In today’s road racing news, Team Type 1 gets Tour de Pologne nod, no Olympics for Mark Cavendish, new routes for UAE Tour, Nans Peters starts, and Hirt & Masnada make CCC Team debut
Team Novo Nordisk Earns Wildcard to the Tour de Pologne
The first wild card for the 2020 Tour de Pologne has officially been assigned to Team Novo Nordisk.
Team Novo Nordisk CEO and Co-Founder Phil Southerland, says he is honored that the Lang Team is still supporting their project, which will provide their platform with international exposure during the race. “We do not take this wild card lightly,” he added. “And we will arrive ready to light up the race and show the world what is possible when you have diabetes. In 2020 this will not change, and we will approach this event with the same drive and motivation as always.”
Czeslaw Lang explained his choice by saying, “This is a unique team that combines high sports performance with noble goals. During previous editions of the Tour de Pologne, Team Novo Nordisk riders have made a very good impression. The best example is Charles Planet, who last year won the Lotto Most Active Rider classification and was the leader of the Tauron Best Climber classification for four stages.”But the boss also pointed out the importance of the values that motivate the entire team. “Inspiration and support for all people with diabetes is a message that should be promoted in Poland and around the world.”
Mark Cavendish Seemingly Out of 2020 Olympics
After being left out of Britain’s selection for the upcoming 2020 Track World Championship in Berlin, it seems that Mark Cavendish will not meet the qualification criteria for the 2020 Olympic Games.
“The world championships in Berlin mark an important milestone on the road to the Olympic Games for track cyclists and, as has always been our intention, we are now focusing on the riders who we believe have the potential to win a medal in Tokyo, “said Stephen Park, performance director of the British team.
After a silver medal in Rio in 2016, Cavendish’s ambition was to win gold in Tokyo.
UAE Tour Changes Route
Just 15 days before its’ start, organizers of the UAE Tour have announced a new set of routes for the seven stages of the race.
Organizers say that the change was made in response to ongoing development and road upgrades and that the new stages “will ensure a varied and balanced character to the seven-stage event for all riders”.
Nans Peters Makes 2020 Start at Tour de la Provence
After a delay to his winter training due to a bout of mononucleosis, Nans Peters will make his 2020 debut at the Tour de la Provence, February 13 – 16, with his Ag2r-La Mondiale teammates.
“My winter prep was delayed this year a bit because I had mononucleosis. And even now, though I am pretty much over it, I still have random sensations. But even with that, I am very happy to be getting back to racing. When I saw the first two races in France, inevitably it made me want to get back to racing with my friends. The Tour de la Provence will be a good test for the rest of the season since it is a four stage race with difficult days, notably on the Route des Crêtes and at Chalet Reynard.”
Hirt, Masnada Make CCC Team Debut at Tour de la Provence
CCC Team will continue its block of racing in France this week with a well-rounded team heading to the start line of Tour de la Provence.
Fausto Masnada and Jan Hirt are both looking forward to testing their early-season form on the tough climbs that feature in their debut race for CCC Team.
“I am very excited and can’t wait to start my first season in my new colors and in a WorldTeam. I worked hard all winter in order to try and start the 2020 season in the best shape so I feel ready. I am happy to be returning to Tour de la Provence because I know this race well, it was my first race in 2019, and I also like the hard stages. It’s difficult to have particular goals because while it’s the first race for me and I know my condition, I don’t know that of my competitors,” Masnada said.
“I’m really excited to start racing in orange again after a two-year break from a CCC-sponsored team. I am not 100 percent sure what my form will be like after the winter but, I have worked hard and I think that Tour de la Provence will be a good test at the start of the season. The race is hard, with plenty of climbing, so it will give me the chance to see what I can do for myself and for the team as well as get some quality racing kilometers in the legs for the season ahead,” Hirt added.
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