Mollema took too many risks, Theuns to leave hospital
Image 1 of 5
Bjarne Riis enters the press conference
Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) crashed and lost his second place overall, stage 19 at the Tour de France
Giant-Alpecin's Tom Dumoulin feeling the pain after his crash in which he fractured his radius(Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
Edward Theuns of Trek-Segafredo crashes during the 37km Individual Time Trial stage 13 of Le Tour de France from Bourg-Saint-Andeol to La Caverne du Pont D'Arcl Saint-Andeo
Kim Andersen gives out the orders for the day(Image credit: Daniel Simms)
Riis to take over Danish Continental team
Bjarne Riis has taken his first steps in returning to cycling with the former Tour de France winner and Lars Seier, former CEO of Saxo Bank, taking over the Danish Continental Team Trefor. It is now known as Team Virtu Pro-Veloconcept, and "will act as a development team to a future 'WorldTour' (team) performing at the world's highest (level)."
Virtu Pro is an "ambitious fitness bike project" from Riis and Seier. Veloconcept is "a Danish company closely related to Jan Bech, a well-known investor of Broenby IF and Danish top football."
The agreement is only for the remainder of the 2016 season, but discussions for the future are underway. Riis and Seier will "take part in the overall planning of the future strategy, however they will not take part in the daily management and operations of the team."
"We are pleased to be supporting the Danish cycling scene with this initiative, and we consider it as an important element in our foundation of a future international cycling team. In this context it seems logical for us to sponsor this Continental team," Riis and Seier said in a statement.
Cyclingnews will have an exclusive interview with Riis about his new project in the coming days.
Dumoulin returns to home
Tom Dumoulin has returned to the Netherlands, with hopes of still racing in the Rio Olympics. "I will go find the best specialist and see what is possible," he told nos.nl.
Mollema took too many risks, says Andersen
Bauke Mollema took too many risks in the descent of the Montee de Bisanne, his Trek-Segafredo DS Kim Andersen told telesport.nl. The Dutch rider crashed on the slippery roads and dropped from second to tenth in GC.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"He is not a hero in descending," Andersen said. "In my view it was not the time to attack. He was second, so why take unnecessary risks? This was the doomsday scenario which we were afraid of in the morning. Especially with that bad weather on the horizon. Unfortunately, it came true."
Theuns to leave hospital
Edward Theuns is scheduled to leave hospital today, six days after spinal surgery. He now faces a lengthy rehabilitation.
The Trek-Segafredo rider crashed during the time trial on stage 13 of the Tour de France, fracturing his T12 vertebra. Last weekend he was flown to Belgiujm and underwent surgery to repair the unstable fracture on Sunday.
According to the Belga press agency, he was given the ok to go home today. He now faces up to eight weeks off the bike in recovery, and it seems unlikely he will return to racing this season.
