Voxnews
Get your week started with the latest news in women’s cycling:
- To start off with some inspirational news from a different part of the world. A group of women, in cooperation with the Sport Federation of north-eastern Syria, has established the first cycling organisation. Entitled “I Want a Bike,” they recently held their first bike race with the aim of encouraging women to ride their bike and overcome some of the traditions that prohibit them from riding. The organisers are planning to hold more competitions in different cities and towns in the near future.
- Stricter regulations have been introduced by the UCI with regards to riding positions, littering and feeding. Sitting on the bicycle’s top tube is now prohibited, as is using one’s forearms as a point of support on the handlebar (except in time trials). In addition, provisions have been made for the assembly of litter zones every 30 to 40 km in all UCI races. Outside these specially designated zones, riders may only pass rubbish to team staff or neutral service. Penalties include monetary fines, docking of time and possible disqualification.
- Two new UCI cyclocross races in the Netherlands have been added to the racing calendar: Internationale GP Destil Oisterwijk (17 October 2021) and Hondsrug Cyclo Cross Gasselte (15 January 2022)
- The Dubai Women’s Tour, which had been cancelled this year, will not be rescheduled for 2021, but organisers have confirmed that the race will make a return in 2022.
- The Volta Limburg Classic has been postponed, with organisers hoping to reschedule it to a date later this year.
- Team DSM rider Megan Jastrab, who won the 2019 UCI Worlds junior race and a rainbow jersey in the junior Track Worlds, and Kendall Ryan of L39ION of Los Angeles, have been awarded grants from the Caitlin Fund (named in honour of the American three-time World Champion and 2016 silver Olympic medallist Kelly Caitlin). This award will go towards helping these two riders, who are currently on the USA Cycling Olympic long team, in their attempt to be selected for the final Olympic team.
- The Cyclsts’ Alliance has announced their elected rider council, which encompasses athletes from a variety of countries who will represent athletes in the disciplines of road, mountain bike and cyclocross. The aim of the council is to assist the growth of women’s cycling and to work on achieving equality and professionalism in the sport.
- At the end of the current cyclocross season, Ellen Van Loy will move from the Baloise-Trek Lions to commence a new chapter in her career at Vondelmolen-De Ceuster Cycling Team, first as a rider, and then as a coach next season.
- The Tour Series has entered into a unique partnership with USA Crits. This year’s Tour Series champion will have the opportunity to race at the Winston-Salem Cycling International Crit Challenge in September.
- The 105th edition the Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Classic, Australia’s oldest and longest race, scheduled for last weekend had to be postponed as Victoria entered another lockdown due to COVID-19.
- According to her coach Sean Yates, British DROPS-Le Col s/b TEMPUR rider Joss Lowden has unofficially broken the hour record during training, covering 48.160 km in an hour. However, as the result was not officially timed, Vittoria Bussi’s record still stands for now.
- The IOC has updated its Playbook for Athletes and Officials, which now confirms that participants will not be required to quarantine in Japan ahead of the Olympic Games. All planned measures to make the Games COVID-safe are detailed here.
- Team TIBCO-Silicon Valley Bank celebrated their 16th year as the longest-running professional North American cycling team. TIBCO Software became a title sponsor in 2006 and Silicon Valley Bank joined in 2007.
- Omloop Het Niewsblad, the first major women’s race in Europe in 2021, announced that in addition to the nine WT squads, 15 continental teams will line up on 27 February at the Belgian event.
- The organisers of Strade Bianche have named the six top UCI women’s continental teams and 8 wildcard entries which, along with the WT teams, are expected to participate in the race on 6 March.
- The start list for Gent-Wevelgem has also been released. 15 continental teams and 9 WT squads are expected to line up for the race on 28 March.
|
