Alex Dowsett 'trying to block out' rumours around Katusha-Alpecin future ahead of Worlds time trial
The Brit says course in Yorkshire is ideal for him

Alex Dowsett says it has not been easy to ignore the rumours of the potential end of Katusha-Alpecin, saying he simply has to try and "block it out and just crack on."
The 30-year-old turns his focus to the World Championships elite men's time trial on Wednesday, where he'll hope to improve on his best ever result of eighth in 2012.
>>> Watch: Chaos reigns supreme at Yorkshire Worlds U23 time trial
Dowsett is one of 11 contracted riders at Katusha for 2020, with the team's future still uncertain since rumours of it's possible demise surfaced during the Tour de France in July. Since then, the team has been linked to numerous mergers with teams including Arkéa-Samsic and more recently, a possible buyout by Israel Cycling Academy.
For the remaining riders, time is ticking for them to locate new contracts for the 2020 season if the team was to go under. Spaces are quickly filling in other teams and the deadline is looming for Katusha to register with the UCI for next year's WorldTour.
Dowsett is taking a "no news is good news" approach to the situation, saying riders haven't heard anything about developments in talks to save the team.
"To start with [hearing the news], it was fine," Dowsett said.
"We know it's difficult, but we knew that behind the scenes they were fighting for our team. And they still are.
"[But] It's not easy. You kind of have to block it out and just crack on.
"You start hearing other teams filling up and me being a contracted rider, you're just waiting to then see if you've got to go looking around or if you are safe. But I always figured no news would be good news, because it means there was still a possibility. And that's where we're still at.
"We don't get told anything, which, again, is frustrating; frustrating for us on a personal level, because it's just uncertainty, but actually you can understand because if I were to say we're chatting with Arkéa at the moment, this is how negotiations are going, it all just keeps the rumour mill turning.
"So I think the team's been real professional in keeping things locked down and and left it up to kind of anyone to fabricate a possibility and throw it out there."
The British time trial champion faces the 54km time trial in Yorkshire on Wednesday against some stiff competition from the likes of defending champion Rohan Dennis (Australia), European champion Remco Evenepoel and Hour Record holder Victor Campenaerts (both Belgium), as well as four-time winner Tony Martin (Germany) and Vuelta a España winner Primož Roglič (Slovenia).
Weather conditions blighted the U23 men's event on Tuesday morning, though conditions look set to be easier for elite men with the rain forecasted to hold off.
Dowsett said the course, which he first rode back in May, is ideally suited to him with the uphill sections not tough enough to play into the hands of stronger climbers.
The Essex-born rider remained cagey though on his finishing place expectations, saying he is just aiming to make sure he does everything as well as he can on the day.
"It's a really nice [course]. It has everything," Dowsett said. "I think it's a really well designed course. It has a couple of climbs but nothing that's going to separate the likes of Roglič from the rest of us. There's some long straights, a few corners.
"There's one bump that potentially you're going to lift off the ground on, and then the run into Harrogate is a slog at times, but I really like it.
"If I finish top 10, it'll be a nice result but I will be looking at what was the gap to ninth, or third, or first? And is that achievable? You analyse it afterwards," he added.
"I just I want to have good ride. I know I'll get everything out but I just want it all to come together on the day."
Thank you for reading 10 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
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
-
‘Moments to live and remember’: Roglič set to win the pink jersey after winning extraordinary penultimate stage of the Giro d’Italia
Thomas loses the pink jersey to Slovenian by just 14 seconds
By Stephen Puddicombe • Published
-
The best Memorial Day deals for cyclists
Memorial Day is coming up in the United States. We've rounded up the best Memorial Day deals for cyclists including bikes, apparel, gear and accessories.
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
'It's not nice to lose in that way' - Tragic end for breakaway duo on stage six of the Giro d'Italia
Simon Clarke and Alessandro De Marchi had their dreams crushed with 200m to go in Napoli
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Back to Africa: Chris Froome on going back to his roots, his future and cycling's new generation
He’s come full circle, but is there time for another loop? We talk to the four-time Tour champ about his and African cycling’s future
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Where next for Mark Cavendish after B & B Hotels-KTM's collapse?
We look at where the ‘Manx Missile’ could find himself next after the collapse of B & B Hotels-KTM
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Chris Froome highlights dangers of long Covid after battle with virus
Four-time Tour de France champion warns of cardiovascular impact and says his VO2 max took a hit after illness
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Annemiek van Vleuten to target Vuelta-Tour-Giro treble again next season
The Dutchwoman plans to retire at the end of 2023
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Changing of the guard: Seven top cyclists who have retired in 2022
Vincenzo Nibali, Alejandro Valverde and Tom Dumoulin have all called time on their careers this year
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
11 of the best photos from the 2022 Road World Championships
There were tears, hugs and kisses in Wollongong, Australia
By Tom Davidson • Last updated
-
Remco Evenepoel goes long to win the men's World Championships road race solo after stinging attack
The young Belgian was clearly the strongest on the day, but others need to ask themselves how and why they let him go
By Jack Elton-Walters • Last updated