“Who could possibly enjoy this?” Chaos and carnage as cyclists slip and slide all over muddy “Takeshi’s Castle-style” hill during cyclocross race; Amateur tells pro teams “I just want a chance” after smashing Mortirolo Strava KOM + more on the live blog

An amateur cyclist has issued a come and get me plea to professional teams after setting new Strava KOMs on the Stelvio and Mortirolo, two of Italy’s most emblematic and gruelling climbs, telling potential suitors in an Instagram video that “I just want a chance” to turn pro.

On Saturday, 29-year-old Canadian Jack Burke, who’s spent 2024 racing for club team Above & Beyond Cancer Cycling p/b Bike World in the United States, beat Tour de France winner Vincenzo Nibali’s time on the fearsomely steep Mortirolo, which stood since 2019, by over a minute.

According to his Strava file, Burke rode up the brutal 11.5km climb – which averages 11.7 per cent and is regarded as one of the toughest climbs in the world – in 43:45, 67 seconds faster than Nibali’s previous KOM, set during stage 16 of the Giro d’Italia in 2019.

The four-time grand tour winner himself scaled the Mortirolo that day a minute and a half quicker than stage winner Giulio Ciccone, crossing the line in Ponte di Legno in fourth, the best of the GC contenders, before eventually finishing second overall behind Richard Carapaz in Verona.

During his shark-smashing (and rather chilly) attempt on Saturday, Burke averaged 15.7kph for the entirety of the climb, putting out 435 watts and an average heart rate of 170bpm in the process.

And that’s not all – the Canadian also claimed he’s set the KOM for the iconic Stelvio too, and will upload the file to Strava over the coming weeks.

“I just broke the record on the Mortirolo. It’s November 16th, that’s why I’m cold,” the 29-year-old said in a video filmed at the summit of the Italian pass. “Yeah, I smashed it. I’ve got to look at exactly the time, but I think I beat Nibali’s record by about a minute.

“It’s just one of those days where you really have the best legs, you just have amazing legs, and you’re seeing the power numbers, and you’re like, ‘Yeah, I’m on a good one today’.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Jack Burke (@jburke95)

“I’ve done everything I can this year. I wasn’t planning to race this year, and then Steve [Neal, his coach], thanks for somehow talking me into training again in May, and then I won every race I did this year. I broke the course record on three of them.

“I broke the record up the Stelvio – I broke the record last week, but I wasn’t supposed to tell you guys that. I’m supposed to keep that secret for another few weeks.

“If you’re someone who can give me a pro contract, you’re allowed to know that I broke the record last week. But for everybody else, pretend you didn’t hear that for another few weeks until I’m allowed to post it.”

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Jack Burke (@jburke95)

Burke’s assault on two of cycling’s most famous climbs comes as he made a ‘sign me up’ plea to any interested pro teams, after years of toiling on the Continental circuit for outfits like Jelly Belly and Leopard Pro Cycling.

During his final year as a junior in 2013, he failed an anti-doping test, but was later cleared after he was found to have accidentally consumed contaminated water.

He hosts a podcast called ‘How To Become A Pro Cyclist’, and has published a book under the same name, in which he offers training tips and advice.

And he hopes this latest show of strength can make his book title finally become a reality.

“I don’t know what more I can do, I’ve done everything I can do. I just want a chance to do it against the best in the world,” he said on Instagram.

“I just want a chance at the World Tour,” he also said on Strava. “Anyone, anywhere, anytime. I’ll do whatever you want, I just want a chance against the best guys.”

And, judging by the comments on his Instagram, he certainly has some support in his bid to make it to the pro ranks.

“Give this man a pro contract,” said German triathlete Sebastian Roth.

Meanwhile, Burke’s fellow Canadian – and 2012 Giro d’Italia winner – Ryder Hesjedal said: “Why is it that this guy doesn’t get to roll with the best? He clearly can.”

So, beyond his pro dreams, what’s next for Burke?

“Pogi, I’m coming for your Madone,” he said on Instagram.

Tadej, you have been warned.

More updates from what I’ve christened Sir David Attenborough Lane in Coventry – I wonder if it will catch on?

> Campaigners criticised for staging country’s largest tree hug to block “destructive” bike lane plans — while suggesting it could be built by “lighting up” nature reserve

Just when you thought cycling’s winter transfer window was quietening down, we’ve been treated to a flurry of rumours and announcements today, as DSM-Firmenich PostNL confirmed the signing of Marta Cavalli from FDJ-Suez.

One of the most talented climbers in the peloton, and winner of the 2022 editions of Amstel Gold and Flèche Wallonne (beating both Annemiek van Vleuten and incoming FDJ leader Demi Vollering), 26-year-old Italian Cavalli has endured an injury-ravaged 2024, starting just five race days following a hip injury last winter.

She was then hit by a motorist while out training in July, bringing an abrupt end to her season.

However, Cavalli hopes she can rekindle her best race-winning form at DSM-Firmenich PostNL, where she will replace Juliette Labous (who’s also headed in the other direction to FDJ in a like-for-like swap) as the team’s leader for the hilly classics.

“I really enjoyed my time at FDJ-Suez but after four years I wanted a change and a chance to meet new people and experience new things,” Cavalli said in a statement issued today.

“That gives me a lot of motivation to continue to make steps and I think there are opportunities to do that with Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL. From our first talks the team has really trusted in me and believe that I can get back to where I was as a rider, and that was something important to me.

“There are a lot of people within the team who can help me grow as a rider and person. I’ve been a bit unlucky the past few years, so this is a good chance to restart and my goal is to come back to the highest level possible.”

Some classic Lotto Dstny commotion now, as it’s been reported in the Belgian press that Maxim van Gils – the team’s promising classics star who had a breakthrough spring campaign in the Ardennes – has reportedly tried to rip up his contract in a bid to secure a better deal at a rival team.

Het Laatste Nieuws reported on Tuesday evening that Van Gils, who finished seventh at Milan-Sanremo, third at Strade Bianche, third at Flèche Wallonne, and fourth at Liège-Bastogne-Liège this spring, sent a formal letter of termination to Lotto Dstny.

The 24-year-old had originally extended his contract with the Belgian squad until 2026 earlier this year. But after his successful 2024, which also saw him win Eschborn-Frankfurt, the GP des Kantons Aargau, and the truncated Ruta del Sol, Van Gils now appears to be in a position to attract a more lucrative offer, with Ineos, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, Astana, Movistar, and UAE Team Emirates all reportedly waiting in the wings.

> Lotto Dstny pro apologises for hitting rider after reacting to “dangerous behaviour” during sprint

Under European employment law, riders can unilaterally terminate their contracts with any team, though the Belgian courts may force Van Gils to pay Lotto the remainder of his salary, which Het Laatste Nieuws estimate to be around €1-1.2 million.

Another important factor to note is that the Belgian prosect is currently represented by Alex Carera, the Italian agent who forced through Cian Uijtdebroeks’ move from Bora-Hansgrohe to Visma-Lease a Bike last winter.

(Zac Williams/SWpix.com)

Carera has told Het Nieuwsblad that he will have further conversations with Lotto Dstny next week, either to reach a new deal for Van Gils or to secure his contract termination, which could involve an interested suitor paying a ‘transfer fee’ to secure the rider’s services.

Meanwhile, management at the cash strapped team – which will enter 2025 without co-title sponsor Dstny and big names such as Visma-bound Victor Campenaerts, Florian Vermeersch (who is heading to UAE), and the retiring Thomas De Gendt – are reportedly “shocked” at Van Gils’ move and unwilling to strike a deal.

> Ridley accuses Lotto Dstny of “disloyalty” and “reputational damage” as Belgian team looks to break contract with bike sponsor

However, in a statement issued last night, the team confirmed that talks are “ongoing” with their wantaway star.

“At this moment, Lotto Dstny Team is in discussion with Maxim Van Gils and his management to decide about their future together. Ongoing talks regarding a potential departure are part of this process,” the joint statement with the A&J All Sports agency said.

“All parties, however, wish for this to proceed in the most proper, legal, and serene manner possible. For the time being, we do not wish to provide further comments to ensure the discussions can continue calmly. Once there is official news, it will be communicated.”

Bier Criterium pic.twitter.com/xxPnMqVpUW

— O País Do Ciclismo (@opaisdociclismo) November 13, 2024

The semi-final may have been done and dusted last night, but it looks like a certain world champion is attempting a last-ditch bid to win the Great British Bake Off:

 (Credit: Alen Milavec)

Because that’s exactly what he needs this year, another victory…

Like Greg LeMond 40 years ago, it’s fair to say that Tadej Pogačar is singlehandedly moving the goalposts when it comes to pro cyclists’ salaries, after the world champion penned a new six-year contract extension with UAE Team Emirates last month, totalling a whopping €50 million.

But despite Pogačar’s groundbreaking new deal – one that comes amid calls for a budget cap to be introduced to the World Tour – LeMond’s compatriot Tejay van Garderen reckons that the three-time Tour de France, considering the “star power” he brings to pro cycling, is “massively underpaid” compared to other sports.

“I definitely like seeing the rock getting pushed up the hill for cycling, it’s about time that the guys are getting the respect that they deserve,” Van Garderen, twice a fifth-place finisher at the Tour de France and now a sports director at EF Education-EasyPost, said on NBC’s Beyond the Podium podcast, when asked about the sums involved in Pogačar’s contract.

(Zac Williams/SWpix.com)

“But I’d still say that Tadej Pogačar, for all the star power he brings to the sport, is massively underpaid.

“Just in comparison if you look at the NBA, 8.3 million euros would get you… probably somebody coming off the bench, maybe a little bit of a journeyman, gets traded to some other teams here. The highest paid player, Stephen Curry, gets 45 million a year.”

While the Giro d’Italia stage winner noted that such comparisons were difficult, he also argued that the jump from the salaries enjoyed by the likes of Peter Sagan and Chris Froome a decade ago (which came to around €4 to €5 million a year) to Pogačar’s current earnings isn’t as steep as in other sports over the same period.

Van Garderen wins stage 18 of the 2017 Giro d'Italia (LaPresse)

“That’s a big step up,” Van Garderen said of the difference between Sagan and Pogačar’s deals. “But if you think about it that was all the way back in 2012 or 2013. and if you look at the highest paid basketball player at the time, Kobe Bryant – he was on €25 million and now it’s €45 million for the highest paid guy.

“I don’t know what cycling needs to do to kind of catch up because you can’t tell me that the viewership is not there.

“In July [for the Tour de France] the decks are clear, the NBA is no longer going, they finish up in June, [American] football hasn’t started yet. Cycling is a global thing that everyone’s watching.”

> Tour de France boss says cycling budget cap would help tackle “unbalanced investment from Arab countries” – and admits he “wasn’t a fan of the Sky era”

Meanwhile, despite the benefits it would bring to his own EF team, Van Garderen also said he is against the current calls, being investigated by the UCI at the moment, for a salary cap, a concept he admits he has flip-flopped on in the past.

“All you're going to do is artificially deflate the riders’ value, because you won’t pay them what they’re worth,” he said in the podcast.

“Cycling needs to pay riders what they deserve.”