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Iserbyt and Kastelijn win in Gavere, Dempster retires: Daily News Digest

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Welcome to your Daily News Digest. Here’s what’s happening today:

Eli Iserbyt and Yara Kastelijn take Superprestige Gavere victories, Zak Dempster retires from road racing to move into “managerial role” with Israel Cycling Academy, Jakob Fuglsang says the Olympic road race is his main objective for 2020. Those stories and more in today’s Daily News Digest.

Story of the Day: Iserbyt and Kastelijn take Superprestige Gavere wins

Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal) and Yara Kastelijn (777) rode to solo victories on Sunday at Superprestige Gavere.

Racing in calm, fast conditions, Kastelijn, 22, battled with Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Corendon-Circus) for much of the day before pulling clear in the sixth and final lap. The Dutchwoman held on to take the victory with 777 teammate Alice Arzuffi nabbing runner-up honors 19 seconds later.

Alvarado crossed the line 36 seconds back to round out the women’s podium.

With the win, Kastelijn now leads the Superprestige series.

In the men’s race, Iserbyt delivered yet another strong performance in what has been a terrific start to his ‘cross campaign. The 22-year-old Belgian, who has won all three World Cup events so far this year and took the Superprestige opener at Gieten two weeks ago, pulled clear of the field on the third of 10 lumpy laps. There was no catching him from there.

Iserbyt stormed to a solo win with a 43-second gap to Lars van der Haar (Telenet Baloise Lions), with Laurens Sweeck (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal) taking third on the day.

Eli Iserbyt wins the Superprestige Gavere. Photo: Jan de Meuleneir/PN/Cor Vos © 2019

“On the second lap I was on the front but the team said it was too early, so I let my teammates do the work,” Iserbyt said, according to Cyclingnews. “Then when it split, I went and it was the right time to go. After I got a gap, I adjusted my pace to ensure I had the energy to go all the way to the finish.”

Moving Pictures

Chris Froome said this week in Japan that he is working his way back into shape from a starting point of “less than zero,” now four months after a crash in June that left him with multiple injuries. In other words, he still has a long way to go in his recovery, and he is not ready to truly race yet.

Nevertheless, he did ride his bike in front of fans in the company of teammates during the team time trial exhibition at the Saitama criterium, which is at least a step towards competition.

Race Radio

Dempster retiring from racing, staying with Israel Cycling Academy

Zak Dempster is retiring from the pro peloton, but he will remain closely involved with the racing world. The 32-year-old Australian will transition from riding for Israel Cycling Academy to joining the managerial staff at the team, which is set to link up with the current Katusha-Alpecin squad next year.

Zak Dempster at Tro Bro Leon. Photo: ©kramon

Dempster’s lengthy racing career included seven seasons at the Pro Continental level, first with the NetApp-Endura squad and then with Israel Cycling Academy. He made his final season as a pro count, taking the biggest win of his career in August at the Veenendal-Veenendal Classic, a UCI 1.1 race.

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Paris Tours 2019 was the last race of my professional career. I knew beforehand and didn’t want to say anything so I could fully enjoy the day. The whole experience of racing my bike all these years has been an absolute privilege. It’s hard to sum it up in words but the main thing I wanted to express was how grateful I am for all that I gained these years. First and foremost Cristina the love of my life and of course Ruby (it would’ve been a geographical challenge to meet Cristina de La Canya whilst living in Castlemaine, then adopt the nicest greyhound there is from Jaén, that’s for sure). My favourite part of being a rider was definitely sharing all those moments; good, great, bad and terrible with those great people that were there with me through everything. My family being there from the start, my friends I’ve met along the way which became my family. Along with all the coaches, siogners, mechanics and anyone else that was there for me through thick and thin. I won’t miss some things but in particular I’m not going to miss the suffering. Cycling is a hard sport, there’s no way to be a professional without pushing yourself to the absolute limit. I’m so glad and grateful I got the chance to do it for so many years but I’m so happy it’s over now and I can do it for fun on Saturday mornings when I feel like it. I’ll have some news soon about my plans but I’m so happy to be staying in the ICA structure, I’ve felt more at home here than anywhere my whole career so I can’t think of a better place to take the next step in my career.

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Brambilla renews with Trek-Segafredo

Gianluca Brambilla will stick with Trek-Segafredo next season, the team has announced.

The versatile 32-year-old Italian, a stage winner at both the Vuelta a España and the Giro d’Italia, joined the Trek squad in 2018 after four years in the Quick-Step organization.

“I’m looking forward to racing with the strong new riders in the team, especially racing with Vincenzo [Nibali],” Brambilla said. “I’m ready to support him to take some good victories. Next year I want to be back to winning. I don’t mind which races, but I really want to win.”

Fuglsang eyes Olympic gold in 2020

Jakob Fuglsang says the Olympic road race in Tokyo is his big target for 2020.

The 34-year-old Dane, who scored a silver medal at the Rio Olympics behind Greg Van Avermaet in 2016, reconned the Tokyo course this week while in Japan for the Saitama Criterium, and he came away pleased.

Jakob Fuglsang on the Tourmalet at the 2019 Tour de France. Photo: ©kramon

“I really liked it,” Fuglsang said of the Tokyo parcours, according to Marca. “Without a doubt, it will be my big objective for [next] year. I want the gold medal at all costs, above any other race. I think it suits me. I’m optimistic. Plus, if it rains, it could be harder than Yorkshire. Only a climber will be able to win.”

In case you missed it …

Analysis: Five first impressions of the 2020 Giro d’Italia route

Froome’s road to recovery: No Saitama criterium, instead starts exhibition team time trial

Feature Image: Eli Iserbyt en route to victory at the Superprestige Gavere. Photo: Jan de Meuleneir/PN/Cor Vos © 2019

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