Cycling Racing News and Opinion
August 7, 2014

Back to news and opinion index page for links to archived stories

Buncha stuff going on...

Saxo Bank remains team co-sponsor

Denmark's Saxo Bank announced it will co-sponsor the Tinkoff-Saxo cycling team through 2015. The squad is owned by Russian Oleg Tinkoff and is managed by its former owner, Bjarne Riis.

Tinkoff-Saxo rider Alberto Contador suffering in stage five of this year's Tour de France. Photo © Sirotti

Heart Problem Sidelines Lodewyck

From BMC:

Klaas Lodewyck will be withheld from racing for an indefinite amount of time due to a problem with his heart, BMC Racing Team Chief Medical Officer Dr. Max Testa said Wednesday.

Thorough Investigation Underway: Lodewyck competed last month in the Tour de Wallonie, his first competition since breaking his right collarbone in a crash while racing with the Belgian national team in Halle-Ingooigem on June 25. "He had been experiencing some irregular heart rhythm during racing and training," Dr. Testa said. "We have been investigating it, first by having him evaluated by sports cardiologists in Belgium. The common decision between a specialist there and the BMC Racing Team's medical staff is to rest Klaas for an undetermined amount of time while a thorough investigation is performed." Before his injury, Lodewyck had been effective in helping teammate Philippe Gilbert win Ster ZLM Toer, Steve Cummings win Tour Méditerranéen and Taylor Phinney win the Dubai Tour. The most aggressive rider at the 2012 Tour of Oman said the situation is depressing. "Mentally, it is like I am in a big nightmare," Lodewyck said. "Since my crash, it seems like there has always been something and for the last week, I have been to the hospital almost every day for tests." Dr. Testa said an update on Lodewyck's condition will be shared when more details are known.

BMC Racing Team Signs Jempy Drucker

BMC Racing Team President/General Manager Jim Ochowicz announced Thursday the signing of Jempy Drucker to a multi-year contract, beginning in the 2015 season.

Help For The Classics: The 27-year-old from Luxembourg was runner-up last month at the Skoda Tour de Luxembourg, runner-up on Stage 5 at the Tour of Norway and finished fourth at Dwars door Vlaanderen. A professional since 2008, he has twice finished runner-up at GP Stad Zottegem (2010 and 2012) and was sixth overall last year at the Tour de Wallonie. "Jempy has a nice background in classics-style racing in the spring and summer," Ochowicz said. "He also has stage racing experience that we will be able to utilize in a number of races throughout the year. On numerous occasions, he has demonstrated his ability to time trial and deliver in the faster races solid performances and consistent results." Drucker said he was excited to receive the invitation to join the BMC Racing Team. "I think it is one of the best teams in the world," he said. "It will be a pleasure to get a chance to ride for the BMC Racing Team next year. I want to progress as a rider and become a better rider. My main races are the classics, so I hope to be able to play a big role in them and help the team get nice results or a win

Jonas Van Genechten wins the fourth stage of the Tour de Pologne

Yesterday (Wednesday, August 6) Lotto-Belisol rider Jonas Van Genechten won the fourth stage of the Tour of Poland using a huge 54 big-meat ring to win the downhill, tailwind-aided sprint. What the heck, here's Lotto-Belisol's press release, they earned a little glory:

With 236 kilometers it was the longest stage.

Boris Vallée joined an early breakaway, but it didn't get much space. Next Edmondson, Krizek and Taciak attacked. In the final Cousin and Kasperkiewicz bridged to the leaders. Eight kilometers from the end, in the last local lap of 12.3 kilometers in Katowice, all escapees were caught. There were some late attacks, like the one of Thor Hushovd. Still  a bunch sprint would decide about the stage win. Jonas Van Genechten turned out to be the fastest. Jacopo Guarnieri had to be satisfied with the second place, Luka Mezgec got third. For Van Genechten it's the second win of the season after Gullegem Koerse and this in a WorldTour race.

Jonas Van Genechten: "Of course I'm very happy with this victory. It was a fast sprint, because there was a descent at the end. The right timing was important to win. With two laps to go we decided I would be the man for the sprint. Kenny Dehaes wasn't feeling 100%. The whole team believed in me. Kenny did the last part of the work in the team, up to the last three kilometers. It wasn't easy to stay together. Each rider of the team has a big part in the win. I want to thank all of them."

"Until the bottom of the last hill I was positioned well. Then I did an effort to be in a good position for the last kilometer. This victory confirms my condition and shows I can perform on the highest level. From the start of the season I am in good shape. There was an opportunity for me here and it was successful."

Theo Bos and Robert Gesink to MTN Qhubeka?

AD Sportwereld is reporting that MTN Qhubeka is courting Belkin riders Theo Bos (who won the Tour of Poland third stage) and Robert Gesink. Both have contracts with the Dutch team that are up at the end of the year.

Theo Bos wins Tour of Poland Stage Three. Photo ©Sirotti

Mark Cavendish returns to racing

Rather than take part in the Prudential RideLondon Classic, Mark Cavendish is taking a lower key return to racing by starting August 12 at the French Tour de l'Ain. Cavendish crashed out of the first stage at Harrogate of this year's Tour de France.

Cavendish ruptured all the ligaments at the AC joint, or more pedantically, the acromioclavicular joint. This is where the collarbone (the clavicle) meets the highest point of the shoulder blade (acromion).

Mark Cavendish talks with Omega Pharma team boss Lefevre at this year's Tour before going home

Back to news and opinion index page for links to archived stories