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Absalon, Premont, Atherton line up at Quebec’s Bromont for World Cup action.
One week after Mont St. Anne, the World Cup circus moved a couple of hours west to Bromont for the next round of racing. This is round seven for the cross-country and round five for the gravity events of Four-Cross and Downhill. As was the case at Mont St. Anne, there has been lots of rain all week, so the ground is soaked through. Sections of the Downhill and Four-Cross courses had to be closed to training and the cross-country had one section removed, all due to the mud. Cross-country
Saturday’s Clásica San Sebastián is Spain’s major one-day race.
Saturday's Clásica San Sebastián is Spain's major one-day classic, the first major race since the end of the Tour de France, and an important Olympic road race tune up. As such, the 225-kilometer race features a stellar line-up, with starters including Carlos Sastre, Alberto Contador, Alejandro Valverde, Paulo Bettini and Davide Rebellin, among others. (full rosters below). The course is famous for its Jaizkebel climb, a Cat. 1 toughy that comes about 40km from the finish and the Cat. 3 Alto de Arkale, just 16km from the end.
Coach Neal Henderson visits the Tour’s last day before heading to Beijing
Neal Henderson is the Sport Science Manager at Boulder Center for Sports Medicine. He is a USA Cycling certified coach and works with a diverse clientele at BCSM. He has been Taylor Phinney’s personal coach since 2006 and will is traveling with Phinney and his family in the lead-up to the Beijing Olympics. "Votre hard-drive ne marche pas ... c'est morte" is something that I didn't want to hear today.
Casar renews with FdJ
Frenchman Sandy Casar confirmed Saturday that he has extended his Francaise des Jeux team contract by two years. The 29-year-old, who turned professional in 2000, was the top French finisher in this year's Tour de France where he placed 14th. Casar won the 18th stage of last year's Tour de France, and was second in the 16th stage this year at Jausiers behind compatriot Cyril Dessel of Ag2r.
2008 Olympics – Valverde has to be a favorite in Beijing
A combination of timing, tactics and sheer leg power on a climb that will be raced seven times during the men's Olympic road race is a must for any cyclist aiming for gold in Beijing. But the climbers in the peloton will do better if they can also close out the day with a formidable sprint. The men's Olympic road race will finish near the Great Wall on August 9 and Spaniard Alejandro Valverde will be hoping to live up to his childhood nickname of El Imbatido (the unbeaten one) when he challenges Italy's formidable reigning champion Paolo Bettini.
Crédit Agricole ending team sponsorship. Legeay says he has no replacement
The Crédit Agricole team has not found a new sponsor and team director Roger Legeay has given team riders free rein to pursue contracts for next season. The bank that has supported the team since 1998 is ending its sponsorship after this season. Legeay has been trying to line up a replacement, but recent negotiations with potential sponsors were not successful. Legeay told AFP that his top riders have told him they will hold off signing with another team until after August 15.
This weekend’s NRC events are the Presbyterian Invitational and the Hanes Park Classic
Charlotte and Winston-Salem, North Carolina, welcome the NRC crowd this weekend with a pair of crits. Charlotte
Denver fundraising dinner to benefit junior cycling program
FUNDRAISER AT DENVER’S TABLE 6 TO SUPPORT 5280 JUNIOR CYCLING PROGRAM
Geargrinder launches new cycling inspired apparel Web site
GEARGRINDER Launches New Cycling Inspired Apparel Website Milwaukee, WI – GEARGRINDER, a new cycling-inspired apparel company created by four avid cyclists, has officially launched its new e-commerce site at www.gear-grinder.com . While the GEARGRINDER "Cycling Inspired Apparel for Your Active Lifestyle" brand draws its inspiration from the cycling culture, the offerings on the website appeal to cyclists and non-cyclists alike as the clothing line is intended for "off the bike" wear.
Burnaby’s Six-day race bigger than ever
The 4th Six Days of Burnaby -- Bigger and Better than Ever! Burnaby, BC _ The Burnaby Velodrome continues to lead the charge to bring professional Six Day racing back to North America. This year's Six Day will take place December 29 through January 3 and will feature more prizes, bigger crowds, and a larger cash purse. The event will showcase separate Pro and Amateur fields, plus will provide high-octane entertainment with an Invitational Sprint & Keirin Tournament!
Midwest Cycling Series to expand in 2009
The Wisconsin Cycling Series, which spanned a two-day weekend in 2008, is expanding in 2009 into a multi-day format of professionally-produced, high energy cycling events, as the result of a new joint venture between two seasoned Milwaukee-area cyclists and multi-sport event promoters.
Kinetic Koffee donating a percentage of sales to World Bicycle Relief
Kinetic Koffee of Arcata, CA announced today that it will donate a percentage of all coffee sales in the month of August to World Bicycle Relief, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing access to independence and livelihood through The Power of Bicycles in impoverished areas throughout the world.
Thor Hushovd pulls out of Olympics
Norwegian sprinter Thor Hushovd, a stage winner in last month's Tour de France, on Friday pulled out of the Beijing Olympics, citing health problems. "It's stupid and very bitter but I have to think of my health. I struggled on the Tour de France and I was sick," the 30-year-old Hushovd, who races for Crédit Agricole, told Norwegian agency NTB. "I wanted to compete, but like I explained to the team doctor, I need rest."
Inside the Tour, with John Wilcockson – Reflections on a break-through Tour
Shortly after the official result sheet of last Saturday’s Tour de France time trial was dropped on my table at the pressroom in St. Amand-Montrond, I made an interesting discovery. All but one of the riders who had just taken the top 15 places in the challenging 53km test either represent teams that have a strong internal anti-doping program (CSC-Saxo Bank, Garmin-Chipotle and Team Columbia) and/or are members of the Movement for Credible Cycling (Gerolsteiner, Rabobank, Garmin and Columbia).
Shimano’s electronic Dura-Ace
Shimano has formally announced plans to release Dura-Ace Di2, a new electronic shifting option for the all-new 7900 series Dura-Ace, in January. Composed of dual control shift/brake levers, front derailleur, rear derailleur, a wiring harness and battery pack, the new Dura-Ace Di2 7970 components integrate with components from the upcoming 7900 series Dura-Ace group, while adding only 68 grams.
The Mailbag returns!
Do you want to contribute to Mailbag, a regular feature of VeloNews.com? Here's how:
Trek shows off the new carbon Bontrager off-road wheels
When Trek’s new top-of-the-line Top Fuel 9.9 SSL was unveiled earlier this month at the company's mountain bike product launch, arguably one of the most attention-grabbing components was a Bontrager-branded carbon wheelset. As it turned out, this was not the only new set of wheels Trek will unveil for 2009. Bontrager will offer updated versions of its Race Lite wheelset for the cross-country crowd as well as its all-mountain Rhythm line. Both models will be offered in 26-inch and 29-inch versions. Carbon upgrade
Team Type 1’s Ian MacGregor wins title while Jesse Anthony breaks his wrist
On the same weekend Team Type 1 was celebrating Ian MacGregor’s victory at the Colorado State Road Race Championship, Jesse Anthony became the squad’s fourth rider to break his wrist. MacGregor relied on his sprint to capture his first state title Saturday in Salida, Colo.
Fort Lewis and MIT earn collegiate titles
Fort Lewis College, a small college with a bike cycling program in Durango, Colorado, dethroned Lees-McRae College to win the 2007-2008 USA Cycling Collegiate National Team Rankings Division I competition by a single point. In Division II, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology defeated Western Washington University in another tight race. Lees-McRae, a private North Carolina school with an enrollment of less than 800, had to settle for second in its sophomore season in Division I.
Bike Racing for Juniors: A Guide for Riders, Parents, and Coaches
Bike Racing for Juniors: A Guide for Riders, Parents, and Coaches Kristen Dieffenbach and Steve McCauley Tour de France Success of Young Riders Highlights Advances in Junior and Espoir Racing
Leonardo Piepoli says he told CONI he has never doped
Italian cyclist Leonardo Piepoli said he had "denied everything" following his doping hearing with the Italian Olympic Committee (Coni) on Thursday. Piepoli was heard just a day after his former Saunier-Duval teammate Ricardo Riccò, who admitted to using EPO. Riccò was kicked out of the Tour de France earlier this month after failing a dope test following the fourth stage time trial. He was fired by Saunier-Duval, who also dismissed Piepoli, claiming he had violated their code of ethics.
Julie Carter selected as new director of the MSU cycling team
Named the Collegiate Cycling Club of the Year in 2004 by USA Cycling and with 21 collegiate national championship titles won since 1994, the Midwestern State University Cycling Team has quite a legacy in collegiate cycling. That's what the Wichita Falls, Texas, school's new cycling team director, Julie Carter, hopes to build upon.
CONI suspends Riccò
The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) suspended Riccardo Riccò on Thursday after the former Saunier Duval rider admitted to using a new version of the banned red-blood-cell-booster EPO.
Gasparotto signs with Lampre; Barloworld’s Corti says announcement ‘too early’
Following the withdrawal of his team’s title sponsor, Barloworld’s Enrico Gasparotto has signed with the Lampre team for 2009, a decision criticized by his current team manager. Gasparotto reached the agreement this week, following a decision by Barloworld to pull its sponsorship of the team after one of its riders tested positive for a new version of EPO during the Tour de France.
Klöden, Horner and others reach deals with Astana
The Astana team has announced that it has reached contract agreements for the 2009 season with nine of its current riders, including American Chris Horner and German Andreas Klöden. The team’s general manager Johan Bruyneel said that in addition to Horner and Klöden, Astana has re-signed Assan Bazayev, Maxim Iglinskiy, Steve Morabito, Dmitriy Muravyev, Daniel Navarro, Gregory Rast and Michael Schär. The nine will be part of a team that already includes 2008 Giro d’Italia Champion Alberto Contador and two-time Tour of California winner Levi Leipheimer.
Bell lap sprint at the Ault Park Criterium – July 9, 2008
Bell lap sprint at the Ault Park Criterium - July 9, 2008
Riders round a corner at the Ault Park Criterium – July 9, 2008
Riders round a corner at the Ault Park Criterium - July 9, 2008
Tinker Juarez could smell victory at the 24 Hours of Adrenalin — he just couldn’t see it.
One hundred and seventy-five racers representing 15 nations showed up in Canmore, Alberta, Canada, to compete in the 24 Hours of Adrenalin Solo World Championships July 26-27. But the big story was actually a piece of mud. At 10:30 p.m., as defending champion Rebecca Rusch of Ketchum, Idaho, was building an insurmountable lead in the women’s race, so was 47-year-old mountain-bike icon Tinker Juarez, also the 2007 champ.
Seehafer outsprints High Road’s Kim Anderson for the win
American Kori Seehafer of the Menikini-Selle Italia Master team won Wednesday UCI Women's World Cup event in Vargarda, Sweden. Seehafer, a Wisconsin native who lives in Colorado, won the 132-kilometer event in a sprint against fellow American Kim Anderson (High Road). The two finished 1:10 ahead of third placed Charlotte Becker. (Results) The win moved Seehafer, who did not have any prior women's World Cup points, into 9th place in the rankings: Women's World Cup road rankings and points following Vargarda road race: 1. Judith Arndt, 260
Mr. Rogers’ Tour – Evans remains a star … on YouTube
A video clip showing Australian Cadel Evans snap at a broadcast journalist following the Tour de France’s stage 10 finish at Hautacam has become a minor YouTube sensation, with the clip garnering near 100,000 views and hundreds of comments by race’s end. After taking the yellow jersey, Evans was walked through customary post-stage TV interviews when a microphone windscreen tapped his injured left shoulder, wounded in his race threatening stage 9 crash.
Paper: Lance Armstrong registered for Leadville 100
The promoter of the Leadville 100, a 100-mile mountain bike race in Colorado, told a local newspaper that Lance Armstrong has registered for his race and is training nearby for the August 9 event. "It's huge for the race, of course, but even more grand and more meaningful to our community, because now the national and the international spotlight will be on Leadville," promoter Ken Chlouber told the Summit Daily.
Evans’ injury keeps him out of Beijing TT
With concern growing over a knee injury sustained at a post-Tour de France party, Cadel Evans has withdrawn from the Olympic time trial in Beijing. In a news release issued Wednesday, the Australian Cycling Federation said Evans will be replaced in the event by three-time world time trial champion, Michael Rogers.
VeloPress seeks editorial assistant
Sports publisher seeks editorial assistant for VeloPress. The editorial assistant will provide administrative and editorial support for acquisitions editors. Duties include: maintaining schedules and editorial files; preparing and transmitting manuscripts to production; writing copy; participating on editorial and marketing teams; attending select events and trade shows. Candidates should have strong communication skills, attention to detail, and excellent organizational skills. An interest in sports or prior publishing experience is desirable.
McEwen to leave Silence-Lotto
Australian sprinter Robbie McEwen has confirmed that he plans to leave Silence-Lotto for a new team next season. McEwen has reportedly signed with Tinkoff Credit Systems squad, but in an interview with The Australian newspaper, the Aussie sprinter declined to confirm that. “I've signed with a new team for next year but I'll wait until later in the year to make any announcements about what I'm doing and let the new team announce it,” McEwen told the paper. “Whatever team it is, I'll let them announce it.”
Adam Craig reports in on his big week
Before we get to storytime I’ve got a bit of homework for everyone … click on this link. Read about my motoring habits. And maybe prove that I’m more popular than last week’s “Celebrity Drive” subject, Sammy Hagar … Not bloody likely.
Riccò admits to doping
The Italian ANSA news agency has reported that cyclist Ricardo Riccò, who tested positive for a new form of EPO, following the 4th stage of the Tour de France, has admitted to having doped in preparation for the French tour. According to ANSA, the former Saunier Duval rider made the admission at a hearing before the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) on Wednesday. The 24-year-old Riccò, who won two stages at the Tour before exiting the race for testing positive for a new product known as Continuous Erythropoietin Receptor Activator (CERA), was called before a CONI panel on Wednesday.
Bastianelli called before CONI panel
World champion cyclist Marta Bastianelli has been ordered to before an Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) hearing on August 5 after failing a dope test this month. The 21-year-old has been kicked off the Italian Olympic team but protested her innocence, claiming she had inadvertently consumed the banned stimulant flenfluramina. Bastianelli blamed her pharmacist for preparing an herbal mixture aimed at weight loss but containing the stimulant.
Pedaling to Italian restaurants–in Heidelberg!
Pedaling to Italian restaurants--in Heidelberg!
Zogics Citra Wipes
Zogics Citra Wipes Retail price: $10 for eight wipes Website: www.zogics.com Zogics Citra Wipes are handy little single-use packs for cleaning the grime from your hands after road and trailside repairs. They're easily stuffed into a seat bag or hydration pack, and the solvent in the wipe is citrus-based and therefore nontoxic; in fact, Zogics claims the whole thing to be biodegradable (the wipe, not the packaging.)
National champ Beytagh blitzing DH scene — and with a day job, too
Geritt Beytagh thought he had the legs and lungs to win the 2008 USA Cycling national downhill championships after his qualifying run. He qualified first despite breaking his chain with one-third of the punishing course remaining. So when the 24-year-old crossed the line in the finals, looked up and saw he’d evicted ’05 champ Cody Warren from the hot seat by three seconds, Beytagh confirmed his suspicions: He’s stronger and faster than ever. Why?