Voxnews

Get your week started with the latest news in women’s cycling:

• A decision regarding the UCI World Championships in Switzerland has been further postponed, as gathering of crowds larger than 1000 spectators are not permitted in Switzerland until 31 August. The UCI hopes to be able to make a decision at the end of June, when Swiss authorities will reconsider crowd restrictions.
• After two and a half years together, Team Parkhotel Valkenburg and Lorena Wiebes have parted ways, as they outlined in a press release.
• It has been suggested that the European Road championships could be held at the end of August in Plouay, allowing a number of paying spectators to watch, and with barriers also being installed along the course. The European Championships were scheduled to take place in Trentino, Italy, from 9 – 13 September, but were cancelled, as the region had been particularly hard hit by the pandemic.
• The Women’s Tour will be back in action, but on a virtual stage, supporting the Breast Cancer Now and Mind charities. Taking place between Wednesday 17 and Friday 19 June, riders and teams from across the world will race over three days in the new ŠKODA V-SERIES Women’s Tour event. Participating teams include Bigla-KATUSHA, Boels Dolmans Cycling Team, Drops; FDJ Nouvelle Aquitaine Futuroscope, Hitec Products Birk Sport; Lotto Soudal Ladies; Rally Cycling; and Trek-Segafredo.
• Boels Dolmans rider Katie Hall broke the women’s Everest Challenge record, taking 10 hours and 1 minute to climb 8848m (the equivalent of Mt Everest). The US rider broke the previous record by a convincing 2.5 hours. She participated in the challenge to support the fight against the Coronavirus.
• Elynor Bäckstedt has suffered a spiral fracture of the tibia after a crash. The Trek Segafredo rider was descending a steep off-road section, when her front wheel lost traction and slipped away, causing her to fall. An update from the team over the weekend indicated that surgery will not be required.
• The Dutch cycling union has proposed restarting racing on a phase-by-phase basis. International racing in the country is not envisaged until 1 September, according to an outline published for race organisers.
• The UCI announced that the 2020 UCI Mountain Bike Masters World Championships, scheduled to take place in Pra-Loup (France) from 18 to 23 August, will be cancelled.
• Former U23 World Cup winner and silver and gold medallist Fleur Nagengast has ended her career in cyclocross after sustaining a hip injury last year. Nagengast, who rode for Telenet Baloise Lions and Parkhotel Valkenburg, did not recover sufficiently to continue competing at the elite level and will now focus on training to become a nurse.
• British Cycling has extended its suspension on sanctioned cycling events due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. International and national level races, including national series and championships races, will not be able to go ahead until September
• The staging of the French National Championships is still up in the air as the mayor of Plumelec, the location where the event is supposed to be held in late August, protested against the event, citing that during these uncertain times a sporting event of such magnitude could not be safely organised.

Videos of the Week

• In case you missed it, check out our awesome featured videos, featuring superstar Chloe Dygert, and the always-entertaining Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig.
• Watch our in-depth interview with seven-time world track champion, world time-trial champion and Olympic silver medallist Chloe Dygert, who talks about her winning mentality, her sensational time trial world title in Yorkshire, and her ambitions on the track.
• During lockdown, we hosted a Q&A with Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig. Fans were able to send in their questions, ranging from avocados to her famed Fanta addiction, to her unforgettable post race interview at the Tour of Flanders in 2019. You won’t want to miss what Cecilie had to say, right here!

The Voxwomen Podcast

• In our most recent podcast we chat to Annie Simpson of Marketing at OTE Sports about nutrition, how to strengthen your immune system and properly refuel for indoor training, and how to weather stressful times.
• Chloe Dygert chats about her ambitions for her track events, her attitude towards racing and her win at Yorkshire.
• Laura Winter also chats to Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, who’ll be sure to make you laugh, on our latest podcast powered by Brother UK Cycling. Don’t miss it!
• You can listen to all our previous podcasts right here!

Zwift Blog

• Leah Kirchmann tells you everything she wished she knew before she first started cycling!
• Megan Jastrab shares her tips for those looking to start racing.
• Ella Harris writes about her decision to return to New Zealand and her addiction to Zwift racing during the lockdown. You’ll want to check it out for yourself!
• Jessica Pratt shares her experience of being home in Australia, her newfound love for cycling and an unfortunate event while riding out on the road.

Exclusive from Voxwomen…

• Did you catch our “How To” section, now featuring on our website? Whether it’s descending, climbing, getting comfortable, or training in winter, we’ve got you covered with our easy and informative guides.
• Want to read our chat with Chloe Dygert? You can, right here!
• Need some more motivation for training at home? Coryn Rivera shares her favourite songs with us on Vox Turbo Tunes. You can also head over to Spotify to hear the entire list!
• In our Vox Kitchen, Jessica Pratt makes a spinach and feta damper, while Ella Harris prepares a scrumptious breakfast of spiced winter warming porridge. Don’t forget, if you try the recipes, make sure you tag us in your photos on social media!

Keep updated about upcoming events

• Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to keep updated on our latest events and announcements, such as Instagram takeovers by pro-riders during the week, and much more!
• All our latest posts are now featured on our homepage, making it easier for you to keep up with our newest content.

This week in cycling history…

• Lady Florence Harberton, or Florence Wallace Pomeroy, was one of the leaders in bringing about women’s right to cycle. On 25 May 1881, she co-founded the “Rational Dress Society” and as its president she promoted the concept of adapted clothing for cycling. In the late 19th century, cycling offered new freedoms of transport and exercise that women never had before. However, their cumbersome long skirts were impractical for cycling. Harberton and the Rational Dress Society campaigned against heavily weighted skirts and suggested knickerbocker suits, which she wore despite criticism from her contemporaries. Harberton was a determined woman, and when she was refused entry to a pub for wearing her knickerbockers, she sued the establishment, albeit unsuccessfully.

Voxwomen Online Shop

• If you buy a Voxwomen jersey, you’ll get a free pair of IRIS socks worth £12! Hurry, as this offer is limited!
• Treat yourself or a friend to new and exciting items that are now available from our online shop. Have a look at our shopping bags, sweatshirts, hoodies and much more. We also currently have a sale on some of our items! All are available from our online shop, so check it out and don’t miss this fantastic shopping opportunity.