Discuss: Is Cancellara Still the World’s Best?

After losing individual time trials to Tony Martin at the Tour de France, Vuelta a Espana, and now, the World Championships, is  Fabian Cancellara no longer the world’s best against the clock? Has the mantle been passed?

Discuss.

The Sticky Bidon – July 5, 2011

Interesting cycling items from across the Internet, July 5, 2011

• Cancellara, "Gilbert is not god"
• Tour de France Tech: Wet weather preparations
• Tour Pro Bike: Cadel Evans’ stage-winning BMC teammachine SLR01

Seen any cool links we missed? Share ‘em in the comments below!

2011 Classics Awards, Part 2

With the Giro d’Italia underway, our biggest party of the year, the Spring Classics, is over. We thought it would be fitting that in lieu of bestowing Rider of the Month (which we have probably already made quite clear) and Team of the Month, as we are accustomed to publishing, we could commemorate such a spectacular set of races with a series of awards. We published Part 1 last week. Here are the remaining picks for Pavé’s Classics Awards:

Best Unsung Hero

The Classics are a time for the stars to shine, but nowhere is there greater evidence of the need for...Continue Reading

Philippe Gilbert – Cancellara Part Deux?

While watching the video of Philippe Gilbert methodically dispatching of Bjorn Leukemans to win Wednesday’s Brabantse Pijl, a thought occurred to me: is Gilbert about to become the Ardennes equivalent of Fabian Cancellara?

In other words, has the Belgian displayed such superior form that it will be impossible for him to avoid the stalemate-inducing, check-down tactics (at least among the favorites) that effectively prevented Cancellara from winning Flanders and Roubaix?

Consider the evidence, with a win in the E3 Prijs that left little room for doubting his fitness, Fabian Cancellara cemented himself at the top of every other team’s hit list. He would...Continue Reading

Monday Musette – Paris Roubaix Wrap-Up

On Saturday night, I couldn’t wait for bedtime, so that I could wake up and watch Paris-Roubaix. I wasn’t too pleased with my alarm when it chirped at me just after 6AM (on a weekend!), but once I settled into this year’s Hell of the North then all was forgiven – for much like during this year’s Milan-San Remo, I’ll happily and boldly contend that we were treated to one of the best editions of Paris-Roubaix in several years. If you disagree, take us on in the comments section below, and as always, please ad your thoughts to our long list...Continue Reading