Glamourous it isn’t. Yes, it’s fun. Yes, it’s a good workout. But so much about cyclo-cross just isn’t right. Here’s why: It’s only an hour long. I was doing longer races when I was 15. Give me a six hour classic. The start of the cyclo-cross season reminds me that the road season is … 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
The well-informed cyclismactu.net has more detail on the future of the Luxembourg cycling project being created by the Schleck brothers in conjunction with Kim Andersen and Brian Nygaard. RidersThe team expects to have a roster of 25 riders. 20 have been signed so far, with the remaining riders expected to sign soon. Dominik Klemme, Jens … Read more
Mr 10% It’s a good time to be a rider agent. These figures work behind the scenes to negotiate contracts for their riders, arranging everything from the job in the first place to negotiating side deals, for example with a sunglasses or shoe supplier. Why’s it so good right now? Well, first is that it’s … Read more
Which hat is he wearing today? Europeans and some Americans might wonder what the Commonwealth Games are all about: they are a mini-Olympics for the Commonwealth, a group of countries largely based around the old British empire. The latest edition of the games are about to start in Dehli and a row has blown up … Read more
Can anyone hear me? France’s largest selling newspaper Ouest France reports today that the Bbox team is heading for the buffers. Talks with a potential sponsor for 2011 have collapsed, leaving Jean-René Bernaudeau and his band of brothers stuck for next year. The newspaper suggests the sponsor in question was oil supermajor Total. All is … Read more
I am the future now Sometimes things can be obvious but you don’t say them. Maybe it’s because it’s polite not to point, other times just because it’s obvious. But that doesn’t mean you can’t say it. So here’s a reference on Twitter from user wesko: no one seems to be commenting on a talented … Read more
Taylor Phinney doesn’t love Shack Following yesterday’s mention that Fabian Cancellara is hesitating between Team BMC and Team Luxembourg, BMC have announced the signing of wunderkind Taylor Phinney. The American rider doesn’t need an introduction these days, he’s proved a phenomenon on the track and road alike, winning kilo races and U-23 Paris-Roubaix alike. In … Read more
If sections of the Luxembourg media were announcing the arrival of Fabian Cancellara with the new Schleck “Team Luxembourg” squad, this now seems to be wishful thinking. Whilst it appears talks have been held, the Swiss rider is also linked with Team BMC, the Swiss owned squad. TeamIt’s not just the Swiss connection. BMC is … Read more
Like many, I’m really looking forward to the Worlds. The 2009 race was great, the efforts of Cancellara and Evans made the race very exciting. But whisper it…what if the 2010 version isn’t that good? The course isn’t too selective and in previous editions where the course isn’t too challenging we’ve seen a few surprise … Read more