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Bicycle Racing News and Opinion:
Saturday, November 7, 2015

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

Dan Craven to race for Israeli team

Here's the news from the team:

Namibian national champion Dan Craven is the 5th signing of Cycling Academy Team for the 2016 season!

Dan Craven (32), the current Namibian National Champion, agreed to terms with Cycling Academy team with high expectations to bring his vast experience, charisma and leadership to the Cycling Academy's young roster.

Craven raced with Team Europcar in the past 2 seasons and previously spent 5 years with British and European continental teams.

Dan Craven

Dan Craven at the 2014 Vuelta

"Dan will be by far the oldest rider in a very young roster" explained Academy's newly appointed head sports director Nicki Sørensen. "He will bring us his vast experience and knowledge of what is needed to become a successful rider. He knows how to take his opportunities in races and how to support the team on the road with both strong riding and decision making".

Craven has completed the Vuelta a España in 2014 with Europcar and has been the African Champion among many other accomplishments in great races at the emerging continent.

Craven who is extremely proud in his role in paving the way to African riders to success was immediately drawn to the vision behind the fast emerging Israeli based team who enjoyed great success with a core of young riders from non traditional cycling countries in its Inaugural year.

"I quickly became a fan of this team when I learned about its refreshing, creative approaches And its ambitious long term goals". Craven said that Academy presented the perfect opportunity For him and he is "excited to be part of a team where I can have a leading Role with the great group of people we have". But he left no doubt that he is about to take the lead as a rider first and foremost, "I feel that I still have a lot to give as a rider and a lot to prove" he declares.

With Craven on board, Cycling Academy intends to race in major Races In Africa next year, among high prestige racing calendar in Europe and North America.
The team is expected to make more signing announcements in the upcoming days.

Chris Froome's 2015 season has begun

The 2013 and 2015 Tour de France winner tweeted a couple of days ago: "Out on the TT bike today...Holiday's over, 2016 prep has begun!" Froome is ambitious for 2016, wanting to compete both in the Tour de France and the Rio Olympics. Froome wants to race both the Olympic road race and the time trial.

The 256-kilometer Olympic road race comes just two weeks after the July 24 conclusion of the Tour.

The time trial might just be up his alley, being a hilly 59.6 kilometers. Here is what Italian coach Davide Cassani had to say about the time trial course:

"It's a very hard path and I will do well for men I have. There are basically two circuits. The first, after 40 km from the street....There is a stretch of paved bad, very irregular, you take 70 km/hour, after a wall of 1,000 meters to 15-17%. The second ascent, however, is 2.2 km @ 6%. So it goes back to Rio to go on the second ring, to Vista Chinesa... is repeated 4 times. The climb measuring 8.5 km: the first four are 10%, then 600 meters of steep slope, 400 meters of plain and other 3.5 km to the top. Here begins a downhill and super technical. quite steep in the forest where you can make a difference. The last 10 km are to Copacabana. There is no doubt that it is a route for climbers, Nibali and Aru can do very well."

Froome is taking his Olympic goals seriously enough to travel to Rio to examine the course. On Friday he tweeted a picture of himself along with British coach Rod Ellingworth and wrench Alan Williams relaxing with the caption, "Important part of the Rio route recon."

Chris Froome

Chris Froome (right) with Alan Williams and Rod Ellingworth

Nippo-Vini Fantini good to go for 2016

The UCI will issue all of the UCI World Tour and Professional team licences in December. But the teams have already received official confirmation of their status.

Nippo-Vini Fantini

Nippo-Vini Fantini time trialing in the 2015 Giro d'Italia

Nippo-Vini Fantini went ahead and announced that it had received the official confirmation from the UCI of its Professional Continental status for 2016.

Francesco Pelosi, team manager, said, "Usually we would wait for the official UCI press release, but we would like to reassure all of our fans that the Orange-Blue project will continue and is growing thanks to all of our partners."

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