First Time "4" Everything!

Mark Cavendish "Cav" (of Team Sky) raises his hand with a four finger salute to congratulate himself, as he finishes 1st for the 4th straight time in Paris. The reigning world champion is the first but possibly not the last if the man to his right in lime green (Peter Sagan) has anything to say about it. Sagan is only 22 and blew the competition away to obtain the Green Jersey.

Another first, Bradley Wiggins (a teammate to Cav, with Team Sky) holds on to the LCL Yellow Jersey, and rides the lead out train for Cav to sprint to victory, and becomes England's first TDF winner! It was a great day for Team Sky, they finished 1 & 2 in the overall (General Classification), and won the final stage of the TDF. In all honesty however, if (yes if) Chris Froome had taken command in the mountains and not been ordered to wait for Wiggins, Froome could have been England's first TDF winner. Coulda, shoulda, woulda, and if, if's and buts, were candies and nuts, we'd all have a Merry Christmas, but... Froome could have won this year.

Last year also produced a ton of possible firsts:

Frank and Andy Schleck would have been the first siblings (also teammates) to finish first and second, had they held on in the final time trial. As it turned out, it would be a first for Australia and Team BMC's Cadel Evans, as he took the final time trial and the TDF Yellow going into Paris. His celebration a bit more elaborate than that of Mr. Wiggins today, but nonetheless, he was victorious.

Not sure if a team has changed names, and won the team overall yellow, in consecutive years, but (there's that big 3 letter word again) I am thinking that is a first as well! So congratulations to Team Radioshack Nissan Trek (RSTN) for pulling off the team win again this year! 

With that said, it is time for me to venture out on my Madone and ride now, myself! It's hot, but the hot needs me! In honor of Team Sky, in my best Norf side accent, "Tootles..."

The Intentions of Management (Cycling)

For those of us that have never been there it's easy to make assumptions, or point fingers, even give our point of view. However, I have to ask the question again, with what intention? Alain Gallopin the sporting director/team manager for cycling team Radioshack/Nissan/Trek (RSNT) former, but somewhat partially still Trek Leopard (because of funding and connection to Luxembourg) was questioned about his decision to add his nephew (Tony Gallopin) to this years Tour de France (TDF). What I question more, is the team using Nissan as a sponsor over working with Mercedes Benz. Although, I'm pretty certain that their reasoning is probably because Specialized (a main competitor) is in cahoots with McLaren (which is a division or closely related to Mercedes Benz). Gallopin the director, chose Gallopin the nephew and rider, because Tony Gallopin the rider, earned his spot, and also gave the injury plagued RSNT team a bit more variety. Tony has already had some impressive U23 victories, is a complete rider, climbs well, sprints well, and is also in second place for the Best Young Rider jersey in his first TDF. So well done director! The link below will take you to the Tours page, and you can click "Classifications" and then go to the "Best Young Rider" category and check Tony's progress. If I pull for anyone else in that category it would have to be BMC's Tejay Van Garderen, a young American rider. Van Garderen's getting plenty of education, one could only imagine, riding under the tutelage of seventeen time TDF contestant George Hincapie, and 2011 Tour de France winner, Cadel Evans. So again not to get off track, yes the Gallopin's are family, but I think it was a sound choice, even if they are family to give RSNT a shot at winning multiple jerseys in this years tour. RSNT is the top team in the field now, and now own yellow as a team. They have had a member in yellow, for all but one stage of the TDF this year, with their three top riders having the lowest time combined after today's Stage 8, they now have yellow again, this time as a team. Therefore, I applaud Alain Gallopin's choice. Tony looked very strong today, and is now less than fifty seconds away from the White - Best Young Rider's jersey, and his team a half a minute up on Britain's Team Sky, although, Sky's Wiggins took the individual (General Classifications) yellow from Trek's Fabian Cancellara in Stage 6. The intentions were to build a stronger team, now, and for the future, and that is being manifested with every stage in this tour. Well done Mr. Gallopin, well done RSNT!

http://www.letour.fr/le-tour/2012/us/classifications.html 

Leo-Shack!?

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/leopard-trek-confirms-merger-with-radioshack

http://www.leopardtrek.lu/news/leopard-trek-welcomes-radioshack-and-nissan-new-main-sponsors


http://www.livestrong.com/teamradioshack/news_press-release-radioshack-nissan-trek-cycling-super-team-links-top-riders-sponsors/

Rumors, rumors, rumors... First Leopard was shutting down, then it was said that Leopard would be financing a big part of the merge. So I have posted a few links above for your reading pleasure.

Most cyclist know their roll. It is one of the most loyal sports that a sports enthusiast can be a part of. Be it a fan, or participant. I am praying for the chemistry to be with the new Trek team. Hopefully the leadership and the merge will bring forth growth in the combined team. It is said that Leipheimer has not yet received an invitation to this merger, nor Jen Voigt. Fuglsang among other names have been excluded because of the 30 member limit. Regardless, the combination of riders will be lethal, and I believe will do some remarkable things. But will Andy be strong enough to lead? Frank showed great character in the Tour de France, and in the USA Pro Challenge seemingly outshining his brother on several occasions. Does Andy have the toughness to step up to the next level? Can he out battle Contador, Evans, and the rest of the world? Time will tell, and I pray that Trek and all of it's riders fair well.

Well onto the Vuelta to take care of business in Spain. I am praying that Fuglsang, Monfort, and all others looking for spots will use this Tour of Spain as a strength builder to their resume`s. Well back to the mountains of Spain... see ya tomorrow.

Whose House!!!?

 

Photo Courtesy of Steephill

I am dedicating this one to the High Priest, with another Preacher's lyrics... We have, we have, we have, we have, say what!? (echoing from the turntables of Jam Master Jay) a whole lot of Superstars on this stage (Stage 3 to be exact) here today! But Levi wants y'all to understand one thing, and that is that the USA is his HOUSE! SO when I say whose house, y'all know what time it is! "Whose house...!!!? Levi's House!!! Loving the fist pump in the picture! Power to the people! Levi bring it home brother!

First I have to give props to Levi's teammate Jason McCartney, for setting a really good time for the first half of the Time Trial. Jason was in the top spot for a hot minute! Actually several hot minutes, so I ask that the Grammar Po-po pardon the hood comin' out in me. Mac finished 23rd, and helped keep Team Radio Shack in the Top 5 in the Team Standings as well. Also helping Trek stay in the Top 5 was Frank Schleck, whom also had a decent time finishing in 20th place. The Top 3 Time Trialers for Leopard Trek were:

Frank Schleck - 20th, Bruno Pires - 12th and Jens Voigt 8th, helping keep Leopard Trek in the Top 5 and allowing them to rest in 5th place in the Team Standings at the Time Trials end.

The Top 3 Riders for Shack were:
Jason Mc 23rd, Ivan Rovny 11th, and Stage Winner Levi Leipheimer. Shack lost the top spot in the Team Standings, but gained the Individual Yellow back with seeing Leipheimer win the Stage. It was one of the most dramatic Stages I have ever witnessed!!!

Mac held the top spot, for Shack, then along comes Zabriskie rocketing past and taking it from him. Evans was in good form and looked as though he might win yet another TT, but the Tour de France Champ, was just not as strong today as he was in the Tour de France. Colombian rider Rafael Infantino of Team EPM (I love the Spanish pronunciation... use the long "A" sound... Ep-A-M-A) took top honor momentarily, only to surrender it to Vande Velde whom just happen to break the race, and course record with his finish of 25:47.01! Levi would come along gritting his teeth, aerodynamically poised and out for YELLOW! 25'47" for Leipheimer, a new race and course record by .01 over the most recent record holder Vande Velde (whom had just finished a few minutes ahead of Leipheimer)! It was truly an incredible time trial!!!

 I had to post this pic! You can find these on Steephill, along with other great write ups, but I am hoping you drop by and see me too! My son is a huge Captain America fan, so I had to post the Z-man in his Patriotic National Champ attire! He was one of the first riders that I saw today catch the man in front of him.

Frank caught the rider in front of him as well, and put in a valiant effort, but still needs work on his Time Trialing. Frank has improved a bit more so that his brother Andy, but they can both stand to improve in their Time Trial efforts.

Cadel put in the Time Trial of his life in the Tour de France, and that is what took the race from 2nd and 3rd podium finishers Frank and Andy Schleck. Look at the calves on this man!!! Can we say, "chiseled?" Cadel put in another great ride today, and once again has shown why he is the defending Tour de France and World Champion, and deserving to be called among the elite! However, even though a brilliant ride for the Aussie, he fell just a bit short. Still very much in the hunt of the overall victory, but not in yellow just yet. The Rockies are a tall beast to tame, and not just anyone can tame them! However, the Stage Tamer today was one Levi Leipheimer. I know, I know, if... if's and buts were candy and nuts, we'd all have a Merry Christmas... but what if the rain hadn't fell yesterday? Would Levi's lead be even greater? The pics below show the near perfect form of Mr. Leipheimer. I loved the camera crew today, excellent work! They had some great close up shots, and it appeared that TeJay kept slipping forward in the saddle. He also favored his left, while Levi didn't appear to slip, but seemed to favor his right... Look at the look on Levi's face in the last picture. That is sure bust your heart determination right there boys, and lady girls!!! Well early rise, and it's already past my bedtime, so allow me to conclude with standings from the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, y de la Vuelta!!!

Photo Courtesy of Ricardo Moreno

The Vuelta

Individual Standings look like this:

1. Sylvain Chavanel - Quickstep
2. Daniel Moreno - KAT
3. Vincenzo Nibaldi - LIQ
4. Joaquin Rodriguez - KAT
5. Jakob Fulgsang - LEO

7. Maxime Monfort - LEO
14. Haimar Zubeldia - RSH
18. Janez Brajkovic - RSH
23. Tiago Machado - RSH
46. Oliver Zaugg - LEO

Team Standings as such:

1. Team Radio Shack

4. Leopard Trek one second behind third place Katusha!

Historical Year at the Tour de France!

Picture courteousy of Steephill TV for review only

Andy and Frank Schleck become the first brothers to finish together in the same year (second and third) on the podium at the Tour de France. So the Schlecks and Trek make history again this year. Trek is also the record holder for consecutive Tour de France victories, and most consecutive victories from an individual rider.

Cadel Evans is the first ever Australian winner at this years Tour de France, and the first winner from the Southern hemisphere. He was also the first rider to give me the same (exact) expression that I had when hearing Mike Tyson talk for the first time! He sounds like a thirteen year old in a thirty plus year old body. But like Tyson (in the Cus D'Amato years), he knocked out the competition this year!

British rider Mark (The Mouth) Cavendish is the first Brit to win the Sprinters jersey, and is still on course to hold more stage wins than any other rider in the Tours history. It will not come in this historical year, but he was close to winning more stages in one Tour than any other rider again this year.  He is quite the talent, and I know his fans are pulling for him to turn in the complete ride, and win the Tour. He has the potential in my way of seeing things, if he will just put the complete ride together.

It is also the first year that the imperfect Christian has had an opportunity to watch each stage of the Tour. So a historical, and great year for cycling, and this imperfect cycling fan...