Cycling in the News: September 2017

Hello, fellow cyclists! I hope that all of you have been keeping active as summer turns into fall. As I said in my last post titled “Most Expensive Bikes in 2017,” I hope you’re continuing to put as many miles on your bike as you were at the beginning of the summer.

Today, I’m beginning a new series titled “Cycling in the News.” This series will be a new addendum to the “Bicycle History” category and will keep everyone up to date on cycling current events around the world. In my opinion, as an avid cyclist, it’s important to stay up to date regarding what’s going on in our sport. I’ve found that many cyclists don’t know what’s going on in the ultra-competitive sport of cycling other than recalling the top results of the Tour de France.

Therefore, here are the top cycling stories that top the charts in the news this month. Many thanks for following along and please enjoy!

Cycling Australia force into backflip over female selection quota 

Bart Haynes

Cycling Australia has been forced into an embarrassing backflip over selections for next week’s road world championships in Norway after drawing criticism for failing to fill its quota of female riders.

Selectors picked a five-woman team for the championships in Bergen, two less than its quota, prompting complaints from the country’s top cyclists.

(Read more at The Guardian)

Giro d’Italia set to start 2018 cycling race with three stages in Israel

Bart Haynes CA

The Giro d’Italia cycling race will begin in Israel next year, marking the first time any leg of the sport’s three Grand Tours will take place outside of Europe.

Organisers said on Thursday that details of the exact route of the three stages to be held in Israel will be announced next week, with Italian and Israeli ministers making the announcement in Jerusalem along with the recently retired Spanish cyclist and two-times Giro winner Alberto Contador.

More than 175 of the world’s best cyclists will travel to Israel for the start of the race, one of cycling’s top three stage races along with the Tour de France and the Spanish Vuelta a España. The Giro has started outside Italy on 11 occasions, in locations including Monte Carlo, Athens and Belfast, and will now leave Europe for the first time in its 101-year history.

Cyclist set to finish record-breaking ‘around the world in 80 days’ cycle a day early
Bart Haynes CA San Diego
Endurance cyclist Mark Beaumont is expected to arrive in Paris on Monday 18 September, 79 days after setting off on his attempt to cycle around the world in 80 days.

The Guardian joined Beaumont in Lisbon on Wednesday, where he arrived on an overnight flight from Halifax in Canada to start the final leg of his record-breaking challenge. Despite cycling an average of 240 miles over 16 hours every day since 2 July, he looked fresh and sounded upbeat as we ticked off more miles on our way to the Spanish border. Yet he admitted the ride has taken its toll on him, both mentally and physically.

(Read more at The Guardian)

Greg Henderson joins USA Cycling as Endurance Performance Director

San Diego Bart Haynes

Henderson, 41, raced with US Pro Continental team this year after five years with Lotto Soudal, leading out sprinter Andre Greipel to multiple victories. Before Lotto, Henderson raced with Team Sky, Team Columbia, T-Mobile and US team HealthNet-Maxxis. He joins Kristin Armstrong as the latest addition to the USA Cycling Performance staff.

“We have been aggressively pursuing the world’s best leaders and specialists, and we are excited to announce another strong addition to our team,” USAC CEO Derek Bouchard-Hall said in a statement released by the federation. “Greg is widely regarded for his integrity and leadership, which, combined with his deep understanding of what it takes to succeed at the highest level, will make him a powerful asset to our organisation.”

Henderson’s competitive experience includes two decades as a a pro, during which time he finished 11 Grand Tours and competed in five Olympic Games. Henderson raced on both the road and track, winning 17 National Championships, a Commonwealth Games gold medal and a rainbow jersey. Henderson holds a Bachelor of Physical Education from the University of Otago, New Zealand, and has been coaching athletes since 2014.

(Read more at Cycling News)