Friday File: Relaxation, Two Years, Tour du Suisse, Ride On in Tempo! Put it on the Big Ring, 24hr Bike Parts & Best of Giro
It's Friday File time...
I thought I would kick off Friday with a non-cycling image - provoking a desire to leave the daily grind behind for pure relaxation. Beautiful... isn't it?
Two years signed.
photo Luk Benies
Good news out of the Garmin-Sharp camp as Ryder Hesjedal signs on until 2015. "I am very excited to continue with G-S for another 2 years. I have had the biggest results of my career riding for this team and I'm very happy here."
Equally happy is Jonathan Vaughters stating, "Ryder is an important part of the team, not just because of his great results and exceptional talent but also because of who he is." On Saturday, a loaded G-S team, including Hesjedal, is lining up for the Tour du Suisse. Hilly and mountainous-a good test for him. And with new motivation of a two-year contract, let's hope he's back to health and ready to race... and win.
Tour du Suisse start list.
Last year's winner, Rui Costa is back to defend his title but Tejay van Garderen stands in his way. And, Ryder Hesjedal is my darkhorse for podium. If there is one rider that can comeback is him. There's no word as to his form leading up to the race but we'll have to watch Saturday. The second stage will be the true test of his form... mountains await!
I hear the cowbells...
Cannondale is bringing a Sagan-Terminator led team to Switzerland. Sagan is back into racing from 15 days mountain training. Joining him will be wing-men: Moreno Moser, Damiano Caruso, Stefano Agostini, Lucas Haedo, Ted King, Michel Koch and Paolo Longo Borghini. Prediction: Moser and Sagan will win a stage each.
photo Red Dots Cycling
As you may know, Red Dots Cycling recently acquired an exceptional Pfaff embroidery machine to take our handmade cycling caps up to the next level. There's an on-going learning curve involved trying to figure out what this machine can do for us. We couldn't be happier to have it. At this early stage of the embroidery game, we already designed our new logo... now proudly on the Tempo cycling cap! Now available on our website.
Chris Froome seemed to win stage 5 (and beating Contador) to the ski-station of Valmorel with ease to wear the leaders jersey of the Dauphine. Give stalwart Richie Porte mucho credit for shepherding his captain up the steep slopes. With two stages remaining the Froome Sky express is running smooth.
I was actually surprise to see yellow jersey Rohan Dennis ride up to the ski station on his large ring. It's true...
Rohan Dennis on the big ring.
I'm not getting use to the early wake up call for the Dauphine, it starts too early on the westcoast (4AM PDT). I slept in and missed Tommy Voeckler winning stage 6. Fortunately, I did catch his winning sprint on YouTube. Nice and crucial for Europcar winning 2 stages because they are looking for a co-sponsor for 2014. Just to give you an idea of the rough financial waters; GM Jean-Rene Bernaudeau needs the co-sponsor to compete against the major WorldTour teams that operate on twice his budget. "BMC has a budget of 20 million, while we have seven. Europcar covers 60% of my budget. But I need to grow the team, to secure it's long term future for the next five years," he said.
Impressive David Veilleux had a great 3 day ride in yellow and I understand he will be riding his first Tour in 3-weeks time. I'll try to wake early for tomorrow's Alpe d'Huez stage where I believe fireworks will explode.
Well here's today's post-race Voeckler image...
minus the grimacing.
Here's an interesting image of a Bretagne-Seche rider after stage 2 in Oyonnax. It's an odd one as this rider is stripping off his kit in the back of a team car and not in his team bus.
After stage 2...
photo Thomas lequipe twitter
Ok, New York has just started off their bike sharing program. Give them extra points for this...
How convenient!
Express Biker is the Brooklyn company that's the brainchild behind this. Just swipe your credit card and make your selection from products ranging from $5-$30. Tubes, patch kits, lights and crucial tools are offered... Fantastic idea! Vancouver are you reading this?
Here's some of my favorite images from the Giro...
Snowed in!
25 years ago on the Gavia,
and Nibali winning ontop of
Tre Cime di Lavaredo
via Girod'ltalia
John Dagenkolb
Garmin-Sharp TTT
via Girod'ltalia
via Manual for Speed
Stage 10
Uran...
TT stage 18.
via Manual for Speed
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