Sorry but I’m not going to write a big Tour de France preview. They all say the same thing: Contador’s the favourite Andy Schleck’s his closest challenge Those cobbles could cost someone the race Can Wiggins go better? Eugene Christophe broke his forks in the Pyrenees …I could go on, take a look at some … Read more
I’ll say it now, this year’s Tour de France marks the 1ooth anniversary of the race’s visit to the Pyrenees. This is why the race features several stages in in the Pyrenees. No doubt we are all going to be made very aware of this. But a lot of the tales are myths and exaggerations, … Read more
The BBC have a 25 minute broadcast about the Tour de France, discussing the race as a social and cultural event rather than the sporting contest. The studio guests discuss the race and its significance to France without mention of Contador, nor an explanation of the yellow jersey. You can hear the show for the … Read more
So do I. But it’s not going to happen either.
Contador is such a favourite for the Tour de France that many are just wondering who will come second and third. But a bad day, a puncture, a crash and everything could change Indurain famously cracked in the 1996 Tour. More recently you could argue Cadel Evans would have won the last Vuelta and Giro … Read more
It was a very good weekend for HTC-Columbia. Tony Martin won the final TT at the Tour of Switzerland, scalping Cancellara in front of his public after a strong week-long performance. Note Rabobank demonstrated their unique capacity to throw away stage race wins. Simultaneously Adam Hansen won the Dutch Ster Elektrotoer, a sign that the … Read more
Cervélo Test Team have announced their team for the Tour de France and the surprise good news is the presence of Carlos Sastre. But it was a late inclusion. As late as last night it was not sure that the 2008 winner would take part. He might not be in the best of form but … Read more
We now go into a funny period on the calendar, there’s almost no racing until the Tour de France. Yes there’s the national championships, but that amounts to just one road race and one time trial. So the next two weeks are going to focus on the build up to the Tour, a series of … Read more
Some interesting information landed in my lap the other day and, via Twitter, I asked for some in the cycling world to offer advice. It’s not the biggest story in the cycling world but it involved some big names so I didn’t want to splurge the details on here without reflecting on it. I’m grateful … Read more
US rider Matt DeCanio is a former pro on the US circuit, he published a taped conversation that apparently incriminated a former team mate, Kayle Leogrande. Since then he’s started an outspoken – to say the least – website at stolenunderground.com which advocates a militant stance against doping and dopers. DeCanio is now racing in … Read more