All of your cycling news – December 16, 2009

In today’s cycling news, AToC organizers announce Gran Fondos, Dwars door Vlaanderen gets new route, Kenny de Ketele out of Apeldoorn Six Day and more….

Gran Fondo News:

• Registration has opened (and by this time likely closed) for the 2010 edition of Levi Leipheimer’s King Ridge Gran Fondo. The 2010 version of the event will take place on October 9, 2010 and will include 30, 65 and 103 mile ride options.
• AMGEN Tour of California organizers AEG are planning a pair of Gran Fondo events that will allow recreational cyclists and amateur racers an opportunity to compete on the same roads used in the ATOC. The first AEG event will trace stage 8 of the Amgen Tour on a circuit through Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village and Agoura Hills, and will be held on April 11. The second, tracing stage 2 from Davis to Santa Rosa, will be held two weeks later on April 25.
• Centurion Cycling will hold a series of three mass-participation bicycle events in the US in 2010. Event organisers Len Pettyjohn and Graham Fraser are promising a triathlon-style fun-for-all feel. Each weekend of racing will kick off with a 40km family ride on Saturday followed by challenging 80km and 100km races on Sunday.

Road News:

• The new Continental team CKT Champion System has reported a prominent new assignment. Jan Kirsipuu will ride for them in the upcoming season.
• The Flanders cycling classic Dwars door Vlaanderen will return for its 65th edition on March 24th with a new course. A roundabout was constructed in the area where the race traditionally finished, so the course has been changed to end up near the Rainbow Stadium in Zulte-Waregem. The new course also adds two new sections of cobblestones.
• Carlos Sastre likes the course for the 2010 Vuelta, possibly ending some speculation about whether he would participate in the race next year.
• Alberto Contador was at the presentation as well, but is holding any plans that don’t involve defending his Tour de France title close to the chest.

Six Day Racing:

• Kenny de Ketele was planning to race the Six Days of Apeldoorn, starting tomorrow night, but has dropped out of the event due to health problems. He is reportedly still in the hospital for observation. 23 year old German Marcel Bath took his place in the race.
• The top favorite and local hero Bruno Risi and his partner Franco Marvulli have taken the lead on the first night of the Six Days of Zurich.

Tags: alberto contador, Amgen Tour, amgen tour of california, Bruno Risi, California, Carlos Sastre, cobblestones, Dwars door Vlaanderen, France, Franco Marvulli, Kenny de Ketele, Levi Leipheimer, triathlon