In The Thick Of Things
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Road
Road
Tech Updates: New from DT Swiss, Stan’s NoTubes, SRM, and ROTOR
DT Swiss
Earlier this month, DT Swiss announced that a limited edition XRC 100 suspension fork will be offered to the public this spring. The 100mm travel XRC 100 Race Ltd. weighs only 1250 grams and was designed to be a no-compromise race fork, with every effort made to reduce weight while maintaining strength and performance. This fork was tested both in the lab and on the trail, and will be used in 2009 by pro mountain bikers Nino Schurter, Florian Vogel, and Nathalie Schneitter.Lennard Zinn: tire sealant corrosion, disc brake spoking patterns, and more.
I’m still being deluged with letters about CO2, and I promised to end it, so now I’m switching to letters about wheels. However, at the bottom, you’ll find one more CO2 letter addressing environmental points, which I think to be important and a duty to bring up.
Cavendish wins final T-A stage as Scarponi wraps up the overall win.
Mark Cavendish wasn’t going to let anyone pass him this time. Just days after Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Slipstream) relegated Cavendish to a rare second place in Friday’s third stage, Cavendish evened the score in Tuesday’s 169km finale at the 44th Tirreno-Adriatico. Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) tried in vain to sprint early, but Cavendish darted past him in easy work to win for the fifth time in 2009. Farrar trailed through second in another strong performance for the American while Baden Cooke (Vacansoleil) took third.
The Tour de France announces its team selection for the ’09 race
Twenty teams have been selected for the 2009 Tour de France, but Fuji-Servetto won’t be among them.
20 teams for 2009 Tour de France
France: Ag2r-La Mondiale, Agritubel, Bouygues Telecom, Cofidis, FDJeux
Belgium: Quick Step, Silence-Lotto
Spain: Caisse d’Epargne, Euskaltel-Euskadi
USA: Columbia-Highroad, Garmin-Slipstream
Italy: Lampre, Liquigas
Racing This Week: Milan-San Remo highlights the action
There are a few races around Europe this weekend, but it is Saturday’s Milan-San Remo that will be the center of attention. The race is celebrating its 100th edition this year and the Italians are expected to pull out all the stops. The presence of Lance Armstrong in his first European race since his comeback will only heighten the media attention and anticipation for the 100th edition of the Italian spring classic.
Ongoing through Tuesday
44th Tirreno-Adriatico (Ita, HIS)Time ATAC XS Absalon pedals
Price: $220 Weight: 350 grams/pair Web site: www.time-sport.com New from Time are the Julien Absalon signature ATAC XS mountain bike pedals. Even if you can't attack like Absalon, at least you can ride the same pedals.
Armstrong leads Astana at Milan-San Remo
Lance Armstrong will lead the Astana colors at Milan-San Remo on Saturday in his first race on European roads since he retired after winning the 2005 Tour de France. Just like during Australia’s Tour Down in January and the Tour of California in February, Armstrong’s appearance is expected to pique interest for the centenary edition of the Italian classic. It will be Armstrong’s first appearance at Milan-San Remo since 2002, when he finished 44th with the same time as winner Mario Cipollini.
Michele Scarponi takes the lead at Tirreno-Adriatico as Klöden gets dropped
It was another day of epic racing at Tirreno-Adriatico, this time with Michele Scarponi (Diquigiovanni) snatching the stage victory and the leader’s jersey in Monday’s 235km climbing stage to Camerino. Scarponi, back to the winner’s circle after serving a racing ban after being implicated in the Operación Puerto doping scandal, darted ahead of Stefano Garzelli (Acqua e Sapone) to win the stage. Ivan Basso (Liquigas), riding with strength in grand tour-like conditions, crossed third.
Team Type 1’s Jesse Anthony wins the climber’s title at the Tour de Taiwan
Team Type 1's Jesse Anthony won the King of the Mountain title at the seven-stage Tour de Taiwan, which ended Saturday in Taipei. Poland's Je?owski Krzysztof of the Merida Europe team won the overall title, followed by Australia's Peter McDonald (Drapac Porsche) and Roman Zhiyentayev (Kazakhstan National Team). Anthony was 17th on the GC. His teammate Ken Hanson, the only other American to finish the race, was 29th on GC and was sixth in the final stage.
Mark Cavendish to return to the boards at the track world championships in Poland
Four-time Tour de France stage winner MarkCavendish has been included in a largely experimental 19-man British track cycling squad that will head to the World Championships in Pruszkow, Poland next week. Cavendish, who normally plies his trade with the Columbia-High Road team, is a surprise inclusion in a squad that will be shorn of many of its big names. At last year's Olympic Games Britain won seven of the ten golds on offer at the Laoshan velodrome in Beijing, with Scotland's Chris Hoy claiming three and Bradley Wiggins winning two from both pursuit events.
Tips From The Ghetto
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Tirreno-Adriatico: Klöden takes over
It was another day of the double at Tirreno-Adriatico. Twenty-four hours after Joaquim Rodríguez (Caisse d’Epargne) won a stage and claimed the overall leader’s jersey; it was Andreas Klöden’s turn in Sunday’s individual time trial. The veteran Astana rider notched a commanding, 20-second victory in the 30km fifth stage featuring two short but steep hills. With his first victory of the 2009 season, he takes the overall leader’s jersey, six seconds ahead of Thomas Lövkvist (Columbia-Highroad).
Sanchez wraps up Paris Nice, Colom wins final stage
Luis Leon Sanchez (Caisse d’Epargne) trumped compatriot Alberto Contador of Astana to win the 67th Paris-Nice cycling race after the eighth and final stage here on Sunday. Sanchez finished the race one minute ahead of Luxembourg's Frank Schleck in the overall standings, with French rider Sylvain Chavanal a further 9 seconds adrift in third.
Rodriguez doubles on Montelupone; Hesjedal 7th
It was a double-whammy times two for Caisse d’Epargne in racing across Europe on Saturday. Barely an hour after Luís León Sánchez won the stage and took the overall lead at Paris-Nice in France, Joaquim Rodríguez pulled off the same feat at Tirreno-Adriatico in Italy. Attacking with less than 500m to go up the punishing Montelupone climb, Rodríguez held off Davide Rebellin (Diquigiovanni) to win the hilltop finish and claim the overall leader’s jersey in the 171km fourth stage.
Sanchez takes over at Paris-Nice
Spain's Luis Leon Sanchez (Caisse d'Epargne) won the seventh and penultimate stage of Paris-Nice on Saturday to take the leader's yellow jersey. Overnight leader Alberto Contador (Astana) suffered over the final four kilometers, losing almost three minutes. He later admitted that he had forgotten to eat and drink properly. Sanchez broke away 15km from the finish line and eventually came home 50 seconds ahead of Antonio Colom (Katusha), Frank Schleck (Saxo Bank) and French rider Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step). Sanchez said afterwards that everything had gone as expected.
Continental GP4000 LTD White tire
Price: $125/pair Weight: 205 grams Sizes: 700 x 23 only Colors: White! Web site: www.conti-online.com With the popularity of white cycling gear gaining ground, Continental is releasing a limited model GP4000 white tire. The tire will use the same casing and construction as the GP4000 S, including Vectran puncture protection.
The Cyclist’s Training Bible
Suggest retail:$24.95 Pages: 352
Feast Days of the Saints
Suggested Retail: $12.24 Web site: www.cacoethespublishing.net
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
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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.
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.
Wrenched & Ridden bike reviews: Hutchinson RT1 tubeless carbon clincher wheels
If you’re an early adapter and have been aching to try out a tubeless road system, you now have a new option, the Hutchinson RT1 carbon wheelset. The wheels are Hutchinson-branded, but are made by Corima and are exactly the same as Corima’s Aero + Tubeless wheelset (which is not available in the United States).
El Fares takes Tirreno-Adriatico opener
French rider Julien El Fares (Cofidis) held off the chasing peloton to win the first stage of Tirreno-Adriatico. Led by Liquigas and Columbia-Highroad, the chasing pack fell 11 seconds short of ending the Frenchman’s adventure in the 147km stage to Capannori on Wednesday. El Fares dropped his fellow escapee, Vladimir Duma (Flaminia), with about 20km to go but Duma chased back with 9km to go. They held a slender lead of 1:34 to hungry sprinters.
Liquigas racer arrested in drug probe
Italian Liquigas racer Gianni Da Ros was arrested on Wednesday in the northern city of Padua amid an investigation into the trafficking of banned doping products, the ANSA news agency reported. Da Ros, 23, was arrested during a team run out at the Padua velodrome and was to be questioned Thursday by a Milan judge, ANSA reported. The news agency added that the investigation at the behest of the Milan state prosecutor had seen 12 people arrested in total as well as 64 searches of properties across the country.
Wiggins bails on P-N to attend funeral
Britain's Olympic gold medalist Bradley Wiggins (Garmin-Slipstream) pulled out of Paris-Nice on Wednesday to attend the funeral of his wife's grandmother, team sports director Lionel Marie said. Wiggins scratched from the 173.5km stage from Vichy to St Etienne after placing second in the opening time trial only to lose 11 minutes on the leaders in Tuesday's third stage.
Vande Velde wins stage 4, Chavanel retains overall lead
Christian Vande Velde’s world went from black to kisses from the podium girls in just four days at Paris-Nice. The Garmin-Slipstream captain attacked with 20km to go out of a seven-man breakaway to snatch a thrilling solo victory in a hard-fought rainy and cold day in Wednesday’s fourth stage at the 67th Paris-Nice. “I was good at (Tour of) California, nothing special, so to come out and do that today, it gives me a lot of confidence,” Vande Velde told VeloNews. “The form is coming along really well. I am just surprising myself.”
Compression Garments For Cycling?
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SRAM becomes title sponsor of New Mexico’s Tour of the Gila
SRAM has taken over title sponsorship of New Mexico's Tour of the Gila stage race, which begins this April 29 in Silver City. “SRAM has given this race security for the next several years and, with their increasing popularity in the peloton, we can only anticipate growth for our event. And SRAM’s professional neutral race support, along with their great team relationships, make them a perfect long-term partner,” stated Jack Brennan, Tour of the Gila Race Director.
Cycling Nutrition with Monique Ryan: Recovery tips for early-season workouts
Optimal recovery nutrition is essential.
Kelly Benefit’s Canadian strongman, David Veilleux, breaks his collarbone at Texas training camp.
Kelly Benefit Strategies' David Veilleux will miss a few weeks' racing after breaking his collarbone in a crash during a team training camp in Texas. Veilleux was reaching back to put his sunglasses in his jersey pocket when he hit a pothole and crashed. He is returning to his native Quebec, Canada to recover and is expected to miss the Redlands Bicycle Classic and the Tour of Uruguay. His team expects him to return to racing at New York's Tour of the Battenkill April 18-19.
Quick Step’s Sylvain Chavanel takes stage 3 and the Paris-Nice lead from Contador
Alberto Contador gave up his yellow jersey — at least temporarily — to Quick Step's Sylvain Chavanel Tuesday after losing 1:10 in the third stage to a breakaway group containing Chavanel.
Technical Q&A with Lennard Zinn: CO2 tales and comments
Dear readers,
I’ve enjoyed the recent exchange on CO2 cartridges, and judging by the volume of lighthearted mail I’ve received on it, so have a lot of you. I thought we’d thoroughly covered all of the technical aspects of it to the point that no more needed to be said.
Pennsylvania’s Tour de ‘Toona returns to a four-day format after scaling back to a one-day last year.
The International Tour de 'Toona will hold a four-day stage race this year, bouncing back after having to downscale to one-day criterium last year. The race is part of the National Racing Calendar for men and women. This year's race begins July 16 with a time trial in Altoona, in the mountains of central Pennsylvania. The event continues with a road race in Martinsburg on the 17th, then a difficult road race on the 18th and a concluding criterium in downtown Altoona on Sunday the 19th.
Easton EC90 Bar Ends
Price: $70 Weight: 71 grams Web site: www.eastonbike.com Easton EC90 bar ends, new for 2009, are made of Easton composite carbon fiber and are ergonomically molded. One-piece carbon construction lends strength and a clean look. The pair weighs in at just 71 grams and is approved for use with Easton bars. The EC90 bar ends carry a limited 5-year warranty.
Magura Marta SL Magnesium disc brake
Price: $389 Weight: 315 grams per brake with rotor Sizes: 160, 180, and 203mm rotor sizes Web site: www.magura.com The Magura Marta SL hydraulic disc brake is now available in a magnesium model, which is about 20 grams lighter than the original SL model. The Marta SL Magnesium uses magnesium for the master cylinder and the slave cylinder, typically the heaviest parts of the system. For added look and feel, carbon levers are used and for additional weight saving, Magura uses titanium hardware.
Haussler wins stage 2, Contador leads P-N
Heinrich Haussler slammed home his third victory of the 2009 season on Monday in the second stage at the 67th Paris-Nice. The Cervélo TestTeam rider cranked up his sprint with 250m to go in the 195.5km stage and had plenty of time to thump his chest as he crossed the line clear by three bike lengths. Coming through second was Mark Renshaw (Columbia-Highroad) with Mirco Lorenzetto (Lampre) slotting into third. "The sprint wasn't easy. We were racing into a headwind so I tucked my bike in behind Renshaw and the Columbia team,” said the 25-year-old Haussler.
Phil Wood Co. 3.5 Track Limited gold hub
Price: $575 to $900 Sizes: 120mm spacing Colors: Silver, black, gold, red, blue, green, and purple Web site: www.philwood.com As part of their 38th anniversary, Phil Wood will be releasing 100 specialty track hubs. The 3.5 Track Limited hub has a 3.5-inch flange and is only available in 32 and 36 spoke models. [nid:89071]
Grabinger, Holcomb win Tucson Bicycle Classic
J.R. Grabinger (Fly V Australia p/b Successful Living) and Janel Holcomb (Webcor Builders) collected the overall titles at the 23rd annual Tucson Bicycle Classic on Sunday. Nick Clayville (Hagens Berman LLP) won the final stage, the Speedway/Anklam Circuit Race, crossing five seconds ahead of Sean Mazich (Team Waste Management) and Chad Beyer (BMC). But Grabinger finished with the bunch at 1:48 to claim the overall after three days of racing. Michael Mathis (CRCA-Empire Cycling Team) took the runner-up spot at 17 seconds back with Waste Management’s Scott Stewart third at 0:24.
Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico serve up the goods
There’s not a lot on the menu this week in terms of choice. What Europe lacks in quantity this week is certainly made up for in quality, however. Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico serve up the season’s first major European stage races and provide the first glimpse of who’s strong in 2009. Victories at either one of these two prestigious races can make a season, and sometimes a career, for the victors. Winners coming out of France and Italy this week usually figure very high in both the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France.
OUCH-Maxxis’ Andrew Pinfold wins the final stage of the Vuelta Mexico
Canadian Andrew Pinfold (OUCH-Maxxis) won the final stage of the 2009 Vuelta Mexico Telmex on Sunday, wrapping up the eight-stage race by winning a massive field sprint at the finale of the Hospedaje circuit race.
What Is The Optimal Tire Pressure?
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Menchov wins Murcia
Denis Menchov wrapped up the overall title at the Vuelta a Murcia in Spain on Sunday to claim his first victory since winning the 2007 Vuelta a España. There was no major shakeup in the overall standings as a busted-up peloton came in for a mass sprint for the fifth and final stage.
Stage 5:
Hoogerland wins West Flanders
Dutch rider Johnny Hoogerland (Vacansoleil) won the overall crown at the Three Days of West Flanders in Belgium on Sunday. The Dutch sprinter, winner of the first stage on Friday, finished safely in the pack in the 185.7km final stage starting and finishing in Ichtegem to wrap up the overall title. Belgian rider Wouter Weylandt (Quick Step) claimed the finale in a bunch sprint, finishing ahead of Danilo Napolitano (Katusha), winner of Saturday’s second stage. Coming through third was Roy Sentjens (Silence-Lotto).
Contador wins Paris-Nice opener
Alberto Contador likes to say he doesn’t feel obliged to win, so perhaps it's just that he can’t help himself. The 25-year-old Spaniard is turning into a modern-day cannibal, seemingly winning at will as he continues his superb start of the 2009 season.
Grabinger, Holcomb lead Tucson Bicycle Classic
J.R. Grabinger (Fly V Australia p/b Successful Living) and Janel Holcomb (Webcor Builders) lead the 23rd annual Tucson Bicycle Classic going into stage 3, the Speedway/Anklam Circuit Race. Grabinger holds a 12-second lead on overall runner-up Michael Mathis (CRCA-Empire Cycling Team) with Caleb Fairly (Felt-Holowesko-Garmin) third at 14 seconds. In women’s racing, Holcomb sits just six seconds up on Melissa McWhirter (Veloforma) with Webcor teammate Rebecca Much third at 11 seconds.
Fyxomatosis Presents Melburn Roobaix
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Florencio Ramos wins stage 7
Tecos' Florencio Ramos won stage of la Vuelta Mexico on Saturday, while Team Type 1's Shawn Milne was second and Jackson Rodriguez (Serramenti PVC) continued to lead the general classification. Americans featured in the day's key breakaway and remain atop the sprint and U23 competition leader boards.
Menchov takes over at Murcia
Spanish rider Rubén Plaza (Liberty Seguros) won Saturday’s “etapa reina” climbing stage at the Vuelta a Murcia in Spain and Denis Menchov (Rabobank) surged into the overall lead. Plaza was first out of a group of 10 riders that pulled clear after topping over the Cat. 1 Collado Bermejo some 22km from the finish line in Alhama de Murcia. Coming through second was Jesús Herrada (Contentpolis) while Menchov crossed the line third in the 156km fourth stage.
Napolitano wins in Belgium
Italian sprinter Danilo Napolitano shot to another victory for his Katusha team after taking the flowers Saturday in the second stage at the Three Days of West Flanders in Belgium. The stocky Italian won ahead of last year’s winner Bobby Traksel (Vacansoleil) while French rider Denis Flahaut (Landbouwkrediet) came through third in the 179.3km stage from Torhout to Handzame. “My teammates did a very good job today,” said Napolitano. “We always ride in the first position and in the final 5km, we took control of the head of the group. I won the sprint even for a little.”
Lövkvist wins Monte Paschi
Swedish rider Thomas Lövkvist (Columbia-Highroad) bolted home to victory in the 3rd Monte Paschi Strade Bianche Toscana on Saturday as foreign riders dominated the popular one-day race on gravel roads across Tuscany. Coming through second was German Fabian Wegmann (Milram) at four seconds back with Swiss rider Martin Elmiger (Ag2r-La Mondiale) completing the podium with third.
Contador optimistic heading into Paris-Nice
Alberto Contador says he’s quietly optimistic ahead of Paris-Nice, which begins Sunday with an individual time trial in Amilly. Contador, already a winner at the Volta ao Algarve in his first race of the 2009 season last month, said he hopes to be among the best. “I am not obsessed with winning, because for this time happen everything has to go the right way,” Contador said in an interview released by his press agent. “My idea is to do the best possible and I believe the fans understand this.”
Evans takes stage in Mexico tour
Cameron Evans (OUCH Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis) won a three-up sprint to take the victory at the end of Stage 6 of la Vuelta Mexico. The rolling, 190 km stage saw a break succeed for the third consecutive day. And for the third consecutive day, an OUCH rider made the most of it. “We knew a break had a good shot to stay away to the finish,” Evans said. “We wanted to make sure we had a guy in every move.”
UCI and AFLD will cooperate at Paris-Nice
The UCI and the French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD) reached an agreement on Friday regarding drug-testing measures in the Paris-Nice stage race, which starts on Sunday. "There was a strong desire on both sides to work together," UCI president Pat McQuaid said. AFLD president Pierre Bordry, who declared himself "very satisfied" with the agreement, said the drug-testing program for the Paris-Nice would serve as a test prior to a new collaboration between the two bodies during the 2009 Tour de France.
Training with type 1 diabetic athletes has taught coach Rick Crawford about metabolism — and life.
I got involved with Diabetes Training Camps about three years ago. I’ve been to seven camps since then. I just wrapped up a camp in Tucson with the Triabetes group, which was a departure from the other camps I’ve done in that all the diabetic campers were training for the same goal, an ambitious one, to complete the Ironman in Phoenix in November ’09. All the campers have type one diabetes.
West Flanders S1: Hoogerland gets first dibs
Johnny Hoogerland delivered his Vacansoleil team a victory in the opening stage of the Three Days of West Flanders on Friday. The 25-year-old Dutchman finished ahead of his teammate Jens Mouris as Agritubel’s Kevin Ista came through third in the 176.4km stage from Kortrijk to Bellegem. Wouter Weylandt (Quick Step), winner of the GP Le Samyn on Wednesday, finished out of the podium in ninth. Hoogerland, who finished fifth at the GP Marseillaise and fourth overall at the Etoile de Bessèges to open the season, carries the leader’s jersey into Saturday’s second stage.
Columbia’s Frantisek Rabon takes a surprise victory in Murcia’s time trial, and takes the overall lead.
Columbia-Highroad’s romp through the opening weeks of 2009 continues. This time with Frantisek Rabon, who took a surprise victory in Friday’s 16km time trial at the third stage of the Vuelta a Murcia in Spain.
A Southwestern tradition, the Tucson Bicycle Classic gets under way this afternoon
The 23rd annual Tucson Bicycle Classic gets under way Friday for what should be a sun-splashed weekend of road racing in southern Arizona. Racing begins with the Old Tucson/McCain Loop Time Trial. The course uses a 3-mile stretch of freshly paved road, beginning with gentle rollers leading to a 5 percent climb, then serving up more rollers followed by a 6 percent-plus climb to the finish.
Rock Racing’s David Vitoria wins his second stage in Mexico, while Jackson Rodriguez displaces teammate Simoni atop the GC.
Rock Racing’s David Vitoria rode to his second straight stage win and donned the King of the Mountains jersey Thursday following the fifth stage of the Vuelta Mexico Telmex. Meanwhile Jackson Rodriguez (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni) took over the overall leadership of the race, displacing his teammate Gilberto Simoni.
Schumacher ban made global
German cyclist Stefan Schumacher was on Friday banned from racing anywhere in the world by the sport's governing body, the UCI. Schumacher was suspended by French anti-doping agency AFLD from racing in France last month after failing an anti-doping test at the 2008 Tour de France. That penalty, however, has now been extended beyond France's borders. The 27-year-old, sacked from the now defunct Gerolsteiner team, tested positive for banned blood booster CERA, a modern variant of EPO once thought to be undetectable.
Contador favorite in hilly Paris-Nice
Most observers expect Alberto Contador to ride away with the victory at the 67th Paris-Nice, which begins Sunday with a time trial in Amilly. The Spanish climber, who won Paris-Nice as part of his breakout 2007 season, is the five-star favorite following his victory at the Volta ao Algarve to start his season last month. But expectations aside, the eight-day “Race to the Sun” is known to deliver a surprise or two in what’s the season’s first major stage race. There will be plenty of challengers nipping at Astana’s heels among the 20-team field.
Monte Paschi Eroica: Hesjedal likes the ‘strade bianche’
Ryder Hesjedal almost rode away with last year’s Monte Paschi Eroica, the new but already wildly popular semi-classic over the dirt roads of Tuscany. The 28-year-old Canadian attacked out of a leading breakaway and was only caught with less than 10km from the line by eventual winner Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank) and runner-up Alessandro Ballan (Lampre). Hesjedal will be back with a strong Garmin-Slipstream team to tackle the 190km course littered with dusty sectors of the famous “strade bianche” – or white roads.
CAS: No Paris-Nice for Fuji-Servetto
Fuji-Servetto will be heading to Tirreno-Adriatico and Milan-San Remo, but not Paris-Nice. That’s what the Court of Arbitration in Sport ruled Friday in an interim decision that the Spain-based team will be allowed to start the two upcoming Italian races, but stopped short of allowing the team to race at Paris-Nice, slated to start Sunday. Fuji-Servetto is the new name for the troubled Saunier Duval team that last year saw two of its star riders – Riccardo Riccò and Leonardo Piepoli – to test positive for the banned blood booster CERA.
Henderson takes weather-shortened stage at Murcia
Heavy winds wreaked havoc in Thursday’s second stage at the Vuelta a Murcia in Spain, prompting officials to cut the distance and then halt the race due to blustery weather. Dangerous winds topping 80kph before the race started prompted race organizers to trim the distance by nearly 75km and eliminate the day’s main obstacle at the Cat. 1 Alto de San Juan.
Stage 2: Las Torres de Cotillas to Caravaca
Headwinds
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More from the NAHBS
Several show-goers were surprised to see a De Rosa booth at NAHBS, placed within sight of trendy urban single-speeds and wild one-off full suspension mountain bikes. The De Rosa bikes on display cut a uniquely classic image compared to some of the exotic and experimental show bikes. Here’s a look at both ends of the spectrum: the handcrafted De Rosas, backed by years of history and family tradition; and some one-off show bikes not found anywhere else.
The Tour of Missouri releases a preliminary team list for 2009: Cervelo, Garmin, Liquigas and Columbia.
The Tour of Missouri on Thursday released a short list of teams confirmed for the 2009 event, which will be held September 7-13. Garmin-Slipstream, Columbia-High Road, Liquigas and Cervelo TestTeam are confirmed for the race. Team rosters will be announced in August. While Garmin, Liquigas and Columbia have competed at the race prior years, this would be the first appearance by Cervelo.
World road champ Alessandro Ballan says he’s looking forward to Milan-San Remo and the Giro.
World champion Alessandro Ballan said he would be focusing on the Milan-San Remo and northern classics in the early part of this season. The Italian also said he was looking forward to competing in May's Giro d'Italia wearing the rainbow jersey. The 29-year-old Lampre rider has never won the prestigious Milan-San Remo race but came eighth in 2006. "I feel good, it's been a tough winter but I've worked hard with my team," he said.
Ivan Dominguez is taking his new U.S. passport to Europe this season.
Though he still might carry the nickname "The Cuban Missile," Ivan Dominguez is now a U.S. citizen. As of February 26th, Dominguez no longer needs to worry about a green card or complicated travel with his old Cuban passport. It's been a happening year for the 32-year old from Cuba. With his former team, Toyota-United, permanently closing its curtains, and an uncertain relationship with Rock Racing, Dominguez finally found his way onto the new Fuji-Servetto ProTour team.
The Biggest Loser – Week 8
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Rock Racing’s David Vitoria wins Mexico’s stage 4 as Simoni retains the overall lead
Rock Racing's David Vitoria won the Vuelta Mexico Telmex's fourth stage in a solo breakaway, while Italian Gilberto Simoni retains the overall lead in the race. Vitoria, a fourth-year Swiss pro, escaped from three others — Arquimedes Lam (Tecos), Francesco Rivera (Amica Chips-Knauf) and Andrew Pinfold (OUCH-Maxxis) — on a steep climb in the closing miles to beat Lam by 20 seconds. Pinfold was third, 1:53 behind.