CW Live: Nairo Quintana to ride Colombian National Championships; State goes carbon; Tom Pidcock's 2023 road programme; British Cycling announce squad for upcoming UEC European Track Championships; Are Giant about to launch the 2023 Revolt X gravel bike?

Miguel Ángel López takes overall victory at Vuelta a San Juan

Miguel Ángel López sealed overall victory at the Vuelta a San Juan as DSM's Sam Welsford won the final stage from a bunch sprint.

López finished safely in the peloton on the final day, to seal an overall victory which he had snatched after going solo on the Alto Colorado climb of stage five before grabbing the stage win.

Despite a late move from Remco Evenepoel on the final lap of the urban circuit which wrapped up the final stage, López took the overall victory by 30 seconds ahead of Ineos Grenadiers' Filippo Ganna. Sergio Higuita of Bora-Hansgrohe finished in third place 44 seconds down on López.

Lopez told the media after his victory that it was something he never thought possible after his "bad end" to 2022.

"There was tension in the finale like always, but I have to thank my team for controlling thing for me,” López said. “It’s very gratifying for me and the team after all the work we’ve put in. It’s something I didn’t imagine, because I had a bad end to last year and I didn’t have a lot of time to get ready for this race.”

Even with taking the San Juan title, it still remains to be seen whether López's victory will boost his chances of returning to WorldTour level. The Colombian rider recently signed for continental squad Medellin-EPM after being sacked by Astana-Qazaqstan due to his links to Dr.Marcos Maynar, a controversial doctor currently at the centre of an anti-doping inquiry in Spain.

Egan Bernal's European racing schedule will not face setbacks after Vuelta a San Juan abandon

Egan Bernal was forced to abandon the Vuelta a San Juan due to knee pain, although Ineos Grenadiers management have said it will not change plans for the Colombian for later this season.

After a strong showing on the stage won by Miguel Angel Lopez, Bernal abandoned just kilometres into the penultimate stage due to knee pain. 

According to Cyclingnews, Ineos Grenadiers then moved quickly to clarify that the pain was not a lingering effect of last year's horrendous training crash, but instead caused by a minor fall on the opening day of the race.

“Egan fell in the same crash as Quinn Simmons on the first stage,” director sportif Xabier Zandio said ahead of Sunday’s final stage. 

“He fell, but it wasn’t so bad at the time, it was a pretty light blow to his left knee. For the first day, he had a bit of discomfort, but it didn’t affect him on the bike. On the mountain stage, he felt a bit of discomfort, and he felt it again on yesterday’s stage, so he pulled out as a precaution.”

Zandio was clear that Bernal's minor injury will not cause any setbacks in his European racing schedule later this year.

“For him, it’s important to race at home but we’ll see during the week whether he races or not. We’re optimistic,” Zandio said. 

“It’s still possible that he rides the National Championships, but that’s not what we’re thinking about, we’re thinking more about the future. We’re thinking about the races in Europe and the season in general. And this isn’t something that’s going to change his plans going forward for the rest of the season.”

Fabio Jakobsen says nearly suffering a heavy crash in Vuelta a San Juan finale was a 'close call' and 'Deja vu to Poland' 

Fabio Jakobsen had a lucky escape during the final sprint of the Vuelta a San Juan, narrowly avoiding a heavy crash after clashing with a spectator in the dash to the finish line.

In full flight, Jakobsen clipped a spectators outstretched arm which forced him into the advertising boarding and sent his sunglasses flying from his face. Miraculously, the Dutchman managed to stay upright and said the collision could have been "much worse" and that the incident brought back some painful memories.

"Someone reached out there with a phone. I think a lot of people got a déjà vu after that stage in the Tour of Poland. This was partly my own fault, but there was room. I hadn't seen the hand," he said.

During the 2020 Tour de Pologne, Jakobsen suffered a horrendous crash in a sprint finish and suffered potentially life threatening injuries.

After the incident in Argentina, Jakobsen explained that he had several minor injuries but was ok.

"I have a cut and it's all a bit swollen but this could have been much worse. Fortunately, it ended up ok," he added.

According to reports from Sporza, Argentine police have launched an investigation into the incident and have apprehended the spectator.

Under 60 km left to race on opening stage of the Saudi Tour

There's under 60 kilometres left to race in the opening stage of the Saudi Tour.

So far the racing has been relatively calm as the riders get set for a likely sprint finish in Khaybar.

A three-man break has a lead of 3-11 ahead of the main field.

Jayco AIUla and UAE Team Emirates controlling the front of the field

Under 40 kilometres left to race and things are hotting up.

Pre-stage favourite Dylan Groenewegen has just been forced to take a wheel change after picking up a puncture.

The Dutchman's teammates have moved to the front of the bunch looking to control things in order to enable their teammate to get back on.

Meanwhile Sindre Kulset of Uno-X has just suffered what looks like a heavy crash after being forced off the road.

Sander Hansen of Uno-X and Goiogana of Euskaltel-Euskadi are the only riders left from the days breakaway.

Pascal Ackermann reportedly unwell

As the peloton push on towards the finish, the speed in the bunch is really ramping up.

Meanwhile UAE Team Emirates rider Pascal Ackermann is reportedly suffering with illness and is out the back of the bunch. The German sprinter would more than likely have been in contention for the finish with Groenewegen.

With 27 kilometres left to race, Sander Hansen of Uno-X was left alone at the front of the race as Peio Goiogana gradually faded. 

Marcus Sander Hansen pushes on

23 kilometres to go and Sander-Hansen continued to push on, holding on to his two minute advantage as the riders cut through the desert.

With Groenewegen back in the bunch, Jayo AIUla have lifted the tempo at the head of the race looking to reel in the lone Uno-X rider.

DSM and Jayco AIUla leading the peloton in pursuit of Sander Hansen

With just 15 kilometres to go, Sander Hansen is beginning to show signs of fatigue.

DSM and Jayco AIUla are flying on the front of the bunch along the undulating terrain and have whittled the Uno-X rider's lead down to just 30 seconds.

The Danish rider keeps looking over his shoulder, he knows his day is done.

Sander Hansen caught!

12 kilometres left to race and the Uno-X man has been caught!

A valiant effort from Sander Hansen, but it's not going to be his day after all. 

Big crash! 

There's just been a big crash as they flew under the kilometre to go banner!

Looks like British rider Matt Gibson has gone down for Human Powered Health. 

Dylan Groenewegen wins stage one of the Saudi Tour!

Dylan Groenewegen takes the victory!

That was too easy for the Dutchman after a superb lead out from Luca Mezgec.

His rivals couldn't live with him.

Check out our opening day report from the Saudi Tour.

Our Adam Becket is on the ground at the race and will be bringing you reaction later. 

UAE Women's Tour team list announced

The full team list has been announced for the upcoming women's UAE Tour.

13 UCI Women's WorldTour teams have been confirmed to start along with seven UCI Women's Continental squads.

Demi Vollering's Canyon // SRAM squad along with FDJ Suez Futuroscope have both been included in the list, as well as Brit Lizzie Holden's UAE Team ADQ.

The full list is as follows:

UCI Women's WorldTour teams:

Canyon // SRAM
FDJ Suez Futuroscope
Fenix-Deceuninck
Human Powered Health
Israel-Premier Tech Roland
Liv Racing
Movistar
DSM
Jayco AIUla
Trek-Segafredo
UAE Team ADQ
Uno-X

UCI Women's Continetal teams:

Bepink
Ceratizit
Laboral Kutxa
St Michel - Mavic
Team COOP Hitec Products
Top Girls Fassa Bortolo
Zaaf Cycling

Giant to launch redesigned Revolt gravel bike?

Are Giant going to launch a revamped Revolt X gravel bike in 2023? According to a report from BikeRumor, it certainly looks like they might be.

Giant already overhauled the Revolt carbon bike last year, but it seems like 2023 will see the bike adapted again to include front suspension for the tougher terrain.

The most obvious change which is included in the 2023 version of the Revolt X is the suspension. Although it's more than adding a new fork to the existing set up.

The Revolt X frame has been redesigned to handle up to 40 mm of fork travel, with revised frame shaping, a new carbon layup in the front end, and revamped geometry which is aimed at more aggressive gravel riding and technical descending. 

British Cycling announces squad for upcoming UEC European Track Championships

British Cycling has announced its line up for the upcoming track European Championships taking place in Switzerland from 8-12 February.

The squad heads to Grenchen in fine form for the first event of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games qualification period, with 14 of the riders seeing out the 2022 season with medals at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Paris.

Fred Wright is set to make his senior European Championships debut after a breakthrough season on the road in 2022. Elinor Barker is also included ready for her first major track event since giving birth in March 2022.

The men’s endurance squad will be led by Dan Bigham, Ethan Vernon and Ollie Wood, in their first international track event since spectacularly taking the team pursuit world title in October.

Following on from their impressive silver medal at the 2022 world championships, the team pursuit quartet of Katie Archibald, Josie Knight, Anna Morris and Neah Evans will represent the women’s endurance squad. Elinor Barker also joins up with the team for her first major track event since giving birth to her son in March 2022, while senior academy rider Ella Barnwell steps up to complete the team.

Great Britain Cycling Team Performance Director, Stephen Park CBE, said:

“Building on some brilliant results at worlds, we're now welcoming even more incredibly strong riders to the squad, highlighting the depth of talent and competition for places in the squad. It’s great to see some riders back on the track after illness or injury and in the case of Elinor Barker and Katy Marchant, this is the first opportunity to see them competing on the international stage since giving birth, so it’s a pleasure to welcome them back.

“This event marks the start of the Olympic qualification period. We ended 2022 with a number of the riders heading out to Grenchen winning world championship medals, so I hope those impressive results give them confidence as we start the 2023 track season and start our campaign to Paris 2024.”


Great Britain Cycling Team squad for UEC European Track Championships

Men’s Endurance

Dan Bigham
Will Perrett
Charlie Tanfield
Will Tidball
Ethan Vernon
Ollie Wood
Fred Wright

Women’s endurance

Katie Archibald
Elinor Barker 
Ella Barnwell
Neah Evans
Josie Knight
Anna Morris

Women’s sprint

Lauren Bell
Sophie Capewell
Emma Finucane
Katy Marchant

Men’s sprint

Jack Carlin
Ali Fielding
Joe Truman
Hamish Turnbull

Nairo Quintana set to race Colombian national championships

Nairo Quintana has said that he will ride the upcoming Colombian national championships on Sunday while a search for his new team continues.

However according to Cyclingnews, Quintana will compete in the event on Sunday as a privateer with the Boyaca region of Colombia thanks to a loophole in the Colombian federation rules.

Quintana is still without a team for 2023 and announced last week that he will not retire from professional cycling, and will look to continue his career. He is still without a team after testing positive for the opiate painkiller Tramadol at last year's Tour de France.

Tramadol is banned under the UCI's medical rules, and the Colombian was let go by his Arkea-Samsic team.

At a press conference last week, Quintana pledged to continue to search for a new team.

"I'm going to keep battling to continue - to continue on the bike until my body and mind give way,” he said. 

"I want to return to competition, pin a number on, feel the pain in the legs but also the satisfaction of victory and of giving the best of myself until the line. I want this, I need this, because competition is a part of me."

His last racing appearance was at last september's road World Championships which were held in Australia. 

Tom Pidcock to start road season at Volta ao Algarve

Tom Pidcock will reportedly begin his 2023 road season with the Volta ao Algarve race between 15-19 February.

The Ineos Grenadiers star will skip this weekends cyclo-cross World Championships and is currently in Denia, Spain preparing for the beginning of his road campaign.

According to Wielerflits, Pidcock will then head to Belgium ready for Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, before a block of races in Italy including Strade Bianche, Tirreno-Adriatico and Milan San-Remo.

Pidcock's decision to skip the CX worlds was backed by Belgian cross' legend, Sven Nys who said he understands the decision completlely.

“I understand the decision completely,” Nys said. “With how he’s preparing his road season, he needs to make a decision early. Also he [Pidcock] will know that on that course in Hoogerheide, it’s not easy to win against Wout and Mathieu. 

"If he sees maybe in one, two, three years a course that suits him really well, then he might take the decision to ride the World Championships again. 

“Doing an effort in Hoogerheide to maybe become World Champion will cost so much energy, so it could then impact something for him in April or May. That’s why he’s taken this decision to not go, it’s the same as Wout did last year in the US.”

State Bicycle Co. goes carbon

State Bicycle Co. today announced the release of its First-Ever Carbon Frame: The Undefeated Carbon Disc Road Frameset.

Known for their capable, wallet-friendly steeds with an urban style, State Bicycle Co. promises that their first foray in carbon frames delivers in stiffness, lightweight and durability.

"Our team and staff including myself have been riding these as prototypes for about 3 years now," says Mehdi Farsi, Co-Founder of State Bicycle Co.

"After the pandemic has cooled we’re finally able to bring this to light and we know our audience will love it. We hope this can take our more serious riders’ performance to the next level, without breaking the bank."

Available in a dark graphite colorway and a bright white and tie-day paint scheme, the Undefeated Carbon Disc Road Frameset is said to feature "cutting-edge carbon fiber materials" and aerodynamic profile and "unparalleled stiffness and power transfer."

We'll have to get one in for review and report back!

Specs: