Monday Musette – Moreno, Meeusen, Marianne, Medals, and a Miscarriage of Justice.

1. Was there something contagious in the  Italian water this past week? Moreno Argentin followed Mario Cipollini’s comments about the de-machoing of cycling with his own, saying “A lot of people aren’t hungry for success,” and accusing both Alberto Contador and the UCI of being spineless and soft. He also said that both Contador and Andy Schleck are basically boring: “Made in a laboratory for one race. They haven’t got any originality.” Has he got a point?

2. A few weeks ago, Musette mentioned Sven Nys’s broken pedal, which either snapped or unthreaded as he was about to wind up a...Continue Reading

Monday Musette – The UCI’s List of Approved Mechanical Enhancements

We’re still letting the mud settle from this past weekend’s US National Cyclocross Championships.  But in the meantime, here’s this week’s Monday Musette.

1. By far the weekend’s biggest non-CX news was the announcement that Pegasus Sports has lost its main backer, prompting immediate reports of the team’s demise.  Team manager Chris White has apparently denied rumors that the team is folding, but it’s safe to say that things don’t look good.  (I wonder how long before we hear word of the first former-Pegasus rider to have signed a contract elsewhere.)

2. The Pegasus news comes close on the heels of ominous...Continue Reading

Monday Musette – On Judgement

Here’s today’s Monday Musette

1. If you don’t already read The Inner Ring, you need to start.  Matt published a fine run-down of the Team Lux situation—it’s definitely worth your time.

2. And speaking of dubious new teams, check-out today’s What’s New from Competitive Cyclist.  There’s also the added bonus of a video from the 1996 finale to Milan-San Remo.

3. So it appears as if Mark Cavendish has his eyes set on next year’s World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark.  According to the Manxman, the course looks harder than advertised.  Any doubts that Thor Hushovd will be looking for a repeat victory in front...Continue Reading

Monday Musette – Emilia, Tours, Equipment, & A Question or Two

Here’s the week’s Musette:

1. On Saturday Rabobank’s Robert Gesink successfully defended his title at the Giro dell Emilia, breaking free from a lead group of 14 on the uphill finish to take the win from Garmin’s Dan Martin.  Unfortunately for Gesink, the win was likely his last of the season.  He’ll miss Saturday’s Tour of Lombardy to be at the side of his father, who is in bad shape following an accident while mountain biking.

2. For Martin, Saturday was yet another impressive result in what has become somewhat of a breakout season for the young Irishman.  Next year he’ll certainly...Continue Reading

Monday Musette – Weekend Wrap-Up, Sprinting, and VDB2

Pavé’s back after two weeks of business trips and family vacations—the price I had to pay for blocking-out 3 weeks of July.  To get back in the swing of things, here’s the first summer installment of the Monday Musette.  Enjoy!

1. So I was a bit off with my prediction for the Tour of Poland—Stijn Devolder came nowhere close to taking the win.  But Sylvester Szmyd, Grega Bole, Alessandro Ballan, and Andre Greipel all performed as expected.  Peter Sagan’s abandon due to “gastric problems” was a disappointment—hopefully the wunderkind can get his s*** together in time for this weekend’s German Pro...Continue Reading