Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Saturday, December 15, 2018
Back to news and opinion index page for links to archived stories | Commentary | Our YouTube page
2018 Tour de France | 2018 Giro d'Italia
The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses - behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights. - Muhammad Ali (I think every bike racer understands the truth of these words)
Current Racing:
- December 15: Scheldecross
Latest completed racing:
- December 1: GP Hasselt
- November 18: Flandriencross
- November 11: Telenet Super Prestige Gavere Cyclocross
- November 4: European Cyclocross Championships
- November 1: Cyclocross Koppenberg
- October 28: Cyclocross Ruddervorde
- October 23 - 31: Tour of Hainan
- October 21: Japan Cup
- October 9 - 14: Presidential Tour of Turkey
- October 14: Chrono des Nations
Team Sunweb's 2019 kit
The team sent me this press release:
Along with the new year comes a new distinct look for Team Sunweb. Shifting away from the predominantly white design that has animated the peloton and podiums during the previous years, the team embarks on their new chapter with Craft with a new eye-catching kit design. Once again, all three programs will share the same kit.
Their new Sunweb red colours proudly retain their recognisable two-stripe design for the sixth consecutive year, continuing the team’s reference to their Keep Challenging DNA. Besides the clearly-visible stripes, also KC watermark stripes are added. The left stripe represents the continuous development of the riders both as individuals and as athletes. The right stripe represents the development of the elite sports environment.
The new Sunweb colors.
2019 marks the start of a new chapter for Team Sunweb, as they welcome on board a bundle of new (technical) partners including Craft. Craft, a big name in the clothing industry and the team’s new apparel partner will manufacture their state-of-the-art race kit using the latest technologies, with aerodynamics and safety at the core of their designs. Next to race clothing, the Scandinavian brand will also produce all casual and formal clothing for riders and staff.
Sharing innovative qualities, Craft, Team Sunweb’s experts and other innovation partners will work closely together to make the next steps in aerodynamics, as well as safety improvements and temperature control through clothing. The protective shorts will continue to be used with more applications of DSM Dyneema’s protective fibres expected in 2019, adding an extra layer of protection to the kit, enhancing safety and confidence.
CCC Team looks to 2019 season
The team sent me this:
14 December, 2018, Denia (ESP): CCC Team is targeting a strong start to the 2019 season with particular emphasis on the spring classics, General Manager Jim Ochowicz today announced at the team’s pre-season media day in Denia, Spain.
Ochowicz presented the CCC Team kit and outlined the team’s objectives ahead of the 2019 season which will begin with the New Zealand national time trial championships before the first WorldTour race of the season, the Santos Tour Down Under.
The 2019 CCC racing kit
“We are excited to get the 2019 season underway and debut our new look in the peloton. With Greg Van Avermaet as our team leader, our first goal will be a strong classics season. We have a tremendous amount of confidence in Greg and a solid team to support him at these one-day races. CCC Team will also focus on the one-week WorldTour stage races where our riders will have the opportunity to go for stage wins and where we will also target General Classification results,” Ochowicz said.
“The Tour de France is our primary objective in terms of the Grand Tours and although we do not have a General Classification contender, we will aim for a strong start in Brussels, which includes the team time trial. We hope to reach the end of the 2019 race calendar with 20 victories."
CCC Team, which is owned by Continuum Sports, will make history in 2019 as the first Polish WorldTour team in the peloton.
“Cycling in Poland is becoming bigger and bigger so it is incredibly exciting to have the first Polish WorldTour team in the peloton and history of the sport with CCC Team,” Sporting Manager Piotr Wadecki said.
“CCC has long been a supporter of cycling at the Professional Continental level and at the WorldTour level we will have the opportunity to increase the global awareness of the CCC brand and inspire the young generation of Polish cyclists. We have a strong group of Polish riders, who form part of the 23-rider roster comprised of 12 nationalities. Without a General Classification leader, all of the riders will have the chance to race aggressively and proudly wear the CCC Team jersey.”
Trek-Segafredo teams to use SRAM components
Here's the team's update:
Sicily – December 14, 2018 – Today, Trek-Segafredo proudly announced a long-term agreement with bicycle component manufacturer SRAM. The new partnership was presented during Trek-Segafredo’s Sponsor Summit – a yearly meeting between the principal partners – at the team’s December camp held in Siracusa, Sicily.
SRAM is a manufacturer of innovative bicycle components that was founded in Chicago, Illinois, in September 1987, with the invention of its first product, Grip Shift. Throughout its 31-year history, SRAM has focused on its product development and innovation expertise in all bicycling disciplines. SRAM has also acquired some of cycling’s most exciting brands. With 3000-plus employees, offices and manufacturing in 15 countries, SRAM and its brands RockShox, TRUVATIV, Zipp and Quarq is the second largest manufacturer of bike components in the world.
“We are thrilled to have SRAM on board as the official drivetrain partner of both the Trek Segafredo men’s and women’s teams as of 2019,” said Trek-Segafredo technical director, Matt Shriver. “SRAM has a pedigree of racing that fits naturally with Trek-Segafredo’s ‘best in class’ product motto. Their SRAM RED eTAP wireless group and hydraulic disc brakes are a step forward for our teams.
“Their passion for racing shows through their commitment to deliver great service to our athletes. They are open to new ideas and feedback, which is exactly what we need from a drivetrain partner to continue achieving our performance goals in the professional peloton as well as developing products for our Trek customers. It’s exciting to be partnering with SRAM!”
A 2019 Trek-Segafredo bike
The partnership with Trek-Segafredo is a major move for the Chicago based brand.
“We’re stoked to support this world-class program. This team and these riders will represent us at the highest levels at nearly every major road race around the globe. We can’t wait for racing to start in 2019,” said SRAM’s Road Sports Manager Jason Phillips.
SRAM will be equipping both Trek-Segafredo programs with the SRAM RED eTap drivetrains and HRD hydraulic disc brakes.
The announcement of the SRAM-partnership also marked the launch of the Trek-Segafredo women’s team bike scheme. The new paint incorporates aspects of the women’s kit and aspects of the new Project One ICON design cues. Expect to see this bike at the front of the peloton starting at the Tour Down Under.
Back to news and opinion index page for links to archived stories | Commentary