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

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

Worst Five Things of the Week

Numero Cinco

Chloe Hosking Admonished by Cycling Australia

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

Numero Cuatro

Leipheimer still tweets about Radioshack

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

Numero Tres

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

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

Numero Dos

Cervélo enters into exclusive arrangement with Pon

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

Numero Uno

Bicycling Magazine January issue

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

Best Five Things of the Week

Number Five

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

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

Number Four

Ken Sommer leaves ‘The Shack‘

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

Number Three

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

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

Number Two

Inner Ring breaks an omerta to discuss Makarov and Russian Cycling

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

Number One

Chloe Hosking calls Pat McQuaid a “dick”

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