Comments on: Wait—There’s A ProTour Race? In January?

By: Cyclocosm – Pro Cycling Blog » Is It Time To Update The Opening Weekend?

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:01:15 +0000

[...] show-offs, put in the miles for fitness, not glory. But with the season now officially beginning in January, and riders keeping year-round fitness in warmer climates, the racing at Het Niewsblad seems as [...]

By: cycling jerseys

cycling jerseys — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 07:02:53 +0000

Can’t blame Switzerland for Aus being in summer right now.

By: cosmo

cosmo — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 21:33:43 +0000

@Chris L, I understand the seasonal problem. I don’t mean it to be entirely cynical of my assesment of the TDU’s ProTour status. The even certainly deserves consideration purely on its merits, but I just wanted to highlight some other motivating factors in the UCI’s decision.

My focus does tend to be on the Northern Hemisphere, both because I live there and because its where the overwhelming majority of cycling events take place.

I’ve got a little treat set up for tomorrow that covers in staggering detail how I rate the importance of various cycling races around the world…

By: Chris L

Chris L — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 02:57:28 +0000

Cosmo, quite a cynical tone. But seems to betray northern-centric focus. We have a season down under as well, you know! Can’t blame Switzerland for Aus being in summer right now.

(Apologies. I get frustrated when Euro/US pieces read all over the world assume all seasons are the same.)

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 05:11:13 +0000

he had them last year at astana.
maybe more mind games with Bert?
http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/PKEFB46riDn/Tour+de+France+2009+Stage+Four+Team+Trial/RpHO0xME1Hb/Lance+Armstrong

http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/hcrv_SWFpRX/Tour+de+France+2009+Stage+Three/R6VdNtPiFdL/Lance+Armstrong

By: Psychlist

Psychlist — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 03:17:31 +0000

I suspect the abscence of rainbow stripes is to maximise the exposure of the yellow Livestrong band on the sleeve…given LA’s comeback is primarily to promote cancer awareness.

As someone who lives in Adelaide, the TDU stages are anything but flat. Unfortunately the organisers will only hold stage finishes in town centres, meaning there is enough road between the last climbs of the day and the finish line for the bunch to regroup. Hence the sprint finishes.

We have plenty of steep climbs, but not of the length required to really shatter a pro peleton.

By: dave

dave — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:23:32 +0000

Red is the new Blue. And Lance hasn’t worn the rainbow stripes since 2003(?) no surprise they’re missing this year. http://grahamwatson.com/gw/imagedocs.nsf/images/04tourSt3/$file/9.jpg
http://grahamwatson.com/gw/imagedocs.nsf/images/05tdfSt3/$file/8.jpg