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.

Monday Musette – Tour Routes, Challenges, & Mimicry?

Posted on October 25, 2010 by

1. The routes for the 2011 Tour de France and Giro d’Italia have been announced amid much fanfare. Jeremy will be providing some in-depth coverage later in the week, but for now I’ll leave you with this.  What’s not to get excited about? 2. An interesting side note from the Giro announcement Saturday was the … Continue reading →

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Monday Musette – Lombardy, Etc.

Posted on October 18, 2010 by

Here’s your Monday Musette for this week: 1. There’s not much we can say about Philippe Gilbert’s repeat win at the Tour of Lombardy Saturday—the strongest rider in the race lived up to his pre-race billing.  The rain and cold helped keep the race together going up the Sormano, but broke it apart on the … Continue reading →

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2010 Giro di Lombardia/Tour of Lombardy – Preview

Posted on October 15, 2010 by

Saturday’s Giro di Lombardia, the “race of falling leaves,” effectively closes the 2010 road season.   While a few events remain on the calendar, most teams and riders will have called it a year by tomorrow evening.  But despite its end-of-calendar time slot, Lombardy’s a prize any rider would love to take—it’s one of the sport’s … Continue reading →

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Giro del Piemonte – What to Watch

Posted on October 13, 2010 by

Ordinarily, the 96th running of the Giro del Piemonte wouldn’t warrant a preview of its own, but this year’s edition of the Italian semi-classic offers several interesting plot lines.  Here’s a brief rundown of what to watch: 1. Philippe Gilbert won last year’s race, the third event of his Sabatini-Paris-Tours-Piemonte-Lombardia grand slam.  Winless so far … Continue reading →

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

Posted on October 11, 2010 by

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 … Continue reading →

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Weekend Preview – Emilia, Borghelli, & Paris-Tours

Posted on October 8, 2010 by

This weekend’s racing begins Saturday, with the 93rd edition of Italy’s Giro dell’Emilia, a prestigious semi-classic in and around Bologna.  A difficult race with an impressive list of winners, Emilia attracts riders hoping to test their form for next Saturday’s Monument, the Tour of Lombardy. Last year’s winner, Robert Gesink, returns backed by a strong … Continue reading →

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