The Cycling Thread

[Rick Danger]

Welcome.

Believe it or not, during a "lull" in the "The NFL and NBA thread", the thought of starting a Cycling related thread was kicked around. So, why not ?

Rules ? That's a tough question. News concerning professional and Olympic cycling at all levels is good. No snobbery: roadies, mountain bikers, cyclocross, track, all are welcome. Topics concerning recreational cycling at all levels are cool too, whether you're an experienced biker or someone who's looking for advice how to get started.

Oh, since there's already a thread "Chicks and Bicycles", posts of sexy models on bikes should be submitted there. If your post concerns women who are cyclists these are welcome here !

I'll probably start a few polls, once I get some help how to do that. In the meantime, I'll get started with some news items and just see how this thread goes.

[Rick Danger]

BikeRadar.com
News
Thu 4 Nov 2010, 8:32 am UTC

Lance Armstrong’s former teammate testifies in US doping probe
By AFP

Ukrainian cyclist Yaroslav Popovych, a former teammate of Lance Armstrong, testified for 90 minutes before a grand jury that is probing doping in the sport, his lawyer said Wednesday.

Popovych's lawyer, Ken Miller, told the Los Angeles Times that his client was forced to testify after being served while riding in a charity event put on by Armstrong in Austin, Texas.

"How he was served struck me as a little peculiar," Miller told the newspaper. "It was effected on a guy at a charity ride who was going to leave Texas for a vacation with his girlfriend. A guy from Ukraine who doesn't speak great English and didn't really understand what was going on."

Miller added that he doesn't think his client has anything to add to the doping probe.

"I don't believe he knows anything about what the grand jury is investigating," he said.

Investigators want to talk to the 30-year-old Ukrainian cyclist because he has been a rider on three Armstrong teams since 2005, when they both rode for Discovery Channel.

Federal prosecutors have called several associates of Armstrong, a seven-time Tour de France champion, in recent weeks.

Investigators have been interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence in their probe of whether or not Armstrong took banned substances. Armstrong has repeatedly denied the allegations.

Testimony is kept secret and sessions are closed to reporters.

The federal probe was sparked by allegations from Armstrong's countryman and former cycling teammate Floyd Landis that Armstrong used performance-enhancing drugs.

© AFP 2010

[Rick Danger]

Bianchi 928 SL. High-tech meets old world craftsmanship !



No, I don't own one. I'd have to give up scotch, cigars, and the wife and I STILL wouldn't be able to afford this !

[Rick Danger]

Laurent Patrick Fignon (12 August 1960 – 31 August 2010) was a French professional road bicycle racer. He won the Tour de France in 1983 and in 1984. He missed winning it a third time, in 1989, by 8 seconds, the closest margin ever to decide the tour. He also won the Giro d'Italia in 1989, after having been the runner-up in 1984, and the classic race Milan – San Remo in 1988 and 1989. He died of cancer on 31 August 2010.

Early life and amateur career
Fignon was born to Marthe Fignon in Montmartre, Paris, but lived in Tournan-en-Brie from 1963 until 1978, when they moved to Val-des-Dames. Fignon's first sport was football and he got as far as playing for his département or area. Friends encouraged him into cycling and he rode his first official race in 1976, which he won. Fignon's parents did not want him to race, and he raced without them knowing. He won four more races in his first year, but only one in his second year. In this third year, he won 18 out of 36 races.

By then, Fignon's parents allowed him to race, but still thought that he should study. Fignon entered the University of Villetaneuse, doing Structural and Materials Science. This study did not go too well, and he left soon. Fignon then joined the army, and was posted at the Bataille de Joinville, known for its sporting reputation. After this, Fignon was sure he wanted to pursue a professional career.

In 1981, Fignon rode the Tour of Corsica, where professional and amateur cyclists rode together. Fignon was able to hold the wheel of Bernard Hinault, for most of the race.

It was when he rode with the national 100 km time trial team that he caught the eye of the former rider and manager, Cyrille Guimard, who gave him a place in his Renault-Elf-Gitane professional team in 1982, when he was 21 years old.

Professional career
In 1982, Fignon rode the 1982 Giro d'Italia. After Fignon broke away in the second stage, he became the leader of the race, and got to wear the pink jersey. He lost the lead in the next stage, but became Hinault's most trusted team mate in the mountains. In Paris–Tours, Fignon had escaped and made a break of 40 seconds, when his crank broke. During this first year as a professional, Fignon won the Critérium National.

In 1983, Fignon was a part of the team that helped Bernard Hinault to win the 1983 Vuelta a España. Guimard did not want to send Fignon to the Tour de France, because two grand tours could be too much for a 22-year old rider. When Hinault, winner of four of the five previous Tours, announced that he would not start due to injury, the Renault team was without a team captain. Fignon was added to the 1983 Tour de France selection for the Renault team, and the team decided to go for stage wins, with hopes of having Fignon or Marc Madiot compete for the best debutant category. After Stage 9, the first mountain stage, Fignon was in second place, behind Pascal Simon, and he was allowed to be team leader. In the tenth stage, Simon crashed and broke his shoulder blade. Simon continued, and only lost little time the next stages. In the fifteenth stage, a mountain time trial, Fignon was able to win back so much time that he was within one minute of Simon. In the seventeenth stage, Simon had to give up, and Fignon became the new leader. In the next stages, Fignon was able to answer all attacks from his opponents, and he even won the time trial in the 21st stage. At 22 years old, Fignon was the youngest man to win the Tour since 1933.

Fignon later said that he was lucky to have won the 1983 Tour: if Hinault would have been present, Fignon would have helped Hinault, as Hinault was the team leader.

With his round glasses and air of debonnaire, Fignon was a contrast to Hinault's hard-knocks image. He earned the nickname "The Professor", not only because of these glasses, but also because he was one of the few cyclists who had passed his baccalaureat exams.

In 1984, Hinault changed to the new La Vie Claire team, established by the French entrepreneur Bernard Tapie and directed by Swiss trainer Paul Koechli. Fignon stayed with the Renault team, and became team leader. In the 1984 Giro d'Italia, Fignon was in leading position near the end of the race, with Italian Francesco Moser in second place. The highest mountain stage, where Fignon could have extended his lead as the better climber, was cancelled due to bad weather. In the final stage, an individual time trial, helicopters flew in front of Fignon, creating a headwind, and behind Moser, creating a tailwind. Moser won enough time to win the race, and Fignon ended in second place. Hinault won the French National Road Race Championships. The 1984 Tour de France was a battle between Fignon and his former team captain Hinault. Hinault won the prologue, but Fignon won back time when his team won the team time trial in Stage 3. After a large escape in the fifth stage, Fignon's team mate Vincent Barteau was leading the race. In the seventh stage, Fignon won the time trial, beating Hinault by 49 seconds. Barteau was still leading the race, and remained the leader after the Pyrenées. In the sixteenth stage, Fignon again beat Hinault in a time trial, this time winning 33 seconds. In the seventeenth stage, Hinault attacked five times on the penultimate climb, but every time Fignon was able to get back. Then, Fignon left Hinault behind, and won almost three more minutes on Hinault. Barteau was so far behind in this stage, that Fignon became the new leader. Fignon won three more stages, for a total of five that year, and won the Tour with a ten minute margin. With his air of indifference in interviews and his crushing dominance, he was hailed as France's newest superstar.

The next two years Fignon had injury problems. Even though Fignon felt stronger than ever in early 1985, a knee injury meant that Fignon missed the 1985 Tour. Fignon switched to the Système U cycling team in 1986. That year, Fignon won the 1986 La Flèche Wallonne Fignon entered the 1986 Tour de France, but could not compete for the victory retired on Stage 12 to Pau.

Fignon returned to his full strengths in 1987, when he finished third in the 1987 Vuelta a España, behind Luis Herrera. After his retirement, Fignon wrote in his biography that Herrera's team manager bribed his team not to attack, which Herrera later denied. Later that year, he finished 7th overall in the 1987 Tour de France, taking another victory at La Plagne (Stage 21). In 1988, Fignon won Milan–Sanremo, but had to abandon the 1988 Tour.

In 1989, Fignon overtook Sean Kelly as leader of the UCI Road World Rankings. That season included a win at Milan – San Remo and the Giro d'Italia. In the 1989 Tour de France, Fignon was one of the big favourites, together with Greg LeMond and Pedro Delgado. After Delgado was too late for the start and lost some minutes, it became a battle between LeMond and Fignon. LeMond won a minute in the time trial in Stage 5, using aerobars (handlebars which enabled a new and more aerodynamic riding position, also known as tri-bars as they had previously only been used in triathlons), a new type of teardrop-shaped aerodynamic helmet in the time trials and a rear disc wheel, Fignon used normal road handlebars and a bicycle with both front and rear disc wheels, which left him more affected by cross winds. LeMond lead the general classification after that stage by 5 seconds. In the tenth stage, Fignon beat LeMond by 12 seconds, and became the new leader, 7 seconds ahead of LeMond. In the time trial of Stage 15, LeMond again won time on Fignon, and took back the leading position. Fignon came back by dropping Lemond on Alpe d'Huez, taking back the lead, and after he won alone at Villard de Lans the next day, the margin was 50 seconds. Before the final stage, a short time trial of 24.5 km, the time difference between LeMond and Fignon was still 50 seconds, which seemed enough for the victory. French newspapers had prepared special editions with Fignon on the front page, preparing for his victory. Although it was considered unlikely that LeMond would be able to win back 50 seconds on the 24.5 km, LeMond gave his best, and rode the fastest time trial to date. Fignon had developed saddle sores in Stage 19, which gave him pain and made it impossible to sleep in the night before the time trial. Fignon, who rode after LeMond, lost 58 seconds during the stage, and although he became third in the stage, he lost the lead to LeMond. It was calculated afterwards that if Fignon had cut off his ponytail, he would have reduced his drag that much that he would have won the Tour.

During that Tour, he was on bad terms with the journalists, and he was given the "Prix Citron" for least likable rider. That Tour has always been a sore point for Fignon since, and when he got the question "Aren't you the guy who lost the Tour by 8 seconds?" he answered "No, I'm the guy who won it twice."

Fignon withdrew from the 1990 Tour, but finished 6th in 1991. He then stopped being team captain, and transferred to the Italian Gatorade team, to became a domestique for Gianni Bugno. After a dramatic 1992 Giro d'Italia, in which he was in heavy crisis during mountain stages, he rode the 1992 Tour de France, finishing 23rd overall, taking his ninth and last stage win at Mulhouse on Stage 11. Fignon's last victory as professional cyclist was in the early-season Ruta Mexico in 1993, after a tight duel with Francisco Villalobos and surviving a massive collision that saw the group hit by a tow truck driven by a drunken man. Fignon retired as a professional cyclist late 1993.

After retirement
In 1995, Fignon founded the "Laurent Fignon Organisation", to organize races, notably Paris–Nice, from 2000 until it was taken over by Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), the organiser of Tour de France, in 2002.

Fignon remained organiser for races such as Paris–Corrèze.[29] He criticised French cycling, lamenting in L'Equipe that, "The sports directors don't do a good job any more. They lack competence and don't have authority over their riders. The non-results of French teams are not only the consequences of doping," alluding to the stringent French doping control.

On his relationships with Cyrille Guimard and Bernard Hinault, Fignon said that with Bernard Hinault, Guimard already found a champion, whereas with himself, Guimard made a champion. Therefore his bond with Guimard was stronger than Hinault's bond with Guimard.

Fignon wrote an autobiography entitled Nous étions jeunes et insouciants ("We were young and carefree"), which was released in June 2009.

Also during June 2009, Fignon revealed that he was undergoing chemotherapy for metastatic cancer. He also admitted having used banned drugs amphetamines and cortisone.Fignon's cancer was diagnosed in April 2009 after being found in his digestive system. In January 2010, his doctors discovered that the cancer originated in his lungs. He died of the disease at 12.30 pm local time on 31 August 2010 at Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital in Paris. Fignon's funeral took place on 3 September 2010 at Pere Lachaise, Paris. He is survived by both parents. He is also survived by his son Jeremy and daughter Tiphaine, both by his first wife, whom he divorced in 2000. He was married to Valerie from 2008 until his death.


Significant victories by year
1982 Team: Renault-Elf-Gitane
1st, Critérium National
1st, Flèche Azuréene
1st, Garancières-en-Beauce
1st, GP de Cannes
1st, Stage 1 TTT Giro d'Italia

1983 Team: Renault-Elf-Gitane
1st Overall, Tour de France (and Stage 21 win)
1st, Grand Prix de Plumelec-Morbihan
Stage, Tirreno–Adriatico
Stage, Critérium International
Stage, Vuelta a España

1984 Team: Renault (Gitane)
1st Overall, Tour de France (and Stages 7, 16, 18, 20 and 22 wins)
1st mountains classification, 2nd Overall, Giro d'Italia (and Stage 20 win)
French National Road Race Championships

1986 Team: Systeme U (Gitane)
1st, La Flèche Wallonne
Stage, Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré

1987 Team: Systeme U (Gitane)
Two stages, Paris–Nice
3rd Overall, Vuelta a España (and stage)
7th Overall, Tour de France (and Stage 21 win)

1988 Team: Systeme U (Gitane)
1st, Milan – San Remo
Stage, Critérium International
1st, Paris–Camembert

1989 Team: Super U (Raleigh)
1st Overall, Giro d'Italia (and Stage 20 win)
1st, Milan – San Remo
2nd Overall, Tour de France (Combativity award and Stage 18 win)
1st Overall, Ronde van Nederland
1st, Grand Prix des Nations

1990 Team: Castorama (Raleigh)
1st, Critérium International

1991 Team: Castorama (Raleigh)
6th Overall, Tour de France

1992 Team: Gatorade (Bianchi)
23rd Overall, Tour de France (and Stage 11 win)

1993 Team: Gatorade (Bianchi)
1st Overall, Ruta Mexico

[from wikipedia.org]

[vinceprince]

I recommend Fignon's book to anyone interested in pro-cycling in this era.
Though he does admit to some occasional drug use it seems trivial compared to the EPO era that followed and should not overshadow his achievements and panache. It's unlikely we'll see someone with his headstrong aggressive style win the TDF again.

For me Paul Kimmage's book is the one that really shows the life of a pro-cyclist which for most consists of losing, pain and suffering for little reward. His was the first book to really 'spit in the soup' on the conspiracy silence on drugs and this was before EPO.

Lance Armstrong now just pisses me off with denials. Does he think we really believe that he was the only major cyclist of his era not doping? and that he was so good he still thrashed everyone. For me he would get more respect if he just came clean now, it's just a matter of time before the truth comes out.

[qwerty007]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzPq0hDdDhs

See these two going at it, working up a sweat, pumping...hearts racing...

Enjoy!

[sloop]

Eddy Merckx thrashed everyone else but never took dope- despite drug abuse being widespread in that era. I truely hope Armstrong is innocent, but as you say, truth will out.

Originally Posted by vinceprince

I recommend Fignon's book to anyone interested in pro-cycling in this era.
Though he does admit to some occasional drug use it seems trivial compared to the EPO era that followed and should not overshadow his achievements and panache. It's unlikely we'll see someone with his headstrong aggressive style win the TDF again.

For me Paul Kimmage's book is the one that really shows the life of a pro-cyclist which for most consists of losing, pain and suffering for little reward. His was the first book to really 'spit in the soup' on the conspiracy silence on drugs and this was before EPO.

Lance Armstrong now just pisses me off with denials. Does he think we really believe that he was the only major cyclist of his era not doping? and that he was so good he still thrashed everyone. For me he would get more respect if he just came clean now, it's just a matter of time before the truth comes out.

[vinceprince]

How do you know Eddy Merckx never took dope?
Amphetamines were widely taken in those days even if it was just to numb the pain and admission wouldn't undermine his great achievements.
There was no proper testing regime in those days.
However, it would damage his commercial interests eg his bike maufacture
The same could be said for Armstrongs numerous commercial and charity enterprises. The other consequences could be far more severe for Armstrong, hence outright denial is his only option.

P.S. despite the lax testing regime Merckx did test positive for drugs twice in his career.

[Rick Danger]

Tickets on sale next week for Track Cycling World Cup By BikeRadar

The world’s best track cyclists will descend on Manchester next February for the UCI Track Cycling World Cup (British Cycling) British Cycling members can snap up 'early bird' tickets for the Track Cycling World Cup in Manchester from next Friday (12 November).

The event on 18-20 February will see the cream of homegrown talent take on international stars in a battle for the coveted rainbow stripes – with the added incentive that it's a qualifier for the 2012 Olympics.

Tickets for the event at Manchester Velodrome are expected to sell out after they go on sale to the public later next week (15 November).

For the latest news on the Track Worlds, check out British Cycling's Track World Cup Twitter feed. For membership details, visit www.britishcycling.org.uk/membership.

[Rick Danger]

Gary Christopher Fisher (born 1950) is considered one of the inventors of the modern mountain bike.

Fisher started competing in road and track races at 12. He was suspended in 1968 because race organizers cited a rule that his hair was too long. By 1972 this rule had been repealed and Fisher's career continued. He won the TransAlp race in Europe and a Masters XC national title.

Fisher went to work in 1975 on his 1930s Schwinn Excelsior X bicycle. His innovations to the model included drum brakes, motorcycle brake levers and cables, and triple chainrings, all taken from "junkers" Fisher found at bike shops. The next year, Fisher participated in the Repack downhill race, promoted by his roommate Charlie Kelly. This used a tortuous downhill route on Pine Mountain near Fairfax, California, just north of San Francisco, that riders used their coaster brakes so much that they had to repack the smoking hubs with grease after every run. Fisher holds the record time on the Repack course at 4:22.

Company
Kelly coined the term "mountain bike" in 1979, after a phrase used by a mechanic. That year, Fisher and Kelly founded "MountainBikes", the first company to specialize in the manufacture of this type of bicycle. Frames were built by Tom Ritchey, who later founded his own company. The first model sold for $1300US; 160 were manufactured in the first year.

1979 saw the introduction of Shimano components and an ill-fated attempt to trademark "Mountain Bike." The company dissolved in 1983; Fisher founded Gary Fisher Mountain Bikes the same year.

Fisher sold his company in 1991 to Taiwan's Anlen company, remaining on as President. In 1992, Howie Cohen, who had previously imported Nishiki, Azuki and Kuwahara bicycles, assisted Gary Fisher with his brand — 18 months later brokering the acquisition of Fisher by Trek Bicycle Corporation (in 1993).

On June 16th, 2010, Trek Bicycle Corporation announced "the Gary Fisher Collection", a line of Trek bikes that will replace the standalone Gary Fisher brand.

After Company Sale
Fisher remains involved with design and marketing, along with being scout and mentor to racers sponsored by the team. The best known was the gold-medal winner in the 1996 and 2000 Olympics women's mountain biking: Paola Pezzo.

Awards
Fisher was inducted into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame in 1988. Outside magazine named him one of the "50 who left their mark" in the sport in 2000, and Smithsonian magazine honored him in 1994 as the "Founding Father of Mountain Bikes." In 1998, Fisher was recognized by Popular Mechanics for his innovations in sports.




[from wikipedia.org]