July 16/10 12:32 pm - Cycling (in the ) News

Posted by Editoress on 07/16/10
 

"Great riders don't make the Tour. The Tour makes great riders." - Ralph Hurne, The Yellow Jersey


Canada's Hesjedal making name in 2010 Tour
It must leave long-time cycling fans in Canada scratching their heads a bit, but Ryder Hesjedal is suddenly becoming something of an overnight sensation in his home country.

Not bad for a guy who was merely voted the nation's best rider for the first decade of this century in a poll conducted by the online magazine Canadian Cyclist.
Read more: CBC


Q&A with Michael Barry, Toronto’s only cyclist in the Tour de France
One of Canada’s two racers in the Tour de France this year is Team Sky’s Michael Barry, who grew up cycling the streets of Toronto. After years of just missing the cut, the 35-year-old cyclist and writer is racing his first Tour—and it’s a doozy. The brutal, crash-ridden race has seen one of his teammates, Simon Gerrans, knocked out of contention with a broken arm. Even the seemingly invincible Lance Armstrong is calling uncle in light of crash-related injuries. Despite the drama, Barry took some time during his resting period to chat with us about the Tour, Team Sky and what’s on his iPod.
Read more: Toronto Life


Why this became a Tour into hell
Stuart O'Grady needs no reminding of just how unforgiving the roads of the Tour de France can be.

The Adelaide rider came close to losing his life in a sickening fall in 2007, breaking several ribs, shattering a shoulder and collarbone, puncturing a lung and suffering a blood clot on the brain.

That was just one of the crashes he has been involved in. But even O'Grady has been amazed by the number of riders going down in this year's tour.

"Crashes at the Tour are a given, but I can't remember a worse fortnight for blokes falling off their bikes," O'Grady, competing in his 16th Tour, said yesterday.
Read more: The Australian


Hero or fraud?
Clearly, for Lance Armstrong, this last Tour de France is the end. He has hit the peak seven times; now comes the descent. He turns 39 in the fall, and last year's third-place finish notwithstanding, he is finished as a contender. The peaks belong to the Alberto Contadors and Andy Schlecks now; they belong to the young.
Read more: National Post

Lance's great debate rages on
Accusations will persist until truth uncovered
Now, as ever, there's little middle ground on the subject of Lance Armstrong and doping.

Armstrong's legions of fans refuse to accept the notion, even the possibility, he might have succumbed to the temptation. They don't want to hear it, regardless of the source. David Walsh, the investigative journalist, or Floyd Landis, a former teammate? Makes no difference. Garbage in, garbage out.

Most of them are Americans.
Read more: Chron


Learning to love pain: life as a Tour de France rider
Over-sized lungs in a whippet's frame are one thing, but to make it to the top cyclists need to embrace suffering
Read more: Guardian


Chris Hoy forced to pull out of Commonwealth Games
Four-time Olympic Champion Sir Chris Hoy will not be wearing Scottish colours at the Commonwealth Games. The Scottish cyclist has been forced to withdraw from the games that are to be held in Delhi this October.
Read more: Cycling Weekly

Chris Hoy 'forced' to withdraw from Commonwealth Games in Delhi
Scotland's gold medallist angered by timing of new event
Read more: Guardian


Renshaw out for headbutting, team rivalry may boil over (Rupert Guinness)
The disqualification of Australian Mark Renshaw from the Tour de France could lead to a bitter rivalry between his team and that of American sprinter Tyler Farrar boiling over before the race finishes in Paris on Sunday week, following his role in the sprint finish of stage 11 from Sisteron to Bourg les Valence where teammate Mark Cavendish won his third stage of this year's race - and the 13th of his career.
Read more: The Age


Race director's rant over Mark Renshaw 'headbutts' was plain wrong - opinion
It may be just a coincidence but Sebastien Chabal – known as The Animal in these parts – was the Tour's guest of honour on Thursday and it was a joy to see the look on his face when asked about the Mark Renshaw "headbutts" after Mark Cavendish's win. Child's play compared with what you see every week in French club rugby.
Read more: Telegraph


Will the maple leaf rock the Rock?
There were plenty of Team Canada ties when B.C. Superweek kicked off with the Tour de Delta last weekend, and strong links to the Maple Leaf continue as it wraps up at the 31st Tour de White Rock this weekend.
Read more: The Surry Now


Team Wales Announced for Delhi
The Commonwealth Games Council for Wales (CGCW) today announced the cycling line-up for the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games (3-14 October).
Read more: Wales Online


Jarvis bike lane installation starts today
The controversial lanes get rid of the reversible north-south lane for cars in the middle of the street and mark a turning point for the city’s cycling community.
Read more: Toronto Star
Read more: Globe and Mail


Bike laws outdated, says Cycling PEI
The laws regarding bicycle use on P.E.I. need to be updated in order to make them clearer and safer, says Cycling PEI.

Executive director Mike Connolly told CBC News Thursday most cyclists have no idea what is expected of them.

"I think it's a little bit outdated," said Connolly.
Read more: CBC


Tandem cyclers near N.S.
Four guys who are driving across Canada on the same bike will arrive in Nova Scotia on Monday.

The tandem cycling team of Ben Miller, Ian Bevis, Brent Seamone and Jeff Belanger will arrive in Pictou County from Prince Edward Island.
Read more: Chronicle Herald


Hard to ride a bike in Halifax because drivers think they own the road
Why is "bike" a four-letter word in Halifax?

I’m not just talking about Halifax regional council saying no to a bike lane on Herring Cove Road.

I was thinking this way long before our Little City Council that Couldn’t provided yet more ammunition for my theory that bike is a four-letter word in Halifax.
Read more: Chronicle Herald


Two wheels are better than four, aren't they?
There's a certain lawlessness about biking in Berlin, and it works. At least until the city's busybodies get involved.
Read more: DW World