Denis Menchov was 71st (he arrived 9 minutes after Contador), but he's been having health problems in the last weeks, so I think we should forgive him for that.
Talking about another race, the 4th stage of Tour de Normandie was won by Fabien Bacquet (ok, I don't expect you to know who he is, but his father added me on Facebook for unknown reasons and now I'm a virtual friend of his too). Yay for Fabien!
Settimana Coppi&Bartali instead sees Emanuele Sella as race leader. 'That's a little step forward for cycling, but a big step forward for me'. I didn't know that cycling improves every time that a former doper (one of the worst ones of the last years, to be more precise) gets an important result! I thought that cycling improved when a young, clean rider won something, but apparently I was wrong.
On to other news, poor Matti Breschel had to undergo a minor operation on his knee yesterday. Now he'll be able to go back training in two weeks time.
Talking about another (luckier) Dane, Jakob Fuglsang had his 26th birthday yesterday (and not today, as someone said on Twitter). Birthday boy gets his toy, as they say... Or perhaps he'd prefer some candies and some pancakes. Anyway, happy birthday Jakob! (Hippi has explained me how to say it in Danish, but I can't write it :P)
On to the last Dane about which I'm going to tell you today, Chris Anker Sorensen has updated his blog twice in the last 3 days. And, after reading 'Liquegas' in one of these two entries, I've understood what Susanne means when she says that Chris often makes spelling mistakes.
However, the worst mistakes are the ones of Google Translater. At a certain point, it translated a sentence from Chris' blog in this way: 'A small eruption on 4 men rode away'. A man erupting, that sounds dirty. A part of another blog entry instead was translated as 'I figured I might as well try to erupt'. Please, don't!
On to the Schleck brothers, which I haven't mentioned for a few posts now, I have some rumours and of some complaints about them. First of all, the rumour: La Repubblica (a very important Italian newspaper) has claimed that, after the 'bikes with engine incorporated', there may be a new kind of technlogical doping in the peloton. According to the unknown Denis Mignani, some riders have been using a special kind of 'cuscinetti', which are the things that you put in the central part of the wheel, the one from where the spokes start. Those 'cuscinetti' seem to make the cyclist gain 2.5 seconds pro kilometre and, according to mr. Mignani, they were used by Andy Schleck (and by Fabian Cancellara) during the mountain stage of last year Tour. Now, here are some opinions of mine about this thing:
1) Using that kind of equipment is legal. So, it isn't technological doping. And then, every rider (even amateur ones) can get it, they just need to call an engineer and get it fixed on their wheels.
2) Do you really want me to believe that Andy Schleck was the only one who used those things in last year Tour? Come on!
3) Better using strange cuscinetti than clenbuterol! At least, you don't end up in a doping trial for that (and you don't have to accuse Spanish breeders in order to get away with it!)
On to another news regarding Andy, Vincenzo Nibali has recently said that he doesn't like riders like Andy, 'who ride fast in just two races pro year'. The same was said by Claudio Chiappucci. Ok, I can understand that some people may not enjoy the fact that Andy always focuses just on a few races and doesn't even try to win the other ones, but at least I like the fact that, every time he focuses on an important goal, he achieves it. Moreover, it's not easy to have a good condition during the whole season, is it?
To close this pretty bitter post, on pressphoto.lu you have some pics from a party at the Schleck fanclub in Luxembourg. The brothers's grandmother seems such a really nice person ;) And just look at how big Leea has become! The baby is growing, Frank and Martine must be very proud parents! :D
Those darn translators! I can only imagine the insane results if Google decyphered Luxembourgish.
RispondiEliminaI'm going to erupt! :P
RispondiEliminaI really don't get the rumors. Nim posted an article about it lately. So it's called 'Gold Race'. But... if it's legal, than why is it wrong to use it? Use the equipment that works best!
If it's not legal, than the race organisers should check it, just like the bike scans for motors. My conclusion: those people are jealous of the big smooth Leopard Trek.
I question the timing of the La Repubblica article. I haven't been watching cycling as a sport for very long--I've been watching the Tour de France for ages, but more like a tourist, if that makes any sense--but it seems to me that the sports media generally thrives on controversy. Nice stories don't sell papers.
RispondiEliminaIn Canada, we get more articles about Lance Armstrong, and doping charges, than anything else. There was bit more interest last year, because of Ryder Hesjedal's results at the Tour, but you would honestly think there were about five men in the whole race, the way it was covered here.
I am glad to see that the UCI is going ahead with their appeal to the CAS about Contador. I say this with no bias, athletes are responsible for their own nutrition, they should know more than anyone else, the consequences of eating indiscriminately.
Of course, I say this as someone whose had Toblerone for breakfast : P
About Nibali's comments, it reminds of the charge the press often makes against Roger Federer in tennis, that he doesn't seem to care about anything else but Grand Slams. Well, when we look at the legacy of players like Laver, and Sampras, we certainly aren't looking at their record in small tournaments, we look at their Grand Slam count! That's where the glory is, where legacies are made, and at the end of the day, just as in life, it's about quality, not quantity.
Oh, and in honour of the title of this post, "Oh la la Saxo Bank", a link:
RispondiEliminahttp://www.flickr.com/photos/spclzd/sets/72157624057376718/with/4605373219/
I believe I posted this the other day on Cougar Girl's blog, but it bears repeating :)
Hahaha, erupting!!! xD That is too funny! Maybe I should start reading his blog translated into English! He means a breakaway :P
RispondiElimina@ Sansen: After reading the sentence 'riders with their jerseys open' translated as 'drivers with their bikinis open', I've started to think that everything is possible in this world...
RispondiElimina@ Mar: I really didn't get the sense of that rumour either. I mean, if it's legal, why shouldn't riders use that equipment?
However, once again, the greatest reply to this rumour was my father's one. First of all, I started by telling him that there was this stupid rumour about Andy using a strange bike at last Tour de France. Then I told him that, apparently, people who use 'Gold Race' can gain up to 2.5 seconds pro kilometre during a competition. Here is my father's answer:
'2.5 seconds pro kilometre? Pfew. What a stupid rumour. It's obvious that it's false, is it? I mean, I didn't see anyone pedalling backwards during last year Tour - and those who used that bike should have pedalled backwards in order to remain inside the peloton, right?'
Almost a 'Jens Voigt'-style answer, I was so impressed by it!
Moreover, while discussing with my father, we agreed about the fact that, if Andy really gained 2.5 seconds more than everyone else in every single km of race, it means that wihtout that equipment he would have ended the Tour out of time limit. So, this is the demonstration that these rumours are stupid and unaccurate.
@ Figbash: The timing of Repubblica's article is very strange indeed. I mean, if they had this information last year, they should have published it then, not now that the whole 'technological doping' debate has calmed down.
'5 riders in the whole race', poor Canadians! There has always been a huge Armstrong fever also here in Italy, I don't want to imagine how things were in Canada and in the USA until a few months ago!
Btw I must admit that, with all these dark shadows surrounding Armstrong, Italian medias don't seem so interested in him anymore.
I'm very happy for CAS decision too. The verdict of the Spanish federation was extremely biased and even Zapatero made his best to have Contador cleared of any accusation- and that isn't fair.
I'm always surprised when I see that the same people who accuse the Schlecks of focusing on just a few races are often the very same people who love Armstrong. Lance became famous especially for winning 7 Tours and no journalist ever cared about the fact that he just took part in that race! As you say, it's about the quality, not the quantity.
Oh, those pictures are so lovely! I love men in that kind of shirts, so thank you very much for the link!!
And Toblerone, yum!
@ Susanne: When I read that sentence, I had to stop my naughty mind. I was so schocked!
You should definitely read Chris' blog in English - you'd enter a whole new universe!! ;)
SELF PROMOTION: Girls, take a look at our new post on 'Bananas About Bikes', it is another great one!
Ha, ha, I'm really starting to love your dad, Fede! That answer is brilliant!
RispondiEliminaLuckily, amongst the things I inherited from him (looking glasses, the passion for cycling, the fact that we're always the first ones to burst into tears when we get bad news), there is also a part of his sense of humour!
RispondiEliminaI rather like the guys who race all year looking for results. Cyclists like Gilbert, Nibali and Contador approach every race with the hope of winning and I think that's great. When you look at their results, I don't think that they are sacrificing quality for quantity at all.
RispondiEliminaFor the same reason, I prefer sprinters like Farrar over one's like Cavendish. If Cavendish doesn't think he is going to win the sprint, he gives up. Farrar will fight to the bitter end for the best possible finish, even if he doesn't win.
I am not criticizing Andy or others who peak for one or two races (ie. Sastre, Armstrong). That's their approach to their job and that's fine. I just prefer the other style of racing.
Sorry about the long ramble.
Brenda
Brenda, I think there is something to be said about putting forth one's best effort in everything one tries, regardless of the outcome. That is a quality to be admired in people, and generally a good philosophy for life.
RispondiEliminaHowever, I don't think it is less admirable to set a certain set of personal goals for yourself, and focusing on realising just those goals. I understand cycling is a sport, and is meant to be competitive, but perhaps that’s where factors like physical conditioning, and being aware of one’s physical limits come into play. Perhaps those who focus on just a few races, know that undertaking to win every race would mean expending a great deal of energy, which diminishes their chances of winning races that mean a greater deal to them, for whatever reason. I think self-fulfilment is an important aspect of what drives human beings to achieve great things.
I like Tyler Farrar too, though for reasons a lot less noble than the one you mentioned : )
And, congratulations to Fränk Schleck for his victory at the Criterium International!
@ Brenda: Long ramble? Yours? You're talking with the queen of the long comments, dear! ;)
RispondiEliminaAs a supporter, I'd actually like it if Andy raced at top level during the whole season. Like you, I prefer riders who go fast from February to October to those who peak once or twice in the season. But, as you say, every rider has a different approach to the season and they can't do nothing about it.
However, to defend Andy and Frank I must say that in the last years they've had a few problems that have kept them far from having a good condition especially in the last races of the season.
For example, in October 2008 Frank was involved in a doping case and Andy didn't feel like taking part in the last races of the season. In 2009 Frank was operated and Andy decided not to race in October. Last year instead Andy had all those Beer-gate problems, so he was probably looking forward to ending his season with Riis as soon as he could.
Moreover, the brothers sometimes had health problems also at the start of the last seasons.
Therefore, I think that in the last few years it hasn't been entirely their fault if they haven't ridden fast during the whole year - and that's why I get angry at people who complain about the brothers peaking just once or twice in the season.
Hopefully this year Frank and Andy will finally be able to have a completely problems-free season, so that those critics will finally be over.
Actually, I have a feeling that this year we can expect the brothers to go fast from now to October.
@ Figbash: As Brenda said, I think it's a question of mentality. There are guys who try winning whenever they can and there are guys who just focus on the most important races. Gilbert and the other riders mentioned by Brenda are great champions who can win many races, no matter their quality. Then there are other riders who ride fast during the whole season but never get victories. And there are those who prefer to focus on just a few races.
It's a question of mentality and of personality.
Farrar... Are you and Brenda going to kill me if I say that I prefer Cavendish to him? :P
And a big YAY for Frank's victory, girls!!! All together: *YAY*!
Ok, I know I'm late to comment this one, but it's kind of hilarious so... :P
RispondiEliminaI did not see Flanders :-( Blame it on the Eurodport :D
I did, however, see Catalunya and couldn't help but be mad at Contador's success in it. That man shouldn't even be racing yet. Good that at least someone's smart and decided to appeal against his clearance.
And forget the timing of that article, what's the point of it, if such equipment is legal?
Pn a side note, your dad sounds hilarious, lol. Nobody was pedaling backwards, LOL. That is actually the funniest thing I've read the whole day. :D
Google translator also says some funny things. :D
As a supporter, I would like the Schleck season, so to call it, to be a bit more consistent, but I also see your point about it not being entirely their fault. Fingers crossed for an awesome 2011. :D
And I just love all the pictures of Los Schlecks with their family :) Soooooo cute :D
I get very angry at Contador's successes too. Atcually, I don't know how a rider can manage to race when he knows that he may be banned in 3/4 months time. If I was in that situation and had a bit of dignity, I would self-suspend myself, although that would put my team into problems. In fact I couldn't stand taking part in races whose final classification may be rewritten because of me in a few weeks time.
RispondiEliminaTalking about Contador, I really do hope he won't win the Giro. I got mad at Valverde winning Vuelta a few years ago, if Contador won the Giro I think I could smash my own tv...
A few days ago I had the mental image of Cancellara pdalling backwards on a flat stage... Hilarious!
I bet 50 (imaginary) euros on the fact that this year the Schlecks will have the most consistent season ever!
The Schleck family is one of the cutest thing I've ever seen. Leea is soooo cute! And Martine, mum Gaby and the grandmother look very sweet and nice too!!