Another Look at Worlds Qualification

by Whit

Thank heavens for astute (and polite) readers!As someone commented after Wednesday’s post, I seem to have overlooked something in my discussion of the UCI’s procedure for determining the number of starters for each nation in the Worlds road race. In a nutshell, the UCI World/Pro Tour ranking is only used to determine the first 10 qualifying nations for Worlds (I got that wrong by saying it was used for more than 10 nations). After the first 10 on the World ranking, the various Continental rankings (which can be quite different) are used to determine the rest of the field. In most...Continue Reading

Is Worlds a Sham?

by Whit

In this week’s Monday Musette I mentioned my shock over the fact that traditional cycling nations such as France and the Netherlands will have their numbers reduced in this year’s World Championship road race due to the fact that both nations will—as of August 15th—be outside of the Top-10 in the UCI’s World Rankings. Now, while I have indeed calmed down a bit, I still find the selection procedure less than perfect.You can read the entire selection criteria here. In a nutshell, Worlds participation is based upon the UCI Nations Ranking. The Nations Ranking is calculated by adding-up the points earned...Continue Reading

Monday Musette – Danielson, Worlds, and Reading

by Whit

Here’s a round-up of some of the most important news from the past few days:1. In case you were wondering about that high-pitched squeal echoing through the atmosphere on Saturday afternoon, it was Jonathan Vaughters getting positively giddy about Tom Danielson winning a bike race. (I wonder if JV dropped his designer specs.) Anyway, it could prove to be a case of too little, too late. At some point, Vaughters needs to send a message to some of his riders that riding clean and looking good in orange and blue argyle isn’t enough anymore. Letting Danielson go might remind the...Continue Reading

An Equipment Appetizer – Wheels and Tires

by Whit

We have yet to spend a significant amount of time at Pavé discussing equipment. Over the next several weeks though, one of the new projects we’ll be unveiling will give everyone reason to get excited about some new (and old) products for the roads we all love to ride. For now, I thought we would whet your appetites with a series photos courtesy of JeremyDunn and his trip to see the Classics last spring. While I’m sure you’ve all seen Jeremy’s (including his terrific videos), for me the most poignant might have been those photos of the unsung heroes of...Continue Reading

Embrocation’s New Website

by Whit

Our friends over at Embrocation have just launched their new and improved website featuring expanded content and columns from folks like yours truly. Be sure to add this link to wherever you add them. And you can read my first submission here.That said, I’d love to hear your submission suggestions. What would you like to read? Stories from my days in Europe? Expanded racing coverage? Opinions and editorials? The good folks at Embro have given me a blank canvas. Share your suggestions below or in an email… ...Continue Reading