Pinot’s plans, travel bans: Daily News Digest
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Hello CyclingTips readers,
If you’ve been looking forward to seeing Thibaut Pinot get another shot at Grand Tour glory after his heartbreaking departure from last year’s Tour de France, Tuesday’s headlines may be of interest to you. Groupama-FDJ has confirmed that Pinot will target both the Tour and the Vuelta a España this year.
Pinot has finished as highly as third at the Tour de France in the past and he counts two Vuelta top 10s on his career palmares as well, so we’ll be looking forward to seeing how he bounces back this season after the way things played out last year.
Read on for more …
Dane Cash
News Editor
What’s news
| Pinot targets the Tour and the Vuelta
Thibaut Pinot, who recently signed an extension to stick with Groupama-FDJ for several more seasons, is set to race the Critérium du Dauphiné and then both the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España this season, his team announced Tuesday.
Pinot has finished as highly as third overall at the Tour in his career, and spent some time at last year’s race as the oddsmakers’ favorite to take the GC win before he pulled out during stage 19. He also counts two Vuelta top 10s on his career palmares.
Joining Pinot in his Tour-Vuelta campaign this year will be French up-and-comer David Gaudu, for whom the Vuelta start will mark his career debut in the race.
| Movistar targets sustainability
The Movistar team announced Tuesday that it is working to “become the first top-tier cycling team 100% sustainable in its activities.”
The organization will look to offset and reduce its carbon dioxide emissions – which it measured at 175,000kg annually – in the years ahead. According to a statement, the team “is fully committed to use 100% renewable energy sources in its main building in Pamplona, and will also cover some of its demand through self-consumption, with solar panels being installed over its HQ.” It will also “gradually replace its fleet of vehicles, Volvo cars, with new hybrid models, seeking to reduce its CO2 emissions.”
The team’s initial efforts are directed towards achieving a “first milestone” of receiving the Seal of Recognition from Spain’s Ministry for Ecological Transition.
| Travel restrictions for Americans
American pros currently spending their summers at home in the United States may have an interesting road ahead as they try to get to Europe for the resumption of WorldTour racing. On July 1, the European Union will begin relaxing restrictions on entering the country starting for travelers from certain countries—but the United States is not on the list.
While travelers from places like Australia, Canada, and Japan will be allowed in, those from the United States will remain restricted at least for now. We’ll keep you posted on what that means for pros that are still in the United States in a week or two.
| Alpecin-Fenix earns a Lombardia invite
The RCS unveiled the wild card invitations for its rescheduled events on Tuesday and the biggest news from the announcement was probably confirmation of Alpecin-Fenix’s invitation to Il Lombardia.
With the bid to the lumpy Italian Monument secured, Mathieu van der Poel’s team has earned invites to all of cycling’s five Monuments this season.
| Rapha releases new eyewear collection
After entering and then stepping away from the sunglass game, Rapha has returned with a four-model lineup featuring the company’s own Rider Optimised Surface Enhancement (ROSE) lenses. These heighten contrast and enhance visibility, improving perception on the road and trails. Throughout the range there is “military grade” anti-fogging inside the lens, water-repellent coatings outside the lens, and grippers at the nose and arms.
The four frame styles – Pro Team Full Frame, Pro Team Frameless, Explore and Classic – range from big-lensed wraparounds built for racing through to vintage-inspired, more casual options. Pricing ranges from US$125-US$180, with multiple frame colors and lens tints in each model.
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SUBSCRIBE TO THE DAILY NEWS DIGEST PODCASTToday’s featured image of Thiabut Pinot winning stage 14 of the Tour de France comes from Kristof Ramon.
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