2010 Team-By-Team Season Review: #9

What We Said:

Poor Lampre.  Not only did they lose one of their best riders this past off-season—former World Champion and Tour of Flanders winner Alessandro Ballan—but they also almost didn’t even make it to the Pro Tour without the help of some last-minute legal wrangling.  Ballan’s departure takes away a contender for the cobbled classics and a stage winner in Grand Tours.  Alessandro Petacchi and Danilo Hondo—quite possibly the oldest and most suspicious lead-out train ever assembled—add some sprint speed, giving Lampre its first legitimate sprinter since Jan Svorada.

But let’s face it, this is a team built around Damiano Cunego,...Continue Reading

2010 Team-By-Team Season Review: #10

What We Said:

With perhaps one or two exceptions, Euskaltel’s going to live and die on the back of Samuel Sanchez in 2010.  A force to be reckoned with in just about any hilly race, Sanchez is more known for the races he’s just missed winning (too many to list) than those in which he’s actually taken a victory (the Olympics).  Big wins just don’t seem to come easily for the daredevil Spaniard.

Looking over the rest of Euskaltel’s roster, Sanchez can take heart in knowing he’ll have no competition for the leadership of his team.  Look for him to begin making...Continue Reading

US Cyclocross Nationals – Day 3 & 4 Predictions

Day two of nationals was a day for the juniors and masters riders. By days end, ten National Titles were awarded. After a decent start yesterday (7-13), day two completely destroyed my record. Only threeof my choices won their respective races making me 3-10 on the day and 10-23 overall. The worst part, three of my predicted winners finished second, so I wasn’t too far off, but it hurts none the less. Hopefully this weekend will yield better results.

Speaking of this weekend, Saturday and Sunday may feature some of the best national championship races. In addition to the Elite Men’s...Continue Reading

US Cyclocross Nationals – Day 2 Predictions

The first day of racing at US Cross Nationals featured thirteen different national title races. The bulk of the racing was Masters Men and Women. There were five national titles awarded for the Master Men and six for the Women. In addition, the first ever Single-Speed National Championships were awarded.

Masters are usually a bit easier to predict, especially in the more experienced age groups. I went seven for eleven in the Masters races. A mathematical error had me give Flo Leibowitz the win in the 55-59 category, when in fact, she was over the age of 60. My worst prediction...Continue Reading

2010 Team-By-Team Season Review: #13

What We Said:

While some might hate to admit it, the presence of one rider can often elevate a team’s status.  As a matter of fact, we’ll see that twice in today’s portion of ranking, beginning here with Alejandro Valverde and Caisse d’Epargne.

Love him or hate him, Valverde is one heck of talented rider, and has to be considered a favorite in just about every race he enters—excluding the Tour, of course. Valverde’s already started-off 2010 on a victorious note, taking the overall title in the Med Tour.  His next big objectives are Paris-Nice, Catalunya, and Pais Vasco before hitting the...Continue Reading