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.

Weekend Preview – Vattenfall Cyclassics

Posted on August 13, 2010 by

The Pro Tour continues its summer run with the 15th running of Hamburg, Germany’s Vattenfall Cyclassics.  Formerly, the HEW Cyclassics, the race was a World Cup event from 1998 until joining the Pro Tour in 2005.  The relatively flat race usually favors riders strong enough to make it over the small climbs that speckle the … Continue reading →

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For the One Hundredth Time, It’s Not “The Sprinter’s Jersey”!

Posted on August 11, 2010 by

Here’s a special contribution from Jeremy over at Tears for Gears.  Shortly after the Tour concluded last month, he contacted me with a question about the possible effects of Alessandro Petacchi’s disqualification from this year’s Tour following allegations of PFC use.  A short conversation ensued via email, and before I knew it, Jeremy had graciously … Continue reading →

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

Posted on August 9, 2010 by

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 … Continue reading →

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On Vacation…

Posted on August 3, 2010 by

What’s that saying about the best-laid plans of mice and men? I had hoped that last week’s business trip and this week’s vacation would allow me some extra time for writing—unfortunately, the opposite’s proven to be the case. While I won’t rule-out the possibility of a post or two sometime this week, I’m apprehensive to … Continue reading →

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Weekend Preview – Clasica San Sebastian & Tour de Pologne

Posted on July 30, 2010 by

And we’re back! The UCI Pro Tour resumes this weekend with Saturday’s Clasica San Sebastian and the 7-day Tour de Pologne beginning Sunday.  Lets’ take a look: Saturday’s Clasica San Sebastian is traditionally the first meaningful race after the Tour de France.  This year’s event features a new and improved finale, offering two trips over … Continue reading →

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2010 Tour de France – Stage 20 Wrap-Up

Posted on July 25, 2010 by

Admit it—you’re bit sad. The greatest Tour in over a decade wrapped-up today with it’s usual high-speed promenade around the Champs-Elysées, bringing to a close the 5th-closest Tour de France in the event’s 100-plus year history. Mark Cavendish took the day’s honors—his 5th win of this year’s event—and in doing so brought himself tantalizingly close … Continue reading →

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