2011 Vuelta a Espana – On the Hot Seat

Garmin-Cervélo: Huh? Given how successful their season has been, how can Garmin-Cervélo possibly be on the hot seat? For one thing, their high-profile omission of reigning world champ Thor Hushovd has generated murmurs all across the cycling world. Given that he is moving to BMC next season, and the team prefers to deploy riders whose points are staying with them for next season – this makes sense from G-C’s perspective. Further in G-C’s defense, manager Jonathan Vaughters has cited the need to give other riders room to perform, namely Dan Martin and Johan Van Summeren. However, though the Vuelta may not matter much to...Continue Reading

2011 Tour de France – Stage 20 Preview

For a preview of tomorrow’s time trial, head here to read my latest piece for Bicycling.com. For obvious reasons, I can’t reproduce the text here, but I think you’ll find it informative nonetheless. (And yes, I know I overlooked Tony Martin–it’s been a long Tour…)

And don’t forget to join me tomorrow at 8:30EST in the Live Blog over at Bicycling.com for what’s certain to be an exciting stage!

Thanks for reading–feel free to share your comments below.

2011 Tour de France Preview – Luxembourg

The annals of cycling have been largely devoid of the citizens of Luxembourg. Until recently overshadowed by the neighbors in Belgium, France, Germany and Switzerland, they became known in the modern era cycling first through the accomplishments of the now retired Kim Kirchen, and more recently through the achievements of two of the top riders of the current generation: Andy and Fränk Schleck of Leopard-Trek. A talented pair, the brothers Schleck have put up what little fight there has been against Alberto Contador in the last two editions of the Tour.

Nary a bad word is spoken in the cycling press...Continue Reading

2011 Tour de France Preview: Switzerland and Austria

Switzerland and Austria brings a small contingent to this year’s Tour de France, but representatives from each are quite likely to fly his nation’s flag admirably.

For starters, BMC brings two Swiss time trialists, Michael Schar and Steve Morabito. They’re part of BMC’s roleur-heavy roster whose job it will be to help Cadel Evans gain time in the Team Time Trial and keep him safe throughout the flat and rolling parts of this year’s parcours. The first week in particular will be important – a top-class stage racer needs top-class teammates to protect him from trouble, stay near the front, and...Continue Reading

2011 Tour de France Preview – Czech Republic, Slovenia, Slovakia

Although a Czech has never won the Tour, their chances keep improving every season with the slow but steady rise of Roman Kreuziger. He already has two 9th place finishes in each of the last two editions and yet is still young enough to compete for the under 25 maillot blanc. It is even more impressive to consider that in both of those races Kreuziger rode in support of more established contenders on the stacked Liquigas squad.

Now racing for Astana his role will be to support team leader Alexander Vinokourov as an alpine super domestique. If Vino should falter...Continue Reading