It’s the biggest stage of the Pyrenees but – whisper it – it’s not that hard. Yes the first climb up the Col de Marie Blanque has sections at 13% but it’s short. Yes the Soulor is a long climb and of course the Tourmalet is hard. But look again at the profile and note … Read more
Whilst the debate over a dropped chain rages to the extent of excluding Thomas Voeckler’s impressive win, one thing worth mentioning is the special prize awarded on the day to Laurent Fignon. One rider a day is awarded the Prix de la Combativité, a reward for the most attacking rider of the day. Voeckler won … Read more
Even a housewife becomes a DS when the race is on One thing missing from the debate over Andy Schleck’s chain and Alberto Contador’s acceleration is that we’re not looking at it from their point of view. With two motorbikes and a helicopter covering the group of favourites, TV viewers have the perspective that a … Read more
Whilst some debate dropped chains, let’s celebrate Thomas Voeckler’s powerful ride in the stage yesterday as this is actually what great racing is all about. Having suffered a lot in the race, and coming close to pulling out on the stage to Gap, he found the strength to go in a breakaway in the Pyrenees. … Read more
On trial: Contador lost the yellow jersey in the Dauphiné Everyone is saying that Andy Schleck’s 31 second lead over Alberto Contador is not enough, given the 52km time trial through the Bordeaux vineywards. I tend to agree but want to give two examples to suggest nothing’s certain.Final Time TrialsFirst, let’s go back to 2008. … Read more
Cofidis tried a publicity coup on last Wednesday’s Bastille Day stage only it backfired massively. The team were given new Look frames in the Piet Mondrian colours, reminiscent of the manufacturer’s early sponsorship of the Toshiba and ONCE teams. Only the modern art was undone by a very basic mistake. The bikes were built up … Read more
The hard work paid off The Frenchman’s win on the Plateau de Bonascre was impressive. Having been in the breakaway all day, he only gave up about a minute of his headstart up the final climb. In other words he rode the final climb faster than Leipheimer, Basso or Kloeden. He’s long been a talented … Read more
Welcome to all the new readers. I realise many people come here for information and updates but if you’re interested in past ramblings from this year, here are seven of the most popular items: Is Bradley Wiggins’s changing position on the bike as important as weight loss? Cancellara’s electric bike rumours were covered on here … Read more
Cofidis’s Damien Monier is a rider who you probably hadn’t heard of until the Giro when he won Stage 17, claiming the mountain stage into Peio Terme. From Clermont-Ferrand, the city bang in the centre of France famous for Michelin and its extinct volcanoes, he’d been a pro for six years but had only showed … Read more
Skull-duggery? Take a look at the Washington Post and the article on the US Federal investigation into alleged doping practices and fraud. What stands out is not that Armstrong and Co. face questions and potential trouble, for me it was the following. Novitzky immersed himself in his new job by spearheading efforts to crack down … Read more