Video: Women’s world champion Marianne Vos speaks about history-equalling moment in Firenze
Dutchwoman discusses Cookson, MTB racing, difficulty of repeating a worlds win and more Defending her title in fine style in Saturday’s women’s road race championships, Marianne Vos has joined a very select group of riders who have managed to take gold medals in two consecutive years. As the old adage states, you wait ages for a bus and then two come together. In Vos’ case, her wait was in the five years since her 2006 win, when she finished second each time. That was hugely frustrating for her and after she turned things around last year and finally returned to the top step of the podium, she went and repeated that feat today. “Of course it is great to defend the title,” a satisfied Vos told the media in her post race press conference [see video below]. “Always they say it is hard to win one. Of course I won [...]
Hansen upbeat after seventh consecutive Grand Tour, but had hoped to achieve more in Vuelta
Video: “I think mentally the Grand Tours are very easy”Ninety two race days and over fourteen thousand kilometres covered, yet still not worn out. Having successfully finished the three Grand Tours in both 2012 and again this year, Australian hardman Adam Hansen has said that his body has adapted well to the effort and that he has energy in reserve after completing the Vuelta a España. The Lotto Belisol rider finished the Spanish event on Sunday, helping his Lotto Belisol team during the event, taking third on a stage and finishing a solid sixtieth overall. Given the amount of saddle time he has clocked up, he’d be forgiven for ending his season at this point and taking a long break. Instead, he’ll keep going for a while longer. Hansen has just two full days at home after the Spanish event, then heads off to begin his preparation with his Lotto [...]
Video: Vos underlines World Cup dominance with GP Plouay-Bretagne victory
Highlights of final round of 2013 World Cup Soloing to a superb victory in Saturday’s women’s World Cup race in Plouay, Brittany, the current world and Olympic champion Marianne Vos extended her already decisive points tally in the competition. The Dutchwoman went clear with compatriot Anna van der Breggen (Sengers Ladies) and world number one Emma Johansson (Orica-AIS) on the last lap, then used the ascent of the Côte de Ty-Marrec with just under five kilometres to go to break the other two. She soloed in twelve second ahead of Johansson and van der Breggen, and extended her winning World Cups point tally to 127 points over Johansson. Vos will now turn her attention towards preparations for the world championships, which she hopes to win again. A video of Saturday’s World Cup race is now available, and can be viewed below. GP Plouay-Bretagne 2013: 1, Marianne Vos (Ned) Rabobank-Liv/Giant 2, [...]
Video highlights: UCI Women's World Cup Vargarda races
Victories for world champions Specialized lululemon and Marianne Vos See race reports here: Team time trial: Specialized-lululemon wins third consecutive Vårgårda team time trial World Cup Road race: Marianne Vos wins Open de Suéde Vårgårda World Cup
Orica GreenEdge stage win relieves pressure: ‘The monkey is off the back’
Australian team ready to chase more success after breakthrough victory with GerransBasking in the glow of Simon Gerrans’ win on yesterday’s stage three of the Tour de France, the Orica GreenEdge team considers a major goal has been achieved, and that the release of that pressure means that more success should follow. Veteran rider Stuart O’Grady was, like his team-mates and staff, jubilant at yesterday’s result. “The monkey is off the back…the first Tour de France stage win for Orica GreenEdge. Gerro’s come up with the goods again. A historical moment!” Team sports director Neil Stephens is clear about the significance. “That was it – unbelievable. First stage win, it is not going to be the last.” The team had its first season in 2012 and while Gerran’s Milan Sanremo success set it on the road to winning big, its inaugural Tour de France campaign was a frustrating one. Matt [...]
Contador ‘extremely motivated, mentally focussed’ in advance of Tour de France start
Video: Spaniard fired up in bid for third titleDouble race winner Alberto Contador has said that he believes his team is up to the task of helping him win the 2013 Tour de France, and that he personally is fired up for that goal. The 2007 and 2009 champion will start the race as one of the favourites, although Sky’s Chris Froome is the bookies’ number one favourite and the rider tipped by many as being the main contender. That likely suits Contador fine, as it takes the pressure off and allows him to get on with the job at hand. “I have a strong team behind me. A team that can position me well in all terrains and it means a lot to me particularly to know that I have teammates around me on the climbs,” he said, reassured by what is a much stronger lineup than in his [...]