Mid-Week Report: The Latest News, Products and Events
Welcome to the September 11th, Mid-Week Report!
Welcome to the September 11th, Mid-Week Report!
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Mathieu van der Poel took over as the Tour of Britain’s overall leader after winning Tuesday’s fourth stage from Gateshead to Kendal. The Dutchman who rides for Corendon-Circus made his move on a sharp rise in the closing stages of the 173.2 kilometer stage.
“It was a bit of gamble because I didn’t really know where the finish line was,” Van der Poel said of his push to the finish line.
“I got bumped in yesterday and I didn’t want that to happen again today, so I went full gas 300 meters to go. It was a bit far but got I got a gap and the final 100 meters were a bit easier.
“It’s really nice to win this stage. It was a really, really hard stage, with lots of climbing.”
VIDEO: SEPP KUSS HIGH FIVES THE FANS
VUELTA A ESPANA STAGE 17 HIGHLIGHTS
Belgian veteran Philippe Gilbert claimed a second win at this year’s Vuelta a Espana on Wednesday as Slovenian Primoz Roglic remained in the lead after stage 17. Deceuninck-Quick Step’s Gilbert, 37, backed up his victory on day 12 in Bilbao with a powerful finish on the flat in Guadalajara to pip Ireland’s Sam Bennett.
Jumbo Visma’s Roglic, 29, who signed a new contract with the outfit on Tuesday, finished more than five minutes behind Gilbert along with general standings rivals Alejandro Valverde and fellow countryman Tadej Pogacar.
Former winner Nairo Quintana rocketed up to second place behind Roglic to overtake Valverde, making up five minutes with aggressive riding between Aranda de Duero and the central Spanish city.
Thursday’s 177.5km mountainous stage 18 includes four challenging climbs before arriving at Becerril de la Sierra, to the north-west of Madrid.
FIZIK VENTO POWERSTRAP R2 AEROWEAVE
A new concept in performance shoes has been born with pure racing DNA and a laser focus on speed. fizik’s new Vento Powerstrap R2 Aeroweave offer exactly this – designed with one objective: to be ready to deliver riders’ best racing performance.
The Vento Powerstrap R2 Aeroweave was selected from over 400 entries in the ‘accessories’ category to win the Eurobike award which is recognized as one of the leading international design awards for companies in the bike industry. The award provides important independent confirmation of the high level of product innovation, functionality, quality and sustainability.
WAHOO KICKR BIKE
The KICKR BIKE is the culmination of years of experience developing the entire KICKR ecosystem of integrated training products. Like all Wahoo products, the KICKR BIKE is designed for simplicity, superior ride feel, comprehensive connectivity, and maximum customization for passionate cyclists who demand best-in-class equipment. The KICKR BIKE is ideal for anyone, but designed around those who want an uncompromising solution when it comes to year-round training.
“Over the past five years, we’ve seen an incredible increase in indoor cycling and the sales of KICKR indoor smart trainers,” says Mike Saturnia, CEO of Wahoo Fitness. “During this time, we’ve built the most complete ecosystem of connected indoor cycling products. The KICKR BIKE represents the next generation of indoor smart training for Wahoo and delivers the most complete, unparalleled riding experience in its class. It is the ultimate product for discerning, data-driven athletes who are ready for a feature-rich, top-quality, responsive, dedicated indoor bike as the new cornerstone of their fitness.”
KICKR BIKE combines the KICKR trainer’s ride feel with upgraded innovations like integrated grade simulation, both uphill and down. Front and rear braking allow riders to control their speed just as they would out on the road. The KICKR BIKE’s proprietary “gear shifters” can be easily set up to replicate seven different custom gear shifting configurations from Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo. Additionally, users can easily customize their front chainrings and rear cog selection to identically match the bike shifting platforms of their outdoor bikes. There are even proprietary algorithms built into the pedaling that provide a genuine shifting feel. The extensive feature set blurs the line between the indoor reality and an outdoor experience.
BIKE THE COAST SAN DIEGO NOVEMBER 1
Take in the breathtaking views of Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, and Del Mar! Everything starts and finishes on the beach at the spectacular venue of the Oceanside Pier with food, beer, music, expo shopping and fun. If you’re looking to take your family on an active family vacation or are looking for unique bike tour, considering joining us in Oceanside for this fun ride that’s appropriate for all skill levels from individuals to competitive groups to families, this ride is inclusive to all.
Website: www.bikethecoastsd.com
SAGAN GRAN ROADIE-OH NOVEMBER 8-10
For the first time in Southern California, fans and avid cyclists will get the opportunity to hang out with, ride alongside or get a signed jersey from the most popular cyclist on the planet, Peter Sagan. The Southern California Sagan Fondo, the Gran Roadie-Oh version, will actually be a three-day collection of different ways to get to know Peter Sagan on the heels of his recording-breaking seventh Green Jersey victory at the Tour de France. The festivities will run November 8 to November 10, 2019.
EVENT FEATURES – Courses: 150K, 100K, 50K
- 7:00 am roll-out from North City with CHP leading
- Controlled Roads for the leaders throughout
- Chip Timed Routes
- Timed King & Queen of the Sprint sectors
- On-course mechanic support
- SAG Vehicles
- Hundreds of enthusiastic Volunteers
- Unparalleled Finish Celebration at North City with the streets shut down to traffic
- Post Event Feast at Urge Gastropub
- Live Music
- Challenged Athletes Beer and Wine Garden
- Unique 750ml Beer Bottle trophies for finishers
- Event Tee-shirts for participants
- Opportunity to buy signature event kits from Sportful, plus other merchandise items
- Course safety provided by SD Police, CHP, Sheriffs, Traffic Control and Course Marshals!
Register here: www.roadieoh.com
THE RIFT ICELAND JULY 25 2020
The Rift is a gravel race through the dark lava fields in the highlands of Iceland – taking place on the tectonic split between North America and Eurasia. An ever-growing battlefield that grows an inch every year.
The battlefield sculpted by volcanic eruptions is vast, rugged and unpredictable – making the Rift a challenge of endurance, mental fortitude and most likely the bare elements. And in the end – a gravel battle between the continents!
The course starts out of a small town along the southern coast called Hvolsvöllur. This incredible shoreline stretches from the greater Reykjavík area in the west to the magnificent Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon in the east. It is lined with countless natural wonders such as cascading waterfalls, black sand beaches, glaciers and volcanos – circumnavigating one of the most active volcanos on the island, Hekla.
CTS FIGUEROA MOUNTAIN GRAN FONDO
The city of Solvang, California will be the presenting sponsor for the third annual CTS Figueroa Mountain Gran Fondo cycling event. The event, to be held November 8-9, 2019, is produced by coaching company CTS and is anticipated to bring more than 800 cyclists and families to Solvang for festivities on Friday night and the gran fondo and finish line-party on Saturday.
As a result of the presenting sponsorship, the CTS Figueroa Mountain Gran Fondo will move its packet pickup and start/finish to downtown Solvang from Santa Ynez. Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley have a long history with national and international-level cycling events, including stages of the Amgen Tour of California. The area is also known worldwide as an ideal location for pre-season training camps for professional cycling teams.
“CTS has been hosting cycling camps in and around Solvang for 20 years, and my personal history with the area goes back further to 7-Eleven Pro Cycling Team training camps in the 1980s,” said CTS Founder and CEO, Chris Carmichael. “We established a year-round training facility in the Santa Ynez Valley nearly 10 years ago and I am honored to have the support of the city of Solvang and the community in this wonderful valley.”
Solvang Mayor Ryan Toussaint added, “The Santa Ynez Valley is a premier cycling destination and we welcome the CTS Figueroa Mountain Gran Fondo to Solvang.”
Kirk Nordgren, Event Director and General Manager of the nearby CTS training facility, said, “We’re proud to partner with the City of Solvang and local companies to create an event that’s great for cyclists and beneficial for the whole community.”
The economic benefit of bringing the CTS Figueroa Mountain Gran Fondo to Solvang was a priority for Solvang City Council member Chris Djernaes. He said, “Cycling is good for business. The event helps establish Solvang as a destination for cycling tourism, and our city will continue to reap the economic benefits throughout the year as cyclists return to visit our beautiful valley.”
About the CTS Figueroa Mountain Gran Fondo
On Friday afternoon and evening, riders will arrive in Solvang for packet pickup and the public is encouraged to participate in a cycling festival with activities for kids and families. Amateur cyclists participating in the event will all start together on Saturday morning and choose from four marked routes (100, 64, 44, and 31 miles) through the Santa Ynez Valley. The longer three routes feature an ascent of Figueroa Mountain, and all routes feature Ballard Canyon Road made famous to cyclists by the Amgen Tour of California. With the exception of the Start/Finish area, the course will be open to car traffic throughout the event. Riders will be supported on course with feed stations and mobile mechanics, and will return to Solvang for a finish line party with live music and locally sourced food and beer.
Website: www.trainright.com/granfondo
LANCE ARMSTRONG TO RIDE GRAN FONDO HINCAPIE GREENVILLE
Hincapie Sportswear received confirmation on Monday that cyclist Lance Armstrong will ride in Gran Fondo Hincapie-Greenville. Armstrong, a former teammate of George Hincapie’s, partner at NEXT VENTŪRES, founder of WEDŪ, and host of “THEMOVE” and “The Forward” podcasts, will join George Hincapie for the ride.He also plans to air “THEMOVE” podcast while there.
“I’m excited to come to the ride,” says Armstrong. “We aired ‘THEMOVE’ at Gran Fondo Hincapie-Fort Worth, and it was a lot of fun to interact with the crowd there.”
“We’re thrilled to have Lance with us for another fondo,” says George Hincapie. “His presence in Fort Worth really helped to take the event up a notch. And everyone had a blast watching the podcast.”
The original Gran Fondo Hincapie, located in Greenville, SC, and now in its seventh year, has topped charts and received stellar reviews, acclaimed for the cycling celebrities in attendance, as well as the careful attention to safety, on-site viewing screens, course and segment timing, live tracking and streaming, live bands at the rest stops, and free family festival.
Also attending is three-time world champion Michael Rogers! He joins the list of cycling greats in attendance, including George Hincapie, Christian Vande Velde, Bobby Julich, , Justin Williams, Santiago Botero, and Victor Hugo Pena.
Website: www.hincapie.com/granfondo
2020 DIRTY KANZA REGISTRATION DETAILS
2020, here we come! Mark you calendars for the 15th annual Garmin Dirty Kanza on May 30, 2020. Thank you for making this year’s race one of the best ever.
The random selection process for the 2020 race will open on January 6 through January 19. Selections will then be made on or before January 27.
Is there an awesome event happening closer to you? Send a link to [email protected]
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