EuroTrash Thursday!

Today’s EuroTrash Thursday is a Lance free zone for the first time in the last few weeks, looks like his Oprah show idea may have backfired. Sorry but the TOP STORY is still dope related, will Puerto ever go away? Racing in Australia and Argentina is full on and we have the results and videos, plus news from teams, riders and races. The trash is all over the place today, so dive in with a big coffee.

TOP STORY: Operation Puerto Trial
It seems that WADA are less than happy with how the “Operation Puerto” trial is progressing, not the case against cyclists, but the other athlete who were implicated by the information and evidence gathered during the investigation. The problem is that the Spanish judiciary will only look at the fifty-four cyclists and no one else even though Dr. Eufemiano Fuentes has suggested that he treated others including track athletes and tennis players and ex-cyclist Jesus Manzano, who was a client of Fuentes, had spotted famous footballers at the Madrid clinic.

In a statement to The Telegraph, David Howman of WADA has stated that they “have been banging our heads against a brick wall to get access to the evidence.” He added that “the patients this man (Dr. Fuentes) was treating were across a number of sports, so it is disappointing that cycling was the only sport isolated.” Howman also pointed out that “it also means that many athletes who might be dirty have been allowed to compete.”

This must be referring to football (soccer), it wasn’t that long ago that a Spanish judge uttered the phrase: “You can’t touch the Gods” when it was suggested that Primera Divisiуn footballers might face drug charges. Recently Davide Cassani, the Italian cycling TV commentator who saw Rasmussen in Italy when he should have been in Mexico, stated that there were 80% less dope controls in Italian football in 2011 than there were in 2002. You can say that about cycling.

When “Operation Puerto” first came to light in 2006 doping for sport was not a crime in Spain, but endangering public health was, so Fuentes & Co. can admit to “preparing” athletes, but the prosecution will have to prove that they did endanger the patient’s health, which could be difficult.

A criminal who was sharing a prison cell with Fuentes claimed that the doctor had told him that he could bring down all the champions in football, so if he gets a custodial sentence we might be reading his customer list.

Tour Down Under, Australia 2013
Stage 1 from Prospect to Lobethal (135 kilometres) came down to a sprint which Andrй Greipel (Lotto Belisol) took with some ease in front of Arnaud Demare (FDJ) and Marl Renshaw (Blanco). Greipel commented on his sprint train, “The team did an awesome job again. It was hard to control and keep me up the front but the team did an awesome job.”

Before the sprint there was a lot of action, Jordan Kerby (UniSA-Australia) took off on his own to take the KOM points and build up a lead of nearly 8 minutes. The other teams were keen to bring him back and take sprint bonus seconds, World champion Philippe Gilbert (BMC) being one of them. Jerome Pineau (Omega Pharma – Quick-Step) attacked to cross to Kerby with 30 kilometres to go. This move failed due to Kerby not being able to help and the chase of Argos-Shimano, Movistar, Sky and Lotto Belisol for their sprinters. Blel Kadri (Ag2r-La Mondiale) tried his luck, but it all came together for the fight to the line.

Andrй Greipel: “Because only one man was riding in front, it was pretty easy to control the race, although apart from Argos there wasn’t really another team that was prepared to help. Olivier Kaisen has rode at the head of the bunch all day long and closed the gap. In the final it went up and down, and Tim Wellens and Adam Hansen have kept us in front on the hill. The last five kilometers were hectic, with a lot of turns and it went slightly downhill. Sky came to the front a bit too early and we could make use of that. At two kilometers from the end Sieberg took over, after him it were Roelandts and Henderson; we were very strong, but although it might have looked easy, it wasn’t. At 250 meters from the finish I looked over my shoulder and began. The next stage is again up and down. At eight kilometers from the finish there is a steep, tough climb, so it won’t be evident to sprint again for the victory, but who knows we might still try.”

Tour Down Under Stage 1 Result:
1. Andre Greipel (Ger) Lotto Belisol in 3:35:24
2. Arnaud Demare (Fra) FDJ
3. Mark Renshaw (Aus) Blanco
4. Simone Ponzi (Ita) Astana
5. Steele Von Hoff (Aus) Garmin-Sharp
6. Roberto Ferrari (Ita) Lampre-Merida
7. Daniele Pietropolli (Ita) Lampre-Merida
8. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky
9. Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Movistar
10. Zakkary Dempster (Aus) UniSA-Australia.

Tour Down Under Overall After Stage 1:
1. Andre Greipel (Ger) Lotto Belisol in 3:35:14
2. Arnaud Demare (Fra) FDJ at 0:04
3. Mark Renshaw (Aus) Blanco at 0:06
4. Simon Gerrans (Aus) ORICA-GreenEdge at 0:07
5. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC
6. Jerome Pineau (Fra) Omega Pharma – Quick-Step at 0:08
7. Thomas De Gendt (Bel) Vacansoleil-DCM
8. Simone Ponzi (Ita) Astana at 0:09
9. Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Movistar
10. Steele Von Hoff (Aus) Garmin-Sharp at 0:10.

Stage 1:

On the 116 kilometre Stage 2, Geraint Thomas (Sky) attacked on the climb of Corkscrew Hill 10 kilometres from the finish in Rostrevor, he was joined by Javier Moreno (Movistar) and Ben Hermans (RadioShack), plus George Bennett also of RadioShack who had been away already and had been caught by the other three. The group held off the chase pack down to the finish as Thomas watched the others before taking a long sprint which no one could answer. Thomas took the stage and took the overall lead from Moreno second at 5 seconds and Hermans third at 7, Lampre-Merida’s Daniele Pietropolli jumped to fourth.

Geraint Thomas, Team Sky Rider: “I’m really happy with that. I’ve worked hard since the Olympics trying to lose the track weight and I’ve got some good kilometres in over the winter. I wanted to start this year strong. I knew I had decent form but you never know how well everyone else is going.

“I always knew that I’d have decent legs on the climb I just wasn’t sure how I’d go. I got a bit excited and attacked a bit earlier on there. With about 400 metres to go I was starting to tie up but fortunately there was that group behind and we were able to work well together.

“To get the win is a massive bonus for all the hard work over the winter.”

Points leader Daniele Pietropolli described his finale: “I covered the climb in a very good way and, when Thomas, Moreno and Hermans attacked on the plains at the end of the climb, I was ready to chase them, but I stopped my action when I noticed that the bunch was recovering in a quick way,” Pietropolli explained. “The three attackers covered the downhill at full speed and they were able to avoid the recovery of the bunch, so I performed the sprint of the bunch.”

Tour Down Under Stage 2 Result:
1. Geraint Thomas (GB) Sky in 2:44:18
2. Javier Moreno Bazan (Spa) Movistar at 0:01
3. Ben Hermans (Bel) Radioshack-Leopard
4. Tom Jelte Slagter (Ned) Blanco at 0:04
5. Tim Wellens (Bel) Lotto Belisol
6. Daniele Pietropolli (Ita) Lampre-Merida
7. Jack Bauer (NZl) Garmin-Sharp
8. Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Blanco
9. Ion Izagirre (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
10. George Bennett (NZl) Radioshack-Leopard.

Tour Down Under Overall After Stage 2:
1. Geraint Thomas (GB) Sky in 6:19:32
2. Javier Moreno Bazan (Spa) Movistar at 0:05
3. Ben Hermans (Bel) Radioshack-Leopard at 0:07
4. Daniele Pietropolli (Ita) Lampre-Merida at 0:14
5. Tom Jelte Slagter (Ned) Blanco
6. Ion Izagirre (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
7. Gorka Izagirre (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
8. Tim Wellens (Bel) Lotto Belisol
9. Jack Bauer (NZl) Garmin-Sharp
10. Tiago Machado (Por) Radioshack-Leopard.

Stage 2:

Tom-Jelte Slagter gave Blanco, and himself, their first win in Stage 3 to Stirling after 139 kilometres of hard racing. Many teams were out to shake the overall lead of Sky’s Geraint Thomas, but they held the race together and put Thomas into 4th place and all was safe for another day.

BMC Racing Team’s Philippe Gilbert chased valiantly in the uphill dash to the line Thursday at the Santos Tour Down Under but the reigning world road champion could not catch Stage 3 winner Tom-Jelte Slagter (Blanco) and runner-up Matthew Goss (Orica-GreenEDGE).

Help from Santaromita
After Slagter attacked in the final kilometre, Gilbert received help from teammate Ivan Santaromita to close the gap. “I was with Santaromita so it was perfect but then the guy from Movistar left a gap,” Gilbert said. “Slagter had 10 or 15 meters so it was hard to come back.” Santaromita, who finished ninth, is the BMC Racing Team’s best-placed rider on the general classification, while Geraint Thomas (Sky Procycling) held onto the race lead. Gilbert’s chances for the overall classification were dashed by a crash on a twisting descent to the finish Wednesday. Once the 139 kilometre race reached the finishing circuit for five laps, BMC Racing Team’s Steve Morabito worked his way into an eight-man breakaway. His own attack inside 15 km whittled the group down to five but they were swallowed up with 5 km to go. “We never had more than 35 seconds so it was hard to stay away,” Morabito said. “I thought at the end that maybe we could make it, but I think the other guys were tired.”

Lampre-Merida DS Vicino commented: “These changes in classification are due to the short gaps between the riders, it will be important to realize a good performance in the 5th stage, on Willunga Hill finish, in order to aim to a top position in the final standing. Today the course and the heat made the race very demanding, that’s why I’m really happy to have seen our cyclists pedaling in a competitive way, supporting properly Pietropolli.”

Tour Down Under Stage 3 Result:
1. Tom Jelte Slagter (Ned) Blanco in 3:36:46
2. Matt Goss (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
3. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) BMC
4. Geraint Thomas (GB) Sky
5. Giovanni Visconti (Spa) Movistar
6. Javier Moreno (Spa) Movistar
7. Simon Ponzi (Ita) Astana
8. Daniele Pietropolli (Ita) Lampre-Merida
9. Ivan Santaromita (Ita) BMC
10. Gorka Izagirre Inausti (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi.

Tour Down Under Overall After Stage 3:


1. Geraint Thomas (GB) Sky in 9:56:17
2. Tom-Jelte Slagter (Ned) Blanco at 0:05
3. Javier Moreno Bazan (Spa) Movistar at 0:06
4. Ben Hermans (Bel) RadioShack-Leopard at 0:08
5. Daniele Pietropolli (Ita) Lampre-Merida at 0:15
6. Ion Izagirre (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
7. Gorka Izagirre (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
8. George Bennett (NZl) RadioShack-Leopard
9. Jack Bauer (NZl) Garmin-Sharp
10. Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Blanco.

Stage 3:

Tour de San Luis, Argentina 2013
Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team organized perfectly in a sprinter friendly, 164km Stage 1 of Tour de San Luis on Monday. They set up sprint star Mark Cavendish for the victory in just the second road race of 2013 for OPQS.

OPQS pulled the peloton to catch a four-rider break — which was originally seven — in the final kilometres. As OPQS helped bring the peloton back together in the final 7km, they then controlled the front in a top field that featured other top sprinters, such as Peter Sagan (Cannondale), Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre Merida), and Thor Hushovd (BMC Racing Team). Cavendish was able to sprint to the win by a little less than a bike length, with a straight finish perfect for a bunch sprint. Sacha Modolo (Bardiani CSF Inox) was 2nd, and Petacchi 3rd.

“The team did a great job for me today,” Cavendish said. “We were the first team to start riding, with Martin Velits at the beginning; we were present at the front the whole day. We got help from other teams too, the sprinter teams, but the guys just rode so strong and stayed with me the whole day. It is so nice to have a team with me that is 100 percent committed. I’m so, so proud of the guys today.”

Sports Director Davide Bramati had similar high praise for the brilliant work of the team, for pulling back the break and putting Cavendish in great position.

“We closed the gap with Michal Kwiatkowski, Pieter Serry, Sylvain Chavanel, and Matteo Trentin,” Bramati said. “They worked really hard for Mark. There is a great team spirit. It’s a good day for our riders, but also the staff. The staff worked very hard because it was different — we don’t have our car, or our team truck, so it was difficult. But we are all happy with this victory.”

Cavendish said the last kilometres were “hectic,” but riders like Kwiatkowski brought him to the front exactly when he had to be there.

“All the teams are fresh and motivated, so it was real, real chaos,” Cavendish said. “It was hard to stay together. I had a few guys with me, and in the finishing straight, within 1 kilometre or 400 meters it was just kind of about staying at the front. It was hard with a bit of a dip into the finish and nothing really marking 100 meters or 200 meters, so I just kind of jumped at 250 meters. I knew when I jumped I’d have a good shot at it, even though there was some wind. It feels good to be fresh with a good bunch of guys and on such a fast bike. The guys really looked after me, so I had 100 percent energy at the finish. I’m so happy I could win.”

“The pressure is now off, but we will continue to try and get more results for the team and try to set up our lead out as best we can,” Cavendish said. “We also have a few guys for the GC here, so we will try to be present for both stage hunting and a good place in the GC.”

In 3rd place was Alessandro (AleJet) Petacchi (Lampre Merida) described the sprint: “At 5 km to go, a problem occurred with Pozzato when he had to put the wheels out of the road because of a skid in the bunch. So, Pippo was forced to a recovery to come back in the head positions in order to join the team mates. The team supported me in a good way and Richeze brought me to the final straight. There I hesitated too much, also because I could not understand in a proper way the meters that were left to the arrival, since the signs board were not in good positions. Cavendish anticipated his action, followed by Modolo, and so I had to try a comeback that could not give me more than the 3rd place. Anyway, I’m satisfied because the team was perfect and I had good feelings.”

Tour de San Luis Stage 1 Result:
1. Mark Cavendish (GB) Omega Pharma – Quick-Step in 3:48:04
2. Sacha Modolo (Ita) Bardiani-CSF Inox
3. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-Merida
4. Leigh Howard (Aus) Orica GreenEdge
5. Peter Sagan (Svk) Cannondale
6. Rafael Andriato (Bra) Vini Fantini-Selle Italia
7. Francesco Lasca (Ita) Caja Rural
8. Thor Hushovd (Nor) BMC
9. Kenny Dehaes (Bel) Lotto Belisol
10. Miguel Angel Rubiano (Col) Androni Giocattoli.

Tour de San Luis Overall After Stage 1:
1. Mark Cavendish (GB) Omega Pharma-Quick Step in 3:48:04
2. Sacha Modolo (Ita) Bardiani-CSF Inox
3. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-Merida
4. Leigh Howard (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
5. Peter Sagan (Svk) Cannondale
6. Rafael Andriato (Bra) Vini Fantini-Selle Italia
7. Francesco Lasca (Ita) Caja Rural
8. Thor Hushovd (Nor) BMC
9. Kenny Dehaes (Bel) Lotto Belisol
10. Miguel Angel Rubiano (Col) Androni Giocattoli.

Stage 1:

Sacha Modolo (Bardiani-CSF Inox) won Stage 2 from Tilisarao to Terraza del Portezuelo over 171.4 kilometres. The fast Italian outsprinted Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma – Quick-Step), with other fast-men; Peter Sagan (Cannondale) 5th and Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-Merida) 6th. There had been an early break which nearly reached a 5 minute lead with 100 kilometres remaining. Cannondale started the chase and were aided by OPQS, this brought the break back and Cavendish’s men gave him a great lead out for Modolo to come off his wheel on the slightly uphill finish. Modolo is now overall leader, but everyone is on the same time.

Tour de San Luis Stage 2 Result:
1. Sacha Modolo (Ita) Bardiani-CSF Inox in 3:50:08
2. Mark Cavendish (GB) Omega Pharma – Quick-Step
3. Leigh Howard (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
4. Jens Debusschere (Bel) Lotto Belisol
5. Peter Sagan (Svk) Cannondale
6. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-Merida
7. Francesco Chicchi (Ita) Vini Fantini-Selle Italia
8. Manuel Belletti (Ita) Ag2R-La Mondiale
9. Francesco Lasca (Ita) Caja Rural
10. Scott Thwaites (GB) Team NetApp-Endura.

Tour de San Luis Overall After Stage 2:
1. Sacha Modolo (Ita) Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox in 7:38:12
2. Mark Cavendish (GB) Omega Pharma – Quick-Step
3. Leigh Howard (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
4. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-Merida
5. Peter Sagan (Svk) Cannondale
6. Francesco Lasca (Ita) Caja Rural
7. Manuel Belletti (Ita) Ag2R-La Mondiale
8. Jacob Keough (USA) UnitedHealthcare
9. Miguel Angel Rubiano (Col) Androni Giocattoli
10. Enzo Josue Moyano (Arg) Caja Rural.

Stage 2:

Brazilian Alex Diniz (Funvic Brasilinvest) left all the top riders in his wake on the summit finish of Stage 3 on the climb of Mirador del Potrero. He gave it everything in a do or die effort at the base of the 8 kilometre ascent, the bunch kept him at a reasonable distance, but the top men didn’t have it in their legs to hold the pace, with Alberto Contador (Saxo-Tinkoff) and (more so) Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) and Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) in trouble, the Brazilian had it in the bag from Mauro Santambrogio (Vini Fantini-Selle Italia) and Michal Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma – Quick-Step). Diniz also took the overall with a good lead of 24 seconds over Santambrogio.

Lampre-Merida’s Diego Ulissi is now 10th in the overall classification. “Diniz attacked in the very early meters of the climb and the battle began,” Ulissi explained. “The approach to the climb had been demanding, I could rely on the support by Pozzato, Malori and Viganт, then I set a regular pace with the help by Durasek. In the final 100 mt I lost some seconds, but I’m quite satisfied.”

Tour de San Luis Stage 3 Result:
1. Alex Diniz (Bra) Funvic Brasilinvest in 4:29:36
2. Mauro Santambrogio (Ita) Vini Fantini-Selle Italia at 0:24
3. Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol) Omega Pharma – Quick-Step
4. Bart De Clercq (Bel) Lotto Belisol at 0:25
5. Tejay van Garderen (USA) BMC
6. Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Lotto Belisol
7. Ricardo Diaz (Arg) San Luis Somos Todos at 0:29
8. Diego Ulissi (Ita) Lampre-Merida at 0:34
9. Miguel Angel Rubiano (Col) Androni Giocattoli
10. Andre Cardoso (Por) Caja Rural.

Tour de San Luis Overall After Stage 3:
1. Alex Diniz (Bra) Funvic Brasilinvest in 12:07:48
2. Mauro Santambrogio (Ita) Vini Fantini-Selle Italia at 0:24
3. Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol) Omega Pharma – Quick-Step
4. Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Lotto Belisol
5. Bart De Clercq (Bel) Lotto Belisol at 0:25
6. Tejay van Garderen (USA) BMC
7. Ricardo Diaz (Arg) San Luis Somos Todos at 0:29
8. Miguel Angel Rubiano (Col) Androni Giocattoli at 0:34
9. Andre Cardoso (Por) Caja Rural
10. Diego Ulissi (Ita) Lampre-Merida.

Stage 3 finish:

News about Tom Boonen
Press Release: Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team announces that rider Tom Boonen underwent an operation yesterday, Sunday January 20th, at the Herentals Clinic (Belgium), for a septic infection in his left elbow bursa.

The need to operate was caused by bacteria that penetrated his organism through a small cut on his left elbow, which he suffered after an apparently harmless accident that happened on Sunday, January 13th, while the Belgian champion was training on his mountain bike in some woods near his home.

“I fell on my left elbow,” explains Tom Boonen. “I didn’t even think about it, it was just a little scrape to the elbow, which I cleaned and disinfected once I got back home. During the week everything was going well, I wasn’t having any problems. Then suddenly on Saturday, January 19th, my elbow started swelling. I started to get concerned and so together with the team medical staff I decided to go to the hospital in Herentals. After specific checks and therapy and a prescription of some antibiotics I went home. The following morning I went back to the hospital for a check up. When the doctors saw how swollen my arm was they immediately decided to operate. I have to thank the medical staff,” continued Boonen, “who understood right away that the infection was spreading, and who organized things to solve the problem in no time.”

Following the operation, Boonen will have to spend a few days in observation at the hospital and undergo a treatment of antibiotics.

“That was a really close call for me,” said Boonen. “Now, fortunately, the situation is improving. Now I want to recuperate as soon as possible and then next week I’ll be thinking again on my training and competitive schedule. Of course, this problem couldn’t have come at a worse time, what with the upcoming Classics.”

Further information regarding Tom Boonen’s condition and any eventual new racing schedules will be released by the press office over the next few days.

Training with Tom:

Vantornout for World Cross Champs
The injured Belgian National cyclo-cross champion; Klaas Vantornnout will be well enough to ride the World championships in Kentucky on the 3rd of February, according to his doctor. The Sunweb-Napoleon Games rider received a left buttock injury in the Kasteelcross in Zonnebeke last Saturday and was unable to start Sunday’s World Cup race in Hoogerheide on Sunday. Initially the doctor thought there was one large tear, but has since been found that there were a few smaller tears.

Vantornout said; “they had thought there was a tear of four centimetres, but the image was distorted by the bleeding around the wound, now it’s clear there is a series of small tears. The doctors confirmed that I can recover quickly.” As to the pain, he added “the pain does not go away with this diagnosis, but now I know that sport is not harmful. [Wednesday] I will try to ride the rollers for the first time then I want to increase the intensity day by day. Not much has happened to my condition, I think. My super form has not gone after three days without cycling.”

Vantornout: Belgian champion.

No Cross World’s for Harris
Nikki Harris has withdrawn from the GB Cycling Team for the forthcoming Cyclo Cross World Championships in Kentucky, due to injury.

Harris said: “I’ve had some issues with my knee over the past few weeks after I hit it on the handlebars at the Zolder World Cup. I managed to mask the pain for a few weeks and hoped it would recover and I could finish my season strongly as I had planned. After an appointment with the specialist today we learned that the injury has now worsened and I have an acute tear in some tissue on my patella. Due to this I will unfortunately have to draw a close to my season immediately and take some rest. After a few weeks we can re evaluate how things are going and decide If surgery is necessary or not.”

“It’s obviously a huge disappointment to me, my team and British Cycling that I won’t be able to take part in the up-and-coming world championships in Louisville and the remainder of the cyclo cross season. However, I have to take the positives from my season so far. I finished 3rd in the World Cup overall standings, I won five races had 14 podium places and of course my biggest goal of the year in winning the nationals. So I guess it could be a lot worse. Time is on my side and I have the time now to let my body recover.”

The team will not be using a replacement and will continue with the current squad next weekend in Kentucky.

Nikki Harris in World Cup action:

British Cycling Announces Host City for National Road Race Championships
Commonwealth Games host city to hold first combined Road Race and Time Trial championship

Press Release: British Cycling has today announced that it has awarded the hosting of the 2013 Elite Men’s and Women’s National Road Race Championships to the city of Glasgow.

The event, which takes place on Sunday 23 June, will form part of the proposed course for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, and with the majority of racing based within Glasgow’s city centre, will provide a spectacular backdrop for an epic weekend of elite level cycling.

The bid to be host city for the National Championships saw British Cycling receive unprecedented interest from towns and cities around the country. Jonny Clay, British Cycling’s Cycle Sport and Membership Director said:

“In recent years we’ve seen our national road championships won by riders who between them have won numerous Olympic and World Championship medals, as well as the Tour de France. The stature of the event and the calibre of the riders who contest it have been reflected in the competition to host the race for 2013.

“We received some great applications and there were several bids that would each have provided a fantastic National Championships. We’d like to express our thanks to all those who bid for the event in 2013 and we hope to reward their enthusiasm by working with many of them to create other new events in the future”

Speaking of their delight at being awarded the event, Councillor Archie Graham, the Deputy Leader of Glasgow City Council and the Executive Member for the Commonwealth Games, said:

“There’s never been a more exciting time for cycling in Britain thanks to the outstanding performances of our cyclists at the London 2012 Olympic Games and last year’s Tour de France. Glasgow is committed to the development of cycling at all levels as shown by our investment in the Ј113million Emirates Arena which includes the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.

“Our desire to bring major events such as the 2013 National Road Championships to the city with events such as this and the recent UCI Track Cycling World Cup, which sold out in under half an hour, will help inspire the next generation of cyclists to fall in love with the sport.”

For the first time in its history, the 2013 road championship will see the National Time Trial Championship contested as part of the same weekend as the road race events, meaning the championships will be present in the city for an extended period from Thursday 20th when the time trials will take place to Sunday 23rd when the men’s and women’s road races will take centre stage.

Further detailed information about the British Cycling National Road Race championship weekend will be released in the coming weeks.

2012 GB National champs:

Contador for Giro and Tour?
“There is the possibility of doing a double”

Alberto Contador gave a press conference today for international media who have attended the Tour de San Luis (Argentina), where he unveiled his spring program and indicated the feasibility of Giro and Tour in the same year with the possibility of victory in both tours.

How do you feel right now?
“Eager, but my physical condition is not really good, I’m much more delayed than other years, but I want it that way. I would take the Tour de San Luis differently, at least that’s the goal, to go more smoothly.”

Does that mean you’re going to hold back?
“Yes, but mostly because some people will go stronger than me. I feel better after a week here, but not to dispute the victory.”

Will you take the chance to win, if you have the opportunity?
“No, I would not, but I think it is not possible to fight with people with more kilometres in the legs and with local favourites, with his main goal in this race.”

This year began with doubts about the ProTour license, how do you live through it?
“The beginning of the year was without the peace of mind I would have liked, but it is true that I always hoped to be in the ProTour because we are among the top 4 or 5 teams in the world. The team has been bolstered and it deserves to be there.”

How are the new signings?
“There are no words for describing them. We have strengthened much for big tours with Rogers, Roche, Kreuziger or Bennati, but also with men for classics as Breschel. This year the team will be competitive wherever it was.”

Does that mean less pressure for you?
“Yes, I have no obligation to win every race, that gives me more peace of mind, because a team need wins and it always needs to have more alternatives in case you have an injury or mishap.”

What are your plans for this year?
“I start here in Argentina, and will continue in Oman, that I don’t know, and then I will go to Tirreno, which I have really wanted to go, then to Criterium International, where I’ll see the first stages of Tour, and then I will ride the Basque Country.”

Where do you plan to be competitive?
“From Tirreno I want to be right, and then in Criterium and Basque Country. About the spring classics, it’s to be decided with the team, but we have more riders with a chance of winning and that gives me peace of mind.”

Do you plan to ride two big tours this year?
“There is that possibility, the best is Giro-Tour. This year’s Giro fits better, is more compatible than other years, when it was harder. And for the Vuelta, would only be possible if I don’t do the Giro and at the expense of possible mishaps in the Tour. And another reason that stops me for a double is that we have other riders on the team with podium options, not everything is going to be working for me.”

Do you think about the Florence’s World Championships?
“It depends if I go to the Vuelta. If not, there will be others better prepared than me for going.”

Last year you won your first classic, the Milan-Turin, would you like to win one in the Spring?
“Of course I would, who would not. I think it could thoroughly preparing to get it, but you have to think about is what you risk. For that I need more training than for stage races, because that does not need the recovery, which is my best quality. Besides spring allergies. The only year that I was trained I rode at a good level, but the effort is very large and are not entirely compatible with the Tour de France.”

Can you comment on Armstrong’s statements?
“People have already talked a lot about that interview, but what he said nobody was surprised. It’s hard for the image of cycling, but I want to take what it can be good: maybe we can close this chapter of that decade and focus on the present and the future of this beautiful sport.”

This year you are in a much better situation than the past year, why didn’t you get your form faster?
“My situation is different, much more quiet. In 2012 I did not know what would happen. I’ve been training since late November and could already be in shape, but with age it costs a little more. But what makes the performance are the commitments I have at this time with travels, sponsors or media. In these months I have to do all of this and that’s a big effort that I can’t allow me an adequate preparation. Here I feel better every day, training with warm weather, but not to fight for win.”

In 2011 you won the Giro and then went to the Tour, but it was hard for you. Is it possible to try to win both?
“I’ve always prepared differently the Tour when I wanted to win it, but they are compatible. We must take into account several factors. The first are the courses. This year’s Giro is less demanding than in 2011, when there were stages of more than 6000 meters uphill. The second is the team. If you have a strong team that not require your efforts every day it’s easier. And the third is to know that you are going to the Tour from the beginning. In 2011 I didn’t know until 15 days before, when the team asked me to go, but without a good preparation. Also influenced several adverse circumstances, such as the crash that made me lose more than a minute at the very beginning. That forced me to attack in the first week, when normally you take it calmly. And then I had two crashes, one of them really hard on my knee. I’m almost abandoning, but eventually continued. Without all these adverse factors, I had been very close.”

If you go to the Giro, will it be for winning?
“Yes, of course. With the prestige of this race I can’t think of anything else.”
Thanks to Jacinto Vidarte for the interview.

Alberto Contador wins Milano – Torino 2012:

Leif Hoste to be Investigated
The UCI have asked the Belgian Cycling Federation to open disciplinary proceedings against Leif Hoste due to biological passport irregularities. He has retired now because his 2012 team; Accent.jobs-Willems Verandas did not renew his contract for 2013. Hoste rode for Katusha in 2011, but had due to a bad crash he suffered from headaches and had to step down to the ProConti Accent.jobs team.

Leif Hoste attacks on the Valkenberg in 2006:

Houanard Suspended for 2 Years
French Ag2r-La Mondiale rider; Steve Houanard has been suspended for two years after an out of competition test on the 21st of September was positive for EPO. Houanard accepted the suspension on January the 18th.

Rapha Condor-JLT at the Bendigo GP
Press Release: Rapha Condor JLT’s young riders were back in action again in Australia, taking part in the three day Bendigo Grand Prix over the weekend.

The three day event which incorporated the Victorian State titles saw the riders take part in three different disciplines; a 30km time trial on the Friday night, a Road Race on Saturday, followed by a criterium around Bendigo town centre on Sunday afternoon.

Without specialist time trial equipment in Australia, the team took the Friday afternoon time trial as an opportunity to warm up for Saturday’s main event, a 142km road race. The road race was run on a tough undulating circuit and the team were well represented in all of the breakaways, until Mike Cuming eventually slipped away in a ten-man move that pulled three minutes out of the bunch. After repeated attacks by eventual race winner Will Walker split the group, Cuming eventually finished a credible 6th place.

The team’s best result of the weekend came thanks to Felix English. The Irish Criterium Champion bounced back from a tough time at the Bay Crits to score a fine third place in the action packed criterium on Sunday. Despite the encouraging sign of form, English initial reaction was muted.

“I am a little annoyed not to have done better. The boys did a great lead out for me coming in to the finish, but I just jumped a little too late and messed the sprint up a bit.”

A satisfied John Herety was less concerned about the final result of the races, and much happier instead with the process the team had shown during the events.

“At this time of year in these races the results are nice but they aren’t the most important thing. The riders are still on a training camp and they are still trying to learn to work together as a team. After getting the right man into the move on Saturday on Sunday the boys did a brilliant job leading out Felix. We missed the win but it was their first attempt at doing something like this and I was really encouraged by how they managed to perform in a race situation.”

The team will continue to take part in racing throughout the rest of the camp, which will continue for another three weeks.

”Wildcard” Announcements for 2013 Races
ASO have announced the teams who will receive “Wildcard” entry into Paris-Nice and the Critйrium du Dauphinй also RCS have listed the teams who will be riding the Strade Bianche and the Giro del Lazio.

Paris-Nice teams:
ProTeams: Ag2R La Mondiale, Astana Pro Team, Blanco Pro Cycling Team, BMC Racing Team, Cannondale Pro Cycling, Euskaltel Euskadi, FDJ, Garmin-Sharp, Lampre-Merida, Lotto Belisol, Movistar Team, Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team, Orica GreenEdge, RadioShack Leopard, Sky Procycling, Team Argos-Shimano, Team Saxo-Tinkoff, Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team.
Pro Continental teams: Cofidis, Solutions Crйdits, IAM Cycling, Sojasun, Team Europcar.

Critйrium du Dauphinй teams:
ProTeams: Ag2R La Mondiale, Astana Pro Team, Blanco Pro Cycling Team, BMC Racing Team, Cannondale Pro Cycling, Euskaltel Euskadi, FDJ, Garmin-Sharp, Lampre-Merida, Lotto Belisol, Movistar Team, Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team, Orica GreenEdge, RadioShack Leopard, Sky Procycling, Team Argos-Shimano, Team Saxo-Tinkoff, Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team.
Pro Continental teams: Bretagne-Sйchй Environnement, Cofidis, Solutions Crйdits, Team Europcar, Team NetApp-Endura.

Strade Bianche teams:
ProTeams: Ag2R La Mondiale, Astana Pro Team, Blanco Pro Cycling Team, BMC Racing Team, Cannondale Pro Cycling, Garmin-Sharp, Lampre-Merida, Movistar Team, Radioshack Leopard, Team Argos-Shimano, Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team.
Pro Continental teams: Androni Giocattoli, Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox, Crelan-Euphony, IAM Cycling, Katusha, Vini Fantini-Selle Italia.

Giro del Lazio teams:
ProTeams: Ag2R La Mondiale, Astana Pro Team, BMC Racing Team, Cannondale Pro Cycling, Lampre-Merida, Movistar Team, Team Argos-Shimano, Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team.
Pro Continental teams: Androni Giocattoli, Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox, Colombia, Caja Rural, Crelan-Euphony, IAM Cycling, Katusha, Vini Fantini-Selle Italia.

The 2012 Strade Bianche:

Team NetApp – Endura receives wildcard for the
Critйrium du Dauphinй
Press Release: Team NetApp – Endura was invited to the Critйrium du Dauphinй. The organizer, ASO, offered the highest ranked German cycling team a wildcard for one the most important races in the international race program for the first time. After securing invitations to Tirreno – Adriatico and Il Lombardia this is already the third WorldTour wildcard of the season for the team.

“Riding the famous Dauphinй is a great honor for us. ASO already expressed its confidence in us with early invitations to the tours in Qatar and Oman. With today’s wildcard, they gave us an additional signal, which we really appreciate”, said Ralph Denk, Team Manager of Team NetApp – Endura.

“The Dauphinй is decisive in our racing schedule leading up to the summer, because our season goals remain unchanged. We want to compete in a Grand Tour again this year. With today’s wildcard, we have the optimal situation for preparing the new generation of tour riders in our team for this demanding goal. We will reward the confidence the organizers are placing in the team,“ Denk continued.

From June 2 – 9, the Critйrium du Dauphinй has its 65th running through the southeast of France, where among others four mountain stages in the Alps challenge the riders.

Team NetApp’s Season 2012:

Giro del Trentino discovering Sega di Ala Unknown uphill until “velvet” endpoint
Press Release: A new exciting climb is set to refresh the undisputable prestige of the 37th Giro del Trentino: the Italian stage race (April 16th-19th, 2013) announced the uphill finish where the 2013 overall winner is likely to be appointed, on April 19th. After last year’s resounding success achieved by extreme Punta Veleno climb, GS Alto Garda organizers discovered another fascinating and relatively unknown ascent: the Sega di Ala (1220 mt. asl) will provide an exciting and unpredictable 11,5 km battlefield, with the uphill finish set in Malga Riondera closeness.

“We will host such a huge cycling event in our district for the very first time but we feel confident that it will be a very successful experience, not just for the very demanding course, but also for the beautiful landscapes all sport fans will enjoy by TV or live by the road”, Mayor of Ala Luigino Peroni said.

The final agreement was signed yesterday, at the presence of Sports Assessor of Ala Enrico Brusco, and Trento Province Tourism Assessor (and former Major of Ala) Tiziano Mellarini. “We’re used to give beautiful cycling races as a gift here in Trentino – Mellarini commented –. I feel sure 2013 Giro del Trentino will not be an exception”.

Sega di Ala will be the second uphill finish of the 37th edition of Giro del Trentino, along with Vetriolo Terme (April 17th), which will follow the opening day in Lienz, Austria, where a short road race will be raced in the morning, while a team time trial is scheduled in the afternoon. Sega di Ala ascent (1069 mt gradient, 9,22% average) features 21 hairpins, starting from Sdruzzinа, a village placed on the left left bank of Adige river. The first 6 km average a 10% gradient, peaking at 14-16%, then a number of hairpins will lead the riders over 800 mt. height, where the road will flatten a bit up to the end of a tunnel. The toughest 3 km start from here, with an average gradient of 11,5% with peaks over 20%. The final 3 km are way more affordable, up to the slightly sloping finishing straight.

Ahead of the pivotal final climb, the field will need to deal with another ascent, starting from Chizzola d’Ala towards Brentonico through Saccone and Prada, connecting with 12.5 km out of the 19,5 km of the next Giro d’Italia 17th stage, the uphill time trial from Mori to Polsa.

“We expect an intense final showdown –GS Alto Garda vicepresident Lina Ioppi predicted – to confirm our race at the highest international standard. We’re receiving many strong teams’ applications, it looks like a high-class line-up is taking shape, and that obviously makes us very happy.”

Known as “the velvet city”, Ala is distinguished by its downtown’s Baroque architecture. disclosing enchanting ‘700s atmospheres through courtyards, squares, lodges reliving silk velvets producers’ golden age.

Giro del Trentino 2011 – Madonna di Campiglio:

ORICA-AIS Launched at Australian Institue of Sport
Press Release: The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) confirmed their support for Australian women’s road cycling at the launch of the 2013 ORICA-AIS team in Canberra.

The members of the ORICA-AIS team enjoyed a rousing reception at the AIS as they were presented to the media and cycling supporters.

AIS Director Matt Favier said the partnership between ORICA-GreenEdge, Cycling Australia and the AIS provides this team with a great opportunity for success on the world stage.
“When we announced Australia’s Winning Edge late last year we set some ambitious but achievable targets for Australia’s international performance in world championships, Olympics, Paralympics, and Commonwealth Games.”

“We expect that both track and road cycling will make a significant contribution to achieving those goals and the ORICA- AIS team will play a leading role in supporting our very best cyclists.”

“The squad is currently here in camp at the AIS working with our sports scientists and other support staff to ensure the best possible preparation prior to the start of the 2013 season in the Tour of Qatar,” Favier said.
The ten-member squad includes recently crowned national road champion Gracie Elvin as well as experienced international riders Loes Gunnewijk (Netherlands – team captain), Emma Johansson (Sweden), and Sungeun Gu (Republic of Korea).

Orica – AIS Head Cycling Coach Martin Barras is very excited about the three international cyclists that have been included in his line up and the impact this will have on developing Australia’s next generation of champions.
“The international cyclists on our team are truly world class. Each brings unique expertise to the team that will be shared with our top Australian cyclists.”

“I believe that the composition of this team is well balanced giving us great tactical versatility for the races,” Barras said.

London Olympians Annette Edmondson (Bronze medal), Shara Gillow, Melissa Hoskins and Amanda Spratt are in the squad with Tiffany Cromwell and Jessie Maclean completing the impressive line-up of accomplished riders.

General Manager ORICA-GreenEdge Shayne Bannan confirmed they were extremely proud of this project.
“The women’s team had a dream debut last year and everything looks to be set up for another great year. We’re really keen to be part of developing the talented Australian riders and having them next to some of the most experienced international athletes is a great asset.”

Cycling Australia’s Performance Director Kevin Tabotta said the partnership between ORICA-GreenEDGE, the AIS and Cycling Australia in supporting an Australian professional women’s team has taken years to put together but the outcome for cycling in Australia has been worth the wait.
“ORICA-AIS have exceeded expectations during their first year on the world circuit in 2012, with more than 20 victories plus a silver medal in the Team Time Trial at the UCI Road World Championships.”

“The team has really heightened the profile of women’s cycling in Australia and has extended the elite athlete pathway. This team combines experienced team management, expert coaching and excellent sport science and sports medicine – a well-designed leadership and support team from Cycling Australia and the AIS. ORICA-AIS include some of the best international riders in the world who work with us to provide our young Australian riders with the best guidance and mentorship available. In this program we can already see the positive impact the international cyclists are having on the young Australian cyclists’ development,” Tabotta said.

Cycling Australia, ORICA-GreenEDGE and the AIS are pleased to partner in this team and support Australian Cycling. The Australian Government is a proud supporter of cycling investing $6.9 million for high performance cycling programs in 2012-13.

ORICA-AIS training camp 2012:

Champion System Team Training Camp Deemed A Success
Press Release: Volume and intensity were the focus of the Champion System Pro Cycling Team during two weeks of training in Southern California.

The 22 riders on the roster enjoyed mild January conditions as they built-up preseason mileage and broke in their new Fuji racing bikes during four-to-seven-hour training rides around Agoura Hills, California.

“We got the bulk of the administrative stuff done early on so we could concentrate a little more on training in the second week,” Champion System General Manager Ed Beamon said. During camp, riders underwent medical examinations, stress testing and bike fittings. Retьl 3D Motion Capture Bike Fit Systems was on-site for the fittings.

Herbalife24, the team’s official drink and vitamin supplier, held an information session with the medical staff, supervised by chief medical officer, Dr. Johnathan Edwards. “We were able to have some good dialog between our medical staff and the engineer and designer, Dr. John Heiss of Herbalife24, on how to use the product and how to combine products to optimize nutrition, hydration and muscle recover,” Beamon said.

On training rides, the team was split into different squads to allow for customized programs between groups. “We had the chance to do specific work with our Qatar and Oman squad, Langkawi squad and then get a good look at the rest,” Beamon said. “On some of the rides, we broke them into the three groups so we could do some time trial and paceline stuff.”

A few riders particularly impressed Beamon during camp. “I have a good feeling about Chun Kai Feng and Chan Jae Jang; both look really solid,” he said. “But the guy who really looks motivated and fired up is Matt Brammeier. Chinese national champion Gang Xu is showing even better form than last year, too.” South Korean road champion Jang and Brammeier, the Irish road champion, are both new signees to the 2013 roster.

A late signee to the team, Canadian Zach Bell, made his first appearance with the team while in California. The 30-year-old arrives from Team SpiderTech. The majority of Bell’s palmarиs have been on the track, where the two-time Olympian has twice been runner-up at the UCI world track championships in the omnium (2012 and 2009).

“It is really exciting to have this late addition to the squad,” Beamon said. “Zach looks really fit and ready to tackle the road full-time.”

Champion System Team Boot camp 2012:

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