Cyclismas » Emma Pooley

The UCI Overlord declares the Best and Worst of the Week – Episode 9

admin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:12:40 +0000

The TDU is finished, and I’m back at headquarters after a whirlwind trip Down Under. The Santos Tour Down Under produced some good stories and some eyerolling dreck, culminating with a Valverde “stage victory.” We’ve got rumours that the Jonathan Vaughters-led Slipstream Sports is or is not or is something involved with AA Drink, and don’t get me started on the Emma Pooley business, yet. Onward, brave readers, onward.

Greg Henderson pauses to watch the finish on Willunga. (Photo courtesy of Ben via roadcycling.nz.co)

Best of the Week

Number Five

Kolobnev hearing in two weeks time

Let’s see if this one drags out like every other case recently, but we won’t discuss anything to do with Ullrich or Contador or Mosquera… or will we? No, let’s talk about this very interesting case that was curiously appealed by the UCI. Here’s hoping that Alexander receives a speedy answer in order to get back to racing. It’s good news that CAS has set the appeal so quickly, which might indicate that the UCI wants to sweep this under the carpet. It would seem that the organization really doesn’t have any ammunition to overturn the Russian Cycling Federation’s decision, if those on the inside of the dispute are to be believed. The funniest part about this is the fact that Holczer came out and said that there’s no place for Kolobnev on the team, while others behind the scenes have shared with me that Holczer really has no authority in those decisions. Look for Kolobnev to be welcomed back into the fold after he receives his CAS dismissal.

Number Four

Santos extends with the Tour Down Under

The Tour d’Adelaide has been secured for a few more years with Santos topping up their commitment to the race. That’s good news, and an opportunity for Turtur and company to make some drastically needed improvements for future editions, but you can read about that a little further along. *chuckle*

Number Three

Top Marks for Uber-Domestique Greg Henderson

He’s been hit by a motorcycle. He’s had numerous scrapes over his career. He suffered through his Team Sky years with no real sprinter to lead out, but managed to nab some outstanding victories, including stages at the Amgen Tour of California. He was a key player in Greipel’s recent victories in the land of Oz, and even after taking a tumble and injuring his little toe and taking on eight stitches, still delivered Greipel to a victory on the final stage. Greipel has described him off the record as tougher than Jens, and that no one has delivered the Gorilla to the 200m mark as well as Hendy during any sprint finish. He’s a man who marches to his own beat, even stopping during the Willunga stage to watch the final between Valverde and Gerrans on the big screen before limping in with his injuries 16 minutes later. He’s also loyal to his mates, no matter what team they’re on, including his former team (but we won’t talk about that anymore, no sir). Jens may get the press and the accolades, but Hendy is a much tougher man, in my opinion. Winners are Grinners.

Number Two

Emma Pooley talks turkey about the state of women’s cycling

Pooley isn’t one to mince words, and when she says things like, “but the people who tell me women’s cycling isn’t as interesting because it’s slower, well that’s total bullshit” demonstrates the frustration that has been building for two decades in the sport. Considering the fact that a female soigneur didn’t hit the peloton until the 1980s says volumes about equality in cycling, but that is no excuse for the state of affairs for the fairer side of the peloton. While the men’s side whines and moans about “a lack of corporate sponsorship” or “a difficult business climate,” the women’s peloton has been operating under those working conditions for two decades and is still operating. Incorporating the voice from that side of the sport could maybe even bring experience to cycling on how to navigate in a difficult economic environment. And you know what? The racing is as exciting and if not a little more unpredictable than its male counterpart. Glad to see Pooley speak out.

Number One

The Inner Ring’s appearance in ProCycling

Yes, yes, I’m a month and a bit behind, but I just read Issue 159 this week, so it gets inclusion. @Inrng is stone for stone the most consistent blogger/journalist/conspiracy hunter in cycling. In his article for ProCycling titled, “Twitter Litter,” he talks twitter basics to the cycling fans who may not realize the impact that the social platform has on the sport. It was a nice refresher to see him “sift the inane and banal to find the gems the sport tweets.” Overall, he is careful about what he shares and does a tremendous amount of researching. He’s not afraid to state the rumours that swirl around various subjects, but isn’t one to join the angry cycling twitter mob, unless it’s warranted. It was a real treat to open ProCycling and see his writing gracing the pages. Well deserved, mate, and keep up the good work. Sorry I topped you in the cyclingnews.com poll.

Worst of the Week

Numero Cinco

Where in the world is Franco Pellizotti?

Lost in the hype surrounding the return of one Alejandro Valverde is the fact that Pellizotti is free and clear to ride as of May 3, 2012. He had a stellar reputation in the peloton, and it’s suspect that he was suspended due to “biological passport irregularities.” With the challenges in the biological passport programme, it would seem in hindsight that Pelli may have been selected as the guinea pig to help “sell” the concept to other sports to stroke the collective egos at the UCI. Pellizotti didn’t appeal the decision. He took his punishment and didn’t appeal it to the Swiss Federal Court. The worst part? Liquigas emphatically stated their belief that he was innocent. However, good luck when you’re one of the first cases picked in a pioneering programme, one that is being trumpeted by SportAccord to be used in other major sports. Think the system is rigged? Even the AIGCP head stated that if the decisions had been overturned, it would have been the death of the bio passport project. Nothing ever gave the indication that he was dirty. Pellizotti has said privately he’d like to come back. But will he? Will someone like Savio take a flyer in Pellizotti for this year’s Giro? I hope so.

Numero Cuatro

Tour Down Under’s Race Coverage

You are a UCI-sanctioned race. You are in a first world nation. You have deep pockets, and you recently signed a deal with the ASO for television rights. So what do you do? You shite the bed and piss off your fans by ignoring a TV station that has built up a strong following to broadcast the race, and you strike a deal with another channel that is still stuck in the 90s idea of highlights at 11 pm, followed by broadcasts of the final two stages only. The result? First day returns of only 50,000 viewers of the highlight package, when in the year prior SBS had 212,000 viewers of the first stage. Then you have such dreadful updates for the press corps covering the race to the point where ALL send me DMs complaining about how poor it is. Seriously. All. No joke. Top it off with making the press wear orange smocks with numbers, helmets, and other such awful ideas. The outstanding social media army of the TDU spent most of their time apologizing. Thank goodness for SBS “alternative” coverage, for cyclingnews.com’s coverage, plus other journos like Rupert Guinness and Blazin’ Saddles of Eurosport fame.

Numero Tres

Juergen Roelandts Broken Collarbone

Heal up young man. The good news? The lad was seen persistently chatting up the podium ladies at the closing party of the TDU. That’s dedication. Tough to see a fall like that after a sketchy maneuver by the Vacansoleil boys. Let’s hope Vacansoleil isn’t becoming the new “bleeding carrots” this year.

Numero Dos

Arenburg? Out? What?

Clean it, for fook’s sake. Quit talking about it. Paris-Roubaix without Arenburg is like a Tour de France without a doping controversy. Hmm, maybe I should look at announcing a bust after one of the small races rather than always at a Grand Tour. Hmm.

Numero Uno

Some guy named McQuaid grants Rupert Guinness an interview at Tour Down Under

You are the head of the international cycling organization. Your organization is non-profit and supposed to be transparent about the occurrences in the sport. You aren’t the CEO of a privately-held Fortune 500 company. You are seriously saying “no comment” on matters of importance to the sport. As I said to Rupert Guinness directly after the interview, the arrogance of this man and the arrogance of this organization is fooking staggering. Look, people don’t call you a “dick” because you’re Mother Theresa. It’s gobsmacking to hear the collective opinion held by those in both the men’s and women’s peloton about the leader of the sport and the organization he runs. Team owners say the same. These are the words of a dinosaur organization out of step with the sport entirely. Why force tour organizers, federations, and sponsors to hold clandestine meetings to try to take away their power? Oh right, the lemming thing. I forgot.

The UCI Overlord declares the Best and Worst of the Week – Episode 6

admin — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 02:47:06 +0000

The holiday seemed to be enjoyable for all, which made for a quiet week leading up to Christmas. That said, this past week between Christmas and New Years’ was FULL of interesting activity, from an Aussie lady roaring to the Lion King letting out a small yelp. The first Best/Worst for 2012, featuring the tail end of 2011, has arrived.

Hosking gives a great 2012 salute to the Overlord of Cycling (photo courtesy Joe Armao)

Worst Five Things of the Week

Numero Cinco

Chloe Hosking Admonished by Cycling Australia

So let’s get this straight. Hosking is given a “slap on the wrist” by Cycling Australia, and offers an apology to McQuaid. They are even thinking possibly of sanctions or fines for the offense. I find this interesting, considering some of the choice soundbites from the mens’ side of the Aussie contingent and their comments about McQuaid. McEwen anyone? I believe comments out of the UCI by a certain individual could be construed as “dickish.” Yet again, Cycling Australia shows they are out of step with the world climate.

Numero Cuatro

Leipheimer still tweets about Radioshack

Oh Levi, you look great in baby blue, but what does Lefevere have to say about your ridiculous product tweets about Radioshack, like this one? Is there something we should know about the relationship love-in between you and Lee Applebaum? Just a reality check, Levi – you are now riding for Omega Pharma Quickstep. And you look good in blue. Start talking about installing the latest laminate flooring in your Belgian shack. Oops sorry, didn’t mean to say the “S” word.

Numero Tres

Cipollini fires off at Cavendish, must be on Greipel’s payroll

Super Mario just likes to stir the fooking pot. What cracks me up is all the Tweeters from the wrong side of the Atlantic pontificating on how profound Cipo is on the subject of Cavendish. This, despite the fact that most Euro journalists have been extolling his virtues with the same platitudes for roughly four years now. At least. Of course Cipo is right. Of course Cav is wasting his talent, especially now that he’s in the protective cocoon of his home team. I’m waiting for Cipo to say that the UCI is bad for professional cycling, or maybe say that the Giro d’Italia is the only major grand tour that is listening to the peloton. Or maybe echo Robbie McEwen’s obvious sentiments about the Schlecks being ruled out of 2012 Tour victory due to the … gasp! time trials .

Numero Dos

Cervélo enters into exclusive arrangement with Pon

Why is this on the worst list? I’ve been down this path many times before. These sorts of arrangements beget the massive corporatism that follows. What made Cervélo a great brand and a great bicycle? Two gents who showed they had a heart for the sport, maybe sometimes too much heart, like the idea of creating a professional team that may have wiped out significant cash holdings. While some may say that this development gives more opportunity to the brand, like when Cannondale was bought out by that Canadian bicycle conglomerate, it also signifies a change of direction that could cause the death of the product. Time will tell.

Numero Uno

Bicycling Magazine January issue

I refuse to link to it. Refuse. I haven’t read the thing for several years, but a friend dispatched a copy for me to peruse, showing me what they have to suffer with on the wrong side of the Atlantic. Funny thing is, the cover could have been from five or ten years ago. “Get Lean Now,” “Stay Warm,” “Pasta Can Improve Your Riding,” “The Best New $2,000 Road Bikes.” Folks, it’s time you came up with a new schtick. No wonder Future Publishing is kicking your arse. I think Velonation is getting more hits on their website than you lot are. The only saving grace? Strickland is still there, and our favourite Chiquita banana, @mplsminx, received a well-deserved mention. Two diamonds surrounded by muddy fooking porcines. Peter Flax is a nice man, but it’s really time to ponder the future of the magazine beyond the new logo. You’re starting down the path that “Velo” (or is it Velonews?) has almost completely traversed. The path to oblivion.

Best Five Things of the Week

Number Five

Emma Pooley confirms she and a cavalcade of teammates join AA Drink-Leontien.nl

Good news for some talented ladies who were almost left high and dry in an Olympic year by the collapse of the Vaughters-led Garmin team. The question is, did this development come about because of the efforts of Pooley, or did the aforementioned Vaughters have a hand in putting the deal together? Since he’s been quiet on the subject, it seems that he would like to close the door permanently on this chapter. It also means that there are several strong women’s teams based on the roster developments for the 2012 season.

Number Four

Ken Sommer leaves ‘The Shack ‘

I may have given a hard time to both Sommer and Nygaard last year, but you know, they really are quality guys who do a pretty good job with what they are given. The fact that Sommer joined Nygaard’s exodus from the team shows that maybe, just maybe, he refused to suffer the coming ridiculousness from the Bruyneel-led team. After watching how Becca operates with his riders and ex-members of management, it probably makes sense that Bruyneel has teamed up with the billionaire construction magnate. Sommer’s exit, of course, will be attributed to his desire to move onto new ventures, but behind the scenes probably speaks to his dissatisfaction on how Becca will be allowing Bruyneel to operate. Sommer just went up several hundred notches in my book. Best of luck in the new venture.

Number Three

RCS names fourteen wild card candidates for the Giro and their other races

It is very nice to see that the Michele Acquarone-led organization is following through with their lip service to be a more accessible, more team-friendly, and ultimately a more rider-friendly organization. The fact that they have released the list of the teams in the running for wild cards this early in the season means that they are holding true to the values that they have touted as central to their mission. Nice also to see a tour organizer stay consistent with their follow-through. This is testament to great leadership by a gentleman who, in fact, is now blogging for cyclingnews.com, where he actually explained the process for wildcards. Wow. Novel concept. Setting a bad precedent for yours truly…

Number Two

Inner Ring breaks an omerta to discuss Makarov and Russian Cycling

A fine article well worth the read. The great bard of cycling refused to connect the dots and make the allegations that Makarov has links to the Russian criminal underworld, as he confided to me that he didn’t want a pair of “concrete Sidis.” Good point. The troubling part of this equation is the amount of nepotism, corruption, and rampant cronyism in the sport that leads to ties with the criminal elements of the world. However, just do a Google search for igor makarov semyon mogilevich and see what turns up. And don’t go near any cement mixers.

Number One

Chloe Hosking calls Pat McQuaid a “dick”

What else would you expect to be numero uno on a list from yours truly? Let the dick jokes commence.