I wrote a suggestion on here yesterday that should Alejandro Valverde get banned then race results from the past need to be updated instantly to leave things in no doubt: as soon as Valverde’s gone, he’s gone from the record books. The idea has been picked up by French website cyclismag.fr. Here are the potential … Read more
Normally you’d think of Switzerland as one of Europe’s wealthiest countries, a land of mountains, lakes and hard currency. But this might not be so. Mo’ points, mo’ problems Fabian Cancellara’s stormed the season. As yesterday’s UCI rankings show, he’s in seventh place with 200 points. In the same rankings you can see the national … Read more
The latest UCI rankings are out. Here’s the top-25: First, the Court or Arbitration is expected to send Valverde into sporting exile so this should be the last time his name appears. Philippe Gilbert, an outspoken supporter of anti-doping measures will then be the number one rider in the world. Obvious symbolism there. Let’s look … Read more
The phrase “swan song” is a reference to an ancient belief that the Swan is completely mute during its lifetime until the moment just before it dies, when it sings one beautiful song. Swans are not actually mute during life – they produce snorts, shrill noises, grunts, and hisses – and they do not sing … Read more
They were denied passports There’s a good interview over at NY Velocity with Michael Ashenden. Ashenden’s an Australian physiologist with an expertise in blood doping, and an advisor to the UCI. The interview assesses where the “Bio Passport” scheme is today, essentially it is a source of information and a tool but it is not … Read more
Tour of Poland, he we come I can’t find the precise quote but there was a French general from World War I who said something like “my northern front is collapsing, the enemy has breached the eastern lines and my supply lines are being cut off. Excellent, I attack“. Now this sounds foolish in battle … Read more
Here’s a screenshot from the UCI’s website, taken half an hour ago. Back in February the wandering Dane was confirmed as a rider with the small Miche outfit but mysteriously his name has been deleted from the team’s entry on the UCI website. Is he moving teams? Is he about to get busted by revelations … 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
This year sees the Tour of California moved from its previous February slot to May. Weather conditions were harsh, it meant the race struggled to include mountain stages. But this change is forcing riders to choose between the Giro d’Italia and California. Mark Cavendish is the latest rider to announce where he’ll be in May, … Read more