Author Archives: Whit

About Whit

My experiences might easily fit many cycling fans' definitions of “living the dream.” Since getting hooked on the sport watching Lance Armstrong win the 1993 U.S. Pro Championship, I've raced as an amateur on Belgian cobbles, traveled Europe to help build a European pro team, and piloted that team from Malaysia to Mont Ventoux. As a former assistant director sportif with Mercury-Viatel, I've also seen the less dreamy side of the sport – the side rife with broken contracts, infighting, and positive dope tests. These days, I live with my lovely wife in Pennsylvania and share my experiences and views on the sport at Bicycling Magazine, the Embrocation Cycling Journal, and at my own site, Pavé.

New Tires for Garmin-Cervélo?

While perusing Team Garmin-Cervelo’s Flickr photostream the other day, I noticed something interesting. First of all, even though Garmin’s sponsored by Mavic for wheels and tires, the squad still appears to be using several sets of Vittoria tubulars for the classics. That’s not a big deal as teams often have clauses in their sponsor agreement … Continue reading

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Zdenek Stybar: A Misstep for Quick-Step?

Here’s this morning’s Press Release from Quick-Step, officially welcoming new-signee Zdenek Stybar: As of today, Zdenek Stybar is a rider for the Quick-Step Cycling Team. The strong Czech rider is the reigning world champion in cycle cross, and he posed exclusively for the team in his new jersey, under the studious eye of team photographer … Continue reading

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Monday Musette – The Rest of the Weekend

While I admit that we didn’t spend much time covering them, there were other races this weekend besides the Belgian Opening Weekend.  Here’s a quick run-down of what you might have missed: 1. Lampre’s Michele Scarponi took the final stage and Liquigas’ Peter Sagan the overall title of the Giro di Sardegna Saturday after a … Continue reading

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2011 Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne – What I Think I Think

We covered Saturday’s Omloop Het Nieuwsblad earlier. As for yesterday’s Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, I think we were treated to more of the race we expected to see. 1. Australia’s Chris Sutton took the biggest win of his career, in my opinion. Yes, he won a stage in the Tour Down Under, but a semi-classic against the likes … Continue reading

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2011 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad – What I Think I Think

Well, its Monday and I’m still not sure what I think about Saturday’s Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. But here’s what I think I think: 1. First, let’s address the obvious: Rabobank’s Sebastian Langeveld rode an incredibly aggressive and gutsy race to take the biggest victory of his career. At 26, the best is yet to come … Continue reading

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Omloop Het Nieuwsblad/Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne Preview – Two Races, Two Riders, One Goal

Taken together, the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne offer a first chance to see who will be the major players at April’s cobbled Monuments. Saturday’s Omloop—with nine climbs and nine sections of pavé over its 204.4 kilometer trek through Flanders—offers a scaled-down Tour of Flanders, where riders hoping to win April’s Ronde get a chance … Continue reading

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