Corratec Selle Italia

Valerio Conti

Davide Baldaccini

Nicolas Dalla Valle

Karel Vacek

Nicolas Tivani

Marco Murgano

Veljko Stojnic

Alexander Konychev

Attilio Viviani

Lorenzo Quartucci

Antoine Debons

Antonio Barac

Andrii Ponomar

Valentin Darbellay

Etienne van Empel

Stefano Gandin

Samuele Zambelli

Charlie Quarterman

Kyrylo Tsarenko

Jan Stöckli

Alessandro Iacchi

Giulio Masotto

Matteo Amella

Simone Olivero

Racing

News

Race News

Gran Premio New York confirms two pro teams and more on the way for inaugural edition

The George Washington Bridge, the most heavily traveled bridge in the world, will host the start of the gran fondo and the pro race in 2024 

, a new UCI 1.2 one-day race in the United States, has confirmed to 

 that 10 professional teams have signed up thus far for the new race. Fifteen more teams are expected to be confirmed over the coming weeks.

While the full list of confirmed teams was not revealed, race organiser Uli Fluhme told 

 would be on the start on the George Washington Bridge on May 19, 2024.

Is pro racing coming to New York City? New event planned for 2024

“In terms of the teams, what I can tell you is Bardiani is coming, Corratec is coming and a lot of Continental teams from around the world will be announced in the next couple of weeks,” Fluhme said.

The race, which will hold its first edition in May of next year, has been a long-term project for Fluhme who also promotes the 

 (GFNY) series of mass participation races. The race will run in conjunction with the GFNY World Championships in May, with the professional race starting 15 minutes before the amateur participants roll over the start line.

“It’s been a long time coming for us. We started GFNY in 2011 and we had no idea what would happen,” Fluhme said. “After doing the [gran fondo] for two years, I said to Lydia, my wife and co-founder, ‘We got to do a pro ride here, it’s a waste of closed course to not have one.’”

Back in 2013, Fluhme and his team pitched the idea to launch a WorldTour race in New York to then-UCI President Pat McQuaid, who liked the idea. The venture was also bolstered by Formula 1 looking into a race in the New York City area, with discussions taking place between the two organisations to form some type of joint venture in and around New York City.

In the end, the F1 project went nowhere and the standalone cycling event, with a proposed $2 million budget, didn’t gain the financial traction it needed to be viable, so GFNY and Fluhme focused their attention on expanding the GFNY brand with other events around the world.

Nevertheless, the dream to bring pro racing into the fold was still something on Fluhme’s mind a decade later.

“We felt like our race in New York needed something else, something new, after doing this for ten years. So we said now is the time,” he said of the decision to start the event in 2024.

Currently, Bardiani and Corratec are the only two teams confirmed, but Fluhme was bullish on the international nature of the peloton, referencing that there are ten contracts signed with teams from Europe, Asia and the Americas, with eight more on the way soon.

Round-ups

News Round-ups

News Round-up: Sponsors queued up for Soudal-Visma merger 

Julian Alaphilippe congratulates Jumbo-Visma after the Coppa Bernocchi

Shimano, Visma and Soudal all confirm their sponsorship intentions, as merger talks rumble on

Another day has passed by and yet a sense of confusion remains the prevailing emotion in regard to the supposed merger between 

 of Soudal Quick-Step has himself spoken about the frustration surrounding the merger rumours, but for the sponsors involved, the move draws a sense of opportunity. 

Talk of the Visma-Soudal merger is 'a bit tiresome', says Julian Alaphilippe

Over the last couple of days, Visma, Soudal and 

 have all publicly spoken of their desire to be involved front and centre with a new-look team, with the former two the likely title sponsors of such an amalgamation. As for Shimano, the hope is for their involvement with Jumbo-Visma to begin again, after being replaced by 

, a Shimano spokesperson admitted that the company would "always be honoured to support any endeavours that they see us fitting their balance for," in reference to Jumbo-Visma. 

"It's always great to see riders as the top levels compete on Shimano groupsets."

Brian Cookson recognised when speaking to

, the merger is more of a "takeover," with Soudal Quick-Step falling into Jumbo-Visma's ranks. The Dutch team currently rides 

 bikes and SRAM group sets, but reports last week hinted at 

 being involved with the merger negotiations, whilst Shimano's public statement hints at the battle to sponsor what will likely be the sport's most dominant team. 

Specialized set to become Visma-Soudal's bike manufacturer

At the weekend, Soudal Quick-Step team boss Patrick Lefevere commented that the introduction of Amazon as a sponsor for Jumbo-Visma may be a game changer, but when pushed on the matter by 

, Soudal reiterated their desire to continue as a title sponsor in the sport going forward.

Patrick Lefevere says Amazon arrival raises questions over Jumbo-Visma and Soudal Quick-Step merger

“Name sponsorship is our strength, which ensures 'return on investment,'" Soudal sponsorship and corporate communications manager Marko Heijl was adamant. "Our marketing strategy is focused on this and until further notice there is no reason to deviate from that strategy. We were contractually committed at the time as an enthusiastic name sponsor and it is our ambition to remain so too.”

 of their pride at their second sponsorship of Jumbo-Visma since 2019, and confirmed their intention to retain a long-term interest going forward. 

“As for the future, we entered this sponsorship in 2019 with a long-term perspective. As long as both sides see common value in this cooperation, that will not change," said Anne-Grethe Thomle Karlsen, director of content and sponsorship for the Visma Group. 

Florian Sénéchal signs for Arkéa-B&B Hotels on two-year deal

The former French national road race champion, 

The 30-year-old's departure is not related to the likely merger between Quick-Step and 

, but will see the Classics specialist ply his trade on the Arkéa setup that is welcoming the title sponsorship of B&B Hotels for the foreseeable future. 

"The exchange I had with Emmanuel Hubert immediately convinced me that the Arkéa-B&B Hotels team was the one I had to choose," Sénéchal explained in the 

. "Emmanuel was able to find the words, immediately gave me confidence, and explained to me very quickly what he would expect from me... His sense of listening was essential."

At 30 years of age, Sénéchal should be riding at the peak of his powers and with victory in the French National Championships last year, this appears to be the case. 

Not only a strong one-day rider, Sénéchal will provide another important cog in the lead-out train for  his long-time friend and soon-to-be teammate, 

, whose mid-season transfer has already proved fruitful for the team with victory in Sunday's 

"We get along well, him and me. We had the same coach, at CC Wasquehal, the late Hervé Boussard," revealed the new recruit. "I've always stayed in touch with Arnaud. I'm coming back to France, at a team that listens to me and wants to continue to grow too. Arnaud will be a super leader, this I know."

The move will bring to an end Sénéchal's six-year spell with Soudal QuickStep, which has seen him all five of his career victories to date. Le Samyn in 2019 got him off the mark, before the Frenchman went on to achieve his maiden Grand Tour stage win at the Vuelta a España in 2021. 

Before leaving Soudal Quick-Step, Sénéchal is slated to race Binche-Chimay-Binche on Tuesday, which will be broadcast live and ad-free on 

 from 13:25 BST (territory restrictions apply). 

Charlie Quarterman announces retirement from professional racing

 has announced his impending retirement from professional road racing, with Coppa Bernocchi, Tre Valli Varesine and Gran Piemonte to be his final races before hanging up the cleats. 

Announcing the news on his social media on Sunday, Quarterman cited contract uncertainties and physical risks so as to explain the reasons behind his departure from the sport. 

"It becomes harder to maintain the complete lifestyle commitment when the physical risks, contract uncertainties, and tough demands inherent in professional racing take their toll," acknowledged Quarterman. "In the end, it was once again a serious trip to the hospital that made me put things into perspective."

The past few seasons have been equally challenging and rewarding for Quarterman, whose comeback to the professional scene saw him earn a strong following of supporters. 

Left without a contract in 2022 following three seasons on the WorldTour with 

, the rider from Oxford bravely decided to ply his trade with amateur club Philippe Wagner Cycling. He rode relatively small French races with the club, but impressed at the British national time trial championships to take fifth place. His tenacity was rewarded with a ride on the Italian Corratec-Selle Italia side this season. 

His comeback to the professional ranks reached its height at the Giro d'Italia in May, in which he was always trying to animate the race and worked his way into the breakaway on stages 6 and 17. It was a commendable achievement for a rider who was forced to the amateur just twelve months earlier. 

Quarterman's retirement will bring an end to his seven-year career on the road, but rather than look back on what might have been, the 25-year-old already sounds eager to develop his career away from the sport. 

"I plan on completing my economics degree at University of Grenoble, and pushing on with my career outside of cycling. And of course I will be getting married to Louise [Guillemaille} in the autumn of 2024," wrote Quarterman. 

You can watch all three of Quarterman's final races live and ad-free on 

 this week (territory restrictions apply). 

Michał Kwiatkowski and Giuseppe Saronni among L'Eroica's 8,316 participants in Italy

 in 2014 and 2017, current pro and former world champion 

 sportive at the weekend, sporting a retro bike and accompanying Molteni woollen kit. 

The Pole was joined on the start line by various other icons of cycling's past, including Gilberto Simoni, Alessandro Ballan, Giovanni Visconti and Giuseppe 'Beppe' Saronni. 

"Here I go back to my origins, and I tasted the taste of bicycles from my beginnings," Saronni told 

. "But the most important thing is to see so many people, men and women, so passionate and ready to get involved: a beautiful party of love for the bicycle."

L'Eroica is a retro-themed sportive taking place in Siena, Italy, since 1997, and certified participants ride the course aboard bikes pre-dating the 1990s, therefore featuring steel frames, toe straps, down tube gear levers and alike. The success of the event actually resulted in the Strade Bianche one-day Classic, which has been a professional race since 2007, whilst the L'Eroica sportive has grown from strength to strength. 

This weekend's event saw a record number of participants, with 5,305 Italians and 3,011 foreign riders taking to the start, including 889 women. Giancarlo Brocci, founder of L'Eroica, spoke of his delight at a record-setting edition on the white roads of Tuscany. 

"It would take a smile meter to give the most direct idea of the success of the Eroica 2023," he told 

. "The joy that pervades Gaiole in Chianti is measured by eye, how much people need to find themselves, to live a cathartic rite.

"A joy that is perceived in every ride, selfie, hug, and contact. It sounds incredible but the miracle always comes back to be fulfilled and even a nicer pinch than the previous time. This was a triumphant edition, an exceptional event."

Wout van Art wins Coppa Bernocchi as Soudal Quick-Step and Jumbo-Visma dominate proceedings

 (Jumbo-Visma) won the Coppa Bernocchi one-day race after unleashing an unstoppable sprint to the line on Monday.

The Belgian beat Vincenzo Albanese (EOLO-Kometa) and Andrea Bagioli (Soudal Quick-Step) to the line after Jumbo-Visma and Soudal Quick-Step dominated the race-winning break.

The two superpower teams, who are currently linked by a potential merger ahead of the 2024 season, had three riders each in the final break that formed over the top of the final ascent of the Piccoli Stelvio.

Van Aert was joined by teammates Tiesj Benoot and Jan Tratnik, while Soudal Quick-Step had Bagioli, Julian Alaphilippe and Fausto Masnada to count on.

Read more: Talk of the Visma-Soudal merger is 'a bit tiresome', says Julian Alaphilippe

There were few attacks in the closing kilometres with only a tentative move coming from Alaphilippe in the last 2km.

Coming into the finish Benoot hit the front with Van Aert on his wheel, and despite opening his sprint from a long way out the Jumbo-Visma leader had more than enough to hold off the late charge from the opposition.

Coppa Bernocchi: Wout van Aert wins from Jumbo-Visma and Soudal Quick-Step heavy break

Marianne Vos rules out cyclo-cross programme in 2023 after surgery

SRAM enters the e-bike game with all-new Powertrain

Chris Boardman urges the government to 'stick with' active travel plans

Wahoo set to offer Zwift subscriptions with RGT set to close

Puck Pieterse becomes first Dutch woman to win MTB World Cup overall

From an octopus’ garden in the shade, it is time to bid adieu. Until the next time.

Analysis

World of Cycling: Tour de France preview

This week's World of Cycling episode is out now on GCN+

 season and Dan Lloyd can barely contain his excitement. Joining him in the World of Cycling studio to look ahead to this year’s race are 

The biggest talking point of the Tour is whether 

) can bounce back from last year’s disappointment to dethrone reigning champion 

). We hear from Alberto Contador, who provides first-hand insight into what it takes to regain a Tour de France title.

With less racing experience but an encyclopaedic knowledge of stats and numbers, GCN’s resident guru Cillian Kelly is back to dive into the stats that may define the Tour de France.

Meanwhile, in the studio, Dan, Tom and Charlie dissect the chances of the GC favourites and consider whether 

The 110th Tour de France kicks off in the Basque Country on Saturday 1 July so before the action gets underway, make sure to catch this week’s World of Cycling episode and our official big preview on the GCN Racing channel. We’ve got you covered!

You can watch the full episode of this week’s 

feature over 160 original cycling films, documentaries and series, but we also have all of the world's biggest road, mountain bike, cyclocross and track races live, ad-free and even on-demand. To subscribe or find out more, simply 

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Name	Age	UCI Career Wins	UCI Points
Valerio Conti	31	4	203
Davide Baldaccini	25	1	193
Nicolas Dalla Valle	26	3	186
Karel Vacek	23	0	155
Nicolas Tivani	28	18	130

Corratec Selle Italia

Corratec Selle Italia

The Team

Top Corratec Selle Italia Stories

Gran Premio New York confirms two pro teams and more on the way for inaugural edition

News Round-up: Sponsors queued up for Soudal-Visma merger

World of Cycling: Tour de France preview

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