As I predicted, the WADA observer report on the UCI’s doping controls in last summer’s Tour de France has turned into a story about night time tests. Mark Cavendish says yes, the association of French pros, the UNCP lead by ex-pro Pascal Chanteur, says non. Most riders haven’t gone public but the vibe is that … Read more
Now that Alberto Contador’s career hangs in the balance of the Spanish Federation it is time to get a move on. The UCI rules stipulate a month, although Spanish cycling boss Juan Castaño has said it could take longer. 280. The proceedings before the hearing panel of the License-Holder’s National Federation must be completed within … Read more
Winning is very difficult in cycling. With 200 riders on the start line your chances are low. So it’s no surprise to see many take satisfaction in the lesser places, finishing in the top-10 in the Tour de France is a great result. Indeed it’s not uncommon to see a rider aim for the top-10. … Read more
Belgian cyclist Tom Boonen’s appearing later this week in a cycling themed event in Bladel, the Dutch town near Eindhoven, just over the Belgian border from Boonen’s home town of Balen. The “Wieler Café” or Racer’s Café will see public discussion of the sport, including contributions from local journalists, poets and other riders. It’s at … Read more
A cycling fan might be forgiven for wanting to stay in bed. News of the ongoing saga of Contador’s case isn’t too cheerful. First, up rather than an orderly hearing by the Spanish authorities it’s only taken hours for Juan Carlos Castaño, President of the RFEC, to publically say he’s got Contador’s back, he’s known … Read more
There are reports now that the UCI is set to open a disciplinary procedure against Alberto Contador for a doping offence. This is not to say he is guilty yet, rather than the facts are now going to be reviewed in the context of a potential sanction. Nevertheless it is almost inconceivable that the UCI … Read more
“It is with surprise and incomprehension that we have learned the UCI’s decision not to grant a ProTour licence to the FDJ cycling team” So says La Française des Jeux’s team manager, Marc Madiot according to cyclingnews.com. There’s been a change this year whereby teams part-qualify for a “Pro Team” licence based on ranking points … Read more
It’s a sad read at times but Matt Rendell’s “The Death of Pantani” is a powerful biography of Marco Pantani. If you’re new to cycling, Pantani was one of the most exciting riders in the 1990s, a mountain climber who appeared to marry art, emotion and sport. He died aged 34. Only the biography reveals … Read more
Writing about the financial health of something can be a tricky subject. Even a hint can cause a self-fulfilling event. For example on Friday morning there was a rumour of long queues of people standing outside branches of the Spanish bank BBVA. But this wasn’t a bank run… it was a run sponsored by the … Read more
A scary moment? In recent interviews the likes of Dan Martin and Richie Porte have both expressed a similar idea: a fear of winning. In the recent Tour of Poland Dan Martin confessed to being uncomfortable with the lead and the pressure that came with it. We saw a visible example in the 2009 Dauphiné … Read more