SB Nation User Blog: flying dog

Lore of the victory salute

flying dog — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 21:49:06 -0000

Lore of the victory salute

I was exploring the interwebs today and found this nugget at Cozy Beehive blog.

New twists in 2009 Tour de France

flying dog — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 14:22:27 -0000

As mentioned in the open thread of 10/3 ( yesterday) and found at www.steephilltv/2009/tour-de-france/, le Tour may take on an unexpected shape. One of the first things that people noticed was that there is very little time trialing with only the short prologue and then a longer race in the third week. What struck me as especially extraordinary was that the next to last stage was a mountain top finish not the typical TT. I find this to be an extremely exciting variation as the last stage of this amazing race will be an all or nothing race up a truly legendary climb. No one will be saving themselves for a time trial to be contested later, no one will be wheelsucking except perhaps someone with an overwhelming lead but I doubt that will be the case with the diminished importance of individual time trials. Basically, I think anything can happen on a climb of this length and this stage has got to be on every short list of races to watch in '09. What do you guys think?

Interesting article by JV

flying dog — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 23:06:43 -0000

Over at Slipstreamsports.com JV wrote an article about his encounters with the Dems who have spent most of the last week in his home town. He goes into depth about a ride he took with Sen. Kerry, I was pleasantly surprised. It seems that Sen. Kerry is very interested in anti doping legislation. Not only that but he is a cyclist and a fan of cycling races and history.

Just six words short of 75!

Nevermind

flying dog — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:25:40 -0000

Cycleto.com has posted a commercial from Dutch TV that's a hilarious reenactment of ~:> trying to dodge the UCI controls. Worth a visit if only for it's visual elegance. You may be also interested in the ciclamino jersey they're giving away ( Bennati not included ).

I never really liked a Hot Dog unless it was named Meadowlark Lemon or Curly Neal. I mean, what was up with those dudes? Why did they think they needed the ball all the time. Man, it just sucked when they got the ball cause then you knew it was game over. It's primadonna's show time now, whoop di do.

Cozza moonlighting at Cycleto.com

flying dog — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 02:58:02 -0000

"With every second ticking, there was almost another crash. Tires were sliding, guys throwing head butts and punches just to stay near the front for fear of the field splitting in the crosswind."

Steven Cozza is providing some daily recaps of the action at Castilla y Leon, The action above was his recounting of the action on the last 9k of stage three.

http://www.cycleto.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=83:castilla-y-leon-qall- hell-broke-outq&catid=6:mens-pro-racing&Itemid=2

MSR (2) 1 Day (s) away!

flying dog — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:12:38 -0000

There's no time to chat about le Tour, Floyd or whatever. Who's going to win it?

Actually the poll got me thinking about the favorites. MSR is the race every Italian dreams of winning, and the Italians can ride a mean race. So how come there are only three in the poll? And so many votes for "McEwen/field/other" Who'd you really vote for?

An open letter to the ASO and UCI

flying dog — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 03:09:31 -0000

There is an article on Cycling News, March 12, Latest Cycling News that is titled "Prudhomme reacts to open letter".

The open letter originated from a german firm Fecherolle Sportsmedia and Consulting. They are asking ASO and UCI to sit down and talk face to face and want to make it known that the current standoff is about a lot more than their respective organizations. The letter is an attempt at something with a positive result. I've pasted the english version of the letter below. You can visit the site and sign on if you so desire.

www.fecherolle.de/uciaso.php

Dear Friends of cycling,

It looks like at the moment like everyone is content to sit back and watch and wait to see how the fight between the UCI and the ASO develops -- with all possible or impossible consequences for the future of cycling.

In the interest of us all, I would like to encourage everyone to do something, like participating in the signature action.

When we act as a group, then maybe we will have a chance to make clear the men "in charge" that there is more at stake here then them.

A quick OK with your name and function by e-mail to mobil@fecherolle.de is enough for us to count you as a signature to the letter.

Thanks,

Henry Fecherolle

P.S. Please forward this e-mail to all the teams, riders, race organizers, cycling journalists, sponsors and fans around the world, who you have in your address book!

Dear Mr. McQuaid,
Dear Mr. Clerc,
Dear Mr. Prudhomme,

Cycling, our sport of cycling, is facing its ruin! In the last two years it was the doping problems, which caused an enormous amount of damage to cycing's reputation.

We thought that the many news anti-doping programs and the acknowledgement by everyone involved that things couldn't continue as they are, that the worst was over. But in the last few days we have learned that that wasn't the case. The increasingly worsening differences between the UCI and the ASO seem to be showing us the real problem: the struggle for power in cycling.

Everyone who signs this letter understands that there are and always will be differences between the ASO and the UCI. Nobody expects that all parties will always have the same opinion.

But what we see these days to our dismay, reminds us more of a dirty war than of a civilized difference of opnions, with the goal being the imposition of the winner's will on the other side. Through your behavior you are threatening to destroy all of cycling. We ask ourselves, whether you are aware of the consequences of your actions.

Teams, riders, race organizers, journalists and sponsors are aware of the consequences. It is our opinion that it is now just a question of time until, with your irresponsible actions, you ultimately destroy the sport.

No one should be made to pay the price for your differences. We challenge you to sit down together at one table and, for the sake of cycling, to reach a quick and feasible agreement. Time is running out!

We are wiling to do all we can to help accomplish this.

Sincerely,

Patrik's dilemma (a really sinking joke)

flying dog — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:39:37 -0000

It's being widely reported that Sinkewitz might face jail time for not naming names. While he got a reduced suspension for admitting his offenses the civil authorities in Germany are considering locking up the former T-mob rider for not naming who else might have been involved in any team sanctioned doping practices.

It is an extremely difficult position he has been put in. Omerta is alive and well in the peloton, if he names names he will avoid jail time but perhaps will never be able to ride safely or effectively in professional racing again.

Lots of issues to deal with, IMHO a rider's union is desperately needed. Or is there another way out of this mess, has he done enough in admitting his doping or should he talk. Maybe others involved should step forward, the doctors involved for instance. Any ideas out there?

KCCX Helmet cam

flying dog — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 02:08:43 -0000

Very cool videos of cyclocross racing taken with helmet cam during 40+ and 50+ races at the KC Nationals. I don't know how to do the direct link but search scjimbo on youtube. There are four different videos over 5 minutes each.

[editor's note, by chris] Links:

And one embedded for good measure...

Dave Z retains title.

flying dog — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 21:10:01 -0000

What else can I say except Team Slipstream picked up second and third. And can they race Eindhoven (sp?) next year?