Nys, Pauwels, Stybar, Albert, Wellens, Aernouts, Meeusen, Vantornout, Peeters, Page...  2011-2012 Cyclocross season action continues Sunday with GVA Trophy Cyclocross at Baal. This is also known as the GP Sven Nys. Live streaming video: Elite Men: 3:00pm CET (9:00am U.S. Eastern).

There was no stopping Philippe Gilbert this season. The 29-year-old Belgian went on a tear that no one’s seen since the days of Eddy Merckx.

Chicago Cyclocross Cup New Year's Resolution (Elite men results),
Chicago Cyclocross Cup New Year's Resolution (Elite women results),
Jayco Bay Cycling Classic (Start list),
Fidea Cyclo-cross Leuven (Elite men results),
Fidea Cyclo-cross Leuven (Elite women results),
Memorial Romano Scotti (Elite men results),
Memorial Romano Scotti (Elite women results),
Mars Cycling Australia Road National Championships (Start list men),
Mars Cycling Australia Road National Championships (Start list women),
Santos Tour Down Under (Stages),
More...

Your guide to summer Down Under.

£300 Assos sunglasses and a $14,000 Gucci bike: plus some toys we could actually afford...

With 2012 just around the corner, we present the resolutions which What Mountain Bike's staff, plus luminaries from the bike industry and sport, hope they'll still be sticking to this time next year.

New Zealand's Sam Bewley has a big year ahead on the track with the London Olympic Games on the horizon. However, the multi-talented rider 24-year-old still has options on the road despite having been left without a team following the merger between RadioShack and Leopard-Trek.

Taking a look back at some of the most pivotal moments on the past season...

Spaniard seeking to build form for Ardennes Classics.

The inaugural Chicago Cyclocross Cup New Year’s Resolution are the last two UCI races to provide one more chance to fine tune the form and get more UCI points  before the USA Cyclocross Nationals Championships next weekend.  The Elite men’s race looks to be a showdown between  Jeremy Powers (Rapha Focus) and Ryan Trebon (LTS/Felt).

Feels stronger team should take some pressure off Belgian.

CyclingNews: Turpin to continue racing in Guadeloupe.

Ludovic Turpin will continue his racing career at a lower level and in novel surrounds in 2012 after accepting an offer to ride for a club in Guadeloupe. The veteran Frenchman had appeared set to hang up his wheels after Saur-Sojasun decided not to renew his contract at the end of last season but he will instead line up in the colors of Union Sportive Cyclist de Goyave.

New Rabobank signing continues path from wheelchair to peloton.

Crew neck fitted tee shirt with contrast colored repair stitching. Graphics on front and back with badge on sleeve. Enzyme washed 100% cotton jersey for a soft comfy feel.

The Daily Distraction.

The shut-up and ride award—By now, we’ve all seen the video of Juan Antonio Flecha and Johnny Hoogerland getting whacked by the errant media car in Stage 9 of this year’s Tour de France. Both men suffered injuries that would have sent most of us crawling into an ambulance or at least the broom wagon. What was impressive, though, is that both of them got up, finished the stage and then made it all the way to Paris nearly two weeks later.

Today's Quote

“His [Andy Schleck's] problem is Fränk and vice-versa. How they rode the Tour de Suisse is an example of that. They’re incomprehensible. They cancel each other out in turn. I’d like to see him more decisive, but instead he attacks and after four pedal strokes he turned around. He gives the impression of being a radio-controlled rider.” - Mario Cipollini CyclingNews

Slovakian to delay hitting form until London Olympics.

Five months after his outstanding Tour de France, Pierre Rolland is facing high expectations, especially from his French compatriots who have been looking for a successor to Bernard Hinault since 1985. “In 2012, vote Pierre Rolland!” read the headline of Vélo Magazine in August, referring to the French presidential election of May 2012.

Bianchi, which is located in Treviglio, Italy outside Milan, has been doing things their own way for a very long time. Edoardo Bianchi founded F.IV. Edoardo Bianchi S.p.A. in 1885 when he was just 21 years old.

Mario Cipollini believes that world champion Mark Cavendish is among the greatest sprinters of all-time but has warned that Team Sky's' new rider is still not making the most of his considerable talent.

A winner of a stage at the Tour de France and the King of the Mountains jersey, the reigning Olympic champion says he still has some unfinished business in his career.

"A morning ride is a great way to start the new year—but that doesn’t mean you need to skip the holiday parties or sip diet soda all night. Here are six drinks that will lift your spirits without weighing you down."

Jayco Bay Cycling Classic (Start list),
Fidea Cyclo-cross Leuven (Elite men results),
Fidea Cyclo-cross Leuven (Elite women results),
GVA Trofee - Azencross (Elite men results),
GVA Trofee - Azencross (Elite women results),
Versluys Cyclo-cross (Elite men results),
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #6 (Elite men results),
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #6 (Elite women results),
More...

Kevin Pauwels (Sunweb-Revor) extended his lead in the elite men's UCI 'cross rankings over compatriot Sven Nys (Landbouwkrediet) while for the first time this season Marianne Vos (Nederland Bloeit) tops the elite women's standings, a position held in all the previous rankings by Katie Compton (Rabobank-Giant Off-road Team).

Robbie McEwen says that Cadel Evans, Bradley Wiggins and Alberto Contador are the top favorites for the 2012 Tour de France, with Tony Martin and Levi Leipheimer rounding out the top five. Andy and Fränk Schleck have no chance with the few mountaintop finishes and many time trial kilometres, the Australian said.

The inaugural New Year’s Resolution race is the final UCI race in the United States before the National Championships next weekend in Madison, Wisconsin.

Landbouwkrediet rider the class of an illness-reduced field; Marianne Vos continues near-perfect season.

A number of riders will be missing from today's cyclo-cross race in Leuven, Belgium, as a series of illnesses are sweeping through the peloton. Kevin Pauwels, Niels Albert, Tom Meeusen and Klaas Vantornout have all had to cancel their appearances.

2011-2012 Cyclocross season action continues Friday with Fidea Cyclocross Classics at Leuven. 

Year's End is time for GB cycling fans to bury the hatchet for Spain's Juan Jose Cobo.

Vuelta winner finds new deal after Geox TMC debacle.

PodiumCafe: Is Liquigas becoming the new HTC?

Where is Liquigas-Cannondale heading these days? Long thought of as a grand-tour oriented team, their identity is becoming increasingly associated with their younger riders who have a prodigious appetite for sprint victories. Sound familiar? The same thing happened (albeit in a different mode) to the former T-Mobile / Highroad squad. In fact, Liquigas was second only to HTC this year in absolute number of victories...

The controversy about the possible departure from top notch cyclo-cross rider Zdenek Stybar (Quickstep Cycling Team) often ends up at comparisons with that other former cyclo-cross star Lars Boom (Rabobank). Former cyclo-cross world champion Boom feels Stybar should go flat-out for a career on the road, just like he did two years ago.

He was a key component in Great Britain's success at the 2011 Road World Championships in Copenhagen, where he was part of the team that delivered Mark Cavendish to victory. But as things stand, David Millar will be unable to compete at the London 2012 Olympics due to the lifetime ban imposed on him by the British Olympic Association (BOA) for his positive dope test in 2004.

A proper fit can make your bike feel like new.

Today's Quote

"Starting next year I would like to use Lars Boom as an example for me. He uses cross as a part of his preparation for the road season. Lars combines what is fun with what is useful, and I plan to do the same. If I were to fail on the road, I can still go back to cross fulltime, but for now that's not part of the plan."- Zdenek Stybar PodiumCafe

Crew neck fitted tee shirt with contrast colored repair stitching. Graphics on front and back with badge on sleeve. Enzyme washed 100% cotton jersey for a soft comfy feel.

"I am excited about the new Wide-Body SON Delux generator hub. It allows you to enjoy a super-strong wheel, yet roll along with the less resistance than other generator hubs. It is available now in limited quantities with 32 or 36 holes."

Riders to act as a test team for title sponsor’s clothing.

The Daily Distraction.

Laurent Charras of Petitesreines is back and has once again been focusing on the top women cyclocrossers.

"Because the year’s almost over, and because all those top 10 lists for the year that was are already so 2011, I’m well under way thinking about the year ahead and all the amazing things that will happen in pro cycling in 2012."

CyclingNews: Trebon returns to 'cross racing in Chicago.

After being sidelined for nearly seven weeks with a knee injury, Ryan Trebon (LTS-Felt) will return to 'cross racing on Saturday in Chicago, Illinois for a weekend of competition at Chicago Cyclocross Cup New Year's Resolution.

Mark Renshaw and the Iroquois. Nope, he didn’t just make a last second switch from Rabobank to the East coast tribe.

A strict application of the rules would see the top riders banned from the upcoming Jayco Series in Australia and forbid Britain’s top teams from competing in their domestic Tour Series races. Hopefully it won’t come to this but here’s the explainer…

For as long as we’ve been cyclists, prior model year goods have a long history of being closed out at discount, often sold in large lots to blowout mail order companies like Jenson USA. What’s becoming an issue is the ease with which consumers can now price check and order via smartphones directly from the brick and mortar bike shops.

Ten UCI wins, the overall victory at the Exergy US Gran Prix of Cyclocross and a tenth place at the first World Cup this cross season for Jeremy Powers (Rapha-Focus). It’s not just the wins but the way they were obtained that makes it the year of Powers – and yes, the season not over.

While budgets are just one factor that may keep many from ever riding in the Swiss Alps, video training aid creator Virtual Active makes a digital version possible to anyone with a trainer.

"CCSD has a bunch of highlights for 2012:
•    Base and Road Training camps are filling up, plus we've added Endurance camps
•    Pre-camp metabolic and physiologic testing now available
•    Camps and tours in Belgium (Ardennes Classics) and Italy (Tuscany) are continuing in the line-up.
•    New for 2012: MTB camps."

2011-2012 Cyclocross season action continues Friday with Fidea Cyclocross Classics at Leuven. Live streaming video: Elite Men - 3:00pm CET (9:00am U.S. Eastern).

After missing the 2010 season with a major hip injury Lea Davison returned to top form last year. Now she's fighting to stand on a World Cup Podium.

The smaller, but exciting Fidea series continues in Friday in Leuven. Previous editions of this race have occured in Turven, including last year, where Niels Albert got the better of Sven Nys. The course in Leuven is said to be very technical and challenging, especially in the first half. After that it eases off a bit, but is still a hard course. All in all, the new venue in the college town of Leuven should provide some great action.

GVA Trofee - Azencross (Elite men results),
GVA Trofee - Azencross (Elite women results),
Versluys Cyclo-cross (Elite men results),
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #6 (Elite men results),
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #6 (Elite women results),
Internationales Radquer Dagmersellen (Elite men results),
Internationales Radquer Dagmersellen (Elite women results),
Grand-Prix DAF Grand Garage Engel (Elite men results),
More...

Nate Morse learns the keys to survival.

Levi Leipheimer started the season with third overall at Ruta del Sol, and he closed it with an impressive fifth at the GP Cycliste de Québec, 15 seconds behind winner Philippe Gilbert. In between, he both struggled and succeeded, but he produced an impressive season worthy of our North American Cyclist of the Year award.

Today's Quote

"Starting next year I would like to use Lars Boom as an example for me. He uses cross as a part of his preparation for the road season. Lars combines what is fun with what is useful, and I plan to do the same. If I were to fail on the road, I can still go back to cross fulltime, but for now that's not part of the plan."- Zdenek Stybar PodiumCafe

“I don’t have anything,” he told the Spanish daily MARCA. “The outlook is pretty bleak. It’s sad what’s going on right now. I don’t believe that I am so bad that I do not have a team.”

Danish rider returns to competition after whereabouts incident.

Shimano and Campag launched new technology – it's a taste of the future.

More than just a muscle-mender, protein is equally important before and during a ride.

BikeRadar verdict: 5 out of 5 stars. "This triangular brush is ideal for rough, dirty jobs."   Purchase the Muc-Off MOX-372 Detailing Brush Here.

"Alejandro Valverde fails miserably in his first season back. He’s a huge talent and Chris Horner thinks he’s one of the best race tacticians in cycling but we’re not thrilled to see him back after his two years off as “last man caught in Puerto.” The Cycling Gods aren’t through with the Green Bullet. We wish for an unfulfilling return a la Danilo Di Luca."

US team to be sat astride US brand as it rides at Pro Continental level for a second year.

…So this doesn’t happen to you mid-ride.

Can you bill the sheriff’s department for the damage to your wheel and frame?

With 2012 fast approaching, Saddles tries to answer the five questions that could define the coming season. Number 1: Will Alberto Contador be cleared to ride?

Ronde van Vlaanderen winner explains how he is now able to push himself further than before.

With Nationals rapidly approaching, it can’t hurt to brush up on some basic techniques: after all, no matter what the course conditions, corners will always be a part of cyclocross racing.

BikeRadar verdict: 3 out of 5 stars. "Rides well with a wide resistance range. Doesn't give real world power measurements, though."

The US-registered UCI Continental squad Wonderful Pistachios will enjoy an increased budget and expanded race calendar for the 2012 season, team manager Josh Horowitz told Cyclingnews.

"Throughout the latter half of 2011, we've been running a series of essential maintenance videos that aim to give you the know-how to keep your bike functioning and fit for purpose."

"The lubes are essentially a mixture of oils from up to 3 different types of plants. The oils from each plant are unique and contain properties that lend themselves to handle an individual job when it comes to lubing the chain on your bike."

"Continuing our look back at the last 12 months, we take a look at the time trial bikes that struck a chord with our testers."

The Daily Distraction.

The Katusha team has yet to deliver the results that match its ambitions and its budget. Joaquim Rodriguez and Denis Galimzyanov have had some good wins but for me the most fascinating aspect of the team is the network of people who stand behind the squad.

Brian Holm was surprised to learn he will be at the Tour de France next year. The Dane, who will be a directeur sportif for Omega Pharma-Quick Step in the coming season, had thought that 2011 would be his last visit to the race, where he guided HTC-Highroad to six stage wins.

Tyler Farrar will lead Garmin-Cervelo in the Volta ao Algarve in February, while 2008 winner Stijn Devolder, who finished third in 2011, will be there for Vacansoleil. The UCI 2.1-ranked Portuguese race takes place February 15-19.

Last month the Atlanta-based lifestyle magazine Creative Loafing asked, “Could Atlanta be new Amsterdam?” This wasn’t suggesting that the southern city is suddenly embracing the free spirit side of Amsterdam, including their infamous red light district or liberal laws on the use of cannabis, but instead suggested the parrellel drawn because of city’s bicycle friendliness.

A genuine albeit pricey European technological edge for both the Vacansoleil pro team and customers we wonder?

Crew neck fitted tee shirt with contrast colored repair stitching. Graphics on front and back with badge on sleeve. Enzyme washed 100% cotton jersey for a soft comfy feel.

"CCSD has a bunch of highlights for 2012:
•    Base and Road Training camps are filling up, plus we've added Endurance camps
•    Pre-camp metabolic and physiologic testing now available
•    Camps and tours in Belgium (Ardennes Classics) and Italy (Tuscany) are continuing in the line-up.
•    New for 2012: MTB camps."

Arkaitz Duran of Geox-TMC will return to the amateur rankings in the coming season following the demise of his Professional Continental squad.  The 25-year-old will ride for Telco'm-Conor Azysa, according to biciciclismo.com.

American Craig Lewis will join his new Champion System Pro Cycling Team at the Tour de Langkawi in February. The race will mark a comeback from a second surgery to correct a broken femur he sustained in the 2011 Giro d'Italia.

Albert returned to action last weekend after suffering a broken wrist and made it clear he’s ready to throw-down against the world’s best.

2011-2012 Cyclocross season action continues Friday with Fidea Cyclocross Classics at Leuven. Live streaming video: Elite Men - 3:00pm CET (9:00am U.S. Eastern).

Commonwealth Games gold medallist Rochelle Gilmore will continue her inspirational comeback at the Jayco Bay Cycling Classic this Sunday, 1 January.

Belgian champion escapes alone to take second straight Azencross; Marianne Vos outclasses women’s field yet again.

Pauwels, Stybar, Nys, Albert, Wellens, Aernouts, Meeusen, Vantornout, Page...  2011-2012 Cyclocross season action continues Wednesday with GVA Trophy Cyclocross - Azencross Loenhout.

GVA Trofee - Azencross (Elite men results),
GVA Trofee - Azencross (Elite women results),
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #6 (Elite men results),
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #6 (Elite women results),
Internationales Radquer Dagmersellen (Elite men results),
Internationales Radquer Dagmersellen (Elite women results),
Grand-Prix DAF Grand Garage Engel (Elite men results),
Superprestige Diegem (Elite men results),
Superprestige Diegem (Elite women results),
More...

Cannondale have always been one of the go-to brands for high performance cyclo-cross bikes. The CAADX is still a lightweight all-terrain flyer but gets slightly less aggressive geometry and a full fixture list to create a great value bike with an appetite for anything.

"The races haven't gone the way I hoped they would. Besides the bad luck I had during the races here so far I have been struggling to find a way from my last race in Loenhout to Germany."

Change underway at Quick Step -- across the board change from its ownership to the kind of riders the team will feature.

Villain of the year:
1 Alberto Contador
2 Riccardo Ricco
3 Driver of that French TV car.

Ignacio (Iggy) Silva (Wonderful Pistachios) is currently recovering from a concussion, fractured skull and broken collarbone after crashing at the San Diego velodrome last Thursday. The 21-year-old underwent surgery to reduce swelling in his brain, and according to the blog "Iggy Silva's Road to Recovery" started by Silva's friend Joe Steinberger, his prognoses for a complete recovery is good.

"When I was in Calpe with the rest of the team, I was amazed at the way in which things worked in the team. When I saw how my teammates prepared for their road season, I made up my mind: this is what I want. I may only get one chance at a WorldTour-team. I owe it to myself to take full advantage of it."

The Spanish attacker said Menchov’s presence on the Russian outfit for the 2012 season will take some pressure off his shoulders and give the team more depth in the season’s most important races.

BikeRadar verdict: 3 out of 5 stars. "Concentric and true, with unusual G3 spoke pattern on the rear."

Eating in the cold requires some ingenuity, as most bars will freeze fairly quickly. Fruits and bread products will also turn into bricks as the temperatures plunge, as will cookies, scones and muffins, eliminating many common ride foods.

“As one of the team's stars, it was said that Sylvain Chavanel could be upgraded to Business Class on the flight to Argentina. But when Chavanel found out that the others on the team had to fly in economy class, he refused to accept the offer.”

The Daily Distraction.

We’re in no-mans land caught between Christmas and the impending New Year in cycling. Time to think about what presents we’d like from the Cycling Gods.

Bike racing is more visible than ever thanks to the proliferation of television and Internet coverage that allows fans to watch in real-time races in every corner of the globe.

Today's Quote

"Starting next year I would like to use Lars Boom as an example for me. He uses cross as a part of his preparation for the road season. Lars combines what is fun with what is useful, and I plan to do the same. If I were to fail on the road, I can still go back to cross fulltime, but for now that's not part of the plan."- Zdenek Stybar PodiumCafe

While the popularity of cyclo-cross in Belgium and the USA is strong, the lack of growth of the winter cycling discipline outside of these countries is of concern to cycling's governing body, the UCI.

Pon owns several bike brands including Raleigh, Gazelle and Univega and is completing the acquisition of Derby Cycles, better known for its Focus brand as used by the Katusha team in 2011.

"Grant was influential in making Bridgestone into a maker of slightly left-field production bicycles during the 1980s. I missed the “Bridgestone Years,” because I rode a hand-built racing bike and had little interest in mass-produced Japanese bikes. But I took notice when Grant started Rivendell Bicycle Works after Bridgestone closed its U.S. operation."

CCSD has a bunch of highlights for 2012:
•    Base and Road Training camps are filling up, plus we've added Endurance camps
•    Pre-camp metabolic and physiologic testing now available
•    Camps and tours in Belgium (Ardennes Classics) and Italy (Tuscany) are continuing in the line-up.
•    New for 2012: MTB camps.

Michelin Krylion Carbon - "The benchmark for fast, tough training tires. Excellent mileage adds value."

Crew neck fitted tee shirt with contrast colored repair stitching. Graphics on front and back with badge on sleeve. Enzyme washed 100% cotton jersey for a soft comfy feel.

BikeRadar verdict: 5 out of 5 stars. "This triangular brush is ideal for rough, dirty jobs."   Purchase the Muc-Off MOX-372 Detailing Brush Here.

Pauwels, Stybar, Nys, Albert, Wellens, Aernouts, Meeusen, Vantornout, Page...  2011-2012 Cyclocross season action continues Wednesday with GVA Trophy Cyclocross - Azencross Loenhout. Live streaming video: Elite Men: 3:00pm CET (9:00am U.S. Eastern).

Belgian and Dutch cyclocross champions in disagreement over the chase of the race’s top three.

UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #6 (Elite men results),
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #6 (Elite women results),
Superprestige Diegem (Elite men results),
Superprestige Diegem (Elite women results),
Internationale Centrumcross van Surhuisterveen (Elite men results),
Internationale Centrumcross van Surhuisterveen (Elite women results),
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #5 (Elite men results),
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #5 (Elite women results),
GVA Trofee - GP Rouwmoer (Elite men results),
GVA Trofee - GP Rouwmoer (Elite women results),
Cycling Australia Madison National Championship (results),
More...

Andy Schleck may never win the Tour de France “because he is not serious enough,” according to his former boss Bjarne Riis. The head of Team Saxo Bank rated his captains over the year, ranking Ivan Basso second to Alberto Contador.

What's in a brand? That's a pretty good question at Team Lefevre these days, as his Quick Step franchise has been on the receiving end of a pretty big realignment in the last few years.

I’ve been in a bit of a retro mood lately. Regardless, If you’re new to bike racing (or you forgot about the pre-carbon days) go back into the archives of cycling broadcasting via YouTube and watch the Tour de France circa the late 80s.

Photo submitted by Andrew Kummer, “Early evening, out on my new 29er.”

Slit front semi fitted crew neck tee Kangaroo pockets, contrast colored repair stitching, finely printed graphics front, rear and sleeves with "Live to Ride" badge on rear. Slub cotton jersey, enzyme-washed for that super-soft and worn feel.

"I was a crash test dummy for the first time during one of our product tests and the result was more than 100 stitches, a fractured scapula, a separated shoulder, and enough road rash to make standing, walking, laughing and sleeping entirely unpleasant. The Orbea Odin helmet is destroyed but after a CT scan, my head is fine."

Team Sky's Welsh ace looks back on his own successes this season, and the part he played in others' wins.

With its strategically located perforated gel padding, the Mondo is designed to relieve pressure on the median and ulnar nerves, reducing the likelihood of tingly fingers.

Alberto Contador should not be sanctioned, “for the sake of international cycling,” Pedro Delgado has said. The 1988 Tour de France winner defended his countryman, who is still awaiting the final judgment on his positive for Clenbuterol at the 2010 Tour de France.

Danish team promises to ride aggressively in Argentina.

This bike has a knife-like presence and you can’t help but look at it and think, “this thing has got to rip.”

Deal brings to an end long period of uncertainty.

At virtually every SRAM press launch and event we attend, Adrian Marcoux and Taylor Sage are there documenting it.

Canadian frame maker Cervélo has entered into what they described as "a financing arrangement" with Pon Holdings BV, a Dutch conglomerate but family-run, on their own website on December 23rd.

Today's Quote

“Everyone has to follow the rules: riders, teams, anti-doping authorities, and the UCI. If those rules are bent or changed for any one party, the sport becomes unfair and unjust to the other parties. Our path in this case will be to follow the rules and legal regulations set out for us.” - Jonathan Vaughters VeloNation

Seems the Italians are quick to snap up their hometown hero’s new electronic group set with EPS getting stock offerings on Bianchi and Wilier!

"It’s getting late in the cyclocross season, but we’ve only just had time to review the latest ’cross brakes from Shimano and Campagnolo. Both were a little late in getting production up and running for the season. But if you’re looking for a last-minute upgrade before you finish your season, check these out."

"I recently picked up a couple of real nice books to enjoy over the festive period. First up is a wicked photo book chronicling the UCI World Cup Cyclocross season of 2009/2010 by a really awesome snapper, Balint Hamvas."

Essentially a set of plastic clamshells that clip to your shorts, jersey or arm/knee warmers to provide a buffer between you and the pavement.

The Daily Distraction.

Cycling experts and luminaries weigh in with their top rides of the season.

The latest comes from the sports daily AS, which reports Tuesday that a ski area in the Asturias region of northern Spain will play host to a new mountain summit that’s already being compared to the Bola del Mundo, the brutally steep finale in the mountains near Madrid that saw an electric showdown in the closing days of the 2010 Vuelta.

This past season, fans of pro cycling saw many amazing performances, but certain ones were especially impressive. Here are nine we won't soon forget.

Australia's first Tour de France winner Cadel Evans and his wife Chiara Passerini are on the verge of adopting a boy from Ethiopia. The parents to be will soon travel home to Switzerland with the  twelve-month-old boy.

It had to happen, having covered food and drink in Europe in relation to cycling, it is time for a beer. The piece here was prompted by a superb article in The Economist that marries brewing with history, business and politics and I’ll borrow from this to explain the subject.

"In a revealing interview, Charly Wegelius discusses everything from the hidden attractions of being a domestique to the regrets he has about ‘that' World Championships in Madrid, to his return to his roots in Finland and why he has high hopes about his new career."

The stand of the German distributor of ENVE is as good a place as any to reignite the CX discs debate...

From that stylish street urchin, the Whyte Portobello, through Boardman's impressive hybrid steeds, to Rossin's retro-looking fixie, there's something here for every cyclist looking for a multi-purpose ride.

4 solutions to help avoid a big fix.

The only thing more disconcerting than the prospect of Chain Reaction and Wiggle gaining more US bike marketshare in 2012 is a US bike retailer reporting his own customers to the feds for buying from them.

Pauwels, Stybar, Nys, Albert, Wellens, Aernouts, Meeusen, Vantornout, Page...  2011-2012 Cyclocross season action continues Wednesday with GVA Trophy Cyclocross - Azencross Loenhout. Live streaming video: Elite Men: 3:00pm CET (9:00am U.S. Eastern).

Series leader Sven Nys (Landbouwkrediet), world champion Zdenek Stybar (Quick Step) and Pauwels escaped the bunch with just over five laps to go in at Heusden-Zolder, then took turns trying to shed one another in the final few laps, without success.

At the sixth round of the UCI World Cup, Marianne Vos once again showed that she is the top racer on European soil.

UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #6 (Elite men results),
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #6 (Elite women results),
Superprestige Diegem (Elite men results),
Superprestige Diegem (Elite women results),
Internationale Centrumcross van Surhuisterveen (Elite men results),
Internationale Centrumcross van Surhuisterveen (Elite women results),
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #5 (Elite men results),
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #5 (Elite women results),
GVA Trofee - GP Rouwmoer (Elite men results),
GVA Trofee - GP Rouwmoer (Elite women results),
Cycling Australia Madison National Championship (results),
More...

With its strategically located perforated gel padding, the Mondo is designed to relieve pressure on the median and ulnar nerves, reducing the likelihood of tingly fingers.

Although their main aim for the 2012 season remains victory at the Tour de France, both Schleck brothers are hoping to line up at the Olympic road race in London.

Cyclocross season action continues Monday with UCI Cyclocross World Cup at Heusden-Zolder, Belgium.

So you want to throw a National-level race, be it one-day road, stage or cyclocross race? Thank you for all the hard work, we all appreciate it. Here are a few things to remember in your plan, from the media side of the event.

Nicely made tool for your track nuts. Comes in colors. Enough said.

Here are some handy pointers for for proper group riding, clothing concerns and some tool talk...

Traditionally, the cyclo-cross World Cup stops in Belgium on Boxing Day for a day of racing, and for a few years, the former F1 car racing circuit in Zolder has been the chosen setting. This year, Americans experienced mixed results - the best came from Zach McDonald (Rapha-Focus), who boosted his confidence with a podium result.

Giorgia Bronzini has lamented the lack of structure and sponsorship in women’s cycling in Italy and internationally, and rebutted UCI president Pat McQuaid’s assertion that women’s cycling has “not developed enough” for a guaranteed minimum wage.

Today's Quote

“Everyone has to follow the rules: riders, teams, anti-doping authorities, and the UCI. If those rules are bent or changed for any one party, the sport becomes unfair and unjust to the other parties. Our path in this case will be to follow the rules and legal regulations set out for us.” - Jonathan Vaughters VeloNation

Essentially a set of plastic clamshells that clip to your shorts, jersey or arm/knee warmers to provide a buffer between you and the pavement.

"Plain and simple, the HighBall is a cross-country racing bike. In Santa Cruz’s own words 'The HighBall is a race ready hardtail…. The Highball is insanely light, razor sharp, nimble but surefooted, stiff as a plank, and designed to do two things: 1. Race. 2. Win.'”

The Daily Distraction.

The only thing more disconcerting than the prospect of Chain Reaction and Wiggle gaining more US bike marketshare in 2012 is a US bike retailer reporting his own customers to the feds for buying from them.

Climber will be helped as he recovers from Tour de Suisse crash.

3 out of 5 stars: "Good components but they need to be laced together with more care."

Coming to the Cafe Bookshelf in 2012 ... the backlog of 2011 releases, which include: Ross E Goldstein's cycling novel, Chain Reaction; Andrew M Homan's biography of Bobby Walthour Snr, Life In The Slipstream; the autobiography of former British pro Steve Joughin, Pocket Rocket; Robbie McEwen's autobiography, One Way Road; Nicolas Roche's autobiography, Inside The Peloton; and Team Type 1-founder Phil Southerland's autobiography, Not Dead Yet.

Possible sponsor put money into Moto GP and soccer instead.

Slit front semi fitted crew neck tee Kangaroo pockets, contrast colored repair stitching, finely printed graphics front, rear and sleeves with "Live to Ride" badge on rear. Slub cotton jersey, enzyme-washed for that super-soft and worn feel.

My favorite bikes are of a piece. They’ve got sharp handling. They have enough stiffness in torsion that when I stand up at the foot of a short hill they yield the sense that not a watt is wasted in flex.

BikeRadar verdict: 5 out of 5 stars. "Lifts away the dirt very effectively and won't harm the environment."

Cyclocross season action continues Monday with UCI Cyclocross World Cup at Heusden-Zolder, Belgium. Live streaming video: Elite Men: 3:00pm CET (9:00am U.S. Eastern).

What’s the Basque word for “optimist?” Samuel Sanchez scored a stage win in the 2011 Tour de France and won the King of the Mountains prize. He’s aiming even higher for the next Grande Boucle with the object of a podium position. Sounds like crazy talk from Orange Man number one.

Ryan Knapp is a man on a Belgian 'cross mission.

UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #6 (Start list),
Superprestige Diegem (Elite men results),
Superprestige Diegem (Elite women results),
Internationale Centrumcross van Surhuisterveen (Elite men results),
Internationale Centrumcross van Surhuisterveen (Elite women results),
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #5 (Elite men results),
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #5 (Elite women results),
GVA Trofee - GP Rouwmoer (Elite men results),
GVA Trofee - GP Rouwmoer (Elite women results),
Cycling Australia Madison National Championship (results),
More...

USA Cycling has announced that four student cyclist will benefit from the USA Cycling Development Foundation with the annual John Stenner and Joshua Kuck Memorial Scholarships.

CyclingNews: Geox and UnitedHealthcare talked on possible merger.

Mauro Gianetti approached the UnitedHealthcare team with a number of proposals for 2012 in a bid to salvage part of his Geox-TMC squad.

Geert Verheyen is putting an end to his 18-year professional career, another rider who was unable to get a new contract for the coming year.  Verheyen had ridden for many Belgian teams during his long career.

Slit front semi fitted crew neck tee Kangaroo pockets, contrast colored repair stitching, finely printed graphics front, rear and sleeves with "Live to Ride" badge on rear. Slub cotton jersey, enzyme-washed for that super-soft and worn feel.

The Daily Distraction.

Italian TT specialist almost fully recovered from fractured hip.

As 2011 draws to a close, we thought it'd be a fitting time to gather some of our staff into a room, stick them in front of a camera and ask them to talk about their favourite products and cycling moments of their year.

At the beginning of the 2010 season, Andrew Talansky was a 21-year-old riding for the amateur Cal Giant squad with no major results to his name. By November 2011, he had become a Garmin-Cervélo ProTeam rider with four top-10 results in time trial stages of major European races.

Today's Quote

“Everyone has to follow the rules: riders, teams, anti-doping authorities, and the UCI. If those rules are bent or changed for any one party, the sport becomes unfair and unjust to the other parties. Our path in this case will be to follow the rules and legal regulations set out for us.” - Jonathan Vaughters VeloNation

Father, Davis Phinney, looking forward to pro racing’s return to Boulder.

UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #6 (Start list),
Superprestige Diegem (Elite men results),
Superprestige Diegem (Elite women results),
Internationale Centrumcross van Surhuisterveen (Elite men results),
Internationale Centrumcross van Surhuisterveen (Elite women results),
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #5 (Elite men results),
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #5 (Elite women results),
GVA Trofee - GP Rouwmoer (Elite men results),
GVA Trofee - GP Rouwmoer (Elite women results),
Cycling Australia Madison National Championship (results),
More...

Full details yet to be revealed.

A look at video from Namur, Belgium, where Marianne Vos rode away from the field for the win.

Sven Nys holds series lead; Marianne Vos in a class of her own once more.

Pavé: Cyclocross Weekend Preview: Americans Abroad.

It’s that time of year again, we are a few weeks out from the various national championships, and a little over a month away from the world championships. More importantly, it’s Christmas time, which means an action-packed week of racing, beginning Friday, December 23rd and stretching into the new year.

A court in Belgium has ordered the holding company behind the former Predictor-Lotto team to pay almost €150,000 in compensation and back salary to Bjorn Leukemans after it was found that he had been illegally dismissed by the team in 2007.

It’s Christmas time and the media is full of quizzes and annual retrospectives (a fine way to pad out the content when there is little news around)  to reflect on the year gone by.

On Sunday, December 18th, Madison received one its first snowfalls of the year and local riders descended on Badger Prairie Park, the site of 2012 US Cyclocross Nationals, like ski bums looking for first tracks on a power day.

Slit front semi fitted crew neck tee Kangaroo pockets, contrast colored repair stitching, finely printed graphics front, rear and sleeves with "Live to Ride" badge on rear. Slub cotton jersey, enzyme-washed for that super-soft and worn feel.

The list of reasons that the simple act of riding a bicycle continues to enchant, intoxicate, surprise, fulfill, improve, and challenge us goes, like a great road, on and on and on. Here are some of our favorites.

The Daily Distraction.

It’s generally been a good year for cycling. Exciting races, brilliant winners, emerging heroes, historic breakthroughs and no new doping scandals. Here are my alphabetic highlights of a season to remember.

Download it and watch it over the holidays (mp4 file, 155 MB, French language without subtitles). Enjoy!

Today's Quote

“Everyone has to follow the rules: riders, teams, anti-doping authorities, and the UCI. If those rules are bent or changed for any one party, the sport becomes unfair and unjust to the other parties. Our path in this case will be to follow the rules and legal regulations set out for us.” - Jonathan Vaughters VeloNation

In June 2010, the UCI announced they would allow disc brakes for cyclo-cross and techno geeks rejoiced. They knew the rule reversal was the first step to seeing the technology trickle to the road, and trickle it will.

Journey to a Dream, created by Nigel Dick, in association with Clif Bar, takes a look at the Garmin-Cervelo team, from how some of its riders entered the sport, right up until the current 2011 season.

Sven Nys holds series lead; Marianne Vos in a class of her own once more.

2011-2012 Cyclocross season action continued Friday with Superprestige Cyclocross at Diegem. 

Superprestige Diegem (Elite men results),
Superprestige Diegem (Elite women results),
Internationale Centrumcross van Surhuisterveen (Elite men results),
Internationale Centrumcross van Surhuisterveen (Elite women results),
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #5 (Elite men results),
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #5 (Elite women results),
GVA Trofee - GP Rouwmoer (Elite men results),
GVA Trofee - GP Rouwmoer (Elite women results),
Cycling Australia Madison National Championship (results),
More...

Pavé: Cyclocross Weekend Preview: Americans Abroad.

It’s that time of year again, we are a few weeks out from the various national championships, and a little over a month away from the world championships. More importantly, it’s Christmas time, which means an action-packed week of racing, beginning Friday, December 23rd and stretching into the new year.

A court in Belgium has ordered the holding company behind the former Predictor-Lotto team to pay almost €150,000 in compensation and back salary to Bjorn Leukemans after it was found that he had been illegally dismissed by the team in 2007.

Today's Quote

“Everyone has to follow the rules: riders, teams, anti-doping authorities, and the UCI. If those rules are bent or changed for any one party, the sport becomes unfair and unjust to the other parties. Our path in this case will be to follow the rules and legal regulations set out for us.” - Jonathan Vaughters VeloNation

Kaitlin Antonneau may only by 19 years old, but this season, she’s been on fire in the cyclocross world. Most recently, Antonneau scored her arguably best placing this season, coming in 10th in the World Cup race in Namur, Belgium last weekend.

"The Blue HR (Heart Rate) will communicate directly with the iPhone 4S and other Bluetooth Smart Ready devices, providing users with real-time heart rate readings on their smartphone."

"This week, What Mountain Bike's technical editor Justin Loretz shows you how to tune your bike's gears. When gear cables became frayed and worn they need replacing."

This one we've known about for a while; it was even on show at Eurobike.

Katie Compton (Rabobank-Giant) still tops the Elite Women’s UCI rankings with 1,900 points, with a 300-point lead on Marianne Vos (Nederland Bloeit) who moved up to second after dominating the race on the muddy slopes of the citadel in Namur.

Sven Nys - Remember that time a couple seasons ago when people were wondering if Sven Nys’s career was on its way down? Yeah. About that. Even Phillipe Gilbert could take How to Dominate lessons from Nys.

Affectionately dubbed "Panino" by his Italian soigneurs, Team Type 1 - Sanofi’s Will Dugan may be mad about sandwiches, but what he’d rather sink his teeth into are a few UCI race wins this upcoming season.

The list of reasons that the simple act of riding a bicycle continues to enchant, intoxicate, surprise, fulfill, improve, and challenge us goes, like a great road, on and on and on. Here are some of our favorites.

Japan is full of bicycles and kerin racing is huge, but Fumiyuki Beppu is one of only four Japanese road riders competing at the top level.

"The UCI is to appeal the Danish verdict that cleared Alex Rasmussen of a doping ban after three no shows. I groaned when I heard the news as it appears Rasmussen has a solid case. But thinking about it, perhaps some good can come of this appeal?"

"We don’t want you in your cycling kit, we want you as you are. He’s dressed in a grey jacket with the sleeves pushed up to reveal an expensive-looking watch, with a collarless white shirt and grey jeans tucked into the top of a smart part of black leather boots. The outfit is a bit too Miami Vice for my taste but it’s got just the right amount of an Eighties retro feel to fit seamlessly onto the pages of Esquire or GQ. He looks cool without being self-conscious."

Further confirmation of cycling’s growing importance in Britain.

Manx Missile picks up British sport's biggest end of year honour, Lucy Garner misses out.

Four fun exercises to help your kids become better cyclists.

This is not your typical coffee table cycling photo book. After Page 7 there is not a single photo of a bicycle. Or a bicycle race. Or any landscapes. Or even, come to think of it, any color. Every other page features a black-and-white portrait of a professional cyclist, a collection which has been described as the chronicle of a generation of riders.

The Test of Metal mountain bike race in British Columbia, Canada, will happen again in 2012 on Squamish's world-renowned trails. Set for June 16, 2012, the 67km point-to-point race has previously attracted elite racers such as Canadian Olympians Alison Sydor, Geoff Kabush, and Seamus McGrath, world champion Catharine Pendrel, as well as notable celebrities like Vancouver Canuck icon Trevor Linden.

"Despite having no real athletic experience, and having essentially learned to ride a bike only the year before, what I thought as I gazed on this scene of suffering was: I should try this."

Governing body not happy with rider being cleared unpunished.

The Daily Distraction.

Journey to a Dream, created by Nigel Dick, in association with Clif Bar, takes a look at the Garmin-Cervelo team, from how some of its riders entered the sport, right up until the current 2011 season.

In the last month, Bicycling Magazine senior writer Joe Lindsey, former US Postal rider Frankie Andreu and domestic rider Tom Zirbel have all issued their opinion on the case and the ramifications for the sport.

Bike company working on tactics to ensure future growth.

“The only time you’ve ever been called fast was by your prom date!” When the Luna rider couldn’t pull her results out of the pit, she started a campaign encouraging friends, fans, enemies and other riders to hit her with their hardest heckles, even offering prizes for the best Heckles.

The UCI has rules on “sticky bidons”, the practice of riders holding to a water bottle passed up from the team car for too long, thus getting a short tow from the vehicle. But now it seems the bottle itself is coming under regulation.

Giro d'Italia director, Michele Acquarone said that the wild card teams for the 2012 race will be announced earlier than normal. He wrote in his blog today that he and his staff will reveal on January 10 the four Professional Continental teams that will compete with the 18 WorldTour teams.

BikeRadar verdict: 4 out of 5 stars. "Mavic’s updated – non-Exalith – alloy Ksyrium tubulars are awesome wheels, but you pay the price for this."

"The guys at Freshbikes in Arlington, VA have posted some top-range rigs recently, and this is another example of product you may see on the sales floor when visiting their shop."

Slit front semi fitted crew neck tee Kangaroo pockets, contrast colored repair stitching, finely printed graphics front, rear and sleeves with "Live to Ride" badge on rear. Slub cotton jersey, enzyme-washed for that super-soft and worn feel.

VeloNation: Lars Boom - “Roubaix is my main target for 2012.”

Dutch champion admits he misses cyclocross, but six races this winter will help him prepare for next year’s Classics.

UCI Technical Coordinator Julien Carron issued a letter on Wednesday to manufacturers, teams, national federations and UCI commissaires clarifying the enforcement of their “level saddle rule,” Article 1.3.014. The letter also included notification of a brand new regulation, Article 1.3.024, which sets requirements for the positioning and dimensions of water bottles used during competition. VeloNews.com obtained a copy of the letter from Mr. Carron.

2011-2012 Cyclocross season action continues Friday with Superprestige Cyclocross at Diegem. Live streaming video: Elite Men: 7:30pm CET (1:30pm U.S. Eastern).

Katie Compton (Rabobank-Giant) still tops the Elite Women’s UCI rankings with 1,900 points, with a 300-point lead on Marianne Vos (Nederland Bloeit) who moved up to second after dominating the race on the muddy slopes of the citadel in Namur.

Sven Nys - Remember that time a couple seasons ago when people were wondering if Sven Nys’s career was on its way down? Yeah. About that. Even Phillipe Gilbert could take How to Dominate lessons from Nys.

Affectionately dubbed "Panino" by his Italian soigneurs, Team Type 1 - Sanofi’s Will Dugan may be mad about sandwiches, but what he’d rather sink his teeth into are a few UCI race wins this upcoming season.

The celebration of Cyclocross that comes every year in Belgium around Christmas and New Year's Day - the veritable avalanche of races to yuletide us over nearly into the Tour Down Under... if not quite to the CX worlds. Let's set the scene a bit.

The recent collapse of the Geox-TMC squad underscores a deeper malaise gripping Spanish cycling that sees dozens of professionals facing 2012 without contracts.

With 2012 set to be the year of the super-team, it's perhaps fitting that three of the main protagonists of the past 12 months will all be riding at the same team next year. So, what better way to get this 2011 review underway than through this BMC trident?

World champion vying to become third cyclist to win prestigious title.

Internationale Centrumcross van Surhuisterveen (Elite men results),
Internationale Centrumcross van Surhuisterveen (Elite women results),
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #5 (Elite men results),
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #5 (Elite women results),
GVA Trofee - GP Rouwmoer (Elite men results),
GVA Trofee - GP Rouwmoer (Elite women results),
Cycling Australia Madison National Championship (results),
More...

"Throughout the next couple of weeks, we'll be casting our eyes back over 2011 and taking a look at the best products, videos and moments of a monumental year."

"At the risk of sounding like one of those old farts who is constantly going on how things were better back when I was young. The pace of life was a lot slower then that is for sure, and these pictures verify that."

Photo submitted by Cristian, “Here we are at a rocky trail near the city of Carlos Paz, the whole route goes thru the edge of mountains, with a great view of the nearby towns.”

The Rime is effectively tongue-less, with the outside of the shoe wrapping over the inside.

Slit front semi fitted crew neck tee Kangaroo pockets, contrast colored repair stitching, finely printed graphics front, rear and sleeves with "Live to Ride" badge on rear. Slub cotton jersey, enzyme-washed for that super-soft and worn feel.

The 3T Ergonova Team Black handlebar is now available in an all black on black finish for 2012. A top level carbon bar with an egg shaped top bar for all day comfort. Ergonomic reach with a natural fit position between the brake hood and bar top.

Manx Missile picks up British sport's biggest end of year honour, Lucy Garner misses out.

"Despite having no real athletic experience, and having essentially learned to ride a bike only the year before, what I thought as I gazed on this scene of suffering was: I should try this."

Governing body not happy with rider being cleared unpunished.

"When the BB386EVO standard was introduced with the BH Ultralight, we could almost hear the collective sigh around another standard. But on paper, it offers a lot of flexibility in its implementation and does allow frame manufacturers some impressive additional real estate at the bottom bracket shell."

Traditional floodlit race pushed back to 7:30pm because of day change.

Zdenek Stybar wants to defend his cyclo-cross world championship title as well as put in a full season on the road. It isn't working, says his supervisor at Quick Step, Wilfried Peeters, who says it is time for the Czech to decide which discipline he wants to ride.

Bjarne Riis criticized the UCI points system for skewing the true worth of riders and forcing teams to pay over the odds in certain cases. While the Saxo Bank manager admitted that he was unable to secure all of his desired reinforcements on the transfer market, he is satisfied that his team has been strengthened.

BikeRadar verdict: 3.5 out of 5 stars. "Giant’s ‘halo’ cyclo-cross bike comes straight from the European race circuit, melding expert carbon construction with one of the highest bottom brackets we’ve ever ridden."

The debate over whether it’s OK to ride a bike and listen to music is at least as old as portable headphones. Surely, when some intrepid cyclist first took the opportunity to do both, a bystander was quick to lecture, admonishing him to remove the headphones and, while he was at it, to put on a helmet and eat his vegetables.

After years of trying, bicycle messengers in the French capital are making ground.

Chris White's Pegasus project, reduced to running in the form of a UCI Continental team V Australia in 2011, has ridden its last race with management resigned to not continuing beyond the current season.

The Daily Distraction.

Stick it on your car, your home, your roadside mailbox or the entrance to your business.

"I have raced bikes since I was a teenager, employed in the bike industry most of my adult life, and I can’t recall ever seeing a Viking bike in person. So it was a nice surprise to see a badge from the British company and it got me thinking."

UCI Technical Coordinator Julien Carron issued a letter on Wednesday to manufacturers, teams, national federations and UCI commissaires clarifying the enforcement of their “level saddle rule,” Article 1.3.014. The letter also included notification of a brand new regulation, Article 1.3.024, which sets requirements for the positioning and dimensions of water bottles used during competition. VeloNews.com obtained a copy of the letter from Mr. Carron.

Today's Quote

“Everyone has to follow the rules: riders, teams, anti-doping authorities, and the UCI. If those rules are bent or changed for any one party, the sport becomes unfair and unjust to the other parties. Our path in this case will be to follow the rules and legal regulations set out for us.” - Jonathan Vaughters VeloNation

If you associate riding your bike with warm fresh air and blue sky, the sport may end up as the bastard child of your training regimen. The solution to this annual dilemma is to learn to enjoy riding your bike indoors.

Darling of the French public after spending ten days in yellow at the Tour de France, Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) has admitted that tactical errors on the road to Alpe d’Huez cost him a place on the podium. While he insisted that winning the race outright was never possible, he was disappointed by the manner in which he lost the jersey and dropped to 4th on the final mountain stage.

Strong introduction to GPS cycling technology.

"The holidays are a perfect time to celebrate the gift of cyclocross, and what better way to whoop it up than to share some ’cross love with others? Our editors have reviewed, tested and hand-picked a plethora of last-minute gift suggestions. Today we bring you an array of nutrition products we’ve reviewed that might just be perfect for you or the cyclocrosser in your life."

Greenedge’s official address is in Victoria, Australia and at the address of Jayco, the caravan company owned by team patron Gerry Ryan. This is the only surprise amongst the top team in the UCI Pro Tour, all the others are registered in their home country

Coming to America: Dutch team Project 1T4i prepares for 2012 with a trip to the San Diego Wind Tunnel...

BikeRadar verdict: 4 out of 5 stars. "A great value, durable all-rounder. They fit easily and stay secure."

"Since the other sites are doing 2011 retrospectives, it seemed appropriate that The Cafe have one. It became clear that a year long photo essay was too much so instead Cyclocross gets first exposure."

2011 was a big year for Jayco Herald Sun Tour champion Nathan Haas, but it seems that next year is only going to be bigger and better.

Chris White's Pegasus project, reduced to running in the form of a UCI Continental team V Australia in 2011, has ridden its last race with management resigned to not continuing beyond the current season.

Team Liquigas have just finished their training camp in Sardinia; this bike from there belongs to American Timmy Duggan.

Alberto Contador is planning to take on the Volta ao Algarve and will face other top riders including Bradley Wiggins, Christopher Froome and Edvald Boasson Hagen from Team Sky. The Portuguese race this week announced the teams which will ride in its 38th edition from February 15 to 19.

As Alberto Contador fought back tears during an impassioned plea against doping accusations last February, his rivals were planning for a season which would eventually etch some of their names in cycling's history books.

The holidays are fast approaching and in Belgium that means a big two weeks of racing around the holidays. Superprestige action returns to the floodlight course in Diegem on Friday, December 23. The race takes place under the lights in the small town just outside of Brussels. In 2010, Niels Albert (BKCP-Powerplus) won the race on a course covered in snow.

Two video clips that are very different but both contain behind the scenes footage, one with a heavy metal loving soigneur and the other with Bradley Wiggins, a self-styled mod.

Ever since Italian shoemaker Geox pulled the plug on their team towards the end of October, team manager Mauro Gianetti and director Joxean Fernández Matxin have remained steadfastly upbeat about the prospects of finding a new backer. However, after contacting dozens of companies and getting some way down the road with the Venezuelan tourist board but failing to cement an agreement, Matxin has finally had to admit that there will be no successor to the Geox-TMC squad, in 2012 at least.

UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #5 (Elite men results),
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #5 (Elite women results),
GVA Trofee - GP Rouwmoer (Elite men results),
GVA Trofee - GP Rouwmoer (Elite women results),
Cycling Australia Madison National Championship (results),
More...

Norwegian Edvald Boasson Hagen has signed a new, three-year contract with Team Sky, taking him up to the end of the 2014 season with the British-based WorldTour outfit.

It’s Christmastime, and I am saying goodbye to a friend that has been with me for years, while somebody else will get to share the holidays with her. It’s not a breakup with a wife or girlfriend but with a unique bike that silently got me through muddy rides with almost zero maintenance afterward.

My focus has shifted to Yak Attack training – a 10 day stage race through the Annapurna region of Nepal that I’m doing in March!  It’s going to be amazing, and amazingly hard.  There are some stages that require hike-a-bike through snow where the air is thin, so I’ve been incorporating some hiking into my training as well and riding on the snow.

After years of trying, bicycle messengers in the French capital are making ground.

With a solid break in the North American schedule, the top American riders are spread out throughout the world right now preparing for nationals and worlds.

Specialized-lululemon rider’s Dare To Be Project aims to give hope to kids going through tough times.

Alberto Contador will learn his fate in the middle of January.  The Court of Arbitration for Sport is writing up its decision on his doping case, which will be announced next month.

Today's Quote

“I started talking with Greipel during the Tour de France this year and said, `Look, mate, I’ve had enough of being neglected by Sky. So I thought I’m going to be put to lead-out duties there anyway and I’d rather lead out a friend than lead out Mark Cavendish, especially after what Sky had put me through. So we started talks with Lotto.” - Greg Henderson VeloNews

The former British under 23 road race champion, twice British hill climb champion and Tour of the Pyrenees winner, Dan Fleeman has arrived at a conclusion.

Italian Alessandro Petacchi, despite turning 38 this January, says that he is ready to take on World Champion Mark Cavendish and his 17th professional season. The goal: punch the air in victory ahead of the rainbow jersey and win the Tour de France's green jersey for a second time.

BikeRadar verdict: 2 out of 5 stars. "Sound enough components but even budget wheels should be built better than this."

The other day I was reading about the French classical pianist Hélène Grimaud. Among today’s classical musicians, Grimaud is known as one “who does not fetishize refinement.” The phrase stuck with me.

Chipps off of Singletrack's hometown hoe-down now in its fourth year.

The Daily Distraction.

Movistar rider making strong return to health.

Team Type 1-Sanofi's original cause, a fight againt diabetes, has become more widespread since the US squad jumped to the Pro Continental level in 2010 and started racing more in Europe. Cyclingnews went behind the scenes to understand the daily life of an elite rider affected by this diabetes.

Omega Pharma-Quick Step is aiming to be cycling’s number one ranked team in the future but Patrick Lefevere is aware that such lofty ambitions will take time if the squad is going to rely on their existing talent and not just the cheque book of its major backer, Zdenek Bakala.

Plus, a couple of tips to help ease you back onto the bike come January.

FFC will mediate in dispute over important early-season race.

"So we were a little bummed when the Liquigas team no longer rode on Campy. Bummed because this meant that Cannondale would no longer offer a bike with Campagnolo on it. So……we decided that something must be done!"

Slit front semi fitted crew neck tee Kangaroo pockets, contrast colored repair stitching, finely printed graphics front, rear and sleeves with "Live to Ride" badge on rear. Slub cotton jersey, enzyme-washed for that super-soft and worn feel.

The holidays are a perfect time to celebrate the gift of cyclocross, and what better way to whoop it up than to share some ’cross love with others?

VecchioJo race tunes the off the shelf Specialized Crux cyclo-cross bike.

BSNYC: Slow Reveal - Synergize This.

Niels Albert made good on his promise to go hard and see what happens at the fourth round of the GVA Trophy in Essen. Albert’s move looked solid as he rode away from the field with Bart Wellens in tow. Only Sven Nys was able to come across the gap and join the two leaders.

"Last winter I picked seven young riders to watch in 2011. Forecasting is a mug’s game. Even the best computers and science struggles to get next weekend’s weather right so trying to judge who will win a bike race in six months’ time is more an exercise in projective storytelling than prediction."

Chris Horner (RadioShack-Nissan) has begun training a month earlier than usual as he prepares to make his return to competitive action following his heavy fall at the 2011 Tour de France.

Stuart O'Grady on the job for Leopard-Trek during the 2011 Vuelta.

Early start in final year of pro career.

UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #5 (Elite men results),
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #5 (Elite women results),
GVA Trofee - GP Rouwmoer (Elite men results),
GVA Trofee - GP Rouwmoer (Elite women results),
Cycling Australia Madison National Championship (results),
More...

Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-ISD) will target the points classification at the 2012 Tour de France and has admitted that he is likely to forgo the Giro d’Italia in order to reach July at the top of his form.

Today's Quote

“I started talking with Greipel during the Tour de France this year and said, `Look, mate, I’ve had enough of being neglected by Sky. So I thought I’m going to be put to lead-out duties there anyway and I’d rather lead out a friend than lead out Mark Cavendish, especially after what Sky had put me through. So we started talks with Lotto.” - Greg Henderson VeloNews

Despite appearances to the contrary, Sven Nys is not the only cyclocrosser on the planet. His foil for much of the past decade has been Bart Wellens, with an impressive palmares of 2x World Champion and 2x Belgian champion. Bart returned to form this past weekend with a stellar win at a horrendously muddy GP Essen for his first big win in two seasons.

"Gabby Day: I race cyclocross and mountain bikes. I ride for RENNER Custom CX Team in the winter and Scott MTB team in the summer."

After a history-making year when he won all three Ardennes Classics, the Velo d'Or and finished top of the UCI World Rankings, Philippe Gilbert has stepped up his preparations for the 2012 season away from the road by signing up with Belgian management company Golazo Sports.

The guys in brown shorts led by our favourite professional Nicolas Roche are carrying on with a bike brand we also have a soft spot for.

A Festive Red Brake Pad on a Diet.

"We hope that most readers find our reviews useful and don’t get sidetracked by details that are easy to change."

British Cycling asked the UCI the score on road disc brakes; what they got was a shrug.

Italian team manager believes CONI disciplinary action will end.

Opportunity for young riders to impress Saxo Bank boss.

"After a long season, Cyclingnews ventures into its video vault and dusts off some of the video highlights we've snapped up over the last 12 months. In this second part of our selection we look at back the Tour, the Worlds with Emma Pooley and Dan Martin shows us his 2011 trophy cabinet."

I'm not too sure what makes the recipe of this lotion from Reflect Sports better suited to protection of a woman's, erm, hoo ha, than most standard formulations of chamois cream, but it is marketed as 'formulated by women for women' in response to the female manufacturers' having only been able to find 'nut cream'.

Now’s the time in every cyclocross season when, even though the most important races loom large on the horizon, my body starts to wear down. I need more rest. The workouts seem harder. My legs ache more. I long for September and even October when I could leave work at four with enough daylight left for me to fit in a decent ride in the sun; sometimes even in shorts. These days I’m literally in the dark and the fun factor is gone. In short, motivation is at a premium.

BikeRadar verdict: 25 out of 5 stars. "Significantly lighter, without losing stiffness or costing much more, than X7s. Competitive with other £200 sets."

Italian still wants to shine in key events.

Race organiser intends to appeal over FFC’s cancellation of event.

"This is a piece of cycling gear that isn’t just an evolution in rain gear but raises the bar and changes the entire experience of riding in the rain."

"The warmers are all cut from Hincapie’s BodE Thermal Loft fabric. It’s unusually soft and seems to feature more loft than some materials I’ve worn, and it’s very stretchy so it’s easy to pull on. The Hincapie logo transferred onto the warmers is reflective."

The Daily Distraction.

BSNYC: Slow Reveal - Synergize This.

road.cc: "Ignorant and grotesque" - CTC blasts article on cyclists.

"The 2012 season is now less than four weeks away as the Tour Down Under starts on 15 January 2012. The race has grown on me over the years. Some label it a training race in the sunshine but if was only that it would be great as it marks the end of the winter off-season, we get to see the new kit and bikes abd with internet streams, the racing too."

Rider is well enough to make trans-Atlantic flight.

Small towns in Latin American countries—and the people that live in them—absolutely love both cycling and spectacle. They love a party, a parade, and any reason to be joyous.

The countdown continues with tips on buying your next bike, wheels and gear...

Tool for removing sealant from cyclocross tubulars at the end of the season.

Aluminium road bike with some high-end features and a solid 105 groupset.

"If Smith’s second generation Pivlock V2s were even a little bit better than the super-light, super-comfortable Pivlock V90s, then they’d be my new favorites.  After 6 hours’ riding (with hundreds more to come) there’s a lot here to like."

Slit front semi fitted crew neck tee Kangaroo pockets, contrast colored repair stitching, finely printed graphics front, rear and sleeves with "Live to Ride" badge on rear. Slub cotton jersey, enzyme-washed for that super-soft and worn feel.

Campagnolo showed off their new electronic group and Shimano is said to be rolling out 11-speed. One other component company is doing the same – SRAM.

"The past seven days have proven to be somewhat interesting in the world of cycling. Savio, Kolobnev, Klöden all with questionable activities made it “entertaining.” Onward we go to the pre-Christmas edition of the Best/Worst of the week."

McQuaid: Where should I aim?
Di Luca: I don’t care, just try to avoid your foot this time.

Taylor Phinney, who hopes to make the U.S. team for the London Olympics, is also interested in racing the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge. Father Davis Phinney says his son wouldn’t be a candidate for the overall title but has his eyes on the final time trial.

Italian chemical company adds support to new team of Rochelle Gilmore, Nicole Cooke and Fabiana Luperini.

New women's organization builds on folded HTC-Highroad squad in Olympic year.

UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #5 (Elite men results),
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #5 (Elite women results),
GVA Trofee - GP Rouwmoer (Elite men results),
GVA Trofee - GP Rouwmoer (Elite women results),
Cycling Australia Madison National Championship (results),
Vlaamse Druivenveldrit (Elite men results),
Vlaamse Druivenveldrit (Elite women results),
Exergy USGP of Cyclocross #8 (Elite men results),
Exergy USGP of Cyclocross #8 (Elite women results),
Scheldecross (Elite men results),
Scheldecross (Elite women results),
More...

McGee says Spaniard was ‘tearing everybody’s legs off’ at training camp.

"Speculation, speculation about the actual GreenEdge teamkit. This one was posted today by @singlespeedcam today and it’s the first one of an actual rider. It’s African champion Daniel Teklehaimanot on an actual Scott Foil team bike. This could be the real deal."

"'Maglia Rosa: Triumph and Tragedy at the Giro d'Italia' and my fave five of the books released in 2012."

Photo from the collection of Rustybicycle.

BikeRadar verdict: 4 out of 5 stars. "Very robust for minimal weight; airflow could be better."

Saturday's poor showing just “a bad day.”

Traditional French early-season stage race has not met the requirements of the French Federation.

Having just turned 25 years old, Goss is about to embark on a leadership role at nascent outfit GreenEdge — set to be the first Australian team to compete at the Tour de France — and most would agree that the two-wheeled world is his oyster.

Team full, rider still awaiting final outcome of doping case.

Philippe Gilbert added another title to his superlative 2011 season, as he was named Belgian athlete of the year for the third consecutive year. He has received numerous other awards, including the Velo d'Or, and Cyclingnews readers voted him both Male Road Rider and all-around Rider of the Year.

Project 1t4i – formerly known as Skil-Shimano – announced Felt as its bike sponsor back in September but we now have a first look at actual team bikes and livery, along with a more complete look at some of the rest of the equipment the riders will use in 2012 and beyond.

On a climb famed for breaking legs with extremely steep, sustained pitches, Team Sky got it wrong when it came to gearing for the climb up the Angliru at the 2011 Vuelta a España.

Slit front semi fitted crew neck tee Kangaroo pockets, contrast colored repair stitching, finely printed graphics front, rear and sleeves with "Live to Ride" badge on rear. Slub cotton jersey, enzyme-washed for that super-soft and worn feel.

Briton leaves Raleigh to pursue different career path.

Taliah Lempert is the artist behind Bicyclepaintings.com.

The Daily Distraction.

"The past seven days have proven to be somewhat interesting in the world of cycling. Savio, Kolobnev, Klöden all with questionable activities made it “entertaining.” Onward we go to the pre-Christmas edition of the Best/Worst of the week."

Today's Quote

“I started talking with Greipel during the Tour de France this year and said, `Look, mate, I’ve had enough of being neglected by Sky. So I thought I’m going to be put to lead-out duties there anyway and I’d rather lead out a friend than lead out Mark Cavendish, especially after what Sky had put me through. So we started talks with Lotto.” - Greg Henderson VeloNews

McQuaid: Where should I aim?
Di Luca: I don’t care, just try to avoid your foot this time.

"I found the Schleck brothers to be very friendly, humorous and nice guys, but maybe that is their problem? Maybe they should be harder; more aggression is what many people would like to see form the Luxembourgers. Nice guys maybe don’t win races, but I don’t think they will have many enemies."

Tim Johnson's cyclo-cross season has been unusual: normally by mid-December, the former US champion would have a dozen victories and top European results to his palmares, but until November 27 this year Johnson had gone winless.

Niels Albert (BKCP-Powerplus) astounded himself with his successful return to cyclo-cross racing this weekend following a one-month injury lay-off. “I had not really expected to be on the podium twice,” the Belgian national champion said.

Cyclo90 H.I.T. focuses on high intensity training, core strength and rapid fitness gains in a 90-day period. The workout videos are available either as a DVD or a download, and there’s a package that includes a written training program to follow for 90 days, at which point Street guarantees that the rider will be “stronger, leaner and more powerful on the bike.”

BikeRadar verdict: 4 out of 5 stars. "A superb do-it-all trail bike with great balance, communication and control despite dubious fork technology."

Gore adds an ultralight version of its RideOn Sealed Low Friction derailleur cable housing.

"They’ll offer quieter operation. We’re thinking it’s taking their claims of making a more aerodynamic group to extremes, but still super cool to see innovation taken to all corners of a group."

The rear derailleur has a custom pulley cage with relocated upper jockey wheel, and shifting is handled by Shimano’s remote pods.

Kannibaal takes attritional race as Kevin Pauwels struggles; Marianne Vos dominates women’s field once more.

Marianne Vos rode away from the field today in Namur, Belgium, looking unstoppable in her campaign for a fifth cyclocross World Championship. Yesterday’s GVa Trophy race in Essen brought the first true cyclocross conditions, seeing riders completely covered in mud by the end of the race.

UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #5 (Elite men results),
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #5 (Elite women results),
GVA Trofee - GP Rouwmoer (Elite men results),
GVA Trofee - GP Rouwmoer (Elite women results),
Cycling Australia Madison National Championship (results),
Vlaamse Druivenveldrit (Elite men results),
Vlaamse Druivenveldrit (Elite women results),
Exergy USGP of Cyclocross #8 (Elite men results),
Exergy USGP of Cyclocross #8 (Elite women results),
Scheldecross (Elite men results),
Scheldecross (Elite women results),
More...

2011-2012 Cyclocross season action continues Sunday with UCI Cyclocross World Cup at Namur, Belgium.

Things are going from bad to worse for Zdenek Stybar.  The cyclo-cross World champion finished14th in Saturday's GVA Trofee race in Essen, Belgium, nearly three and a half minutes behind winner Bart Wellens.

Safety a likely factor in decision.

Kannibaal of cyclocross sees dreams of Essen victory disappear in a penultimate lap mechanical.

Telenet-Fidea veteran well placed to take advantge of old adversary’s ill luck as the mud makes a welcome return.

Assuming the April 2010 empanelment date is right, the existing grand jury investigating Lance Armstrong could continue to work all the way up to April of 2012. So, we might hear of indictments being handed down some time in early 2012.

Faren Chemical Industries Spa, based in Solaro (Milan), a Company specializing in the field of chemical transformation has agreed to sponsor the Honda Cycles Kuota Women's team. The new team will include 13 riders, among whom is Welsh Olympic champion Nicole Cooke, Australian Rochelle Gilmore and Italian Fabiana Luperini.

Today's Quote

“One brother needs to say next year, ‘ok, I will go on the attack and you go on the counter-attack’ but this year, they rode like brothers. Each looked for the other, and this is not the right tactic. It was nice for the Schlecks to be second and third, but it’s not our goal to be third and second – we want to win.” - Andreas Klöden CyclingNews

"It's never too early to start looking forward to Vlaanderens Mooiste. PEZ joined Silence-Lotto pro and former Belgian TT champ Bert Roesems for a full-on day of chasing the Tour of Flanders across the countryside. Bert’s ridden the race many times knows all the short cuts – it was a chance to see the race like no other…"

Slit front semi fitted crew neck tee Kangaroo pockets, contrast colored repair stitching, finely printed graphics front, rear and sleeves with "Live to Ride" badge on rear. Slub cotton jersey, enzyme-washed for that super-soft and worn feel.

Australian businessman Gerry Ryan honors Tour de France champ.

Effective easy to use detailing brushes that make short work of grime busting but servicing a large and varied fleet of bikes could prove expensive.

Winning clubs were chosen for exhibiting excellence in several areas including race promotion, membership composition, instructional clinics and seminars, club activities, charity work, and race performance.

The Daily Distraction.

American BMC Racing Team riders look to 2012.

British racer rebuilds his atrophied muscles.

New documentary follows Schleck brothers and Leopard Trek to the Tour de France.

Lampre-ISD's cyclists have spoken out at their training camp about Michele Scarponi's plans for the 2012 Grand Tours, after team boss Giuseppe Saronni suggested that Scarponi could focus mainly on the Tour de France.

Garmin Cervelo's development team to give riders overseas experience.

The Technical Trials are best known for the incredibly light bicycles that constructeurs built in the 1940s. (The 1946 Alex Singer above weighs a little over 17 pounds fully equipped.) More importantly, the Trials advanced bicycle technology by serving as a test bed for new bikes and components.

"Anatomically placed at key points across your foot to provide maximum comfort and stability, the SLX’s straps produce a fit that feels as if your foot is being hugged by the shoe—not strapped into it. And in cases when I did feel the need to cinch down for even more support (before a climb or a town line sprint), the straps were easy to grab, pull, and refasten." Purchase the Giro Prolight Here.

2011-2012 Cyclocross season action continues Sunday with UCI Cyclocross World Cup at Namur, Belgium. Live streaming video: Elite Men: 3:00pm CET (9:00am U.S. Eastern).

Kannibaal of cyclocross sees dreams of Essen victory disappear in a penultimate lap mechanical.

Telenet-Fidea veteran well placed to take advantge of old adversary’s ill luck as the mud makes a welcome return.

GVA Trofee - GP Rouwmoer (Elite men results),
GVA Trofee - GP Rouwmoer (Elite women results),
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #5 (start list).
Vlaamse Druivenveldrit (Elite men results),
Vlaamse Druivenveldrit (Elite women results),
Exergy USGP of Cyclocross #8 (Elite men results),
Exergy USGP of Cyclocross #8 (Elite women results),
Scheldecross (Elite men results),
Scheldecross (Elite women results),
More...

Pauwels, Stybar, Nys, Albert, Wellens, Aernouts, Meeusen, Vantornout, Page...  2011-2012 Cyclocross season action continues Saturday with GVA Trophy Cyclocross - GP Rouwmoer at Essen. 

The UCI announced the 15 "endurance" (Olympic cross country) teams and 14 "gravity" (downhill and four cross) teams that will race with the "UCI Elite Mountain Bike" label in 2012.

Send your cyclocrosser off to work in style, with a bag or purse’s valuables fully protected by a layer of recycled inner tubes and bicycle tires. Santa Cruz, California’s Totally Tubular Design takes used tires and tubes and recycles them into fully functional, fashionable bags that showcase a cyclist’s favorite sport.

It's less than five months to the start of the 2012 Giro d'Italia in Herning, and the build-up to the corsa rosa continues to gather pace with the launch of the publicity campaign for the event billed as the world's toughest race in the world's most beautiful place.

Winning clubs were chosen for exhibiting excellence in several areas including race promotion, membership composition, instructional clinics and seminars, club activities, charity work, and race performance.

With the Giro d'Italia starting in Denmark in 2012, it is a natural magnet for Danish riders. Nicki Sorensen would like to ride it, too, but he is wiling to pass it up in favour of the Tour de France, where he wants to help Saxo Bank teammate Alberto Contador again claim the title.

Dutchman says he’d take career Vuelta victory over third in Tour.

Zoomable pics, 360-degree views, videos and more in app that has Stephen Fry raving.

"It's that time of year again where you'll be searching high and low for that perfect present for the road cyclist in your life. Here we've gathered together a selection of ideas that won't break the bank, making them perfect gifts or stocking fillers."

"Whether it's multi-tools, lights, clothing, handlebars, pumps or calendars, there should be something for everyone in our top 10."

Today's Quote

“One brother needs to say next year, ‘ok, I will go on the attack and you go on the counter-attack’ but this year, they rode like brothers. Each looked for the other, and this is not the right tactic. It was nice for the Schlecks to be second and third, but it’s not our goal to be third and second – we want to win.” - Andreas Klöden CyclingNews

Rudolf Scharping, the head of the German national cycling federation, touts the worlds success of various German athletes (including the artistic cyclists, which is awesome), in some sort of argument that German cycling is recovering from its brush with death.

The Daily Distraction.

Riders still in limbo as year end approaches.

It’s an endless saga. Ricardo Riccó writes on his Facebook he wants to ride again next year in GP Costa degli Etruschi (also known as GP Donoratico) on February 4, 2012 ((Europe Tour race – info by Velowire) with his Team Meridiana Kamen.

Slit front semi fitted crew neck tee Kangaroo pockets, contrast colored repair stitching, finely printed graphics front, rear and sleeves with "Live to Ride" badge on rear. Slub cotton jersey, enzyme-washed for that super-soft and worn feel.

The Technical Trials are best known for the incredibly light bicycles that constructeurs built in the 1940s. (The 1946 Alex Singer above weighs a little over 17 pounds fully equipped.) More importantly, the Trials advanced bicycle technology by serving as a test bed for new bikes and components.

Following the UCI's decision to eliminate four cross from the mountain bike World Cup circuit at the end of the 2011 season, the Four Cross Alliance has been working to ensure a new four cross series would exist for 2012. The new series will be known as the "4X Pro Tour" and will consist of five rounds in at least four countries.

Androni-Giocattoli general manager Gianni Savio has been acquitted of criminal wrongdoing after being accused of providing doping products to riders, his team announced Thursday.

"Anatomically placed at key points across your foot to provide maximum comfort and stability, the SLX’s straps produce a fit that feels as if your foot is being hugged by the shoe—not strapped into it. And in cases when I did feel the need to cinch down for even more support (before a climb or a town line sprint), the straps were easy to grab, pull, and refasten." Purchase the Giro Prolight Here.

Pauwels, Stybar, Nys, Albert, Wellens, Aernouts, Meeusen, Vantornout, Page...  2011-2012 Cyclocross season action continues Saturday with GVA Trophy Cyclocross - GP Rouwmoer at Essen. Live streaming video: Elite Men: 3:00pm CET (9:00am U.S. Eastern).

UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #5 (start list),
Vlaamse Druivenveldrit (Elite men results),
Vlaamse Druivenveldrit (Elite women results),
Exergy USGP of Cyclocross #8 (Elite men results),
Exergy USGP of Cyclocross #8 (Elite women results),
Scheldecross (Elite men results),
Scheldecross (Elite women results),
More...

After a one month break, round four of the GVA Trophy takes place in Essen, Belgium this Saturday. In the past nine years, only three riders have won this race: Sven Nys (5), Bart Wellens (3) and Niels Albert (1).

Namur, Belgium hosts the fifth round of the Word Cup this Sunday and is part of a series of firsts. This marks the first time Namur will host a World Cup round on its famous course. It’s also the first time a city in the Walloon region of Belgium has hosted a World Cup race. Finally, it will be the first time former Cyclocross World Champion, Lars Boom is in the starting grid this season.

“Our line-up of sports directors reflect a very important part of our approach to building this team: to gather experienced and talented people in the sport whose competences compliment each other,” said general manager Shaune Bannan.

Specialized-Lululemon manager excited to get the new team underway in 2012.

Briton talks about the possibility that his career is over.

A good tire pressure gauge is a must-have for any serious cyclocrosser. Regularly monitoring your tire pressure allows you to determine the ideal pressure for training and racing, and will help you set your pressure accurately come race day. Don’t trust your pump or your fingers.

Photo submitted by Chris Gardner or a recent ride through Swanson Park in Bellevue, NE.

Slit front semi fitted crew neck tee Kangaroo pockets, contrast colored repair stitching, finely printed graphics front, rear and sleeves with "Live to Ride" badge on rear. Slub cotton jersey, enzyme-washed for that super-soft and worn feel.

Rudolf Scharping, the head of the German national cycling federation, touts the worlds success of various German athletes (including the artistic cyclists, which is awesome), in some sort of argument that German cycling is recovering from its brush with death.

Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank) is set to take part in one of the more unusual engagements of his career in the New Year when he will receive his own weight in honey at a ceremony in the small town of Peñalver, to the east of Madrid. The town’s mayor.

Today's Quote

“One brother needs to say next year, ‘ok, I will go on the attack and you go on the counter-attack’ but this year, they rode like brothers. Each looked for the other, and this is not the right tactic. It was nice for the Schlecks to be second and third, but it’s not our goal to be third and second – we want to win.” - Andreas Klöden CyclingNews

For 2012, Specialized offers their Crux in five complete builds, two with disc and three with cantilevers, as well as two frameset options.

An excellent bike for the money. If you are looking for an all-rounder at this price, you'd be mad not to consider the CAAD10 seriously.

CyclingNews: BMC aiming for Tour de France and Classics.

BMC Racing Team has two objectives for the 2012 season:  to again win the Tour de France and to be competitive in the Classics.  Defending Tour champion Cadel Evans is poised to take care of the first objective, while newcomers Philippe Gilbert and Thor Hushovd will aim for the latter. The US-based team announced its final 26-man line-up Friday morning.

"We know of a number of major cyclists who have come back to ride from life-threatening illnesses, whether it be Lance Armstrong’s cancer or Alberto Contador’s brain aneurysm, but very few who struggle with potentially life-threatening diseases. Enter Phil Southerland and his story about how one very willful young man has overcome diabetes to live normal life - as a pro bike racer."

This is positively the most hideous team kit I have seen so far. It’s a French team called Armee de Terre and I reckon it’s an army team.

"Yes, here are four final photo-out-takes from the inspired and titillating Cyclepassion Calendar for 2012. Once again, Anke Wilken and mad-man German photographer Daniel Geiger have conjured up another twelve months of time-sensitive erotica with a bike racing raison d’etre. In other words, yes, a thousand times yes."

The Daily Distraction.

Androni-Giocattoli general manager Gianni Savio has been acquitted of criminal wrongdoing after being accused of providing doping products to riders, his team announced Thursday.

"We caught up with Kittel and his two Dutch teammates, Tom Veelers and Tom Stamsnijder, during two weeks of San Diego training and wind tunnel testing with their 2012 team, Project 1T4i. Part of the team is in San Diego while the rest of the squad — a continuation of 2011’s Skil-Shimano pro continental team — trains in Alicante, Spain."

Rumors have been surfacing about USAC no longer permitting dual-sanctioned events (where another sanctioning body runs some of the categories, as in the USGP in Bend, Oregon) as well as preventing officials from working for an independent sanctioning body in addition to USA Cycling.

The most sorry moment was obviously the loss of Wouter Weylandt during the Giro d’Italia. Any words about tragedy and loss just aren’t enough.

"Anatomically placed at key points across your foot to provide maximum comfort and stability, the SLX’s straps produce a fit that feels as if your foot is being hugged by the shoe—not strapped into it. And in cases when I did feel the need to cinch down for even more support (before a climb or a town line sprint), the straps were easy to grab, pull, and refasten." Purchase the Giro Prolight Here.

Giro's new Apeckx shoes offer a lot of performance and a quality fit for a modest amount of cash. BikeRadar verdict: 3.5 out of 5 stars. "Highly refined fit and a surprisingly stiff non-carbon sole at a good price."

"If a book makes a good stocking filler, a cycling book makes a great one. David Millar's eye-opening account of his descent into doping in Racing Through the Dark."

Figure out where you excel on the bike. Then take charge of your weaknesses.

French laws were not properly followed, rider cleared.

Doesn’t want to set specific goals for July race.

Vlaamse Druivenveldrit (Elite men results),
Vlaamse Druivenveldrit (Elite women results),
Exergy USGP of Cyclocross #8 (Elite men results),
Exergy USGP of Cyclocross #8 (Elite women results),
Scheldecross (Elite men results),
Scheldecross (Elite women results),
Exergy USGP of Cyclocross #7 (Elite men results),
Exergy USGP of Cyclocross #7 (Elite women results),
Australian Mountain Bike National Series - Thredbo (results),
Kingsport Cyclo-cross Cup (Elite men results),
Kingsport Cyclo-cross Cup (Elite women results),
Toi Toi Cup #7 (results),
Japanese Cyclo-cross National Championships (results),
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #4 (results),
More...

Robbie McEwen may not have left Rabobank on the best of terms in 1999, but he is backing compatriot Mark Renshaw in his first season as a number one sprinter with the Dutch team.

Sven Nys – A two-win weekend, albeit in smaller races, and Nys goes back on top of the Power Rankings. He’s having the kind of season that anybody else would kill for.

The Easton EA90 RT Tubeless Wheelset provides improved ride quality, better cornering traction, fewer flats. In other words, just a few reasons to consider making the jump to road tubeless. A 17.5-milimeter internal rim width provides an improved tire profile for added stability and even better flat resistance. The wheels feature sealed cartridge bearing R4 hubs, alloy freewheel and Sapim stainless spokes. As with all Easton wheels, the EA90 RT is entirely hand-built and acoustically tuned so it stays straight and true longer. $850.

First, SRAM put out a teaser video that showed enough to seriously whet our appetite for more. Now, they’ve released a very dark full group photo that gives glimpses of some details.

Patients in Royal Bournemouth hospital benefit from 30-minute sessions on the bike.

Photo submitted by Luciano, “Testing the Foes RS7 in Brazil. Hard to tune rear shock… but worth it.”

lululemon Run: Speed Short - $54.  Great for running, obviously, but I love them for yoga, weight training, general hanging out. ***Fast and Hot.

"Touching speeds of 80 km/h on the section before the descent before the worst happened...on the 2nd turn of the descent, he washed out and went down hard...well hard doesn't quite really describe it."

After three days on Corsica, race hits the mainland with team time trial in Nice.

A picture may be worth a thousand words but in some cases, a video is worth just that much more. Campagnolo has just posted a number of videos to its YouTube channel explaining several of the key features of its new Record EPS and Super Record EPS electronic groups to help people better understand some of the features behind the company's long-awaited debuts.

Without exact route details, it's hard to make definitive predictions on how things will shake out at the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge. But the three pro riders on hand at the event's host city celebration reception at the Tavern Downtown in Denver Tuesday night all agreed that no matter what organizers concoct for stages 1-6 of the week-long Colorado stage race, the final outcome wont be decided until conclusion of stage 7's time trial on August 27.

Slit front semi fitted crew neck tee Kangaroo pockets, contrast colored repair stitching, finely printed graphics front, rear and sleeves with "Live to Ride" badge on rear. Slub cotton jersey, enzyme-washed for that super-soft and worn feel.

What’s the meaning of life, why am I here on this earth, how to I thermo-regulate with the skillful use of base layers?  These are the great existential mysteries of life.

Pretty comfortable and lightweight for an entry-level road bike perch.

The news is out! The race will be held in Idaho over five days in May 2012. Preliminary info places the dates as May 24 through May 28.

BikeRumor: Moots x King Cage Blasted Titanium Water Bottle Cage.

Moots Cycles is offering a blasted titanium King Cage, which matches their frames perfectly. It’s $60, has a lifetime warranty and weighs in at just 28g. It’s handmade in Colorado from tubular 3/2.5 titanium and claims to not mark up your bottles.

The Daily Distraction.

The final racers who will represent the US at the track cycling events will be chosen from the pool of 11 women and 8 men by USA Cycling.

Bicycling: 2013 Mountain Bike Gear News and Rumors.

Andreas Klöden has welcomed the arrival of Andy and Fränk Schleck to the newly-merged RadioShack-Nissan squad, but warned that the Luxembourg duo will have to put fraternal loyalties aside in order to win the Tour de France.

Today's Quote

“One brother needs to say next year, ‘ok, I will go on the attack and you go on the counter-attack’ but this year, they rode like brothers. Each looked for the other, and this is not the right tactic. It was nice for the Schlecks to be second and third, but it’s not our goal to be third and second – we want to win.” - Andreas Klöden CyclingNews

What American builders—and consumers—seem to struggle to appreciate is that to most of the builders working in Europe up through the ’80s and ’90s is that the bicycle frame was a commodity rarely separated by more than paint and decals.

A roadie first, Chris Jones, of Team Rapha Focus, is no slouch at cross racing. Forced off his bike at the beginning of the cross season due to an injury sustained at the Tour of Britain, he came back strong in the latter part of the cross season.

The Garmin Edge 200 is in demand this Christmas.

The Specialized-lululemon women’s team has spent the past two weeks training together in Carlsbad, California. The event, which concludes on December 16th, has allowed the team to train, meet with sponsors and media, and show off their new team bikes and kits.

Inside a boxy building on the edge of of the San Diego airport, the disembodied voice of San Diego Low Speed Wind Tunnel engineer Steve Ryle fills a tube that surrounds Patrick Gretsch like a gleaming white cocoon.

The pesticides in conventional foods pollute our bodies--and can actually make us fat.

Giro debuted the new Aeon at this year’s Tour of Flanders. A cross between the Ionos and the Prolight, the Aeon is both lightweight and completely adjustable thanks to the inclusion of Giro’s Roc Loc 5 retention system.

In less than 20 minutes of coverage and interviews, Sky managed to succeed where so many media organizations have failed: they painted Cav in a unanimously favorable light.

Daniele Bennati feels that he has shouldered a disproportionate amount of the blame for his part in Italy’s disappointing world championships showing in Copenhagen in September. The Tuscan could only finish 14th after the Italian lead-out train derailed in a frenetic finale and faced stinging criticism in the aftermath.

"In part two of our interview with Rob Arnold attention turns to Australian cycling, sprinting through the years of ‘Oppy' and Mockridge, racing past Peiper and Anderson and looking at the role played in recent years by the Australian Institute of Sport and Heiko Salzwedel."

Jeremy Powers – With a two-for-two weekend even after coming off a post-Koksijde lull, Powers makes it five consecutive US Gran Prix victories, and his second overall win in the series. If he continues to build to Nationals, we’ll see him in stars and stripes – finally.

While David Millar has already indicated that he's "written off" representing Great Britain at another Olympic Games, his lifetime ban may still be lifted.

Vlaamse Druivenveldrit (Elite men results),
Vlaamse Druivenveldrit (Elite women results),
Exergy USGP of Cyclocross #8 (Elite men results),
Exergy USGP of Cyclocross #8 (Elite women results),
Scheldecross (Elite men results),
Scheldecross (Elite women results),
Exergy USGP of Cyclocross #7 (Elite men results),
Exergy USGP of Cyclocross #7 (Elite women results),
Australian Mountain Bike National Series - Thredbo (results),
Kingsport Cyclo-cross Cup (Elite men results),
Kingsport Cyclo-cross Cup (Elite women results),
Toi Toi Cup #7 (results),
Japanese Cyclo-cross National Championships (results),
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #4 (results),
More...

Brian is now 21 years old. When he was 15 he was one of the top junior darters around with a 17th spot at the Worlds. By the time he weighed 91kg (200 pounds) but he wanted something different.

The five-stage event has been confirmed by cycling's governing body as a 2.2 category race and is slated for May 2-6, 2012. It was a move originally planned for the 2011 season, but race organisers were forced to put their plans on hold due to a lack of funding.

"Welcome to the first of a new series on how to break into the cycling industry. Bikerumor was started because, well, I wanted to get into the industry. It’s a common dream amongst cyclists, and I won’t lie – It’s awesome. The people are fantastic, and everyone just loves bikes."

The Ergo 3 features a new version of SiDi's Vent Carbon sole, which the company says has been completely re-designed since the Ergo 2. The sole now features a closeable vent at the front, and is a claimed 38g lighter than the previous Carbon Lite sole despite being stiffer.

Saddle company backs squad of Pozzato, Gatto and Guardini.

As head of the newly-formed RadioShack-Nissan-Trek team, one of Johan Bruyneel's biggest tasks next season will be to stop Alberto Contador sweeping all before him. The 29-year-old Spaniard has won six Grand Tours already in his career and is widely recognised as the best rider of his generation.

The inevitable day has arrived and Armstrong has finally relinquished his crown to a worthy successor. The Texan proudly stated on more than a thousand occasions that he was “the most tested athlete in the world.”

"We left off the intriguing interview with Johan Bruyneel with the Schlecks and the possibility of Tour de France glory in 2012. We return to Bruyneel and close out the interview in style with his thoughts on last year's Tour, his motivation, and those firework topics: the UCI and the World Tour."

Rider issues statement on magazine’s claims.

Russian’s path to 2012 Tour de France outlined.

If Geox-TMC hadn’t folded this would have been the 2012 team kit. More or less the same as this year but slightly darker. Team manager Matxin published this design on Twitter Tuesday.

And another team kit for 2012. An Post Sean Kelly make it somewhat brighter with better sponsor readability this year.

Crew neck semi-fitted T with contrast colored stitching detail. Finely printed T shirt, front, rear & sleeve, "10 commandments of spin" badge and "Live to Ride" badge. Cotton elastane single jersey, enzyme-washed for that super-soft, worn feel.

Seven months have passed since our last pass through California, but happily much seems the same. Spending time in my home state has brought a familiar rhythm to our typical nomadic travels. Here the winter bared trees cast long shadows that pass quickly to silhouettes before slipping into long cold nights. The short days seem to require more discipline to fit in all the essentials, although on the up side, darkness at 5:00 makes for a better excuse to get in lots of sleep.

PEZ: Daily Distraction.

Current professional cyclist/soon to be team manager/road coach/future politician Alexandre Vinokourov took to Facebook today to add an additional declaration to his already ambitious future plans.

British world champion frustrated by doping slurs.

Today's Quote

"All the work that we have been doing in recent years is starting to pay off now. The biological passport is working very much as a deterrent, the no needles policy likewise. It helps to restore the credibility of cycling and change the culture of doping. Step by step, we go forward and any new methods to continue to improve the fight against doping, we'll continue to introduce." - Pat McQuaid CyclingWeekly

After a 2011 season he describes as "quite eventful and a quite successful", Dan Martin (Garmin-Cervélo) takes Cyclingnews behind the scenes at his Spanish home and shows off the cups and trophies he has won this year.

RBA's tips continue with flat tire fixes and pump buying advice...

Replacing a chain before it becomes severely worn saves wear and tear on more expensive components.

The proliferation of carbon rims has been and will continue to be a major catalyst for the move to disc brakes. Slight inconsistencies in layup can cause nasty pulsation, and both clinchers and tubulars have major issues with heat buildup. Wet weather can be terrifying.

The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) has requested a four-year suspension for Androni Giocattoli manager Gianni Savio for violations of article 2.8 of the WADA code, namely the administration or attempted administration of prohibited substances.

"Sources have reported that USA Cycling will no longer allow dual-sanctioned events, where Elite and series categories must hold a UCI or USAC license but other lower categories can be run under another sanctioning body, such as OBRA."

Danish rider still getting over bad crash in Israel.

Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) president Pat McQuaid has said that it may take a couple more years to restore the credibility of cycling after years of doping scandals have rocked the sport.

As head of the newly-formed RadioShack-Nissan-Trek team, one of Johan Bruyneel's biggest tasks next season will be to stop Alberto Contador sweeping all before him. The 29-year-old Spaniard has won six Grand Tours already in his career and is widely recognised as the best rider of his generation.

The paint is barely dry on his new BMC team bike but Tejay Van Garderen is already looking ahead to 2012 with his new team. The young American has pinpointed a number of targets for the year as he looks to assert himself as an GC contender in major stage races.

Vlaamse Druivenveldrit (Elite men results),
Vlaamse Druivenveldrit (Elite women results),
Exergy USGP of Cyclocross #8 (Elite men results),
Exergy USGP of Cyclocross #8 (Elite women results),
Scheldecross (Elite men results),
Scheldecross (Elite women results),
Exergy USGP of Cyclocross #7 (Elite men results),
Exergy USGP of Cyclocross #7 (Elite women results),
Australian Mountain Bike National Series - Thredbo (results),
Kingsport Cyclo-cross Cup (Elite men results),
Kingsport Cyclo-cross Cup (Elite women results),
Toi Toi Cup #7 (results),
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #4 (results),
More...

PodiumCafe: Offseason Capsule - Katusha Have a Plan, Yes?

Katusha want to be a top team and will spare no expense. Katusha are the Russian global cycling project, and will get more Russian whenever possible. Katusha are reloading under new management and have packed the roster with young kids. RIght?

"The bibs might lead to some awkward moments when the squad is introduced on a stage before a race."

Kate Bates doesn't want to turn her back on the bike, but her body is telling her to. As the London Olympic Games sit so agonisingly close on the horizon, the Australian stalwart of the track and road is announcing her retirement today, although it's not an easy decision.

Today's Quote

"All the work that we have been doing in recent years is starting to pay off now. The biological passport is working very much as a deterrent, the no needles policy likewise. It helps to restore the credibility of cycling and change the culture of doping. Step by step, we go forward and any new methods to continue to improve the fight against doping, we'll continue to introduce." - Pat McQuaid CyclingWeekly

Philippe Gilbert has been crowned Best Rider of the Year by Cyclingnews readers, earning over 50% of the votes cast. Always a consistent performer in recent years, the Belgian seemed to reach new levels in 2011, and his devastating accelerations on short, sharp slopes allowed him to reel off a series of victories remarkable in their quality as well as their quantity.

"We talk about Arnold's early life as a BMX bandit before turning to the topic of publishing: in Australia, Arnold is the publisher and editor of RIDE Cycling Review. He's also the man behind the words on LeTour.fr's live ticker and here shines a light on how the words we read at Tour time get to our screens. We also talk about doping."

If you’re a fan of Muscle Milk’s creamy texture and delicious flavors, their limited edition Egg Nog flavor won’t disappoint.

She's using skis and a kite too but that's her plan for January.

"I was inspired to make these shoes on my ride home one evening when I witnessed a beautiful woman riding in high-heels along Market Street in San Francisco."

Capo is known for their beautiful Italian style cycling apparel and the Padrone is their work of art and engineering.

Don't think you can get away with using a Garmin with these pedals – they're not ANT+ compatible, so you'll need a Polar CS500 or CS600X to read the data via Polar's proprietary WIND protocol. The whole Look-Polar setup is seriously light, with the pedals weighing 344g, the sensors 36g and the computer just 40g.

"Phew, that was a hectic weekend, wasn't it? Two cross races in Belgium, including Vlaamse Druivenveldrit, the "Mother of all cross races", paired with two exciting days of racing in the USGP series finale in Bend, Oregon. Sven Nys and Katie Compton cleaned up both days in Belgium. Across the Atlantic, Jeremy Powers and Katarina Nash did the same."

Race organiser hopes for Grand Tour winner's presence despite pending CAS.

Image issues and financial problems likely reason for ongoing drop in teams.

VeloNation: Colombia-Coldeportes jersey previewed in Bogota.

It’s a nice dark blue with the Colombian flag. The jersey has no frills. It’s nice and simple and I must say it has a retro feel to it.

While the world of bicycle polo will shed a single tear as they see their sport being taken to new levels of luxury, others will appreciate the hand crafted work involved in fabricating the toe straps, mallet, and leather bar wraps used by Intersection Magazine in this shoot with Louis Vuitton.

Seizure brought on by head injury highlights need for drivers to disclose conditions and accept consequences.

Along with Patrick Lefevere and Bjarne Riis, Johan Bruyneel must be one of the most successful team managers in the peloton. He has managed more Tour de France winners than any other. At the recent RadioShack training camp in Calpe in Spain, Johan sat down to talk, for a very long time, with about ten members of the press. Here are the unedited questions and answers from the man who has quite a lot to say on the subject of cycling...needless to say, some of it could be classed as controversial!

PEZ: Daily Distraction.

Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) president Pat McQuaid has said that it may take a couple more years to restore the credibility of cycling after years of doping scandals have rocked the sport.

Androni CIPI team director says he’s confident he’ll prove claims are false.

Opportunity given to rider’s legal team to respond.

World champ says cheats getting caught, while he and Dave Brailsford talk about next summers Tour and Olympics.

Allen Krughoff of Boulder, Colorado, is one of the “Working Men” of pro cyclocross who’s racked up a solid string of results this season. In addition to stomping stacked fields in Colorado, he finished fifth at the CXLA UCI weekend and has been knocking on the top 10 door at the USGPs.

Bianchi, a brand with loads of history. A beautiful brand that was not very much seen in the pro peloton anymore in recent years. Next year Vacansoleil-DCM will bring the brand back in the WorldTour-peloton with the Bianchi Oltre. The Procontinental teams Androni Giocatolli and Colombia-Coldeportes will cruise the roads on these beautiful Italian bikes too.

Crew neck semi-fitted T with contrast colored stitching detail. Finely printed T shirt, front, rear & sleeve, "10 commandments of spin" badge and "Live to Ride" badge. Cotton elastane single jersey, enzyme-washed for that super-soft, worn feel.

Details on the American component maker's top-end road-group overhaul.

Part Two features tips on bike fit advice and Shimano Di2 details...

Ever wonder what some of the world's elite female bikers look like under all the mud and their jerseys, helmets and sunglasses? A few of the fastest female bikers bare not quite all to show off their super fit bodies in the 2012 Cyclepassion calendar.

35-year-old proves that there’s life in the old dog yet with yet another double-winning weekend.

Contract signing would turn around previous tensions with team.

Vlaamse Druivenveldrit (Elite men results),
Vlaamse Druivenveldrit (Elite women results),
Exergy USGP of Cyclocross #8 (Elite men results),
Exergy USGP of Cyclocross #8 (Elite women results),
Scheldecross (Elite men results),
Scheldecross (Elite women results),
Exergy USGP of Cyclocross #7 (Elite men results),
Exergy USGP of Cyclocross #7 (Elite women results),
Australian Mountain Bike National Series - Thredbo (results),
Kingsport Cyclo-cross Cup (Elite men results),
Kingsport Cyclo-cross Cup (Elite women results),
Toi Toi Cup #7 (results),
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #4 (results),
More...

American Willow Rockwell (formerly Willow Koerber) will return to full time racing after getting married and having a child in December with husband Myles, with the goal of being selected to race for the USA at the 2012 London Olympics.

It’s a strange sight to see two tour de France winners spend the off-season wishing for help. Both Evans and Contador asked for a climber to back then in the mountains. Neither got their wish.

Today's Quote