South Africa’s No. 1 cyclist Daryl Impey hasn’t mapped out a retirement plan after having one of his best seasons in 2019
Mitchelton-Scott have finally been confirmed as being part of the men’s and women’s WorldTour teams for 2020 as the king of Willunga Richie Porte also returns for the Tour Down Under.
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Mitchelton-Scott being granted WorldTour racing licences for 2020 after the UCI stalled the process is destined to spice up the Santos Tour Down Under reigning champion Daryl Impey’s title defence.
The race’s only consecutive champion at 35 doesn’t have a “finish line’ in sight after the UCI gave Mitchelton-Scott the all clear for its WorldTour men’s and women’s elite teams.
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“The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) announces that the UCI Licence Commission has granted a UCI WorldTour licence to the Mitchelton-Scott men’s team (MTS – AUS) and a UCI Women’s WorldTour licence to Mitchelton-Scott’s women’s team (MTS – AUS), subject to compliance with the annual registration provisions during the period concerned for each team,’’ stated the UCI.
“They will be registered respectively as UCI WorldTeam and UCI Women’s WorldTeam for the 2020 season” which is super news for Impey after an anxious few days for the team.
The South African confirmed he will be in Adelaide and aiming for a hat-trick of consecutive wins for Australia’s unique UCI WorldTour team.
He will also have the king of Willunga – six-time champion – Trek-Segafredo’s Richie Porte and reigning UCI world champion Mads Pedersen to contend with after they were confirmed starters for the race.
@jarradrizners - @HBAxeon in 2020 .... and finishing this decade off in style ðŸ‘ðŸ‘ðŸ‘
— ∆ L T U S Sports (@AltusSM) December 7, 2019
Jarrad Drizners secures overall victory in the Australian National Road Series #NRS19 individual overall elite & U23 titles. #TOT19
Big future ahead! Now get some rest..... pic.twitter.com/a1rilqvKEl
Uni-SA also confirmed its starting line-up with SA’s Jarrad Drizners who was recently crowned the national road series champion set to impress before joining the Axeon team, run by Alex Merckx, son of cycling legend Eddy Merckx next year.
A general classification victory for Impey would take Mitchelton-Scott’s success to six wins in South Australia after Simon Gerrans won three titles including one on the team’s debut almost eight years ago.
“I don't have a finish line,’’ Impey said from South Africa.
“I keep pushing on, I am still motivated as ever and want to achieve a few things before I even think of life after cycling.”
Impey also became the first South African to win a stage of the Tour de France this year – claiming stage nine 170.5km Saint Etienne-Brioude – since Robert Hunter's triumph in Montpellier in 2007.
But he has had thoughts beyond the bike after becoming an inaugural member of Australia’s maiden WorldTour cycling team in 2012.
“I would like to pursue something in the financial world after cycling and also become an agent for cyclists and other sporting talent,’’ Impey said.
“I feel there is a lot of value I can add there, I have done my own contracts and negotiations for over 10 years and want to add more value to clients than just scraping off the money off the top.
“I enjoy the stock markets and investing too.”
The eight time South African national time trial champion is currently at home in Johannesburg soaking up the summer sun and training daily after having another brilliant year on the bike.
He gathered nine points less than his best year – 2018 – but equalled his 39th UCI WorldTour ranking after also claiming the Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey and the Czech Cycling Tour.
“I love being in South Africa to see family and friends firstly,’’ Impey said.
“I spend so much time away.
“I don't even worry about the weather really but I won't be angry spending more time in the sun.
“I enjoy putting on a pair of shorts and shirt and going for a ride, in winter there are too many decisions to be made.”
Originally published as South Africa’s No. 1 cyclist Daryl Impey hasn’t mapped out a retirement plan after having one of his best seasons in 2019