A full weekend of cyclocross in today’s EUROTRASH Monday: The men’s and women’s UCI Cyclocross World Cup in Antwerpen and the Exact Cross in Kortrijk – All with video, reports, results and the rider quotes. Plus Tadej Pogačar wins his fourth Beking in Monaco.
TOP STORY:
- Giro boss Vegni now states that the start in Albania was “never officially said”
Rider news:
- Tadej Pogačar to ride Paris-Roubaix? He doesn’t rule it out
- Jonas Vingegaard doesn’t rule out the Giro d’Italia
- Joshua Tarling makes Paris-Roubaix his main goal
- Tadej Pogačar on Urska Zigart’s transfer: “Her and Remco? She would quickly leave him behind”
- Maxim Van Gils expects clarity about future by the end of November
- Tom Pidcock wants to take steps on the road towards the 2025 Tour
- Laurence Pithie wants to compete with Mathieu van der Poel in the Classics
- Perico Delgado looks at Tadej Pogačar
- Bakelants not impressed by Soudal Quick-Step transfers
Team news:
- Movistar till 2028, plenty of future ahead
- Diego Pablo Sevilla extends with Team Polti Kometa
Race news:
- USA Cycling Announces 2025 National Championship schedule
- AOICC is considering using a Formula 1 safety car in races
- Tour Colombia once again in jeopardy as ministry reduces funding
- Beking Charity Auction: A day of sport, sustainability and solidarity
Plus:
- Off-Script INEOS Grenadiers November Camp 2024 video
Monday EUROTRASH coffee time!
TOP STORY: Giro Boss Vegni Now States that the Start in Albania was “Never Officially Said”
Giro d’Italia boss Mauro Vegni has made a number of statements about the announcement of the Giro route. According to the Italian, it has never been certain that the Giro would start in Albania: “The media talk about Albania, we have never officially said that.”
“That does not mean that the Giro will not start there, but certainly not that the Giro will start there,” Vegni told CyclingPro. “In January you will hear where we will actually start and finish. It will be a special race, since it is an anniversary edition of our race.”
The Giro boss also had something to say about the postponed presentation of the route from November to January. “That has to do with internal problems within our organisation. Certainly not because there is a problem with one of the stages. The Giro d’Italia 2025 has been ready for quite some time,” he concluded.
Race organiser RCS previously denied that the postponement of the Giro presentation has to do with La Grande Partenza in Albania. According to Cicloweb, there is indeed a problem due to political tensions between Italy and Albania: Italian Prime Minister Meloni plans to have asylum seekers accommodated in Albania, but the court in Rome ruled in October that they have the right to a regular asylum application in Italy. According to the media, the political agreements were related to the start of the Giro d’Italia.
Giro’25 to start in Albania or…. Ask Mauro Vegni:
UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup – Antwerpen Belgium – Men 2024
Eli Iserbyt won the first World Cup of the season in Antwerp on Sunday. Iserbyt gave himself and his team Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal their first victory of the season in a cyclo-cross series. Laurens Sweeck (Crelan-Corendon) was second and Iserbyt’s teammate, Michael Vanthourenhout was third.
The first UCI World Cup race of the 2024/25 season was in Antwerp on Sunday. For the first round of the most important season long series, the race was held next to the River Scheldt. On the Sint-Annastrand, the race organisers had designed a course with sandy passages for the Scheldecross of Antwerp. Laurens Sweeck and Niels Vandeputte, who are two real sand specialists were at the start, but also Thibau Nys, Eli Iserbyt, Michael Vanthourenhout, Lars van der Haar, Toon Aerts and Felipe Orts were also there.
Most of the big names got off to a good start. Sweeck, Nys, Iserbyt, Vanthourenhout and Van der Haar all managed to survive an initial selection in the first two laps. For Aerts and Orts, the situation wasn’t so good. They found themselves left behind and couldn’t get the chance to rectify the situation on the fast sand course. At the front, the top riders stayed together. As a sand specialist, Sweeck was in his element and put the pressure on early, but the Crelan-Corendon rider didn’t succeed in building a decisive gap. Not much later, Iserbyt decided to make his move. The Belgian champion attacked on the fourth lap and only two riders were able to catch go with him: Sweeck and Vanthourenhout. Nys, Van der Haar, Vandeputte and Joran Wyseure were the first chasers and had to give it everything. Iserbyt is not known as a sand rider, but today he had no problems.
Vandeputte and Sweeck tried hard to chase, but they just couldn’t close the gap on Iserbyt. The Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal leader managed to extend his lead to 15 seconds, but he couldn’t sit back. After 35 minutes of racing, Sweeck found his second wind. Iserbyt’s advantage remained limited and so couldn’t afford to make any mistakes, but Iserbyt was riding a perfect cross. Just like on Saturday in the Exact Cross of Kortrijk, he soloed to victory. This was his third victory of the cross season and his first in a season series event. Behind him there was a fierce duel between Sweeck and Vanthourenhout for the podium places. Vanthourenhout had a late puncture and so Sweeck didn’t have to try too hard to take second place. Vanthourenhout was third after a bike change in the pits. Wyseure and Vandeputte crossed the finish line in fourth and fifth place. Nys had a disappointing day: the European champion dropped far back in the second half of the race and only finished twelfth.
Race winner, Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal): “My condition was actually better than the results reflected. That was frustrating. I got into a bit of a downward spiral. It’s hard to get out of that. If you win yesterday (in Kortrijk) in a kind of home race, that’s liberating. I had the feeling that Laurens rode very well through the sand, but that he had to back off a bit on the straights. Those parts were perhaps more to my advantage. It was difficult that I had to make the track myself on the long stretches. That was to the advantage of the chasers. The gap became a bit smaller each time. So it was important not to make any mistakes and that worked out very well today. I’m happy that a non-sand specialist can win in a sand cross”
2nd, Laurens Sweeck (Crelan-Corendon): “I am satisfied. The best rider won. Halfway through the race I didn’t really have an answer to Iserbyt’s attack. Then I just have to be satisfied. I just had a bad moment. I had to find my own pace. Eli’s pace was just too fast. Then it’s difficult to close that gap again. Without that flat tyre, it would have been a close call for second place. But in the end, bad luck always comes along. This time it went my way.”
3rd, Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal): “I think that without that flat tyre I would have been on my way to second place. Just after the first pits I felt like I was riding on a flat tyre. It’s difficult to keep up with Laurens then. It was too close to the finish to come back. I am happy that things are going a bit better again. I also don’t know why I had a bad period. I consciously chose to go to Spain last week. It pays off immediately. I hope to be back in full force after another week in Spain. We did feel some pressure from the team, but also from outside. But we showed this weekend that we are back as a team. The most important period starts now, with the World Cup. We hope we can continue this.”
12th, Thibau Nys (Lidl-Trek): “Once again confronted with the facts that sand crosses are really not for me yet. I still have a lot to improve. For the rest, I came up against my physical limit, partly because of that. I was able to limit it well for half a cross, but after that I was empty. I lose a lot of strength in the sand and I can’t make up for it. I really have to get the hang of it. It’s not perfect yet. A week of good training will do me good. Reason to panic? No. Last week I rode with the best riders twice, the entire cross. Today it was a bit less, conditionally but especially technically. On to next week. That was nothing special (his crash). I’m taking the post hard. It was a bit of a blow, but it’s not bad.”
UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup – Antwerpen Belgium – Men Result:
1. Eli Iserbyt (Bel) Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal in 58:56
2. Laurens Sweeck (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 0:17
3. Michael Vanthourenhout (Bel) Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal at 0:28
4. Joran Wyseure (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 0:34
5. Niels Vandeputte (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck Development Team at 0:44
6. Lars van der Haar (Ned) Baloise Trek Lions at 0:54
7. Pim Ronhaar (Ned) Baloise Trek Lions at 1:11
8. Toon Aerts (Bel) Deschacht-Hens-FSP at 1:15
9. Felipe Orts Lloret (Spa) Ridley Racing Team at 1:22
10. Kevin Kuhn (Sui) Charles Liégeois Roastery CX at 1:29.
Antwerpen’24 highlights (full video when I find one:
UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup – Antwerpen Belgium – Women 2024
The first World Cup of the season was won by Fem van Empel (Visma | Lease a Bike). The World champion proved to be the strongest in the sand of Antwerp and soloed to victory. Lucinda Brand (Lidl-Trek) was second after a poor start, while Marie Schreiber (SD Worx-Protime) from Luxembourg finished in third place.
The first round of the 2024-2025 UCI Cyclocross World Cup, the most important series on the cross calendar, was held on Sunday next to the Scheldt. In the women’s race, there would be a battle between the three best cross riders of the moment, with World champion Fem van Empel, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado and Lucinda Brand all on the start line. These three Dutch riders are currently dominating cyclocross, although there was also Italian champion Sara Casasola, Marie Schreiber, Zoe Bäckstedt and sand specialist Laura Verdonschot.
The fastest start, as usual, went to Marie Schreiber. The Luxembourger was the first off-road with a lightning-fast start. Van Empel managed to get on the wheel of the SD Worx-Protime rider and took over shortly afterwards. Van Empel saw the opportunity to put her biggest rivals at a disadvantage early on in the race. Brand and Alvarado had bad starts and were forced to chase. After the fast opening lap, the differences had already increased. Van Empel and Schreiber started the second lap together. A chasing group, including Brand, Casasola and Verdonschot, followed at 15 seconds. Behind them was Alvarado, who had been ill during the week before the Scheldecross and had trouble finding her rhythm.
Van Empel was in excellent form in the Antwerp sand and increase the pace in the second lap. This turned out to be the death blow for Schreiber. The Luxembourger was clearly in trouble and lost more and more ground to Van Empel, but was joined by Brand. Brand had found her race speed, but this was all behind the World champion. After three laps, Van Empel had built up a lead of 30 seconds on her pursuers. The Visma | Lease a Bike rider didn’t lose any time in the final laps. Brand tried to keep the difference within limits, but she couldn’t get much closer. Van Empel started the sixth and final lap with a reassuring lead to take her fifth victory of the season. Brand finished second after a long chase and managed to limit the damage, with an eye on the final victory in the World Cup. Schreiber managed to hold on for third place. Casasola and Alvarado finished in fourth and fifth place.
Race winner, Fem van Empel (Visma | Lease a Bike): “The conditions weren’t easy, the wind made it really tough. I had to stay focused throughout the entire race, and I think I managed that well. It was all about giving everything until the finish line. In these conditions, it’s not ideal to ride solo because you’re constantly battling the wind, but I can’t complain. I think I delivered an excellent performance today. Now, the focus shifts to next weekend.”
2nd, Lucinda Brand (Lidl-Trek): “It was just a slightly different battle this year, She (Van Empel) had a gap from the start. Once I could ride my own lines, I couldn’t close the gap anymore. It was a short start and my explosiveness isn’t what it used to be. Then you have to find your moments. I didn’t manage that quickly enough, which is a shame. Without my poor start, we would have definitely seen a duel, but I don’t know how far into the race. At the moment that we could both ride our lines, I didn’t get any closer either. That does show that Fem was at least as strong today, or maybe even a little bit stronger. I am generally satisfied with my race.”
3rd, Marie Schreiber (SD Worx-Protime): “I got the most out of it. My start was good and together with Fem Van Empel we had a gap on the chasing pack. I tried to follow her, but overcooked it in the process. Which caused me to make a mistake in the sand and Fem was gone. That I managed to follow at first gives me good hope for the future. I often have a lesser lap in the middle of the race. That was also the case now after 2.5 laps, when Lucinda Brand joined me. Then it’s a matter of keeping some reserve for the important passages on the course so I don’t lose too much time. I felt I couldn’t follow Lucinda, so I focused on my own rhythm. It’s not the end of the world that I can’t follow these two riders yet. They are just super good. The last 2.5 laps I felt good again. I’m happy I managed to hold that third place until the end. This podium finish gives a lot of confidence. I know what to build on. If I maintain my strong start and can follow Fem just a little bit longer, I’m already taking another step. I also have to try to digest that worse middle section better and better. Technically, I made one or two mistakes when I was under pressure. But then when I rode alone, I did well technically. With this third place in a UCI World Cup, I already tick off an important goal for this season. I am in the lead in the U23 category, which is also a goal, as are the World championships. But that is still a long way off. If I can continue this curve, it will be a very nice winter.”
UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup – Antwerpen Belgium – Women Result:
1. Fem van Empel (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike in 50:33
2. Lucinda Brand (Ned) Lidl-Trek at 0:31
3. Marie Schreiber (Lux) SD Worx-Protime at 1:11
4. Sara Casasola (Ita) Hess Cycling Team at 1:27
5. Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Ned) Fenix-Deceuninck at 1:41
6. Kata Blanka Vas (Hun) SD Worx-Protime at 1:57
7. Zoe Backstedt (GB) Canyon//SRAM at 2:10
8. Inge van der Heijden (Ned) Fenix-Deceuninck at 2:17
9. Laura Verdonschot (Bel) De Ceuster-Bonache at 2:31
10. Annemarie Worst (Ned) Fenix-Deceuninck at 2:40.
Antwerpen’24:
Exact Cross – Kortrijk Belgium – Men 2024
Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal) won again on Saturday. The Belgian champion crossed the finish line solo in the Exact Cross Kortrijk. Michael Vanthourenhout played an important role in Iserbyt’s success by leaving a gap for his teammate. Vanthourenhout was still third, just behind Niels Vandeputte (Alpecin-Deceuninck Development Team) in second. His teammate, Jente Michels, was fourth.
A few top riders missed the Exact Cross in Kortrijk, saving themselves for the World Cup in Antwerp on Sunday. The Urban Cross still had a good start-list with Niels Vandeputte, Eli Iserbyt and Michael Vanthourenhout.
Anton Ferdinande had the fastest start, but Iserbyt quickly took over the lead, while Vanthourenhout had a bad start, he was among the first group of about ten riders after one lap. In the second lap, a few riders were still able to cross, despite the pace remaining high at the front. First Gerben Kuypers accelerated, then Vandeputte took the initiative. This did not really lead to a split. During the third lap, Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal started to play the game. Iserbyt left a gap for Vanthourenhout, but Vandeputte saw the danger and closed it. Then it was Vanthourenhout’s turn to leave a gap for Iserbyt in second place, who managed to create a bigger gap. The Belgian champion slipped on a left-hand bend and lost his lead again. After four of the nine laps there was still eight men at the front: Iserbyt, Vanthourenhout, Vandeputte, Kuypers, Ferdinande, Joran Wyseure, Thomas Mein and Jente Michels. It was Michels who started chasing Vanthourenhout after Iserbyt had given his teammate a few more metres. It took a while, but at the start of the sixth lap Michels and Iserbyt joined Vanthourenhout. At that moment Iserbyt jumped away from Michels.
Vandeputte returned to Vanthourenhout and Michels and initially led the chase on Iserbyt, he didn’t come back easily. At the start of the seventh lap Iserbyt already had 13 seconds. But the Alpecin-Deceuninck riders didn’t give up yet: Michels took over from Vandeputte, so that the pace remained high. Vanthourenhout remained a nuisance to the foursome, which also included Kuypers. Partly because Vanthourenhout slowed down the pace of the pursuers, Iserbyt was able to extend his lead. At the start of the penultimate lap, his lead was 20 seconds. When the bell rang for the final lap, he had almost 30 seconds. The Belgian champion wouldn’t lose his lead and crossed the line as the winner. This was Iserbyt’s second victory of the season after he won the Exact Cross Heerderstrand on 26th of October. The 27-year-old rider also won in Kortrijk last year. In the chasing quartet, Kuypers was the first to jump. He attacked at the start of the final lap, but Vanthourenhout reacted and took the lead himself. It was a close call with Niels Vandeputte, but when turning onto the finishing straight, Vanthourenhout was in the lead again. In the sprint for second place, Vandeputte was the fastest. Vanthourenhout came third, Michels fourth.
Race winner, Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal): “This is absolutely great. I felt really good during the race. I tried a few times, together with Michael (Vanthourenhout). I think that as a team we rode perfectly today. I think that Michael definitely deserved to be on that podium. In the group I already felt that it was going a bit too slow. It was also difficult to really make a difference with that wind. But once you ride alone, you can really make that difference if they slow down a bit behind you. That was a good tactic today. We said beforehand: we shouldn’t maintain that pace, but keep trying. In the past races we just rode at a pace with the rest on our wheel. That wasn’t the right way, I think. Always trying and seeing if we can do something for each other is perhaps a bit better, now that there are more good riders at the start.” Alpecin-Deceuninck team manager, Christophe Roodhooft, thought that Iserbyt and Vanthourenhout hindered the others. “Hindered? I don’t know. It’s not that we really hit the brakes. I think that every attack was an attack, an acceleration. And when you’re riding two against two, so two from the same team against two from another team, that’s of course is a bit more difficult. But anyway, I think it’s up to them to apply a tactic. Because the races are getting faster and faster. The courses are also becoming less technical. Then it’s purely riding in a group. That makes the races more difficult. But I went… I’m not allowed to say it, but I went stupidly on my balls. It was a weird corner, but you know that. I was going just a bit too fast. My second attack was the right one. I think that, considering the difference in seconds, I was the better one today. This victory feels really good. The most important part of the season is coming up now, with the World Cup, so this is good for the head. Tomorrow (the Antwerp World Cup) will be a very difficult race. Sand crosses are difficult for me. But I hope to do well.”
Exact Cross – Kortrijk Belgium – Men 2024
1. Eli Iserbyt (Bel) Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal in 57:44
2. Niels Vandeputte (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck Development Team at 0:19
3. Michael Vanthourenhout (Bel) Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal
4. Jente Michels (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck Development Team at 0:21
5. Gerben Kuypers (Bel) Charles Liégeois Roastery CX at 0.30
6. Joran Wyseure (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 0:34
7. Anton Ferdinande (Bel) Team Shifting Gears at 0:43
8. Cameron Mason (GB) Cyclocross Reds at 0:55
9. Thomas Mein (GB) Hope Factory Racing at 1:01
10. Daan Soete (Bel) Ridley Racing Team at 1:02.
Kortrijk’24:
Exact Cross – Kortrijk Belgium – Women 2024
Fem van Empel (Visma | Lease a Bike) won the Exact Cross Kortrijk on Saturday. The World champion, who is back after two weekends of rest, left her opponents behind in the first lap and finished solo. The Crelan-Corendon pair of Marion Norbert Riberolle and Inge van der Heijden were second and third.
The woman’s Exact Cross in Kortrijk was mainly about the return of Fem van Empel. The Visma | Lease a Bike rider had taken a short break after retaking her European title in Pontevedra. She had a good chance of winning on Saturday. Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, Lucinda Brand and Sara Casasola were not at the start in Kortrijk. The opposition would come from Marion Norbert Riberolle and Inge van der Heijden, who also had the best start. Van Empel was a few places further back when the race hit the off-road. The World champion quickly moved up to second place and after 4 minutes, she took the lead. Van Empel created a gap in the first lap. At the finish line, she had 3 seconds on Van der Heijden. Alicia Franck followed at 5 seconds, just ahead of Marion Norbert Riberolle.
In the second of six laps, Van Empel extended her lead to 13 seconds on Van der Heijden, who managed to stay a few seconds ahead of her teammate Norbert Riberolle in the third lap. Both Crelan-Corendon riders lost more ground on Van Empel, but had a good lead over Franck and Sanne Cant, who were fourth and fifth in the race. Norbert Riberolle caught Van der Heijden on the fourth lap. And one lap later, the Belgian dropped the Dutch rider. Van der Heijden was unable to get back to her teammate in the final lap and had to settle for third place. Norbert Riberolle finished second, far behind Van Empel. The World champion was able to take it easy in the final minutes of the race, but still won with a big lead. This was her fourth victory of the season.
Race winner, Fem van Empel (Visma | Lease a Bike): “I am happy to be back and starting with a victory is always nice. I have not been sitting still, so I was confident in itself, But the weather was quite different from when you train in warm temperatures. There may have been some doubts about that, but otherwise not. It was very cold. That is why I rode at a fast pace from the start, to keep myself warm. That wind was blowing very hard. That also made it more cold. It was exciting at the European Championships and if it is not exciting, that is also something. I just enjoyed it. The people who were there kept shouting my name. That was nice. It is the first World Cup (Antwerp on Sunday), with a large field of participants and a beautiful course. I am definitely looking forward to that.” Does she feel better after her rest? Normally yes, because I have trained quite a lot. But we will see how it goes in the coming weeks.”
6th, Imogen Wolff (Visma | Lease a Bike): “It’s nice to be back because I missed cyclocross. My start wasn’t very good, but luckily, I was able to move up quickly. I didn’t make many mistakes, so I’m happy with my sixth place. Tomorrow, the field of competitors is stronger, so I’m curious to see how far I can get.”
Exact Cross – Kortrijk Belgium – Women Result:
1. Fem van Empel (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike at 41:57
2. Marion Norbert Riberolle (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 0:47
3. Inge van der Heijden (Ned) Crelan-Corendon at 0:59
4. Sanne Cant (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 2:12
5. Alicia Franck (Bel) De Ceuster-Bouwpunt at 2:13
6. Imogen Wolff (GB) Visma | Lease a Bike at 2:35
7. Jinse Peeters (Bel) De Ceuster-Bouwpunt at 2:44
8. Anna Kay (GB) Proximus-Cyclis-Alphamotorhomes CT at 2:53
9. Francesca Baroni (Ita) Proximus-Cyclis-Alphamotorhomes CT at 3:16
10. Xaydee Van Sinaey (Bel) Crelan-Corendon at 3:27.
Kortrijk’24:
Beking – Monaco 2024
Tadej Pogačar maintains his lead to win the fourth edition of Beking, Mads Pedersen and Michael Matthews complete a prestigious podium.
The fourth edition of Beking has come to an end, having started in the rain and finished under a cloudy, threatening sky, but the event once again managed to excite and engage. The overall winner was reigning World Champion Tadej Pogačar, who triumphed after completing 20 laps of this shortened edition with a flawless performance, proving that nothing can stop Beking from fulfilling its mission.
“Beking is really a fantastic event and I’m always happy to take part every year,” said a satisfied Pogačar. “Even though the weather wasn’t ideal, the race was still fun. I’m especially happy to have won here because we don’t race in Monaco very often. It’s always a special experience. I’m grateful to Matteo and the whole team for continuing to organise this event for such an important cause. It’s inspiring to see so many people out in the rain showing their support and helping to spread the message. The event has grown year on year and it’s exciting to see so many children taking part. This is crucial for the future of the sport, for sustainability and for the values that Beking stands for. I’ve also seen an increase in the number of people using bikes in general, which is definitely a positive sign that we’re moving in the right direction.”
Completing the prestigious podium were Mads Pedersen and Michael Matthews in second and third place respectively, making the competition even more exciting and close until the very last kilometre.
Peter Sagan, special guest, said: “Monaco is home to so many professionals and it’s a real privilege to have them all here year after year to support the important messages of Beking. It’s also logistically easy to reach, with so many people coming to meet their idols and cheer them on along the course. Beking is a fantastic idea, it started well and now in its fourth edition it is getting better every year. I’m always happy to participate, even though I didn’t race this time, it was important to support the cause.”
Despite the inclement weather, the atmosphere remained electric, offering fans moments of pure adrenaline as a group of internationally renowned riders battled it out at strategic points around the circuit. Porto S. Hercule was the beating heart of the event, with a series of exciting races, starting with the Pro-Am, where amateurs had the chance to compete alongside their idols, followed by 50 brave young riders who didn’t let the weather intimidate them, and ending with the professional criterium.
Once again, the event proved to be an important fixture on the cycling calendar, meeting the expectations, as Matteo Trentin confirmed at the end of the criterium: “This year we were really tested by the weather, but my colleagues and the sponsors didn’t leave us alone. We couldn’t be more grateful for their support. We decided to reduce the number of laps, but not the spectacle. This morning we all got together and unanimously decided to go ahead with the race. It was fantastic, an unforgettable atmosphere. We did it again. I’m happy”.
Claudia Morandini, co-founder and owner of CMT, echoed his sentiments: “This is our fourth edition and we’ve never faced weather conditions like this. It wasn’t easy, but now I’m more relaxed because everything went well. The riders were absolutely incredible and nobody backed down. Understandably, there were fewer people on the course, but the fans still gave us their full support. It was nice to see that the solidarity never stopped.”
Romy Gai, President of AWE International and an active participant in the event since its inception, also expressed his satisfaction: “I really believe there’s potential for many more editions of Beking because the enthusiasm and passion of both the fans and the athletes is extraordinary. You can see they’re having fun and dedicating a day to doing something good. Every year we’ve had great participation from top champions like Peter Sagan, Elia Viviani and Tadej Pogačar, to name but a few. It’s a winning combination: passion, commitment and an event that does good. The weather may not have been on our side, but everything went as we hoped”.
Beking wraps up another successful edition with plans for an even more exciting event next year. But the project doesn’t stop there. Proceeds from the auction, to be held tonight during the dinner, will be donated to the awareness and education projects of Beking’s partner associations.
See you next November!
Tadej Pogačar wins his fourth Beking:
Tadej Pogačar to ride Paris-Roubaix?
At the age of 26, Tadej Pogačar’s palmarès is already exceptionally large, with 88 victories as a professional. One race he has not yet won is Paris-Roubaix. The Slovenian has never ridden the ‘Hell of the North’ Classic, but will he ride the cobbles this year? “You never know.”
In an interview with Slovenian RTV, Pogačar is keeping an open mind when it comes to participating in the next edition of the cobbled Classic. “Paris-Roubaix? Not yet. But you never know. If the form is right for such a race, my program can also be adjusted during the season. However, I do not see myself making my debut yet. In that case, I will rather contest the Vuelta a España next year.” Pogačar’s list of achievements is already very impressive at the age of 26. His most important victories are: the Tour de France (3 times), the Tour of Lombardy (4 times), the Giro d’Italia, Liège-Bastogne-Liège (2 times), Tirreno-Adriatico (2 times), the World Championship, the GP de Montréal (2 times), the Tour of Flanders, the Tour of Catalonia and Paris-Nice.
The Slovenian must be ticking off races on his wins bucket list. He still has to win Milano-Sanremo, Paris-Roubaix and the Vuelta a España. If he can take those victories, he will have won all the Grand Tours and all the Monuments. Pogačar has said in the past that he will one day start Paris-Roubaix. “I did this race once as a junior and I can’t imagine how hard it must be as an elite. You experience a completely different kind of pain. The suffering on the cobblestones is really painful. When you climb on cobblestones, it’s different. To win that race, I also have to gain some kilos. It’s going to be difficult. At the moment I think I’m still too light.”
Pogačar to ride Roubaix?
Jonas Vingegaard Doesn’t Rule Out the Giro d’Italia
The rumour that Jonas Vingegaard is interested in riding the Giro d’Italia in 2025 is still rumbling on. Now the Dane from Visma | Lease a Bike has spoken out about it in an interview with Danish TV 2. He doesn’t rule out that he might start in the Giro d’Italia, but the Tour de France has priority.
“I have read in a few places that I will ride the Giro, so maybe I will ride the Giro”, Vingegaard stated. “We have not decided anything yet. We will do that later. But I think the Tour is still the highest in cycling.”
What could tempt Vingegaard to ride the Giro? “If I think that doing the double is a good preparation (for the Tour) and I see a chance to win, I think it would be great to race there. But it shouldn’t be at the expense of winning the Tour.”
For Tadej Pogačar, a Giro participation did not stand in the way of winning the Tour in 2024. The Slovenian won both. “It is clear that you can ride the Giro and the Tour in the same year. We have seen it with Pogačar,” said Vingegaard. “So we have to see what we are going to decide.”
“The big goal will certainly be riding the Tour de France,” continued the two-time winner. “If you think that the Giro is a good preparation, then you can choose to start. But there are also a lot of uncertainties in stage races compared to a training camp.”
Giro and Tour for Vingegaard?
Joshua Tarling Makes Paris-Roubaix his Main Goal
INEOS Grenadiers is not the team it used to be, but Joshua Tarling is still optimistic. The 20-year-old time trial specialist sees it as a challenge to bring the British team back to the top. He said this during Rouleur Live. Tarling also revealed that Paris-Roubaix will be his big goal for 2025.
Tarling acknowledged during Rouleur Live that INEOS is not where it wants to be at the moment. But the British rider also sees mainly positives. “I think they have changed a lot and there are a lot of new people coming in,” he said. “Everyone is doing their best. The mentality is different and the coaching is different. I think it is exciting, I don’t think we should give up. It can only get better. It is nice to be part of this, the turnaround, and to enjoy coming back.”
INEOS Grenadiers is a team full of winners, according to Tarling. “We’ve had a tough time, but we have all the resources, equipment and riders we need. There’s no reason why next year, with a few changes, it’s going to be great.”
In recent seasons, Tarling himself has mainly been looked at as a time trialist. He won the European Time Trial championship in 2023, was third in the World Time Trial championship that same year and was the best in the British Time Trial championship two times in a row, but despite his successes, he also wants to focus mainly on the Classics in 2025. “I’ve always enjoyed racing more than time trials,” he explained. “I really want to focus on the Classics. Personally, Paris-Roubaix is my biggest goal.”
In his first two years as a professional, Tarling started Paris-Roubaix twice. In 2023 he finished outside the time limit, in 2024 he was disqualified for a sticky bidon. When he was a juniors he finished thirteenth in 2021 and 44th in 2022. Last season Tarling also started in the two Flemish spring Classics, Dwars door Vlaanderen and the Ronde van Vlaanderen. He finished 6th and 17th.
Joshua Tarling aiming for Paris-Roubaix in 2025:
Tadej Pogačar on Urska Zigart’s Transfer: “Her and Remco? She Would Quickly Leave Him Behind”
Tadej Pogačar enjoyed the padel tournament organised by his agent Alex Carrera recently. The Slovenian and partner, Felix Grossschartner, beat everyone off the park. Another win. “It was really fun, but I will stick to cycling”, Pogačar told Sporza.
UAE Team Emirates has signed some new riders, with the transfers of Rune Herregodts, Florian Vermeersch and Jhonatan Narvaez. “We have already had a training camp and I have to say: all the newcomers are really good. I can’t wait to see how they will do in the races.” The world champion himself can’t wait to continue his great season in 2025. “I will have to start more races so that I can win more,” he laughed. But, the Slovenian can’t yet say which races he will ride next year. “I don’t know yet, my calendar is not yet known.”
While things are still quiet around Pogačar, the bigger news came from his fiancee, Urska Zigart. She will ride with AG Insurance-Soudal, the women’s Soudal Quick-Step team. Pogačar had a comment for one of his competitors. “She’s going to the same team as Remco, huh! Will she tell him my secrets? I don’t think they’ll ride together often. Urska would leave Remco behind too soon.”
‘Urska, too fast for Remco’:
Maxim Van Gils Expects Clarity on his Future by the End of November
Maxim Van Gils has spoken to the media for the first time since he terminated his contract with Lotto Dstny. Van Gils is convinced of a good outcome and expects clarity by the end of November to the beginning of December at the latest. “It is important for both Lotto and me that this is over quickly,” the young Belgian told WielerFlits.
Van Gils had a contract with Lotto until 2026, but last week by asking for an early departure. “It was better this way,” Van Gils explained his move. “I had lost the culture and the project for a while. I just needed a different environment.”
Van Gils doesn’t know whether his move will lead to a transfer. “Nothing is certain at the moment. Maybe I will still be riding for Lotto next year, I am not sure about that myself. If I could choose, I would rather be gone. But it is not only my choice.”
Van Gils did take a risk, because if he and Lotto Dstny do not reach an agreement, it could lead to a long legal battle. A procedure then seems inevitable and could take months. During this period, Van Gils will be forced to wait for a verdict. “My management has informed me that I may not be able to race for a while, if it doesn’t come to an agreement. But I think that Alex (Carrera, personal manager) will arrange it well and that we are both in a good position at the moment. There is no reason to panic.”
The young Belgian is satisfied with how the process is going so far. “The discussions with Lotto are very good at the moment. We are not angry with each other, that is already good. The decision has to be made fairly quickly. Preferably at the end of November, beginning of December. It is important for both Lotto and me that this is over quickly. I have a lot of confidence in it. Everything is being arranged well for me.”
The strangest thing about the whole story is that Van Gils extended his contract with Lotto Dstny until 2026 in the spring, before he made an impression in the Ardennes classics. So why leave a few months later? “A lot has happened between the contract extension and now. Both in the organisation and in my own performances. It may have only been one season, but still.”
Teams that are interested include Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe and Astana Qazaqstan, but Van Gils himself says he doesn’t yet know where his future lies. “At the moment I am still with Lotto and I cannot talk to other teams yet, nothing is certain yet. I think the next ten days will be very important. But what I do know is that I am still young, so I should definitely go for an interesting sporting project.”
The Belgian remains ambitious. “I would like to ride the same program as this year. Even a little better. That will be difficult, because it was already very good. But I think it can be even better, by winning one of those big races like Strade Bianche or the Flèche Wallonne. I would trade all my places of honour for that.”
Maxim Van Gils looking to his future:
Tom Pidcock Wants to Take Steps on the Road Towards the 2025 Tour
The transfer controversy surrounding Tom Pidcock and his INEOS Grenadiers team is only just over and both parties have to get on with it. The 2025 season is just around the corner and the British rider really wants to prove himself on the road. Will he focus on one-day races or Grand Tours? If we are to believe the various rumours, he wants both.
The 2024 Tour de France was not Tom Pidcock’s best experience. The INEOS Grenadiers rider had to abandon after two weeks without a stage win. He recovered at the Olympic Games by defending his gold medal in the mountain bike race. The next Olympics are four years away, so Pidcock can concentrate on the road. “The Olympic cycle is four years long, so I think the next two years are definitely crucial for Tom to explore his limits on the road and how far he can go,” Pidcock’s coach Kurt Bogaerts told Cyclingnews.
“He can score in the Classics, he can score in the Grand Tours and he will have more space mentally,” Bogaerts continued. “I’m not saying no to off-road completely, but it will depend more on his road goals. Tom himself said that he wants to be as good as he can on the road. We are also realistic that we have never really had the ideal preparation, so we don’t know his limits on the road.”
Is the Tour where Pidcock will shine? “When he rode his first Tour de France, he got a taste of what the TDF is,” the Belgian coach said. “He won a really nice stage on the Alpe d’Huez and he really wants more of that kind of thing. Tom sees that we have strong opponents at the moment and it’s about identifying his limits in a classification. The Tour is a big goal for Tom, because it’s one of the biggest races there is. He definitely wants to play a role there.”
Pidcock himself was less emphatic about this wish. During Rouleur Live, he was asked about his goals for 2025. “I think I’ve lost that ability a bit, the sprint, the speed that I had maybe two to three years ago, and that’s what I want to try to find again. My favourite races are the one-day races, the Classics, and I haven’t won a Monument yet. So that’s what I want to focus on.”
Bogaerts is adamant that the cycling world has not yet seen what Pidcock can do in a three-week race. “I still think he can be really good on the road.” It remains to be seen whether the Briton will ride the 2025 Tour de France for INEOS Grenadiers, as there is a lot of competition to be on the start line.
What next for Tom Pidcock?
Laurence Pithie Wants to Compete with Mathieu van der Poel in the Classics
Laurence Pithie is only 22-years-old, but was strong in the Classics of 2024. The New Zealander is moving from Groupama-FDJ to Red Bull-BORA-Hansgrohe this winter and hopes to be able to continue his strong spring of last season. He has no lack of ambition: “I want to compete with Van der Poel”, Pithie said in an interview with Rouleur.
Laurence Pithie had his breakthrough in 2024, although he ‘only’ a win in the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. The Kiwi did take some top places. He came close in two stages of Paris-Nice, he finished seventh in Paris-Roubaix and was in the top-5 several times in his first Grand Tour.
“At that time of year, everything was a disappointment because I wanted to win so badly and do well for the team,” the New Zealander said. “It was always ‘what could have been’ for me. It’s maybe an experience thing that I don’t really enjoy those small victories. Even if you had told me at the beginning of the season that I would win a WorldTour race, finish seventh in Roubaix or wear the yellow jersey in Paris-Nice, I would have signed for that right away.”
The coming years will be very important for Pithie’s growth as a rider. He chose to move up to the Red Bull-BORA-Hansgrohe team. Pithie has been brought in together with Jan Tranik, Gianni Moscon, Oier Lazkano and the Van Dijke brothers for success in the spring. Although, the switch from Groupama-FDJ to his new team was not a necessity for Pithie. “I would have liked to stay with Groupama-FDJ, but I struggled with many aspects of the team. For example, there was a language barrier. As I became more of a leader this year, I realised that it was difficult to express myself in another language. Joining an English-speaking team was probably a good start for me and my future,” Pithie thinks.
The competition within the team can also do him good, the 22-year-old rider expects. “When you are at a high level and your teammates around you are at a high level, you only push each other up. It is not that I think I am going to be a leader and rock my way through Belgium. I also like working for other people.”
However, there is no lack of ambition in the young New Zealander. “Sanremo is where it all starts for me in terms of the big Classics. And then Roubaix. Roubaix can sometimes be a bit of a lottery, but at the moment Van der Poel is on the top step and is dominating the Monuments. I really want to compete with him. I know it’s ambitious and I’m young, but you have to start somewhere.”
Laurence Pithie has big ambitions:
Perico Delgado Looks at Tadej Pogačar
Tadej Pogačar has been one of the best cyclists in the world for the last few years, but this year he dominated just about every race he started. The Slovenian took 25 victories in 2024, including two monuments, the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and the World championship. According to former Tour winner Pedro Delgado, this is just the beginning.
The 64-year-old Spaniard, who was a tour rider in the 80’s and 90’s, with victories in the Tour de France in 1988 and the Vuelta a España in 1985 and 1989, has been looking at the career of Pogačar so far. According to Delgado, the Slovenian is in a league of his own. “He has no rival,” he said during an interview with the Spanish sports press. “Under his dictatorship, it is impossible for rivals to shine. His physical qualities are insane and he also likes to sell the show and win in style. He never settles for less. He is truly a prodigy. I don’t know how long his era will last. I don’t mean his physical qualities, but because he has made winning a habit. That could also collapse at some point. But I think he will dominate the sport for the next five years.”
Delgado can’t see anyone who can better the World champion in terms of tours. “Juan Ayuso and Carlos Rodríguez are making progress, but they are not riding at the level of Pogačar. Remco Evenepoel is very good, but I still have the feeling that he is in a learning process,” concluded Delgado.
Delgado impressed by Pogačar:
Bakelants Not Impressed by Soudal Quick-Step Transfers
Soudal Quick-Step has been working for several years to strengthen the core around leader Remco Evenepoel, but according to Jan Bakelants there is still work to be done. The former rider is not impressed by the transfer policy of the Belgian team.
As an analyst for Het Laatste Nieuws, Bakelants looks back on the past transfer period. He discusses Soudal Quick-Step, the team of Remco Evenepoel. Has the team of manager Patrick Lefevere become stronger, compared to last season? “I am shocked by the fact that COO Jurgen Foré, despite his undoubtedly extensive business network, is not succeeding in bringing in new sponsors.”
“Sponsors who can improve the situation within the team and offer the financial strength to attract riders who can effectively have an impact. The fact that this does not work out will inevitably have an impact on the transfer policy at Soudal Quick-Step. Because let’s be honest: we are not excited about the arrival of Valentin Paret-Peintre, Ethan Hayter, Maximilian Schachmann and co. I remain hungry. And with me, Remco himself, I think.”
“In the races, in which he is mainly dependent on his own physical qualities, he will continue to score generously and frequently,” the former professional cyclist continues. “But in the major tours and in particular the Tour de France, where he desperately needs all the help, it will be a very difficult story. And we fervently hope for ‘the next step’ from types like Ilan Van Wilder or a faster development of young boys like William junior Lecerf to fill the gap.”
“Because I don’t think we should expect it from the incoming transfers. You can also ask yourself: are these riders coming for Remco? Or for themselves? You could assume that a lot of transfer budget would be released with the departure of Julian Alaphilippe and Kasper Asgreen. But that money was probably used to further bind Evenepoel to the team. To ensure that he did not accept offers from teams such as Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe and that he would continue to serve out his current contract until the end of 2026.”
“Actually, the best, most sensational transfer move at Soudal Quick-Step is that they were able to keep Remco with them for longer,” Bakelants believes. “Not by breaking open his contract and extending it, but by applying a pay rise. Remco is also fully worth that. He is ‘the king’ there, isn’t he. And above all: the second best cyclist in the world after Tadej Pogacar.”
Jan Bakelants not impressed by Soudal Quick-Step transfers:
Till 2028, plenty of future ahead with Movistar
Jon Barrenetxea, Carlos Canal, Iván Romeo, Javier Romo and Pelayo Sánchez have extended their contracts with Movistar Team through 2028.
In 2023, Iván Romeo (Valladolid, ESP; 2003) joined Movistar Team as the youngest rider in the squad that season. At 19 years old, he debuted with the team and, by August, claimed victory in Stage 5 of the Tour de l’Avenir. Later that year, he wrapped up the season with a silver medal in the U23 European Road Championships. In 2024, Romeo took another leap forward, starting the year strong at the AlUla Tour and capping it off in spectacular fashion by winning the U23 World Time Trial Championship in Zurich. This impressive progression, which Romeo reflects on in his comments, earned him a long-term contract with Movistar Team.
Iván Romeo: “I’m thrilled to renew with the team for four more years. These past two seasons with Movistar Team have been a huge step forward for me, thanks to the confidence the team has shown in me from the start. They’ve provided me with the tools and opportunities to grow without putting any pressure on me, and they’ve supported me every step of the way. I know the direction I want to keep progressing in, and so does the team. This is the team I’ve always dreamed of being part of, and I’m very grateful and ready to help. I’m really excited for the 2025 season, which I’m preparing for with great care.”
Pelayo Sánchez (Oviedo, ESP; 2000) made a dream debut with Movistar Team in January 2024, taking victory at the Trofeo Pollença – Port d’Andratx in Mallorca. The Oviedo-born rider participated in his first Giro d’Italia, where he made headlines again by claiming a prestigious win in Stage 6, finishing in Rapolano Terme, and taking second place in the Sappada stage.
Pelayo Sánchez: “I’m very happy to announce my renewal with the team until 2028. From day one, I’ve felt incredibly welcomed here, and honestly, it feels like home. When the opportunity to extend my contract came up, I didn’t have to think twice. I believe this is the ideal place for me to keep growing, both as a cyclist and as a person. I’m surrounded by top professionals and many friends I’ve made here. I hope to continue developing for many years in this jersey and bring joy to both the team and our fans.”
In 2024, Jon Barrenetxea (Gámiz-Fica, ESP; 2000) achieved his first victory in Movistar Team colours, winning the Circuito de Getxo in his debut season with the team. His talent convinced Eusebio Unzué’s squad to sign him to a long-term deal.
Jon Barrenetxea: “I’m very happy and grateful to continue with Movistar Team until 2028. My adaptation during this first year has been perfect, despite the challenges I faced, like the crash at the Amstel Gold Race in April. I’m eager to repay the team’s trust in me on the road. With the amazing group we have, I’m confident there will be plenty of successes, and I hope to contribute a lot to the team.”
Carlos Canal (Xinzo de Limia, ESP; 2001) had a standout debut season with Movistar Team in 2024, achieving notable results throughout the year. He finished second in Stage 3 of his home race, O Gran Camiño, and reached the podium in the youth classifications at the Boucles de la Mayenne (3rd) and the Tour de Wallonie (2nd). At 23, the rider from Orense has also earned a long-term contract extension.
Carlos Canal: “I’m really happy with this renewal. Having a contract of this length gives you the peace of mind to keep growing in a team that has made me feel at home from day one. I feel very comfortable with this group of young riders we’ve formed. I want to thank the team for the trust they’ve placed in us. I’m eager to keep working hard to improve and give back all the support they’ve given me.”
Javier Romo (Villafranca de los Caballeros, ESP; 1999) joined Movistar Team in 2024 and immediately felt at home. The Toledo native made his Tour de France debut this year, finishing a commendable 5th in the young riders’ classification and 7th on the gravel stage to Troyes. In September, he narrowly missed the podium with a 4th place at the GP Industria & Artigianato in Larciano.
Javier Romo: “This season has been super positive. Some things could have gone better, but it’s been the year where I’ve grown the most as a rider. Joining Movistar Team, with its welcoming and family-like atmosphere, has been key to that growth. I’ve also had a great race calendar. I’m very happy to extend my contract—it shows the team’s confidence in me and my potential to keep improving. In the coming years, I hope to make progress in grand tours, aim for stage wins, and be a valuable support for our leaders. Let’s go for it!”
Diego Pablo Sevilla extends with Team Polti Kometa
One of the references of Team Polti Kometa in the race, one of the captains on the road who accumulates more than 10 seasons in the structure of the Alberto Contador Foundation, will continue one more year wearing the team’s Gsport kit in order to prolong his work as a leader and teacher of the youngest talent.
Despite his 28 years, Diego Pablo Sevilla is already a reference in cycling and above all a guide for Team Polti Kometa. His extensive experience, his reading of the race and his ability to be a protagonist, as he demonstrated this year in the Vuelta a Burgos or Circuito de Getxo, make him a fundamental part of the team, where he will continue to offer his quality in 2025.
“It’s a real pleasure to continue with Team Polti Kometa for another year. Since 2013, I have known all the categories of the project and I feel that I have grown with it”, says Diego Pablo Sevilla. “Now for next year, my goal is to improve, to contribute to the team’s objectives but above all to enjoy cycling, which is my job and my passion.”
Sports director Jesús Hernández is full of praise for the cyclist from Madrid: “He is the example of a team rider, a reference for the younger riders. Every team needs a rider like Diego, who renounces personal glory to work generously towards the objectives of his team-mates. But he has also shown his ability to play his own cards when he is free, so for me it is a special satisfaction to be able to continue counting on him for 2025.”
USA Cycling Announces 2025 National Championship Schedule
USA Cycling unveils the dates and locations for National Championships across Road, Mountain, Track, Cyclocross, Gravel, BMX, and eSports.
USA Cycling unveiled the schedule for the 2025 USA Cycling National Championships. With events spanning multiple cycling disciplines, the season showcases some of the best races in the United States. They will draw thousands of cyclists and fans from around the country, all vying for the coveted Stars and Stripes jersey.
“We’re still on Cloud 9 from the record-breaking performances of Team USA cyclists at the Paris 2024 Olympics. That spirit of dreaming big is what makes our National Championships so meaningful,” said USA Cycling’s President and CEO, Brendan Quirk. “For some, it’s about winning a title and qualifying for the World Championships. And for others, it’s about having the courage to sign up and test themselves for the first time against national-caliber competition. There’s something for everyone, and we welcome all our members to pick a National Championship and set their own personal goals.”
Riders will see some exciting new venues in 2025. The first National Championship of the year will be eSports, in partnership with Echelon Racing Promotions and now taking place on MyWhoosh for the first time. Trek Bicycle will host Collegiate Road Nationals, and Tour of America’s Dairyland will host Masters & Junior Road Nationals, both taking place in Wisconsin. Pro Road Nationals is returning to Charleston showcasing Elite, Under-23, Junior 17-18, and Para-cycling racers. It will also mark the debut of the Under-23 Women’s Road Race as a standalone event, as well as the addition of Para-cycling to the program. For 2025 and 2026, Endurance Mountain Bike Nationals will include both the Cross-Country and Marathon Mountain Bike events, creating one exhilarating race week in Roanoke. Gravity Mountain Bike Nationals will take place in partnership with the Pro Downhill Series – specific dates and locations for the Championship event will be announced at a later date. The recently reopened Colorado Springs Velodrome will host Elite, Masters, and Para-cycling Track Nationals. The Gravel National Championship is heading to La Crescent, Minn. To conclude the season, Cyclocross Nationals will take place in Fayetteville, Ark.
The 2025 National Championship schedule is as follows:
Details including event locations, registration information, and additional event specifics, will be available on the USA Cycling website at https://usacycling.org/events/national-championships.
For more information, contact National Events at nationalevents@usacycling.org.
The ‘Stars and Stripes’ up for grabs:
AIOCC is Considering Using a Formula 1 Safety Car in Races
The AIOCC, the association of cycling race organisers, is considering using a safety car like the one in Formula 1 in races. This was discussed during an AIOCC meeting this week, according to RadioCorsa.
The safety car is used in motorsport to limit the speed of participants in the event of accidents or dangerous conditions on the circuit. Until the dangerous situation is resolved, the safety car will continue to drive in front of the leader of the race. After that, the participants will be allowed to continue racing.
The organiser of Tre Valli Varesine, the Italian race that was stopped this year due to bad weather, has already responded to the AIOCC idea. “It could be an idea. The most important thing is that the races are not stopped, because that would harm the organisers, cycling and the fans. That is the most important thing.” It remains to be seen whether the safety car will actually be introduced. No decisions have yet been made about the idea.
Safety car in cycling?
Tour Colombia Again in Jeopardy as Ministry Reduces Funding
The future of the Tour Colombia is once again in jeopardy. In 2022 and 2023, the stage race struggled with financial problems, which meant that no edition could be organised. Last year, this changed due to a financial commitment from the Colombian Ministry of Sport. But, because of the reduction in this support that the race seems to be in trouble again this year.
The Colombian Ministry of Sport is one of the main financial backers of the stage race. Nevertheless, the government body has decided to reduce investments in the Tour Colombia by 66%, according to the newspaper El Tiempo. The amount of money would drop from 300,000 euros for 2024 to only 100,000 euros for 2025. The Tour Colombia 2025 could be cancelled if funds are not found in time.
“Losing the opportunity to organise a race of this caliber in the country is terrible news,” said Luis Cely, coach of the GW Erco Shimano team. “It is a race with great teams and cyclists of great caliber. The Colombians can no longer compete with them without the Tour Colombia. The riders who cannot go to Europe can only compete with the best in the world in the Tour Colombia. For us, as a brand and as a team, it is good to have this race.”
Raúl Mesa, coach of the NU Colombia team, warns that the cancellation of the next Tour Colombia could be very damaging for young people. “We must work to organise races for U23 riders and the Tour Colombia is an excellent option. You race in your own country against great riders. This gives young riders the opportunity to compete, to learn what it means to participate in a race like this. If it does not happen, it hurts us a lot. The Tour Colombia is fundamental for brands like ours and those of many sponsors, because being present in a high-level race means being visible. Competition is an incentive for companies to invest.”
Tour Colombia in trouble:
Beking Charity Auction: A Day of Sport, Sustainability and Solidarity
An event that celebrates sport while supporting causes of great social value.
Beking is not only a celebration of sport, but also an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of many children and young people through educational activities on a day dedicated to cycling, sustainability and training. As well as being an event full of exciting activities such as the pro-am race, parent-child ride, children’s race and criterium with international cycling stars, Beking stands out for its social commitment. This commitment is expressed through the highly anticipated Charity Auction.
The auction is a unique opportunity for participants to actively support a worthy cause. Proceeds from the auction will go to the Fight AIDS Foundation, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation and the Beking Foundation, which was created by the riders themselves after the last edition in 2023.
Auction prizes
A range of sports memorabilia and exclusive items will be up for grabs, with the added bonus of meeting some international sporting legends in person.
Highlights of the auction include unique items such as a limited edition saddle – only 9 pieces in the world – featuring a custom “World Champion Prologo/Tadej” design, signed by Tadej Pogacar, as well as jerseys and a bike from the star of the 2024 season. F1 fans will have the chance to win the helmet worn by this year’s Monaco, Monza and Austin winner, Charles Leclerc, as well as gloves from the incredible young talent, Ollie Bearman, who will also take part in a special moment during the evening. From the tennis courts, there will be rackets from Jannik Sinner and Marin Čilić, with the Croatian star also offering one of his kits for auction. Other items include a signed jersey from famous Norwegian footballer Erling Haaland and a Stajvelo City Bike, a design object perfect for cycling enthusiasts.
Beking’s mission
Beking’s mission, with its community of professional cyclists and passionate fans, is to combine sport with solidarity, making a positive impact on communities and raising awareness of important issues such as environmental sustainability and education. That’s why, in addition to Fight AIDS, the proceeds from last year’s auction were donated to four charities chosen by the Beking Association: The The Rayner Foundation, Regala un Sogno, Amigos de Ositeti, Associazione Bambi.
This year, new projects to support those most vulnerable will be selected and announced as soon as possible.
Off-Script November Camp 2024 | From Medicals to Manchester United
Go behind the scenes to see everything that goes into the team’s November Camp. Follow new recruit Artem Shmidt through our pre-season medicals, then watch as the team visit Old Trafford and Carrington to train with Manchester United coaches.
Watch the PEZ YOUTUBE Channel here
Follow PEZ INSTAGRAM here
The PEZ NEWSWIRE!
Don’t forget to check the “NEWSWIRE” section, you can find it on the homepage, just above the PEZ Shop section. The bits of news that missed the EuroTrash deadline are in there, plus any news as-it-happens will be added there too.
Any comments, drop me a line, at: alastair@pezcyclingnews.com or Twitter. And check the PezCyclingNews Twitter and Facebook Page. And say hi on Zwift when you pass me.
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