Tony Pedeferri Update and new website
12/31/07 10:55 Filed in: Ride Ventura
News
Good Day Everyone. Below
is a messaged forwarded to me about our good friend
Tony Pedeferri who was involved in that terrible
incident last week on Hwy 101. Tony's brother has set
up a website to leave well wishes and see the latest
on Tony's condition.
Hello Everyone,
I know you are all
wondering how Tony is doing. Well, he's hanging
in there and fighting like the Ironman that he
is. Last night I was able to see him for the
first time in several days and he was very upbeat and
jovial under the circumstances. He smiled and
even chuckled a little...all good signs. He did
complain of a bad headache afterwards and asked
the ICU staff to increase his sedation
so he could go to sleep...hopefully not the result of
the visit!! Tony had a big day yesterday with a
call from a defensive lineman of the Seattle
Seahawks (his favorite team), Patrick Kerney (NFL's
current sack leader). He promised Tony
that he'd try to get 3 sacks and a fumble
recovery for him in tomorrow's game against the
Atlanta Falcons.
Tony's got a long road of
recovery in front of him, but I'm confident it will
be a successful one (I'm looking at it as
optimistically as possible).
Tony's brother, Mark, has
set up a website at www.pedeferri.com
(links
over to a CaringBridge.org web service) in order
to update friends and
relatives regarding Tony's condition.
Please go to this site for the latest updates on
Tony (see e-mails below for more information on
the new website).
I would like to thank
former Rincon Tri club member and friend of Tony's,
Craig Hobart, for taking the time to put together an
initial website for Tony. We decided to
use Mark's website since it's a little easier to use,
but you can still go to this site and check out the
photos, links, and even leave a
comment (http://pullbackthecovers.blogspot.com/).
I will see that the comments left on this site are
relayed to Tony and his family.
Thanks again for caring
so much about Tony and his family.
Mike
Shaffer
|
Santa Cross - Photos
12/28/07 15:30 Filed in: Cyclo Cross
Here
are some photos from last weekends Santa Cross held
at Pierce College in Woodland Hills. Many will
remember this is where Lance Armstrong made his
California Cross appearance.
Photos taken by Kennedy Photo Works - WEB
Enjoy the photos.
Photos taken by Kennedy Photo Works - WEB
Enjoy the photos.
Pro 1 winner Mike Easter
Pro 1 - Mike Easter
Me
Me
Michael Ward, author of Mike and the Bike and
converted crosser!
Mark Noble - took at easy today in the Masters 45+
Local Specialized guy Bob Meeker
Jenn Easter in the Womens 3/4
Hangover Ride Update
12/28/07 12:08 Filed in: Ride Ventura
News
UPDATE!!!!!
Todays ride update is as follows.
For those not interested in going to the top of one of the areas hardest climbs we will go as far as the the Gibraltar / Mountain Drive intersection. Gibraltar is still in a bad place these days so the desire to ride to the top is just not there.
Going to the base of the climb and back should clock in at around 70-80 miles. A good days ride for most of us. I am sure there will be some folks that turn around at the normal Pardro Lane spot.
Either way I will see you all around 8am on Tuesday morning.
Brian
Todays ride update is as follows.
For those not interested in going to the top of one of the areas hardest climbs we will go as far as the the Gibraltar / Mountain Drive intersection. Gibraltar is still in a bad place these days so the desire to ride to the top is just not there.
Going to the base of the climb and back should clock in at around 70-80 miles. A good days ride for most of us. I am sure there will be some folks that turn around at the normal Pardro Lane spot.
Either way I will see you all around 8am on Tuesday morning.
Brian
5th Annual Hangover Ride - 1/1/08
12/27/07 09:49 Filed in: Ride Ventura
News
Hello
everyone. Sorry this has taken such a long time to
get to you but things have been a
bit hectic this holiday season.
As many of you have experienced in the past few years this ride has become somewhat of a conversation piece from the first year going up Gridley Trail while it was snowing to riding back down Sisar Road and having someone fall into the icy creek and then there was last year with the 30+ mph winds on the coast that many brave souls had to endure. This year will be different.
The end of 2007 has been so trying on many of us losing good friends and having one in hospital. I think this years ride should be a ride of reflection to remember what we all hold near and dear in our hearts.
As many of you have experienced in the past few years this ride has become somewhat of a conversation piece from the first year going up Gridley Trail while it was snowing to riding back down Sisar Road and having someone fall into the icy creek and then there was last year with the 30+ mph winds on the coast that many brave souls had to endure. This year will be different.
The end of 2007 has been so trying on many of us losing good friends and having one in hospital. I think this years ride should be a ride of reflection to remember what we all hold near and dear in our hearts.
The
plan will be to meet at Juice on Chestnut at 8am and
roll out no later then 8:15. The route will be
up the coast to Bates, then the Goobe, 192, Toro, up
to Mountain Drive and then finishing at the top
of Gibraltar for a group picture. If the weather
is fowl then an alternate route will be selected.
This years ride will be about togetherness. So a "no
rider" left behind policy will be in effect. Now that
does not mean that the faster groups have to wait. I
just don't think anyone getting dropped should have
to ride alone.
Please forward this email to whomever you like.
See you all on New Years Day at 8am.
Brian
Ride Ventura is The Shoreline Cyclist
12/27/07 08:47 Filed in: Ride Ventura
News
| Hello
everyone. Welcome back to RideVentura.com. In
the midst of some early 2008 changes we are
going to be calling our website "the
shoreline cyclist" presented by
RideVentura.com and will be adding podcasts
to our weekly reporting offerings.
If you have any tips or suggestions to making this more successful in 2008 please email me at rideventura@mac.com. Also, RideVentura.com turns 1 on New Years Day. Thanks to all who have supported us in 2007. We promise to make 2008 that much better. If anyone is interested in Ride Ventura cycling clothing there still are some pieces left from the Hincapie Sports order. Please check with Tren Morris at Trek Bikes of Ventura to see what they have left or email me. Happy 2008 everyone. Brian - the shoreline cyclist |
More Tour of California Plans Announced
12/26/07 22:26 Filed in: Tour of
California
LOS ANGELES, CA All of the professional cyclists competing in the 2008 Amgen Tour of California will attend the "black tie and spandex" evening reception and be introduced on stage.
Many of these athletes have competed in the Tour de France and the last two Amgen Tour of California races in 2006 and 2007. In addition to the professional cyclists who will race in the Amgen Tour of California, celebrities, local dignitaries, legendary cyclists and retired racers will participate in the festivities. Representatives from host cities throughout the state also will attend, as will executives from AEG and race sponsor Amgen. The evening will include an elegant dinner by celebrity caterer Dan McCall, the team presentation, a runway fashion show including the latest in cycling gear, live entertainment and dancing to the music of "Encore." Guests also will have an opportunity to bid on one-of-a-kind live and silent auction items. The program will begin at 6 p.m. at the Big Bike Tent outside the Spinnaker Restaurant in downtown Sausalito. Proceeds from the Gala will benefit Amgen's Breakaway from Cancer(tm) education and fundraising initiative. Red Jersey tickets are $250.00 each or $2,500.00 for a table of 10. Yellow Jersey VIP/sponsored tables are $3,000.00 for 8 seats. VIP/sponsor tables will be located on the Gala runway ramp, and include complimentary valet parking, as well as an "Ultra VIP Access" pass that provides entrance to all Sausalito Race Weekend events, including the Tour de Cuisine, Sunday, Feb. 17 and the Biker's Brunch on Race Day, Monday, Feb. 18. For tables and tickets or information, contact Susan Roe at 415-331-3126 or sroe@gordonrees. Tickets also are available online at www.tourofcalifornia-Sausalito.com, or by calling the Sausalito Chamber of Commerce at 415-331-7262. For additional information on weekend events, call the Sausalito Race Hotline at 415-289-4109. |
Tour de France - Scots out to lure Tour
12/22/07 15:53 Filed in: Cycling
Industry News
Scottish officials are campaigning to have cycling's
premier event, the Tour de France, come to Scotland
within the next few years.
The summer marathon on two-wheels staged a major success this year with huge crowds turing out to see the time-trial prologue in London followed by a first stage down to the Channel coast.
And with cycling a boom sport north of the border, the National events agency EventScotland believes the time is ripe to lure the Tour.
The organisation's corporate communications manager Leon Thompson told The Scotsman newspaper: "We've had the early conversations about the possibility of hosting the `Grand Depart' in Scotland.
"It's an iconic world-class event, and the kind of event that would sit very well within our portfolio of major events.
"We haven't discussed possible years yet, or where it might happen." Scottish officials are currently active on several fronts trying to bring top-class sports events to the country and they scored a notable success last month with Glasgow winning the right to stage the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
The Scottish Government have also backed a feasibility study to determine whether Scotland could stage football's European Championships in 2016.
The Scotsman said that Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme had been made aware of Scotland's interest in staging the prologue and first stage.
The soonest Scotland could get involved, however, would be 2010, as Tour officials have confirmed the event will start in Brittany and Monaco in the next two years.
Scottish Tour de France rider David Millar (pictured) said: "It would be amazing, and I think it is realistic."
The summer marathon on two-wheels staged a major success this year with huge crowds turing out to see the time-trial prologue in London followed by a first stage down to the Channel coast.
And with cycling a boom sport north of the border, the National events agency EventScotland believes the time is ripe to lure the Tour.
The organisation's corporate communications manager Leon Thompson told The Scotsman newspaper: "We've had the early conversations about the possibility of hosting the `Grand Depart' in Scotland.
"It's an iconic world-class event, and the kind of event that would sit very well within our portfolio of major events.
"We haven't discussed possible years yet, or where it might happen." Scottish officials are currently active on several fronts trying to bring top-class sports events to the country and they scored a notable success last month with Glasgow winning the right to stage the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
The Scottish Government have also backed a feasibility study to determine whether Scotland could stage football's European Championships in 2016.
The Scotsman said that Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme had been made aware of Scotland's interest in staging the prologue and first stage.
The soonest Scotland could get involved, however, would be 2010, as Tour officials have confirmed the event will start in Brittany and Monaco in the next two years.
Scottish Tour de France rider David Millar (pictured) said: "It would be amazing, and I think it is realistic."
I am a little bit Country You're a little bit Rock and Republic?
12/21/07 23:05 Filed in: Cycling
Industry News
Hamilton to
Rock Racing
By Neal Rogers
Tyler Hamilton has reportedly signed with Rock Racing for 2008. Several sources have confirmed that the team inked a deal with the one-time grand tour contender and that he plans to race with the UCI continental squad in the coming season.
VeloNews requested comment from both Hamilton and team owner Michael Ball, but neither immediately responded. Hamilton's career wins have thus far included the 2004 Olympic time trial, the 2003 Liège-Bastogne-Liège and stages of the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France. He tested positive for blood doping in 2004 and was suspended for two years. He returned to professional cycling this past spring with the Russian-Italian Tinkoff Credit Systems.
Hamilton's term with Tinkoff was rocky, after a tooth infection derailed him at April's Tour de Georgia, then he was dropped from his team's Giro squad following a La Gazzetta dello Sport story that linked him to the Operación Puerto blood doping scandal. Hamilton said that team owner Oleg Tinkov then asked him to sign a contract "with very different financial terms than my existing contract. Since I did not think this was fair, I did not agree." In a July posting on his personal web site, Hamilton said he planned to file suit to enforce the provisions of the original deal, although there are no records of that suit actually having been filed. Specific details of the contract dispute have not been disclosed by either party.
Hamilton's last race was at the USA Cycling national time trial championship in Greenville, South Carolina, where he placed sixth, 49 seconds behind winner Dave Zabriskie of CSC. Should Hamilton don the skull-and-wings logo of Rock Racing, he would join former ProTour riders such as three-time U.S. national champion Freddie Rodriguez, Colombian former U.S. Postal Service and Phonak rider Victor Hugo Peña and 2002 world time trial champion Santiago Botero. Other notable Rock Racing signings for 2008 include Michael Creed, Doug Ollerenshaw and Cesar Grajales. Ball, who built a fortune with the edgy Rock & Republic jeans company, hopes to build a team capable of winning the Tour de France.
Hamilton's signing would also reunite him with Rock Racing team director Frankie Andreu. The Americans rode as teammates at U.S. Postal Service on Lance Armstrong's Tour de France-winning teams in 1999 and 2000 before Andreu retired from racing. Hamilton left U.S. Postal for Team CSC in 2002, where he finished second with a fractured shoulder at his first Giro d'Italia. The following year Hamilton won both Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the Tour de Romandie and was poised as a Tour de France contender before breaking his collarbone during a nasty stage 1 pileup. He went on to win stage 16 with a 142 km solo breakaway, and placed fourth overall. The following season Hamilton switched over to Phonak and again entered the Tour as a favorite, but again hit he pavement during the first week and eventually abandoned the race. He looked to salvage his season with an Olympic medal and a shot at the Vuelta a España overall before positive tests at both events brought him under fire with the sport's anti-doping agencies. Though he was cleared of his Olympic positive when the lab in Athens, Greece, incorrectly froze his B blood sample, Hamilton was later suspended based on samples taken at the Vuelta.
Hamilton mounted a lengthy and expensive defense, losing his initial hearing on a 2-1 split decision. He then appealed his case to the International Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, where he lost in a unanimous 3-0 decision.
Rock Racing will hold its first team camp of 2008 in January in Malibu.
By Neal Rogers
Tyler Hamilton has reportedly signed with Rock Racing for 2008. Several sources have confirmed that the team inked a deal with the one-time grand tour contender and that he plans to race with the UCI continental squad in the coming season.
VeloNews requested comment from both Hamilton and team owner Michael Ball, but neither immediately responded. Hamilton's career wins have thus far included the 2004 Olympic time trial, the 2003 Liège-Bastogne-Liège and stages of the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France. He tested positive for blood doping in 2004 and was suspended for two years. He returned to professional cycling this past spring with the Russian-Italian Tinkoff Credit Systems.
Hamilton's term with Tinkoff was rocky, after a tooth infection derailed him at April's Tour de Georgia, then he was dropped from his team's Giro squad following a La Gazzetta dello Sport story that linked him to the Operación Puerto blood doping scandal. Hamilton said that team owner Oleg Tinkov then asked him to sign a contract "with very different financial terms than my existing contract. Since I did not think this was fair, I did not agree." In a July posting on his personal web site, Hamilton said he planned to file suit to enforce the provisions of the original deal, although there are no records of that suit actually having been filed. Specific details of the contract dispute have not been disclosed by either party.
Hamilton's last race was at the USA Cycling national time trial championship in Greenville, South Carolina, where he placed sixth, 49 seconds behind winner Dave Zabriskie of CSC. Should Hamilton don the skull-and-wings logo of Rock Racing, he would join former ProTour riders such as three-time U.S. national champion Freddie Rodriguez, Colombian former U.S. Postal Service and Phonak rider Victor Hugo Peña and 2002 world time trial champion Santiago Botero. Other notable Rock Racing signings for 2008 include Michael Creed, Doug Ollerenshaw and Cesar Grajales. Ball, who built a fortune with the edgy Rock & Republic jeans company, hopes to build a team capable of winning the Tour de France.
Hamilton's signing would also reunite him with Rock Racing team director Frankie Andreu. The Americans rode as teammates at U.S. Postal Service on Lance Armstrong's Tour de France-winning teams in 1999 and 2000 before Andreu retired from racing. Hamilton left U.S. Postal for Team CSC in 2002, where he finished second with a fractured shoulder at his first Giro d'Italia. The following year Hamilton won both Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the Tour de Romandie and was poised as a Tour de France contender before breaking his collarbone during a nasty stage 1 pileup. He went on to win stage 16 with a 142 km solo breakaway, and placed fourth overall. The following season Hamilton switched over to Phonak and again entered the Tour as a favorite, but again hit he pavement during the first week and eventually abandoned the race. He looked to salvage his season with an Olympic medal and a shot at the Vuelta a España overall before positive tests at both events brought him under fire with the sport's anti-doping agencies. Though he was cleared of his Olympic positive when the lab in Athens, Greece, incorrectly froze his B blood sample, Hamilton was later suspended based on samples taken at the Vuelta.
Hamilton mounted a lengthy and expensive defense, losing his initial hearing on a 2-1 split decision. He then appealed his case to the International Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, where he lost in a unanimous 3-0 decision.
Rock Racing will hold its first team camp of 2008 in January in Malibu.
The Passing of a Good Friend
12/15/07 04:39 Filed in: Special
It is with deep sadness that I have to report the loss of a great friend and supporter of mine and Ride Ventura, Kenny Harbaugh. Kenny passed away Wednesday afternoon while backcountry touring in British Columbia. His trip was with some of Patagonia's ski ambassadors and members of the snowsports design/development team. The details of Kenny's death are still coming in but the preliminary reports are that he suddenly collapsed in the backcountry. Concerted efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Harbaugh family and to all who have come to know Ken as a friend he will be deeply missed.
At this time there have not been any formal arrangements for services or a memorial. Stay tuned to Ride Ventura, when we know you will know.
Please take sometime out your busy schedules and spend it with your families. Let them know how much they mean to you.
It appears that life is very fragile these days and we need to cherish every moment.
Riding to Live and Living to Ride,
Brian
CycloCross Nationals this weekend
12/10/07 21:36 Filed in: Cyclo Cross
Race Director Bill Marshall of KLM Marketing Solutions had a solid blueprint for the national championship course design, having staged several UCI races in the 360-acre park, which features rolling terrain in the scenic setting of hillside oak and lakeside sycamore trees. “We wanted to make the course very hard,” Marshall said. “Cyclocross is tough, no matter what. Our intention was to make this course both technical and fast.” The signature element is a pair of back-to-back stair sections, each 40-feet in length, that come about a quarter-mile from the finish line. “You’ll run up the first set of stairs, get back on your bike for a brief time, then dismount and run up the second set,” Marshall said. “This is going to be crucial as we found out in Providence last year at nationals. They had two run-ups close to the finish and it makes it very interesting if it is a tight race.”
Another crucial element of the course design was to make it as spectator-friendly as possible, Marshall said. Nearly the entire course is viewable from several vantage points. A barrier section, positioned between a pair of heated spectator tents, will also be a prime viewing spot. Special attention was given to the start area to ensure that competitors who do not have the most prime starting positions have the opportunity to move up quickly before the course narrows.
“That first grass section is extremely wide open and slightly uphill as it leads into the first sweeping right hand turn,” Marshall said. “We tried to make it as close as possible to the start you would see on a UCI course. Eventually, though, there are a few turns to slow it up and create opportunities to get away.”
Where the course doubles back on itself in several places could also prove particularly tricky, he said. “This course has some decent hills – not the steep ones like you saw in Providence for nationals last year – but ones that are going to be tough in all conditions,” Marshall said. “They’re long uphills so if it’s icy, they’ll be particularly treacherous. If it’s dry, the course will be rippin’ fast.”
Racers will also have to negotiate a section of the course that passes close to a pond – one that was covered in ice when four-time national cyclocross champion Steve Tilford crashed into it during a race last year. Incredibly, Tilford recovered from the frigid plunge to come back and win.
Interview with Levi
12/08/07 14:26 Filed in: Road Cycling
Cathy: To start with Levi I’d like to hear from you how you originally came back to Discovery Channel for the 2007 season?
Levi: Well you know I was on the team with US Postal in 2000 and 2001 and I’d done really well in those two years and made my break-through in cycling. I always felt it was the program where I did my best. I’d always maintained good relationships with Johan and Dirk and the riders on the team. So it was kind of a no-brainer; I really wanted to come back.
Cathy: During the years that you were the team leader at Rabobank and then Gerolsteiner, was it always in the back of your mind that you would like to go back to Johan’s team?
Levi: Yeah, definitely.
Was it difficult to be the leader of European teams?
It was different but I don’t regret it at all. It made me stronger and definitely more experienced. I think I experienced something that most cyclists don’t get to with a foreign team. I’m proud of being with those teams. I wouldn’t take it back.
It was a unique position you were in. We don’t see many American riders given the chance to head up European teams.
So let’s take a look back at your original goals for 2007 because unless I’m mistaken you were able to meet all of them!
Yeah, I always said I wanted to win the Tour but I think I can be very satisfied with third place.
Let’s start with Tour of California. I know that was a big goal for you. For two years in a row you have ridden into your hometown of Santa Rosa with the leader’s jersey on your back. That must be incredible for you.
Yeah it is. The cycling community in California is great, especially here in Santa Rosa. In my mind Santa Rosa is the jewel of the Tour of California as far as crowd support and enthusiasm. Being able to lead the race into Santa Rosa the last two years has been overwhelming, especially the first year because I didn’t expect it.
The support for you each year in Santa Rosa is amazing. To wander around the town square and see all the signs with your name has to be special. It’s like you own the place!
Yeah, it was amazing and like I said I was overwhelmed. Definitely two moments in my career I will always remember.
Is it your intention to defend your title in 2008? Will Astana come to the Tour of California?
Yeah, definitely.
What do you think of the changes to the route, especially the prologue not going to Coit Tower and then the last stage being a true road stage rather than a circuit?
You know I obviously really like the prologue but I understand that the community of Stanford and Palo Alto have put a lot of support into getting the race to them so they will show everyone a good day and make a big push to help the race grow. The stage into San Jose has been made tougher so I am looking forward to that. There is an extra climb. And the last day is different, yes, we’re not doing a circuit, but I don’t know anything about it yet.
Racing in the Tour de Georgia
Let’s move on to your original goals for the Tour. Talk to me about the Tour.
The ultimate goal for any cyclist is always to win the Tour. But to be able to stand on the podium and win a stage was certainly as much as I could hope for. That 24-hour period between my time trial win and standing on the podium is the highlight of my career. It’s something I wish that I was able to remember more of. I remember a lot of it but I wish I had it on playback so I could review it over and over.
If you had to chose between storming the time trial or standing on the podium would you be able to pick a favorite moment?
I always see that 24 hour period as one moment. That’s the way it feels to me. I guess I could say the time trial because at that moment it became clear that I would stand on the podium for sure but it’s hard to separate them.
Then you won US Pro in September and will wear the Stars and Stripes jersey in 2008. Can you comment on that?
US Pro was a surprise. I certainly didn’t have it on my mind all year. But I felt strong and I knew my role was going to be to go early and force the others to chase for George and he would obviously have to wait, being the hometown favorite and the best sprinter. So I knew I would have to go early and it just paid off. It worked out.
You’ve secured a spot on the US Olympic team, correct? Was that from winning US Pro?
No, that’s not where I qualified for the Olympics. It’s because I was third in the Tour. I don’t have to qualify any other way. As long as I am in competitive form I can go to the Olympics.
Have you gone before?
Yes, to Athens.
What do you think about this opportunity to go again? Are you looking forward to that?
Definitely. The timing is great. It’s like two weeks after the Tour de France so really there is no special training involved. The courses are supposedly very difficult, hilly and hard so that would suit me. I’ll do both the time trial and the road course. I think we will be there well in advance so I’ll have time to check out the routes. I’ve been to China before but not Beijing.
I’ve had the pleasure of hanging around your family at a few races and I don’t think people realize that your family drive the route at the Tour and sleep in their cars when they have to just to be sure to see you race. They are true roadside fans.
Yeah, that’s the way it is at the Tour. There are certain stages they want to see whether there is a hotel available or not.
What does it mean to you to have such a dedicated support team around you?
Obviously when I was growing up and I got into cycling they were very supportive. They owned a bike shop in Montana and that’s how I got into it. My brother Rob got me in to racing. They’ve worked at my career a long time as well and they enjoy coming to the races.
I know your wife Odessa helps you with training and had her own successful racing career. Does she still participate in cycling events?
No she doesn’t race anymore because she injured her back awhile back and couldn’t continue to race. But she’s the main ingredient for my success. I would not have been able to do anything near the things I’ve done without her. We make a really good team.
Now you’re moving on to Astana. When Discovery announced they would not be continuing on what were your first thoughts?
I was very disappointed, thinking I’d need to go back to a foreign team again. I didn’t really see myself going back to do that but then it looked to be inevitable.
Did you have contact with other teams right away that were interested in you?
Yes, yes I did. So I knew I had some opportunities available.
When Johan told you he was going to take over Astana did you have any hesitations about joining him at a team that had problems in 2007?
No, because he explained to me right away that it was a brand new team and the entire management from 2007 was gone. It was basically the same sponsor but a new team. It might be hard for people to realize that the name that is on the jersey doesn’t run the team. They aren’t doing the work.
What do you think your status and respect from within the peloton do to elevate the status of the new Astana?
Well I think I can set a great example for the younger riders and help with training and doing my job really well. I can continue to do my best and get results and I think this will promote a good image for the new Astana.
Do you worry at all about the team being selected for the Tour?
Ya know, I don’t worry about it that much. With the Tour winner and third place finisher on the same team plus the results we’ll have leading up to the Tour PLUS the new image we will create for the team I think it will be enough.
Are you excited about being in on the ground floor of a new team?
I don’t look at it that way. The structure is already set up with Johan and he’s just moving it over. I know he has a lot of work to do and he would probably scoff at the idea that I’ve said there isn’t any setup to do, but really we have all the staff and there is no training involved of new employees. Everyone knows how to do their jobs. I know there is still a lot of work to be done and they are trying to solve some problems from last year. I’m sure everything will be worked out and the team presentation will be in January sometime, at least I think so.
A lot of people tried to create a rivalry between you and Alberto but seeing the two of you in person there never seemed to be tension between you. Can you tell us about your racing relationship with him and how it felt to help him win the Tour?
It’s funny, people did try to create a rivalry. It got kind of annoying at the Tour. I guess that would have made a good story but there was certainly no rivalry at all. Alberto was taking it day by day. He wasn’t sure if he’d be able to continue to keep his form and he was racing like there was no tomorrow which was fun to watch! I knew I had to get better as the Tour progressed and that happened. In the end he was the better rider and there is nothing more I can say except that he deserved to win.
It’s interesting when you say he was riding like there was no tomorrow. You are older than he is and probably know your body better. You knew your measured effort had to be x,y,z whereas he’s much younger and more spontaneous but did look pretty tired at the end.
Yeah, true, and he had a lot to protect. He had the win on the line.
How about life after cycling? What do you see yourself doing?
I think I will be involved in cycling for sure. I think I can help motivate others and do different things with cycling. I don’t think I’ll be involved with the racing side but I’m not sure.
I know you and Odessa have an affinity for animals. Can you fill us in?
Yes, Odessa is a co-director of an organization called A Leg Up Rescue in Santa Rosa. She personally has rescued hundreds of animals. We always seem to have a foster or rescued animal coming through the house. She rescues animals in Spain too, bringing some animals back here to find them homes. She works on two continents. We put a lot of effort into it. Especially Odessa. I’ve always been an animal lover myself but more so now that I’ve been with Odessa. We recently had a fund raiser and raised an incredible amount of money for this group and I think it’s our way to do something, and we feel strongly about it. I guess I have enough recognition now to be an asset and raise some money so I can’t see any reason not to do that.
In closing, is there a message you’d like to pass on to the Discovery fans?
I wasn’t there all the years of Lance winning, but I do like to feel like I was a part of the Postal/Discovery history. I know it was an unprecedented run for the team. Obviously Lance changed the sport in the US and introduced the sport to a lot of people and many of those people became fans of the team and fans of mine. Especially at the Tour when we’d do our victory laps on the Champs Elysees, it felt like we were in America because there were so many flags and fans there. Flags up and down the boulevard. It was really special. I think the fans should know that means a lot to the riders, including myself.
5 T-Mobile's used in 2006 Tour de France
12/07/07 12:43 Filed in: Road Cycling
Five T-Mobile riders resorted to blood doping on the 2006 Tour de France, a newspaper report will charge on Saturday.
According to the Stuttgarter Zeitung, the riders made a dash to the Freiburg University Clinic in Germany immediately after the prologue in the French city of Strasbourg.
There, the report alleges, they all received transfusions of their own blood, a practice outlawed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Former T-Mobile cyclist Patrik Sinkewitz, who was convicted of doping with testosterone in July and banned for a year by the German cycling federation (BDR), recently admitted that he had used blood doping and EPO since 2003.
In October, Sinkewitz spent five hours giving evidence to the BDR's disciplinary committee in a bid to get the expected two-year ban reduced. He was also ordered to pay 40,000 euros ($58,500), which will go towards funding drugs tests.
None of Sinkewitz's testimony involved the restructured T-Mobile team, now dubbed Team High Road and headed by American telecommunications entrepreneur Bob Stapleton. -Agence France Presse contributed to this report.
Scott new partner of Saunier Duval
12/07/07 12:09 Filed in: Road Cycling
"We've made progress together, as the athletes' valuable feedback is a key factor to the evolution of our products. We're happy we can develop our accessories further and support the young riders recruited for next season," said Scott Vice-President Pascal Ducrot. "We entirely trust Mauro Gianetti and his men, and we've done so since 2003, when he showed us his project."
Saunier Duval-Scott riders will be equipped with the Scott Addict road frae as the weapon of choice for the 2008 ProTour schedule. The team will continue to be managed by Mauro Gianetti and Joxean Fernández "Matxin". Next year, the Scott logo will be in a prominent position on the team's jersey, which can be seen in the picture above, featuring Leonardo Piepoli, José Ángel Gómez Marchante, Juanjo Cobo and Riccardo Riccò
Vino Calls it quits
12/06/07 11:55 Filed in: Road Cycling
Vinokourov's lawyer, Maurice Suh, who is well known for defending another rider disgraced with a Tour de France doping positive, Floyd Landis, released a statement following the sentence which indicated Vinokourov would continue to race. "Mr. Vinokourov looks forward to the end of his suspension and to the opportunity begin returning to racing once his suspension iscompleted," However Vinokourov subsequently indicated tht he would retire rather than return to the sport.
The one year sanction would have ended on July 21, 2008, early enough to allow the former Astana star to participate in the Olympic Games in Beijing - a controversial decision by a federation trying its first ever doping case. But the decision is likely to be appealed by the UCI.
The UCI's spokesman Enrico Carpani expressed surprise at the Kazakh's short sentence. Cycling's other transfusion positives, American Tyler Hamilton and Spaniard Santi Perez, have resulted in two-year sentences. "We are very shocked and surprised. We wonder where the Kazakh federation has found elements to deliver such a sanction," Carpani told AFP .
The UCI indicated that it would appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), and Vinokourov subsequently announced he would retire. "Alexandre Vinokourov will stop competing and will retire, but says he will continue to fight for his honour," L'Equipe reported.
The 34 year-old has always maintained his innocence, and won the support of the Kazakh government and its cycling federation following his positive test. However, the Kazakh federation was under pressure to appease the UCI, saying that it had made the decision to sanction the rider because, according to vice-president Nikolai Proskourine, "The documents and evidence presented by Vinokourov and his lawyers were not convincing," but added that the decision to sanction was made, "so that the Kazakh federation is not suspended by the International Cycling Union (UCI)."