Cyclist Thomas Dekker has lost his place in the Dutch Olympic team, reports ANP news service.The 23-year-old cyclist is out of form and virtually asked to be removed from the team, Olympic coach Egon van Kessel told ANP.
Ouch.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Dekker dropped from Olympic team
From DutchNews.nl:
2009 Specialized City Bikes
I find it very heartening to see, when looking through the new 2009 Specialized bikes, that Specialized is not messing around when it comes to offering cyclists & riders a plethora of city-bike options.
One of the collection of models that I particularly noticed was the Vienna collection, specifically the Vienna Deluxe 5 and the Women's Vienna Deluxe 5. It seems to me that the Vienna collection is a quite a nice addition to what was an already great line of bikes from Specialized as they provide riders with a very functional city-bike.
I know that some people may argue that there's not much of a functional difference between, say, the 2009 Specialized CrossTrail and the 2009 Specialized Vienna 2 as it is more than likely that both bikes will be used in many similar situations (e.g., to the farmer's market for some fresh summer tomatoes, to the video store to drop off last night's movie, and to the coffee shop for the morning motivational).
I would argue that however similar the usage of the two different bikes may be, the CrossTrails and the Viennas are different tools for different jobs. It seems to me as if the CrossTrails would be more appropriate for riders who are looking for a versatile sport/fitness bike whereas the Viennas would be more appropriate for riders looking for a sporty city-bike.
I admit that I am splitting bike-usage hairs here. As a certifiable bike-nut, however, this bike-usage hair-splitting has been invaluable for if I didn't split hairs such as these, how would I ever be able to justify to myself and to others the large and growing collection of bikes that I own?
One of the collection of models that I particularly noticed was the Vienna collection, specifically the Vienna Deluxe 5 and the Women's Vienna Deluxe 5. It seems to me that the Vienna collection is a quite a nice addition to what was an already great line of bikes from Specialized as they provide riders with a very functional city-bike.
I know that some people may argue that there's not much of a functional difference between, say, the 2009 Specialized CrossTrail and the 2009 Specialized Vienna 2 as it is more than likely that both bikes will be used in many similar situations (e.g., to the farmer's market for some fresh summer tomatoes, to the video store to drop off last night's movie, and to the coffee shop for the morning motivational).
I would argue that however similar the usage of the two different bikes may be, the CrossTrails and the Viennas are different tools for different jobs. It seems to me as if the CrossTrails would be more appropriate for riders who are looking for a versatile sport/fitness bike whereas the Viennas would be more appropriate for riders looking for a sporty city-bike.
I admit that I am splitting bike-usage hairs here. As a certifiable bike-nut, however, this bike-usage hair-splitting has been invaluable for if I didn't split hairs such as these, how would I ever be able to justify to myself and to others the large and growing collection of bikes that I own?
Friday, July 25, 2008
Team Astana Terminates Vladimir Gusev
From Roadcycling.com:
There's also a brief bit about it over at l'Equipe but it's in French.
The Astana Cycling Team management has terminated the contract of Russian cyclist Vladimir Gusev due to irregular values.
...
“Vladimir Gusev has been officially notified that he no longer represents Team Astana”, said General Manager Johan Bruyneel. “Though his results do not indicate the use of forbidden substances, Vladimir’s values exceeded the normal parameters established by Dr. Damsgaard and were not compliant with the strict agreement signed by all thirty riders. Our Kazakh sponsors have also been made aware of this decision and are fully supportive.”
There's also a brief bit about it over at l'Equipe but it's in French.
2009 Specialized Langsters
Remember back at the beginning of this month we posted a couple of pictures of some of the 2009 Specialized Langsters?
Well, now we have them all.
Enjoy!
The original Langster.
The Langster Seattle.
The Langster Tokyo.
The Langster Las Vegas.
The Langster San Francisco.
The Langster Monaco.
The Langster New York.
And perhaps the baddest of the bunch, the S-Works Langster.
Well, now we have them all.
Enjoy!
The original Langster.
The Langster Seattle.
The Langster Tokyo.
The Langster Las Vegas.
The Langster San Francisco.
The Langster Monaco.
The Langster New York.
And perhaps the baddest of the bunch, the S-Works Langster.
2009 Specialized Bikes
Here's all the info on the 2009 Specialized bike line.
I told you today was going to be a special day.
We'll try to give you some highlights of the new bikes later on today & into this weekend.
I told you today was going to be a special day.
We'll try to give you some highlights of the new bikes later on today & into this weekend.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Friday is going to be a very special day
Very special. You might want to wander on back over here tomorrow & check out the party.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Apple & Trek
Trek Bicycle Corporation. Communicating their message:
You can read the rest of the article & watch a pretty interesting video at the Apple Profiles: Trek link.
Trek Bicycle Corporation, a global leader in bicycle design, innovation, and manufacturing, produces and sells a wide range of bicycles to match the needs of virtually every rider. Whether you’re a professional bike racer—like 2008 Giro d’Italia Champion and Trek-athlete Alberto Contador, a recreational rider, or a commuter who uses a bicycle as a daily mode of transportation.
...
Trek Bicycle Corporation, in conjunction with design agency Planet Propaganda, takes designs created in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator and combines them with video in Final Cut Studio to deliver video podcasts.
You can read the rest of the article & watch a pretty interesting video at the Apple Profiles: Trek link.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Trek's Go By Bike Challenge
Trek will be giving away a Trek 7.2 FX (approximate retail value of $500) every day to a Go By Bike pledger. 46 lucky pledgers will win a new Trek 7.2 FX.
You can find more information & sign up at the 1world2wheels website.
Trek will be heavily promoting the Go By Bike Challenge. Trek's independent bicycle dealers will be taking people's in-store pledges and Trek will be running a couple of full-page print ads in USA Today.
From the 1world2wheels website here are 6 things you can do:
I am sure that we all have heard that "Great minds think alike" and so it should not be surprising to note that there are some similarities between Trek's Go By Bike Challenge & Clif Bar's 2 Mile Challenge.
Clif began their Two Mile Challenge at Interbike 2007 & the heavily promoted it with a team of people van touring the country on bio-fuel, smiles, & Clif Bars trying to get more people out of their cars and onto their bikes.
More about their bus:
They also have a pictures of the bus from Interbike 2007 and a photo set from their 2007 2 Mile Challenge bus tour.
So, tell your friends & buy some baskets for your townie because those groceries won't get themselves!
You can find more information & sign up at the 1world2wheels website.
Trek will be heavily promoting the Go By Bike Challenge. Trek's independent bicycle dealers will be taking people's in-store pledges and Trek will be running a couple of full-page print ads in USA Today.
From the 1world2wheels website here are 6 things you can do:
- Ride your bike, especially for trips under two miles. Why? The emission controls on your car are not operating effectively in the first few minutes thus short trips create more pollution.
- Get your kids to ride. In 1964 50% of kids rode to school and the obesity rate was 12%…in 2004, 3% rode to school and the obesity rate was 45%. To learn more, check out www.saferoutestoschools.org.
- Get your friends to ride their bikes. Challenge them to find out where they can pedal within two miles of their house, then encourage them to take a bike for short trips.
- Contact your state bicycle advocacy group and support their efforts.
- Like to ride mountain bikes? Join the IMBA and support their efforts to open new trails and maintain existing trails.
- Keep updated on important issues and events. Sign up for 1world2wheels.org.
I am sure that we all have heard that "Great minds think alike" and so it should not be surprising to note that there are some similarities between Trek's Go By Bike Challenge & Clif Bar's 2 Mile Challenge.
Clif began their Two Mile Challenge at Interbike 2007 & the heavily promoted it with a team of people van touring the country on bio-fuel, smiles, & Clif Bars trying to get more people out of their cars and onto their bikes.
More about their bus:
They also have a pictures of the bus from Interbike 2007 and a photo set from their 2007 2 Mile Challenge bus tour.
So, tell your friends & buy some baskets for your townie because those groceries won't get themselves!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
More EPO: Ricardo Ricco
From L'Equipe: "Les urines de Riccardo Ricco présentent des traces d'EPO."
Hincapie on Ricco via CycingWeekly:
I think Hincapie's statement that cycling is doing more than other sports to clean up its act is a pretty accurate. Ironically enough, I believe that the crackdown on doping in cycling will lead to cleaner riding but that it also strengthens the general publics perception of the cycling-doping link. While I don't want to come off as a cycling apologist, I think that there are sports in which doping is even more widespread but because the testing protocols are not as rigorous and dopers are not caught, those sports are not perceived as having doping issues.
Congressional report or no, I'd bet a dollar that there are more drugs in professional baseball or football than there are in professional cycling.
Hincapie on Ricco via CycingWeekly:
“I was definitely shocked. He's one of the big riders in peloton. It's a disappoint for sure. It's a clear disappointment but you got to look to the future and say we're catching the cheats. Maybe other sports aren't, I think our sport doing more than any other sport to clean up its act.”
I think Hincapie's statement that cycling is doing more than other sports to clean up its act is a pretty accurate. Ironically enough, I believe that the crackdown on doping in cycling will lead to cleaner riding but that it also strengthens the general publics perception of the cycling-doping link. While I don't want to come off as a cycling apologist, I think that there are sports in which doping is even more widespread but because the testing protocols are not as rigorous and dopers are not caught, those sports are not perceived as having doping issues.
Congressional report or no, I'd bet a dollar that there are more drugs in professional baseball or football than there are in professional cycling.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Félix Cárdenas Abandons the Tour
I would think that under different circumstances, Félix Cárdenas (Barloworld) abandoning the Tour in today's 11th stage would pass by unremarked; However, Barloworld seems to be struggling as a team.
Multiple crashes, a non-negative doping test result, more crashes.
It's hard not to notice when one of their riders abandons, especially when that rider, Félix Cárdenas, was Moisés Dueñas' roommate.
Multiple crashes, a non-negative doping test result, more crashes.
It's hard not to notice when one of their riders abandons, especially when that rider, Félix Cárdenas, was Moisés Dueñas' roommate.
Moisés Dueñas & EPO: Positive or Non-Negative
From CyclingWeekly:
From Cyclingnews:
According to CyclingWeekly Dueñas' test result was positive, whereas according to Cyclingnews Dueñas' test was non-negative. The net result, be it positive or non-negative, is that Moisés Dueñas (Barloworld) was pulled from the Tour de France & has been suspended from Barloworld.
Team Barloworld has revealed that Moises Dueñas was caught with a "considerable amount of banned medicines" in his room during a search by French Police. The 27 year-old Spaniard was taken into police custody in Tarbes on Wednesday morning after police searched his room following the announcement that he had failed a doping test for EPO after the stage four time trial in Cholet."
From Cyclingnews:
Spanish rider Moisés Dueñas has become the second rider to register a non-negative test for banned blood booster erythropoietin at the Tour de France. The results came from a sample taken from the Barloworld rider after the Grand Tour's first time trial, Stage 4 on July 8 in Cholet, according to head of the French Anti-doping Agency (AFLD) Pierre Bordry.
According to CyclingWeekly Dueñas' test result was positive, whereas according to Cyclingnews Dueñas' test was non-negative. The net result, be it positive or non-negative, is that Moisés Dueñas (Barloworld) was pulled from the Tour de France & has been suspended from Barloworld.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Preliminary Agreement Reached on Marzocchi's Future
Press release from Marzocchi:
Marzocchi is currently carrying a debt that back on April 30th, 2008, was roughly calculated to be around $15 million, which Tenneco, a Fortune 500 corporation, will assume responsibility for.
I think that this will work out well for Gruppo Marzocchi. When I began working at a shop many years ago, it was impossible to discuss forks without praising the ride quality, the reliability, & the seviceability of the Marzocchi forks. Over the past several years, however, it seems as if the Gruppo Marzocchi has become less of a presence in the American suspension market. I would think that with Tenneco's financial backing of Gruppo Marzocchi & the extensive engineering resources Marzocchi forks will see a resurgence in popularity in America.
The Marzocchi management entered today into a preliminary agreement to start an acquisition procedure by the multinational Tenneco Inc., in order to provide additional opportunities for growth and to continue the tradition of a brand that contributes to writing some of the most exiting pages of the motorcycle and mountain bike history.
...
Marzocchi today means reliability and no compromise performance and is a symbol of the Italian industry that goes right to the hart of the passionate riders all over the world.
Marzocchi is currently carrying a debt that back on April 30th, 2008, was roughly calculated to be around $15 million, which Tenneco, a Fortune 500 corporation, will assume responsibility for.
I think that this will work out well for Gruppo Marzocchi. When I began working at a shop many years ago, it was impossible to discuss forks without praising the ride quality, the reliability, & the seviceability of the Marzocchi forks. Over the past several years, however, it seems as if the Gruppo Marzocchi has become less of a presence in the American suspension market. I would think that with Tenneco's financial backing of Gruppo Marzocchi & the extensive engineering resources Marzocchi forks will see a resurgence in popularity in America.
Did Someone Say Cyclocross?
There's a new kid on the cyclocross series block: The North American Cyclocross Trophy and you should check out CXmagazine for more details on the dates.
I'd expect to see some big names showing up for these UCI C1/C2 races because this new 8 race series has a prizelist topping the $40K mark.
The dates are:
Tim Johnson has already written the series into his racing schedule and I'm eagerly anticipating hearing about who else will be coming out to play in the North American Cyclocross Trophy series.
'Cross Vegas will be Wednesday, September 24th, right after the first of the two races in the North American Cyclocross Trophy series.
Remember 'cross Vegas?
Now do you remember 'cross Vegas?
Hup! Hup! Hup!
I'd expect to see some big names showing up for these UCI C1/C2 races because this new 8 race series has a prizelist topping the $40K mark.
The dates are:
- September 20th-UCI C1-Redmond, Washington
- September 21st-UCI C1-Lakewood, Washington
- October 10th & 11th-UCI C2-Gloucester, Massachusetts
- November 1st & 2nd-UCI C1-Boulder, Colorado
- November 22nd & 23rd-UCI C1-Southampton, New York
Tim Johnson has already written the series into his racing schedule and I'm eagerly anticipating hearing about who else will be coming out to play in the North American Cyclocross Trophy series.
'Cross Vegas will be Wednesday, September 24th, right after the first of the two races in the North American Cyclocross Trophy series.
Remember 'cross Vegas?
Now do you remember 'cross Vegas?
Hup! Hup! Hup!
ProTour Exodus
From the Guardian:
The 18 current UCI ProTour Teams: AG2R La Mondial, Astana, Bouygues Telecom, Caisse D'Epargne, Cofidis, Credit Agricole, Euskaltel-Euskadi, Française des Jeux, Gerolsteiner, Lampre, Liquigas, Quick Step, Rabobank, Saunier Duval-Scot, Silence-Lotto, Team Columbia, Team CSC Saxo Bank, Team Milram.
All teams are to leave the International Cycling Union's elite ProTour series, the 17 teams on the Tour de France said on Tuesday. "It has been decided unanimously not to renew the ProTour licences for the 2009 season," the teams said in a joint statement.
...
"If everybody decides so, I can't imagine Astana will not follow," Astana chief press officer Philippe Maertens told Reuters.
The 18 current UCI ProTour Teams: AG2R La Mondial, Astana, Bouygues Telecom, Caisse D'Epargne, Cofidis, Credit Agricole, Euskaltel-Euskadi, Française des Jeux, Gerolsteiner, Lampre, Liquigas, Quick Step, Rabobank, Saunier Duval-Scot, Silence-Lotto, Team Columbia, Team CSC Saxo Bank, Team Milram.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
Beltran Positive for EPO
Manuel Beltran (Liquigas) has tested positive for EPO. Testing of his A sample taken July 5th, after the first stage of the Tour de France, indicated the presence of EPO in his system.
Source: L'equipe.fr, Damian Ressiot.
How do you suppose Dorel feels about this given that teams face a €100,000 fine if a link can be established between a rider who returns a positive doping test and his team. Furthermore, Dorel had just renewed their sponsorship agreement with the Liquigas team. What are the potential implications of this positive test with respect to the team's sponsorship?
Already there's the potential that because of this Liquigas may not ride La Vuelta a España.
Source: L'equipe.fr, Damian Ressiot.
How do you suppose Dorel feels about this given that teams face a €100,000 fine if a link can be established between a rider who returns a positive doping test and his team. Furthermore, Dorel had just renewed their sponsorship agreement with the Liquigas team. What are the potential implications of this positive test with respect to the team's sponsorship?
Already there's the potential that because of this Liquigas may not ride La Vuelta a España.
LA Road Rage Incident
From LAist.com (warning: pictures are a little gruesome):
There's more about the incident here and this is being treated as a road rage incident rather than a collision. The driver will be charged with a felony assault with a deadly weapon.
Christian Stoehr recounts "We were riding downhill at approximately 30 mph when a car came up behind us, must have been doing 50 mph, and the driver started honking at us. We moved to the right in single file within seconds and the motorist pulled along Ron and started screaming at him. He then pulled in front of us with 3-5 feet to spare and slammed on his brakes, giving us no time to stop. I swerved and almost made it, clipping the car and flying through the air and landing in the street. Ron had no room to move and he went straight into the back of the car, putting his face through the back window."
There's more about the incident here and this is being treated as a road rage incident rather than a collision. The driver will be charged with a felony assault with a deadly weapon.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Coming Soon to a Theater Near You!
The Eighth Annual Bicycle Film Festival 2008.
It's currently in Minneapolis until July 12th. The next stops are: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, Tokyo, Austin, London, Vienna, Zurich, Paris, Sydney, Melbourne, Milano, and finally PDX.
Check the BFF site for more details.
At 2min12sec in, in the background of the video I saw a 3D bike print that I really liked.
And a clip about the documentary film "Adventures For the Cure."
If any of you get a chance to check out the BFF when it hits your town, we'd love to know what you think!
It's currently in Minneapolis until July 12th. The next stops are: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, Tokyo, Austin, London, Vienna, Zurich, Paris, Sydney, Melbourne, Milano, and finally PDX.
Check the BFF site for more details.
At 2min12sec in, in the background of the video I saw a 3D bike print that I really liked.
And a clip about the documentary film "Adventures For the Cure."
If any of you get a chance to check out the BFF when it hits your town, we'd love to know what you think!
More on Electronic Dura-Ace
VeloNews has a brief article about the electronic Dura-Ace time trial bits that were spotted at the tour. There's not all that much more info at VeloNews than there was in our short snippet on the electronic Dura-Ace time trial parts, but there are some great pictures.
Our brief bit about the electronic Dura-Ace time trial parts is here.
VeloNews' brief bit about them here & their photos of the parts are here.
Our brief bit about the electronic Dura-Ace time trial parts is here.
VeloNews' brief bit about them here & their photos of the parts are here.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Specialized 2009 Carbon Epic
Specialized released their Epic line of full suspension mountain bikes in 2003. The new line was well received from the beginning & has become a popular choice for riders looking for a cross-country oriented full suspension bike.Now, for 2009, Specialized has drastically revamped the Epic line. There's a great review of the bike over at CyclingNews but the nutshell version is that the new 2009 high-end Epic comes in under 22lbs while still retaining a similar ride quality as the 2008 Specialized Epic Marathon Carbon.
However, we hesitate to use the phrase "comparable model" as the 2008 Epic Marathon Carbon was not full carbon but rather a FACT carbon front triangle & an M5 aluminum rear triangle whereas the new 2009 Specialized Epic is going to be a full carbon frame.
Yes, that's right, a carbon front end & a carbon rear triangle.
Specialized didn't stop there though; They've outfitted the 2009 Epic with their proprietary FACT integrated crankset. Please note that while Specialized's road FACT integrated crankset is compatible with the BB30 standard their new mountain FACT integrated crankset is not compatible with the BB30 standard.
Specialized re-engineered the placement of the shock (under the top tube at the top tube & seat tube junction) and the Brain unit (above the rear non-drive axle). Specialized claims that these modifications will produce a more balanced ride. Specialized will be using their Futureshock E100 11/2" to 11/8" forks on the new 2009 Specialized Epics.
Ever since Specialized took on Mike McAndrews, they've been pushing the suspension envelope. McAndrews has been in bicycle industry for a quite a while now and by looking back on his employment history, he always seems to be working at fork & suspension companies when those companies were breaking the mold.
Remember RockShox and the Mag 21? The Maverick Duc32?
McAndrews was there.
After a 10 year hiatus between the original carbon Epic, Specialized recommitted to carbon fiber in 2004 with the S-Works Tarmac and the Roubaix line. It appears that Specialized's commitment to carbon will only increase into 2009 for the CyclingNews review of the 2009 Epic states: "All of the new Epics and Eras will be carbon-only; there are no aluminum models for 2009 although a slightly less expensive Marathon version will use aluminum chain stays".
If the 2009 Epic is any indication of what other companies are going to bring to the table for 2009 then 2009 promises to be a banner year for new cycling products.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)