Wollongong Worlds dates, Bouhanni on the move: Daily News Digest
Welcome to your Daily News Digest. Here’s what’s happening today:
Wollongong Worlds in 2022 will take place from September 18 to 25, Arkéa-Samsic signs Nacer Bouhanni, Castroviejo extends with Ineos. Those stories and more in today’s Daily News Digest.
Story of the Day: Dates announced for 2022 Worlds in Wollongong
The 2022 UCI Road World Championships in Wollongong, Australia, will run from September 18 to 25, the UCI and organizers have announced.
“The 2022 UCI Road World Championships will be the biggest event to ever come to Wollongong,” said Dean Dalla Valle, chair of the organizing committee, in a press release. “We are working hard to deliver a world-class event and legacy for the region.”
Thor Hushovd wins the world road title in Geelong in 2010. Photo: Wessel van Keuk/Cor Vos ©2010
September of 2022 will see Australia hosting road Worlds for the first time since 2010, when Geelong and Melbourne hosted the event. With the event heading to Switzerland next year and Flanders in 2021, 2022 will also mark the first edition held outside of Europe since Doha Worlds in 2016.
“After five editions in Europe, the UCI Road World Championships make their way to Wollongong in Australia, confirming the global reach of one of our sport’s major annual events,” UCI president David Lappartient said.
“We now know the dates, and I am sure our hosts in New South Wales will organize an unforgettable event for our athletes and for the spectators.”
Socially Speaking
The always excellent James Startt has shared photos of some truly dedicated Peter Sagan fans on Instagram. It’s a six-image spread, but for a quick glimpse of some cycling body art, look no further …
Race Radio
Arkéa-Samsic signs Bouhanni, McLay, Boudat, and others
One day after announcing the termination of André Greipel’s contract, Arkéa-Samsic has officially announced the impending arrival of a new sprinter. After five years with Cofidis, Nacer Bouhanni will join Arkéa-Samsic on a two-year deal.
“In 2020 we want to be a World Tour team. We know that 70 percent of the races are sprinting; we had to strengthen ourselves in this area,” said team manager Emmanuel Hubert. “For a sprinter, every detail of its importance, I rely on Sébastien Hinault to orchestrate all that. Nacer Bouhanni will be our number one sprinter. He has enormous qualities.”
Bouhanni, 29, looked to be one of the sport’s most promising young sprinters in the early stages of his career. He turned pro with FDJ and took stage victories during his time there at both the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España. He then signed with Cofidis in 2015 and scored a handful of wins over the next few seasons, but the big results many expected for him did not materialize, and his relationship with management at Cofidis soured over the last two years.
Nacer Bouhanni at the Critérium du Dauphiné. Photo: VK/PN/Cor Vos © 2019
Cofidis brass did not select him for the team’s Tour de France roster in 2018, and although he won a Vuelta stage later in the year, Bouhanni was not at the start line of any of the three Grand Tours in 2019.
“For me, it’s a new beginning,” said Bouhanni of his move to Arkéa. “I will start the next season as if I have never won anything. I did not ask to come with staff or riders, I want to focus on me, for the rest I trust the management of the team.”
In addition to confirming the Bouhanni news, Arkéa-Samsic also announced the signings of Daniel McLay from EF Education First, Thomas Boudat from Total-Direct Énergie, Lukasz Owsian from CCC, and Ben Declercq and Christophe Noppe from Topsport Vlaanderen.
Wyman opens a spot on the UCI rankings
Longtime cyclocross veteran Helen Wyman retired in February, but until recently she remained in the UCI’s world rankings.
As she has pointed out on Twitter, that’s no longer the case, thanks to her own classy request—and that means one more (active) rider will now qualify for World Cups.
Something a bit more positive following a lot of talk today about the world rankings. I’ve been granted permission from the UCI to have my place effectively removed. Allowing rider 51 in the world ranking to automatically qualify for world cups. So keep watching number 51???????????? pic.twitter.com/AB6BTr9cUe
— Helen Wyman (@CXHelen) October 1, 2019
Ineos extends Castroviejo
Jonathan Castroviejo will ride on with Ineos for the next two seasons. The 32-year-old Spaniard, who is the reigning Spanish national champion in the time trial, joined the team last year after several years with Movistar, and has been part of the winning Tour de France team in both of his two years with the Ineos/Sky organization.
“I’ve enjoyed two brilliant years here and to be a part of two Tour de France winning teams has been special,” Castroviejo said.
“I wanted to take a next step when I joined the Team and I feel like I have done that. Now I’m really settled here. It has been a great environment for me to keep improving as a cyclist and I’m looking forward to playing my part alongside our exciting group of young riders.”
Tech News
GoPro announces the Hero8 Black
It feels like we only just got our hands GoPro’s Hero7 Black action camera to review, and now the company has a new and improved version. The Hero8 Black retains many of the same features as its predecessor, but adds in more advanced image stabilization, low light performance, and recording control. The new camera also offers integrated mounting “fingers” that fold when not in use, a slightly smaller form factor and easier battery replacement.
The new Hero8 is joined by the new Max 360, a camera that features opposite-side lenses capable of filming 360-degree footage in enormously high resolutions.
In case you missed it …
Feature Image: Nacer Bouhanni at Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. Photo: ©kramon
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