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Venturelli secures back-to-back victories in Giro Mediterraneo in Rosa finale as Gillespie wins GC

By
Mathew Mitchell
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The Giro Mediterraneo in Rosa concluded with UAE Development Team’s Federica Venturelli taking top honours for the second consecutive day, this time in Motta Montecorvino. Lara Gillespie, her teammate, secured the general classification despite a last-kilometre slip but managed to hold onto her substantial overall lead.

“Federica did a fantastic job today,” Gillespie stated, despite her fall near the finish. “Up to a kilometre from the finish, I was leading, trying to set her up for the win. When I slipped, she took over and beat the rest to the line.”

Venturelli, who celebrated her second victory in 24 hours, highlighted the team’s performance. “It was the perfect end to the Giro for us. My teammates were exceptional throughout the day, controlling the race and executing our plan flawlessly,” she said, delighted with her team’s dominance in both the sprint and young rider classifications.

The race, spanning five stages, was marked by UAE Development Team’s dominance, capturing the top two spots in the overall standings and claiming the team classification. Gillespie reflected on her successful campaign: “These five days have been incredible. Winning two stages and the general classification, I couldn’t have asked for more. My highlight was the solo victory in Torre del Greco, securing the leader’s jersey which I never relinquished.”

The stage itself was fiercely contested by South American riders Romina Hinojosa and Fernanda Anabel Yapura, who pushed the pace but couldn’t match Venturelli in the sprint finish.

In the mountains, Elisa Valtulini defended her climber’s jersey, fending off a close challenge from Afghan cyclist Fariba Hashimi, who put in a stellar performance to finish fifth in today’s stage and came within a point of taking the climber’s jersey.

As the Giro wraps up, the teams now look ahead to their next challenges, with the riders taking valuable lessons and confidence from their performances. The UAE Development Team, in particular, leaves with a sense of achievement and a raft of jerseys and accolades, setting a high standard for their competitors in future races.

2024 Giro Mediterraneo in Rosa Stage 5 result

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2024 Giro Mediterraneo in Rosa GC result

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Main photo credit: Flaviano Ossola

Federica Venturelli clinches her first elite victory at the Giro Mediterraneo in Rosa

By
Mathew Mitchell
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0

In a remarkable sprint finish at Castelnuovo della Daunia, Federica Venturelli seized the first elite win of her career in the fourth stage of the Giro Mediterraneo in Rosa, marking a milestone in her burgeoning cycling career. The 19-year-old from UAE Development Team outpaced her teammate and general classification leader, Lara Gillespie, as well as Asia Zontone of Team Isolmant Premac Vittoria.

“It’s my first victory of the season and my first in this new category,” Venturelli shared post-race, reflecting on her recent challenges and limited racing due to back issues earlier in the season. “I’ve not been able to race much due to some physical problems. I have to thank my team; they really supported me. In the final stages, it was just Gillespie, Federica Piergiovanni, and myself left. On the final climb, I gave everything and to share this success so closely with my teammates is an even greater joy.”

The race day unfolded under the watchful eyes of the UAE Development Team, who controlled the pace at the front of the peloton, thwarting any breakaway attempts and setting the stage for a showdown in the sprint. Venturelli’s win not only illustrates her return to form but also solidifies her position as a promising talent in road cycling.

The Afghan cyclist Fariba Hashimi, celebrating her 21st birthday, was another notable performer, dominating both the second-category mountain primes and expressing her ambitions for the climber’s green jersey. “Training in Italy has allowed me to pursue my sporting dreams, which wouldn’t have been possible in my home country. I’m grateful for the opportunity to compete at this level,” Hashimi stated.

With the general classification unchanged at the top, Gillespie remains in the lead, with Venturelli reinforcing her second position and retaining the white jersey as the best young rider. The competition for the climber’s jersey remains tight, with Elisa Valtulini of BepInk currently leading but closely followed by others.

As the Giro Mediterraneo in Rosa heads into its final stage, the race promises further excitement with a 92 km route from Foggia to Motta Montecorvino, featuring two mountain primes. The final climb, named after Italian cycling legend Maria Canins, will likely be decisive in shaping the final podium of this thrilling race.

2024 Giro Mediterraneo in Rosa Stage 4 result

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Main photo credit: Flaviano Ossola

London Cycling Campaign launches 20 rides for last weekend in April 2024

By
Mathew Mitchell
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Join the London Cycling Campaign this weekend for a celebration of city cycling with the London Loves Cycling festival! With over 20 rides happening across the capital, there’s something for everyone to enjoy just before London elects its next mayor.

On Saturday, 27th April, kickstart your day with a free breakfast at Islington’s Parkrun for cyclists (or joggers). Or venture into Essex from south London for a scenic ride. Families can explore the sights with a child-friendly cycle around Westminster. On Sunday, 28th April, join the Havering Mayor’s Charity Bike Ride, or opt for park-to-park rides in Harrow and Richmond. For family fun, there are cycle rides in Kingston, Southwark, Lewisham, and Greenwich. No matter where you are in London, there’s a ride waiting for you!

Throughout April, Londoners have been demonstrating their love for cycling, urging mayoral candidates to prioritise cycling initiatives for a happier, healthier, and safer city. London Cycling Campaign encourages everyone to get on their bikes and ride the weekend before they cast their votes.

Tom Fyans, Chief Executive of London Cycling Campaign, highlights the importance of safe cycle routes, stating that cycling is now a mainstream mode of transport in London. Eilidh Murray, Chair of London Cycling Campaign, emphasises the diverse range of cyclists in the city and calls for continued progress in cycling infrastructure.

Join the London Loves Cycling campaign by participating in rides and events, showcasing the joy of cycling in London. Share your love for cycling with mayoral candidates via the campaign website, urging them to prioritise road safety and expand the cycle network across the city.

Experience the excitement of cycling in London and help shape the future of our capital city. Visit londonlovescycling.org for more details on the campaign and how to get involved!

Lotte Kopecky confirmed out of the 2024 Tour de France Femmes

By
Mathew Mitchell
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0
26/07/2023 - Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift 2023 - Etape 4 - Cahors / Rodez (177,1 km) - KOPECKY Lotte (TEAM SD WORX) - Avec le maillot Jaune
26/07/2023 - Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift 2023 - Etape 4 - Cahors / Rodez (177,1 km) - KOPECKY Lotte (TEAM SD WORX) - Avec le maillot Jaune

World champion Lotte Kopecky has opted out of the 2024 Tour de France Femmes, choosing instead to concentrate on the Paris Olympics. This was confirmed by her team, SD Worx, who acknowledged the challenging schedule that would have seen Kopecky transitioning from the Olympic Omnium event to the start of the Tour in just one day.

SD Worx team manager Danny Stam explained the decision, stating, “The Omnium finishes on Sunday afternoon, and the Tour starts Monday morning. It’s nearly impossible to manage that in a good way.” He added, “Combining these two events would also be a huge mental challenge. If you then win an Olympic gold, it’s too short a day to start the Tour the next morning.”

In preparation for her Olympic focus, Kopecky will participate in the Giro d’Italia Women in July, which fits better into her training and competition schedule leading up to the Olympics. After the Games, she aims to compete at the World Championships in Zurich at the end of September.

Stam also reflected on the broader implications of the decision, noting, “It’s a challenge we’ve prepared for. While we can’t replace Lotte, we’ve ensured our team is strong enough to compete effectively in the Tour. We are fully backing Demi as our lead for the Tour, confident in her capabilities to contend for the yellow jersey. We’re building a robust team around her to start strong.”

Main photo credit: A.S.O. Charly Lopez

Team SD Worx-Protime secures sponsorship until 2028, affirming commitment to women’s cycling

By
Mathew Mitchell
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Team SD Worx - Protime shirt van de achterzijde. Foto: Raymond Kerckhoffs
Team SD Worx - Protime shirt van de achterzijde. Foto: Raymond Kerckhoffs

Team SD Worx-Protime has successfully renewed its sponsorships with SD Worx and Protime, ensuring their active presence in the peloton until at least 2028. This extension reflects the sponsors’ deep trust in the team’s continued influence and growth in women’s cycling. This announcement goes hand in hand with the decision to extend Lorena Wiebes to 2028 as well.

Team manager Erwin Janssen expressed his delight at the extension. “This proves the trust that both main sponsors have in our team and also in the further development of women’s cycling,” Janssen noted. He highlighted the positive impact the sponsorship has had on the employees of both companies, emphasising the shared achievements and the inspirational role the team plays.

Lotte-Kopecky-2023-Tour-de-France-Femmes

The commitment from SD Worx and Protime goes beyond financial support, aligning with the team’s goal to remain the world’s top women’s cycling team. The extension is seen as a strategic move to support the team as they continue to compete at the highest level for the next four seasons.

SD Worx, having been a significant supporter since 2020, views their involvement as a means to further develop women’s cycling and boost their international recognition. CEO Kobe Verdonck shared his satisfaction with the past years’ outcomes, “We are confident additional steps can be taken, and we want to encourage young talent to develop further.”

Similarly, Gille Sebrechts, CEO of Protime, remarked on the alignment between the team’s determination and teamwork and Protime’s ethos. “We are looking forward to being part of the growth process of this top team in order to continue pushing the boundaries of women’s cycling every year,” Sebrechts said.

SD-Worx-2024-Jersey

The team has been remarkably successful under the sponsorship, clinching multiple prestigious wins including the World Championships, the Tour de France Femmes, and classics like the Ronde van Vlaanderen and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, consistently maintaining their top spot in the UCI rankings.

This renewal marks an important step for the team, not just in securing financial backing but also in solidifying a base for future successes and stability in the rapidly growing field of women’s professional cycling.

Lorena Wiebes secures future with Team SD Worx – Protime until 2028

By
Mathew Mitchell
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0
Lorena Wiebes
Lorena Wiebes

Dutch cycling star Lorena Wiebes has reaffirmed her commitment to Team SD Worx – Protime, extending her contract until the end of 2028. Already under contract through 2025, Wiebes was pleasantly surprised when the team proposed an early extension, reflecting their long-term confidence in her abilities.

“I didn’t hesitate for long. I feel completely at home in this team and I also feel that in this environment I can make the necessary steps in the coming years,” Wiebes shared.

The 25-year-old has emerged as the top sprinter in the peloton, consistently enhancing her prowess in classic races each season. This spring, she celebrated victories at the Miron Ronde van Drenthe, Gent-Wevelgem, and Scheldeprijs, and also secured a second-place finish at the Amstel Gold Race.

“It is a big compliment for me that the team wants to work with me as far into the future as 2028. I was offered a nice contract, so we quickly reached an agreement,” Wiebes expressed, noting her progression within the team since joining in 2023.

The synergy between Wiebes and world champion Lotte Kopecky, who has also extended her stay with Team SD Worx – Protime through 2028, is a key part of their strategy. Wiebes highlighted the effective partnership she has with Kopecky, especially during races where they significantly support each other’s efforts.

Danny Stam, the team’s sports manager who himself has renewed his contract through 2028, praised Wiebes’ growing versatility and her role within the team. “Lorena is a real winner. As a sprint star, she knows how to win the necessary races, but we also see that she is making huge strides in the classical work. She is eager to learn and get stronger. In addition, she fits well in the team. Often she is an atmosphere creator in the team,” Stam remarked.

This contract renewal not only secures Wiebes’ future in the sport but also solidifies the foundation of Team SD Worx – Protime as they continue to build a competitive and cohesive unit aiming for continued success on the cycling circuit.

Lara Gillespie celebrates birthday with back-to-back wins at Giro Mediterraneo in Rosa

By
Mathew Mitchell
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0

Lara Gillespie secured a consecutive victory at the Giro Mediterraneo in Rosa, storming to a triumphant win in the third stage of the race. The Irish national champion, who celebrated her 23rd birthday today, dazzled with a superb sprint finish, bolstered by an impeccable team effort. Gillespie’s teammate, Karolina Kumiega of UAE Team ADQ, took a commendable second place, with Federica Venturelli finishing fourth.

“This is the best birthday present ever,” Gillespie beamed after her victory. “Today we executed the plan perfectly. My teammates were phenomenal, controlling the race all day and setting me up flawlessly for the final sprint. I couldn’t be prouder of them.”

The race unfolded without much drama as the UAE Development Team dominated the proceedings. Their strategic control prevented any successful breakaway attempts, with Kunz, Pellegrini, Piergiovanni, and Venturelli maintaining a high pace at the front of the peloton. The final sprint was a showcase of Gillespie’s superiority, underlined by the perfect leadout from her team.

Karolina Kumiega, who finished 2nd, also shared her satisfaction with the team’s performance. “It was a great day for us. The teamwork was perfect, and it’s thrilling to see our plan come together so well,” she said.

The sports directors of the UAE Development Team, Davide Gani and Giuseppe Lanzoni, expressed their contentment with the team’s performance and their growth throughout the race. “Being the favourite can sometimes lead to distractions and risks, but we’re delighted with the girls’ growth. In the upcoming stages, which feature some climbs, defending Lara’s lead won’t be easy, but we are committed to winning,” they explained.

The race, which has now moved to Puglia and will conclude on Tuesday in Barletta, was a straightforward affair for much of its duration. The initial part saw an attack from Afghan cyclist Fariba Hashimi, who led over the first categorised climb in Spinazzola. However, her effort gradually waned and she was reeled back by the peloton, which remained compact until the final sprint.

Gillespie’s consecutive stage wins after also winning yesterday’s stage have solidified her position as the race leader, and she also leads the points classification. Her teammate, Federica Venturelli, holds the white jersey as the best young rider, while Elisa Valtulini (Bepink-Bongioanni) wears the green jersey as the queen of the mountains.

2024 Giro Mediterraneo in Rosa Stage 3 result

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Grace Brown claims thrilling victory at Liège Bastogne Liège Femmes

By
Mathew Mitchell
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In a nail-biting finale to the Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes, Grace Brown secured a dramatic victory, edging out Elisa Longo Borghini and Demi Vollering in a fiercely contested sprint. The Australian rider’s triumph marked a significant achievement in the career of Brown after previously finishing second twice in recent years.

The women’s peloton faced a gruelling 152.9km route featuring 10 challenging climbs, including the pivotal Côte de la Redoute, Côte des Forges, and Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons. The race unfolded under the same cold conditions as the men’s event, adding an extra layer of difficulty to the day.

Early in the race, Sarah Gigante broke away on the Côte de Saint-Roch with over 133km to go, building a significant lead. However, her efforts were reeled in after a strong chase by Elise Chabbey and a select group including Brown, Kim Cadzow, and several others. This powerful breakaway caught Gigante just past the midway point, setting the stage for the critical climbs to come.

As the race hit the Côte de la Redoute, the lead group fractured, with Chabbey, Brown, and Cadzow pushing ahead. Behind them, the peloton lagged, initially struggling to close a widening gap. However, as the race approached its climax, the chasers organised, dramatically reducing the lead on the final climb of the Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons.

It was on this last ascent that Longo Borghini launched a decisive attack, quickly followed by Vollering and Flèche Wallonne winner Kasia Niewiadoma. The trio worked feverishly to bridge to the front-runners, finally making contact with less than 10km to go. In the ensuing tactical battle, Niewiadoma and Longo Borghini made several attempts to break clear, but it was Brown who had the final say.

After overcoming a minor mishap in a late corner, Brown reeled in her competitors again in the last kilometre. Despite the chaos, she launched a powerful sprint to overtake Longo Borghini and claim the victory, leaving Vollering to settle for third place.

Reflecting on her win, Brown shared her elation and relief, “It was an incredible day. Starting from the Côte de Stockeu, I knew I wanted to be in that break. We worked really well together. The climbs were pushing me to my limit, but after surviving the Roche aux Faucons, I knew it was on.”

The race, famous for its strategic depth and the physical demands it places on riders, lived up to its reputation, delivering a day full of suspense and tactical racing. Brown’s long-awaited victory at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, after two previous second places, was a testament to her resilience in one of cycling’s most challenging races.

2024 Liège Bastogne Liège Femmes result

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Live: 2024 Liège Bastogne Liège Femmes

By
Mathew Mitchell
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0
Liege - Bastogne - Liege Femmes 2022
Annemiek van Vleuten. 2022 women's Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Bastogne - Liège, 24.4.2022.

The women’s Liège Bastogne Liège or Liège Bastogne Liège Femmes doesn’t quite have the long storied history of the men’s race. Liège Bastogne Liège Femmes was only created in 2017 to finally give the women’s peloton the full Ardennes week experience with a triple-header. The women’s peloton doesn’t start from Liège but begins at Bastogne and works their way back up to Liège instead. That means nearly all of the major climbs are included in the route.

Those climbs include the Côte de Stockeu, Côte de la Redoute, Côte des Forges and Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons. The last couple in particular might see race-winning moves launched before the fast run-in descent back to Liège.

Race Preview can be found here.

Live Coverage

The race starts at 12:35pm but won’t be live until 4pm (Around 35km to go)

Live on Eurosport/Discovery across Europe
Peacock in USA
FloBikes in Canada
SBS Viceland in Australia

All times in BST

Live Race Updates

Lara Gillespie solos to victory in Giro Mediterraneo in Rosa

By
Mathew Mitchell
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0

Lara Gillespie celebrated an emphatic win in the Giro Mediterraneo in Rosa, delivering a stunning solo performance to take the stage from Montefalcione to Torre del Greco. The Irish rider, who turns 23 tomorrow, distanced herself from the peloton after a decisive move on a descent following the second QoM point of the day, finishing nearly two minutes ahead of her nearest competitor. After finishing 2nd the stage before, Gillespie went one better in winning today.

Gillespie’s breakaway came relatively early in the race and she managed to sustain her lead, arriving at the finish with her arms raised in triumph. This marked a significant victory as it also propelled her into the overall lead, donning the leader’s jersey. “Now, with the whole team, we will defend this lead with all our strength until the last,” Gillespie stated, reflecting her commitment to maintaining her position at the forefront of the race.

Her teammate, Federica Venturelli, followed in second place, making it a successful day for the UAE Development team. Yesterday’s winner Gaida Borghesi finished 3rd. Venturelli also secured the white jersey as the leading young rider, while the green mountain jersey went to Elisa Valturini of Bepink Bongioanni.

Gillespie was particularly pleased with her performance, noting, “After the second mountain prize, I attacked and created a gap. It was a long way, but I pushed, putting all the energy I had into my body. I didn’t think I would create such a gap, I am very satisfied.”

The race was not only a physical challenge but also a strategic triumph for Gillespie, whose efforts were praised by Torre del Greco’s mayor, Luigi Mennella. He thanked the participants and spectators for showcasing the city positively, linking sporting success with regional promotion. “We have shown the beautiful face of the city. Sport is competition but also a promotion for the territory. After international cycling, we will host other sporting events that will highlight our area,” Mennella commented.

The Giro Mediterraneo in Rosa now moves to Puglia, with the next stage starting and finishing in Barletta, promising another spectacular day of racing. As the peloton looks forward to the challenges ahead, Gillespie and her team will be aiming to protect their lead in what is shaping up to be a fiercely contested tour.

2024 Giro Mediterraneo in Rosa Stage 2 result

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