Stolen bikes, Démare wins at Wallonie, AG2R adds Calmejane: Daily News Digest
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Hello again, CyclingTips readers.
We would really prefer to never have to report on pro teams having their bikes stolen, but as we head into a new week, it has unfortunately happened to another big team, not long after the last major incident of bike theft from a pro racing squad.
Only a little over two weeks after Trek-Segafredo’s bikes were stolen before Strade Bianche, Équipe Paule Ka had seven bikes stolen from the hotel where they were staying in Bologna on Sunday ahead of the upcoming Giro dell’Emilia. The team is offering a reward for their return, but the theft of seven bikes has forced Équipe Paule Ka to pull out of the Italian one-day.
Here’s hoping that the bikes find their way back to where they belong.
Read on for more …
Dane Cash
News Editor
What’s news
| Équipe Paule Ka withdraws from Giro dell’Emilia after theft of bikes
Équipe Paule Ka has withdrawn from Tuesday’s Giro dell’Emilia after the team’s bikes were stolen on Sunday night at the hotel in Bologna.
In a statement, the team said that “there was insufficient time to replace the bicycles ahead of the event. Team management has decided there is therefore no other option but to withdraw from the race.”
Five white Chapter2 Reres and two black Chapter2 Hurus were taken. Équipe Paule Ka is offering a €5,000 reward for the return of the bikes, and has asked anyone with information to contact the team.
| Démare wins in Wallonie
Arnaud Démare sprinted to victory on stage 2 of the Tour de Wallonie on Monday, showing form in a strong field for the second time this month after he won Milano-Torino earlier in August.
After 172 kilometers of racing from Frasnes-lez-Anvaing, Démare outkicked Caleb Ewan and Daniel McLay to nab the win in Wavre. With two stages to go, Ewan remains atop the general classification.
| AG2R signs Calmejane
AG2R La Mondiale’s flurry of signings continued on Monday as the team signed Lilian Calmejane for 2021. The 27-year-old Frenchman, who won stage 4 at the 2016 Vuelta a España and stage 8 at the 2017 Tour de France, has ridden with the Total-Direct Energie organization since turning pro with the team in 2016.
He will join a long list of newcomers to the team that will be known as AG2R Citroën next year; AG2R will bid adieu to both Pierre Latour and Romain Bardet at the end of the year, but the team has signed Greg Van Avermaet and several other potential Classics contributors.
| Sicot confirms that she filed a criminal complaint and an ethics complaint against Doltcini-Van Eyck manager Bracke
According to Cyclingnews, Marion Sicot has confirmed that she filed both a formal ethics complaint with the UCI Ethics Commission as well as a criminal complaint against Doltcini-Van Eyck manager Marc Bracke, alleging sexual harassment.
Sicot tested positive for EPO in June of last year and later admitted to having taken the drug, saying that she made the decision to use EPO following abuse by her team manager over the course of many months.
Cyclingnews reports that her ethics complaint cites six violations of UCI code. L’Equipe reported in July that she has filed a criminal complaint as well. According to Cyclingnews, she is also expected to meet with the prosecutor’s office in France this month.
| Evenepoel provides an update
Remco Evenepoel posted a video to Twitter on Monday providing an update on his condition following his fall at Il Lombardia on Saturday. The 20-year-old Belgian, who suffered a broken pelvis and lung contusion, is now at a hospital back in Belgium.
“I just want to say that I’m doing very well for the moment,” Evenepoel said. “I had a good transfer to a Belgian hospital now. First of all I want to thank all of the people who supported me and helped me in the last couple of hours, starting from the moment of the crash until now actually. Unfortunately my season is over so far, but we have no rush. We have all the time to plan a good comeback, physically and also just all the stuff around.”
| Sunweb extends Arndt and Stork
Sunweb announced extensions for Nikias Arndt and Florian Stork on Monday, with both riders now signed through 2022.
Arndt is a two-time Grand Tour stage winner who has the fast finish and engine to contend for his own results while also being a reliable road captain for the squad. The 28-year-old German has been with the team since 2013.
His compatriot Stork, 23, is a versatile up-and-comer who moved up to the WorldTour team from Sunweb’s development squad last year.
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SUBSCRIBE TO THE DAILY NEWS DIGEST PODCASTToday’s feature image of Arnaud Démare winning stage 2 of the Tour de Wallonie comes from Cor Vos.
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