VeloVeritas

Bert and the Balance of Probability (1)

In the welter of knee jerk reactions to judge/condemn Alberto Contador and/or criticize the UCi the real issues of this situation are being missed.

There are two main points that need to be addressed that I can see: Justice and Consistency.

An Open Letter to Mr. Pat McQuaid (3)

Dear Mr. McQuaid, I’m so glad you’ve decided on VinoKolGate that: “Yes, there are rules about that. It is clear, if there is evidence, there could be penalties after an investigation on our part.”

I’m sure that you’re aware that there have been arrests in the UK for the hacking of mobile phones and email accounts, and that there’s not a court in Europe which would accept evidence obtained by hacking, but I realise that these are mere bagatelles to the might of the UCI and those Eastern riders have to be sorted out.

World Road Champs 2011 – Cavendish Celebrates (0)

Cavendish and the whole team were brilliant, full stop.

There can be no ‘buts’ or ‘maybes’ – his team took the race on from what we thought was way too early, controlled it to the end and deserve unreserved praise.

World Road Champs – Roundup (0)

The Danish Press did Cav proud; having Peta on his arm doesn’t hurt as far as the photo opportunities go.

And being the saddo I am, the first thing I did when I got home was to buy the British papers.

All of the quality dailies ‘done him proud’ – The Independent gives him pride of place on their sports section and Alasdair Fotheringham’s prose is perfect.

Berlin Six Day 2012 – John’s Photo Album (0)

The Berlin Six Day finished with a win for the Aussie World Champions Cameron Meyer and Leigh Howard (wine gum thief), we hope you enjoyed our daily diaries from the inside.

Also at the track to capture the racing was our pal John Young, of Fietsenphotography, and once again he’s been very nice and supplied us with loads of great images.

Berlin Six Day 2012 – Familientag (0)

Sundays at German Sixes are and have always been ‘family day’ when the programme of sport and entertainment is held during the afternoon rather than in the evening or night. On a cold wind-chilled winter afternoon, local families came along to the Landsberger Allee Velodrome to enjoy the racing and pass on the tradition from one generation to the next.

The race programme kicked off with a series of Sprints won by Kalz – Bengsch who are looking like the real deal this time around and should continue to challenge for a podium place.

Riding with F1 driver Jenson Button (2)

Back in mid-December, VeloVeritas pal Mike Zagorski noticed that 2009 Formula One World Champion Jenson Button was in Hawaii, by happy coincidence the same island that he lives on.

As it turns out, Jenson was on a bit of a holiday with his girlfriend, a Japanese model named Jessica Michibata, and long-time friend Chris Buncombe (24hr Le Mans driver) – and they had brought their bikes!

Mike made contact with Jenson and within a day or two had managed to nail down a time and place to ride.

Bremen Six Day 2012 – Photo Roundup (0)

Here’s a few photos from the Bremen Six Day that we haven’t used in other articles.

Copenhagen Six Day 2012 – Day Six (0)

The camper, 10:23 Wednesday morning, and it’s all over.

The cabins are bare; Dirk is in his camper headed for Drongen; Jackie and his dad have been safely deposited at the airport and we’re heading into Copenhagen for a little bit of R & R before we get the plane home.

Copenhagen Six Day 2012 – Day Five (0)

It’s another big madison tonight; 75 kilometres/300 laps, but with a ‘twist’ – it’s a handicap. Bartko/Lampater, Stam/Stroetinga and Alex/Michael give away six laps to Jackie/Schröder – with the rest of the field somewhere in between.

The final laps count for the overall so there’s no messing; if a big team doesn’t pull the laps back then they’re lost. Really, all that goes before the handicap is just to whet the appetite – there are a lot of nervous cyclists in the cabins.

Copenhagen Six Day 2012 – Day Four (0)

Sprints to start and Hazel Dean thumps out, quality high energy from the 80’s ‘Searchin’ – quality. Followed by ‘Livin in America’ from the late, great James Brown – we’re in luck, tonight. And then ‘Cara Mia’ to start the 75 lap chase – I never get tired of that tune.

The two chases weren’t bad at all – for a Sunday, that is.

Copenhagen Six Day 2012 – Day Three (1)

Danny Clark; in a world where the word ‘legend’ is used too often, it’s wholly appropriate in the case of the Australian.

He holds the record for the number of six day starts at 236 and he’s second in the all time winner ranks with 74 – unsurprisingly he’s ‘double Recordman’ here at Copenhagen with eight wins off 21 starts. He’s here driving the Derny (and singing!) but clocks up an hour plus on the track every day – he looks better now than he did 20 years ago.

Jack Simes – American Track and Six Day Legend (4)

Daniel Holloway and Colby Pearce are regulars on the Six Day scene; US riders win classics and Grand Tours, there are US Pro Tour teams.

It was different in 1970; with not one US rider holding a professional licence – enter Jack Simes.

We spoke to the man who was the first US rider to turn a pedal on the Six Day tracks for nearly 20 years and who hopes to bring the sport back to its spiritual home in the USA.

Erick Rowsell – On To Something Completely New (0)

Erick Rowsell is a name which seems to have been around for a long time; maybe because he was winning British medals five years ago – in 2007 he took bronze in the junior road race and individual pursuit as well as gold in the junior time trial.

The following season saw him with strong placings in continental road events; win the junior Tour of Wales and the British junior road race championship – whilst on the track he took two junior European silver medals, in the individual and team pursuit.

Ian Field – British Cyclo-Cross Champion (0)

When we heard on Sunday that our blogger Ian Field had won the British Cyclo-Cross Championship on a dry and sunny day in Suffolk, we wanted to celebrate that win with a chat.

Ian hadn’t stayed in England long – heading back to his Belgian home immediately after the race, to prepare for another event the following day, but we caught up with him today and began by asking him about the weekend.

James Moss – a Rider with a Point to Prove (1)

One man who’s more relieved than most about the new season is VeloVeritas regular, James Moss – let go by Endura after two seasons and very happy to have a contract for 2012.

In this ‘winter of discontent’ with teams folding, teams merging and many riders still without a contract it’s nice to get some good news.

Berlin Six Day 2012 – the Story do Far (0)

The 101st Berliner Sechstage Rennen started on Thursday and according to reports the crowds have been down a little on last night.

On the track big gaps have already appeared as the top five teams have started the fight that will conclude in the final hour long Madison on Tuesday night.

Revolution Season Finale the “Stepping Stone” for Sir Chris Hoy (0)

The National Cycling Centre in Manchester was completely sold out as Olympic hero Sir Chris Hoy ramped up his preparation for the UCI Track World Cup at the new London Olympic velodrome.

Hoy qualified fastest in the morning session, but lost out on the initial face off against Jason Kenny and was unable to get the better of some of his sprinting rivals. With the test event just two weeks away and the Olympics only six months down the line, the Revolution provided a perfect backdrop for some serious sprinting competition.

Brad wins the British Road Championships 2011 (2)

On a balmy Sunday afternoon in quaint Stamfordham, Sky did ‘what England expected’ and grabbed the first four places in the British elite road race championship over 197 hard Northumbrian kilometres; and the skeletal Bradley Wiggins will start the Tour in the white British champion’s jersey after jumping his team mates on the run in; defending champion Geraint Thomas took silver, Peter Kennaugh was third and Ian Stannard fourth.

We were on the scene early – in time to catch the end of the ladies’ championship…

The Peebles Criterium 2011 (2)

Enjoying the evening sunshine and large crowds around the town centre circuit, young Pedal Power\Endura rider Robbie Hassan rode an intelligent and strong race to win the inaugural Peebles Criterium, part of the Tweedlove Festival, fending off a strong challenge from Director’s Choice’s Allan Clark and Endura Racing professional Callum Wilkinson.

These three, together with Scott McRae from Team Leslie Bikes had managed to detach themselves from the much-reduced bunch with seven laps of the tight and fast left-turning circuit remaining, and after 45 minutes of hard racing the four held off the remaining chasers by a handful of seconds.