This blog covers pro cycling, but so do many websites. One aspect of this is going beyond the sport. Races travel across farm tracks, through towns. I want to help place the sport into the context of political, geographical and social forces that surround it. It might seem like it at times but bike races … Read more
Look, HTC are using cycling as part of their marketing strategy. They have stepped up sponsorship for 2010 to become the first named sponsor of the Highroad team, known as HTC-Columbia this season. But like any good sponsor in the sport they do not simply want their name on the jersey, the are using the … Read more
This year sees the Tour of California moved from its previous February slot to May. Weather conditions were harsh, it meant the race struggled to include mountain stages. But this change is forcing riders to choose between the Giro d’Italia and California. Mark Cavendish is the latest rider to announce where he’ll be in May, … Read more
The prince owns everything in the kingdom, except the wind.Victor Hugo. Cold weather and rain showers are forecast for Sunday’s Tour of Flanders. The top temperature on the day won’t go beyond 13°C and there will be showers all weekend to keep the cobbles dry. The wind could also play a part in the race, … Read more
With the confirmation of Team Sky’s selection for the Tour de France one thing is almost July already: Sky will do better than the last British team to take part. Blue Peter greenhorns(image from Cycling Weekly) Back in 1987, for near-inexplicable reasons, the Tour de France invited British team ANC-Halfords. Allied National Couriers was a … Read more
Here are the three most popular postings from the past month: Bradley Wiggins: The Low Down, a look at how the British rider’s position on the bike has changed substantially. Who’s Peter Sagan? I wrote a small profile following his second place in the bunch sprint in the Paris-Nice stage into Limoges, only for him … Read more
I don’t get too excited by money but I am interested in business. So here’s a question, who is the wealthiest man in cycling? In looking for the answers, we can see some clues into yesterday’s Tour de France team selections. It’s vintage Krug, you know I can almost hear people saying Lance Armstrong. Good … Read more
So we know the teams who have been picked for the Tour. But why did Prudhomme take BMC? Well for ASO’s Race Director it was a “logical” choice. In an interview with L’Equipe (in French) he explains things. I’ll translate… Was the last spot between Cadel Evans’s team and the others?“As soon as Cadel Evans … Read more
I’ve written about the way US retailer Radioshack has no mention of Armstrong and Team Radioshack on its website. Despite signing a sponsorship deal nine months ago, one of the most marketable men in sport was almost in hiding. Later on I added an update mentioning that the company had been reading my words. Well … Read more
Liquigas have won a court case againt Manuel Beltran, see cyclingnews.com for the full story. I think they were right to take taken Beltran to court following his positive test for doping in the midst of the 2008 Tour de France. The Spaniard caused the team embarrassment and reputational damage and if grounds exist to … Read more