Changes...

Change in crown holder.

Fabian Cancellara is no longer the man to beat as a Time Trial Specialist. He has abdicated his throne for German rider, HTC Specialized Time Trial beast and new king Tony Martin. Fabian rode hard in the Grand Tours, in both the Tour de France, and the Vuelta (Tour of Spain) and only relinquished his title in 2008 because of the Olympics, and a tough Grand Tour Schedule that year. This year, a well trained and very fit Tony Martin, had his way! not once but 5 times! Fabian had a few slips, trying to override, and his mistakes proved to be costly, but in all honesty, the slips that he had going all out, showed that he was determined but knew that Martin had swag for a reason! The Big Swiss did not go quietly, but nevertheless had to settle for a bronze medal this year. So my Win didn't win, and my show didn't show, but my place was dead on! I had a feeling that Wiggins was gong to be on fire, but just not have quite enough to pull off the major upset. Realistically I expected Martin to win, but as a Cancellara fan, and as a Trek fan, my bias blinded me. Here are the final results of the 2011 ICU World Championship Time Trial:

1	Tony MARTIN (Gold Medalist & new World Champion)	GER	GER	26	53:43.85
2	Bradley WIGGINS (Silver Medalist)	GBR	GBR	31	+1:15.83
3	Fabian CANCELLARA (Bronze Medalist)	SUI	SUI	30	+1:20.59
4	Bert GRABSCH	GER	GER	36	+1:31.76
5	Jack BOBRIDGE	AUS	AUS	22	+2:13.86
6	Richie PORTE	AUS	AUS	26	+2:29.54
7	David MILLAR	GBR	GBR	34	+2:45.62
8	Lieuwe WESTRA	NED	NED	29	+3:18.52
9	Alexsandr DYACHENKO	KAZ	KAZ	28	+3:19.76
10	Jakob FUGLSANG	DEN	DEN	26	+3:30.59
11	Jonathan CASTROVIEJO NICOLAS	ESP	ESP	24	+3:34.37
12	Gustav LARSSON	SWE	SWE	31	+3:34.62
13	Svein TUFT	CAN	CAN	34	+3:35.89
14	Janez BRAJKOVIC	SLO	SLO	28	+3:44.74
15	Taylor PHINNEY	USA	USA	21	+3:52.58
16	Andrew TALANSKY	USA	USA	23	+3:57.89
17	Nelson OLIVEIRA	POR	POR	22	+4:14.98
18	Jesse SERGENT	NZL	NZL	23	+4:26.31
19	Jack BAUER	NZL	NZL	26	+4:26.99
20	Stef CLEMENT	NED	NED	29	+4:33.93

Change in team.

Levi signs with Quickstep Merckx... This is not quite the Darrell Waltrip leaving Chevy, and going to Ford for me, but still wished that Levi could have finished his career with Trek. Not to say that he can't still, but at 38 and a two year deal... the Giro, Amgen Tour of Cali, Tour de France, USA Pro Cycling Challenge, or the Vuelta, will put the miles on a body in a hurry. Actually, in a months time with each race, or at the very least a very grueling week (Tour of Utah/California/Colorado) of it anyway!

Remember when franchise owners were loyal, and players were too? When you stayed in the city that loved you, raced for the fans that loved you? Well there are those fans again... The fair weather, manufacturer, player/driver, fan. I am a little partial to all the above. Levi being an American rider, is one of my favs, and I love the Trek brand! So this is a tough one for me, but I will still pull for Levi. It would be hard for me to pull against him. But then again, it is hard for me to pull against the guys and gals from Waterloo also!

Change of character?
The British are not shy in cycling in most cases, that's for sure, but was this Wiggins talking a bit out of class today? This is usually a trait displayed by Mr. Cavendish. Cavendish is usually the bold one, doing the trash talking or calling shots...
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/wiggins-suggests-tour-de-france-and-olympics-are-too-much-for-cavendish?ns_campaign=news&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=cyclingnews&ns_linkname=0&ns_fee=0

The Road Race is tomorrow, and there are plenty of men that could be World Champion.
Thor Hushovd, Andy Schleck, Phillipe Gilbert, Jakob Fulgsang could all come away with the title. Or could the Time Trial specialist do it, with the rolling hills? If so watch out for Wiggins, or TT Champion Tony Martin. And if it is not a rain soaked day, and the switchbacks don't affect them, then you could see the sprinters bring it home... Sagan, Bennati, or even Rui Costa. I am hoping for a close race, and a major upset! Bring on Trek and Mr. King!!! That would be a lovely week of UCI World Championships.

Fantasies, Wishful Thinking, & I Doubt It

Football

My fantasy is that one year I would get an auto draft so fabulous that I could claim our fantasy leagues trophy before the season started.
It is wishful thinking considering that I am too booked to really put any time into anything right now, and I was autodrafted a pretty mediocre team to boot.
Would there be a generous soul willing to shift a QB around and help a brotha out? The answer is no! Charles your cue: "I May Be Wrong, But I DOUBT IT!"


Charles Barkley: "I May Be Wrong (But I Doubt It)" from Hype Communications on Vimeo.


My fantasy is that Wisconsin, UCLA, or UNC would win a CFB National Championship.

It is wishful thinking, and Wisconsin has the best shot at that title. Carolina's schedule is too weak, and they are not in a football conference, or known as a football school. Under Coach Davis' watch they also had some rules violations that have hindered their shot at any greatness, for a long while. At least we still play Duke, but that might not be such a good thing this year either. UCLA has a coach that went through violations problems in his past as well. I believe in second chances, and I believe people can change.

Sadly enough, to all the above, I do not believe that Wisconsin has the defensive prowess to win it all. They have plenty of offensive firepower, but not the D. UNC might have a break out season under new management, but I do not see it! I pray that they do not struggle against Duke this year! The misfortunes at UCLA could change, but again Coach Newheiststeal had his violations woes at Colorado, and the heavy watch would get to anyone. So, I think UCLA will continue to struggle as well. Therefore I have no choice but to cue Charles, because I don't think any of my schools can pull off the miracle season... "I May Be Wrong, But I Doubt It!"

Cycling...

Time for the Vuelta... My fantasy would be seeing Fabian Cancellara come back from 144th place to win the Vuelta, and have Leopard Trek take the overall team title as well! Or have Tiago Machado win the General Classification, and have Team Radio Shack take the overall team title. Oh right, I forgot about the podium finishes! Pick any other Trek riders to put in the 2nd and 3rd spot... and have the Team Overall with Shack or Leopard in first, with the other as runner up, and any of the American Teams to finish third. Yeah that would be sweet!

It's wishful thinking to think that Trek could win the GC and the Team Overall, and completely dominate in every category.

Again all of those things would be great, but it is not gonna happen... I May Be Wrong, But I Doubt It!

Conclusion

Jakob Fulgsang, Haimar Zubeldia, or Janez Brajkovic could come back from being only a few seconds, or a few minutes down. I believe it can be done, and I believe that the highly talented Leopard Trek rider from Denmark (Jakob Fuglsang) can and will win the Vuelta... I could be wrong, but I doubt it!

OK time to clean up, room, bike, me, and get to gittin'!!! Peace...

Labor Day Weekend Sports Update!

Great finish for HTC rider Michael Albasini. He sprinted across the line first, and took Stage 13 from Eros Capecchi. It looked as though Capecchi came out of his shoe momentarily, or that his cleat released from his pedal, and at that point he knew he was finished.

American rider Taylor Phinney of Team BMC calls it a Tour, and prepares now for the World Championships. He had a solid Time Trial in the Vuelta, and will now prepare to do battle in the Worlds against favorites Martin, and Cancellara. Martin has been more of the machine this year, and has dominated in each Tour concerning Time Trials. Speaking of Cancellara, fellow countrymen Oliver Zaugg finished 6th in today's mountainous stage. Great work! The Trek teams are looking good in the overall standings!

The Team Standings show strongly in favor of the Waterloo, WI teams!

Stage 13 Team Results

1. Team Shack
2. Leopard Trek
   

Stage 13 Individual Results

1. Michael Albasini (HTC)
2. Eros Capecchi (LIQ)
3. Daniel Moreno (KAT)
4. David De La Fuente (GEO)
5. Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mon)
6. Oliver Zaugg (LEO)

General Classifications
Slight change to the Top 10

Britain's Bradley Wiggins of Team Sky, is still the top rider logging in 51: 14:59 after finishing Stage 13 today. He is trailed by teammate Christopher Froome, also from Britain by seven (7) seconds. Jakob Fuglsang of Leopard Trek moved up a spot into fourth, but is still nineteen seconds behind race leader Wiggins. Fuglsang's teammate, Maxime Monfort holds onto the seventh spot, and Radio Shack just missed have the one two punch to stay in the Top Ten. Janez Brajkovic dropped to eleventh, and teammate Haimar Zubeldia, remains in tenth.

Labor Day Weekend = College Football/Futbol

Wisconsin downs UNLV 51 - 17. Wisconsin was expected to blow out an undersized UNLV at Camp Randall, so no big surprise in this one. Coach Bielema has some work to do on his D, however. UW has a new QB, and he looked pretty good last night. Wilson made sharp passes, and got a somewhat nice comparison last evening. One of ESPN's commentators compared him to Drew Brees. Then they saw that he can run as well... talks say Wilson could go pro! Time will tell.

My beloved Heels play tomorrow Saturday at 3:30pm on ESPN3 y'all, and the missus is trying to drag me out camping! Sorry Coach Withers, I may be campside with the family, and doing work with Kert tomorrow, but I will follow the updates on the old Droid ;)

Trek Strong in Etapa (Stage) 10 Individual TT's

Janez Brajkovic

Maxime Monfort

Fabian Cancellara

Jakob Fuglsang

Tiago Machado

What company holds 50% of the Vuelta's Top 10 in the Individual Time Trials of Etapa (Stage) 10?
4th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 10th for the guys from Waterloo! Nuff said!

Stage 10 results
1  Tony Martin (Ger) HTC-Highroad         0:55:54   
2  Christopher Froome (GBr) Sky            + 0:59   
3  Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky               + 1:22   
4  Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Leopard Trek    + 1:27   
5  Taylor Phinney (USA) BMC Racing         + 1:33   
6  Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Leopard Trek       + 1:37   
7  Tiago Machado (Por) RadioShack          + 1:54   
8  Janez Brajkovic (Slo) RadioShack        + 1:56   
9  Luis Leon Sanchez Gil (Spa) Rabobank    + 2:02   
10 Maxime Monfort (Bel) Leopard Trek       + 2:06

2nd, 6th, 9th, and 10th in the overall!!! 40% of the Top 10 
in the GC!!! On Wisconsin! Did I mention the fact that the 
guys from Wisconsin, make a pretty mean bicycle? 
40% of the Top 10... ok again, nuff said!

General Classification after Stage 10
1  Christopher Froome (GBr) Sky             38:09:13   
2  Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Leopard Trek          + 0:12   
3  Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky                  + 0:20   
4  Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale  + 0:31   
5  Fredrik Kessiakoff (Swe) Astana            + 0:34   
6  Maxime Monfort (Bel) Leopard Trek          + 0:59   
7  Bauke Mollema (Ned) Rabobank               + 1:07   
8  Juan Jose Cobo Acebo (Spa) Geox-TMC        + 1:47   
9  Janez Brajkovic (Slo) RadioShack           + 2:04   
10 Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa) RadioShack    + 2:13

Photos Courtesy of Velo News

I am not getting any funding for the use of the pictures, they come courtesy of Steephill, and are not meant for reproduction or redistribution for any monetary gain... thank you. Now that, that is out of the way let's talk cycling shall we...

La Vuelta A Espana

Jakob Fuglsang is now third, and Monfort holds on to Top 10 spot, resting in tenth, in the Vuelta. So a very condensed update today... Go Trek Go! Joaquim Rodriguez is now the overall leader in the CG. The Shack owns the top team spot, and Leopard is third.

USA Pro Cycling Challenge

Levi still maintains his eleven second lead over Vandevelde, with other riders not much farther back than that. This could be a sprinters dream if they can get an early jump on Levi... So where is Hincapie again? Tomorrow starts with a big climb, and ends with a bit more level and somewhat downhill ride into Denver, and closes with a circuit in Downtown. I have a feeling it's going to be a dog fight!!! Again let me finish with the condensed update, and say: Go Trek Go!

P.S. Levi, we'd sure like to see an American on home soil, on the worlds finest machine bring home the main prize! Git it did brother. Oh yeah Team Standings :
Team Shack is fourth in the team standings, and Leopard is fifth. OK, I am spent! Goodnight.

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!

No Rain in Spain, No Pain No Gain in Aspen

The Challenge...
Today the USA Pro Cycling Challenge lived up to its name. It was marred by wrecks, and then the elements challenged everyone! Overhead camera crews had to fly lower because of icing, and then the rain cautioned the riders. Race slicks on a rain slicked road could produce tragedy. Tonight is the condensed version, so bear with me...

I don't know the international scene as well as I should, Aussie Cadel Evans is the 2011 Tour de France Champ, and he is still very much in contention (along with about many others), so there is your international report.

The race seemed to have a fairly fast pace in the beginning with no major breaks or attacks. I love the picture above... They left the black top today momentarily and hit the mountains on gravel, and some hit the road. A nasty spill changed things, and rain eventually slowed the pace a bit, especially Levi Leipheimer, coming into Aspen. Better safe than sorry I guess. I believe that theory based on personal experience. I know what paint strips, and water can do, and what affect the combination can have on the human body. I have scars on my left ankle and knee to prove it. The Cottonwood Pass over the first peak on the gravel was a Wisconsin bike manufacturers dream! Look at the picture above, and notice the sea of red, not the Red Sea, although technically I guess one could use that moniker!!! That cycling fans is Team Shack! Oh and the Boys in Black and Blue... that's non other than Leopard Trek. The Shack and Leopard teams did well, but Levi fell from first to 4th in the overall standings with a 9th place finish in Stage 2 today, and Andy Schleck could have very well fallen completely out of contention today with a poor finish. Question earlier was, "Did the Tour de France or the rain sap the energy out of him?" Either way, he is a fair way down on the list of names now. His brother Frank is 12th overall, and has a legit shot, being a climber (and some serious climbing left to do). So the final mountain stages could play out well for Frank if he can survive the last Time Trial tomorrow. It's a slightly uphill TT if I read and remember correctly, so again even the TT could play to his favor? OK I gave props to the Trek guys and now for the winner... From Queens, NY, now residing in Somewhere, SC, give it up for Mr. Georgie Hincapie! I love how the Brits call him Georgie!!! Too funny!

Here's how we close the Challenge today:

Overall Standings
1. TeJay Van Garderen (HTC)
2. George Hicapie (BMC)
3. Tom Danielson (GAR)
4. Levi Leipheimer (RSH)
5. Christian Vandevelde

Hold up y'all! I totally missed Bruno!!! No not Bruno Mars! Bruno Pires!!! 9th place for the Portuguese rider! Portugal doing its thing today!!! OK he deserves a photo op... it's not much better than the top pic, but he's in there on the right on Cottonwood Pass...

Swelta in the Vuelta!

Props to Portugal's Tiago Machado who finished 29 seconds back today, and 29th in the stage to move into 22nd overall, just 1'37" out of first place. Singing the Campbell Soup song now... "Mmm mmm, Possibilities..."

Chavanel finished back in the pack but still holds on to the red jersey, and Moreno still flanks him in second. Jakob Fuglsang of Leopard TREK is in 4th, and teammate Maxime Monfort drops to 7th overall after finishing in 21st today in the blistering Spanish sun. Team Shack is still looking good as well with Brajkovic in 18th overall, and Zubeldia in 12th overall. The big story for the Waterloo guys, however... drum roll please... Shack has top honors as a team, and Leopard Trek is 4th overall in the team standings. And that ladies and gents of the cycle world is all I have in me. It is time to go dream of how awesome tomorrows stages will be, and how good it will be for me to get back on my bike hopefully this weekend! Good night.

My Drive Time...

Photo Courtesy of SteephillTV

The peleton finished with the same time as the guys out front, and Treks lead man was sprinter Daniele Bannati. The breaks are nerve racking in the closing kilometers. One rider makes a break and then with 100 meters to go, another sprinter finds a burst from deep within, and overtakes the attacker! It is ridiculous! Team Sky rider Chris Sutton, from Australia made such a surge, to out last Team Lotto and Team Shimano Skil riders to claim the stage victory. However, again because the peleton finished with the same group, Team Trek Leopard finished on top in the General Classification, taking first and second overall. Daniele Bannati with his sprint finish took the red jersey from teammate Jakob Fuglsang finishing ahead of him in the slightly uphill finish. Trek Leopard now has three riders in the Top Ten.

Now if I can just find a replay of Stage Three for tomorrow! Great job Trek Leopard. Great job from Fabian Cancellara and the team to force a grueling pace!