Yeah, good point. Unsure when contracts expire. Will investigate. The message I've received today is the Saudis aren't proactively looking at the cycling market, but they're open to investing in the sport if the right project(s) is presented to them.
These comments from Ryan have been picked up quite a bit today. Sources within Jayco tell me that there's no panic and Ryan's stated exit date of late 2027 is well-known. Management (including Ryan) have been speaking with numerous potential investors in recent months.
More in article.
I've spoken to quite a few people about this today, people who deal with the Saudis regularly, and the message is there's no reason to suggest the Saudis are going to pull their cycling funding.
I think there's actually quite an easy solution. Keep both races on the same day, but start the men's race an hour earlier. Men's race finishes at 15:30 (more or less), and women's race still finishes at 18:30 (more or less). That way there's chance to see all the cobbled sectors of both races.
Actually there is something else that needs to be said: Franziska Koch is the signing – men and women – of the season. What an inspired piece of business from FDJ Suez. Also worth highlighting how she's just the latest top rider to graduate from Picnic PostNL's development pathway.
Nothing much needs to be said other than that was simply a brilliant, terrific afternoon of bike racing. A Sunday in Hell for those competing; A Sunday in Cycling Paradise for those watching.
Analysing the Tour of Flanders for @theathletic.com:
⚔️ Is Pogačar v Van der Poel cycling's best (and most consistent) rivalry in generations?
🪨Van Aert and Pedersen so close, yet so far away. Once again.
🇳🇱Vollering's FDJ play SD Worx at their own game.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/717...
Jakob Söderqvist is one of cycling's most promising time triallists. He's reigning U23 world champ. But in Oct 2022, when he was just 19, he found one of his best friends dead at home. Events from that day have shaped his life and cycling career.
escapecollective.com/what-jakob-s...
I will give that a go!
Looking to speak to a cyclist (amateur is absolutely fine!) who has had lyme disease. If that’s you or anyone you know, get in touch. It’s for an upcoming Cycling Weekly magazine article.
My interview with Kim Le Court ahead of Milano-Sanremo
⚽Rejecting a US college scholarship
🦟almost dying from malaria
🐊 living next to crocodiles
😭"I really hated cycling" in 2015/16
🇿🇦 coaching, bike fitting and MTB wins in South Africa
🏆now one of the world's best
www.nytimes.com/athletic/713...
Was a pleasure to sit down with Demi Vollering where we talked about what motivates her to be a role model and to leave a lasting legacy in the sport.
Thanks Peter, appreciate it. More to come as well, just hope we can get it out there sooner rather than later.
More or less, yep. And yeah good that the Times have covered it. It's gaining traction as it ought to
Nope, I covered it first for Escape in early Feb, publishing it during the Volta a Valenciana, and then Ciclo21 came out with their excellent and more detailed report a fortnight later.
I believe we've still got a RadioCycling live from the Fallas to record...
*First published by Escape Collective escapecollective.com/a-notorious-...
There's more to come on this. It's not over.
Ha! That's his head being quickly rustled into a paper mache ball for a falla. He should have bought himself a few firecrackers and joined in the fun.
Novak's wider point about the risk of burnout still stands, but come on let's not pretend that Pogačar has won everything on bread, water and a game console in his hand.
Lol. Pogačar is 27 and hasn't even retired yet but we've clearly already entered the era of mythicising (and falsifying) his early years, pretending that he did it the old school way. Pogačar couldn't be any more representative of this generation of cyclists who are fully dialled-in on everything.
The UCI rejected One Cycling. Then launched its own reform process. At the same time, the billionaires are pressing ahead with Team Co. Tensions are boiling over – no one trusts anyone. The warring factions risk splitting cycling in two.
My latest for The Athletic: www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...
Earlier this year, I flew to Austria for a one-to-one interview with Tadej Pogačar, the best cyclist in the world.
The feature is out now and yours to read for (a ludicrously cheap) £3.35.
Wesley Kreder was a pro rider for 11 years – and then an unexpected cardiac arrest changed everything. Subsequent brain damage impacted him further.
"The fact that I’m still here … I had more luck than anyone could ever have. It’s incredible how close life and death really are."
He tells his story
Honestly looks like it could be a hill-climb in Yorkshire in early October.
Something about the absence of race barriers at the side of the road in the final kilometre that I absolutely love about the finish of this Paris-Nice stage. Feels proper grassroots, not a major WorldTour stage race.
Yes, exactly this!
Everyone likes a winner, until they win too much. Pogačar is approaching - or maybe he's already passed it? - that point. He won't care, neither will UAE, but fans do.
I think the public's reaction to more Pogačar dominance is going to be the story of the season. He's got immense support roadside, but witnessing yet another exhibition doesn't quite cut it for the viewer at home who switches their TV on wanting if not an unpredictable but a closely-fought battle.
FDJ are I think women's cycling's biggest success story. They grew something from the bottom, since before women's cycling was booming, worked to sign the top rider, they ride with unity and respect and a team manager who really cares for his riders. And this is what comes of that
Now, of course, that's highly unlikely to happen, but it highlights once again the tightrope sports governing bodies are having/choosing to walk. Despite, as they nonsensically insist and preach, sports and politics not being meant to mix.
Full article here: www.cyclingnews.com/news/sport-i...