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Doug Report Daily Cycling News Archive

At team camp, Aru builds toward 2015 Giro.

Italy’s rising grand tour star Fabio Aru is meeting this week with his Astana teammates in Tuscany and building toward the Giro d’Italia.
“The reality,” he told Tutto Bici, “is that I’ve been building for the 2015 season since I finished the Giro di Lombardia on October 5.” (velonews.com)

UnitedHealthcare seeks invitations to Grand Tours.

UnitedHealthcare is pursuing wildcard invitations to the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and Vuelta a España in hopes of a debut in at least one of the three events during the 2015 season. While the Professional Continental outfit waits for confirmation in the Grand Tours, they will focus their pre-season preparation on Critérium International and a return to the Spring Classics. (cyclingnews.com)

Chun Kai Feng wins Taiwanese road title.

New Lampre-Merida signing Chun Kai Feng won his fifth national Taiwanese road race title in Taitung on Sunday. The 26-year-old will become the first Taiwanese rider to race at WorldTour level in 2015 and will do in the national jersey after victory in the 159km race by 1:56 minutes over En Chieh Liu. Last year Feng won both the road and time trial titles. (cyclingnews.com)

2014-15 Races & Results.

Santos Tour Down Under 2015 - Jan 18-25 (Stages),

Dubai Tour 2015 - Feb 4-7 (Stages),

Giro d'Italia 2015 - May 9-31 (Stages),

Tour de France 2015 - July 4-26 (Stages),

UCI Road World Championship 2014 - Sept 20-27 (Results),

Vuelta a España 2014 - Aug 23-Sept 14 (Results),

Tour de France 2014  - July 5-27 (Results),

Giro d'Italia 2014 - May 9 - June 1 (Results),

More ...

Best kids' road bikes.

"Christmas is just around the corner, and we'd wager that many parents will be buying a bike for their child around about this time.
A bike makes a terrific present – who can forget waking up on Christmas morning to find a shiny new bicycle under the tree or parked outside the house all ready to ride? So we've picked out some of the better children's models that are currently available." (bikeradar.com)

Cult Energy parts with manager Weyland.

The Cult Energy squad today announced it has parted ways with team manager Christian Weyland with immediate effect, and is now seeking a co-title sponsor.
The press released stated, “With immediate effect, we have decided to dismiss the partnership with Christian Weyland. He simply failed to fulfill our expectations as a trustful partner and this is undoubtedly the right choice for the team." (cyclingnews.com)

Kona recalls 2014 Wo fat bikes.

The recall affects 531 bikes sold from September 2013 to July 2014 with a Kona Fat Project Two Disc Fork. As of Monday afternoon, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission had not issued an official recall notice. (bicycleretailer.com)

Wheel Test: Vision Metron 55 Clinchers.

"According to Vision, sponsor of the Cannondale Pro Cycling team for the last two years, about two-thirds of the team’s wins occurred on its Metron 55 wheels. Although I prefer lower profile rims for my typically mountainous rides, I wanted a little help for the flatter group rides where I’m really at my weakest. When I learned that Peter Sagan preferred the 55mm deep wheel most of the time, these seemed like a logical choice.
Metron 55’s are available in clincher or tubular styles. I went with the clincher version since I know these wheels would see a wide variety of uses, including training." (bicycling.com)

Nash and Driscoll Seize Day One of CXLA With Huge Solo Leads.

Cavendish and Keisse retain Gent lead on day 5.

Van Aert blows old-guard away in Koksijde.

Cunego: They've been the hardest years of my career.

Trek Émonda SLR 8.

Eleven WorldTour teams unite in Velon, a joint commercial venture.

Eleven WorldTour teams have come together to form a new commercial venture, titled Velon, aimed at stabilizing the business model of professional cycling.
Once titled Project Avignon, which rose from the ashes of the ill-fated World Series of Cycling breakaway league, Velon’s founding members include Belkin, BMC Racing, Garmin-Sharp, Giant-Shimano, Lampre-Merida, Lotto-Belisol, Omega Pharma-Quick-Step, Orica-GreenEdge, Team Sky, Tinkoff-Saxo, and Trek Factory Racing.
The fact that many of these teams — Belkin, Garmin, Lotto, Omega Pharma, and Giant — will see major name changes in 2015 underscores Velon’s primary objective, which is to create a more sustainable business model that is not entirely dependent on sponsorship revenue. (velonews.com)

Peloton’s musical chairs sometimes a cruel game.

Down to the wire. It happens every fall. Cycling’s transfer window, called the “silly season,” is a time of tension and nerves for dozens of riders heading into the winter still sitting on the bubble.
What happens over the next few weeks will decide the fate of plenty across the peloton, ranging from older riders trying to hang on for one more season, to young guns still scratching to secure their place in the big leagues. (velonews.com)

Horner signs one-year deal with US team.

Chris Horner has signed a one-year deal with a US domestic team for the 2015 season, his agent has confirmed
Horner, 43, was not offered a new contract at WorldTour level by Lampre-Merida but the 2013 Vuelta a España winner has been keen to prolong his career for another year. Horner signed for Lampre on a one-year deal at the start of 2013 and was set to race the Giro d’Italia before his Vuelta defense later in the year. (cyclingnews.com)

Kemmerer is Two for Two at Supercross, Werner Gets First UCI Win Since 2012.

The course at Supercross Day Two took to the mud, both naturally and artificially as the frost from Saturday melted and the course promoter doused an additional run up with plenty of water. Shoes, wheels and skinsuits were covered in mud by the end of most rides. (cxmagazine.com)

Nash and Driscoll Repeat to Take the Second Day of CXLA.

It’s not often that pro cyclocross riders get to work on their tans between race days. Then again, it’s not often that pro ’cross racers get to collect their pay and UCI points in SoCal. Day 2 of CXLA was another day in paradise for those who elected to head southwest this weekend; a warm, dry, dusty and sometimes wildly gusty day at the famed Greek Theatre in Griffith Park. Sunday in the heart of the country’s second largest city was in many ways much like the day before. Some of the obstacles on this climb-heavy 2.5km course were moved, some were rearranged, traction was diminished, but it made little difference to the big winners. (cxmagazine.com)

Mark Cavendish ‘sorry’ for not winning Ghent Six-Day.

Mark Cavendish said that he is “sorry” for not being able to win the Ghent Six-Day last night with Omega Pharma-QuickStep partner Iljo Keisse.
“It was fun to race around here with Iljo Keisse, only sorry we did not win,” Cavendish said.
“Of course, I’m disappointed. As a rider you always want to win. I wanted to get Iljo Keisse his sixth win and I also wanted to see my name on the list of winners of this prestigious six-day.” (cyclingweekly.co.uk)

2016 Tour de France to start in Manche.

Organizers of the Tour de France, the ASO, today announced the award of the Grand Départ for the 2016 edition of the race to the department of Manche in the Lower Normandy region. (cyclingnews.com)

Falco Peregrine Kamm.

BikeRadar verdict: 2.5 out of 5 stars. "A bike that doesn't do too much wrong but lacks personality – the Peregrine Kamm needs further refinement to be a global contender." (bikeradar.com)

PEZ: EuroTrash Aussie Monday!

Should Nibali Leave Astana?

Play word association and many would link “Astana” to “positive test” rather than the capital of Kazakhstan or the Tour de France triumph. The Iglinskiy brothers and two riders few had heard of, Ilya Davidenok and Victor Okishev, riding for the Astana Continental team, a separate development, team have been caught recently. (inrng.com)

Adam Myerson: Koksijde and the new prince.

"There’s no question that elite cyclo-cross isn’t the same without Niels Albert, and nowhere is that more poignant than at the Duinencross Koksijde World Cup. With three wins in the sand on the coast of the North Sea, it might pale in comparison to Nys’ six victories, if not for the fact that one of Albert’s wins included the World Championship in 2012, dividing Nys’ wins in the fall of 2011 and 2012." (cyclingnews.com)

PMU ends backing of Tour de France points title.

Tour de France organiser ASO is searching for a new backer for the green-jersey points competition following PMU’s decision to end its 25-year relationship with the race. The French betting company told ASO of its plan prior to the start of this year’s race. No replacement sponsor has yet been announced. (cyclingnews.com)

Rasmussen: Of course I have some regrets.

After four days of intensive and yet some ways pleasant negotiations, CyclingQuotes managed to meet Alex Rasmussen at the Six Days of Ghent last Sunday, discussing his recent performances during the famous track event, planned Hour Record attempt and difficult situation in regards to his career as road cyclist. (cyclingquotes.com)

Ultimate Control: The Ritchey Cockpit.

At less than 320grams you’d be forgiven for assuming the SuperLogic EvoCurve and C260 Stem combo are just for climbers. While they make climbers very happy they also makes some of the most powerful sprinters on the planet happy. (pelotonmagazine.com)

Sony HDR-AS100VR action camera.

BikeRadar verdict: 3 out of 5 stars. "Records excellent quality footage, but it's expensive and the mounting system could be improved." (bikeradar.com)

Interview: Andrew Ritchie, by Lynne Tolman.

Andrew Ritchie, the author of Major Taylor: The Extraordinary Career of a Champion Bicycle Racer, recently came across a letter from African-American cyclist Major Taylor that was published in Bearings magazine on Feb. 9, 1894. The full text of the letter is here. In an email interview with Lynne Tolman, president of the Major Taylor Association, Ritchie discusses what the letter tells him about the very early career of the future world champion. (podiumcafe.com)

Pro Womens Cycling: Podcast episode 51 – Sarah Interviews Jolien D’hoore.

Ulissi to appear before disciplinary committee in December.

Prudhomme assesses the state of German cycling.