Squier

Hincapie's response: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/12296/Hincapie-Vaughters-and-Ochowicz-respond-to-USADA-witness-claims.aspx?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+velonation_pro_cycling+%28Cycling+News+%26+Race+Results+%7C+VeloNation.com%29

If big George admits and takes a ban I'd say it's all over. My question here is whether they really did admit or whether some dutch publication is just trying to sell some more newspapers. No word from BMC?

I just find it weird that it's a Dutch paper having the inside scoop on an American agency. It also doesn't make sense that USADA would allow riders to still compete now and only ban them next season. Makes no sense at all.

Ok, so all the hype is coming from one dutch newspaper and everyone else are reporting based on their article. Has this been substantiated by any other source or are we only relying on this one newspaper report?

If you don't like his victory celebrations I'd suggest you stop watching... There's definitely more to come!

The race commissaires fine the riders that spend too long behind a team car. There are many rules that are enforced through fines, but teams choose to pay rather than risk losing time. Have a read here: Fines a cost of operating in Tour de France http://www.cyclingnews.com/blogs/inner-ring/fines-a-cost-of-operating-in-tour-de-france

Question: What is Omega-Pharma Quickstep and Tony Martin trying to accomplish by keeping him in the Tour with a broken wrist. Are they hoping for a win at the stage 9 TT? Surely Martin won't be a contender for the win with a broken wrist? I just can't fathom why he is still riding. A broken wrist doesn't heal overnight, right?

Gerald, there is still a mistake in the stage 1 stage win point allocations. You gave everyone (1st to 5th place) 1 point, instead of 5 for the winner, 4 for 2nd, etc.

Here is the 2009 u23 XCO World Champs results: For full results and photos, visit Cyclingnews.com. UNDER 23 MEN CROSS COUNTRY RESULTS 1 Burry Stander (South Africa) 1:47:26 2 Alexis Vuillermoz (France) 0:01:21 3 Thomas Litscher (Switzerland) 0:02:46 4 Peter Sagan (Slovakia) 0:04:15 5 Marek Konwa (Poland) 0:04:45 6 Guillaume Vinit (France) 0:04:59 7 Mattias Wengelin (Sweden) 0:05:14 8 Fabian Giger (Switzerland) 0:05:32 9 Lukas Kaufmann (Switzerland) 0:05:57 10 Catriel Andres Soto (Argentina) 0:06:31

I ride with my primary light on my handlebar and a second el cheapo headlamp on my helmet.

Oh, and on the Sagan topic; saying he didn't deserve the win is a bit harsh IMO. He won the stage when he grabbed on to Spartacus' wheel. That there was the critical moment. Being attentive and spotting and reacting to a move in your very first TdF stage shows his composure. He then sat on Spartacus' wheel but didn't have any other option. Giving a rider like Fabian Cancelara the advantage by letting him get on your wheel is suicide. That would've been nothing but stupid as Sagan would've had no chance of winning then. It's racing, it's not about what is perceived as right. Throwing away your chances of a stage win by letting Spartacus grab your wheel just because "it's the right thing to do" is a daft move. What he did may not have neen the "popular" option, but it was the only option he had.

I really rate Mr Cavendish. There's not a lot of people who can say "when I kick, I win" and actually do it. He's also moving away from the pure sprinter mould by being able to drag himself over "reasonable" climbs in order to take sprint finishes. He is something special, no doubt. Comparing him to Lance as a cyclist isn't really fair, however, he will have more stage wins than Lance, and probably Merckx, by the end of his career.

Similar finish to what Evans won last year early in the Tour. I want to put my money on Spartacus but I sometimes think he's too strong for his own good. Many riders will know they've got a shot if they can get onto his wheel if he attacks. He'd have to change his tactics and wait for the likes of Wiggins or Evans to go. I'm sure they'd like to prove a point today! So much that can happen! I'm already planning my escape route this afternoon. I'm not missing this finish!

The way I understand it is you have to use the details of the person who actually rode this year.

Ok, so how do you know if you are in? I only got a screen saying "Thank you for registering for the Sani2c 2013 Trail. This is a registration only. Payments will open from 16th July until 31st July 2012." We have a Team/Entry ID. Does that mean we're in?

Just about R10k per team. It depends how lucky you are. If you're high up on the list it could be this year, but it could also be never...

Gerald, why is there only 1 point given for the Stage 1 stage win?

I see his was on a HT Stumpy. Wonder if that is his weapon of choice for the Olympics?

Big up Burry! Peaking at the right time! Olympics is going to be a cracker! Nino is super strong, but it seems as if Jeroen is timing Burry's peak just right! Gold a realistic possibility! Definitely a medal, at least!

Actually, the short answer is; if you can get in you take whatever you can get.

Nice! I heard Paul Sherwen say yesterday that the carbon fibre used in the RSNT Trek TT bikes have been patented so that it can only be used by Trek USA and the US military. Sounds pretty cool!

You lucky fish! Awesome snaps!

The "Race" is called that for a reason, however, having said that; there are racing snakes and slow riders in all three events. All three events use batch starts and have people racing hard in the A bunch. The pro's ride the Race though, so the pace is "a bit" higher.

Gerald, I sent you a PM. You didn't give my any points for Cancellara for the prologue...

Reports floating around that Tony Martin is out with a broken collarbone.