Thomas dislocates shoulder, Superprestige Boom: Daily News Digest
(Want the Daily News Digest delivered directly to your inbox? Here’s the sign-up.)
Hello again, CyclingTips readers,
It was a busy weekend for cycling headlines.
Since we last compiled the news of the cycling world, some noteworthy transfers have been announced, a former Tour de France winner has dislocated his shoulder in a training crash, and cyclocross racing rolled on in Belgium, to list only some of the news stories of the past few days.
Read on for more …
Dane Cash,
News Editor
What’s News
| Geraint Thomas dislocates his shoulder in training crash
Geraint Thomas revealed on social media on Sunday that he had dislocated his shoulder in a training crash. Fortunately, the injury apparently won’t derail his training too much, as he plans to be riding indoors soon.
“Not the Sunday I was expecting… Crashed on some ice and dislocated my shoulder,” Thomas wrote on Instagram.
“It’s back in now, after a rather painful 2hrs, but no fractures. So all good to get on the turbo tomorrow.”
| Brand and Iserbyt win at Superprestige Boom
Eli Iserbyt and Lucinda Brand took Superprestige victories on Sunday in Boom, Belgium.
Brand’s victory came after a battle with Ceylin Alvarado that was not without some controversy. Inside the last two laps, both Brand and Alvarado headed to the pits for new bikes, and as she went for the transfer, Brand dropped her already-ridden bike in front of Alvarado, hindering the world champ. Brand then waited for Alvarado to rejoin her, although the race jury ultimately decided to fine Brand for the incident. Brand put in the winning move on an uphill section in the penultimate lap and held on to win by 10 seconds over Alvarado, with Denise Betsema in third on the day, 45 down on the winner.
On the men’s side, Iserbyt soloed away inside the last three laps, and then a chasing Wout van Aert and Toon Aerts both fell in the mud, further cementing Iserbyt’s advantage. Iserbyt took the win 15 seconds ahead of Michael Vanthourenhout with Aerts in third on the day.
| Sergio Henao will join Qhubeka-Assos in 2021
After two years with UAE-Team Emirates, Sergio Henao will join Qhubeka-Assos next season on a two-year deal.
The 32-year-old Colombian, who rode for Sky form 2012 to 2018, has been a consistent contender in one-week races for years, with an overall win at Paris-Nice on his career palmares along with two Colombian national titles. During his tenure with Sky, he played a support role in three Tour wins, and he also counts one Grand Tour top 10 of his own (at the 2012 Giro d’Italia) on his list of career achievements.
“I look forward to playing a critical role in supporting my teammates at the various races during the season and I can’t wait to take on this new challenge,” Henao said in a statement. “Importantly though I also want to get good results for my new team and in doing so also inspire future generations.”
| Mark Cavendish signs with Deceuninck-Quick-Step
Mark Cavendish will be back in the pro peloton next year after all. As Decueninck-Quick-Step announced on Saturday, Cavendish will join Deceuninck-Quick-Step for 2021.
There had been some uncertainty as to whether the 30-time Tour de France stage winner, who rode for Bahrain-McLaren this season after four years with the Dimension Data team, would continue next season after he noted in October that this might be his last year. Recent seasons have not gone according to plan for Cavendish, who last won a grand Tour stage in 2016, but he will look to get back on track with an organization that he was previously a part of for three seasons, from 2013 to 2015.
“Us and Mark share many beautiful memories and have a history that goes a long way back,” Lefevere said. “During his three-year spell with the team, he didn’t just claim dozens of victories for the team, he showed amazing panache and what an incredibly dedicated team player he is. We are happy to have him return to our family, as he is a leader and brings across a wealth of experience that he can share with our young riders, but at the same time we are confident he still has something to give to the team.”
| Several riders hurt in NRS crash, race cancelled
Several riders were injured in a crash on the last day of men’s racing at the National Road Series in Australia.
Racing was called off after riders crashed into a police motorcycle parked on the left side of the road after a curve, leaving multiple people hurt. Among those seriously injured was Ben Carman, who was put into an induced coma and underwent surgery. Fortunately, following operations to treat multiple injuries, he is now “awake and in good spirits” according to his Nero Continental team.
| President Trump signs Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act
US President Donald Trump signed the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act into law on Sunday.
The legislation makes it “unlawful to knowingly influence (or attempt or conspire to influence) a major international sports competition by use of a prohibited substance or prohibited method.” It targets those who operate doping schemes instead of individual athletes themselves.
While USADA supported the passage of the bill, WADA has criticized its extraterritorial nature, as it grants prosecutors the ability to seek penalties for those running doping operations at international competitions involving American athletes.
In case you missed it
| Bikes projected to outsell cars in Europe two-to-one by 2030
As Ronan Mc Laughlin writes, models suggest that bikes will significantly outsell cars in Europe by 2030.
Today’s featured image of Eli Iserbyt celebrating his Superprestige Boom win comes from Cor Vos.
The post Thomas dislocates shoulder, Superprestige Boom: Daily News Digest appeared first on CyclingTips.