“He’s ready for a rainbow jersey”: Tadej Pogačar records 415 FTP on a 6.5 hour training ride paced by a Vespa as cyclists say “he’s taunting us mortals”; British race dropped from cycling calendar after abbey trust declines to host + more on the live blog

Not the old school throwback we’re on the lookout for, but still a throwback nonetheless. CERA EPO in 2024? Hmph, amateurs, don’t they know it’s all about clostebol and menotropin now?

CERA, or Continuous erythropoietin receptor activator, or simply referred to as EPO is an endurance-enhancing drug banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and the latest rider to have been found with an unscrupulous sample with the aforementioned substance is Astana Qazaqstan’s rider Ilkhan Dostiyev.

The UCI Continental team said that it was informed of a possible anti-doping rule violation by the Kazakh rider, with CERA being found in a sample taken out of competition on July 30, 2024.

“Upon being notified of an Adverse Analytical Finding, the rider admitted to using the banned substance, providing explanations to the team and the UCI. Ilkhan Dostiyev was immediately suspended, and his contract was terminated,” the team added.

Dostiyev had previously secured second position in the general classification of the Tour of Rwanda in February this year, while also winning the UCI WR.2 stage-race Tour of Romania in August, just over two weeks after his sample was collected.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Astana Qazaqstan Development (@astanaqazdev)

Alexandr Shushemoin, Head Sports Director of Astana Qazaqstan Development Team, said: “This news came as a shock and disappointment to us. We trusted Ilkhan Dostiyev as one of the team’s leaders and we had great expectations for him, which are now completely shattered.

“After receiving the information, we promptly contacted the rider and demanded an explanation, which Dostiyev provided, also expressing full willingness to cooperate with the UCI and anti-doping authorities.

“I can state with absolute certainty that Astana Qazaqstan Development Team has no connection to this incident. Our team adheres to a ‘zero-tolerance’ policy, we work continuously with the riders and do our best to ensure that athletes understand not only the consequences of using doping but also the absurdity of attempting to violate anti-doping rules.

“Given that Dostiyev has admitted to the anti-doping violation, the rider has been suspended from racing, and his contract has been immediately terminated. We are now cooperating fully and openly with all organisations involved to clarify all the details of what happened.”

Anyone interested in a new OnlyFans channel? Too soon?

> EF Education-EasyPost rider sacked for transporting human growth hormone makes interesting career change after doping investigation… by setting up OnlyFans account

Italian component manufacturer Campagnolo has introduced the new Super Record S Wireless groupset, a second-tier electronic groupset that offers "greater affordability", a wider range of gears and just 150g more weight than the flagship Super Record Wireless. Priced at over £3,000, it promises to deliver comparable performance for considerably less cash, and is still a "Special Edition" product so we're told. 

> Campagnolo launches new second-tier Super Record S electronic groupset offering "greater affordability"... and it'll still cost you over £3,000

In today's episode of the "weird and bizarre" in cycling, Dan reported of this new trend of Strava users paying people to complete activities on their behalf so they can impress followers with uploads to the ride-sharing app, adding another chapter to the various already astounding ways of rigging rides.

Don't believe us, we've already got a few applicants for the Strava "mule" or "jockey" position. First up is Andrew, who replied on our Twitter post with: "If any Strava user wants to pay me to ride to my local cafe this afternoon, I'm available."

If any Strava user wants to pay me to ride to my local cafe this afternoon, I'm available.

— Andrew Craig (@GoodClearTweets) September 10, 2024

We're going to need a little more than that Andrew. How about some FTP numbers and VO2max levels, and don't forget to share your palmares — all your KOMs and CRs, of course.

The already suffering road racing scene in the UK has taken another hit, as the organisers for the Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix have announced that the latest edition, held on 18th August, is going to be the last one for the foreseeable future.

The race, held on the grounds of Ampleforth Abbey, North Yorkshire, with two circuits extending out over the rolling Howardian Hills was the 19th edition. It was also the fifth race out of six in British Cycling's 2024 National Road Series, the next being the Beaumont Trophy in Stamfordham this weekend on 15 September.

Bob Howden, the organiser of the Ryedale GP, announcing the news via a Facebook post, said: “Sad to report that the recent 19th edition of the Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix was the last one. The Ampleforth Abbey Trust has decided not to be our hosts again.

“We are however currently looking into other possibilities for Team Yorkshire to continue delivering a high level British Cycling and Lloyds Bank National Road Series Event.

“In the meantime it's a big thank you to all the staff at Ampleforth, who over the years have helped to keep the show on the road and a shout out to North Yorkshire Council, to North Yorkshire Police and to local suppliers and providers who have never wavered in their support.”

> Latest cycling event cancelled in Richmond Park, as organiser highlights "increased focus on security and logistics of cycling events in public spaces"

Tom Williams of Thriva SRCT wins the 2024 Ryedale GP (Craig Zadoroznyj/SWpix.com)

The Ampleforth Abbey, founded in 1803, is a monastery of Benedictine monks, descending from the pre-Reformation community at Westminster Abbey, and has been the home of the Ryedale GP since its first edition in 2005.

Previous winners of the race include James Shaw, now of EF Education-EasyPost, former world and Olympic champion Nicole Cook, and Olympic track silver medallist Ollie Wood.

road.cc has reached out to the Ampleforth Abbey Trust asking for a detailed reason behind the decision to not play host to the race from next year.

> “A sad day for women’s cycling”: RideLondon Classique cancelled for 2025 as UCI “unilaterally” moves dates “without consultation or prior warning”

Unfortunately, this is far from the first race to be cancelled from the National Road Series in recent memory, with sponsor woes, logistics issues and the cost of living crisis, all playing some part in the racing scene’s downturn.

The Tour of the Reservoir was put on hold in 2023 and 2024 due to “a number of recent operational challenges”. Likewise, the series shrunk in 2023, losing the three-day Manx International stage race and the Stockton Grand Prix.

In some of the most bizarre news we've read recently there appears to be a new trend online, with Strava users paying people to complete activities on their behalf so they can impress followers with uploads to the ride-sharing app.

> Even if it's on Strava, it might not have happened — some cyclists are paying 'mules' to ride activities for them