Poor Roy Sentjens. The Milram rider was busted for EPO use and ejected from the Vuelta. He started with the classic opening defence, as reported by cyclingnews.com on Friday 10 September: “I don’t understand what is going on. I know everyone says this, but I’m really innocent,” he told Het Belang van Limburg. “I am … Read more
Never let it be said that cycling is a tough sport when it comes to picking winners and losers. If you fail, a second chance seems a birthright and those that make further mistakes can usually get an audience again and again. I’m all for second chances in life but many jobs in the world … Read more
How do you say “chickens come home to roost” in Spanish? With main sponsor Caisse d’Epargne pulling out at the end of the year, team manager Eusebio Unzue (pictured with Valverde above) is struggling to keep the team together. Having initially announced some replacement sponsorship during the Tour de France, it turns out that he’s … Read more
Vamos a la playa, oh o-o-o-oh There’s something I really like about the Clásica San Sebastián. It’s a one day race in the Basque country and the way it comes so soon after the Tour de France means you get an interesting mix of Tour de France heroes and one day specialists in the mix. … Read more
Spanish sports paper Marca has a scoop on the team invites for the Vuelta a Espana. 22 teams will take part, of which 16 were known in advance: Spanish squads Caisse d’Epargne, Euskaltel-Euskadi and Footon-Servetto, plus the following foreign outfits: Columbia, Liquigas, Astana, Rabobank, Omega Pharma, Cofidis, Lampre, Quick Step, Milram, Saxo Bank, Ag2r, Fdjeux … Read more
Following Iván Gutiérrez’s letter, printed in many places, I feel like having a word with the Spaniard. So here’s a letter addressed to him. Dear Ivan, I read your letter in defence of Alejandro Valverde and have to say I’m quite surprised. You seem trapped in a bubble, unaware of the world outside cycling. Alejandro … Read more
It took time but as expected, the Court for Arbitration has ruled against Alejandro Valverde and the Spanish Federation, the RFEC: On 29 August 2007, the UCI requested the RFEC to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Alejandro Valverde on the basis of the evidence gathered within the Operación Puerto proceedings, including the blood bag blood from … Read more
Valverde’s got the squirrel by its nuts Following my piece on the Basque country and Valverde’s ongoing presence in the bunch, reader Alex Murray left a comment asking whether Valverde’s team sponsor had taken a stance. I was curious about this too, after all whilst the team is Spanish, Caisse d’Epargne is a a French … Read more
Today’s stage finish Whilst many cycling fans will be focussed on the Flemish Classics and the upcoming Paris-Roubaix, don’t forget the stage racing in Spain. The Tour of Catalonia is done and today sees the Queen Stage of the Tour of the Basque Country, finishing at the San Antonio sanctuary above the small town of … Read more