Reports of a possible doping violation do not implicate Robbie McEwen or Lance Armstrong or any other top tier riders. The UCI says that the rider in question is a “Second Tier” rider that was tested at random on July 6th. The drug tested for is very common in cold medicines and in its initial form is not illegal. The amount that the rider in question had in their blood stream is within the limit for the drug. What does this mean? Many cold medicines that you or I take would mean we would be suspended for a while if we were Pros.
Yahoo! Sports – Cycling – UCI investigates possible Tour de France doping case; rules out Armstrong
The ProTour summer classics begin Sunday with the HEW-Cyclassics.
Eric Zabel had an unusually restful July and will be ready to perform. He is also looking for a contract for net season. Rumors point to Phonak as a possible new home for Zabel.
Many Tour De France riders will want to put their good form to use in the August classics.
Jan Ullrich who always gets better after the Tour will want to flex his mouscles in front of the home crowd.
As always Paolo Bettini and Danilo DiLuca should be ones to watch. DiLuce still keeps his ProTour lead after resting mostly during July. Paolo Bettini needs some big wins this year, even though he performed well during the Giro, he has not won quite as much as other years. He has been bothered by poor form this year.
HEW-Cyclassics
Last week’s Brixia Tour kicked off the Italian summer season, and the summer classics.
Paolo Bettini and other Italian one-day racers are back in action at the GP Camaiore on Thursday.
GP Camaiore: Bettini al via con il n. 1
Speculation was for Discovery Channel, then Credit Agricole, but Manolo Saiz has secured the Kazak’s signature. They are in need of a leader since Roberto Heras simply pooped out as a leader and Joseba Beloki is a shadow of his former self. Vino and Jorge Jascke will make a good combo.
Yahoo! Sports – Cycling – Vinokourov to join Liberty Seguros from T-Mobile
Speculation begins for next year’s Tour. Without a doubt, Germans will be expecting Jann Ullrich to take the victory next year, but Basso has to be the clear favorite. I will also hope that Valverde is healthy and Cunego will make some sort of splash.
Yahoo! Sports – Cycling – With Lance gone, what’s in store for the Tour de France?
Jan is already in training for next year!
Quote from Lance Armstrong from the podium today:
To the cynics and skeptics, I am sorry that they can’t live a dream, or believe in miracles, as there are no secrets to my success. Vive le Tour
It started in the early 1990’s. In 1992 Lance Armstrong turned pro for the American Motorola Cycling Team. His first race was the San Sebastian classic where he finished dead last in the rain. In 1993 Lance Armstrong became world champion in Oslo Norway at the very young age of 23.
Armstrong was considered a huge talent, but not a Tour De France winner. Lance had no hopes of winning a three week Tour and concentrated on one day classics. He actually won Fleche Wallone a very difficult hilly Belgian semi-classic and came close to winning Liege-Bastongne-Liege.
Read the rest of this entry »
Some confirmed moves for next year:
- One rider certain to be joining Quick Step is Fassa Bortolo’s Matteo [sic] Tosatto, who adds speed and experience to Tom Boonen’s lead-out team. Another Fassa rider confirmed as moving is Fabian Cancellara, who has signed a three-year deal with CSC.
Plus, it looks like Vinokourov may be headed to Credit Agricole, and may be joined by Gilberto Simoni.
.:. procycling .:.
