Saturday 30 May 2020

Places that deserve a WT-race

Places that deserve a World Tour race

The current current World Tour calender hosts races in traditional cycling countries like Belgium, France and Italy, but also races in countries with only few cycling tradition like China and the UAE. There are still countries and regions that with a big heart for cycling that are missing on this calendar. I've listed a few below.

Colombia

The Colombian and Basque fans are problably the most passionate fans in the world. The Basque Country has already an one day race and a stage race on the highest level but Colombia doesn't have the same honour. Nairo Quintana and Luis Herrera won the Giro and Vuelta in the past. Last year, Egan Bernal set a new milestone in Colombian history by winning the Tour de France. Maybe the moment is finally there for a World Tour race in the South American country?

Bogotá - 10x wat te doen en is de hoofdstad wel veilig? - Colombia.nl

South Eastern American States

Colorado is problably the heart of American cycling. Colorado and California did have and have many great races and cyclists over the past decades. In the 80ies we used to have the Coors Classic that connected both states. It would be nice to see a revival of this race. It could be an opportunity for the local teams to compete with the World Tour teams and the visibility of the race could also boost the popularity of cycling to the local fans.

Slovakia

Peter Sagan is probalbly the most popular rider of this century. Wouldn't it be a good moment to give cycling a boost in Slovakia and Central Europe by a larger extension? It could bring cycling more popularity and bring more talented Central-European into cycling. The region currently already hosts the Tour of Poland but I think that this region deserves another race on the highest level. Peter Sagan, Michal Kwiatkowski, Roman Kreuziger are only a few examples of riders that grew up in this part of Europe.

Slovakia | nation, Europe | Britannica

Scandinavia

Denmark and Norway delivered many great riders in recent years. 2 of the 10 last worldchampions come from these two countries and these countries used to have many good riders before as well. There is currently not any World Tour race in the north of Europe. That's a big underrepresantation on the highest level of cycling if you look at the given riders that were born there. That's why I would really support a Tour of Norway or a Tour of Denmark on the World Tour level. Especially Denmark is known for his heavy investments in cycling infrastructure and it would be a good opportunity to show it to the rest of the world.




Thursday 14 May 2020

Interview : Aude Biannic (EN)

Interview Aude Biannic

Olympic Athlete, 10th on the Worldchampionships and French champion. Aude Biannic is 29 years but she's already one of the best French riders for almost 10 years. Her best years only started so there is still a lot to come. This year she already finished 10th in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and 6th in Le Samyn. Can she continue her strong form again when the season starts again?

2019 women's Ronde van Vlaanderen | Movistar Team 

 

You had a strong start of the season. What have been the ambitions for the other cobble classics like Ghent – Wevelgem and the Tour of Flanders for example?

My ambtions for the other classics were to make it to the top 10 in all of them, with as main goal the Tour of Flanders.


This year, the first Paris-Roubaix for women will be organized. Are you happy?

Yes, I'm very happy to see a Paris-Roubaix for women. One of the most beautiful cobble classics will be added to our calendar.


Would you like to see a Milan – Sanremo or a Tour of Lombardy for women too, or it's not so important for you?

For me Milan – Sanremo and Lombardy aren't going to be really important. They are not really races for my profile. They are more suitable for the puncheurs

You're 29 years old. Usually it's one of the strongest years for cyclists. What are your ambitions for this year and the next years?

My ambitions for this year and the next years is making progress in the world ranking. I've made it to the top 10 but the goal is to make it to the podium in a World Tour race and to win a category 1.1 race.

You took part at the worldchampionships and the Olympic Games. Has it been a honour to represent your country?

It's always a pleasure for me to defend the colours of my country. I always gave my maximum in all races under the French colours. It's a honour to be in the French team.

What are your favourite races?

My favourite races are Tour of Flanders and Strade Bianche

There are many cyclists and fans that would like to have a first Tour de France for women. What is your opinion on the subject?

The ladies Tour de France will be a big window for women cycling. For men, it's THE stage race of the year and I think it will be the same for us too.

You've been French champion in 2018. How was the year in the national colours?

The national champions' jersey gave me a boost in self confidencee and it gave me freedom in the races. I've enjoyed it till the maximum in every race and even during trainings.

Thanks for the interview, Aude!


Interview : Aude Biannic (FR)

Interview Aude Biannic

Ahtlète Olympique, 10ième au championnat du monde et champion national de France. Aude Biannic a 29 ans mais elle est déjà une des meilleurs cyclistes Françaises pour presque 10 ans. Les meilleurs années viens de commencer donc il y a encore beaucoup à venir. Cet année elle a commencée avec une dixième place en Omloop Het Nieuwsblad et 6ième au le Samyn. Elle peut contineur son forme forte quand le cyclisme recommence?

2019 women's Ronde van Vlaanderen | Movistar Team 

Tu as commencé forte ce saison sur les pavés. quelles étaient les ambitions pour les autres classiques pavés comme Gand-Wevelgem et le Tour des Flandres par exemple?

Mes ambitions pour les autres classiques étaient de réaliser un top 10 sur chacune d’entre elles . Avec comme objectif principal le tour des Flandres .


Cet année, il sera la première Paris-Roubaix Féminine. Tu es heureuse?

Oui super heureuse de voir un Paris Roubaix féminin . Une des plus belles classiques pavés vient s’ajouter à notre calendrier . Et encore plus en tant que française.


Voudrais-tu avoir une Milan – Sanremo où Tour de Lombardie pour les dames aussi? Où ce n'est pas très important pour toi?

Pour moi milan Sanremo et Lombardie ne serai pas vraiment important . Ce ne sont pas vraiment des courses pour mon profil . Ce sont des courses plus pour les puncheurs.


Tu as 29 ans. Normalement une des années plus fortes pour une cycliste. Quelles sont tes ambitions pour cette année et les années prochaines?

Mes ambitions pour cette année et les prochaines et de progresser dans le classement mondial . J’arrive à réaliser des Top 10 mais l’objectif serai de faire un podium sur une course world tour et une victoire sur une course 1.1 .

Tu as participée aux championnat du monde et aux jeux Olympique. C'étai un honneur pour représenter ton pays?

C’est toujours un plaisir pour moi de défendre les couleurs de son pays . Chaque compétition faite sous les couleurs de la France je donne mon maximum . C’est un honneur d’être dans l’équipe de France .

 

Quelles sont tes courses préfèrées?

Mes courses préférées sont le tour des Flandres et les Strade Blanche .

Il y a beaucoup des cyclistes et supporters qui aimeraient un prémier Tour de France pour les dames. Quelle est ton opinion sur ce sujet?

Le tour de France féminin serai une vitrine énorme pour le cyclisme féminin . Pour les hommes c’est LA course par étape de l’année et je pense que ça le serai pour nous aussi .

Tu étais champion de France en 2018. Comment étai l'année dans les couleurs nationales?

Avec le maillot de championne nationale j’ai pu prendre davantage confiance en moi et me libérer sur les courses . J’ai profité au maximum sur toutes les courses et même lors des entraînements 

Merci pour l'interview, Aude!