AG2R’s new kit, Van Aert wins Kristallen Fiets: Daily News Digest
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Hello again, CyclingTips readers,
Thursday brought news of a major decision from the Court of Arbitration from Sport, new kit for a WorldTour team, and an annual award for a first-time Monument winner, to mention only some of the news items of the day.
Read on for the latest from the cycling world.
Dane Cash,
News Editor
What’s News
Russia banned from using flag or anthem at Olympics for next two years after CAS decision
Russia will be banned from using its flag or anthem at major international sporting events like the Olympics for the next two years following a decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Last December, WADA’s executive committee declared the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) non-compliant after evidence emerged that data from a Moscow laboratory had been tampered with, imposing a four-year ban. RUSADA appealed the decision and CAS made its ruling on Thursday, reducing the ban to two years.
As a result, Russia won’t be able to use its flag or anthem at Olympic or world championship competitions, nor will it be able to host them, for the next two years. Russian athletes will still be able to compete, provided that they are “not be subject to suspension, restriction, condition or exclusion imposed by a competent authority in any past or future proceedings which remains in force at the time of the specified event.”
AG2R unveils new kit
The AG2R La Mondiale team that will soon become AG2R La Mondiale unveiled its kit for next season on Thursday.
The French WorldTour squad is retaining some elements of its 2020 look but with some updates, including an injection of red into the color palette.
??????@AG2RLAMONDIALE et l’équipe accueillent @Citroen. Ce maillot symbolise cette collaboration unique et audacieuse.@AG2RLAMONDIALE and the team welcome @Citroen. This jersey is the symbol of our unique collaboration.#AG2RCITROËNTEAM – #RoulonsAutrement – #RideDifferently pic.twitter.com/6qxBuwlhea
— AG2RLM Pro Cycling Team (@AG2RLMCyclisme) December 17, 2020
Van Aert wins Kristallen Fiets award
Wout van Aert won the Kristallen Fiets (Crystal Bicycle) award, having been voted best Belgian cyclist by a panel of journalists, coaches, and prior winners.
2020 marks the first time Van Aert has won the award, given by Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws, after finishing among the top vote getters in previous years. The 26-year-old Belgian won his first career Monument this season at Milan-San Remo in addition to taking two Tour de France stages, a Strade Bianche victory, and runner-up results at both the Worlds road race and time trial and the Tour of Flanders.
Kask and Ineos extend partnership through 2024
The Ineos Grenadiers will continue to wear Kask helmets through 2024 after the team and brand extended their partnership for a further four seasons.
The Ineos organization, formerly Sky, has partnered with Kask since the team’s inception back in 2010.
Equipo Kern Pharma will continue to ride Giant in 2021
Equipo Kern Pharma has announced that it will continue to ride Giant bicycles next season, the Spanish squad’s first as a ProTeam.
According to the team, 2021 will be the first year “of a new multi-year partnership deal.” Equipo Kern Pharma will be the highest-level team on Giant next season as there will be no WorldTour squads on the brand for the first time in years.
Prosecutors say truck driver that killed five cyclists in Nevada had ‘extremely high level’ of methamphetamine in system
As the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports, Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said that Jordan Barson, who drove into a group of cyclists in Nevada last week, killing five people, had an “an extremely high level” of methamphetamine in his system at the time of the crash.
He has reportedly been charged with five counts of DUI resulting in death, five counts of reckless driving resulting in death, one count of DUI resulting in substantial bodily harm, and one count of reckless driving resulting in substantial bodily harm.
MAAP partners with Elastic Interface for gloves
Chances are high that your existing bib shorts have a chamois from Elastic Interface, and back in 2019 the Italian manufacturer announced its entry into palm coverage for gloves.
Now, Australian cycling label MAAP has partnered with Elastic Interface for their new Pro Race Mitt gloves. These new fingerless summer gloves offer thermo-moulded multi density padding that’s said to adapt to the shape of your hand and improve blood flow. The gloves feature an elastic-based enclose and a breathable construction. Such tech doesn’t come cheap, with the gloves priced at AU$110, and available now.
Specialized HQ targeted in major bike theft
Bikes totaling roughly $160,000 in value were stolen from the Specialized headquarters in Morgan Hill, California, on Saturday.
At least 16 bikes were stolen by thieves who broke in in the afternoon. Among those items taken were Peter Sagan’s Paris-Roubaix-winning S-Works Roubaix and several other pro bikes ridden by big names in major events, as well as a few personal bikes, including two of Specalized founder Mike Sinyard’s Stumpjumpers.
Big Gear Show will take place in Park City in August of 2021
The Big Gear Show, whose inaugural edition was set to take place in July of this year before the event was called off, will take place in August of 2021 in Park City, Utah.
The hardgoods trade show will run from August 3 to August 5 at the Deer Valley Resort, taking place entirely outdoors.
In case you missed it
These are the best (and most surprising) places to get a draft in a bike race
As James Huang writes, research from Dr. Bert Blocken offers some interesting information on the science of drafting.
Product picks of 2020: the best of the best
Dave Everett’s latest video compiles some of the top product picks of the year from the CyclingTips staff.
Pridham ‘relishing the opportunity’ as she joins Israel Start-Up Nation as DS
Cherie Pridham, who will be the first female sport director on a men’s WorldTour team next season at Israel Start-Up Nation, is looking forward to helping the team build on its strong 2020 results as some talented new riders come aboard.
Today’s featured image of Andreas Kappes and Johnny Weltz at the 1987 Road World Championships comes from the archives of Cor Vos.
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