It’s The Economy

As the screengrab above shows Spain’s unemployment level has reached to a record high of more than six million people, a rate of 27%. Cross the Pyrenees and the story is the same as France’s unemployment has just hit a record high too.  Over the Alps and Italians are trying to form a government after months of institutional crisis, the Swiss are bringing in measures to curb immigration from out-of-work migrants in Europe and the continent’s shared currency is causing headaches from Cyprus to Slovenia and beyond.

Pro cycling does not exist in a bubble and Europe’s economic woes are causing real problems for the sport, from obvious concerns like the lack of sponsors but also creating longer-term structural challenges.

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Giro Guide

Giro d'Italia

The Giro is 10 days away. Here’s a concise overview of every stage with more on the jerseys, classifications, TV listings.

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An Independent Anti-Doping Agency?

An independent anti-doping agency for pro cycling? It sounds likes a great idea, no?

There are regular calls for an independent body and Greg LeMond is the latest to express concerns. Trust in the governing body has been eroded and across all sports there’s an obvious tension between the promotional role of a governing body and its duty to bust the cheats.

But can this be done? Would the WADA Code allow it? And isn’t a lot of testing already independent of the UCI?

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Tour de Romandie Preview

A three week grand tour is great because the duration allows for many stories to develop but the Tour de Romandie shows you can pack plenty into just six days. It’s a race that will see Chris Froome, Roman Kreuziger, Carlos Betancur, Mark Cavendish and more in action over a variety of terrain.

Here’s a short preview with the stages, riders, TV timings and more.

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Team Victory Rankings

With the classics done where do different teams stand? As the chart above shows there’s a difference between the quantitative and the qualitative with some scoring numerous wins but often at a lower level.

Also with the Tour de France wildcards being announced soon, below is a look at the second division pro continental teams.

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The Moment The Race Was Won: Liège-Bastogne-Liège

Dan Martin Joaquim Rodriguez Liege

With one kilometre to go Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) has attacked and immediately gets a gap. Michele Scarponi (Lampre-Merida) chases but Dan Martin (Garmin-Sharp) comes around him and slowly closes the gap to catch a labouring Rodriguez. As they approach the final bend Dan Martin uses the last part of the slope to drop Rodriguez and solo away for the win, capping a fine piece of teamwork with Ryder Hesjedal. This was the moment the race was won.

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Roads to Ride: Côte de La Redoute

As the latest in the series to explore the famous roads of cycling, here is the Côte de La Redoute in the Belgian Ardennes. The idea is to discover the road and its place in the world, whether as part of cycling’s history or to look at the route on a day without racing and it is open to all.

La Redoute’s name means “redoubtable” and has long been decisive in the Liège-Bastogne-Liège, if not selecting the winner but determining the lead group for the day.

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The Spin: Liège-Bastogne-Liège Preview

The oldest one day race of the year. Liège-Bastogne-Liège might be in Belgium but it has over 4,700 vertical metres of climbing, comparable to an Alpine stage of the Tour de France. But unlike the stage race, Sunday’s event has steep climbs and twisting descents that test tactics and nerves too. It’s a supreme physical contest where there’s rarely a surprise win.

Here’s a preview with the route, including details of the new Colonster climb, the riders (including the final start list), TV schedules, weather, what’s sweet and sour in Liège and a quick take on the race history, including the myth of Bernard Hinault’s frozen fingers.

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Colombia: Altitude vs. Attitude

Fleche Wallonne podium 2013 Henao Moreno Betancur

Sergio Henao and Carlos Betancur flank Dani Moreno on the podium. If all three speak Spanish, two are Colombians. It comes after several other remarkable results by Colombians this year, notably Nairo Quintana’s win in the Tour of the Basque Country.

With the emergence of several Colombian riders this year I’ve seen many citing their nationality and background as a factor for success. In particular the altitude of several South American countries is cited as an explanation for improved performance. Does being born at 3,000m above sea level give you an advantage? Can living higher than the Passo Stelvio or Col du Galibier make a rider faster?

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The Moment The Race Was Won: Flèche Wallonne

With 200m to go Daniel Moreno accelerates, building momentum on the last part of the steep slope to distance Philippe Gilbert and pass an increasingly static Carlos Betancur. This was the moment the race was won.

Often there’s plenty to analyse in a race because each event is page in the script and Sunday brings one of the season’s biggest one day acts. But it’s hard to draw too many lessons from today in advance of Liège-Bastogne-Liège. The problem lies with the formula and status of the race.

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