Thanksgiving has come and gone, the Christmas season is upon us, and holy smokes, is this the last day of November? The trash is pungent, plentiful, and sorted: grab a seat, some egg nog, and give me five minutes to run through the news that matters...
Cross Compote: Nys Takes #50
That number is mind-boggling to me. Sven Nys took his fiftieth career Superprestige victory on Sunday. He hasn't won just fifty races, which is a remarkable number in cyclocross racing, he has won 50 very specific races.
Sometimes it's good practice to take a step back and appreciate the view when you're watching a legend at work. Sven Nys hasn't had a typical year of domination, but his handiwork as half-god, half-mortal has still been incredible. Sunday's race was a return to the dominant Nys of old: Kevin Pauwels rode a fine race to come in closest at about half a minute, then the rest of the world's best followed over a minute in arrears.
1 Sven Nys (Bel) Landbouwkrediet-Colnago 0:59:15
2 Kevin Pauwels (Bel) Telenet Fidea Cycling Team 0:00:27
3 Niels Albert (Bel) BKCP - Powerplus 0:01:02
4 Zdenek Štybar (Cze) Telenet Fidea Cycling Team 0:01:17
Speaking of Zdenek Stybar, it was only on Sunday that his winning streak came to an end. He started last weekend by taking both the Superprestige and GVA rounds, then continued to make it a trifecta with the Koksijde round of the World Cup series. Note to everyone in cyclocross: Stybar is a quick finisher, do try and avoid going to the line with him.
As for Niels Albert? It's almost ridiculous to say it, but he's looking shabby compared to the indomitable force of the first half of the season. He's still hanging out near the top, nothing tragic has happened, but he seems to be experiencing a slight rough patch. It will be interesting to see how he responds in the next weeks.
1 Zdenek Štybar (Cze) Telenet Fidea 1:04:23
2 Sven Nys (Bel) Landbouwkrediet-Colnago
3 Klaas Vantornout (Bel) Sunweb-Projob 0:00:01
4 Niels Albert (Bel) BKCP - Powerplus
5 Francis Mourey (Fra) Française des Jeux 0:00:03
Rasmussen/Morkov Take It In Thrilling Finale
From SaxoBank: Team Saxo Bank Danish World Champions on the track, Alex Rasmussen and Michael Mørkøv, took the overall victory of the six-day race in Gent.
With a narrow margin of just three points ahead of the Belgian/German couple, Keisse/Kluge, the Danes took the gold when they won back yesterday's lost lap by taking a bonus sprint:
"By winning a bonus sprint, we brought ourselves in a situation where we didn't need to worry about struggling to gain a lap. We did a clever finale where the other couples were attacking one another. We could save our strength for the final. It is clearly the biggest victory we have won. It is incredibly difficult to win away and especially here in the strongest field of all, where the prestige is enormous. The victory means that we have shown the other riders that we have the stamimna for all six days. It gives us a strong confidence, which can be used in future races,” said a delighted Michael Mørkøv after the victory.
The Danish couple has previously won the six-day race in Grenoble twice.
And if you think that's all we have to say about Gent you're sorely mistaken. Mr. Ed Hood has much more to come from Gent this week.
1. Rasmussen/Mørkøv (Danmark) 450 p
2. Keisse (BELG)/Kluge (GER) 447 p
3. Risi/Marvulli (Swiss) 408 p
4. Stam (Holland)/Lampater (GER) 254 p
1 lap
5. De Ketele (Belg)/Schep (Holland) 235 p
17 laps
6. van Bon (Holland)/Müller(A) 159 p
Van den Broeck Looks Set To Lead
After the departure of Cadel Evans from Omega Pharma-Lotto, 26-year-old Jurgen Van den Broeck looks set to assume the mantle of GC top dog within the Belgian team after signing a two-year deal with Marc Sergeant's squad.
"I had to seize the opportunity...I feel at home with the team."
VDB is pleased with the upgrade in status, but recognizes that it's time: "I'll be 27 soon; that's the age to be a leader."
Well, that's one less team we can look forward to for leadership polemics and strife. It's ok, Liquigas should provide much entertainment with Kreuziger, Pellizotti, Nibali, and Basso all dreaming of Tour glory.
Schleck And Flanders: Just Kidding
Andy Schleck must have gotten back to training again, because reality seems to have returned. After saying that he wanted to take part in this year's Tour of Flanders, he has since taken a step back from that lofty goal: "Perhaps that is a little too risky. My first goal in 2010 will be Liege-Bastogne-Liege. Maybe I will contest the Tour of Flanders in a few years..."
Ah well, it was fun while it lasted. It would have been a fun side story to see Schleck competing at Vlaanderens Mooiste.
All Systems Go For Keisse
Keisse was dealt a bitter blow in Gent yesterday in the final sprint when the Danish duo of Morkov and Rasmussen took the sprint and the overall, but things are looking rosy for the recently cleared rider: QuickStep beckons.
Patrick Lefevere muses about the Six Day standout and former podium finisher at Kuurne-Bruxelles Kuurne: "Wouter Weylandt hopes that his training partner, Keisse, can come ride with us. Keisse's manager has already contacted me. I think we will sit down next week. We won't get Contador now, and we still have only 26 riders, so I have room for Keisse."
Here Comes The Radio Ban
I've always been under the impression that this whole radio ban business was more of an idea, not exactly a - we're going to do this, so get ready - type thing. I was very wrong. The UCI is apparently going through with the idea, but thankfully starting a bit lower on the calendar:
"The ban will be gradually introduced in accordance with a timetable, the first stage of which will be the 2010 season: ban for Men Elite and Women Elite Class 2 events of the UCI international calendar, events of the national calendar as well as the UCI World Championships."
Whether you're for or against the radio, this is a major step to be made. I don't love the radio or anything, but I dislike meddling even more. The UCI weight limit is bad enough. It sounds cool to get rid of the radios, but honestly, is it that huge of a deal that it needs to be banned?
Just my ten pennies.
Kolobnev Going Home
Katusha picked up a solid rider in Alexandre Kolobnev for 2010. Kolobnev has made his name for Bjarne Riis' SaxoBank team over the past number of years, but apparently wanted to enjoy the friendlier confines of a Russian team.
Kolobnev had another year on his contract with SaxoBank, but in a much welcomed transfer sans dramatics, Riis allowed him out of the final year and enabled the move to Katusha. Kolobnev was appreciative: “I have been very happy to be a part of Team Saxo Bank and the time on the team has developed my talent to a higher level. I am grateful that Bjarne gives me the opportunity to accept an offer from a team where I will have a leading role.”
Former Classics bad man, Andrei Tchmil commented: "I think Kolobnev will be a good rider for our team. He's a strong climber for the one day classics. He's already won two times the silver medal at the World Championships. I am sure he will do well at Katusha."
In other Kolobnev news, he just stepped up in the standings at Beijing - with Rebellin's return of his gold, that brings Kolobnev up onto the podium. That's quite the impressive record in the world's biggest one day races: 2 silvers at the Worlds road race and a bronze at the Olympics.
On a practical note, how does that whole medal reshuffling game work? Rebellin sends in silver...does he just send it straight to Cancellara? Does Cancellara head to the post office and send his to Kolobnev?
Saxo Loses Kolobnev, Picks Up Two
SaxoBank press release: 22-year-old Jaroslaw Marycz has been riding for the Italian Team Fidibc.com and has won the Polish U23 national time trial championships twice. This season he won the Italian one-day race, Coppa G. Romita, the third stage of Tour de Slovaquie and he took silver at the European road championships for U23-riders.
In addition, Team Saxo Bank signed a contract with 26-year-old Sebastian Haedo - brother to Team Saxo Bank's Argentine, Juan Jose Haedo. Sebastian Haedo has been released from his contract with the U.S. team, Colavita-Sutter Home where he this season took two victories on the second stage of Tour de San Luis and on the second stage of Nature Valley Grand Prix. He finished second in the NRC's individual rankings this season.
"We are pleased to announce that we have assured us these two great and interesting talents that will strengthen our team in the coming season. Jaroslaw is a complete rider with a special time trial potential and Sebastian Haedo has, besides being a complete rider, shown his obvious talent in the bunch sprints. We are looking forward to be working with both of them and to help developing their promising potential”, says team owner Bjarne Riis.
Both riders signed a contract for two years.
Garmin Gets A Co-Sponsor In Transitions
Neuilly-sur-Seine, November 27th, Team Garmin-Slipstream, the elite American professional cycling team dedicated to ethical sporting and developing the next generation of cycling champions, announced today that it will become Team Garmin-Transitions with the addition of Transitions Optical as a new sponsor of the team. Transitions Optical is world’s leading manufacturer of adaptive eyewear, offering the most advanced photochromic technology in the widest selection of spectacle lenses such as Transitions lenses as well as Transitions SOLFX® sun wear. From the mountains of the Grand Tours to the cobbles of the Classics, Team Garmin-Transitions athletes will wear Transitions® lenses as they race and train around the globe in various lighting conditions.
“The riders of this team have set the standard for ethical competition while racing and training with the best technology available,” said Brett Craig, President of Transitions Optical. “As we looked to replicate the success of our PGA relationship in North America with a similar relationship in Europe; cycling, and specifically Team Garmin, was the perfect fit for our organization. We share similar goals rooted in innovation and ethics and we are proud to join this elite squad as it continues to build on past success.”
Transitions® technology is ideally suited to the sport of cycling. The athletes of Team Garmin-Transitions are competing over hundreds of kilometers per day and continuously going through different lighting conditions. Training and racing with Transitions® lenses provides the team a true technological advantage that will increase visually acuity, reduce visual fatigue and have a profound effect on riders’ response times during decisive moments of racing.
“Our riders are constantly going through different lighting conditions while training and racing. If we can increase visual acuity and reduce visual fatigue, that gives us a big advantage on the road,” said Jonathan Vaughters, CEO of Slipstream Sports, the sports management company that owns the team. “Like the team, Transitions is driven by innovation and a commitment to excellence. We are thrilled to work with them.”
As part of the sponsorship, Transitions will launch a major European marketing campaign featuring the team. According to Lindsay Brown, General Manager of Europe, Middle East and Africa for Transitions, “In the team, we have found a true partner that can help us deliver our brand message to millions of our partners and consumers in a meaningful, impactful way. We are excited to kick off this relationship and look forward to working with the riders and staff for years to come.”
Owned and managed by Slipstream Sports, Team Garmin-Transitions is dedicated to promoting ethical sporting and developing the next generation of cycling champions. In 2007, Slipstream created the most progressive anti-doping system in the professional sports world and now works with Anti-Doping Research, Inc. (ADR) and ADSI (the Anti-Doping Sciences Institute) to continue its anti-doping mission.
“From a business standpoint, working with Transitions is a perfect fit,” said Matt Johnson, President of Slipstream Sports. “The sponsorship provides Transitions an opportunity to showcase their products to customers, globally.”
Cervelo Signs New Manager
27-Nov-2009: Cervélo is pleased to announce that Joop Alberda of the Netherlands will be appointed the new Managing Director of Cervélo TestTeam, effective January 1, 2010.
"We're very excited that Joop will join the team," said Gerard Vroomen, co-founder of Cervélo. "The TestTeam has had a very successful first season, with both the men's and women's team exceeding our expectations by far. This applies not only to the racing, but also to their efforts in product development, fan access and hospitality, the TestTeam's other goals. From the start, our mission was to turn the TestTeam into a "best practices" project and learn from other sports as well, and Joop will bring a lot of experience in that regard. Having introduced innovations to many different sports as a coach and manager, and understanding that all of our goals are equally important, Joop will be able to bring ongoing innovation and success in all these areas, and we look forward to building the right structure to accomplish this with him."
Alberda, who in his youth actively participated in soccer, volleyball and gymnastics, is one of the most renowned sports managers in the Netherlands and is well-regarded worldwide. The Frisian's unique, motivational coaching skills were the impetus behind the Dutch men's volleyball team's gold medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, an event that so galvanized the country that the Dutch consider it the top sports event of the previous century.
Following that success, Alberda accepted the call of the Dutch National Olympic Committee in 1997 and worked as technical director for the national organization until 2004. Under his leadership the Netherlands won a record 25 medals at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. He continued his work as a general manager for the Russian national soccer team, supporting them in their qualification for the European Championships in 2008, where they reached the semi-finals. Currently Alberda is chairman of NLcoach, the organization for coaches in the Netherlands, and board member of &Samhoud.
"I am honored to have the opportunity to enter the world of cycling, one of the world's major sports," said Alberda. "I am inspired by the values of the team, the high potential of the riders and the incredible technological aspects of the products made by Cervélo and the TestTeam's technology partners."
Questions? Comments? Happy? Sad? Send me an email.
For the latest in fun photography, check out our Flickr page.
There's always the trusty JeredGruber.com if you ever get really bored.
Roadside St. 14 When you start each new Giro you understand you’re a year older. You feel a stranger to the village approach and for a moment ... More....
Professional cycling has, over the years, attracted only a few documentary film makers. A few, such as Jorgen Leth’s “A Sunday in Hell,” have even ... More....
I’m just digging out from a few days at the BMC training camp, and while I won’t be reporting on doing Jaeger-bombs and Redbulls with Cadel & George, ... More....
As the final Madison got underway the arena was packed to the rafters, all the talk of Six Days in crisis forgotten for now. The finale was ... More....
Six Day racing comes to Berlin for the 99th time on Thursday, 28th January, 2010 with the great tradition of winter track racing in Germany in a ... More....
American Classic spent the last couple of years reworking their line up and the 420 Aeros are the latest to leave the bench. Take a look at the new ... More....
A couple years in the making, Pez head up to see arguably the top custom builder on the planet. We hit Serotta's NY shop, take a peek at their ... More....
You’ve still got today and all of tomorrow to ‘git ‘er done! Your holiday shopping that is… and armed with the complete set of 4 gift guides ... More....
If the stocking's not full - somebody's not doing their job. Good thing we're here to help with a big ol' bag full of the kind of stuff we'd love to ... More....
Winter riding is almost upon us - except for you lucky Aussies - and that means less riding outdoors. But with an indoor trainer and a Netflix ... More....
Many ergogenic aids, both legal and illegal, have been touted as the magic bullet that will improve cycling performance. What about something that ... More....
Having goals is one of the important first steps in achieving your dreams. They can be small goals or they can be big goals, but without them you’ll ... More....
Is cycling your religion, or at least one of them? If so, you’re not alone. Many people define themselves as “spiritual,” even if they don’t practice ... More....
Post-Giro Roadside: I love Scotland; but there’s no Gazzetta in the morning, most of the coffee tastes like John Wayne brewed it beside the ... More....
Sunday July 20th 1969; that’s 40 years ago now but I remember it clearly as the day that I first became aware of professional bicycle racing – I was ... More....
Roadside Recap: As we make our merry way through the rounds of the PEZ Looks Back, Ed is up for his retrospective on the Tour that was. As the ... More....
Coming on four years ago, Saul Raisin was one of THE big things in US pro cycling. Top 40 in a hard Tour de Suisse and mountain king at the Tour de ... More....
The last time we spoke to Garmin's Steve Cozza was after the 2008 Paris - Tours; where he produced another solid performance from a consistent and ... More....
Just about to start his second season with Cervélo - thanks to strong Classic rides and his first Grand Tour finish, in the Giro - Englishman, Dan ... More....
In October, nine-time Tour de France rider Frankie Andreu announced that he would be Director Sportif of the Ohio-based KENDA Pro Cycling p/b ... More....
With so many (too many?) others looking back to best-of-2009 or decade highlights, why not look ahead? A new decade beckons, after all, so who better ... More....
We first talked with Lostende Bike Tours owner and avid cyclist Allan Reeves about his Pyrenees Cycling Challenge, from the Atlantic to the ... More....
So, riding in Texas is mostly flat, with only tumbleweeds and armadillos to avoid right? Well, not exactly. You see, Austin is situated in what’s ... More....
Roadside St. 14 When you start each new Giro you understand you’re a year older. You feel a stranger to the village approach and for a moment ... More....
Professional cycling has, over the years, attracted only a few documentary film makers. A few, such as Jorgen Leth’s “A Sunday in Hell,” have even ... More....
I’m just digging out from a few days at the BMC training camp, and while I won’t be reporting on doing Jaeger-bombs and Redbulls with Cadel & George, ... More....
Race report: Alejandro Valverde stayed upright to seal his Vuelta victory – the first Grand Tour win of his career. On such a short stage, ... More....
Race Report: Today David Millar won his 5th stage in all his Vuelta’s, he was given one of the swords that Toledo is famous for along with the ... More....
The loss of Franco Ballerini is not one that will be forgotten anytime soon. The sport's best are at a loss and two of the greatest riders of our ... More....
Updated! Hallelujah, they're racing in Qatar, and I just got back from celebrating with every other New Orleanian on Bourbon Street. There's ... More....
It was a dark Sunday morning in Italy when the news services announced that Franco Ballerini, ex-professional, former dual Paris-Roubaix winner and ... More....
The maracas shake, 'Cara mia, mine !' blasts from the PA. Bang! The little cannon fires and the hall fills with smoke. Yes, this is the right place, ... More....
When the K-Mart Classic of West Virginia stormed through the state in the mid-90s, it opened awareness as to just how great the bike riding is in ... More....
After riding the final 17 sectors of Paris-Roubaix yesterday, and typing to you with still swollen, sore, and blistered hands, I understand to my ... More....
![](javascript:showpic("http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/photos/tech/amclass/amc420alarge.jpg",900,698);)
![](javascript:showpic("http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/photos/tech/serotta/meilarge.jpg",2000,1244);)
