I've been boiling over today, after seeing the farce that was the finale of stage 2 of the TDF into Spa. Coming on top of the whinging comments about tomorrows cobbles from riders such as Jens Voigt, it really makes you wonder about todays riders. They sound more like Premiership footballers every day.
I was going to get into details but this post from IrishPeleton.com sums it up for me (http://www.irishpeloton.com/). As Cillian says, you have to feel for Hushovd. Cav was dropped plain and simple, but Thor, despite being able to keep up in all senses of the phrase, couldn't take advantage. And for what? So Cancellara could ensure the Schlecks get to the mountains in one piece?
It all put me in mind of an iconic Tour picture from my youth, of Anderson in yellow and Kelly in green battling the dust over the pave in, I think, the 1982 Tour. I don't remember any complaints from those men. But then again they knew how to ride in all weathers and on all surfaces, because they raced the whole season. They didn't expect to pick and choose their races and then have the organisers oblige them by only having stages they'd prepared for. Where were the Schlecks and Contador in April when they could have been getting some valuable experience? Maybe Lance was on to something by lining up for Flanders.
Monday, 5 July 2010
Monday, 28 June 2010
Dublin North Physiotherapy Clinic
Dublin North Physiotherapy Clinic caters for a number of injuries and conditions including; sports injuries, women’s health and continence, workplace injuries, orthopaedic injuries, joint pain and neuromuscular disorders.
Services Provided:
• Private Professional Consultations to create personalised rehabilitation programmes aimed to prevent re-injury in the future.
• Hands on treatments such as massage and manipulation.
• Electrotherapy treatments such as ultrasound and TENS.
• Workplace assessments (ergonomic testing), this can be carried out if pain is caused by static postures and/or repetitive movements on a daily basis.
• Pitch side physiotherapy for all sports. This includes the physiotherapist attending training sessions and/or matches. Can treat injury pre, post or during matches including massage or taping.
• Sports Injury
• Workplace Injury
• Back and Neck pain
• Joint Pain
• Neuromuscular Disorders
• Women’s Health and Continence
Contact Details:
383 Clontarf Road, Clontarf, Dublin 3
(086) 3627818 / (087) 7607595
email ~ dnphysio@gmail.com
Sunday, 20 June 2010
Halfords Tour Series Dublin Pics
It was great to see city centre racing return to the streets of Dublin tonight. Even better to see Garmins Dan Martin and the An Post team ride away from the field of seasoned British pros and Irish national and provincial teams. Martin dominated the race over a partly cobbled course, lapping most of the field, while the An post boys rode what was effectively a team time trial, with four of their five riders leaving the rest behind and chasing Martin all the way to the line.
Due to the unfathomable rules of the Tour Series the An Post team were the overall winners, while Martin wasn't declared race winner but did scoop the Sprints award. No, I don't get it either!
Here's some pics:
Due to the unfathomable rules of the Tour Series the An Post team were the overall winners, while Martin wasn't declared race winner but did scoop the Sprints award. No, I don't get it either!
Here's some pics:
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Radioshack not welcome in Spain shocker
So Bruyneel is "speechless" that his golden boys haven't been welcomed with open arms to the Vuelta. Well, when he say's speechless that doesn't include copious tweets and a very long press release on the subject.
Here's his speechless reaction in full:
“I am not only surprised, I am speechless. At first I thought it was a mistake so I called organizer Javier Guillén for some explanation. He told me that the other teams offered him better options on a sporting level. I had to ask him to repeat it as I could not believe this but I heard right: we didn’t offer a good enough team. I cannot accept or understand this decision. With Levi Leipheimer, Andreas Klöden, Chris Horner and Jani Brajkovic we had four potential Vuelta WINNERS on the roster we sent to Unipublic. Our 2010 Team goals were the Tour de France and the Tour of Spain. That’s why - together with the need to perform well in the Tour of California – we skipped the Tour of Italy this year. ”
"Up until now it has never been accepted that a Team Manager stands on a soap box to defend the rights of the teams and the riders. We always have to accept; we don’t have many rights. After what I heard today, I take it as a personal mission: from now on I will fight for the interests of the cycling teams. It will be more than just a goal. I will work for it as hard as I’ve worked for my own team. It is really urgent that action be taken now as this is the time that the organizers will listen to the opinions of the teams. I will do everything that I can to bring all big teams to one level. What happened today is only a detail.”
“In cycling there are three parties: UCI, organizers and teams/riders. Unlike in other professional sports, the teams and riders are the main actors who are never heard. I will fight for our rights and for other things that rightfully belong to us but we never get. There is an abuse of power. Some organizers take away the hunger of potential sponsors to invest in our sport. It is unjust that a new sponsor, coming into cycling with a lot of enthusiasm, is not rewarded for their financial input. For me it is hard to explain to my sponsor that 21 other teams are apparently better than us. Especially when it isn’t true. These actions are unfair to our sponsors as well as a blow to our fans. “
“It is high time for ‘professional’ cycling to become professional. The structure of our sport needs to change towards a model of other successful professional sports like soccer, tennis, Formula 1, etc. Today, this is happening to our team and sponsors, tomorrow it could be any other team. Even if some parties don’t like to see or hear this, I will do anything which is in my power to contribute to making this happen.”
What is he on about?
What model is he suggesting exactly? I always had the impression that F1 and Tennis are totally dominated by the governing bodies/organisers. Is it not an annual event that the F1 bodies (ie Ecclestone and Mosely) change the rules to restrict the cars in some way, followed by the bleating of the teams for a bit, followed by yet another boring, processional season of races where the best machine (not driver) wins. And is that not why the TV audiences are turning off in droves? Don't get me wrong, I'm not for a miinute suggesting all is well in the world of cycling but if Bruyneel is going to go on a rant he could at least be a bit more specific.
As far as it being unjust to his sponsor, again you have to ask, what is he on about? RadioShack are a US focussed company, with little or no European presence. The last I heard, the Vuelta is not a major feature on US TV, nor for that matter is the Tour when Lance isn't manufacturing some controversy. So how can it possibly be a blow to the marketing plans of RadioShack to miss the Vuelta? In contrast, Garmin, Sky, Katusha and Cervelo are all sponsors with a significant European presence. If RadioShack were to get in, one of them would have been excluded so how would that not have been "unjust" to an equally valuable sponsor?
Also, although everyone is denying it, is the long term good of the sport really served by pandering to a team and a manager with such a huge black cloud hanging over them, at the expense of other teams who, at least for now, appear to represent the clean, open, honest, unambiguous future we all want?
The best bit is where he says he will fight to defend the rights of his riders. Cast your mind back to July last year when a certain manager was very publicly trampling all over the "rights" of his best rider while favouring the "rights" of his not-quite-so-good best mate and meal ticket. Now think about where the out of favour rider came from? That's right, Spain. Is that a co-incidence? Could Bruyneel be getting a taste of his own medicine from Contadors compatriots?
Here's his speechless reaction in full:
“I am not only surprised, I am speechless. At first I thought it was a mistake so I called organizer Javier Guillén for some explanation. He told me that the other teams offered him better options on a sporting level. I had to ask him to repeat it as I could not believe this but I heard right: we didn’t offer a good enough team. I cannot accept or understand this decision. With Levi Leipheimer, Andreas Klöden, Chris Horner and Jani Brajkovic we had four potential Vuelta WINNERS on the roster we sent to Unipublic. Our 2010 Team goals were the Tour de France and the Tour of Spain. That’s why - together with the need to perform well in the Tour of California – we skipped the Tour of Italy this year. ”
"Up until now it has never been accepted that a Team Manager stands on a soap box to defend the rights of the teams and the riders. We always have to accept; we don’t have many rights. After what I heard today, I take it as a personal mission: from now on I will fight for the interests of the cycling teams. It will be more than just a goal. I will work for it as hard as I’ve worked for my own team. It is really urgent that action be taken now as this is the time that the organizers will listen to the opinions of the teams. I will do everything that I can to bring all big teams to one level. What happened today is only a detail.”
“In cycling there are three parties: UCI, organizers and teams/riders. Unlike in other professional sports, the teams and riders are the main actors who are never heard. I will fight for our rights and for other things that rightfully belong to us but we never get. There is an abuse of power. Some organizers take away the hunger of potential sponsors to invest in our sport. It is unjust that a new sponsor, coming into cycling with a lot of enthusiasm, is not rewarded for their financial input. For me it is hard to explain to my sponsor that 21 other teams are apparently better than us. Especially when it isn’t true. These actions are unfair to our sponsors as well as a blow to our fans. “
“It is high time for ‘professional’ cycling to become professional. The structure of our sport needs to change towards a model of other successful professional sports like soccer, tennis, Formula 1, etc. Today, this is happening to our team and sponsors, tomorrow it could be any other team. Even if some parties don’t like to see or hear this, I will do anything which is in my power to contribute to making this happen.”
What is he on about?
What model is he suggesting exactly? I always had the impression that F1 and Tennis are totally dominated by the governing bodies/organisers. Is it not an annual event that the F1 bodies (ie Ecclestone and Mosely) change the rules to restrict the cars in some way, followed by the bleating of the teams for a bit, followed by yet another boring, processional season of races where the best machine (not driver) wins. And is that not why the TV audiences are turning off in droves? Don't get me wrong, I'm not for a miinute suggesting all is well in the world of cycling but if Bruyneel is going to go on a rant he could at least be a bit more specific.
As far as it being unjust to his sponsor, again you have to ask, what is he on about? RadioShack are a US focussed company, with little or no European presence. The last I heard, the Vuelta is not a major feature on US TV, nor for that matter is the Tour when Lance isn't manufacturing some controversy. So how can it possibly be a blow to the marketing plans of RadioShack to miss the Vuelta? In contrast, Garmin, Sky, Katusha and Cervelo are all sponsors with a significant European presence. If RadioShack were to get in, one of them would have been excluded so how would that not have been "unjust" to an equally valuable sponsor?
Also, although everyone is denying it, is the long term good of the sport really served by pandering to a team and a manager with such a huge black cloud hanging over them, at the expense of other teams who, at least for now, appear to represent the clean, open, honest, unambiguous future we all want?
The best bit is where he says he will fight to defend the rights of his riders. Cast your mind back to July last year when a certain manager was very publicly trampling all over the "rights" of his best rider while favouring the "rights" of his not-quite-so-good best mate and meal ticket. Now think about where the out of favour rider came from? That's right, Spain. Is that a co-incidence? Could Bruyneel be getting a taste of his own medicine from Contadors compatriots?
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
Wicklow 200 (or 100 in my case)
This year I finally made it. No health issues, no family emergencies, nothing to stop me getting to Greystones at an unearthly hour on Sunday morning to do the Wicklow 100. There is something wrong with getting out of bed at 4:30 am just to ride a bike but at least it was already bright, reasonably warm and the sky was clear and breeze-less. It was also great to have a traffic free trip down. Half an hour from the heart of the northside to the Wicklow seaside must be some kind of record.
I got there before 6am and was changed and ready in the Rugby Club car park in a few minutes. A quick ride next door to the Shoreline leisure centre and sign-on was easy. There were several tables, allocated by event number, all with their own computer, printer and goody bags of various energy bars and gels. Then a short queue for the leisure centre toilet, a quick coffee and all was ready to go.
Outside a steady stream of riders of all shapes and sizes were gathering in colourful groups in the morning sun. I spotted several world champions (!), at least one Giro pink jersey, a tuxedo, a skeleton and an Irish champion as well as the usual array of local and overseas club, team and colourful jerseys.
Then Stephen showed up and we were ready for the off. There's no massed start so we saw a group heading off at about ten to seven and joined the back of it. The route headed up the surprisingly steep by-pass where we passed the first casualty of the day fixing his puncture. Then out on to the almost deserted N11 for the short ride through the Glen of the Downs to Kilmacanogue and the start of the main climb for the 100 route. A small group of people at the side of the road gave some welcome applause although I think both parties were a bit bemused by what the other was doing there at that hour of a Sunday morning.
A short way up the climb and Stephen took a right turn for his date with destiny on the 200 route while I kept left, following the road announced by the Marshall as being the way for "sensible people". Then the climb proper started and it's not called the Long Hill for nothing. Having said that I was very pleasantly surprised to find I was cruising up fairly easily, passing several riders and even able to say hello as I passed! It was a far cry from the wheezing struggle I had up it just over a year ago. It's amazing what a bit of training and losing two stone can do for you.
I did look down at my computer and had a double-take moment to realise I was cresting the top and it was still only just after seven am!
On to Calary Bog and two older gents came past me at a decent pace so I jumped on their wheels and settled in for a tow. As we moved towards Roundwood we picked up a few more riders including the undoubted star of the day. Imagine getting out of bed in Dublin city in the middle of the night, checking a DublinBike out of a street-side station and heading off to Greystones to ride a hilly 100km with your three gears and shopping basket. Well that's exactly what this guy did. So there he was, hunched over his sturdy handlebars, twiddling his limited gears and slipstreaming like a pro. I had to know how the hell he got up the climb on that. In his eastern European accent he did admit that it was "a bit hard". He matched the pace very impressively and held on until the descent to Annamoe where his lack of a big ring was a major handicap. As I passed him for the last time his legs were flying around like a propeller but he just couldn't match the pace.
Mind you he wasn't the only one. The group had dwindled a bit by now. On towards Laragh I was looking forward to getting an easy ride to the Rathdrum stop at least. But fate is a bugger. On a straight, smooth stretch I took a drink and only went and dropped my bottle. It was too early to be without it so I had no choice but to slow up and go back for it.
Down through the beautiful old forests of the Vale of Clara I had some pleasant chats with a guy from Wexford before arriving at the feed stop. It was still early and there were only a few riders there so it was no hassle to get a nice cup of coffee and my pick of a wide choice of sandwich. No queues, a seat and a choice of portaloo. Luxury!
About fifteen minutes after I arrived Mr DublinBike turned up still looking amazingly fresh. He was the centre of attention as the phones came out and everyone got a picture to prove it. Me included, so here it is:
I didn't hang around too long as there was still an early morning chill about. I headed off alone towards Avondale, hoping to either catch or be caught by a group on the road, a vain hope as it turned out. On to Avoca (or Ballykissangel for fans of the BBC TV show) where the route profile showed there was a small climb heading out of the town towards Redcross. Afterwards everyone agreed this was the worst hill on both routes. It was one of those climbs with a not too steep, but seemingly never ending, series of ramps, each of which looked like the last only to reveal another as you got to the top.
I got over it eventually, surprising myself as I passed a whole group of riders, while not exactly killing myself. Riding on alone, I made good progress over the last, mostly flat or rolling, 40 km and made the finish in Greystones well within the four hour time I'd been targetting, to a nice round of applause and a photographer on the line.
Again, it was still early in the day so the admin tables were relatively empty which made getting my cert, medal and more free energy bars easy. There was plenty of tea and biccies in the Civil Defence tent although I didn't have the free pasta.
Overall it was a very pleasant mornings ride. Nice weather, a not too taxing course, plenty of route markings and sufficient food, at least when I was there. If I had any disappointment it was the lack of company for long stretches of the route but I think I was just out too early to get the big groups. That and the slight guilt at not being all that tired at the end. I think I've no excuse not to bite the bullet and do the full 200 route next year.
Speaking of which, hats off to those who did complete the big one. We had lovely sunshine early in the day but by the time they got to the second half of their route the weather had turned very nasty. "Wet and cold" was how Stephen described it.
I got there before 6am and was changed and ready in the Rugby Club car park in a few minutes. A quick ride next door to the Shoreline leisure centre and sign-on was easy. There were several tables, allocated by event number, all with their own computer, printer and goody bags of various energy bars and gels. Then a short queue for the leisure centre toilet, a quick coffee and all was ready to go.
Outside a steady stream of riders of all shapes and sizes were gathering in colourful groups in the morning sun. I spotted several world champions (!), at least one Giro pink jersey, a tuxedo, a skeleton and an Irish champion as well as the usual array of local and overseas club, team and colourful jerseys.
Then Stephen showed up and we were ready for the off. There's no massed start so we saw a group heading off at about ten to seven and joined the back of it. The route headed up the surprisingly steep by-pass where we passed the first casualty of the day fixing his puncture. Then out on to the almost deserted N11 for the short ride through the Glen of the Downs to Kilmacanogue and the start of the main climb for the 100 route. A small group of people at the side of the road gave some welcome applause although I think both parties were a bit bemused by what the other was doing there at that hour of a Sunday morning.
A short way up the climb and Stephen took a right turn for his date with destiny on the 200 route while I kept left, following the road announced by the Marshall as being the way for "sensible people". Then the climb proper started and it's not called the Long Hill for nothing. Having said that I was very pleasantly surprised to find I was cruising up fairly easily, passing several riders and even able to say hello as I passed! It was a far cry from the wheezing struggle I had up it just over a year ago. It's amazing what a bit of training and losing two stone can do for you.
I did look down at my computer and had a double-take moment to realise I was cresting the top and it was still only just after seven am!
On to Calary Bog and two older gents came past me at a decent pace so I jumped on their wheels and settled in for a tow. As we moved towards Roundwood we picked up a few more riders including the undoubted star of the day. Imagine getting out of bed in Dublin city in the middle of the night, checking a DublinBike out of a street-side station and heading off to Greystones to ride a hilly 100km with your three gears and shopping basket. Well that's exactly what this guy did. So there he was, hunched over his sturdy handlebars, twiddling his limited gears and slipstreaming like a pro. I had to know how the hell he got up the climb on that. In his eastern European accent he did admit that it was "a bit hard". He matched the pace very impressively and held on until the descent to Annamoe where his lack of a big ring was a major handicap. As I passed him for the last time his legs were flying around like a propeller but he just couldn't match the pace.
Mind you he wasn't the only one. The group had dwindled a bit by now. On towards Laragh I was looking forward to getting an easy ride to the Rathdrum stop at least. But fate is a bugger. On a straight, smooth stretch I took a drink and only went and dropped my bottle. It was too early to be without it so I had no choice but to slow up and go back for it.
Down through the beautiful old forests of the Vale of Clara I had some pleasant chats with a guy from Wexford before arriving at the feed stop. It was still early and there were only a few riders there so it was no hassle to get a nice cup of coffee and my pick of a wide choice of sandwich. No queues, a seat and a choice of portaloo. Luxury!
About fifteen minutes after I arrived Mr DublinBike turned up still looking amazingly fresh. He was the centre of attention as the phones came out and everyone got a picture to prove it. Me included, so here it is:
I didn't hang around too long as there was still an early morning chill about. I headed off alone towards Avondale, hoping to either catch or be caught by a group on the road, a vain hope as it turned out. On to Avoca (or Ballykissangel for fans of the BBC TV show) where the route profile showed there was a small climb heading out of the town towards Redcross. Afterwards everyone agreed this was the worst hill on both routes. It was one of those climbs with a not too steep, but seemingly never ending, series of ramps, each of which looked like the last only to reveal another as you got to the top.
I got over it eventually, surprising myself as I passed a whole group of riders, while not exactly killing myself. Riding on alone, I made good progress over the last, mostly flat or rolling, 40 km and made the finish in Greystones well within the four hour time I'd been targetting, to a nice round of applause and a photographer on the line.
Again, it was still early in the day so the admin tables were relatively empty which made getting my cert, medal and more free energy bars easy. There was plenty of tea and biccies in the Civil Defence tent although I didn't have the free pasta.
Overall it was a very pleasant mornings ride. Nice weather, a not too taxing course, plenty of route markings and sufficient food, at least when I was there. If I had any disappointment it was the lack of company for long stretches of the route but I think I was just out too early to get the big groups. That and the slight guilt at not being all that tired at the end. I think I've no excuse not to bite the bullet and do the full 200 route next year.
Speaking of which, hats off to those who did complete the big one. We had lovely sunshine early in the day but by the time they got to the second half of their route the weather had turned very nasty. "Wet and cold" was how Stephen described it.
Wednesday, 9 June 2010
Jimmy Magee on Sean Kelly
This is a nice piece where RTE legend Jimmy Magee reminisces about THAT Time Trial from the '85 Nissan where Kelly blew the field away. Enjoy.
PS Don't mind the Milan-San Remo heading. That's a YouTube mistake.
PS Don't mind the Milan-San Remo heading. That's a YouTube mistake.
Thursday, 3 June 2010
Cancellaras Motorized Bike revealed
It looks like the rumours about Cancellaras "motorized doping" might be true after all. Look at this exclusive footage of his secret testing session.
Monday, 31 May 2010
Valverde - They can't even ban him properly!
Do you want the good news or the bad news?
Good news: Alejandro Valverde has finally been handed a worldwide ban to go alongside the ban he received in Italy last May. CAS upheld appeals by the UCI and WADA which essentially contended that the Spanish Cycling Federation should have instituted proceedings against him, instead of just the Italians, and that therefore his ban should be worldwide. As a result of this finding Valverde is suspended from all racing for two years dating from 1st Jan 2010. All of his results since then are annulled, all prize money is to be returned (don't hold your breath!) and the world rankings have been revised putting Cadel Evans in his rightful place at the top.
Bad News: Despite the fact that the Italian ban, which the UCI and WADA were trying to extend, was announced last May, all of Valverdes results between then and 1st Jan will stand. That leaves us with the farcical position that last years Vuelta was won by a banned rider! In other words CAS has said that the ban was justified but he was still racing and that's OK by them.
I suppose the best thing to taken from this is that even though the Italian ban was for two years from May he is now banned there until the end of 2011. Of course it's great news for Evans too and more especially for Slovakia's Simon Spilak (Lampre) who now becomes the winner of the Tour of Romandie.
The full list of his major results from 2010 to be annulled are:
1st, Tour Méditerranéen, now goes to Rinaldo Nocentini (Ita) AG2R-La Mondiale
2nd, Paris-Nice, now goes to his teammate Luis-Leon Sanchez (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
2nd, GP Miguel Indurain, now Michel Kreder (Ned) Garmin-Transitions
2th Overall, Vuelta al País Vasco, now Beñat Intxausti (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
1st Stage 1 Vuelta al País Vasco, now Christophe Le Mevel (Fra) Française Des Jeux
1st Stage 2 Vuelta al País Vasco, now Óscar Freire (Spa) Rabobank
1st Points Classification, now Samuel Sánchez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
8th, La Flèche Wallonne, now Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank
3rd Liège–Bastogne–Liège, now Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto
1st Overall Tour de Romandie, now Simon Spilak (Slo) Lampre-Farnese Vini
1st Stage 5 Tour de Romandie, now Igor Anton Hernandez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
Good news: Alejandro Valverde has finally been handed a worldwide ban to go alongside the ban he received in Italy last May. CAS upheld appeals by the UCI and WADA which essentially contended that the Spanish Cycling Federation should have instituted proceedings against him, instead of just the Italians, and that therefore his ban should be worldwide. As a result of this finding Valverde is suspended from all racing for two years dating from 1st Jan 2010. All of his results since then are annulled, all prize money is to be returned (don't hold your breath!) and the world rankings have been revised putting Cadel Evans in his rightful place at the top.
Bad News: Despite the fact that the Italian ban, which the UCI and WADA were trying to extend, was announced last May, all of Valverdes results between then and 1st Jan will stand. That leaves us with the farcical position that last years Vuelta was won by a banned rider! In other words CAS has said that the ban was justified but he was still racing and that's OK by them.
I suppose the best thing to taken from this is that even though the Italian ban was for two years from May he is now banned there until the end of 2011. Of course it's great news for Evans too and more especially for Slovakia's Simon Spilak (Lampre) who now becomes the winner of the Tour of Romandie.
The full list of his major results from 2010 to be annulled are:
1st, Tour Méditerranéen, now goes to Rinaldo Nocentini (Ita) AG2R-La Mondiale
2nd, Paris-Nice, now goes to his teammate Luis-Leon Sanchez (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
2nd, GP Miguel Indurain, now Michel Kreder (Ned) Garmin-Transitions
2th Overall, Vuelta al País Vasco, now Beñat Intxausti (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
1st Stage 1 Vuelta al País Vasco, now Christophe Le Mevel (Fra) Française Des Jeux
1st Stage 2 Vuelta al País Vasco, now Óscar Freire (Spa) Rabobank
1st Points Classification, now Samuel Sánchez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
8th, La Flèche Wallonne, now Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank
3rd Liège–Bastogne–Liège, now Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto
1st Overall Tour de Romandie, now Simon Spilak (Slo) Lampre-Farnese Vini
1st Stage 5 Tour de Romandie, now Igor Anton Hernandez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
David Hourigan - RIP
I was shocked to hear tonight of the passing of Limericks David Hourigan, winner of the 1992 Manx International. He was 38. His body was found in a hotel in Thailand. Reports suggest he may have been dead for a number of days before staff discovered his body. The circumstances of his death are being investigated.
David was a dominant rider in Ireland in the 80's and 90's. Apart from his Manx win he also represented Ireland many times, including in the Nissan Classic. His career was however marred by a positive test in the 1994 Rás for which he received a three month suspension.
I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to his family and friends. May he rest in peace.
David was a dominant rider in Ireland in the 80's and 90's. Apart from his Manx win he also represented Ireland many times, including in the Nissan Classic. His career was however marred by a positive test in the 1994 Rás for which he received a three month suspension.
I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to his family and friends. May he rest in peace.
Friday, 21 May 2010
Ringside video of Lance post crash in TOC
Great ringside seat video of the aftermath of Lance's crash in the Tour of California and the decision to abandon.
Kimmage and McQuaid on Newstalk re Landis
24 hours later and the Floyd Landis story has moved on somewhat with all kinds of unsubstantiated accusations flying in both directions.
Not unexpectedly Lance and Bruyneel have responded by essentially labelling Landis as crazy. Lance's statement accuses Landis of harassing him along with some bizarre comments about Landis living alone in the woods with no-one to talk to. Bruyneel accuses Landis of using the allegations to blackmail him and the organisers of the Tour Of California. Naturally neither will get into any specifics about the records of the past members of the US Postal team.
There is an interesting debate happening about the timelines in Landis's emails. Lance made comments that the timelines don't fit. The presumption in most articles I've read is that this refers to the section in the emails referring to events in 2002:
"2002: I was instructed on how to use Testosterone patches by Johan Bruyneel during the During the Dauphine Libere in June, after which I flew on a helicopter with Mr Armstrong from the finish, I believe Grenoble, to San Mauritz Switzerland at which point I was personally handed a box of 2.5 mg patches in front of his wife who witnessed the exchange. About a week later, Dr Ferrari performed an extraction of half a liter of blood to be transfused back into me during the Tour de France. Mr Armstrong was not witness to the extraction but he and I had lengthy discussions about it on our training rides during which time he also explained to me the evolution of EPO testing and how transfusions were now necessary due to the
inconvenience of the new test. He also divulged to me at that time that in the first year that the EPO test was used he had been told by Mr Ferrari, who had access to the new test, that he should not use EPO anymore but he did not believe Mr Farrari and continued to use it. He later, while winning the Tour de Swiss, the month before the Tour de France, tested positive for EPO at which point he and Mr Bruyneel flew to the UCI headquarters and made a financial agreement with Mr. Vrubrugen to keep the positive test hidden."
Much has been made of the fact that Lance didn't ride the Tour De Suisse in 2002, let alone win it. However, I don't think Landis actually claims that he did. What Landis says is that Lance told him about events "in the first year that the EPO test was used". The fact is that the UCI introduced urine testing for EPO in 2001, the year Lance did win in Switzerland. This, of course, doesn't mean Landis is telling the truth but it does remove one of the rebuttals Lance is using.
What is also interesting is that the UCI, via Pat McQuaid, is playing the man too. McQuaid appeared on an Irish radio show last night following an interview with Paul Kimmage. As you can imagine Kimmage was pretty no-holds-barred, but McQuaid seemed to be solely concerned with implying that Landis has an ulterior motive and so should not be heeded. He doesn't seem to think that the UCI should at least be checking out the story, preferring to leave that to others.
Now, I might be wrong here, but surely there is, at the very least, a learning opportunity for the UCI here. As was the case when Bernard Kohl started shooting his mouth off, there are lots of insights into the methods and mindsets of dopers being aired. The UCI should be making it clear that they take this seriously and want to glean every last shred of info possible in order to improve future anti-doping efforts. Rather than belittling the whistle blower, regardless of whether they think he's right or not at this stage, they should be reacting in a manner that encourages riders to come clean. Or maybe they know it all already, in which case you would have to wonder why they're not ahead of the game more.
McQuaid also, again, pointed to Lances "clean" record as a factor limiting his ability to do anything. But one of the central planks of the Landis mails, and Kohls statements too, is that he was getting away with it for years. If that is the case then the UCI should be immediately taking steps to review the records of the riders mentioned, retesting samples from previous races if necessary. They may not be able to prove anything to the point of legal certainty but, as we saw in Michelle Smiths case, a stars bubble can be burst in many ways. Or, conversely, it would give Lance the data he needs to put the accusations to bed.
The interviews with Kimmage and McQuaid can be heard here
Not unexpectedly Lance and Bruyneel have responded by essentially labelling Landis as crazy. Lance's statement accuses Landis of harassing him along with some bizarre comments about Landis living alone in the woods with no-one to talk to. Bruyneel accuses Landis of using the allegations to blackmail him and the organisers of the Tour Of California. Naturally neither will get into any specifics about the records of the past members of the US Postal team.
There is an interesting debate happening about the timelines in Landis's emails. Lance made comments that the timelines don't fit. The presumption in most articles I've read is that this refers to the section in the emails referring to events in 2002:
"2002: I was instructed on how to use Testosterone patches by Johan Bruyneel during the During the Dauphine Libere in June, after which I flew on a helicopter with Mr Armstrong from the finish, I believe Grenoble, to San Mauritz Switzerland at which point I was personally handed a box of 2.5 mg patches in front of his wife who witnessed the exchange. About a week later, Dr Ferrari performed an extraction of half a liter of blood to be transfused back into me during the Tour de France. Mr Armstrong was not witness to the extraction but he and I had lengthy discussions about it on our training rides during which time he also explained to me the evolution of EPO testing and how transfusions were now necessary due to the
inconvenience of the new test. He also divulged to me at that time that in the first year that the EPO test was used he had been told by Mr Ferrari, who had access to the new test, that he should not use EPO anymore but he did not believe Mr Farrari and continued to use it. He later, while winning the Tour de Swiss, the month before the Tour de France, tested positive for EPO at which point he and Mr Bruyneel flew to the UCI headquarters and made a financial agreement with Mr. Vrubrugen to keep the positive test hidden."
Much has been made of the fact that Lance didn't ride the Tour De Suisse in 2002, let alone win it. However, I don't think Landis actually claims that he did. What Landis says is that Lance told him about events "in the first year that the EPO test was used". The fact is that the UCI introduced urine testing for EPO in 2001, the year Lance did win in Switzerland. This, of course, doesn't mean Landis is telling the truth but it does remove one of the rebuttals Lance is using.
What is also interesting is that the UCI, via Pat McQuaid, is playing the man too. McQuaid appeared on an Irish radio show last night following an interview with Paul Kimmage. As you can imagine Kimmage was pretty no-holds-barred, but McQuaid seemed to be solely concerned with implying that Landis has an ulterior motive and so should not be heeded. He doesn't seem to think that the UCI should at least be checking out the story, preferring to leave that to others.
Now, I might be wrong here, but surely there is, at the very least, a learning opportunity for the UCI here. As was the case when Bernard Kohl started shooting his mouth off, there are lots of insights into the methods and mindsets of dopers being aired. The UCI should be making it clear that they take this seriously and want to glean every last shred of info possible in order to improve future anti-doping efforts. Rather than belittling the whistle blower, regardless of whether they think he's right or not at this stage, they should be reacting in a manner that encourages riders to come clean. Or maybe they know it all already, in which case you would have to wonder why they're not ahead of the game more.
McQuaid also, again, pointed to Lances "clean" record as a factor limiting his ability to do anything. But one of the central planks of the Landis mails, and Kohls statements too, is that he was getting away with it for years. If that is the case then the UCI should be immediately taking steps to review the records of the riders mentioned, retesting samples from previous races if necessary. They may not be able to prove anything to the point of legal certainty but, as we saw in Michelle Smiths case, a stars bubble can be burst in many ways. Or, conversely, it would give Lance the data he needs to put the accusations to bed.
The interviews with Kimmage and McQuaid can be heard here
Thursday, 20 May 2010
UCI responds to Landis allegations -updated
In a classic wagon circling response Pat McQuaid is quoted on the BBC website saying:
"What's his agenda? The guy is seeking revenge. It's sad, it's sad for cycling. It's obvious he does hold a grudge. He already made those accusations in the past. I have to question the guy's credibility. There is no proof of what he says. We are speaking about a guy who has been condemned for doping before a court."
So there you have it. Play the man, not the ball and on with the show.
Update:
The UCI have a press release up now saying that they'll leave it to the individuals concerned to take the "positions they see fit". Nothing to do with them then!
See it here
"What's his agenda? The guy is seeking revenge. It's sad, it's sad for cycling. It's obvious he does hold a grudge. He already made those accusations in the past. I have to question the guy's credibility. There is no proof of what he says. We are speaking about a guy who has been condemned for doping before a court."
So there you have it. Play the man, not the ball and on with the show.
Update:
The UCI have a press release up now saying that they'll leave it to the individuals concerned to take the "positions they see fit". Nothing to do with them then!
See it here
Landis opens a can of worms
In an extraordinary about face Floyd Landis has given an interview to the US press admitting to doping and claiming to have written emails to various people/bodies blowing the whistle on several high profile riders, managers and officials and their allegedly dodgy practices. He's also raised big questions about doping procedures and enforcement.
This is going to be a hell of a sh*t storm! He has tried to open so many cans of worms it's not funny. Needless to say Twitter is alive with this!
Among other things he claims:
- he did dope in 2006, but not with what he was caught for!
- US Postal, including Lance, Hincapie, Vaughters and Bruyneel (among others) were up to their necks in it including blood doping, testosterone patches and other methods
- the UCI and Armstrong colluded in covering up a positive test for money
- Phonak not only turned a blind eye but actually paid for his "treatments"
Of course Landis could be said to be a less than reliable witness with more than enough motives for bitterness and revenge but it remains to be seen what evidence he will be able to produce. This brings previously forgotten incidents back to the fore (the famous Vaughters/Andreu IM messages for example). It also focusses a much needed spotlight back on what was going on at US Postal. It can't be a co-incidence that so many of Lances lieutenants from back then have since been caught or admitted doping of one form or another.
It's early days yet and we need to see how this story develops over the next while but there must be some very uncomfortable people in Aigle, Italy and California today!
Will there be a Lance/Bruyneel backlash or will they keep quiet on it? Will Vaughters live up to his avowed Garmin philosophy and come clean on what he knows? Will Cadel get caught up in it via the Lelangue connection to BMC?
To my mind the inevitable witchhunt for offenders shouldn't obscure the need to look at the systemic issues he raises. I've already posted here about my concerns re the Vania Rossi case. Is it time the UCI/WADA were put under scrutiny too?
The story is here and here
Some of Floyds email is here
This is going to be a hell of a sh*t storm! He has tried to open so many cans of worms it's not funny. Needless to say Twitter is alive with this!
Among other things he claims:
- he did dope in 2006, but not with what he was caught for!
- US Postal, including Lance, Hincapie, Vaughters and Bruyneel (among others) were up to their necks in it including blood doping, testosterone patches and other methods
- the UCI and Armstrong colluded in covering up a positive test for money
- Phonak not only turned a blind eye but actually paid for his "treatments"
Of course Landis could be said to be a less than reliable witness with more than enough motives for bitterness and revenge but it remains to be seen what evidence he will be able to produce. This brings previously forgotten incidents back to the fore (the famous Vaughters/Andreu IM messages for example). It also focusses a much needed spotlight back on what was going on at US Postal. It can't be a co-incidence that so many of Lances lieutenants from back then have since been caught or admitted doping of one form or another.
It's early days yet and we need to see how this story develops over the next while but there must be some very uncomfortable people in Aigle, Italy and California today!
Will there be a Lance/Bruyneel backlash or will they keep quiet on it? Will Vaughters live up to his avowed Garmin philosophy and come clean on what he knows? Will Cadel get caught up in it via the Lelangue connection to BMC?
To my mind the inevitable witchhunt for offenders shouldn't obscure the need to look at the systemic issues he raises. I've already posted here about my concerns re the Vania Rossi case. Is it time the UCI/WADA were put under scrutiny too?
The story is here and here
Some of Floyds email is here
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
The most dangerous ride in the world
The road in question is the "highway" between La Paz and Coroico in Bolivia. Built by POWs in the 30's it earned it's "Most Dangerous Road in the World" tag due to the average of 200 - 300 deaths per year (yes I did say per year!), mainly due to trucks and buses falling from it's narrow ledges over sheer cliffs. In places the road is little more than a ledge on a cliffside with barely room for one vehicle to pass, let alone two coming in opposite directions. Add to that the blind corners, waterfalls cascading down on to the road and the long unsurfaced stretches and you start to see the point. You may have seen Jeremy Clarkson trying to pass another SUV on it in a hair-raising clip from Top Gear last year. If not you should!
In 1998, New Zealander Alistair Matthew mountain biked down the road describing the adventure as "spectacular". He finished with a "big grin and claw hands from holding the brakes" after the near 12,000 foot vertical drop over 40 miles. From that he founded a company, Gravity, dedicated to guiding thrill-seekers in pursuit of "bragging rights" down the road.
While he is proud of the fact of his record, there are now a raft of similar operations who's emphasis on safety isn't quite as obvious. As a result , as well as the one client Gravity has lost, a further 17 riders have died in the 12 years of mountain biking rides down the road.
I can't really do justice to the experience so I'd recommend you have a look at this video from ABC in the US to get a better picture.
BTW Here's the BBC link.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8683075.stm
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