Here are the results from the Elite XC race of the MTB World Cup at Offenback. More details of the racing can be found here. But look closely at the results. First in 10th place is a familiar name to me, that of Lejarreta. Iñaki Lejarreta is a MTB rider but he is the son … Read more
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 more of the peloton’s names translated from their home language into English: Serpa, mountain sherpa Valerio Agnoli – Valerio Angels Manuel Belletti – Manuel … Read more
The DVD of race highlights is going to be a best seller. I rarely watch these things but am already interested getting a copy, the Giro is just past half way but the race has been turned upside down. The obvious highlight was the Stage 7 from Carrara to Montalcino, a 222km slog across and … Read more
I can’t say much more on yesterday’s stupendous Giro stage – a “hold up” said La Gazzetta Dello Sport – and the leaked emails from Landis are circling in my head like crazy. So let’s go elsewhere for a moment. The Tour de L’AudeFine scenery, fine roads and if not fine wines, very decent ones … Read more
It wouldn’t be the first time that hundreds of people have been moved out of Dunkirk to Britain, this time it’s the organisers of the Quatre Jours de Dunkerque stage race who are considering a stage in Britain, according to French newspaper La Voix du Nord. With the ferry companies keen to promote their links, … Read more
I’ve often wondered what it would be like to cheat, you know, to get my blood turbo charged and lay waste to the opposition. In times past I’ve raced against some big names and people whispered about EPO users. I never came across it, maybe I was totally naive or blind but nobody tried to … Read more
Becoming a professional rider isn’t as straightforward as you might think. There are many amateurs winning all over Europe and beyond. So in a series of tips on how to make the step up, here are some suggestions. Background Imagine you’re an amateur who’s just won a pro race, you’ve left big ProTour teams trailing … Read more
A quick look over the shoulder at the most popular pieces on the blog in April. Cancellara’s sneak attack – a look at how Fabian Cancellara rode away and how you can use the same move in a race Does Cancellara have an electric bike? This was very popular and I reported it tongue in … Read more
See the article below for an idea sent in by a reader. Several others have been in touch with suggestions and I’m really happy to hear from readers with comments, suggestions, criticism and more. Note the email address on the top right of the page, plus you can use Twitter to keep up, I use … Read more
Number 1 idiot? Lampre’s Lorenzo Bernucci is the latest rider to be named in an ongoing Italian investigation into doping. Reports suggest the Italian police found some banned substances in a raid on the Lampre rider’s home. Comically, Bernucci seems to be claiming that blood-diluting products are for his brother and his wife. But whilst … Read more