Today in Pro Cycling News: January 14th, 2015

In today’s pro cycling news Eurosport announces plans to broadcast Alex Dowsett’s hour record attempt, Hannah Barnes continues to dominate in Argentina, Michael Reihs makes a comeback and Bigla Pro Cycling women talk about 2015.

Eurosport to broadcast Alex Dowsett’s hour record attempt

Eurosport is partnering with Movistar Team’s British cyclist Alex Dowsett as he attempts the UCI Hour Record on Friday, February 27th at London’s Lee Valley VeloPark. The Essex-based rider’s attempt will take place as part of an exclusive evening of racing and entertainment billed as “The Perfect Hour” (#PerfectHour).

Dowsett, the reigning Commonwealth Games time trial champion and three-time British time trial champion, will try to beat the current mark of 51.852km, recently set by Austrian cyclist Matthias Brändle and shown exclusively on Eurosport. The channel also showed the first of the recent attempts at the hour record, when German cyclist Jens Voigt’s successfully claimed the record in September of 2014.

Hannah Barnes continues roll in Argentina

Hannah Barnes of the UnitedHealthcare Po Cycling Team continued to notch victories in Argentina at the Tour Feminino de San Luis. After winning a prologue crit, Barnes and her UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling teammates took their third consecutive win on Stage 2 of the 6-day race.

The peloton covered 75 kilometers near Villa Mercedes, Argentina on today’s second stage of the race. For this relatively short stage with two intermediate sprints, the peloton was fast, aggressive, and compact, bringing the race finale to another bunch sprint.

Barnes was able to achieve her third victory in a row for her teammates, sponsors, and fans. She commented, “Today’s stage was the one that I won last year, so I knew the finishing stretch well. The sprint was a little chaotic but we got organized and the girls did a great job to keep me near the front. Alexis took it up with about 500 meters to go, with me on her wheel, and dropped me off perfectly with about 200 meters left till the line. I was able to take the win with yet another great team effort!”

Reihs returns to pro cycling after 12-year absence

Danish cyclist Michael Reihs has returned to pro cycling after a 12 year absence. The 35 year old cyclist joins the Cult Energy Pro Cycling Team as a culture bearer for cycling and for the team’s younger riders.

Reihs last rode for professional continental squad Phonak Hearing Systems before moving back to Denmark and starting a family.

Bigla Pro Cycling teammates share thoughts on 2015

Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio and Shelley Olds sat down to share their goals for the 2015 season.

“I am very excited for the season that lies ahead,” said Moolman-Pasio. “The Bigla Pro Cycling Team is a dream come true for me and I look forward to working in a professional, motivated environment with talented riders and dedicated staff. I will unfortunately be missing the first team training camp in order to prepare for South African and African Champs in February in South Africa, but I can’t wait to join my new teammates at the end of February to kick off my spring campaign with the team.

“My goal this year is to continue to learn and grow as a rider and I’m confident that Bigla will provide the perfect environment to do so. It would be great to start the season off with a good SA’s and Conti Champs, other than that I would like to ease into the European season with the spring classics with an objective to race stronger and stronger as the season progresses.”

Shelley Olds: “I am ecstatic to start the 2015 season. I have had a really great winter and have been building really well towards the first training camp and races. I spent some quality time with my family during the holidays, both in America and in Spain. That time was very important for me. I am starting the year super-motivated and excited to join my Bigla teammates and staff. I am extremely grateful to be a part of this project and I believe it is a huge opportunity for me to grow as an athlete. The 2015 Bigla team is the type of team I have been dreaming of being a part of since I started my career in cycling.”