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Anyone following the huge kickoff involving the Ecuadorian Cycling Federation, Narvaez and Carapaz?

It's hard to make out because it's all done through Spanish channels but it seems Carapaz is accusing the ECF of bias in their selection process due to his various comments critical of their support, and they look likely to take Narvaez.

Unfortunately it seems like they are the victims of the way places are arbitrated, without the points obtained by Carapaz they wouldn't have a spot, and he is the defending champion, however the course suits an in-form Narvaez, who I think they stand a much better chance with. IMO the defending champion should get an automatic qualification to defend their title in any sport, independent of how many spots that country gets, the idea of having to beat the champion on your way to gold seems a lot more romantic to me.

We are getting Real Madrid style Comunicado Oficials being thrown around all over the place here.

 
Unfortunately it seems like they are the victims of the way places are arbitrated, without the points obtained by Carapaz they wouldn't have a spot, and he is the defending champion
not that it makes much of a difference, but Carapaz' points didn't matter. Ecuador finished 22nd in the nationas rankings with him and would have been 26th without. 21st to 45th get one spot.
 
The 2024 Tour de l'Avenir is finishing atop the Finestre for reasons beyond my comprehension. If it's a dress rehearsal for a future Tour (yes please), I sure hope they won't use it as a MTF then...
There are no profiles yet. But from the stage towns, it's possible to make guesses. Finestre stage will be Unipuerto.

Stage 5 from Les Karellis to Condove is having Mont-Cenis in the middle of the stage. So not really a mountain stage, because from Cenis it's 1.900m downhill on 60k.

Stage 4 starts in La Rosière and will likely climb Cormet de Roselend from Bourg-Saint-Maurice. And then it's some 80k through the valley before they climb to Les Karellis.

The race has become a disgrace for basically making the same Mini-Dauphiné for years now. No Pyrénées, no cobbles, no nothing. It's a shame.

Who would pay for a Finestre MTF? Susa?

Tour de France stage with Finestre would be more likely to finish in Sestriere, Mongenevre or Briancon
Finestre road is Susa, yes.

Most likely they will do (Iseran, one can hope) - Cenis - Susa - Finestre - Sestriere. It's the best combination for attacks on Finestre.
 
Good news for UK cycling folks -
https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/...-changing-title-sponsor-deal-with-lloyds-bank
British Cycling's future has been guaranteed by a "landmark" sponsorship deal with Lloyds Bank, which will see the company become the governing body's lead partner, it was announced on Thursday.
Lloyds will be the title partner of the Tours of Britain, National Series events, the National Championships, and the brand's logo will feature on the Great Britain Cycling Team's kit. The deal was signed last week, and the first evidence of it will be seen at the Tour of Britain Women, which starts in a fortnight.
 
not that it makes much of a difference, but Carapaz' points didn't matter. Ecuador finished 22nd in the nationas rankings with him and would have been 26th without. 21st to 45th get one spot.
Putting aside who would be the best option, the issue as far as I can see is that the selection period for points was only announced several months after it commenced.
By then Navarez had already ridden in Australia and earned points.
 
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