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Gilberto Simoni made his mark on the 2003 Giro on the Monte Zoncolan.

The Monte Zoncolan marked the final attack from the once-great Marco Pantani

Locked and loaded

The best pre-race food in the world

Snow plus sun equals mud

Yuck

A clean bike is a happy bike

This load needs the heavy-duty cycle

Chow time

The Australian Cycling Federation recently named downhill mountain-bikecoach Scott Sharples as its 2006 cycling coach of the year. Sharples, whoraced downhill as a pro with Trek-Volkswagen in the 1990’s, helped guideSam Hill (Monster-Ironhorse), who claimed the country’s first-ever downhillelite world title at the 2006 World’s in Rotorua, New Zealand. Sharples runs and operates his country’s downhill training center outof his home in Nevada City, California. Most of Australia’s top gravitytalent spends half the year living and competing in the United States,and Sharples’ training center has

Our latest reader-submitted Photo Gallery is now up for your viewing pleasure. Of course, a new gallery also means the naming of the winner of ourmost recent contest. Take the time to wander through that gallery and see if you agree or disagree with our choice of winner. Larry Rosa’s shot from a ‘cross race at Golden Gate Park nicely captures that “YEHAW!” element of cyclo-cross. Nice work, Larry! Drop us a note at Rosters@InsideInc.com to work out the details and we’ll send you a copy of Graham Watson's "Landscapes of Cycling." And while you’re at it, tell us a little more about

The Mailbag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. Writers are encouraged to limit their submissions to one letter per month.

The Spike professional cycling team has lost its title sponsor, according to director Bill Ramsay. Ramsay’s Cody Racing Inc. and Biotest Laboratories, both of Colorado Springs, Colorado, had a three-year contract to support the pro track-racing team, according to Ramsay. But Biotest chose to exercise its dissolution option on November 30, and Ramsay is scrambling to find a new title sponsor to rescue his program, which has signed secondary sponsors and athletes for the 2007 season. “This decision has left the best sprint athletes in America without the professional team and commitment they

Mayuko Hagiwara won Japan's first Asian Games gold medal in women's road cycling on Monday in Doha, Qatar, when a solo attack with 10km left allowed her to upstage her more fancied rivals. The 2004 Asian junior champion covered the 113.1km course in 3:06:10. China's Zhao Na took silver at 1:25 back while a photo-finish decided that South Korea's Han Song Hee had pipped Japan's Miho Oki for bronze. Kazakhstan's Zulfiya Zabirova, the pre-race favorite, was sixth. "I received a lot of support from my team, my partner and supervisor," said Hagiwara, a 20-year-old

When Steve Tilford crashed his bike into an icy lake on the second lap of Sunday’s KLM Marketing UCI Cyclocross Race, his first instinct was to get back on and start racing. A warm blanket and some dry clothing would have to wait. The Trek-Volkswagen rider from Topeka, Kansas, had another epic chapter to write in his already-storied career, which includes five world mountain-bike and four national cyclo-cross titles. Tilford tossed his waterlogged bike out of the lake and after just one lap on the 2.5km course had chased down and passed Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific-Salsa) en route to

Ag2r and Francisco Mancebo, excluded from the 2006 Tour de France after being implicated in the Spanish inquiry Operación Puerto, have reached an agreement ending the Spaniard’s contract with the French team. A day before the start of the 2006 Tour de France, the 30-year-old Spaniard — who finished fourth in the 2005 Tour — was suspended after he was named on a list of riders suspected of being involved in a blood-doping network. Though he had a contract with Ag2r through 2007, Mancebo said at the time that he would retire from the sport, according to team manager Vincent Lavenu. "At the

Golden Gate Park

Hagiwara celebrates at the finish

Tilford took a dunking but kept on clunking

Weary and half-frozen, Tilly collects the win

Thomas sets off on her own

Sue Butler (River City Cycles) shadowed Melissa Thomas (Maxxis) for the first half of the women's UCI race

Schneider and Murphy duke it out

Into the drink . . .

. . . out of the drink . . .

. . . and back in the race

Wong Kam Po of Hong Kong won the Asian Games’ men's cycling road race on Sunday, giving the territory its first gold medal of the games and the second of his career. Wong outlasted Iran's Mehdi Sohrabi, the Asian road race champion, and South Korea's Park Sung-baek for the win in a time of 3:45:02 on a course shortened from 199.7km to 156.4km due to high winds. The 33-year-old, whose previous gold-medal ride came in Bangkok in 1998, followed by a silver in 2002 in Busan, said that he had enjoyed the testing conditions. "We knew beforehand that the race would be shortened from

The indomitable Sven Nys (Rabobank) added another win to his collection on Sunday, claiming round seven of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup in Igorre, Spain. It was the fifth World Cup victory for the Belgian national champion, and a Belgian sweep of the podium, with Fidea teammates Bart Wellens and Klaas Vantornout finishing second and third, respectively. Nys attacked on the second lap and rode faultlessly to solo across the line with nearly a minute’s gap over Wellens. "The choice of tires was decisive," Nys said, explaining that on the second lap he switched to narrower tires while his

The winner gives a thumb's-up as he crosses the line

Former Tour de France winner Jan Ullrich announced Saturday that he will spend three days in the United States as part of a business trip. German Ullrich, who celebrates his 33th birthday on Saturday, confirmed the news on his homepage, www.janullrich.de, saying he had organized "various meetings" over the three days. "Thirty-three has always been my lucky number and I am really looking forward to this day," Ullrich said. "I am confident that my plans for next year will come off." Ullrich, who won the Tour de France in 1997, was sacked by T-Mobile in July after accusations that he was

The 2007 Giro d’Italia will kick off May 12 with a team time trial on the island of Caprera, ascend the feared Monte Zoncolan — a 10.1km ascent with an average gradient of 17 percent — and finish in Milan on June 3, organizers announced Saturday in Milan. "It will be a beautiful tour," said 2006 winner Ivan Basso, who will be racing in Discovery Channel colors next year. "It's more varied than last year and should be more open. I think it will be a spectacular race." The 90th running of the Italian national tour includes eight stages for the sprinters, five mountain stages, another five

Boulder, CO – For the 11th consecutive year Sea Otter Classic, LLChas partnered with VeloNews to produce the Sea Otter Classic Official Program.With nearly 10,000 participants and 50,000 spectators, Sea Otter is knownas the largest participant cycling competition and festival in the world.As such, the distribution of the Program will be enormous at 110,000 copies. “The Sea Otter Classic Official Program is a fantastic product foradvertisers to showcase their brand,” said VeloNews Advertising DirectorNick Ramey. “Huge distribution coupled with VeloNews’ unmatched editorialcoverage offers

Ullrich plans a birthday business excursion to the States

Basso poses before a map of the 2007 route

The map

So I had to go see a chiropractor in New York, and they're different to osteopaths, chiropractors, because of the spelling. And they crack your bones, that's what they do, they crack your bones! And they take X-rays, but it’s pointless, because whatever is wrong with you — "You've got a bad back, I'm gonna crack your bones." "You've got diphtheria, I'm gonna crack your bones." "Your head's come off! I'm gonna crack your bones." "It looks like your mother! I'm going to crack your bones."— Eddie Izzard, Dress to Kill Anybody out there have a bad back? No,

Recent Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross series winner RyanTrebon, who races ’cross and the national cross-country circuit for Kona,has been confirmed as a key member of the 2007 KodakGallery Pro CyclingTeam, presented by Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. The team announced its12-rider roster Thursday, with former Canadian national champion Mark Waltersand Trebon listed as its marquee riders. Returning riders include criterium specialist and team leader Pete Lopinto,six-time national junior and U-23 cyclo-cross champion Jesse Anthony, second-yearpro Mike Dietrich and young workhorse

Alexandre Vinokourov’s Astana team could be forced into racing in cycling’s second division in 2007, after the UCI notified the team that it faces an automatic denial of its ProTour application. The UCI sent Astana general manager Marc Biver a fax Thursday, giving the team’s management company a preliminary negative notice that its application didn't fulfill all of the UCI’s required conditions for a ProTour license. The fax said that the team had not submitted evidence of adequate bank guarantees and added that there remains confusion regarding the status of the program’s main

The Mailbag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.USADA chief off base on missed testEditor:[USADA General Counsel Travis] Tygart said. "Arguably, her first violation - missing a post-race test - might not even have been a violation in the U.S." Tell that to Jason Sager and Cale Redpath, who both missed tests at the Deer Valley NORBA,

KLM ’cross to preview 2007-08 nationals courseThe second KLM Marketing Solutions UCI Cyclocross is slated Sunday at Wyandotte County Park in Kansas City. The race, which will double as the Missouri State Cyclocross Championships, uses the same venue that will host the 2007-08 USA Cycling cyclo-cross national championships. "KLM Marketing Solutions has been working with the Unified Government for two years to ensure that the venue has the capabilities to host nationals," said Wayne Burns, director of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County Parks and Recreation Department. Four-time

Our foaming rantist enjoys the benefits of chiropractic

Trebon may get to avoid the mud a few times next year

Jesse Anthony will be the other 'crosser on Kodak

The 2006 Vuelta winner says he remains confident that he'll be racing ProTour events with or without a ProTour license.

Tilford

Card

Come to the Red Zinger/Coors Classic DVD Release Party and RiderReunion!Michael Aisner and VeloGear Produce the Definitive Red Zinger/Coors(r)Classic 3  Disc DVD Set Boulder, CO, November 30, 2006 - VeloGear invites you to theRedZinger/Coors Classic DVD release party and rider reunion to be heldat University Bikes on Thursday, December 7 beginning at 6:00 p.m.Finally, the Red Zinger/Coors Classic is available on DVD! VeloGearhas teamed with race producer Michael Aisner to present 8 hours of raretelevision coverage and documentary footage re-mastered in a 3 DVD set.Order the DVD today at

Cycling is on the menu as the 15th Asian Games kick off Friday in Doha, Qatar. The games officially begin with opening ceremonies choreographed by David Atkins, artistic director for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. By the time the Asian showcase ends on December 15, the 16-day games in this Arabian Gulf country will have brought together 10,500 athletes. The 39 sports range from traditional pursuits such as athletics, swimming and baseball to more obscure ones such as the Indian rural pastime of kabaddi and the centuries-old Malay ball game of sepak takraw, which is similar to volleyball

The president of cycling's world governing body told the Spanish government the lack of information in its doping investigation is damaging the sport. In a letter to Spanish sports minister Jaime Lissavetzky, Pat McQuaid said that the UCI felt helpless because the investigating judge refused to allow the use of information from the case for disciplinary action. The UCI also sent copies of the letter, which was published Thursday in Spanish sports daily El Mundo Deportivo, to the Spanish cycling Federation and the International Olympic Committee. "The UCI can do absolutely nothing about

The head of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said Thursday that the agreement reached with Canadian Geneviève Jeanson reflected “the most likely outcome” of a case involving her positive EPO test in 2005, even if she had appealed her case to the sporting world’s highest court. USADA general counsel Travis Tygart told VeloNews that even though Jeanson might have faced a lifetime ban from competition for what was technically a second violation, there was reason to believe that the International Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne would not have given the cyclist more than a two-year

Dear Bob,I’m a triathlete and regularly enjoy reading your column. Your recent column on lights and reflectors (see "ReflectedGlory") reminded me of a topic of debate between me and some friends. We’re hoping you can settle it. One day, during a particularly heavy fog, I passed a cyclist on the road. The cyclist was dressed in black and wearing a black helmet, and he did not have lights or reflectors. This started us talking; it seems like technically the cyclist may not be breaking any laws, but could the cyclist still be considered negligent if there was an accident? Some say yes. Some say

Press Release - Coors Classic DVD release party

Iranian cyclists train on the velodrome in Qatar

Canadian Geneviève Jeanson – once facing a life-time ban from competition - has reached an accord with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency that could see the retired cyclist racing her bike as soon as next summer. Jeanson, who held a U.S. license, announced her retirement in January after USADA officials said they would seek to ban her for life after she tested positive for EPO at Pennsylvania’s Tour de ‘Toona in 2005. Jeanson had been suspended earlier for a failure to appear for post-race doping test at the women’s edition of Fleche-Wallonne in 2004, meaning the Pennsylvania sample qualified as a

The Mailbag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.An open letter to USADADear USADA:It's me again.It has been two years and I want to extend my congratulations in yourongoing fight against drug use in our sport. You win. I am more confusedthen ever.But the dopers? You continue to open the door wider and wider for them.(see "USADAdeal

Discovery Channel, Team CSC and Predictor-Lotto will compete in the 2007 Amgen Tour of California February 18-25, 2007, the race’s promoter and operator has announced. Sixteen teams are expected for the second edition of the race. The route will be announced in December. Floyd Landis, riding for Phonak, won the inaugural edition. "The level of competition returning for the second annual Amgen Tour of California rivals any race in the world and proves that cyclists and fans alike are hungry for this caliber of racing in America," said Shawn Hunter, president of AEG Sports. "We are excited

Jeanson at a news conference in 2004

Things to consider on a descentDear Lennard,What speed can a standard road bike achieve? I know there are a lotof factors. I am a 125 lb. rider and my max is 56.8 mph on a long downhill.I am talking standard road-race bike and attire. At what speed will a standard bike and rider's drag keep him from going any faster?It's hard to word this but I think you know what I mean.Chris Dear Chris,Yes, I can figure out what you are asking.When cycling, you must consider the forces of rolling resistance, airresistance and gravity, which when added together, give the power the riderputs out to

Cyclocross Movie Premiere To Raise Money For Junior RacersBoulder, CO - November 27, 2006 - Boulder Cycle Sport will hostthe Colorado premiere of TRANSITION 2 'CROSS THE POND at the Boulder Theaterto raise funds for the American Cycling Association's Cyclocross DevelopmentPrograms. All proceeds will be given to the TIAA-CREF/CLIF BAR Junior/U23and Mudskipper Youth Cyclocross Teams. Transition 2 spends the 2005 holiday season following a group of NorthAmericans as they travel through Belgium to compete with the best in theworld in the harsh and unforgiving heartland of cyclocross

The UCI warned the director of the Vuelta a España on Tuesday that the grand tour faces being downsized, according to the Spanish daily El Pais. UCI ProTour executive committee coordinator Alan Rumpf told Vuelta director Victor Cordero in a letter that the three-week format was under threat. And Rumpf said that they were considering running both the Tour of Germany and the Vuelta in September, and shortening the latter. "The three weeks of the Vuelta are under debate," Rumpf said in the letter, extracts from which were published in Tuesday's El Pais. "The commission is considering

USA Cycling announced today several changes and category upgrades it had secured for events on the USA Cycling Professional Tour that were confirmed at the UCI Road Commission Meeting in Montreux, Switzerland earlier this month. The 15-race series of international-caliber events, connected by a season-long points system, will make its debut in 2007 and feature some of the top athletes and teams from around the globe. The most significant changes since the calendar was announced include upgrades for two of the three inaugural events. Originally designated as category 2 races by the UCI, both

Bryan Lopes trying to hit sterminal at last year's Red Bull Road Rage

Vuelta chief Victor Cordero follows the final stage of the 2006 race in Madrid

Our latest reader-submitted Photo Gallery is now up for your viewing pleasure. Of course, a new gallery also means the naming of the winner of ourmost recent contest. Take the time to wander through that gallery and see if you agree or disagree with our choice of winner. It’s the season for ‘cross and Andrea Tucker’s untitled photo captured that tough, mucky aspect of a sport that many of love. Nice work, Andrea! Drop us a note at Rosters@InsideInc.com to work out the details and we’ll send you a copy of Graham Watson's "Landscapes of Cycling." And while you’re at it, tell us a

The Mailbag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.Cyclists may be dishonest... but they're less dishonest than....Editor,There is so much sadness, So much wailing and gnashing of teeth. Somuch angst. Cyclists are cheats. Cycling is dirty. Cycling is doomed. It'sso embarrassing.Just hold on. Chill. It's not just cyclists who

Chi’ series concludes December 3The fourth and final race of the Chicago Cyclocross Cup racing series on December 3 will double as the Illinois State Cyclocross Championship. The race will be held at Montrose Park; lead sponsor is Turin of Evanston. The course makes use of the many natural and manmade areas of the park. Riders can expect a well-rounded course using pavement, gravel track, grass and sandy areas with off-camber and running sections mixed into each lap. Race flyers and information for the 2006 Chicago Cyclocross Cup can be found at www.chicrosscup.com. Nashville series headed

Untitled

World Madison champion Isaac Galvez (Caisse d'Epargne) died after an overnight fall during the Ghent six-day, the Belga news agency reported Sunday. Galvez, who has been a professional since 2000, died while being transported to a local hospital. An initial diagnosis suggests the cause of death was from an internal hemorrhage, however complete details will not be available until a full autopsy is completed on Sunday. After viewing video pictures organizers of the famous track event said the 31-year-old appeared to have hit a railing with his chin and chest after crashing when he came

While the sunny skies and high temperatures made it feel more like an early-season race, Saturday’s Gear Works Bay State Cyclocross packed all the punch of a classic East Coast ‘cross throwdown. Lyne Bessette (Cyclocrossworld.com) and Tim Johnson (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com), won their respective races in round 5 of the 2006 Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series, though under very different circumstances. The flowing Chocksett School course offered few technical challenges, instead rewarding flat-out strength and speed. Those requirements fit perfectly into Bessette’s skill

Sorry it’s been a while since my last journal entry. No excuses, just busy. It’s been a week now since I returned from the Pacific Northwest, where typical Oregon weather put an emphatic stamp on the end of another successful Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross series. Yes, it rained. Yes, it was muddy. Yes, I am still picking mud out of my ears. Last weekend, while going through the security check at Denver International Airport an agent found a half-full water bottle I had accidentally left in my backpack. The security agent asked me to leave the area and empty the bottle. I

Galvez - pictured at the Ghent Six on Tuesday - died after a crash early Sunday

I'm all right! Three members of the TIAA-CREF-Clif Bar team

Former CSC wrench Nick Legan dials in my rig

Seattle's finest: Dale Knapp roosts the masters' field

Only in Portland

This sign should have been on Sunday's course

Tinfoil Chef

Sven Nys (Rabobank) displayed his dominance once again in round six of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup on Saturday, riding away from an elite lead group to a solo victory in Koksijde, Belgium. The World Cup leader and Belgian national champion had been at the head of a lead group containing teammates Gerben De Knegt and Sven Vanthourenhout, Bart Wellens (Fidea), and John Gadret (Ag2r Prevoyance). With five laps to go, Nys had begun chipping away at the group, and a lap later it was three Rabobank riders off the front through the start-finish area. Then Nys stepped on the gas, leaving his

Jesus Manzano has lodged a criminal complaint against the attorney representing former Liberty Seguros director Manolo Saiz, charging that he has been pressured to withdraw allegations he has made as part of the Spanish Operación Puerto investigation. The former Kelme pro filed his complaint November 14 with the Unidad Central Operativa de la Guardia Civil (UCO), the unit involved in the inquiry. The pressure Manzano’s complaint cites apparently stems from a meeting among Manzano, his wife, and his attorney, Santiago Lucas, at Lucas’s office. During that meeting, according to Manzano, Lucas