Qatar’s not a big place, a peninsular about a hundred miles long and forty wide jutting northwards into the Persian Gulf from Saudi Arabia, so it takes some ingenuity to come up with enough stages to make a race.

What's one of the best ways to get business and government leaders to support bicycling? Convince them that bicycling brings dollars into their communities.

Belletti  - 'A light turned on inside of me.'

Danish Continental team may sign more riders.

Monsalve strengthens his race lead on shortened stage of race.

Team Movistar’s official presentation is Tuesday in Madrid, but Franco Pellizotti won’t be signing a late-hour contract with the Spanish team because his ongoing doping case remains unresolved.

How much is too much to expect for a young rider?

To volunteer, send your name and e-mail address to apdvolunteer@auburn.ca.gov.

Those who thought (and that includes me) that perhaps Stybar might have been distracted by the seemingly endless debate about whether he would stay with Fidea or go to QuickStep – as is the case - had grossly underestimated the champion’s powers of focus.

BikingBis: Ohio woman's inspirational recovery from bike collision.

What makes the story so inspirational is how Alison, and her husband, Tim, have faced the hardships together. What makes it so moving is that Tim was the physician on the med-evac helicopter called in to transport the unidentified bike crash victim from one hospital to another.

"Light, lots of shoe support and great action"

"Light and well equipped, with an agile, crisp ride. The tall, short fit and flex under power may spoil the package for some though"

Cycling Weekly is visiting the headquarters of cycle sport's governing body, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), this week.

American Pro Amy Dombroski just completed the 2011 World Championships, overcoming a tough first lap to ride into 26th place.

Giro d'Italia's best young rider keeps season goals steady. Saxo Bank-Sungard star Richie Porte believes that regardless of the outcome of the Alberto Contador doping case, his season's goals won't change significantly despite a possible change of role at the Tour de France to team captain..

Paul Kimmage interviewed Floyd Landis. Their 7 hour conversation was distilled into Kimmage's Sunday Times article published yesterday, meant for a general audience.

Today's Quote:

"If I had any reason to believe that the people running the sport really wanted to fix it, I may have said, 'If I wait long enough, I'll have my chance to win without doping.' But there was no scenario in my mind where I was ever going to get the chance to race the Tour de France and win clean. There was no good scenario. It was either cheat or get cheated. And I'd rather not be the guy getting cheated."  - Floyd Landis VeloNews

In his day as a skilled professional cyclist, Jonathan Vaughters was a climber, not a sprinter.

Former teammate hits out at Tour winner’s silence over previous doping affairs.

Alberto Contador has been determined to have Clenbuterol in his system. Clenbuterol is a banned substance. Contador is guilty of doping, right?

Two years ago tennis player Gasquet was cleared of doping after insisting that he had tested positive for a tiny quantity of cocaine because he had kissed a girl in a disco in Miami.

"Justified. As long as there are drugs, there should be punishment. Many cyclists are involved in drugs. So what kind of games are we expected to see? A cycling race or a medicine match...?"

Garmin-Cervélo rider would also welcome the UCI's biological passport.

Cuesta, who will turn 42 in June, landed a deal over the weekend with the Spanish pro continental team Caja Rural that will keep him the peloton through the 2011 season.

The USA CRITS Championship Series is on the rise in 2011. The series will roll out in Athens, Georgia, in April and will include ten men’s and eight women’s events, up from eight and five a year ago, respectively. Isaac Howe (Mountain Khakis-Jittery Joe’s) and Erica Allar (Vera Bradley Foundation) won the series overall titles in 2010.

Marianne Vos’ team now outfitted by Giessegi.

YehudaMoon: Flux and Why He Stays.

Interactive 2011 UCI Road Cycling Calendar listing all UCI road races and race official sites along with essential links to others sites such as ours. Lets call it the mothership dashboard.

Spanish team willing to sign in-limbo Italian should he be cleared to race.

Inventing is really easy. There are only four steps. The only problem is this: It’s not that easy.

Levi is ramping-up his training for 2011 season, but there have been some small setbacks recently, and it makes you wonder how much longer he wants to keep doing this.

It’s turning into a tradition: Our mid-winter sojourn to Europe. It’s a time to ride, to visit with great brands on their home turf, and to contemplate changes in the way we buy (and sell) to make Competitive Cyclist that much better for our core customer base.

Welcome to our new Monday feature. Feel like you missed something huge last week? Been asleep in a cave? Not up to date on all the happs? We are so totally on your team.

Former world hour record holder comes out, says denials led to mental problems.

Luz-Ardiden was last climbed in 2003 when Lance Armstrong sensationally crashed after catching his handlebars on a spectator’s bag strap.

Based on personal experience, I can tell you that some Americans are very troubled by us latino folk. They are particularly bothered by our northbound migratory patterns into the United States, and the possibility that we may take their jobs.

If you want some summer cycling fitness, it's time to try and get outside and ride.

Scherz, who spent much of the fall living near Philadelphia and racing for the Cyfac-Champion System team, earned a loyal following thanks to his gutsy racing and approachability off the bike, claiming a U23 title in the Mid-Atlantic Cyclocross series.

Well we've had a quick look round CORE bike and taken a bunch of spy shots. There's lots to tell you.

When you're given the opportunity to head off to sunnier climes for an afternoon's pedalling with the current king of the cobbled classics and this year's hot favourite for the Tour, there's not that much arm twisting required.

The series will again take place across five weekends throughout the British spring and summer.

Daniele Pietropolli (Lampre-ISD) wins the Giro della Provincia di Reggio Calabria as Manuel Belletti (Colnago-CSF Inox) takes the finale.

Jéremy Roy (FDJ) rode away with the GP La Marseillaise on Sunday in France to win the first one-day race of the 2011 European racing calendar.

Six years after capturing the Men Under 23 world title in Sankt-Wendel Zdenek Stybar (Telenet-Fidea) grabbed a second Elite men’s world title on the same course.

US men affected by punctures and crashes.

Jonathan Page, whose sponsorship situation for next year has been up in the air following the sale of his current title sponsor, Planet Bike, has a new deal from (almost) former Planet Bike owner Bob Downs to continue under a new banner.

I said yesterday I would be mildly surprised if a Belgian didn’t win today. I’m not now. Stybar made that look easy.

Rain-lashed stage ups the pressure on riders.

Robert Forster! That's a name we haven't heard in a while, but today we heard it loud and clear as the German took the top step of the podium in Jasin winning the 8th stage of the Tour de Langkawi.

Never mind that it was freezing cold and the season is long gone; crowds three to four deep lined one of Bristol's main shopping and nightlife streets last night to witness Red Bull's innovative take on hill climbing.

For racers in the southeast the red and black kits of the Hincapie Development squad have been a constant sight in the peloton.

Australian will begin season at Giro del Friuli on March 3.

The 23-year-old took off on the last lap leaving behind Katie Compton (USA) and Katherine Nash (Czech Republic), who were unable to match her burst of strength and speed.

The women’s race was pretty exciting. I’m not sure Katie Compton could have done much to stop that result. Vos rode pretty great the last lap and is a deserving Champion today.

Trek's bike fitting approach is all about getting a balance between your left and right hand sides on the bike and above all fitting the bike to you rather than you to the bike.

"Supple and fast but not tough enough for harsh winters."

Contador gets a big ban, Lance’s old mechanic comes swinging, Langkawi wrap and more...

The Zacoo 5 has a workshop length hose and is aimed more at shop mechanics who need to inflate tyres while a bike is on the workstand.

Steve Thomas chats with Libardo Nino, the 42-year-old Colombian climbing who is just two seconds out of the lead at the Tour de Langkawi.

K-Force is the name FSA give to their top-level race components and our 44cm (measured center to center) New Ergo model weighed in at 204g.

YehudaMoon: Works Everywhere Else, Why Not Here?

Family and friends. What kind of family we’re wondering, what kind of friends?

Pegasus riders convened for a team-bonding camp in Queensland, Australia, in late November. But once learning the team had been denied Pro Continental status in late December, the exodus to other teams began.

'No matter what, I will head to the Tour de France 100 percent prepared.'

Today's Quote:

“I think it's best at this time to go back to my family. I hope and I'm sure that I will be back with you here soon.”  - Alberto Contador CyclingNews

Spaniard returns home to his family. >

"A potentially great trail riding bike is let down by RockShox’s uninspiring, outdated and outclassed Dart fork."

Course, Vos out of Compton's control.

No track, Brit on road for London Olympics.

Czech will combine road with cyclo-cross.

Endura Racing's Alex Wetterhall gives us the second installment of how his Tour of San Luis went. We cover long breakaways, damn hot days and - facial hair.

Elite Women start at 11:00am CET (5:00am U.S. Eastern).
Elite Men start at 2:00pm CET (8:00am U.S. Eastern).

No TV quads allowed for Sunday's championship races.

Fifth win in a week for Farnese Vini.

Andrea Guardini (Farnese Vini-Neri Sottoli) won his fourth bunch sprint in the Tour de Langkawi.

The Netherlands’ Lars Van der Haar took the worlds Under-23 men’s title, charging to the line as teammate Mike Teunissen outsprinted the Czech Republic’s Karel Hnik to take second on a muddy and slippery course in St. Wendel, Germany.

American has to overcome flat front tire and crash.

France’s Clément Venturini led a three-up French sweep of the juniors’ men’s event at the 2011 world cyclocross championships in St. Wendel, Germany.

Pressure grows before Sunday's Elite Women's and Men's races.

After six days and 450km of racing in the Andes mountain range on the Chilean Patagonia, Jason Sager and Ben Sonntag are the winners of the 2011 TransAndes Challenge.

Pegasus Racing, which just six months ago aimed to become Australia’s first ProTour team, has been denied a Continental license, leaving more than a dozen riders without jobs.

Green Machine riders approach championship differently.

Evian, Perrier, Vittel, Volvic: France is famous for its mineral waters. Once sold as a tonic in pharmacies, bottled water has become a worldwide consumer phenomenon.

Today's Quote:

“Alberto has ten days to file an appeal. At the end of that time period, the Competition Committee will meet, look at his arguments and render its final decision. The Federation has not been the one that leaked the information, It can only have come from the environment of the athlete, but that is speculation.”  - Carlos Castano CyclingNews

Electric and eccentric, the Micro is imported from Nanjing, China, by Batribike, who say this is the lightest electric bike in the world and probably the smallest.

A slice of Belgian GOAT for a small price....

BAK rolls out for eight days from the Colorado to Missouri borders from June 4 -11. The route in western Kansas follows the old TransAmerica Bicycle Route, as I remember camping out or passing through these towns in 1984.

Kazakh leader wants to wear yellow jersey before ending his career.

YehudaMoon:  A Sign to Stop.

A one-year ban which many already see as too lenient may well be doubled, leaving only enforced retirement or a contract with Katusha as viable options for the three-(or-is-that-two?)-times Tour de France champion.

Italian star spends the evening before his season's first race with his fans at home near Modena.

Tour de France winner says he wants to be with his family and friends.

Somethings burning! It’s the Lance & Landis show, in a tour de force of dramatic storytelling.

Kreuziger and Vinokourov lead generation change at official presentation.

"Fast, solid, comfy and good value custom-built bike"

The Tour de ’Toona is one of only two cycling events in the country currently broadcast on nationwide network television, displaying the beauty of central Pennsylvania.

Simeli sells hand crocheted dress protectors that attach to the rear fender of Dutch-style city bikes via metal binder clips.

12 Simple but vital repairs you can master.

Junior Men start at 11:00am CET (5:00am U.S. Eastern). U23 Men start at 2:00pm CET (8:00am U.S. Eastern).

ProTour Council gets a new name.

The cycling union announced Friday that non-European events must invite their regions’ top teams. For the U.S., the region is the Americas, and this means three Colombian squads may earn invites to the U.S.’s biggest races, likely displacing some U.S. teams.

Stage 1 start time: Friday 11:00 CET (2:00 AM PST); Earliest delayed video: 22:30 CET (1:30 PM PST).

It's the cyclo-cross world championships this weekend. You know, lots of people shouldering their bikes, hopping over barriers and sliding around in the mud, all after a resplendent rainbow jersey.

21-year-old Farnese Vini-Neri sprinter has a near perfect record in his first full season.

Fast, mainly flat stage leads to a new wearer of the points jersey.

After giving up the stage three win on Wednesday to Javier Püschel and Simon Zahnd, Team Jamis teammates Jason Sager and Benjamin Sonntag won day four.

Garmin-Cervélo will bring some of its top riders to the Vuelta a Murcia in early March. Christian Vande Velde, Dave Zabriskie and Tom Danielson are three names on the team’s preliminary start list for the three-day Spanish tour set for March 4-6.

New women’s superteam starting the season with all its top riders.

Today's Quote:

“Alberto has ten days to file an appeal. At the end of that time period, the Competition Committee will meet, look at his arguments and render its final decision. The Federation has not been the one that leaked the information, It can only have come from the environment of the athlete, but that is speculation.”  - Carlos Castano CyclingNews

Is pro cycling sport or entertainment? Master of ceremonies Patrick O’Grady has the envelope.

Cycling Weekly presents the Proteams' jerseys to spot in the bunch this season, unflinchingly rates their design and points out who to look out for in their colors.

If you were one of the unfortunate ones who didn’t get to see the Tour Down Under and want a quick recap, I’ve thrown all the photos I have in my possession into one file. Over 2000 of them.

I just received the sad news this morning that former framebuilder Mike Melton passed away Wednesday, January 26th 2011.

Orbea just sent over images of their 2011 helmets, straight from Spain, and they’re beautiful…and beautifully odd looking in some cases.

The positive clenbuterol test of Tour de France winner Alberto Contador has consumed the cycling world since its announcement in September. While he’s never tested positive before, Contador’s career has been affected almost from its start by doping allegations — often against others.

Tour de France team time trial a possibility for American neo-pro.

Embattled Tour de France winner Alberto Contador was wiped from the record when his former Astana team staged its 2011 launch on Friday.

Veteran cyclist Alexandre Vinokourov has announced that 2011 will be his last season as a professional rider, but he is determined to wear the yellow jersey again at some stage in July.

Spanish cycling federation chief warns he could end up with longer ban.

Spared a big fine and with room to counter any punishment, Alberto cries "Unfair."

"The most difficult opponent will be Basso," Schleck told Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper. "He has the head, the legs, the experience. And this time, he's decided only to race the Tour."

Stybar will be joining Tom Boonen and the other top pros on the road in 2011.

“As Americans we get a lot of shit, complaining about the rankings. What did I get today, 15th, 16th?I’m ranked 15th in the world, perfect. I want better, I really want better.”

Following the general furore over the new approval protocol rushed in earlier this month, cycle racing's international governing body, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), has reduced its fees.

Is Trek finally developing an answer to Specialized's enormously successful Roubaix range?

Europe-shmeurope – sometimes the best rides are right outside your front door, all you gotta do is look.

With my first race completed, the season is now under way!

Meet Cyclingnews' newest blogger.

BikeRumor: Friday Roundup – Bicycle Bits and Pieces.

Geoff Proctor has been doing this Cyclocross thing for a long time.

Governing body makes approved sticker cheaper; A look at and what the teams are riding.

YehudaMoon: Progress is Overrated.

Headline: UCI rule could put Columbian teams in Amgen Tour of California. What?

If what Slipstream Sports is claiming is true — that Lowe and his legal advisor Martin Hardie threatened to blackmail the team for almost $700,000 — then not only has Lowe made a poor career move, but committed a crime that, in the U.S., carries a maximum sentence of one year imprisonment.

Today, there is only one cyclist on planet Earth, and he’s suspended.

Who really has the power in pro cycling? It’s an imprecise question. It yields some obtuse answer about the various parties involved, the UCI, the state federations, the Pro and Pro Continental teams, the sponsors and the race organizers. Assign percentages. Divide and debate.

Contador rather predictably proclaimed his innocence. "I have never doped," he said. "I consider myself a shining example. The only mistake I made was to eat meat without having it analyzed."

An angry Alberto Contador vows to fight against a doping ban and reasserted his claims of innocence against charges that he doped to win the 2010 Tour de France.

Rider plans to appeal whatever sanction is handed to him.

Saxo Bank-SunGard would have to change priorities at Tour.

Last fall students in the University of Cincinnati School Of Design’s Electric Assisted Bike class created a variety of e-bikes for the future. The class was to be a one-off offering, but the University is asking for more.

The biggest watchers of bike races are in France, Spain, Belgium, Italy and Switzerland are men aged over 60. And the second largest component of the audience? Women aged 35-55.

Battling tough roads, weather and competition, some of the strongest one day specialists in the world do battle for top honors at races like the Omloop Het Niewsblad, E3 Prijs Vlaanderen, the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix to name a few.

Even though his name is mentioned as one of the three favorites – with fellow Belgian Sven Nys (Landbouwkrediet) and defending World Champion Zdenek Stybar (Telenet-Fidea) of the Czech Republic – to win the rainbow stripes on Sunday, Albert does not feel stressed.

Not sure about what makes a 29er different? Cycling legend Ned Overend sat down with Singletrack.com’s Kurt Hoy recently to explain…

"As a frequent visitor of Peanut Butter & Co.’s storefront in the West Village, I am hardly new to the phenomenon that is Peanut Butter & Co."

The Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition (SCBC) and VeloStreet, owners of Levi Leipheimer’s King Ridge GranFondo, are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information regarding a hit and run during the 2010 event.

The Tour winner’s anti-doping case appears headed for the finish line. Or is it?

Andy Schleck doesn’t want that 2010 Tour de France title. He’s happy sticking with numero deux.

Cadel Evans likely will miss some of his traditional stomping grounds this spring in an all-out bid to win the 2011 Tour de France.

Christina Watches with new sponsor, director, but questionable for Tour of Denmark.

Today's Quote:

“Alberto has ten days to file an appeal. At the end of that time period, the Competition Committee will meet, look at his arguments and render its final decision. The Federation has not been the one that leaked the information, It can only have come from the environment of the athlete, but that is speculation.”  - Carlos Castano CyclingNews

Andre Greipel talked a big game heading into the 2011 season. Free from the enormous shadow of Mark Cavendish, Greipel headed to the Santos Tour Down Under last week hoping to become the first rider ever to win the overall three times.

Well, Nino Corredor (Le Tua) is center stage taking the yellow jersey of General Classification leader, and taking second place on the fifth stage of the Tour de Langkawi in style.

Famous for its tyres, the French manufacturer hit upon the idea of encouraging the growing class of motorists to travel with a series of tourist guides. This spurned the imperious restaurant guide, where chefs have killed themselves after unfavourable reviews. But there's also a series of maps.

12 days riding from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean and back, 1000 miles, and climbing 94000 feet. 2011 marks the 5th presentation of this marathon ride.

A series of qualifying races will be used by the new owners of the Leadville Trail 100 mountain bike race in addition to the traditional race lottery.

Here are a few pointers to help tweak your position to perfection.

If there’s one thing cyclists in northern climates know about winter is that if you can’t beat Mother Nature, you join her.

The Pro level Octane jersey has a form fit icon with means it’s made to tightly wrap professional cyclists racing across Spain, Italy and France.

Leopard Trek sport director Kim Andersen said a possible sanction of Alberto Contador won’t distract the team as it moves toward a run at the 2011 Tour de France.

Tour de France champion Alberto Contador feels he has been "unfairly punished" by his national federation, which has suspended him for one year for a positive doping test, his spokesman said Thursday.

One-year ban is “interim decision” and nothing yet confirmed.

The Tour de Langkawi is in full flight, but there is so much other news it’s a full EuroTrash Thursday. My “Top Story” for today concerns Mr. Armstrong and his ex-mechanic, there are the usual accusations, but it’s the Rock & Roll life style that caught my eye! Contador, Slipstream, Stybar and Bruyneel all make the headlines and we have a load of other important announcements.

“We note that this material is factually inaccurate and we reject the allegations made. “We look forward to resolving these issues as soon as possible without any further damage being done to cycling and people’s careers and reputations.”

RFEC president says sanction length not determined yet, but Tour title almost certainly gone.

I have a pretty bad taste left over from last week in Europe. The race in particular.

Has Sturmey Archer's S2 Kickshift hub, first released in 1966 but lately resurrected as another gearing option for the style-conscious fixed crowd.

The hit-and-run occurred at about 4:15 p.m. on Oct. 9 on the eastbound lane of Graton Road. The vehicle is described as a maroon, mid-1990's Ford Explorer.

I had grown up in Bogota, a city of 8 million, where nearly 80 miles of the biggest avenues are closed every single Sunday to car traffic.

The bike is built up with all the craziness from THM-Carbones, AX Lightness, Lightweight, and of course, Sram.

Jamie Wong originally gained notoriety as the first female professional cyclist on the Hong Kong National Track cycling team. More recently she gained further press and attention after a horrific crash at the Asian Games in Guangzhou.

Svenska Kugellagerfabriken (SKF) has been the leader in bearing technology since 1907. Today, SKF  is the largest bearing manufacturer in the world, and their bearings are used in Formula 1 racecars and other high-end applications.

YehudaMoon: Mechanical?

Former dope cheat welcomed for presentation of Tour de France's Pinerolo stage.

A reader wants to know why an unethical athlete would look to clenbuterol for performance-enhancement.

Now that evidence suggests the metabolites of plasticizers in Alberto Contador’s urine samples a reader wants to know if that’s proof of doping

The Spanish Cycling Federation really didn’t have many choices. Even though some media quotes suggest that certain members of the federation would have acted to protect Contador, it would have been suicidal for the federation to absolve him of any infraction.

The president of the Spanish Cycling Federation confirmed that Alberto Contador has been informed of a proposal that he be banned for one year. Juan Carlos Castano  emphasised that the ban was still only a proposal at this time, and mentioned that it had not been made public by the federation.

A proposal by Spanish cycling chiefs to ban Tour de France champion Alberto Contador for a year would spare him a 3.1-million-euro salary penalty, Spanish media said Thursday.

CAS schedules hearing date to decide on biological passport doping case.

No news yet on Mosquera case.

Six-time National Champion Jonathan Page (Planet Bike) is by far the most experienced US racer when it comes to competing on European soil.

Although the early-season Classics are still a few weeks away, the WorldTour (ProTour as was) teams have already raced the first event, the Tour Down Under, so it’s high time we took a look at the bikes they’re all riding this year.

BikeRadar: Vredestein Fortezza Quattro TriComp.

"Not the fastest or toughest on test, but a really good all-year tire"

The Gary Fisher Superfly Elite lives up to its name with professional grade components, a carbon frame and a set up that is ready for the racing circuit.

Elite Women’s race start: 2:00am PST, 5:00am EST.
Elite Men’s race start: 5:00am PST, 8:00am EST.

2010 Tour de France win hangs in the balance; has 10 days to appeal.

Japanese cyclist Takeaki Ayabe won Wednesday's mountainous fourth stage of the Tour of Langkawi..

Jason Sager and Benjamín Sonntag have taken a commanding lead after winning the first two stages of the TransAndes Challenge.

Hardman Voigt is almost twice the age as the World Tour's youngest rider, Guillaume Van Keirsbulck.

Another weekend of ups and downs for American cross racer Jonathan Page (Planet Bike). On Saturday, Page raced at the front and finished 5th Kasteelcross Zonnebeke but then bad luck, once again, at the Hoogerheide World Cup.

Van Garderen chimes in on the radio ban.

When Electra received a patent for its Flat Foot technology last summer, it put the industry on notice it would protect this patent.

The event, the fourth stop of USA Cycling’s 2011 Pro XCT cross-country series, will be held on April 30 and is the second year straight year for the event.

Portland, OR Elite racer Sue Butler is one of five women chosen to represent the US at Worlds this year.

Does the Boss need a good laugh?

The power of Facebook and the humble hash tag is being harnessed in the name of safer cycling through the #saveacyclist campaign.

TwistedSpoke: Spanish Federation gives Contador six months. Wait, half that.

The Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC) imposed a one-year ban on 2010 Tour de France winner Alberto Contador for his Clenbuterol positive, according to SPanish newspaper El Pais. The tainted steak defense did not go down well.

It was a bitter Andy Schleck who announced today that his best-buddy relationship with Alberto Contador is finished. At issue, the phony warm hug that wasn’t.

"The statement alleges Lowe and advisor Martin Hardie, who ran an anti-doping conference at the UCI road world championships in Geelong last year, "threatened to publicly expose certain information relating to Dr. Luis Garcia del Moral unless Slipstream acceded to their demands, which included a payment of €500,000 (AUD$686,261) to Trent"."

Dispute ramps up with claims of money demands and acceptance of team error.

Today's Quote:

"Pro cycling is killing itself slowly, with drugs, indecision and incompetence." - Robot RedKitePrayer

More than two and a half years after the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Alexander Kolobnev will finally receive his bronze medal.

"I’m telling you on no uncertain terms peloton is superior."

Before Worlds Tim talks about Red Bull, Full Time Cross and Nationals.

"It was remarkable to me how easy this book was to read, how well it flowed and kept my attention, given the amount of information is contained."

“I love it! Exactly the style and colors I would have chosen.”

Although the early-season Classics are still a few weeks away, the WorldTour (ProTour as was) teams have already raced the first WorldTour event, the Tour Down Under, so it’s high time we took a look at the bikes they’re all riding this year.

American Meredith Miller (CalGiant) was all smiles at the end of the Hoogerheide World Cup where she finished 12th. “Much better today, much better for my head.” she smiled right after crossing the finish line on Sunday.

YehudaMoon: Hatching Her Plan.

The saga with a former rider isn’t great for anyone involved.

Was their action merely an underhanded way of trying to get their athlete back on the bike as soon as possible?

Says Contador knows what he thinks of him.

Chinese professional cyclist Li Fuyu may get his two-year ban for testing positive for clenbuterol reduced to one year if Alberto Contador is handed a 12-month suspension from competition.

Reports of one year suspension appear to be premature.

Criminal court in Tarbes gives Spaniard suspended sentence.

Above is a map of France. Look closely - or click to enlarge -  and you'll see colored dots marking where riders from each of the four main French cycling teams are from.

 I have never replaced my saddle. Should I be replacing my saddle once in a while and, if so, how often (mileage) do you recommend?

Mavic and Garmin, Sidi and Liquigas team up, Chris Carmichael says "cashews"...

Classics star Tom Boonen and his Quick Step team will stay on Eddy Merckx  bikes for another season, but will upgrade to the company's all-new EMX-7 carbon flagship and the heavily revamped EMX-5, both with all the bells and whistles of other modern race machines.

The Pyrénées have broad, open views unobstructed by too many trees, but you may miss their shade when it’s 34C.

The 2011 World Cyclocross Championships are fast approaching, and the best racers from each country are putting in their last-minute preparations.

As a second year professional, Armstrong won the national championships  in 1993 when they were held in Philadelphia. What better way to bookend his cycling career than leaving as the national champion?

Continuing on the momentum of winning La Ruta de los Conquistadores last November in Costa Rica, Benjamin Sonntag’s duo team won stage one of the TransAndes Challenge on Monday.

Less than a week before the cyclocross world championships prospects for America’s elite women and men look perhaps as bright as they have ever been.

Belgian ProTeam finally snares Czech World cyclocross champion; to make ProTeam debut in May.

Marcel Kittel won the third stage of the Tour de Langkawi from Taiping to Sitiawan, but Andrea Guardini retained his overall lead.

Just when they seemed adrift, in both roster of riders and sponsors, Giuseppe Saronni's squad actually seems to have a plan. And not just any ol' plan, but a pretty smart one.

The Tour Down Under isn’t a race where companies typically showcase their new products and technology.

HTC's Gent-Wevelgem winner takes top honors.

We all know Lance, and he'll be around town in some form or another, popping up at international events and fund-raisers, so it's only farewell for now and not goodbye.

The event’s lawyer, in a letter sent to the cycling bodies Thursday, said their recent move allowing top teams at National Racing Calendar criteriums — but not at road races like Battenkill — is “exclusionary and monopolistic.”

Exciting new hairstyle or clever dope test evasion?

No certain plans for Armstrong to race cross country at his ranch.

Australian's immediate future up in the air.

Today's Quote:

"Pro cycling is killing itself slowly, with drugs, indecision and incompetence." - Robot RedKitePrayer

Famously there's a sign at the bottom of the Tourmalet that reads "pain". But these aren't clubs for sadists, nor warnings for cyclists, but bakeries.

Cyclocross Magazine is pleased to announce another round of Ask a Pro – where you, our readers, put your ’cross questions to the best in the mud.

Lake Cycling Shoes have been around a while longer than a lot of folks in North America might realize.

I’m Pat McQuaid, the President of UCI. As you are no doubt aware, the UCI’s mission is to improve every aspect of the cycling experience, through the medium of making it as bureaucratic and restrictive as possible.

YehudaMoon: Back to Back Commutes.

Tour de France winner Alberto Contador will reportedly face a one-year suspension as a result of his positive doping test at last year’s event, Spanish newspapers said Tuesday

It should be clear to everyone involved at this point, that the disciplinary process for rule-breaking riders is hopelessly slow, convoluted and ineffective.

"We continue to shake our heads at Lance Armstrong’s puzzling handling of the federal investigation into whether he doped."

South African Daryl Impey, who rode for RadioShack last year and had planned to join the troubled Pegasus team for 2011, has signed with Team MTN Qhubeka.

A race every weekend and each more intriguing than the previous, but how do you set your goals and expectations accordingly?

An ex-pro lets you in on four stupid--yet stupendously effective--ways to become super fit.

The number of searches for terms such as “road bike” and “mountain bike” provide a snapshot of two-wheeled trends which can now be tracked over the past six years.

"The toughest tire available that won’t turn your road bike into a tank."

BikingBis: Oklahoma bill would make Route 66 a "Historic Bike Trail."

Back in the Southern hemisphere for training and racing.

Teams must register to gain series points.

Before sending an open letter to the UCI last week saying the world’s top teams will resist this year’s extended ban on race radios, AIGCP (International Association of Professional Cycling Teams) president and Garmin-Cervélo team manager Jonathan Vaughters told VeloNews, “I think the AIGCP is a strong and functional unit right now, and I think this radio thing is the first test of the new AIGCP.”

Sky's Ben Swift took another major step in his young career last week at the Tour Down Under. He gave Sky its first win of the season with stage two. For good measure, he took a second one on the final day, enough to move into third overall.

Japanese rider crashes close to finish line.

Not so long ago, most endurance athletes – and their coaches – believed the only way to improve performance was to spend long hours grinding out the miles.

Rudy De Bie is confident that his riders will not ride against one another in St-Wendel this weekend.

Italian rider Andrea Guardini showed that his Stage 1 victory was well deserved when he took another impressive sprint victory in the Tour de Langkawi.

Classics winner torn between his sport and guarantees to his health.

Stuart O’Grady has vowed he will return to the Santos Tour Down Under after winning the most aggressive rider jersey on the sixth and final stage yesterday.

Slight increase on last year’s attendance for Australian WorldTour opener.

Ben Swift’s brace of stage wins in the Santos Tour Down Under last week have propelled Great Britain to second place in the new UCI WorldTour rankings, published today, with Australia topping the country standings.

Luke Roberts received the exposure he was searching for at the Tour Down Under but his immediate race future still remains in doubt.

Some 130 mountain bikers from 18 different countries will take on six days and 450km in Patagonian Argentina and Chile in the Andes Mountain Range.

Jens Voigt tells us about watching the birth of his daughter and preparing to start his 15th pro season with Leopard Trek.

Now that I’ve left Belgium, I want to come back. When it’s warmer and more bike friendly. I’ll probably fly back for the classics this spring, for a couple weeks.

"Although it may not be the most features packed road bike on the market, it is well built, hard wearing and great for anyone who wants to get serious about training and competing without breaking the bank in the process."

You’ve probably never heard of Robbert De Kock or the World Federation for the Sporting Goods Industry, but pay attention. As the secretary general of the WFSGI, De Kock may be the man to unite the cycling industry and give it real power in its dealings with the UCI.

Garmin-Cervelo riders told via conference call.

"I've had three outstanding and really enjoyable years with the boys from Slipstream and with all the movement in the focus for the team this year I reckon that my own efforts and momentum could be better directed elsewhere for this season."

‘A slap on the wrist is not enough; we acted in the only way that we felt was appropriate’.’

Today's Quote:

"I've spoken to Novitzky on the phone at length last year. The guy is described by people as the Elliott Ness of his area of law enforcement and if you've got him on your tail you're in big trouble.  He doesn't undertake things he isn't going to win. Those guys have a ridiculously high ratio of convictions - they don't undertake superfluous investigations and I don't think this is going to be a good outcome if you're Lance Armstrong." - Mike Anderson  BikeRadar

According to a tribute posted on the Timetrialling Forum, Mr Kenny, who was married with three children, should have left the UK last Wednesday to go on holiday in Tunisia.

Trebon relaxed before the start of the 2010 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships, where he'd finish second

Let me start off by saying, “phew, that’s just what I needed”. I’m talking about my result at the Hoogerheide World Cup yesterday, of course..

American Elite racer Amy Dombroski is in Europe preparing for the fast-approaching World Cyclocross Championships.

Interview with one of the Diadora-Pasta Zara-Manhattan team captains Shelley Olds - Usa Criterium and Pan American Road Champion, Giro Donne stage winner and Tour of New Zealand winner... more than just a field sprinter.

The Tour Down Under is a triumph of marketing over substance. Has the season-opener been hyped into something it isn’t?

The custom rear wheel contains a Bionx electric motor; the battery is internal to the frame and slung low near the bottom bracket

YehudaMoon: Daily Temptation.

Dekker himself is writing a little textbook on how to handle a doping suspension with honesty and humility.

A 3-foot passing bill has been tabled in the Washington state legislature  while a vote on one in Virginia is expected this week. Meanwhile, a bill in Oklahoma would impose fines for the existing 3-foot passing law there.

Alberto Contador rejoins his Saxo Bank-Sungard teammates this week with a training camp on Mallorca as he waits to hear word on his ongoing doping case.

Johan Bruyneel says there’s “nothing new” to the latest round of doping allegations leveled at Lance Armstrong, who raced his final international cycling event with Sunday’s conclusion at the Tour Down Under.

The UCI rocked the cycling industry in December when it announced that a new bicycle approval process would be implemented on January 1, 2011. The UCI later delayed the program by a month.

"Paris-Brest-Paris 1999 was a bit of an eye-opener for me."

Scientists continue debate on how to separate doping from meat contamination.

Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport reported after the raids that Italian police seized mobile telephones and a computer. US magazine Sports Illustrated, however, reported last week that police found performance-enhancing drugs. Popovych denied the allegations.

Dutchman comes back with his head held high.

Over thirty Americans competed in the race in Mol, Belgium.

This has already been tried so many times in the past, and failed miserably, mainly because it becomes an administrative nightmare, and the revenue generated doesn’t even begin to cover the cost of implementing such a plan.

Tifosi are a massive brand in the US – where they control about 30 percent of the cycling eyewear market.

From 1979 until he retired in 1984, Siachoque raced for the Perfumeria Yaneth team. Perfumeria Yaneth was a known money-laundering operation for one of Colombia's most infamous drug traffickers.

Belgian helmet brand Lazer unveiled a new retention system called Autofit which, as the name suggests, automatically adjusts to fit a rider’s head.

I was suffering a severe case of face freeze. My cheeks and jaw muscles felt like someone injected them with an icy syringe of novocaine. I couldn’t feel them move and had no control over them.

Marco Arriagada (Chile) secured the overall title at the Tour de San Luís after finishing safely in the bunch in Sunday’s seventh and final stage.

Vroom nailed it best: “It’s really tough news but on the other hand it gives me a lot of confidence in the Slipstream organization. It’s easy to take a tough stance when there are no consequences, it’s much more impressive when a team is willing to take a bullet to protect its philosophy and the cycling sport in general.”

There was only one certainty going into the final stage of the Tour Down Under; exciting racing. The majority attention focused on the looming GC battle for time bonuses between Matt Goss and Cameron Meyer, who were only separated by 8 seconds.

Andrea Guardini probably could not have hoped for a better start to his professional career as he scored an impressive sprint win in the opening stage of the Tour de Langkawi on Sunday.

This last week we’ve all been on this incredible high then all of a sudden the barricades are lifted, the streets become normal again, and we’re back at our lousy office jobs.

VeloNation: Tour Down Under Results....

'Scrawny' rider takes his first UCI stage race - by two seconds.

Catalonian bonks and crashes with 15 downhill kilometers remaining: "I was completely empty."

SBS: France takes three golds on Beijing track.

France closed out the UCI World Cup Track Cycling Classic in Beijing with more success, taking three gold medals including a second for Francois Pervis, winner of the one-kilometre time trial.

Carla's Circle will benefit fallen rider's family.

Today's Quote:

"I've spoken to Novitzky on the phone at length last year. The guy is described by people as the Elliott Ness of his area of law enforcement and if you've got him on your tail you're in big trouble.  He doesn't undertake things he isn't going to win. Those guys have a ridiculously high ratio of convictions - they don't undertake superfluous investigations and I don't think this is going to be a good outcome if you're Lance Armstrong." - Mike Anderson  BikeRadar

Jonathan Vaughters has admitted that he sacked Matt White from the Garmin Cervelo team after he sent a rider for a VO2 Max test in 2009 without consulting the team's medical staff.

Garmin’s Matt White, has been fired for violating a team rule concerning riders and outside medical care..

The 39-year-old American is still contracted to the RadioShack team, for whom he is scheduled to race in a number of multi-sport events. Armstrong's participation in mountain bike races or triathlons could be determined, however, by the outcome of a federal probe launched following allegations that he doped regularly while racing with US Postal in 1999-2004.

Sunday morning after the race yesterday hasn’t yielded any more insight . I blew it. I don’t usually have that many mental lapses in one race.

Young Kiwi sprinter shines in Beijing.

YehudaMoon: Joe's Off The Hook?.

Lance Armstrong and Australian cycling legend Robbie McEwen will today lead Queensland's largest charity bike ride in Brisbane.

BikingBis: Chris Horner launches Cascade Gran Fondo bike ride in Oregon.

Lance Armstrong has the Livestrong Challenge, Levi Leipheimer has the King Ridge Gran Fondo in Santa Rosa, and now Chris Horner is rolling out the Cascade Gran Fondo bicycle ride near his hometown of Bend, Oregon.

“Whatever happens, happens,” Mike Anderson said in an interview with New Zealand broadsheet the Sunday Star-Times when asked about the current federal investigation into Armstrong. ”What he may become is a symbol for decades of corruption in professional cycling.”

<Niels Albert wins the finale in Hoogerheide and clinches the World Cup title.

The overall win in the World Cup went to Sanne van Paassen (Brainwash), as Compton skipped two World Cup rounds.

Quick Step manager offered to buy 'cross team.

Australian World Champion lost a friend and coach of eight years.

Versus will be streaming Stage 6 LIVE (9:30pm U.S. Eastern). Sunday's (Saturday evening, U.S. time) Tour Down Under Stage 6, on the Adelaide City Council Street Circuit, starts at 1:15pm local time (9:45pm U.S. Eastern Saturday or 3:45am CET Sunday).

There will be live video, live radio and text feeds.

VeloNews: Garmin’s Matt White sees 2-horse race in finale of 2011 Santos Tour Down Under.

Garmin-Cervélo team manager Matthew White says the 2011 Santos Tour Down Under has come down to one of two men: his charge and current leader, Cameron Meyer, or Matthew Goss of HTC-HighRoad,

CyclingNews: Peeters gets his chance to shine in Zonnebeke....

American Jonathan Page finishes fifth as Rob Peeters wins the Kasteelcross Zonnebeke.

Eighteen-year-old Welshman Sam Harrison won the men's ominium at the Track World Cup in Beijing, China, on Saturday.

CyclingNews: Three-way battle for Tour Down Under glory.

Tondo and Movistar on track for their first overall victory of 2011.

Two days after Movistar gained its first win in its current guise at Argentina's Tour de San Luis, they have grabbed another victory, this time in Australia at the Santos Tour Down Under.

Today's Quote:

"I don't want to speak about the affair before it is concluded. But naturally, the fact that the Clenbuterol was found overshadows last year's Tour de France. Whether he is guilty or not, Contador has damaged us very much." - Pat McQuaid  CyclingNews

Fifth-placed Jonathan Page shows good form ahead of World Championships.

Trek's latest Superfly Elite 29" carbon hardtail gets a host of upgrades that yield a claimed 150g of weight savings.

South African hopes RadioShack has a future.

Sastre's points made up 20.5 per cent of team total.

50-54 US National Champ Steve Tilford took the Bronze.

It’s right at freezing and drizzling. The course is wet.

Too much success too soon made him feel invincible.

Dutch champion to trade 'cross bike for track in February.

New team bikes and kits have been on our minds.

Sports Illustrated has weighed in on Lance Armstrong and doping. Mostly re-harsh but with a few startling and disturbing — and damning — new allegations.

If you want to take a hot drink on your bike, this flask will do the job just fine.

YehudaMoon: The Framebuilder's Request.

Sprinters may have to work even harder for overall victory at the Tour Down Under in future years.

Could the idea of every bike being stickered in Switzerland seem normal to the Aigle-based governing body whilst looking bizarre to everyone else in the world?

Boardman Bikes are making a big push into the USA this year with sponsorship of the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling team and a new range of higher-end bikes.

The Fondo takes in thousands and thousands of dollars, but did you ever wonder where the money goes?

Willunga Hill never disappoints, and on Saturday, it lived up to its reputation once again.

Mauro Gianetti's famously neglected Geox-TMC squad received the first good news of its young tenure when it was granted one of the seven pro conti slots for the spring monument Milano-Sanremo.

Record number of exhibitors for growing show.

Less pressure for the Tour, no Giro on race program.

Belgian team manager wants Stybar at all costs.

Stage 5 start time: Saturday 11:00 CDT (Friday 4:30:00 PM PST).

The Tour Down Under departs at 11am local time (7:30pm U.S. Eastern or 1:30am CET).

Two days left, team will take fight to Meyer and other GC contenders.

After his shocking 130th place a few days ago and losses to arch rival Tyler Farrar, Cavendish blasted past the Garmin-Cervelo rider, hitting the gas and nabbing 98th place. A well-deserved victory over the off-form Farrar who straggled in at 105th place.

Leandro Messineo handed Argentina its first win on home roads at the Tour de San Luís in Friday’s summit finish to the Mirador del Sol.

The next few weeks are the most exciting weekends of racing of the season, with the World Cup finals in Hoogerheide, the Master’s World Championships in Mol, and the elite World Championships in Saint Wendel.

Total of seven invites handed out for 2011 season.

Tensions heat up after Frenchman claimed he was unfairly dismissed by team.

The 23-year-old’s efforts paid off as strong headwinds and a lack of collaboration in the peloton conspired to allow a run to the finish..

Controversial Vacansoleil rider Riccardo Riccò insists that he is older, wiser and most importantly riding clean as he prepares for the 2011 season which marks his re-entry to the top ranks of the peloton following his 20-month ban for doping.

What a stage! Australia’s fourth win of the TdU and has turned the race upside down.

"I race at 11:35 tomorrow morning. If I would have known the course and all the trouble involved in this, I might have to rethink doing it all over again."

No matter how you slice it, Liquigas are coming off their best year in... forever.

Andy Schleck says he doesn’t want to win the Tour de France by default if Alberto Contador is disqualified from the 2010 edition. He wants to beat him straight up on the roads of France.

Today's Quote:

"I don't want to speak about the affair before it is concluded. But naturally, the fact that the Clenbuterol was found overshadows last year's Tour de France. Whether he is guilty or not, Contador has damaged us very much." - Pat McQuaid  CyclingNews

A year of firsts for 19-year old Kaitie Antonneau. Her first season with Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld.com, her first Stars and Stripes on her first year as a U23 rider at US Cyclocross Nationals and this weekend her first World Cup followed by her first time at the Cyclocross World Championships.

Having gone under the knife yesterday to remove a plate from the collarbone he smashed during the Tour de France, Frank Schleck reports that he is recovering fine and expects to return to training in two day’s time.

The 18-year-old, from Walton-le-Dale, Lancashire, was the 2008 national youth circuit race champion and was due to join a French semi-professional team next month. He'd been tipped to take part in the 2012 Olympics.

She started racing at 3 years old, has ridden pretty much every kind of cycling you can imagine,

The more technically difficult jumps pose greater challenges to your hips, knees, and torso.

After just one hour in the saddle of his new prototype Boardman time trial bike, the 2010 runner-up to David Zabriskie at the U.S. national time trial championship proved his place amongst his new teammates Thursday with a podium ride against the clock at the Tour de San Luis.

Irish rider set to return to Tour de France, Vuelta a España in 2011.

Sky boss talks Cavendish and Blythe.

YehudaMoon: Longest Leg.

Sympathy for the devil? Patrick O’Grady muses on Floyd Landis’ past and future.

During a week in which cycling’s name has again been dragged through the mud, it is clear that the sport is still deep in denial about its problems.

Lance Armstrong, currently riding the final international race of his career in the Santos Tour Down Under, has been using his Twitter account to respond to fresh allegations of doping published on the website of American magazine Sports Illustrated.

Eisel has brought up a subject that many riders think about but few want to voice, namely that they are not well represented.

Cofidis manager disagrees with teams over protest at races, criticises Bruyneel.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Experts discounts HemAssist claims. The Associated Press queries experts on theories that HemAssist was used as a doping product: “I’m very skeptical,” says another of the scientists, Michel Audran at the University of Montpellier. The drug they tested, Hemopure, was “better than HemAssist and it didn’t improve performance,

Race organizer, Dieter Drake, ready to pursue legal action to allow top riders at one of America's most difficult races.

US Cyclocross Championship Silver Medalist Ryan Trebon sent out an ominous tweet earlier today.

What happens if you're a young Aussie pro, you get a contract with a UK team but it doesn't work out ?

In a departure from recent tradition, Christian Prudhomme released the list of Tour de France team invitations early. Twenty-two teams were on the list, the eighteen ProTeams and four wild cards, all French.

Belgian team presented with ambition to improve on an ordinary 2010 season.

"Comfortable custom bike for serious training or winter miles."

Friday's (Thursday evening, U.S. time) Tour Down Under Stage 4 departs Norwood at 11am local time (7:30pm U.S. Eastern Thursday or 1:30am CET Friday).

The Tour Down Under departs at 11am local time (7:30pm U.S. Eastern or 1:30am CET).

Why are the marquee sprinters at the Santos Tour Down Under not in winning form.

Cavendish, batterered and bruised from a crash towards the end of yesterday’s Stage 2, came home 12 minutes 29 seconds after the winner had crossed the line,

Australian talent continues to shine.

This year’s Tour Down Under is certainly upside down. What was hyped as a big name sprinter’s cage match has turned into a surprising battle between sprinters we don’t usually hear from.

Making tire molds continues to be an inexact art.

Twisted Spoke’s 15 year old son has a Playboy magazine hidden under the drawer with his socks and underwear. What a sucker. Little does he know dad has something far more erotic and enticing and completely bike-related under his bed.

Brian Robinson at 80 is the British Tour hero the sport hardly knew! Until now, with the long-awaited publication of his biography, "Brian Robinson - Pioneer".

"James Wilson brings us this great video of a shop doing what a shop does best: building great bikes and having fun while doing it."

"Lightweight tires, but not really quick or tough enough for the job."

The Spanish rider Antonio Menendez crosses the finish line/goal at the Vuelta A Guatemala sometime in the early 70s.

Too often, a traffic violation that causes only a crumpled fender with another car can cause death or serious injury to a vulnerable user -- someone on foot or on a bicycle. This bill aims to make motorists more careful around these folks.

Wagner, Olivier team up for both events.

Dutch ProContinental team hoping for Wild Card invites to Vuelta and Walloon Classics.

"For those of us who are cyclists and have young children, it’s natural that we should want to pass on our love of two wheels to our offspring."

The news that the four wild-card slots for this year’s Tour de France have been reserved for four French teams is not a huge shock. Unless, that is, your name is Denis Menchov, twice a podium finisher at the Tour, or Carlos Sastre, the 2008 winner.

The explanation is in the name: it is called the Tour de FRANCE, after all.

Paris-Nice squads also revealed.

TwistedSpoke: Geox snubbed again. No Tour, no Tirreno-Adriatico.

Geox, according to the marketing claims, is ‘the shoe that breathes.’ They must be gasping for breath at this point.

2008 Tour winner to stay at Geox-TMC and target the Giro d'Italia.

Today's Quote:

"I don't want to speak about the affair before it is concluded. But naturally, the fact that the Clenbuterol was found overshadows last year's Tour de France. Whether he is guilty or not, Contador has damaged us very much." - Pat McQuaid  CyclingNews

Rudy De Bie thinks that muddy track in St-Wendel makes his riders the favorites.

Halliday remains in a serious condition in the Royal Adelaide Hospital, with bleeding on her brain, facial injuries and a broken arm.

Women's team jet in to join ProTeam in Spain.

Michael Matthews. Hm, name rings a bell...

One of the fun things about the Tour Down Under is you can ride to watch many of the stages.

Entering its seventh year in 2011, the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah cycling race has been elevated by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) to one of the top three professional stage races for road cycling in North America.

"I was so thrilled to have a bicycle to ride that I went on on the course and rode."

Local teams get wild cards once more as Geox-TMC misses out on another race.

YehudaMoon: Kevlar's Ultimatum.

Sports Illustrated gives a possible name for such a potion—HemAssist.

Many of the charges being leveled against Lance Armstrong have been around for years. Have they ever been proven or disproven.

Reiterates need for fast decision in doping case.

Discussions on radio communication continue in France.

For me, the Tour Down Under  is a potentially great race. Australia is a sports mad country. It offers beautiful countryside and friendly people.

By some cosmic and comic irony, Floyd Landis retired from cycling on the same day Sports Illustrated dropped a piano on Lance Armstrong. Been a shit year for both of them: Landis out of work, Armstrong maybe out of alibis.

road.cc: Not approved! UCI forced to suspend controversial frame sticker program....

The UCI delays its bike labeling program by a month.

American Katie Compton (Planet Bike-Stevens) should enter the cyclocross world championships in St. Wendel, Germany, as the favorite next week, and her agent, Doug Eldridge, expects his rider to confirm her sponsorship for 2011 before mid-February.

Trek showed the Cronus CX, their first ever carbon fiber cyclo-cross bike at Interbike in 2010, but the model purposefully flew under the radar.

"I can honestly say it’s my chain product of choice for all conditions."

"Supposedly designed for wiping the grease off your hands when you're working on your bike whether at home or on the road, I'm proud to say that they work just as well on in-home bike grease."

UCI Continental team FUJI-CYCLINGTIME.com held its official presentation launch at the FUJI Bikes HQ in Taichung City, Taiwan recently. 2011 will be the team's first at  UCI Continental level.

Lee Waldman reflects on what makes us ’crossers separate from the rest of the herd.

HTC-Highroad captain also questions the work of the CPA.

Thursday's (Wednesday evening, U.S. time) Tour Down Under Stage 3 departs Unley at 11am local time (7:30pm U.S. Eastern Wednesday or 1:30am CET Thursday).

The Tour Down Under departs at 11am local time (7:30pm U.S. Eastern or 1:30am CET).

Farrar's hopes shattered by crash.  Riders affected in different ways by stage two crash.

Both Australian riders motivated to shine in WorldTour race.

Tour Down Under race director Mike Turtur angrily played down suggestions Wednesday that poor course planning caused a series of crashes during a dramatic second stage finale.

2011 Tour Down Under, Stage 2.

We got our sprint war as advertised in the Tour Down Under. It’s just not the stars we’d had in mind. No Cavendish, Farrar or Chicchi.

DeLuca breaks out the ghetto blaster. If only he had better taste in music. The last time I heard Black Box was in ’91 at highschool dances.

The question at hand being where the man purse fits into modern society.

To finish 7th on GC in the Tour of Utah  isn't a bad result by anyone's standard; but for an 18 year-old on restricted gears? - we thought it was pretty impressive too.

2011 Tour de San Luis (Argentina) runs from January 17-23.  There may be live streaming video.

Colombian moves into Tour de San Luis lead.

Going to team training camps is a very nice way to meet the riders and staff, there is not the same pressures that they get at a race, its more laid back and it’s like meeting up with old mates on their holidays.

American says testers are not remotely close to catching cheats.

HTC-Highroad rider hit by a truck in South Africa.

She earned a total of 19 national titles to become the most decorated rider in U.S. collegiate cycling history.

Talented young rider will be greatly missed.

The sporting world has gone ape-shit crazy over Sport’s Illustrated article on alleged doping by seven time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong.

Sky rider discusses Armstrong and Landis.

Today's Quote:

“You just never know but you just look at the way his [Floyd Landis] life has gone over the last five years and you think there’s one person who it would have been so easy to have just admitted it when it happened in 2006, come clean if he did do it and he would have been back racing in a professional team making pretty good money. It’s quite sad how his life has gone away, just dwindled away and now there’s all these claims and counter claims and it’s quite a sad story for him.” - Bradley Wiggins CyclingNews

Saxo Bank team manager defends Schleck Vuelta expulsion.

American looking forward to cobbled hills in April.

We all liked the new route so much we decided that we should do it that way every year.

Giant Manufacturing, the island’s top producer, finished the year up 17 percent.

Peter Post (l) with Tom Simpson (r) after winning the Brussels Six Day in 1965.

Strade Bianche! The Italian race over gravelled Tuscan roads goes off on 5 March 2011.

YehudaMoon: Finish Line Fantasy.

I suspect a lot of us aren't captivated by the latest revelations. A lot of us would just like to say... well, since I know he reads the Cafe, I'll speak directly to the man, the myth, the legend... Lance Armstrong.

RadioShack rider insists doping products were not found in his house.

A story from Sports Illustrated offers up new Armstrong allegations that cause a problem for Armstrong and his spokesman. 

The Case against Lance Armstrong.

Anti-doping scientist says he no longer has the data and thus can’t answer issues raised.

Fabiani calls Sports Illustrated story "old tired lies."

Balco founder admits he has doubts about multiple Tour de France winner’s past.

The bill if passed would make it illegal to carry children under six years old in a bike seat attached to a bicycle, or in a trailer towed behind a bicycle, under the penalty of a $90 fine.

Versus will provide live HD coverage of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California, which takes place from 15-22 May, including the first-ever mountain top stage finish atop Mt. Baldy.

Billed by Canyon as a 'breakaway bike', the Aeroad CF looks to fit the Belgian star's strong suits to a T.

The Tour Down Under departs at 11am local time (7:30pm U.S. Eastern or 1:30am CET).

Wednesday's (Tuesday evening, U.S. time) Tour Down Under Stage 2 departs Tailem Bend at 11am local time (7:30pm U.S. Eastern Tuesday or 1:30am CET Wednesday).

PodiumCafe: Santos TdU Stage 1 - New Greipel Beats Old Greipel?

Matt Goss  of HTC-Highroad seized the spotlight in Australia today, or yesterday, or maybe tomorrow, with his sprint victory in Stage 1 of the Santos Tour Down Under his second win in a couple days.

Sprint finish settles stage one in Angaston.

Robbie McEwen has called Matt Goss the ‘Summer Sensation’ after taking second at the 2011 Australian Road Title, winning two stages and the overall at this month’s Jayco Bay Criterium Series, along with Sunday’s pre race crit.

TwistedSpoke: Madiot suffering existential pain over lazy French riders.

Marc, we feel zee pain you feel in zee heart.

FDJ manager critical of UCI's ProTeam selection procedure.

Androni-Giocattoli rider outpaces home favorite Richeze.

While cyclists in New York City are up in arms about the suggestion that they should register their bikes and carry number plates, on the other side of the US in Oregon, some equally questionable legislation has been floated.

Strong local turnout led Southern California to convincing victory this past Sunday at the NorCal vs. SoCal Cyclocross Championships while Northern California riders claimed wins in the Elite Men’s and Women’s races.

Americans Ted King and Tim Duggan look assured of a shot at grand tour this season with Liquigas, but Franco Pellizotti will not be welcomed back to the team despite being cleared of his controversial ban for alleged abnormalities in his biological passport profile.

Australian cycling manager Shane Sutton has accused Jonathan Vaughters of being "pretty unprofessional" over the American's blunt warning to new team GreenEDGE.

The video is essentially a collection of outtakes involving Andy and Frank Schleck.

"She is suffering from bleeding and bruising of the brain among some other injuries including facial fractures."

Saxo Bank-Sungard manager not happy with Pedersen’s statements on possible ban.

A designer in the United States has devised a rear-view camera that can be fitted to a bicycle’s seatpost and records footage on a continuous ten-second loop.

Today's Quote:

"I leave knowing that I did my best and I don't need somebody to give me a plaque or give me a statue, it has been very good to me on a lot of levels, it has been a good ride." - Lance Armstrong eurosport

Showing an amazing turn of speed in the slightly uphill sprint into Angaston, Tyler Farrar nailed arch rival Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad).

Amy Dombroski has charged into, through and to the top of the US ’cross scene over the last few seasons.

Why it's one of the most important parts on your bike—and how to treat it that way.

Belgian men dominate nation rankings.

Looks like I’ll be heading to India with in mid February for the Mumbai Classic…2 days of racing in hot, crowded Mumbai.

Fabiani calls Sports Illustrated story "old tired lies."

Balco founder admits he has doubts about multiple Tour de France winner’s past.

YehudaMoon: Lung Helmet.

The NYPD's new commitment to enforce traffic laws as they apply to New York City's law-flouting cyclists is proceeding as absurdly and tokenistically as you might have expected.

Floyd Landis tells ESPN.com that he’s retiring for good from cycling, saying that he cannot find anyone to offer him a contract. “I’ve spent five years trying to get back to a place that I can never really go back to, and it’s causing more stress than is worth it,” he said.

There's an argument between the teams and the UCI over the use of race radios, with the UCI wanting to ban their use in every race bar the World Tour calendar during 2011 and in all races from 2012.

There's an argument between the teams and the UCI over the use of race radios, with the UCI wanting to ban their use in every race bar the World Tour calendar.

Former team only now informed of positive test.

One Continental team which has considerably increased its fire power is the team we knew as QIN in 2010; but which for 2011 will become Donckers Koffie – Jelly Belly.

You might remember a little under a year ago, Big Brother host Davina McCall riding from John O’Groats to Land’s End as part of David Walliams team of celebrities that raised more than £1 million for Sport Relief.

Tuesday's (Monday evening, U.S. time) Tour Down Under Stage 1 departs Mawson Lakes at 11am local time (7:30pm U.S. Eastern Monday or 1:30am CET Tuesday) and is expected at the finish in Angaston at around 2:29pm local (10:59pm U.S. Eastern Monday or 4:59am CET Tuesday).

Sprinters will have to earn victory.

World's best sprinters make their way to Australia.

VeloNews VIDEO: Mark Cavendish press conference.

The TDU is increasingly attracting media attention and riders alike. There are ways to attract more riders, to open the race up a bit and to make the battle for the overall even more of a scrap.

Hosking seals overall win.

Australian rider not happy with lack of balance between genders.

American Elite racer Amy Dombroski is in Europe preparing for the fast-approaching World Cyclocross Championships. Read on as she gives us a play-by-play of her experience at Sunday’s World Cup at Pont-Chateau.

With a number of riders capable of winning and no common enemy the top riders will likely race against one another.

Tim Johnson had an awesome ride in the World Cup yesterday finishing 12th, less than a minute back on the winner.

First lap mechanical ruins Pontchâteau race for British champion.

The Spanish daily, citing an unnamed source, is reporting that Tour de France owner ASO has already decided that Geox will not be invited to the 2011 edition, leaving 2008 champion Carlos Sastre and two-time podium finished Denis Menchov on the sidelines.

Andre Greipel and Mark Cavendish would make for terrible boxers. Unlike a heavyweight before a prize-title fight, the former teammates have said nothing of their rivalry ahead of the Tour Down Under that begins today.

The Hitec Products women's team had their team presentation. They took a picture! And sent us a press release! They will ride Scott Bikes, and if you embiggen the picture, you can see the team roster in the caption.

Today's Quote:

"I leave knowing that I did my best and I don't need somebody to give me a plaque or give me a statue, it has been very good to me on a lot of levels, it has been a good ride." - Lance Armstrong eurosport

Ever since the Di2 was introduced, there have been rumors flying (OK, make that wishes being aired) that the line-topping electronic groupset would beget a cheaper Ultegra version.

Project unveiled in Adelaide.

With the new LeMond Fitness Revolution trainer, you just might be seeing the former champ’s name cropping up in the tents around the course.

Manufacturer, UClear, claims that “Military Technology Solves Your Communication Problems.”

Garmin-Cervelo boss backs calls to keep race radios.

Ed Clancy  wants to send the Australians a reminder that Great Britain are the team pursuit squad to beat by laying down a fast time at the Manchester World Cup next month.

Artist Aaron Kuehn has recreated the bicycle as art, this time in typogram style, “drawing” each part as its name spelled out.

In the last few days, much has been made of the email  that was sent to Trek employees regarding the correct name of Andy Schleck's new team, and how the team's name should be stated in both written and spoken form.

Cycling teams association rejects the outlawing of transmitters “in the best interests of the sport”, while UCI claims the “future of the sport is at stake.”

"Both our main testers started riding seriously on racing bikes."

As the 2011 season begins, we're still wondering a bit about exactly how the 2010 season worked out.

Luxembourg rider without a contract since apparent heart attack

I marveled at the way Phil always responded in well-formed, complete sentences. At the way he treated each of the questions as if it were a really good question, and deserved a complete and considered answer.

YehudaMoon: No Riding Today.

Luís León Sánchez has denied reports in the Spanish daily El Mundo that he’s linked to the ongoing doping investigation dubbed “Operación Galgo” that’s centered on alleged activities by Dr. Eufemiano Fuentes.

With the sad news that Peter Post  had died on Friday in Amsterdam at the age of 77, cycling has lost one of the greatest personalities and talents the sport has ever known, both on and off the bike.

"We really liked what we saw of the Dedacciai range at Eurobike, including the mad Temerario."

Take-over bids and life approach that's less than zero...

Eric Ulrich told The New York Post that the proposal would help to identify cyclists involved in accidents, while also responding to concerns from sections of his Queens constituency who, he said, felt "intimidated" by cyclists.

Welcome to Part Two in our series on staying warm while riding in winter. Cyclingnewsasia journo Daniel Carruthers passes on a few more tips on staying warm that he picked up during the Rapha 500.

cyclingfans.com will have full, daily coverage of the 2011 Santos Tour Down Under including race photography, LIVE coverage options and video clips.

Battle between the sprinters in the Tour Down Under turning into a ''Mexican stand-off'' that could lead to the race being won by a renegade opportunist who attacks early.

Kevin Pauwels outduels World Cup leader Niels Albert in Pont-Château, France.

CyclingNews: Vos strongest in Pontchâteau....

Sanne Van Paassen takes over the lead of the UCI women’s World Cup as Marianne Vos wins round seven and Katie Compton sits it out.

Hosking wins women’s event to make it a day to remember for American ProTeam.

Defending champion not worried by missed opportunity in the Cancer Council Classic.

Today's Quote:

"I leave knowing that I did my best and I don't need somebody to give me a plaque or give me a statue, it has been very good to me on a lot of levels, it has been a good ride." - Lance Armstrong eurosport

Thousands of people have taken up cycling legend Lance Armstrong's Twitter appeal to join him in Adelaide for a fundraising ride in aid of Australia's flood victims.

Kopra scheduled for shuttle Discovery launch; injury may impact duties.

Garmin's Tyler Farrar is competing at his first Tour Down Under? The 2011 Garmin kit looks similar to Cervelo's kit last year and Team Sky's current kit.

Police started attaching GPS devices to three "bait" bikes in September 2010, placing the bait bikes among students' bikes around campus, some locked, some left unsecure - as college students often leave them, Zebedis said.

Very good frame and strong spec make for a fast and lively ride; impressive value for money.

Saxo Bank not happy with comment prior to RFEC decision.

YehudaMoon: Stock Issues.

German Leopard talks Tour, Cecchini and trust.

Spanish newspaper claims Rabobank rider had ties to Operacion Galgo.

Former national performance director, Shayne Bannan will announce tomorrow his part in team GreenEDGE Cycling.

Team boss Jonathan Vaughters has fired an early shot in the bidding war for Australia's best young cycling talent.

Olympic sprint gold medalist Victoria Pendelton stars in a new video where she gives her top tips for a healthy 2011.

Vuelta podium finisher planning to make his first start at Tour de France.

cyclingfans.com will have full, daily coverage of the 2011 Santos Tour Down Under including race photography, LIVE coverage options and video clips.

After a seemingly endless lull, it’s time for the first race of the UCI ProTour’s 2011 calendar: Australia’s Santos Tour Down Under.

Travis Livermon soloed to victory today in Tennessee’s late-season Kingsport Cyclocross Cup, stretching out a gap of almost 30 seconds over Alec Donahue who rode to second place.

Pozzato’s season start also confirmed.

HTC-High Road’s Mark Cavendish declined to be drawn into a pre-race verbal battle with sprint rival Andre Greipel on Saturday as the two prepared for a historic duel in Australia this week.

Problem is, every bloody January the place gets taken over by a mob o pooftah's from overseas with their slick hair and winter tans so I have to share the road with a mob of wogs wearing pink....streuth mate,

Ben Coates is an average guy who loves bikes. But he's taken that passion, and a far-from-average dose of natural talent, and used it to achieve a meteoric rise through the industry, culminating in his appointment as Trek's road team liaison.

Today's Quote:

"I leave knowing that I did my best and I don't need somebody to give me a plaque or give me a statue, it has been very good to me on a lot of levels, it has been a good ride." - Lance Armstrong eurosport

Lance's Aussie Swansong & The New Race Bike From Bianchi.

This might take awhile to melt. Bet this would be awesome to ride through!

Garmin-Cervelo manager considers legal action if riders approached early.

Good opportunity for European racing for 23 year old rider.

The race as a whole is not so hard (for the Pros) due to the topography so why come halfway around the world?

SuperMario expects a close battle between Cavendish and Greipel .

Team Sky's Geraint Thomas  reflects on his preparations for the new season, gives an insight into some of the things he's got up to off the bike over the winter, and reveals some of the glamorous - and not so glamorous - aspects of the jet-setting life of an international cyclist.

Geraint Thomas is ready for the Tour Down Under start tomorrow, though it may not show. The Welshman is as white as his British Champion's jersey despite the Adelaide sun.

Ravensthorpe Cycling Club in West Yorkshire is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year. The club has had four Olympians within its ranks, the first Briton to ride in the Tour de France as well as the first to win a stage.

In an open letter to the Cascade Bicycle Club's membership, seven members of the Board of Directors said they will offer their resignations after a newly elected board is in place.

Does the giant R stand for Retirement or lack of Restraint?

YehudaMoon: Icebeam.

Team tried to keep world champion’s injury secret as long as possible.

Rasmussen and thirteen others will race in 2011.

Had hoped to win another Tour de France.

Lance Armstrong said Saturday he was losing no sleep despite the threat of a federal investigation into alleged doping practices casting a cloud over his stunning career. “It has no effect on my life ─ zero,” said the American, who will wind down his 20-year cycling career with the Tour Down Under this week.

The nine-day Road World Championships award junior 17-18, U23 and elite road cycling and time trial world championships for both men and women. At stake is the rainbow jersey.

With the news on Friday that Peter Post had died in Amsterdam at the age of 77 the sport lost one of it’s Colossi.

The Osprey feels every bit the British gentleman's companion and will certainly fit right in on the lanes of Blighty.

Compton joins swimmer Ryan Lochte and ice dancing duo Meryl Davis and Charlie White as USOC December Athletes and Team of the Month. Compton also won the Twitter voting contest, collecting 22% of the votes.

Tour Down Under videos from multiple sources will be posted each day through the end of the race.

Melbourne might be 10 hours ahead of European time but a new Australian cycling team  is already a year ahead when it comes to planning for 2012. The team is going under the label of Green Edge Cycling, something The Inner Ring was first to reveal.

The Northeast is frozen over, the Southeast is experiencing ice storms and the biggest ’cross race of the year is on the horizon. On top of everything, there is team transfer news, new sponsor news and just general good times with this week’s edition of Pro Cyclocross Rumors and Rumblings.

Today's Quote:

"I leave knowing that I did my best and I don't need somebody to give me a plaque or give me a statue, it has been very good to me on a lot of levels, it has been a good ride." - Lance Armstrong eurosport

The stage in St. Wendel is set for the Americans as USA Cycling announced the elite men’s roster for the 2011 world cyclocross championships Friday.

The organizers of New York’s Tour of the Battenkill are withdrawing the event’s pro men’s race from the UCI calendar due to sponsor difficulties — and in response to USA Cycling’s decision to allow higher ranked teams to compete at National Racing Calendar criteriums, but not at NRC road races or stage races.

Last week the Cyclistes Professionels Associés (CPA) announced that it had canvassed opinions from the pro peloton, with some 344 riders from across Europe questioned on the matter. Only 40 backed the decision to ban radios, leaving the likes of Gilbert in the minority.

The traditional opening race of Spain’s racing calendar – the five-day Mallorca Challenge – will be saved after all and will run next month as scheduled.

Gone is the chance for a small team to impress with a strong start to the season, especially under the noses of ASO in Paris-Nice and the Criterium Internationale.

"Several surprises" amongst team invitations.

Although shortened from five to three days, the Vuelta a Murcia in Spain will see a top field for the race set for March 4-6.

Italian investigators have arrested two brothers in connection with the theft last November of a yellow jersey worn in the Tour de France by the ill-starred rider Marco Pantani on his way to winning the 1998 edition of the race.

The International Cycling Union (UCI) recently announced that the number of women's professional teams registered in 2011 will be 28, up one from last year.

"Ultimately I enjoy big companies, but I like the speed and excitement in decision making with smaller business - we can have a 5 minute meeting then go and make something happen!"

SteveTilford: Pros to ride Criteriums in the US....?

Tour of the Battenkill promoter Dieter Drake accused USAC of providing an unfair advantage to criteriums  in the U.S. by “allow(ing) criteriums access to Pro Continental Teams and ProTeams at NRC events while UCI-level races like Battenkill are restricted to just Pro Continental teams.”

"The U.S Postal Service spent $31.9 million to underwrite Lance Armstrong's pro cycling team during its glory years of 2001 to 2004, approximately 60 to 65 percent of the team's total budget."

Everybody knows how wild and crazy the French get.

"Friendly, super-smooth aero machine that inspires confidence when leaping up climbs or slicing through gusting winds"

Changes made to layout of Hell of the North Classic.

Our man in Spain; Alastair Hamilton normally reviews the La Vuelta a España route from his local bar, but this year those nice people of the Vuelta organisation have moved the presentation nearer his house so we sent him out to see what was going on in Alicante and the “2011 Vuelta a España”

Each month showcases an original podiuminsight photo and lists NRC and UCI races in Canada and the USA.

In the autumn of 2009 James Moss was still a surveyor and a ‘weekend warrior’ on the bike – within weeks he was a full time pro with Scotland’s Endura team, duelling with the Pro Tour squads in the Tour of the Mediterranean and Tour of Murcia.

A political refugee born in Cuba, he fled his native country when he was 13 and moved to Miami with his family to pursue the American Dream.

German André Greipel is back in Australia to win again at Tour Down Under  next week. He won three stages and the overall last year, but this year, whether he likes it or not, the attention is on his duel with former team-mate Mark Cavendish.

Don't be surprised if you hear the relatively unknown name of Angel Madrazo being chanted by Australian cycling fanatics throughout next week's Tour Down Under.

"Periodically, usually before an important race the cotter pins were driven out, making sure there was a block of wood under the crank arm."

A strengthening Korean team made their mark at Langkawi three years ago when Lee Won Jae won a stage, becoming only the fourth Asian rider to do so at the event.

Special Fitness-Themed Bonus Quesion: How do you get abs like this?

YehudaMoon: Guesswork.

You want us to pronounce it how?

Swiss team doctor talks about doping, health.

Can you explain the theory behind dry needle therapy? I’ve got a tendonitis issue in my knee and someone recommended it to me. Am I a good candidate? What are the ideal injuries for such a treatment, and lastly, is there any science.

Look closely at the photo above and you'll see a trend in pro clothing that hasn't been remarked upon as much.

BMC will sell complete bikes in the U.S. this year for the first time as the boutique Swiss brand looks to broaden its customer base and increase sales volume.

The New Amsterdam Bicycle Show: Benefiting Transportation Alternatives promises to dazzle attendees as much as The New York International Auto Show, which will end the same weekend that the bicycle show begins.

Don Walker’s North American Handmade Bicycle Show is the grand daddy of the growing number of shows. It’s still the biggest and best of them, and this year will be the biggest yet.

Cervélo is allowed to continue manufacturing its frames using the familiar seat tube design and in return Canyon gets the right to use certain Cervélo patents.

These machines are powerful – switch on the pedal-assist, the motor seemlessly kicks in and before you know it you're flying off down the road.

Bicycling: Out with the Old.

Here are 11 simple ways that routine maintenance and timely replacement will make your rides faster, smoother, safer and more fun.

Portland, OR Elite racer Sue Butler is one of five women  chosen to represent the US at Worlds this year.  Butler capped off a great year by taking fifth at Nationals after several strong showings in Europe.

Matthew Goss has acknowledged there may come a day when he and HTC-Highroad teammate Mark Cavendish come to blows.

The 20-year-old turned professional with Footon-Servetto last season, but had to do so with a Spanish racing licence in order to circumvent a rule designed to prevent Italian riders from racing in the pro ranks before the age of 21.

Lance Armstrong says he will not be expecting a ticker-tape farewell ahead of his latest swansong at the Tour Down Under this week.

Hammer’s coach and husband talks about new records and future targets.

2011 Six Days of Bremen track cycling runs from January 13-18.  There will be live streaming video.

I love hearing the mindset that the Swiss rider has to have in order to crank out a winning time.

The presence of three of the world's fastest riders - Mark Cavendish, Tyler Farrar and Andre Greipel - promises to take the 2011 edition of the Tour Down Under (January 18-23), Australia, to a new dimension.

Alexander Vinokourov won the 2010 edition while Damiano Cunego has won the race a record three times. Both are expected to be back for this year’s race.

Race director Jack Brennan said Wednesday that he had to pull the race from the international calendar of races this year because of lack of funding, which will make it a challenge to invite racers like Armstrong and others in the professional peloton.

Says there’s no difference to Di Luca situation; Texan had previously said he was racing for free.

If 2011 welcomes the Chinese year of the rabbit, for pro cyclists it looks like the year of the mountain goat.

Having dominated the national road titles, Australian cycling young guns Jack Bobridge and Cameron Meyer will happily ride as super-domestiques at the Tour Down Under.

"A supple tire with decent rolling performance, but it’s not all that tough"

Recently crowned Australian Criterium Champion Lauren Kitchen who, despite only being 20 years of age, has cemented herself as one of the promising stars of the future in Women's cycling.

VeloNation: Fuentes says he’s shocked by death of Alberto Leon.

Former mountain bike rider recently separated from his wife.

When PEZ asked former British road race champion Hamish Haynes who were the dominant force in Belgian racing in 2010, he had no hesitation in replying; 'Vacansoleil - if they're riding it's going to be a hard race.'

Louis Shih is the director of the Hong Kong based manufacturer of custom cycling kit and has a new professional cycling team.

Team Europcar climber looking to confirm 2010 results.

Classics feature on Briton's calendar.

The new Bontrager Oracle Helmet will protect the heads of the Schlecks, Cancellara, and a number of the world’s best athletes

We've tested a serious quantity of product on Cycling Weekly  magazine over the year. Here's the best of the best from 2010; all the products that were rated as a nine or ten. Buy any of the following and be sure to be getting class-leading kit.

Vaughters espoused some potentially groundbreaking ideas. In particular, he argued in favor of working with the Tour de France and other major races to secure long-term guaranteed invitations for the top-flite cycling squads.

Organizers of the Vuelta a Espana are till waiting to see if they should be mailing. Joaquin Rodriguez  of Katusha a check for third place And maybe sending around two podium girls to give him a few smooches. The champagne is unfortunately long gone.

The HTC-Columbia sprinter was given the Freedom of the Borough of Douglas, the island’s capital, in August 2008, the month after he won his first four Tour de France stages.

Fabiani not concerned by plasticizer test.

Keisse out of Bremen Six Days; UCI appeals Pellizotti case to CAS.

Katusha rider awaiting Spanish federation's verdict.

Today's Quote:

"I leave knowing that I did my best and I don't need somebody to give me a plaque or give me a statue, it has been very good to me on a lot of levels, it has been a good ride." - Lance Armstrong eurosport

Scottish round-the-world cyclist Mark Beaumont tells us about armed escorts, the kindness of strangers and his polar hero.

Tipping Point continues with a variety of equipment, training and nutrition advice.

Who says you can’t flood your house with sweat droplets in the winter? I actually *almost* enjoyed riding the trainer.

"Twenty years ago on a rainy May morning I lined up for a road race at the edge of the Berkshire Mountains. Plot spoiler: I had no idea what I was doing."

Andy Schleck has managed to retain most of his key support riders from last year with the move to the new Luxembourg-based Leopard Trek squad but in terms of equipment, virtually everything else has changed. 

After battling the UCI on its decision to ban radios in all but major events, Johan Bruyneel tells VeloNews that major changes are needed in the way important issues are decided in the sport.

Armstrong attributed his success to the pioneering of “a whole new approach to the sport. “We revolutionised the way people train, the way they build morale in the team, the way they preview the courses, the way they race, the way they sell the sport, the way they tell that story around the world.”

YehudaMoon: A Wrench is Not a Wrench.

New rules are coming that require anyone racing to have a frame that has been approved for use by the UCI. The manufacturer has to submit their wares to Switzerland for approval.

January isn't a massively pivotal time in the bike manufacturing calendar so there was plenty of stuff on show that we'd already seen at the back end of last year, but there's always new bits and pieces at every show, and this one is no exception.

An injured reader wants to know if it is “worth all the trouble to file a lawsuit.”

Lance Armstrong announced that he would personally donate $50,000 to the victims of the floods in Queensland in the north east of Australia.

Lance Armstrong is confident the future is bright for his Team RadioShack.

Jeremy Powers and Tim Johnson are set to lead the U.S. elite men’s team into the cyclocross world championships later this month in St. Wendel, Germany. USA Cycling will announce the final five-man squad following a selection committee meeting Friday morning, but the Cannondale Cyclocrossworld.com are both automatic selections.

A total of 28 UCI Women’s Teams are registered for the 2011 season, an increment of one compared to last year and include three from the United States, Diadora-Pasta Zara, HTC-High Road and TIBCO-To The Top and one from Canada, Juvederm-Specialized.

Wiggins riding a bike with graphics designed by Bob Thomson.

BikeRadar: Giant Trinity Advanced SL2.

"Super-sneaky, drag-defying tricks make this speed machine a stunning option for the experienced rider"

"I’ve came down to Austin a lot of times for a lot of years. But, I’ve never ridden MTB bikes here."

"I’m wondering if it isn’t time to revisit the model that we use in the US for Nationals. Bend was an excellent event, don’t misinterpret. I love the town, loved the course and even “loved” the weather, in the sense that it offered a challenge that we haven’t seen here in Colorado this year. But anything can be improved upon, and unless we continually examine what we’re doing, we run the risk of growing stale."

The 2010 Liège-Bastogne-Liège winner had an extremely successful year and gave his Kazakh Astana team plenty to cheer for.

Three series and several stand-alone mountain bike events featured.

New names added as the women’s sport builds up to London 2012.

The system, first proposed last year, is designed to ensure all bikes used in professional races adhere to the governing body's technical regulations. The stickers will have to be displayed on bikes used in road, track and cycle cross races.

Tour de France director keen to avoid another Landis-style case.

The SRAM Tour of the Gila has changed its plan to upgrade to UCI sanction for 2011 after the New Mexico stage race was unable to raise the necessary money to make the upgrade.

UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling has boosted its European pedigree with the signing of former Milram director sportif Vittorio Algeri to head the program’s operations on the continent.

Once again a Lees-McRae College alumnus has taken the next big step in their cycling career. Brent Bookwalter of Athens, Georgia and member of Team BMC is an alumna of this small college which continues to produce strong riders.

Shown are the 2011 season jerseys for the 18 "ProTeams" (WorldTour). 

Asked about his reaction to the Queensland floods Armstrong said something special should be done for the victims and he was considering ways in which to help.

Dan Patten was with Magnus Backstedt’s Magnus Maximus coffee team in 2009; grabbing a stage in a Swedish stage race and a top ten in the East Yorkshire Premier race in England – but the program perhaps wasn’t as solid as Dan had expected and for 2010 he decided to take his chances in Belgium.

I heard that half the sales at Mellow Johnny's were jerseys, etc. Doesn't surprise me after going there.

Jack Bobridge and Cameron Meyer have been announced to race the Professional Night Criterium in Singapore – both riders are Commonwealth Games Gold Medallists, and both riders will carry their form from this week’s Australian National Road Championships.

The 2011 Giant Factory Off-Road team boast a World Cup level roster for the coming season with the addition of key riders in both the downhill and cross-country disciplines.

In continuing its preparation toward its first season as a Pro Continental squad, the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team officially announced today that it has named Eric Greene as its U.S. Team Director and Vittorio Algeri as its European Team Director. Both individuals will report to Mike Tamayo, the Team’s General Manager and Directeur Sportif.

Good for the asking price but require regular overhaul.

CAS to rule on delicate Biological Passport case.

“There are a lot of guys ready to fill in his [Contador’s] shoes. In every sport, some big stars have left and the sport has not suffered from it.”

Today's Quote:

“Until you've lost your reputation, you never realize what a burden it was." - Margaret Mitchell QuotationsPage

Britain's David Millar believes the 2011 Vuelta a Espana's route could easily catch out the unwary as it heads into some of the most remote areas of the country.

Exciting route announced for Spanish Grand Tour.

Three days down, three days to go. Out of the mountains, into the wide open spaces of eastern California, as we head ever further southward, straight for Death Valley, and beyond that, our ultimate destination, the glittering, surreal oasis of Las Vegas.

Peter Yates died on Sunday. You might not know the name, but you'll recognize the name of one of the movies he directed -- "Breaking Away."

The ability to ride a bike can be lost and now medical researchers in Holland have come to understand that where Parkinson's Disease is concerned, an inability to ride can indicate whether a sufferer has the typical or atypical form of the disease.

Return with us to the thrilling days of October, and Levi Leipheimer's King Ridge GranFondo. He told us then, and we passed along to y'all, that he was wearing his team's 2011 kit. We even showed you pictures, waaaaay back in October. But no one seemed to notice. No one seemed to care.

Video: Red and white look gets the nod for Down Under debut.

Campy stands for more than just eleven speed drivetrains these days.

Riders protest poor road conditions.

"We turn the conversation to the business of cycling and focus on the nuts and bolts of running a top level cycling team. Here, we talk about keeping sponsors happy and maintaining Garmin-Cervélo's anti-doping program."

"I was surprised that many commenters disparaged Liz Hatch's latest "edit," in which she's pursued by the world's second-oldest bicycle racing team (after Team Radio Shack of course, whose average age is greater than that of the US Senate)."

YehudaMoon: Rival is Infested.

First, I’m very interested in what goes on behind the scenes in the booth when Phil and Paul are watching a bike race.

It seems to me there is a basic human instinct to create, and by creating we affect the lives of others.

The cheats will simply shop around for alternative pouches to store blood or even revert to the retro practice of in vitro storage, ie glass bottles.

Ex-rider was only 27 years old.

Continuing in 2011 in Kuala Lumpur is the The message that Le Tour de Langkawi only wants true champions and the partnership with Bike Pure will remain as important as ever.

Trek – along with clothing sponsors Craft – not only had to finalize the design for the bikes, kits and helmets but also build, paint and deliver those items in less than 10 days, along with all of the marketing material and essentially much of the image and identity of the team itself.

Coach Paulo Sousa is only days away from the first training camp with his new Elite Triathlete Squad in Las Cruces, NM. The outspoken Portuguese is stepping up to coaching full-time.

"Effective internet-based recovery monitor to help optimise your training "

South African mountain biker to miss season opener.

USA Cycling will announce Wednesday the hiring of former Cervélo Test Team director Marcello Albasini’s Alba Radsport firm to manage the national U23 development program.

And the economy continues to impact bike racing in North America.

The secret to losing weight and riding better begins with eating the right breakfast.

The bikes in the Jamis range seem to have plenty going for them but one of the most obvious plus points is value: this looks like a lot of bike for the money.

Scottish rider believes British team is on course.