The week that was the start of Twenty Twelve provided some highs, some lows and more than a few intriguing plot lines. We had it all – from the Aussie National Championships, a grey non-event team presentation, questionable comments, and questionable actions.
Manufactured and authentic. You should be able to discern the difference.
Worst of the Week
Numero Cinco
Oh Alejandro. I’m wondering if the Lada Gaga song was really written for you. Certainly seems so. You didn’t do anything wrong? Really? So you served the suspension for just being… you? The trouble with these “top” athletes is that they wreck the reputation of those who are legitimately working their arses off in the peloton. Take a page out of Millar’s book, Alejandro, before you receive a “Karpet Ride” from someone in the peloton who doesn’t take kindly to your lack of humility.
Numero Cuatro
In light of how lopsided a victory that Katie Compton had at the US CX nationals (Congratulations Katie!), we’re extremely sad that one of our favourites, Amy Dombroski was too ill to fly to Madison to contest the national championships. She was quite active on twitter, and had one of the best comments in light of the nature of the race. It did bring out great secondary stories, in Katie Antonneau, and one of Nicola Cranmer’s road warriors, Coryn Rivera
Numero Tres
Hey Jealousy! Thy name is the entire peloton, according to Vinokourov
You know what? I think Vino would be great in my position since he truly understands that politicians these days need to be D-E-L-U-S-I-O-N-A-L. Jealous? I think that Vino and Valverde should join forces on the road and call it “Team Innocently Delusional presented by the Spin Kings.”
Numero Dos
Wellens falls ill on eve of CX nationals
An awful occurrence for Bart Wellens that he falls prey to a terrible infection on the eve of his national championship, and had catastrophic organ failure. Thankfully, he’s recovering well, receiving timely medical care. I won’t even get into any of the speculation at all, and hope that Bart has a very quick recovery. Best wishes.
Numero Uno
Radioschleck Datsun just can’t get anything right at all
This team is a prime example of doing everything for the wrong reasons with the wrong motivations. Becca has already burned a matchbook with the UCI by refusing to play along in the “game” and publicly declaring malfeasance in the Saxo/Israeli business. Follow that with Bruyneel’s declaration that Andreas Klöden is a bigger GC threat than Frank Schleck, proven already to be an ineffective motivator for the brothers. Or how about Maxime Monfort’s public declaration of wanting to contend the Vuelta? Can you say “too many GC contenders in the Nuclear Reactor now set to meltdown?” Then you have a team sponsor cheerleader in Lee Applbaum who just doesn’t understand how to say the right thing at the right time, including a poorly-played twitter response to Jonathan Vaughters (see the back and forth here) Next, you have an anti-climactic team unveiling in Luxembourg that Bruyneel couldn’t exit fast enough. Lastly, what the hell is with that bloody fooking team kit? Wow. How about an epilogue? Quite the fashion faux pas in that godawful grey sweater vest which made the team look like they were mental institution escapees. This should be a superb season of infighting and racing gaffes.
Best of the Week
Number Five
Bridie O’Donnell wins Bronze at Australian National Time Trial Championships
O’Donnell backed up her article’s assertions here at Cyclismas with a great podium finish, starting off her campaign for a spot at the Olympics with a bronze in the national time trials. She missed out on the silver medal by around a second, but it does give her a great foundation for her next test. We think she’s great voice for women’s cycling, and a testament to the maxim that you don’t have to be under 30 to compete at a high level, and have exceptional results.
Number Four
NetApp garners Giro d’Italia wild card spot
In my mind, this is a genius move by RCS. Sure, on a sporting level it might seem that these gents are in over their heads in comparison to the rest of the field lining up for the race, but it may prove to be a move that could generate some buzz leading up to the race. Remember that these boys did get their feet wet in last year’s Paris-Roubaix, and they do have ambitions for future WorldTour status. The fact that Giro fixture Stefano Garzelli was a casualty in order to allow NetApp a spot shows that Michele Acquarone is staying true to his efforts to create a wider audience for the race. Some have already made negative comments about the three other teams being “Italian,” but Rome was not built in one day. Baby steps will win out over radical change. Acquarone himself shared with me that it’s fine to make changes, but you also need buy-in from the RCS staff as well as the public before making major modifications to traditional thinking. He’s keeping consistent.
Number Three
Nicola Cranmer’s appearance on TourChats
If only all team owners were as frank and open as Nicola. You may agree (as most of us do) with her, or you may disagree, but she is willing to have a dialogue and share her thoughts. Looks like she’ll have to make an appearance on the Overlord’s Hotstove in order to expand on some of her thoughts that didn’t get clarified. I’m happy to give her the platform. Oh yeah, I was there too for a bit.
Number Two
Jeremy Powers wins US National Cyclocross Title
How can you not like JPow? He’s candid, funny, smart, and is unafraid to wear some very flashy colours during races. He had a textbook race, with only a small fall early in the contest, and held off a strong field in Jonathan Page, Ryan Trebon, teammate Zach McDonald, and Tim Johnson. If you get a chance to head over to cyclingdirt.org, there’s a wonderful video of him and his emotion at the finish line. Thank goodness the draconian course security detail allowed him to share the moment with someone special. I’m thrilled to see Powers overcome the trials and tribulations of years past to nab the title that eluded him.
Number One
Bill Gifford does the mainstream treatment of Team Armstrong
Gifford did a balanced and true portrait of the Lance phenomena, and a surface scratching of the fallacies that are trumpeted by those blinded-by-yellow-tinted-Oakley-Jawbones-with-the-Livestrong-logo fanatics. No money for research. A private jet (now for sale). Licencing deals. A for-profit Livestrong component. I look forward to a follow up with more detail that will squelch the mass hordes of mini-Lances running around the countryside trumpeting “Awareness” “Awareness” “Awareness.” I will say, however, that you also need to read Charles Pelkey’s clarification of his part in the article. And I’m hoping the NYVelocity boys get their trademark on “Cancer Shield.”
No Comments