UCI cuts costs, 16-year-old wins Zwift pro/am race: Daily News Digest
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Hello again, CyclingTips readers.
The difficulties facing the world of cycling are impacting not only riders, teams, and races, but international governing bodies as well.
The UCI announced on Thursday that it has enacted cost-saving measures that include furloughs and salary reductions amid what UCI president David Lappartient called “a crisis without precedent since the Second World War.”
On a much lighter note, congratulations to Baldwin Street in Dunedin, New Zealand. Considered the Guinness World Record holder for world’s “Steepest Street” until Ffordd Pen Llech in Harlech, Wales, took over the title, Baldwin Street has reclaimed its crown upon further review.
Considering its gradient – 34.8 percent – you’ll probably want to start doing those hill repeats if you want to take on the Baldwin Street climb any time soon.
Until next time, readers.
What’s news
| UCI enacts cost-saving measures
With revenue drastically reduced amid the coronavirus pandemic, the UCI announced on Thursday that it is taking a number of cost-saving measures. The measures include furloughs, salary cuts, a “revision of projects and objectives” planned for 2020 and beyond, and reductions in grants to other organizations.
“Inactivity is hitting athletes, teams, organizers, partners and the large majority of people and organizations that contribute to the vitality of our sport, across all its disciplines,” said UCI president David Lappartient. “The UCI, cycling’s governing body, has not been spared, far from it.”
| Bernal auctioning off bike and jerseys for charity
Egan Bernal has joined the growing number of cycling stars lending a hand to charities by auctioning off some prized possessions.
The Tour de France champ announced on Wednesday that he is auctioning off a bike, an Ineos jersey, a yellow jersey, and a white jersey for the Fundación Éxito, which works to help malnourished children in Colombia.
Subasta para Niños. Colombia, que les parece este reto? Ayúdennos a recoger más mercados para los niños de nuestro país (De acá sale otro Tour SEGURO) Así qué hay que alimentarlos bien ???? Estén pendiente con @Fundacion_Exito y para donar https://t.co/deI706wlEu pic.twitter.com/Zmhtit19xB
— Egan Arley Bernal (@Eganbernal) April 8, 2020
| Baldwin Street is the world’s steepest once more
Ffordd Pen Llech in Harlech, Wales, took over the title for a time, but upon further review, Baldwin Street in Dunedin, New Zealand, has reclaimed its Guinness World Record for the world’s “Steepest Street (Road).”
The decision makers at Guinness World Records determined that steepness should be measured from the center line of the road, putting Baldwin Street back on top of the rankings with its gradient of 34.8 percent.
| 16-year-old Agostinacchio wins Zwift Classics London International
Filippo Agostinacchio, just 16 years old, took the win at Thursday’s London International round of the Zwift Classics. The versatile Italian, who has compiled a promising juniors record as a ‘cross and mountain bike racer as well, triumphed over a London International field that included a handful of Continental road squads.
Taking on 24.7-kilometer virtual course featuring London’s Box Hill climb, Agostinacchio powered away in the finale and held out for the victory ahead of Ethan Vernon and Lionel Vujasin.
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SUBSCRIBE TO THE DAILY NEWS DIGEST PODCASTToday’s featured image of the climbing stars on stage 16 of the Giro d’Italia comes from the Grubers.
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