Friday File: Breaking Away, Alfredo Martini - Signor Squadra Azzurra, Red Dots Cycling 24/24 Labour Day Sale & Tour of Alberta Bound!
Breaking Away.
photo Prensa Vuelta
Watching Ryder Hesjedal on today's breakaway reminds me how good the Canadian can be. Going for the stage win seemed to be in today's cards but it was suddenly dashed as he slid on a corner and had a race motorcycle drive over his bike. With his GC hopes gone a shake up with a stage win was a Ryder goal. The heat is a major dilemma for the riders and also, the southern Spanish roads are apparently dangerous to ride on. Dust, grime, and oil baking under the sun is a recipe for cycling disaster.
"I was on De Marchi's wheel, and my bike just went out from underneath me. It's pretty frustrating. The roads were pretty treacherous out there. We were managing it pretty well, but my bike just slipped out from underneath me."
- Ryder Hesjedal.
Stage 7
1. Alessandro De Marchi 4:01:52
2. Ryder Hesjedal @1:35
3. Hubert Dupont s.t.
GC
1. Alejandro Valverde 26:52:20
2. Nairo Quintana 0:15
3. Alberto Contador 0:18
36. Ryder Hesjedal 6:54
Combativity Award: Ryder Hesjedal
Italy's famed national coach (1975 to 1997), Alfredo Martini passed away on August 25th. His coaching achievements are amazing guiding the Squadra Azzurra taking the rainbow jersey:
Francesco Moser (1977), Giuseppe Saronni (1982), Moreno Argentin (1986), Maurizio Fondriest (1988), Gianni Bugno (1991, 1992).
"I couldn't pick one as my favorite over the other; I'd like trying to name your favorite child. They all put on the blue national jersey and gave it their all. It was a pleasure to have such great champions to fight for the wins. People celebrate me as if I've won the races. I've had the luck to work with great cyclists who knew how to apply themselves."
- Alfredo Martini.
Classic wool Squadra Azzurra jersey.
Giuseppi Saronni, 1982 Goodwill.
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This Monday September 1, Red Dots Cycling is holding a 24/24 Sale!
Labour Day is September 1, and for 24 hrs take 24% off everything in the Red Dots Cycling shop.
Don't miss out on this sale... all you have to do is, at the checkout, use coupon code: LABOUR24
Starts: Aug. 31 Midnight PDT- Sept. 1 Midnight PDT
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The second annual Tour of Alberta will begin Sept. 2 in Calgary - Sept. 7 Edmonton. 700 ams, 120 cyclists, 6 stages. Team rosters here.
Bike messengers already provide this sustainable service. Now, a great idea about to turn into reality on the delivery roads!
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