Worlds 2009 – Trouble in Belgium?

by Whit

There’s trouble brewing in Belgium–and no, I’m not talking about a new batch of Chimay.National coach Carlo Bomans has named the following 8 riders to the Belgian National Team for the road race next weekend in Mendrisio:Phillipe GilbertTom BoonenFrancis De GreefKevin De WeertMaxime MonfortNick NuyensGreg Van AvermaetMaarten WynantsAt first glance, doesn’t this list appear to be lacking one key rider?If you said Stijn Devolder, I think you’re right–and so does Stijn. Devolder–currently riding the Vuelta in preparation–thought he was a “certain pick” for his country’s team. He’s on the list of 5 riders in contention for the 9th and final spot;...Continue Reading

Monday Musette – Vuelta, Waiting for Cadel, Worlds, etc…

by Whit

Here’s our thoughts for Monday:1. As we predicted, this weekend’s stages at the Vuelta have separated the men from the boys–or have they? As it stands after today’s Stage 15 we have 6 riders within 1:54 of one another. Of those, Valverde, Sanchez, Evans, and Basso seem the most lilely to take the overall win thanks to their superior time trialing abilities. For my money, look for Evans to unleash some serious revenge on the others for not waiting for him to have his wheel changed following a flat tire in Saturday’s stage, thus costing him a minute on GC....Continue Reading

Weekend Preview – Vuelta, Semi-Classics, Britain, and Univest

by Whit

A jam-packed weekend of racing awaits–here’s a preview:The Vuelta’s three “hellish days” began today with the first of three consecutive summit finishes. Congrats to Ryder Hesjedal for winning Garmin it’s second straight stage–and the first for a Canadian. (Does anyone else think the organizers goofed by having a KOM less than 100 meters from the finish line?) The climbing continues Saturday with another summit finish, this time atop the infamous Sierra Nevada. Sunday offers more pain, with one of many super-steep climbs the Vuelta organizers seem to have a knack for finding: the Sierra de la Pandera. By Monday, we...Continue Reading

Vuelta d’Espana Midpoint Report

by Whit

Well, the Vuelta has about reached it’s midpoint, providing us with a good chance to look back over our pre-race predictions. If you recall, we divided this year’s participants into 4 groups according to what their attitudes and goals might be heading into this year’s final Grand Tour. We labeled them Redeemers, Builders, Asserters, and Seekers depending upon whether they are: a)redeeming themselves for an unfulfilling season; b) building form for later in the fall; c) asserting themselves as a legitimate contender in their given area; or d) seeking a new or better contract for next year.As per usual, we’ve...Continue Reading

Monday Musette – Univest, Vuelta, and More

by Whit

Here’s what’s on our minds this Labor Day:1. This coming weekend, the new and improved Univest Grand Prix returns to Southeastern Pennsylvania. The Saturday road race and Sunday criterium are joined this year by a Friday TTT in Allentown. The final start list is still to be confirmed, but it’s already being rumored that Taylor Phinney will use the race to make his return to competition following a bad fall in the Cascade Classic.But that’s not the whole story. Along with Saturday’s road race, John Eustice and his crew offer a terrific cyclosportif event for the rest of us to test our legs...Continue Reading