L'Eroica, October 7, 2012: Registration opens in a few hours at 0001 March 1st . With field limits in place register as soon as possible at www.eroica-ciclismo.it. The field limit is 3,000 of which 2,200 slots are for Italians and 800 slots for foreigners (an increase of 300 for foreigners from last year). The field limit applies to anyone between 15 and 60. If you are over 60 years of age the field limit does not apply, whether you are Italian or not, but you must still register.
Gran Fondo New York, May 20, 2012: Register today as on March 1st the entry fee increases to $240 for the Gran Fondo and $195 for the Medio Fondo. Get on it now if you are not registered yet: granfondony.eventbrite.com.
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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.
Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.
A boom in registrations for the 3rd edition Südtirol Sellaronda HERO means that registrations are closed and no more race numbers now remain....except for the number 2012 that will be put up for auction beginning today at 1700. Bids may be made through the Facebook pages of the Hero and may be placed up until June 15th. Proceeds of the auction will be given to the Association Assisport Alto Adige, the Association which for 25 years has supported south Tyrol’s young sporting talent.
Race day is Saturday, June 23rd when riders from no fewer than 25 countries will compete. The race keeps its winning formula and of two routes which have already entered mountain bike folklore: the super tough one of 82 kilometers with 4,200 meters of elevation gain and the second ‘easier’ one of 50 kilometers with ‘only’ 2,600 meters of elevation gain. Both start and finish in the center of Selva, which is located at a height of 1,653 meters asl.
The following day, June 24th, is Sellaronda Bike Day when thousands of cyclists enjoy the closed to traffic Dolomite roads and can ride the four passes (Sella, Gardena, Pordoi and Campolongo) of the the Sella Group:
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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.
Philippe Gilbert will wear number one at the Strade Bianche race on Saturday, 3 March, but faces serious competition from some of the best riders in the peloton as he attempts to win on the iconic dirt roads of Tuscany for a second year. Gilbert’s powerful BMC Racing Team line-up includes George Hincapie, Alessandro Ballan and Greg Van Avermaet. Tour de France winner Cadel Evans will ride in support of Gilbert before targeting Tirreno-Adriatico.
Some of the best classsics riders and climbers in the peloton will be out to beat the BMC team. The names of previous winners Fabian Cancellara (Radioshack Nissan Trek) and Maxim Iglinskiy (Astana) stand out on the official entry list of 14 teams, as do those of 2011 Paris-Roubaix winner Johan Van Summeren (Garmin-Barracuda), Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale) and Roman Kreuziger (Astana). The Garmin-Barracuda team also includes Dan Martin, Ryder Hesjedal and Christian Vande Velde.
Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale) leads the Italian challenge and proved he is on form with his stage win at the recent Tour of Oman. Italian national champion Giovanni Visconti captains the Movistar team and recently trained on the dirt roads, learning the secrets of the farm tracks that wind through the Tuscany vineyards. Other Italians include sprinter and Tuscan resident Daniele Bennati (Radioshack Nissan Trek), Trofeo Laigueglia winner Moreno Moser (Liquigas- Cannondale) and the prodigious Enrico Battaglin (Colnago-CSF Inox). Despite fracturing his collarbone in Qatar, Filippo Pozzato (Farnese Vini-Selle Italia) is due to ride Strade Bianche. Also on the entry list are China’s Ji Cheng (Team 1t4i), while Fabio Duartes leads the Colombia- Coldeportes team.
The testing 190km race route starts in Giaole in Chianti at 1100 and ends in the spectacular Piazza del Campo in the center of Siena that hosts the annual Palio horse race. There are eight hilly sections of dirt roads for a total of 57.2km of racing on the Strade Bianche. The final sections of dirt roads usually split the peloton before the climb to the center of Siena and the downhill sprint to the finish. The course, "segmento" identifies each section, click to enlarge:
Teams and riders for the 6th edition (click to enlarge):
Past winners: 2011 Philippe Gilbert 2010 Maxim Iglinskiy 2009 Thomas Lovquist 2008 Fabian Cancellara 2007 Alexandr Kolobnev
Photo: (top) Philippe Gilbert on his way to winning last year; (below) a fan cheers during last year's race
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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.
"La Magnifica" is a new gran fondo on the calendar that will feature strade bianche, cobbles, and a finish in a velodrome. From Forlì, to the Republic of San Marion and back to Forlì this gran fondo is going to be a challenge with its 5400 meters of elevation gain:
The event date is 9 September, 2012
Routes: Corto: Forlì – Teodorano – Forlì; 56 km (20% non-asphalt) Medio: Forlì – Monte Tiffi – Forlì; 130 km (12% non-asphalt) Lungo: Forlì - San Marino - Forlì; 227km (10% non-asphalt) Lungo course profile:
Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.
De Rosa, Colnago, Pinarello, continue to be great family names that grace the downtubes of Italian bicycles. Yet, today there is only one family member of these that actually builds frames and that is Doriano De Rosa, son of founder Ugo De Rosa. Doriano does all the Ti framebuilding at De Rosa and that to me makes the "Titanio" model special.
Marcello, whose blog BIKEADELIC is solely about De Rosa bicycles, recently had a a Titanio built for him by Doriano. Following are a few photos of Doriano working on the build, a more complete photo set on BIKEADELIC here. Related stories in ICJ: Ti Framebuilding by Doriano De Rosa De Rosa - Il Miglior Fabbro
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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.
Two new folding bikes, the Lounge and Pop, have been designed for the Fiat 500 by Compagnia Ducale and Officina 83 Style.
The Pop:
How it fits in:
The higher-end Lounge:
If you missed the Fiat 500 "Seduction" ad here it is again:
What are you looking at? Eh? What are you looking at? (slap) Are you undressing me with your eyes? Poor guy… you can’t help it? Is your heart beating? Is your head spinning? Do you feel lost thinking that I could be yours forever?
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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.
There was a time, not so long ago when steel bikes were the norm, that you would see Battaglin bikes on the roads. Of course, times have changed so I asked Battaglin-USA for an English language update on the Battaglin bicycles of today. Their reply as follows:
GIOVANNI BATTAGLIN "It was the last stage of the Giro, just one time-trial. Forty one kilometers from Soave to the Arena of Verona, the entire route wound through the the midst of two wings of the cheering crowd. It was the first time that the Classic 'Pink' Race ended in the ancient Roman city. I was wearing the pink jersey, but there were three of us within 38 seconds of first place. When I entered the Roman amphitheater, the roar of the crowd made me realize that I had won. I was overjoyed: just two days before the start of the tour I had won the Vuelta leader's Green Jersey, but the victory that I dreamed of the most and aspired to for my entire career was in the Italian Giro. Also, I was the first Venetan who prevailed, making this triumph, on the streets of my Region, an even grander victory."
With these words Giovanni Battaglin, from Marostica, born in 1951, enthusiasm in his voice and eyes, tells of his victory in the 1981 Giro d'Italia.
During his professional career, Battaglin participated in the Giro d'Italia 10 times, the Tour of Switzerland 6 times, the Tour de France 5 times, the Vuelta a España once and the World Championships 8 times. As an amateur he scored numerous victories, including Giro d'Italia dilettante, the Trofeo Tricolore and the World Championships in Mendrisio.
1973: Raced his first Giro d'Italia, placing third. The accomplishment was noted by all and gained him a reputation as a remarkable pacer-climber. In the same year, thanks to numerous victories, becomes the best new professional.
1974: Winner of the Giro dell'Appennino. Participates in his first Tour de France..
1975: More victories. As captain of the Jolly Ceramica team, wore the pink jersey for 5 stages of the Giro and won the Coppa Sabatini.
1976: First time in the yellow jersey, the Caen stage of the Tour.
1978: Victory in the Coppa Bernocchi.
1979: Battaglin is Captain of Inoxpran, winning the best climber competition in the Tour and wins sixth place overall.
1980: Victory in the Milano-Vignola, the extremely tough Pecol stage of the Giro d'Italia, the Milano-Torino and the Coppa Placci. Was third overall in the Giro d'Italia.
1981: Marks the apex of Giovanni's racing career: first place in the Vuelta, winning the time-trial stage as well as attaining his personal goal-conquest of the pink jersey, winner the 64th Giro d'Italia.
Battaglin had thus earned the triumphant victory of his career and proper recognition for his exceptional talent. He was a true champion, a skillful, first-class climber and capable of exceptional performance against the clock as a time-trialer. Yet his list of victories, however impressive, does not do adequate justice to his character and tenacity as an athlete. Only an individual with remarkable fortitude and determination could overcome a series of incidents that cost him a Giro d'Italia, a podium at the Tour and perhaps a World Championship in Valkenburg.
Despite his series of misfortunes, Giovanni was able to come back with a prodigious season in 1981, succeeding in achieving two consecutive victories, the Vuelta and Giro d'Italia, which only Merckx had been able to obtain.
BATTAGLIN BICYCLES Battaglin retired after the 1984 season. In 1982 Battaglin started a bicycle manufacturing business which he runs from Italy. In 2002 the company sponsored the Ceramiche Panaria Fiordo squad. Today, Battaglin is one of the most exclusive brands in the bicycling industry. Every bike is 100% handcrafted in Italy. Giovanni Battaglin has designed and produced high-performance racing bikes since the early 1980s and is today one of the most recognized and oldest independent bicycle manufacturer in the world. With even established bicycle manufacturers moving their production to Asia to cut costs we are proud to be one of the very few Italian bicycle brands which truly builds race bikes Made in Italy.
Battaglin bicycles don't just meet quality standards, we set them. After many years of research and development we are proud to present our latest series of race bikes (see www.battaglin-usa.com). Our monocoque carbon frames technology allows us to push the limits of composite technology to build the strongest and lightest frames in the world.
Everything we do is because of our passion for cycling. Our goal is to build the most technologically advanced bicycles in the world and to set the standard for high-performance race bikes. Our name stands for Italian racing tradition, innovation and exclusivity. Every Battaglin bicycle is a handcrafted Italian masterpiece that offers the latest technology and innovation that made us world-famous.
Video: NFL Linebacker Dhani visits the Battaglin factory as he prepares for the Gran Fondo Monte Grappa:
THE BATTAGLIN TRAVEL EXPERIENCE Our guide is not just a guide. You will train with a professional cyclist who will help you to become the best rider possible.
Our bikes are made in Italy for one sole purpose: To Deliver The Perfect Ride. Besides your equipment the region where you ride is evenly important. Experience exclusive accommodations, savory meals, cultural immersions and experienced guides. All the details are taken care of. All you have to do is enjoy The Perfect Ride.
Experience Italy as you never seen it before. Soak in the incredible beauty of Italy's east coast. Ride the same roads where the history of the Giro d'Italia has been made. Ride the roads of Legends.
The Battaglin Week as a Professional is geared towards medium to strong riders and will be adjusted during the event to individual needs and abilities. Many of our routes during this trip will follow the same roads as the Giro d'Italia. Italy is a fabulous country to visit with unequalled scenery, friendly people and of course great food. From its dramatic beaches to its quiet roads lined by majestic olive trees, Italy will captivate you with its diverse terrain and wild beauty. The east coast of Italy will reward you at every turn. So much more than just a cycling trip, enjoy ancient architectural marvels, historic walking tours and unforgettable scenery, all complemented by sumptuous dining, delicious local wines and luxurious accommodations. See www.battaglin-usa.com for details.
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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.
The UCI has expunged Alberto Contador's name from the UCI record books for the races involved in his doping case. Michele Scarponi is now listed as the 2011 Giro d'Italia winner and Andy Schleck as the 2010 Tour de France winner.
Now, both the Giro and Tour organizations can move on to declaring the new winners and updating their own race records.
Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.
The L'Eroica organization is considering offering a "L'Eroica" branded racing bike. Before moving forward with the implementation of the project they are seeking input via a survey they have created:
I do note that have a carbon frame option which is a real mystery.
Any profits made from the sale of the bikes will be divided between the charities L'Eroica supports and the organizational costs of their events.
REMINDER: For the second year there will be field limits, explained here. Registration opens on March 1st at midnight ITALIAN TIME. The next edition takes place on October 7th. Registration is at www.eroica-ciclismo.it
Photos: Angelo Ferrillo, Angelo Ferrillo Photography; more photoshere
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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.
Victory in the prestigious 49° Trofeo Laigueglia went to 21 year old neo-pro Moreno Moser, the nephew of Francesco Moser. Moreno Moser recently joined Liquigas-Cannondale and participated in the December training camp.
Three kilometers on his own with his head down just thinking about pedaling harder and faster than the chase group to cross the line with his arms raised. This sums up the spectacular feat on Saturday, a feat that Francesco Moser himself never accomplished during his career having having finished 3rd in 1978, 1979 and 1980.
"If you’d asked me to bet on myself to win at the start, I wouldn’t have done it," said a beaming Moser. "To be honest, I wouldn’t have even done it two meters from the finish line: it was only when I raised my arms in the air that I realized I’d won. This is a dream come true: my first win, in Italy, and just how I wanted it to be. Racing as a finisseur is what I did best in the junior categories. I tried twice today: I went too early the first time, but the second was a winner, particular for the timing. The lead group was restless and I think lots of them were considering attacking. I didn’t calculate anything, I just went. I pushed as hard as I could and never looked back: it was right to have a go, either it would work or it wouldn’t. Which helped the most, legs or courage? I’d say legs, you never win without those. I’d add teammates to that as well: I couldn’t have done it without their work and support."
Last 10 minutes of the race:
The Moser family, from Trentino, has a long history of cycling success. In 1973, brothers Diego (Moreno's father), Aldo, Enzo and Francesco were all on the Filotex professional team.
Aldo Moser raced in 16 Giro d'Italia, highest placed as 5th in 1956 and wearing the pink jersey for two days. He was 3rd in the Tour di Suisse in 1962. He won the Grand Prix des Nations in 1959 in the TT, and won several races of that level.
Enzo Moser wore the pink jersey in the Giro d'Italia for two days in 1964.
Francesco Moser won the Giro d'Italia in 1984, won Paris-Roubaix three consecutive times (1978-1980), won the world road racing championship in San Cristobal, Venezuela in 1977, and in 1984, in Mexico City, Moser broke the famed 1972 hour record of Eddy Merckx.
Moreno, Francesco, Diego, Aldo Moser:
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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.
FFWD is bringing to market wheelsets in the celeste graphics as used by Vacansoleil-DCM on their Bianchi bikes (photo above). The wheelsets will be arriving in stores in April.
Two versions will be available: a 58mm profile clincher and a 60mm profile tubular. Price: about 1200 euro
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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.
Launched in 2011, the UCI World Cycling Tour(UWCT) is a series of events for amateurs. Through qualifier events around the world, riders can obtain a place to participate in the UWCT Final, with a world title for their respective age group as the ultimate goal. On the line: the chance to earn a coveted UCI rainbow jersey.
The first edition of the UCI World Cycling Tour had 7 qualifier events in 3 different continents. The final in Stavelot (Belgium) on the famous hills of Liège-Bastogne-Liège attracted around 800 riders from 32 different countries and 6 different continents, all of them competing for the world titles in their respective age categories. The United States grabbed the most medals, beating out The Netherlands and Belgium for this prestigious honor.
The UWCT will hold a maximum of 15 qualifier events, 13 of which are already confirmed: two legs in Australia and one in South Africa, Canada, France, Greece, Germany, Slovenia, Belgium, Austria, Denmark, Spain, Brazil and Italy (which did not have a qualifying event last year). The Final where the new World Champions will be crowned will be held in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. As for the rest of the qualifier events, negotiations are currently ongoing with organizers in the UK, and Mexico.
Event details to come but it has been announced that the 2012 Valley First Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan (VFGFAMO) is the UCI World Cycling Tour's only North American stop. Information at www.granfondoaxelmerckx.com. Note: only cyclists registered in the Granfondo category are eligible for the "road race" and qualification to the UCI World Cycling Tour's Final.
Rule changes: In 2011 riders who finished in the first 25% of their age category won a ticket to the UWCT final. This rule stays the same in 2012. In addition, riders who participate in 3 qualifier events during the season will also get their ticket to the final. They don’t have to finish in the 25% first in their age category. The world champions of Stavelot 2011 don’t have to qualify again. Both time trial and road race world champions get their direct ticket to the final of both disciplines. A road race world champion can also participate in the time trial final and vice versa. Silver and bronze medal winners will have to qualify again.
Photo: 2011 UWCT champions
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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.
A worthy detour from Italian cycling courtesy of the UCI:
Robert Marchand – best hour performance at 100 years old
"At the age of 14 he entered his first cycling event under a false name because he was too young: today he established the first-ever best hour performance…. in the category Masters over 100 years!
And that pretty much sums up the personage of Robert Marchand. Full of energy and in possession of a huge motivation, when he has an idea in his head, nothing will stop him.
“But I’m not playing at being a champion,” assures this lightweight (1m51 for 51kg) but far from frail man whose world performance stands at 24.251 km (15.0688 miles). “I just wanted to do something for my 100th birthday.”
Well why not?
Which is one of the reasons why, less than three months after his birthday, he made the trip from his studio in Mitry-Mory (near Paris) to the World Cycling Centre in Aigle, Switzerland, to attempt the world hour performance on the centre’s velodrome. The request to make the attempt was made by Gérard Mistler, Président of the Ardéchoise Cyclo-Promotion – annual cyclo-sportif event that Robert Marchand never misses.
“I think he is a human example of the benefits of cycling,” enthuses Mistler. “The fact that this performance is achieved at the WCC, headquarters of the International Cycling Union, is truly symbolic.”
Preparation at World Cycling Centre
With Gérard Mistler taking care of the administrative side, the athlete himself was able to concentrate on his preparation, which included familiarising himself with the centre’s track during the four days directly preceding the official date. While his ability to cycle non-stop for an hour was never going to pose a problem, Robert Marchand had to dig deep into his personal cycling history to retrieve the sensations of riding on the track.
“I haven’t cycled on a track for 80 years. You have to get used to the fixed gear! I prefer cycling outside but that is impossible at the moment,” he complained as he watched the snow fall in bucketsful outside the WCC. “I don’t want to catch the flu. So I am short on training.”
His build-up at the WCC included a first initiation under the watchful eye and guidance of Magali Humbert, former World Juniors Champion in the sprint and multiple French Champion. The following days, he rode round the track accompanied by his “coach” Magali, increasing his time in the saddle as the day of his challenge approached.
“The track is small. You just turn round and round,” he commented after one of the training sessions. “I could keep going for another hour. I’ve been told not to raise my pulse too high so I’m not even tired.”
For all his physical exploits, this amazing pint-sized personality is obedient and follows medical advice. He has been told not to go raise his pulse over 110, and it is a rule he respects with reverence. Well, most of the time: “I did climb a steep hill not long ago and went up to 134 but it’s best to avoid that,” he admits with a mischievous chuckle. “But I would be very surprised if I had heart attack,” he offers spontaneously. His optimism would appear well-founded: his first ever cardiograph last week revealed that his heart was in excellent condition.
Optimism aside, he knows his limits and remains cautious. “For the last five years I have decided not to go for rides of more than 100km. There is no point going overboard. I want to keep cycling for some time yet.”
These words of wisdom come from a man who last competed in the Bordeaux – Paris race at nearly 90 years of age, completing the 600km in 36 hours! His name can be found in the results list of France’s mythic cyclo-sportif events and even has a mountain pass named after him.
And his secret?
Now to the question on everyone’s lips…. what is his secret? How is it possible to be in such frighteningly good physical, and mental, health at 100 years old?
“I’ve never abused anything. I don’t smoke, I never drank much. The only thing I did in excess was work. I retired at 89 years old!”
Retired? But of course, Robert Marchand was no professional cyclist. Besides his favourite sport, he has lived a myriad of experiences. He could talk for hours about the wars, his first job as a boy looking after cattle, his time as a gymnastics monitor with the Paris Fire Department, his eight years in Venezuela as a driver, his three years in Canada where he was a woodcutter…
“I have to try to resume everything or we’ll be here all night.” It would certainly be worth staying up all night to listen to this man who has a memory that would put anyone to shame and stories to keep any audience captivated.
Then we get onto the subject of the other sports he was involved in when he was younger: boxing, gymnastics (French champion in the pyramid – he was the lightweight at the top), weightlifting (“I was good. I could have been a champion”).
“But basically, I am like everybody. I am lucky that I haven’t had any major health problems. My advice to anyone, young or old, is to keep moving. I do ‘physical culture’ every day. It works out my whole body and keeps me supple. Some people when they reach 80 years old, start playing cards and they stay immobile. Not me. I’ve never been able to keep still…”"
Photo: The holder of the world best hour performance Robert Marchand
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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.
The digital version of the Italian cycling magazine BICISPORT in now available through subscription. BICISPORT focuses on pro racing. A summary of the February, 2012, issue (cover photo above) is here (in Italian of course).
Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.
Read "Shadow Optic, the Manufacturing Partner Paradox" to gain additional insights into what is happening in framebuilding. The Italian firms mentioned are Colnago, Pinarello, Bianchi, Wilier, Scott, and Dedacciai.
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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.
Yesterday we asked the question, "When will the Giro d'Italia change the winner for 2011 from Alberto Contador to Michele Scarponi?" and we tweeted Michele Aquarone, Managing Director at RCS Sports (head of Giro d'Italia), with the question.
In reply Mr. Acquarone wrote, "Work in progress! :)"
Respected INRNG wrote in with, "ASO say they are waiting for formal instructions from the UCI, only then can they act on 2010 Tour result"
To which Mr. Acquarone replied to with, "Maybe I'm wrong but I believe that CAS already did it..."
I looked back at the CAS report and in fact it does say (edited for brevity), "Mr. Contador is disqualified from the Tour de France...from all competitions he participated in after January 25, 2011....including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes."
To which INRNG pointed me to the Tour de France posting on their website in which it says (bolding is mine), "The CAS suspended the Spanish rider for two years. He was also stripped of the title for the Tour de France 2010 as well as his victories in 2011, including the Giro d’Italia. On the basis of this verdict, the International Cycling Union is likely to award victory for the 2010 edition to Andy Schleck, the runner-up in the race."
So, the question that remains open at the moment is whether the UCI is part of a process that is not yet complete to allow TdF and Giro to officially announce new winners?
Time will tell...
Later update thanks to INRNG: UCI on February 6, 2012 stated, "Alberto Contador case: the consequences of the CAS ruling: The disqualification of Alberto Contador from the 2010 Tour de France as a result of the CAS ruling as well as his suspension backdated to 25 January 2011 entails the amendment of the classifications of all events in which the rider participated during this period as well as other associated rankings."
It appears this would be the reason for the delays in officially recognizing the new winners.
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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.
When will the Giro d'Italia change the winner for 2011 from Alberto Contador to Michele Scarponi? We'll tweet Michele Acquarone to see what he says. As of today:
ALBO D'ORO
ANNO
NAZ.
ATLETA
TEAM DI APPARTENENZA
2011
CONTADOR Alberto Velasco
Saxo Bank Sungard
2010
BASSO Ivan
Liquigas-Doimo
2009
MENCHOV Denis
Rabobank
2008
CONTADOR Alberto
Astana
The Giro has a more pressing problem on its hands at the moment: Since Contador was stripped of his victories that also means he was stripped of the points he brought to Team Saxo Bank (representing approximately 68% of the Saxo Bank-Sungard team's total points) which enabled the team to qualify as a ProTeam. In turn, that has now led to the UCI having to rule on Team Saxo Bank’s future, possibly being stripped of its ProTeam status. Michele Acquarone and his Giro team are contemplating what to do if the UCI cuts Saxo Bank and decides to not name a replacement (bringing the number of Proteam's from 18 to 17). As Aquarone said, "At that point we will evaluate whether to proceed with the replacement of Saxo Bank....we will have to do this in the in the shortest possible time."
The Tour de France has also yet to revise its records for 2010:
Yr
Nat.
Winner
Number of stages
The riders
Kilometers
Time
Average speed (km/h)
Age
Engagés
Classés
2011
Cadel EVANS
21
198
167
3 430,5
86h12'22"
34
2010
Alberto CONTADOR
20 + prologue
180
170
3 642
91h58'48"
27
2009
Alberto CONTADOR
21
180
156
3 459
85h48'35"
26
2008
Carlos SASTRE
21
180
145
3 559
87h52'52"
40,492
33
2007
Alberto CONTADOR
20 + prologue
189
141
3 570
91h00'26"
39,228
24
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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.
Team Rusvelo will not be participating due to a "logistical problem" and has been replaced with Utensilnord–Named (IRL) in the 6th edition of "Strade Bianche" to be held on March 3rd. Fabio Bordonali, team manager of Utensilnord – Named commented, "The invitation from RCS Sport to attend the Strade Bianche is a pleasant surprise for us: we were very pleased with the invitations to Milan-San Remo and Il Lombardia but this additional opportunity to be recognized in an international event such as the Strade Bianche only adds to our motivation."
The teams participating:
UCI Pro Team: Astana Pro Team (KAZ) BMC Racing Team (USA) Garmin – Barracuda (USA) Lampre – ISD (ITA) Liquigas – Cannondale (ITA) Movistar Team (ESP) Radioshack – Nissan (LUX)
UCI Professional Team: Acqua & Sapone (ITA) Colombia – Coldeportes (COL) Colnago – CSF Inox (IRL) Farnese Vini – Selle Italia (GBR) Project 1T4I (NED) Team Type 1 - Sanofi (USA) Utensilnord – Named (IRL)
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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.
Valentine's Day, February 14, 2012, marks eight years without Marco Pantani.
Tribute video:
There is a museum dedicated to Marco Pantani: the "Spazio Pantani" (the Pantani Space) located in the town of his birthplace, Cesenatico.
The multi-media museum, located near the railway station, traces the career of Pantani through an exhibition of photos, memorabilia and audiovisual materials. The museum is divided into three halls, each of 100 sq. meters, named Mortirolo, Alpe d'Huez and Bocchetta. Each famous climbs which Pantani won stages on.
More photos and information about this museum and other cycling museums in Italy here.
Photos: Gazzetta dello Sport: 1998 TdF, 1999 Giro d' Italia, 2000 TdF on Mont Ventoux, 2003 Giro
Use the ICJ custom search feature in the right column to find stories about Pantani
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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.
Of the eighteen ProTour teams only three are using Campagnolo this season: Lotto-Belisol, Campagnolo EPS on Ridley frames Movistar Team, Campagnolo EPS on Pinarello frames Lampre-ISD, Campagnolo EPS on Wilier frames
Ten of the ProTour teams are using Shimano and five are using SRAM.
Campagnolo, founded as a company in 1933, won the Tour de France in 1948 with its rod gear "Cambio Corsa" shift system used by Gino Bartali. The two shift levers were mounted on the seatstays.
Shimano's first Grand Tour victory was in the 1988 Giro d'Italia won by Andy Hamspten. The first victory in the Tour de France was in 1999 when Lance Armstrong won using Dura-Ace.
SRAM's first Grand Tour victory also came in the Giro d'Italia, in 2008, which was won by Alberto Contador. SRAM's first victory in the Tour de France came in 2010, also with Alberto Contador. As Alberto Contador has been stripped of that victory I wonder if SRAM can claim that as their first TdF victory??? (ed note: yes, as Andy Schleck was also riding SRAM; thanks JonMack for correction).
In the Pro-Contintnal teams the situation with Campagnolo is worse, only two of twenty-two team are using Campagnolo this season: Team Europcar, Campagnolo Super Record on Colnago frames Colnago-CSF Inox, Campagnolo Super Record on Colnago frames
What am I riding? Take a look here, here, and here.
Source for use of Campagnolo in the 2012 season: Campagnolo Follow on Twitter: ITALIANCYCJOURN
Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.
L'Eroica, October 7, 2012:
Gran Fondo New York, May 20, 2012:
