short rate. Van Aert welcomes Blaporte and van der Sande at Jumbo-Visma – Evenbühel, Alaphilippe and Asgren at Drevenkers | Cycling

Deceuninck-Quick.Step sends big names to 61 Druivenkoers (1.1) in Overijse on Thursday. Remco Evenepoel and world champion Julian Alaphilippe are part of the selection. Denmark’s Kasper Asgren, winner of the Flanders Grand Prix, as well as compatriot Mikel Honore and the Belgian trio of Dries Devenins, Eligo Kisse and Peter Seri will also appear at the start.

“The Druivenkoers are important because they present a challenging track with some parts that will also be tripped up during the World Cup,” says sporting director Rick Van Slick. “This makes it more exciting than usual. We have a strong squad and we will try to play an important role as we always do. It will not be easy, but we will start with a lot of confidence and motivation.”

Wout van Aert has two new teammates. The Jumbo-Visma team has strengthened itself with Christophe Laporte and Tosh van der Sande. Both men signed a two-season contract. “This is an important step in my career and I am excited to start this project,” Laporte said. “The Flemish Classics will be one of my main goals for next season. I love those races. A great team has been formed around Wout and I will do my best to win together.”

Van der Sande is also looking to elevate himself in yellow and black. “I’ve been very honored with the interest. I’ve driven in Lotto for ten years, so it would be a serious change. If a team like Team Jumbo-Visma asks for a call, don’t hesitate for a long time. It’s the best team or one of the best in the world. The place and the professionalism really appeal to me.” I am really happy to be joining this team and I am really looking forward to it. I hope to be able to make my way into the classic team driving for Wout van Aert.”

Trek-Segafredo attracted Norwegian Markus Hoelgaard. He signed a two-year contract. The 26-year-old was one of the trendsetters on his country tour last week. He finished each stage in the top ten and was fourth in the final standings. Earlier this month he claimed victory in the opening stage of the Norwegian Arctic Race. During the spring, Hoelgaard showed himself in eighth place at the E3 Saxo Bank Classic. The Norwegian comes from the Pro Tour Uno-X team and is on the cusp of his World Tour debut. On Trek he will be teammates with Jasper Stuyven and Edward Theuns, among others.

Team UAE has announced a four-passenger contract extension. Colombia’s first sprinter Fernando Gaviria, former Portuguese world champion Rui Costa, Italy’s Alessandro Coffey and Slovenian Jan Polanc.

Covi extended until the end of 2024. Gaviria’s record, like Costa and Polanc, until the end of 2022. “We all know Gaviria is a world-class sprinter who can beat anyone on a good day,” said team principal Joxean Matxin Fernandez. “Now we hope to see more regularity, and he certainly can. We are very happy that he will stay with the team and we hope to see his best version in 2022.”

27-year-old Gaviria switched from Quick.Step to the United Arab Emirates in 2019. He won a stage at the Tour Poland this month but was unable to score in the Giro, which he has already succeeded in five times.

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