If it’s fashionable to dismiss Pat McQuaid outright in some circles, I think the story is more nuanced. With his background in race organisation, especially the Tour of Langkawi, the UCI President brings experience to open up the sport around the world, something that might not have happened if, say, a Frenchman or Belgian was … Read more
Sassi busy rebuilding fitness and recovering reputations It’s a stinker of a morning, first the news of Pegasus and now the departure of Aldo Sassi. Sassi was an Italian coach and sports scientist who ran the Mapei Training Centre near Milan in Italy. For too long in Italian cycling the idea of a sports doctor … Read more
With news that the Aussie team is set to implode, some are already casting around for the bogeyman here. Because it’ll take a near-miracle to save the team, a fact not helped by the fact that the team simply doesn’t have a roster that will let them win that much. Whilst some might be asking … Read more
Without boring you, the process to registering a team with the UCI first involves sending them a copy of proposed contracts with riders and then, months later, setting up bank guarantees and a financial evaluation of the team. Pegasus the winged horse was a creature of myth and fantasy In the light of the worries … Read more
If you haven’t seen it already, then the recent interview with Mario Cipollini on cyclingnews.com is a superb read. The Italian sprinter may have retired from the bunch but his mouth is still in fine form, outrageous quotes flow with ease. In one interview ‘Super Mario’ supplies more memorable quotes than entire pro teams manage … Read more
There are some foods that are particularly European. Maybe people think of fine wine, truffles, baguettes and ravioli. But for cyclists there are some particular foods that stand out. As part of a series about food in Europe for riding, here’s the sixth: pasta. Sans sauce Product description Pasta is Italian for paste and it … Read more
Band on the Run, by Wings. Featuring Linda McCartney on vocals. The UCI issued a press release today detailing the Pro Continental teams. Only Aussie team Pegasus wasn’t included, the team named after a mythical winged horse – because it has yet to announce its principal sponsors – seems grounded. Here’s hoping the paperwork gets … Read more
Jonathan Vaughters has written a must-read article over at cyclingnews.com. He takes a look at the worries concerning Geox, where their exclusion from the new UCI World Tour has led to boardroom discussions on whether to continue with sponsorship. It’s a similar point to the one made by Gerard Vroomen just a few days ago, … Read more
Rasmussen and Hembo team up First there was the cryptic press release yesterday. We got news that Michael Rasmussen’s biggest fan Christina Hembo has bought an entire Continental team for him. Hembo runs a watch company and is a long-time backer of Rasmussen, now she’s increased her sponsorship from one man to an entire team … Read more
In recent days it’s been reported that the major race organisers and the UCI are close to a formal agreement over the team selection process for their races. It means the top-18 teams will get automatic invitations to ride the big races, indeed under the UCI rules they will be obliged to participate. I wrote … Read more