- Mark Blacknell for Podium Cafe

Podium Cafe's East Coast HQ will be in town for the TD Bank Philadelphia International Cycling Championship this Saturday and Sunday. You should let us know if you will be, too. Details forthcoming.

Probably helps to be American, for this one.

No wattage, but plenty of interesting stuff for you Strava kids.

(And while it might be a bit fanboy-ish of me, I just want to note how cool it is that riders like Ted are willing to share their races like this. *Really* enjoy picking this stuff over.)

NBC Sports Network:

The NBC Sports Group launches the NBC Sports Network at 4 PM ET on January 2nd to replace Versus, which had been Comcast’s bullriding and gunshooting and cycling channel pre-NBC Universal merger. The new strategy is to bring all four tiers of NBC Sports Group’s assets (broadcast network, two national cable networks, 11 regional sports networks and digital) into "a consistent framework of branding".

The historical importance of Versus (née Outdoor Life Network) to US-based fans of cycling can't be overstated. Whatever one might think of the quality of Versus' coverage of pro cycling, it was putting it on American television screens before anyone had ever even thought about streaming race coverage online.

How NBC Sports Network will co-exist with (the commonly-owned) Universal Sports isn't yet clear, when it comes to cycling programming. If - as reported - NBC really does want to take a run at ESPN's dominance with NBC Sports Network, something tells me that cycling isn't going to get all that much attention there.

While hardcore fans in the US with fast connections might not really care too much about television carriage of pro cycling, that carriage (or lack thereof) has an enormous impact on what a team can offer potential sponsors. So lets hope that someone at NBC Sports Network cares enough about cycling to push their coverage beyond the Tour de France (or that Universal Sports doesn't die a slow death due to lack of cable carriage . . . ).

So the guys at DC's November Bikes want more people to know about their new Hot Buns Cross frame. And how do you achieve that? You give a built-up one away. Now, to review, we're not talking about this:

via http://www.flickr.com/photos/ozmafan/

But this:

via www.novemberbicycles.com

How does this work? Well:

If we get 20 people signed up, someone out there is going to get one heck of a sporty and fashionable baseball hat. 42 people and some lucky sailor will have a shiny new set of nearly weightless titanium skewers show up on his doorstep. 485 people and it’s a set of FSWs (winner’s choice of clincher or tubular).

And if we get to 2345 sign ups, we’re giving someone a bike. Not just any bike: the brand new, mud shedding, turn carving, race winning, cinnamon frosted, opposite sex (or not, depending on your wish) attracting, series leader jersey wearing, carbon fiber having HOT BUNS Original Recipe Cross Bike!*

How big the prize is depends on how many people you tell about November Bicycles, the HOT BUNS and this here promotion.

See the full prize list here.

Now, this is apparently only open to US and Canadian residents who are not living in Quebec.* But November has customers all over the world, and something tells me you could probably find a way to make it work.

So why am I using a whole post to shill for a commercial venture? Well, I'd like to say it was because they bought me off with a cx bike, but the truth is that I just like the company. And by "company", I mean the two guys that make it up (albeit with the help of a few local builders). If you want a sense of why, just check out their company blog. We need more like that in the industry.

So check 'em out.

*I'd normally use this as an opportunity for a gratuitous shot at Quebec, but I kinda like all the PdC'ers from Quebec.

Garmin-Cervélo presented their 2012 men's team roster in Boulder on Thursday night. The team includes Thomas Dekker. According to VeloNews, Dekker's ontract was confirmed an hour before the team presentation. Need some argyle in your morning? Check out the photos from the Garmin-Cervélo Flickr.

So, here it goes, per the team release:

Continue reading this post »

Sept 13: We're gonna make jerseys for sure, and bibs are just about there.  Arm warmers lag, but here's hoping - see above for photo of arm warmers with jersey.  

The order window will close Wednesday AM (EDT).  Thanks to everyone for their patience on the invoicing.

Having problems with the Google Checkout widget below?  Make sure you've selected "wide" as your PodiumCafe.com preferred viewing option (look at the top right grey box, next to "view").

~

You want to look that epic, right?  In addition to a good set of legs and lots of post-processing, you're gonna need a PdC kit.  Lucky for you,  the 2011 ordering for Podium Cafe kits is now open.  We had enough interest to offer short-sleeved jerseys (we expect to make the minimums), bibs (we hope to make the minimums), and arm-warmers (who knows if we'll make the minimums).  Those of you looking for hats?  You're a lonely little group - we'll have to address that with another project.  And if the expression of interest in this round is any indication of future interest, the long sleeved jerseys made last time will be the last ones, ever.

Please read ALL of the information below before ordering. 

Remember, we have to make the minimums, and we can't order stuff if we don't make minimums. But we also don't want to delay indefinitely either. So don't delay! Order ASAP!  The store is on the jump.

Continue reading this post »

If you don't want to buy a jersey for yourself, do it for one of PdC's Kids.  The poor child below was just minding her own business last October, at mile 100.9 of a 101 mile ride when a curb lip just jumped out and attacked her.  As a result she *wrecked her PodiumCafe kit!*  There are *blood stains!*  And *cuts!*  And *plenty of scuffing!*  (She also dislocated her wrist, broke her arm, and ended up with a metal rod in her arm.  But this isn't about her ability to HTFU.)

Anyway, she's totally fine now.  Except for the kit.  The kit is kind of a mess.  So she wants another one.  Please help this PdC Kid achieve her dream of a replacement kit, and tell us below that you'd like to order one for yourself.  We're about halfway to our goal.  Won't you act today?

Original post on the flip.

Continue reading this post »

Pinerolo - Galibier Serre Chevalier 200.5km

Official site , Startlist , Stageinfo , General Classification

Video: steephill , cyclingfans , Myp2p, Procyclinglive , BVLS.

Continue reading this post »

Thor Hushovd added another one to Garmin-Cervelo's once-empty Tour Stage Win Shelf today, working with teammate Ryder Hesjedal to put away Sky's Edvald Boasson-Hagen at the line.

The GC favorites group of Samuel Sanchez,  Fränk Schleck, Andy Shleck, Alberto Contador, Cadel Evans, and Tommy Voeckler finally got to work on each other, animating the GC competition.

Hold up, did I just type Tommy Voeckler in proximity to Andy Schleck, Cadel Evans, and Alberto Contador?  Yes, yes I did.  Whoever would have imagined it?  Tommy V's amazing run of keeping up with this group came to an end today, though, as Contador decided to show that he was still in the game, opening an attack on the final climb.  This set off a series of counterattacks, and when the dust settled, the big winner in today's mixup was Cadel Evans.  Evans showed that he's on fine form, soloing away from the rest of the group (gaining 4" on Samu and Contador, and 21" on F. Schleck, on the stage).  The Schleck brothers were the big losers today, with Andy doing his best GC impression of brother Frank's tumbling abilities, losing 48".

Aside from GC, the other jersey action today came with Rein Taaramäe's effort on the final climb to put some time into Rigoberto Urán for the Young Rider's Jersey. 

Tomorrow the peloton moves across the border from Gap to Pinerolo in Italy.  Here come the Alps.

It's that time of year again.  The Podium Cafe continues to grow the most amazing online community around pro cycling that I've ever seen.  Some of you have been around forever (it still amazes me that Drew can find this place on his own), and we've certainly got plenty of new faces that have joined us this year.  So, in the tradition of years past, I invite you to (re)introduce yourself on this thread.

(Also, if Crashdan doesn't show up and reintroduce himself within the first few hundred comments, we'll make his entry a community project . . .)

Rough day out there.  Contador, Ciolek, Boonen . . . well, hell, half the peloton hit the deck today, and Radio Shack lost Jani Brackovic from the Tour.

Cavendish established himself as back, winning an uphill sprint finish that just wasn't long enough for Philippe Gilbert.

Stage results:

1. Mark Cavendish, HTC
2. Philippe Gilbert, Omega-Pharma Lotto
3. JJ Rojas, Movistar
4. Tony Gallopin, Codifis
5. Geraint Thomas, Sky

1. Thor Hushovd, Garmin
2. Cadel Evans, BMC +:01
3. Frank Schleck, Leopard Trek +:04
4. David Millar, Garmin +:08
5. Andreas Kloden, Radioshack +:10

United Healthcare pb Maxxis' Hilton Clarke - who won this race last year, after bouncing out of retirement - did it again today in Arlington, Virginia.  Not only did he lap the field with a teammate, they ended up 1-2 in the final field sprint:

More from the race later this weekend.

Shane Stokes confirms that CAS will not hold the hearing on Alberto Contador's status until after the Tour de France:

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has confirmed the earlier suggestions that the previously-scheduled dates had been changed. Spanish newspaper AS suggested the hearing would take place in either July or September, thus past the start point of the Tour de France. 

In a statement issued this afternoon, CAS suggests all parties concerned had agreed to the change. “Following the agreement between the Appellants and the Respondents, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has accepted to postpone the hearing in this matter in order to give to all parties concerned reasonable time to prepare for such hearing and to guarantee the participation in person of witnesses and experts. 

“Accordingly, the CAS Panel has decided to cancel the hearing initially scheduled for 6-7-8 June 2011. 
New hearing dates will be fixed as soon as possible.”

It's like someone hates pro cycling or something.

The statement from TAS is here.

And thus the 60 Minutes  interview with Tyler Hamilton gets teased.  EDT & CDT people, it's on your CBS affiliate right now.  Everyone else, it's here (for now).

EDIT: Full program can now be found at CBS (not geo-restricted) h/t andrewp

Tyler Hamilton talks about Lance Armstrong.  On 60 Minutes:

HTC's Mark Cavendish took advantage of his likely last opportunity for a Giro d'Italia stage win this year.  Despite Cav's showing his usual post-race confidence in the interview, he just beat out an impressive effort by Sky's Apollonio at the line.  Note that Ferrari continues to mix it up at the line.  But tomorrow, the Giro, it goes up.

Results:

1. Mark Cavendish, HTC
2. Davide Apollonio, Sky, s.t.
3. Alessandro Petacchi, Lampre, s.t.
4. Roberto Ferrari, Androni, s.t.
5. Gerald Ciolek, Quickstep, s.t.

[Chris here, a few words...]

Leopard-Trek's Wouter Weylandt died in today's third stage of the Giro d'Italia in a crash on a hairpin turn descending the Passo del Bocco. The crash was not captured on film and its causes aren't clear (reports are he clipped a pedal on the road or the wall), but Weylandt's head struck a retaining wall on the hairpin bend and he reportedly died of a fractured skull. Efforts to revive him were complicated by the location's inaccessibility to helicopters, though descriptions of the crash and injuries suggest that there was never much hope of surviving. A native of Gent, Belgium, Weylandt was 26 years old and is survived by his wife who is expecting the couple's first child in September.

Obviously, Weylandt's loss is first a tragedy to his family and friends. It would be impossible for me to find adequate words to capture this. I think I speak for many of us in saying they will be in our thoughts.

Today's stage was won in a five-rider sprint by Angel Vicioso of the Androni Giocattoli team over David Millar of Garmin-Cervelo, who inherits the overall lead by seven seconds. The stage was contested to the finish, it appears, as information concerning Weylandt's condition was not available and his death was not publicly confirmed until his family could be contacted, which happened after the stage. Reports are that tomorrow's stage will be neutralized in honor of Weylandt. His Leopard-Trek teammates will not likely continue in the race, though for now no announcement has been made.

This is a horrible loss even to a sport accustomed to tragedy. Unlike a lot of other team sports, the nature of cycling where riders of all teams work and travel in close quarters (to say the least) means that everyone knows everyone else, and close friendships across team lines are the norm. [Tyler Farrar called Weylandt his best friend recently.] Weylandt's death will impact the sport in ways less familiar in other sporting contexts. This dynamic is set against a backdrop of what R Mc commented below as "riding the wall of death every day" -- a poignant description of the terrible risks that are "accepted" as part of the sport. I say "accepted" because this incident will no doubt touch off debate about what constitutes safe conditions, a legitimate concern even before today. However, while riders will cite some courses for unsafe conditions, tragic and near-tragic crashes occur on courses that don't appear abnormally dangerous. Some amount of grave risk accompanies cycling wherever it goes. We all know that, even if you've never watched a single race.

Today, though, the sport has veered across the line of what anyone -- riders, teams, organizers and fans -- is prepared to accept as "that's cycling." People who shake off the horror and brutality of the sport when it seems so hard to do will undoubtedly be struck differently by this. It is hard to predict what this will mean for the Giro going forward, and the loss of a bright young sprinter -- husband, father-to-be, family member, friend -- will forever stain the race and the cycling season with tears. [/Chris]

***

Rest in peace, Wouter Weylandt.

Cicloweb.it

The Leopard-Trek Team has issued a brief statement:

Today, our team mate and friend Wouter Weylandt passed away after a crash on the 3rd stage of the Giro d’Italia.

The team is left in a state of shock and sadness and we send all our thoughts and deepest condolences to the family and friends of Wouter.

This is a difficult day for cycling and for our team, and we should all seek support and strength in the people close to us.

Brian Nygaard
General Manager

Photo courtesy of Patrick Verhoest

Well, okay, just as a likely spectator.  But still.  And anyway, that's not the *actually* interesting part here:

In the meantime here at Deakin University we have been completing our New Cycling Pathways research project and finalising plans for our conference to coincide with the 2010 UCI Road World Championships. In fact the UCI will be visitors on our campus for a week.

The conference will see the launch of our research report: "I Wish I was Twenty One Today – Beyond Doping in the Australian Peloton".

[ . . . ]

This study engaged with, and ultimately represented the views of those directly affected by anti-doping policy. From there, the aim was to identify pragmatic starting points to developing effective, sustainable policies that enhance the positive impact of sport both as a social force and as a career for those who operate within the field of professional cycling.

So normally, I'd just bookmark this to retrieve the paper and read it later. But this will have me watching the panel video stream:

One issue that is raised in the report is the legal basis of the Biological Passport. At the conference a panel involving Mike Ashenden, Klaas Faber, Australian lawyer Paul J. Hayes, Verner Moller and myself will discuss the law and science of the passport – whether it is legally defendable and whether it can be improved.

Another issue will be ways by which we can build a sustainable basis for cycling in the future – it is clear that the sport cannot continue on in the way it has this year.

A panel discussion will take place and along with the ‘experts’ the discussion shall be enhanced by the presence of Floyd Landis who will talk about his ideas for the future and the solution – as he said back in May he wants to be part of the solution and we are happy to give him a space to put that case.