Carbon treats
When I fired up NetNewsWire and found the 1200 unread articles I knew it was going to be a long drag. Against my better judgment I found a passion for the ‘Mark all as read’ button, that was until I got down the the cycling feeds, something caught my eye; it was carbon related goodies.
First up the new Time Trial machine from Trek, come on that just looks amazing, if your not convinced just check out those bars and that view! I’ve noticed that nearly all TT rigs this year feature a brake on the ego bars, so that you can still brake without coming up from the tuck.
The second treat was the new Look 595 frameset.
Having spent a couple of days following Rob on his 585 I have grown found of the Look carbon tubular frame. This frame improves upon the design that shot Thor into the sprints at least year’s TdF, that seat post is something else.
Giro d’Italia
Some of you might know of a little cycle race going on at the moment; the Giro d’Ilaila. For those that don’t here is a quick re-cap; imagine the Tour de Frane in Italy. Simple really, well that is the simple version.
I’ve not been following this as closely as I would like but I caught up with the results after the Stage 11 Time Trial. Since Lance departed from racing last year there was a big ‘who’s the next yellow jersey contender’ question. My money was to be put on either Ivan Basso or Tom Boonen.
You could see it in Basso during last years Tour, he put up a fight to the end and so far this year he is proving to be a winner. He has lead the Giro most of the way so far and does appear to be looking back.
Boonen on the other hand has been on a winning streak all year, apart from the Paris-Roubaix, but just not sure he is Tour leader material yet.
The results of the Time Trial did indicate one thing, big Jan is not out of the race. Well he is out of the race in the Giro, sitting in the mid 40’s, but he still has it in him to compete.
You can find full details of the results so far at RoadCycling.com
Tour de Lance
It was sort of decided before the race began that if Lance Armstrong finished this Tour de France then he would be standing on the podium, with 6 tour wins already the chance of making it seven was too tempting, even he admitted that he could not just ride the tour, he had to win it.
After Stage 18 Armstrong is already nearly three mintutes ahead of the next man; Ivan Basso and with the final leg back to Paris today and the time trails left on Saturday it only goes to say that on Sunday’s final day of racing, Armstrong will get his seventh win.
Seventh but last win of the tour, it was announced that he would retire after this and concentrate on other important parts of his life; the Livestrong foundation being number one. So for team Discovery Channel (old USPS) this leaves them captain-less, who could fill Armstrong’s shoes?
There are a lot of rumours and whispers in and around the tour at the moment as to who is going to sign with who for the next years riding.
Good luck to all riders and don’t worry Monday you can rest!