All of the information from the cobbles and climbs of the Tour of Flanders, plus the Gran Premio Miguel Indurain and the Volta Limburg with video, experiences and outcomes.
Pogačar within the footsteps of Bobet and Merckx – TOP STORY.
Rider information: Tom Boonen is bound Christophe Laporte will depart Jumbo-Visma and Victor Campenaerts can’t practice for a minimum of one other month.
Race information: The Lady’s Tour postponed for 2023, information from the Ruta del Sol for elite ladies and EKOÏ is the brand new sponsor of the Tour de Pologne.
Monday EUROTRASH Flanders espresso time.
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TOP STORY: Pogačar Within the Footsteps of Bobet and Merckx
Tadej Pogačar has gained the Tour de France twice and add to that Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the Tour of Lombardy, then on Sunday his palmarès took one other step increased with a win within the Tour of Flanders. The Slovenian is just the third rider in historical past to win the Tour of Flanders and the Tour.
The 24 year-old Pogačar is now on a par Louison Bobet and Eddy Merckx. Bobet gained his first Tour de France in 1953 after which the Tour of Flanders two years later. Bobet, who died in 1983, gained the Tour de France 3 times. Merckx was winner of the Tour de France 5 occasions, but in addition gained Flanders in 1969 and 1975. With the Tour of Flanders, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the Tour of Lombardy, Pogačar now has three of the 5 Monuments in his win checklist. Is the Slovenian now enthusiastic about all 5? The UAE Group Emirates rider want so as to add Milano-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix.
“If I retire now, I might be very pleased with my profession. However I’m going to attempt to win all of them. Milan-San Remo is the toughest to win, I feel. I’ve been near it just a few occasions, however it’s a must to be fortunate there too. And about Roubaix… Then I must acquire just a few extra kilos. We’ll strive, however it will likely be very tough,” he mentioned after the end of De Ronde.
Roubaix and Sanremo nonetheless to win:
Tour of Flanders – Males 2023
The 107th Tour of Flanders was gained by Tadej Pogačar. The Slovenian rode away from Mathieu van der Poel the final time up the Oude Kwaremont. He caught and handed Mads Pedersen after which soloed to his first victory in Flanders. A powerful Van der Poel was second and Pedersen edged out Wout van Aert for third.
At the moment was billed as the following spherical of the duel between the ‘Massive Three’ – Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert and Tadej Pogačar, though there have been many extra riders that would shock. The race began early in Brugge for the primary time since 2017 for a tricky 273.4 kilometres over the Oude Kwaremont, Koppenberg and the Paterberg.
In a lightning-fast begin the wind was full on the riders’ backs, however there was an extended await an early break. All of the assault makes an attempt had been quickly nipped within the bud. The tempo was extremely excessive within the first hour of racing (50kph), in order that the riders had been forward of the quickest race schedule. With 230 kilometres to go it was all palms on deck within the peloton. Bahrain Victorious tried to separate the race and a few necessary names had been shocked. The largest title to overlook the break up was Mathieu van der Poel. Final yr’s winner was behind the peloton on the time and located himself in a dropped group. Valentin Madouas, third in 2022, Søren Kragh Andersen, Sep Vanmarcke, Biniam Girmay, Michael Matthews, Peter Sagan and Caleb Ewan additionally needed to chase. Their groups noticed the hazard and needed to unite forces. Alpecin-Deceuninck, Groupama-FDJ and Israel-Premier Tech succeeded, however had to make use of a whole lot of vitality.
After a loopy chase of 20 kilometres, Van der Poel was again with the bunch, however it was a primary warning for Alpecin-Deceuninck. Quickly after there was a crash, together with Danny van Poppel and Oier Lazkano. For Van Poppel it was the tip of his Tour of Flanders. After two hours of racing at a median of 49.3kph, 5 riders managed to flee: Guillaume Van Keirsbulck (Bingoal WB), Daan Hoole (Trek-Segafredo), Jasper De Buyst (Lotto Dstny), Filippo Colombo (Q36.5) and Elmar Reinders (Jayco-AlUla). That they had 15 seconds on the first cobbles of the day, the Huisepontweg. This primary break was not long-lived, as there was one other counter-reaction within the peloton. Tim Merlier went after the 5 leaders and the Belgian champion of Soudal Fast-Step, along with Jonas Rutsch (EF Training-EasyPost), managed to make the crossing, as did the Canadian Hugo Houle for Israel-Premier Tech a little bit later. The peloton determined to allow them to go and took a ‘pure break’. The lead of the eight entrance riders elevated to five minutes. At 140 kilometres from the end, there was an enormous pile-up within the peloton.
Filip Maciejuk was the reason for the crash and was disqualified. The Pole of Bahrain Victorious tried to maneuver up within the run-up to the Oude Kwaremont for the primary time, however ended up within the grass and shot again into the peloton, inflicting an enormous crash. The injury was monumental and several other high riders had been concerned. Wout van Aert, Julian Alaphilipe, Mads Pedersen and Jasper Stuyven had been held up, however had been un harmed. The information was not good for Tim Wellens, the Belgian of UAE Group Emirates, Pogačar’s most necessary teammate, was taken to hospital. A number of groups tried to anticipate the battle midway by way of the race. Pedersen attacked, as did Matteo Trentin, Yves Lampaert and Nathan Van Hooydonck. This transfer was pulled in, however a second try was profitable. After the cobbles of the Molenberg, a powerful group managed to flee the bunch: Van Hooydonck, Florian Vermeersch, Pedersen, Trentin, Jhonatan Narvaez, Kasper Asgreen, Neilson Powless, Fred Wright and Stefan Küng. This group labored properly and shortly joined forces. For UAE Group Emirates and Jumbo-Visma this was an ideal scenario, as they’d Trentin and Van Hooydonck within the chasing group, however not for Alpecin-Deceuninck. The Belgian crew had nobody on the entrance of the race and so Xandro Meurisse needed to chase for his chief, Van der Poel within the thinned peloton. With simply over 90 kilometres to go, the whole lot was nonetheless hanging by a thread and will nonetheless go in any course.
The distinction between the chasing group, which now included Benoît Cosnefroy and Matteo Jorgenson, and the peloton grew within the following kilometres. Half a minute quickly grew to become a minute and a half. They began the following hills: Berg Ten Houte-Kanarieberg-Oude Kwaremont-Paterberg with a really good lead. The eight entrance riders had been caught, in order that we began the final 80 kilometres with seventeen within the break. The peloton was nonetheless ready for an actual acceleration, however the massive males had been taking a look at one another, which suited the break. The leaders noticed their benefit develop to three minutes and there was one other an enormous crash within the peloton. Within the centre of the peloton, Biniam Girmay, crashed arduous and took a number of riders with him. Matej Mohorič was additionally taken out. As a result of crash, the escapees took extra time, though the distinction was lowered at the beginning of the Oude Kwaremont. On the second time up this cobbled climb, the race utterly exploded, each on the entrance and within the peloton. Trentin determined to go from the break, as Pogačar attacked the peloton, together with Van der Poel and Van Aert. The Dutchman and Belgian weren’t completed and with the assistance of Christophe Laporte and Tom Pidcock they tried to combat again to Pogačar’s wheel. The Slovenian was not going to ease up on the quick however steep Paterberg.
Within the main group, Asgreen took the initiative on the Paterberg, whereas Pogačar got here excessive with 15 seconds on the Van der Poel/Van Aert/Pidcock group. On the flat kilometres after the Paterberg, and in the direction of the Koppenberg, Pogačar did take it simpler and waited for Van der Poel and Van Aert, though Jumbo-Visma had different plans. The Dutch crew needed to play out its scenario of getting probably the most riders within the remaining and so Laporte jumped throughout to the Slovenian. Van Aert sat on the again and so it was as much as Van der Poel to shut the hole. Van der Poel crossed to Laporte and Pogačar with an enormous effort, however they had been nonetheless 1:30 down on the entrance riders. On the Koppenberg, we had an analogous image. Asgreen once more pushed arduous within the main group, whereas Pogačar damage his rivals with an extended assault. Van Aert and Van der Poel needed to pull the whole lot out to observe the two-time Tour winner, however did handle to carry his wheel. It was too quick for Pidcock and Laporte on the Koppenberg, so there have been three riders chasing the main group: Pogačar, Van der Poel and Van Aert. The three high favourites now labored collectively and shortly received nearer to the leaders. Thirty kilometres from the end, the distinction between the 2 teams was nonetheless 40 seconds. Fatigue, nonetheless, started to take its toll on many of the riders, though Pedersen had one thing left. The Dane attacked and was the primary on the high of the Kruisberg.
On this Kruisberg, the time had come for Van der Poel to place in his transfer. With a powerful assault, he managed to drop Van Aert. Pogačar additionally appeared to be in bother, however managed to drag himself as much as Van der Poel. For Van Aert it was clearly going too quick. The Jumbo-Visma rider needed to take a breather and noticed his two largest rivals experience additional away. Van der Poel and Pogačar nonetheless needed to catch Pedersen. The previous World Champion was wanting good. Pedersen’s lead continued to fluctuate round 20 and 30 seconds within the run-up to the Oude Kwaremont. Van der Poel and Pogačar joined the pursuers earlier than the climb, after which it was as much as Trentin to utterly empty himself for Pogačar. Van Aert now had the assistance of Van Hooydonck, who had dropped again, however they had been properly down on the Oude Kwaremont and it turned out to be an excessive amount of. Pogačar determined to place in his final assault.
The Slovenian set a hellish tempo, which was an excessive amount of for Van der Poel, who misplaced floor to an impressively sturdy Pogačar. The UAE rider had 10 seconds after the Oude Kwaremont, however a tricky Van der Poel didn’t hand over simply and remained at 15 seconds for a very long time. On the high of the Paterberg, the distinction had shrunk to 12 seconds, however Pogačar was in time trial mode and wasn’t going to be caught. There was now solely two riders who might win the race, the chasers might solely have third place. Van der Poel tried the whole lot to get to Pogačar, however couldn’t get any nearer to the Slovenian. In truth, Pogačar was getting additional forward of Van der Poel. Within the final kilometres it was arduous work for Pogačar, however the win was sure. The Slovenian had sufficient time to have a good time his win within the end straight. Pogačar is the third rider to have gained the Tour of Flanders and the Tour de France together with Louison Bobet and Eddy Merckx. Van der Poel needed to accept second place, his fourth podium place in 5 participations. The dash for third place was gained by Pedersen, simply forward of Van Aert and Powless.
# You possibly can see extra photographs from the Tour of Flanders within the ‘PEZ Race Report’ HERE. #
Race winner, Tadej Pogačar (UAE Group Emirates): “I’ve no phrases to explain as we speak’s race, wherein the work from my crew was superb: it’s a day I’ll always remember, particularly after final years disappointment. I had a great day, Matteo was within the entrance in an ideal place and on the finish I might say it was top-of-the-line races ever for me. I knew that, if I needed to go solo, the Oude Kwaremont was the appropriate place the place assault, so I gave my finest and I succeeded in dropping the opponents, then I virtually cracked on Paterberg: I used to be conscious it will have been robust, however it was the one approach for aiming for the victory. The Oude Kwaremont is the hill that suites me probably the most, I approached it with a excessive velocity on the cobbles already struggling, I gave pure energy till the highest. In the long run it was stunning.”
2nd, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck): “After all I’m a bit upset, however it’s not too dangerous. Tadej was simply too sturdy as we speak. I didn’t actually have a solution on the Kwaremont. That’s a pity, however this was top-of-the-line editions of the Ronde for me personally. Even after the final time from Paterberg to the end I didn’t get beneath 400 Watt. I simply didn’t get any nearer. Then you definately’re a deserved second and you’ll’t complain. I’ve to thank the crew. They needed to experience just a few occasions, however I didn’t should put issues proper myself. I definitely didn’t lose the race there. The one conclusion I can draw is that the shape is nice. I’ll give the whole lot in Roubaix, however I’m already driving an excellent season. I felt actually good as we speak too, however I couldn’t do extra. I can publish this.”
third, Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo): “I’m comfortable anyway. Van der Poel and Pogačar had been simply stronger. I had mentioned beforehand that I needed to anticipate and race for the ‘Massive Three’.The perfect scenario, however it was nonetheless fairly far to the end. I feel my dash was a little bit too lengthy, however I managed to maintain everybody behind me on the end line. The tank was utterly empty for everybody. I’m chilly even now.”
4th, Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma): “After all I got here to win, however it wasn’t meant to be. The race went properly for our crew for a very long time. Nathan Van Hooydonck was a part of a harmful group. But it surely went hand-to-hand a little bit sooner than we had hoped. Pogačar and Van der Poel turned out to be stronger then. I used to be a bit shocked by Mathieu van der Poel’s bomb. Maybe my thoughts was already too preoccupied with what was but to come back. However the legs have spoken. If I couldn’t sustain with that, I wouldn’t have the ability to observe on the Oude Kwaremont both. Tomorrow I’ll flip the web page and give attention to Roubaix. I’m not going to cover in a nook, subsequent week I’ll throw myself once more.”
sixth, Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ): “It was a very robust day. Solely after 100 kilometres did a breakaway break free. Then I attempted to anticipate and we fashioned a great group on the entrance. We had been all about the identical degree. It was tough to maintain forward. No person might actually make an additional effort. I then couldn’t observe Pogačar and Van der Poel. They had been actually a degree increased than us. We had been actually executed racing.”
eighth, Fred Wright (Bahrain Victorious): “I did the appropriate factor being in that transfer, they usually gave us far more time than final yr, that very same transfer. It was excellent. We received over the Koppenberg, and I assumed I can attempt to get a end result right here. Trigger that’s the massive fear, Koppenberg, being with one of the best guys, and also you simply hear it on the radio that they’re 40 seconds, then 30 seconds. I don’t know what extra I might have executed. Because of Kamil, who helped me into the underside of Molenberg and that’s the place the transfer went with 100km to go. It was such a tough race so it was to be anticipated.”
twelfth, Florian Vermeersch (Lotto Dstny): “I feel I by no means went that deep in a race. I utterly emptied the tank so I’ve to be proud of this place simply outdoors the highest ten. My race began simply after the Molenberg. I realised the hazard of the sturdy group driving away so I made the soar along with Pedersen. Ultimately it turned out to be the appropriate transfer. We received an enormous benefit and I hoped it will be the successful transfer. For a second, I considered proper however ultimately solely Van Aert, Van der Poel and Pogacar might nonetheless bridge. I had a tough time on the Kruisberg however I used to be fortunate to return within the wheels of Van der Poel and Pogačar. On the ultimate time Kwaremont, the tank was empty and it was one massive solo suffer-fest in the direction of Oudenaarde, the place I had nothing left. I’m actually comfortable to go away the dangerous luck behind me and on this type, I’ll go to Paris-Roubaix with confidence.”
twentieth, Nils Politt (BORA-hansgrohe): “Sadly, we misplaced Danny early. We did the whole lot proper then and had been positioned properly when the second massive crash took out Marco and Shane. After that I used to be fairly by myself even Jonas, Jordi and Gampi gave the whole lot for me. I needed to poker a little bit and on the Molenberg I missed the transfer as Jumbo closed the street shortly. I attacked later however wasn’t in a position to dangle on when Pogacar got here from behind. On the Paterberg I simply missed the wheel of Pidcock and Laporte and was alone then for nearly 30km. It was sort of unlucky and the twentieth place was all I might do in the long run.”
Filip Maciejuk (Bahrain Victorious) was devastated following the crash he precipitated and issued an apology shortly after attending to the crew bus: “I’m actually sorry for my mistake and inflicting the crash as we speak. I hope all these concerned are in good well being and secure. This could not occur and was an enormous error in my judgement. I had no intention of inflicting this. All I can do now could be apologise for my mistake and study from this sooner or later. Sorry once more to the peloton, my teammates and the followers.”
Tour of Flanders – Males End result:
1. Tadej Pogačar (Slo) UAE Group Emirates in 6:12:07
2. Mathieu van der Poel (Ned) Alpecin-Deceuninck at 0:16
3. Mads Pedersen (Den) Trek-Segafredo at 1:12
4. Wout van Aert (Bel) Jumbo-Visma
5. Neilson Powless (USA) EF Training-EasyPost
6. Stefan Küng (Sui) Groupama-FDJ
7. Kasper Asgreen (Den) Soudal Fast-Step
8. Fred Wright (GB) Bahrain Victorious
9. Matteo Jorgenson (USA) Movistar at 1:19
10. Matteo Trentin (Ita) UAE Group Emirates at 2:49.
Flanders’23
Tour of Flanders – Girls 2023
Lotte Kopecky gained the Tour of Flanders for girls for the second consecutive time. The Belgian of the SD Worx crew turned out to be in a category of her personal within the remaining. She rode away from her final break companion on the Oude Kwaremont after which soloed to victory. Demi Vollering was second for SD Worx.
Within the ladies’s race, house favorite Lotte Kopecky was on the beginning line together with World Champion Annemiek van Vleuten, Demi Vollering, Marlen Reusser and Shirin van Anrooij. The race, beginning in Brugge, had 158 kilometres cowl with the Koppenberg, Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg to climb.
The primary crash was not lengthy in coming. Within the neutralised zone, just a few riders crashed, however thankfully with none issues. After a brief delay, the flag was waved for the beginning of the ladies’s Tour of Flanders. The primary severe assault got here from AG Insurance coverage-Soudal Fast-Step. It was New Zealand’s Ally Wollaston who tried to flee earlier than the Wolvenberg. Wollaston managed to achieve a most lead of 45 seconds, however she was to be chased down. She was quickly caught by two counter-attackers. Elise Chabbey (Canyon//SRAM) and Susanne Andersen (Uno-X) jumped away from the pack, caught up with Wollaston and began the Koppenberg with a lead. Within the run-up to the steep cobbled climb Annemiek van Vleuten crashed within the peloton. The World Champion hit the deck and needed to abandon her final Tour of Flanders.
Lorena Wiebes and Lotte Kopecky, two SD Worx riders, needed to put a foot down on the Koppenberg. This led to chaos and a primary choice within the race. Marlen Reusser and Silvia Persico managed to remain forward of the chaos and took the lead after the Koppenberg. Regardless of their delay, Kopecky and Wiebes managed to get going once more, however the remainder of the peloton got here to an entire cease on the Koppenberg. SD Worx had Reusser, Kopecky and Wiebes on the entrance. The Swiss locomotive Reusser determined, regardless of her victory in Gent-Wevelgem, to sacrifice herself for her teammates Wiebes and Kopecky. The entrance riders labored properly, however a chasing group, together with Trek-Segafredo riders Elisa Longo Borghini, Lucinda Model, Shirin Van Anrooij and Demi Vollering (SD Worx) weren’t far behind. Kopecky noticed the hazard and determined to go ‘full gasoline’ on the Taaienberg, which was an excessive amount of for Wiebes. Reusser and Persico held Kopecky.
The Reusser additionally cracked on the Kruisberg, so there was solely Kopecky and Persico left on the foot of the Oude Kwaremont. Kopecky determined to assault. A primary acceleration was answered by Persico, however a second was too highly effective for the Italian. Kopecky was solo with 20 kilometres to go. Kopecky climbed the Paterberg, the final hill of the day, to begin the final 12, flat kilometres with a lead of 30 seconds. Kopecky stored a chasing group behind her within the remaining, however Reusser and Vollering had been stopping any chase. Consequently there was no co-operation within the chase, in order that Kopecky received extra time. With simply 7 kilometres to go, the Belgian was already sure of victory. Kopecky had loads of time within the final kilometres to benefit from the victory. Kopecky is, after Mirjam Melchers (2005 and 2006), solely the second rider to win the Tour of Flanders two years in a row. Demi Vollering made it an unforgettable day for SD Worx by successful the dash for second place forward of Persico.
Race winner, Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx): “That is actually particular. I didn’t anticipate it. It was very tough. On the Koppenberg it was very slippery and I needed to put a foot on the bottom. The query was whether or not we should always proceed or ought to we wait. Nonetheless, Marlen Reusser (Kopecky’s teammate) indicated that she was not feeling so properly anymore. She simply determined to select up the tempo and on the Kruisberg I used to be left alone with Silvia Persico. If you go to the road with Persico, you might be by no means positive. I nonetheless needed to eliminate her. I had in thoughts. I used to be additionally removed from positive of the victory. I had no concept of the lead and also you do want certainty. The truth that we’re 1st and 2nd once more as we speak with SD Worx is absolutely excellent. It’s a profitable day.”
2nd, Demi Vollering (SD Worx): “We’re so nice collectively. Everybody all the time sacrifices for the strongest. At the moment it was Lotte.”“I used to be simply flawed within the dash” “They didn’t let me go, after which Marlen began the dash early. That put me within the excellent place.”“If we hadn’t been within the entrance on “We had hit the Koppenberg behind the info. Once I received again to the entrance of the race myself, I noticed that three of us had been nonetheless forward. I used to be very comfortable about that.”
fifth, Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon//SRAM): “The race grew to become intense from the Koppenberg onwards. We had a whole lot of tailwind main in the direction of the Koppenberg, and the velocity was excessive. Earlier than it, Shari and I had been behind Van Vleuten’s crash which precipitated a spot. From then on, it was a dash and tough to maneuver up. We had Elise within the breakaway, which was good, however we had been caught off guard as a crew. The strategy to the Koppenberg was arduous, and with virtually everybody having to stroll at a sure level, it simply grew to become hectic. I believed we might catch the leaders. I’m unsure if the breakaway composition wasn’t good or if we didn’t have a great circulate to have the ability to make the catch. On the Kwaremont, SD Worx blocked a part of the street at the beginning of the climb, and it was tough to go. I went all out on the Paterberg, however we couldn’t shut the hole. As a crew, we had the ability to be on the rostrum as we speak. Because the race turned out, I used to be answerable for sprinting for the rostrum. It’s disappointing I wasn’t in a position to attain it. I’m not glad with fifth place. I do know that Persico and Vollering are quick, however I’ve labored on my dash and needed to win from that group.”
Tour of Flanders – Girls End result:
1. Lotte Kopecky (Bel) SD Worx in 4:06:11
2. Demi Vollering (Ned) SD Worx at 0:36
3. Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita) Trek-Segafredo
4. Silvia Persico (Ita) UAE Group ADQ
5. Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Pol) Canyon//SRAM
6. Juliette Labous (Fra) DSM
7. Marlen Reusser (Sui) SD Worx
8. Shirin van Anrooij (Ned) Trek-Segafredo at 0:44
9. Anna Henderson (GB) Jumbo-Visma at 2:40
10. Arlenis Sierra (Cub) Movistar at 3:38.
Flanders’23
Gran Premio Miguel Indurain 2023
The Gran Premio Miguel Indurain 2023 was gained by Ion Izagirre on Saturday. The Spaniard of the Cofidis crew rode away with Sergio Higuita within the remaining, he then managed to drop the Colombian and held his lead on the descent to the end. Mattias Skjelmose took third place.
There have been 4 categorised climbs within the GP Miguel Indurain on Saturday. The primary was the Alto de Eraul (3.8km at 5.5%), midway by way of the race. This was adopted by the Alto de Guirguillano (2.8km at 5.9%), the Alto de Lezáun (3.9km at 5.5%) after which the Alto de Eraul once more. On the high of that final climb there was nonetheless 10 kilometres to the end. This was primarily downhill, however there was additionally two quick climbs.
A number one group of 4 fashioned within the first hour. Alessandro Fancellu (EOLO-Kometa, Mikel Bizkarra (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Matyáš Kopecký (Novo Nordisk) and Xavier Cañellas (Electro Hiper Europa) took a lead of greater than 4 minutes. Within the peloton, Movistar and UAE Group Emirates had management. EF Training-EasyPost got here ahead and shortly lowered the lead. With about 60 kilometres to go; Bizkarra, the final remaining escapee, was caught. The subsequent assault got here 35 kilometres from the end by Javier Romo (Astana Qazaqstan).
The solo Spanish didn’t final lengthy, after which Nelson Oliveira (Movistar) and Luis León Sánchez (Astana Qazaqstan) went on a transfer. The 2 had been the primary to succeed in the foot of the Alto de Eraul. Early on this climb they had been caught. Then it was Ion Izagirre who made a powerful assault, however the Basque couldn’t get away at first. After Marc Soler had additionally tried, in useless, Izagirre went once more, this time it labored. Solely Sergio Higuita managed to make the crossing. The 2 had been collectively excessive, after which Izagirre went full gasoline on the final, small climbs. Ultimately he dropped Higuita and held him off. Higuita got here shut, however the Colombian needed to accept second place. Mattias Skjelmose completed third.
Race winner, Ion Izagirre (Spa) Cofidis): “I knew it was proper, however to win like that’s spectacular. At house, with pals watching you, it’s one thing particular” “I knew that I might hit a whole lot of air towards and that there have been many harmful opponents if we arrived in a bunch at Estella and I made a decision to maneuver. There was a whole lot of uncertainty, I’ve tried greater than as soon as, I knew I had good legs. And on the climb to El Puy I knew that I couldn’t play it with Higuita within the dash as a result of he’s a lot sooner than me. I’ve gone all the way in which from backside to high.” “I used to be already following him within the 90s, and for us he has been an idol, and a benchmark for all of us.” “I’m excellent, the shape is there and a victory earlier than Itzulia It provides me a whole lot of confidence for the crew as properly. We’ll attempt to do it proper.”
2nd, Sergio Higuita (BORA-hansgrohe): “It hasn’t been one of the best begin to the season for me, however as we speak I felt good and that encourages me for the following week of racing. I’m actually comfortable to be on the rostrum at this stunning race, I used to be on the rostrum right here additionally in 2019. It’s a very explosive race with a tricky finale, and I knew that heading into as we speak. Izagirre and I labored properly collectively, and it was a pity that I wasn’t in a position to observe him on the ultimate ascent. I got here fairly shut in the long run, however I’m actually happy to have taken second place right here. Your complete crew additionally labored very properly collectively, so I’d prefer to thank them for all their work.”
Gran Premio Miguel Indurain End result:
1. Ion Izagirre (Spa) Cofidis in 5:09:05
2. Sergio Higuita (Col) BORA-hansgrohe at 0:02
3. Mattias Skjelmose (Den) Trek-Segafredo at 0:13
4. Andreas Kron (Den) Lotto Dstny at 0:20
5. Roger Adrià (Spa) Equipo Kern Pharma
6. Alex Aranburu (Spa) Movistar at 0:23
7. Corbin Robust (NZ) Israel-Premier Tech at 0:25
8. Élie Gesbert (Fra) Arkéa Samsic
9. Felix Gall (Aust) AG2R Citroën at 0:32
10. Christian Scaroni (Ita) Astana Qazaqstan.
GP Indurain’23:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_qcZ5UVIJQ
Volta Limburg Basic Males 2023
Kaden Groves gained the Volta Limburg Basic. The Australian of Alpecin-Deceuninck escaped within the remaining with Maxim Van Gils and Pascal Eenkhoorn. After dropping Eekhoorn, Groves was too quick for Van Gils within the dash. Eenkhoorn managed to complete third.
The Volta Limburg Basic 2023 was 193 kilometres lengthy and had virtually 3,000 climbing metres. The course consisted of three laps of 60 kilometres, then an area ending circuit of 6 kilometres in Eijsden. The ultimate included the Kutersteenweg (1.2km at 3.3%), the Mheerelindje (500metres at 6.5%), the Hoesberg (500metres at 5.5%), Kalleberg (500metres at 5 .2%) and Moerslag (600metres at 5.3%).
Early within the race a number one group of six fashioned: Tim Marsman (Metec-Solarwatt), Timo de Jong (VolkerWessels), Marien Bogerd (Allinq), Pierre-Pascal Keup (Lotto-Kern Haus), Julian Borresch (Saris Rouvy Sauerland) and Abram Stockman (Tour de Tietema-Unibet) took a lead of greater than 1:30. The six went off the route, after which the race was briefly neutralised. As soon as again on the course, Marsman, De Jong, Bogerd, Keup, Borresch and Stockman regained their earlier lead and the race may very well be resumed. The peloton didn’t give the six a simple time and stored the tempo excessive. Ultimately six riders had been in a position to cross.
Meindert Weulink (ABLOC CT) was the primary to make the soar. Then Johannes Staune-Mittet, Colby Simmons (Jumbo-Visma), Rune Herregodts (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty), Jacob Scott (Bolton Equities Black Spoke) and Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck) joined. Lotto Dstny had missed the transfer and counter-attack with three riders: Pascal Eenkhoorn, Milan Menten and Maxim Van Gils. Along with Dries De Bondt (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Mathias Bregnhøj (Leopard TOGT) they caught Borresch, who had been dropped from the entrance group after which from the chasers. The 5 joined the main group with 73 kilometres to go. This example didn’t final lengthy. After Eenkhoorn’s acceleration, a quartet was fashioned together with Van Gils, Groves and Herregodts. The remainder of the main group crumbled. Within the thinned peloton, there was an assault by Oscar Onley (DSM) who crossed to the main group, passing all of the riders who had been dropped. The 5 slowly took time on the chasing group.
At lower than 50 kilometres from the end, Onley dropped out from the entrance. Groves made an assault, however then dropped again to the three others. The subsequent to strive, with 35 kilometres to go, was Eenkhoorn, he didn’t get away. It was two towards one in entrance: Eenkhoorn and Van Gils towards Groves. The third group, behind Herregodts, was already at 1:20. With 20 kilometres to go, Groves went once more, simply after Eenkhoorn had taken a activate the entrance. The Dutch champion had no reply and needed to let go. Van Gils was in a position to maintain the wheel of the Australian, who pushed on. The 2 of them stayed collectively for the dash as Eenkhoorn couldn’t come again. Groves began the dash from the entrance and was sturdy sufficient to beat Van Gils. The Australian gained by just a few lengths. Eenkhoorn crossed the road in third place.
Race winner, Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck): “This makes me very comfortable. I had a great week in Catalonia and I knew I got here right here in good condition. Lotto Dstny was in a position to play tactically, so I needed to maintain driving. Then they definitely wouldn’t begin attacking, however that didn’t make it simple. Happily, my arduous work over the winter is being paid again. I actually should thank the crew. They’ve been affected person with me, as a result of the outcomes took some time.”
2nd, Maxim Van Gils (Lotto Dstny): “I believed in it, Kaden did all of the work within the final 20 kilometres and I hoped he wouldn’t have a lot of a dash left. However, he instantly pushed actually arduous within the dash and I shortly observed he had extra energy in his legs, which is a pity. It was actually a really tough day, on a tricky course and with rain all day lengthy. That was probably not nice, however okay, it’s a must to undergo it. I can dwell with this second place and I’m particularly pleased with the crew. We rode a really sturdy race.”
third, Pascal Eenkhoorn (Lotto Dstny): “I attempted to get away, however Kaden countered me after which my tank was empty. He rode one other 20 kilometres within the lead with Maxim on his wheel and nonetheless gained the race. So, he merely was the strongest rider as we speak, that it’s a must to settle for. He confirmed his sturdy legs already final week within the Tour of Catalonia and gained two phases. So we knew it wasn’t going to be simple to beat him. We did our greatest, rode a powerful race with the crew and put in an awesome efficiency. Second and third is a pity in fact, you all the time experience for the win, however you could have the legs for it.”
Volta Limburg Basic – Males End result:
1. Kaden Groves (Aus) Alpecin-Deceuninck in 4:57:18
2. Maxim Van Gils (Bel) Lotto Dstny
3. Pascal Eenkhoorn (Ned) Lotto Dstny at 1:32
4. Rune Herregodts (Bel) Intermarché-Circus-Wanty at 2:33
5. Milan Menten (Bel) Lotto Dstny at 3:15
6. Lennert Teugels (Bel) Bingoal WB at 3:18
7. Kamiel Bonneu (Bel) Group Flanders-Baloise
8. Timo de Jong (Ned) VolkerWessels
9. Abram Stockman (Bel) TDT-Unibet at 3:21
10. Mathias Bregnhøj (Den) Leopard TOGT.
Limburg’23:
Volta Limburg Basic – Girls 2023
Mischa Bredewold gained the Volta Limburg Basic for girls. The SD Worx rider went solo within the remaining for the victory. Lonneke Uneken was second behind her teammate, forward of Noëlle Rüetschi (AG Insurance coverage-NXTG U23).
The Volta Limburg Basic for girls will not be a part of the UCI calendar, however did have DSM, SD Worx and Jumbo-Visma at the beginning of the hilly basic.
There have been crashes early within the race and it was even neutralised for some time. When the race was restarted, Van Empel was very busy. In the long run it was two SD Worx riders who received away, Anna Shackley and Femke Markus. They took a great hole on the peloton, which was getting smaller and smaller. The thinning bunch ultimately git nearer to the pair. This was primarily attributable to Van Empel, who did a whole lot of work within the chase. It will definitely led to a regrouping, however at that second one other rider from SD Worx went into battle. Mischa Bredewold went on a solo experience on the 6 kilometre remaining lap.
Bredewold had an enormous lead over her teammate Lonneke Uneken and Noëlle Rüetschi (AG Insurance coverage-NXTG U23), the primary chasers. She managed to maintain that lead within the remaining. Uneken then sprinted to second place, forward of the Swiss rider Rüetschi.
Race winner, Mischa Bredewold (SD Worx): “It was a really good day with the crew. We actually raced collectively, it is rather good that I can end it. That was excellent for us (her teammates, Femke Markus and Anna Shackley had been within the break). We didn’t should do something. Lonneke (Uneken), Barbara (Guarischi) and Niamh (Fisher-Black) had been all tremendous sturdy, they all the time reacted to assaults. That additionally made it simple for me to remain within the entrance. I waited for the appropriate second, on the high of the Moerslag, and off I went. I’m very comfortable to have already gained in my first season for the crew. That provides a whole lot of confidence. I’m so comfortable that we are able to play the sport like this with the crew and that I might be a part of that. I’m very grateful for that. It’s not a WorldTour race. The extent will not be as excessive as there, we all know that. However each race is one, each race is necessary. That’s how we all the time go. We all the time wish to win. The techniques are additionally the identical as in an enormous occasion and it really works.”
eighth, Fem van Empel (Jumbo Visma): “I used to be properly into the race and had excellent legs”, says VaBut then it’s a must to get some cooperation. That was not the case. I had the sensation that it was primarily me towards SD Worx as we speak.”
Volta Limburg Basic – Girls End result:
1. Mischa Bredewold (Ned) SD Worx in 3:05:30
2. Lonneke Uneken (Ned) SD Worx at 1:06
3. Noëlle Rüetschi (Sui) AG Insurance coverage-NXTG U23 at 1:08
4. Niamh Fisher-Black (NZ) SD Worx) at 1:18
5. Anneke Dijkstra (Ned) GT Krush Rebellease at 1:20
6. Femke Markus (Ned) SD Worx at 1:29s
7. Iris Timmermans (Ned) WV Schijndel
8. Fem van Empel (Ned) Jumbo-Visma
9. Mijntje Geurts (Ned) Lotto Dstny
10. Lente Boskamp (Ned) WV Schijndel.
Limburg’23 (sorry, no video):
Tom Boonen is Positive Laporte will Go away for One other Group
With victories in Gent-Wevelgem and Dwars door Vlaanderen, Christophe Laporte is already one of many riders of the spring. The Frenchman feels at house with Jumbo-Visma, however Laporte is on the finish of his contract. Tom Boonen doesn’t see the Frenchman racing for the Dutch crew in 2024.
Boonen spoke in a brand new episode of Wielerclub Wattage podcast. “I’m fairly positive that Laporte will depart for an additional crew on the finish of the season. Laporte is at the moment a key determine in making the Jumbo-Visma crew nervous. I feel Laporte has definitely acquired a proposal from one other crew someday this week.”
“Laporte is a coveted rider. There are a lot of good groups, together with a Belgian crew, that would use a great chief,” mentioned Boonen. “Solely there is no such thing as a one accessible from the Massive Three (Van Aert, Van der Poel and Pogačar). Then you definately shortly find yourself with a Laporte, who’s on the finish of his contract.”
Boonen comes again to his earlier statements that he made after Gent-Wevelgem. In keeping with the previous classics specialist, Van Aert will remorse his choice to ‘give away’ the victory in Gent-Wevelgem to teammate Laporte. “In the mean time, Laporte and Van Aert are teammates, who’re going by way of quite a bit collectively. However subsequent yr that may look utterly completely different when Laporte strikes to a different crew. You possibly can’t flip again time.”
Laporte spoke extremely of Jumbo-Visma on Wednesday after his victory in Dwars door Vlaanderen. “It’s a sort of consolation for some riders to stick with a French crew. Many French riders don’t converse English, I didn’t converse English both once I joined Jumbo-Visma. That was a barrier, that’s arduous. You need to have a sure maturity to affix the crew. Nonetheless, I actually needed to go to a international crew. It’s a distinct mindset. At Jumbo-Visma it’s actually a distinct degree, we’re one of the best crew on the earth. Everybody will get their possibilities and it isn’t all the time the whole lot for one rider.”
Will Laporte be in a brand new crew subsequent yr?
Victor Campenaerts Can’t Practice for at Least One other Month
The restoration of Victor Campenaerts will take extra time. The Lotto Dstny rider broke a vertebra within the Bredene-Koksijde Basic and won’t be allowed to experience for a minimum of one other 4 weeks.
“The fracture nonetheless wants about 4 weeks to heal, which implies that he is not going to be allowed to take a seat on the rollers for a minimum of a month,” the Belgian crew introduced. “He’s engaged on his mobility by way of cross-training workout routines and he’ll begin aqua jogging subsequent week.”
Lotto Dstny says that they aren’t taking any dangers with Campenaerts’ rehabilitation. It’s due to this fact nonetheless unclear when he’ll return to the peloton. His Spring is over.
No Spring races for Campenaerts:
The Lady’s Tour Postponed for 2023
The Girls’s Tour, the award-winning and trailblazing cycle race, will take a one-year hiatus in 2023.
Owing to a mixture of elevated working prices (roughly 20% increased compared to the 2022 race) and a lowered degree of economic help, it has proved unimaginable to ship the occasion that was proposed for June.
The choice has been taken now following a three-week renewed attraction for funding, which included an extremely fashionable crowdfunding scheme that was enthusiastically supported by over 500 race followers. The Girls’s Tour thanks everyone who donated for his or her unwavering
loyalty, in addition to all of the messages of goodwill which were despatched. A refunds course of, overseen by the GoFundMe platform, has begun.
This consequence is extremely disappointing for the stakeholders set to host this yr’s race, who have proven nice help and understanding all through this course of. We’ll proceed to work with them to discover alternatives for internet hosting world-class biking occasions within the close to future.
Since its inauguration in 2014, the race has led the way in which within the combat in the direction of gender equality in sport, be it from elevating rider welfare requirements and prize cash to offering assured TV, on-line and media protection. The Girls’s Tour has a prestigious checklist of former winners, together with the likes of Marianne Vos (2014), Elisa Longo Borghini (2022), and residential favorite Lizzie Deigan, the one two-time winner of the race so far (2016 and 2019).
Along with producing over £55m for the UK financial system, the occasion has featured an inspirational partnership with Breast Most cancers Now, energised future generations by way of its centrepiece faculty engagement programme, and showcased one of the best of Britain’s finest cities, cities and countryside to a worldwide viewers.
Organisers are already engaged on plans for subsequent yr’s version, which can mark the tenth anniversary of the primary Girls’s Tour. Wales will host the occasion’s Grand Départ for the primary time as a part of a long-term settlement already in place with the Welsh Authorities. Business companions wishing to be concerned within the 2024 version can discover out extra info at womenstour.co.uk/companions/commercial-opportunities or by emailing [email protected]
Mijas, Second Yr Betting on the Girls’s Ruta del Sol
The municipality of Malaga will host the fourth stage of the race on June 3
Mijas, which final yr already wager on the primary ever version of the Girls’s Biking Tour of Andalusia, will as soon as once more host the tip of a stage within the second version. The stage, conditioned by climate circumstances, ended with the victory of Arlenis Sierra from the Movistar crew.
This morning the official presentation of the stage was held on the Regino Hernández Martín sports activities metropolis, in Las Lagunas, which was attended by Andrés Ruiz, Mijas sports activities councillor, and Enrique González, Advertising and Business Director of the Biking Tour of Andalusia Elite Girls.
For his half, Andrés Ruiz, valued the check as an awesome “alternative for Mijas to be recognised outdoors our borders”. Final yr, regardless of the weather conditions, “the extent of ladies’s biking was demonstrated with that stage end”. He added, “Very excited, it’s a Saturday and we hope that the climate might be higher than the earlier time with the rain. We would like the general public to come back and revel in a great day with top-level sports activities”, concluded the Mijas sports activities councillor.
Enrique González, from Deporinter, thanked the dedication to ladies’s biking and analysed the stage: “It’s yet another dedication to the municipality of Mijas. We already began final yr with the primary version the place we had been in a position to depend on one of the best worldwide cyclists within the second stage in Mijas and Arlenis Sierra from Movistar consolidated himself because the chief after crossing the end line. This arrival permits an finish to the dash and the stage may have about 105 km. It’s a stage that takes the lead and can consolidate his first place within the Vuelta”.
Enrique continued explaining some particulars of the second version: “It will likely be held from Might 31 to June 4 with completely different steps by way of Andalusia. We begin in Jaén, then Granada passing by way of Málaga and ending in Cádiz. This yr the UCI permits us to have 5 phases to match the lads’s version”.
“We’ve got 4 World Tour groups, akin to UAE, and the remaining from completely different continental and continental Professional nations. The media echo goes to be represented by all of the TV worldwide. We’ve got a dwell broadcast on TVE and Canal Sur, in addition to Eurosport, which broadcasts to 180 nations. 23 nations might be represented among the many groups from Switzerland, France, Italy, Norway or Australia”, demonstrating the excessive degree of the occasion.
EKOÏ is the New Sponsor of the Tour de Pologne
A brand new restricted version assortment devoted to the Polish race is coming.
The French model EKOÏ, acknowledged and appreciated by racers world wide for the manufacturing of technical biking tools, joins the Tour de Pologne household with a partnership that mixes nice values which are near the Lang Group’s coronary heart.
For greater than 15 years, EKOÏ has distinguished itself in UCI World Tour occasions by way of its help of quite a few skilled groups and its experience in textiles, helmets and eyewear, and from 2023 it will likely be a accomplice of a UCI World Tour occasion for the primary time.
“The cooperation with this firm is absolutely promising,” commented Czesław Lang. “I’m delighted that an organization with a global attain, which shares with us values akin to rider security, is becoming a member of the ranks of our companions. As a part of our cooperation, a particular assortment of helmets might be ready with the Tour de Pologne UCI World Tour emblem. I’m satisfied that this initiative will strengthen EKOÏ’s place on the Polish market.”
Through the seven phases of the Tour de Pologne – which might be run from July twenty ninth to August 4th – all EKOÏ helmets and eyewear merchandise might be introduced to the general public within the sponsor village. A presence bolstered by the truth that groups akin to Cofidis and Arkéa-Samsic might be racing with merchandise much like these on show and accessible on the market.
Jean-Christophe Rattel, founding father of EKOÏ, was pleased with this new collaboration: “The Tour de Pologne is – due to its historical past and the champions who’ve gained it – an unmissable occasion on the world biking calendar. The arrival of John Lelangue as Common Supervisor of the Lang Group has made issues simpler and this partnership is essential for us, each emotionally and commercially as a result of Poland is a vital and rising market, in addition to being a rustic with an awesome biking tradition.”
A bond, due to this fact, between two entities that promise co-branding with fascinating future prospects and that contribute to widening the circle of historic sponsors of the Tour de Pologne, strengthening the cooperation between occasions and firms.
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