European Conti cycling blog (twitter: @EastCycl)

       Welcome to my Czech Tour 2023 preview, where I will be introducing the newest edition of biggest Czech cycling race, which returned back to its original name, while Sazka still remains strategical partner. I have decided to split this up into two separate articles. First half of my preview, before we will get final rosters for most of the major teams at least, will focus on parcours and some other changes, while the second piece will introduce the favourites mostly.   Jumbo Visma dev team pulling in Šternberk, 2022      First major modification is date of the race. After always being set up in more or less half of the august each year, we will get late July action in 2023. That is a natural result of clash with the Glasgow world championships, where some riders who compete in Czech tour should be participating.         Opening stage is, according to last years tradition, once again set up between Prostějov and Uničo...

Start of the 2023 is getting sooner with any day, so it is time for final part of my ,,Young riders to watch in 2023 continental teams '' list. In case you have missed parts one and two , I recommend you to start with them before continuing reading. 5. Artem Schmidt   Another follower of trend of great young American riders from past couple of years. Great time-trialist capable in hilly terrain might flourish into classics specialist or even target general classification of some races. Coming back from his European spell with Cannibal team, he will join line-up of well know Hagens Berman Axeon . 4. Romet Pajur One more proof that cycling has future in Baltics. Estonian sprinter can target stage victories and points jerseys, but in junior category he managed to be succesful in various types of classics aswell. I remember him from Course de la Paix juniors this year, where he did not struggled much when stages were really exhausting. His new team, Lotto-Kern Haus , started kind ...

As the New year just kicked off couple of days ago, I am bringing you second part of my 15 young riders to watch in 2023 continental teams. In case you missed it, I recommend checking out initial article before continuing reading this one. 10. Aivaras Mikutis Lithuanian time-trial champion will ride for Tudor development team in upcoming season. Despite I have opted not to include riders in dev squads of WT formations, I think those connected to pro conti teams only are still bit undiscovered. His results so far suggested he might be well-rounded rouleur in his future career. It will be definitely exciting to see if he can match his compatriots like Navardauskas and Siskevicius, who shared similar racing qualities. 15th place from U23 ITT world championships adds up to his palmares. 9. Tomáš Kopecký Oldest from promising Kopecký family trio. He already proved his qualities against great competition, when he ended 8th in general classification of ZLM Tour . His experiences with Benelu...

Welcome to my top 15 young riders to watch in continental teams during 2023 ! Before the new season, I have decided to bring up some names younger then 24 years, who might be worth of your focus. Because I wanted to include some cyclists, who are partially under the radar, I have opted not to include riders from dev/U23 squads of World Tour teams. Obviously there will be also some very well known lads. I have also avoided riders who does not have confirmed contract for 2023. 15. Hubert Grygowski  Overall winner of One belt one road Juniors race will join already promising line-up of Team U Nantes-Atlantique. Very decent time trialist who also shined during some hilly stages should profit from teams exclusive calendar. There is not much better choice, if you want to combine harder .Pro races for gaining experience and local events where you can gain victories. 14. Daniel Mráz I have already covered Elkovs rebuilding in earlier article . One of their most interesting riders in upco...

       Elkov Kasper  was considered (under various names) strongest Czech team majority of time since fall of eD'system - ZVVZ in 2005. There was already exception, when Dukla Praha in their Kadlec and Kaňkovský era was able to collect much more victories thanks to focus on Chinese races. Dukla however never seemed to have ambitions to build a powerful road focused squad Maybe that is just mine impression and somebody would correct me). In recent years it seems, that team with those goals appeared. As you most likely noticed in title, its ATT Investments. Their squad for 2023 looks much more aspiring that what Elkov offered us, so let's break it down to see how things are really going!     Elkov definitely had to reduce their squad expenses a bit. After well known Gazprom situation, Michael Kukrle joined back during 2022, which certainly was a move above budget in long term. Kukrle himself commented in interview for roadcycling.cz, that team wa...

      Before I will move to different topics on my blog, I need to review 2022 season of the team, which became established powerhouse on European conti scene over years - Elkov Kasper .     Elkov had to face plenty of challenges, when it comes to roster for this season. Alois Kaňkovský, one of best continental sprinters in recent years, ended his career in 2021. Team lost two more established leaders as Michal Schlegel joined Caja Rural and Michael Kukrle moved to Gazprom-Rusvelo. Remaining departure was Petr Kelemen, who joined ranks of Tudor Pro Cycling Team. Most valuable reinforcement was definitely Daniel Babor, who came with promise of doing well in mass finishes. Michael Boroš joined team to gain some good kilometres, mostly to prepare for CX season. Two more additions to roster, namely Filip Řeha with Tomáš Obdržálek, were intended to breaktrough into higher level of continental cycling with team.      Before the season ev...