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TÊTE DE LA CORSE
Welcome to Chain Links here at The Podium Cafe, a selection of cycling news links from across the internet. I do the work so that you don’t have to.
We will be publishing this throughout the offseason to “see how it goes”, to give cycling fans something to look at and interact with “first thing in the morning” even in Europe.
It’s also a good place to stop in during the day and talk about general cycling or any breaking news that you come across.
Some of the links that appear here are from non-English sources, I personally recommend using the Chrome browser and setting it up to auto-translate pages, it works pretty well. Having said that, I plan to put the descriptions of non-English pages in italics... I’m sure I will miss some, but I’ll do my best.
A note about this Chain Links: The descriptions of the links are pulled directly from the meta information provided by the sources. In non-nerd speak, what this means is that I’m using the sources description (where possible) to explain what the link is about. I do not necessarily agree or disagree with that description, If I have something to add, you will see me tack on a “Ken’s Note” on the end.
And no, there’s no real rhyme or reason to the headings, I just use them to “break up the grey” a bit.
GRUPPO COMPATTO
Marion Sicot handed two-year suspension for doping - Cyclingnews
French Anti-Doping Agency considers harassment complaint against Marc Bracke in sanction decision
Tour de France stage winner Marc Hirschi leaves Team DSM - Cyclingnews
Sudden departure for Swiss rider after team terminates his contract
Marc Hirschi linked to UAE Team Emirates after Team DSM contract terminated - Cyclingnews
Swiss rider to reportedly race alongside Tour de France winner Tadej Pogačar
De Plus: I’ll get my own chances at Ineos Grenadiers - Cyclingnews
Belgian looks to put nightmare 2020 behind him after leaving Jumbo-Visma
Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec unveil sponsor-filled 2021 jersey - Cyclingnews
Team adds a splash of black to familiar red and white colour scheme
Lotto-Soudal back to isolation ‘bubbles’ approach for pre-season camps – VeloNews.com
Belgian team to send three distinct groups to different locations for January camp as COVID-19 continues to grip Europe.
Tour de France or Olympic Games, which will riders choose to race? – VeloNews.com
A 14-day quarantine upon arrival in Tokyo for the Games may leave riders forced to make tricky choices.
HORS CATÉGORIE
The Giro d’Onore is virtual this time: 7 days dedicated to the Azzurri awards - La Gazzetta dello Sport
The 2020 Tour of Honor is virtual. In a season unfortunately upset by the pandemic, the national cycling teams have nevertheless won 49 medals between the World and European Championships and the Federciclo - led by Renato Di Rocco - celebrates these successes through social channels, from 5 to 11 January, instead of with the traditional ‘in attendance’ ceremony.
Cycling, Pogacar: the yellow jersey helps young people. The Pogi Team - La Gazzetta dello Sport is born
The 22-year-old Slovenian from UAE-Emirates will collaborate on a project to develop cycling among the children of his country.
Van Vleuten already poses as Movistar’s star signing - AS.com
The 38-year-old Dutch woman is the dominator of women’s cycling today. He signed for two seasons, 2021 and 2022, with the telephone squad.
Astana-Premier Tech wants to continue with Vlasov - WielerFlits
Aleksandr Vlasov was one of the absolute revelations of the 2020 season. The 24-year-old Russian won the Mont Ventoux Dénivelé Challenge and the Giro dell’Emilia. He also finished third in the Tour of Lombardy, fifth in Tirreno-Adriatico and eleventh in the Vuelta a España. Reason enough for Astana-Premier Tech to fully commit to contract extension.
14-day quarantine in Tokyo? “That news is very premature” | Olympic Games | sporza
A week ago, many cyclists choked on their coffee at breakfast: the organizing committee of the Games in Tokyo would impose a mandatory quarantine of 14 days after their arrival in Japan. Cyclists would therefore have to choose between the Tour de France and the Games, but the soup is (for the time being) not eaten as hot as it is served.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON PODIUM CAFE
Fontecchio: Hirschi Departure Extends Chaos at Sunweb/DSM - Podium Cafe
Just waking up to the news that Team DSM, the renamed Sunweb outfit, is bidding adieu to its perhaps most precious commodity, young classics climber Marc Hirschi. This is obviously big news...