News

Boels-Dolmans dominance continues as Blaak Wins Le Samyn

Continuing the early season success of her Boels-Dolmans team, Chantal Blaak won the fourth edition of Le Samyn des Dames in Dour. Blaak edged out Omloop Het Nieuwsblad winner Anna van der Breggen (Rabo Liv) and Le Samyn defending champion Emma Johansson (Orica-AIS) in the reduced bunch sprint. “Ellen [van Dijk] did the lead-out for […]

De Weert, LottoNL-Jumbo dismiss reports rider is part of Belgian investigation

Three days after Greg Van Avermaet and his BMC Racing Team confirmed that the Belgian rider had been called before the disciplinary commission of the Belgian cycling federation in relation to alleged banned practices, compatriot Kevin de Weert has categorically refuted suggestions that he too is under investigation. The 32 year old, who finished 17th […]

Storey plays down suggestions of a repeat bid for the world hour record

She made an extremely strong impression in going within 563 metres of equalling the long-standing hour record of Leontien Van Moorsel, but British Paralympian Sarah Storey has ruled out another tilt at the mark. Storey, who covered 45.502 kilometres in Lee Valley VeloPark in London on Saturday, said that once was enough for her, although […]

Schleck forced to abandon Paris-Nice plans

Previously intending to take part in Paris-Nice, the lingering effects of the crash Frank Schleck suffered last month in the Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta del Sol means that the Luxembourg rider has now been forced to abandon that goal. Schleck was one of the worst affected in a fall towards the end of the opening […]

History to be made at Tirreno-Adriatico as four key Grand Tour riders line out together for the first time

Billing it as a historic moment where the four Grand Tour winners will compete in the same race for the first time ever, the organisers of Tirreno-Adriatico have confirmed that Tour de France winners Alberto Contador, Chris Froome and Vincenzo Nibali plus the 2014 Giro d’Italia champion Nairo Quintana will all line out in the […]

Disruption to Van Avermaet’s schedule likely due to anti-doping hearing, could Sanremo be affected?

Although Greg Van Avermaet is one of the BMC Racing Team’s biggest guns for the spring Classics, it remains to be seen how his preparation and thus form will be affected by his implication in the doping matter involving Dr. Chris Mertens. On Saturday it was confirmed that the Belgian rider had been summoned to […]

Ian Stannard takes his second consecutive Omloop Het Nieuwsblad

Ian Stannard (Team Sky) defended his Omloop Het Nieuwsblad title and pulled off an incredible victory today despite being outnumbered in the final break. Stannard found himself in a four-man breakaway with a narrow gap as they headed into the final 40 kilometres by three Etixx – Quick-Step riders: Tom Boonen, Stijn Vandenbergh and Niki […]

Anna van der Breggen bests Ellen van Dijk in European opener

In the tenth edition of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Anna van der Breggen (Rabo-Liv) beat out Ellen van Dijk (Boels-Dolmans) in a two-up sprint to win the first European race of the season. Lizzie Armitstead (Boels-Dolmans) led home the chasers in Ghent to round out the podium. The race winning move escaped from an elite front […]

Van Avermaet claims innocence after doping investigation emerges

Named in media reports Saturday morning as being suspected of doping, one of the top Omloop Het Nieuwsblad favourites Greg Van Avermaet has claimed innocence and said that he is confident that he will be cleared. The 29 year old Belgian was told on Thursday that he had to appear before the Belgian Cycling Federation […]

Armstrong and CIRC: Questions were limited, reduction in lifetime ban thought unlikely

Although Lance Armstrong recently gave the impression that he was fully cooperative with the Cycling Independent Reform Commission, telling the BBC that he gave full details in two meetings with the independent body, it appears that version of events may be misleading. “I have met them twice, they have asked me not to go into […]