LeCycling

Positive balance for Katusha

theteam.nospam@nospam.lecycling.com (Steve) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:48:00 -0600

The first season for the Russian Team has finished and was a relatively good season, positive above all for e new team. Only during Giro d’Italia the team showed a difficult moment.

Katusha ranked 10th in UCI team’s Overall Ranking.

With its leaders, Ivanov, Karpets and Pozzato 27th, 28th and 30th rispectivly in individual UCI ranking.

They won 76 podium: 26 victory, 36 second place and 14 third position. They also got two National championship, the Amstel Gold Race, the E3-Prijs Vlaanderen, and one Tour de France’s stage.

SIDI SPORT AT THE TOP OF THE 2009 UCI WORLD RANKING: 1st ALBERTO CONTADOR,

theteam.nospam@nospam.lecycling.com (Steve) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:05:00 -0600

Sidi Sport, with its Ergo 2 Carbon and Genius 6.6 Carbon shoes, has reached the top of the world cycling. At the end of the 2009 season, three of the most outstanding riders from the Sidi Sport stables hold the three highest individual points standing in the 2009 UCI ranking. The podium is entirely Spanish, with 527 points and first place going to Alberto Contador (Astana) - winner of 2 Tours de France, 1 Giro d’Italia and 1 Vuelta a España. In second place with 483 points is Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d’Epargne), who won the 2009 Vuelta a España, while third place goes to Olympic Champion Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) with 357 points.

Sidi Sport’s extraordinary season in the top 10 ranking of the International Cycling Union is made complete with Czech Roman Kreuziger, who’s seventh with 319 points, riding for Team Liquigas, which is one of the squads entirely sponsored by Sidi Sport, and Belgian Philippe Gilbert (Silence-Lotto), in ninth place with 295 points. Gilbert won 7 races in 2009, and ended a season of great Sidi victories with a brilliant string of wins at the Coppa Sabatini, Paris-Tours, Gran Piemonte and Giro di Lombardia.

Team Astana best team in 2009 / Alberto Contador best rider

theteam.nospam@nospam.lecycling.com (Steve) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:13:00 -0600

After the Giro di Lombardia, the 24th and last race of the UCI World Calendar, which took place in Italy on October 17th, Alberto Contador is the final overall winner of the 2009 UCI individual World Ranking and his success during the season helped Team Asana top the team ranking. Spanish rival and 2008 number one Alejandro Valverde was second with 483 points. Spain completed their domination of the individual ranking, with Samuel Sanchez of the Euskaltel team third with 357 points.
Contador scored the most points (264) by winning the Tour de France victory (and three stages). He confirmed there that he is currently the best stage race rider in cycling. Earlier in the season Contador scored 76 points by finishing fourth and winning two stages in the Paris-Nice race in March. He then scored a further 112 points thanks to winning and taking two stages at the Vuelta al Paìs Vasco in April and also scored 75 points by finishing third overall in the Dauphiné Libéré stage race in June.
Contador’s individual success, together with the points scored by Andreas Klöden (in Tirreno-Adriatico, Tour de Suisse and Tour de France), Lance Armstrong (in Giro and Tour), Haimar Zubeldia (in Tour of Catalunya and Vuelta) and Levi Leipheimer (in Giro) helped his Astana team secure the victory in the UCI World Team Ranking. The Kazakhstan team scored a total of 1100 points during the season; beating nearest rivals Caisse d’Epargne by 52 points. Team Columbia was third.

Final Individual World Ranking

1. Alberto Contador (AST) 527 points
2. Alejandro Valverde     483
3. Samuel Sanchez         357
4. Andy Schleck           334
5. Cadel Evans            333
6. Edvald Boasson Hagen   322
7. Roman Kreuziger        319
8. Mark Cavendish         304
9. Philippe Gilbert       295
10.Robert Gesink          266

Final Teams World Ranking

1. Team Astana           1100 points
2. Caisse d’Epargne      1048
3. Team Columbia          957

QUICK STEP Cycling Team - Comments on the Tour de France 2010.

theteam.nospam@nospam.lecycling.com (Steve) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 05:58:00 -0600

Tom Boonen

“As always, it’s a highly challenging route - explains Tom Boonen - Once again the first week will be the decisive moment for sprinters before we get to the major climbs. This edition of the Tour will be special for Belgian riders and those who enjoy the northern classics. The starting line in Rotterdam and the passage across Belgium will bring thousands of fans to the streets. The finish lines in Brussels and Spa are truly evocative. The third stage in Arenberg promises to be spectacular, with 11 kilometers of cobblestones during the last 30 kilometers in the race. It will be like a small classic and could bring some surprises.”

Sylvain Chavanel

“I like this Tour a lot - explains Sylvain Chavanel - The first week, considering the way of the routes, it’s going to be important to stay out front and keep your eyes opened. The stage in Arenberg with the cobbles and the finish line in Spa that includes a part of the Liege Bastogne Liege final are going to hide some tricks up their sleeve. In the second week there will also be stages that are perfect for my skills. I’m thinking for example of the stages at Revel or Mende, which are very similar to the Colmar stage in the 2009 Tour. It’s going to be fun. The odds-on favorites are always the same, but I think Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador are a step ahead of the rest.”

Stijn Devolder

“It’s going to be quite a difficult Tour - explains Stijn Devolder - The Pyrenees will be a deciding moment of the race, especially in the two stages with Peyresourde-Aspin-Tourmalet-Aubisque and the high altitude arrival at Tourmalet. For me personally, Tourmalet is one of the most difficult climbs I’ve ever encountered. At the Tour I’ve had two really bad days climbing that mountain. The first part of the race is also very interesting. The Arenberg stage will be spectacular, and dangerous for smaller sized riders like the climbers, who will have a tougher time than others with this finish line.”

Jerome Pineau

"It’s a good Tour with a nice route that includes opportunities for every type of riders - explains Jerome Pineau - The first part reminds me of the 2004 Tour when the cobblestones surprised a lot of the riders, including some of the guys in the top of the standings. The first week will be different than the ones we’re used to. There will be curves, small roads, cobbles… It’s a special route. The race will most likely be decided on the Pyrenees. The fact that there will only be one long Time Trial scheduled at the end of the race will make the mountain stages all the more spectacular. The battlefield will definitely be on the mountains. In fact a lot of riders will be looking forward to the last Time Trial to try and upset the standings.”

Reactions Team Astana on 2010 Tour de France course

theteam.nospam@nospam.lecycling.com (Steve) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:25:00 -0600

Manager Johan Bruyneel

I think it’s a very traditional course. There is a little bit less time trialing than normal but other than that there are no surprises. In the beginning the stage with the cobblestones can be tricky but other than that it is very predictable. It’s a pity that there is no team time trial. Now at least they have eliminated the TTT which I think is better than the strange rules - about the time won or lost after a TTT - that existed in the past. It’s either you have it or you don’t have it, without special rules. Now it is easy; there is no TTT. At least that is fair.

Alberto Contador

I like the course. It will be a better Tour for climbers than for rouleurs. Honestly I would have preferred a 10 K shorter time trial and a second one of 20 or 30 K, but I am really happy about the course. It will be a very difficult race to control in the first week, which is particularly difficult with the Paris-Roubaix cobblestones, but I don’t give it too much importance. The most important thing will be not to crash. I hope it will not rain there.

The Alps stages will be less hard. The Pyrenees will be twice as hard as this year, especially with the double climb of the Tourmalet, one of them with a mountaintop finish. I will recognize those stages to know more about them.

Lance Armstrong

I think it’s an interesting course. It starts exciting. The first few days will provide a lot of drama for people between the crosswinds in Holland and the hills in and around Brussels and Spa and then with of course the cobblestones when we first come into France. The cobbles themselves are dangerous but what is even more dangerous is the run into the cobblestones. The kilometers before, the nerves, the anticipation before, the positioning, that is the most dangerous part. You need obviously an all rounded team but I think you have to take some big guys who can definitely support you in that first week because with the cobble sections you have to be in the front. I remember we did those sections in 2004 and I had great support from Ekimov and Hincapie. We came in the cobble zones first. It makes a big difference.

There will be only 60 K individual time trial but the only thing that is unfortunate for us, is that there will be no team time trial. The race will technically and tactically be much different than this year. You will have more guys who will be factors in the race because of the lack of the team time trial. In 2009 the TTT eliminated half of a dozen guys.

I think the organizers like what they had this year with a summit finish so late in the race. It keeps things close, it keeps everybody guessing. It keeps the riders sharp too. The race will not be decided before the last three or four days. Two times on the Tourmalet is unique too. I like it.

I will be close to 39 years old but the goal and ambition will be to try to win. I’m excited for the whole upcoming season. I like to think that I will be better than last year but Alberto has shown that he is the best in his sport right now; he will be tough to beat.

Tour de France update ahead of Second Day in the Alps

theteam.nospam@nospam.lecycling.com (Steve) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 05:24:00 -0600

Alberto Contador will be on his guard when the Tour de France resumes following a rest day with Tuesday's 16th stage taking riders on a 159-km trek in the Alps from Martigny to Bourg St Maurice.

In a league of his own in Sunday's first Alpine stage where he took the overall leader's yellow jersey, leads Astana team mate Lance Armstrong by one minute 37 seconds and Briton Bradley Wiggins by 1:46.

Andy Schleck, Carlos Sastre and Cadel Evans are among those also hot on his heels and will be ready to jump on the opportunity should Contador have a bad day.

"I must make sure that I do everything correctly so that my rivals cannot have a chance," said Contador, who lost his Paris-Nice lead earlier this year when he cracked in the penultimate stage.

Tuesday's stage will take the bunch to the summit of this year's Tour with the long ascent to the Col du Grand St Bernard, culminating at 2,473 metres.

Attacks could come in the climb to the Col du Petit St Bernard, after which there is a 30-km descent to Bourg St Maurice.

Bradley Wiggins has just as good a chance of winning the Tour de France as Alberto Contador, said Australia's two-time runner-up Cadel Evans.

Evans said Monday here on the race's final rest day he expects the battle for the yellow jersey to go right to the wire.

And with the ever-impressive Wiggins in third overall at just 1:46 behind 2007 champion Contador, Evans believes the track pursuit specialist could go all the way.

"The way Wiggins is going I wouldn't be surprised if he won the Tour de France," Evans said Monday.

"He's climbing really well and he certainly knows how to ride on the flat."

Wiggins has been among the top ten from the start of the race and on the four mountain stages held so far the Olympic pursuit champion has confirmed the emerging climbing form he first showed at last month's Giro d'Italia.

And yellow-jersey holder Contador has also praised the "incredible shape" Wiggins has shown on the Tour so far.

"He is a surprise, he was already in incredible shape, but now he has proved to be a real stage race rider," said the 2007 Tour winner who claimed the yellow jersey after Sunday's climb into Verbier.

"And he is one of my biggest contenders and I am sure he will be dangerous in Annecy in the time-trial (on stage 18)."

Wiggins said after Sunday's stage, during which he attacked a group containing Lance Armstrong to finish fifth and 29secs ahead of the American, it had been a fantastic result.

"Fantastic, it's really fantastic, I don't know what to say," said Wiggins.

"I'm in great shape, I just keep thinking that. I kept that in my mind."

If he can maintain his performance over the 16th and 17th stages in the Alps, Evans believes Wiggins can aim higher than his current third place.

"As an athlete he's shown he's very talented," said Evans, a former mountain bike champion.

"I don't want to say that transforming to road from track is any easier than switching from mountain bike to road. But it's quite a turnaround. He's changed his physique and now he's climbing very well."

Asked whether he implied there might be suspicion surrounding Wiggins' performances, Evans told AFP: "Not at all. It's more of a compliment. You have to give the compliment when it's due."

Wiggins has already stated that his emerging status as a major stage race rider has nothing to do with drugs.

But Evans says the biggest test could be lasting the full three weeks.

"It will be interested to see how Wiggins does in the time trial. The third week will be the toughest test for him."

Levi Leipheimer Comes Through Successful Surgery

theteam.nospam@nospam.lecycling.com (Steve) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 05:17:00 -0600

Team Team Astana's Levi Leipheimer broke his right wrist after a crash in the 12th stage of the Tour de France and has been successfully operated on Friday, July 17th. The doctors joined the two parts of the broken scaphoid with a 22 mm titanium Herbert Screw. The operation was done in the Centre SOS Main Nancy (Hôpital Jeanne d'Arc) in Dommartin-lès-Toul. Leipheimer will return to the United States as soon as possible to begin his recovery. Leipheimer, three-times on the podium in Grand Tours, was obviously very disappointed to not be able to take the part in the 13th stage departing from Vittel.

"My wrist hurts a lot but it doesn’t compare to the pain of watching the Tour leave me behind and not be able to ride the Tour with my teammates. We've had a big battle so far and we’re the favorites and I wanted to be part of that. For sure I wasn't the biggest favorite, but it was a tactic that we could play. If I went up the road, the others would have had to chase. A day like today would maybe have offered possibilities for me,” Leipheimer concluded.

About the crash he said, “The turn came upon me fast. I started to brake and slide a little bit and ran out of room and touched another wheel. I was sliding and saw the curb coming and I put my hand out…that's where I broke my wrist."

"The recovery can take a while. I'm afraid I will not be able to do big races any more this year, maybe only some US events,” he replied about the remainder of his racing season.

The reaction of Johan Bruyneel came with, "He had a bad night, so we went to the hospital this morning where they saw the fracture. He is out now. For us it changes a lot. He was in fourth place. He was one of the guys who could potentially win the Tour. Strategically it will make a difference."

Teammate Alberto Contador added, "Levi was a key person in our team. The Tour is still long and despite the fact that the team did a superb job without him today, we will miss him in the coming week. I hope he will recover soon and wish him all the best."

And teammate and friend Lance Armstrong also commented on the loss of Levi to this year’s Tour: "It's a serious blow for our team. We had a nice four-headed approach there. Twenty-five percent of it is gone now. Not only does it hurt us, it helps the others. It turns their morale. They're maybe thinking that the team is weakened. It's unfortunate but it's part of bike racing."

ALBERTO CONTADOR DOMINATE THE TOUR DE FRANCE ON THE ALPS

theteam.nospam@nospam.lecycling.com (Steve) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 05:09:00 -0600

Alberto Contador (Team Astana) literally dominated the first arrival on the Alps to become the new leader in the Tour de France. He made the decisive attack with 5 km to go to the finish line in Verbier, Switzerland, and none of the great champions who were jostling in the lead group were able to respond.

The Sidi champion was wearing his inseparable Genius 6.6 Carbon shoes in the special all white version, the top of the line shoes in the Sidi road collection featuring full carbon soles, a micrometric closing system and reinforced heels, resistant in the most extreme performance circumstances. Head, heart and legs: this is the winning mix combination that confirms Contador as the best climber in the group, able to go on the attack and accelerate the rhythm when all his adversaries have reached their limit.

Sidi Sport continues this adventure in the yellow jersey after eight days leading the standings with Rinaldo Nocentini (AG2R La Mondiale). Now they are vying for Paris with the Spanish ace from Avila Alberto Contador. Together with Sidi Sport he has won the last three great stage races he’s competed in: the 2007 Tour de France, and the 2008 Giro d’Italia and Vuelta Espana races. He’s unstoppable on climbs and strong in time trials (this year he won the National Title in time trials). Now Contador has become the man to beat in the 2009 Grand Boucle.

Cycle speedway results

theteam.nospam@nospam.lecycling.com (Steve) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 05:07:00 -0600

Astley & Tyldesley travelled to Stoke to take on the unbeaten Northern League leaders at Compton Street on Sunday. The meeting was ridden in appalling conditions throughout, as heavy rain fell for most of the afternoon and great credit must go to all riders, in both matches, for getting stuck in and completing two matches in a good spirit.

Stoke ran out 120-59 winners in the Division 1 match, with Lewis Bates, Simon Munden, Errol Thaw and reserve Kelvin Williams all racing unbeaten. Piotr Jamroszczyk made his debut for A & T and he was in the thick of the action throughout, with some fast gating and was A & T's only race winner in heat 14.

Northern League match result
Stoke 120 Astley & Tyldesley 59
Stoke: Lewis Bates 20, Errol Thaw 19 (1), Simon Munden 18 (2), Leighton Bates 16 (1), Adam Ellis 15 (4), Richard Harrison 14 (4), Kelvin Williams 10 (2), Lance Bates 8 (1).
A & T: Piotr Jamroszczyk 13, Ben Dickenson 11, Luke Jamson 10, Matthew J. Turnbull 8 (1), Will Evans 6, Laura Watson 6, Adam Watson 5.
Referees - Lance Bates, Lewis Bates.

A & T's youngsters and newcomers followed up their win over Stoke at Gin Pit, by teaming up to take a 63-57 win in the Combination match. Ben Dickenson and Will Evans lost only to Stoke's best rider, Adam Ellis, whilst Luke Jamson lost only to Kelvin Williams. Ellis lost only to Dickenson and Jamson. A & T were able to give all eight riders a run out in this match, using tired legs sparingly and giving the youngsters the experience of riding on difficult track conditions.

Northern League Combination match result
Stoke 'B' 57 Astley & Tyldesley 'B' 63
Stoke: Adam Ellis 14, Kelvin Williams 12 (1), Paul Askey 11 (2), Kev Burton 9, Kieron O'Donnell 6, Aaron Purton 5 (1).
A & T: Ben Dickenson 15, Will Evans 15, Luke Jamson 11, Matthew J. Turnbull 8 (1), Laura Watson 5 (1), Adam Watson 4 (1), Max Evans 3, Adam Turnbull 2.
Referee - Leighton Bates.

IVÁN GUTIÉRREZ IS LOOKING FOR A STAGE WIN as Contador dominates

theteam.nospam@nospam.lecycling.com (Steve) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 05:06:00 -0600

The rider of the team Caisse d’Epargne, Iván Gutiérrez, tried and went with a breakaway in a stage which final part was dominated by Alberto Contador, who is the new yellow jersey of the 96th edition of the Tour de France.

“I decided beforehand that I had to try and go with a break”, explained Iván Gutiérrez in Verbier where the 15th stage of the Grand Boucle finished today. “Our team has been rather discreet during the last week and it was necessary to try to achieve something. It did not request a big effort from me because I felt very well and I like that kind of start for a stage: with hills which request force and power. Unfortunately Tony Martin and Mikel Astarloza made part of the break and as a consequence the bunch did never the gap increase too much. We were caught at the beginning of the last climb. You feel of course tired after such an effort and I will welcome the rest day like everybody else. I will try again next week because I really would like to win a stage in this Tour. I am feeling well, I am also recovering very well and generally in a three weeks stage race I use to feel each day better. There six stages left and I will try to take advantage of every opportunity.”