Video: MTN Qhubeka releases stirring documentary into team’s early success
Tirreno Adriatico and Milan-Sanremo races covered in first installment Several weeks after its superb and unexpected victory in Milan-Sanremo, the MTN Qhubeka team has released the first episode of a documentary into the squad. Over eighteen minutes in length, the video traces the team’s participation in Tirreno-Adriatico and Milan-Sanremo, its two first WorldTour events. It features the thoughts of team principal Douglas Ryder, directeur sportif Jens Zemke, European Tour manager Brent Copeland and riders such as Sanremo winner Gerald Ciolek and Songezo Jim, the first black South African to ride the race. Ryder explains the team balance between African and European riders and how they are further divided up into Classics and stage race riding. He also speaks about the need for international pros to help mentor those from the African continent, sharing their experience and helping bring the team to the point where the African riders are making a [...]
Eeckhout video: Being around young riders keeps me younger, but this is for sure my final season
Former Belgian champion says the clock is ticking on his careerAt 42 years of age, Niko Eeckhout is one of the oldest riders competing in the peloton, yet he continues to race well and to be one of the most aggressive riders when on form. The An Post Chainreaction Sean Kelly rider was clear in long distance breaks on stages two and 3a in the recent Driedaagse De Panne, and also placed second in the Omloop van het Waasland this year. Eeckhout’s intention is to continue building form and to chase results this season, with the rider one of the hardest working at the team’s pre-season training camps. “He’s still got huge motivation,” general manager Kurt Bogaerts told VeloNation earlier this year. “He’s got the ambition and drive of a much younger rider.” Eeckhout’s persistence pays off; last season he won the 1.1-ranked Schaal Sels and the 1.2 Omloop der [...]
Video: Highlights of women’s Tour of Flanders
Vos takes long-overdue victory in Belgian ClassicMarianne Vos clocked up one of the most important wins in her career yesterday, finally winning the women’s Ronde van Vlaanderen after many years of going close. Vos was second three years ago and also clocked up third places in 2011 and 2007, but things went perfectly for her yesterday. After lone attacker Susanna Zorzi (Faren – Let’sGo Finland) was reeled in, Vos (Rabobank women) got clear with Emma Johansson (Orica-AIS) and Elisa Longo Borghini (Hitec Products), with the world champion driving the pace up the Oude Kwaremont climb. The trio was soon joined by Ellen van Dijk (Specialized-lululemon), and together the group opened up a lead of almost three minutes. Conscious of Vos’ finishing speed, the other riders did their utmost to get clear but none of the moves would prove to be successful. Vos was indeed quickest in the final gallop, beating [...]
Video: Kelly tips Sagan for Classics breakthrough; also speaks about Chris Froome, Evans, Contador
Irishman says it’s too soon to know if Schleck’s comeback will be successful Showing strong form already this year and looking ominously good against Fabian Cancellara in last Saturday’s Strade Bianche, Peter Sagan is one that many people believe could be a big threat in the Classics this season. Former world number one Sean Kelly concurs with this view, saying that Sagan is the rider he tips for very big performances in the upcoming Classic races. “In the Tour of Flanders he was very, very impressive,” Kelly said, referring to last year’s Ronde van Vlaanderen, where the Slovakian narrowly missed out on joining the winning three man breakaway. “With a bit more experience - and I think he will have gained that - he is the one that we will maybe see as being very much up there in a lot of the Classics.” Kelly was speaking to VeloNation at [...]
