Catch-up with Mathieu van der Poel
Catch-up with Mathieu van der Poel at the Alpecin-Fenix training camp in La Plagne, France. The world cyclo-cross champion looks back on his short mountain bike campaign and talks about his upcoming goals in the second part of his 2021 road season.
Philippe Walsleben wins the first stage at Boucles de la Mayenne
The first day at Boucles de la Mayenne 2021 ended with a great victory for Philippe Walsleben. The Alpecin-FENIX German athlete crossed the finish line first in 3 hours, 59 minutes and 45 seconds ahead of the Spanish cyclist Diego Rubio (Burgos-BH).
It was a very intense race – 175 kilometres long – with many sprints on the way. At 10 kms to the finish line only these two athletes remained head to head. The Walsleben performed the crucial acceleration gaining the necessary distance from Rubio to win the stage.
A wonderful performance for our athlete and a great satisfaction for the Aplecin-FENIX team. Congrats Philippe!
Behind the scenes: Mountain Bike World Cup 2021 in Nové Město
Always wanted to know how the Alpecin-FENIX riders prepare for a race?
Take an exclusive look behind the scenes in this inside video of the Alpecin-FENIX participation at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Nové Město (May 14-16, 2021), where Mathieu van der Poel finished 2nd taking the lead in the World Cup!
Mathieu van der Poel in Albstadt: back on the mountainbike
It has been almost two years ago since Mathieu van der Poel did his last season on the mountainbike. After the Ronde van Vlaanderen he took the time to get back on his mountainbike and do some specific training again. He is preparing for the Olympics in two World Cup stages: Albstadt and Nove Mesto. Just before the XCC short circuit, he talked about finally being able to race again on his beloved mountainbike.
“I want to get as many points as possible because it is important for me to get a good starting position at the Olympics,” Van der Poel mentions in his interview. “But in general, I will be happy if I can go home with a good feeling.”
Watch the full interview and find out how Mathieu felt right after his amazing victory in the XCC shot circuit last Friday.
XCO World Cup Albstadt: relive the action!
The first XCO races in Albstadt are done and dusted. Puck Pieterse finished 7th in the Women’s U23 race Loris Rouiller finished 40th in the Men’s U23 race.
Check out the aftermovie and relive the action!
First victory for Tim Merlier at Giro d’Italia 2021
First victory for Tim Merlier
at Giro d’Italia 2021
Tim Merlier won with a sprint the second race of Giro d’Italia, that went from Nichelino to Novara for a total of 179 km.
At the end of a tough race, the Alpecin-FENIX belgiam cyclist crossed the finishing line in 4 hours, 21 minutes and 09 seconds ahead of Giacomo Nizzolo. He made an outstanding come back at the end.
Merlin dedicated his victory to Wouter Weylandt, a Belgiancyclist who died ten years ago after a crash at the Passo del Bocc hill.
FENIX extends sponsorship agreement with Alpecin-FENIX
One day prior to the start of Giro d’Italia we are happy to announce that FENIX is extending its sponsorship agreement with Alpecin-FENIX until the end of 2023!
Sandro Marini: “We are so excited to extend the sponsorship of the Alpecin-FENIX team. We share the same values, so for us, the Alpecin-FENIX team is so inspiring.”
HERE'S OUR LINEUP FOR GIRO D'ITALIA
As a proud sponsor of the Alpecin FENIX Cycling Team we are happy to present you the lineup for Giro d’Italia, which kicks off in FENIX’s home region next week! Since this will be the first ever Grand Tour of this team we wanted to announce the lineup via a unique lineup presentation. Discover the 8 Alpecin FENIX riders for the 2021 Giro d’Italia in the video.
Jay Vine: "Finishing Second By One Second Is Heartbreaking"
Our Zwift Academy winner Jay Vine finished second on the podium at the Tour of Turkey.
His first race as a professional cyclist for Alpecin Fenix. He finished 2nd by just one tiny second after “a week that went way better than excpected.” Here’s what he had to say after the race, it’s definitely worth the read!
“I didn’t really know how this Tour of Turkey was going to unfold. We were really hoping for a good result on stage 5, but I had never raced in a bunch this big, and with teammates that I’d never met before. I put a bit of pressure on myself to perform. But that wasn’t the only thing that the team came here for. We came here to win bunch sprints with Jasper. So, learning how to position in the bunch and how to help in the final of sprints was all new to me.”
“Finishing second by one second is heartbreaking. I never stopped believing. Our sports director Frederik Willems over the radio and Jasper himself kept saying throughout the race ‘we go for the split in the final, we’re going to throw the kitchen sink in the last 3 km.’ I was in a really good position heading into that final 360 degrees corner, but got pinched in the wrong spot and came down.”
“I think it’ll take a little bit of time for it to sink in. But I think that shows how much the team was committed to try and go for the win. I think the biggest surprise of the week was just how much that I didn’t know. Like, there’s just so many nuances to moving around in the peloton and reading the rhythms and the ebbing and flowing of the race. And when and where to position yourself in different situations, on climbs, on flats, on descents. There’s lots to pay attention to, and I’ve just started to learn really. I can’t wait to the next bike race.”
Great teamwork, perfectly finished off by our young sprinter Jasper Philipsen!
Jasper Philipsen has just won the 2021 Scheldeprijs.
Jasper Philipsen was over the moon with his powerful sprint victory at the Scheldeprijs, where he finished off some great team work!
“I’m really proud of this win. It means a lot to me! The team has been doing really well and was amazing today. I was confident in my sprint, and Jonas Rickaert and Dries De Bondt did an incredible job in the final kilometers.”
