Romain Grégoire. As a result, De Lie succeeds Frenchman Julien Simon on the list of winners. “I’m really proud of this success,” De Lie said. “We know that it’s not the real sprinters who win here. It proves that I’m not just a sprinter. I was à bloc for the whole climb but when I saw the line I was still able to accelerate. In the end, I don’t know how I pushed so hard; it must not have looked like much (smiles).”

The women’s race was won in the morning by Australian Grace Brown (FDJ-Suez), ahead of French Cédrine Kerbaol (CERATIZIT-WNT) and Poland’s Dominika Wlodarczyk (MAT Atom Deweloper Wroclaw). 

The results: 1. De Lie (Lotto-Dstny) ; 2. Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ) ; 3. Tiller (Uno-X Pro Cycling Team)… 

***** 

Tro Bro Léon: Nizzolo outkicks De Lie

At the end of a grueling 204 km race, Giacomo Nizzolo (Israel – Premier Tech) won by half a wheel ahead of Arnaud De Lie (Lotto – Dstny) at the finish line of the Tro Bro Leon, to succeed defending champion Hugo Hofstetter as the winner.

The Italian had however failed to follow the decisive attack, launched in the ribin 26 by the Frenchman Eddy Finé (Cofidis), 8 km from the finish. Only four riders accompanied the Frenchman to take the lead: Rasmus Tiller (Uno X), Nils Eekhoff (DSM), Clément Venturini (AG2R Citroën) and Arnaud De Lie, the favorite of the event.

While the quintet took turns without fully committing, Nizzolo bridged up to the leaders along with Laurent Pichon (Arkéa – Samsic) with less than 3 km to go to the line. He then hovered quietly in the group, leaving a vigilant De Lie to pounce on the anticipated attacks.

The Belgian may regret a slight collision with Pichon at the start of the sprint launched by Venturini. But Giacomo Nizzolo launched his sprint at the right time to overhaul De Lie and post the first victory of his season. Nils Eekhoff completed the podium, which did not include a French rider. 

The results: 1. Nizzolo (Israel – Premier Tech) ; 2. De Lie (Lotto Dstny) ; 3. Eekhoff (Team DSM)…

***** 

Upcoming races:

Until 28 May: Giro d’Italia, https://www.giroditalia.it/

 9 – 13 May: Bretagne Ladies Tour Ceratizit, https://tbfo.bzh/

13 May: Grand Prix Herning, https://gpherning.com/en

Adam Yates imitates Tadej Pogacar

Adam Yates imitates Tadej Pogacar

by | May 2, 2023 | news

© Tour de Romandie

Tour de Bretagne: Pellaud’s revenge

Not selected for the Tour de Romandie with his Tudor racing team, Simon Pellaud took sweet revenge at the Tour de Bretagne. By taking the overall victory, the 30-year-old Swiss climber earned himself the second stage race win of his career.

He is also the first Swiss rider to win this event, beating Frenchman Nolann Mahoudo and American Luke Lamperti. “I’m really proud to win here,” Pellaud admitted. “The Tour de Bretagne is the largest class 2 on the European calendar. In 2019 I was called the terror of class 2, because I won several. I don’t really have the engine to play for WorldTour wins, so I typically just help the team. To come back to Class 2 and win here is great.” 

The results: 1. Pellaud (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) ; 2. Mahoudo (CIC U Nantes Atlantique) ; 3. Lamperti (Trinity Racing)…

Stages won by: Lamperti (Trinity Racing) ; Barbier (St Michel-Mavic-Auber93) ; Kristensen (Leopard TOGT Pro Cycling) ; Mahoudo (CIC U Nantes Atlantique) ; Mareczko (Alpecin-Deceuninck) ; Van Sintmaartensdijk (CVircus-ReUz-Technord).

***** 

Tour de Romandie: Adam Yates takes the opportunity

Briton Adam Yates won the 76th Tour de Romandie, a victory forged during the penultimate stage at high altitude. At 30, the UAE rouleur-climber pinned the French-speaking event to his list of wins, after the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya 2021 and the UAE Tour. He has also earned himself top-10 finishes in the three grand tours. He took the yellow jersey on Saturday by winning the queen stage between Sion and Thyon 2000. “We controlled the race perfectly today. Thanks to the guys,” Yates said. He will now take a break before preparing for the Tour de France, where he will be one of the mountain lieutenants for Tadej Pogacar, whom he considers “the best rider in the world.”

The results: 1. A. Yates (UAE Team Emirates) ; 2. Jorgenson (Movistar Team) ; 3. Caruso (Bahrain-Victorious)…

Stages won by: Cerny (Soudal-Quick Step) ; Vernon (Soudal-Quick Step) ; E. Hayter (INEOS Grenadiers) ; Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) ; A. Yates (UAE Team Emirates) ; Gaviria (Movistar Team).

***** 

Vuelta Asturias Julio Alvarez Mendo: Fortunato takes a brilliant win

At the top of the general classification after winning the queen stage on the penultimate day, Lorenzo Fortunato (EOLO-Kometa Cycling Team) won the overall at the Vuelta Asturias. The Italian climber as a result put his name on the list of winners of the Spanish event, a year after taking second place behind Ivan Sosa. “I am very happy to have been able to take the victory in the general classification. The team worked very well, so there were no setbacks, and then I defended the jersey when the favorites attacked on the last climb. I am very happy. Now I’m looking forward to the Giro d’Italia, where I’m sure we’ll do very well,” Fortunato said at the finish.

The results: 1. Fortunato (EOLO – Kometa) ; 2. Rubio (Movistar Team) ; 3. Sosa (Movistar Team)…

Stages won by: Howson (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) ; Fortunato (EOLO – Kometa) ; Sanchez (Burgos-BH)

***** 

Eschborn – Frankfurt: Andersen back to winning ways

Soren Kragh Andersen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) won the 60th edition of the German classic, Eschborn-Frankfurt. Escaping on the ascent of Mammolshain with ten other riders under the impetus of Marc Hirschi (UAE Team Emirates), Kragh Andersen won in the sprint ahead of his breakaway companions Patrick Konrad (Bora-Hansgrohe) in 2nd place, and Alessandro Fedeli (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team), who completed the podium. Behind, Arnaud De Lie (Lotto Dstny) took the sprint out of the peloton, finishing in 11th place. At 28, Kragh Andersen posted his ninth professional victory, the first since October 2020. “I suffered seriously on the second time over the Feldberg, but I did not give up and in the end the race went perfectly,” Kragh Andersen explained. “This win means a lot to me. It’s been a long time since I won. So it’s a beautiful day.”

The results: 1. Kragh Andersen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) ; 2. Konrad (Bora-Hansgrohe) ; 3. Fedeli (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team)…

**** 

Upcoming races: 

28 April – 2 May: Carpathian Couriers Race in memory of Wacław Felczak, https://www.facebook.com/KarpackiWyscigKurierow/

1 – 8 May: La Vuelta Femenina, https://www.lavueltafemenina.es/en

6 – 28 May: Giro d’Italia, https://www.giroditalia.it/fr/

6 May: Grand Prix du Morbihan, https://www.gpmo.bzh/

7 May: Tro Bro Léon, https://www.trobroleon.com/

The incredible hat-trick of Vollering, the crossed destinies of Pogacar and Evenepoel

The incredible hat-trick of Vollering, the crossed destinies of Pogacar and Evenepoel

by | Apr 24, 2023 | news

© ASO / Maxime Delobel

 

Tour of the Alps: Geoghegan Hart from start to finish

In the green leader’s jersey after his victory on the first stage in Alpbach, then after increasing his lead on the second day by winning the stage into Ritten, Tao Geoghegan Hart had a peaceful week at the Tour of the Alps. The INEOS Grenadiers climber took advantage of the work of his team to out-class the competition and win the second stage race of his career after the Giro in 2020. It’s a good omen ahead of the Giro d’Italia, which will start in 15 days (May 6-28). “The team again put in an incredible performance. I am very happy. I didn’t come here to prove anything; I wanted to win the race,” Geoghegan Hart said. “We are very happy. It’s a great race, in a very beautiful region. It was really a great week.”

The results : 1. Geoghegan Hart (INEOS Grenadiers) ; 2. Carthy (EF Education-Easy Post) ; 3. Haig (Bahrain-Victorious)…

Stages won by: : Geoghegan Hart (INEOS Grenadiers) ; Geoghegan Hart (INEOS Grenadiers) ; Kämna (Bora-Hansgrohe) ; Mülberger (Movistar).

***** 

La Flèche Wallonne men’s: Pogacar, of course

He was the big favorite, he did not fail. Tadej Pogacar won his first Flèche Wallonne, at the top of the Mur de Huy. Already the winner of the Amstel Gold Race four days earlier, the Slovenian, once again was untouchable, and added another glorious line to his record. He made his move after an attack from Romain Bardet (9th), one of the three French in the Top 10 with Victor Lafay (6th) and Warren Barguil (10th). 

Pogacar then hammered the pedals with all his power in the final part of the incredibly steep wall (1.3 km at 9.6% on average) to finish ahead of the Dane Mattias Skjelmose and the Spaniard Mikel Landa.

This victory reinforces the incredible start to the season native Pogacar, from Komenda, has had. Before triumphing in Huy, the double winner of the Tour de France (2020 and 2021) notably won the Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta Ciclista Del Sol, Paris-Nice, the Tour of Flanders and the Amstel Gold Race. He now has twelve successes in eighteen days of competition in 2023, a phenomenal ratio. 

“I’m happy to be in such great shape, I’m making the most of these moments. Every race is different. Winning never gets boring,” he smiled.

The results : 1. Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) ; 2. Skjelmose (Trek-Segafredo) ; 3. Landa (Bahrain-Victorious)…

*****

La Flèche Wallonne women’s: Vollering, the other cannibal

It’s not just Tadej Pogacar who put the competition to the sword in the classics campaign. The impressive Demi Vollering won at the top of the Mur de Huy to conquer the Flèche Wallonne. The SD Worx cyclist took the lead on the last climb of the day, never letting go and posting her fourth victory of the season. After the Strade Bianche, A Travers la Flandre, the Amstel Gold Race and now the Flèche Wallonne, she also posted two second places in the Tour of Flanders and the Flèche Brabançonne. The 26-year-old Dutch rider proved to be among the strongest in all of these classics.

“I didn’t feel very good on the road,” she admitted after the finish. “I was so stressed, because I’ve already finished third in the Flèche Wallonne twice. I feared it would happen again today, but my teammates believed in me. It was very important. They helped me focus during the race, to keep faith and to keep a cool head. I can’t praise our teamwork enough.”

The results: 1. Vollering (SD Worx) ; 2. Lippert (Movistar) ; 3. Realini (Trek-Segafredo)…

***** 

Liège-Bastogne-Liège men’s: Evenepoel laughs, Pogacar cries

Remco Evenepoel won solo and without a rival in his second Liège-Bastogne-Liège on Sunday following the abandonment of Tadej Pogacar, the victim of a crash where he fractured his left wrist with just over two months to go to the Tour de France.

The long-awaited duel between the two phenomena was as a result brutally aborted when the Slovenian hit the deck at high speed after only 85 kilometers of racing. The Dane Mikkel Honoré, who suffered a double puncture just in front of Pogacar on a slight descent, crashed first, taking down Pogacar.

Transported to the hospital, Pogacar, who was aiming for the hat-trick in the Ardennes classics, was operated on in the wake of a fractured left scaphoid.

With the Slovenian out of the race, Evenepoel had the field free to crush the competition. And he made the difference exactly in the same place as last year, in the last part of the Côte de la Redoute, about thirty kilometers from the finish.

The world champion placed an attack that only Tom Pidcock could briefly follow. But the Briton quickly paid for his effort, victim of a hunger knock. The world champion then flew away alone. “It’s wonderful to do two out of two. Winning this great race with this beautiful jersey is just magical,” he said.

The results: 1. Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) ; 2. Pidcock (INEOS Grenadiers) ; 3. Buitrago (Bahrain-Victorious)…

*****

Liège-Bastogne-Liège women’s: Vollering scores the Ardennes hat-trick!

By beating the Italian Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) in the sprint, the Dutch Demi Vollering (SD Worx) achieved the feat of winning Liège-Bastogne-Liège after winning the Amstel Gold Race and the Flèche Walloon. The huge favorite, the Dutch champion definitely built her victory in the climb of the côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons, 12 kilometers from the finish in Liège, after placing a powerful attack after which only the Italian of the Trek-Segafredo team could answer. 

In a final two-up sprint, Vollering left no opening for her Italian rival and won for the second time in her career in Liège, achieving a historic hat-trick in the Ardennes classics, which only had happened once before with her compatriot Anna van der Breggen. 

“It’s incredible, I can’t believe it,” Vollering said, visibly moved. “I’m so grateful for my teammates and I’m super proud. I am very happy with this victory. I really wanted to win today, so I could do the treble. It’s not every year that we have the opportunity to do this. I think this victory in Liège is the best of the three. Why? Because it was also the most difficult. On the one hand, I wanted to achieve the hat-trick so badly and on the other hand, almost everyone was marking me in the race.”

The results: 1. Vollering (SD Worx) ; 2. Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) ; 3. Reusser (SD Worx)…

***** 

Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic: Lamperti shines in the rain

A daunting edition. The Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic, already renowned for its challenging course, was made even more complicated by wet conditions and mud on some sections. At the end of the 183.5 kilometer race, it was the young American Luke Lamperti (Trinity Racing) who won the sprint among the few survivors. The recent Circuit des Ardennes stage winner finished ahead of Belgian Tijl De Decker (Lotto Dstny Development Team) and Briton James Mckay (Cycling Sheffield).

The results:  1. Lamperti (Trinity Racing) ; 2. De Decker (Lotto Dstny Development) ; 3. Mckay (Cycling Sheffield)… 

***** 

Races to come :

25 April – 1st May : Tour de Bretagne, https://www.tourdebretagne.bzh/

25 – 30 April : Tour de Romandie, https://www.tourderomandie.ch/

28 April  – 2nd May : Carpathian Couriers Race in memory of Wacław Felczak, https://www.facebook.com/KarpackiWyscigKurierow/

28 – 30 April : Vuelta Asturias Julio Alvarez Mendo, https://lavueltina.com/

Vollering and Pogacar triumph in the Amstel Gold Race

Vollering and Pogacar triumph in the Amstel Gold Race

by | Apr 17, 2023 | news

© Amstel Gold Race

Amstel Gold Race Ladies Edition: Vollering and another SD Worx Masterclass

The SD Worx team once again beat the competition in the Amstel Gold Race Ladies Edition, won by Demi Vollering. Second of the last two editions, the Dutchwoman was finally able to win at home by exploiting superb teamwork executed masterfully and magnified by the second place of her teammate Lotte Kopecky.

The SD Worx duo ideally placed themselves when approaching the Cauberg, the last of the 21 difficulties of the day, thanks to great teamwork, in particular with the help of Lorena Wiebes, to soften up the opposition.

Vollering then took advantage of the hesitation in the group of favorites to attack 1600m from the finish. A choice that paid dividends for the 26-year-old racer, who arrived solo to achieve a second prestigious victory this season after her win, again ahead of Kopecky, at Strade Bianche.

Vollering and Kopecky’s spring results are stunning. Kopecky picked up three victories in seven races (Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Nokere Koerse, Tour of Flanders) and two second places (Strade Bianche and Amstel Gold Race), in addition to a seventh place in an unlucky Paris-Roubaix.

Demi Vollering has meanwhile obtained three victories in six races (Strade Bianche, A Travers la Flandre, Amstel Gold Race) as well as two second places (Tour of Flanders, Flèche Brabançonne).

The results: 1. Vollering (SD Worx) ; 2. Kopecky (SD Worx) ; 3. Van Anrooij (Trek-Segafredo)…

*****

Amstel Gold Race: Pogacar, again and always

The big favorite, Tadej Pogacar did not fail to impress and won the Amstel Gold Race, bossing the whole peloton. Two weeks after his triumph in the Tour of Flanders, the Slovenian added a new prestigious race to his record, winning the race in grand style solo. The insatiable rider from UAE Emirates covered the last 28 kilometers alone to win with a 38” lead over the surprising Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost), who already took second in the Flèche Brabançonne four days earlier, and more than two minutes ahead of Tom Pidcock (INEOS Grenadiers). Just another impressive demonstration to post the 11th victory of his season.

“It’s incredible to win here,” Pogacar explained at the finish. “I didn’t think I would attack so early, 90 kilometers from the finish, but once at the front, I gave it my all until the end, I was exhausted. When I attacked for the first time, it was not planned. I managed to get into the leading group, it was a great situation because I just had to control. As I didn’t know this race very well, I exchanged messages with Mathieu van der Poel, who advised me to attack in the Keutenberg. It was a climb that suited me perfectly. I will thank him for the advice.”

Pogacar also becomes the fourth rider to do the Tour of Flanders-Amstel double after Eddy Merckx (1975), Jan Raas (1979) and Philippe Gilbert (2017). His performance sends a warning message to his opponents ahead of Flèche Wallonne on Wednesday and Liège-Bastogne-Liège on Sunday.

The results: 1. Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) ; 2. Healy (EF Education-Easy Post) ; 3. Pidcock (INEOS Grenadiers)…

*****

Giro di Sicilia: Lutsenko finally kicks off Astana’s season

The Kazakh Alexey Lutsenko has opened his win tally this season by taking the victory at the Giro di Sicilia. The Astana Qazaqstan Team rider up-ended the scenario of this 5th edition by distancing all his opponents in the 4th and last stage between Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto and Giarre (216 km), which he won solo.

Only in 4th place at the start of the final day, Lutsenko escaped 25 km from the finish and crossed the line 40 seconds ahead of South African Louis Meintjes and 1 minute 13 over Italian Vincenzo Albanese. They ended by being the two men who also accompanied him on the podium of the final general classification.

New Zealander Finn Fisher-Black, who had been the leader since his victory in the first stage, was distanced and finished 4th.

“It’s been over a year since I won a race. It’s great to do it just before the Ardennes classics,” the 30-year-old Lutsenko was happy to report.

The results: 1. Lutsenko (Astana Qazaqstan Team) ; 2. Meintjes (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty) ; 3. Albanese (EOLO-Kometa)…

Stages won by: Fisher-Black (UAE Team Emirates) ; Bonifazio (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty) ; Suter (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) ; Lutsenko (Astana Qazaqstan Team).

***** 

Paris-Camembert: Ferron as the boss

Valentin Ferron (TotalEnergies) won Paris-Camembert, the seventh round of the Coupe de France. At the end of the 209 kilometer race, the Frenchman dominated the two-man sprint ahead of the young Ewen Costiou (Arkéa-Samsic). This was his first victory of the season after a string of runner-up spots since the start of the year. Fredrik Dversnes (Uno-X) finished third, 15 seconds behind the leading duo.

“It’s a race that I really like, it suits me very well. This year, I have a win unlike last year; it feels very good. I’m happy to raise my arms, to get my first victory of the year,” Ferron admitted. “I work for that in training. It will take the pressure off me, and for the team too. This is a very good result. The form has been good since the Route Adélie, I had a good performance at the Tour des Pays de la Loire, it’s good to get things done.”

The results: 1. Ferron (TotalEnergies) ; 2. Costiou (Team Arkéa-Samsic) ; 3. Dversnes (Uno-X Pro Cycling Team)…

***** 

De Brabantse Pijl – La Flèche Brabançonne: Godon, a victory that feels good

Dorian Godon posted “the greatest success of (his) career” by winning De Brabantse Pijl after winning a two-man sprint against his breakaway companion, the Irishman Ben Healy, at Overijse in the Brussels suburbs. 

His teammate Benoît Cosnefroy completed the triumph of the Savoy-based team by taking third place ahead of his two compatriots Rémi Cavagna and Axel Zingle.

At 26, Godon was part of a six-man breakaway initiated by former French champion Remi Cavagna 38 kilometers from the line. The latter was unable to follow Godon and Healy when they accelerated on the penultimate climb of the day, at 18 km from the finish.

“I didn’t have very good feelings when the breakaway of six took shape but I gradually found my legs. And in a two-man sprint, I was not going to let go: we have so few opportunities to play for the win,” commented Godon after his seventh success among the professionals. “The team was pretty unhappy during the cobbled classics. Then here, we get first and third with Benoît, who has arrived in very good shape for the Ardennes. It really feels good. This is my greatest victory. When you look at the past winners, there are a lot of big names.”

The results: 1. Godon (AG2R Citroën Team) ; 2. Healy (EF Education-Easy Post) ; 3. Cosnefroy (AG2R Citroën Team)

***** 

Classic Grand Besançon Doubs: Lafay, a star (almost) at home

For the kick-off of the Franche-Comté triptych, Victor Lafay showed his power to win the Classic Grand Besançon Doubs. The victory came very close to home for the Cofidis puncher, whose uncle lives in Montfaucon, the new finishing town for the event.

Lafay maneuvered himself perfectly on the second ascent of the Côte de la Malate by responding to the attacks of the young French climber Lenny Martinez (Groupama-FDJ). Even though Guillaume Martin (Cofidis), Roger Adrio (Equipo Ken Pharma) and Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) managed to rejoin them for a short time, the two men broke away again in the last kilometer before Lafay, the faster sprinter, won. 

“It was important to put this win on my record, and it’s done so I’m super happy,” Lafay said. “It’s always good to get the first win of the season, I hope there will be more to come.”

The results: .1 Lafay (Cofidis) ; 2. Martinez (Groupama-FDJ) ; 3. Adria (Equipo Kern Pharma)…

***** 

Tour du Jura : Vauquelin confirms his talent

A professional for only a year, Kevin Vauquelin never ceases to amaze. The Arkéa-Samsic rider distinguished himself in the Tour du Jura by winning solo after managing to make the difference two kilometers from the finish to win ahead of Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) and Guillaume Martin (Cofidis).

In dantesque conditions, between gusts of wind and incessant rain, Vauquelin took advantage of the steepest gradients on Mont Poupet to pick up the third success of his season, after winning the overall and a stage of the Tour du Var et des Alpes Maritimes.

“The start was a bit complicated,” Vauquelin admitted. “It was hard. The speed was pretty insane. Finally, at the end, I felt that I was really good. My teammate Alessandro Verre did a great job breaking away. That allowed me to be well placed behind without having to work. However, when I felt it was time, I made my own move. The tactic was perfect. We are a strong and united team. It’s all teamwork. Andrii (Ponomar) rode well from the start and then we were always one step ahead. We were very attentive. I am happy to finish off all our hard work”, he explained.

The results: 1. Vauquelin (Arkéa-Samsic) ; 2. Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) ; 3. Martin (Cofidis)… 

***** 

Tour du Doubs: Herrada surprises Pinot

Jesus Herrada (Cofidis) won the Tour du Doubs, triumphing at the top of Larmont (Doubs), the new finish line for this 38th edition, which was raced in appalling conditions. The 32-year-old Spanish climber, already the winner of a stage in the Tour of Oman this season, separated himself from the group of favorites 400 meters from the finish to hold a tiny margin over his pursuers. This is the 20th victory of his career.

Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) and Nans Peters (AG2R Citroën Team) completed the podium.

“I am happy to take the win here. I looked at the map of the final on my computer and I had spotted that there was a false flat finish,” Herrada explained. “So, I decided to start my sprint from a long way out, 400 meters from the line. I won the Classic Grand Besançon Doubs last year already, I’m happy to do it again here on the Tour du Doubs. This is my second victory of the season and the second for my Cofidis team this weekend. The Larmont climb was rolling. With Guillaume Martin, we had decided that he would repeat his attacks and if that didn’t work, I would play my card in the sprint. It worked. This gives me confidence for the Ardennes classics next week.”

The results: 1. Herrada (Cofidis) ; 2. Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) ; 3. Peters (AG2R Citroën Team)… 

***** 

Races to come :

17 – 21 April: Tour of the Alps, https://www.tourofthealps.eu/

19 April: La Flèche Wallonne hommes, https://www.la-fleche-wallonne.be/fr

19 April: La Flèche Wallonne dames, https://www.la-fleche-wallonne.be/fr

23 April: Liège-Bastogne-Liège hommes, https://www.liege-bastogne-liege.be/fr

23 April: Liège-Bastogne-Liège dames, https://www.liege-bastogne-liege.be/fr

23 April: Rutlan Melton Cicle Classic, http://cicleclassic.co.uk/