Important stage race in February full of doubt: "Right now we're just shoveling mud"
Cycling
It remains doubtful that the WorldTour will head to Spain in early February for the Tour of Valencia. The consistently highly anticipated stage race currently has other concerns after the east coast of Spain recently faced the biggest natural disaster in the country's history due to a DANA.
The images of the natural disaster in Spain left a big impression. The latest figures confirmed that more than 200 people died in Valencia province due to heavy rainfall and flooding. "This low-pressure area is more common in Spain, but never before has a DANA caused so much precipitation. Climate change has ensured that, on average, more rain falls from a DANA than in the past," said KNMI.
The consequences for the Spanish region are significant. In addition to the many deaths and injuries, the entire area has been devastated. Insignificant in the enormity of the disaster, the Tour of Valencia is also at risk. Race director Ángel Casero told AS that the organization's warehouse was flooded last weekend. "We have been shoveling mud out of the warehouse for nine days. 95 percent of the equipment inside was destroyed."
Tour of Valencia lost 95 percent of its equipment
The Tour of Valencia is scheduled from February 5 to 9, but a course presentation in December has already been canceled. 'We will have to wait all of November to see how things are progressing. Right now, we are just shoveling mud, and there is no end to it.'"Among the ruined materials are tents, bouncy castles, merchandising, shirts, polos, T-shirts, crew uniforms, volunteer vests, medications, first aid kits, and toolboxes."
The stage race in eastern Spain is traditionally one of the first tests of strength between some strong stage riders. In 2024, Brandon McNulty won the GC, ahead of Santiago Buitrago and Aleksandr Vlasov. Tadej Pogacar won in 2020, and Remco Evenepoel was second in 2022.
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Latest Comments
- Well explained, thanks for the clarity! Daniel DantasDanieldantas20-12-2024
- This is the kind of 'news' that belongs in a cheap tabloid. No matter how boring the offseason gets, nobody wants to read this.
santiagobenites19-12-2024 - I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024