Report written by Pannonian Challenge 2021 The long-awaited 22nd edition of the Pannonian Challenge took place in Osijek, Croatia from the 11th of August to the 15th of August. This festival of extreme sports and urban culture has become one of the most important sporting events not only in Croatia, but in the whole region, thanks to its audience and fans. Adrenaline, breaking one’s own boundaries, good fun, synergy of sports and culture are only a few of its characteristics. Skate Park is reserved for the sports program of the competition, where the Inline, Scooter, Skate and BMX riders showed…
Author: Henri Giroud
Henri Giroud
Fifty years of pro cycling journalism and television commentary. It gets easier after the first forty years.
Despite the big stress for all riders at the closing circuit of stage four of the Ladies Tour of Norway (UCI Women’s WorldTour) in Halden, Annemiek van Vleuten and the Movistar Team were able to confirm their third women’s stagerace success of 2021 – and they did so in style. Barbara Guarischi, Aude Biannic, Gloria Rodríguez, Leah Thomas and Sheyla Gutiérrez took care with precision and and strength of the Olympic champion during the 141km final route from Drøbak to Halden, more importantly into a final loop where crashes and splits led the Telefónica-backed squad to take themselves to the front and follow every…
Remco Evenepoel delivered another massive show of strength on the demanding roads to Vejle, which once again took in a series of short but hard climbs, pitching up to 15%, that reduced the peloton until the moment only 30-odd riders were still part of it with 50 kilometers to go. Deceuninck – Quick-Step had Evenepoel, Olympic Champion Michael Mørkøv and Jannik Steimle in that group, and it was the 21-year-old winner of the Belgium Tour that attacked, drawing with him four other riders. It was a short-lived action, due to the lack of collaboration, but Remco kept on trying and his powerful…
UAE Team Emirates continue to strengthen their squad. Three new signings follow the high profile João Almeida addition. Marc Soler will join the team next season. Soler’s palmares highlights his impressive record in stage racing: winning the overall at Paris Nice in 2018 along with stage wins in major World Tour races such as the Vuelta España in 2020 and a recent impressive solo victory at this years edition of the Tour de Romandie. stage wins in major World Tour races such as the Vuelta España in 2020 and a recent impressive solo victory at this years edition of the…
João Almeida has agreed terms to join UAE Team Emirates starting from 2022 season as part of a five year deal which will see him in the UAE colours through to 2026. The 23 year old from Caldas de Rainha has had a strong and consistent 2021 with a top-10 finish in every stage race he has competed in this season (all World Tour level) , with a notable third-place podium finish at the UAE Tour and 6th place at the Giro d’Italia. Almeida is also the current time trial champion of Portugal and represented his nation at the Olympics…
Conserving energy for the tough Picón Blanco climb, Team DSM protected Romain Bardet throughout the day before a perfectly timed attack saw Bardet go solo and take a spectacular stage win.The Vuelta a Burgos peloton headed to the uphill terrain today for stage three. Armed with a plan, the team worked to keep Bardet safe before he then showed his excellent climbing legs on Picón Blanco, going solo over the top of the ascent. Putting his descending skills to use, Bardet dug as deep as he could all the way to the line, before sitting up to celebrate, claiming a…
Having spent five successful seasons with Team DSM from 2012 to 2016, John Degenkolb is set to return, signing a contract that will see him ride in the team’s distinctive jersey once again until at least the end of 2024. The team had some of their great highlights in their Degenkolb era, taking two incredible Monument victories in 2015 at Milano – Sanremo and Paris – Roubaix, alongside ten Vuelta a España stage wins, the points jersey at the same race and stage success at the Giro d’Italia; just to name a few of his 36 victories with the team.…
The Sea Otter Classic, North America’s largest consumer cycling event set in beautiful Monterey, Calif. joins Life Time’s robust line-up of renowned athletic events. The acquisition leaves in place the Sea Otter Classic leadership team and Event Co-Founder and Director Frank Yohannan, and blends the mission of both organizations—to empower people to live healthy, happy lives and build community and connection through exceptional athlete experiences. The acquisition builds upon Life Time’s portfolio of cycling events, including UNBOUND Gravel, Crusher in the Tushar, and the Leadville Trail 100 MTB. “The cycling industry is in the midst of a transformation and Life Time is here to…