Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Sunday, August 11, 2019
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2018 Tour de France | 2018 Giro d'Italia
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac? - George Carlin
Current racing:
- July 31 - August 11: Volta a Portugal
Upcoming racing:
- August 12 - 18: BinckBank Tour
- August 12 - 18: Tour of Utah
- August 13 - 17: Vuelta a Burgos
Latest completed racing:
- August 3 - 9: Tour de Pologne
- August 4: Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic
- August 3: Clasica San Sebastian
- July 27 - 31: Tour de Wallonie
- July 31: Circuito de Getxo
- July 6 - 28: Tour de France
- July 25: GP Pino Cerami
- July 6 - 12: Tour of Austria
- Last week in June: National Championships
- June 26: Halle Ingooigem
Greg van Avermaet to lead CCC Team's rider roster at BinckBank Tour
The team sent me this:
August 10, 2019: Greg Van Avermaet will lead CCC Team's Binck Bank Tour roster in Belgium and the Netherlands next week when the UCI WorldTour seven-day stage race gets underway on Monday (12 August).
Van Avermaet riding in stage 20 of this year's Tour de France. Sirotti photo
Sports Director Valerio Piva said that CCC Team will be taking a strong and well-rounded group of riders that can not only support Van Avermaet but who can also try to take their own opportunities.
"We will have the same objective as we have had at previous editions of this race and that is to support Greg Van Avermaet. We saw at Clásica de San Sebastián that he came out of the Tour de France in good shape and so, naturally, he will be our leader and we will look to help him go for a good result overall. I think, like every year, the race will be decided on the stage to Geraardsbergen, and we know Greg performs well there, so that will be an important day together with the short time trial and also the stage in Houffalize," Piva explained.
"Overall, we have a strong and motivated group of riders lining up and as we are not the outright favorites, we can look to give the other guys the chance to do something. The opening stages suit a bunch sprint so, for those, we have Jakub Mareczko, who we will try to get into a good position. I think Josef Černý can look to do a good time trial and then, of course, our two other Belgians, Gijs Van Hoecke and Guillaume Van Keirsbulck really know the parcours. Michael Schär, who has a lot of experience here too, and Łukasz Wiśniowski also came out of the Tour in good shape so, I think we are prepared to race well and I expect that we will really be pushing for a good result."
Van Avermaet will return to Binck Bank Tour to target the General Classification after showing consistently strong form at the last five editions of the race.
"Binck Bank Tour is a race that has always suited me in the past and it's one that I always like coming back to. I was happy with my performance in San Sebastián and I was able to show that I still have some strong form in my legs. Once again, my goal here will be to try to go for a good result in the General Classification. I think the stages in Houffalize and Geraardsbergen, as well as the short time trial, will be the most important and I am feeling really motivated. We will see how my body reacts but, overall, I think we have a strong team and I'm looking forward to the race ahead," Van Avermaet said.
Binck Bank Tour (12 - 18 August)
Rider Roster: Josef Černý (CZE), Jakub Mareczko (ITA), Michael Schär (SUI), Greg Van Avermaet (BEL), Gijs Van Hoecke (BEL), Guillaume Van Keirsbulck (BEL), Łukasz Wiśniowski (POL)
Sports Director: Valerio Piva (ITA), Steve Bauer (CAN)
Maximiliano Richeze to join UAE Team Emirates
The team sent me this news:
One of the most reputable lead-out riders in the peloton will wear the UAE Team Emirates jersey next season: the Argentine national champion Maximiliano Richeze has signed an agreement to run from 2020 with the Emirati squad.
Richeze wins a stage in the 2018 Tour of San Juan.
Born in Bella Vista (Argentina) in 1983, as pro (since 2006) Richeze has been able to forge a career not only as a winning sprinter but, especially in recent years, as a perfect lead-out man for the top sprinters of the teams in which he has ridden.
General manager Joxean Matxin has no doubts about the qualities of Richeze: “Over the years, Richeze becomes increasingly important for the teams where he rides, he possesses the perfect mix of skill and strength on the bike with experience and intelligence.
"I have no doubts when I say that he is the best lead-out man in the world, and will slot into our sprint train as the last man for Gaviria, as the pair are well used to working together already “.
Maximiliano, why did you decide to take on a new challenge at this point in your career?
“Because it is a great motivation to go back to fighting alongside Gaviria and try to win together again: Gaviria is more than a teammate, he is a great friend and I’m really looking forward to working together again with him”.
Is there an additional stimulus for you that at UAE Team Emirates you will have many young teammates who can learn from your experience?
“Definitely, in this team I am very happy to be able to work with many of the people I have worked with in the past but also to be able to support young talents who are looking for their first successes.”
What are the goals you wish to achieve with UAE Team Emirates?
“The goal is to add my experience to a team that is growing a lot”.
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