Stefan Van-Dijk, apparently unencumbered by his extraordinarily large forehead, broke the ProTour’s stranglehold on the Benelux Tour today, taking a group sprint ahead of two previous stage winner, Disco’s Max van Heeswijk and Simone Cadamuro of Liquigas. Lotto-Davitamon once again carted Tom Steels’ creeking backside to the line, but the 9-time TdF stage winner faded…
Month: August 2005
Max Takes Two, Igor's Back – News
After yesterday’s way cracked stage of the Benelux Tour, the field was quite happy to let things come down to a nice, simple group sprint, taken once again by Max van Heeswijk of Discovery Channel-Berry Floor. Following a lead out by teammate Roger Hammond, van Heeswijk lept onto the wheel of Tom Steels and easily…
Benelux Organizers Step in It – News
Eurosport called it “arguably the most farcical day in cycling history.” With 50k to go, and a break of three riders six minutes up the road, the entire Benelux Tour peleton and caravan drove off-course. The snafu, the result of an absent course marshall, was rectified a few minutes later by local boy and GC…
Davis wins, Battle for ProTour '06, Fignon Sounds Off – News
In another way exciting finish you’ll never see on OLN, Aussie sprinter Allan Davis of Liberty Seguros lept away from a three man group and soloed 3k to victory on a twisty, rain-slicked finale of Benelux Tour Stage 3. Davis, who is on fine form after a 3rd at HEW Cyclassics last weekend can count…
Basso Still Hot, Max Still Red – News
In a show of tactically senseless aggression heretofore shown only by the likes of Eddy Merckx and Bernard Hinault, Ivan Basso cracked the field on a short but vicious (to the tune of 22%) climb in Stage 3 of the Tour of Denmark and cruised in for his third consecutive win. This winning streak bodes…
Mad Max Strikes Again! – News
Stage 2 of the the Benelux Tour (BElgium, NEtherlands, LUXembourg, you see) went to Discovery Channel’s Max Vanheeswijk. Hired as a token nod to the fact that like 75% of pro races end in group sprint, Van Heeswijk has had his share of impressive wins in short stage races like this. I’d be nice to…
Salida Criterium – Report
So I got out of bed on Sunday with a serious pain in my neck and left shoulder. Judging by the rocks I was picking out of my helmet as I packed up for the ride out, my head did do a fair bit of landing on Saturday. Good thing the course marshals didn’t see…
Lance the Greatest? – Rant
Every time Lance Armstrong wins a tour, scads of sportswriters (generally American sportswriters) spew forth venomous diatribes about how Lance is not the greatest athlete of all time. The strange thing is, I don’t believe anyone out there really insists that he is the greatest athlete of all time. A few misguided souls think he…
More Quick-Step and a new EPO test? – News
Not satisfied to sign every one-day rider on the planet (he just snagged Spanish road champ Manuel Garate), Quick-Step DS Patrick Lefevre seems to have his sights set on throwing together a solid GC threat as well. Not content to wait for Spanish up-and-comer Jose Pecharroman to develop, the man behind Mapei now wants two-time…
*NEWS FLASH* – Palmiero Positive
Baltimore Orioles first baseman Raphael Palmiero has tested positive for steroids. The report, which broke this morning, makes him the biggest name ever to be caught doping in the Major Leagues. Palmiero has been sacked immediately by his club and now faces a two-year suspension, and an additional 2 year ban from MLB after that….