I’ve started a series this week on European foods, not the finer stuff but more the quirky products that many a cyclist will devour. You can read the first part here. But The Inner Ring also has some other series: – It Was Acceptable in the 80s – Podcast Reviews– Out of Competition – What’s … Read more
There’s a new trial scheme in Switzerland for those given a doping ban. Unfortunately titled “Windop”* the idea is to counsel those who are given bans for doping offences. Just as many convicted criminals get advice on rehabilitation, the idea is to re-educate someone caught doping. The idea has been started by a psychologist working … Read more
Frank Grains 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: Borut Bozic – Borut Christmas Diego Caccia – Diego Hunting … Read more
It’s good to see more and more readers and it would be even better to hear from you. This isn’t a commercial website aiming to maximise traffic nor to target a particular readership niche so I can be free to shine a light on some often-overlooked issues. There might be common themes on here, for … Read more
A housekeeping note. A lot of subjects covered on here aren’t new, it’s just I’m often the first to put them in English. If I do copy and translate from a source then I’ll always try to credit this. This is merely a blog, I’m not paid to hunt down original stories and pester the … Read more
Still trying to catch my supper As mentioned last Sunday, I’m away (and this piece has been written in advance). So in the meantime, if you want something to read to broaden your understanding of pro cycling, here are a few selections from the past. Team Sky vs. Great Britain How tax rates hamper French … Read more
Click to enlarge Picture the scene, Floyd Landis has just romped to victory in the Tour, winning a massive mountain stage by more than five minutes from his nearest chaser after a giant romp across the mountains. Impressive, no? Certainly cyclingnews.com was impressed. They gushed “Without a shadow of a doubt, today will go down … Read more
Pippo, master of disguise! Recent news has said that Italian rider Filippo Pozzato is under investigation for tax evasion. It seems few big name Italian riders are spared investigation and the cliché states that tax dodging is a national sport in Italy. Specifically, the allegations say “Pippo” claims he was living in Monaco but was … Read more
I’m away in a land where there’s no internet for a week. So this blog will be a bit quieter. But I’ve scheduled a couple of pieces to appear here during my absence, come back from time to time. In the meantime, if you’re a new reader, here are a few selections from the past: … Read more
Searching for the new star The Tour de l’Avenir starts on Sunday. Literally the “Tour of the Future”, this is a week-long stage race organised by ASO, the Tour de France organisers. It is for those aged 23 or younger and will see 120 riders from 20 different teams taking part. Last year’s race was … Read more