2013 Cycling Thread

[Smallville22]

Trek adds Beppu to 2014 WorldTour team roster

Two-time Japanese road and time trial national champion Fumiyuki Beppu will ride for Trek Bicycle's recently announced WorldTour team beginning in 2014.
The popular Japanese rider will ride in a number of roles for the new team throughout Europe and Asia. "Japan has one of the strongest cycling communities in the world and in Fumy we have one of the most celebrated Japanese riders in history," said Trek Sports marketing manager Simon Thompson.
"Fumy is very well known to Trek and we are very pleased to welcome him back to the Trek ****** with our exciting new project." “I’m very pleased to be a part of the new Trek team," commented Beppu. "This new team has a lot of great and experienced riders so I’m very excited to work with them” It will be Beppu's third tour of duty competing professionally aboard a Trek as he raced for the then-Trek sponsored Discovery Channel team (2005-2007) as well as Team Radioshack (2010-2011).
In 2009 Beppu became the first Japanese rider to complete the Tour de France.

 

[Smallville22]

Keukeleire commits himself to ORICA

Jens Keukeleire has extended his contract with ORICA-GreenEDGE through 2015.
The young Belgian rider says he is delighted to further commit himself to the team he feels has helped him lay the foundation for a burgeoning career as an eventual Classics rider.
“Once I got the offer to stay, it was an easy choice,” said Keukeleire. “I have been really happy these past two years.
“For me, the most important thing is to be able to grow and to ride the type of program I want, and the team has always given me those opportunities.”
Although he doesn’t expect to develop into a the type of rider that can chase overall victories at multi-day tours, he recognises the importance of including a Grand Tour in his program each season to support his single-day race goals.
“This year I had a really nice program in the Classics and the Giro,” noted Keukeleire. “Strangely, my best memory from this year is the Giro, at least the first half anyway.
“The team we had there made it really fun to race – until the second half when the weather became so bad. I felt that I moved up a step when I look back to last year.”
“Jens has certainly developed in the last two years,” added sport director Matt White.
“He’s only four years in as a professional, and he can already handle a very big workload as we saw with racing the Classics and then going straight to the Giro.”
In the next two years, Keukeleire sees himself continuing to race both one day races and tours, with a goal of continued improvement in the Classics.
He finished in seventh place at Dwars door Vlaanderen and supported Sebastian Langeveld to top ten finishes at Paris-Roubaix, Ronde van Vlaanderen and E3 Harelbeke.
“I love the one day races the most,” Keukeleire said. “Having many nice races in the beginning of the season so close to where I live makes them an obvious target.”
“We see a future for Jens as he grows into a leader for the one day races, especially those in Belgium,” added White. “He has a big potential for this style of racing.”
Keukeleire credits the GreenEDGE team with affording him a path to progress.
“I'm really happy that the team first of all gave me this opportunity two years ago,” said Keukeleire. “It has been a really good thing for me, and I’ve been so happy with it.
“After these two years, it feels good to know the team is happy with what I've done and have decided to offer me another two year contract.
“I'm thankful for the team and everybody who allows me to be part of it.”

 

[Smallville22]

Van Hummel wins stage one of Arctic Race

Kenny van Hummel sprinted to the win at the end of the Arctic Race opener in Bodo.
Thor Hushovd had been favourite to win, but Vacansoleil's van Hummel held off team-mate Barry Markus for the win.
Rudiger Selig came third, with Husovd down in fifth.

Stage one results:

1 Kenny van Hummel (NED) Vacansoleil 4:23:45

2 Barry Markus (NED) Vacansoleil +0

3 Rüdiger Selig (GER) Katyusha +0

4 Thor Hushovd (NOR) BMC Racing +0

5 Jetse Bol (NED) Belkin +0

6 Jonas Ahlstrand (SWE) Argos +0

7 Jo Ringheim (NOR) People4you +0

8 Sondre Enger (NOR) Plussbank +0

9 Ralf Matzka (GER) NetApp +0

10 Jan Ghyselinck (BEL) Cofidis +0

 

[Smallville22]

Hushovd wins second stage of Arctic Race

Thor Hushovd of BMC produced a textbook sprint finish to win the second stage of the Arctic Race.
The Norwegian saved his legs in the back of the peloton during the stage in and around Svolvaer before unleashing everything he had in the closing stages to claim the victory.
"Perfect!" was Hushovd's succint reaction as he crossed the line.
Tom Van Asbroeck came second and Marco Haller third, while stage one winner Kenny van Hummel finished fourth.

 

[Smallville22]

Renshaw holds on to take Eneco Tour opener

Belkin rider Mark Renshaw pulled clear of the field in the final kilometre to take the opening stage of the Eneco Tour by two seconds in Belgium.
Lotto Belisol’s Andre Greipel and Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise’s Giacomo Nizzolo were second and third respectively.
Renshaw, 30, surprised his rivals by launching an ****** near the flamme rouge before holding on to claim his second victory of the year.
Bradley Wiggins continued his comeback trail by finishing with a cluster of riders nearly four minutes back.
Renshaw leads the overall classification by six seconds ahead of Greipel once time bonuses are factored in.
The Australian is leaving Belkin at the end of the season to be reunited with former Sky team-mate Mark Cavendish at Omega Parma-QuickStep.

Result:

1. Mark Renshaw (Aus) Belkin Pro Cycling Team

2. André Greipel (Ger) Lotto Belisol

3. Giacomo Nizzolo (Ita) RadioShack Leopard

4. Maximiliano Ariel Richeze (Arg) Lampre-Merida

5. Elia Viviani (Ita) Cannondale Pro Cycling

6. Taylor Phinney (USA) BMC Racing Team

7. Michael Van Staeyen (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise

8. Davide Appollonio (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale

9. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-Merida

10. Ruslan Tleubayev (Kaz) Astana Pro Team

GC:

1. Mark Renshaw (Aus) Belkin Pro Cycling Team

2. André Greipel (Ger) Lotto Belisol

3. Pieter Jacobs (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise

 

[Smallville22]

Demare sprints to Eneco Tour second stage victory

France's Arnaud Demare rose to the top of the Eneco Tour general classification after taking the second stage with a well-timed sprint finish.
It had looked like Philippe Gilbert would take the victory but, despite being led out by his BMC team, he was unable to prevent Demare overtaking him close to the line.
Garmin-Sharp’s Tyler Farrar took third.
It was Demare's second triumph in August following on from his win in the RideLondon-Surrey Classic.
Stage one winner Mark Renshaw (Belkin) suffered a puncture two kilometres from the finish, which prevented him from competing for consecutive wins. Despite crossing the line two minutes after the winner, he was awarded the same time to leave him second overall.

Stage Two Result:

1. Arnaud Demare (Fra) FDJ

2. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC Racing Team

3. Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin-Sharp

4. Marko Kump (Slo) Team Saxo-Tinkoff

5. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Omega Pharma-Quick Step

6. Jean-Pierre Drucker (Lux) Accent Jobs-Wanty

7. Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Lampre-Merida

8. Taylor Phinney (USA) BMC Racing Team

9. Lars Boom (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling Team

10. Matthieu Ladagnous (Fra) FDJ

GC:

1. Arnaud Demare (Fra) FDJ

2. Mark Renshaw (Aus) Belkin Pro Cycling Team

3. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC Racing Team

 

[Smallville22]

Mouris signs new deal with GreenEDGE

Orica GreenEdge have announced that Dutchman Jens Mouris has re-signed for the squad for another season.
“I like being in this team, and I didn’t want to go anywhere else,” said Mouris. “I’m obviously really pleased to sign this contract for another year.”
A solid and versatile rider, Mouris is reliable in the tough one-day Classics and contributes firepower in both the team time trial and sprint train.
The 33-year-old is expected to chase another podium performance at the upcoming world championships, and he added that the relaxed nature of the team mean that the decision to extend his deal was an easy one.
“I have spent a lot of time in Australia during the last decade, and being with Orice-GreenEDGE has given me an even better excuse to go there for my off-seasons,” said Mouris.
“I like the way Australians do things. It’s a nice balance between professionalism and creating a good, fun environment. That makes the team both focused and relaxed, and I feel at home here.”
Sports director Matt White acclaimed Mouris’s contribution to the team's engine room.
"I would say Jens is a rider that's able to provide crucial support in a number of different scenarios," White explained. "His strengths are on the flat roads, in the lead-out train and in the team time trial. With these varied skills, he is useful in so many races."

 

[Smallville22]

Stybar claims unlikely Eneco Tour stage win

Zdenek Stybar (Omega Pharma QuickStep) took stage three of the Eneco Tour after beating fellow breakaway riders Maximiliano Ariel Richeze (Lampre Merida) and Lars Boom (Belkin) in a sprint finish.
The trio were part of a small group that rode clear with two kilometres left.
Boom looked set for victory after leading out the final sprint but he faded allowing Stybar to snatch an unlikely win.
The 187 kilometre stage was made more tricky when strong winds caused the peloton to split when the route neared the coast.
Stage two winner Arnaud Demare (FDJ) remained top of the general classification although Boom pulled himself to within a second of the Frenchman after picking up valuable bonus points.

Result:

1. Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Omega Pharma-Quick-Step

2. Maximiliano Ariel Richeze (Arg) Lampre-Merida

3. Lars Boom (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling

4. Giacomo Nizzolo (Ita) RadioShack Leopard

5. André Greipel (Ger) Lotto Belisol

6. Manuel Belletti (Ita) Ag2R La Mondiale

7. Danilo Napolitano (Ita) Accent Jobs-Wanty

8. Alexander Porsev (Rus) Katusha

9. Davide Appollonio (Ita) Ag2R La Mondiale

10. Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Movistar Team

GC:

1. Arnaud Demare (Fra) FDJ

2. Lars Boom (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling

3. Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Omega Pharma-Quick-Step

 

[Smallville22]

Greipel sprints to stage four win

Andre Greipel (Lotto Belisol) utilised his superior sprint speed to claim stage four of the Eneco Tour ahead of Giacomo Nizzolo (Radioshack-Leopard) and Lars Boom (Belkin).
The German national champion took advantage of his Lotto Belisol teammates' lead out as they protected him in the final corners leading to the sprint finish.
Greipel now lies second in the overall standings following Boom's second place finish in his home town Vlijmen. The Dutchman took the white race leader's jersey and now leads Greipel by one second.
Omega Pharma-Quick Step's Alessandro Petacchi continued his impressive comeback from injury by taking fourth spot, with Garmin-Sharp's Tyler Farrar in fifth.
Britain's Bradley Wiggins finished in a second group that crossed the line several minutes after Greipel due to a crash with six kilometres to go.

Result:

1 André Greipel (Ger) Lotto Belisol

2 Giacomo Nizzolo (Ita) RadioShack Leopard

3 Lars Boom (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling

4 Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling Team

5 Alexander Porsev (Rus) Katusha

6 Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin-Sharp

7 Jens Keukeleire (Bel) Orica-GreenEdge

8 Yauheni Hutarovich (Blr) Ag2R La Mondiale

9 Elia Viviani (Ita) Cannondale Pro Cycling

10 Christopher Sutton (Aus) Sky Procycling

 

[Smallville22]

UCI candidates McQuaid, Cookson in another angry clash

The bitter battle for the presidency of cycling's governing body took another twist on Friday as the two candidates, incumbent Pat McQuaid and challenger Brian Cookson, were involved in another angry exchange.
McQuaid, bidding for a third mandate as president of the International Cycling Union, angrily hit out at suggestions that he had broken the rules governing the nomination of candidates, describing the claim as "outrageous.”
Cookson, head of British Cycling and the only challenger so far, replied that McQuaid's remarks were "another attempt to denigrate the current presidential process.”
Irishman McQuaid, who has been president since 2005, failed to win the backing of his own country's Irish Cycling federation but received nominations from the federations of Switzerland, Thailand and Morocco.
However, he later received a letter from British Cycling's lawyers which suggested the UCI had accepted his nominations from the Thai and Moroccan federations after the closing date, McQuaid said.
"That is an outrageous suggestion," said McQuaid in a statement.
"Brian must immediately make a statement on whether he believes that to be true and if he believes otherwise he has duty to ensure that this allegation is publicly withdrawn.”
McQuaid confirmed that the Swiss, Thai and Moroccan nominations were all received before the deadline in accordance with the UCI rules.
"As the president of British Cycling, Brian Cookson must explain his decision to allow his federation - that is funding his campaign - to behave in this way and to use its considerable financial clout to employ lawyers to challenge issues in the election," said McQuaid.
"I do not fear an open election and I am not at all concerned by my ability to secure the support and votes that I require to be re-elected as UCI President," he added.
"While it would appear that Brian has lost confidence in his own ability, I continue to challenge him to allow the UCI Congress and its voting delegates to decide.”
Cookson, who has been president of British Cycling since 1997, quickly hit back with a statement of his own.
"Sadly today we have seen yet another attempt by the existing UCI President, Pat McQuaid, to denigrate the current presidential election process," he said.
"I want nothing more than an open and properly conducted democratic election and vote for the UCI presidency. To suggest otherwise is nonsense.
"It is also true that I, and many in our sport, have legitimate and growing concerns about the retrospective rule bending and attempted manipulation that is taking place at present.
"In my view it is therefore absolutely correct that British Cycling and others have raised concerns regarding proposed rule changes which have a direct impact on the election process now under way. These concerns need to be addressed.
"Far from ducking these issues, for the good of cycling and the reputation of the UCI, it is critical that openness and transparency guide our procedures and not desperate manoeuvres and outbursts by Mr McQuaid.”
Cookson has based his candidacy on restoring trust and credibility in the UCI as the organisation struggles to deal with the aftermath of the Lance Armstrong doping scandal and allegations it did not do enough to catch the American, who was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles last year.
McQuaid has already described Cookson's election manifesto as "half-baked, fundamentally flawed and financially impractical". The election is scheduled to take place in September.

 

[Smallville22]

Chavanel wins time trial, moves to second in general classification

Sylvain Chavanel claimed stage five of the Eneco Tour as he won the time trial to climb to second in the overall standings.
The Frenchman started day five 24 seconds adrift of overall leader Lars Boom but powered his way through the 13.2 kilometre time trial around the Dutch town of Sitttard in 16 minutes 4 seconds, closing the gap on the Belkin rider to just four seconds.
Team Sky’s Sir Bradley Wiggins had set the pace early on in the day with a solid time of 16 minutes 13 seconds, but the 2012 Tour de France winner soon saw his time beaten with New Zealand’s Radioshack Leopard rider Jesse Sergent clocking a 16:08.
Argos Shimano’s Tom Dumoulin and Orica-GreenEdge’s Sebastian Langeveld later surpassed the Brit’s time as he slipped to fifth in the time trial.
Following day five’s action, Team Sky’s sporting director Servais Knaven expressed his disappointment, despite insisting that Wiggins had performed well.
“Of course we hoped for more but at the end of the day four guys were faster," said Knaven.
"Brad did a good time trial. The first part was quite technical but I think across the second half of the course he was the fastest of anyone.”

Result:

1. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) - Omega Pharma-Quick Step 16min 4sec

2. Tom Dumoulin (Hol) - Argos-Shimano +4sec

3. Jesse Sergent (NZ) - RadioShack Leopard +4sec

4. Sebastian Langeveld (Hol) - Orica-GreenEdge +6sec

5. Sir Bradley Wiggins (GB) - Team Sky +9sec

6. Taylor Phinney (US) -BMC Racing +11sec

7. Vladimir Gusev (Rus) - Katusha +14sec

8. Lieuwe Westra (Hol) - Vacansoleil-DCM +17sec

9. Andriy Grivko (Ukr) - Astana +18sec

10. Lars Boom (Hol) - Belkin +20sec.

 

[Smallville22]

Stybar takes stage seven, claims Tour victory

Zdenek Stybar completed a stunning victory as he took stage 7 in Kapelmuur, securing the overall honours of the Eneco Tour.
The Omega Pharma-Quick-Step rider broke clear of the Peleton inside the final 10 kilometres as he battled Team Sky’s Ian Stannard to the finish line.
Stybar had started the final stage 8 seconds behind Team Argos-Shimano’s overall leader Tom Dumoulin. An incredible ****** with 10km to go was enough to separate Stybar from the peleton and close in on Dumoulin’s time.
Dutch rider Dumoulin was ****** to take overall second with Astana Pro Team’s Andriy Grivko claiming third.

Overall classification:

1. Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Omega Pharma - Quick-Step 25:14:05"

2. Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Argos

3. Andriy Grivko (Ukr) Astana

4. Jan Bakelants (Bel) RadioShack

5. Daryl Impey (SAf) Orica

6. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Omega Pharma - Quick-Step

7. Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Belkin

8. Pieter Weening (Ned) Orica

9. Maxim Iglinskiy (Kaz) Astana

10. Maxime Monfort (Bel) RadioShack

 

[Smallville22]

Wiggins: I'll never win the Tour again, so back to the Games

Bradley Wiggins has said that he has no chance of winning the Tour de France again, and will go for Olympic glory once again.
Wiggins has openly admitted that he has no chance of beating Sky team-mate Chris Froome at any of the Grand Tours, and since he does not want to switch teams he will ride one more season before going back to track cycling.
The 33-year-old was unable to defend his 2012 Tour de France title due to injury, with compatriot Froome winning a second title for the British team in his absence.
Wiggins had previously indicated he may never compete in the Tour again, but he said on Monday that he would like to ride it one more time, if selected, and was willing to play second fiddle to Froome.
"I don't mind admitting that Chris is probably a better Grand Tour rider than me," Wiggins told The Times.
"He is a much better climber, he can time-trial well. He has age on his side, he has no ****, that's fine.
"If Chris wants to, he could potentially win five Tours now. So if I want to win another Tour, I'd probably have to leave the team.
"I love this team. This is my home, I'm not going to go, 'I want to be the leader still, so I'm off'."
Wiggins confirmed that he will retire from road racing after one more season before returning to the velodrome, with the goal of adding to his gold medal haul at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
"I'm going to continue to the next Olympics and try for a fifth gold," he said..
"That's the plan. Having lost weight and muscle the last few years I wouldn't be able to walk back into that team pursuit squad, so I'm not taking anything for granted, but I am working towards that.
"It would be nice to finish the career with another Olympic gold."
Wiggins won six Olympic track medals, including three golds, before switching to the road after the 2008 Olympics.
He won an individual time-trial gold at the London Olympics last year, after his Tour de France success.
Despite that, Sky had thrown its backing for team leader behind 28-year-old Froome, even before Wiggins had to withdraw from Tour contention with a knee injury.
The pair have had a fraught relationship, with Froome reportedly saying recently Wiggins had not congratulated him on his Tour victory.
Wiggins said there was a simple reason for that.
"For a start, this is a pathetic excuse - and it's not an excuse - but I don't have his phone number.
"The second thing is, a lot of stuff happened with me and him and his girlfriend and it was left in a very bad way and rather than me send him some naff (worthless) little text message, I would rather wait till I see him, genuinely put my hand out and say 'you know what, that was a good ride'."
"That is more genuine than one text message that might get lost in hundreds of others.
"Obviously once the press got hold of it, it got chewed up a bit and then it would have been really naff to have sent one.
"But I will see his at the World Championships where I will be riding to support him. So this was not me saying, 'I'll never ride for him again'."

 

[Smallville22]

Sagan blasts to victory in Colorado opener

Peter Sagan sprinted to the win in the opening stage of the USA Pro Challenge in Snowmass, Colorado.
The Slovak Cannondale rider was simply too fast for Greg Van Avermaet of BMC Racing as he charged to the line at the end of the 98km stage from Aspen to Snowmass
The USA's Kiel Reijnen (UnitedHealthcare) came third.
"Maybe I was a favorite for people, but for me I am very surprised," said Sagan.
"I am very happy. Thank you to all of my teammates, because they were on the front and pulled the group for the whole of the race. And we are very happy when we took the victory for the team.
"I felt very good,. I think this helped me, and maybe it was key for the win today. It was hard, but the climbs were not very long.
"We did tempo and on the last loop we rode hard on the last climb. The last 10km was good for me."
The seven stage race concludes on Sunday in Denver.

 

[Smallville22]

Team Sky name team for Vuelta

Neither Chris Froome nor Bradley Wiggins will be in the Team Sky line-up for the Vuelta a España, the seasons's final Grand Tour, which starts on Saturday.
The winners of the last two Tours de France will both sit out the iconic Spanish race, with Sergio Henao the man chosen to be the team leader when the event gets under way in Galicia.
Colombian 25-year-old will be joined by Edvald Boasson Hagen, Dario Cataldo, Vasil Kiryienka, Christian Knees, Salvatore Puccio, Luke Rowe, Rigoberto Uran and Xabier Zandio.
"It’s a testament to the strength and depth in this team that we can line up in all three Grand Tours this year with such strong squads," said Team Sky boss Dave Brailsford.
"We’ve watched Sergio develop since he joined the team and this is a great opportunity for him to demonstrate what he is capable of on a big stage like the Vuelta.
"We have selected a squad for all eventualities out on the road and we’re excited to get started and to try to build on our success this season."
Henao was thrilled to be leading the team.
"It is an honour to be picked as the team leader and it’s a responsibility that I want to try and fulfil," he said.
"I respect what the team has asked of me and I want to try and make the most out of the opportunity. The Vuelta is always a hard race and it’s getting tougher every year. There are a lot of great riders targeting the race this season and the racing is going to be at a really high level."

Team Sky line-up for the Vuelta a España (profiles from Team Sky)

Sergio Henao, Colombia – age 25

Henao has been a revelation since bursting onto the European scene in 2012 and deserves his newfound status as team leader. The Colombian claimed a top-10 finish in his first-ever Grand Tour at last year’s Giro d’Italia, and also enjoyed a spell in the coveted white jersey. This season he has already claimed stage victories on mountain-top finishes at the Volta ao Algarve and Vuelta al Pais Vasco, and his explosive climbing ability marks him out as one of the sport’s most exciting talents.

Edvald Boasson Hagen, Norway – age 26

The Norwegian all-rounder is back to full fitness after fracturing his right scapula at this summer’s Tour de France. It will be the first time Edvald has taken part in the Vuelta and he will be looking to join an elite group of riders who have won stages in all three Grand Tours following his successes at the Giro d’Italia in 2009 and Tour de France in 2011.

Dario Cataldo, Italy – age 28

Cataldo will be making his 10th Grand Tour appearance at this year’s Vuelta and his all-round capabilities will be of huge benefit to the squad. The Italian has happy memories of this race, having claimed a notable victory on the queen stage of last year’s edition on the steep ramps of the Cuitu Negru climb.

Vasil Kiryienka, Belarus – age 32

Since joining Team Sky at the start of the season, Vasil Kiryienka has consolidated his reputation as one of the world’s best domestiques. The Belarusian’s power, consistency and machine-like riding style has already helped Team Sky to six race wins in 2013, and the 32 year old is more than capable of competing for stage victories himself, should the opportunity arise.

Christian Knees, Germany – age 32

Knees is one of Team Sky’s most experienced riders and will be making his 12th Grand Tour appearance at this year’s Vuelta. The former German champion was an integral part of Team Sky’s Tour de France-winning team in 2012 and helped Rigoberto Uran to second place overall at this season’s Giro d’Italia.

Salvatore Puccio, Italy – age 23

Puccio hit the headlines in May when he took the race leader’s jersey at the Giro d’Italia, and after a spell in the maglia rosa, he resumed his selfless support of his team-mates. The young Italian has a bright future ahead of him and will be a vital cog in Team Sky’s Vuelta a Espana machine.

Luke Rowe, United Kingdom – age 23

Rowe has enjoyed a seamless transition since turning professional at the start of 2012 and has been rewarded with this – his debut Grand Tour ride. The Welshman sealed his first stage victory at the Tour of Britain last season and will be looking to continue his progression during the three weeks of action.

Rigoberto Uran, Colombia – age 26

Uran’s second-placed finish at the Giro d’Italia marked him out as one of the world’s best Grand Tour riders and his stage victory on the summit of the Altopiano del Montasio also demonstrated his phenomenal climbing talent. Uran will be riding in support of Henao this time around, but is more than capable of challenging for top honours again, should the need arise.

Xabier Zandio, Spain – age 36

Zandio is Team Sky’s most experienced Grand Tour rider with 14 appearances already under his belt. The Spaniard is one of the strongest and most reliable domestiques in the sport, and his tactical knowledge and solid climbing abilities make him a valuable asset to any Grand Tour team.

 

[Smallville22]

No positive tests in 2013 Tour de France - UCI

The 2013 Tour de France had no positive **** test results, Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF) director Francesca Rossi said at a media Open Day in Aigle, Switzerland.
Britain's Chris Froome won this year's race, which came under extra scrutiny as it was the first edition being staged since American Lance Armstrong admitted he had cheated his way to seven Tour de France titles from 1999 to 2005.
Team Sky's Froome, who had to face the media every day on the Tour, expressed his frustration during the race at being repeatedly questioned about doping in the sport.
Team Sky principal Dave Brailsford said during the three-week Tour that he was ready to give the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) all their team training data if that would help.
An International Cycling Union (UCI) statement issued on Tuesday said CADF took 622 ***** and ***** samples during the 100th edition of the Tour against 566 samples in 2012.
Working closely with the French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD), CADF took 202 pre-competition samples and 419 during the race.
Reinforcing the strategy of targeted testing, 198 of the samples taken during this year's race were for the biological passport compared to 149 samples in 2012.
"This target testing strategy has been hugely facilitated by the excellent on-site cooperation between CADF and AFLD during the race," Rossi was quoted as saying on the UCI's official website (www.uci.ch).
The samples were analysed by the WADA-accredited laboratories of Chatenay-Malabry in France, Lausanne in Switzerland and Cologne in Germany.
The UCI and AFLD have also agreed to keep the samples taken for possible retrospective testing in the future.

 

[Smallville22]

McQuaid loses Swiss backing in UCI presidential race

Pat McQuaid has lost Switzerland's backing for his bid to be re-elected as head of cycling's governing body, leaving the Irishman in what his rival Brian Cookson described as "a very difficult position."
The Swiss cycling federation confirmed on Wednesday that it had withdrawn its nomination for McQuaid, who failed to gain backing from his own federation, for political reasons.
The incumbent still has the backing of the Thailand and Morocco federations, however these have become the subject of controversy after the British cycling federation suggested the nominations were made after the deadline stipulated by the electoral rules.
"Swiss cycling's executive committee has.... for political reasons withdrawn its nomination for Pat McQuaid's re-election as Internacional Cycling Union (UCI) president," said Swiss Cycling in a statement.
Challenger Brian Cookson, head of British Cycling, replied with another strongly worded statement after another twist in the bitter campaign.
"This latest development is of real significance to the presidential election process," said Cookson, the only other candidate.
"It leaves Mr McQuaid in a very difficult position, particularly when viewed alongside his failure to receive a nomination from his own national federation as required under the constitution of the UCI.
"It also places further question marks against his other 'nominations' whose validity is in serious doubt and remain a matter of genuine concern to many in the cycling world.
"No attempts at manipulation and legal bluster can take away the doubts and questions.
"The important principle in any democracy is that you must respect the rules as they are, not how you'd like them to be. My hope remains that we have a democratic process based on the rules of the race when it started rather than those made up half way through."
McQuaid, in office since 2005 and bidding for a third mandate, has described suggestions that the nominations were not valid as "outrageous."
On Tuesday, the UCI said that global law firm Baker and McKenzie had confirmed that it followed procedures correctly.
"The opinion from the Geneva office of Baker and McKenzie confirmed that the nominations of Pat McQuaid by the national federations of Morocco and Thailand had both been properly submitted to the UCI before the deadline for submissions," said a UCI statement.
Cookson has based his candidacy on restoring trust and credibility in the UCI as the organisation struggles to deal with the aftermath of the Lance Armstrong doping scandal and allegations it did not do enough to catch the American, who was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles last year.
McQuaid has already described Cookson's election manifesto as "half-baked, fundamentally flawed and financially impractical". The election is scheduled to take place in September.

 

[Smallville22]

Hayman to leave Team Sky for ORICA-GreenEDGE

ORICA-GreenEDGE have confirmed the signing of Team Sky domestique Mathew Hayman on a two year contract.
The Australian will join the team from his home country at the end of the season after spending the last four seasons at Sky.
"I watched the team from the start," said Hayman of the move.
"There was talk about it for five years leading up to getting a license and sponsors. I followed along the whole way. Watching it evolve and feeling the excitement in Australia to finally get a team it can support was great."
Hayman said he hopes to make an impact in the Classics and represent the team at the Tour de France.
"I really enjoy the Classics – they are where I get my best results," said Hayman.
"My major focus will be to get the most out of the Classics in the next two years. I’d like to bring all my years of experience together and hope that I’m at the pointy end for all of them.
"It will be a lot of hard work to make the (Tour de France) team, but I am motivated to make it happen."
Hayman is perhaps best remember for winning gold in the road race at the 2006 Commonwealth Games while he has also won the Vuelta a Mallorca (2001), The Sachsen Tour (2005) and the Paris-Bourges (2011)

 

[Smallville22]

Injured Boonen out for the rest of the season

Former cycling world champion Tom Boonen has been ruled out for the rest of the season as he continues to struggle with a cyst, his Omega Pharma-Quick Step team said on Thursday.
The 32-year-old Belgian has struggled to train properly as the cyst is located where he sits on the saddle.
"Though the perineum cyst that has been tormenting him for the past few weeks is shrinking, it is still very painful and the wound ... has not completely healed," his team said on their website.
Boonen added: "It's terrible news but unfortunately I was expecting it ... The team staff and I have agreed to give the injury time to heal and then in October I will immediately start preparing for 2014."
Boonen, who won the world road race title in 2005 and the Tour de France points classification two years later, is one of the most successful riders despite having been in trouble after failing a dope test for ******* in 2008.
He shares records of wins on some of the best-known cycling classics including Paris-Roubaix, where he has triumphed four times, and the Tour des Flandres.

 

[Smallville22]

Swiss federation president resigns over McQuaid split

Swiss Cycling president Richard Chassiot quit on Thursday after the federation withdrew its backing for Pat McQuaid's bid to be re-elected head of the sport's international governing body.
"Richard Chassiot, who had been president of Swiss Cycling since March 2012, has resigned with immediate effect," the federation said on its website.
"He has left the Swiss cycling federation over disagreements within the executive committee on the nomination of Pat McQuaid," the statement added.
This week's decision not to support McQuaid ended a long debate within the Swiss federation over whether to back the Irishman. A commission had been set up to discuss the case, only to be dismantled after the national body decided to step back.
McQuaid, who failed to get support from his own federation to run for a third term as International Cycling Union (UCI) president in next month's election, still has the backing of the Thailand and Morocco governing bodies.
He has been widely criticised over the Lance Armstrong doping scandal amid allegations the UCI did not do enough to catch the American, who was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles last year.
Brian Cookson, head of British Cycling, has based his candidacy on restoring trust and credibility in the sport but McQuaid has described his rival's manifesto as "half-baked, fundamentally flawed and financially impractical".