I’m going to go ahead and publish the rankings for Top Cyclists of the Modern Era through the end the 2010 season now that the final point scoring race, the Giro di Lombardia, is in the books. I’d have preferred to wait until both Contador’s and Petacchi’s ongoing doping investigations run their course, but that could take months (years?).  Anyway, I have a feeling I’ll be revising the rankings, and removing some points from both “El Pistolero” and “Ale-Jet” when the dust finally settles, but enough of that unpleasantness, on with the show. 

Scoring methodology and the Top 100 Cyclists on the flip...

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This is going to be a blast.  Marcus Neuert, the director of Cyclefilm, has put together a great social networking opportunity which will include organized rides (some with full support), free daily massage, free goodie bags, and free every other day cycling clinics.   Best of all, you get to meet ME (I'll be conducting a bike fitting clinic - date and time TBD).  Now your life will be complete.  As an added bonus, I'm trying to convince Markus to plan a field trip to the Stone Brewing Co.  

All the details can be found at the Cyclefilms blog. 

I had hoped to post this before the season was in full swing, but it just didn’t happen.

For those who haven’t visited my site, The Virtual Musette (non-commercial FWIW), or haven’t stopped by in a while, I have completed a scoring system used to rank the Top 25 cyclists of the Modern Era (1938 - present); think of it as a backwards-looking VDS competition of sorts.

The results were posted about a month ago, and the list has been making the rounds on various cycling forums.  Unfortunately, most of these discussions end up devolving into name-calling, character assassination, doping, and Armstrong tangents.  Of course, there is nothing wrong with discussing Lance per se, but do the Olsen twins really have to come up when discussing the hierarchy of the greatest cyclists of all time?

Since the PdC gang is about the only group where intelligent conversation can be had without the incessant childish behavior found on so many other fan forums, I am posting the results here. 

I’ve provided the results of the Top 50 (which haven’t even been published on my site), but I do have one request – before you have a beef with a particular cyclist’s rank, please review the method for calculating the points (by and large the results of victories in the big races). Here is the link for Scoring, Part 1 (the races), and here is the one for Scoring, Part 2 (special adjustments).    The Top 50 list on the flip...

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The November issue of Cycle Sport mentioned that Erik Zabel had completed all three Grand Tours this year.  Somehow, amidst all the end of the season hoopla (and The Second Coming), I overlooked this amazing accomplishment.  Once again, another reason to admire the recently retired legend.  The magazine also pointed out that "Ete" had completed 23 of the 25 Grand Tours in which he started.  Wow!  So, here is the burning question of the day - does this make Zabel the record holder for most completed Grand Tours in a career?   I can't seem to find the answer anywhere.  Please, someone tell me they know the answer to this one or else I'm going to lose sleep over this unresolved bit of trivia. 

The Cycling Revealed Trivia Contest will kick off on the first Monday in November.

For those who haven't joined in on the fun before, here's how it works:  At the beginning of each week from Nov. 3 -March 30,  Cycling Revealed posts a five question quiz.   Usually the "test" is of the multiple choice variety, but sometimes you will have to fill in the blank (spelling does matter, so you better brush up on your Italian riders, and all those who need to buy a vowel).  You will have 3 minutes to complete each quiz, so there will be no time to Google an anwer.  Each quiz is worth 15 points, and the leader board is periodically updated, usually at least once a month. 

The link can be found here, which you should bookmark, as you won't be able to register until the first quiz is posted.  There are some sample trivia quizzes available right now, and I would suggest taking these, especially if you haven't done this before.    

When you do register, make sure that next to your online name you place "(PdC)," that way we will know who here deserves bragging rights as King or Queen of Monday Trivia.

Elvisgoat took the PdC honors last year, but just barely, as Tifosa finished only four points in arrears.  Yours truly would have finished in third place, had I registered under the PdC banner, which I will certainly do this year. 

I'll probably send out another reminder once the first contest is posted.

Good luck!

Oh, one thing I forgot to mention - you don't have to take the quiz on Monday, but you do need to get it done sometime during the week before the next one is posted.

Well, since Drew brought this up the other day, I'll chime in with my two pennies. 

Everyone has been talking about getting together earlier in the week, either in Nor Cal, Solvang or the LA area.  Does anyone have an interest in getting together for the last stage mountain top finish on Palomar (Sunday the 22nd)?

This should be the most decisive stage in the ToC's history, and may just treat us to a nice little grudge match between The Floyd and The Second Coming of HWMNBN. 

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As anyone who has read my Astanagate article ( http://www.thevirtualmusette.com/posts/2008/2/22/astanagate.html) will know, this news ( http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/Vinokourov_planning_to_return_at_the_Olympics_article_254282.htm l)comes as no surprise to me.

Vino's suspension was carefully orchestrated to allow for his participation in the Olympics.  It should also come as no great shock when he also participates in the World Champs.

To the best of my knowledge, the UCI never appealed his 1 year sanction to CAS, so he'll be free to ride after July 20th.

Here's the million dollar question:  Will he be returning to Astana?  If so, will he be at the Vuelta?  Oh what a tangled web...    

Sure, there's lots of racing left in the Spring season, and plenty of VDS points up for grabs, but I have to vent.

I spent 10 points on Alexander Kolobnev based on his 2nd place in last year's Worlds, and his win in Eroica; he had Classics stud written all over him.

It's a little hard to score points when your guy isn't included on one startlist that is part of the VDS. Thank you CSC.

I feel screwed, and I want my points refunded and applied to another rider (of course I'll take all this back if he scores well for me later).

Who is your biggest disappointment to date?

Oh, to add insult to injury, Sam San is also on my team.  Now that he's aiming for the Tour, there will be no hope of seeing him on form until at least the Dauphine.  

Don't get me started with Andy Schlek missing the Giro...

Can I just start over?

I'm not sure anyone has mentioned this in a post somewhere, but it is funny as hell.

WARNING! Not safe for work.

http://www.deraileduk.com/letlevicry/