Sick Leave and More Brutal Days to Come

Brutal and Beautiful,

Col du Mont Cenis

photo: Yuzuru Sunada

The Giro is turning out to be a test whether Vincenzo Nibali will ever falter off his pink perch.

Enduring this particularly brutal Giro has been taxing on all with two notable abandons; Wiggins and Hesjedal. The cold and wet as just cause to wreak havoc on the immune systems to infection. For Sir Wiggins struggled with a head cold and chest infection that force his withdrawal. Today, we finally found out that Ryder Hesjedal suffered from an upper respiratory tract infection (sounds familiar). Team physician Phil Stawski news release stats, "It appears that Ryder had been exposed to the virus affecting many in the peloton during the first week of racing."

This upcoming Friday/Saturday are two feared mountain stages that will give the riders nightmares. Friday presents the Passo  Gavia, Stelvio (Cima Coppi) and Val Martello climbs and Saturday, well only the strong will survive; five brutish climbs finishing up the mythic Tre Cime Di Lavaredo.

The crazy cold weather is the real culprit causing abrupt changes; too much snow and the elevated worry for the riders safety. If the snow threatens, there's already some talk that RCS Sports is thinking about cutting the Gavia and Stelvio passes out of Friday's stage 19. I hope the snow subsides just enough for us to witness the drama.



It's too early to tell whether we will see Sir Bradley and Ryder at the 100th Tour de France. If they do show up what kind of form will they have? Will it be enough to help their respective teams battle for supremacy? One things for sure, rest is high on the menu and ...watching the final outcome of this brutal and exciting Giro.

via Girod'ltalia

Today's stage 16 to Ivrea was marvelously won in fine fashion by Benat Intxausti. Dedicating his win to Xavier Tondo, who died tragically almost two years ago. Intxausti said, "It's May 21st today and May 23rd is sad but special day for me because it's the second anniversary of what happened. I'm sure he would have celebrated my victory and so this win is for him, my grandfather and my team."

Here's a video from the race doctor about how the brutal conditions have tested most of the riders and the doctor on duty has his hands full.

Great Shot! Bring on the Weather!

Great shot!

via brakethrough Media

Bad Weather = Great Cycling Photography!

A Sunday of Riding

Celebrate the bike this long Victoria Day weekend.

I'm celebrating the Victoria Day Long Weekend in two ways.

This morning, our FRFuggitivi group ride added two more riders for a fast ride out near UBC. Enjoyable ride with the boys and a nice stop for an excellent espresso at Cafe Faubourg.

Just one of the many good deals...

Falling Leaves Cycling Cap

photo Red Dots Cycling

And, Red Dots Cycling is having a Sale all weekend long! Celebrate and take a massive 25-40% Off most of our stock of fine handmade cycling caps (ie. Falling, Leaves, La Francaise, Paris-Roubaix, Red Hunting) and our entire selection of recycled inner tube products (wallets, pouches, cases & iPad sleeves) - there's something for everyone!

Visconti on his way to an epic win.

Early this morning, I watched the epic Marco Pantani memorial stage up to the finish of the truncated 145km snow laden alpine stage. Into France, and no passport checks for the riders, and on the climb of the Telegraphe, Giovanni Visconti attacked like a man possessed. He was the same rider that abandoned last year's Giro due to shortness of breath. Last December, he served 3 months for working with Dr. Michele Ferrari which he denied ever taking dope. Leaving it all behind him, the Italian rider scores his finest win of his career ...on the Col du Galibier.

New Italian words I learned after today's stage:

fugaccia: a special break

tappaccia: a special stage

Stage 15, Cesana Torinese-Col du Galibier, 149 km:

1	Giovanni VISCONTI	ITA	MOV	4:40:48
2	Carlos Alberto BETANCUR GOMEZ	COL	ALM	+42
3	Przemyslaw NIEMIEC	POL	LAM	+42
4	Rafal MAJKA	POL	TST	+42
5	Fabio Andres DUARTE AREVALO	COL	COL	+47
6	Michele SCARPONI	ITA	LAM	+54
7	Vincenzo NIBALI	ITA	AST	+54
8	Cadel EVANS	AUS	BMC	+54
9	Mauro SANTAMBROGIO	ITA	VIN	+54
10	Rigoberto URAN URAN	COL	SKY	+54

GC after Stage 15:

1	Vincenzo NIBALI	Italy	AST	62:02:34
2	Cadel EVANS	Australia	BMC	+1:26
3	Rigoberto URAN URAN	Colombia	SKY	+2:46
4	Mauro SANTAMBROGIO	Italy	VIN	+2:47
5	Michele SCARPONI	Italy	LAM	+3:53
6	Przemyslaw NIEMIEC	Poland	LAM	+4:35
7	Carlos Alberto BETANCUR GOMEZ	Colombia	ALM	+5:15
8	Rafal MAJKA	Poland	TST	+5:20
9	Domenico POZZOVIVO	Italy	ALM	+5:57
10	Benat INTXAUSTI ELORRIAGA	Spain	MOV	+6:21

Forza!

Fans waiting on the Col du Telegraphe.

via Castelli Cycling

Anything But Normal

A day to forget?

via greenedgecycling

Stage 14 was anything but normal.

The miserable weather knocked out the Sestriere climb and organizers re-routed adding 13 kilometers to the day. Due to the weather, the helicopter was grounded thus unable to broadcast a live feed. RAI did it's best to entertain, by interviewing the fans along the route. Thanks to Twitter I was able to follow the action via Assistant DS Julian Dean of Orica GreenEDGE...

Five months into retirement, this was not one of the days where I missed racing. I was very happy to be in the car and sorry for the boys as they suffered in the cold and wet, looking for ways to stay warm.

We assisted with clothing changes all day long. The riders were constantly swapping jackets, gloves and whatever else they could to stay as dry as possible in the rain. At one point, we had Chinese laundry going in the car, trying to dry out the guys’ clothing that they had been wearing to give them the option to exchange clothes again later in the stage.

As bad as today was, it doesn’t deter professional bike races. The first hour of racing averaged 46 kilometres/hour. Three hours in, and they’re averaging 42.5 kilometres/hour. By this point, the riders had become so cold, they were unable to accomplish basic tasks. They had to drop back to the car so that we could open their PowerBars for them because their hands were no longer functioning properly. God bless electronic shifting on Dura Ace. It’s much easier to push a button than shift a lever.

Towards the end of the stage, my feed was back on with cameras along the finish to capture the neon yellow clad Mauro Santambrogio (of the modest Vini Fantini Team) crossing the line just ahead of the Shark to warm up the finish in Bardonecchia. 

Tomorrow's stage will not finish on top of the Col du Galibier but officially is moved further down at the Marco Pantani memorial. The weather is the deciding factor, and it looks like another epic stage upcoming.

Here's the official statement by the race directors.

Stage 14, Cervere-Bardonecchia, 181km:

1	Mauro SANTAMBROGIO	ITA	VIN	4:42:55
2	Vincenzo NIBALI	ITA	AST	+0
3	Carlos Alberto BETANCUR GOMEZ	COL	ALM	+9
4	Samuel SANCHEZ GONZALEZ	ESP	EUS	+26
5	Rigoberto URAN URAN	COL	SKY	+30
6	Cadel EVANS	AUS	BMC	+33

GC after Stage 14:

1	Vincenzo NIBALI	Italy	AST	57:20:52
2	Cadel EVANS	Australia	BMC	+1:26
3	Rigoberto URAN URAN	Colombia	SKY	+2:46
4	Mauro SANTAMBROGIO	Italy	VIN	+2:47
5	Michele SCARPONI	Italy	LAM	+3:53

Suave DS Gianni Savio on Nibali and Evans.

Climbing High,

Rafal Majka making a statement.

One to watch is 23 year old, Rafal Majka finished 11th and is 7s in front of Betancur in the fight for the young riders competition. The cool story is that the young Pole was invited, in 2011, to the Saxo Bank training camp. Majka dropped Contador on the climbs, impressing Bjarne Riis that he offered him a pro contract on the spot. Of course, Majka signed the contract and the rest is history. I'm sure Riis is smiling!

Friday File: Ryder is Out, Snow on the Galibier, Viva La Corsa Rosa & Evans for the Giro

Friday File time...

The Giro has claimed; Ryder Hesjedal and Bradley Wiggins.  

Wiggo citing illness and Hesjedal, well at this point, is not entirely clear what is causing his decline. 

"We’re working on it, but we’re not sure what’s wrong.  There’s a virus that’s been going around, so it could be that, or severe allergies, or going too deep on the TT combined with both  – whatever it is, I’m only getting worse. Yesterday’s stage was just too much for me,  I fought to get through it and I know everyone suffered but after seeing the medical staff last night, I also know that its time for me to go home, get some tests done and get healthy again. I have tried my best to honor the number one bib number, the race, my team and fans and its devastating to leave this way. Going home now is heartbreaking.  I’m very proud of the team – Ramunas’ win proves that we all came here to race. These guys gave everything to help me. I couldn’t ask for better teammates and I know that they’ll continue to do great things here at the Giro for Garmin–Sharp. Now, I’ll go home, focus on recovering,  and take things day by day, and I’ll be cheering on the team from there."

-Ryder Hesjedal

I wish Ryder Hesjedal a speedy recovery.

Tomorrow is the first dramatic mountain stage of the Giro. Here's a photo of le Galibier, taken today and is there concern for closure?

Oh, oh snow on

le Galibier! 

via Scienceinsport

After reading, 'fallen angel: The Passion of Fausto Coppi by William Fotheringham, I was quick to find the image (above) on the campionissimo. Beautiful momentos from his 1950 season; his shoes, pump, bicycle, the Bianchi two-tone blue wool jersey and his goggles. I imagine that he wore those goggles or similar ones to victory in Paris-Roubaix-a great artifact of the time!

Yell for Cadel!

Not to take anything from Vincenzo 'the shark' Nibali, who is leading the Giro. But, now that Ryder Hesjedal has left the race, my focus is on Cadel Evans and his bid to become the first Australian to win the Giro. He is second and only 41 seconds behind the Shark. The battle win begin on stage 14 with climbs to Sestriere and finishing on top of 1908-Bardoneccia.

  

Tejay turning it up with a rear disc wheel!

via Bicycling

Here's an excellent image of Tejay van Garderen winning the stage 6 ITT, Tour of California. He scorched the 31 km course in 48:49. Dutch TT champion, Lieuwe Westra was second (at 23s) and Rohan Dennis (Garmin Sharp) was third at 28s. The killer Mt. Diablo climb is tomorrow and that will be the tell-tale stage!

I'm pleased to introduce, the new Viva La Corsa Rosa cycling cap!

We added hot pink and the Italian tricolore because we love the Giro...

Viva La Corsa Rosa cycling cap.

Now Available here.

photo: Red Dots Cycling

Don't let a rhino chase you, enjoy your ride this weekend!