Good afternoon all PEZ readers, it's cold and getting colder and there's no end in sight. So, let's get on with the winter, find some worthy news worth writing about, and look forward to the Spring...however far off it may be.
Nys Back On Top
Sven Nys has appeared very human of late. His wins are not coming nearly as often nor anywhere near as easily as in previous years. Young standouts, Albert and Boom, have been trading blows and putting the older generation on their heels.
Until yesterday.
Nys was back to his traditional best as he rolled to his fifth career win in Asper-Gavere over arch-nemesis Bart Wellens and Klaas Vantornout. World Champ Lars Boom was never really a factor, whilst Niels Albert never had a chance, as he was already on the way to the hospital before the race even started - see next news bit.
1 Sven Nys (Bel) Landbouwkrediet-Tönissteiner 1.02.04
2 Bart Wellens (Bel) Fidea Cycling Team 0.10
3 Klaas Vantornout (Bel) Sunweb Projob Cycling Team 0.40
4 Erwin Vervecken (Bel) Fidea Cycling Team 1.56
5 Kevin Pauwels (Bel) Fidea Cycling Team 2.06
6 Petr Dlask (Cze) Fidea Cycling Team 2.11
7 Lars Boom (Ned) Rabobank 2.37
8 Wilant van Gils (Ned) Pro Cycling Team ZZPR.nl-Destil-Merida 2.44
9 Bart Aernouts (Bel) Rabobank 3.06
10 Christian Heule (Swi) Stevens Racing Team 3.22
On the women's side, America's Katie Compton repeated her success from last year to take the bin win.
Niels Albert In The Hospital
Niels Albert has had a breakout year so far and has been arguably the best crosser in the business, but it came to a crashing halt (literally) yesterday whilst warming up for the third round of the Superprestige Series in Gavere. Albert crashed on a muddy descent and took the handlebars straight to his middle. The crash tore his spleen and his race was over before it started. Albert was taken to the hospital and has been in ICU ever since. He was originally supposed to leave today, but the latest news says they're keeping him for another night. We wish Niels the best in a quick recovery and a return to racing.
Johnson And Wells On Top In New Jersey
Over on the other side of the large body of water called the Atlantic, the Americans were hard at work at the Mercer Cup for the third and fourth rounds of the USGP.
Tim Johnson was at his best in the atrocious mud the first day of the Mercer Cup. His win took him to the overall lead in the USGP. The elation of the win and the overall lead were short-lived however, as he found that a crash he suffered during the race led to a torn bursa on his kneecap and thus a no start on Sunday. The injury should not keep him out of action for very long, but the 0 points he accrued on Sunday will be crucial towards the overall, which he is for all intents and purposes out of the running for now.
So, with Johnson watching on, Saturday's second placer, Todd Wells, was free to take the win, and win he did, along with the assumption of the overall lead.
Sinkewitz To Make His Return
Fallen German former shining star, Patrik Sinkewitz, has found a team for the 2009 campaign. Sinkewitz has signed with the Czech team PSK-Whirlpool.
Ricco Does Not Accept His Two Year Ban
He wants a further reduction in his ban and plans to appeal. 20 months is not fair! I doped in two Grand Tours, won multiple stages, and twenty months is just too long.
Pevenage Admits To Fuentes Visits
Jan Ullrich's main man, Rudy Pevenage, has admitted that they made regular visits to see the evil Dr. Eufemiano Fuentes. Pevenage did not admit to any wrongdoing, saying that the visits concerned Ullrich's training and health. I can't imagine going all the way to Madrid for some advice on training and health, especially when I can get real training advice from my coach, Luigi Cecchini.
Rabobank Signs On At Tour Of California
Whilst the Tour of Georgia is taking a vacation for the next year (see below), the Tour of California is signing new sponsors. The race just announced an agreement with Rabobank to act as a sponsor for the next three years.
Barloworld Gets Some Help
Barloworld picks up a co-sponsor from their bike supplier: Bianchi. That must be a very nice help for the ever-improving British registered squad.
Castelli Signs On As Co-Sponsor
Castelli has signed on as co-sponsor of the new Cervelo TestTeam. This goes nicely with a recent sponsor agreement with Rotor Cranks. The team is taking nice shape personnel-wise, but also at the base, monetary level it seems.
Astana Will Meet For The First Time...
...next month on the island of Tenerife. That's a bit different than most of the other big teams have gone for in the past...Italy, Spain, and Mallorca (yes, I know that's Spain and I know that Tenerife is part of Spain too, sheesh!).
Popovych Completes Astana Roster For 2009
Yaroslav Popovych, a top ten Tour de France and Giro d’Italia finisher, has signed a two-year agreement with the Astana Cycling Team. Starting in January 2009, the Ukrainian cyclist will join Johan Bruyneel’s team, which already includes top Grand Tour riders Lance Armstrong, Alberto Contador, Levi Leipheimer and Andreas Klöden.
Popovych (Drogobych - January 4th, 1980), a professional since 2002, has spent his career racing for Landbouwkrediet (2002-2004), Discovery Channel (2005-2007) and most recently, Silence-Lotto (2008). During this time, the Ukrainian rider has established himself as one of the most consistent riders in the Grand Tours and stage races. In his first year at Discovery Channel, Popovych secured the Tour de France’s Best Young Rider jersey, while successfully assisting Armstrong’s quest for a record-setting seventh Tour title. His Tour de France success continued with a stage win in 2006 and a personal best eighth place overall finish in 2007, while also helping teammate Alberto Contador secure the top honor. Other notable results include two top ten overall finishes in the Giro d’Italia (3rd in 2003, 5th in 2004), a 1st place finish in the Tour of Catalunya (2005). Prior to turning professional, Popovych captured the U23 Paris-Roubaix title and the World Road Championship in 2001.
General Manager Johan Bruyneel is quite pleased to have finalized the 2009 roster with another strong rider. “Over the past few months, we have worked hard to assemble a roster that will build upon the success of the 2008 season. Yaroslav is another cyclist that has proven himself not only as a reliable teammate, but also as a rider that can achieve his personal ambitions. Though we will discuss his season’s race schedule next month at training camp, we will most likely count on him to support our leaders in the Giro and the Tour.”
Popovych, who recently finished his season at the Six Days of Milan, is looking to 2009 with renewed passion. “It may have surprised people that I would go to a team that has a number of leaders, however when Johan contacted me, I immediately knew Team Astana was the perfect fit for me. He is one of the few people I know that has successfully been able to manage both individual and team goals. There may be a couple more months till 2009, but I am already looking forward to putting on the Astana Team jersey and racing.”
The 2009 Astana Cycling Team:
Lance Armstrong, Assan Bazayev, Jani Brajkovic, Alberto Contador, Valeriy Dmitriyev, Aleksandr Dyachenko, Jesús Hernández, Chris Horner, Maxim Iglinskiy, Roman Kireyev, Andreas Klöden, Berik Kupeshov, Levi Leipheimer, Steve Morabito, Dmitriy Muravyev, Daniel Navarro, Benjamín Noval, Sérgio Paulinho, Yaroslav Popovych, Bolat Raimbekov, Gregory Rast, Sergey Renev, José Luis Rubiera, Michael Schär, Tomas Vaitkus, Andrey Zeits, Haimar Zubeldia.
Rock Racing Announces 2009 Roster
Culver City, Calif. — Rock Racing bolstered its ranks for 2009 with the signings of European specialists Baden Cooke, Francisco Mancebo and José Enrique Gutiérrez, as well as top domestic talents Ivan Dominquez, Glen Chadwick, Chris Baldwin and Caleb Manion.
Rock Racing Owner Michael Ball also announced the re-signing of U.S. National Champions Tyler Hamilton (Road), Rahsaan Bahati (Criterium) and Justin Williams (Under 23 Criterium) as well as stalwarts Oscar Sevilla, Fred Rodriguez and Victor Hugo Peña.
"We have assembled a world class team and acquired a mix of tremendous talent and experience," said Ball. "We have the strength, depth and tenacity to compete in any race around the globe."
Rock Racing's line-up for its third season includes riders from eight different countries who have won stages at all three of cycling's "Grand Tours" – the Tour de France, the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España – as well as multiple national championships.
"Last year was a year of redemption," Ball said. "Given the opportunity to ride, we proved we were able to win. In 2009, we will continue our winning tradition, and from a branding and fan perspective, be the No. 1 team in the world."
In 2008, Rock Racing scored 45 victories and 106 podium finishes. Every month brought a new highlight for Rock Racing fans: Santiago Botero won the Redlands Bicycle Classic in April and led a 1-2-3-4 finish in the prologue of the Vuelta a Colombia in May; Sevilla won the second leg of the Triple Crown of Cycling in June at the Reading Classic; Hamilton captured the Tour of Qinghai Lake in July; Bahati (criterium), Williams (Under 23 criterium) and Hamilton (road race) each won national titles in August. In the final two months of the season, the team came away with five medals at the 2008 USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships and Sevilla became the first non-Colombian in 48 years to win the RCN Classic.
Among those not returning to Rock Racing for 2009 is Botero, who represented Colombia at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. The 2002 world time trial champion decided to race closer to home following the birth of his daughter earlier this year.
Rock Racing's 2009 Roster:
Rahsaan Bahati, Chris Baldwin, Alex Boyd, Austin Carroll, Glen Chadwick, Baden Cooke, Michael Creed, Freddy Cruz, Ivan Dominguez, Danny Finneran, Jose Manuel "Chepe" Garcia, Cesar Grajales, José Enrique Gutiérrez, Tyler Hamilton, Sergio Hernandez, Sterling Magnell, Francisco Mancebo, Caleb Manion, Ian Moir, Víctor Hugo Peña, Fred Rodriguez, Oscar Sevilla, David Taner, David Vitoria and Justin Williams.
Which Brings Us To The Question...
The thought had been creeping into my mind as I checked out the Rock Racing press release, but then it came to quick blossom when I click click clicked on over to Lyne Lamoureaux's great site, Podium In Sight: What (in the hell) is Rock Racing doing?
They have 25 riders - the UCI limit for a Continental team is 16.
They only have 11 riders under the age of 28 - the UCI rule is that more than half have to be under 28.
There's always an interesting question to be answered when it comes to Michael Ball's squad! One thing's for sure though - that is quite the bomb squad.
No TOGA For 2009
Following the conclusion of a very successful 2008 Tour de Georgia presented by AT&T, the Board of Directors of the Tour de Georgia Foundation, Inc., announced today their plans for the future of the Tour.
Speaking on behalf of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, long time member Tom Saddlemire announced that the Tour de Georgia will not be held in 2009 but will return in 2010. Mr. Saddlemire, newly retired CFO of GE Energy, explained that “with the help of the Lt. Governor, the Tour had its most successful year yet, raising close to $3.2 million in operating expenses and commitments for more than $500,000 in support of cancer research through the Aflac Cancer Center at Children’s Healthcare and the Georgia Cancer Coalition. We believe that this unique and exciting event will endure. We have decided to use 2009 as a time to plan ahead and properly position the Tour de Georgia to make the best use of the new partnerships we forged during the 2008 Tour de Georgia Presented by AT&T, such as our relationships with Blue Cross Blue Shield and Road Atlanta. The planning process for the Tour de Georgia requires a tremendous amount of time and effort and we wanted to give all of our partners enough time to plan and allocate their resources to take full advantage of the event. Therefore, we will skip 2009 and the Board will petition USAC and the UCI for the Tour de Georgia's return to the world calendar in 2010.
Craig Lesser, former Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development said that “The Tour de Georgia was initiated by the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade & Tourism (now Georgia Department of Economic Development) in 2003 with a focus on creating a world-class cycling event which fostered significant economic development, tourism and world-wide exposure. We achieved that goal. The Tour de Georgia quickly developed stature, gaining international ranking (by UCI and USA Cycling, Inc.) as a spring tradition in the professional sport of cycling. The Tour de Georgia attracted the best teams in the world and previous champions included such stars as Lance Armstrong, Tom Danielson and Chris Horner. Over the course of six years, the Tour de Georgia has attracted 3.2 million spectators, many of whom traveled to Georgia from out of state, and generated a direct economic impact totaling over $186 million. The 2008 Tour de Georgia, our most successful Tour yet, yielded over $38.6 million in direct economic impact for the State. We have come a long way since 2003.
Chairman of the Board, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle added, “The support we received from our Georgia sponsor corporations, our host cities and the citizens of Georgia was amazing in 2008. Since April, we have had an enormous response from our partners on ways we can strengthen the Tour for the future, and we have been listening. Our host cities want to have time to prepare tourism packages and our health providers are enthusiastic about developing plans to use the Health and Wellness expos to spread their message across the state. Our cycling friends from across the state want to partner with us to create participant activities which are inclusive of the whole family. We have listened to their advice and have decided to skip one year so that the Tour de Georgia can once and for all be ahead of the game in the planning process. This is a decision I feel is wise and one that will strengthen the Tour de Georgia for years to come. I commend our Board for its thoughtfulness in arriving at this decision. We look forward to using 2009 to plan the 2010 Tour and I am committed to playing an active role in that process.
Steve Johnson, CEO of USA Cycling, said that he “was obviously disappointed to learn that the 2009 Tour de Georgia has been cancelled for 2009. However, I am very pleased that the race will return in 2010. Since its inception in 2003, the Tour de Georgia has been an important international stage race featuring some of the top riders in the world. Equally important, it provided the impetus for major stage races in California and Missouri. We look forward to the Tour de Georgia returning in 2010.
The Tour de Georgia Presented by AT&T is North America ’s premier professional cycling race. First held in 2003, the Tour de Georgia Presented by AT&T is an international professional sporting event that brings thousands of spectators and cycling enthusiasts to the State of Georgia each Spring. The 2008 Tour de Georgia Presented by AT&T was a six-stage race, covering more than 600 miles across the State of Georgia, from the shores of Tybee Island to the mountains of North Georgia, with an exciting circuit finish in the state capitol, Atlanta. Traditionally, professional teams use the Tour de Georgia to prepare their riders for the most challenging tours held in Europe, including the Tour de France. Several teams which rode in the 2008 Tour de Georgia Presented by AT&T also participated in the 2008 Tour de France. Riders such as Christian van de Velde and George Hincapie, who were fierce competitors in the 2008 Tour de Georgia Presented by AT&T, also rode extremely well in the 2008 Tour de France. The climb up Brasstown Bald in the mountains of North Georgia, a favorite of cycling fans and a legendary stage in the professional racing circuit, is considered by professional cyclists to be the most challenging and grueling stage of any race held in North America.
California BikeFest 2008
The excitement continues to build as we get closer to California BikeFest - a one day, cycling “lifestyle” event in Ventura, California on Saturday, December 6, 2008 at the Crowne Plaza, Ventura Beach.
California BikeFest 2008 invites you to participate in any of the featured activities during the day—bike education, exhibits, organized rides or a unique Cyclocross endurance race at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. The main gate is free and open to the public.
Featured Events
* Two leisure timed Road Rides up the Pacific Coast and around Lake Casitas; each rider receives a timing chip to gauge their pace alongside others
* The Family Fun Tour along the Ventura Bike Path – no live traffic
* An endurance Cyclocross, relay-style race
* The Giant Bicycle Trike Race!
Featured Exhibitors
The California BikeFest Expo area features AEG Cycling, Amgen Tour of California partners, Breakaway from Cancer™, E2Hydro, Giant Bicycles demo, Cannondale demo, Shimano and dozens more. Click here for an updated list of all BikeFest Exhibitors.
Cycling Sherpa
Ever had a leadout from Ivan Dominguez, Rahsaan Bahati or Fast Freddie Rodriguez? Would you like one? How about having Daniel Ramsey or Aaron Olson pull you non-stop from Ventura to Casitas at 29 mph? Or would you prefer hearing stories from US legends Thurlow Rogers, Wayne Stetina or Roy Knickman as they stick with you for a chip-timed 100 km training ride?
Well, now you’ll have your chance!! These top American cyclists are up for auction to be your personal Cycling Sherpa for a fun-filled road ride. View available Cycling Sherpa here and bid for their services. It’s a day in the saddle that you will never forget.
British Cycling Appoints New Chief Executive
British Cycling has today announced that chief executive Peter King is to stand down at the end of the year, with current deputy chief executive Ian Drake taking his place.
The news was revealed at British Cycling's annual National Council meeting on 15 November, where President Brian Cookson announced the board's appointment of Ian Drake as chief executive from 1 January 2009 as part of a succession management plan developed over the past year. Peter will continue to work with British Cycling as an executive director and focus on external projects linked to London 2012 and other stakeholders.
Commenting on the news, British Cycling president Brian Cookson OBE said: "I would like to thank Peter King for the superb job he has done over the last 12 years.
"It is no exaggeration to say that he has been pivotal in transforming British Cycling from near-bankruptcy to a world-leading governing body with a reputation for consistently delivering on its objectives. Thanks to Peter, British Cycling is recognised at the highest levels of government as a sound, effective, and reliable body, and the benefits of this can be seen in the achievements and developments in our sport over the past 12 years."
Ian Drake has worked with British Cycling since 1996, when he worked as a consultant on the development of young people's programmes in schools and clubs. This laid the foundation's for British Cycling's successful Go-Ride youth coaching programme.
From 1998, Ian led the development and funding submission for the World Class Start and Potential programmes to support British Cycling's vision of becoming the world's number one cycling nation by 2012. This led to the creation of British Cycling's renowned talent identification and development programmes.
In 2000, Ian continued this work when he as was appointed as national talent co-ordinator and implemented the Talent Team programme. This has nurtured the likes of Beijing medallists Ed Clancy and Steven Burke along with riders such as Lizzie Armitstead, David Daniell and Anna Blythe who are now emerging as athletes with the potential to win medals at London 2012.
Since 2004 Ian has had responsibility for all British Cycling's Sports Council funding submissions and has been the driving force behind the current 2005 to 2009 "UK Wide One Stop Plan", which has brought unprecedented growth in the sport at all levels. Over the past 18 months he has increasingly taken on more responsibilities as deputy chief executive to allow Peter to become more externally focused.
Ian's appointment as chief executive is a natural succession for British Cycling to ensure stability, future success and growth in the run up to and beyond London 2012.
Brian Cookson OBE added: "I am particularly pleased that Peter's expertise will not be lost by British Cycling as he continues as an executive director. It is my intention that we will retain his services in this role for some time to come.
"In Ian Drake, I am convinced that we have found a worthy successor. Ian's knowledge and experience within the organisation on the participation, governance and excellence aspects of our business is second to none and his proven track record on delivery against our UK Wide One Stop Plan key performance indicators stands out amongst all national governing bodies. He has also led the planning process for 2009-2013 and is therefore best positioned to implement these plans as chief executive to replicate and accelerate the growth and success we have seen since 2005. Ian has the full confidence and support of both myself and the board, and we are looking forward to working with him in his new role".
Ian Drake commented: "I am both delighted and proud to step up into the role of chief executive of British Cycling and lead the organisation into its next phase of expansion and growth through to and beyond London 2012. Peter has made a unique contribution to British Sport in his tenure as CEO of British Cycling, which is a hard act to follow, and I'm looking forward to continue to work with him in his new role.
"It's a unique moment in time for cycling and British Cycling in the UK given the successes in Beijing, the growth in the sport, the contribution cycling has to make to so many Government agendas and of course London 2012 on the horizon.
"British Cycling has fantastic clubs, members and volunteers all of which have made an invaluable contribution to our current international success and growth to date. They will undoubtedly underpin the plans and vision going forward as we continue our journey to replicate our more medal success with more people participating in cycling."
Peter King commented: "I am pleased that the board has accepted my recommendation that Ian should take up the role of chief executive. He has been my deputy for more than a year, during which time he has demonstrated that he is the right man to lead British Cycling in delivering the next four year plan which he has himself masterminded.
"When I wrote my survival plan for British Cycling in 1997 I started with my own personal mission statement. This was to be able to hand over, to the right person and at the right time, the best run governing body in British sport. In my assessment we are now the best run governing body in British sport, the time is right to hand over the helm and I am able to do so now to the right person."
British Cycling performance director Dave Brailsford MBE commented: "Over the past 12 years, Peter has put the structures in place and led British Cycling to its current success. Having worked alongside Ian for the past two Olympic cycles it gives me great confidence as we look towards London 2012 that he is now stepping up to the role of chief executive. He has the necessary knowledge, skills and attributes to provide the required leadership and support to ensure British Cycling continues to perform at the highest level on the world stage. London 2012 presents a once in a lifetime opportunity for all sport in the UK and in Ian we have the right person to capitalise on that for cycling in all its forms."
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