Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Chrissy Marshall-Bell

Rouleur @rouleurmagazine.bsky.social · 1d

Tim Declercq – or El Tractor as he is commonly referred to – is retiring at the end of this season after more than a decade in the service of so many great leaders. For Rouleur’s In My Words series, the Belgian reflects on a career of sticking his nose in the wind at the front of the peloton

My life at the front of the peloton, by Tim 'El Tractor' Declercq

Tim Declercq – or El Tractor as he is commonly referred to – is retiring at the end of this season after more than a decade in the service of so many great leaders. For Rouleur’s In My Words series, t...

www.rouleur.cc

3 11

Chrissy Marshall-Bell @cmbreports.bsky.social · 3d

Really enjoyed chatting with Ide Schelling about his decision to retire from WorldTour racing aged 27. "I knew deep down if I continued like this, with more stress coming into the sport, I wasn’t going to be as happy as if I was doing something different.”

Rouleur @rouleurmagazine.bsky.social · 6d

“I love rebuilding homes, buying an apartment and flipping them over. I see myself doing more of that in the future”

'If your mind is open to change and you've got the freedom, go for it': Why Ide Schelling is retiring aged 27

The Dutchman hasn't fallen out of love with cycling, but has grown more in love with his other hobbies and interests. He tells Rouleur why he's quitting WorldTour racing in his mid-20s, and what's nex...

www.rouleur.cc

1 7

Chrissy Marshall-Bell @cmbreports.bsky.social · 11d

Spoke with Lidl-Trek manager Luca Guercilena about Juan Ayuso's arrival for @rouleurmagazine.bsky.social. Interesting to note that despite paying millions for him, Trek aren't expecting immediate success. Notable line about Geoghegan Hart's future role, too.

www.rouleur.cc/blogs/the-ro...

Patience, pragmatism and potential pitfalls: Lidl-Trek prepare for Juan Ayuso's arrival

It has been mooted that Juan Ayuso is difficult to work with, but Lidl-Trek aren't too fearful of that; what they are cautioning against is the idea that the Spaniard will be an immediate success.

www.rouleur.cc

1

Chrissy Marshall-Bell @cmbreports.bsky.social · 19d

A fortnight ago I spent an hour talking with Matt Dinham who last finished a race in Oct 2023. Since then he's been on crutches, and had weekly MRIs, scans, x-rays and hospital visits. This is his story of anguish, frustration and finally relief at racing once again.

www.rouleur.cc/blogs/the-ro...

‘I couldn’t live - what did I do to deserve this?’: Matt Dinham’s two year injury ordeal finally comes to an end with racing return

The Australian climber has visited dozens of medical professionals, had seven MRIs, five ultrasounds, countless x-rays, CTs and bone density scans in the past two years. But finally he's back racing

www.rouleur.cc

1 3

Reposted by Chrissy Marshall-Bell

Dan Challis @globalpeloton.bsky.social · 20d

Looking back at an extraordinary week in Rwanda; the racing, the new talent and the wider context

No paywall on this one!

globalpeloton.substack.com/p/rwanda-ref...

Rwanda Reflections - Cycling is African

The first UCI road world championships in Africa was incredible, but had a shadow hanging over it

globalpeloton.substack.com

5 9

Chrissy Marshall-Bell @cmbreports.bsky.social · 19d

But trying and failing, no?

1 1

Chrissy Marshall-Bell @cmbreports.bsky.social · 20d

This is a very fair point, and something that one WT manager was saying to me last week too. The sport is richer than ever, and most teams are more stable than ever. But I think it's also undeniable that the WorldTour is increasingly meaningless and losing value, as my piece attempts to detail.

1 1

Chrissy Marshall-Bell @cmbreports.bsky.social · 20d

The accounts books, TV audience figures and riders career moves all come to the same damning and conclusive conclusion: the WorldTour is failing. Unfortunately, the UCI has just made it even more confusing. Change and reform is desperately needed in cycling.

www.rouleur.cc/blogs/the-ro...

Opinion: The WorldTour is failing and reform is needed – but the UCI just made it even more confusing

What is the point and value of the UCI WorldTour? Bank accounts, TV audience figures and rider decisions suggest it's pretty worthless and bordering on meaningless

www.rouleur.cc

1 2

Chrissy Marshall-Bell @cmbreports.bsky.social · 21d

There are pockets of people for sure, but most of the course is empty. It's really strange. Is it simple logistics - is the circuit locked down/closed off?

2

Chrissy Marshall-Bell @cmbreports.bsky.social · 21d

I thought the Rwanda Worlds were going to have huge crowds? Where is everyone? Very odd.

2 2

Chrissy Marshall-Bell @cmbreports.bsky.social · 22d

This includes some really vital fact checking.

Tilda @matildaprice.bsky.social · 22d

Quite a lot in this from me in Kigali this morning. Some the UCI/DP have said before, some they haven't, some fact-checking of some questionable statements

www.cyclingnews.com/news/sport-i...

'Sport is not a tool for sanction' – UCI not considering Israeli teams ban but unclear on steps to protect cycling from disruptive protests

UCI President David Lappartient set to meet with Israel-Premier Tech owner Sylvan Adams during World Championships

www.cyclingnews.com

4

Chrissy Marshall-Bell @cmbreports.bsky.social · 22d

Great work! And important fact checking.

1 3

Chrissy Marshall-Bell @cmbreports.bsky.social · 26d

Why would he answer questions from the media?* He's going to be re-elected unopposed - no need to make additional (unflattering) headlines. He's got complete control of the organisation. Rwanda 2025 is his legacy event. Why let the media spoil it?

*Of course I think it's a joke that he's hiding.

1 4

Chrissy Marshall-Bell @cmbreports.bsky.social · Sep 16

I wrote this for Cycling Weekly in February. A lot has happened since then. But this paragraph remains pertinent.

It *is* the duty and responsibility of sport to take action against heinous crimes. That's part of the Olympic Charter Lappartient talks about.

www.cyclingweekly.com/news/one-rul...

5

Chrissy Marshall-Bell @cmbreports.bsky.social · Sep 16

Lappartient will be reelected unopposed as UCI president at the Rwanda Worlds. He has done some good for cycling and in certain issues I admire and applaud him. But with this car crash he's showing himself to be ill-informed, wildly out of touch, and displaying flagrant double standards.

1 6

Chrissy Marshall-Bell @cmbreports.bsky.social · Sep 16

Spanish Government replies to the UCI's statement, pointing out that the UN has just declared Israel's actions in Gaza a genocide. Brutal final words: "Peace without justice is peace in the graveyard."

Lappartient is out of his depth. He is not protecting cycling with his actions and words.

3 13 68

Chrissy Marshall-Bell @cmbreports.bsky.social · Sep 16

It's like they've done zero self reflection on how they've pursued policy and growth in the sport, especially under the reign of Lappartient. Truly truly staggering.

1

Chrissy Marshall-Bell @cmbreports.bsky.social · Sep 16

It's beyond staggering.

1 1

Chrissy Marshall-Bell @cmbreports.bsky.social · Sep 15

It's actually staggering that Lappartient, a politician himself let's not forget who constantly courts other politicians, would write (or sign off) on such a statement. He's potentially made a grave political error himself with that message. The UCI needs to act, not pretend the problem will go away

8

Chrissy Marshall-Bell @cmbreports.bsky.social · Sep 15

Just catching up on the UCI's statement on the Vuelta. What the fuck. Read the room, David. Show some courage.

3 16

Chrissy Marshall-Bell @cmbreports.bsky.social · Sep 14

I am completely in favour of the protest's messaging. It's why I've been one of a few cycling journalists who has repeatedly reported on IPT in relation to Gaza. But of course when violence follows peaceful protest, that's unacceptable. Cycling should be concerned about the future.

3/

1 12

Chrissy Marshall-Bell @cmbreports.bsky.social · Sep 14

The protests at the Vuelta have had a very direct link to cycling. But will other mass protests in the future not linked to cycling interrupt races? Events of the past three weeks will give hope to other protestors that their cause can create international headlines by suspending cycling races.

2/

1 1 8

Chrissy Marshall-Bell @cmbreports.bsky.social · Sep 14

Cycling faces a very unique and unpredictable future. The success of the protests at the Vuelta have proven that it's possible to suspend sporting events, in particular cycling races that are much harder to police compared to closed stadiums.

1/

3 7

Reposted by Chrissy Marshall-Bell

Rouleur @rouleurmagazine.bsky.social · Sep 13

Vingegaard is back winning Grand Tours

Dominant when required: Jonas Vingegaard completes get-the-job-done mission at Vuelta a España

Just over two years after winning his second Tour de France, Jonas Vingegaard is set to be a Grand Tour winner once again. It's not been vintage Vingegaard, but it's been enough.

www.rouleur.cc

2 18

Chrissy Marshall-Bell @cmbreports.bsky.social · Sep 13

Fin Pickering told me in May: "If I'm not selected for the Vuelta a España, I'll be pretty pissed." He almost wasn't - he was only called up 48 hours before. But what a race he has ridden, regularly present on the big mountain days. Big future ahead, as he predicted. www.rouleur.cc/blogs/the-ro...

Finlay Pickering could be Britain’s future GC star: ‘I’ve got big aspirations and I want to fulfil those dreams’

The young rider believes he has a bright future with Bahrain-Victorious

www.rouleur.cc

5