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Doug Report Daily Cycling News Archive

Van Aert solos to victory at Bpost Bank Trofee Azencross.

Wout Van Aert won the muddy sixth round of the Bpost Bank Trophy cyclo-cross series on Tuesday afternoon. The 20-year-old Belgian won the Azencross in snow covered Loenhout, Belgium ahead of fellow youngster Mathieu van der Poel. On an unforgiving course with snow, mud and ice water, Van Aert profited from a small mistake from Van der Poel to ride away and take his fourth win in five of the series' rounds. It’s Van Aert's eighth win among the pro ranks this season.

“The victory and an improved classification, it was a fantastic day,” Van Aert told Sporza.

Nash wins elite women's race at Azencross.

Katerina Nash won a tough edition of the Azencross, sixth round of the Bpost Bank Trophy cyclo-cross series in Loenhout on Tuesday afternoon. The Czech Champion and US-resident held off World Champion Marianne Vos in a true mudder. Ellen Van Loy finished third at 50 seconds from Nash and moves back to 1:01 minutes from series leader Sophie de Boer in the general classification.

De Boer finished ninth at 2:32 from winner Nash in Loenhout. Road World Champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot abandoned the race in the second of four laps, while riding in sixth place.

American Gage Hecht Takes Second at 2014 Azencross with an Overall Impressive Showing by the USA Junior Squad.

With tough, muddy conditions today in Europe, an American Junior soared to the podium. Gage Hecht, who has had a stellar run late in the season abroad, took second place today behind Dutch Junior Roel Van Der Stegen. He was 40 seconds back on the leader, and came in 15 seconds ahead of Belgian Lander Loockx.

American Lance Haidet had an impressive showing, taking eighth, Cooper Willsey just made it into the top 10, Brannan Fix crossed the line in 16th, Spencer Petrov took 20th, Cameron Beard got 28th, Liam Dunn followed in 44th, and Jerry Dufour took 46th. Lapped riders included Cormac Dunn at 53rd and Adin Baird in 57th.

Time For Nys' Race! It's Baal!

I doubt that any cyclocross enthusiast would disagree with me when I say that Sven Nys is a legend of the sport. He has won two world titles, nine BPost Bank Trofees, and two World Cups. He has also won one hundred and forty-three individual series races. It's only fair he can call one race his own. This race is Baal, which always takes place on New Year's Day. There's something about races that are always on a certain day that just makes them better. Think Koppenbergcross.

Best Tactical Play of the Year: Talansky picks Contador’s pocket.

After the grand tours, the Critérium du Dauphiné is about as big as it gets. Many of the top names in the history of cycling boast the title on their palmarés: Indurain, Hinault, LeMond, Wiggins.

In 2014, the Dauphiné started as a thrilling battle between defending champion Chris Froome and the resurgent Alberto Contador. But something magical and thrilling happened in the closing days of the race, proving yet again that anything can happen in cycling.

Froome won the opening prologue and first road stage to claim the leader’s jersey, and looked to be in control, defending a 12-second lead over Contador. Then things began to unwind. Froome crashed heavily on a descent in stage 6, and couldn’t hold on during the mountaintop finale the following day; Contador nudged into the leader’s jersey, taking the lead by eight seconds with just one stage to go, a short, four-climb stage ending atop Courchevel. Contador looked to have things under control.

Instead, things quickly unraveled for the “Pistolero del Pinto,” who was outgunned by Andrew Talansky and the Garmin-Sharp crew in the biggest tactical coup of 2014.

In the News: Look Keo Power pedals found wanting.

In the latest issue of the International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, Look Keo Power pedals were tested for their validity and reliability.

The test, performed on 10 males familiar with laboratory performance tests, used Look’s Keo Power pedals mounted to a stationary SRM ergometer, which is regarded as the most precise power meter on the market. Each of the 10 subjects performed two tests on the Ergometer with Keo Power pedals. The tests used a gradual increase in power, until exhaustion was reached, like a VO2 max step test, followed by 10 minutes of easy spinning. Then, the riders did three 10-second sprints, separated by three minutes of spinning at 100 watts.

The results were not flattering for the Look Keo Power system. “Power data from the Keo Power pedals should be treated with some caution,” read the study.

Lee Waldman, Member of the Cyclocross Family, Among Holiday Weekend Accidents.

“Now go ride your bike.” This is the perennial phrase Lee Waldman, Colorado race organizer and Cyclocross Magazine contributor, uses to sign off from his articles to the cyclocross community.

On Christmas morning, Waldman was one of just a handful of cycling tragedies over the holiday period noted in a somber article by Velo News.

According to the Bike Racing Association of Colorado: “Lee Waldman was struck in a car v. cyclist hit and run on Christmas morning. Fractures of C1 and C6, a concussion and broken ribs were some of the injuries he sustained. Your prayers and healing thoughts for him and Caren are much appreciated.  While his life is not in imminent danger and thankfully there are no signs of paralysis now, he remains at St. Anthony’s North ICU and is unable to take visitors or receive calls/texts. If you’d like to reach out to Lee, please communicate through Caren, or send him a card at St. Anthony’s North, 2551 W. 84th Ave., Westminster, CO 80031.”

Gesink targeting Tirreno-Adriatico, Ardennes and Tour de France.

Robert Gesink will target Tirreno-Adriatico, the Ardennes Classics and the Tour de France in 2015, as he looks to get his career back on track after heart surgery in 2015.

Gesink will head to Tenerife for a three-week altitude training camp before starting his 2015 season at the Volta ao Algarve. His first big goal of the year will be Tirreno-Adriactico, which he was forced to abandon on stage four this season. His best performance at the race is his second place in 2011. Gesink will ride the Vuelta al País Vasco before returning to the Ardennes Classics for the first time since 2012. He has taken one podium at the Belgian trio of races with third place at Amstel Gold in 2009. After the Ardennes, he will take part in another altitude camp before riding the Tour de Suisse and then the Tour de France.

Cameron Beard: Racing in Diegem.

"The one cyclo-cross race that is through city streets, through soccer fields, and is part of the historic Kersteperiod, is Diegem.

The first time I set eyes on this track was four years ago, in a Bend Endurance Academy van. My role model at the time, Colin Dunlap, showed me Sven Nys rip through the streets and mud at amazing speeds. I remember this so well because it was my first time ever seeing European cyclo-cross. It was incredible, I had seen the American pros, but I was used to watching the local pros thinking that was top level skill. Watching this made me realize how great one truly has to become to be the best."

2014-15 Races & Results.

Santos Tour Down Under 2015 - Jan 18-25 (Stages),

Dubai Tour 2015 - Feb 4-7 (Stages),

Giro d'Italia 2015 - May 9-31 (Stages),

Tour de France 2015 - July 4-26 (Stages),

UCI Road World Championship 2014 - Sept 20-27 (Results),

Vuelta a España 2014 - Aug 23-Sept 14 (Results),

Tour de France 2014  - July 5-27 (Results),

Giro d'Italia 2014 - May 9 - June 1 (Results),

More ...

 (cyclingnews.com)

Last Chance to Win - Azencross Loenhout!

Van der Haar to skip Bpost Bank Trofee in Loenhout.

Top 10 pro rider transfers of 2015.

Scinto steps down as directeur sportif at troubled Neri Sottoli.

Luca Scinto has confirmed he has stepped down from his role of senior directeur sportif at the troubled Neri Sottoli team after a series of doping scandals have rocked the Professional Continental team.

The Tuscan was not listed as a directeur sportif on the UCI website, sparking questions by the Italian media. Scinto then confirmed his decision to step back when speaking to the Tuttobici website.

In the last 18 months the Neri Sottoli team has been rocked by three EPO doping cases, casting a long shadow over their bright fluorescent yellow colours. Danilo Di Luca and Mauro Santambrogio were caught during the Giro d'Italia, while former Giro d'Italia stage winner Matteo Rabottini tested positive for EPO during the summer of 2014. The team was recently suspended by the MPCC after their members voted against the team.

Craddock seeking consistentcy in second year with Giant.

Giant-Alpecin's Lawson Craddock will be looking for more consistency in 2015 as he targets the Tour of California, another shot at the Vuelta a Espana and a spot on the US team for Worlds.

Craddock, who will turn 23 in February, logged 67 race days during his neo-pro season with the Dutch WorldTour squad, finishing third overall in California and placing sixth in the individual time trial at the Tour de Suisse. He started his first Grand Tour at the Vuelta, where he played a part in three stage wins for Giant before abandoning on stage 14. The Vuelta result started a string of six DNFs that carried through to the end of his season at Sluitingprijs-Putte-Kapellen in October.

“There were definitely some good times, but also some bad times,” Craddock told Cyclingnews from Houston, Texas, where he was visiting family over the Christmas holiday.

Bookwalter looking for more prominent role at BMC.

Brent Bookwalter has been with the BMC Racing Team ever since he turned professional in 2008. He has seen the team go from underdogs to Tour de France champions. Now heading into his eighth professional season, the 30-year-old hopes that he can play a bigger role in the American squad.

“I’m a little bit older now but I’m still getting better every year and I’m excited to show that to the team and give it all I’ve got,” said Bookwalter. “I’d like to think I have ambitions to grow into a more prominent role within the team. I’ve done six Grand Tours, I’ve been through a lot with this team and I think they know that they can count on me.”

Reijnen aiming higher after successful 2014 season.

After having a bit of a breakthrough season this year UnitedHealthcare's Kiel Reijnen is hoping to improve upon his success, and aims to show himself in the European races in 2015 - the Giro d'Italia in particular if his team is selected - and make the US selection for Worlds in Richmond. While his aims might be common in the American peloton, what sets Reijnen apart is his devotion to the team ethos - the "one for all, all for one" mentality that allows the underdogs to prevail over the more powerful riders, as he and UnitedHealthcare did in the USA Pro Challenge.

Speaking to Cyclingnews at the UnitedHealthcare camp in Asheville, North Carolina earlier this month, Reijnen recalled the success of the season and the respect it earned him in the peloton with bittersweet satisfaction. "You put a lot of time and work into those types of results, and they don't come overnight. By the time you get there, it's not a surprise," Reijnen said. Yet his last result in Colorado was one which will fade from the memory of the cycling public long before the narrow loss in the final USA Pro Challenge stage to Alex Howes loses its impact in Reijnen's mind.

Nys guaranteed spot on Belgian Worlds roster.

Last Sunday Sven Nys was unable to be in contention for the win in his comeback race in Diegem. He finished 16th, 2.20 behind winner Mathieu van der Poel. Is that enough to be selected for the World Championships in the Czech Republic?

For national coach Rudy De Bie, Nys has a guaranteed spot. "First of all because he is... Nys. A classy rider with an impressive palmares who has had a huge impact on Belgian cyclo-cross. There is no way around the fact that he deserves respect," he told Het Laatste Nieuws.

Ekimov: Kristoff saved Katusha in 2014.

Katusha general manager Viatcheslav Ekimov has admitted that Alexander Kristoff's breakthrough season saved the team’s blushes in 2014. The Norwegian won 14 of the team’s 22 victories in 2014 including the rain-swept Milan-San Remo and two stages of the Tour de France.

“Kristoff saved the situation, the big picture and the visibility of the team. We all thank Alex for that, he gave us a chance to manage the damage.”

Porte has road national championship is sight.

Porte is also determined to feature at the Giro d'Italia in May, despite a sub-par season cruelled by poor health.

With 2014 behind him, the 29-year-old Tasmanian is aiming for a fast start to 2015 by winning the 11 January Mars Cycling Australia Road National Championships title at Buninyong, near Ballarat.

His main targets  next year will be to lead the powerful Sky team at the Giro and then support Chris Froome in July at the Tour de France.

"I'd love to compete in the Giro as the new Australian champion," said Porte. "My health is back where it needs to be and I want to lead in a grand tour and the Giro is the target for me."

Five top rides of 2014.

Alex Dowsett in the Tour of Britain, Peter Sagan in the Tour de Suisse or Andrew Talansky in the Critérium du Dauphiné – there were many brave rides in 2014. Cycling Weekly selected and highlighted five of the ones that marked out the season.

Best of Toolbox 2014: The Power of a Bike Fit.

"There are many reasons to go for a bike fit, from an unusual body shape, fixing aches and pains, through to optimizing power output. Regardless of what technology is used or reason for going, a good bike fit by a fitter with a sharp eye and a collaborative approach can be one of the best investments you make in your cycling. Let’s explore with a data-driven case study."

Sunweb signs two-year deal with Giant-Alpecin.

Dutch-owned tour operator Sunweb has joined Giant-Alpecin as a major sponsor for two years the team has announced. The online travel company have signed a deal that keeps them with the team until the end of 2016 but have hopes to continue beyond that. Sunweb already sponsor the Sunweb-Napoleon Games cyclo-cross team of Kevin Pauwels.

“It needs no explanation how excited we are about this partnership with Sunweb,” team manager Iwan Spekenbrink said in a press release. “We are extremely thrilled that cycling in a broad sense and our elite sports team in particular are amongst the driving forces of the international marketing strategy of such an absolute first class brand, Sunweb.”

2014 North American Man on the Year: Tejay van Garderen .

PEZ: Daily Distractions.

(pezcyclingnews.com)

Selene Yeager: Data Junkies.

inCycle: Top 10 videos of 2014.

Oleg Tinkov: Tinkoff-Saxo owner cycling's cheerleader for change.

"The problem with continental Europeans is they are stuck with their old paradigms. They do it because their fathers did it, and their grandfathers did it. They don't want to change."

"We have been chatting for 15 minutes and I have asked Oleg Tinkov four questions, five if you include the ice-breaker about his journey to Gran Canaria (he came by private jet).

But Tinkov, the "serial entrepreneur" whose career has seen him go from bike racing, to importing electronics, flogging frozen food, brewing beer, issuing credit cards and then back to bike racing - this time as the owner of cycling's Galacticos  , Tinkoff-Saxo - is just warming up."

Rider agent De Geyter calls for UCI clarification on future reforms.

The UCI’s planned restructuring of pro cycling has led to considerable uncertainty in relation to how it will affect the pro peloton, with talk of a reduction in WorldTour team sizes to just 22 riders provoking concerns about how this will impact upon the professional peloton.

Rider agent Paul De Geyter has called for clarification from the UCI as to what those plans are.

According to the Belgian, who represents clients including Tom Boonen, Tejay Van Garderen, Jan Bakelants, Greg Van Avermaet, Maxime Bouet, Matt Goss and Luke Durbridge, rider agents have not been included in discussions thus far. Because of this, he says there is a scarcity of information being made available to them.

Mollema favors tougher doping sanctions.

Last week Mollema raged against Mauro Santambrogio on Twitter after the Italian had tested positive for testosterone. The Trek rider finds it unbelievable that the Italian has again broken the rules. "For me, he should be happy that he even has a chance to return to the peloton because I believe that the use of EPO, blood doping and testosterone should automatically lead to a lifetime suspension. Then he does the same again. How stupid can you be? I don't understand why an Italian team had already offered him a contract for 2015. Give that place to a young rider or someone who practices his sport in a clean way."

2014 International Male Cyclist of the Year: Alejandro Valverde.

Has Alejandro Valverde become the Rodney Dangerfield of the international peloton? It seems the veteran Spaniard just can’t get any respect.

In Spain, Alberto Contador is lauded as the rider of reference. Even at his Movistar team, Valverde is being passed over in favor of Nairo Quintana, who will be starting as the outright captain in the 2015 Tour de France. Many critics blast Valverde for never coming clean about his involvement in Operación Puerto, for which he was handed down a two-year racing ban.

Inside the peloton, however, he generates the respect he deserves. Everyone knows that if Valverde is at the start line, he has a very good chance of being on the final podium.

10 Riders to Watch for 2015.

Here’s a selection of ten established riders to watch for 2015. Some stand on the cusp of a big win, others face challenges on the road, some have other struggles.

How Condor made the bikes for the new Lance Armstrong film.

In its 64-year history, Condor Cycles has made bikes not only for top pros but also for rock musicians, fashion designers, soap stars and TV chefs. Last year, the London firm received its biggest showbiz order to date: to recreate the bikes of the 1990s professional peloton for Working Title’s forthcoming Lance Armstrong biopic.

With shooting now finished and the film, which is based on Sunday Times journalist David Walsh’s book Seven Deadly Sins: My Pursuit of Lance Armstrong, in post-production, most of the replica bikes — minus their decals — have just gone on sale via UK bike shop Ultimate Cycles.

1,000 hours, 32,000km and 1,100 chicken breasts - Vincenzo Nibali's 2014 in numbers.

Nearly 1,000 hours in the saddle, more than 32,000 kilometres ridden, the equivalent of 1,400 chicken breasts consumed – and one Tour de France victory. Those are some of the key numbers of Vincenzo Nibali’s 2014, according to Italian daily La Gazzetta dello Sport.

They come at the end of a year in which the Sicilian became just the sixth cyclist ever to have won all three Grand Tours, but he already has his eyes on something no Tour de France winner has ever achieved – becoming Olympic road race champion, saying the course at Rio 2016 suits him.

Bennati ready to work for Sagan and Contador in 2015.

Daniele Bennati faces a huge workload at Tinkoff-Saxo in 2015 after accepting the role of road captain for both Peter Sagan and Alberto Contador.

The 34-year-old Italian has been a professional since 2001, switching from a sprinter and Classics rider to the role of road captain and domestique in the last two seasons. He has won 50 races during his career but his last was a stage victory at the Vuelta a España back in 2012.

“I'm happy and proud to be considered a road captain, I don't see it as a step down in my career."

Stopping progress? The debate over hydraulic disc brakes in the pro peloton.

It’s misting in Belfast; it’s wet everywhere, but not quite raining. Water oozes out of the air and condenses on Garmin-Sharp’s boxy mechanic truck, on the bikes leaned against it, on the tools, and on the broad shoulders and black and blue Park Tool apron of the team’s head mechanic, Geoff Brown. He is poking and prodding at one of the team’s Cervélo time trial bikes, bleeding a hydraulic rim brake.

His team is about to set off on three days of wet racing through Northern Ireland and Ireland, the first stages of the Giro d’Italia. The conditions are, and will be for much of the first week of the race, ideal for disc brakes: wet, cold, and hilly.

But Brown doesn’t want discs in the pro peloton, not now, and maybe not ever.

Best of 2014: Montefranco Museum Of Lost Time.

"The 2014 Giro d’Italia passes through countless towns from start to finish each year, most of them just a blur as we speed ahead of the race. But a few hours spent in one place can turn up people, lives, and memories that stick in our minds far longer than the few hours it takes to chase the stage.

The life at Giro starts early and finishes very late: it was night when yesterday I finished my job and moved to my room and was earlier than 7am when I started to watch the “Garibaldi” (the official book of the race) and plan today. Giro d’Italia means great cycling action and top riders fighting for one of the most ambitious races, but it means also a very long trip with long waits in new places. Today was one of those – I love to take a long time for myself while waiting the action."

PEZ: The Last 2014 EuroTrash!