Tax. The mere word can put some into furious debate and yet send others into quiet slumber. Either way taxes are inevitable, even in sport. Tax matters in pro cycling. If you’ve ever wondered why French teams don’t buy in some of the best riders from outside France to showcase a sponsor in the Tour, … Read more
Pat Jonker’s an Aussie-Dutch rider who’s recently come out in support of Lance Armstrong, telling FoxSports.com.au about doping at US Postal: “I didn’t see anything. If I was subpoenaed to go to court and put my hand on the Bible, I’d go.” Nice. But I’d make two remarks. First, the image below is a screen … Read more
It’s a first: the UCI has published online its financial report and audited accounts for the year ending 31 December 2009. These are available online at uci.ch, go to the publications page. You might come to The Inner Ring for more juicy news and to escape dull numbers so I’ll try to liven up the … Read more
Perception vs. reality You might have seen the Euro Cycling Rules on the internet. It’s amusing but like many internet successes, it has a grain of truth. We might mock the obsession with riding with tubs and obligatory white shoes but ultimately, who wouldn’t want to have shiny kit and the finest wheels money can … Read more
No, not those warrants. Not yet. Instead, these are warrants to buy stock relating to the stockmarket flotation of the business that owns the Livestrong brand. Normally the stockmarket float of a company wouldn’t appear on this kind of website. But the filing for Demand Media Inc. to sell its shares to investors on Wall … Read more
Does Greipel feel lucky? André Greipel’s finally announced he’s on his way to Belgian squad Omega Pharma – Lotto. It’s one of those logical deals. Greipel has been feeling the squeeze on his team, he’s a top sprinter but has to play understudy to Mark Cavendish, only getting an invite to the races where the … Read more
Has Philippe Gilbert signed with Footon-Servetto and adopted their tan leisure wear? No, fear not. The Belgian rider got married over the weekend to Patricia Zeevaert. You can see a small gallery of images, including the stunning bride, from the wedding online here.
Cadel Evans has gifted one of his World Champion “rainbow” jerseys to the Madonna del Ghisallo chapel near Bellagio in Italy. In an interview with La Gazzetta Dello Sport, Evans says he’s honoured to hand over the jersey but admits he’s an atheist. The chapel’s priest, Don Luigi, is apparently praying that Evans stays upright … Read more
I walked into a bike shop in June for some spares and noticed a display on the sales counter for Power Balance bracelets. I instantly took them for nonsense, they are made from silicone and neoprene bands and are supposed to “work with your body’s natural energy field“. Yeah, right. Only come July I saw … Read more
Belgian burger bar Quick has now issued a formal denial that it will sponsor the Schleck Brothers’ new team in 2011, following on from French supermarket chain Auchan. I for one find it odd that companies are rushing to say “no, we’re not sponsoring a cycling team” and wonder if it’s because they are getting … Read more