A while ago I threatened to do an analysis of U23 results and their predictive value.  Long story short...this isn't it.  However, in the process of starting said analysis, I took a look at what age the peleton at large reaches a stable level of performance.  

How i did that, and what I found, on the flip...

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I guess they do listen to us.  Andrinoblahlbahlbahlblahblah is no longer, and they have a pretty decent incoming crew.  

Although they are loosing Scarponi (1293) and the high scoring Bert (320) to Lampre, they are taking on quite some talent to replace them.  (VDS 2010 points)

Sella (200) - from Camiroo

Rujano (125) - From "ISD" via Columbia

Roberto Ferrari (200) won 2 'minor races'] - from DeRosa

and basically all the rest of the scoring riders from DeRosa.  

Fullish 2011 roster here (heavy on the ish)

I look forward to seeing them lighting up some races next year.  

This is a long one, so grab your espresso now...

I was wondering recently if we could look at the seasons VDS scores and determine if there was any predictions that we could make by group (by price).  A note about these groupings: I have grouped some of the higher priced riders together so that I could actually see patterns, so the groups are 20-28, 16-18, 12-14, 8-10, 6, 4, 2 and 1.  And yes I have and will continue to ignore both Contador and Valverde.  

Below the flip, I compare these two groups using two separate approaches.  

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Here is the story of my adventures at the GP Montreal by photo

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*maybe not

When Chris demands, I must obey.  So, here are my thoughts on how the GP Montreal will be won based on my intimate knowledge of the area and thorough riding of the course over the last few weeks.  

First of all, this race has been referred to by many as being an Ardennes kind of race.  However, the different hilly classics play out in different ways.  Compare la Fleche Wallonne (ending on the Mur de Huy) to Liege or San Sebastien.  The later two don't have uber selective finishes, so the race is won from a combination of attrition and tactical attacking near the finish.  My impression is that the Quebec race, with it's challenging uphill finish will resemble FW, with a larger group battling it out on the final climb (this is based entirely on my inspection of the profile not on any actual knowledge).  The Montreal race however, will resemble LBL or SS.  

Here is the map/profile of the race on the flip: 

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MatheiuG has started discussing team/rider (non) selection, but I wanted to formally invite all of you to attend the first Protour race in North America (after the Quebec city one).  

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We've all heard about the battle for the yellow jersey and the third step on the podium, but another race that is very interesting to me right now is the race for the last 2 spots in the top ten.  Garmin showed yesterday that they are very serious about defending Ryders 10th place (how else are they going to sell these shirts?).  But the difference between 9th and 15th is 1:50, and all of these guys have something to fight for.  

Details on the flip...

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If the internet has taught us anything it is that every moron on the planet is entitled to share his random/useless/uninformed/poorly researched/horribly written opinion, with an unsuspecting public.

It has also taught us that when you don't have anything interesting to say...quote someone who did.  

Here are a handful of riders that are most definitely flying under the radar at this tour....or are they

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There has been a smattering of smack talk in various threads, but I thought perhaps we should gather it all in one place.  I will head this up, mostly because since the ToC is stealing a bunch of potential GC types from Italy, I figured the Giro was the place to get points this year, and structured my team accordingly.  So with no further ado, I present the Echelon of fools Giro 2010 line-up:

Ivan "still smiling" Basso

Carlos "no you're only worth 12 points" Sastre

Bauke "the other other great Dutch hope" Mollema

Chris "I don't need no stinkin' collarbone" Anker Sörensen 

Frederik "I swear JV promised me leadership at the Giro" Kessiakoff 

Rigoberto "it's my turn"  Uran 
Eros :get me outta this jersey" Capecchi 
Mauro "I was clean all along" Santambrogio 
and
Enrico "deal of the century" Gasparotto 

If this team doesn't get me above the 300th place mark...I don't know what will...
How do you plan on topping that one?

sigh...

Ted has equipped us with unprecedented tools in which to analyze and more importantly, smack talk our way through the VDS season.  (damn you Ted). 

So bring it.  Specifically, who is the rider that you found that the fewest other teams have found.  In other words...who is your hidden gem.  And don't hold back now...tell us why you picked that particular rider. This is not the place to tell us that you think that DZ is going to have his breakout year.  This is the rider that you have and the fewest other teams have as well.  Go your your team list, if you click on a rider you can see how many VDS teams have selected him. 

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As some of you have no doubt heard, the jury has reached a verdict in the Thompson case.  The jury found the defendant guilty on all seven counts charged:

- Count 1: Reckless Driving Causing Specified Injury (victim: Ron Peterson)
- Count 2: Battery with Serious Bodily Injury (victim: Ron Peterson)
- Count 3: Battery with Serious Bodily Injury (victim: Christian Stoehr)
- Count 4: Reckless Driving (victims: Patrick Watson and Josh Crosby)
- Count 5: Assault with a Deadly Weapon (victim: Ron Peterson)

NOTE: The jury also found that the defendant had committed a Special Allegation of "Causing Great Bodily Injury"

- Count 6: Assault with a Deadly Weapon (victim: Christian Stoehr)

NOTE: The jury also found that the defendant had committed a Special Allegation of "Causing Great Bodily Injury"

- Count 7: Mayhem

A request for letters of support was forwarded to me by a friend/cyclist at UCLA.  I know that many of you out in fleshspace live in and around LA, have friends and loved ones in LA or have ridden in LA.  If so, please consider taking a minute and writing a letter/email to the District Attorney or to the District Attorney's office.  Also, please keep in mind that these letters will be presented in a court of law and will representative of cyclist, so please keep it professional and appropriate. 

I have attached the details of the request on the flip.

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no matter what he says in his interviews.  For example...last week he told Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet

I'm not sure if I will ride in the Tour de France next year," said Hushovd. "I have other goals that are starting to become more important than a third green jersey in the Tour. To win the spring Classics and the World Championships is more tempting."

But nooooo, that can't be right.   ah, yes, once his sponsors caught wind of this, he released the following

“Winning the green jersey was my major objective for 2009, and 2010 will be no different," said Hushovd. "I love the Tour de France. Given the level of competition for the green, it will no doubt be a great fight in 2010 and I am looking forward to it."

Much better.  Or something. But don't worry, it's not a total about face

I am going to change some things in my program next year, to be in top form at the Worlds, since next year’s race suits me better than this year’s course in Mendrisio

Whatever..as long as Thor gets to ride his chicken.

First of all, some may see this as a dead horse...to you, I apologize.  However, this seems to be a fairly rational rehashing of said dead horse. In short, Velocity nation interviews the scientist at the root of the recent allegations.

More on the flip

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