Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
the threat from within
Wiggins coming out in the press saying he will help Froome win in the future shows clearly who he fears the most in this race. The gap is close enough and he seems strong enough. Sounds like a good time to renegotiate contracts for Froome.
Frank Schleck = expected outcome. Johan likes to win.
Frank Schleck = expected outcome. Johan likes to win.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
an open letter to the peloton
Originally published on cycling news
Sums up what many are thinking;
Because it's become abundantly clear that the pro-peloton are aware of us;
More accurately, dear people applauding Bradley Wiggins for his foul-mouthed tirade today:
I'd like to outline why I think you're all massive hypocrites, and why you get the reaction from people that you do.
We've sat by for years - for some of you, your entire professional careers - and watched the sport.
We've sat through almost 30 years of doped riders, of positive tests, of confiscated victories weeks, months and sometimes years after they were awarded.
But most importantly, we sat by whilst all of this was going on, and you did nothing.
You didn't speak out then.
You didn't speak up against people you knew were doping.
You didn't speak up against your teammates when you knew they were doping.
All you ex-T-mobile riders didn't say anything about the visits to Freiberg.
You didn't say anything when riders gave evidence about what they'd seen, and were harassed because of it.
Some of you, through your inaction, did nothing about that harassment. Those of you who raced with Lance Armstrong said nothing back then.
Those of you who raced in 1998 complained about your rights and your dignity.
You didn't complain about those people who stripped them from you by cheating.
You didn't applaud those people who tried to out the real cheats within the ranks.
You didn't chastise those people taking trips to Spain and Italy to see doctors. In fact, some of you did it yourself.
You complained about early morning drug tests.
You complained about out of competition drug tests, and you complained about whereabouts forms and not having a private life, and media intrusion.
And some of you still ride today, still having said nothing about doping.
I'll say this: I've sat up until 3 in the morning every July for countless years now. I've watched, I've supported, even some of you who turned out to be cheats. I've dreamed of being in the position you're in, of having a tenth of the talent you're blessed enough to have, because no amount of hard work will make up for the gap. So when I'm at work at 7am, busting my rear end to make ends meet for the next ten hours for a tiny bit of what you get, remember this, every one of you who applaud Wiggins abusing those of us who ask questions:
We ask the questions because you refused to.
We get suspicious because we're tired of seeing more than half of the last 13 TdF titles get stripped and re-awarded.
We're tired of you guys continually saying "We're clean" and then seeing someone test positive.
We're tired of seeing you complain about us, because we got tired of seeing you cheat us as fans, by not taking matters into your own hands, getting rid of - and speaking out against - those who are doping, and have doped.
You give your blood values and power numbers happily to the ASO, and treat us with contempt, like we're just supposed to watch, buy your sponsor's products, and cheer on demand.
You do nothing to dispel doping suspicions, to out cheats, and to clean up the sport. You are the blight on the sport, not us.
Footnote: I'd include a list of riders DS's and who have publicly announced their support for Wiggins and his remarks, but I find them abhorrent now.
e: I realise the irony of me posting this under a pseudonym. To all those cyclists and staff members on twitter who echo his thought, my personal details are available to you on request. All you have to do is ask.
Sums up what many are thinking;
Because it's become abundantly clear that the pro-peloton are aware of us;
More accurately, dear people applauding Bradley Wiggins for his foul-mouthed tirade today:
I'd like to outline why I think you're all massive hypocrites, and why you get the reaction from people that you do.
We've sat by for years - for some of you, your entire professional careers - and watched the sport.
We've sat through almost 30 years of doped riders, of positive tests, of confiscated victories weeks, months and sometimes years after they were awarded.
But most importantly, we sat by whilst all of this was going on, and you did nothing.
You didn't speak out then.
You didn't speak up against people you knew were doping.
You didn't speak up against your teammates when you knew they were doping.
All you ex-T-mobile riders didn't say anything about the visits to Freiberg.
You didn't say anything when riders gave evidence about what they'd seen, and were harassed because of it.
Some of you, through your inaction, did nothing about that harassment. Those of you who raced with Lance Armstrong said nothing back then.
Those of you who raced in 1998 complained about your rights and your dignity.
You didn't complain about those people who stripped them from you by cheating.
You didn't applaud those people who tried to out the real cheats within the ranks.
You didn't chastise those people taking trips to Spain and Italy to see doctors. In fact, some of you did it yourself.
You complained about early morning drug tests.
You complained about out of competition drug tests, and you complained about whereabouts forms and not having a private life, and media intrusion.
And some of you still ride today, still having said nothing about doping.
I'll say this: I've sat up until 3 in the morning every July for countless years now. I've watched, I've supported, even some of you who turned out to be cheats. I've dreamed of being in the position you're in, of having a tenth of the talent you're blessed enough to have, because no amount of hard work will make up for the gap. So when I'm at work at 7am, busting my rear end to make ends meet for the next ten hours for a tiny bit of what you get, remember this, every one of you who applaud Wiggins abusing those of us who ask questions:
We ask the questions because you refused to.
We get suspicious because we're tired of seeing more than half of the last 13 TdF titles get stripped and re-awarded.
We're tired of you guys continually saying "We're clean" and then seeing someone test positive.
We're tired of seeing you complain about us, because we got tired of seeing you cheat us as fans, by not taking matters into your own hands, getting rid of - and speaking out against - those who are doping, and have doped.
You give your blood values and power numbers happily to the ASO, and treat us with contempt, like we're just supposed to watch, buy your sponsor's products, and cheer on demand.
You do nothing to dispel doping suspicions, to out cheats, and to clean up the sport. You are the blight on the sport, not us.
Footnote: I'd include a list of riders DS's and who have publicly announced their support for Wiggins and his remarks, but I find them abhorrent now.
e: I realise the irony of me posting this under a pseudonym. To all those cyclists and staff members on twitter who echo his thought, my personal details are available to you on request. All you have to do is ask.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Pre mountains health check
Before the climbing starts, yes consult your Doctor.
Introducing Dr Michele Ferrari and the team at 53 x 12
Looking is not a crime
In other news, most exciting first week of the tour since for ever. Wiggo looks strong but Froome possibly looks stronger. More collaboration from Cadel and other teams will be required to break this up. Looking forward to it.
By the way, the events in the US can only lead to two things; A mass yellow arm band bonfire and the best Cheryl Crowe album in 20 years.
Introducing Dr Michele Ferrari and the team at 53 x 12
Looking is not a crime
In other news, most exciting first week of the tour since for ever. Wiggo looks strong but Froome possibly looks stronger. More collaboration from Cadel and other teams will be required to break this up. Looking forward to it.
By the way, the events in the US can only lead to two things; A mass yellow arm band bonfire and the best Cheryl Crowe album in 20 years.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Stage 1: Peter Sagan a stage of discovery
Peter Sagan (ITA / Liquigas, winner of the stage, Green Jersey): "I felt better (than Saturday), I managed to win and I'm very happy. I must thank my teammates for helping me to be at the front. The prologue was not a journey for me. I was just happy not to be when I fell off shoes in a corner. Tour of Switzerland (where he had before Cancellara won the prologue), it was different, it was more technical with a climb then a descent. The Tour is a race is different, with the entire audience on the edge of the road and on arrival, the media ahead. I feel that this is not a race like any other. This is more stressful and it feels in the bunch. The speed is much faster, you feel more pressure when nearing the finish. But I'm at the stage of discovery, I will have time to get used. "
A comment from Jean-Francois Bernard:
"After his success granted today, Peter Sagan can be useful to his teammate Vincenzo Nibali for tactical moves in medium or high mountains?
Sagan does it all. It is probably still limited for large scale influx, but it is often useful to set up shots. Nibali is first a very good descender, is a specialist in this kind of effort. Together they could easily go twenty miles. If physiognomy of race or wait arrival found down a descent of cervix, it could also lend a hand. The opportunity to see him go in a early break and serve as a support also exists. However, in high mountains or at summit finishes, Sagan can not follow his leader".
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Prologue
A deep breath and it is underway. You have to feel for Tony Martin, he was looking very good for the victory before a blown tyre.
As a matter of political protocol, here is a short discussion with Belgium Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo:
As a matter of political protocol, here is a short discussion with Belgium Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo:
From the balconies, beer (s) in hand, the spectators call out a politician with relaxation. Same observation behind the barriers. "Elio bicycle, bicycle Elio" left side of the road. "Yellow Jersey Elio, Elio Yellow Jersey", ten yards away, right side. And friend Elio meets all smiles, posing for pictures, talking chewing the fat with fellow citizens while taking care not to get run over by a car sporting director. Almost surreal, anyway frankly refreshing.
A short interview, is that possible? No problem. "It is a pleasure and an honor to welcome the Tour de France is the largest cycling event in the world, but please, do not ask me questions too specific on the names of runners . "How? Elio is not a wikipedia human level bike, in a country that is gaga? "But I practice the bike, especially for my shopping, and also mountain biking" he retorts with aplomb. "Elio, drops journalists and holds thy congregation," shouts one man, who probably did not withstand the pressure. Elio laughs and confirms that all visitors enjoy here. "People are very friendly in Liege, recognized as a friendly city, day and night." Behind us, a father his child perched on his shoulders and said, pointing to Di Rupo, "You recognize it there? "No response from the boy, more interested in the imminent arrival of Fabian Cancellara as the gentleman in the bow tie '.
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