I have to say before this year's world championships, hosted in Manchester near me, I was quite indifferent to track cycling, it had never gripped me. But I got hooked then and haven't looked back. My favourite is Madison but it's all good.
So we've had some qualifying rounds today. In the Men's team sprint Great Britain smashed the record for the fastest ever time [congrats Chris Hoy, Jason Kenny and Jamie Staff] to place themselves top of the leader board ahead of France who lie in second place. Looks like it'll be a dual between them. For those who aren't familiar each team has three riders who take off at the same time in a line and each rider completes one lap at the front. So like Jamie Staff is the lead-off guy for the first lap then drops off and Jamie Kenny takes over until the last lap where he drops off to let Chris Hoy through. It's all over in under a minute but is very exciting to watch two teams go head to head. Great Britain are guarenteed silver now as they go head to head with France.
Germany and the Netherlands came third and fourth respectively. We've just had our final and quite frankly Great Britain kicked ass over France to take GOLD!!! :D And took an incredible time!
In the individual pursuit we also had qualifying rounds. Bradley Wiggins [pictured above] beat the best ever time, which was also his, so smashed his own record to finish top. He is the reigning champion and barring a crash or injury he should take Gold for Great Britain. Kiwi Roulston took second, over three seconds down on Wiggins and the top 8 riders qualify for the first round. Unfortunately Brad McGee was well off the pace and has already been eliminated. Taylor Phinney took 7th in the end, but looked a little jaded in the last lap.
Spaniards-Valverde-All Things Cycling
Description:
Welcome, I should probably start explaining my game. I am a cycling obsessive, i follow all kinds of races and riders but of course become biased for teams/riders. As much as my blog may sometimes seem to point otherwise, I do have a good knowledge of cycling and can hold my own in a debate, but I chose to approach the more humerous side of it, and have no qualms admitting I'm also a fangirl. I'm female, it's hard to not notice that these guys are often good looking muscular guys in tight clothing with pretty bikes. So be warned.
I have my favourite riders which as it stands (for better or worse) are Valverde, Pereiro, the Schlecks, LL Sanchez, Contador, Sammy Sanchez and most Spaniards, Bennati, Boonen, Taylor Phinney, Eisel, Lovkvist, Wiggins, Rogers, Hincapie, DZ, many of the Garmin boys, Cancellara, Lequatre, Fleeman, Millar, Kenny, JA Flecha, Basso, Capecchi, De la Fuente, etc etc. The favourites tend to crop up lots if you need a more in-depth list.
I welcome all, but apologise for my lack of languages. I only speak English and very poor German, but welcome everyone :]
I twitter- Lucky_you33
I also have facebook/msn, just ask.
And I've realised I haven't posted this photo yet. It is of Frank and the Schlecklet [Andy] before the road race in Beijing. They're happily chatting away to Nicki Sorenson of Denmark [a teammate] and looking lovely as usual. I'm liking these vest things they're sporting. Cool vests perhaps? To combat the heat and humidity..or just to bulk them both up a little. I mean look at Frank's arms, so thin! It's amazing how powerful they are though...he's just naturally skinny. He's a self-confessed junk food lover who when he isn't training on his time off barely puts weight on. Good genes in the Schleck family eh. Tbh I've been disappointed with how few photos came out of Beijing, i think i have 6 decent ones of the Schlecks that I can find. Pft.
A request:- When Valverde crossed the line at the end of the RR he leaped onto Sanchez in a big hug, I've searched for a photo/s but have come up short. If anyone can help I'd be very thankful :]
A request:- When Valverde crossed the line at the end of the RR he leaped onto Sanchez in a big hug, I've searched for a photo/s but have come up short. If anyone can help I'd be very thankful :]
Daniele Bennati is beautiful. He rivals Boonen in both actual sprinting but also in the best looking sprinter category. He is looking pretty damn good at the minute, doing the Eneco Tour and Vuelta a Espana next. This photo is from this year's Giro I believe, and damn those are nice Oakley sunglasses, understated in black with subtle but beautiful green O's on the arms. Yes he is very talented and seems like a lovely man, but I find his good looks quite distracting :P I mean look at that jawline, just wow. He looks so serious and thoughtful here, quite imposing but smoking hot. I'm feeling the Benna love at the minute.
Who can forget the way Linus Gerdemann took off and stole a superb solo victory in the 2007 Tour De France on stage 7 to not only take the stage and push himself into the spotlight but also taking the Maillot Journe. The day was a clean sweep for him, he took the yellow overall jersey and the white best young rider jersey as well as picking up both the award for stage win and combativity award for the day. Talk about podium domination. I admit my Gerdemann knowledge had been mininmal until that point. All I knew was he was young rider who had been at CSC in 2005 and in 2006 he joined T-Mobile [now Team Columbia] but I admit i hadn't paid much attention. That ride made me sit up though. He won the 197.5km run from Bourg-en-Bresse to Le Grand Bornand after he and Crédit Agricole's Dimitriy Fofonov took off from a 15-rider group that itself had split from the peloton. It was a hilly day and eventually he dropped Fofonov riding heroically and pushed through dehydration, cramps, fatigue and his inexperience to dominate the stage. Linus, as famed for his baby face as this particular ride, launched his attack with 10 kilometres to go up the fan-packed Colombière pass, and then plummeted down in a daredevil descent into Le Grand-Bornand which was frightening and also adrenaline pumping to watch. The lovely De La Fuente finished 3rd, which shows it was a climber's day.
Why a feature on Linus now? Well he's just made a comeback after a very bad 2008 for him. He was hoping to improve on last year, expecting to be well up there for stage wins and more big things in the Tour de France but a potentially career threatening injury ruined this. He sustained the injury in the crucial time trial at Tirreno-Adriatico. In this race he was heading for taking the lead in the race and probably a winning lead that he would keep until he misjudged a corner and crashed, breaking his femur which pretty much killed the majority of this season off for him. It was horrible crash and a nasty injury.
But the young German [still only 25] has just made a comeback, and at that, a good comeback in the Tour de l'Ain, taking the overall win impressively. With the Tour of Deutschland just two weeks away this showing proved Columbia have a strong Gerdemann to push forward for a potential overall victory in his homeland. It would be fantastic for him since he's had to miss all the Grand Tours and the Olympics.
Gerdemann is one of the most vocal riders when it comes to anti-doping and has previously said "TCycling has a big problem so we need to do something to show that we are clean," Gerdemann noted, referring to the internal doping tests that T-Mobile utilises. However, they may do these tests but as the 07 TDF proved some slip through the net. Sinkewitz is whom i am referring to. I can't find the exact quotes but I know Gerdemann said he will never forgive Sinkewitz because he had lied to him and for what he was putting the team through and said he'd like to punch him if he saw him. He is one of the 'new breed' and hopefully one we can count on. The new breed had been on the whole a trustworthy bunch until Ricco, but it seems he was just an individual idiot and doesn't signal a trend among them. Gerdemann is still young in cycling terms and can only improve, although what route he wants to head down [a classics man or a GC contedor] is still uncertain. Week long races are where he seems to flourish at the minute. I hope this comeback ride is one of many good performances for the young German. He deserves them.
And a news note. It seems for some reason I haven't mentioned this in the Vuelta A Espana article I did. Scott-American Beef were unvited from the Tour, I already knew that from the 7th, but I'd just failed to mention it which is surprising because I wanted to moan about how Ricco has cost De La Fuente a chance to go for the climbers jersey. Gr. How did I miss this? I was still suffering from Schleck-Olympic obsession. Now it's just done to the Schleck-obsession ;]
Why a feature on Linus now? Well he's just made a comeback after a very bad 2008 for him. He was hoping to improve on last year, expecting to be well up there for stage wins and more big things in the Tour de France but a potentially career threatening injury ruined this. He sustained the injury in the crucial time trial at Tirreno-Adriatico. In this race he was heading for taking the lead in the race and probably a winning lead that he would keep until he misjudged a corner and crashed, breaking his femur which pretty much killed the majority of this season off for him. It was horrible crash and a nasty injury.
But the young German [still only 25] has just made a comeback, and at that, a good comeback in the Tour de l'Ain, taking the overall win impressively. With the Tour of Deutschland just two weeks away this showing proved Columbia have a strong Gerdemann to push forward for a potential overall victory in his homeland. It would be fantastic for him since he's had to miss all the Grand Tours and the Olympics.
Gerdemann is one of the most vocal riders when it comes to anti-doping and has previously said "TCycling has a big problem so we need to do something to show that we are clean," Gerdemann noted, referring to the internal doping tests that T-Mobile utilises. However, they may do these tests but as the 07 TDF proved some slip through the net. Sinkewitz is whom i am referring to. I can't find the exact quotes but I know Gerdemann said he will never forgive Sinkewitz because he had lied to him and for what he was putting the team through and said he'd like to punch him if he saw him. He is one of the 'new breed' and hopefully one we can count on. The new breed had been on the whole a trustworthy bunch until Ricco, but it seems he was just an individual idiot and doesn't signal a trend among them. Gerdemann is still young in cycling terms and can only improve, although what route he wants to head down [a classics man or a GC contedor] is still uncertain. Week long races are where he seems to flourish at the minute. I hope this comeback ride is one of many good performances for the young German. He deserves them.
And a news note. It seems for some reason I haven't mentioned this in the Vuelta A Espana article I did. Scott-American Beef were unvited from the Tour, I already knew that from the 7th, but I'd just failed to mention it which is surprising because I wanted to moan about how Ricco has cost De La Fuente a chance to go for the climbers jersey. Gr. How did I miss this? I was still suffering from Schleck-Olympic obsession. Now it's just done to the Schleck-obsession ;]
This is the statue outside the Laoshan Velodrome in Beijing where all the track cycling will take place beginning tomorrow [on British time]. It's rather stylish. Gotta hand it to the Chinese, if you're gonna kick people out of their commuities and knock down their houses to build stadiums the least they can do is make the buildings modern and architectually beautiful.
Disclaimer- I don't know whether communities were kicked out and demolished for this particular building but it happened for others. Many of these people were just displaced and not optionally, given poor or no pay-offs. And these buildings will largely go unused after the Olympics- particularly the Velodrome, cycling is tiny in China.
Ah well, just for tonight I'm willing to overlook the non-existent human rights, crappy weather and pollution, the poor treatment of fans and athletes' families, the displacement of millions of people, the fact that hosting the Olympics in China pretty much breaks every ethical code going so I can admire this statue. I want the 2012 London Olympics now please :]
Disclaimer- I don't know whether communities were kicked out and demolished for this particular building but it happened for others. Many of these people were just displaced and not optionally, given poor or no pay-offs. And these buildings will largely go unused after the Olympics- particularly the Velodrome, cycling is tiny in China.
Ah well, just for tonight I'm willing to overlook the non-existent human rights, crappy weather and pollution, the poor treatment of fans and athletes' families, the displacement of millions of people, the fact that hosting the Olympics in China pretty much breaks every ethical code going so I can admire this statue. I want the 2012 London Olympics now please :]
Not familiar with Rock Racing now? They're a US based UCI continental team run by Michael Ball [fashion entrepenuer of Rock and Republic jeans] and say what you like about them it looks like they're here to stay. Just like the in your face advert and their mantra says. They were founded in 2007 and when Ball first proposed it people nearly laughed in his face. The team is affiliated with Ball's Rock & Republic brand of clothing. I had mixed opinions when he first set up the team because its ambition was to sign riders who had been caught up in drugs or accused to get publicity and be controversial, and it seemed like Ball had a wreckless approach to cycling, not caring that he was jepodising the sport. But having read interviews I can tell he loves the sport and his ambition isn't to ruin it but just to show riders can change and that because they doped once doesn't mean they will again. While I don't exactly believe this, i think some riders are innocent sometimes. Positioning itself against the environmentally responsible ideals sometimes associated with bicycle racing, Ball contracted with Cadillac to use their Escalade sports utility vehicle for team use. Team founder Ball believes that this "bad boy" image will lend itself to the selling of merchandise linked to the team. Rock Racing takes a huge entourage with it wherever it goes, Ball the millionnaire using scantily clad ladies left, right and centre which makes RR a very popular team. The team's “Venom” green, black and white uniforms (designed by Ball himself) feature a white skull with phoenix-like wings. But unlike conventional pro cycling teams, Rock Racing often wears special uniforms that reflect special circumstances, including commemorative jerseys that have been auctioned for charity.
He has signed some controversial riders. Take Oscar Sevilla, one of my favourite riders, he got caught up in a drug scandal, he was one of many riders linked to the Operación Puerto doping case in 2006. After he was initially named in the investigation, Sevilla was still able to ride and won the Vuelta Asturias. On the day before the Tour de France, Ullrich and Sevilla were explicitly linked to the investigation and not allowed to start the 2006 Tour de France. On 20 July 2006, Oscar Sevilla was fired from T-Mobile in relation to the aforementioned accusations. It is worth mentioning however that Sevilla was never actually found guilty of anything and has never received a ban, however it tarnished his image enough that he couldn't get another contract until Rock Racing came in for him. Ivan Basso on the other hand was caught and banned and has managed to find a big contract with Liquigas even though he had evidence against him. Mad. But I won't go down that route, it's a huge can of worms and i don't have enough time.
Michael Ball also signed up Tyler Hamilton [who it still pains me to say was found guilty and has served a 2 year ban], Santiago Botero [another victim of OP who wasn't actually found guilty] and Victor Hugo Pena to go with his squad of young [mostly American] riders and is rumoured to be signing Floyd Landis after his ban is up though he denies this. He had Cipolini on the squad until the two fell over each other's massive egos and ended it mutually, however that gained the team a lot more attention.
One thing that can't be said is that Ball isn't knowledgeable or passionate about cycling. PezCycling news have had an interview with him and it's quite interesting. See some of the quotes here.
PEZ: Why cycling?
MB: Two reasons: I'm passionate about it and it's a great recreational activity. By starting the team I've inspired folks to get out on their bikes and they're hooked now – they'll keep going out on their bikes. Riding a bike is the great equaliser, when you're out there, nothing else matters, work, money, relationships – none of it; you're all the same.
When asked about why some of these guys [many pro teams,riders and managers are less than happy about RR and the oppurtunities riders such as Hamilton have been given] Ball said "These riders, who they made outcasts, sacrificial lambs - it's cycling eating its young, there are a lot of big riders out there, right now, who were using the same doctors and on the same programmes as my guys were. But that era is gone now, it's behind us; we have to move on, stop chasing ghosts, the guys have done their time – give them a job! Just before I signed him, Oscar Sevilla was talking to a Spanish magazine, he was ready to start outing everyone, open every door. He's a bright, talented, likeable guy with big results still in him. At the Spanish Nationals this year, he was away, but he flatted and didn't get good service - it's a problem we've had all year, if we don't have our own car there, we don't get good neutral service – Valverde and Pereiro caught him and he was second, but without the puncture it would have been a different race." To combat the criticism Ball has introduced an anti-doping programme and of course the riders are tested at races and in the regular out of competition tests.
I'm still not sure how I feel about such a team, ultimately these riders whether they're guilty or not caused turmoil in their sport and many things happened because of the Operation Puerto scandal, though i do feel Oscar Sevilla was just a victim, but whether they have changed or not is yet to be seen. None of them have tested positive while at RR and the team is being allowed into bigger racers, such as the fact they rode the Tour of California and will be doing the Tour of Britain [which i might go watch when it comes near me if i'm not at Uni] and their aim is the Tour de France. It'll upset a lot of people but maybe a team like this can show people can reform themselves. David Millar has so why are people so adverse to these riders? Mark Cavendish said he has no problem with the team, jst Hamilton and the other drug scandal-ridden riders but one of his best friends and heroes is David Millar, a former doper who served a two year suspension. Hypocrisy?
If they can prove they're clean and want to turn cycling around- promoting anti-drug campaigns or putting others off it's good. However, it could be a double-edge sword. Riders like Ricco who start doping young may look at such riders and say well if i get caught all i have to do is serve my 2 years and then i can get a big money contract at Rock Racing or Liquigas. I hope for the former option personally. Love or loathe Michael Ball and his Rock Racing team but they're not going anywhere and they're not going to get any less controversial.
I think there are good and bad aspects to the team personally. I think Ball's enthusiasm for the sport and making it bigger in the US is good however i think he needs to cut back on the flash side of his team and maybe look more at promoting clean riding. Feel free to contribute your opinions on Rock Racing. Gotta say, I love their jerseys ;]
He has signed some controversial riders. Take Oscar Sevilla, one of my favourite riders, he got caught up in a drug scandal, he was one of many riders linked to the Operación Puerto doping case in 2006. After he was initially named in the investigation, Sevilla was still able to ride and won the Vuelta Asturias. On the day before the Tour de France, Ullrich and Sevilla were explicitly linked to the investigation and not allowed to start the 2006 Tour de France. On 20 July 2006, Oscar Sevilla was fired from T-Mobile in relation to the aforementioned accusations. It is worth mentioning however that Sevilla was never actually found guilty of anything and has never received a ban, however it tarnished his image enough that he couldn't get another contract until Rock Racing came in for him. Ivan Basso on the other hand was caught and banned and has managed to find a big contract with Liquigas even though he had evidence against him. Mad. But I won't go down that route, it's a huge can of worms and i don't have enough time.
Michael Ball also signed up Tyler Hamilton [who it still pains me to say was found guilty and has served a 2 year ban], Santiago Botero [another victim of OP who wasn't actually found guilty] and Victor Hugo Pena to go with his squad of young [mostly American] riders and is rumoured to be signing Floyd Landis after his ban is up though he denies this. He had Cipolini on the squad until the two fell over each other's massive egos and ended it mutually, however that gained the team a lot more attention.
One thing that can't be said is that Ball isn't knowledgeable or passionate about cycling. PezCycling news have had an interview with him and it's quite interesting. See some of the quotes here.
PEZ: Why cycling?
MB: Two reasons: I'm passionate about it and it's a great recreational activity. By starting the team I've inspired folks to get out on their bikes and they're hooked now – they'll keep going out on their bikes. Riding a bike is the great equaliser, when you're out there, nothing else matters, work, money, relationships – none of it; you're all the same.
When asked about why some of these guys [many pro teams,riders and managers are less than happy about RR and the oppurtunities riders such as Hamilton have been given] Ball said "These riders, who they made outcasts, sacrificial lambs - it's cycling eating its young, there are a lot of big riders out there, right now, who were using the same doctors and on the same programmes as my guys were. But that era is gone now, it's behind us; we have to move on, stop chasing ghosts, the guys have done their time – give them a job! Just before I signed him, Oscar Sevilla was talking to a Spanish magazine, he was ready to start outing everyone, open every door. He's a bright, talented, likeable guy with big results still in him. At the Spanish Nationals this year, he was away, but he flatted and didn't get good service - it's a problem we've had all year, if we don't have our own car there, we don't get good neutral service – Valverde and Pereiro caught him and he was second, but without the puncture it would have been a different race." To combat the criticism Ball has introduced an anti-doping programme and of course the riders are tested at races and in the regular out of competition tests.
I'm still not sure how I feel about such a team, ultimately these riders whether they're guilty or not caused turmoil in their sport and many things happened because of the Operation Puerto scandal, though i do feel Oscar Sevilla was just a victim, but whether they have changed or not is yet to be seen. None of them have tested positive while at RR and the team is being allowed into bigger racers, such as the fact they rode the Tour of California and will be doing the Tour of Britain [which i might go watch when it comes near me if i'm not at Uni] and their aim is the Tour de France. It'll upset a lot of people but maybe a team like this can show people can reform themselves. David Millar has so why are people so adverse to these riders? Mark Cavendish said he has no problem with the team, jst Hamilton and the other drug scandal-ridden riders but one of his best friends and heroes is David Millar, a former doper who served a two year suspension. Hypocrisy?
If they can prove they're clean and want to turn cycling around- promoting anti-drug campaigns or putting others off it's good. However, it could be a double-edge sword. Riders like Ricco who start doping young may look at such riders and say well if i get caught all i have to do is serve my 2 years and then i can get a big money contract at Rock Racing or Liquigas. I hope for the former option personally. Love or loathe Michael Ball and his Rock Racing team but they're not going anywhere and they're not going to get any less controversial.
I think there are good and bad aspects to the team personally. I think Ball's enthusiasm for the sport and making it bigger in the US is good however i think he needs to cut back on the flash side of his team and maybe look more at promoting clean riding. Feel free to contribute your opinions on Rock Racing. Gotta say, I love their jerseys ;]
There's not much going on in the news side of cycling at the minute. It seems the dust is settling after the Olympic Time Trial and everyone is either knackered and on holiday or grumpy and hesistant to talk out. But we are back to some serious stuff soon- the eneco tour starts on Tuesday which is a tour of Benelux and has only been going since 2005. Tom Boonen rather likes this tour and tends to compete in it, winning stages. He took three in one tour. Except last year when he skipped it. Last year Guttierez [Caisse d'Epargne] won but Bobby Julich was the first ever winner.
The eneco tour is a little weird. Stage winners receive a penguin...I don't know why, presumably something to do with a sponsor. Anyway, I'd love to get me one of those, wonder what Boonen [photo above] did with all his?
Anyway, I'm running a bit short on news so thought I'd look at the upcoming races, since I'm already suffering TDF-withdrawal symptoms big time. The Olympics did a little to help and the track stuff starts tomorrow with the men's team sprint qualifying round and the finals as well as the men's individual pursuit qualifying rounds with the finals taking place on Saturday. I might not watch the team sprint but the individual pursuit i will be glued to. I'll be rooting for Bradley Wiggins [Great Britain], but expect something from Taylor Phinney [USA] and possibly Brad McGee [Australia]. The big one for me is the men's madison on Tuesday [where i'll be shouting at the TV encouraging Great Britain with the team of Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wigging who won the world championships in March], so hopefully I'll be able to watch that in the morning and following stage one of the eneco in the afternoon :P
So who's competing in the Eneco tour you ask? Most of the big teams- AG2R, Astana, Bouyges Telecom, Caisse d'Epargne, Cofidis, Credit Agricoule, CSC, Euskatel, Française des Jeux, Gerolsteiner, Lampre, Liquigas, Quickstep, Rabobank, Scott-American Beef, Silence-Lotto, Team Columbia, Team Milram and Skil-Shimano and Cycle-Collstrop. Obviously the field of big names is a bit more limited with many of those who competed in the TDF and Olympics skipping it for bigger things or a rest. But Caisse d'Epargne have a strong looking squad with a couple of my favourites [Nicolas Portal and Luis Leon Sanchez] expected to race. For stage wins most people will be looking at the Boonen-Bennati round one duel with round two coming courtesy of the Vuelta a Espana. However, CSC are bringing their two sprinters [Breschel and Haedo] and Philippe Gilbert and Robbie McEwen will be wanting a win or two. I'll keep you posted with anyone who confirms they will or won't race.
Anyone wanna give me a penguin or offer background knowledge on it please do so :]
The eneco tour is a little weird. Stage winners receive a penguin...I don't know why, presumably something to do with a sponsor. Anyway, I'd love to get me one of those, wonder what Boonen [photo above] did with all his?
Anyway, I'm running a bit short on news so thought I'd look at the upcoming races, since I'm already suffering TDF-withdrawal symptoms big time. The Olympics did a little to help and the track stuff starts tomorrow with the men's team sprint qualifying round and the finals as well as the men's individual pursuit qualifying rounds with the finals taking place on Saturday. I might not watch the team sprint but the individual pursuit i will be glued to. I'll be rooting for Bradley Wiggins [Great Britain], but expect something from Taylor Phinney [USA] and possibly Brad McGee [Australia]. The big one for me is the men's madison on Tuesday [where i'll be shouting at the TV encouraging Great Britain with the team of Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wigging who won the world championships in March], so hopefully I'll be able to watch that in the morning and following stage one of the eneco in the afternoon :P
So who's competing in the Eneco tour you ask? Most of the big teams- AG2R, Astana, Bouyges Telecom, Caisse d'Epargne, Cofidis, Credit Agricoule, CSC, Euskatel, Française des Jeux, Gerolsteiner, Lampre, Liquigas, Quickstep, Rabobank, Scott-American Beef, Silence-Lotto, Team Columbia, Team Milram and Skil-Shimano and Cycle-Collstrop. Obviously the field of big names is a bit more limited with many of those who competed in the TDF and Olympics skipping it for bigger things or a rest. But Caisse d'Epargne have a strong looking squad with a couple of my favourites [Nicolas Portal and Luis Leon Sanchez] expected to race. For stage wins most people will be looking at the Boonen-Bennati round one duel with round two coming courtesy of the Vuelta a Espana. However, CSC are bringing their two sprinters [Breschel and Haedo] and Philippe Gilbert and Robbie McEwen will be wanting a win or two. I'll keep you posted with anyone who confirms they will or won't race.
Anyone wanna give me a penguin or offer background knowledge on it please do so :]
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