All Content
VeloNews’ Matt Pacocha takes a look at the Giant Anthem X Advanced SL
If you pay attention to how mountain bike development goes over at Giant Bicycles, you already anticipated the arrival of the composite Anthem X model. This is how it works at Giant: First they prototype a model, build the first production model in aluminum and then follow it up with a composite flagship after the design has proven itself to the consumer.
Rapha Stowaway Jacket
Price: $290 Weight: 165 grams Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, and XXL Colors: Black, Orange, and Blue Web site: www.rapha.cc New from Rapha, a high-end producer of stylish cycle wear, is the windproof and water resistant Stowaway jacket. Meant for year-round use, the Stowaway is designed to keep you protected from the elements, without compromising your sense of style.
Farrar: ‘Biggest win of my career’
Tyler Farrar did what many haven’t been able to manage lately – come around Mark Cavendish to win a bunch sprint. That’s just what the 24-year-old Garmin-Slipstream did on what was a very lucky Friday the 13th. He timed his final punch to the line perfectly to win the 166km third stage from Fuchecchio to Santa Croce Sull’Arno at the 44th Tirreno-Adriatico on Friday. Farrar bolted past Cavendish’s left shoulder, taking a prestigious bunch sprint ahead of the likes of Tom Boonen (fourth) and Robbie McEwen (fifth).
After a two-year hiatus, Litespeed’s TT bike is back and looks sharper than ever.
Re-introduced in September 2008, after a two year hiatus, the Litespeed Blade is a bike with a storied history. The signature titanium airfoil tube shape was created by accident in the early 1990s and brought to widespread prominence when Lance Armstrong used one (disguised as a Trek) in the 1999 Tour de France. Ten years after that historic ride, Litespeed is wielding a totally new Blade, and we had a chance to check out one of the first bikes to leave the test lab.
Sharpening the Blade
Contador charges off the front on “Ventoux’s little sister” to take control of Paris-Nice.
There’s seemingly no one who’s capable of stopping Alberto Contador through the first weeks of the 2009 season. The Spanish climber dropped arch-rival Frank Schleck (Saxo Bank) on the mountain dubbed Mont Ventoux’s “little sister” to win Friday’s sixth stage and take back the overall lead at Paris-Nice. Contador, winner of the opening time trial in Amilly on Sunday, bolted away from the pack on the snow-covered, 1600m Montagne de Lure summit to win for the fourth time this year.
Farrar outkicks Cav’ at Tirreno-Adriatico
Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Slipstream) bolted past Mark Cavendish (Columbia-Highroad) to win Friday’s third stage at Tirreno-Adriatico. Cavendish looked to have the sprint in the bag when Farrar came off Cavendish’s wheel and surged past his left shoulder to take the biggest win of his European career.
The Segal road bike: the finest Israeli-made welded magnesium road frame our web editor’s ever ridden.
The Segal I rode most of last season was without a doubt the finest Israeli-made magnesium road bike I've ever had the occasion to try. That's an admittedly subjective statement, but I feel pretty sure I can back it up.
TIPS From Paris – Nice
Check out CyclingTips's author page.
Team Astana confirms it will race this year’s Tour of Missouri
It's too early to say if Alberto, Levi, Andreas or Lance will show, but Team Astana is confirmed to race in this year's Tour of Missour, September 7-13. The Kazakstan-registered team joins Garmin-Slipstream, Columbia-High Road, Liquigas, Cervelo TestTeam as confirmed ProTour teams at the race, which will feature 15 teams. “To have the participation of Astana is yet another huge step for this race," said Chris Aronhalt, the managing partner of event organizer Medalist Sports.
The Men of Steel make a return to racing
Athens, Georgia & Fort Wayne, Indiana – March 8, 2009 - A strategic partnership between the Men of Steel Racing and the USA CRITS Championship Series aims to create big time racing for steel frame bikes. For the first time since carbon built bikes became the frame of choice in America, an organized criterium racing series for quality steel frame bicycles has been created by Jim Kruse, the founder of Men of Steel Racing.
Petacchi scores at Tirreno-Adriatico, El Fares keeps lead
Alessandro Petacchi (LPR Brakes) won the second stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico over 177km from Volterra to Marina di Carrara on Thursday. Petacchi edged out compatriot Daniele Bennati of Liquigas and Spaniard Koldo Fernandez in a sprint finish. Frenchman Julien El Fares of Cofidis, who won the first stage on Wednesday, held onto the leader's jersey with Bennati in second 15 seconds behind.
Roy takes stage at Paris-Nice, Chavanel still in yellow
Jeremy Roy (Française des Jeux) won the fifth stage of Paris-Nice on Thursday. Roy won the 204km stage from Annonay to Vallon Pont d'Arc, crossing the line in 4hr 58min 47sec. Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step), retained the overall lead.
The Coach(ed) Corner: Finding the time
Of all the lessons I learned during this past year of getting coached, No. 1 by a long shot is this basic tenet: More time on the bike does not necessarily translate to increased fitness. Instead, the key is finding that critical balance between high intensity and adequate rest. Better to crush yourself a couple times a week, and then have several short truly easy days, than to noodle around whenever you can and rarely take time off.