Greipel to Israel Cycling Academy, Vinokourov acquitted: Daily News Digest
Welcome to your Daily News Digest. Here’s what’s happening today:
André Greipel signs with Israel Cycling Academy, Alexandre Vinokourov and Alexandr Kolobnev cleared of fixing Liège-Bastogne-Liège, head of World Cycling Center removed from post after bullying allegations. Those stories and more in today’s Daily News Digest.
Story of the Day: Greipel signs with Israel Cycling Academy
Veteran sprinter André Greipel has signed with Israel Cycling Academy for 2020.
The 37-year-old German spent the 2019 season with Arkéa-Samsic, but he and the French Pro Continental team agreed to terminate that contract last month, one year early. Greipel, who counts 22 Grand Tour stage victories on his lengthy career palmares, will hope he can get back to winning ways with a move to new surroundings.
“I am looking forward for the challenge to perform on my highest level again together with team ICA, a project for the future with lots of motivated and talented riders,” Greipel said via the team’s press release.
André Greipel at the Tour de France. Photo: ©kramon
Israel Cycling Academy is expected to step up to the WorldTour in 2020 after buying out the Katusa-Alpecin squad. Greipel and fellow new signee Dan Martin represent two established, WorldTour-level arrivals for the squad’s first season at the sport’s highest level.
“I followed the team and saw its fast evolution in the last few years, and I wanted to be part of that, especially with the chance to go back and race in the WorldTour,” Greipel said.
The 11-time Tour stage winner had a quieter 2019 than he’d hoped for, only picking up one victory on the year, but he does not plan to dwell on that disappointment.
“I am not somebody who is looking back,” he said. “I just want to look to the future and start from there, and I know my abilities and will try my best to get back to that.”
Moving Pictures
It’s going to be another few months yet before Women’s WorldTour racing returns but the UCI’s YouTube channel has put out a great collection of season highlights if you want to relive the action from 2019.
Race Radio
Vinokourov and Kolobnev cleared of fixing Liège-Bastogne-Liège
Alexandre Vinokourov and Alexandr Kolobnev have been acquitted of charges in Belgian court of fixing the 2010 edition of Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
Vinokourov, who is now the general manager of the Astana team, was accused of paying Kolobnev to let him win the race after the pair had jumped clear of the peloton in the finale. Both riders faced fines and possible jail time if found guilty.
In a 25-page judgement, the court ruled that doubts existed in the case made by prosecutors, leading to the acquittal of both former riders.
World Cycling Center boss removed from post after bullying allegations
Frédéric Magné was released as the head of the UCI’s World Cycling Center following allegations of bullying.
The former track world champion had spent a decade running the center, which holds training camps for elite cyclists across various disciplines from all over the world, including, at one time, a young Chris Froome (Ineos). According to the AFP, Magné was dismissed following allegations of abuse of power and misuse of company assets.
AFP reports that sources described “systematic bullying, violent and manipulative behavior, and threats.” Magné, 50, was also accused of sending African trainees home after an Eritrean athlete ran away during his stint at the center, and of failing to respect the dietary requirements of Muslim cyclists.
Fuglsang says he almost signed with Movistar
Jakob Fuglsang signed a contract extension in August to stay with Astana through 2021, but the Danish climber has said that he nearly joined Movistar, Marca reports.
Jakob Fuglsang at the Tour de France. Photo: ©kramon
“There were talks with Movistar and with [Eusebio] Unzué about a possible contract,” Fuglsang told Marca. “It was an interesting option but ultimately I renewed with Astana and I am very happy. Movistar was a great option for me for I think that I am going to have more chances here.”
Tech News
Canyon Lists Approved Bike Models For Turbo Trainer Usage
Canyon has announced in a press release that the company has “officially approved a significant number of [Canyon] bikes for turbo trainer usage.” While it is not specified what those exact testing processes were to become a turbo trainer approved bike, Canyon came up with seven approved models: Aeroad, Ultimate, Endurance, Grail, Inflite, Speedmax, and Exceed.
It was noted that this comes conditionally, as the trainer must clamp to the bike’s rear axle and the trainer’s required manufacturer accessories must be used. Does this mean you are going to go out and buy a Grail so you can ride it on a trainer? Highly doubtful, but it sounds like Canyon has given the thumbs up to put it through the wringer on the trainer without stressing the frame.
Industry News
Strava leadership shakeup
Strava co-founder Michael Horvath has returned to the role of CEO, replacing James Quarles, and co-founder Mark Gainey is now executive chairman in a leadership shakeup for the company, Yahoo Finance reports.
Quarles spent the past two and a half years in his post, working with Horvath and Quarles, who founded the company in 2009 and have remained closely involved in various capacities since. In addition to the leadership change, there has also been a “handful” of layoffs at Strava, Yahoo Finance reports.
You can read the full story here.
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Feature Image: André Greipel at Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. Photo: VK/PN/Cor Vos © 2019
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