Ineos Grenadiers put on an early demonstration of intent as the European season got underway in earnest last weekend, with Ivan Sosa winning the GC at the Tour de la Provence, as well as the Mont Ventoux stage.
Sosa called it “a really beautiful way to start the season. It helps with the motivation to work hard for the rest of the year.”
Egan Bernal, the 2019 Tour de France winner, also showed his mettle in the French race, which was the first UCI .Pro event of the season. He was second on the Ventoux behind his team-mate and third on GC despite being forced to concede that his back issues that came to light last year still remain, and that he expects to have to deal with them throughout the season. “My back didn’t hurt very much on Saturday, but I still feel it a bit,” Bernal said after the race. “That will not just go away and I will have to deal with it this season.”
Rainbow chaser
The Ineos pair were separated by the rainbow bands of Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step), who was in typically ebullient form with some spirited riding across the event.
This story is from the February 18, 2021 edition of CYCLING WEEKLY.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 18, 2021 edition of CYCLING WEEKLY.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Claud Butler Criterium
A classic British brand ridden by beginners and Olympians alike
Dr Hutch
At what point does a bold show of strength become brazen showboating? The Doc ponders the etiquette of the long solo break
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT...CBD
From reducing pain to promoting relaxation and sleep, myriad are the claims made for cannabidiol but do they stack up? Rob Kemp finds out
Van Rysel D900
Andy Turner discovers whether Decathlon's high-spec, low-price smart trainer can compete with the likes of Wahoo, Tacx and Elite
What prep does my bike need for summer?
Pro bike mechanic Glen Whittington shares his tips for the successful de-hibernation of your bike
2024 GIRO D'ITALIA
Attention turns to Italy and 21 days of Grand Tour action
Pogačar's dominance at the Giro could be dull
While I may have been a little young to understand the full romance of the Tour de France during the Armstrong era, I never understood the sentiment that it was boring just because of Lance's dominance.
Team GB's Paris Olympics track bike launched
BC reveals the bike that it hopes will power riders to medals in Paris this summer
Romandie victory marks Ineos return to stage race success
Carlos Rodríguez wins British team's first WorldTour stage race since 2022, writes Adam Becket
Is pro racing getting more dangerous?
There are many factors that contribute to the perceived greater risks. One that does not get any attention is the greater importance of UCI points and the need to constantly collect them to avoid relegation.