Hello and welcome to Thursday’s Cycling Weekly live blog. Christmas is edging closer, but we’re most excited about a potential transfer announcement for Mark Cavendish, which could come any day now. If that happens to be today, then you’ll hear it first here.
Join me, Tom Davidson, as I round up the latest news in the world of cycling.
13:20 – UCI Track Champions League reveals staggering rider data
“It’s amazing to have these events on around the UK – the BMX racing community is so special and it’s great to see homegrown talent growing year on year. I’m already looking forward to the 2023 season.”
Next season, the Australian team formerly known as BikeExchange Jayco will go by the name Team Jayco AlUla, strengthening its ties with Saudi Arabia.
Jayco, for the record, is a “recreational vehicle manufacturer” (RVs, campervans, etc.), while AlUla is described in the press release as a “boutique heritage and culture destination in Northwest Saudi Arabia”.
In a statement shared by the team, general manager Brent Copeland said: “AlUla became an official partner of the team in 2021 and we have been very grateful for their support.
“To see them now step up and confirm their vision for the future with their added commitment to our team, as the new naming rights partner, it is a big moment for us as an organisation.”
The Middle Eastern country’s investment in cycling comes as part of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman’s “Vision 2030” initiative, which seeks to diversify the oil-rich state’s ventures and boost its reputation around the world.
Italy to welcome first Tour de France Grand Départ
In case you missed it, the Tour de France decided 5:30pm last night was the best time to announce that the race will begin in Florence, Italy in 2024.
This will mark the third year in a row that the Tour starts outside of France, following Grand Départs in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2022 and Bilbao, Spain in 2023.
Starting in the Tuscan city on 29 June, the first three stages will traverse the Italian countryside, paying homage to some of the sport’s most fabled riders.
In the press release, race director Christian Prudhomme said: “Exactly a century after Ottavio Bottecchia became the first cyclist from the other side of the Alps to win the Tour, the peloton will go from the birthplace of Gino Bartali, a champion Righteous Among the Nations, to that of Marco Pantani, the unforgettable Il Pirata, worshipped without measure, before paying tribute to the campionissimo, Fausto Coppi.”
Reacting to the news, one Twitter user wrote: “It’s no longer the Tour de France, it’s the Tour of Europe!” Others simply said: “Andiamooo”, or “let’s gooo” in Italian.
For what it’s worth, I went to Florence once. The buildings were beautiful and the pizza was probably the best I’ve ever had. I’ll definitely be throwing my hat in the ring to cover this Grand Départ.
😍 Here are the first 3 stages of the #TDF2024 and its Grand Départ from Florence!😍 Voici les 3 premières étapes du #TDF2024 avec un Grand Départ depuis Florence ! pic.twitter.com/NAp6KFspmGDecember 21, 2022
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This content was originally published here.
