22 - June - 2012 - Daily News

Not too much interesting going on today, so this post is relatively short and sweet. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

I don't stray from Road Cycling very often, but I wanted to share this with you:

First inductees announced for UK Mountain Biking Hall of Fame

(http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/first-inductees-announced-for-uk-mountain-biking-hall-of-fame)

The new United Kingdom MTB Hall of Fame has announced its first inductees on Friday. Although in future years, inductees will be voted by the public from a list created by members of the bike industry, this inaugural group of inductees was chosen by the organisers and some of the founder supporters of the UK MTB Hall of Fame.

Patrick Adams and Jill Greenfield of Pacific Edge Events, who came up with the whole idea explained, "These guys are all at the top of the tree in the UK mountain biking world. They are legends, not only here, but in some cases around the world. We felt it was time they were recognised for everything they have done that has shaped UK mountain biking into what it is today. They have built a sport on which an entire industry has grown. We are proud of each and every one of them."

The 12 first inductees are Jason McRoy; Barrie Clarke; Caroline Alexander; David Baker; Martyn Salt; Helen Mortimer; Tim Flooks; Steve Peat; Tracy Moseley; Rob Warner; Tim Gould; Nick Craig.

The induction ceremony will take place this Friday evening at the Mountain Mayhem event at Eastnor Castle Deer Park in Herefordshire.

Now getting back to the road, SaxoBank has explained their team for the Tour de France, and what makes it different from previous years:

Different approach for Saxo Bank at Tour de France

(http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/different-approach-for-saxo-bank-at-tour-de-france)

In the absence of the suspended Alberto Contador, Saxo Bank has named a team designed to chase stage victories at the upcoming Tour de France. Bjarne Riis’ nine-man selection features sprinter Juan José Haedo, former Tour of Flanders winner Nick Nuyens and Chris Anker Sørsensen, who will look to make an impact in the mountains.

"We will bring JJ for the sprints, and we have some trusted helpers around him,” said Riis. “In Chris we have a rider with the potential to really influence the mountain stages and maybe he is even a guy to watch for the mountain jersey.”
The Saxo Bank selection also features three former stage winners at the Tour – Sergio Paulinho, who triumphed in Gap in 2010, Nicki Sørensen, who won in Vittel in 2009 and Karsten Kroon, victor in Plouay in 2002.

“We are entering this year's Tour de France with our eyes set on stage wins and with the aim to make an impact on the race, and I'm convinced that this is possible,” Riis said. “We have tried to put together a group of riders that will enable us to open up possibilities, and I believe we have found a great mix of experience, aggressiveness and different competencies.”

The Saxo Bank squad is completed by Michael Mørkøv, Anders Lund and Tour de France debutant Jonathan Cantwell of Australia.

It was a very different Saxo Bank squad twelve months ago, as Alberto Contador lined up for the Tour as the favourite for overall honours. In the meantime, Contador was suspended for his positive test for clenbuterol at the 2010 Tour, and he will not return to action until August, in time for the Vuelta a España.

“Of course this is a very different job waiting for us this year without a designated GC rider,” Riis said. “But I see this as an exiting challenge and a possibility to take some risks that would have been practically impossible under other circumstances. I actually have a really good feeling about the Tour, and I don't think it would be wise to underestimate our team."

Saxo Bank team for the Tour de France: Juan José Haedo (Arg), Jonathan Cantwell (Aus), Nick Nuyens (Bel), Chris Anker Sørensen (Den), Nicki Sørensen (Den), Michael Mørkøv (Den), Anders Lund (Den), Karsten Kroon (Ned) and Sergio Paulinho (Por).

And here is our daily RadioShack Nissan Trek news column:

Bruyneel to skip Tour de France

(http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/bruyneel-to-skip-tour-de-france)

RadioShack-Nissan will be without its general manager in this year's Tour de France, as Johan Bruyneel has decided to stay away from the race after being embroiled in a possible doping case with the US Anti Doping Agency (USADA).

Bruyneel was named along with other former staff of the US Postal Service team and Lance Armstrong in charges of widespread, organised doping within his former team. USADA is currently considering whether to issue an anti-doping rule violation after it collected evidence in the form of multiple witness testimonies corroborating the doping allegations. Bruyneel has repeatedly asserted his innocence of the charges.

USADA's investigation is separate from a now-closed US federal probe into the same topic.

"I’m sad to say that I’ve decided that for the first time in many years I will not be attending this year’s Tour de France," Bruyneel stated on his personal web site. "The story of the Tour should be the achievements of its riders and the thrill of our great sport. I dearly wish to be there but my attendance in light of the recent USADA allegations against me would be an unwelcome distraction to my team, and to all those participating in and supporting the Tour.

"This is why I’ve decided - after consulting with the Team’s main sponsors and in agreement with the Senior Management of Leopard - not to attend the race. It is unfortunate that these latest, unfounded accusations have resulted in my withdrawal from the Tour, although I hope to prove my innocence and resolve this matter soon and once and for all."

Bruyneel is the most successful team director in Tour history, and has Armstrong's seven titles and Alberto Contador's 2007 and 2009 victories to his name.

Last week, Leopard SA, the owners of the team, issued a statement clarifying that none of the alleged activities took place in the current team's structure, and vowed to "take all appropriate measures, in order to guarantee its sporting integrity and the general interest of cycling".

Always sad to hear this...

We all need to learn to share the road!!!

Two Christina Watches riders hit by cars in training

(http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/two-christina-watches-riders-hit-by-cars-in-training)

The season has taken a bad turn for Christina Watches-Onfone, as two riders have been hit by cars in training in the last few days.  Martin Pedersen has already had surgery following his crash in Italy, but Frederick Wilmann's injuries appear to be less serious.

Pedersen was training in Italy with fellow Danes Brian Vandborg (also with Christina Watches)  and Nicki Sorensen (Saxo Bank) when he was hit by a car at a roundabout.  At first it was feared that he had broken his hip, but it turned out to be a lesser fracture.

“The status is that it is a broken bone up around the hip and femur. Basically we can say that it is a pretty clean break, so it's definitely not something that keeps him out the rest of the season in any way," sport director Michael Blaudzun told sporten.tv2.dk.

Pedersen has already undergone surgery and is expected to be returned to Denmark soon for further recuperation.

Wilmann was training near Trondheim, Norway, when he was hit by the trailer being towed by a car going too fast.  “A car came up at between 60 and 70 km  per hour. We realized that it had too high speed, and one to two seconds later we saw that it had a trailer. The trailer swerved out from behind the car and took all of our lane. It hit me right in the thigh,” he told procycling.no.

Miraculously, he was not seriously injured.  “Thankfully nothing is broken. But I am really bruised and stitched in several places.” He is still in hospital for observation. 

“I am truly appalled that today I have to announce that another one of my riders has been run down,” said team owner Christina Hembo in a statement. “Frederick Wilmann is one of the team's absolute profiles and recently in Argentina rode a fantastic race.”

“It is still a big loss for the team and without Wilmann and Pedersen on the bike again soon, it looks serious. The main concern is Frederiks health and I am very sorry on Frederick's behalf and sincerely hope that he recovers from road traffic accident as soon as possible.”

And the Debate Lives On: Can a Giro/Tour Double be done?

Sorensen willing to skip Giro d'Italia for Tour de France

(http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/sorensen-willing-to-skip-giro-ditalia-for-tour-de-france)

With the Giro d'Italia starting in Denmark in 2012, it is a natural magnet for Danish riders. Nicki Sorensen would like to ride it, too, but he is wiling to pass it up in favour of the Tour de France, where he wants to help Saxo Bank teammate Alberto Contador again claim the title.

“As I see it, it is very difficult – if not impossible – to ride a good Giro and a good Tour,” he told feltet.dk.  “Matto Tossato did well this year, but most people looking to try it, things go damn bad in the Tour.

“I also know from experience that it is not much fun to be at the start of the Tour if you are not 100 percent prepared for it.”

And the Tour is his major goal. “I'd love to ride the Tour again. Especially because I'd like to try to win it with Alberto, who will be really great. So it is surely the season's big goal.”

Since the team will be focussed on supporting Contador, “the team that rides the Tour de France needs to ride together a lot before the Tour.  This will help the team ride together and so avoid errors in the Tour.  The riders get to know each other much beer and you know exactly how to respond in difficult situations. "

The 36-year-old rode both the Tour and the Vuelta a Espana this year.

2011 Tour de France, Stage 19

Today is the final mountain stage of the 2011 Tour de France. This is a 109km stage, starting in Mondane and ending on the Alpe-d’Huez. It contains one category 1 climb and two HC climbs, including my favorite: Alpe d'Huez:



And right out of the start gate we have an attack: Izagirre, Urtasun, Greipel, Iglinsky, Costa, Gutierrez, Koren, Riblon, Pineau, Burghardt, Buffaz, Duque, and Hoogerland. The break had a 2'40" gap with 93km remaining.

Back in the peloton, Sorensen attacks as Greipel is dropped from the leaders. A. Schleck is on Sorensen's wheel and bring him back. Then Contador takes off with another teammate but both Schlecks and Evans follow. Voeckler moves up to Contador's group along with a few other riders. However, as Contador is pacing the bunch, riders are being dropped. Its only A. Schleck, Voeckler, and Evans who can hang on to Contador.

Burghardt drops from the lead group to help Evans as the peloton closes in on 15" behind the Contador group. Cavendish, Cancellara, and Hushovd are dropped.

With 5km from the summit of the first climb, Contador attacks again and Voeckler and Evans can't hang on. Contador catches the original breakaway soon after, and plows right through them. Pineau is helping Voeckler back to the Contador group.

As the leaders start the second climb, Contador asks for help, but no one assists. He is dropping more and more riders with his pace. Voeckler is still trying to catch Contador using what riders are left from the original breakaway.

A. Schleck and Contador have a few words and then Schleck take a turn pulling the group up the HC climb. Back in the peloton, BMC takes over the chase to bring the gap down from 1'32" and Vanendert is dropped. With 69km left, the gap had creeped up to 1'52". Voeckler is losing it as is Taaramae in the peloton.

Schleck and Contador are taking turns on the front while BMC cracked. Only Evans is left but F. Schleck and about 20 other riders are on his wheel. Voeckler joined with the Evans group as Basso was dropped for a few minutes.

S. Sanchez attacks the Evans/Yellow Jersey group and Evans bridges with F. Schleck and Rolland. S. Sanchez keeps going on his own though. Cunego and Hesjedal eventually join Evans, but Basso is dropped. Even though Europcar is leading the peloton, Voeckler can't hold on and he is dropped as well. With about 50km left, S. Sanchez joins forces with Contador, while Garmin is pulling the peloton harder to drop Basso. Voeckler and Basso join together. 

With 25km to go, the Evans group catches the Contador group. The Yellow Jersey group is 1'21' behind. There are a lot of attacks in the lead group. Rolland does first and Jeannesson responds as they are both fighting for White, but it is ultimately Hesjedal who joins him. Hesjedal takes the maximum points on the intermediate sprint. The next group back is Riblon, Costa and Jeannesson, just ahead of the GC contenders. With 15km left, Basso and Voeckler are back with the rest of the GC contenders.

In the last 13km there are so many attacks. Both Schlecks, Evans, and Contador are attacking each other, all trying to gain time for the Yellow Jersey. Contador reaches the two leaders and takes off again. Hesjedal is dropped, but Rolland hangs on for a few before being dropped.

Sanchez and Velits catch up to Rolland, but Veltis is soon dropped. Sanchez and Rolland catch Contador, and Rolland continues solo. It his Rolland who will take the stage!

Stage 19 Results:

1 Pierre Rolland (Fra) Team Europcar
2 Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
3 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Saxo Bank Sungard
4 Peter Velits (Svk) HTC-Highroad
5 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team
6 Thomas De Gendt (Bel) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
7 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre - ISD
8 Fränk Schleck (Lux) Leopard Trek
9 Andy Schleck (Lux) Leopard Trek
10 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Team Garmin-Cervelo

2011 Tour de France, Stage 5

Stage 5 runs from Carhaix to Cap Frehel. It is 158 kilometers long with one category 4 climb, Cote de Gurunheul, which will be at 45.5km. It is a 2.3 km climb with a maxium gradient of 5.1 %. The day's intermediate sprint is at km 70.

The main breakaway of the day consisted of Gutierrez, Valentin, Turgot, and Delaplace. They had a maximum advantage of 6:00 at 101km remaining, but were caught at 46km  remaining. Toward the end, they were not working well together. Delaplace is not only the youngest rider in the break group, he is also the youngest rider in the Tour.  He is only 21 years old, with his next birthday coming up in September. The four man breakaway is pictured below.

At the top of the climb, Delaplace jumped out and claimed the one KOM point. For the intermediate sprint, Turgot got the points, ahead of Valentin and Gutierrez.

Today saw plenty of crashes with big names: First crash got Chavanel, Wiggins, and Leipheimer. All three continued on. Second crash got Brajkovic and Gesink. Gesink got back on the bike, but Brajkovic was taken by ambulance. Third crash got Contador, but he got back up. Fourth crash got N. Sorensen. He was hit by a race motorcycle. Fifth crash involved Boonen and Steegmans. Steegmans continued riding, but Boonen struggled with help from teammate Engels. It was unclear if he was going to make it to the finish, but he did with less than 4 minutes to spare before he got disqualified. (Picture below of Boonen being helped across the finish by his teammate.) Finally, the sixth crash involved a Euskaltel rider who wasn't named. Kern also had to abandon, although I am not sure if he was involved in a crash.

At 32km remaining, another attack formed. This time it was Voeckler and Roy. By 23km left, the riders had 1’05”. Roy was caught about 3km out, but Voeckler tries again. The lone attacker was caught less than a kilometer later.

As far as the finish, Cavendish was so close, but then got lost in the pack. However, he found his way back just in time and crossed the line ahead of Gilbert and Rojas. This was his 16th stage victory in the Tour de France.

Stage 5 Results:
1 Mark Cavendish (GBr) HTC-Highroad
2 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto
2 Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Movistar Team
3 Tony Gallopin (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne
3 Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Procycling
4 André Greipel (Ger) Omega Pharma-Lotto
5 Sébastien Hinault (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale
6 William Bonnet (Fra) FDJ
4 Daniel Oss (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale
10 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Team Garmin-Cervelo