If you haven’t lived in France – I’m not talking about a holiday – then you probably don’t understand how much life here can be politicised. It has its plus points but it means that even the little things become swept up into the big deal. No exception, the humiliation of the French soccer team … Read more
It might seem odd to talk about cyclo-cross in the middle of the European summer but there’s a good rule change: disc brakes will be allowed. Legalize my Cannondale Disc brakes replaced cantilevers on mountain bikes many, many years ago. But it’s only now that the UCI has got round to allowing discs for cyclo-cross … Read more
Maybe you’ve done it, you’ve told work that you’re not feeling well and in fact just sneak a day off work. Well you’re not alone, it appears Alberto Contador might be up to the same thing. Several news sites have picked up on a press release that Contador will forfeit a ride in the Spanish … Read more
I’ve been keeping a close eye on Radioshack for some time. Not the team… but the company and its stock price because the company is a potential takeover candidate, potential prey to rival electronics retailer Best Buy or to a bid from private equity. It’s an interesting back-story to the team. I wrote about all … Read more
It was a very good weekend for HTC-Columbia. Tony Martin won the final TT at the Tour of Switzerland, scalping Cancellara in front of his public after a strong week-long performance. Note Rabobank demonstrated their unique capacity to throw away stage race wins. Simultaneously Adam Hansen won the Dutch Ster Elektrotoer, a sign that the … Read more
Beyond The Peloton I reviewed the excellent 2009 films back in March and now there are some films from 2010 out already. If you’re not familiar with these, you should be. They are a fly-on-the-wall documentary of the Cervélo Test Team. Or at least they were. Whilst the films were always a great way to … Read more
Cervélo Test Team have announced their team for the Tour de France and the surprise good news is the presence of Carlos Sastre. But it was a late inclusion. As late as last night it was not sure that the 2008 winner would take part. He might not be in the best of form but … Read more
We now go into a funny period on the calendar, there’s almost no racing until the Tour de France. Yes there’s the national championships, but that amounts to just one road race and one time trial. So the next two weeks are going to focus on the build up to the Tour, a series of … Read more
With France’s soccer team behaving like spoilt brats, the media are going to town on the story of the team’s implosion, the massive egos and the management blunders. Gawking at this, one comment stood out: the French football federation, FFF, had commissioned research and polling in recent years and the team was seen as aloof, … Read more
I’ve had a few people ask me about riding in the south of France, people unfamiliar with the region, rides and even custom. So I’ll try to put some advice out every week now that many are coming to ride the roads here. Here’s the first, inspired by the sight of riders dipping their shoes … Read more