Cyclismas » Nicola Cranmer

Cyclismas Cycling News Network Episode 11

admin — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 04:47:35 +0000

Ripp and Jonny cover the cycling from London, the return of Contador, and the USADA/UCI/WADA/Armstrong business. The boys welcome Nicola Cranmer to the show, where she discusses the Gold Medal win of Exergy-Twenty-12 partner Kristin Armstrong. Our creative director FINALLY convinces Jonathan Vaughters to stop by for a chat about cycling, misfits, and wine. Bridie O’Donnell returns with her latest Bon Mots, hitting women’s track and Olympic event decisions square in the forehead. Blazin’ Saddles muses about Pat McQuaid, alcohol in London, and the Olympic Athletes’ Village. Throw in an Undercover Gunn exploring the whos, the wheres and the what the hells of Alexander Vinokourov, and you’ve got a SUPERSIZED episode of massive proportions! (And our Top 5 moments of Suffering presented by Sufferfest provides a few chuckles…)

The UCI Overlord declares the Best and Worst of the Week – Episode 8

admin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:02:19 +0000

Jet lag is a pain in the arse. Thankfully, I finished up on Wednesday in the Land of Oz, but it still caused me delay in this week’s offering. Thirty lashes from Nicola Cranmer should punish me adequately. The past week featured all your usual suspects, delays, and some well-documented argy bargy. Don’t forget the Heart revival, but you’ll have to read on to find out what that means. Slainte!

It's back to basics for the RadioSchlock team. Maybe that's a good thing. (photo courtesy of RadioShack-Nissan-Trek)

Best of the Week

Numero Cinco

Greipel blazes to early-season victory in Australia

I waxed the philosophical on this topic during my 2012 season preview with Neil and Dan on @TourChats two Sundays ago. While other pundits were discussing Goss, Renshaw, Cavendish, and the rest of the usual suspects, I’d been having some conversations with those close to the Lotto-Belisol team. These gents have long ties to the former HTC sprint train, and above all, actually enjoy working together. Henderson hadn’t been able to contain his excitement about his move to the team since the ink was barely dried on the contract last last summer, and was privately and publicly thrilled to reunite with the Gorilla after a year of anonymity at Sky in spite of stellar performances. While many are saying that it’s premature to discuss who will be successful in the sprints for 2012, there’s no doubt in my mind that the Lotto-Belisol team will be the benchmark.

Numero Cuatro

Cycling Australia issues a “suspended” fine to Chloe Hosking

A fitting end to this story. Nice to see that the highly-political organization decided to avert a mutiny in the ranks by issuing a quasi slap on the wrist. Privately, there were legions of the Aussie brass quietly applauding Chloe’s outspoken attitude towards the UCI. It would seem that the politicos at the federation level have noted the shift in the winds away from the “top” and are aligning with those at the “bottom.”

Numero Tres

Contador and Basso to testify at Operation Puerto Trial

We can analyse this in a variety of ways, but said trial could reveal some truths surrounding the actions of the doctor known as Fuentes and his dealings with the pro peloton. While everyone is distracted by one of the items on my worst list, this is going to be the revelation of 2012. Expect some interesting stories – that many of us behind the scenes have known for years – to be revealed, including links to CONI, the Giro, and ultimately the UCI.

Numero Dos

O’Grady accused of assault

Why is this on the best list? Because finally someone outside of cycling has experience and reported what O’Grady has been guilty of for years. Look, Stuey is a great rider and a very nice guy on the bike and around the bus. However, you put alcohol into the gent and it’s game over; he does have an alleged tendency to be an angry gentlemen when tipsy (that’s an understatement). He’s had some interesting run-ins over the years with members of the media and also billets. There was an episode where he grabbed one journalist by the throat after he’d had five beverages too many following the final stage of the 2008 TDU. How about the rumours of O’Grady assaulting one of the house parents at the AIS when GreenEDGE assembled their camp in December? Or how about Delgado’s comments to another journalist that he was gobsmacked that O’Grady was able to start one of the stages at the 2007 Vuelta in spite of the fact he’d been on such a bender the night before? And what about the Schleck incident? There’s no doubt in my mind O’Grady’s reputation has been protected by the cycling inner circle due to his abilities on the bike. What happens when he retires? Mel Gibson anyone?

Numero Uno

35 Women’s teams are registered for 2012

What a great story for women’s pro cycling after the questionable demise of several top women’s teams, including the Garmin program. This represents an increase of eight teams, amplifying the voice that was somewhat muted for a number of years. My appreciation goes out to those corporate citizens who have joined the ranks of sponsors in women’s cycling.

Worst of the Week

Number Five

Barracuda

Oh, Vaughters. Great you have a title sponsor. Great that you explained how it couldn’t save the women’s program. It all makes complete and total sense. Yes, the metrics may not justify supporting women’s cycling (not that you ever cared to), but if folks relied on that sort of thinking, the personal computer would never have been created. That’s just one example of unconventional thinking creating something outstanding to benefit society as a whole. However, in honour of Barracuda, I leave you with this video.

Number Four

GreenEDGE courts controversy by throwing their weight around at Aussie TT championships

Nothing like being the rich kid who abuses his playground power to ensure getting the honours he bought and paid for. GreenEDGE takes the top two podium places, utilizing race radios after exerting pressure on the commissaire. Look, gents, winning at all costs went out two years ago. It’s a hollow victory. You should be haunted by the fact that you exploited officials in order to profit. Shame, shame. How about the UCI ignoring any investigation? *Chuckle* nothing like a new holiday home in Melbourne courtesy of Gerry Ryan, GreenEDGE rich kid.

Number Three

Australians whinging about pro peloton nature breaks

TDU boss Mike Turtur is a horse’s arse. Public urination has been a tradition in professional cycling since the dawn of time. Rider are on a bike, nature calls, they need to stop. Everyone pisses. The fact that Turtur says, “It’s illegal to urinate in public – full stop” is about the most ludicrous thing he could say to the press outside of declaring that it’s illegal to block traffic for races. You’re the guy running the show. And a warning to those watching the sport for the first time, if a rider stops and whips it out, look away and go about your business. We all have pee pees and hoo hoos and when nature calls, nature calls. If you’re going to have a UCI-level race, you better goddamned make sure you’ve done all your homework to allow these boys to race without getting in shite for something like that. It’s not like they whizzed on someone, or a team car, or an official’s car. *chuckle*

Number Two

Aussie Cricketer wins world’s worst person award – Australia edition

My good mate Bridie O’Donnell said it best. Click on the link for her take. Brilliant read, my dear. Let’s hope Karma pays a visit to this douchebag.

Number One

Radioshack-Nissan requires remedial bike handling/cornering programme

I will give Johan full credit for realising that a certain members of his troupe are really uncomfortable on their bikes in most situations, naming no names. However, it’s completely embarrassing for them that you would do this sort of PR stunt to “raise” the profile of your team. It’s like demonstrating to a football club the basics of offside, or a to a hockey player the finer points of stopping on skates, or to an American football player how to throw a ball, after they’ve been signed to the professional ranks. So, the question is, again, was this a really bad PR stunt by a blundering team, or was it a smokescreen cover up of a team that has no idea how to ride or race outside of climbing (Fabs and Jens excluded)?

The UCI Overlord declares the Best and Worst of the Week – Episode 7

admin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:25:37 +0000

The week that was the start of Twenty Twelve provided some highs, some lows and more than a few intriguing plot lines. We had it all – from the Aussie National Championships, a grey non-event team presentation, questionable comments, and questionable actions.

Manufactured and authentic. You should be able to discern the difference.

Worst of the Week

Numero Cinco

I didn’t do anything wrong!

Oh Alejandro. I’m wondering if the Lada Gaga song was really written for you. Certainly seems so. You didn’t do anything wrong? Really? So you served the suspension for just being… you? The trouble with these “top” athletes is that they wreck the reputation of those who are legitimately working their arses off in the peloton. Take a page out of Millar’s book, Alejandro, before you receive a “Karpet Ride” from someone in the peloton who doesn’t take kindly to your lack of humility.

Numero Cuatro

Dombroski misses US Nationals

In light of how lopsided a victory that Katie Compton had at the US CX nationals (Congratulations Katie!), we’re extremely sad that one of our favourites, Amy Dombroski was too ill to fly to Madison to contest the national championships. She was quite active on twitter, and had one of the best comments in light of the nature of the race. It did bring out great secondary stories, in Katie Antonneau, and one of Nicola Cranmer’s road warriors, Coryn Rivera

Numero Tres

Hey Jealousy! Thy name is the entire peloton, according to Vinokourov

You know what? I think Vino would be great in my position since he truly understands that politicians these days need to be D-E-L-U-S-I-O-N-A-L. Jealous? I think that Vino and Valverde should join forces on the road and call it “Team Innocently Delusional presented by the Spin Kings.”

Numero Dos

Wellens falls ill on eve of CX nationals

An awful occurrence for Bart Wellens that he falls prey to a terrible infection on the eve of his national championship, and had catastrophic organ failure. Thankfully, he’s recovering well, receiving timely medical care. I won’t even get into any of the speculation at all, and hope that Bart has a very quick recovery. Best wishes.

Numero Uno

Radioschleck Datsun just can’t get anything right at all

This team is a prime example of doing everything for the wrong reasons with the wrong motivations. Becca has already burned a matchbook with the UCI by refusing to play along in the “game” and publicly declaring malfeasance in the Saxo/Israeli business. Follow that with Bruyneel’s declaration that Andreas Klöden is a bigger GC threat than Frank Schleck, proven already to be an ineffective motivator for the brothers. Or how about Maxime Monfort’s public declaration of wanting to contend the Vuelta? Can you say “too many GC contenders in the Nuclear Reactor now set to meltdown?” Then you have a team sponsor cheerleader in Lee Applbaum who just doesn’t understand how to say the right thing at the right time, including a poorly-played twitter response to Jonathan Vaughters (see the back and forth here) Next, you have an anti-climactic team unveiling in Luxembourg that Bruyneel couldn’t exit fast enough. Lastly, what the hell is with that bloody fooking team kit? Wow. How about an epilogue? Quite the fashion faux pas in that godawful grey sweater vest which made the team look like they were mental institution escapees. This should be a superb season of infighting and racing gaffes.

Best of the Week

Number Five

Bridie O’Donnell wins Bronze at Australian National Time Trial Championships

O’Donnell backed up her article’s assertions here at Cyclismas with a great podium finish, starting off her campaign for a spot at the Olympics with a bronze in the national time trials. She missed out on the silver medal by around a second, but it does give her a great foundation for her next test. We think she’s great voice for women’s cycling, and a testament to the maxim that you don’t have to be under 30 to compete at a high level, and have exceptional results.

Number Four

NetApp garners Giro d’Italia wild card spot

In my mind, this is a genius move by RCS. Sure, on a sporting level it might seem that these gents are in over their heads in comparison to the rest of the field lining up for the race, but it may prove to be a move that could generate some buzz leading up to the race. Remember that these boys did get their feet wet in last year’s Paris-Roubaix, and they do have ambitions for future WorldTour status. The fact that Giro fixture Stefano Garzelli was a casualty in order to allow NetApp a spot shows that Michele Acquarone is staying true to his efforts to create a wider audience for the race. Some have already made negative comments about the three other teams being “Italian,” but Rome was not built in one day. Baby steps will win out over radical change. Acquarone himself shared with me that it’s fine to make changes, but you also need buy-in from the RCS staff as well as the public before making major modifications to traditional thinking. He’s keeping consistent.

Number Three

Nicola Cranmer’s appearance on TourChats

If only all team owners were as frank and open as Nicola. You may agree (as most of us do) with her, or you may disagree, but she is willing to have a dialogue and share her thoughts. Looks like she’ll have to make an appearance on the Overlord’s Hotstove in order to expand on some of her thoughts that didn’t get clarified. I’m happy to give her the platform. Oh yeah, I was there too for a bit.

Number Two

Jeremy Powers wins US National Cyclocross Title

How can you not like JPow? He’s candid, funny, smart, and is unafraid to wear some very flashy colours during races. He had a textbook race, with only a small fall early in the contest, and held off a strong field in Jonathan Page, Ryan Trebon, teammate Zach McDonald, and Tim Johnson. If you get a chance to head over to cyclingdirt.org, there’s a wonderful video of him and his emotion at the finish line. Thank goodness the draconian course security detail allowed him to share the moment with someone special. I’m thrilled to see Powers overcome the trials and tribulations of years past to nab the title that eluded him.

Number One

Bill Gifford does the mainstream treatment of Team Armstrong

Gifford did a balanced and true portrait of the Lance phenomena, and a surface scratching of the fallacies that are trumpeted by those blinded-by-yellow-tinted-Oakley-Jawbones-with-the-Livestrong-logo fanatics. No money for research. A private jet (now for sale). Licencing deals. A for-profit Livestrong component. I look forward to a follow up with more detail that will squelch the mass hordes of mini-Lances running around the countryside trumpeting “Awareness” “Awareness” “Awareness.” I will say, however, that you also need to read Charles Pelkey’s clarification of his part in the article. And I’m hoping the NYVelocity boys get their trademark on “Cancer Shield.”