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Hello again, CyclingTips readers,
Wednesday will bring news of another team getting a new name for 2021: EF will become EF Education-Nippo in 2021 when Nippo comes on board as co-title sponsor.
In other news, Bora-Hansgrohe has signed a promising youngster, while old-fashioned Christian Knees hangs up the wheels (though he doesn’t leave the cycling scene behind).
Read on for more …
Dane Cash,
News Editor
What is news
| EF will become the EF Education-Nippo in 2021
EF will officially make a new name next year with Japanese construction company Nippo Corporation joining the squad as a co-sponsor. The team will race as EF Education-Nippo from January 1st onwards.
Nippo ‘s arrival comes as the company reportedly ends its funding for the Nippo Delko One Provence squad, which has been in the news recently as riders have complained about applied to UCI in respect of unpaid salary. Three regular Nippo Delko One Provence riders have signed to join the EF squad for next season.
Nippo has been a fan of pro teams for years, having backed the Nippo-Vini Fantini squad before supporting Nippo Delko One Provence, but as Nippo Corporation sports director Hiroshi Daimon said in a press release , the partnership with EF is a step up to the top category of cycling.
“This is the first time Nippo Corporation has participated in WorldTour, and we are thrilled and excited. It’s a new event for us, ”said Daimon. “We are delighted to be doing all we can to advance the success of the EF Pro Cycling team around the world. ”
| Bora-Hansgrohe signs Uijtdebroeks hopefully
Popular talent Cian Uijtdebroeks will race for Bora-Hansgrohe’s Auto Eder development team in 2021 before reaching the WorldTour team in 2022.
The 17-year-old Belgian, who won this year’s Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne youth race, has created a lot of hype in the Belgian media bike, and joined the Deceuninck-Quick-Step for an earlier training camp this year.
“After winning Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, I had contact with almost every WorldTour team,” Uijtdebroeks said. “There were different ways to move to the pro levels and also towards my development. With Bora-Hansgrohe, I immediately felt good. They not only look at young riders physically, but they also use a separate approach for the riders. Eventually, I was also convinced that Team Auto Eder will work towards introducing me to the Bora-Hansgrohe structure. I feel like I am in good hands and I am very happy with my decision. Now I can focus fully on the first third of the racing program, with the Classics. ”
| Knees retire from road racing, move to new role with Ineos Grenadiers
Christian Knees hangs the wheels after 17 years as a pro. The 39-year-old German, who has been with Ineos Grenadiers since 2011, will take on a new role with Ineos next season, “putting his experience to use behind the scenes to assist the team’s Racing and Performance departments. ”
“17 years is a long time,” Knees said in a team press release. “Being a professional at 39 is not something many people say. At some point you have to retire and it ‘s always hard to finish a chapter – but I’m very proud of my achievements. The Grand Tour wins with the team – being in 2012 with Bradley, and being with Froomey at the start of the Tour in Germany in 2017. There are so many good memories, not to mention 10 years of spend in one of the best events in the world. sports teams. ”
Knees ’career palmares include an overall win at Bayern-Rundfahrt, a Rund um Cologne win, and a German national road title. With Ineos, he spent years as a major support rider in both the Classic and the Grand Tours. He was part of the then-Sky team Tour wins in 2012 and 2017, and also part of the team that won the Vuelta a España in 2017.
| Van der Hoorn will join Intermarché Wanty Gobert in 2021
The Circus-Wanty Gobert team that becomes Intermarché Wanty Gobert has announced that Taco van der Hoorne will join the squad next season.
The 27-year-old Dutchman, whose career palmares include wins at Primus Classic and Schaal Sels as well as stage wins at BinckBank Tour, will make the move after spending the past two years and Jumbo-Visma.
| Puerta is given a four-year ban
Fabian Puerta, who won the keirin world title in 2018, has been given a four – year ban that will run through 2022 after testing positive for Boldenone in 2018.
The 29-year-old Colombian has been temporarily suspended since the UCI informed him in August of 2018 that he had filed a poor analytical study in June.
| Froome will begin his 2021 campaign at the Vuelta a San Juan
Israel Start-Up Nation announced Wednesday that Chris Froome will make his first start of 2021, and thus his first start with his new team, at the Vuelta a San Juan.
“This race marks the beginning of a much-anticipated new chapter of my career,” said Froome. “I’m looking forward to racing with my new players and taking the ball out on our next adventure. ”
The Israel Start-Up Nation roster for the stage race in Argentina will also feature Rudy Barbier (who won the event’s opening stage in 2020), Guy Niv, Tom Van Asbroeck, Alex Cataford, and Patrick Bevin , with sports manager Rik Verbrugghe saying the team will be aiming for stage winners.
| Ritchey’s two new gases
Ritchey has released two new performance gases. Both are designed to accommodate 31.8 mm regular handlebars and 1 1/8in steerer tubes.
The new Toyon WCS effectively adds a square image to the company’s popular C220 mast. It is available with a 6-degree +/- elevation and is said to weigh 139 g in 110 mm length.
Then there is the new Chicane B2. The Chicane is an aero-inspired road gas with a hinged front panel. The new B2 version replaces the original clamp inside a wedge steerer with a more traditional two-volt steerer clamp. This road-focused gas is only available in a negative 10-degree angle, with slightly lower gram weights than the Toyon.
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