UCI WorldTour and other pro cycling nonsense 2011

10 days till the tour down under, 6 weeks at least till some kind of fudge over Contador. New year new thread.

http://cdn4.media.cyclingnews.futurecdn.net//2011/01/09/1/_dsc0820_600.jpg

jacky bobby crusing everyone at australian championships today - bridged to six-man break, drove it to a four-minute lead, then dropped the break remnants and soloed home from 30km out. this is a guy who's still concentrating on the track until the next olympics, apparently!

would like to have seen that race. I presume he'll be riding TDU, but what is the rest of his program like? Surely he should be riding, at the very least, some of the non-cobbled classics?

deffo TDU, track worlds in ...is it late march i think? other than that, not sure. he struggled pretty badly at the giro last year so they're taking their time with him - might change after yesterday though. he'd be pretty suited to amstel and LBL, garmin have such a strong squad now though...

am i wrong or are sky, garmin, and leopard now all wearing black w/ blue accents?

Not wrong unless sky go with the green accents they had in ToB.

yup

xp

and even tho its slavishly rapha-esque, i gotta say that i really like the leopard steez. and garmin did the right thing reigning in the argyle.

http://www.bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Garmin-Cervelo-2011-kit.jpg
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_IBWpPDqLTxE/TSZE_7Y02HI/AAAAAAAABdc/mpWt2hegzxM/s800/img_0731_600.jpg

also even this probably outs me as a n00b with no knowledge of the peloton, i am pumped that leopard has the schlecks and fab and JENS!

leopard = stylin'

will garmin change to white for the TDF like cervelo did??

i like the celeste accent best, but bianchi must be all "wtf guys?!"

http://2003.tour-de-france.cz/images/foto/20-07-2003/armull2.jpg
a v. good look imo

absolutely. ullrich was easily 100x cooler riding for team bianchi that one year!

Worst possible outcome:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/mcquaid-casts-doubt-on-contadors-tour-de-france-participation

Would much rather he be declared a cheat or cleared to ride. If it's still up in the air then the win is somewhat devalued, especially if Contador is cleared later in the year.

McQuaid is an incompetent, likely corrupt idiot.

Vuelta going to the Basque Country for the first time since 1978!

Also, Sammy Sanchez said this in a press conference:

"The finish at Lagos de Somiedo is short but hard. It climbs 1,500 metres in just 8km. That’s very tough.”

Uhhh... quick math says that's ~20% grade for 5 miles... that's more than very tough, that's insanity.

http://news.velonation.com/Misc/Races/Vuelta/Feature/Vuelta%2011%20profiles/original/Vuelta11stage14_profile.jpg

think sammy might have his wires crossed there, looks more like about 700m ascent over the last 8km. they have to do the angliru the next day though!

ooh, nice catch haitch. *+1s haitch*

stage 4 sounds fun too:

The 200 kilometre stage is the second-longest of the race and includes two second category ascents of the Valdepeñas de Jaén; the second of these tops out just 7.8 kilometres from the finish line and could well provoke attacks. There is also a steep ramp up the finish line, including a legbreaking 27% wall with 500 metres to go.

lollll

can you even imagine??

i mean, only if there is a massive descent that leads into it... right? RIGHTTTT?

*whimpers*

am looking forward to this Vuelta - course looks great. Wonder if I can wangle a quick trip over to Bilbao for the stages round there when we'll have a 3 month old in the house........?

http://www.lavuelta.com/11pr/imgrecorrido/20_perfil.gif

I mean, 140k mark here = ouchie

Contador is looking at a 2 year ban:
http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/7114/UCI-management-committee-member-Pedersen-says-Contador-will-get-a-two-year-ban.aspx

does this have any implications for his TdF win?

yes, specifically because that was the race where he tested positive. Not sure about whether his other victories will be stripped.

Bros Schleck discuss rivals
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/schleck-brothers-rate-likely-tour-de-france-rivals

Kind of odd that they leave Samu out of the discussion, esp since he will soon share the 10 TdF podium with Andy.

If you want to check out the numbers a pro puts out, Ted King (liquigas) has been posting his rides on Strava: http://app.strava.com/rides/266435

Whoa Matt Goss obviously in good early-season form in TDU

sounds like it was carnage today!

ROBBIE in ochre jersey!!

tried to proxy-hax0r into the AUS feed but failed.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tour-de-france-selects-22-teams

No Geox-TMC - PRO no awful footon style kit; CON no Sastre and Menchov.

This will cause a stink

All four Pro Continental teams are French. Can't accuse ASO of being short on national pride.

Wow, and this comes on the heels of Menchov getting bumped from 3rd to 2nd in last year's TdF.

i don't get menchov at all.

So it's in his best interest to jump ship eh? 2nd place in the TdF and 1st in the Giro not getting invited to two major classics/tours the following year is kinda a major FU....

Sastre's a different story, he was ghost of his previous fitness last year.

http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/2010+Tour+Down+Under+Stage+Three+0DPXDpM_wZyl.jpg

why does this man always look like he's about to cry

give him a break, he's just give birth to a wallaby

that can't be from this year with Cadel failing to defend the rainbow jersey (on his hometurf!)

poor form gbx, do 4 hill repeats as punishment.

oh god its -13F degrees right now

saur-sojasun instead of geox, christ

assume geox will have sastre + menchov at the giro then - if they get an invite, that is.

is it reaistic for him to jump ship and nullify the geox contract? i'm sure Rabo would love to have him back, no?

probably not unless there was some specific clause - the team's still a going concern (at the moment anyway), not like how mcewen walked from pegasus because they didn't have the licence granted. at least that's how i assume it's gone down.

Good stuff going on right now down under

indeed. can't believe rabo and HTC butchered that intermediate sprint so badly, way to throw away your chances guys!

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5217/5388133952_8ffb37d4bf_z.jpg

GET INVOLVED

Haitch, you guys really lucked out, what an incredible summer of racing. I hope you got to see some of that action up close.

Some people hate on circuit racing but I think it's awesome for spectating.

wow, what a clown show

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/01/news/contador-decision-could-be-tomorrow-could-be-in-the-coming-hours-official-says_157185

I could have sworn somebody had already posted this to ilx, but the search function is letting me down:

http://nyvelocity.com/content/interviews/2011/landiskimmage

A very, very long read, but well worth it.

i posted it in the Floyd Landis thread on ILE.

Rather gripping but long read.

In other news, Chris Boardman's superman 4km IP record was broken yesterday by young Aussie Jacky Bobby Bobridge. London 2012 will be a showdown for the ages.

Hoping I get tickets for velodrome in 2012

woulda loved to see him v phinney, too bad they canned it.

London 2012 will be a showdown for the ages.

Would be if they hadn't got rid of the individual pursuit.

oh shit, that's right! nm then... those bastards!

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/bassons-wont-judge-landis-and-armstrong

oooh look who's too well-adjusted to dope. jk, guy sounds cool

he won't judge Landis or Armstrong but it sure as hell sounds like he's judging their parents.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/pooley-calls-for-more-tv-coverage-in-womens-cycling

from a few days back but I'd like to see more televised women's cycling. Women's road race at the worlds was great.

I agree (about more women's cycling, not about this year's World's road race, which I can't remember anything about). When Nichole Cooke won in 2008 that was one of the most exciting final five minutes or so I can remember: just endless attacks and counter-attacks. I'd have liked to have seen Pooley winning the Fleche Wallone last season.

woah @ j Bobridge's pursuit record btw

Poor Geox TMC, they managed to resolve my major issue with Footon servetto and still can't get a TdF invite

http://cdn0.media.cyclingnews.futurecdn.net/2011/02/07/1/bettiniphoto_0068143_1_full_600.jpg

Michael 'bling' Matthews; closet raver?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDAc-AvaB5w&sns=em

http://cyclingnews.posterous.com/michael-matthews-with-a-dash-of-bling

and he's getting rainbow stripes on the back tattoo!!

He's got a lot of waist line ink which is almost as reprehensible as his Playboy brand skivvies.

RT @dwuori: I'm very disappointed that Geox-TMC didn't retain the fleshy Footon kit. Had been hoping for addition of nipples and back hair. #cycling

Tomorrow's edition of Marca (spanish sports magazine) claims that Contador tested positive 4x during the TdF:
http://estaticos01.marca.com/imagenes/2011/02/08/g0802.jpg

#1: tainted steak
#2: tainted chicken
#3: tained seafood or something, idk
#4: ???

lol @ the entire rest of the front page given over to madrid stanning

cycling news says that the 4 tests count as one incident.

jesus that matthews interview yes possibly rolling

the front cover quote of Ronaldo as the new Di Stefano is a kneejerk reaction to the manager of Atletico Madrid hailing Messi as the new Di Stefano after he scored a hat-trick against his side. Marca being virtually the RM in-house paper.

so i read this...

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/02/news/riccardo-ricco-hospitalized-with-fever-apparent-kidney-failure_159118#disqus_thread

and thought "poor guy, but i hope...", then:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/italian-police-investigate-ricco-for-blood-doping

welp

smoke then fire eh?

find out which cycling professional hopes that ricco "becomes somebody's bitch in prison" after a full recovery...next, on sick sad world.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/video-cavendish-aldag-and-kelly-react-to-ricco-doping-news

In actual racing news, I really hope Mark Renshaw wins the GC at the ToQ, I feel like he deserves it.

Meh... he sat up way too early today and Benatti (sp?) almost pipped him, was kinda hoping for it. Reminded me of that link going around yesterday:
http://www.cyclingfans.com/node/1566

man when will dudes learn to stop doing that

am watching a bit of the ToQ right now, teams are just practicing and running drills aren't they? Sky's turn at the front was pretty pointless otherwise as they'd blown out their sprinters.

Oh Renshawpaws, that moment of panic was priceless.

after that first time they do it?

xpost

Yeah, looked like Wiggo (and Boom) went with 4km to go but then sat up about 1km later going into the roundabout. Boom was all "WTF" at Wiggo.

good thing early celebration never happens in a monument

http://velonews.competitor.com/files/archive/images/5740.7135.jpg

yessss

good analysis of the mucky mess that's been the ToQ finishing mayhem:
http://www.pavepavepave.com/2011/02/09/early-season-sprinting/

i watched some of the video no audio of the cyclocosm thing, will catch in full later.

watching those, its worth mentioning that once contact is made, it's very "sticky," even when unintentional. that is, ime it's actually hard to get off of someone because your body's center of gravity shifts toward the other person, and then your bike subtly steers into the person, and the same on the other side. its like, the safest tihng to do once youre into someone is to just keep going and ride it out. going through a corner with full contact from shoulder to hip is unnerving, but trying to do too much to get apart can be worse (e.g. the "death swoop").

otoh, those guys are generally so good at what they do, maybe its a different game.

Not sure if this should go here or on the LOLs thread but Mr Classy Mark Cavendish has apparently got himself his very own Page 3 Stunnah:

http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/2011/02/cycling-where-elite-meet-defeat.html

insert your own manx missile joke here (oh wait I already did)

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/confirmed-alberto-contador-cleared-of-clenbuterol-charges

?!?

poor Li Fuyu...

smdh

hahahahahahha:

Verbruggen, McQuaid threaten Landis with lawsuit for saying UCI protects riders:
http://nyvelocity.com/content/features/2011/uci-verbruggen-mcquaid-sue-landis

err
http://nyvelocity.com/content/features/2011/uci-verbruggen-mcquaid-threaten-landis

Sky may relax ‘zero tolerance’ doping policy:

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/02/news/cycling-sky-may-relax-zero-tolerance-doping-policy_159909

UCI asks "who is Fuyu Li again?"
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/carpani-says-uci-pleased-with-spanish-federations-handling-of-contador-case

Prentice Steffen, SF sports MD and frequent team doc who initially gained attn in cycling world when he blew whistle on Ty Hamilton and called Lance Armstrong "an unpleasant doper" (in French! to L'Equipe!) in the 2005, is the current team med for GarVelo. He was later called to apologize to LA in writing here.

Kinda went under the radar but I found this internal leak Garvelo leak fascinating:

8 Jun 2008 06:08:01 -0700, "Prentice Steffen"

Riders and Staff,

There have been some questions and confusion about access to data
generated by the ACE testing. I'd like to clarify how this works and
then answer any questions that you may have.

First, the people who have access to the data are ACE, JV, and all
members of the team's medical/science staff. As part of our
transparency policy, we have offered to make data available to
journalists upon formal request... a couple of you have already been
involved in that process. That is a very limited and controlled
process, so don't worry that journalist have free access to the
numbers.

Second, please understand that this is about perception rather than
reality. Of course we all know the "perception is reality" thing, so
know too that while we trust everyone this issue is quite important.

The ACE data is not available to you directly because a major
criticism leveled against ACE is that it is a system put in place to
insure none of you test positive and is really a system that "aids
and abets" doping. ACE does sort of walk a fine line when you think
about it like that. If we gave you real time access to the data,
then it could of course actually be used in that manner which is
obviously not our desire or intent. So obviously much of this has to
do with perceptions outsiders may have.

It's worth pointing out here that you do have full access to your
quarterly UCI testing which I'll gladly provide to you in .pdf
format. That data is ostensibly for your health and is really quite
good in that regard.

All that said, JV and I don't have a problem if asked to look at your
ACE data and tell you whether or not all looks good. We might go as
far as to tell you some specific results to reassure you that all is
well from a lab numbers perspective. So there will be some degree of
discretion involved, but this will be our general approach/philosophy.

Sorry to be a bit of a downer after that last mass email that went
out. Nice work and thanks to all who are making that happen!!!

Questions?

Prentice

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/13/fullj.88a6aa1e66cf794395b92628606c8720/88a6aa1e66cf794395b92628606c8720

Don't know why it's not showing that photo. Anyway - OUCH!
http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/13/fullj.88a6aa1e66cf794395b92628606c8720/88a6aa1e66cf794395b92628606c8720
Story here:
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/516770/awang-needs-surgery-to-remove-huge-splinter.html

UK mens team pursuit team were pretty awesome today - Also Anna Mears

they were rather good, but only just seen this, ouch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sD5UK-qt9HY

That crash was the cause of the hideous injury which I've twice tried to post of photo of. Third time lucky:
http://sports.yahoo.com/sc/photo?slug=88a6aa1e66cf794395b92628606c8720-getty-cycling-world_cup-track&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

he crossed the line then fainted! chapeau

awang lives in melbourne! as do the malaysian road squad.

anna meares has teh best haircut.

What it looks like after being pulled out

http://road.cc/sites/default/files/images/Awang

ahhhh a nice relaxing hour of Paris-Nice before the trauma and worry of the match at Anfield starts. The Eurosport boys are right - the new Europcar kit is rather nice.

Philippe Gilbert rode at least part of that Eroica race with a tubie around his shoulders, old tymey style:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/strade-bianche-1-1/photos/161691

oops, wrong photo:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/strade-bianche-1-1/photos/161690

btw dudes watched a torrent of the strade bianche last night....seemed like a pretty nice race

"DeGrogorio always looks so odd when he gets out of the saddle, it's as if he's going to bang his head on the bars.... like some demented tortoise"

-David Harmon, stage 7, Paris-Nice

That was one of the greatest final 10km I've watched in a long time. Hopefully it will make it on youtube.

Amazing recovery after he nearly went over with about 1km left

Also - good to see Wiggins still hanging in there

Bobke really sucks as an announcer. Nothing insightful, mis-speaks constantly.

Voeckler thoroughly badass today

Fucking hell: just seen Gilbert's stage win in Tirreno-Adriatico - incredible stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sWCGR8ZR50

so baller

http://cdn2.media.cyclingnews.futurecdn.net//2011/03/14/1/bettiniphoto_0073671_1_full_600.jpg

Still not happy

Tireno Adriatico trophy has to be one of the best in sport

http://cdn2.media.cyclingnews.futurecdn.net//2011/03/15/2/bettiniphoto_0073949_1_full_600.jpg
http://cdn2.media.cyclingnews.futurecdn.net//2011/03/15/2/bettiniphoto_0073950_1_full_600.jpg

aw look at cuddles wif his new toy

he'll have someone's eye out with that

What is Cadel's body fat %, dude is incredibly lean right now. The way he made zipping up those 19% ramps yesterday look so damn easy was really unbelievable.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1NPIYRtrIjI/TXqWZNjs6XI/AAAAAAAACSA/KE6giBmW2Og/s320/petacchi.jpg

What is up with the dudes from down under?

HAEMATOCRITS

Clen tainted 'roo meat.

Anybody else watching what Fabian just did / is doing at the E3 today? Yow! Start engraving his name on the RVV and PR trophies now.

something very relaxing about watching Gent - Wevelghem live with Vlaamse commentary.

jesus - Cav with an off again, missed the actual incident as I'm flitting around trying to find a decent stream

the WCC video of fabian picking off all the breaks at E3 is amazing - every other strong rider has to team up and keep hitting him with attacks at flanders otherwise he'll just choose his moment and ride away.

The work of rabid Boonen fans?

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/flanders-route-changed-after-cobbles-theft

http://www.fexx.co.uk/zakblack/dungeon_files/makka_pakka.jpg
Makka Pakka, eh? I suspect this story will seem less distressing on 2nd April.

Wow. So, Boonen made his move, Cancellara countered, then put the hammer down, bridged to Chavannel, opened up a gap of a minute, Boonen couldn't find anyone to help him chase, game over - the same old story. Except suddenly it wasn't.

What a race!

what do yall think boonen was playing at there - all i can think is that he was hoping to hang onto cancellara until they caught chavanel, then they'd try to double-team him or something?

think he might've just got a bit over-excited tbh. it made the race tho!

hot basque country action 4u - check about 7.50 in and lol hard

!!!
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/cancellara-warns-rivals-to-fasten-seatbelts-ahead-of-paris-roubaix

"And in the end the one who was always in the wheels won. Congratulations to Nuyens, but for me [winning] like that has no value.”

how do you sit on a saddle with that much butthurt. he needs some dznuts.

Haha. W/R/T FSchleck's tt/camelback-gate, check out this awesome comment section post killing it:

http://inrng.com/?p=2407#comment-3590

http://www.steephill.tv/players/youtube3/?title=Stage%204%20Last%205%20Kms&dashboard=vuelta-al-pais-vasco&id=glaoF4Cfelc&yr=2011

stop whatever you're doing and watch the finale of today's pais vasco, it's fucking awesome-- pros caught out on the steepness of the final climb, walking it. even the leaders were just barely turning over.

huh I tuned in to the last 25km this am but didn't see any walkers... do you have a particular timestamp to check?

altho there were some guys a couple days ago caught walking up the last steep pitch of the Alto de Azpiroz. it's on youtube...

Stage 1 up the Antzina, watch 6:30 on... esp ~7:40
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sl4TGsbA76w

ok, this was stage one i just saw, durrrrrr. still awesome.

bought eurosport player on ipad

..feeling.. it

you guys are supposed to tell me when awez stuff like _pros walking it_ happens.

it's almost as important as post-defeat butthurt happening.

basque autotranslate:
"The final part of the climb to La Antigua, with nearly 800 m close to 16% on average (and maximum gradients exceeding 20%) is a good trap."

you guys are supposed to tell me when awez stuff like _pros walking it_ happens.

― this country is domed (Hunt3r), Thursday, April 7, 2011 3:30 PM (8 minutes ago)

well it was Garvelo and Saxo...

damn, forgot about Nuyens... but still Garvelo is all sorts of lol so far this year. poor vaughters, he's catching mucho heat.

are they cycling's red sox

haha... rather apt!

that stage 1 finish btw:
http://www.grassyknolltv.com/2011/vuelta-al-pais-vasco/photos/stage-01/321-finish-still.jpg

Breaking news that the whole Lampre team are being charged

is this the first time a stick person has won p-r?

6'5 1/2″ (197 cm), 167 lbs (76kg)

well, that's one reason you put guys up the road, worthy and well done imo.

http://cdn3.media.cyclingnews.futurecdn.net//2011/04/10/2/bettiniphoto_0077375_1_full_600.jpg

great, great race

It looks like he was just happy to be in the front and in the groove.

Daniel Benson reported that he fode a flatted (slow leak?) rear wheel for the final 5km.

Confirmed by @Vaughters:
http://www.grassyknolltv.com/2011/paris-roubaix/photos/page-02/450-72ejj.jpg
"Damn. Last 5 kms on a flat! Johan is a stud"

"Bad chainline!" remarked Steve Shasta

"It’s hard to win all by yourself in those conditions,” Cancellara said. “It was full-gas all day. There was no rest. My team did what they could, but Garmin was the strongest team today. We don’t have to search for excuses. They played it smart today. Now they get that victory they were searching for for a long, long time. I gave the maximum today, I cannot say more than that.”

signing for a gt team?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/77/You_Played_Yourself.jpg
it shouldnt even be close. to be fair, im not clear that he really values classics results over gt tts and the rest.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/video-vaughters-on-van-summeren-and-garmin-tactics-in-paris-roubaix

ok, this euro-accent is hilarious. not everyone in littleton speaks like this, just so you know.

http://www.podiumcafe.com/2011/4/10/2102240/man-wins-race-gets-girl

all class!

this euro-accent is hilarious

?

ahh, vaughters' accent and inflection there is not standard 'merkin. it sounds really affected to me, but what do i know.

(i've spoken with him before, and he did not sound like that.)

I see what you mean, he doesn't sound very American there, but from your description I was expecting Inspector Clouseau.

PHIL PHIL PHIL

http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/la-fleche-wallonne-his/road-race/photos/169764

daaaamn

Good day for francophones today. Vockeler won today as well.

andy why are you not going to set up frank

god what a weird finish. i wanted to see them try something, anything!

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01879/Philippe_Gilbert_1879685a.jpg

The dual leopard 'o's are cracking me up there. Like an emoticon or something.

Such a good shot, great race too. Why the schlecks didn't attack at he end is beyond me.

can I just say: lol schlecks

bizarre ending yesterday, the schlecks just delivered him to the line

and where were andy's legs on the final climb

great classics season, all in. bring on the tours

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/04/news/alberto-contador-on-giro-climbs-%e2%80%98hard-to-believe-until-you-see-it%e2%80%99_170127

http://video.gazzetta.it/contador-crostis-zoncolan/8e30eb22-6f41-11e0-9110-8563364cfd27

thats what i really wanted to link

http://www.climbbybike.com/profile/Monte_Crostis_Comeglians_profile.gif

meanwhile at gila:

And third placed Dombroski admits that even he does not know his limits.

“I was a Cat. 4 last year, this is all new to me,” the Pennsylvanian climber said.

whoa

Uh... no:
http://www.usacycling.org/results/index.php?compid=259375

to light:

05/30/2010 - Tour of Tucker County | Road Race | Cat 1/2/3 | |
1 Joseph Dombrowski 259375 40326.1166509259 454 Haymarket Bicycles/HomeVisit

05/01/2010 - Wintergreen Ascent 2010 | Individual Time Trial | Pro/Cat 1/2 | |
1 Joseph Dombrowski 259375 32:16.7 255 Haymarket Bicycles

Yeah but he raced in a cat 3/4 race last March.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/05/news/uci-files-defamation-suit-against-floyd-landis_171011

these ppl are really as dumb as boxes of rocks wtf.

i does not make me feel good to have to root for flandis, but there it is.

christ

RIP weylandt

One year ago Wouter Weylandt won stage 3 of the Giro. This year, may he rest in peace.

Can't say anything more RIP Wouter

terrible news.

Not sure how accurate but a journalist friend said WW was OTB and looking back to see who else was there with him to rally back in contact with the peloton, while looking back he clipped his pedal on a low stone guard wall and fell 60 feet over a switchback onto the road below, probably broken neck. His wife is pregnant with their first child. 26 years old. Awful news.

oh god

just watched the footage on Eurosport, really disturbing. RIP Wouter :((((

jesus

xps

Not good at all - just saw it on Eurosport (which I'd recorded) and his neck might well have been broken (I fast forwarded away from it, tbh)

Can't saw I'll be watching the highlights of this.

Millar:
“I will wear the pink jersey tomorrow, but it will be in memory of Wouter, there is no celebration or glory, only sadness. I will discuss with Tyler [Farrar], Leopard and the family of Wouter what we as a peloton will do tomorrow.”

I can imagine it will be along the lines of:
http://bit.ly/iwVzvQ

given that ppl say upcoming descents are super scary, will they re-route any?

I was wondering that, especially for that one before the Zoncolan that somebody (maybe you?) linked to (in a youtube Gazzetto dello Sport clip)

velonews reporting confirmation of shastas take
http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/05/news/crash-witness-‘weylandt-was-catapulted-across-the-road’_172140

Clarification: there was not a 60 ft. over the railing fall, he clipped the short wall on the outside and then sharply careened across the narrow road headfirst into the rocky cliff face "very hard" according to all witnesses. Also, GF not wife.

What a loss. Tomorrow will be very heavy.

Official team statement:
http://www.leopardtrek.lu/

Garmin-Cervelo’s Tyler Farrar released a statement Monday afternoon about the death of his friend Wouter Weylandt:

I am unbearably saddened by the loss of Wouter today. As many know, he was my friend, training partner, and in many ways, another brother to me.

His death marks an irreparable change in my life but more importantly, in the lives of his family and most loved. Wouter was one of the kindest, funniest, and most admirable people I have ever had the opportunity to know and his death is a tragedy to his family, his friends, and to the sport as a whole.

I can only convey my deepest of sympathies to everyone who cared about him as deeply as I did, especially his family, his friends, his team and his fans – we celebrate his life and morn his death in equal measure.

Wouter was and is the soul of this sport we all love – an athlete who sacrificed himself for the better of many and a champion who celebrated each glory as a victory for his family, his team, and his friends and fans.

I will remember him always, and will always strive to do him proud, as he has always done for the sport and people he loves.

just terrible, i don't really know what else to say that hasn't been said already.

i can imagine there might be pressure to re-route that zoncolan stage so they don't go up and down the crotsis - apparently they were looking at ski nets for the descent anyway? but then, if it was caused by him looking backwards then it could happen anywhere.

http://twitpic.com/4vtf0p/full

Stage will be neutral.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeYMzIk-aHM

That was heartbreaking. Tyler Farrar's face at the end says it all.

http://twitpic.com/4vzxa1

heard of ppl riding 108miles/km in tribute

way to go world championship sports network

The original clip was Italian, try this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=VkJw1s0vvek

http://www.facebook.com/notes/leopard-trek/leopard-trek-will-leave-giro-ditalia/161538327244198

that's leopard-trek withdrawn then

stage 5... this is where the giro heats up this year right?

I lived in Pisa for a couple of years, so a lot of yesterday's stage/procession was on roads I knew. (I appreciate this is not the most important thing about recent events, but just thought I'd mention it)

livetext made the stage sound tremendous; looking forward a bunch to the highlights

A moving article:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/blogs/jonathan-vaughters/to-live-and-be-alive

Paypal Donations to support Wouter's family

what's the board's take on the crostis descent then? I see they're going to look into it

I wouldn't be surprised is the peleton either rides together that day or stops at the top to descend slowly together.

^ I can't see that happening, to be honest. The climb of the crostis will have split things up too much. The descent does look terrifying, though. But having said that, there were some terrifyingly steep, twisty and wet descents last year - I remember Nibali charging off alone on one of them. The thing is, the descent on Monday wasn't especially steep or tricky - it was relatively straight and fast. The tragic thing is he was looking over his shoulder.

Today's stage was good, the Strade Bianche made for some great racing again. Millar did very well to chase back on to the leading group, especially considering how cut up he was from his crash, but then blew up on the climb to the finish line.

One thing that I think will come in to play...

WW's death came very early in the race before massive time gaps had virtually eliminated the pretenders from the contenders.

By the time Crostis figures large, it will be pretty evident who is in GC contention and thus, who is willing to risk their lives to maintain balls-out speed on the descents versus those who will ride more within their limits.

This potentially gets tied up in the radio issue. The piece in today's guardian about the crotsis has a quote from Sean Yates(I think) about being led down he son plan by a teammate telling him what to expect. Not that the radio issue had anything to do with wouter's death but I think that it's added to an already charged issue relating to rider safety.

Even in the absence of this tragedy I would have been surprised not to see some kind of protest at the giro and the tour over he radio issue.

It's a tough call though. Nibali is an exceptionally talented descender and if coming down off the crotsis could win the giro for him; would you ask him to hold back to make a point?

They don't have a radio ban in the Giro, do they? I thought it had only been phased in to lower category races so far.

No radio ban at world tour, grandtour or HC level yet but it's slated for next year IIRC.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v219/Kermithimself/226725_10100207719400577_12605091_49433476_1118426_n.jpg

ewwwwww

Hmmmm.... so why the fuck did Petacchi gift the stage win to Ventoso? He was coming round him, looked across and then just stopped pedalling when it was obviously there for the taking.

Mount Etna erupts three days prior to Giro d'Italia stage

No credit to Movistar? Movistar's pacing esp. towards end of race sapped the legs out of the entire peloton (eg, HTC was nowhere to be seen). I knew Petacchi was in trouble earlier with about 500m to go, he slipped from 3rd wheel to 5th without a fight. Deceivingly uphill finish as well.

psyched for tomorrow

^^^

Any guesses who can hold Contador's wheel? Nibali? Anton? Scarponi?

I don't buy it. Petacchi threw that. He only had to turn the pedals twice more and he would have won. He didn't even look fucked, just casually glanced across - realised he was going to win - and then stopped.

... and then collapsed and fell to the ground after the finish and blearily didn't talk to reporters for several minutes despite their microphones jammed into his face.

Dude was zombified.

I still think it was weird. I can totally understand why he would be zombified, but he seemed to give up precisely at the moment that victory was assured.

maybe he was on a heavy bike

That would explain a lot

:\

i'll go out on a limb, DI LUCA (booooo) for the win tomorrow, favourites to stay together.

it's a pretty short stage!

I mean, compare Petacchi's sprint today to Cav's sprint...

Oh wait, Cav was shelled OTB in the gruppeto on a relatively flat stage...

No credit to Movistar.

he just looks like he cooked himself to me, idk

heavy bike, I'm calling it. will place a call to my contact at UCI

Doesn't he know he's only supposed to *train* on a heavy bike?

(I was reading Cav's bike is a kilo heavier than the minimum because he needs it strong)

Significant LULZ:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/13052011/58/tour-de-france-uci-angry-doping-index-leaked.html

If Basso is a three, doens't that mean everyone further up the list is 100% deffo on PCP and miaow miaow?

God knows why Geraint Thomas is considered such a high risk

schleck 3
armstrong 4
contador 5

looooool were barredo & popovych gurning all the way to paris?

cancellara 0

yes but what about the engines-in-bikes index eh

Are there any former dopers in the 0 category? I reckon they should each start on a minimum of 5 whatever their passports say.

today's Giro winner de Clerq was a UCI elite 2 last year:

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/05/news/who-is-giro-stage-winner-bart-de-clercq_172960

that was brilliant

supreme from bertie

Yep, the race has finally burst into life.

Rumors around the peloton is that the race for 2nd is quite significant as Contador's results could be officially erased when verdict is made next month.

I have deliberately avoided picking Contador in my fantasy cycling team in case he suddenly gets disqualified.

It's snowing heavy in Lake Tahoe right now for start of Tour of California.

Journalists are leaking that the riders will protest the opening stage due to ice/snow conditions.

No Passo di Gavia parallel it seems.

wait... was andy schleck not just riding the giro?

Nope

apologies, scratch that. crossed wires
xp

dug the rapha amgen tour of california vids; UK coverage is on tonight on eurosport at 10pm

Current conditions gallery:
http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/05/road/2011-amgen-tour-of-california-pre-race-a-casey-b-gibson-gallery-2_173366

It looks like a go. Abbreviated route today, they took 1 of the 3 KOMs out of the mix, should be cold, wet and slippery.

Leopard-Trek neutral 1km rollout to honor WW#108.

And with that, they cancel the stage LOL.

impressed with rujano's epic sufferation trying to hold contador's wheel.

less impressed with getting out of bed for a cancelled stage!

Just watched a couple of videos of the descent of Crostis. Absolutely, comPletely and utterly ridiculous, safety nets or not.

link?

impeccable from sky

indeed.

crostis vid that i haven't watched yet: http://youtu.be/Zv-j9c7dmzg

crostis descent is gonna own

why is cav even riding this giro? hardly any hunting ground for him at all

I'm guessing sponsorship obligations but would have made more sense for him to ride the ToC IMO.

hehe

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v509/jobhosle/100_0357.jpg

The news on Saturday was that Cav avoided being time cut by just 30 seconds on stage 9...

But now the rumors are that he was holding onto the team car more than a few times during the final 5km.

zappi, your pic isn't working for me.

aww, its just a pic from the live coverage today - Italian shop called SEXY SHOP gave me childish giggles

ah okay, it's showing up now! thanks!

MarkCavendish Mark Cavendish
http://twitgoo.com/2a2hj7 Look! Look! Oh! Oh! Oh! Look! Look! A sprint! A real sprint! For sprinters!

also: egg on my face

Movistar's Ventoso calling Cav out (in Spanish w/ Italian subs):
http://bit.ly/kEKTZU

HTC not making friends across the globe in the ToC either:
http://bicycling.com/blogs/thehub/2011/05/17/mike-friedman’s-tour-of-california-stage-2/

way 2 go ilx coders! :-/

kinda seems like, y'know, when it gets shitty and someone has tbrr and pull that break back, guess whose gonna have turn themselves inside out? those eight sorry protour bastards.

uk protip: ITV4 are showing the ToC live if you don't have eurosport

Question for britishers/aussies, does this work?

http://tracker.amgentourofcalifornia.com/

I am on ipad :(

Yes (xp)

(but I have Eurosport anyway)

are team jelly belly the least /euro/ of all pro cycling teams

How come it appears to still be winter in California?

I think haitch will be pleased with an interview with Ben Jacques-Mayne (was in break yesterday, his twin is in the break now) when BJM mentioned how impressed he was with the Aussie cycling scene and feels they are the cleanest and fittest cyclists in the world.

Once again I am forced to say fuck US sports producers and their refusal to play ambient noise under the commentary

are team jelly belly the least /euro/ of all pro cycling teams

― taylor, the creator (cozen), Tuesday, May 17, 2011 2:11 PM (1 minute ago)

They are the oldest current US team! They also have Jeremy Powers, who is one of the best CX riders in the world which should count for some euro-currency.

How come it appears to still be winter in California?

― Que sera sera... (Nasty, Brutish & Short), Tuesday, May 17, 2011 2:11 PM (1 minute ago)

the ToC seems to be cursed as there is rarely nice weather during the stage race, whether they hold it in Feb or May. They are inexplicably skipping SF this year so I think this is a bit of regional retaliation of meteorological terrorism.

the leader's jersey is howfin

Eurosport describe it as Custard accident.

"Gold" never photographs/films well, eh?

Let's ask Footon-Serveto. :-O

Friend just joked that next time we have a drought, gov officials should contact ToC organizers.

Does look like some nice country for riding.

I took these pics about 6 weeks ago, much different weather:

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/197908_136850809721360_100001893266612_225877_4124675_n.jpghttp://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207188_136850906388017_100001893266612_225879_4442395_n.jpg

I'm pretty sure, that same stretch of road they're on now, just north of Modesto.

gorgeous

haven't checked the profiles for this, have we got some nice giro style sufferfest action to look forward to? want to see LL cool leip and pandy schleck duke it out up some big hills

looking good btw shast, digging the antlers

Good mountain finish this weekend IIRC.

oval chainring there?!

Tomorrow and Saturday are the days to watch imho.

The finishing climb for tomorrow's stage is the single hardest climb I've ever ridden. I was in a 34x25 just pedaling in squares, weaving back and forth up the hill.

lool was that someone pissing while spinning along there

cozey, the 2nd to last climb tomorrow passes right by the James Lick Observatory. It's quite a climb, not extremely difficult, but quite long.

That tour tracker gizmo is really rather neat, just wish it would be used on the TdF - would be very very handy at work.

Was a nice blast from the past to see the oval chainring, reminded me of the old Shimano Biopace - never felt right to me (mate had a mountain bike with them on at college)

were you racing or riding sierra, shasta?

Just riding... no local race goes up Sierra Road, but there is a race in a few weeks that basically does tomorrow's stage in reverse (san jose to livermore). i would, of course, never do that.

just watched the Rapha Continental video of Stage five of this, oh boy, that looks absolutely beautiful.

Unfortunately the most beautiful part of Stage 5 will be rerouted as the highway washed out and is closed to auto traffic (and major bike races). I think those Rapha vids make mention of that.

It does indeed,but it was the Santa Rosa climb (and more thrillingly the descent) that really made me want to ride - like a great hybrid of Surrey lanes and French Alps.

Well, unfortunately they're skipping Santa Rosa this year too:
http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/Route/stages.html

They skipped SR and SF to go into the Sierras, which ultimately backfired horribly.

ach Jens goes down

so much fail in the sierras :( xpost

glad to see that US Pro Classic will be last week of August. it might snow on the 12000ft passes, but i doubt enough to reroute. i cant imagine euros wanting to race that kind of altitude is the thing. interested to see who will line up.

Shame about Santa Rosa - one day I'll get to come over and ride some of that

Mt Baldy looks a little on the steep side

great great finish that.

Baden Cooke = ouchie, fuck knows what happened there but he went down as if he'd been taken out by a sniper.

Porkpie you should look into this gran fondo, it is a big deal event, arguably the best coastal riding in the state, fully supported, and supposedly the paella is pretty damn good:

http://www.levisgranfondo.com/

That does look pretty bloody great. Maybe I should try and convince Vic that to celebrate my 40th (and hopefully attaining a less mantis like weight) by flying over......

That is very tempting.

i read something about levi's fondue last year, pics made it look like a treat i must say.

ToC live coverage cuts in on free-to-air tv from 7am here. i'm lovin it - get up and have breakfast while watching sky put everyone in the gutter, melbourne's own adopted kiwi HENDO taking the win, baden cooke pulling a mono then going over on his arse, what's not to like!

good luck nz:
http://tvnz.co.nz/othersports-news/henderson-wears-yellow-in-giro-d-italia-4178916

cozey, the 2nd to last climb tomorrow passes right by the James Lick Observatory. It's quite a climb, not extremely difficult, but quite long.

― it's time for the fish in the perculator (Steve Shasta), Tuesday, May 17, 2011 2:46 PM (Yesterday)

this was intended to be addressed to caek... confusion!

thanks shasty

levi's fondo looks amazing. hmm. am in for the etape caledonia next year... and had my eye on this too
http://www.vatternrundan.se/Default.aspx?module=4&content=12&lang=SV&fwsite=2

Pretty nice looking break today: Lars Boom, Martin Pedersen and THOR HUSHOVD join the conti domestic teams for a 10 man break. 2 riders from Bissell are in the break, and dare I say, their 2 best racers... this could be the break that sticks.

Ed, turn it on!

AMBIENT RACE NOISE AND NOTHING ELSE!

So it is

until now

sorry andy, kthxbye

. and had my eye on this too
http://www.vatternrundan.se/Default.aspx?module=4&content=12&lang=SV&fwsite=2

hmmmm, If I could get permission (and a few more miles under my belt) I would be so up for that, looks beautiful

Who owns that mock tudor monstrosity?

that was brilliant. epic effort from horner & shasty looking good in the bear suit

singularly unimpressed w/schleck

Horner went up Sierra Road in 17:05 (~500W, ~13mph, ~1900VAM), my PR is 29:00.

great effort from rory sutherland, he's one of those aussie dudes who's dropped off the radar a bit since we're all so euro-obsessed.

wish someone would physically attack a) the clean bottle man, b) phil every time he mentions the clean bottle!!

are thee shaq gonna have too many leaders in july? horner, levi, kloden, brajkovic...

i think it'll work out ok if nobody pops

wish someone would physically attack a) the clean bottle man, b) phil every time he mentions the clean bottle!!

― Lenny Cravitz (haitch), Wednesday, May 18, 2011 6:48 PM (1 hour ago)

2 of the 3 Bottle Boys were my teammates! Hands off those guys.

haha they're no harm really, just don't need liggett pointing them out EVERY TIME the bunch goes past one of them!

Just rewatched the final climb again, really amazing performance by Horner.

His love for Jack In The Box, 2L of coke, donuts and costco muffins is the stuff of legends.

Then there's always this:
http://tinyurl.com/hornerhills

And this:
http://survey.cyclingnews.com/photos/2001/apr01/horner.shtml

it really was a great ride by Horner, so fantastic that a 39 year old can take on and pull away from some fantastic riders as if they weren't there on a hill like that...... Was it just the UK twitterers that were going suspicion crazy? I must admit it hadn't crossed my mind at the time but the more I thought about it, the more rats I smelled.

are you referring to... drugs?

would I do that?..... Yes, yes I am, drugs and the Radioshack team

~a spectre is haunting yankeeland~

someone across the pond posted horner suspicion a few years ago on ilx, can't remember who, and i was a bit nonplussed. maybe because brits never got a chance to see what horner did domestically? mebbe i'm just a fan of his tactical analyses, forthrightness, and most of all, his willingness to go-for-broke.

otoh, it's pro cycling. it's radio shack. specter is all over the fuckin place (well, ex uk, obv).

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/05/news/horner-the-only-rider-that-can-drop-me-is-contador_174405

“I think in my career I’ve been underappreciated,” said Horner after a demonstrative win on the Amgen Tour’s first-ever mountaintop finish. He said Wednesday that Giro d’Italia leader Alberto Contador was the only rider in the world capable of beating him.

drugs must be involved i fear.

His love for Jack In The Box, 2L of coke, donuts and costco muffins is the stuff of legends.

what a bro, i'm with him.

he is a fat mantis in an actual mantis' body!

Horner is a crit monkey at heart, the fact that he can climb makes it pretty amazing.

His suspicion level on the UCI chart was lower than Wiggins, Gerant, and the other top Britishers iirc.

(lower than Andy and Levi as well?)

Yeah, and famous steak lover Contador.....

having fun with search:
Pro Tour/ Euro/Whatever road thread

and then this is great and pretty timely:
your daily bicycle log

i had thought id written an appreciation of horner in 2005 after one of my favorite stage finishes that featured him. i found that one but it is not quite on point. kind of fun wayback machine trip tho.

“I’ve been a criterium rider my whole life, more than anything. If you grow up racing bikes in the States, that’s what you are. If you can’t ride a crit then you can’t make a living.”
Horner

Lance getting it from all ends now:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504803_162-20064406-10391709.html

Hamilton is like a Sean Penn character study in this.

ruhroh

good advice here:
http://twitter.com/#!/lancearmstrong/status/28823058835

welcome back to the shitshow th

"Tour de France"

weekend's giro is going to be ~obscene~

obscenely.... over? this thing is dunzo.

it is kinda funny how the race for 2nd kinda ignores Bert with his verdict looming in a couple weeks.

enjoyed seeing pink Didi
Alberto kinda murdered them there without seeming to make too much effort

it is kinda funny how the race for 2nd kinda ignores Bert with his verdict looming in a couple weeks

^ this

ATOC TT starting now in former Danish colony of Solvang.

cunty was imperious

rujano's little look behind at the finish was cute

no crostis...

pretty much alberto flying off a cliff was the only game changer, so i guess im done following this charade.

No Crostis, but the Zoncolan is a hell of a climb. Not that anything's going to happen beyond another Contador win.

Riding ATOC Stage 4 tomorrow - in reverse, though, so we'll have the big climb early on.

wouldnt you just go down sierra rd then? i like that kind of ride!

hahaha.

good luck out there lukas. Hamilton is very easy compared to Sierra.

the backside descent is really fast and technical, take it easy.

Back on topic:

DZ killed it. Insane time for the amount of wind out there today.

wow van garderen

Oh shit, Big George coming clean now:

CBS release re 60 Minutes: George Hincapie testified that he and Armstrong supplied each other with EPO, testosterone

boom

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CYC_ARMSTRONG_DOPING?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-05-20-18-44-02

it's like a big coming out party

Work sent me up to a morning meeting in Santa Barbara, so I took the rest of the day off and cruised up to solvang to watch the TT stage. DZ looked so smooth and fast IRL. Wish I'd heard about Hincapie's spilling the beans before now, I'd have cheered him harder. There are still loads and loads of fans wearing LA gear. SMH

Well now George is claiming that he never spoke with 60 minutes, still a firm "No Comment".

He keeps stating that he wishes people would talk about the future of cycling instead of the past.

(stoked for you SLP, how's the c-bone?)

what the hell is that?
http://cdn0.media.cyclingnews.futurecdn.net//2011/05/21/1/gyi0064833974_600.jpg

It's DZ's son.

It is a danish delicacy called "petrified cow patty".

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/05/news/scott-mercier-former-postal-rider-says-hamiltons-charges-ring-true_174876

i couldn't and cant keep mercer and mercier apart.

kinda looks like 'i' is the only thing doing just that imo

ha but they were both domestic 90s pros. i think mercier is the guy from telluride. in my first year of racing there was a stage race there and he was sorta the hometown hero. i ended up talking with him for a bit and thought he was v. nice. then i cheered him on during the crit while i got shitty at a restaurant along the course that did mammoth paulaner beers.

also, i met a beautiful girl from boston there that weekend whom i left colorado in part to pursue...that was a _really_ dumb thing to do :(

could've been bad
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/3784/denifl.jpg

whoa!

the basque country's finest is looking good for a stage win here

megalol @ the card who was dangling meat on a fishing line in front of contador!

fans taunting contador with beef on the zoncolan is pretty LOL

xpost

booing was funny too

just catching up on Giro now, Zoncolan is fucking brutal, doubt I could walk up it tbh.

Looking forward to ITV4 coverage of ToC for Boulting & Rendell in studio (long time Lance averse) vs Liggett and Sherwen (Armstrong street team) on location.....

My stupid fucking skybox inexplicably failed to record today's Giro stage, despite the fact I've got it on series link and it's recorded every single stage prior to today and has tomorrow's stage cued up to record. Grrrrrrrr! I couldn't watch it live as I was racing (except I wasn't even doing that for long because of a puncture).

Blimey, US coverage mixing in a teeny bit of road noise. Or maybe it is just the noise next to the commentary booth.

Watching the zonocolan without crown noise must be rubbish

http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/giro-stage14-3.jpg

booing was funny too
― taylor, the creator (cozen), Saturday, May 21, 2011 3:31 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

haha claims they were mooing (!!)

nibali going for the death-dive off the mountain here, he's got a bit of a gap too!

is this race about to get interesting??

on a train, stuck with the text updates

anyone know if there's any radio coverage? eurosport radio incompatible w. ipad

is there not some eurosport app proper? might blow yr data limit i guess.

garzelli leading the stage, on amazing narrov road in the middle of a gorge, looks like rock faces going up wither side of him for 100 metres

can't get the stream to work cos train wifi is contended :/

arroyo has shot away now from the favourites' group on the gorge road.

i wonder if this is some alliance to try and work contador over a bit. doesn't look like he has any saxo allies with him.

oh here he goes, he's taken that young rabo guy and rujano with him

nibali hasn't followed

in fact he's struggling on the back of the faves' group!

is conty planning on riding the tdf? and who can challenge him? schleck looked busted in atoc

he looks SO strong here, i feel like he's putting it all out here in case he doesn't.

schleck probably riding cali for the training miles and the trek link. i'd say he'll be ready come july.

oh here comes the rain, right on cue!

garzelli throwing some sweet elbows at fans getting a bit too close, he might go alright in mixed martial arts once he retires.

nibali's lost nearly a minute over the summit of the second-last climb. he's gonna have to bomb this just to get back on.

he's pulled it back! some BIG risks through the cars and motos. awesome to watch.

magnificent scenery in this neck of the woods, i must say.

btw NBS if youre still after a recording of the zoncolan stage, cyclingtorrents.nl have it along with highlights

scarponi punches it. contador and gadret follow, contador pulls away. nibali at the head of the chase but i think this is aaaaaaaaall over. good god.

nieve with a good lead over garzelli at the front - looks like another great day for the carrots,

jeez that last km looked hard!

scarponi bringing back DUDES MASHING A BIG GEAR, excellent.

is conty planning on riding the tdf?

He will if he can, but he probably won't be able to. If you don't know the story, the short version is: he got caught with a miniscule dose of clenbuterol in his blood after the last rest day in last summer's TDF; the amount was negligible and wouldn't have had any effect, but *any* amount is considered a breach of the rules as there is no natural way the drug should be in your body; moreover the amount was so small it would have been virtually impossible to administer such a tiny dose (and there would have been no logical reason to) - which suggests he might have had a blood transfusion during the rest day and this blood contained traces of off-season doping (it's been reported that he has tested positive for plasticisers, a sign of blood stored in bags, but this test has not been ratified yet so cannot be officially used); the UCI hushed up the positive result for several weeks and seemed to be giving him time to come up with a convincing story; his story was that he had beef specially imported from Spain, which nobody else on the team ate, and which came from the only cow in Spain to have been given clenbuterol; the Spanish cycling authorities cleared him of the charges on this basis; the UCI and WADA have appealed to the CAS - the verdict is due about a week after the end of the Giro (and safely before the start of the Tour).

btw NBS if youre still after a recording of the zoncolan stage, cyclingtorrents.nl have it along with highlights

I managed to catch the last three kms yesterday watchig RAI in Italian via the Steephill website, but it's not really the same if you already know the result.

Just watched today's EPIC stage. God, that looked tough. Nibali's not really as strong as I thought he was. He reminds me a bit of Wiggins in the 2009 TDF - a steady climber, unable to put in savage attacks, good enough for a high placing but nowhere near to winning. His thing is descending, whereas with Wiggins it's time trials.

there was a guy the other day dangling a steak at the end of a fishing line in front of Contador. good times.

Sherwin and Ligget talking about where you can get to on US 101 is proof, if proof were needed, that the end of the world didn't happen yesterday.

I really like how a couple of these ToC stages end with Crit-esque finishing circuits. A nice nod IMO to American style racing, and cool for amateur racers like me to see the pros riding similar circuits to what we do.

yeah crits really aren't a thing in europe huh

For reals, sprint finishes on nice flat wide California roads are really nice, gives all the sprint trains plenty of space to do their thing and levels the playing field nicely. None of the silly road furniture in the last 1km that you see in a lot of races.

Crit racing is becoming more popular in the UK thanks to the Halfords Tour series.

I know logistics prevent it but I'd love to see crits that were less like NASCAR and more like F1. Like empty street alleycats. Monaco style.

Also are gravel centuries a thing outside the Midwest? The Almanzo 100 is huge thing here now, and it looks to be as brutal as some of the euro spring classics.

Also the amount of work that the race organizer puts into it is pretty astonishing.

http://cycleture.photoshelter.com/gallery/2011-Almanzo/G0000gJ8g8tTETok

take your filthy gran fondo talk over here:

For nary all of us can be Cat2 cutiez: the gentleperson's weekly sportif / randonnée / brevet log

Another death - did you guys see this? http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/23052011/58/tondo-killed-garage-door.html

Bloody hell

that is horrible! rip tondo.

poor guy :(

wrt grand tours, uphill time trials are stupid, redundant, and should be banned. #foodforthought

Awful about Tondo... such a well respected rider.

Part of me suspects may be a retaliation though, he blew the whistle on the Girona juniors doping program not that long ago, ya?

Didn't a garage door fall on him? Haven't read any of.the stories in full yet, but nobody suspects foul play, right?

Mafia always makes it look like an accident right, that's the point?

/dons tinfoil hat

Flashback to Vaughters' kudos article on Tondo just 3 months ago
http://www.cyclingnews.com/blogs/jonathan-vaughters/connecting-the-dots

yeah i thought about that as soon as i heard about his death. wow, i thought that was like a month ago.

uh-oh

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/italian-police-search-radioshack-vehicles-on-giro-ditalia-rest-day

Team boss Johan Bruyneel left the race last night and was unavailable for comment.

quelle surprise

was gonna post on that, but got all distracted by the idea of lance asking popo to submit to jurisdiction by coming to ride for the roses, lol.

w/r/t giro: *yawn*

YO DAWG! HEARD YA LIKE HILLS SO WE PUT A HC TT IN YO HILLY SR!

http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.com/images/news/2011/05/23/1306146491331-wq26aplvgz2w-670-75.jpg

swine in the news

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/verbruggen-says-armstrong-never-never-never-doped

someone stick a syringe in it, this race is done

whats wrong with hill TTs btw? just rubbish?

they encourage risky behavior, like running with atlatl-propelled hypodermics

Hill climb TTs are good equalizers if the parcours of the other stages tilt the advantage to the fat mantis TT/sprint/breakaway artists.

But in mountainous stage races like the Giro which already favor the climbers, the selection through the mountains has been made over and over again and again x7 to the tune of about 10 minutes for the leader. Why add further to that? The final results are even further cemented now than they were a stage ago.

wrt grand tours, uphill time trials are stupid, redundant, and should be banned. #foodforthought

― the entire premise of your tweet is incorrect (Hunt3r), Monday, May 23, 2011 7:08 AM (Yesterday) Bookmark

is conty planning on riding the tdf?

so...

I guess he can now

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/cas-postpone-contador-hearing

Although ASO might not let him ride if there is no CAS decision.

so dominant, but nice gesture. i woulda thought tiralongo had a major win before this, its not like he's totally obscure.

Today's stage make me miss living in Torino. I shall have to buy a bottle Barolo to celebrate.

just switched over from F1 qualifying - beautiful looking roads. Have had a cheeky 2 quid on Menchov, he's going to win one, and at 30-1 couldn't not.

it sure isn't protour, but 55 y/o ned overend won iron horse for the 5th time today. *bows down*

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/527272/millar-wins-giro-s-final-time-trial-overall-result-in-doubt.html

Cycling Weekly not exactly overjoyed at Contador's victory.

Yesterday was all about the football and excessive alcohol consumption. I've only just discovered that Bradley Wiggins won a time trial stage and beat Cancellara in the process, and Geraint Thomas won the overall, and David Millar won the Giro time trial today.

dear lazynets,

is there anywhere to catch video highlights of the US Pro Championships? or is USA cycling coverage restricted only to sketchy dopers coming out of the closet?

Have you tried steephill?

Yeah, i actually chatted with them and they said that Versus (shitty us "alt sports"? network) will be showing recaps this coming weekend. 1 week delays in the '11, good stuff.

Jealous of britishers, aussies and le euros...

lol, i remember back when the tdf was 1/2 hour first weekend, 1 hour second and third weekends on abc, and they cut away all the time to like, world lawn darts champs.

Just saw this:
http://neilbrowne.com/2011/06/opportunity-for-versus-to-increase-cyclings-ratings/

eh, dunno. i just don't see the future of pro cycling video in usa being distributed cable programming. the interests just don't align, no matter how much mr. browne wishes that an educated viewership could be created and fostered. i can think of programming/scheduling that that might help achieve that end, but...good luck finding a cable venue for it.

i don't think it would hurt to "teach the controversy" wrt cycling, esp now that ppl know how pervasive doping is. i don't mean to have guys being all cynical about doping and who's gonna pop next (that's what the internets are for), but yeah, have commentators be really real about it.

i haven't followed universal/nbc too closely, but what do ppl think of universal's model? they seemed to do web based shit in addition to cable.

looking at that, i dont mean teach the controversy, i just mean, don't gloss over it when the dude in the pink jersey could be suspended and stripped in the near future. maybe they did a good job with that on tv, i don't know- i didn't watch! ha maybe i should talk about something i know about. *crickets*

I think you're probably right (not that I see American cycling coverage, though). For quite a while I thought all coverage was pretty frank about the numerous doping controversies, but after quite a while I realised that all the frank stuff on ITV was done by Ned Boulting / Gary Imlach (the journalist/presenter types, doing their little pieces) while the commentary from Paul Sherwen and Phil Ligget barely touched on it, if at all. Which is fine: it made for a balanced programme. But then eventually I discovered that the Phil & Paul bit was syndicated to various other countries (but obviously without the Boulting/Imlach stuff), so I assume a lot of coverage does the ostrich with head in the sand trick.

the Real Peloton podcast is highly recommended for the true views of Ned and Matt Rendell, they are most definitely not pro-Lance, unlike Paul and Phil, who are great commentators, but definitely Lance-enablers. Also the Flammecaste, for even more cynicism and anti-dopig talk.

<3
http://www.leopardtrek.lu/news/jens-answers-your-questions

the downhill skills of Thor Hushovd. He’s amazing going downhill.

huh, i never knew that

He's an unmantislike 170-180+ pounds... Never hurts to have gravity on your side.

Wiggins going very well in the Dauphine: a good prologue, up near the front in the next two stages (both with uphill finishes) and second place in today's time trial at Grenoble (using the exact same course as the TT in the TDF) to Tony Martin has put him into the yellow jersey.

Not just yellow - he's in green as well!

http://www.youtube.com/v/JVsp4X7Y8VI

proper embed:
ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVsp4X7Y8VI

:^O hahahahahaha

Mon dieu, vaches dangereaux.

Thought for sure Wiggins would be toast but have to give him credit for hanging in there.

Yeah, that was impressive. With about 2km to go I thought he was about to blow up, but in the end he hardly lost any time to VdB or Vino and put time into Evans. Unless he falls apart tomorrow he should get the overall.

Just watched the webcast of the Tulsa Tough, a USA NRC 3-day crit Omnium. It looks really fun! I really want to go race it some day now (they have amateur/masters fields). Who knew I'd ever want to go to Tulsa.

Great win by Wiggins. Best British stage race performance since the days of Robert Millar. I think he's looking good for a top ten in the Tour de France, maybe even top 6.

Unless he was hiding his form, I'm pretty convinced he won't podium. He can do ok with good time trials and just sticking with the contenders but I don't ever think I've seen him go out on the attack. That said, sky should be a stronger team this year, boassen-Hagen did great yesterday.

He's one of those riders who can climb well at a regular rhythm, but hates the sudden accelerations that the top climbers can do. Every time he got dropped he didn't panic, he just kept his pace and rode back to them over the course of a minute or so. Because of this, I don't think he's got an awful lot of attack in him - he's usually just clinging on. He attacked and dropped Armstrong at Verbier in 2009 and he attacked the leaders on a huge climb in the Giro last year, but basically just stayed about 20 seconds clear on his own for 2 or 3 km then got reeled in and dropped. I can't remember any other attacks.

i don't know if he's even as "dynamic" as leipheimer or evans 1.0, but def less than evans 2.0.

wow, its like a luge run that lasted 15 minutes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7VT-cDytsE&feature=player_embedded

That was absolutely terrifying

i need a cigarette after that

Cav headed to Sky for 1.5GBP/yr

MILLION! lol

i would be mega-surprised if goss wasn't at greenedge next year too. add greipel to that and highroad've lost their three best sprinters in 12 months.

somewhat... careless i'm sure u agree. do they re-focus on tejay, tony martin and the like in that case?

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/06/bikes-and-tech/spotted-giants-new-prototype-road-frame_179050/attachment/proof-is-in-the-pudding

no brake hoods?!

he chews them off as he goes along to gain a few grammes advantage in the sprint.

om nom nom

Only 3 UK riders (Wiggins, Swift, Thomas) in the SKY TdF team? That surprises me, but perhaps it shouldn't?

wow! 58 national titles on road and track, still wining at 52.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/06/news/at-52-jeannie-longo-wins-french-national-time-trial-title_179850

yay gilbert

http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/belgian-road-championships-2011/elite-men-road-race/results

Gilbert's having a hell of a season.

Wiggins has won the British champs, and he's also the reigning time trial champ, so he'll be in white for every stage of the Tour. And, er, every other race now I think about it. Unless he's in yellow, but that seems more than a bit unlikely. Still - he's looking much better than last season and I reckon he'll get a decent placing (i.e. top ten).

new bikes are cropping up pre-TDF, i see:-

• ridley have a new road frame with integrated brakeset for cirque du vacansoleil
• thor was at norway nat championships on some new cervelo monstrosity that looked like a P3 with drops
• rabo dudes on the new giant which is lookin decidedly non-aero - TREND, BUCKED

This is the giant, I think

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/giant-2012-road-launch

read haitch's post as saying ridley's new frame has integrated basket, that'd be practical and fancy imo. integrated brakes seem like they'd be fun to adjust hanging out of a follow vehicle.
its harder to be aero running a 2.5inch/1.75inch headset or whatever stupid shit.

Some national Champs

GB - Wiggins
Belgium - Gilbert
France - Chavanel
Spain - Not Contador (Jose Joaquin Rojas)
Germany - Robert Wagner
Netherlands - Pim Ligthart
Luxembourg - Frank Schleck
Switzerland - Cancellara
Italy - Giovanni Visconti

I want an integrated basket.

perfect for carrying yr baguettes to the top of alpe d'huez while wearing stripey t-shirt and beret

Germany - Robert Wagner
Netherlands - Pim Ligthart

I have never heard of these people