First bit of news is via their facebook account. The opener for the season will be the GP Costa degli Etruschi. Tro-Bro Leon looks to be on the calendar too. Their only venture into Western Europe last year was the Tour de Berlin, so this maybe marks a change in geographic focus?Apart from Israelis, the 2015 squad was full of Poles, Slovaks plus one Czech and a Spaniard.
The Italian stage race - La Settimana Internazionale di Coppi e Bartali is a beautiful opportunity for us to honour the memory of the legendary Italian champion Gino Bartali, who was recognised as a righteous among the nations, by the Yad Vashem: World Holocaust Center, Jerusalem.
Bartali, who was one of the greatest champions in the history of cycling, won multiple titles of the Giro d'Italia and Le Tour de France. It was only a few years ago though, that the stories about Bartali's noble acts to save Italy's Jews, during the 2nd World-War, started to emerge.
We feel that there is no need to explain, how special it is for an Israeli team like us, to be invited to such a prestigious race, that honours the great sportive rivalry between Gino Bartali and his greatest cycling rival Fausto Coppi.
We may only say, that for us, Bartali will always remain a symbol of an exceptional champion. On and off the bike.
"Il bene si fa, ma non si dice" he once said (Italian to: "Good is something you do, not something you talk about").
And we hope that every single one of our team member, will be inspired by Bartali's legacy.
They've still got six Eastern Europeans though, so hopefully they won't abandon all the races from that part of the world.I'm pretty confident that they won't. :shh
Excellent kit!It's the kit of the *ee amateur team Räim was riding for this year, though. ;)
http://www.thepelotonbrief.com/dan-craven-framebuilding/Nowt wrong with brackets (I should know, I use them regularly)! :P
Dan Craven builds a bike (and he uses a lot of brackets too).
(http://i67.tinypic.com/6rr47m.png)As the 'model' seems to be Guillaume Boivin (I think), it would be the 2016 kit, yes.
I presume this is the "new" kit. The grey in last year's seemed to get a bit bluer in later races and this takes it a small step further.
The excitement of who might make the final cut is also lessening as only 17 riders are competing now - the Ethiopians and Eritreans didn't get visas. So with potentially fifteen spots up for grabs, the qualifications are easier than Euro 2018.
http://www.tuttobiciweb.it/index.php?page=news&cod=84517&tp=n
Nikolaos Iaonnidis (23 anni, Grecia), Masaru Nakazto (23, Giappone), Marko Pavlic (22, Slovenia), Ioannis Spanopoulos (22, Grecia), Mihkel Räim (22, Estonia), Guy Gabay (22, Israele), Guy Sagiv (20, Israele), Aviv Yecheskel (20, Israele), Dan Turek (23, Repubblica Ceca), Lubos Malovec (22, Slovacchia), Emanuel Piaskowy (24, Polonia), Vojtek Migdal (24, Polonia), Max Korus (27 Usa/Israele), Juraj Bellan (19, Slovacchia), Chris Butler (27, Usa), Luis Lemus (23, Messico) e Dan Craven (32, Namibia) are played along with some talent in the Horn of Africa They were unable to reach Italy to visa problems and other young Italians without clear agreement from the past 12 to 15 seats up for grabs .
Take your pick, though without knowing the Italians/Africans it's difficult to guess.
Too late, search has seen it. Prepare to get :nuts at Sibiu.What, you expect me to recognise every Conti-level cyclist by his face alone? :o
I have great memories from my years racing with Cannondale Pro Cycling and I’m looking forward to Team Cycling Academy having a lot of success on these incredible machines. Not only is the EVO the best bike I have ridden yet in my career, it’s a classic looking bike, which I love
So the Cannonball is just another "Conti-level cyclist" is he ?!Ah, but it wasn't the Cannonball! It was Mihkel Räim! :P
That grave you're digging is getting awfully deep. :P
What, you expect me to recognise every Conti-level cyclist by his face alone? :o
Surely that's unreasonable. :P
There it was, this legendary climb in the Negev Desert, a scrappy legs breaking mountain. Thousands of times it was challenged in recent years so when training there yesterday we could not resist trying to beat the record.
The players: three of our riders: the American Chris Butler, Israeli champion Guy Sagiv and Max Korus. We had with us two guest riders, the talented Israeli national team riders Zohar Hadari and omer Goldstein.
Did one of them made it and best the record?
Watch...
does that look like a proper jersey for the
#teamca *ca *ca CANADIAN NATIONAL CHAMPION *ca *ca #teamca
to you?!
:angry :angry
well...they don't actually have a proper jersey for him yet though :shh :angelShould be easy enough to fix:
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xft1/v/t1.0-9/1937352_1689217148001586_3668468823009311357_n.jpg?oh=8c4b8ab27efaaff1d078b19d7be9607f&oe=570DAD8D&__gda__=1459477255_e44544e58182951a67dc9f1583e92ac4)Turn the blue into red[1] and the Star of David into a maple leaf, and you're done. :cool
1. | and remove the band below the Star of David |
What I'm really interested in is Dan Craven's #champna jersey ... Presumed he gets one as the *na champs are early in the season. They might wait until after the champs to see if he actually wins them again.No #champna kit for Dan: :(
1. | meaning that the only thing that's 100% sure is that they won't announce them before Friday, and will announce them at any point in time between Friday and the end of the month ... |
https://www.facebook.com/CyclingAcademyTeam/posts/655563824547179Reading the post, I think it will be Saquenay & Beauce. California would be awesome - but spots in that race are highly sought after.
More races inked in. Winston-Salem and Philadelphia. If we connect the dots, California finishes a week before WS or alternatively the Canadian double header of Saguenay and Beuce starts a few days after Philly.
Year | WT | PCT | Conti |
---|---|---|---|
2015 | 8 | 4 | 6 |
2014 | 9 | 3 | 4 |
2013 | 8 | 3 | 5 |
2012 | 8 | 4 | 4 |
2011 | 9 | 4 | 5 |
2010 | 7 | 2 | 7 |
1. | #ag2r #cannondale #didata #etixx #giant #katusha #jumbo #sky #tinkoff #trek |
No #champna kit for Dan: :(
https://twitter.com/DanFromNam/status/686871182663135232
Au contraire mon frere!:woohoo
(well he has to win to get the kit obviously)
(well he has to win to get the kit obviously)
Are there any UCI regulations regarding the wearing of National Champs jerseys in races? ie. you have to wear one if you're the current champ.
I don't know if Boivin didn't get a jersey yet or if the just have not presented it so far though.He's on the startlist for the GP Costa degli Etruschi on Sunday - so we ought to see it then.
As the place was earned collective, NOC and NCF came up with a system which will
be transparent and fair towards the Namibia Elite Road Cyclist to be selected for the
place to go and represent Namibia at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. We agree to
work within the NOC qualification criteria and the NCF criteria, which brought us to
the following point allocation system:
Points will be allocated to the respective top Road Cyclists for each of the following
events:
i) 2015 Africa Tour Points will constitute – 30% of the total Points
ii) 2015 All Africa Games will constitute – 30% of the total Points
iii) 2016 Nation Road Race will constitute – 40% of the total Points
Ranking | Rider | Points |
---|---|---|
35 | Dan Craven | 67.67 |
60 | Martin Freyer | 33.67 |
99 | Michael Pretorius | 17.67 |
100 | Costa Siebeb | 17 |
Looking at the selection criteria, they seem fair enough, but what doesn't seem right is that they seem to have arrived at this means of selection after two of the three criteria have already passed. Would some of the DNFs in the race have gone on to finish if they knew a Rio spot might have been at stake. Anyway it does add a extra frisson of excitement to the RR.Very much this.
There are some clues actually in that picture and in this one....I fail to see the clues ...[1] :S
....about Boivin's kit. I don't think it's going to be a five centimetre red/white/maple leaf band across the chest of a normal kit.
1. | not helped by the fact that I still can't identify Boivin ... shame on me! |
However still no Nat Champs kit (did they both get fined like they should've?) and they seemed to be all wearing the team's training kit as opposed to their racing one. Strange.The UCI isn't in charge of handing out fines for that, it's entirely in the hands of the national federations. Don't think the Canadian fed will hand out fines for the national champ not wearing a special, that's more like the Italian or Belgian fed.
As for the training kit - my guess is that they'll have a team presentation where the new kit (including #champca & #champna) will be launched. Soon, I hope.Ask, and you shall be answered:
Then again, they already had a team presentation during their *il training camp ... :slow
Special guest at the Casa del Cycling Academy in Lucca.Whether he's dishing out fashion tips or race tactics, I can't imagine a more skeptical looking audience for his efforts. :D
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/12540653_651102531659975_1260346030527270576_n.jpg?oh=edd4fa4b34f98f95274fb29f9fb9ec52&oe=57034A3D)
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/12565630_651102524993309_4173491956182975557_n.jpg?oh=f379283401d6783e9266a777cfa09267&oe=56FC03D5)
Giving the team some tips (hopefully not fashion ones).
(https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-0/p526x296/12642857_661056370664591_7945449868026589601_n.jpg?oh=b85053b2c675fc3173a323ae9c3480c2&oe=5763BCA7):o :D
:cool
After the podium ceremony ( first place by crushing margin) the bearded "Dan from Nam" declared that "I wouldn't mind racing another 2 stages"
" It wasn't fun" admitted Our Israeli champion Guy Sagiv, clearly exhausted by the 5 hours second stage of the Samarathon mountain bike race in the Israeli Desert. " Even as an Israeli, I am not used to race in these kind of conditions, especially the heat".
They won naturally, but the two of them felt a bit different about it all. :lolNobody out-deserts a Namibian! :yuush
Still no news on their next race
We are sending 8 riders to the GP Izola in Slovenia, a 157 mostly flat kms that promise an ultra fast and aggressive race. And we are ready to every script that will unfold.
"It will be very nervous race" predicted our Daniel Turek, one of our main cards in this race. He will have to make sure that a major breakaway will not form without him. Sprint finish? We have our canadian champ Guillaume Boivin as a candidate, fresh from wining the last race Beit Guvrin, Israel. No illusion, though. It will be much tougher challenge tomorrow.
G Boivin ( Canada)
Mihkel Räim ( Estonia)
Guy Gabay ( Israel)
Dan Turek ( Czech Republic)
Wojciech Migdał ( Poland)
Marko Pavic ( Sloveni)
Emanuel Piaskowy (Poland)
Luboš Malovec ( Slovakia)
This was a day with no glory, a day of clear disappointment but also a day that will make us better.
It was 35 km into the GP Izola race that things went badly. That was the moment when 9 riders were able to form a breakaway, and we had no one there. "We missed it" our Canadian Guillaume Boivin.
it will turn out a costly miss. Although more then 120 km left on the race, all efforts to chase it down went to no avail. "The boys gave it 100 percent to close it but it was too much. It was a full gas constantly and the peloton was losing riders".
Our sports director Nicki Sørensen was clearly frustrated: " We should have done better. We had to be in that breakaway and once we failed, we had to chase it down. Bottom line: We are disappointed."
I hope the Cannonball will finally wear his #champca jersey! ;)
"I really wanted it" admitted Guy Gabay . "From the first moment, I said to myself that it woold be awesome if I can make it".
Well, he did. 18 km's of one of the most dramatic climbs in Israel - from the foot of the legendary Masada to the young city of Arad.
The plan was to put a lot of pressure on the Israeli Elite field. Our Dan Craven was taking care of that in the first two thirds of the stage with the help of Guy sagiv. Then it was up to Gabay and our American terrific climber Chris Butler. Eventually , in the last part of the climb, only 3 rivals left. "Butler did an amazing job. No chance i would have won it without him" said Gabay afterwards.
Nobody was celebrating too much as 2 more stages awaiting. "We have to win the whole tour of Arad" said Gabay. " nothing less is acceptable "
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlt1/v/t1.0-9/12832322_668785516558343_4149983796711441704_n.jpg?oh=0783a1b3dd90ab25f2868b4db8f5e990&oe=575B6FF4)But what an awesome jersey (both of them)! :cool
t was a 157 km race that was heavily affected by strong cross winds, sometimes surpassing 30kmh. "I felt bad in the first 50 km" said The 23 years old. "But much better after that".
How much? Well, how about being able to get into the last group of riders that left the peloton behind for good, 30 km t to the finish. With him were 2 of his teamates, Mihkel Räim and Emanuel Piaskowy. After the two strongest riders of the race broke away, it was the Turek group who went into a sprint to get a podium. Turek is not a classic sprinter but he is showing improvement on that and was able to finish 5th. After the 7th place we secured in the last race, everybody feels that the team is moving in the right direction: " we are getting sharper and the podiums will come for sure" said our sports director Nicki Sørensen, confidently.
I guess Pavlic might come into the squad for the Istrian Spring Trophy, but I'm not too sure that either him or Dan has it quite to challenge for the GC.Hard to say.
"This partnership will accelerate our riders performance tremendously, on and off the bikes"
"This is extremly exciting", said the team's Canadian sprinter Guillaume Boivin
The Oeselians were a historical subdivision of Estonians inhabiting Saaremaa, an Estonian island in the Baltic Sea (the island which Raim is from).
The Oeselians were known in the Old Norse Icelandic Sagas and in Heimskringla as Víkingr frá Esthland (English: vikings from Estonia). They were summarized in the Livonian Rhymed Chronicle thus: "The Oeselians, neighbors to the Kurs (Curonians), are surrounded by the sea and never fear strong armies as their strength is in their ships. In summers when they can travel across the sea they oppress the surrounding lands by raiding both Christians and pagans."
good showing by the team yesterday btw with both their champs in the breakaway in their first (?) race of the year which was live on tv. Too bad Boivin couldn't make it to the endTwo of their three champs, please! :P
Croatia is not going how I envisioned to say the least. Multiple mechanicals, couple high speed sprint crashes, ( broke my good luck charm in one) has me all pretty hobbled right now. I am so thankful for such amazing teammates and staff that are pulling me through this race. I am in such good hands with @cyclingacademyteam and looking forward to repay with results soon!
but since then, we followed with great admiration as Roy continued to grow and develop. "He showed great will" said Team owner Ron Baron. " we are excited to further strengthen our team with the greatest Israeli talents and Roy is up there".
" I am going for a win there" he said confidently. " I will try. I feel ready for it".
He'll be starting the Fleche du Sud tomorrow. Raim will be leading the team there and is feeling pretty upbeat.They'll go head-to-head with the #stolting puncheurs there.
A disastrous chain crash in the Flèche du Sud tour race we take part in Luxembourg has resulted in serious injuries yesterday and caused the cancelation of the stage.
Media reports from the scene documented half a dozen ambulances rushed to the scene and transporting riders with serious injuries to emergency rooms. There were reports of serious head injuries among the riders.
Our Namibian @dan craven told us it happened some 10 km into the stage. "It was a Dodgy descent . Steep, Off-camber corner with apparently oil on it. a stone wall on the outside of the corner... Massive pile up. All four of us where pretty much next to each other around 30th-40th position. I was last guy to make it past."
Our Mihkel Raim could not avoid the crash but landed softly and unharmed.
https://www.facebook.com/CyclingAcademyTeam/posts/697084127061815All I hear is that it was nasty. Stage cancellation totally justified.
Bad crash at the Arrow. Thankfully for the team they had no injures, but others weren't so lucky.
GC will likely be now between the four successful breakees from stage two.
My goals this race is to win and show the estonians that we have strong team. I'm happy with my team, it's a bit different team, we are like big family and I think it's key of our success.
https://twitter.com/TheSlowRidePod/status/738501168532492288I would like to deny that I am in any way, shape or form involved in or identical to The Slow Ride Podcast. :-x
Hmmm
....
Dan Craven
.....
interview
.....
it's ringing bells for some reason.
:P
I would like to deny that I am in any way, shape or form involved in or identical to The Slow Ride Podcast. :-x
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13319821_708638655906362_2884198693194084106_n.jpg?oh=963dca2311d70df797d29282b8ebc83c&oe=57D17F45)Is it a race if you take a 1-2-3-4-5 and there's no other Conti team participating? :shh
:fanfare
Is it a race if you take a 1-2-3-4-5 and there's no other Conti team participating? :shh
The U rating means the riders have to be born in '94 or later? If so that means the team will be Hadari, Sagiv, Malovec and Yechezkel.Yes, 1994 or later.
"Nope" said the Estonian "Viking". " 2nd is not the result that satisfies us any more. For me, we failed".
--------------------------
This time it was Daniel Turek who took the initiative, going for his signature breakaway with 4 partners from the beginning to the last 60 kms. Then came a powerful attack on the climb by our three riders, Dan Craven, Guillaume Boivin and the Viking and soon they formed the winning breakaway with 12 riders, including 4 of our own.
That was almost a perfect scenario, The only obstacle was Canadian, Team Silber, who had 5 riders. So it was us against them. Two teams totally dominating the race.
In the last climb it was Mano A Mano. Our Estonian and a rider from Silber, both going away. Raim was sure that he has a great chance to get us the win. "I am better sprinter then him" , he thought to himself. But then came bad luck for a visit: Our Canadian champ punctured and there was no one to cover another attack from Silber. So Viking found himself isolated by another Silber rider who was able to bridge. Now it was no longer one on one but one against two. " I did not play my cards perfectly" admitted the always open and frank Estonian who could not beat the two and settled for second.
But it was one battle. The war is still on. 3 stages left. We are still very much in a position to win. Hang on.
Dislocated shoulder for Boivin. Minor surgery required.Ouchie.
It will be a damn shame if he misses the Nats.
Ouchie.
But, as hurtful as a dislocated shoulder is, it's not as bad as a broken collarbone (I think).
(https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/s750x750/sh0.08/e35/13108975_1319109671452388_232912235_n.jpg?ig_cache_key=MTI3MTc0MjMyMDYzMzEyNTAzMw%3D%3D.2)Body is a hurt after a nasty crash here in Saguenay. The end result is fractured collarbone, AC joint and scapula. Thanks to my @cyclingacademyteam boys for the visit at the hospital yesterday. I'll be back stronger then ever and we will rock this end of the season #ridecannondale #lifeisgood #gowiththeballs
Proud to add another champion jersey to our great collection:
Our Aviv Yecheskel just won the israeli Time Trial Elite National championship race.
He finished with 45 sec advantage over 2nd place Omer Goldstein from 500 Watt.
"It was a hard one because you have to give 120 percent from beginning to end but I am so happy. Its the first time I step to the top of the Podium in TT" said Aviv, who has an impressive debut season as a pro with us.
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13413107_714274785342749_112316202599800924_n.jpg?oh=2ec36e8bf3aae4fbbdba190fc01145e2&oe=57E426D4)Yeah, quite a string of decent results already for a 19-year old. :cool
Could the second place Goldstein find his way onto the team and join his brother there? Only 19 and if they're needing another youngster before Valle d'Aosta he looks a decent talent.
The team does have one free spot (or 1 + some trackies) with Korus having left the team - not sure what happened there.I completely missed that! :o
The last stage was a bit of a let down though, but that's just mainly in contrast to what had come before.Lesson to learn: Never big yourself up before a race, always be content with what you have. ;)
The team clear goal was to use the small hills on each lap to break the peloton to pieces. It took about 2 laps before there intensity took a toll on their rivals.
Each of the riders took turns in putting pressure.
But way into the first lap it was pretty clear who is the strongest rider: it was Aviv Yecheskel who was making the moves, attacking and breaking away. Still, we asked him to hold a bit for his teammates.
In the last lap he (Yecheskel) was given the green light to go, riding solo in the last 15 km. It seemed that nobody can beat him...
...... But never say never. The never surrender defending champion Guy Sagiv got rid of the last rival on his wheel and started chasing his teammate and best friend. He vowed before the race that he will do everything to defend the jersey. And he meant every word.
Guy Sagiv did the impossible, closing a huge gap and passed Aviv in the last 200 meters. It was a dramatic win by a rider that never gives up.
The other winner so far was Malovec, who won the Slovak U23 TT title. Not sure we'll get to see a funky jersey for him though due to the lack of potential times he'll get to wear it (possibly never).They should at least give us a virtual design to salivate over! :D
They should at least give us a virtual design to salivate over! :D
Miku was super active all along ng the race. Getting into the first breakaway of 14 and then another one, the 3 riders that went to the finish." In the last km it was a cat and mouse game between us. I started the sprint from second position and had good legs and power to finish it".
" The race started with 10 laps of a 2 Km circuit, and a break of 15 riders went away, we knew it wasn't really dangerous, we can afford up to 5 min before the climb.
The last climb was really long, 35 km, and more than 1 hr, also the heat was a big factor today, so keeping calm and keep drinking and eating before the climb was really important, so I did that, and stayed focus on the climb.
I felt pretty good, as the climb started the attacks started and I was on a group of 5 that caught the 3 last riders of the break like 10 k on the climb, I was dropped from 2 other guys a bit later, but I knew it was a long way to go, so I just kept my own pace, and stayed focus on it.
I caught them back, dropped 1 rider, so it was just me and my cousin in the front, but he wasn't feeling good, so I left him behind like 13 k to the top, from there to the finish it was just a TT, measuring the effort, and as Nicki told me , dreaming of that great place that is the finish line.
I kept control with my SRM, to not go over the red and crack, I had about a minute to a lonely chaser, and I won for a min, during the last km I could enjoy it a but more, I clapped to myself, I was really happy, I even start thinking of my new Jersey, about having the jersey in Europe and with the Cycling Academy Logo".
This new tactic of putting half your team in the break and flooring it seems to be paying dividends. I don't see too many riders with decent climbing results in that top-11, so Turek could have a very good chance of a great GC result here.Also has to do with many of their riders simply being head and shoulders above much of the opposition in those 2.2 races.
Also has to do with many of their riders simply being head and shoulders above much of the opposition in those 2.2 races.
They won't be able to pull this off in Sibiu.
I think.
I'll happily be proven wrong, though. :D
Yecheskel wasn't too happy immediately after the finish. Whether it was the early team orders or Sagiv chasing him down right at the end or a combination of the two. Anyway he "expressed his emotions in an inappropriate manner."
Difficult to be sure what the finishing 20km circuit is like in Budapest tomorrow. It can't be that tough (4 x 1km at 5%?), but I just hope they don't regret not letting Turek have a go on the climb today. If he could have overtaken Polivoda in the GC that would almost have been an unassailable position.
Fingers crossed for their first GC victory!
Onto Sibiu anyway. You got a start list yet Fus?Indeed I do (our Sibiu thread should go live today or tomorrow).
He should be wearing his new kit today btw. No chest eagle unfortunately.
Could the second place Goldstein find his way onto the team and join his brother there? Only 19 and if they're needing another youngster before Valle d'Aosta he looks a decent talent.
Piaskowy and Butler among the first to reach the line from the peloton (Butler said he was first - confirmation from our roving reporters?).
Israel’s first Pro Cycling Team to turn Pro-Continental in 2017.
Following two seasons in the Continental rank, Israel’s only pro team: Cycling Academy Team, is planning to make the move to the Pro-Continental ranks in 2017.
Team aims to compete in the Tour of California and the Classics in 2017, eyeing a Gran-Tour debut in 2018.
Team is currently negotiating with several key riders and technical partners.
“The team has had a good success on the Continental circuit. It’s time for us to step up to the higher League” said the Academy’s new Board of Directors member, Mr. Sylvan Adams
The “Start-Up” team, which was launched at the end of 2014, recently concluded an extremely successful spring campaign, with 2 stage wins at the Tour de Beauce (Canada), 2 Stages and the GC at the Tour of Hungary and 7 National championship titles.
“I believe that the team’s recent success and the ongoing changes in the Pro Cycling world, will turn out to be favorable for us” said Team Cycling Academy founder and owner, Mr. Ron Baron.
Baron, a businessman and himself a cycling enthusiastic, pointed out the diversity of the team distinct from other pro-cycling teams in the world with this innovative approach, as its trademark.
“Our multi-national character is quite distinct from most other pro-cycling teams around the world. Just like Israel, the team is a melting-pot. As far as I know, we are also the only Non-Profit organization in the world of professional cycling.”
With an experienced roster of riders such as Dan Craven(Namibia), Guillaume Boivin(Canada), Chris Butlerr (USA) and upcoming young talent like Luis Enrique Lemus (Mexico) Daniel Turek (Czech Republic) and Mihkel Räim (Estonia), the team was able to build one of the most solid Continental teams in the world of pro cycling.
As a born and raised Israeli team, one of the Academy’s key goals is to support the development of Israeli riders, who represent the majority of team riders.
“I’m grateful that we have the trust and support of so many friends who have recently shown their faith in our project.” said team manager and former pro rider, Ran Margaliot. “The support of people like Sylvan Adams, makes all the difference for us. This generous support will allow us to make history and become a Pro-Continental team in 2017”.
The team is reported to be in ongoing negotiations with several key riders and technical sponsors for 2017 and beyond.
More details will be released in the upcoming days.
https://www.facebook.com/CyclingAcademyTeam/photos/a.516933988410164.1073741833.515137875256442/723954521041442They will most likely do an audition training camp again to find new riders. :)
Seems the talk is being turned into actions. Exciting days, but I just hope it doesn't change the feel of the team too much. At the moment to me, they feel like a bit of a cult team (in the non-Danish sense). Will the proposed move up mean a different mindset and change in attitude?
The transfers will be very important in that respect. One could be a good example to follow, they had a bit of a shaky time at the start of their Northern European season, but their fairly modest signings (Smith and Domagalski are two that spring to mind) have been getting performances and results. No need always to go for a big name.
I'd be looking at people like Carpenter or Huffman if they're after more US riders. Not sure about any names to bolster the team for "classics".
But they all felt , in a way, that this experience will make them better riders. Every one of them faced moments of crisis and did not succumb. In the last climb of the 3rd stage, somebody crashed into Sagiv's bike and it took eternity till he got a new bike from the natural car. And it turned up to have the wrong pedals. He never gave up, battling "the thoughts climb I ever faced " - and made it.
Zohar, who had his ups and downs this year, recalled the longest moments of facing the last climb of the whole tour. " It was 20 percent at some point... and the only thing I was thinking about is , just don't give up now. Don't break to pieces now. I was so relieved when I made it. I think that it brought me to a new level".
Omer Goldstein, echoed those words. He was, no doubt, the most pleasant surprise. Just joined the team. Just 19. "I was very impressed by Omer" said our sports director Matteo Algeri. " To face the hardest race in your first steps as a pro, especially when you are so young - is very impressive".
Omer crashed in the 4 stage and suffered mightily. But he made it. " In the last climb, Zohar was talking and encouraging me" he recalled. " That helped me so much... I am grateful that I experienced this and have no doubt that we will come back here much stronger next year. Not only me. All of us"!
Tel- Aviv. ( July 22) : Israel’s first pro cycling team makes its own history again: The Team was just confirmed to race in the world championship Team Time Trial to be held in Doha, Qatar. The team who was founded just 20 months ago is one of only 4 Continental teams that got the coveted Wild card invitation from the UCI to compete in the October 9th TTT.
“To have the chance to race with World pro teams in the top stage of pro cycling is a great honor and the utmost recognition of how far we have got since our first days less then two years ago” said team founder Ron Baron.
The team looks upon the TTT race in Qatar as one of the hardest challenges it faced so far. Accordingly, it was decided to recall all riders back to Israel for a special Negev desert training camp in order to simulate racing under the scorching heat conditions expected in Qatar.
“ We will do everything to justify this invitation” said Team manager Ran Margaliot. “ But we welcome the challenge since it will demand everything from us: perfect coordination, top shape and the ability to bring a group of individuals to perform brilliantly together. We will send to Qatar riders from 6 different countries, so the challenge will be even more complicated”.
Leading The Team TTT will Be Israel’s TT Champion Aviv Yecheskel. “ It will be very special for me and for the whole team to race in Qatar . For me, racing in this top level is a dream come through”.
Expected to race for Academy is Namibian Road champion Dan Craven who said that “ The way the team has grown over the season and the riders that have come together as a unit, its only fitting that the TTT will be our last race this season, one last hard effort to remind us all what lies ahead for us next year as a pro continental team”.
If you remember from last year, there are two build-up events before Utah: Mount Evans Hill Climb and the Cascade Classic. Last year Morton won on Mount Evans (the highest paved road in the US), but since I don't know if anyone competing at Utah this year is riding it, then the result may not be of much interest to this thread.
....and are now preparing to a series of half a dozen hard as nails races in Belgium in a span of 2 weeks.
Then he looked back to see how big is the gap and determine his next move.
Ouch.
Crash.
What happened? In the brief second it that took him to turn his head back, he missed a turn. The crash ended with broken wheel and a frustrating 3 min wait for a new wheel to arrive.
Race over. Or more accurately, victory chance missed. He would finish 14th
Things looked good for Turek in the second race when he attacked on the final circuit....Ouch.
The team is in action at the Coppa Bernocchi today
Maybe a prediction of mine could come true for once and some more Canadians might join the team.I think you're onto something here.
Some of the best riders Israelis will contract its professional senior team next season and the opportunity to compete at us never faced Israeli riders.
But some riders Israeli recognition of its need more time to develop and the need to nurture young talents other Israelis knocking at the gate, led the group leaders to establish a new reserve team that will give them the conditions to grow and develop to the level required for professional round
Couple of *es rumours as well:
http://www.ciclo21.com/ciclobreves-septiembre-2016/ (http://www.ciclo21.com/ciclobreves-septiembre-2016/)
U23 RR #champes Óscar Pelegrí (Seguros Bilbao, stagiaire at #amore this autumn) and U23 ITT #champes Martin Bouzas (SuperFroiz) according to this piece.
It's always difficult to tell with Spanish youngsters though.The thing with Spanish U23 riders is that they hardly ever do UCI races and therefore often appear to not have many results. Most Spanish U23 races are local, and the quality there is actually rather good. But few riders make it from there to a pro team - or even just a Conti squad.
Cycling Academy reaffirmed last night that it has completed all the technical requirements and is expecting the UCI to approve its application to race at the Pro Continental level for 2017.
“A week from now we will complete the roster (for 2017) and we are certain we will have a strong, balanced mix of young and veteran riders who can take the lead, and inspire our younger riders.” The newly added riders were chosen based on their talent and experience, designed around stage wins and success at one day races.
The team .... has set for itself a very challenging race schedule for the upcoming 2017 season, including: Milan San Remo, Tour of Flanders, Amstel Gold Race, Tour of California and the Tour of Great Britain.
Good signing. And "depending on how the roster shapes up now with the upcoming announcements, I think they are going to have a more pure sprinter in the roster" could be an indication that the rumors about Fortin joining the team are true I guessSounds like it, yes.
Good signing. And "depending on how the roster shapes up now with the upcoming announcements, I think they are going to have a more pure sprinter in the roster" could be an indication that the rumors about Fortin joining the team are true I guess
I am a bit surprised that Bora didn't keep him.Same here.
Same here.
And even though Sagan may not need him, Bennett is still there ... :S
It's particularly difficult to tell because as far as I can see, the team only has 19 riders announced for next year. I assume that they will have considerably more than that in the end.They will have to:
The number of riders in each UCI WorldTeam may not be fewer than twenty-three (23).Most teams have at least 25 riders - this year, only #lampre had 24 riders.
They will have to:Most teams have at least 25 riders - this year, only #lampre had 24 riders.
I think the last WT team to have only 23 riders was #euskaltel in 2012, their last year with a "Basque-only" policy.
The Fortin rumours don't do anything for me I'm afraid. He's done well to turn his career round after a couple of underwhelming years with Bardiani, but.....well, maybe I just don't like out and out sprinters. :PYeah, me neither, I like the breakaway artists and puncheurs more as well.
The Klein Constantia rider, coming from Christchurch, New Zealand, Hamish has certainly caught the eyes of many after a strong showing this season, including 3rd place in the Under 23 Paris - Roubaix and winning the GC in Carpathian Couriers stage race, a race in which he also took victories in two stages as well. Schreurs also won his Native lands Under 23 championship for the second time (his first was in 2015).
Schreurs impressive performance earned him a promotion from his team Klein Constantina up the ranks to the Etixx-Quick step squad, who added him to the team as a trainee this summer.
Ran Margaliot, expressed his confidence that Hamish will be able to deliver. “We believe he is an exceptional rider as he is so versatile: He can ride the Pave in the Classics so well, but he can also manage the climbs in tour races. He has a good sprint, and, first and foremost – Hamish has proved himself as a rider with very high race intelligence. Put it all together with his self-motivation and an ability to adapt — coming from New Zealand to Europe - and we concluded that we have here a really exceptional talent”.
But, it can't be denied, sprinters win sh*tloads of races. ;)
https://www.facebook.com/CyclingAcademyTeam/posts/781900255246868:0Ooh, Hamish! :cool
Bit of a senior moment for me with this transfer as I thought he had already signed for Caja, but of course that was Schultz.
On Cicloweb I read that the team will have an Italian Sponsor ("un'importante partnership italiana") next year. Any information about that?
On Cicloweb I read that the team will have an Italian Sponsor ("un'importante partnership italiana") next year. Any information about that?Do you have a link to that article?
it was mentioned in the Cicloweb forum (basically only that sentence up there), I haven't seen an article myselfYou cheat on VR?! :angry
Czech rider Dan Turek will become Israel Cycling Academies lone original rider, as he survives the cruel but necessary cuts as the team moves to compete at the Pro continental level next season.
In a clear indication of the difficulties facing cyclists to fulfill their dream of advancing to the top level in pro cycling, none of the Academies core of 12 riders except Turek who raced in the teams inaugural season will wear its uniform in 2017.
“We owe so much to the riders who started our journey. They gave it their all” said Team owner and founder Ron Baron. “But it was absolutely necessary to up the level as we move to a much tougher racing schedule in our first season as Pro Continental team”.
The team has already announced the signing of 5 New riders, all top young Talents or veterans with Pro continental Pro Tour experience, in addition to a few successful riders from its 2016 season that will officially end next month with the Tour of Rwanda.
But the Czech 24 year old who won his teams first ever race in 2015, will now be the only original rider to make it. And no wonder, “We are extremely proud of Turek” said team manager Ran Margaliot. “From our very first days as a team, he showed his courage & aggressiveness, taking huge risks in breakaways when the odds were totally against him. In a way, Turek symbolizes our DNA. He races in the way we want our team to approach racing: To risk it all in a daring way, when finishing a race means nothing if you do not have the guts to go for the jugular. Turek exemplifies all that. Which is why he was rewarded with our trust to be part of our Pro Continental team.”
Turek’s style of being ultra aggressive earned him the nickname “Mr. Breakaway”. He earned his 2 wins for Cycling Academy in 2015 through breakaways, and although this season he was used more as a domestique to the team’s sprinters, he never abandoned his signature style. “I had a different role on the team this season, as I was more of a support guy, but I was happy to do it. I am very proud to be with this team from day 1 and to have the chance to continue with it to the next level” he said. “I am sure that I can keep progressing next year, although the challenges will be much more difficult. I am sure I can show that I belong”.
Best news of the week. I was getting a bit worried that he didn't fit in with this alleged "top name" team policy, but my fears have been allayed. Now we just need the other Dan to put pen to paper and then we're cooking with gas.The "top name" policy was always just for new signings (more or less), they'd be stupid not to take their tried and tested talents with them.
Not that out of the blue that Migdal, Malovec and Piaskowy are leaving. Gabay, the winner of Hets Hatsafon, is maybe more of a surprise.Huh.
Anyway if we assume that Mr. Craven re-signs as do the remaining five Israelis (Goldstein x 2, Hadari, Sagiv and Yechezkel). That will give a total of 15 riders to date. So probably still a few spots to fill - a couple from another X-Factor camp? a top name fast guy? Africans?Mr. Craven said in Sibiu that he'd already had "the talk" with the management back in June/July (two months early), and I assume he's just waiting for all the Is to be crossed and Ts to be dotted ... or something.
Huh.
4th in the *il champs isn't good enough anymore for a pro contract ... to be honest, that's probably a reasonable assessment of the current strength of Israeli cycling.
I guess that he'll continue with the development team that they have in the works.
I don't think all five Israelis will necessarily get a pro deal right away. Sagiv and Roy Goldstein have proven themselves, and Yechezkel is up-and-coming. Omer Goldstein however has only half a season of Conti experience, and the same is true for Zohar Hadari. Those two would profit from another year at Conti level.
We'll have to see what happens with the Israelis and the devo team. They said it was going to be U23 and therefore only Omer Goldstein would be eligible from that perspective, but there's no reason why over 23s couldn't sign too, just that those riders wouldn't be able to compete in the U23 calendar.True.
True.
In my opinion there's absolutely no reason to be holier than the pope when it comes to the U23 "cut-off" for the development team. Many riders, especially from "non-traditional cycling nations", simply need more time to become ready for a pro contract. Sign 5-8 U23 riders by all means, and then add any non-U23 riders that you want to keep in the project that aren't ready for PCT yet.
There's also a lot to be said for having, not really a father figure, but more of a big brother team mate. Like Luke Roberts did at Stolting or Dan is doing with the main team. Someone to show them the ropes on and off the road.Indeed. Those guys are invaluable. I've seen first-hand which roles Fabian Wegmann, Linus Gerdemann or Michael Reihs filled on #stolting - it's hard to explain, but even harder to overstate its importance.
We're still waiting on the UCI for final confirmationDon't hold your breath.
Got the front sport page of Imvaho Nshya newspaper in Rwanda with a great story about our team.
Team manager Ran Margaliot discussed our team's great experience being part of the unique Tour du Rwanda in the last 10 days and our desire to have an African rider in our team.
Rest assure: This will happen sooner then later.
https://www.facebook.com/CyclingAcademyTeam/photos/a.516933988410164.1073741833.515137875256442/814030625367164/?type=3&permPage=1Mugisha's #rwkom jaunt was impressive; but it was "only" about going into the break and hoovering up the points.
Areruya or Mugisha in pole position I'd say.
If they go down the sprinter route Galdoune impressed me in Hongrie and he can't have failed to impress the team too, but a Rwandan or Eritrean would seem more likely than a Moroccan (even if it's a fairly Italian one).
Nikita Stalnov signs for #astana
It's a sobering thought anyway for Bike Geeeek followers.How dare you have such thoughts?
Israel Cycling Academy team have signed Jose Manual Diaz Gallego, arguably the best young amateur climber from Spain, as their designated number 1 climber, for its first season as a Pro Continental Team.
We all know how difficult it is to find those riders that can climb a 20 km mountain at the speed that most of us will faint just from THINKING about it.
So we are happy to have this 21 Spaniard join us. Meet Jose Manuel Diaz Gallego. He actually LIVES on a mountain and climbs 7 km just to reach the dinner table. And he is a great talent although inexperienced: He is the winner of the most important amateur single race in Spain - the Valenciaga - and came 2nd in the Spanish cup.
Did we gamble on this guy? We sure did. But we are certain he will prove us right!
We still have names to announce but we’ll have 16 riders with seven or eight of them from either Pro Continental or World Tour teams (his counting must be off as I see only 5 so far including Lowndes) – and three young Israelis. And we’ll have a development team for 2017 to bring young riders through.
Two more new riders, a Spaniard and an Australian will be announced in the next two days with the two Israelis to give 16 in total. We’re out to prove we belong at Pro Continental level; not necessarily winning but leaving our mark; being in the breaks, attacking – gambling is in our DNA. Finishing isn’t the thing – it’s showing, trying to win. We know we can’t dominate but we have to try to steal races in the breakaways; that’s the philosophy – attack and try to go for the win!
I presume the interview was done before the announcement of Diaz otherwise they'll have seventeen riders, so he is the Spaniard and Lowndes is the Australian. Yechezkel is bound to be one of the Israelis and the other is probably one of the Goldsteins.That's what I think as well.
No new African unfortunately, but maybe we'll see one or two in the development team.About the development team ... haven't heard a bleep on that since back in July (?); I very much hope it's still going ahead.
I know they don't really have any other climbers other than Lemus now (currently anyway), but the bolded bit does seem very errrrr bold. It's going to be tough to make that transition to races against bigger and better names and the increase in distance.When I saw the announcement, I was like "José Manuel who?!", but having looked at his (mostly non-UCI) results, he does seem to be quite good indeed.
If he's a long term signing then saying he's #1 just seems like unneeded pressure.
About the development team ... haven't heard a bleep on that since back in July (?); I very much hope it's still going ahead.
is the devo team (or some of them anyway) riding along there too?I went to the trouble of trying to identify as many of the 26 as I could:
Number | Name |
---|---|
1 | ![]() |
2 | |
3 | |
4 | |
5 | ![]() |
6 | |
7 | ![]() |
8 | ![]() |
9 | ![]() |
10 | ![]() |
11 | |
12 | ![]() |
13 | ![]() |
14 | |
15 | ![]() |
16 | ![]() |
17 | |
18 | ![]() |
19 | ![]() |
20 | ![]() |
21 | ![]() |
22 | ![]() |
23 | ![]() |
24 | ![]() |
25 | |
26 | ![]() |
1. | or even all three if one is wearing a different kit already, but that's unlikely |
Name | Nat | Birth date | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Guillaume Boivin | ![]() | 25/05/1989 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
Dan Craven | ![]() | 01/02/1983 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Zakkari Dempster | ![]() | 27/09/1987 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |
José Manuel Diaz Gallego | ![]() | 18/01/1995 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |||||||||
Roy Goldstein | ![]() | 20/05/1993 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||||||||
Luis Lemus | ![]() | 21/04/1992 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |||||||
Jason Lowndes | ![]() | 14/12/1994 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||||||||
Krists Neilands | ![]() | 18/08/1994 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||||||
Ben Perry | ![]() | 07/03/1994 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||||||
Mihkel Räim | ![]() | 03/07/1993 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | #amore13 CT | ![]() | |||||||
Guy Sagiv | ![]() | 05/12/1994 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||||||||
Hamish Schreurs | ![]() | 23/01/1994 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |||||||||
Daniel Turek | ![]() | 19/01/1993 | ![]() | ![]() | ||||||||||
Dennis van Winden | ![]() | 02/12/1987 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |
Tyler Williams | ![]() | 17/11/1994 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||||||||
Aviv Yechezkel | ![]() | 21/04/1994 | ![]() |
1. | as per the UCI definition; they are: Diaz Gallego, Goldstein, Neilands, Perry, Räim, Sagiv, Schreurs, Turek, Williams, Yechezkel |
2. | going by the UCI definition of 'racing age' as: Current year (2017 for this team) minus year of birth (e.g., 1993 for Räim) |
I feel I should know the kit circled in blue, but I just can't quite make out the words above the orange band.It says "Team ???" - which doesn't help at all. :D
The one circled in red looks more like a ladyshape as l'arri would say.Could also be a long-haired gentlemanshape.
1. | she has dark hair, though |
The one circled in red looks more like a ladyshape as l'arri would say.
Mystery solved.Dude, you're a stalker! :lol
A NEW TEAM IS BORN!
Say Hello to " Cycling Academy Development team".
We invested in our future by constructing a new team with 8 Israeli young and talented riders we consider the best of the next Israeli generation .
The new team will take part in International Under 23 races next year and the chosen 8 are already taking part in our pro conti team's Israeli Training camp.
How exciting is it ????
You judge. But we definitely are.
Here is the Press release we will issue to the world's Cycling Media in the next hour:
Israel Cycling Academy launches a new development team:
Team consists of 8 Israeli riders, will serve as a feeder team to the senior Pro-Continental Israeli team
Team to be named: Cycling Academy Development Team
Tel-Aviv. December 19, 2016
In what can be seen as the most significant investment in its future, Israel’s newly founded UCI Pro Continental team Cycling Academy has founded a Development team that will start racing in 2017.
The first-ever Israeli Pro Cycling team has recruited the best U23 Israeli cyclists. The selection process included a series of testing sessions, with the eight final riders making the cut.
“This is an investment, not only in our future, but in the future of Israeli cycling” said team manager Ran Margaliot. “We took not only road cyclists, but also several great Mountain Bikers. We see ourselves responsible to support and guide those young Israeli talents. We want to give them the opportunity to make it to the highest levels of the pro cycling world.
Team management has also recruited Logistics and Professional staff to support the new team. Israel National MTB team Aviad Izrael will be the new team manager.
Spaniard Sports director Oscar Guerrero, who is also working with the senior Pro-Continental team, will direct the young team on the road.
The young team is aiming to race some of the world greatest U23 UCI races, including races such as: Paris-Roubaix U23, Giro del Valle d’Aosta and the U23 Giro d’Italia. The Pro Continental “Mother Team” intends to take the best two or three riders from its feeder team as “Stagaires” later on in 2017.
The 8 new riders are, no doubt, the cream of the crop of Israeli riders from ages 18 to 22 years old. The 8 riders include Guy Leshem (19) who was crowned Juniors National Champion on both Road and XCO, as well as Omer Goldstein, who raced as a stagaire with the senior team in 2016 and achieved 2x Top10 finishes in the recent Tour of Rwanda.
Other riders on the team:
Ido Bear (19)- Israel National Junior ITT Champion in 2015
Guy Niv (22)- Climber
Itamar Einhorn (19)- A sprinter
Guy Sessler (21)- Israel Mountain Bike national team member who won national ITT and XCO titles in 2013.
Yam Poliak (19), all-rounder
Ori Leonzini (18) all-rounder
Omer Goldstein
Guy Leshem
The Israel Cycling Academy Pro continental team already signed 3 Israeli Riders in its ranks and has now taken a major step to guarantee that it will be able to draw more Israeli riders to the Senior squad in the future. Aside for international races, some of them World Cup mountain bike races, the Development Team will be providing full Professional support and will take part in the Pro Continental training camps both in Israel and Europe.
Otherwise known as The Academy of Cycling Academy.Academy2! :D
"For the goals I need to be realistic, one race where I really want to be good this year is Tro-Bro Leon in France. I really like those races where there are cobblestone sectors. This was my big goal this past year now and I was ninth in this race."
That's now the kind of racer Raim sees himself as: a hard-man who can outlast the rest as the field gets smaller and smaller, and then at the finish having a little bit faster kick and a little bit more left in the tank than the others.
"I'm quite fast in the sprint, but I'm not a pure sprinter, so for me the Classics races with the cobblestones and short steep hills, those races that are, I can say killing me softly," he said. "Every lap there is somebody dropped, so this is my cup of tea. Also, I don't mind to go in the early break to help the team out, and you never know, sometimes the break can go to the finish. That's my racing style: aggressive and attacking. So I see my future like that."
Academy2! :D
There's plenty of nice HC and .1 races about if they can't get those invites, but it must be frustrating trying to build a calendar when you are waiting for that e-mail to say if you have or haven't got the nod.And still they've pulled out of Sibiu. :(
Frustrating for races waiting to hear if teams will accept invitations or reneging on already accepted ones.This is just not good management. If you give your word, you stand by it. If you're only accepting the invitation "unless something better comes up", at least say so up front.
ps. Nice are probably available if you have a free spot now. :PJust wait and see. ;)
Just wait and see. ;)
Not a great day in Laigueglia either, which is fine in a way as it is very early season, but it does make me worry that they aren't going to be in tip-top shape for Omloop. It's not that many days away.You're not supposed to be in tip-top shape for the Omloop! It's the opening classic! :P
Ruta del Sol starts tomorrow and it's a good chance for the team to win their first jersey as a PCT.Shouldn't be impossible to get this one. :D
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C4fXvDAWQAAvwdv.jpg)
It's for the best rider from Andalucia and there are only three entrants. :P
Local boy Diaz is going up against Jorge Cubero and Javier Moreno.
You're not supposed to be in tip-top shape for the Omloop! It's the opening classic!
Shouldn't be impossible to get this one. :D
(http://i63.tinypic.com/122kvo9.png)This looks WAY better than the pros' kit in my opinion. :cool
Guy sure must have been a popular name in Israel 20-25 years ago.Maybe the nurses were often misunderstood when saying "Congratulations, it's a guy", and Guy was put on the forms as the baby's name? :D
This looks WAY better than the pros' kit in my opinion. :cool
Maybe the nurses were often misunderstood when saying "Congratulations, it's a guy", and Guy was put on the forms as the baby's name? :D
Absolutely, but a bit too similar to the Cannondale green to be perfect.It is, yes.
Let me rephrase it then, competitive shape or at least doing better than Aquablue. :P
They've definitely benefited from the WT teams not being obliged to enter the new WT events, that almost nullifies the addition of the extra Belgian PCTs, and with the Italian teams + CCC being given the collective heave-ho, it does leave a few extra spots up for grabs.
However GW is the only pre-existing Belgian WT race so far where they have got an wildcard and it remains to be seen whether they can get one at E3 or the real biggie RVV. They are obviously in contention for them though, it could be they are fighting over one spot with Direct Energie and Aqua Blue.
They have invites to Omloop, Dwars Door, GW. Outside of the WT they are also invited to KBK. That's a very impressive list of races for a first year PCT outfit without any big (or even medium sized) names on the roster. Yes, other than GW they are non-compulsory for WT teams, but they are the sort of non-compulsory races that 15 or 16 WT teams go to. By contrast, in the Flanders classics, Aquablue got just an invite to Omloop. Direct Energie, one of the very strongest PCT teams and one with a leader who is a contender for some of these races, missed out on GW.I agree that they're not doing badly at all.
I agree that they're not doing badly at all.
However, we also shouldn't forget that with 16 WT teams at the start, that leaves 9 spots for 22 PCTs ... of which only 10-13 have an interest in going.
You won't see #cajarural #androni #manzana etc. in a Flemish classic.
And 9/12 is less impressive than 9/22, you have to admit. It's still an achievement to beat ~3 other teams for one of those spots, of course.
You are right of course that not all PCT teams have an interest, but most do. There are 4 Belgian teams, 4 French, 4 Italian, 1 Dutch, 1 Irish, 1 Israeli, 1 Polish and 2 American teams and I would be surprised if a single one of those teams bar perhaps Androni didn't apply for at least some of these races. All of those teams bar Novo Novordisk, who have their own unique selling point, are better established, have higher profile riders or both.#androni They've been in De Panne (?) recently, but that's about it
We must also recognise that it could be the case that Sylvan Adams is throwing a few Canadian $ the way of the various organizers, generous billionaires are handy things to have on board. He's involved in real estate and I can't see any obvious Canadian or Israeli partners on the various race websites, so we can't be sure of it with any certainty.He moved to *il, so he'd be throwing shekels now. :P
In fact the team feels very unrounded and skewed towards these targets.That's not a bad thing in my book. We need more classics-focused teams from outside Belgium. ;)
Going by the results it wasn't the greatest opening set of races for the Bike Geeeeks (they've changed their twitter handle actually, but I'm still calling them this)That must have happened VERY recently?
That must have happened VERY recently?
Some selected races for the main team that we didn't know about:Replacement for California where they (for me) surprisingly didn't get an invitation. Must be a real blow, though lessened in part by doing the whole American autumn calendar.
Fjords
They also have some of the races that the devo squad will be participating in:
Circuit des Ardennes
Carpathian Couriers
Flèche de Sud
Paris-Roubaix Espoirs
Shalosh Kalot
Coppa della Pace / Trofeo F.lli Anelli
Giro Ciclistico d'Italia
Valle d'Aosta
Olympia's Tour
Some goodies in there and probably plenty of ouchies too.
https://twitter.com/yallaACADEMY/status/847898160353726466It's on the regular team kit as well, you know. :P
There was a bit of a give away from Sagiv's national champs kit when Fus posted it.
(http://i63.tinypic.com/157ytza.png)
It's on the regular team kit as well, you know. :P
This is a new chapter in ICA young life and its equally exciting as it a big question mark.
This is what you get when you send 6 young Israeli riders, 2 of them spent most their life riding Mountain bikes - To the boxing ring of sorts: Circuit des Ardennes International. An Elite UCI race which none of them (but one) has ever got even close.
They are our Development team. Only 5 months in existence and now meeting the greatest of their first UCI challenge ever : A 4 stages race on the Ardennes with two 180 km stages, a monstrous climbing 2nd day and a double stage for dessert.
"It will certainly be interesting to see how they adept to a race like that, facing big teams, Pro peloton, High speed and great distances. We certainly did not make it easy on them" admitted their manager Aviad Izrael. " But I believe in them. I really do".
" We need to know how they preform in this kind of level. There is no escaping that" explained our " Big boys" pro conti team Oscar Guerrero who will be the DS during the race.
The Guys? They seem to believe. " We are not coming here just to survive" said Yam Poliak ( 22).
We shall see.
The Squad:
Guy Niv
Ido Bear
Omer Goldstein
Guy Sessler
Itamar Einhorn
Yam Poliak
The next race pencilled in on the calendar is the Coppa della Pace in June, but at the end of his report he says "I now await the two tournaments the German round are" - so Eschborn-Frankfurt and Berlin?Frankfurt maybe, Berlin has been cancelled.[1]
1. | due to the organisers forgetting that Berlin will host the Kirchentag the same weekend, 500th anniversary of the Reformation, with hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of visitors :fp |
It was last year at this point that their season started to produce results so fingers crossed.
They have also added a new rider to the team and would you believe it, his first name is Guy!! :lolhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyVX3uJpqxc
No Lotto this time to dominate things, but all (?) of the big Spanish teams and a couple of other foreign teams.
The LottoNL feeder team can't really be full of Belgians. :SThat's got to be the race secretary confusing those Lowland countries.
some Africans for Fus*dz Ismail Medjahed! :cheer
Turek has donned his preferred kit in Slovakia: The mountain jersey! :cool
(https://scontent-frx5-1.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/e35/19122476_225974244585530_3471932548542627840_n.jpg)
Israeli cycling Academy has released its development team rider Omer Goldstein.
Recently , the team Management has decided that Omer had not been able to fulfill all the team disciplinary requirements and he will therefore part ways with the team on immediate basis.
They've had quite a few good race style posters so far this year, but it's getting into dangerous Cannondale territory if they don't get the results to back it up. It reminds me, bizarrely enough, of Peter Crouch who rather stated the obvious when he said "Football's not about robotic dancing (his celebrations), it's about winning games and scoring goals". Substitute in cycling, race posters and winning sprints.Hmm. Yes. I can see what you mean.
https://www.facebook.com/IsraelCyclingAcademy/posts/972609246175967Huh.
Huh.
Could of course simply be
3) Omer had not been able to fulfill all the team disciplinary requirements and he will therefore part ways with the team on immediate basis. :P
In view of what is happening in social media in recent days (does he read Velorooms!), I feel the need to voice my personal opinion in public. I wrote this letter to you to open a window beside that I think most of you do not know
Without going into details, one of the most challenging cases I had, is the decision to suspend the team last week Omer Goldstein. Omer, is one of the most talented riders in the group, one of the best ever grew up in Israel. There is no argument about it.
The choice to suspend the disciplinary background, was very painful and made only after we were convinced that he acted in a way that is acceptable professional team and we can not help him in the present circumstances.
Anyone who thinks that this was a decision born whim championship Israel against the clock, do not understand how professional team works. Even in matters of discipline there a way to conduct traitor steps and measures leading up to the suspension rides. Omar went through a long and complicated, which included, among other things, disciplinary committees, warnings and financial penalties, until we got to this unusual step.
This is not a decision that I am proud of her. This is a badge of shame for the team under management, took upon itself to give a chance to all Israeli talent a potential exhaust her and at this moment I do not know to help one of the greatest talents that grew here.
I think we all have a longer way to go and that the future will be in my hands better tools to handle such situations. Enough for me to look back a year or two to figure out how much progressed since then, some learned since. I believe we all undergo that people deserves a second chance if they wish it. We have proved this in the past and Omar gets a second chance if he chooses to be part of the group conditions required of its members.
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20246356_1002763509827207_8690857460880898538_n.jpg?oh=044db01446d389f62fe44591e50dd8a5&oe=5A0ADD2B)Nah, this is alright. But the white band should be narrower - look at the flag:
The new Latvian champs jersey. Would have preferred a full flag one, but hey ho.
Next year Carlström will be head sports manager, and then he wants to have a Norwegian rider on board.
"You may not have avoided noticing August Jensen during Tour des Fjords?
"He did his stuff very well, that's for sure. There are several good riders in Norway, and he is one of the strongest. But that's what the rider wants for the coming season. We are in talks with several Norwegians. It would be very good to get one of them to our team, he admits.
Carlström confirms that the commitment is working to upgrade significantly ahead of next year's season.
"This year we had 16 riders. Next year we hope to be somewhere between 20 and 23. It's a bit challenging to run a dual program with only 16 men, he points out.
"Last year, did you have riders from 12 different nations, and next year there will be even more?
Yes, we have a policy that we should be international. The purpose of starting the team was to produce more Israeli talents, and we will have 3-4 domestic riders also next year. But beyond that, we want to be a bit like Israel. A kind of melting pot with different people from many nations.
"It's also a bit of a hunch on what riders we get. It will decide whether we are turning to stage games in the World Tour or Classics. Our goal is to grow a little year by year, in this respect we are in a very interesting period, "concludes Carlström.
If a Giro invite is forthcoming, serious reinforcements will be needed. The team has recently started following people like Hermans, Avila, Carpenter and McLay on Twitter....Subtle! :lol
People like Leadbelly will turn anything into transfer rumours.
In other transfer news Lukascph is either signing for RTS-Monton, Gary McQuaid or the Tour of Bulgaria. :P:D
You are our sports Director and here is your Dilemma:
One of your strongest rider (Turek) is part of a breakaway that will almost certainly escape the peloton and get to the finish.
But Your great Sprinter (Raim) back in the peloton is telling you that he is feeling "real strong".
So what do you do? Who are you going to "sacrifice". Who are you going to bet on?
Even ignoring the fact that they didn't get the stage win, I still don't think they got it quite right.It's easy to criticise, this is one of the hardest dilemmas a DS can face, and I didn't see the stage.
so with the Giro start in Israel next year...
...I guess we will get to see some transfer news Leadbelly is unlikely to approve?!
so with the Giro start in Israel next year...I would hazard a guess and say that with the Giro starting in Israel, #academy would get a wildcard even with their current squad. I mean, the *il Grande Partenza is organised by literally the same people who run the team - they'd be phenomenally stupid if they didn't put a "we get to race ourselves" clause in the deal.
...I guess we will get to see some transfer news Leadbelly is unlikely to approve?!
HermansGood picks, though I'd agree that Hermans may be above their paygrade.
Woods
Avila
Carpenter
Houle
Tony Duchesne
Ciccone
The most important signing however is getting Turek signed up for a few more years.Definitely. Turek is a world-class breakaway specialist.
1. | No bow emoticon? |
How about Krists Neilands in Portugal! :bow[1]There is now![2]
1. No bow emoticon?
2. | It was pray :pray if you want to know |
He says the team wants to go WT within two yearsA WT team without any real sponsor, solely on the dime of Ron Baron & Sylvan Adams?
1. | or even only one if the reduction in GT squads goes ahead |
With the newest signings, let's have a look at how a possible Giro squad could look.
One or the other.Could also be that they've (re-)signed their Israelis. Although, on second thought, those all got 2-year contracts.
Monday’s formal announcement means that the Pro Continental Israel Cycling Academy team seems guaranteed its place on the start line in Jerusalem next May. Team backer Sylvan Adams confirmed on Sunday night that the team has applied for a wildcard invitation to the corsa rosa but stressed that RCS Sport will not make a decision until January.
Just for a transfer? Orken? Basso and Contador?Turned out to be Örken, and not that much more.
• Omer Goldstein got a mention from Ron Baron, so maybe the door is being opened for him to make a return to the development team in 2018.He was racing the U23 ITT Worlds at the same time, so maybe it was only that. :shh
As for Orken, he deserves a shot at a higher level and he fits perfectly into the "rider from a non-traditional cycling nation" category. However is another fast man really what the team needs? Not sure of all the renewals yet, but the team could have SHE, Raim, Boivin, Avila, Lowndes, Dempster, Jensen and Orken for various types of sprints (reduced or otherwise). He'll have to fight for his chance.You're right, they stock up on "guys with some sort of sprint".
1. | and all other riders with Ö, Ä, Ü, Æ, Ø, Å, Ç, Ț, Ș, Ł, Ź, Č and whatnot in their names |
It's not confirmed by the team yet, but Gazzetta dello Sport reported it today (and lots of Italian websites picked it up):
http://www.ciclonews.biz/kristian-sbaragli-israele/ (http://www.ciclonews.biz/kristian-sbaragli-israele/)
Sbaragli #didata --> #academy
Another fast finisher/sprinter! :lol :S :fpYou can never have too many of those! :lol
On the other hand, if sprinter A doesn't feel so good, and sprinter B is in the break, you'll always have sprinter C to fall back on ...
*au Earle or MortonBingo: ;)
They also signed Sergio Samitier, quite a promising youngster who also was in talks with Movistar (but ended up empty handed because Unzue had only one place left for either him or Dayer Quintana)
http://www.ciclo21.com/samitier-sin-movistar-pero-en-murias/
http://www.ciclismointernacional.com/noticias-breves-del-peloton-50/
That leaves four. My choice would be Pauwels as a nice helper (and fellow countryman) for Hermans, but I'd be surprised if DD don't keep him on. Bol is good mates with Van Winden and he was out on rides with the team in Hainan. Morton does fit in somewhat with the team's previous ethos, but hasn't impressed me that much this year in Europe.Bol could be an option, but I think he may want to stay at #manzana rather than move again after only one year. I could be horribly wrong, of course. Or maybe van Winden is learning Spanish from his buddy and goes to Colombia?!
https://twitter.com/Cyclingnewsfeed/status/923938657341407234Reading the article, "Israel Cycling Academy have one more rider to announce to complete the 2018 roster" doesn't really sound as if that rider is going to be Dan Craven. If he were getting a new contract, they would have announced that with those three other re-signings.
Boivin + Dempster + Van Winden ---------> #academy
Of course, that doesn't get us much (or any) closer to who "rider no. 24" is going to be ...
I'm leaning towards the Austrian as the realistic option.*ch Stüssi has done well enough this year to attract some ProConti interest. Not to mention that he'd strengthen the climber's department ...
I already notice that it is much more tidy with regard to emails and messages. Everything goes in English so it's tidy and easy to understand. It's so delicious to be back to it (!), instead of having to translate back and forth via Google Translate, he says about the first experiences with his new team.
https://twitter.com/procyclingno/status/923602323926024192Oh my. He'd signed for a French team without knowing at least conversational French?
#academy
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/israel-cycling-academy-complete-2018-roster-with-omer-goldstein/
Edwin Avila (Col)
Guillaume Boivin (Can)
Zakkari Dempster (Aus)
José Manuel Díaz (Spa)
Nathan Earle (Aus)
Sondre Holst Enger (Nor)
Omer Goldstein (Isr)
Roy Goldstein (Isr)
Ben Herman (Bel)
August Jensen (Nor)
Luis Lemus (Mex)
Krists Neilands (Lat)
Guy Niv (Isr)
Ahmet Örken (Tur)
Ben Perry (Can)
Rubén Plaza (Spa)
Mihkel Raim (Est)
Guy Sagiv (Isr)
Kristian Sbaragli (Ita)
Hamish Schreurs (NZl)
Daniel Turek (Cze)
Dennis Van Winden (Ned)
Tyler Williams (USA)
Aviv Yechezkel (Isr)
Using common sense provisos of form/illness/the course etc.I wouldn't exclude Turek and Lemus out of hand:
Who will definitely not ride the Giro?
Diaz, Omer Goldstein, Lemus, Niv, Perry, Schreurs, Turek and Williams.
Fairly obvious reasons of youth, inexperience, inconsistency and (let's be honest) lack of ability for a couple of them.
1. | and, yes, there's personal sympathy playing in here, too; I really like the mexiCAN :shh |
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DOg4LgOWAAAUt36.jpg)(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23435239_1085312111572346_8142352185338949872_n.jpg?oh=ef7d852549af4b055d3c6ad7ce421eee&oe=5A99582C)
New kit on Wednesday. The previous one was a bit dull in my opinion and not always the easiest to spot (I had to rely on the green helmets more often that not for that).
I think it's safe to say blue will feature, but some chameleon-esque colouring change would be cool.
I wonder if this language barrier would have seemed so important to him if he had been free from his health issues and competitive in races? Probably not.
Anyway onto the Giro and possible team selections!
Using common sense provisos of form/illness/the course etc.
Guaranteed picks?
Hermans, Plaza, Sbaragli (and SHE?)
It's tempting to say all four who have dropped down from WT will have been given the nod before signing, but for me Enger will have to show some early season form first.
The rest?
Boivin, Van Winden, Jensen (and Earle?)
Jensen offers something a bit different either from a break or a punchy finish.
If SHE isn't firing on all cylinders, I think they'll go with Sbaragli as the sprinter and Earle or Avila or Neilands could be the beneficiaries.
Itamar Einhorn and Yam Poliak are the only returning riders for the devo team. Didn't quite catch the names of the new Israeli riders other than Saar Hershler.
Hermans’ Grand Tour appearances have been sporadic since his first ride at the 2012 Giro d’Italia. He believes that he does have the capacity to pull out a strong general classification result, but says that a stage victory would likely prove more beneficial than a half-decent GC spot.
"I have proved it before. In the Vuelta in 2016, I went 14th supporting other guys in the GC and this year I was 12th when I left the Giro with illness, so I proved that I can do top 10 in the best circumstances but it is not a real objective for the team also. When you win a stage, it is better than finishing ninth in the GC
When Giro d'Italia starts to compete in the first days of May, it will not be in Italy. It will not even be in Europe. The start of the famous event will be organized by Israel, and Czech cyclist Daniel Turek believes he will not miss the start.
"There must be at least one Israeli, with about three sprinters, Rubén Plaza and Ben Hermans, and we have six people there, and there are two places for universal racers who can escape, help people in sprinters and leaders in the hills. I would take this year's people from Krists Neilands and myself, but we will see how the newcomers will look and how it will be in the spring, I really believe in it, if we go, I think I should be there."
http://www.ceskatelevize.cz/sport/exkluzivne-na-ct-sport/363238-giro-v-izraeli-snad-budu-u-toho-veri-cesky-cyklista-v-izraelskych-sluzbach/
Make it so Number One.
There is also some team race calendar news in there about Australia (CEGORR + Herald Sun presumably, but I wouldn't say no to the two NZ races myself) and Andalucia.
Trofeo Laigueglia and San Juan are also on the cards.
They've got 24 riders for next season?
It seems like they've brought in basically a whole new set of leaders with this year's squad now mostly likely to be in support roles. Are there any of this year's riders who you think will still get regular chances of their own?
Ahmet is a very fast runner as well as Kristian, August and Sondre Holst Enger among the recruits, without forgetting Mihkel Räim and Guillaume Boivin who were already with us. I think he can be part of the sprinters' train, while also sometimes having his card to play.
"It will not be like in Coop, where I had a free role in virtually all the rides I cycled. You have to go the degrees and find yourself in a slightly different role. I am prepared for that. I hope to participate in some stages and individual rides where I can get my own opportunities.
"Although I climbed pretty well in the rides I cycled for Coop, it would be a climbing to mean something different when we reach WorldTour. I'm not a rider in a very hilly climbing range, but more typical classic riders we recognize in several other Norwegian riders, such as Edvald, Alex, Amund and Truls. Norwegian riders are quite similar, and I join in those who want to bet on the classics.
"The impression I have gained from the conversations we have had on the team is that I'm going into the classic game. Then there are others that are more specific on climbing. At the continental level, they roll the roles a little more into each other. At this level, I think there are more specific roles, he explains.
At the beginning of January there is already a senator (huh?), and Tour Downer in Australia, and maybe the group is going there - it has not been officially declared so it's not safe yet
A lot of DNFs for him towards the end of the season, but apart from the Giro Della Toscana they were all in one day races. He finished every stage race apart from that one which extrapolates quite well into possibly finishing a GT, though obviously with Portugal being the longest at only 10 days (half a Giro) you can only draw so much from it.And really, the Giro della Toscana is two one-day races who combined forces and are now posing as one stage race. :P
If google translate isn't playing tricks, that would be a bit of a coup.I wouldn't read anything more into this than that the team applied for a wildcard, and that the Tour Down Under organisers haven't said "no" yet.
Academic Syyqlyng (!) is proud to announce the new lineup of her reserve group for 2018
The Six Horsemen selected will soon be added to two foreign riders (Adam Wolf is in the video) and four stagg stagg (stagiaires?). The young group riders will enjoy the full variety of the pro group, including the de (TT?) bike, and the next season will also be exploitation in Europe, which includes three "blocks" of uci and national races.
Okay..... :DKind of utterly pointless and devoid of any meaningful content whatsoever ...
There is also some team race calendar news in there about Australia (CEGORR + Herald Sun presumably, but I wouldn't say no to the two NZ races myself) and Andalucia.
Trofeo Laigueglia and San Juan are also on the cards.
Must be the kits for National Champs jerseys.Has to be. It sure would be silly if, after a glitzy team presentation and a training camp extensively covered by various media, they now released this video to 'reveal' their 2018 kit.
Silly it is:Some people can move robotically and make it look good.
well, yeah, but it's a major improvement at leastHuge improvement. :cool
https://www.facebook.com/IsraelCyclingAcademy/videos/1120729441363946/If you mean the guys in blue, that's #gazprom Gazprom-RusVelo. :P
Rather plain looking devo kit (if is what it is).
He was heading to the airport with a big bag of what looked to be clothes and a bicycle! Looks like a training camp is underway...
There's no way to hotlink to a facebook video here is there?No. Maybe we can persuade the gremlins to make one.
This seems to become more popular than youtube with some organizations like Velon, obsessed by followers.That's Velon alright! :lol
These cones are useless on a road race course, I remember last year they caused a fall in the finale of one of the Vuelta al pais Vasco stages (finishing in Bilbao) - I think that was Contador going down but I don't remember details, it was bad though.Man, that was a stupid & unnecessary crash.
The thing is, they are so small they only guide the first riders and then the rest can't see them.
I assume they will need at least a few Israelis for the giro? and at least one Italian, in which case Sbaragli is in?
It was time for a frank reflection .
It is obvious a month into our breakthrough grand tour season , we seem to still having problems in kicking into gear.
What is missing ?
The results obviously not there, nor are our performance in critical moments overboard in most of the races so far.
We asked our sports director in Andalucia Oscar Guerrero to give us his views and he was direct and sincere as you can expect in this team.
“Is not easy to say. I think first, that maybe we are not in the shape that we thought we will be at the start of the season. We are not in a bad shape, far from it, but, in the real hard moments of the races, we are not strong enough .
Sometimes it just a matter of timing and luck. Here in Andalucia, for example, Ben Hermans wasn't 100% healthy, and in the hard moments, he needed to be 100%, because the finishes here were very steep.
I think also, that we need to be more AGGRESSIVE in the races. We Were not able to get to breakaways, and this is something we need to do even if we need to protect our leader.
But it’s only the start of the season and we need stay CALM . because the results will come.
1. | yes, I'm a European snob |
Last (!) Day before the first #uci race in my #2018 season!
Super excited! Feeling super good and strong, even started to beat the cold 😎🤩
...... @ Umag
We don't even know 100% who is on the team
Not all the things go as you want, not always at least.
I had a great feeling, great legs and great mood, i was there in the front and 13 km to the end i got stuck behind a big crash, i just fell in zero speed, didn't got any problems and started chasing the first group of 40+- riders... With no success, finished 1:15 minutes behind the winner and 37 by place.
I will race again Saturday in porac trophy race!
7 km to the finish we felt that we were in great shape. Israeli Guy sagiv just completed his task magnificently - leading the almost full day breakaway. His teammates were fresh and ready in line for the sprint.
But then that horrifying sound of metal. “There was that rider in front of me that went down and I crashed,” described Kristian Sbaragli, revealing his frustration. Almost all of the team came down after him. Latvian Krists Neilands, Norwegian August Jensen, Canadian Guillaume Boivin and Belgian Ben Hermans. Jensen seemed to have got the worst of it, injuring his elbow. He was sent later to the local hospital for checkups and nobody is sure if he can start tomorrow.
I think Neilandts clearly is the man of the hour in #academy, but the hour doesn't necessarily stretch into May.
(..the non-white leather seats on the bus etc)
http://www.tuttobiciweb.it/2018/03/22/110178/radiocorsa-i-segreti-della-sanremo-raisport-amarcord-indiscreto-tuttobiciwebNow I have enough salt for the next couple of years! :lol
Get your large pinch of Beppe salt ready: Bike Geeeeks to take over the BMC WT licence for 2019.
However isn't the WT shrinking to 17 teams next year?Possibly. Information on this is conspicuously unforthcoming. I think the last we heard was this from November 2016:
“Since the commencement of the WorldTeam registration process for 2017, it has become clear that there are 18 candidates for WorldTeam licences,” said the UCI in a press release. “With this in mind, the PCC has decided that for the 2017 and 2018 seasons, a maximum of 18 UCI WorldTeam licences may be issued.”
The UCI said: “the ambition is to strengthen the competitiveness of elite level and therefore to set the maximum number of UCI WorldTeams to 17 in 2019 and 16 from 2020 onwards, with a working group tasked to study this and a number of other topics.”So it's "the ambition" to reduce the number of teams ... that could mean everything and nothing.
On the other hand I did read an article earlier this year (or at the tail end of last) saying that the infrastructure of the team (all the staff in the background, the facilities, the non-white leather seats on the bus etc) were of a WT level already.The bus is the one we had at #stolting, so it's obviously the bestest bus ever. :D
Battle for Israeli Giro berth heating up
Only one blue-and-white cyclist is set to be part of Israel Cycling Academy’s squad for Grand Tour
The start of the Giro d’Italia in Jerusalem in five weeks will undoubtedly be the greatest moment in Israeli cycling history, one that was unimaginable not that long ago.
The race will see 176 of the world’s top cyclists begin the competition with a time trial against the backdrop of the Old City.
Among all the elite riders waiting at the start line there will also be one Israeli, preparing to make history and become the first blue-and-white cyclist to ever compete in one of the three Grand Tours (Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a Espana).
While the Giro will get under way in just over a month, the battle for what is expected to be the lone berth for an Israeli rider on the squad of Team Israel Cycling Academy is still wide open.
Guy Sagiv, Roy Goldstein and Guy Niv are set to be the three Israeli finalists for a place on the team’s eight-man squad for the Giro.
While in theory more than one Israeli could make the team, in all likelihood there will only be room for a single local rider in the monumental race, which will continue with road stages between Haifa and Tel Aviv (167 km) and Beersheba and Eilat (226 km) before heading to southern Italy.
“This 101st edition of the Giro d’Italia will be historic in many ways,” Israel Cycling Academy team owner Sylvan Adams told The Jerusalem Post. “The first time a Grand Tour will race outside of Europe it will happen in Israel. And, our Israel Cycling Academy team, the country’s first professional bicycle team, is participating in the Giro on home soil, which also means that an Israeli athlete will be competing in a Grand Tour for the first time. Each of these is a remarkable first, unimaginable just a couple of years ago, and announces Israel’s arrival as a true cycling nation on the World stage.”
Sagiv, Goldstein and Niv all live in the city of Girona in Spain’s northeastern Catalonia region, and are good friends away from training and racing. They often meet for Friday night meals and go out for coffee when they are all in town.
But they are all well aware that only one of them is set to take part in the Giro, which will obviously leave the two other riders bitterly disappointed.
“This is our career and this is our life, but we also all undoubtedly want the best for each other,” said the 23-year-old Sagiv, a native of Givat Nili, a moshav near Zikhron Ya’akov. “There is no IN A heated race, (from left) Guy Sagiv, Roy Goldstein and Guy Niv are battling for what is expected to be the lone berth for an Israeli rider on the Israel Cycling Academy’s squad at the upcoming Giro d’Italia. doubt that this is a very special race but there will be more races.”
Sagiv is coming off a remarkable performance at the Milan-San Remo “Monument” classic two weeks ago, being among the nine riders in the early break. Sagiv and teammate Dennis Van Winden were part of the lead group for 250 kilometers before it was pulled in by the peloton, with Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali ultimately claiming the win after 291km.
“I’m happy to see Guy Sagiv do well in the Milan-San Remo. I don’t want someone else to fail, I want to do well myself,” explained the 24-yearold Goldstein, a native of Gilon in the Lower Galilee. “I’m happy when the other riders do well, but even happier when I succeed.
At the end of the day we are friends and teammates who will always work for each other. The bottom line is that this battle will help us progress and make us stronger.
“This Giro really is historic, but our path only passes through the Giro. It isn’t our ultimate goal. Our goal is bigger than this Giro or next year’s Giro.”
The 24-year-old Niv, a native of kibbutz Misgav Am in the Upper Galilee in northern Israel, echoed a similar sentiment.
“At the beginning of the year there was a race in which Guy Sagiv was injured but he had no problem riding in front of me, blocking the wind for me and helping me out,” noted Niv, who has surprised everyone with his form after only making the switch from mountain biking to road racing last year. “We are pros and we are all doing our job.
Eventually the team will make its choice. We live in the same city, far from our families, and we also meet away from cycling. We will be happy for whoever makes it.”
While Sagiv, Goldstein and Niv are genuinely rooting for each other, they each also have little doubt that they should be the one racing in the Giro.
“I for example have more experience than Guy Niv. He has made amazing progress this year and has closed the gap from a physical standpoint, but you can’t discount years of experience and the understanding of racing in a peloton, which I have,” said Sagiv. “Regarding Roy, I think that I have an advantage over him in experience, as well as knowing how to work for the team.”
Goldstein, whose brother Omer is also a member of Israel Cycling Academy, is extremely confident.
“I think my chances of making the team are really high,” he stated.
“I’m the current Israel national champion and that says a lot. We are all being tested in competitions across the world and it will ultimately come down not to who is the better or stronger rider, but on which rider will adapt himself to the team at the Giro and help the team to win.”
Niv understands he has the disadvantage of having focused on mountain biking up until a year ago, but he still believes he will make the team.
“I really believe in my abilities. Obviously, I lack experience. I still need to learn a lot about racing in a peloton, but I try to learn from every race in which I compete and not make the same mistake twice,” he explained. “I have no qualms about saying that I’m the best Israeli climber and ultimately the Giro is a race with many climbs. A rider who can overcome the climbs and stay with the leaders can be a great asset to the team and that is what I’m counting on.”
Niv became a professional road cyclist almost by coincidence, taking part in a race in France last April to prepare for a mountain bike competition, only to discover that his passion for cycling wasn’t limited to rough terrain.
“Fortunately the transition was smooth,” said Niv. “One of the things that crossed my mind when I decided to make the change was that there was talk that the Giro might be coming to Israel. It seemed unrealistic for me at the time as I hadn’t even competed in top road races. It was a dream, but I’m happy that I’m one of the candidates to make the squad one month be-fore the Giro.”
One of the things on which Sagiv, Goldstein and Niv all agree on is their good fortune to be racing at a time when Israel’s first professional cycling team is rising to prominence. Only one of them is set to be at the start line in Jerusalem on May 4, but the future of all three under the stewardship of Israel Cycling Academy looks to be brilliantly bright.
“It really is a gift from heaven,” said Goldstein on having the opportunity to race for ICA. “Sometimes you have to be at the right place at the right time to get your chance. A few years ago the path to success was much tougher, not that it is easy and simple now. I didn’t know that the team would exist when I was a young rider. I always believed I would be able to make it regardless, but now the Israeli riders are extremely lucky to have a much clearer horizon for the future.”
Fighting over the other spots:So the MexiCAN is out. :(
Great news for Neilands! :cool
Dude, with a modest to modest+ squad to pick from you don't forget the guy who made the Milano - Sanremo? All the *it tifosi will love him already! + if he's back up in shape again for May, he might actually be good enough to steal a stage when no-one is watching :coolOh, totally. He belongs in that Giro squad.
Israel cycling Academy has chosen its Canadian rider Guillaume Boivin as it’s 4th rider to secure a place in the ICA lineup to the historic Giro d'Italia.
At the same time, the team professional staff has decided to narrow its list of candidates to the Giro . Israeli champion Roy Goldstein and Dutch Dennis van Winden will no longer be considered .
Team manager Kjell Carlström: “ We decided to secure G’s place in the Giro since he proved once and again his dedication to the team and his willing to put the team good before his own ambitions. He is an experienced and strong rider that we need in the critical and decisive moments in Giro stages. I really wanted to Let him know he is IN so he can relax his mind and prepare to the challenge”.
As for the painful decision regarding Goldstein and Van Winden he said: “ Dennis was injured in his last race and needed multiple stitches. Unfortunately the injury will prevent him to prepare for the Giro. Roy is a rider who made a significant progress but we feel he is not yet ready to the demands of 21 Days grand tour. He will race and further develop , reaching this level in the future”.
is bringing them home to Rome the only goal left though?
....he is a rider without a tradition for being in shape in the spring. Typically starts working around May.....
I think he might have won a stage in the Giro, the competing group of sprinters in the Tour of Norway were at more or less the same level as in Italy. Bad selection by Academy, although I have no problem understanding why.
I think he might have won a stage in the Giro, the competing group of sprinters in the Tour of Norway were at more or less the same level as in Italy. Bad selection by Academy, although I have no problem understanding why.
I don't know if anyone can clear that up...More or less the only Hebrew I know is 'mazel tov', so I can't be of help here. :S
https://twitter.com/HamishSchreurs/status/975840241176203264
If Beppe Conti is right for once:lol :rofl: :lol
Cyclingnews understands the team hopes to add several French riders
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/israel-cycling-academy-start-tour-de-france-push-with-first-french-signing/Harrumph.
One other alternative is CN being wrong( :P ) or shall we say over connecting the dots. Yes, we know they want to ride the TdF at some point, but there was nothing in the stagiaire press release about it or the French riders/races bit.Unless I am much mistaken there will be some off-the-record source about this that they can't quote yet (the team will want to announce the signing(s) itself), but which confirms that there will be French signings - they just can't go public with the names yet.
The French team Côtes d'Armor Cycling playing in National Division 1, announces a privileged partnership with Israel Cycling Academy evolving in Pro Continental UCI.
The French club will become the official reserve team of ICA.
The Israeli team and the French club have decided to join forces to allow young talents to develop their full sporting potential and to flourish fully in high-level cycling. In other, Côtes d'Armor Cycling will welcome several hopeful runners of the Israeli team . As part of the collaboration, the French club will serve as the official training and race platform for the reserve team, providing the hopefuls with a quality racing program, full professional support and supervision. Close to ICA staff and management French club riders will also join the professional team at training camps throughout the year.
For several years Côtes d'Armor Cyclisme is part of the training and support of young French riders but also foreign. This international collaboration strengthens the spirit of openness characterizing Brittany. We will allow some of our young people to evolve in an international context allowing them to see and live other sports, cultural, linguistic experiences.
Fabien Schmidt is the jewel in the crown (1st in the Direct Velo Challenge) and was talking yesterday about a potential return to the pro ranks, but he is 29.
You don't write "CN learned #academy will sign French riders" unless you are certain of it. ;)
There are a couple of young 'uns at the CT level that interest, but no more than that and of course there are numerous unknowns at the amateur level, but the pickings could be slim after all the French pro teams take the cream.They're French. Nobody said they'd have to also be good. :P
So Vincent + Boudat?
Been a decent few weeks for the team since the Giro ended. Not only victories in Korea and Dwars door het Hageland, but good showings in most races they have entered: Hammer Limburg, Adriatica Ionica, Elfstedenronde, Koln and GP Lugano.
Still, they have quite a few more chances in the next couple of weeks to redeem their tail-end of the season.
Over at Taihu Lake, Avila was a DSQ after the organizers decided he was to blame for Alzate's crash on stage 2. Step forward stagiaire Itamar Einhorn. You can watch the sprint below (from stage 3) where he got himself in the perfect position inside the last km, right on Molano's wheel. It looked even better when the Manzanista went early. However from that point it didn't go as well. He decided within a couple of seconds to come off Molano's wheel to try and come by, but it was still too early, he didn't have the pace and ended up eating wind. I think a third or fourth might have been possible if he had just stayed where he was and then came out when the Colombian started to fade.He'll learn from this and be better the next time.
So he has that down. :cool
News tomorrow on whether Plaza will retire or not.
It has been very educational. It has been a season where I have suffered a bit of injury and illness (and crashes!) But I have been cycling many big rides and it has been good and fun challenges in a row. But I wish I had been more stable fresh and fast.
When I've been in good shape, I've felt stronger than I did last year in some of the bigger rides. Especially part of the 1.1 rides I have cycled, I have known that there is no level I have trouble with. But there have been no fighting results because I've driven a lot of helpers too. Like I did for Sondre in the Norwegian rides and also a lot abroad.
I knew I did not get the same freedom that I got last year in Coop. Then I ended up at a wave peak and could float in tailwind and it has not been as easy this year because of a few different factors. But now I can sit down and look at what can be done differently and what was the difference with last year with regard to driving and the things there. And come up with concrete suggestions to avoid injury and illness and perhaps avoid the stupid rolls.
If Google translate isn't letting us down he says that the team will use the "same equipment next year".I can confirm that he says that. :cool
Cimo is a good rider of course with a lot of experience, but not exactly what the team needs, I would sayDoesn't every team need 17 sprinters?! :lol
And what do you get for finishing 8th...
When it comes to scoring points though, the sprinter/classic guys do seem to have the system weighted in their favour.But how?
Maybe this is something the UCI needs to look at.
1. | e.g. Brabantse Pijl |
2. | e.g. Volta ao Algarve |
3. | e.g. Tour of California |
As for #2, that's true no doubt if he's talking about Quintana or Porte, but there are cheaper alternatives that could do well in .HC and .1 races.And, if we're honest, they also can't afford sprinters who can do well (i.e., win) in WT races. You may get lucky once in a while, especially if you have a dozen sprinters, but Minali, Van Asbroeck, Räim, or Ávila aren't the same calibre as Gaviria, Viviani, Kittel, or Cavendish.
So seven riders more in total. A combo of either extensions from Perry, Lemus, Schreurs, Van Winden, Sagiv, Diaz, Goldstein or new signings of Einhorn, Burke?, somebody else?
It's now two from Lemus, Schreurs, Van Winden, Diaz and/or new signings.
Sylvan Adams is determined to bring his team to the Tour de France by 2020.
The way he sees it, there are three ways to get there. First, his team can finish among one of the top two spots in this year’s team rankings among the Professional Continental league, and earn an automatic wildcard berth to all three grand tours for 2020, which includes a spot in the Tour. Option two is to sign a big-name rider who could entice a grand tour to invite ICA, a scenario that opens doors but provides no guarantee. Or, he could merge with an existing WorldTour team hungry for new financial partners.
If they have a point to make, they'd be better off making in general terms rather than while talking about a specific race.Yes.
It's February.
The real season hasn't even started yet.[1]
If they've still underperformed by the start of April, there may be some cause for getting worried - but until now, everything has been nothing more than glorified training races: Nice to get a win in, but not really something anyone will remember in the long run.
1. yes, I'm a European snob
[...] where #visma Groenewegen disappeared [...]The Norwegians are only co-sponsor ... but I added the smiley anyway. But the 'regular' code is still # jumbo. ;)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dy_fIqgXQAEw2Xi.jpg)Well, they may be screaming ... while running away. :D
The new boy band is in town! However that sock-short combo ain't gonna get Raim many screaming female fans.
Bit of a strange one. :SWhat would Hermans achieve at the Giro? A top-30 in GC if he's lucky, maybe a good stage placing from a breakaway.
Surely you'd want your best rider (and best chance of a stage win) at the biggest event of the year.
Is this a conscious decision already by the team to chase points after their indifferent start to the season? There's no TT in California this year, so depending on the line-up, a top-5 in the GC wouldn't be crazy talk.
Personally I have more of an eye on the Tour of California, although we are not sure to get a wildcard yet.
Last year they lost 1m47 to BMC in the TTT. Hopefully there'll be a bit of an improvement with the addition of Dunne, Brandle etc but I'm still seeing 1m20+.
These guys race like Kristoff now? Isn’ t that a tubeless setup? How common is that these days?
I still don't understand why they don't sent their best team with Hermans. Can't see them getting invited again in 2020 unless Cimolai features strong in the sprints and Plaza going for stage wins/ #blue.
I didn’t have time to brake and just went over the bars. My ankle is a bit sore and I actually snapped my shoe in half somehow. I thought my ankle was broken but I just stretched the ligaments pretty bad. The next days won’t be fun at all. I was just bummed that I wasn’t able to help Cimo at the finish
WEDŪ
Published on May 27, 2019
Former professional cyclist Ran Margaliot is this week's guest on THEMOVE. Ran is the co-founder of the Israel Cycling Academy Team. He and Lance spent most of the conversation discussing the team's homage to Gino Bartali. Bartali was a 3x winner of the Tour of Italy as well as the Tour de France twice. But his accomplishments off the bike are more important.
Bartali used his fame on the bike to help move documents and papers of persecuted Jewish people. His actions saved hundreds of lives. He was awarded, posthumously, Israeli citizenship for work.
They need a lot of different types.
A GC rider who can TT
A puncheur
A dedicated final guy for Cimolai/Hofstetter
Deeper strength in the classics team
More climbers in general are good
More climbers in general are good - ???
Time for a quick game of Fantasy Cycling Manager 2020.Excellent call. Haller is a very good rider who I feel is often underrated resp. flies under the radar.
Not so easy to think of good realistic candidates for these roles from the WT.
A dedicated final guy for Cimolai/Hofstetter - Haller (best option + adds to classics)
https://twitter.com/yallaACADEMY/status/1162361809430601729
All the above doesn't guarantee success of course and my worry now is that the gap that the homegrown riders will have to bridge might be too big. They'll have to retain quite a few of the smaller .1 raced in their program and in future years a proper CT devo team might not go amiss.
We are also planning a continental team in parallel, to keep our riders who can not access the WorldTour
I’m a climber/GC rider so I will probably be the last guy to help Dan and Ben in the hard races, and I’ll also look to take my shot at the win in target races when I can.
Oscar Guerrero , one of the Spanish box Israeli directors, he attended Radio Marca in the cycling program 'open grave'. :o
The majority of brokers who have in Katusha contract the majority will stay, of 11 that remain with contract at least 7 will surely stay. The same will happen with the staff, 4 masseuses and 4 mechanics will come The management is going to take from ICA.
"The first year will not be easy for sure because it will be a great change, "said Guerrero, who acknowledges that there are still many open negotiations regarding cyclists.
As for Spaniards there is Dani Navarro and maybe Rubén Plaza, who is in negotiations to be able to continue although the truth is that they do not fit all. With what there was and what is coming there are more than 30, so we won't look beyond the market. "
Good continuation in the Continental Pro Israel Cycling Academy
We will stay in National 1 while maintaining a bridge with Israel Cycling Academy, equipment loan, training, training riders ... Our riders will then join the Conti or the WorldTour," he adds while adding: "We has no exclusivity: a rider from us can very well join Arkéa-Samsic or Vital Concept-B & B Hotels if he wishes.
I have suspected for a while that it looks a bit thin when it is so long and I probably feel that I have to change teams next year, as things stand now. There are some Katusha riders going in. Many of the Israelis on the team have signed and so have you who had a contract for next year. The team starts to fill up.
I have received an offer from ICA that was reserved for pro accounts, but when they are not, the offer expires. It may look like a team change
That Academic is considering establishing a reserve group to compete in the third tier of the road bike world - Continental, to allow as many Israelis as possible to take part in competitive and professional races. These are two or three riders who will drop out of the adult group and a number of riders who will jump from the existing reserve group.
It should be noted that riders who remain in the World Tour (presumably Guy Sagiv and Guy Niv) may occasionally drop into the Continental Group and compete in smaller races to try and earn personal victories while advancing the young riders.
The Continental group, as it was academically until two years ago, will consist of about 12 riders and its cost is estimated at 750,000 euros. It will of course include a large portion of Israelis, but also other riders who will not find a place in the World Tour group that is forming after the reunification with Katusha.
they're likely to be riding Argon18 bikes.Makes sense with Sylvan Adams' *ca money calling the shots. :D
There were discussions about it between the teams, but Cote d'Armor won't be going CT and instead the "reserve of ICA will likely be a team in Slovenia". Whether that's a new team or an already existing one isn't stated.#ljubljana would fit with the main team's cosmopolitan look.
What will your role be in the new year?
It is not known because the riders do not even know who our teammates are right now. There are so many open ends. Maybe the team management knows, but we haven't been given this information.
We have an overview of races where you have helped several leaders. Did the team or leaders appreciate it?
Last year, when Ben Hermans Giro was supposed to go with an emphasis on overall ranking, he asked me. But then the management decided not to go to GC, and then my services were not needed either. Also this year leaders appreciated my work and skills. Ávila told me the team at the beginning of the season. Cimolai asked for only two people during the season and I was one of them. Van Asbroeck, too, was very satisfied with my support, which showed leadership. This award is the biggest win for me in the season!
So, do you stay in this team that moves to WorldTour in 2020?
The final roster will have 30 people and it is not yet known exactly what the final team composition will be. If I don't make it to the World Tour team, then, like any team from the top division, Israel Cycling will have to have a development team from next season. And if not in the first team, I have a reserved place in development.
The advantage is that besides WorldTour races, the first team can nominate people from the reserve team for selected races of a higher category. The fact that I am the only one who has been in the team since its inception also plays in my favor. At the moment, I cannot say what the probability of the end result is.
Turek is in the devo team.
ah, so the rumours about Avila heading back to Colombia were not true in the end. Maybe the devolopment team's race schedule will actually fit him better than the WT one's though.
We spoke with Ben Perry about his new role on the Continental squad: "The team will serve to help develop these young Israelis and do a bunch of [UCI] .2 and .1 level races, mostly in Spain, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. I'm going to be a leader next year for that team. There's going to be room to move from the Continental team to the WorldTour team within the same structure. So, there's a chance for me to do races with the WorldTour team at points during the year."
"I'm excited about the opportunity, because things went well last year and I won a race, but there just wasn't enough room for me at the end of the day [on the WorldTour team]. It's an opportunity to be a leader and try and win again, rather than being a team mate. So I'm taking that opportunity with both hands, and hopefully it's one year in Continental and then back up."
To be fair, if he was particularly cheap, Avila may be able to pass on some knowledge. In theory a good idea, whether it works in reality is another matter.
"I sat in the directors' meeting the other day and they said 'well, what races do you want to do?' and I said, 'I don't know'. I really just want to have fun. I've done all the biggest races; I've got results in many of them. Now it's just a case of racing my bike, having fun, and choosing my programme around the races that suit me best, irrespective of what race it is,”
The debut with the new colors will take place in Australia, at the Tour Down Under , therefore the time to work on the new train will not be much: "I hope to return to being competitive in the sprints, and at the same time trying to educate the younger athletes . There is a lot of potential in the team to be able to create a good train, we'll see if we will be able to exploit it in the race"
At Paris - Roubaix do you see him (Greipel) as a very important pillar, who can also win?
Politt: Yes, that applies to all classics. I think it's good to start with two leaders, even if he does not like to hear that. But you can always have a bad day. The classics only last for two weeks. If you are not top of the class then you have missed a year.
Your goals in the coming season?
Politt: Of course, the classics Paris - Roubaix and the Flanders Tour are at the top. If I could get one or two top ten results before that, that would be great. I'm not pressure. I know what I have in my legs, I have proven this year.
"I am very happy to start 2020 here in the Tour Colombia with the WorldTour team, it is a very big emotion and I want the season to begin".
Ávila's slogan for 2020 is clear, fight for partial victories and win a spot in the WorldTour squad. “In 2020 my goal is to hopefully win again, because it is not easy to win every year, there is a lot of level, there are new people and it is very difficult, to win but my goal is to win 3 or 5 races to be able to go up to the WorldTour what is it I want more independent of the races, my mentality is to get on the WT ”.
Ben Hermans still has one thing in his stomach. When talking about the Olympic Games, his name does not fall for the time being. “May I find that strange? The Olympic course is tailor-made for me. Moreover, I am at my best in weather conditions that we can expect in Tokyo next summer. In the past I never dropped in the heat and I can go up a mountain. Remco Evenepoel is of course a fixed value. But call me five better climbers in Belgium. Laurens De Plus, Tiesj Benoot too. But when it gets as warm as predicted, it is hard to get to five. "
Avila:
https://www.revistamundociclistico.com/2019/firme-con-el-continental-pero-voy-a-correr-tambien-con-el-equipo-worldtour-edwin-avila/
"I am very happy to start 2020 here in the Tour Colombia with the WorldTour team, it is a very big emotion and I want the season to begin".
No age limit of the riders of the reserve team is indicated in the document of the International Cycling Union. However, it stipulates several obligations:
-The same administrative structure as the parent team.
-The same financial managers.
-The same main partner and similar jerseys.
One thing I'm wondering about is salary. You're a reserve team rider on a fairly basic wage, when you then race a week long event with the WT team will you get paid the WT minimum wage pro-rata for that week? Is that what happens with stagiaires? Fus?For all the pages and pages spent laying out excruciating details about bank guarantees, contracts etc., the UCI rulebook is remarkably quiet on the remuneration of stagiaires. It doesn't call them stagiaires, either (in the English version), but trainees.
2.13.168So, if a WWT team takes on a stagiaire and sends them to, say, RideLondon (1.Pro next year; remember, stagiaires may not do WT/WWT events) and the Women's Tour of Scotland, that would be four race days which the WWT
[...]
8. the rider will be paid on the basis of a flat-rate payment for each race day or day of participation in an event with the UCI Women’s WorldTeam. The amount of the flat-rate payment will correspond to at least 50% of the amount of the minimum salary (calculated on a daily pro-rata of the minimum salary of article 2.13.177). The payment will be made to the team which will pay the rider, after deducting sums for which they are contractually responsible towards the rider.
2.15.110bisTranslated, that means that a rider will get whatever he (or, in most cases, his agent) can wiggle out of the pro team's tightly-closed coffers.
[...]
In all other respects, the relationship between these riders and the UCI WorldTeam shall be mutually agreed between the parties.
Trainees you might as well call interns. And internships are characterised by being unpaid.
Riders would still get paid a salary from their Continental or U23 team, of course - if they get a salary there (which is far from certain). And they get kit, a bike, accommodation, travel from their 'host team' ... but there's no rule that the pro team that wants to try them out has to pay them for that.
On the men's side, that is.
The team gave me carte blanche for the choice of the races and this made the difference for me, because you can plan the best all year round and the results can be seen
Apparently, a minimum salary "to be paid on a daily basis for each day the trainee will join the WorldTour" was introduced for the men as well this year.Cute.
...of 43,30 EUR per day.
https://www.cyclist.co.uk/news/6611/towards-fair-pay-for-stagiaires
I'll leave it to you to look that up in whatever UCI rules it may be hidden in :P
“Even now as those words come out of my mouth, I can’t believe it,” Piccoli said about his Giro start. “ This has always been my dream as a cycling fan at heart; to know this year its coming is a surreal feeling.”
In March I go Normandy, which is in its category and at this time of year a very prestigious stage. We will certainly meet the boys from Elkov-Kasper there. Of the three stage races at the beginning of the season, I consider this one to be the most important for myself and I would like to show myself here.
To sum up: I have the opportunity to run the races just below the World Tour, I am closely connected with the World Tour team, I did not get any extra money, and after a few years I will finally be able to ride some races explicitly. I have a good chance to return to the first team. I'm really looking forward to the season!
Then I'd shut down the road racing and hone in on the Olympics. That's what I'd like to do. If I can do that, be allowed to quietly go away and train for the Olympics, then they can do what they hell they like with me for the second half of the season
The team will run a three-race program from the get-go in January, racing simultaneously in Australia, Argentina, and Mallorca with 16 racing days over ten days of January alone.
“In terms of racing volume, we start full gas,” explained team manager Kjell Carlstrom. “We are looking to get some results early and start the season on the right footing. We are certainly fully motivated.”
I like the race, the atmosphere and the country. Our team for the race is strong in all kinds of terrains and we want to prove it. I want to be in the mix for the sprints. I know that I have the legs for it and I want to battle together with the team for stage wins.
Two or three years in a row they've said they want to hit the ground running and it hasn't happened yet.It's very much a "throw everything at the wall and see what sticks" approach, isn't it. ;)
For the moment every rider, and especially new riders, are given a chance to show themselves. In San Juan, we can find out on which position in the Israel SUN sprint train the riders fit best.”
“Israel SUN hopes for a few top-5 finishes in flat stages."
I did not have a good day. I suffered and tried, but in my opinion, it was not good enough.
I don't like that stat "29 (!) top 10 in 40 starts". Tbh nobody cares about top-tens.Yes!
https://www.uci.org/road/rankings
No mind bending calculations needed. You can see I-SUN down in 27th place. Despite all their racing, they're the bottom WT team. Behind 3 (!) CT teams.
Not that the points will matter this year, but the cumulative points over three years will at the end of 2022. The UCI have said that after that time the number of UCI teams will be reduced to 18 again.Looking at the last few years, the possibility of one (or more) of those 19 teams going under in the next 2.5 years isn't small.
“The race was really nervous, it was the first race of the season for a lot of the teams and they want to prove themselves. There were a lot of crashes and you had to be really, really careful in the peloton,”
"Ben Perry and Daniel Turek did their one minute pulls. Itamar and Norman screened me in the pack. They closed the left, closed the right, so the other teams couldn't pass us. In the last 500 meters Norman took it over, he was really good and I could get a good draft behind him. I launched my sprint and then he screened to take me on the right a little bit so the others couldn't pass me."
It all looked pretty calm, even a bit boring: After almost 4 hours of racing in the second stage of PARIS NICE, the peloton was all together, and everybody was looking for the much-expected bunch sprint.
But ahead of the peloton, we had a team car in a recon mission with DS Lionel Marie and Coach Greg Henderson. They detected an open road exposed to heavy crosswind. The riders were promptly warned. “We knew it was coming, “ said our Dane Strongman Mads Wurtz Schmidt.
During the winter Würtz said that he'd try to focus more on one-week races with a time trial again - but I guess he'd need this one to be cancelled after Friday at the latest to finish high up in GC?!
In another interview also Jasper Stuyven mentioned that basically no one in the peloton expects to reach Nice."The Race as close to the Sun as we'll get"? :D
We were a ProConti team. But this status poses structural problems. It is very expensive to run a ProContinental team. We don't get any money from TV rights or spectator tickets. And there are simply no good sponsorship contracts at ProContinental level. As a ProContinental team, there are no guaranteed races, so you don't know whether you will take part in a GrandTour, the classics or a monument. Since you don't know which races you take part in, it is difficult to negotiate with sponsors and tell them: give me a lot of money. But I can't tell you where we're going. This is a structural problem of ProContinental status, which is a real problem for sport.
It is interesting for us to be able to understand this exactly. We were always told that riders like Politt still had a contract ( Adams : Correct! ) And that they had to switch to Israel Cycling Academy. But that's actually not correct, because they signed a new contract with you.
Adams: Exactly, they did.
That means they were free to leave the team?
Adams: It's not that simple.
It’s great for the riders and the team to have a few races to look forward to during July,” explained the team’s Pro manager Kjell Carlstrom. “There we can make sure that we are on the right track with everything regarding a safe restart of the race calendar. We will be racing with mixed teams – ISN WorldTour team and our Continental Israel Cycling Academy team
The new calendar:
July:
02-05 Tour of Sibiu (Romania, 2.1)
Seems more wind in the sails for this one
Gets A Better Offer Elsewhere
MWS - Not many good riders available for Bjarne to bring to NTT/Velux if he wants to Dane-ify the team
Brändle said it's "looking good" to get a new deal
“I recently received a thirteen-page document from our team, full of restrictions imposed by the UCI on the teams. That note got me thinking. The social isolation riders will end up in should not be underestimated. ”
"Count it out," Hermans continues. “An altitude internship prior to the Tour, three weeks from home. Once at home, you should not see anyone except your family members. In addition, you must have two molecular detection tests (PCR) performed during that home quarantine. You have to undergo the same test every week during a large round, for example on the rest day. During such a Tour you will soon be away from home for four weeks, where you will stay strictly within the bubble of your team. Visiting the home front is not allowed. If you put all that together, you have hardly seen your loved ones for seven to eight weeks. ”
yep - Froome signed with them now
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/chris-froome-leaves-ineos-for-israel-start-up-nation/?fbclid=IwAR1bI4SwYl3eGXg930ZufVoCtXta9MhyKKWrIH5WFsiG6mqZYe9s072COJw
I expect more deals to follow, on Froome´s orders. Who are the next ones?I think that the big GT teams #ineos #jumbo #movistar won't let their mountain domestiques go without a fight.
Who are the next ones?
#unox Torjus Sleen? (Excellent in that role)
#unox Torjus Sleen? (Excellent in that role)
Not WT Level
Cataford - Still very limited. Got kept on for this year though, so might snag another extension
Top 3 in GC + a stage win sounds quite ambitious, given the flat course, and the good amount of strong sprinters in the race.
The Israeli talent is especially eager to make it into the Tour de l’Avenir squad with the Israeli national team. “There are only five spots for - I think - six U23 riders that have a chance ongoing. The Tour de l’Avenir is the most popular and famous race for U23, kind of the Tour de France for my age category. It’s also the first time that the Israeli national team is going to participate.”
I have a number of goals with this team
First is having fun and enjoying what I love most.
Number two is to be a really good bike rider and with the company of the riders in this team I know that I can develop more, help them in races and eventually be able to do what they are able to do: winning the biggest races in the world.
But third, and that is the main reason that I race, is to make my parents proud. My dad and my mom are my biggest fans, my dad is the biggest ISN-fan and is at least as happy with the extension than I am myself. My mom and dad are coming over everywhere to see me racing, all over the globe. They have seen the whole journey and I would not have been a cyclist without them. I owe my career, now another two years on WorldTour level with ISN, to them.
Extension for Piccoli.
http://israelcyclingacademy.com/from-rock-bottom-to-two-more-years-in-the-worldtour-piccoli-resigns-with-isn/
Aha!
When I read the other day that Ecuador had withdrawn from the race (and others might also have for all I know) I just had a feeling/hope that this might be on the cards.
https://www.facebook.com/IsraelCyclingAcademy/posts/2535180686585474
The WT riders are all too old now, so the team will have to come from the devo squad. That's five from Levi, Lahav, Goldstein, Davidzon, Abu-Fares and Ben Moshe.
They'll get their arses handed to them of course, but it'll be a good experience.
Unfortunately for Davidzon, it is him that misses out.And unfortunately for the rest of them, l'Avenir got cancelled. :(
Saned ABU-FARES (Israel Cycling Academy Continental), Espoir 3
Yuval BEN MOSHE (Israel Cycling Academy Continental), Espoir 3
Edo GOLDSTEIN (Israel Cycling Academy Continental), Espoir 2
Omer LAHAV (Israel Cycling Academy Continental), Espoir 2
Eitan LEVI (Israel Cycling Academy Continental), Espoir 2
Roi WEINBERG (Israel Go Pro), Espoir 2
I think that makes 22 confirmed riders for next year. Add in the three Israelis and Boivin (I think he'll be okay as long as he wants to continue riding) and four spots are left.
Still waiting for that first Israeli win outside Israel, but it might not be far away.
Why was the first stage canceled?
Above all, it was the worst organized race in the last three years, which I completed. They allegedly wanted to give a prologue before the first stage, but canceled both on the grounds that the mayor did not want sports events. My private opinion is that they wanted to save money.
I did not find stage profiles anywhere, not even on the race websites.
Nobody!
So was the problem more?
No one knew the day before what the second stage would look like. No one knew the exact schedule and route. We arrived at the start, and there was nothing ready. Just nothing at all. Then they told us that the mountaineering premium might be somewhere else than originally intended, but it is not certain.
Was the second stage better?
No. Originally it was supposed to go around a hundred, at the last minute it was shortened by a third. But in the middle of the stage, the race stopped, we stood for long minutes, allegedly because they crossed the borders of the regions and it was necessary to change the police escort. So they neutralized this part of the stage. Then they kept driving straight on the wide road and very fast, the very conclusion narrowed to the width of one car, turn right and finish. Very "good" idea. Fortunately, no one got involved there.
So a bit of an "exotic" experience of this business.
It was generally accepted between the teams that no one would come here anymore. Certainly not our team.
Einhorn has dropped down to the team for this race and if he continues with his Hongrie form then that elusive win could come.
The best Ben Moshe could manage in the Baltyk - Karkonosze was an 8th.That's the third Polish 2.2 in as many months to not exactly cover itself in glory ...
Turek gave a little interview about the race and painted a shambolic picture.
The stage from Krosno to Nowy Sącz was shortened by a few kilometers, but the signs indicating the distance from the finish line remained unchanged.
This situation meant that many cyclists were not prepared for the finish, as they followed the markings along the route.
I must say that the organization of the WSiO is perfect for me. Of course there was a communication error today, which was disappointing, but looking at the rest of it, it is a really well organized race.
Rumours earlier in the week that Barbier had extended for two years.
He knows that winning sprints is a team effort. “We need to work together in the sprint and keep the same leadout team as much as possible. It is impossible to win a sprint alone. I go very fast in the last few meters and I always do a fast final. With a strong team around me we can win quickly in the WorldTour.
Rudy has been working with team coach Greg Henderson, and is now on his way to the Tour of Slovakia to prepare for the Giro. “We have a great team at the Giro to put me in the best position in the sprints. I watched the sprints in Tirreno and the team leadouts were amazing. I’m excited to join them in Italy!”
Cimolai leading him out seems a good option, but why wasn't he at TA then? Just checking back and him and the Italian haven't raced a sprint stage together yet in the team. He teamed up with Zabel in UAE to some good effect, so he has had some practice with the train. It does smack somewhat of a last minute decision.It feels like they aren't planning their riders' programs as thoroughly as some other teams, doesn't it.
A three man break did manage to stay away today and it was Abrahamsen of Uno-X who took the win. They're racing on three fronts currently. Next year it could four or five if you add in Dare Devo and a women's team that there was some news about this week.The women's team is planned for 2022 - but jumping right in at the WWT level.
https://twitter.com/WielerFlits/status/1233328410723848192
The winner of the overall will get a stagiaire contract with the WT team. Unfortunately the competition ends in the middle of September and thus the lucky rider will only get ~1 months worth of racing, but there's a fair few one-day races for them to get their teeth into at that time of year.
In addition one of the three best club riders in the competition will get a permanent contract with the feeder team.
“Unfortunately Israel Start-Up Nation cannot offer an internship contract to the winner of the Top League and no contract to the winner of the club classification for the continental Israel Cycling Academy this year. The corona virus and its consequences are at the root of this. Due to the fact that due to the coronavirus, unfortunately many Top League competitions were canceled, ICA cannot sufficiently assess whether the riders who would be eligible for the contract for the continental team, fit in the vision of the management. ”
The islander (Raim), whose current contract with Israel Start-Up Nation expires at the end of the year.
"It would be good for the contract to perform well there, but my goal is to go to Vuelta already with the contract. I wouldn't want to go on a three-week bike tour without a contract, it would be too stressful. "
#israel
http://www.feltet.dk/nyheder/israel_start-up_nation_har_udtaget_giro_ditalia_holdet/
Rudy Barbier
Matthias Brändle
Alexander Cataford
Davide Cimolai
Alex Dowsett
Daniel Navarro
Guy Sagiv
Rick Zabel
Should do okay on the 3 sprints and 3 TTs ....... but not very well on the other 15 stages.
Alex Dowsett fears for his professional life. The Briton has no contract for the upcoming season yet. His victory in the eighth stage of the Giro d'Italia was therefore a very welcome gift. “It was a very tough year. There is so much uncertainty. ”
“I work hard, I want to keep racing next year, because that is what I prefer to do. I want to get food on the table for my family. Hopefully this victory will secure me for next year. ”
The 32-year-old Briton tries to enjoy all impressions as much as possible due to his uncertain professional life. “You keep getting a year older. Every win could be your last, maybe this will also be my last big round. I try to enjoy this with my teammates, my wife Chanel and my family. ”
Nice to see that they took such care over producing that poster that they didn't give Piccoli a capital letter. C-You're being generous.
It really annoys me when it is someone's job to do such things, and they do it with so little care and with nobody checking it before it is sent out as the public image of the organisation they work for.Speaking of which, the Vuelta tweeted about *ec Carapaz ... using the *co flag. :fp
I only cited that once in Ecuador before I learned that no-one wants to use the civil flag.Probably because the civil flag is, as you say, identical to the Colombian flag. :P
Adams and Froome met in 2018 at the start of the Giro d'Italia from Jerusalem. There was harmony, they recognized the same passion for cycling in the other. For almost two years they did not hear much, then, when the contractual dynamics allowed the Kenyan of England to think of a future different from the one that (not) the Ineos proposed to him, they re-established contacts and quickly found an agreement. One year of renewable contract as long as he wants to run. Adams asked Froome only one thing: obstinacy to return the best. Froome asked Adams only for precision and a few followers up to the mission, the usual one: to try to win the fifth Tour de France
For sure Dempster might be busy with other things a lot of the time, but there is also Verbrugghe and Carlstrom to add into the mix. They'll need a lot of races to keep them all busy.It's a lot of people, that's true - but it may well be (in fact, it's near-guaranteed) that some of them are 'part-time' DSs. After all, it is a job with a lot of long hours and very much travelling, taking you away from home for over 50% of the year if you're doing it full-time at WT level.
In a strategic move to bolster the current development model, team management is turning Israel Cycling Academy into an under-23 team. The main purpose of ICA is to develop talent – especially Israeli – to a WorldTour level and the U23 designation contributes to that mission.
Being a U23-team allows ICA to compete in races that would normally not be open Continental teams.
“The idea of focusing completely on a U23 team is that it will allow us to field strong teams in the biggest U23 races like Liege-Bastogne-Liege and, hopefully, the Baby Giro,” says Zak Dempster, the head sports director of the Continental team. “These races are critical for the development of young riders and it’s imperative we are there fighting for results – if we are to develop the next generation of WorldTour riders within our structure.”
One of the first challenges for ICA will be the Tour du Rwanda, which is scheduled to take place in March (but riding with a couple of WT guys as I-SUN?).
Don't think there is a confirmed start list anywhere, but with 7 PCT teams (and more than that wanted to come), it won't be easy.
So Froome...
Not sure when we can start to officially call his ISUN tenure a disaster?
#ica
Devo Team Alert!
First race of the season for the now fully U23 team and who needs Paris-Nice when you can have Paris-Troyes instead.
Their season continues tomorrow and Monday with a couple of U23 events in Italy - Trofeo Piva and the Giro del Belvedere.
So yeah, this could be the right choice. Just don't be the chumps chasing the break down for a 6th place sprint from Cimolai. Get in the break instead.Ideally with Cimolai!
talking about ITTs... the new Factor bike isn't available yet, but apparently supposed to be a major improvement, according to Brändle in the Vorarlberger Zeitung today:
"10th place for Matthias Brändle in the UAE Tour time trial. The 32 year-old from Hohenemster only lost 38 seconds to Filippo Ganna on the 12 km course. 'Unfortunately the new time trial bike isn't ready yet, otherwise it could be 1.7 kph quicker. But I'm satisfied, the shape is good'."
"1.7 kph quicker" would move him up to 2nd
It's like a poorly performing F1 team. This year's car is always nearly, but not quite, ready and they have to use last year's model instead. No doubt they'll have it ready for 2022.
Stage 15 is the only other similar stage as far as I can see. Will we see different tactics then?
any idea why Dan Martin has a different jersey, btw? Already noticed that during the stageHmm.
(https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/daniel-martin-of-ireland-patrick-bevin-of-new-zealand-matthias-of-picture-id1318132112?s=2048x2048)
Not sure if there is anything planned for the team before the Alpes Isère Tour in May, but the riders themselves could be busy with the main team. I'd be surprised if they weren't in the majority in Rwanda and some might even make an appearance in Hongrie.
Hard to believe it's really worth 2s per km as he suggested earlier on, but who knows...In the end, he finished 16th, 1:23 minutes (or 83 seconds) down on Ganna. That's 2.739 seconds lost per kilometre.
"[...]I first saw the bike only 10 hours before [...]"Given how the year (and especially the cycling season) is almost halfway done, isn't it, well, less-than-ideal that they only get their TT bikes now?
he also had some technical problems, he said, but overall a pretty disappointing result, yeah. Worse than normallyGiven that a substantial part of his job is to promote the bike manufacturers, then saying that they struggle to meet deadlines and that their product is unreliable is not the best way of doing that.
"In advance, I obviously had hoped for more than 16th place, but considering that I first saw the bike only 10 hours before, I can't be too dissatisfied. Technical problems weren't expected, but also didn't come as that much of a surprise. We still wanted to give it a try. But after 5k the steering stopped working properly, which obviously had implications on my ride, as it wasn't possible to take corners on the ideal line anymore. I hope we'll be able to solve those problems quickly. Then the next time trial victory shouldn't be far away."
Given how the year (and especially the cycling season) is almost halfway done, isn't it, well, less-than-ideal that they only get their TT bikes now?
Or did I misunderstand something, and this is a prototype that's currently in development for sale in 2023?
It's worth noting that since they are now U23, this year will be the last for Ben Moshe and Abu Fares.
This is a sports story that can not be disliked: a professional dancer who studied ballet and works for a living in a cafe - managed to astonish professional riders and become the Israeli champion on the road and now hopes to get a professional contract.
Please get to know: the new Israeli champion Vlad Logionov.
I understand that everyone is a bit shocked but the truth is that I came to the race with a plan to surprise them and win. I knew that Startup Nation Quartet would tactically guard each other and not cooperate - and I could take advantage of that. And that's exactly what happened. '
In this respect he is right. The balance of terror between the four professionals of Israel Start but Nation played right into his hands.
'I knew there was no way I was going to stay with them until the end. I had no chance, 'said Logionov. "I had to run away from them." That's exactly what he did. In the end, he waged a fight against the young Sanad Abu Fares - and won the sprint.
"I have immense respect for the start-up professionals," Logionov said. 'But I took advantage of the rivalry to my advantage. Now my dream is to try to get a professional contract myself. '
In other news the devo team start the second half of their season today at the Trofeu Joaquim Agostinho.
The team could be left with a pared down sprint dept in 2022 (about time I hear everybody say).:lol
:lol
Viviani is out of contract at #cofidis, and the team management may want to let him go after realising it was not (only) Viviani that won all those sprints at Quick Step, but just as much (if not more so) the lead-out train. ;)
Somebody who might still be wanting to break the TdF stage wins record would also be a very bad idea I feel. Adams would probably love it though.That would be absolute :fp territory.
I had been thinking that Ewan could be a target for the year after, so they might just end up sticking with what they have in the sprint dept for next season or at most picking up an older stop-gap.
The Limburger could not tell us much about his future, Hermans is at the end of his contract with Israel Start-Up Nation. “I have left that to my management my entire career and it has never let me down. But if it's up to me, I'd be happy to stay with my current team. I feel very good here and see a lot of pros compared to other teams.”
“I wouldn't know where other teams are doing so much better. Okay, the top teams with a bigger budget may be able to support their riders a little more professionally, but at Israel Start-Up Nation they don't do that badly. The environment in which to perform is also good. There is no great pressure. They can also live with a place of honor. And if I don't ride a prize once, it's because I've had bad luck or I'm sick. They show understanding for that.”
“If I want to adjust my program, they are open to it. No, you don't hear me complaining. Can I end my career there? That's another question. That is always possible. But I'm 35. I don't think a two-year contract is enough. It is always possible, as soon as I feel that I can no longer win races, I stop. But I'm not going to assume that today."
What's Greipel up to these days? ;)
Still no announcements for the Vuelta, and I'd guess two from the provisional lists (Hagen, injured? and Hermans, no GT this year) won't be around. What's Greipel up to these days? ;)
Cimo should be the sprinter as Barbier has said he's riding in the French track championships. Einhorn might get a look in.
Hermans: “ITS MY FIRST TT WIN EVER"
I got a new TT bike last week in Andorra at the training camp and I really wanted to give it my all to test the material.
I tested them only a couple of times before the race but I guess Factor did a great job with this new bike.
Okay he wasn't beating big names, but the other riders that make up the top-5 are no mugs.
Maybe the new bike will be as good as advertised.
Was just asked by one of our staff members here “how is the kid doing?”
•
I replied, “great, we can clap hands now”
•
This was followed by an awkward silence
•
“You meant Mason didn’t you?”
•
“Yeah”
•
@masonhollyman_ being our youngster here stepping up from the team’s development team, who can also clap hands and is doing just fine in the race
https://twitter.com/TeamIsraelSUN/status/1433915204463566852
I threw too early, but Wessel Krul only passed me in the last ten meters. The difference is not great. We haven't done a lot of sprints this season. We did a lot of hilly races. It's only my third sprint of the season. It is encouraging for the future.
Not really room though for a "big" maple leaf in that corner of the chest with the current design.Here's a quick-and-dirty visualisation of my idea:
Imo it doesn't work. If it's in the lower/middle section, it needs to be central....or how about four of them. One front middle, one back middle and then one left side and one right side.Four maple leaves are too much. It should be only one (well, two, one front, one back).
Next season, the project will undergo a complete overhaul which will have consequences for the WorldTeam whose numbers will drop from 32 to 27-28 riders.
No more recruiting experienced runners like Chris Froome or Michael Woods, make way for youth. "The idea is to build a real schedule from the start of the year so as to incorporate the Continental riders with the pros. They will not be filler"; The Mainland will be made up of 16 runners, 8 Israelis and 8 Europeans. "For the project to work, it is important to have a good recruitment. This is why I went to the Tour de l'Avenir to see the young people who are going up."
Might be difficult to find 2001+ riders that are available.But they only need 16? :angel
Sagan and Steimle aren't top sprinters.Sagan won the Tour green jersey a gazillion times! :shh
Cimolai and Renard are both heading to Cofidis and Hofstetter is rumoured to Arkea.
I'm disappointed that each are leaving to varying degrees. Renard especially is just starting to bloom with some nice performances. Hofstetter had his place in semi-classics and you could rely on him for top 5-10 with minimal help in most sprints.
Not much representation in the U23 race tomorrow.
#teamau Mackellar
#teamfr Renard - could be in with a outside chance
The one Israeli rep isn't part of ICA (yet?). It's Roi Weinberg. He has been riding some non-UCI races in Belgium the past couple of months and has got some top-5/10 results.
TT-ing climber next please.I am aware of a guy who has two Olympic bronze medals in the time trial, and has won the mountains classification in both the Tour and the Giro. Might he meet that requirement?
No more recruiting experienced runners like Chris Froome or Michael Woods, make way for youth
“We are not under any rush or pressure to fill it, and we may not fill it at all, but if there is a good opportunity for us, we’ll keep the roster spot open.”
As for the juniors tomorrow, Cole Kessler (US JR TT Champion) is following a lot of I-SUN people and equipment providers on Instagram. He's been riding quite a bit over here in Europe this year with the LUX junior team and with some success.
Also mentioned in the article is that Canadian trackie Derek Gee is joining the devo team. I was aware of him several years ago through the Misc American Tour Races threads, but he hasn't done much road racing for a couple of years and as a 97-er we can view the transfer as likely just a helping hand for his Paris ambitions on the track.
Derek also spoke about how this impacts his involvement with the track program.
"I'm definitely taking a bit of a break. It's still an unknown as to how I'm going to be on the road; what kind of rider I am and how far I can make it on the road. I have big aspirations on the road and I'm definitely going to commit fully this year and see where it goes. I'll probably make a decision about the track from there."
Alex Bogna might be a possibility if he doesn't win a place at Alpecin via Zwift. If you see his haircut you'll know which country he comes from. Well, one of two countries just thinking about it.The way you wrote that, I didn't even need to see a photo to know he's Aussie. :D
https://israelcyclingacademy.com/the-next-generation-ica-2022/
Here's the full devo team:
...............
Only 14 riders and not the 16 earlier mentioned.
Finally no sign of Ben Moshe. Does that mean he's got the 31st spot in the main team? Watch this space.
Simon Nagy - recognise the name, couldn't tell you anything about him.
Verbrugghe admits that it is a hard sell encouraging proven general classification riders to join the team.
“We want to develop within, and we want to merge the Continental development team with the WorldTour team, but when there is an opportunity [to sign a rider], you have to try and take it,” he said.
“We were close to signing two young riders for this season who, in my eyes, are probably the future of Grand Tours and very decent stage winners. But one went to Bora-Hansgrohe, and the other went to Deceuninck-Quick-Step.
It also means that the continental teams can't ride in the same race.Interesting. There used to be an exception for Conti teams with the same main partner, e.g. in 2015 when Charter Mason Giant, Giant-Champion System, and Pishgaman Giant weren't allowed to race with Giant-Alpecin (not that they would have), but were allowed to race against each other.
"It's still an unknown as to how I'm going to be on the road; what kind of rider I am and how far I can make it on the road. I have big aspirations on the road and I'm definitely going to commit fully this year and see where it goes. I'll probably make a decision about the track from there."
"It was definitely the best time trial I’ve ever done by a long way.....I had absolutely no idea how well I was going. I figured it was the last stage so I would go full gas and see how it went. I wasn’t looking at numbers or anything and it was only when I crossed the line, Alexis, the soigneur, told me. I couldn’t believe it. I was hoping for a top 15 so I am really, really happy.”
Exit?:
Froome - he can't string it out for another year, can he?
1. | So far I've proven right that it was a mistake to let Hofstetter go |
Simon Nagy - recognise the name, couldn't tell you anything about him.
Sending the in-form Bevin to Hongrie looks to be part of that plan.
......could have been Hindley I guess, but I don't view him as the future of GTs.....
https://twitter.com/IsraelPremTech/status/1539594460799041541
Anyway the team is racing today at one of the toughest races out there - Aosta. Frigo will be out to show what he can do after missing the Baby Giro through injury, but with a very high quality start list, a top-ten or stage win would be good going.
(https://i.imgur.com/r0ld0Pf.png)
There a lot of riders with futures unknown at the end of this season (according to PCS anyway).
(https://i.imgur.com/4gkVNsk.png)
What's your advice for someone a few years younger than you?
“My most generic advice would be to not give up. One thing I did not know then that I know now is to try your best at networking. The more people you know in this sport, the better it is for you. This can help get on teams because, often as an American, it can be hard to make it onto a professional team.”
“If you know people who were former professionals in America and get contacts for them because many of them are now team directors. You have to become a more social person if you’re not already. And it can help knowing people because, for example, if you have a bad season, and teams only know you at a surface level, they might not realize what you’re capable of doing. If you know someone, you can share with them your power profiles and share your thoughts on the season. So networking is really important for launching your career and its longevity.”
Previously I would have thought that Edo Goldstein would have been a shoe-in to move up too, but apart from one stage at Aosta he hasn't done anything amazing in 2022.
This is it. My last race of the season is in the books. I have mix feeling about the results but I have no regrets I left everything on the road every little drop of power in my body. Next season I will have a new start for my life journey as this was my last race with the team. I would like to thanks to all of my teammates and staff who has been my big family for the last 3 years.
How do you think they'll get on in 2023 Fus? Still in that bottom three with Uno-X and HPH?Probably, yes.
Still, it's a bit weird that they don't have a single Israeli or Canadian rider.I agree. The only reason not to re-sign Gafinovitz (even if her season wasn't stellar) has to be that she had a better offer from somewhere else? The same has to be true for Stiasny. Nobody in their right mind wouldn't try to keep her.
For the upcoming 2023 season, Einhorn said his goal is to accumulate as many UCI points as possible, which would qualify him to represent Israel in the 2024 Olympics and get the top European teams to take more of an interest in him.
“If I can gain 500 or 700 or a 1000 points in one year, it is already something that other teams will be closely looking [at]. So this is also important for me [if I am] able to get a contract outside of Israel,” he said. “For the moment, for all my performances, I got some teams talking, but I was never offered another contract.”
I'll certainly start the season in January in Australia at the Tour Down Under. See you then.
Froome interview. In Prague (maybe he ran into Fus) as part of his world tour.So he was the guy on a racer bike I saw the other day! :lol
According to the team’s sports director Ruben Plaza, Israelis Nadav Raisberg, Oded Kogut, Roi Weinberg, Rotem Tene, Canadian Riley Pickrell, and Australian Alastair Mackellar are prime candidates to move up the ladder to the pro team at the end of the season. “I expect them to continue their progress and get opportunities to race with the pro team to prove they deserve the chance to move up.”