Evans - No comeback, it's official

Woof, Woof, Woof.


Cadel Evans will not be making a comeback, apparently he's already racing.

Evans had been due to make a comeback in May at Le Giro, but according to a statement issued by Evans personal assistant 'Molly the Dog':
'Cadel will not be riding the Giro, he has other commitments in May and he is contractually obliged to fulfill those'
When asked what those commitments were 'Molly the dog' replied
'He is obliged to build me a new kennel and throw a stick for me through out May, woof, woof, woof'

But further dramatic revelations ensued in a dramatic and ensuing way, apparently Evans has not retired!
'Cadel has not retired' said 'Molly the dog' he has been training throughout the winter and is raring to go at Crufts Downunder in January, this is part of his build up to July when he will be leading a strong team of ball throwers, walkie specialists and dedicated groomers. His main target is victory in the 'Who's a cleaver boy' event in July'.

Cevelo test team, now testing toothpaste.

One rider who will be aiming at victory come May is Carlos Sastre. Having moved to the Cevelo test team (now apparently testing vitamin supplements as well) his first goal of the season will be Le Giro. Oh dear, have you seen who else is riding Carlos ? No seriously have you? If I were you I'd join Cadel and Molly, they've got the right idea. Look you're no longer at CSC/Saxo/IT skint. No Schleck's, no chance will be the motto I think. Not to deride Celevo TT, but two Grande Tours in one year may well be stretching the realms of possibility here, still I guess Carlos will be looking to give it his all come the big mountains, but he's gonna have to do some ride if he's going to overcome the ITT / TTT advantage that Astana is bound to enjoy. So the only way will be to attack, which will be entertaining. Mind you this will be the 100th Giro, so you can pretty much guarantee that the locals will be going mental of the front from the red and white to the black and white, nice....

Indecently what else are Cevelo testing? Bikes and Vitamins we know about. But what about socks? Bar tape? Toothpaste? how long is the list?
One thing they don't appear to be testing is a way of updating their web site, it's still blazing the joys of sponsoring CSC, no mention of who riding for the team for 2009 and no pics either.

And with Xmas on the way.

You have to love Cycling Weekly, no seriously you do. This week they list Xmas presents for the cyclist in your life, my favorite is a packet of pasta! How would you be if you opened you presents to find someone had sent you a packet of pasta?



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Forward, into the past.

I bought cycling weekly this week, a reasonably rare occurrence, I'd initially bought it cos there was some top advice on TTing positions but in the end read the interviews with Wiggo, Hoyo and Roswello first and then the history of BC (well the good bit, after the blood letting, or perhaps the success after the good bit, if you think the blood letting was a good thing).
And then, oh, OK I bought it cos there was a picture of Rock Racing in it. Weeeee, I'm on the CW web site and there's a big ol' article saying that whilst Rock don't exactly smell of poo, some of their riders do and they shouldn't ride on our fragrant British roads. Then there's an 'interview' in which Hugh Roberts (he organises the a long scenic drive round the motorways and service stations of the UK, which to alleviate the boredom he then intersperses it with a little light bike racing) in which he basically says Yes we invited Rock Racing, and we cant stop anyone riding it and no one else is interested. Well we'll see.
But irrespective of whether or not anyone is interested they can, as the promoter, say who gets a ride and who doesn't, look at how many races have excluded teams for races this year. So whilst major events like Le Tour and Le California take a stand by not inviting teams that have had riders who smell of poo, the ToB is somehow above this?
You know the funny thing is that in a way I kind of like RR for sticking two fingers up to the world in general (or in this case three fingers) it's just that these particular fingers small a bit pooey. I just hope they don't get shoved up Mr Roberts nose.

As a historical document, CW this week has a lot going for it, the BC history reminds us that when Peter Keen drew up the plan and said we (that British Cycling) were aiming to be worlds no 1 cycling nation and we were going to do that by way of building on the track he was almost drowned out by a torrent of abuse from the length and breadth of the country. It's a shame those names aren't logged for posterity, oh how we could laugh.


There was almost unconfined joy in the sometimes house the other day when the publication known as Cycle Sport hit the door mat, promising the Olympics, but not just ordinary Olympics oh no, this was an Olympic special. Brilliant eh, a great fortnights bike racing was about to be covered in detail, er except it wasn't.
What we got was a very good article on the mens RR and some nice pictures and a mention that some ladies rode very well. No track? No MTB? No BMX? obviously these aren't sports or they don't involve bikes. Now I can accept that there is a 'sister' magazine (is there a father magazine though?) that covers MTB, but surely if you trumpet an Olympic Special and then miss 80% of the events you must have a reason, maybe a re-title is called for, perhaps Cycle (Road Racing) sport?
I wait to see what the old Pro will have in store next week.

The one good thing that comes out of the ToB though is that (to me) it signifies the start of the racing season. For me the season starts with the Autumn classics, picks up with the 6 days, the worlds cups and is in full bore with the cyclo cross races before finally finishing off with the spring classics. All thses tourist events over the months of May - August, huuugghh, all sensible people should be on holday then.