Tour for All underway, no Women's Tour in 2020: Daily News Digest

Published May 4, 2020 09:43PM

(Want the Daily News Digest delivered directly to your inbox? Here’s the sign-up.)

A new week comes with big changes for countless pros in Europe, as lockdown restrictions have been eased in several countries. For some riders, like those based in places like Italy and Monaco, that means training outdoors for the first time in weeks.

Others are continuing to thrive on the trainer. The Tour for All, a five-day stage race on Zwift, kicked off on Monday with virtual action on the Innsbruck course.

Israel Start-Up Nation’s Freddy Ovett topped some big names to take the men’s stage 1 victory while it was none other than Marianne Vos (CCC-Liv) who nabbed the opening stage win on the women’s side.

What’s news

The Tour for All got underway on Monday with an opening stage on Zwift’s punchy Innsbruck circuit.

The women’s race saw a battle of attrition over the course of six laps, with only a very select group left to contest the finale. Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig tried a late solo move that nearly went the distance, but Marianne Vos surged past to take the victory in the final moments, leaving Uttrup Ludwig to settle for runner-up honors ahead of Leah Dixon.

On the men’s side, stage 1 came down to a reduced sprint from a nine-rider group that included big names like Rigoberto Urán, Dan Martin, and Mathieu van der Poel. It was 26-year-old Australian Freddy Ovett, however, who snatched the sprint victory ahead of Emmanuel Morin, with van der Poel taking third on the day.

Numerous pros that have been restricted to the trainer are now allowed to ride outside again as Monday saw countries like Italy and Monaco easing lockdown rules.

“First time I can go on my bike outside, after seven weeks. For the moment, I can only ride in Monaco but I’m sure it will be great, See you soon!” Peter Sagan posted to Instagram as he headed out for a ride.

The Women’s Tour has been cancelled for 2020. Originally scheduled for June, the race was first called off in March with an eye towards finding a new date, but organizers have now made the decision to cancel altogether for 2020.

“Following discussions with stakeholders and sponsors, as well as British Cycling and the UCI, we have decided to work towards June 2021 for the next edition of the Women’s Tour, and will not seek to re-arrange the race later in 2020,” said Hugh Roberts, chairman of race organizer SweetSpot Group.

There was, however, at least one piece of good news in Monday’s announcement. Organizers say that they are working to plan a live broadcast of the race for the first time in 2021.

Plenty of stars have been Everesting lately, but leave it to Lachlan Morton to mix things up just a little bit. The versatile Australian put in a monster ride in and around Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday to rack up a total elevation change just over the elevation of the world’s second tallest summit, K2.

As TuttoBiciWeb reports, Abu Dhabi investment group Chimera Investments has bought a majority stake in Colnago.

“Chimera Investments will allow Colnago to grow and increase its presence in all markets, maintaining and further increasing the quality of Colnago products,” said Ernesto Colnago, who founded the brand in 1954. “We have a unique opportunity, with Chimera’s support, to continue building the best bicycles in the world also in the future.”

Tour for All underway, no Women's Tour in 2020: Daily News Digest

What’s news

In case you missed it