While others have kicked off their season campaigns in Australia, the Middle East or Europe, two noted Tour de France riders have chosen somewhere decidedly different. One of those names is Tom Danielson, who 10 editions ago, came to his first Tour de Langkawi and took the cycling world by storm.

Stage and jersey for Murcian who takes first post-suspension victory on home soil.

"For many in northern Europe winter is long. But there are signs of spring in Belgium today. Mother nature can give us clues with early blooming flowers but cycling has its own annual rituals. Today’s recon rides by teams on the course of the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad are very much part of the spring routine. The spring classics are coming."

Local authorities pledge to remove moss growth which could make the cobbles treacherous.

CyclingNews: Races & Results.
Vuelta a Andalucia (Stages & results),
Le Tour de Langkawi (Stages),
Volta ao Algarve (Stages & results),
Tour of Oman (Stages & results),
UCI Track World Cup IV (Days & results),
Tour du Haut Var (Stages & results),
24 Hours of Old Pueblo (Races & results),
Tour Méditerranéen Cycliste Professionnel (Stages & results),
Amgen Tour of California (Stages ),
More...

"British track bosses believe they can still lead the way at London 2012 despite new rules and the steady comeback of rivals who are determined not to suffer another Olympic nightmare."

Italian won half of the stages in last year’s Tour de Langkawi.

"American team Optum Pro Cycling p/b KBS has come up with an early-season training regimen that takes team building to a whole new level for 2012.  Not to be outdone by their European skydiving peloton mates, the Optum squad has taken to the ropes. That’s right, they are boxing."

"The location was Oostmalle, a small town of less than 7,000 residents in north eastern Belgium. The crowds gathered around the circuitous course had bittersweet expressions on their faces, excitement for the spectacle to come intertwined with sadness. Even the weather seemed sad, weeping rain as the day came to an end. Miraculously, the riders legs - which were visibly heavy with fatigue a mere 24 hours ago - thrashed at the pedals of their muddied steeds as they sought to empty every last drop of energy from their bodies."

There’s only one race that Thor Hushovd wants to win, and that’s Paris-Roubaix. The former world champion doesn’t hesitate when he says that the Hell of the North is his top goal for the upcoming spring classics campaign, but he insists he is “not obsessed” with the cobblestone classic.

Bell the famous high-speed-sports helmet makers have named their latest top-level cycling helmet after what they're claiming as the world's first automotive speed shop "Bell Auto Parts" from whence the helmet-making sprang. It was located at 3633 Gage Avenue in the town of Bell, just outside Los Angeles.

Tacx Antares rollers BikeRadar verdict: 3 out of 5 stars. "While they’re super-smooth to use you’ll need to spin your legs off to get a serious workout from them."

Danish rider hoping to develop rhythm with Garmin-Barracuda sprinter.

Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) president Pat McQuaid has presented a speech at the World Conference on Women and Sport in Los Angeles, USA, this week dealing with the issue of gender equality within cycle sport.

Quatar, Oman, Laigueglia, Tour Méditerrannéen, Algarve or Ruta del Sol... It's all fine, I'll watch the races (if they're televized), I'll look at the results,... It's all good, but it doensn't really get me excited.

"Nobody hands out team grades before we even get to March or a few classics. Evaluations before Milan San Remo — seriously? Insane, pointless, bad form and poor taste. Except for Twisted Spoke. We always have our red pen ready to both embarrass and extoll."

"Over the years, partly by accident, partly by design, Riis has cultivated an air of mystery. He could be a deeply complex man, imbued with near mystical, quasi-shamanic motivational abilities; or a charlatan, cycling’s idiot savant who has made a virtue out of saying little, perhaps simply because he has little to say – and plenty to hide." – Excerpt from Bad Blood: The Secret Life of the Tour de France.

Tejay van Garderen’s move to BMC over the winter has gone unacknowledged to a surprising degree. While his likable personality off the bike has ensured a seamless transition to the Swiss backed team, van Garderen’s climbing and time trialling abilities also ensure that he will play an important role in Cadel Evan’s defense of his Tour de France title come July.

"Competition is at the soul of innovation, a modern vestige of our drive to survive manifested in the push to excel — and profit. In cycling, the battle for your wallet is the stimulus for a continuously improving ride experience. In short, you ride a better bike today than you did ten years ago largely thanks to the cycling industry’s love of money. Or maybe you don’t, but only because you love your own cash even more."

A good solid overview of the American history of Sixes, establishing the stars of the day and showing just how popular cycling was in America at the time.

Fizik Kurve Snake saddle BikeRadar verdict: 4 out of 5 stars. "Reinvents the legendary Arione with a more comfortable ride."

Argon 18 E-118 frame kit BikeRadar verdict: 4 out of 5 stars. "The ‘hands by your knees’ position might be intimidating at first, but square up to the Argon E-118 and it’ll reward you big time."

"If you’ve never heard of Frostbike, it’s easily excused. Quality Bicycle Products, based in Bloomingon, Minnesota, hosts the event to help educate and listen to its dealers. It isn’t a public show, it’s a chance for the industry to meet and learn how better to serve you, the bike shop client."

By making the new SRAM Red available initially in the aftermarket form, SRAM has dramatically reduced the cost for the early adopter. They only need to buy the components, not an entire new bike. It's further evidence of SRAM's consumer-first strategy, which is why goodwill for the brand has reached lofty heights.

Heather Logan-Sprenger talks Pro Cycling, Pro Hockey, PhD and Exergy TWENTY12.

The Daily Distraction.

"Dearest snarky VeloNews commenters. I think you have been misguided by the title of this video (which to be honest comes across as pretty arrogant on my part--but I don't choose the titles to interviews do I)."

Shimano is working with the Consumer Product Safety Commission and Canadian officials to recall about 300 PRO Atherton stems that can break.

"Last week, I was asked to sit on the advisory board of the U. S. Cycling Monument — which will be a memorial to the sport in this country. Its goal is to raise funds to build the monument, a futuristic metal-and-stone sculpture, in the Boulder, Colorado, park that is regarded as the spiritual home of modern American cycling."

“The Tour makes you dig a little deeper and push a little harder.”

“I believe that our industry is losing the war against the Chain Reactions, the Wiggles, the Amazons."  -  Steve Flagg BicycleRetailer

Johan Bruyneel has insisted that the absence of Alberto Contador will not alter Andy Schleck and RadioShack-Nissan’s plans for the 2012 Tour de France, but acknowledged that the complexion of the race will be different without him.

"Many of us are nostalgic for the golden years of cycling and we love to romanticise its forgotten blue-collar past. Those who love to boast about their history knowledge will tell you about the days back in the 50's when Coppi and Bartali had epic battles in the high mountains of the Giro d'Italia as if they were there to see it for themselves. That was back when cyclists were real men and the sport was tougher than ever. Or was it?"

"PEZ visited the home of Fondriest bicycles in the Veneto region of Italy, to talk bike manufacturing, team sponsorship and most importantly find out all about the racing career, of 1988 World Road Champion, Maurizio Fondriest."

LZ riding the TRP CX9 mini V-brake on an ENVE cyclocross fork at 2012 US Nationals in Madison, WI. Photo: Jon Patz.

"Look is best known for their road bikes but at this week's Fisher Expo, organised by UK distributors Fisher Outdoor Leisure, we had a chance to check out some of their off-road models, notably the full-suspension 920, 986 hardtail and X85 carbon cyclo-cross rig."

Ridley Orion Team Edition BikeRadar verdict: 3 out of 5 stars. "Beautifully accomplished ride with vibrant looks that's let down by weighty wheels and braking niggles."

Fuji Bikes is working with the Consumer Product Safety Commission to recall its step-through Saratoga cruisers due to potential frame breakage.