Chain Links: Tour of Valencia off, Sagan crashes, Roglič speaks & more, January 29, 2021
COVID has claimed (at least for now) the Tour of Valencia, as the start of stage racing in 2021 is further delayed by the pandemic
TÊTE DE LA COURSE
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The big news is that the next major early stage race (following the earlier cancellations) of 2021, the Tour of Valencia, is toast. Primož Roglič spills the beans about his thoughts on the bitterly disappointing end to his Tour in 2020, and much more.
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GRUPPO COMPATTO
The Tour of Valencia also does not make it: it remains to wait for race - Sporza - A new day, a new damper for the peloton. The Tour of Valencia (3-7 February) cannot be organized either. The organization has informed the teams about this. Among other things, Egan Bernal was announced.
Lotto-Soudal: “Best news: Malecki can leave hospital after 60 days” - Sporza - The unfortunate Pole Kamil Malecki can finally start to look forward to his adventure at Lotto-Soudal. The 25-year-old rider was finally allowed to leave the hospital yesterday after 60 days. He broke his pelvis and collarbone during a heavy fall during training.
Cycling union in the breach for endangered Groenewegen - Telegraaf.nl - Chairman Gianni Bugno of the CPA, the international trade union for cyclists, has stood up for Dylan Groenewegen.
Bugno: ‘The threats to Groenewegen are unworthy’ - La Gazzetta dello Sport - The president of the world runners union returns to what was declared by the Dutchman, who had caused the accident at the 2020 Tour of Poland in which Fabio Jakobsen was involved: “The problem was in the barriers”
The Tour of Valencia is postponed due to the coronavirus - AS.com - What was to be the first event in stages on the European calendar has been postponed due to the serious health situation in the Community.
“We have a very strong team but we will not race like Ineos or Jumbo-Visma” - AS.com - Allan Peiper, one of the directors of UAE Emirates analyzed the potential of the team for the 2021 season with Pogacar and the arrival of Rafal Majka and Marc Hirschi.
Peter Sagan falls training in the Canary Islands - AS.com - The Slovakian cyclist crashed while training and sustained several injuries and abrasions to his arms and legs, although they are not serious.
The pandemic also leaves women’s cycling without races - AS.com - The Setmana Ciclista Valenciana and the Vuelta al País Vasco Femenina have canceled their 2021 editions due to the current situation of the pandemic in Spain.
Tour of Valencia postponed until further notice - WielerFlits - The Tour of Valencia will not take place in February. The organization is forced to postpone the match (originally February 3-7), given the current corona situation in Spain and the Valencia region. The women’s competition is also canceled.
Covid, skip the Valenciana: where will Nibali, Ganna and Bernal race? - The Gazzetta dello Sport - After Mallorca, Ruta del Sol and Murcia, the other Spanish race at the beginning of the season is also missing: it was scheduled from 3 to 7 February with a high level participation
The 2021 Vuelta is presented on February 11 in Burgos - AS.com - The Burgos Evolution Forum will host the event. The start of the race will take place from inside the Cathedral, and the other stages will be revealed.
HORS CATÉGORIE
Primoz Roglic opens up about defeat at the Tour de France - Cyclingnews - ‘I prefer to remember that I fought for every metre of the race’
Trek-Segafredo increase women’s base salary to equal male teammates for 2021 - Cyclingnews - ‘We didn’t want to wait for a mandate’ says American team
Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana postponed due to increased COVID-19 risk - Cyclingnews - Bernal, Nibali, Matthews and Ewan forced to delay season debut
Peter Sagan suffers training crash on 31st birthday - Cyclingnews - ‘I got some new scratches and scars, but I’m still alive’ says three-time world champion
Commentary: Primož Roglič finally opens up – VeloNews.com - Known for his sphinx-like public persona, Primož Roglič finally sheds light on his feelings from the 2020 Tour de France.