The Quick Step team have held their pre-season training camp in Tenerife. As well as the stock individual photos, the team took a moment to publicise latex pillows and mattresses on offer from their sponsor Latexco in a rather bizarre way: Caught napping I put the same photo on Twitter earlier and received plenty of … Read more
Belgian cyclist Tom Boonen’s appearing later this week in a cycling themed event in Bladel, the Dutch town near Eindhoven, just over the Belgian border from Boonen’s home town of Balen. The “Wieler Café” or Racer’s Café will see public discussion of the sport, including contributions from local journalists, poets and other riders. It’s at … Read more
I wrote this earlier in the week but realised some readers might find it ‘inconvenient’ to read at work. So here’s something for the weekend… For better or worse, we tend to forget most adverts. Now the worst can be so bad they get talked about, the free publicity generated here can be worthwhile, viral … Read more
Cancellara’s winning move yesterday took some guts, he was going clear a long way from the finish line, with a headwind too. But did he attack? Yes, but in a very clever way. He used the “sneak attack”. I’ve not won many races in my time but when you want to attack, think twice. “Attack” … Read more
Imagine everyone shouting your name Today sees the Scheldepriijs race, aka GP de l’Escaut, take place in Tom Boonen’s backyard, near Antwerp. He got a huge welcome and needed a police escort to get from his home to the start. Now not everyone in Belgium cares, but a lot do. Tom Boonen is already a … Read more
Contador: El Pistolero or… humble beancounter? Many riders have surnames that are also nouns. I apologise if this ruins your TV viewing, those once exotic Euro names can actually prove a bit dull but here are some of the peloton’s names translated into English: Alberto Contador = Alberto Accountant Ivan Basso = Ivan Low Lars … Read more