Today The Bike Lane takes a look at the Absa Cape Epic where competitors tackled a rain drenched stage, the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya where the favourites take on the first mountain finish, a quick preview of this weekends Gent-Wevelgem, a look at Tony Martin’s S-Works Shiv and the Tour de Perth Starting tonight.
Absa Cape Epic
The weather took a devastating toll on Absa Cape Epic competitors for the second day in a row Tuesday, with stage winner Robert Mennen of Germany describing it as “survival of the fittest”.
Mennen and his Czech partner Kristian Hynek (Team Topeak-Ergon) took stage two in 4h12m17s, but four-times Absa Cape Epic winner Karl Platt of Germany and his Swiss teammate Urs Huber (Team Bulls) overcame a crash and the weather to snatch the yellow zebra-striped leaders’ jersey by finishing second.
Read more from the official site here and watch the stage highlights below
Volta Ciclista a Catalunya
Tonights Stage 3 feature’s the race’s first mountain top finish and the winner could come from any of Chris Froome, Alberto Contador, Joaquin Rodriguez or Nairo Quinatana. Contador has issued the challenge to Froome stating that he (Froome) has come to this race to win otherwise he wouldn’t be here.
If Froome is here, it’s because he wants to win,” Contador told Spanish newspaper MARCA on Tuesday. “Last year he already showed that he only went to races if he could win them.”
“Ok, he couldn’t do Tirreno-Adriatico” – because of a lower back injury – “but a little while back he said he’d been training hard and I’m sure he’s totally concentrated on getting the overall win. On top of that, he’s got a really good team with him for the mountain stages. I’m sure he’s come here thinking of winning.
Today’s 163km stage starts in Banyoles and finishes at La Molina (Alp) at an altitude of 1725m.
Gent-Wevelgem 76th Edition
An impressive field will start the Gent-Wevelgem this Sunday, 30 March.
A hundred years ago the trail of Gent-Wevelgem was the scene of the First World War. Therefore, for always being added to the name Gent-Wevelgem. Starting this year subtitled ‘In Flanders Fields’ The course wants to make its contribution to the commemoration of the Great War and the reminder to keep alive in generations to come. It is also a sign of tribute to the heroes and the 600,000 victims who fell in Flanders Fields.
That is also the reason why the course of the 76 th edition of Gent-Wevelgem being driven on Sunday, March 30th, has been slightly modified. After the passage of Diksmuide the pack is not sent to Ostend, but it goes from Furnes to The Matrix to begin. The classical route The two passages on the Kemmel also be pulled further apart to bring. History with numerous hotspots in pictures After the first passage now follows a loop of forty miles to the second passage. “It is our way of bringing history to the attention,” said race director Frank Hoste. The passage through the different cities and towns was hampered slightly because it never was allowed to ride the course beyond the polling stations for the elections, but that caused any major problems.
Confirmed starters include Peter Sagan, Lars Boom, Thor Husovd, Mark Cavendish, Stijn Devolder and Edvald Boasson Hagen.
Tony Martin’s Specialized Shiv TT
The Bike Lane weekly bike review comes via a youtube clip produced by inCycle and Cyclingnews. Tony Martin is the three time world time trial champion. The Shiv is now five years old but remains one of the most formidable time trial machines. It’s interesting that the shorts part of the TT suit is velcroed on to the saddle and has a one life race span.
Tour de Perth
The first round of the 2014 Subaru National Road Series commences tonight with teams tackling a 45km criterium around Fremantle.
The event comprises of the following four stages:
Stage 1 – Wednesday 26th March: 45km Criterium, Fremantle
Stage 2 – Thursday 27th March: 110km Road Race, Kalamunda
Stage 3 – Friday 28th March: 20km Time Trial, Rottnest Island
Stage 4 – Saturday 29th March: 114km Road Race, Perry Lakes
Teams taking part include Team Budget Cycling, Drapac Professional cycling, Charter Mason Giant Racing, Avanti Racing Team and Satalyst Giant Racing.
