A Look Back: 2011 Tour de France

With 1 week left until the 2012 Edition of the Tour de France, I wanted to make a special post:

I went through all the pictures I saved from the 2011 Tour de France, and chose one from each stage that I want to share with you. Some of them are just cool pictures, while others the tell the story. It was so nice going back and re-living last year's Tour de France. July is my favorite month, and this is why. I hope you enjoy!

(All pictures were taken from Cycling on Yahoo! Sports during the 2011 Tour de France)

Stage 1: July 2, Passage du Gois – Mont des Alouettes, Flat Stage

I love this picture because it shows how close the peloton rides. And, if you look close enough you can see some of the top riders like Andy and Frank Schleck, Fabian Cancellara, George Hincapie, Cadel Evans, and Thor Hushovd, as well as many more.

Stage 2: July 3, Les Essarts – Les Essarts, Team Time Trial

Everyone knows that Thor Hushovd is my favorite rider, and this is such a great shot of the God of Thunder. This was taken after his team, Garmin-Cervelo, won the team time trial.

Stage 3: July 4, Olonne-sur-Mer – Redon, Flat Stage

This wasn't my first choice for a favorite picture, but the more I thought about it, the more I wanted this one. On America's Independence Day, American Tyler Farrar wins the stage and gives a sign for his best friend Wouter Weylandt, who was in a fatal crashed during the 2011 Giro d'Italia

Stage 4: July 5, Lorient – Mûr-de-Bretagne, Flat Stage



This was just a neat picture of the weather before Stage 4 began. Alexandre Vinokourov was warming up in the rain before the start.

Stage 5: July 6, Carhaix – Cap Fréhel, Flat Stage

After a nasty crash, in which Tom Boonen was caught in, his teammate Addy Engles helps him to the finish line.

Stage 6: July 7, Dinan – Lisieux, Flat Stage



Here is another weather shot. The day's breakaway, Malori, Duque, Roux, Hoogerland, and Westra, had to ride through a mix of rain and snow.

Stage 7: July 8, Le Mans – Châteauroux, Flat Stage

I had to include this picture. El Diablo goes hand-in-hand with Le Tour de France. He is here every year, and in multiple stages.

Stage 8: July 9, Aigurande – Super-Besse, Medium Mountains

American Tejay van Garderen won the King of the Mountain jersey for the stage.

Stage 9: July 10, Issoire – Saint-Flour, Medium Mountains

Johnny Hoogerland is the new KOM leader after the crash that pushed him into a barbed wire fence. He finished the stage, and lead the KOM points.

Stage 10: July 12, Aurillac – Carmaux, Flat Stage

Andre Greipel out-sprints Mark Cavendish to win the stage.

Stage 11: July 13, Blaye-les-Mines – Lavaur, Flat Stage

The riders ride through the rain during Stage 11. This hasn't been the year for nice, sunny weather.

Stage 12: July 14, Cugnaux – Luz Ardiden, Mountain Stage

Luxembourg Champion, Frank Schleck rides up a mountain during the stage.

Stage 13: July 15, Pau – Lourdes, Mountain Stage

Hushovd wins a mountain stage!!! The former sprinter now shows that he can climb as well.

Stage 14: July 16, Saint-Gaudens – Plateau de Beille, Mountain Stage

Leading the Sprint classification, Mark Cavendish is getting used to wearing the Green Jersey.

Stage 15: July 17, Limoux – Montpellier, Flat Stage

And if earning the Green Jersey wasn't enough, Cavendish won another stage.

Stage 16: July 19, Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux – Gap, Medium Mountains

Hushovd wins again in the Mountains, proving why he is the World Champion!

Stage 17: July 20, Gap – Pinerolo, Mountain Stage

This is a beautiful shot of the peloton riding with the mountains next to them.

Stage 18: July 21, Pinerolo – Col du Galibier / Serre Chevalier, Mountain Stage

This was one of the best birthday presents I could have received! Although he didn't earn the Yellow Jersey from it, watching Andy Schleck win the stage on top of Col de Galibier was amazing. Okay, so I only saw it on TV, but that is almost like a front row seat.

Stage 19: July 22, Modane – L'Alpe d'Huez, Mountain Stage

The final mountain stage in the 2011 Tour de France ended on top of my favorite mountain, L'Alpe d'Huez! Pierre Rolland won the stage, and Andy Schleck took the Yellow Jersey from Thomas Voeckler.

Stage 20: July 23, Grenoble – Grenoble, Individual Time Trial



Its not a secret that I am not a fan of Cadel Evans, but we all knew the 2011 Tour de France was won by him as soon as he started his time trial on the second to last stage. His complete aerodynamic position from the beginning showed that he was the best rider this year.

Stage 21: July 24, Créteil – Paris (Champs-Élysées), Flat and Final Stage



Congratulations to the 2011 Tour de France winner, Cadel Evans! He really did earn the Yellow Jersey this year.

Tom Danielson: The Next Big American?

Danielson aiming to race "fearless and free" in 2012

(http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/danielson-aiming-to-race-fearless-and-free-in-2012)

2011 was a breakout year for Tom Danielson. The Garmin-Cervelo rider not only finished on the podium at the Amgen Tour of California, but he backed up a ninth place overall finish in the Tour de Suisse with an even more impressive ninth place finish in his debut Tour de France.

Tom acknowledges that a Tour ride was a long time coming. "I guess while looking from the outside it has taken me a while to get here. I guess from the inside this year just felt right going into the race. I would have liked to have gone earlier to gain some experience in the event rather than the first time you do it you are contending for GC."

"It definitely was a full plate for my first Tour, but at the same time I have had some experience. I have done the Vuelta. I have done the Giro. I have had some experience so I wasn't worried about the three weeks, but certainly the intensity of the three weeks was a lot higher than the other races. The level of the race was a lot higher than the other races. When you combine the level with the intensity you just get an incredible event which just happens to last 21 days," adds Danielson.

Since it's first Tour in 2008, Slipstream Sports has placed at least one rider in the overall top ten, and Danielson's ninth place GC finish in 2011 continued that string of successes. What was the key to that result? "I think consistency was where I shined. I was always consistent in the mountain stages and the time trials. I think that I was in good position a lot of time especially on the flat stages," said Danielson.

What will Tom be looking on to improve at the 2012 Tour? "Maybe more going with the flow with regards to racing and performance rather than having an expectation and forcing it. Just going into the race with an open mind and confidence.

"Once I found myself in the position of being top 10. I made the mistake of making that a goal. I really wanted that result so I raced for that result. I was really happy with it, but perhaps I lost a little bit of that 'free' mentality. I really wanted to finish top-10. Although I really needed it for my career and it was the right thing to do.

"This year, I really want to get out of that shell where I have been, sort of a top-10 rider, and really want to put more on the line and race more 'free' more without looking anywhere other than what I am doing at the moment. I think if I can do that, I can race to my full potential and go to races with confidence and no fear. If it works out, it works out and if it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out."

Danielson feels that mentality will be part of his overall objectives for 2012. "The goal for the whole season is to get out of that shell. My wife brought it to my attention that I have finished ninth in quite a few races. I want to get out of that conservative shell where I would back off on some of the climbs and try to regain where I was at the beginning of my career which was fearless and free. I would get to the climbs that would suit me and I would do my own thing and not worry about what other guys were doing or what could happen or what is happening."

Along those lines Tom is returning to his roots to begin 2012. "I am going to start my season at Tour of Langkawi which is a race that is close to my heart. I made my career there. I think that surrounding myself in an atmosphere like that I think that will help put me in that environment that I need to be in to start 2012 with the mental framework to get the job done."

Danielson has also been making major modifications to his training. "I think the biggest thing that I have learned to do with my training program is to relax a bit more the last couple of years. Don't force it so much in training just do the work and let it come rather than have all these expectations that this type of training equals this type of result. As we know it never really happens."

Now a family man, Tom realizes it has had a positive effect on his racing. "When I first became a dad, immediately, my results started to improve. I got back into the top 10 at the Vuelta and started to go really well again. As my son grew older I really started to bond with him. That was a huge component in me having the season that I did in 2011.

"You just realize that how important your job is and who is relying on you, but at the same time you realize that at the end of the day whether it goes well or it goes poorly out on the road you have this beautiful family to come home to and enjoy. And that's really why you are on this planet to take care of them and enjoy life with them."

With a Tour top 10 under his belt and a new attitude toward racing, the 2012 season holds a multitude of possibilities for Tom Danielson. And with the support of his family, a new training program and the backing of a very experienced Garmin-Cervelo team look for Tommy D to have another standout year in the European pro peloton.

2012 Complete ProTeam List

GreenEdge and RadioShack-Nissan confirmed for WorldTour

(http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/greenedge-and-radioshack-nissan-confirmed-for-worldtour)

The UCI approved the 2012 WorldTour status of RadioShack-Nissan and GreenEdge on Monday. The approval of both teams means that the 2012 WorldTour team licensing process is complete. 18 teams will race in the UCI's WorldTour next season and will be eligible to compete in all WorldTour events.

"On the basis of the documents submitted to the UCI Licence Commission following requests by the Commission on 16 November (to GreenEdge Cycling Team) and 18 November (to RadioShack-Nissan), the Commission today approved the registration of the RadioShack-Nissan (USA) team for the 2012 season and granted a UCI WorldTour licence to the GreenEdge Cycling Team (AUS) for the 2012-2013 period," read a statement from the UCI.

The UCI issued a list of top 15 ranked teams toward the WorldTour on October 15 and later confirmed their status.  Three more were selected on November 22.

The UCI promised to release a complete list of 2012 UCI Professional Continental Teams on December 12.

UCI WorldTour Teams for 2012
AG2R La Mondiale
Astana Pro Team
BMC Racing Team
Euskaltel-Euskadi
FDJ
Garmin-Cervélo
GreenEdge
Katusha Team
Lampre - ISD
Liquigas - Cannondale
Lotto Belisol Team
Movistar Team
Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team
Rabobank
RadioShack-Nissan
Sky Procycling
Team Saxo Bank
Vacansoleil-DCM

2011 Trophée AIJC

Hushvod wins AIJC award for 2011

(http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/hushvod-wins-aijc-award-for-2011)

Thor Hushovd is the 2011 recipient of the Trophée AIJC, the annual prize awarded by the Association of International Cycling Journalists to a rider or cycling personality deemed to be particularly open to the press. He was presented with the award at a luncheon in Erps-Kwerps, Belgium on Monday.

“Humanly speaking, this prize has a great value, I’m very proud of it,” Hushovd told dhnet.be.

Hushovd wore the rainbow jersey with distinction throughout the season, especially at the Tour de France, where he took two stage victories and enjoyed a week-long spell as overall leader. After riding for Garmin-Cervelo in 2011, Hushovd will join Cadel Evans and Philippe Gilbert at BMC next year.

The Norwegian secured 147 votes, just one more than second-placed Thomas Voeckler. The other nominees were Mark Cavendish, Alberto Contador, Tom Boonen, Bradley Wiggins and Fränk and Andy Schleck.

“We’re honouring a champion who, in spite of an extremely busy schedule and numerous obligations, honours his profession by being particularly accessible to journalists,” AIJC president Gilles Le Roc’h said.

The AIJC award was inaugurated in 2008, and a rider can only be honoured once during his career. Preceding Hushovd on the role of honour are Paolo Bettini (2008), Philippe Gilbert (2009) and Fabian Cancellara (2010).

Hushovd and Garmin-Cervelo

Hushovd was never close to staying with Garmin

(http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/hushovd-was-never-close-to-staying-with-garmin)

Thor Hushovd doesn't seem to regret leaving Garmin-Cervelo. Despite a highly-successful Tour de France, the former World Champion wasn't entirely satisfied with his time at the team, and will ride for rival American team BMC Racing Team as of 2012.

He only ended up there, he told Procycling.no, because of the merger of the Garmin and Cervelo teams. “I had my contract with Cervelo. They dragged me along in the package to Garmin.”

Hushovd was unable to meet his major goal of the year, winning one of the Spring Classics. “It was arranged for me to win a Classic.  The conditions and luck were such that it did not work out.”

He made up for the lack of success in the early part of the year at the Tour. He pulled on the leader's yellow jersey after his team won the second-stage team time trial, holding on to it for seven stages. The Norwegian then went on to win two individual stages.

There have been rumours all season that Hushovd was not happy at the team or with team manager Jonathan Vaughters, although both publicly denied any problems. 

Now, though, Hushovd says, “I was not very close to staying. They came to me very late to say they wanted me. So I moved my focus, and a change was something I wanted.

“There were several offers throughout the season. I reckoned up all the pluses and minuses. BMC ended up with many pluses, so I chose to go with them.”

There is no enmity between Hushovd and Vaughters, though. “We are on speaking terms,” the Norwegian said.

Hushovd acknowledged that one problem was actually his own fault. He did not receive a bonus for winning the 2010 World Championship. “I signed a contract with Cervelo without a World Championship bonus and it's my fault. It's something I've said all along.”

Rasmussen has to wait another 3 weeks...

Talk about a long wait! I guess the Danish Olympic Committee takes about as long as the American government!!!

Rasmussen waiting for November verdict

(http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/rasmussen-waiting-for-november-verdict)

Alex Rasmussen must continue to wait until November 17 to see what sanction he will face after receiving three warnings in an eighteen-month period for missing out of competition doping controls.

The Dane received two warnings from Anti-Doping Denmark in 2010 after failing to adequately compile his whereabouts form, and he subsequently missed an out-of-competition test by the UCI in April of this year.

Rasmussen has insisted that the missed tests were due to a lack of organisation on his part rather than an attempt to cheat. Given the nature of the case, he had hoped that the Danish Olympic Committee (DIF) would be able to reach a verdict sooner than anticipated.

“The wait is a little annoying,” Rasmussen told sporten.tv2.dk. “The case is clear and I just want a decision so that I can move on. But unfortunately, DIF cannot assemble the people for consultation before then.”

Ramussen’s contract was terminated by HTC-Highroad in September after the team was informed that he had received three warnings for missed tests. With HTC-Highroad set to disband at the end of the season, Rasmussen had already agreed to ride for Garmin-Cervélo for 2012.

Garmin-Cervélo subsequently stated that it would not sign Rasmussen due to its “stringent” anti-doping policy, but the rider has since claimed that team manager Jonathan Vaughters will complete the signing if he is cleared of wrongdoing.

“They are also awaiting action, and then we’ll talk,” Rasmussen said.

You Might Need A Guide, Part II

Here is an updated guide to the pro team's rider transfers:

The Cyclingnews guide to rider transfers 2011-2012

(http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/the-cyclingnews-guide-to-rider-transfers-2011-2012)

To keep up with all the transfer news, Cyclingnews has put together a handy summary of all the new signings, re-signings, retirements and exits to keep you from getting lost. We'll be adding updates as all the news comes in so be sure to check back to get the latest updates.

AG2R La Mondiale
Ins: Sylvain Georges (Big-Mat Auber 93), Romain Bardet (Chambéry CF), Jimmy Casper (Saur Sojasun), Manuel Belletti (Colnago CSF Inox), Julien Berard (re-signed), Mehdi Sohrabi (Tabriz Petrochemical)
Outs: David Le Lay (Saur Sojasun), Cyril Dessel (retiring), Yuriy Krivtsov, Julien Loubet

Astana
Ins: Paolo Tiralongo (re-signed), Francesco Masciarelli (re-signed), Andrey Kaschekin (Lampre-ISD), Egor Silin (Katusha), Jacopo Guarnieri (LIquigas-Cannondale), Francesco Gavazzi (Lampre-ISD), Dimitry Muravyev (RadioShack), Borut Bozic (Vacansoleil), Kevin Seeldraeyers (Quickstep), Alexander Vinokourov (re-signed)
Outs: Remi Di Gregorio (Cofidis), Simon Clarke (GreenEdge), Tomas Vaitkus (GreenEdge), Allan Davis (GreenEdge)

BMC Racing Team
Ins: Cadel Evans, George Hincapie (re-signed), Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto), Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo), Brent Bookwalter, Marcus Burghardt, Steve Morabito, Manuel Quinziato, Michael Schär, Martin Kohler, Mathias Frank (all re-signed), Marco Pinotti, Tejay Van Garderen (HTC-Highroad), Adam Blythe (Omega Pharma-Lotto), Klaas Lodewyck (Omega Pharma-Lotto), Danilo Wyss (re-signed)
Outs: Alexander Kristoff (Katusha), Jeff Louder (UnitedHealthcare), Chad Beyer (RealCyclist), Karsten Kroon (Saxo Bank), John Murphy (Kenda)

Cofidis
Ins: Remi Di Gregorio (Astana), David Moncoutie, Tristan Valentin,  Romain Zingle (all re-signed)
Outs: Remy Cusin (Team Type 1), Julien El Fares (Team Type 1), Jens Keukeleire (GreenEdge)

Euskatel -Euskadi
Ins: Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau, Mikel Nieve Ituralde (all re-signed)
Outs: Koldo Fernandez (Garmin-Cervelo), Jonathan Castroviejo (Movistar), Daniel Sesma, Javier Aramendia, Inaki Isasi (retiring)

Team Garmin-Cervelo
Ins: Johan Vansummeren (re-signed), David Millar (re-signed), Sebastian Rosseler (Radioshack), Alex Rasmussen (HTC-Highroad), Raymond Kreder, Jacob Rathe (Garmin-Chipotle), Alex Howes (Garmin-Chipotle), Koldo Fernandez (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Robbie Hunter
Outs: Jack Bobridge (GreenEdge), Travis Meyer (GreenEdge), Cameron Meyer (GreenEdge), Thor Hushovd (BMC), Brett Lancaster (GreenEdge), Matt Wilson (GreenEdge), Julian Dean (GreenEdge)

GreenEdge
Ins: Daniel Teklehaymanot (neo), Travis Meyer, Cameron Meyer, Jack Bobridge (all Garmin-Cervelo), Stuart O'Grady (Leopard-Trek), Pieter Weening (Rabobank), Sebastian Langeveld (Rabobank), Simon Gerrans (Sky), Jens Mouris (Vacansoleil), Simon Clarke (Astana), Baden Cooke (Saxo Bank-Sungard), Matt Wilson (Garmin-Cervelo), Tomas Vaitkus (GreenEdge), Svein Tuft (Spidertech-C10), Robbie McEwen (RadioShack), Fumiyuki Beppu (RadioShack), Michael Albasini (HTC-Highroad), Matt Goss (HTC-Highroad), Jens Keukeleire (Cofidis), Leigh Howard (HTC-Highroad), Wesley Sulzberger (FDJ), Allan Davis (Astana), Brett Lancaster (Garmin-Cervelo), Mitch Docker (Skil-Shimano), Aidis Kruopis (Landbouwkrediet), Julian Dean (Garmin-Cervelo), Christian Meier (UnitedHealthcare), Daryl Impey (RadioShack)

HTC-Highroad (disbanding)
Ins:
Outs: All riders - team folding: Tony Martin, Peter Velits, Martin Velits (Omega Pharma-QuickStep), Patrick Gretsch (Skil-Shimano),  Mark Renshaw (Rabobank), Alex Rasmussen (Garmin-Cervelo), Michael Albasini (GreenEdge), Matt Goss (GreenEdge), Frantisek Rabon, Bert Grabsch (Omega Pharma-Quick Step), Marco Pinotti (BMC), Leigh Howard (GreenEdge), Matthew Brammeier (Omega Pharma-QuickStep), Bernhard Eisel, Mark Cavendish (Sky)

Katusha
Ins: Pavel Brutt, Denis Galimzyanov, Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver, Joan Horrach Rippoll (all re-signed), Angel Vicioso (Androni), Xavier Florencio (Geox), Gatis Smukulis (HTC-Highroad), Alexander Kristoff (BMC)
Outs: Stijn Vandenbergh (QuickStep), Filippo Pozzato (Farnese Vini), Vladimir Karpets (Movistar), Egor Silin (Astana), Daniel Di Luca

Lampre-ISD
Ins: Davide Cimolai (Liquigas), Diego Ulissi, Adriano Malori (re-signed),
Outs: Andrey Kashechkin (Astana), David Loosli (retired), Thomas Tiozzo (Geox-TMC)

Leopard Trek (forming RadioShack-Nissan-Trek in 2012) 
Ins: Ben Hermans (signed with Leopard Trek), Grégory Rast (signed with Leopard Trek), Benjamin King, Jesse Sergent, Nelson Oliveira, Matthew Busche, Christopher Horner, Andreas Klöden, Janez Brajkovic, Markel Irizar, Haimar Zubeldia (all RadioShack), Jens Voigt, Andy Schleck, Fränk Schleck, Daniele Bennati, Fabian Cancellara, Jakob Fuglsang, Maxime Monfort, Robert Wagner
Under contract: William Clarke, Stefan Denifl, Brice Feillu,  Linus Gerdemann, Dominic Klemme, Anders Lund,  Martin Mortensen, Giacomo Nizzolo, Joost Posthuma, Rüdiger Selig, Tom Stamsnijder, Davide Vigano,  Fabian Wegmann, Oliver Zaugg
Not under contract: Bruno Pires, Martin Pedersen, Thomas Rohregger
Outs: Stuart O'Grady (GreenEdge)

RadioShack (current organisation disbanding)
Ins: Gianni Meersman (FDJ), Tony Gallopin (Cofidis) - contracts with Radioshack for 2012
Outs: Sebastian Rosseler (Garmin-Cervelo), Michal Kwiatkowski (Lotto-Ridley), Sergio Paulinho (Saxo Bank), Daryl Impey (GreenEdge), Geoffroy Lequatre (Bretagne-Schuller)

Liquigas-Cannondale
Ins: Alessandro Vanotti, Sylvester Szmyd, Cristiano Salerno, Peter Sagan, Juraj Sagan, Daniel Oss, Vincenzo Nibali, Alan Marangoni, Kristjan Koren, Mauro Da Dalto, Damiano Caruso, Paolo Longo Borghini, Ivan Basso, Valerio Agnoli, Elia Viviani, Fabio Sabatini, Simone Ponzi, Maciej Paterski, Davide Cimolai, Eros Capecchi, Maciek Bodnar (all re-signed)
Outs: Davide Cimolai

Movistar
Ins: Giovanni Visconti, Pablo Lastras Garcia, Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil, Angel Madrazo, Francisco José Ventoso Alberdi, Sergio Pardilla Bellon, Andrey Amador Bikkazakova (all re-signed), Jonathan Castroviejo (Euskaltel-Euskadi)
Outs: José Vicente Garcia Acosta (retired)

Lotto Ridley (was Omega Pharma-Lotto)
Ins: Jurgen Van den Broeck, Marcel Sieberg
Outs: Philippe Gilbert (BMC), Adam Blythe, Klaas Lodewyck (both BMC)

Quickstep (Omega Pharma-QuickStep in 2012)
Ins: Kevin De Weert (re-signed), Tony Martin, Peter Velits, Martin Velits (HTC-Highroad), Stijn Vandenbergh (Katusha), Sylvain Chavanel (re-signed), Tom Boonen (re-signed), Michal Kwiatkowski (RadioShack), Michal Golas (Vacansoleil-DCM), Frantisek Rabon, Bert Grabsch (HTC-Highroad), Andy Fenn (An Post-Sean Kelly), Sylvain Chavanel, Kristof Vandewalle, Guillaume Van Keirsbulck, Dries Devenyns, Gert Steegmans (all re-signed), Matthew Brammeier (HTC-Highroad), Levi Leipheimer (RadioShack)
Outs: Kevin Seeldraeyers (Astana), Davide Malacarne (Europcar)

Rabobank
Ins: Mark Renshaw (HTC-Highroad), Laurens Ten Dam, Steven Kruijswijk, Rick Flens, Stef Clement, Lars Boom, Juan Manuel Garate (all re-signed),
Outs: Pieter Weening (GreenEdge), Sebastian Langeveld (GreenEdge)

Saxo Bank SunGard
Ins: Nicki Sørensen (re-signed), Sergio Paulinho (Radioshack), Matteo Tosatto (re-signed), Manuele Boaro (re-signed)
Outs: Richie Porte (Sky)

Skil-Shimano
Ins: John Degenkolb (HTC-Highroad), Koen de Kort (re-signed), Patrick Gretsch (HTC-Highroad), Yann Huguet, Tom Veelers, Albert Timmer, Marcel Kittel, Alexandre Geniez, Simon Geschke, Johannes Frohlinger, Bert De Backer (all re-signed), Jonas Aaen Jørgensen, Jaroslaw Marycz and Ran Margaliot
Outs: Mitch Docker (GreenEdge)

Team Sky
Ins: Geraint Thomas (re-signed), Sergio Luis Henao Montoya (Gobernacion de Antioquia), Luke Rowe (neo), Richie Porte (Saxo Bank SunGard), Bernhard Eisel, Mark Cavendish
Outs: Simon Gerrans (GreenEdge)

Vacansoleil
Ins: Kenny Van Hummel (Skil-Shimano), Thomas De Gendt, Rob Ruygh, Wouter Poels, Romain Feillu (all re-signed)
Outs: Michal Golas (Vacansoleil-DCM), Jens Mouris (GreenEdge), Borut Bozic (Astana)

Pollution

Riders fight against pollution at the Tour of Beijing

(http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/riders-fight-against-pollution-at-the-tour-of-beijing)

Pollution in the Chinese capital is a recurring topic on the social networks when Tour of Beijing is mentioned. Garmin-Cervélo's Andrew Talansky was one of the first to complain about the air quality on Twitter even before the start of the race, but other teams say the pollution isn't a big concern.

After a few hours on his bike, the American talent confirmed he has been affected by the bad air. "Pollution is clearly strong here", he told Cyclingnews. "I guess someone like David Millar who is born in Hong Kong doesn't have the same problems here. For my part I come from California but not from a big city. At home I struggled when I rode around Los Angeles but it is really worse in Beijing."

Amaël Moinard also said at the start of stage 2 that "it was pretty hard to breathe during the time trial". However BMC's Frenchman doesn't want to take part to the controversy and says he "is really enjoying" his first experience in China.

Beijing's pollution is hard to miss. Even on clear days, there is a haze that lingers, and it led the government to close dozen of factories around the city three weeks before the Olympic Games in 2008.

On Wednesday, weather.com.cn recorded a "pretty bad" quality of air in Beijing and Men-To Go district where stage 2 has finished. In its last forecast, published at 6pm (11am in London), the Chinese website recommends "to reduce the outdoor sport activities".

"With 18 million people and a huge amount of car traffic that the local authorities are trying to decrease, it's obvious Beijing doesn't have the same quality of air as the Swiss Alps," said Global Cycling Promotions Director Alain Rumpf, organiser of the Tour of Beijing, adding that spring and autumn are the best seasons for air quality.

"Air quality changes every day accordingly the wind, because Beijing is based in a basin," Rumpf said. "The weather was nice when the riders arrived and they managed to give their best in the first two stages."

HTC-Highroad's team doctor is aware of pollution's potential impact on his athletes. "It's both a physiological and... a psychological problem," Helge Riepenhof told Cyclingnews. An expert in recovery methods, the German team doctor said any issues riders might have are not serious.

The situation is similarly normal at Saxo Bank-Sungard, said team doctor Joost Maeseneer. "We were a bit worried about the quality of food and air and finally everything is OK."

In case one of his riders would be badly affected, he brought in his suitcase some conventional medicines like anti-histamines, normally used for allergies, and some others to relax an irritated throat.

HTC has another weapon against pollution, an herbal remedy. "I tried it in 2008 during the Olympics and it was successful", doctor Riepenhof says. "Every night, the riders who request it can inhale natural substance which doesn't clear their lungs, but which helps the riders to feel better."

If this is a known problem...

So if you know these meats are treated with banned substances...maybe you should bring your own?!?! It might not be the most ecomonical, but I'd rather spend the extra money than risk testing positive for a banned substance.

Tour of Beijing teams wary of clenbuterol in food

(http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tour-of-beijing-teams-wary-of-clenbuterol-in-food)

Cyclingnews has learned that teams have advised their riders not eat beef or pork during the Tour of Beijing in order to avoid accidentally testing positive for clenbuterol. The drug is used in the farming of certain meats in countries including China and has lead to a number of positive tests.

Last year Alberto Contador tested positive for the drug during the Tour de France. The amount of clenbuterol was 40 times less than the amount World Anti-Doping Agency accredited labs must be able to detect, however his sample was transported to a clinic in Cologne which is able to detect minuscule amounts of the substance. If his sample had been tested in Paris or most other European labs he would have likely escaped a positive test.

Garmin-Cervelo told Cyclingnews that its riders were under orders to avoid all beef and pork products during their stay in China, as a precaution.

"I advised my riders not to eat beef and pork. You can't use clenbuterol on chicken or fish," said Garmin-Cervelo manager Jonathan Vaughters.

Vaughters raised the issue of clenbuterol fears at a recent meeting with the UCI at the world championships and was advised that his riders should keep away from beef and pork and stick to eating fish and chicken, which are not treated with Clenbuterol.

According to Vaughters the fear wouldn't be over testing positive in China but once the athletes leave the countries. For example, an out of competition test taken in Europe or the US in a two to three day window after the race could lead to a positive. Testing will be carried out during the race, contrary to rumours that circulated on the web in the build up to the race. However the Beijing lab used for testing is not as precise in detecting clenbuterol as some other labs.

"Imagine if they get off the plane and they're tested the day after or two days after in an out of competition test and it goes to UCLA, or Europe and it goes to Cologne or Sydney in Australia, because those labs could detect the traces of it. I imagine other teams are advising the same thing but I don't know."

So where exactly were you?

Rasmussen admits his mistakes

(http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/rasmussen-admits-his-mistakes)

Alex Rasmussen has claimed that the three warnings he received for problems regarding his whereabouts for out of competition doping controls were due to sloppiness on his part and had nothing to do with cheating or doping.

Rasmussen was temporarily suspended by the Danish Cycling Union and fired by his team HTC-HIghroad earlier this week after it was disclosed that he had commited three “whereabouts” violations. He now risks up to a two-year ban and has lost his place with Garmin for 2012.

The 27-year-old explained how the three violations occured to the Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet.

The first one came from Anti-Doping Denmark in February 2010, when he was not where he had stated he would be, but instead was competing at the Six Day race in Berlin.

“I had actually completed my whereabouts and had written the name of our hotel in Berlin. Unfortunately I forgot to press the 'Send' button on the computer and the update never reached doping authorities,” he said. Ironically, he underwent a UCI doping control at the Six Day race.

He then compounded his mistake by making an unfounded assumption. “I explained it to them afterwards and actually thought that the warning was cancelled. It was not.”

Eight months later he was warned again by Anti-Doping Denmark, for filing his whereabouts for the fourth quarter of 2010 too late. “There is not much to say about that. It cannot be explained away. I'm forgetful and just didn't get it done in time. I accepted the warning, but still believed that the first was annulled. At this time I had two warnings, but I thought I only had one. It was not super, but I was not worried. I knew I just had to be very careful.”

He was not careful enough, however. The third warning came from the UCI, for an event on April 28. He had said that he would be at his home in Girona, Spain, but had travel to Denmark for his sister's confirmation and not changed his whereabouts statement. Because he was gone, he missed the UCI testers who came to Spain to take an out-of-competition control.  A missed control is considered to be equal to a positive control.

“Just after the confirmation I was told that there was a failed doping test. I knew it was crazy, but I tried to explain to myself. It failed, and I knew I would get a warning. I still thought that it would be only the second warning. Only when I received a letter on the 18th August did it dawn on me that it was the third. It was a huge shock for me.”

Rasmussen hopes to convince a Danish disciplinary hearing that he did not puposely tried to avoid tests. He has received the support of several teammates and colleagues. Many confirmed his lack of organization skills, with Greg Henderson of Sky tweeting, “If u know him u will realise he couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery."

God of Thunder vs. The Reigning Yellow Jersey

So here are two articles that I found yesterday allegedly about how Cadel Evans feels about Thor Hushovd's move to BMC:

Hushovd not to participate in 2012 Tour de France?

(http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/hushovd-not-to-participate-in-2012-tour-de-france)

During his homecoming celebration in Melbourne, Australia, 2011 Tour de France winner Cadel Evans suggested that was not going to share the team leadership at next year's event with world champion Thor Hushovd, who will join his BMC team in 2012.

In order to defend his crown, Evans said that he needed full team support and was unwilling to have a sprinter like Hushovd in the squad's nine-man roster during the Tour. "Regarding Thor coming to the team, the main objective of (team president) Jim Ochowicz was to get some guys onto the team to get some results early so they wouldn't rely just on me for race wins at the start of the year," he told Reuters.

"I said: 'Look Jim, you want to bring a sprinter to the team, I don't want to ride with a sprinter, because I've done that and I've done my share. If I do the Tour I want to do it for the win.'

"I was fairly clear about that and Jim was accepting of that, so it's under that basis that Thor comes to our team."

During his years at Lotto, Evans regularly had to share team leadership with fellow countryman and sprinter Robbie McEwen. His comments suggest that Hushovd, who has earned a total of ten stage victories at the Tour de France so far and could be a team leader in his own right, may be left out of the event to focus solely on Evans.

Hushovd, who has not been selected by his Garmin-Cervelo team to ride the upcoming Vuelta a Espana, has not yet reacted to Evans' comments yet. However, when he and the BMC team announced their agreement earlier this week, the Norwegian said that his "biggest goal" yet was to win Paris-Roubaix.

Cadel Evans warns Thor Hushovd to shove off
(http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/evans-warns-thor-to-shove-off/story-e6frfglf-1226114094385)


Cadel Evans has made it abundantly clear to his team that their star recruit, Norway's Thor Hushovd, must ride for him in next year's Tour de France.

Hushovd, who won the road race world championship in Geelong last year, won three stages and wore the leader's yellow jersey for eight days this year, riding for Garmin-Cervelo.

He is a major star in his own right.

A specialist sprinter who has won the green jersey at the Tour twice, Hushovd joined BMC last week, prompting immediate speculation that his presence could split the focus as Evans attempts to make it back-to-back victories.

But in Melbourne yesterday Evans said he had given team boss Jim Ochowicz a "my way or the highway" ultimatum.

"I said, 'Jim, if you want to bring in a sprinter I won't be riding the Tour with a sprinter because I've done that, I've done my share'," he said.

"If I do the Tour I want to do it for the win -- either that or I can do the Tour of Italy or the Tour of Spain or something. I was very clear about that and Jim was accepting of it. Thor comes to the team on the understanding that to win the Tour everyone has to be dedicated to the cause, especially in the modern era where teams are becoming so specialised in what they go for.

"Thor is someone who can win stages which takes the pressure off me."

Evans' uncompromising attitude relates to his troubled stint at Belgian team Lotto, where the support was split between him and fellow Australian Robbie McEwen, a superstar sprinter who won 12 stages of the Tour. Eventually the situation became untenable and both left the team within a year of each other.

Speaking after his welcome home parade in the city, Evans also said he was confident the fight against doping -- the long-time scourge of the sport -- was being won.

Cycling's controlling body, the UCI, has said this year's Tour appeared to have been the cleanest in memory.
"I think the sport has always been winning but it's a hard and complicated fight," Evans said.

"From what I see it's really improving. They're doing a great job but obviously have a lot more work to do.

"I won't say it's a never-ending fight but it's a complicated fight like fighting crime in modern society -- you can't eliminate it completely. They're doing well. I'm just sorry they don't get praised more for their efforts."

Evans expressed his good will for the fledgling GreenEDGE outfit, which plans to become the first Australian team to contest the Tour next year.

He said he was pleased to see veteran Stuart O'Grady had joined the team this week, saying: "He is still a good rider who will point them in the right direction with his influence on the younger guys."

Evans flies to the US today to resume racing in a new event in Colorado, and says he is already planning his assault on next year's Tour.

"Having done it once, I am confident I can do it again," he said.

Then after these two articles came out, Evans made a statement on his official Twitter account (CadelOfficial):

Checking the news.....I so want Thor #godofthunder on our Tour team next year....why do people say otherwise?

So I guess we are just going to have to wait and see. It's hard to know what to believe anymore, and as a huge Hushovd fan, I'm of course hoping to see him in 2012's Tour de France. I'm very curious to see what he can do for BMC while seeing what BMC can do for him. He's not just a sprinter; he's becoming more of a classics rider.

You Might Need a Guide...

This is the time of year where there are soooooo many transfers, especially now with HTC-Highroad disbanding. Cyclingnews.com has put together a nice list, and although I probably won't keep this page completely updated, cyclingnews.com will keep their page updated, so bookmark their site:

The Cyclingnews guide to rider transfers 2011-2012

(http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/the-cyclingnews-guide-to-rider-transfers-2011-2012)

All the comings and goings from the pro peloton

To keep up with all the transfer news happening over the next month, Cyclingnews has put together a handy summary of all the new signings, re-signings, retirements and exits to keep you from getting lost. We'll be adding updates as all the news comes in so be sure to check back to get the latest updates.

AG2R La Mondiale
Ins: Sylvain Georges (Big-Mat Auber 93), Romain Bardet (Chambéry CF)
Outs:
 
Astana
Ins: Paolo Tiralongo (re-signed), Francesco Masciarelli (re-signed), Andrey Kaschekin (Lampre-ISD)
Outs: Alexander Vinokourov (retired), Remi Di Gregorio (Cofidis)

BMC Racing Team
Ins: Cadel Evans, George Hincapie (re-signed) Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo)
Outs: Alexander Kristoff
 
Cofidis
Ins: Remi Di Gregorio (Astana)
Outs:

Euskatel -Euskadi
Ins:
Outs:
 
Team Garmin-Cervelo
Ins: Johan Vansummeren (re-signed), David Millar (re-signed), Sebastian Rosseler (Radioshack), Alex Rasmussen (HTC-Highroad)
Outs: Jack Bobridge (GreenEdge), Travis Meyer (GreenEdge), Cameron Meyer (GreenEdge), Thor Hushovd (BMC)

GreenEdge
Ins: Daniel Teklehaymanot (neo), Travis Meyer, Cameron Meyer, Jack Bobrdige (all Garmin-Cervelo), Stuart O'Grady (Leopard-Trek), Pieter Weening (Rabobank)

HTC-Highroad
Ins:
Outs: All riders - team folding: Peter Velits, Martin Velits (QuickStep), Patrick Gretsch (Skil-Shimano),  Mark Renshaw (Rabobank), Alex Rasmussen (Garmin-Cervelo)
 
Katusha
Ins: Pavel Brutt, Denis Galimzyanov (re-signed), Angel Vicioso (Androni)
Outs:  Stijn Vandenbergh (QuickStep)

Lampre ISD
Ins:
Outs: Andrey Kashechkin (Astana)

Leopard Trek
Ins:
Outs: Stuart O'Grady (GreenEdge) 

Liquigas-Cannondale
Ins:
Outs:
 
Movistar
Ins:
Outs:
 
Omega Pharma-Lotto
Ins:
Outs:

QuickStep
Ins: Kevin De Weert (re-signed), Peter Velits, Martin Velits (HTC-Highroad), Stijn Vandenbergh (Katusha), Sylvain Chavanel (re-signed), Tom Boonen (re-signed), Michal Kwiatkowski (RadioShack), Michal Golas (Vacansoleil-DCM)
Outs:
 
Rabobank
Ins: Mark Renshaw (HTC-Highroad)
Outs: Pieter Weening (GreenEdge)

RadioShack
Ins: Gianni Meersman (FDJ), Andreas Kloden (re-signed), Chris Horner (re-signed), Tony Gallopin (Cofidis)
Outs: Sebastian Rosseler (Garmin-Cervelo), Michal Kwiatkowski (RadioShack),

Saxo Bank SunGard
Ins:
Outs:
 
Skil-Shimano
Ins: Koen de Kort (re-signed), Patrick Gretsch (HTC-Highroad)
Outs:

Team Sky
Ins: Geraint Thomas (re-signed)
Outs:

Vacansoleil
Ins: Kenny Van Hummel (Skil-Shimano)
Outs: Michal Golas (Vacansoleil-DCM)