VN news ticker: Israel Start-Up Nation unveils new Giro d’Italia jersey, Annemiek van Vleuten wins by two minutes
Here's what's making headlines on Thursday, May 6.
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Israel Start-Up Nation unveils new Giro d’Italia jersey
The eight riders a Israel Start-Up Nation will ride in a new jersey for the Giro d’Italia.
Usually, the ISN team races in the blue and white colors of Israel, but the team adopted the dark red colors of co-sponsor Vini Fantini wines for the Italian grand tour.
The team is headlined by Dan Martin, who will target the overall, while others will try their luck in breakaways, sprints and time trials.
Ethan Hayter wins in Algarve
Ethan Hayter won the 182.8km second stage from Sagres to Fóia at the Volta ao Algarve on Thursday in Portugal.
The Ineos Grenadiers riders fended off two others who peeled clear on the steep uphill finale. With the victory, Hayter also takes the overall lead. The race continues Friday with the 203km third stage from Faro to Tavira in a route favoring the sprinters.
https://twitter.com/INEOSGrenadiers/status/1390377771059253260
Annemiek van Vleuten wins opener at Setmana Valenciana
Annemiek van Vleuten roared to victory in the opener at Setmana Valenciana in Spain.
The Movistar rider pulled clear from the field to win by more than two minutes in the opening stage.
The four-stage race continues Friday with the 130km second stage from Castellón de la Plana to Vila-Real.
Class, honesty and team spirit on @AvVleuten's reaction following her great @SetmanaCiclista stage 1 win and GC lead: "I'm here to support the girls, even as a leadout for sprints – won't take any pressure on defending the jersey, I want to make this a great show for the team."
— Movistar Team (@Movistar_Team) May 6, 2021
Thüringen Ladies Tour crowd-fund to cover COVID-19 costs
German women’s stage race the Thüringen Ladies Tour is looking for financial help due to increased costs required to implement COVID-19 safety measures.
The six-day event hopes to raise €35,000 ($42,100) before the race starts in Schmölln later this month. Those who donate can get their name on the stage winner’s jersey, a helmet or a signed classification jersey, depending on how much they give. More than €25,000 has been raised already.
“Your help is even more important because the realisation of our budget in the current situation is difficult,” race director Vera Hohlfeld wrote on the event’s website. “Due to the specific corona measures, we have a cost blow out of about €35,000. This amount is needed for corona tests, separate accommodation, barriers, and the personnel to carry out the hygiene principles. Giving up is totally out of the question.”
The Thüringen Ladies Tour was first held in 1986 and is one of the longest standing races on the women’s calendar and has had U.S. winners such as Evelyn Stevens, Alison Dunlap and Laura Charameda.
It had to be cancelled last year, for only the third time in its history, due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Only 5 days left and only 30 % of the money is missing!
Thanks for your support world of cycling! It’s only a little step we still need @Cyclingnewsfeed @Eurosport_DE @radnet @radsportmagazin @RadsportNewscom @liveradsport https://t.co/g9xbLBW5gi
— LottoThüringenLadiesTour (@LottoLadiesTour) May 6, 2021
Maryland Cycling Classic announces more teams for September 5 race
Today Team Medellin, Amore e Vita, Hagens Berman Axeon, Elevate-Webiplex Pro Cycling and Team Illuminate were announced to the start list for the Maryland Cycling Classic, a new UCI race slated for September 5.
A total of 16 or 17 pro teams will compete in what is the only UCI-sanctioned road race in the United States this year.
Other teams slated to race include Trek-Segafredo, Team Bike Exchange, Rally Cycling, Aevelo and Wildlife Generation Pro Cycling. More teams will be announced later.
“We’re very excited to race at the Maryland Cycling Classic this fall,” said Axel Merckx, the general manager Hagens Berman Axeon and former 2004 Olympic bronze medalist. “It’s great to see professional cycling back in the U.S. and I know cycling fans here are eager to see some bike racing.”
Team Medellin will be coming from Colombia.
“For Team Medellin, we are honored to be selected to participate in this new and exciting race, the Maryland Cycling Classic,” said team director Jose Julian Vasquez. “This is the most important one-day race in the Americas now. Team Medellin always gives our all and we want to show we are among the best teams in the world. We know there are a lot of Colombians in America that love Medellin and Colombia. Our mission is to boost the face of Medellin and Colombia with every result we earn.”