Newsflash: 3rd October, a reunion like no other at 'the Europeans'

AURILLAC, FRANCE - JULY 11: (L-R) Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates - Yellow Leader Jersey, Jonas Vingegaard Hansen of Denmark and Team Visma | Lease a Bike and Remco Evenepoel of Belgium and Team Soudal Quick-Step - White Best Young Rider Jersey prior to the 111th Tour de France 2024, Stage 12 a 203.6km stage from Aurillac to Villeneuve-sur-Lot / #UCIWT / on July 11, 2024 in Aurillac, France. (Photo by Dario Belingheri/Getty Images)

A weekend of contrasts: cycling’s “big three” clash in France, while Arkéa fights for survival and Israel-Premier Tech pull back amid protests.


This Sunday’s European Championships road race in France brings an ultra-rare showdown between Tadej Pogačar, Remco Evenepoel, and Jonas Vingegaard. It’s the first time in over three years the “big three” meet in a one-day race, and all arrive with glittering palmarès: multiple Tours, rainbow jerseys, and over a hundred pro wins between them.

Meanwhile, French cycling faces a potential crisis as Arkéa-B&B Hotels teeters on the brink. Team boss Emmanuel Hubert has warned that without a sponsor by mid-October, the WorldTour outfit will collapse—putting 150 jobs at risk and leaving France with only three top-tier squads.

Elsewhere, Israel-Premier Tech have withdrawn from three Italian races after pro-Palestine protests raised safety concerns, with organisers citing heightened risks. The team still plans to ride Il Lombardia and races abroad, but uncertainty hangs over their immediate future.

Christophe Mallet

Welcome, to your cycling news flash on Friday 3rd October this Sunday, you, the fans, will

get a treat. A treat that we almost never see. Tadej Pogacar Remco, Evenepoel and Jonas Vingegaard

all lining up, together at the European Championship road Race in France. It's been over three

years, since the big three faced each other in a one day race. The last time it was, yes, Fleche

Wallone in 2022, back when Vingegaard hadn't won the Tour, Evenepoel wasn't even world champion and

Pogacar was still racking up, only 37 victories. Fast forward to today. Two tours for Jonas, four

rainbow jerseys for Remco and 105 pro wins for Tadej The Euros championship have often been a

sprinter's affair and but this time the race has a star studded GC flavour. Pogacar comes in as a

favorite. His one day dominance is unmatched. But with Evenepoel hunting for revenge and Vingegaard

looking to prove he's more than a stage race rider, fireworks are guaranteed. Whatever happens. this

is a rare chance to watch the sport's three biggest names clash outside the Tour. And in cycling,

those moments don't come around often. Crisis at Arkea BNB hotels. The team boss, Emmanuel Hubert

says it's almost over as the French World Tour squad stares down. Collapsed without a new sponsor,

They've already missed one UCI deadline and now October 15th looms as the final cutoff to file

financial guarantees for 2026. Without fresh backing, the fallout would be brutal. Nearly 150 riders

and staff suddenly on the market. And France would be losing one of its four World Tours outfit.

Hubert, who led the project for two decades, insists he's been ringing the alarm bells for months.

His final plea is blunt. Without a sponsor, this team story ends here. Israel Premier Tech have

pulled out of three Italian races. As the pro Palestine protest spread across the country.

Organizers cited growing security concerns after demonstration erupted in response to Israel's

military action in Gaza. Petitions, protests and even a national strike have put pressure on local

races with fears for rider safety. The team is still due at Il Lombardia and later races in Germany,

Belgium and China. But nothing is certain as the tension builds. This was your cycling news Flash on

Friday 3rd October. Remember, Monday will be the last unclip from Grace Brown for this season and

we'll be back on Wednesday for a full SBS Cycling podcast.

END OF TRANSCRIPT

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