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Planet Bike 2: It’s Compton and Vervecken
Katie Compton (Planet Bike) made it two-for-two on Sunday at the Planet Bike Cup, once again riding Luna’s Katerina Nash and the rest of the women’s field right off her wheel. Belgian Erwin Vervecken (Revor-Baboco-Champion System) came out on top in the men’s race, which doubled as round 2 of the U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross. Compton attacked Nash mid-race, going to the front after and drilling it to win by nearly a minute. As in Saturday’s race, Nash hung on for second with teammate Georgia Gould third.
Go Cadel!
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Audacious Aussie delays Spain-Italy duel
Spain and Italy have forged a healthy rivalry in the men's world championship road race, with four wins apiece this past decade. But both were left behind to watch on Sunday as Cadel Evans soloed away to claim the latest rainbow jersey on offer. Thanks to Paolo Bettini in 2006 and 2007, and Alessandro Ballan in 2008, Italy has been the team to beat of late. Damiano Cunego, second to Ballan last year, was hoping to make it four straight wins (Mario Cipollini also won for Italy in 2002).
Evans solos to world road crown
Cadel Evans erased a career of close calls with a daring attack on the final climb to drop a super-star group of riders to win the 2009 world road cycling championships. The Aussie climbed out of the saddle in the closing kilometers of the 259km epic battle to win the most important victory of his career. No one can say Evans doesn’t attack anymore. “This is for all the critics I’ve had this season,” Evans said. “I have seven worlds medals from mountain biking at home, but none of them are gold. People say I never win, but today I won something pretty big.”
UCI augments enforcement with education
The UCI has unveiled a new educational program that will complement its ever-increasing anti-doping arsenal. UCI president Pat McQuaid said more than 14,000 doping controls were conducted across all disciplines in 2009 and said the fight against doping must include prevention as well as detection and enforcement. Dubbed “True Champion or Cheat,” an interactive video course will be required viewing for nearly 1,000 registered professionals and is aimed at prevention and awareness among pros and amateurs alike.
Directors: UCI out of tune on race-radio ban
Bob Stapleton, the influential boss of the Columbia-HTC team, says the UCI’s plan to ban race radio is a step backward for cycling. The UCI management committee voted Wednesday to phase out the use of radio communication between riders and sport directors within elite men’s road racing in the coming seasons, a decision that’s quickly drawing the ire of many within the peloton. “I think it’s like driving a car looking in the rear-view mirror,” Stapleton said. “I think the basic premise is wrong. It’s just not taking into account how racing works.”
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