Bjarne Riis steps down as team manager of NTT Pro Cycling

Associated PressNov 11, 2020, 11:37 AM EST

Getty Images

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Bjarne Riis is stepping down as as team manager of South Africa-based NTT Pro Cycling, the 1996 Tour de France champion said Wednesday.

The Dane, who admitted to doping following his retirement from cycling, said he “departs the organization by mutual consent.”

Riis took over the first team from Africa to compete at the World Tour level on Jan. 8. It marked his return to top-level men’s cycling since leaving his role as team manager of Tinkoff-Saxo in 2015. He has since been trying to establish Danish-based teams in the lower tiers of cycling.

“To be a part of NTT Pro Cycling during a unique year for all of us has been a great experience,” Riis said. “I have a lot of respect for the team that Doug (Ryder) has built and want to thank him for the opportunity. I wish him all the best for the future.”

Riis is to step down at the conclusion of the season, NTT Pro Cycling and Riis said in a joint statement.

“I’d like to thank Bjarne for the experience and leadership that he has brought to our environment, and the contribution he has made,” said Ryder, founder and team principal of NTT Pro Cycling.

The statement also said that Riis and his partners, Jan Bech Andersen and Lars Seier Christensen, along with Ryder, have also discontinued further discussions about a purchase of a part of NTT Pro Cycling.

The Danish company that Riis co-owns, Virtu Cycling, was planning to invest in one third of the shares of the operational company behind NTT Pro Cycling, which was previously known as Team Dimension Data. It has been on the World Tour since 2016.

“I also expect it to be a final farewell to cycling for me personally,” Seier Christensen, the former sponsor of Team Saxo Bank, wrote on Facebook. “After more than 10 years as probably the largest financial support for Danish cycling, I think I have done my part.”

As co-founder and former chief executive of the Internet-based bank in Copenhagen, Seier Christensen was Riis’ longtime financial partner and was, among others, behind the sponsoring of Team Saxo Bank.

In 2007, Riis admitted to using the blood-booster EPO from 1993-98, including during his Tour victory. Riis wasn’t sanctioned because time limits had expired, but he said he no longer considered himself a worthy winner of the Tour.

Thomas sees Giro d’Italia lead cut slightly by Roglič; Buitrago wins Stage 19

Associated PressMay 26, 2023, 7:13 PM EDT

Getty Images

TRE CIME DI LAVAREDO, Italy — Geraint Thomas maintained his bid to become the oldest Giro d’Italia champion although his lead was cut slightly by Primož Roglič during the toughest stage of the race.

Roglič crossed the summit finish of the so-called “Queen Stage” three seconds ahead of Thomas at the end of the race’s final mountain road leg.

There were no flat sections and five tough, classified climbs on the 114-mile route from Longarone to the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, which had gradients of up to 18%.

Stage 19 was won by Santiago Buitrago, who finished 51 seconds ahead of Derek Gee and 1 minute, 46 seconds ahead of Magnus Cort and Roglič, who just missed out on bonus seconds.

“I’m really happy with this victory. It was the most difficult moment of a difficult Giro for me personally,” said Buitrago, who rides for Bahrain Victorious. “I wanted to try and raise my arms before the end and coming here at Tre Cime di Lavaredo is amazing.

“This is the recompense for all the work that I’ve done. … There’s a lot of motivation for me and the whole team having seen the fruits of our labors.”

The 37-year-old Thomas, who rides for Ineos Grenadiers, is 26 seconds ahead of Roglič going into what will be a decisive penultimate stage

Third-placed João Almeida lost more time and was 59 seconds behind Thomas.

Roglič changed his bicycle shortly before the start of the penultimate climb and he made his move inside the final kilometer. However, Thomas was able to stick to his wheel and the British cyclist made his own attack in the final 500 meters and looked to have slightly distanced his rival.

But Roglič came back and gained what could be a vital few seconds.

The winner will likely be decided in the mountain time trial that ends in a demanding climb up Monte Lussari, with an elevation of over 3,000 feet and gradients of up to 22%.

“Tomorrow we go full again,” Roglič said. “It’s good. We got a bit of legs back, so tomorrow we go full, eh?

“If I wouldn’t be confident then I don’t start. The best one at the end wins.”

The race ends in a mostly ceremonial finish in Rome, where Thomas could beat the age record held by Fiorenzo Magni, who was 34 when he won in 1955.

Thomas celebrates 37th birthday by retaining Giro d’Italia lead; Roglic into 2nd

Associated PressMay 25, 2023, 12:28 PM EDT

Getty Images

VAL DI ZOLDO, Italy — Geraint Thomas celebrated his 37th birthday with another strong ride in the mountains to retain the pink jersey during Stage 18 of the Giro d’Italia.

Thomas crossed immediately behind Primoz Roglic, who moved up from third place to second.

“The legs have been good,” Thomas said. “Need to enjoy these moments.”

Joao Almeida dropped from second to third overall after losing 21 seconds over the 100-mile route from Oderzo to Val di Zoldo, which included two first-category climbs followed by two second-category climbs in the finale – including an uphill finish.

Thomas – the 2018 Tour de France champion – leads Roglic by 29 seconds and Almeida by 39 seconds.

“It’s a pleasant day. I take time on Almeida and didn’t get dropped by Primoz,” Thomas said. “I felt pretty good, always under control but Primoz obviously went hard. It wasn’t easy. … I just want to be consistent until the end.”

Italian champion Filippo Zanna won the stage ahead of fellow breakaway rider Thibaut Pinot in a two-man sprint.

With only two more climbing stages remaining before the mostly ceremonial finish in Rome, Thomas is poised to become the oldest Giro winner in history – beating the record of Fiorenzo Magni, who was 34 when he won in 1955.

Chris Horner holds the record for oldest Grand Tour champion, set when he won the Spanish Vuelta in 2013 at 41.

However, Thomas will still be tested over the next two days.

Stage 19 is considered perhaps the race’s toughest, a 114-mile leg from Longarone to Tre Cime Di Lavaredo featuring five major climbs. Then there’s a mountain time trial.