I've got a good feeling about 2024 ✨
+ EF have had a perfect start to the season and there's a new Red Bull athlete in town
Hello lovely subscribers and welcome to Women’s Cycling Weekly! 🚴♀️
I wrote in this week’s subscriber-only newsletter about how 2024 feels like it’s going to be the best season yet. It’s based mostly on a ✨vibe✨ but is also based in reality in the sense that, on paper, we have so many exciting riders coming through as well as the return of some big names. Teams are also looking more and more profesh every year as we’ve seen already at TDU and in Mallorca with the likes of AG Insurance Soudal Quickstep and EF Education - Cannondale. The big question still remains, however: is it enough to take on the dominance of SD Worx?
WWT racing has yet to reach Europe but we’ve got just one month to wait until Omloop. Until then, there’s the last hurrah in Aus tomorrow (today?) in Geelong, UAE Tour coming soon, and some lower-level races in Spain to look out for too. It’s happening, it’s here, and I can’t wait to see how it plays out.
Enjoy this week’s newsletter!
Amy x
News 📰
Astana Qazaqstan has announced the launch of their new women's team, Astana Dewi.
Zoe Backstedt has announced her new Red Bull sponsorship, showing off her new lid.
After three years away, current downhill world champ Vali Höll is back riding for the YT Mob.
A new Astana Women’s team has launched, which sees the men's WorldTeam collaborating with Dewi Cycling to form the new UCI Continental side, Astana Dewi.
Read 🗞️
Kristen Faulkner uses track training for 'intense year' aimed at Olympic Games - Cyclingnews
EF Education-Cannondale on cloud nine after perfect start - GCN
'First I focus on the Classics': Lotte Kopecky unsure of Tour de France Femmes participation in Olympic year - Cycling Weekly
Cyclocross gallery: All-star cast shows up for blockbuster racing in Benidorm - Escape Collective
Sara Martin: ‘No Annemiek van Vleuten opens a new chapter for Movistar - Cyclingnews
Lizzie Deignan says uncertainty around Women's Tour future is 'frustrating' after promoter enters liquidation - Cycling Weekly
Demi Vollering 'I will probably be the rider who most girls want to beat' in 2024 - Cyclingnews
2024 Women’s WorldTour bikes, wheels and groupsets: A complete guide - GCN
Does drafting ruin the spirit of gravel? Top women to discuss with Unbound organisers - CyclingNews
Introducing Izzy Sharp: Trek’s new teenage powerhouse - CyclingNews
Watch 📺
Manon Lloyd explores the science behind training with, not against, your menstrual cycle
Listen 🎧
The pod is back! Rachel and Tildz take us through their experience from on the ground at TDU including their numerous Adelaide food recos (giant donut, anyone?) Plus, we chat about whether the peloton will bring more of a challenge to SD Worx in 2024.
Matilda Raynolds joins Gracie and Abby to chat about the Tour Down Under.
Esra Tromp and Jonathan Vaughters discuss integrating their two EF teams and what their goals are for the future.
Vali Höll goes in depth on why she’s chosen to return to YT.
Results 🏆
Road
Trofeo Felanitx-Colònia de Sant Jordi (1.1)
Noemi Rüegg (EFC)
Arlenis Sierra (MOV)
Chiara Consonni (UAD)
Trofeo Palma Femina (1.1)
Magdeleine Vallieres Mill (EFC)
Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (AGS)
Mavi Garcia (LAJ)
Trofeo Binissalem-Andratx (1.1)
Eleonora Gasparrini (UAD)
Noemi Rüegg (EFC)
Nadia Quagliotto (LKF)
CX
🇪🇸 UCI Cyclocross World Cup #13: Benidorm, Spain
Junior:
Célia Gery 🇫🇷
Viktória Chladoňová 🇸🇰
Cat Ferguson 🇬🇧
Elite:
Fem van Empel 🇳🇱
Puck Pieterse 🇳🇱
Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado 🇳🇱
Upcoming races 📆
Road
Saturday 27th January: Deakin University Road Race (1.WWT)
How to watch:
Sunday 28th January: Women Cycling Pro Costa De Almería (1.1)
CX
Saturday 27th January: X2O Trofee #6: Hamme
How to watch:
Live on Eurosport from 13:40 CET.
Startlist here.
Sunday 28th January: 🇳🇱 UCI Cyclocross World Cup #14: Hoogerheide, Netherlands
How to watch:
Live on Eurosport from 13:30 CET.
Junior startlist here and elite startlist here
Friday fun 🕺
Is Mount Disappointment a real place?
That’s all 👋
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Amy x