No Renaissance for France?

by Whit

I’m not too proud to admit that I happen to be wrong from time to time. Case in point: during last season’s Tour de France, I did my best to fly the flag for the home team, proclaiming that the 2010 Grand Tour might be the dawn of a renaissance in French cycling. To me, Brice Feillu’s heroic stage win, AG2R’s days in yellow, and Christophe Le Mevel’s top-10 finish, all were signs that the times may be a-changin’ in a nation long-starved for big-time success. But following yet another lukewarm off-season for the French, I’m starting to second-guess myself....Continue Reading

Wednesday Cross Report and Power Ranking

by Whit

The 2009-2010 cyclocross season is winding down, but there’s still one major event on the itinerary: the World Championships this weekend in Tabor, Czech Republic.  Erik’s back again this week with his Weekly Report and Power Ranking.  For more–including Erik’s in-depth World Championship Preview, visit his website, The Run-up.  As always, leave your comments for Erik below.Just when I had written-off Niels Albert’s chances for a Worlds repeat, he comes storming through to surprise everyone, winning the final round of the World Cup in Hoogerheide, Netherlands. Needless to say, it was a bittersweet weekend for Albert, because Zdenek Stybar did...Continue Reading

Monday Musette – Caisse Says Goodbye, Chemistry, Monkeys in Heat

by Whit

1. Some bad news broke last week when Caisse d’Epargne announced it would no longer sponsor a professional cycling team following the 2010 season.  Saxo Bank, Milram, Caisse d’Epargne—that’s 3 Pro Tour title sponsors.  I said it once and I’ll say it again: this is not good.  I know that we keep seeing new sponsors enter the sport, but when programs of such stature lose them, there are bound to unexpected side effects.  In this case, here’s one: I still think the reason Alberto Contador was willing to ride another year for Astana was because he knew he would have a...Continue Reading

Weekly Cross Report and Power Ranking

by Whit

Erik’s report is a bit late this week–he was in Roubaix doing some advance scouting for his Worlds predictions. He’s back now though, and has provided his weekly dose of commentary. For more, check-out his site, The Run-up.With a bevy of freshly-crowned National Champions, the cyclocross world returned to a bit of normalcy this past weekend with the penultimate round of the World Cup in Roubaix. The course, which finishes on the famed Roubaix Velodrome, has become famous for its harrowing descents and horrific conditions. Sure enough, the sloppy mud and technical nature of the course led to a natural...Continue Reading

Monday Musette – Pavé News, Cyclocross, Service Courses, and UCI Record-Keeping

by Whit

I’ll begin with some big news for Pavé. I’m pleased to announce that ace international cycling photographers Stefano Sirotti and Tim Van Wichelen will be providing images from the 2010 cycling season. Stefano’s contributions will begin shortly as he’s currently covering the Tour Down Under. Tim’s first major date is cyclocross Worlds in 2 weeks—but who knows what goodies he might offer between now and then. All in all, I’m hoping this is just the start of what we’re hoping will be a big year here at Pavé. As always, thanks for your continued reading and commenting—you’re the inspiration for all we...Continue Reading