Sergio Henao supports Sky's anti-doping controls
International news round-up (March 27): Nibali skips Critérium International and Flanders; UCI team plans; Arch opens Zoncolan climb; Africa's MTN-Qhubeka to race Flanders
Colombian Sergio Henao said yesterday that he supports the anti-doping controls at Team Sky, which withdrew him last week from competition.
In a press statement released to websites including Tutto Bici, he explained that he "understands the team's attention to controlling blood values." He added that he has always believed in cycling's "ethical values, such as loyalty and respect for the rules."
On Wednesday last week, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Sky benched the 26-year-old for abnormal test values. In the afternoon, Sky released a statement from Principal David Brailsford and who said that he contacted cycling's authorities and that Henao will return to Colombia while Sky gets "a better understanding of these profiles and his physiology".
Henao explained yesterday that he will cooperate with Sky and other experts "in order to complete all necessary and appropriate investigations." He added he is "extremely confident in the outcome of the checks that will be submitted shortly and expects to return to activity."
Henao's cousin Sebastian Henao continues to race for the team. The case follows Jonathan Tiernan-Locke's biological passport anomaly that came to light in September.
Nibali skips Critérium International and Flanders
Tour de France favourite Vincenzo Nibali will skip the Critérium International and Tour of Flanders, and return to racing in the Ardennes Classics.
"We saw Vincenzo work hard in Paris-Nice and Milan-San Remo, it's good news to watch the shark attack," Astana Team Manager, Giuseppe Martinelli said in a statement. "Now, we need to draw back a little, go back to altitude in Tenerife to recover from the efforts and re-train specifically to get ready for the Ardennes – Liège-Bastogne-Liège especially. This race is a fundamental one-day goal in Astana's 2014 season and we want Vincenzo to be at real top fitness for the day".
Nibali will return to racing for the Amstel Gold Race on April 20. Martinelli had said in January that he wanted Nibali to race Flanders in preparation for the Tour de France. Its fifth stage covers cobbled sectors used in Paris-Roubaix.
UCI team and calendar plans
Cycling's governing body, the UCI is pushing ahead with its plans to reform teams and its racing calendar. In a newsletter on Tuesday, it said that it will introduce reduced team sizes and new divisions in 2017.
The WorldTour first division will split into two and will race a limited number of days per year. Level 1A: 16 teams and 120 days – including the Grand Tours, major stage races and classics. Level 1B: eight teams and 50 days.
Starting next year in 2015, the UCI said that it would take the first 16 teams in the 2014 WorldTour for the first division. The two remaining spots will go to the teams, regardless of division, with the highest points.
Arch opens Zoncolan climb
Local organisers built an arch in Ovaro, northeast Italy, to mark the start of the Monte Zoncolan climb and inaugurated it on Tuesday. The wood and stone structure spans the road that the Giro d'Italia will face on May 31, the final mountain day in this year's race.
In its short history, Monte Zoncolan created a place for itself alongside Mortirolo, Angliru and Alpe d'Huez – all climbs with inferior average gradients. It averages 11.9 per cent over 10.1km and touches 22 per cent. Igor Antón won the Giro's stage to Zoncolan in 2011. This year, the arch will mark the stage race's fifth visit.
Africa's MTN-Qhubeka to race Flanders
Africa's first professional team, MTN-Qhubeka will race the Tour of Flanders next Sunday (April 6) in Belgium.
The team announced its invitation yesterday and said that last year's Milan-San Remo winner, German Gerald Ciolek will ride as captain.
MTN will likely field some of its Africans, including South African Songezo Jim or Algerian Youcef Reguigui. Jim races in the E3 Harelbeke tomorrow.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
Elisa Balsamo sprints to victory in Trofeo Alfredo Binda, securing fourth successive win for Lidl-Trek
Lidl-Trek's Elisa Balsamo wins 50th edition of Trofeo Alfredo Binda
By Emma Magnus Published
-
Van der Poel the super-domestique and Matthews the nearly man: Five things we learned from Milano-San Remo 2024
From Philipsen’s first Monument victory to Pogačar’s Poggio attacks, this year’s edition of La Classicissima left us with a lot of talking points
By Joseph Lycett Published
-
UCI to review hookless rims ‘as a matter of urgency’
Review follows Thomas De Gendt’s heavy crash at men’s UAE Tour
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
French WorldTour pro cyclist suspended for anti-doping ‘abnormalities’
Franck Bonnamour's biological passport is under investigation by the UCI
By Tom Davidson Published
-
UCI rules new track cycling series a ‘forbidden event’ and threatens to fine riders
Riders are at risk of fines and suspension if they compete in the planned DerbyWheel
By Tom Davidson Published
-
A $2,250 fine for wearing the wrong socks? UCI toughens sanctions for 2024
Offences for non-compliant clothing and unauthorised feeding set to carry harsher fines
By Tom Davidson Published
-
UCI hails 20% emissions reduction as it lays out sustainability plan
Report is part of world governing body’s commitment to reduce impact of its operations on environment
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘Unprecedented’ television audiences revealed for cycling Super Worlds
Fans around the world watched more than 200 million hours in August
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Number of British women’s Continental teams set to double in 2024
Three British teams have applied to step up to UCI level next season
By Tom Davidson Published
-
UCI warns UK that banning Russians will hurt chances of hosting future events
UCI president David Lappartient reportedly says UK government does not trust the UCI will ensure Russian and Belarusian athletes will compete as neutrals in Scotland next month
By Tom Thewlis Published