Russell Downing breaks collarbone in Belgian race

Russell Downing (NetApp-Endura) broke his collarbone yesterday while racing the Druivenkoers-Overijse one-day race in Belgium.

The 2006 winner came down with fellow Brit, Ian Bibby (Madison-Genesis).

Pat McQuaid hits back after Swiss rejection

UCI President Pat McQuaid remains defiant in his re-election bid after the Swiss Cycling pulled its backing yesterday. He accused his rival, British Cycling's Brian Cookson, of bogging down the election process with legal cases.

"This election will be decided by the voting delegates at the UCI Congress in Florence on September 27 despite attempts by him and those who support his campaign to eliminate me from the contest," said McQuaid in a statement.

McQuaid said that the Swiss federation made a "snap decision" under outside pressure. "My other nominations from the Thai [and Moroccan federations] are valid and were all received in accordance with the UCI rules by the designated closing date."

Swiss rescind McQuaid nomination >>

Dombrowski abandons Colorado Tour

Joe Dombrowski (Sky) abandoned the US Pro Cycling Challenge in Colorado overnight due to continued nose bleeds. He raced stage one with a bloody nose, which continued to cause problems up to five times a day. He did not start stage three from Breckenridge yesterday.

The American placed 10th last year as an amateur and was Sky's best-placed rider at the end of stage two. Pete Kennaugh abandoned just 24 hours earlier, leaving the team with six riders.

Joshua Edmondson escaped with others in the stage overnight from Breckenridge. Sky DS, Dan Hunt said in a statement, "That's what we'll aim to do and then we'll try to be as active as possible and see how things pan out."

Euskaltel's end 'a blow' to cycling's future

Team Euskaltel's shutdown at the end of the season is "a blow to the future of cycling," according to former rider, Joseba Beloki. The Basque team, where Beloki debuted as a professional, announced on Tuesday that it would close its doors after 20 years in cycling.

"There's no room left for cyclists," Beloki told Spain's EFE news agency. "It leaves a major gap, also for the future, when amateurs are trying to find teams."

The news is a blow for Spanish cycling, which once boasted several top teams. Without Euskaltel, only one team, Movistar, remains in the WorldTour.

Teams race for Giro d'Italia wildcard

The first wildcard team of the 2014 Giro d'Italia will be decided in the coming month based on points. The winner of the Coppa Italia, or the first non-WorldTour Italian team with the most points, receives an automatic invite.

After Filippo Pozzato's victory yesterday in the Coppa Agostoni, WorldTour team Lampre-Merida leads with 369 points. The real battle almost second division teams Androni (357), Vini Fantini (256) and Bardiani (242). Team Androni won the Coppa Italia last year.

The racing continues today with the Coppa Bernocchi and includes all EuropeTour races in Italy, ranked -.1 or -.HC.

Giro/Vuelta stage winner, Tognaccini dies

Italian Bruno Tognaccini, winner of a stage in the 1956 Giro d'Italia and 1957 Vuelta a España, died from a heart attack on Friday.

The 80-year-old from Arezzo raced professionally from 1953 to 1962.

Related links

Pro cycling transfer round-up (August 22)