I know, I couldn't believe it either!

This seems kind of specious to me but the comments are kind of funny, "either doping or pooping his pants" was a highlight. Hmm, strange that there's not already a post up, perhaps people commented on it in one of the other threads? If so, sorry, I've been running around all day. Or perhaps it's all a hoax? I was recently taken in by a hoax, damn I felt like an idiot. Vagabundo!

I feel a bit weird posting this as it's just a link to a cycling apparel company, plus you've probably already seen the ads since they're advertising here. But the reason I'm posting is that it seems like a cool company (in their words a "tiny upstart company") and their prices seem quite reasonable. It's not really my style - they seem to cater more to the fixie crowd - but hey, any cycling clothing company that's not trying to gouge its customers is worthy of attention in my opinion.

Interesting article from Le Monde on salaries of pro cyclists, and specifically the disparities between the stars and the others. A few tidbits: Contador makes 2-3 million euros per year between salary and image rights; Chavanel's the highest paid Frenchman at 700,000. Maxime Bouet, on the other hand, makes 1,700 euros net per month, though in 2008 he also made 7,000-10,000 in prize money. Salaries are on the rise - average has gone from 70,000 in 2002 to 136,000 this year. Pro Tour minimum is 2,750 gross per month (2,250 with less than 2 years experience); for continental teams it's 2,292 and 1,916. According to Cedric Vasseur, president of the cyclists' union (btw does anyone know anything about this union? I don't), 30% of pro cyclists make the minimum salary.

So reports Armstrong on his Twitter account.

suspension to take effect 15 Aug.

Seems Joe Parkin, author of the excellent A Dog in a Hat, now has a new blog, in collaboration with Competitive Cyclist if I understand correctly. The title refers to the time he spent in Belgium, where he came to own a vast array of rain capes, from the heavy-duty one he used on crap days, to the light one he put in his jersey pocket for sunny days (since it would inevitably start to rain). Anyways it looks like he posts very regularly and fields daily questions. I highly recommend him, he's funny and really colourful.