Groenewegen’s suspension, Riis’s departure from NTT: Daily News Digest
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Even with the big races of the season all in the rearview mirror now, Tuesday was still a busy news day.
Among the big stories of the day: Chloé Dygert has a new team for 2021, Alex Dowsett has a new (sort of) goal, Tejay van Garderen will ride on with the same team next season, and that team is linking up with Cannondale and USA Cycling to start collegiate cycling programs at HBCUs and TCUs.
Read on for more …
Dane Cash
News Editor
What’s News
| Groenewegen receives a nine-month suspension
Confirming what was rumored last week, the UCI announced on Wednesday that Dylan Groenewegen has received a nine-month suspension, dated back to August, for causing the crash on the opening stage of the Tour of Poland that left Fabio Jakobsen seriously injured.
The suspension will keep Groenewegen, who has not raced since the incident, out of competition until May 7, 2021.
“The crash in the first stage of the Tour of Poland will forever be a black page in my career,” Groenewegen said. “During the sprint I deviated from my line. I am sorry, because I want to be a fair sprinter. The consequences were very unfortunate and serious. I am very aware of that and I hope this has been a wise lesson for every sprinter. I follow the news of Fabio’s recovery very closely. I can only hope that one day he will return completely. Closing the disciplinary matter creates clarity. That gives me the opportunity to look ahead again. I am happy about that, even though May 7th is still far away. I am happy with the support I get from Team Jumbo-Visma, my family and friends. Together we will work towards that day both mentally and physically.”
| Riis and NTT parting ways
NTT Pro Cycling announced on Wednesday that Bjarne Riis is leaving the team.
The former pro and former CSC manager came aboard at the start of this season as team manager in an arrangement that was expected to see him and his business partners also acquire part of the team, but that acquisition never went through.
Over the past few months, the team has been searching for a new sponsor as NTT is leaving that role. Recent updates from Riis and team principal Doug Ryder on the status of that search have painted different pictures of the situation, but however it plays out, Riis apparently won’t be involved in any continuation of the team.
| Ceratizit-WNT renews with key names while adding more talent
Ceratizit-WNT announced its full 14-rider roster for 2021 on Wednesday, confirming renewals for some key names as well as the additions of a few other notable talents.
Headlining the returning riders are Kirsten Wild and Lisa Brennauer, while Lizzy Banks and Lotta Henttala are both coming aboard for next season.
Henttala, who counts one-day wins at Gent-Wevelgem and the Crescent Vargarda and stage wins at the Women’s Tour and the Giro Rosa on her career palmares, has ridden for Trek-Segafredo since 2019. Banks, who has won stages in back-to-back editions of the Giro Rosa, is joining after two years with the Bigla team that became Équipe Paule Ka this season.
| New teams look to carry on Steve Tilford’s legacy
The Maap | Mini Cyclocross program of Raylyn Nuss is linking up with the Steve Tilford Foundation to expand into a team featuring a three-rider, multi-surface elite squad, a masters’ squad, and a development squad.
Joining Nuss at the new Steve Tilford Foundation Racing are three-time American ‘cross champ Stephen Hyde and former road pro Joseph Schmalz. The project is supported by the non-profit Steve Tilford Foundation, created to carry on the legacy of American cycling legend Steve Tilford with a focus on developing young cyclists.
In case you missed it
| Gravel bikes were not meant to be ridden like this
If you’ve ever pondered what might happen if you put an enduro rider on a gravel bike, this video may interest you.
Today’s featured image of the Tadej Pogacar and Primoz Roglic on stage 9 of the Tour de France comes from the Grubers.
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