Cavendish opens up, Mitchelton cuts pay, riders lend hands: Daily News Digest
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Hello again, CyclingTips readers.
Another week without racing nonetheless opens with a few news stories about some marquee racers.
Mark Cavendish has opened up about his battle with depression in an interview with The Times, saying that he sought counseling amid a difficult time over the past few years. Fortunately, he says that he is “on the other side” now.
Then there were Luke Rowe and Michal Kwiatkowski, both of whom are lending a hand to healthcare workers in different ways. Rowe has gifted a bike to a hospital worker who had his stolen while on a shift, while Kwiatkowski is opening up several apartments he owns in the city of Torun, Poland, to healthcare workers free of charge.
Chapeau to them for doing a bit of good, and, of course, to healthcare workers everywhere.
Until next time, readers.
What’s news
| Cavendish opens up about depression
Mark Cavendish has spoken of his battle with depression in an interview with The Times. The Manx sprinter explained that in addition to dealing with injuries and illness in recent seasons, he has also “battled quite hard with depression during this time.” Cavendish said he was “diagnosed with clinical depression in August 2018,” according to The Times.
“Like, this isn’t the time or place — we’ll do a thing on it at some point — but I received help,” he said. “I was dark. And I’m on the other side, thank you.”
| Mitchelton-Scott reduces pay
Mitchelton-Scott is the latest team that has made significant pay cuts as racing all over the world as been halted amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Het Nieuwsblad reports that riders and staff at Mitchelton-Scott have seen pay reduced by 70 percent.
| Naesen goes private on Strava
Oliver Naesen, who has posted some particularly lengthy rides to Strava recently, will no longer be publicly sharing his rides for the time being at the request of his Ag2r La Mondiale team, VeloNews reports.
Living in Belgium, Naesen is still allowed to ride outside but has apparently received criticism from some who take issue with his decision to do so.
| Rowe gives a bike to a hospital worker who had bike stolen
Luke Rowe has gifted a bike to a hospital worker who had his stolen while he was on a shift. Tom Roberts, a research fellow at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, tweeted on Saturday that his bike was stolen, and before long Rowe had reached out.
“Thanks so much @lukerowe for the really kind gift of a new bike,” Roberts wrote on Twitter shortly thereafter. “Really appreciate it!”
| Kwiatkowski opens apartments for healthcare workers
Speaking of Ineos riders lending a hand to hospital workers, Michal Kwiatkowski has decided to offer several apartments that he owns in Torun, Poland, to healthcare workers free of charge.
“The offer applies to every medical employee: doctors, nurses, medical professionals. I share the apartments free of charge, of course,” he wrote on Facebook. “We are just finishing the last necessary elements of equipment and the apartments will be available from Tuesday.”
| Zwift adds second guest world
Zwift has announced that it is adding a second “guest world” option.
The addition will allow users to ride in Watopia, which will always be available, or one of two guest maps, with options rotating between Richmond, London, Innsbruck, Yorkshire, and New York.
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SUBSCRIBE TO THE DAILY NEWS DIGEST PODCASTToday’s featured image of Maximilian Schachmann sprints to victory on stage 3 of the Vuelta al País Vasco – whose 2020 edition was initially scheuled to start on Monday – comes from Cor Vos.
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