The year's first monument looms - Saturday will be the first real date with destiny for our sport's heroes in 2010. The 300km from Milano to Sanremo await, but first, the final preparations are being taken care of. Paris-Nice just wrapped up yesterday with a fine Contador on top, and now all that's left are two more stages in Tirreno-Adriatico - then it's all aboard the MSR Express. Let's take a look at the news as we hurtle toward the Big Day.
Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 6 Just Finished
A powerful break including the likes of Burghardt, Boonen, Breschel, Velits, and Lovkvist defined the race today, but it was the opportunistic, powerful Russian, Mikhail Ignatiev, who threw his hands up in victory after a brutal finale.
Ignatiev was barely able to hold on the hard charge from Stefano Garzelli and Cadel Evans, but barely was more than enough.
Garzelli and Evans managed to steal some more seconds from Scarponi's lead after another strong finish. Garzelli now sits but 2 seconds behind Scarponi, whilst Evans just climbed his way onto the third step of the podium.
One stage remains, but it shouldn't provide much in the way of GC theatrics. Well, on paper at least. Who knows what's possible, especially considering Garzelli's quick finish.
Stage 6 Results
1 Mikhail Ignatiev (Rus) Katusha
2 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone
3 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team
4 Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank
5 Benoit Vaugrenard (Fra) Francaise Des Jeux
6 Michele Scarponi (Ita) Androni-Giocatolli
7 Michael Rogers (Aus) HTC-Columbia
8 Matteo Gavazzi (Ita) Colnago-ISF Inox
GC After Stage 6
1 Michele Scarponi (Ita) Androni-Giocatolli
2 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone at 0.02
3 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team at 0.12
U23 Silver Medalist Attempts Suicide
The bike racing world was rocked by its latest scandal late last week with the announcement that the Szczepaniak brothers both tested positive for EPO following their beautiful performances at U23 Cyclocross Worlds, which led to a brotherly domination of the top two steps of the podium.
The positives were an outrageous story, absolutely brazen, revolting even. After an understandably irritable first response on Twitter, US cross icon, Adam Myerson, wondered aloud: who was responsible for the drugs? This kind of thing does not happen in a vacuum, especially with riders so young.
Indeed. It went even further though, and it goes to show just how fragile a potential world beater's world actually is: 19-year-old, second-place, Kacper, attempted suicide this weekend. It was thanks to the boy's father that he's still alive.
I hate doping and dopers just as much as the rest, but something like this just hurts. I hope for the best for the two brothers and hope they can find their way.
With That Said
It would be wrong not to revise the U23 Worlds Podium and give credit where it's due...
1. Arnaud Jouffroy (France)
2. Tom Meeusen (Belgium)
3. Marek Konwa (Poland)
Paris-Nice Wrap
After a week of full-tilt racing in some of the coldest conditions France could possibly offer in March, the beleaguered peloton arrived to the sunny Mediterranean Coast on Sunday, greeted by bright sun and warm temperatures. It's always that way, isn't it? Terrible everyday and then on that final day in Nice - perfection.
As for the race, there were no surprises this year, no bonks from Alberto Contador, which meant that Alberto Contador won. Really, the only way it seems that it's possible for Contador to lose is if he does something dumb - like not eat. Otherwise, fuhgetaboutit.
I'm not saying he was dominant - a GC win that includes six riders with 37 seconds is in no way a huge, storming victory, but he never seemed to be in any real danger, and when the road tilted uphill for the tough finish in Mende - no one could hang with Contador...though no one was too far behind either.
It's hard to put too much into a big race in March when the goal is in July, but in summary - say what you want, Alberto Contador just won Paris-Nice, dominant or not, that's still a big win, and that's already his second GC win of 2010. He's doing just fine.
Behind him, a bunch of riders showed their class in keeping Contador close. At this point, that's a big deal, and one worth noting:
Final General Classification
1 Alberto Contador (Spa) Astana 28:35:35
2 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 0:00:11
3 Luis-Leon Sanchez (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 0:00:25
4 Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas - Doimo 0:00:26
5 Samuel Sanchez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 0:00:30
6 Jens Voigt (Ger) Team Saxo Bank 0:00:35
7 Joaquim Rodriguez (Spa) Team Katusha 0:00:37
8 Rein Taaramae (Est) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne 0:01:07
9 Jean-Christophe Peraud (Fra) Omega Pharma - Lotto 0:01:16
10 Jérôme Coppel (Fra) Saur - Sojasun 0:01:17
11 Nicolas Roche (Irl) AG2R La Mondiale 0:01:23
Alejandro Valverde continues his successful run of it, all whilst treading the fine line of keeping his career alive as his date with the CAS approaches. Luis Leon Sanchez wasn't able to double up at Paris-Nice, but there's no shame in sharing the podium with the last two Grand Tour winners. Roman Kreuziger took the best young rider jersey and missed out on a visit to the Spanish party podium by ONE second. Ouch.
They're done tuning up for the Spring run in France, but if history is an indicator, the winner of next week's Milano-Sanremo is still racing in Italy at Tirreno-Adriatico.
The last half of racing:
Stage 4: Alberto Contador (Astana) - mountaintop
Stage 5: Peter Sagan (Liquigas) - solo
Stage 6: Xavier Tondo (Cervelo) - solo
Stage 7: Amael Moinard (Cofidis) - break sprint
Tirreno-Adriatico Update
While the Paris-Nice riders are taking a well-deserved easy day on Monday, they're still going strong in Italy - the race will finish on Tuesday.
After another tough day yesterday, Michele Scarponi, managed to hold on to his leader's jersey, despite losing a few seconds to the likes of Garzelli and Evans.
Enrico Gasparotto was the jubilant victor after a hard finale. Cadel Evans acquitted himself well in the final select group, but couldn't manage better than 4th - though he did go all-in in a make or break late move.
Haussler's Woes
Heinrich Haussler is in a bad way at the moment. Last year's #2 at Sanremo in one of the most thrilling finishes these eyes have ever seen, is suffering from knee problems.
“My knee is not going well at all today, I’ve done 15 minutes on the bike and it’s very painful. If I pedal easy, it’s OK but I can’t stand up and I can’t use any big gear. If it was decided today, I would definitely not be able to do Milan-San Remo” (CyclingNews).
It certainly does not look hopeful for the Aussie/German, but a final decision will not be made until later today.
Gilbert The Man, But Van Avermaet Hopes
Heading into Milano-Sanremo, Philippe Gilbert is content with his form and ready to do battle with La Classicissima. He'll be Omega Pharma's top bet in the finale this weekend, but ever bettering sprinter, Greg Van Avermaet, is harboring some hopes as well:
"I was afraid that I was slightly overweight, but I kept at it, and then I saw who I finished with [on Saturday in Tirreno-Adriatico] - Flecha, Vinokourov..."
Van Avermaet contines: "I needed this. After my failed opening weekend in Belgium, I had doubts creeping in, even though I knew that I had been sick...I still dare to dream of Sanremo. I do not need to be afraid of the Cipressa or the Poggio."
Speaking Of Gilbert
Philippe Gilbert has cemented his pre-Flanders run-up and opted for Gent-Wevelgem over the E3 Harelbeke. Last week, I noted that Gilbert was confirmed for the E3, but the plans changed:
"I will combine De Panne with Gent Wevelgem. Gent-Wevelgem is a ProTour one day race, and in that sense, it is more important than the E3 Prijs. [The E3] Harelbeke is a dress rehearsal for the Ronde, true, but I do not really need it. I know the hills and cobblestones of Flanders. In De Panne, I will also get a preview anyhow."
What Happened To VDB?
Just a little while after Jurgen Vandenbroucke's great success at the Ruta Del Sol, he leaves Paris-Nice with his head tilted in the downward direction - nowhere near the top end of the GC.
"We cannot deny that Paris-Nice was a disappointment for Jurgen Van den Broeck. We want to find out the cause, because it cannot be that someone who just did so well at the Ruta Del Sol, no longer can do it. Was it too cold? Too much intensive training following the Ruta? One thing is certain: he must not let his head hang," says former Belgian pro Herman Frison.
What Of Cavendish?
We've heard absolutely naught from Mark Cavendish so far this year, but the pundits agree, that he's still one of the top favorites heading into the weekend.
Erik Zabel, a close friend and mentor of Zabel's, was typically blunt about his protege: "We thought that he would be in better shape, from what we could see in the Strade Bianche race. I am surprised that he can't follow the peloton, but that's bike racing. We don't take it so hard, because we think Mark still has a chance to win Milano-Sanremo."
Zabel is referring to Cav's terrible showing so far at Tirreno-Adriatico, which has been highlighted by getting dropped - lots of it.
Mario Cipollini, via his intriguing column in La Gazzetta also confessed his hope for Cav: "At this very moment, he is showing signs of weakness, due to his lack of training. He needs Tirreno, to get into the rhythm, but he is also very young and can get into great form in no time. Somebody with this much talent you can never write off."
Fair words, no? Thanks to VeloNation.com for the quotes.
Success For United Healthcare in California
Murietta, CA – Karl Menzies secured the first ever overall win for the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis, finishing 3rd in Sunday’s final stage to win the omnium (points) at the Tour de Murietta.
“The guys had another good day today,” said team directeur sportif Gord Fraser. “They worked really well together yesterday in the crit and again today in the road race. They’re executing really well, and the teamwork was critical to getting Karl the overall win against some strong competition.”
Menzies opened up the three-day omnium, in which riders accumulate points for their stage placings, with 2nd in the time trial Friday behind teammate Rory Sutherland. He took over the top spot in the standings after earning points for his 13th place finish in Saturday’s crit, after helping teammate Eric Barlevav to 4th place in the stage. He sealed the overall with his 3rd place today.
Barlevav finished the race in 4th overall. “That was a good result from Eric for his first stage race with UnitedHealthcare Presented by Maxxis,” Fraser commented.
The Tour de Murietta, was the second test in the team’s “re-season” preparation for the NRC-opening Redlands Classic begins March 25. The team will make their final preparations next weekend at the San Dimas Stage Race.
The roster will change up a bit for San Dimas, with Brad White, Andrew Pinfold, Max Jenkins and Jake Keough joining Sutherland, Menzies, Jonathan Clarke and Chris Baldwin.
San Dimas kicks off Friday with a 3.7-mile climbing time trial. The race continues Saturday with 12 trips around a challenging 7-mile circuit, and finishes Sunday with a 90-minute criterium around a 1.2-mile course in San Dimas.
The Legend Is Back – Ciocc Now Available In UK
For cycling purists of a certain age in the UK, the name Ciocc will forever conjure up images of Eastern Bloc ‘amateurs’ dominating the toughest stages of the legendary Milk Race during the 70’s and 80’s , Russian, Czech and Polish hard men with unpronouncable names on a bike with an equally difficult monical, who were simply a world apart from most of our domestic teams.
The bikes behind much of this success were Italian Cioccs (pronounced “church”). They began to infiltrate British pelotons as a direct result, and were for many the equal of other better known classic Italian frames available at the time such as Colnago or De Rosa.
Two young cycling-mad herberts at this time were Nick and Dom O’Brien, who would regularly stick their noses up against their local North London bike shop windows ogling these exotic frames, with cut out lugs, ‘innovative’ Columbus tubing and lashings of chrome. These bikes were glamorous works of art, and logged in both their memory banks as the ultimate racing machines for those serious about the sport.
Fast forward 30 years and nothing’s really changed - Ciocc still produce some of the finest Italian made frames available, the O’Brien brothers continue their cycling obsession and a twist of fate (Nick marrying an Italian, and having a typical bike shop conversation near to where Ciocc are built), resulted in them being offered the opportunity to import and distribute the very bikes they aspired to own as young cyclists.
The two brothers are now the driving force behind Grupetto Italia, whose aim is to provide the finest Italian bikes available for customers who want a bit more than the obvious choices when investing in a high end bike. Aside from the actual product Grupetto wants the whole buying experience to be the very best available.
As Dom O’Brien says: “We’re fed up with the sad mundane frames you get these days, which are usually just the same Far Eastern produced products re-badged. What’s so exciting about Ciocc, is that they are still locally produced, using skills and techniques that allow for each one to be totally unique to its owner.
“In the same way that you’d order a pair of Lobb's shoes or a hand made suit from Savile Row,” continues Dom, “the craftsmen that build our bikes will adapt their proven principles to fit your exact needs.” The O’Brien brothers want to bring back that simple pleasure of purchasing a bike in an environment where everyone else is as excited as you are when your new machine is wheeled out for the first time and set up to your precise details. The anticipation and planning of your bike’s first outing is all part of the fun: “I clearly remember my first made to measure bike,” enthuses Nick O’Brien. “The excitement of discussing and specifying it with the builder was a really simple pleasure, but one that has almost totally been lost in todays sales driven culture.”
With a small showroom based in the Chilterns, which naturally acts as an informal meeting point for many local riders, the brothers are keen for their customers to share their enthusiasm and passion for the sport: “What we offer is some of that old school service, combined with the very latest technology and innovation, all wrapped up in one of the great names of Italian cycling,” confirms Nick.
Ciocc is still held in high esteem by Italian corriadori and the current range continues to build on its racing heritage, offering a choice of either cutting edge carbon with the stunningly styled Devilry and Keen Blade or, with more than a nod to the past on the superbly crafted vintage Mokba and San Cristobal aluminium framesets. If you’re looking for a bike that’s going to stand out from the crowd with performance to match, its worth paying Grupetto a visit.
It Doesn't Get Much Better Than The Red Hook Crit
The 2010 Red Hook Criterium is an unsanctioned bicycle race through a desolate post-industrial area of Brooklyn. Track bikes are mandatory for the riders and the field consists of semi-professional 'roadies', bike messengers, and urban cyclists. The first person to cross the finish line at the completion of 20 laps will take home the famed cobblestone trophy.
"This race is fast, dangerous and requires an equal combination of strength, bike handling skills, and bravery." says organizer David August Trimble. The winner of the upcoming third edition will without a doubt be deserving of the title as the first two champions have continued on to professional cycling careers. "The first year Kacey Manderfield surprised the boys with her ferocious sprint" says Trimble . She went on to earn a stars-and stripes jersey at the 2008 National Track Championships and now races professionally. Last year's winner Neil Bezdek used his victory to springboard his own professional racing career and has signed with one of the top US based teams for the 2010 season.
"This bicycle race is rare in that it's equaling entertaining for both the competitors and the spectators lining the course witnessing the battle" says Trimble. The stunning visuals of this race are a strong attraction to the press, artists, and photographers. In 2009 the New York Times covered the race with a story titled "A Brooklyn Bike Race Worthy of James Dean".
The Red Hook Criterium was first held in 2008 to celebrate Trimble's birthday. An after party in conjunction with the competition is now a tradition that continues this year. The party includes the post race podium presentation where the top finishers bask in their glory and are showered with champagne, prizes, and cash. John Taki Theodoracopulos once again hosts the party "If you are not wearing lycra we request that you attend this party in your sexiest evening wear" adds Theodoracopulos.
For 2010 the NYC based Bicycle Film Festival has joined the Red Hook Criterium as the presenting sponsor. The BFF celebrates bike culture in all of its aspects and through support of this race brings 10 years of experience in hosting, promoting, and expanding bicycle events throughout the world. "Last year we had a film about the race in the festival," says director Brendt Barbur "This year we will be directly supporting it. In addition the famed bicycle manufacturer Cinelli has signed on as a major sponsor and is providing a frame to the winner of the event. Additional sponsors include Rapha, San Marco, 9th Street Cycles, Cycling Reporter, Roo Design, Trimble Racing & Design and the Brooklyn Brewery.
The race consists of 20 laps around a .75 mile course which features several hairpin turns, a technical chicane, a cobblestone stretch, and a sprint finish. Bus and automobile traffic on the course, even if kept to a minimum, is a near-certainty. The race is held at night and starts at 11:00 pm sharp.
Questions? Comments? Happy? Sad? Send me an email.
PEZ Toolbox contributor, Matt McNamara, is working closely with me to bring me back to some kind of fitness. Check out my website, JeredGruber.com, to follow the progress. If you're into Twitter, of course you can find me there.
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