Cycling News Roundup - 28 October 2009
Team News: Silence/Lotto, Ag2r la Mondiale, Skil/Shimano, Euskaltel/Euskadi Fan
Day, Cervélo TestTeam, Lance's Bikes Auction for LIVESTRONG, Kimberlee's Bikes for Kids,
Fred Morini, Cyclocross:Double Cross, Empire Cross, 2010 Tour Down Under,
Empire Cross,
Lance Armstrong's Bikes on Auction
SouthebyAaction Benefit LIVESTRONG
Seven Trek bikes used by Lance Armstrong, six of them custom-painted by artists,
will hit the auction block at Sotheby's on Sunday. The auction house will be
taking bids during a charity auction to benefit Armstrong's LIVESTRONG cancer
foundation. Auction participation is by invitation.
"I'm not a gearhead, and my garage is anything but a cycling museum,
but I can honestly say that letting go of my bikes has never been harder,"
Armstrong wrote. "From Damien Hirst's masterpiece Tour de France 'finale' Trek
Madone covered in real butterflies, to the KAWS 'Chompers' cycle that I broke my
collarbone on in the Vuelta Castilla y Leon, every ride is a treasured piece of
personal history that I'm proud to offer up to benefit LIVESTRONG."
Silence/Lotto
New Signings for the 2010 Season
Jurgen Van Goolen & Adam Blythe
With an eye on the 2010 season, our team has booked an excellent transfer.
Jurgen Van Goolen (28/11/1980) will ride the next season under the Silence-Lotto
jersey. Jurgen, presently with Team Saxo Bank, has signed for two years with us.
Adam Blythe
Our team has been beefed up for the 2010 season with a neo pro from our cycling
pyramid. 19 years old Brit Adam Blythe (01/10/1989), who has been racing this year
for the Davo - Lotto – Davitamon Continental team managed by Kurt Van De Wouwer,
will wear the Silence-Lotto for the next two years.
Blythe has won a stage at Thüringen Rundfahr, finished 2nd of 1 stage of Prijs at
Hoboken, and won one stage of Triptyque des Monts et Châteaux as well as two
stages of Ronde van Antwerpen.
Adam Blythe, who will be 20 on 1st of October, is presently a trainee with our
team; he is known to have a super fast pair of legs !
Skil-Shimano
renews contracts
Skil-Shimano’s team management have handed one-year contract extensions to both
Frenchman David Deroo (24) and Dutchman Floris Goesinnen (25). The two riders
have been very successful in adapting their offensive style to the team’s racing
strategy. This season, Deroo achieved top-ten finishes in stages of the Tour of
Belgium and the Eneco Tour, while Floris Goesinnen finished third in the first
stage of the Tour de l'Ain and fifth in Halle-Ingooigem.
www.skilcyclingteam.com
Ag2r la Mondiale
Irish Champion Nicolas Roche Resigns
Nicolas Roche has extended by one year contract with AG2R La Mondiale. Already
under contract for the 2010 season with the formation of Vincent Lavenu, the
Irish committed for another season through 2011.
Nicholas Roche waiting for the start. Photo courtesy of Spiuk who supplies the
Ag2r team with helmets.
The champion Irish racing online in 2009 had pointed out last year with a
beautiful Vuelta. Vincent Lavenu has given him confidence for this season and
Nicolas responded in kind. He particularly rode a very beautiful Tour de France
in his first participation in the race where he finished 2nd in a stage and took
23rd in the overall. He also accomplished several places of honor throughout the
season: 4th and 9th stage of Tour of Catalonia and 6th stage of the Criterium du
Dauphiné Libéré.
The manager of the Ag2r la Mondiale believes the talent of young Irish
and both parties have therefore chosen to pursue their common journey.
David Veilleux 10th in the U23 Worlds ITT.
Photo courtesy of Spiuk Helmets
Ag2r la Mondiale Media Review
A review of the media coverage the Tour de France 2009 showed the sponsor
achieved a record media exposure for their sponsor of 60 million euros - The
team used a media firm to evaluate exposure of its sponsor that
focused on the impact media, audiences and advertising equivalent.
The results showed: 2.5 billion contacts affected by media coverage of up to
43% for audiovisual media, 33% internet and 24% for print media.
- 60 million equivalent advertising conducted during the Tour de France with a
preponderance of the audiovisual press (48 million), ahead of newspapers (11
million euros) and Internet (1 million euros).
There is an increase in media coverage, volume and equivalent advertising (35
million euros in 2008), mainly generated by the audiovisual media.
André Renaudin, CEO of Ag2r Commented on the assessment of media impact of
sponsoring the cycling team: "The emergence of new jerseys noticed promoted the
visibility of our new brand. Fortunately, taking the yellow jersey by our rider
Rinaldo Nocentini and solidarity of our cycling team have offered something to
our brand beyond the sporting spectacle, a remarkable media exposure. "
About Groupe Ag2r laMondiale - AG2R La Mondiale is a mutual system
to cover all risks of human life, in respect of their founding values and
principles of social economy. By uniting the two players gave birth to a new
group that is characterized by comprehensive expertise in insurance and social
protection of heritage and principles of action that combine economic
performance and social commitment. With a total of € 13.3 billion of
contributions for 8 million policyholders, AG2R La Mondiale is the 9th largest
personal insurer in France.
Cervélo TestTeam
Adds Sprinter Theo Bos
Cervélo TestTeam has added the talented Dutch
Sprinter Theo Bos who signed with the team through 2011.
The 26-year-old Bos lives in Harderwijk in the Netherlands and comes to the Team
with a distinguished track cycling background. He won an Olympic silver medal on
the Sprint in 2004 and is a five-time World Champion. He is currently the most
successful track cyclist of all time from the Netherlands. In 2009 he sought a
new challenge and moved to road cycling. Earlier this season he rode for the
Rabobank Continental Team where he had his first road victories in races
like the Ronde van Noord-Holland and the Omloop der Kempen.
“Theo Bos is an interesting rider and an important person for our team,” said
Team Manager Thomas Campana. “We will help Theo take his award winning track
process and hone those skills for the road. Our goal was to find another
sprinter and in Theo we have found the right rider. As we’ve gotten to know Theo
we’ve realized that the mentality of the team and Theo’s are very closely
aligned. He likes the way we think and where we want to go, so now Theo is the
newest member of Cervélo TestTeam. We are look forward to having one of the
fastest riders in the world in our team next year and will help him to reach the
same level of excellence on the road that he has achieved on the track.”
“Cervélo TestTeam has proven to be a successful team and with riders like Carlos
Sastre, Thor Hushovd and Heinrich Haussler they have also developed a strong
base,” said Theo Bos. “On this team I can use the best equipment and they have
presented me with a plan where I can develop myself to the level I want to
achieve. In the shadow of the big stars on this team they want to build a team
around me for the sprints in the Grand Tours.”
“I am looking forward to learning something from Thor Hushovd and Sports
Director Jean-Paul van Poppel. I was really impressed with this team’s set-up
when I visited their base in Switzerland. In speaking with with Thomas Campana,
Team Manager and Cervélo co-owner Gerard Vroomen I now see this really as a life
project. It is great that the Cervélo team has that kind of faith and wants to
invest in me. It is now up to me to make it happen and to improve myself, step
by step.”
Euskaltel Euskadi Fan
Day
Fiesta de la Bici
Koldo Fernandez de Larrea was in attendance with his team at the Fiesta de la Bici
on October 25th of the Euskaltel Euskadi and Euskadi Cycling Foundation.
Koldo Fernandez de Larrea at the Euskaltel/Euskadi fan day.
Photo courtesy of
http://www.koldofernandezdelarrea.com/
As usual at this date, Miguel Madariaga met at the front of the Old Seminary
Derio with all members of the organisation of Euskaltel Euskadi, Orbea and Naturgas
Energy, including the BTT Sub23 team. Olympic champion Samuel Sanchez and Sub23
champion Romain Sicard were the most critically acclaimed and with Koldo
Fernandez de Larrea and the other partners, completed the shortest tour in a
squad composed of the smallest. Before the ride, the popular comic actor Txirri
delighted most little ones with fun activities.
The festival brought together a total of 1,300 participants, man of
which were children
between 6 and 12, who enjoyed touring some of the three circuits outlined by the
Educational Foundation Aula Ciclista Euskadi. At the end of the event, all fans
received a nice bag with various gifts and enjoyed a delicious food that
signaled the end of the festive day, participants and attendees who came to the sum of 2,300
people.
Kimberlee's Bikes for Kids
Bike Art Spectacular Reception San Diego
What: Kimberlee's Bikes for Kids Bike Art Spectacular reception featuring
original paintings, limited-edition prints, hand-embellished giclee's,
sculptures, photographs, recycled art, T-shirts, jewelry and cards all with a
bicycle theme and retail values from $5 to $5,000. In addition, a silent auction
will feature non-bicycle items such as travel packages, gift certificates, and
hand-made merchandise.
When: Saturday, November 7, 2009, 6-9pm
Where: Visions Art Quilt Gallery, 2825 Dewey Rd., Suite 100, San Diego, CA 91106
Why: To raise money for Kimberlee's Bikes for Kids
Cost: $25 donation, includes wine, beer, appetizers, door prizes.
Info: www.kimsbikes.org
For those artists wishing to donate to the Kimberlee’s Bikes for Kids Bike Art
Spectacular, please e-mail dan@kimsikes.org or call (619) 692-1313 for details.
About Kimberlee's Bikes for Kids - Established to honor Kimberlee Caledonia,
a talented and avid cyclist from San Diego who died of brain cancer in 2008,
Kimberlee's Bikes for Kids distributes free bicycles, helmets and locks to
underprivileged 1st - 3rd graders. In 2010 the foundation will distribute bikes,
helmets and locks to children in San Diego, Lousiville, Indianapolis and Boston.
For more information on the 501(c)(3) foundation, go to
www.kimsbikes.org.
Fred Morini Solvang Training Camp
Have you ever wondered how the pros really ride and train in Europe? Have you
seen ads for opportunities to ride with a pro, but didn’t want to fly all the
way across the Pond? Do you want to take your cycling to the next level? Or
maybe you just want to ride with a professional cyclist?
Then come to the Solvang Cycling Clinic with Fred Morini! This is your
chance, right here in America where a lot of the pros train, to learn the tips
and tricks of the pro peloton from a real Italian pro, at a fraction of the cost
of a camp in Europe.
The clinic will be held from November 8-13, 2009,
and those who wish can join Fred in riding the Planet Ultra Solvang Century on
November 14! To ensure participants receive quality time with Fred, places are
limited, so Register
Now!
Set Your Clocks - Time to "Fall Back"
With Daylight Savings Time ending this weekend, many organizations are
rolling-out new race-day schedules to compensate for the earlier sunset. Make
sure you’ve double-checked the schedule of any races you’ve entered before
hitting the road. And while you’re at it, go ahead and change the batteries in
your home’s smoke detectors, because life is more important than bike racing.
Howard County - Double Cross
Special Hotel Rates Announced
Maryland’s Howard County Double Cross races on November
21-22 are two of the most convenient venues on the East Coast. But,
befitting the BikeReg.com MABRAcross event’s increasing stature with traveling
racers, Howard County Recreation and Parks Department has made special booking
arrangements for the event’s official hotel. THS, the nationwide specialists in
sports tournament housing, has been retained to assist out-of-town racers with
their lodging arrangements. For the direct booking link,
click here.
Empire Cyclocross Cancelled
Mid-Week UCI Race in New York City
The Empire Cyclocross UCI race scheduled for Wednesday evening, November 18 has
been cancelled. The race had been planned as a link during the week between the
USGP in Trenton New Jersey and the NACT Finals and MAC Races on Long Island the
following weekend. The cancellation does not affect either the USGP, nor the
NACT/MAC weekends.
Surprisingly, the cause of the cancellation was not financial. Rather, it was an
underestimation of New York City’s multi-layered bureaucracy. “The negotiations
with city departments have been ongoing for months and months,” said Myles
Romanow, the event’s promoter. “The negotiations are still continuing, with an
eye toward 2010. But at this point there was no way to pull together the
necessary city permits and approvals in time for this year’s race.”
Romanow now turns his full attention to the Whitmore’s Landscaping Super Cross
Cup on Long Island on November 22-22. The two-day UCI event is part of the MAC
Series and also serves as the NACT Finals. Information on the Super Cross Cup
can be found on BikeReg.com.
Tour Down Under
Santos new naming rights sponsor - RadioShack Season Debut
Australian oil and gas company, Santos, is the new naming rights sponsor for the
Tour Down Under. Under a four-year deal from 2010 to 2013 the event will be
renamed the Santos Tour Down Under.
Through the investment by Santos the marketing of the event will be strengthened
to attract even more visitors to South Australia to see the Santos Tour Down
Under for themselves.
Further developments of the event website are also planned with more
opportunities for the cycling community to engage with the Santos Tour Down
Under.
Lance Armstrong and Team RadioShack for 2010 Santos Tour Down Under
Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong will return to South Australia
to compete in the Santos Tour Down Under in January 2010. In another coup for
South Australia, the Santos Tour Down Under will be the first competitive
appearance of Lance’s new team, Team RadioShack. Lance Armstrong’s participation
in the 2009 Tour Down Under had a huge impact on the event with tens of
thousands of visitors travelling to South Australia for the race and millions
more following the race on TV.
- Discuss the sport with fans from around the
world on the Daily Peloton
Forums & Chat Room.
- Sponsor the Daily Peloton - advertise your product -
contact us
- Would you like to try your hand at writing about the sport? contact us.
- Link your site or blog to
www.dailypeloton.com
| 
