This Week in Pro Cycling – March 28, 2008

Dear Readers,

Welcome to the latest edition of The Prologue, the weekly summary of news from the world of competitive cycling by your friends at VeloNews.com.

It’s been a busy week on the road side, with both Italy’s Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali and Spain’s Vuelta a Castilla y León underway. Both are currently being led by Tour de France podium finishers, with Cadel Evans securing the leaders jersey after taking Thursday’s stage at Settimana and Alberto Contador solidifying his overall lead, also with a victory on Thursday. [More]

Also, if you get a chance, check in with VeloNews.com for complete coverage of this weekend’s Criterium International, a traditional early season French race often referred to as the “mini Tour.”

It should be noted, however, that the big news of the week is on the boards of the velodrome in Manchester, which is playing host to the UCI world track championships. American fans have been quite interested in the phenomenal progress of 17-year-old Taylor Phinney, who appears to have earned a spot on the Olympic squad with a solid eighth-place qualifying ride in the pursuit. While disappointed that he missed the medal rounds, Phinney has plenty to pleased with as he established a new personal best with a 4:22.358, more than two seconds faster than his previous mark. [More]

Here in the U.S., the National Mountain Bike Series kicks off in Fontana, California. It’s been nearly 25 years since the first NORBA race took place in California and the sport, the organization and the national series have all undergone some major changes over the years.

We’ll take a pass on summarizing the latest scandals in detail, but if you’re curious, the UCI, WADA and ASO have been doing plenty to annoy each other and leave many wondering about the future of the sport. Among those concerned is Bobby Julich who recently spoke with VeloNews European correspondent Andrew Hood about infighting, racing and what could be his last year in the ProTour peloton.

Like I said, it’s been a busy week and things are bound to pick up in coming weeks. Here’s hoping you get a chance to squeeze in a little of your own saddle time.

Have a good week,

Charles Pelkey
Senior Editor, VeloNews.com
CPelkey@insideinc.com