In the last hour Franco Pellizotti has been cleared to ride by the Italian Olympic commission. It ruled that his bio passport presents insufficient information to secure a ban. The indication is that whilst the passport may suspicious variations in blood values, this is not conclusive proof of doping. The UCI thought they had him … Read more
A long read coming up but it’s about the way our sport is organised at the top level. Cycling might be about aching legs, fitness and fun. But at the top there’s also lot of money changing hands so it also involves planning, agreement and meetings. Just as a rider needs to train right and … Read more
In a change with previous years the 2011 cyclosportive run by ASO on the route of a Tour de France stage will be a double-header with two rides. If you’re not familiar with it, it’s an open ride where anyone can register to take part and ride the route of a Tour stage on closed … Read more
UCI President Pat McQuaid dropped a small bombshell on the margins of the Tour de France presentation, saying he was in favour of four year bans for dopers, instead of the two year sanction. Is it right that a big idea like this was given in a briefing to a huddle of journalists? I suspect … Read more
As predicted next summer’s Tour de France is going to celebrate the Alps. Beaucoup. Here are the mountain stages in profile: As for all the stages, here they are. I’ve put the most obvious strategic stages in bold: Stage 1: La Barre-de-Monts – Mont des Alouettes Les Herbiers 191 kmStage 2: TTT: Les Essarts 23 … Read more
I love cycling I can’t help but feel frustrated with the sport today, in particular with the politics and administration. With the presentation of next summer’s race just hours away, things are in a mess. I don’t know what you did last summerWe don’t yet know who won the race last summer. Three weeks is … Read more
The Androni – Diquigiovanni team were crowned champions of Italy recently, largely thanks to Michele Scarponi’s massive points haul and the team’s persistent focus on the Italian calendar. Scarponi may be heading to Lampre for 2011 but he leaves behind a pleasant surprise for the team: qualification for the Tour de France. Under an agreement … Read more
Followers of cycling will note that the finish of a race often sees many flags being waved. My favourite is the “Dirk Hoffman Motorhomes” board, a common sight in Belgian classics. It’s inevitable, the finish line is filmed in detail and the images are repeated on news broadcasts. In other words, it’s valuable airtime. I’ve … Read more
“Where’s the beef?” was a marketing phrase from a chain of US burger bars, mocking the small hamburgers offered by rivals. In time its meaning has widened to mean where’s the substance. And it’s a very appropriate phrase for the Alberto Contador story, given the bovine connection and the total lack of information related to … Read more
If Saturday’s Tour of Lombardy marked the end of the season for many, the Chrono des Herbiers on Sunday was surely the last moment pro riders could be seen in action? Well no. Next weekend sees the Japan Cup one day race in Utsunomiya, 100km north of Tokyo. The Herald Sun Tour in Australia is … Read more