Daily News Digest | CyclingTips

In this morning’s edition of the CyclingTips Daily News Digest: Thibaut Pinot wins stage 5 of the Tour de Suisse, takes overall lead; Lizzie Armitstead wins stage 1 of Aviva Women’s Tour, crashes out after finish; Roger Kluge wins Ster ZLM Toer prologue; UCI/CADF anti-doping whistleblower hotline in place; Peter Sagan won’t leave Tinkoff-Saxo before contract expires - agent; Johan Bruyneel - I won’t be going to any more cycling events; Solovey fired over failed Kazakhstani citizenship swap, Ukrainians contend; More on the Cannondale Slate; Behind the scenes at the Diamond Tour with Wiggle Honda.

Thibaut Pinot wins stage 5 of the Tour de Suisse, takes overall lead

Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) has climbed his way to victory on stage 5 of the Tour de Suisse, moving into the overall lead in the process. The Frenchman attacked from a select group on the final climb of the day — a 12km ascent to the foot of the Rettenbach Glacier — taking victory by 34 seconds over Domenico Pozzovivo (Ag2r-La Mondiale) and another three seconds ahead of Simon Spilak (Katusha).

“Switzerland has been good to me; this stage was my aim,” Pinot told Swiss channel RTS. “But there are still four stages, including a time trial on Sunday where I’ll have to watch out for the rouleurs.”

Earlier in the day a eight-rider group got clear of the main field: Stefan Denifl (IAM), Stefan Schumacher (CCC Sprandi-Polkowice), Benjamin King (Cannondale-Garmin), Thomas de Gendt (Lotto-Soudal), Matthias Brändle (IAM Cycling), Mirko Selvaggi (Wanty-Groupe Gobert), Przemyslaw Niemiec (CCC Sprandi-Polkowice), and Gregory Rast (Trek Factory Racing).

With 10km to go Denifl was the lone leader on the road, more than 4 minutes ahead of the peloton. An attack from the main bunch by Simon Spilak gradually eroded Denifl’s lead with an elite group forming behind Spilak.

Spilak attacked again with roughly 2km to go but was marked by Pinot, who eventually punched past Spilak, rounded up Denifl and went on to take a comfortable victory.

Today’s sixth stage of the nine-stage race sees the riders cover a lumpy 193.1km from Wil to Biel.

Stage 5: Unterterzen/Flumserberg > Sölden/Rettenbachgletscher - Stage Result

Wednesday 17th June 2015

1.	PINOT Thibaut FDJ	06:22:47
2.	POZZOVIVO Domenico AG2R La Mondiale	0:34
3.	PILAK Simon Team Katusha	0:37

1.	PINOT Thibaut FDJ	17:42:01
2.	THOMAS Geraint Team Sky	0:47
3.	PILAK Simon Team Katusha	0:50

1.	DENIFL Stefan IAM Cycling	63
2.	DE GENDT Thomas Lotto Soudal	33
3.	PINOT Thibaut FDJ	22

1.	SAGAN Peter Tinkoff - Saxo	25
2.	PINOT Thibaut FDJ	20
3.	DUMOULIN Tom Team Giant - Alpecin	18

1.	Team Sky	53:15:07
2.	Astana Pro Team	10:15
3.	Trek Factory Racing	13:00

Click here to read more at VeloNews.

Lizzie Armitstead wins stage 1 of Aviva Women’s Tour, crashes out after finish

by Jessi Braverman

Crowds lined the streets as national darling Lizzie Armitstead (Boels-Dolmans) won the opening stage of the Aviva Women’s Tour in Aldeburgh on Wednesday. No British rider had won a stage of the inaugural event, and Armitstead’s victory confirmed her status as pre-race favourite.

@L_ArmiTstead winning, moments before crash. @LisaBrennauer 2nd & @emmaprocyclist 3rd #AvivaWT2015 #cycling pic.twitter.com/fy18TZ3te6

— Charlie Hale (@C_HaleDesign) June 17, 2015

But when the Commonwealth Games champion raised her arms to celebrate her achievement, she was unable to avoid the scrum of photographers assembled just past the line and tumbled to the ground.

She lay on the ground for nearly three-quarters of an hour before she was taken to a nearby hospital. While there were initial fears that Armitstead had suffered a broken leg, her Boels Dolmans team now reports that Armistead has been discharged with no fractures. However Armitstead has tweeted that she will not start tomorrow’s stage:

I remember winning with the help of my team mates and then not much else, but I am ok, nothing broken just very sore, thank you for all your

— Lizzie Armitstead (@L_ArmiTstead) June 17, 2015

kind messages and to the NHS staff who took care of me so well. I won't start tomorrow in the hope of recovering properly for the Nationals.

— Lizzie Armitstead (@L_ArmiTstead) June 17, 2015

Earlier in the stage a six-rider breakaway formed — Marta Tagliaferro (Alé-Cipollini), Heather Fischer (Team USA), Coryn Rivera (UnitedHealthcare), Elinor Barker (Matrix), Katie Archibald (Pearl Izumi) and Katie Hall (UnitedHealthcare). With a little help from a train crossing back in the main field, the leaders got three minutes clear as Fischer crashed out of the break. The break was eventually wrapped up inside the final 3km, setting it up for a bunch sprint.

Second-placed finisher Lisa Brennauer will wear the leader’s yellow jersey on stage 2 in the absence of Armitstead. The riders face a 138km stage from Braintree to Clacton.

Stage 1: Bury St Edmunds > Aldeburgh - Stage Result

Wednesday 17th June 2015

1.	ARMITSTEAD Elizabeth Boels - Dolmans Cycling Team	02:39:53
2.	BRENNAUER Lisa Velocio- SRAM	-
3.	JOHANSSON Emma Orica - AIS	-

1.	ARMITSTEAD Elizabeth Boels - Dolmans Cycling Team	02:39:43
2.	BRENNAUER Lisa Velocio- SRAM	0:04
3.	TAGLIAFERRO Marta Alé Cipollini	0:05

1.	HALL Katie UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Womens Team	6
2.	HOSKINS Melissa Orica - AIS	6
3.	RIVERA Coryn UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Womens Team	5

1.	ARMITSTEAD Elizabeth Boels - Dolmans Cycling Team	15
2.	BRENNAUER Lisa Velocio- SRAM	12
3.	JOHANSSON Emma Orica - AIS	9

1.	RIVERA Coryn UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Womens Team	02:39:49
2.	BARKER Elinor Matrix Fitness	0:01
3.	RYAN Alexis UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Womens Team	0:04

1.	UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Womens Team	07:59:39
2.	Orica - AIS	-
3.	Alé Cipollini	-

Click here to read more at Ella CyclingTips.

Roger Kluge wins Ster ZLM Toer prologue

IAM Cycling’s Roger Kluge has won the prologue time trial at the Ster ZLM Toer in Goes, The Netherlands, completing the 6.4km stage in 7:30 (51.2km/h).

Kluge’s time was enough to remove Dutchman Martijn Keizer (LottoNL-Jumbo) from a long stint in the hotseat, but Keizer would go on to finish second. Victor Campenaerts (Topsport Vlaanderen) was third.

The five-day race continues today with a 180km stage from Den Bosch to Rosmalen.

Prologue: Goes > Goes - Stage Result

Wednesday 17th June 2015

1.	KLUGE Roger IAM Cycling	00:07:30
2.	KEIZER Martijn Team LottoNL-Jumbo	0:01
3.	CAMPENAERTS Victor Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise	0:02

1.	KLUGE Roger IAM Cycling	00:07:30
2.	KEIZER Martijn Team LottoNL-Jumbo	0:01
3.	CAMPENAERTS Victor Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise	0:02

1.	KLUGE Roger IAM Cycling	15
2.	KEIZER Martijn Team LottoNL-Jumbo	12
3.	CAMPENAERTS Victor Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise	10

1.	Lotto Soudal	00:22:52
2.	Team LottoNL-Jumbo	0:03
3.	Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise	0:07

Click here to read more at Gelderlander.nl.

UCI/CADF anti-doping whistleblower hotline in place

by Shane Stokes

The UCI has confirmed details of the anti-doping whistleblower service it has set up, saying that riders and others can pass on any relevant information to Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF).

The importance of having such a service was highlighted by the report complied by the Cycling Independent Reform Commission (CIRC) earlier this year. It stressed the importance of drawing on the information provided by whistleblowers and said it was crucial that the UCI should facilitate the receipt of such input.

“CIRC recommends that in order to encourage people to come forward with information, UCI should set up an independent whistleblower desk, where the processes and systems are fully outlined to a potential caller,” that report stated in section 3.2.2. “Absolute confidentiality must be guaranteed. The whistleblower mechanism would deal with information related to all forms of corruption and cheating, including doping, outcome fixing, and technical cheating.

“UCI should ensure the risk of being ostracised or legal repercussions are minimised by providing structural support and help to people who come forward with material information. The attitude towards whistleblowers should be shifted to highlight the positive role they play in cleaning up cycling.”

“All e-mails sent to [email protected] will be treated confidentially by staff of the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation, the independent body mandated by the UCI to plan and carry out anti-doping activities in cycling.”

Click here to read more at CyclingTips.

Peter Sagan won’t leave Tinkoff-Saxo before contract expires: agent

Despite rumours that Tinkoff-Saxo and Peter Sagan might be set to part ways before the rider’s contract is up in 2017, Sagan’s agent has said the Slovakian will see out his time with Oleg Tinkov’s squad.

Giovanni Lombardi told Italian website Tuttobici that Sagan was not looking to break his contract, despite rumoured interest from Etixx-Quick-Step.

“Peter is a rider who the market is interested in and I can only rejoice, but one thing is certain: Peter has a contract that expires at the end of 2017 and we absolutely want to respect this agreement until the end,” Lombardi said.

“Does it look like he is suffering at the Tour de Suisse, not supported by a team that does not believe in him? Believe me, there are many who wanted Sagan, but Oleg Tinkov was the fastest to sign him. Unless they have a good reason, Peter will not move from there.”

Click here to read more at TuttobiciWeb.

Johan Bruyneel: I won’t be going to any more cycling events

Lance Armstrong’s former team manager Johan Bruyneel has said that he doesn’t plan to attend any cycling events in future, following his controversial appearance at Bradley Wiggins’ hour record attempt last week.

Bruyneel was spotted at the event, laughing and drinking with former UCI president Pat McQuaid, prompting many to question why the Belgian — who has a 10-year ban from the sport — was allowed to be present. In correspondence with Cycling Weekly, Bruyneel reiterated his right to be present at Wiggins’ hour record but said he wouldn’t attend other cycling events in future.

“I’m not planning on attending the Tour de France. I’m not planning on attending other cycling events either,” he said.

“The Wiggins event was the first and only event I’ve been at in almost three years. Everyone I saw at the event, who I knew, [were] very friendly and welcoming, including Miguel Indurain and some other ex-colleagues. In general, away from cycling events, people have been very kind and friendly on a personal level. I haven’t met one single person with a negative attitude towards me.”

Bruyneel is reportedly working on a book to tell his side of the story.

Click here to read more at Cycling Weekly.

Solovey fired over failed Kazakhstani citizenship swap, Ukrainians contend

A day after Hanna Solovey was fired by the Astana-Acca Due O team for “unprofessionalism”, the Ukranian Cycling Federation has said that the real reason behind the firing was a failed attempt to make Solovey a Kazakh citizen ahead of next year’s Rio Olympics.

“The Cycling Federation of Kazakhstan and Alexander Vinokourov personally have more than once asked me to let Hanna [Solovey] perform for their country,” said Oleksandr Bashenko, president of the Ukranian Cycling Federation. “This was not a kind of proposal that we would accept. Hanna Solovey is a real face of Ukrainian cycling; she is a great talent and a real medal candidate for the next Olympic Games. Ukraine has no interest on losing such a great athlete.”

“The Cycling Federation of Ukraine would like to pay attention at the clear connection between the termination of Hanna Solovey’s contract and her refusal to perform for Kazakhstan,” its statement reads. “We are very outraged because of Astana-Acca Due O’s behavior. They have not just terminated Hanna Solovey’s contract, but have also accused our best cyclist on unprofessionalism.”

“I am very disappointed because of the decision of the Kazakh side. They have just seen that the cooperation with Hanna Solovey, who is known as the best rider of Astana-Acca Due O team, would bring nothing to Kazakhstan as a state. That is why they have decided to shut a door with a bang.”

Click here to read more at VeloNews.

More on the Cannondale Slate

Last week we shared a video showing a sneak peek at Cannondale’s new gravel-grinder bike, which we now know to be called the Slate. Here’s another video showing the bike in action, with more information about how it’s built up.

Click here for a review of the bike at The Radavist.

Behind the scenes at the Diamond Tour with Wiggle Honda

Here’s a nice little behind the scenes video from Jolien d’Hoore’s victory at the Diamond Tour in Belgium last week.

What You Missed

And finally this morning, here are a few things you might have missed at CyclingTips in the past few days:

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Today’s feature image comes from Cor Vos and shows the ever-popular Didi, who appears to have made a return to the sport.

chop

Cannondale Slate looks gooooood!!!
- Roger That
  
  It does, it looks like lots of fun. But that front fork only a mother could love. #Frankendale?
  - Steel
    
    I remain highly unconvinced by the merits of the Canondale lefty thing. From an engineering principles perspective is seems like a poor solution compared to the strength and rigidity provided by the triangle formed by the fork and axle.
    
    To me, it looks like the marketing department’s attempt to differentiate their product than any real performance advantage that setup could provide.
    - jules
      
      it makes me wonder if all the extra material/bracing needed to compensate for the missing fork prong allows for any advantage over a conventional set of forks?
    - Nate
      
      There’s at least one good video somewhere in the interwebs touting the benefits of the Lefty arrangement. It’s more about trying to create the best suspension performance while maintaining front end stiffness. Lefty’s slide on needle roller bearings rather than sliding bushes, thus basically removing the coefficient of static friction. The rollers also mean that the total static friction that needs to be overcome to activate the suspension, remains basically unaffected by lateral/vertical loads.
      
      I think the biggest question I’d have would be more about whether the cost and weight increase for having the Lefty is worth the 30mm travel…considering a lot of carbon endurance road frames claim comparable levels of vertical compliance at contact points through frame/fork design alone (Isospeed, Zertz Inserts, Power Pyramid, etc).
      - jules
        
        i’m struggling to visualise how a sliding action can be supported by needle rollers? don’t the needles roll around the axis of the sliding fork, rather than along it?
        
        Nate
        
        Does this pic help?
        
        https://www.cyclinic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/bearing-r-670×250.jpg
        
        Or maybe this one:
        
        http://www.cannondaleexperts.com/assets/images/hd161render.jpg
        
        jules
        
        thanks, makes sense now!
- Jessy Vee
  
  I ride an old alloy Merida over a lot of terrain that a lot of people would feel a bit sketchy riding a mountain bike over. 23x700cc slick tyres. Standard drop bars, Ultegra compact crank and brakes. No special saddle or seat post.
  
  What exactly turns a road bike into a “gravel bike”? Is it just thicker tyres, perhaps wider rims, different gearing, disk brakes, or is it something special? Honest question. I’m interested. If it’s something specific, it might be worth getting one… Otherwise, I’ll just invest in some 28cc tyres when I next go shopping.
  - Winky
    
    You’re doing it just fine. The concept of a “gravel bike” is pretty-much pure marketing. I ride a 23mm tyred road bike on unpaved roads i.e. “gravel” fairly regularly and it does just fine. There’s a great video kicking around of guy riding fast on a downhill MTB course on a road bike. Admittedly he’s a very good rider, but the bike handles it just fine. Regular bikes can do a lot more than marketers want you to believe.
Peter

Don’t take your hands off the handle bars perhaps? Looks like Armitstead slightly lost balance and swerved left. Pretty safe to say the media scrum didn’t move from their position. Unfortunate situation really.
- jules
  
  I don’t think she’s tried to blame anyone else. unfortunate, yeah. easy to lose control with no hands at the end of the sprint. tiredness/being in the red depletes your sense of balance. this is why amateurs get fined for doing that
  - Dave
    
    I agree, that’s sketchy as hell and it’s for good reason that two hands off is regarded as a dangerous sprint. The penalty for the first offence in an international stage race (relegation + 200CHF fine + 30″ GC penalty + points penalty) is probably a bit harsh given that she crashed out, but I hope there was at least a warning or reprimand.
    
    Whether the handling mistake was caused by fatigue, carelessness, poor skills or a combination of all three is something that only she could possibly know, but either way it was completely preventable.
    
    The minor part of the problem there is the positioning of the media, more accurately that there is no standardised distance (just a *minimum* of 15 metres) and it is at the discretion of the race organisers. Race organisers have conflicting interests though (rider safety and quality of photography) so this is an area where cycling needs to grow up and set some properly useful rules (or at least some better guidelines). Over to you Mr Cookson, let’s see you start earning the big bucks.
- Jessy Vee
  
  I saw it from another angle and the togs looked like they were a bit closer to the finish line than usual. Perhaps she just didn’t see them in the moment, and went to correct, overcorrected and whoops!?
  - JBS
    
    That was my take on it too. Oxygen debt from the sprint, plus media pack closer than normal equals chaos.
CC

Bruyneel’s ability to maintain a threshold of zero class is admirable. Kept it going since 1995 Stage 7 victory over Big Mig. He must be buggered.
- 900Aero
  
  Perhaps equalled only by his inability to demonstrate remorse or comprehend responsibility? As for buggered - mate, he hasn’t even broken a sweat.
Derek Maher

If the Ukrainian cycling authorities are correct about Hanna Solovey and the reason for her being fired from the Astana Womens Team.
It does bring into question this common practice in the sporting world of poaching athletes from their national countries and rebranding them to gain sporting glory for ones own country.
- Winky
  
  For me it is another downside of the whole concept of national teams. Personally, I hate the nationalism that goes along with things like the Olympics, World Cups (of varying codes of footbal) etc. Poaching athletes from other countries is the predictable outcome of the whole national team thing. Sad when it affects an individual as is the case here, but I feel no sympathy for the leeches in the national federations on either side.
- Dave
  
  Indeed.
  
  Just think of the young Aussie cyclists who missed out or the domestic races which could have been better promoted with the cash that CA was splashing out on buying the loyalty of Heinrich Haussler.