Castelli | InsiderNews – Page 108

News - March 25, 2014

MTN-Qhubeka hope for Vuelta selection

MTN-Qhubeka hopes to become Africa’s first professional team to ride in a grand tour. The South African squad wants to be awarded one of the four Vuelta a España wildcard invitations on April 2, when the race organizer announces the 22-team field. Article by Gregor Brown, Velonews.com “We are confident,” team manager Doug Ryder told VeloNews. “With the amount of public sentiment around us not getting into the Giro d’Italia, it opened the eyes to other event organizers.” Ryder told VeloNews that Vuelta organizer Unipublic should announce the teams April 2. As a UCI WorldTour race, the 18 first division ProTeams will automatically receive invitations. It reserves four other spots for second division UCI Pro Continental teams like MTN. The South African outfit is competing against Caja Rural, Cofidis, NetApp-Endura, IAM Cycling, UnitedHealthcare, and the other second division teams that applied to race. “Spots will likely go to Caja Rural and Cofidis,” Ryder said. “Caja Rural sponsors the race and is a Spanish team. Cofidis also sponsors the race. Our rivals are IAM Cycling and NetApp. IAM is in every grand tour and might as well be a WorldTour team. NetApp races the Tour. Does it have enough depth to ride two grand tours?” ...

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flanders, mtn, News, Qhubeka, tour of flanders - March 25, 2014

MTN-Qhubeka to the Ronde van Vlaanderen

It was officially announced late on Tuesday evening that Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung will race the Ronde van Vlaanderen. After participating in the Milano-Sanremo and Il Lombardia last season

A Different Kind Of Primavera

Castelli got rave reviews when the 2013 edition of Milan–San Remo got hammered by snow and sub-zero temperatures, and half the pro-peloton was equipped with the black stealth looking, fully aero, fully breathable and fully protected Gabba WS Jersey. When the WorldTour peloton tackles the first Monument of the year on Sunday, as Milan–San Remo returns for its 105th edition, there is a good chance of rain, #GabbaWeather, but luckily no snow is expected this year for the riders who will cover the 294 kilometers to the seaside. The Gabba WS Jersey has become the pro’s favorite piece for wet, cool, and dry conditions. Core protection without overheating is great even when the sun is shining. And the unmatched breathability keeps you drier than your old jacket that just became obsolete. Sharp eyes will notice how many pro riders from other teams use the original Gabba with the logos blacked out or mostly unbadged, and the trend of riders from non-sponsored teams wearing its Gabba jerseys when conditions take a turn for the worse. Some other brands have tried to copy it, but pros know they’re at a disadvantage if they don’t have a real Gabba. Castelli-equipped Gerald ...

Ciolek To Defend Milan-San Remo Title

Last year’s edition of the Milan-Sanremo is one that would never be forgotten, from the rain, cold and snow to the mid race transfer and finally to the eventual outcome where Gerald Ciolek put African cycling on the map by taking a most magnificent victory. Come Sunday, Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung will return to the scene of its most famed victory to date and take part in the Milano-Sanremo as the defending champions. Team Principal, Douglas Ryder, is excited to be back at the first Monument of the year, reflecting on the good memories of last year and the significant role it has played in the teams’ development over the past year. “Last year the first victory was just to be invited to Milano-Sanremo and to be able to stand on the start line with the great riders and teams in cycling, to win the race was the immediate realisation of a dream. We had so many highs and lows with crashes, the bad weather, freezing riders totally unaccustomed to the conditions. It will be a race we will never forget.” “Our credibility in cycling and opportunities that came from that iconic victory has helped shape the team to focus ...

Triathlon spring training camp at Mallorca

Rider diary, by Matthias Knossalla – For my first training camp this year I decided to travel to the beautiful island of Mallorca. I always prefer staying in the north of Mallorca, because you find everything you need there. The Tramuntana mountains for example are only 20 kilometers away. One of my season highlights will be the Ironman Mallorca in September, so staying in Can Picafort (only 10 minutes away from the swim start) was a logical decision. Triathlon training camps are something special, if you have chosen a hotel which is well known for its good sporting facilities: Countless athletes in “Finisher Shirts” everywhere. You can even spot them at dinner. Please don’t wear them all the time! At most days we started our training at 07:00 a.m. with a short swim session, followed by a quick shower and the traditional sprint to the breakfast table. Being first is a huge honor. If you train 35 hours a week, it is important to get in all the calories you need. So try to maximize the total amount of calories. In the first three days we were riding on flat terrain in endurance pace at 230-240 watts. Later that week we included some threshold ...