Cycling, Affini nominated for Sportsman of the Year in the province of Drenthe

Rome, 14 February 2025 - Mantuan by birth, but now Dutch by adoption also for reasons of the heart: this is the story of Edward Affini, who in the next few weeks could be elected sportsman of the year in the province of Drenthe.

Affini's candidacy

The runner of Visma-Lease a Bike in fact he has been living in for about a year thunder: a sufficient parameter to enter the good lot to apply for the municipality of Tynaarlo, with the votes scheduled from 20 al 23 February through a specific platform on Internet. Whatever happens, this is a nice recognition for the class of '96, too often overshadowed by the exploits of his 'almost twin' Filippo Gana. Then in September Allied Products he finally managed to take the spotlight by winning the European time trial title, before taking home the world bronze in the same specialty a few weeks later, for a haul that would have been topped up by the same metals in the mixed team relay: that's enough, and it's not a small thing, to potentially become the sportsman of the year in the province of Drenthe.

Groves' statements

Moving toAustralia, Caden Groves dreams of increasing his palmares in a 2025 which will see him particularly involved in the Milan-Sanremo and Giro d'Italia: all preceded by the very painful renunciation of the home race. "I didn't do the Tower Down Under because it falls too early in the calendar. For theAlpecin-Deceuninck le Classics are very important and therefore we are all focused on the possibility of giving our best, physically and mentally, to arrive at these crucial appointments in the best possible way. I, in particular, will be at Volta a Catalunya, Milan-Sanremo, Dwars Door Vlaanderen, Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix and all 'Amstel Gold Race". As stated again to the microphones of Cycling'Actu, in reality the program of Groves could be further enriched in the summer. "It's too early to talk about the Tour de France: first there are the Classics and Giro d'Italia, in which I hope to finally win a stage after having come close to it several times. Then it will depend on the condition of my body and the energy that is left". Eventually, the Australian's problems at Great Boucle they might not have ended up here, given the crowding at home Alpecin-Deceuninck for the presence at the start already announced also of Mathieu van der Poel e Jasper Phillipsen. "If I go to the Tour de France, I will still have a supporting role to help Van der Poel in the escapes and Philipsen in the sprints. Then, considering any possible inconveniences such as falls and illnesses, I could be the reserve sprinter. In general, I think about this 2025 at team level: if we can do well in the Classics and Tour de France right with Mathieu e Jasper, and maybe I'll win a stage at the Giro d'Italia we will all be happy."

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