2011 Tour of Lombardy – Preview

Unlike last week’s Paris-Tours, the Giro di Lombardia relishes in continually re-branding itself and challenging its participants (and bloggers) with route changes. Other than its current position on the race calendar—hence its nickname “the Race of the Falling Leaves”—and its usual ride around Lake Como, Lombardy is a classic with no predetermined starting or finishing point.

With a challenging parcours including the traditional climb to the Madonna del Ghisallo and the short but tough San Fermo della Battaglia, riders hoping to win the season’s final Monument need to bring their climbing legs. Calm riding and a strong tactical nous play a role...Continue Reading

Paris-Tours Preview

Started in 1896 as central France’s answer to Paris-Roubaix, the race followed a fairly flat course to Tours and quickly became known as the “Sprinters Classic”. In an effort to make it more interesting, derailleurs were banned for two years (1965 and 1966) and riders were only allowed two gears. Still, not content with what was thought to be a predictable finish, the organizers reversed the route in 1974, starting from the Tours area to somewhere in the vicinity of Paris. In 1988 the organizers decided to again reverse the route to start in Paris and end in Tours. 

For a race...Continue Reading

The Sticky Bidon – September 23, 2011

Interesting cycling items from across the Internet, September 23, 2011

• Gilbert: "I have to ride smart and focused"
• Patrick Lefevere: “I hope Chavanel wins and Gilbert dies on his wheel”
• 2011 UCI World Road Championships, Junior women and U23 men’s road race photos by Casey B. Gibson

Weekend Preview – Elite Men’s World Road Race Championship

This year’s World Championship is expected to be one for the sprinters. A flat course in Copenhagen practically guarantees it. But after many of the sport’s top sprinters have suffered through injury-plagued seasons, is anyone left standing to take advantage of the course? And given that many of the more veteran sprinters seem to be performing below form, could a youngster win outright?

Here’s our take:

Team Italy

Team Italy has enjoyed a decent run of success at Worlds in the last decade. After years of fractional rivalry, late coach Franco Ballerini – himself twice winner of Paris-Roubaix – united the team to...Continue Reading

Discuss: Can Gilbert Win Worlds?

As leader of the 9-rider Belgian National Team, can Philippe Gilbert overcome a sprinter’s parcours to win Sunday’s World Championship Road Race?

Discuss.