Aussies Rampant at Giro d'Italia

Riding upto the start in Napoli , on Saturday , Cameron Wurf , had me for company . As we parted , i reminded him that Dave Mc Kenzie had made a name for himself when he made a Lone Breakaway about a decade before !
 That day Dave rode the bulk of that Stage alone , building to a 16 minute lead at one point . As he passed through the Finish line the first time , he was still 11 minutes clear and was still 7 minutes ahead of the Peloton as he took the victory that Saturday .

Cameron took the fight to the final 12 kms before deciding to ride for his team sprinter's train , and thus the Cannondale team were able to put Elia Viviani  in the top 3 ,  at the hard faught sprint finish ..Once again the bulk of the Peloton was delayed by a crash in the last kilometres of the race .

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/giro-ditalia-wurf-tries-to-beat-the-odds-in-naples

 At one point the Orico Team looked set for the victory , but Brett Lancaster decided , unwisely i thought , to take a Solo Sprint ! That failed and i am sure it reduced the horsepower that the team needed to deliver Gossy to the line , he faded to 5th  . Standing opposite the 300m mark i was not only able to see the final stretch but also the big screen . Standing with me was Gary , a Calafornian that i first met many Giros past , Betty stayed in the shade . Water filled bollards are a few feet tall so we were both above the heads of those around us , which ensured an unobscured view of all that was happening .

As Cameron rode the first of the shortened circuits i was able to holler " AUSSIE ;Aussie aussie " at him , but whether he hear remains to be discovered since he was very focused on the road as he rode past .

 The earlier part of the day , started with me making my first circuits at 6am . There were a few people sleeping in that would later discover their cars towed , since the Polizia Municipale , were busy issuing the orders needed , for the towtrucks to earn their fees .  About 7ish , i started to see a few other Cyclists , making an effort to discover the exact route that the racers would use later in the day . I too made the mistake of following signs which took me to the Tangenziale , which will help me later as i leave Napoli on the way south .

About 9.30 , i linked up with Gianni Motta , whom i was with on Thursday , to ride to the Start Village and thus meet up with the Banko Medlianum Clients that would join the Group Ride with Maurizio Fondriest and Francesco Moser . Going up the climbs Francesco set his usual fierce pace , thus causing many of the clients to scream for relief . that Gianni Motta was not pushing so hard would have suited them , though the " Vittoria Team Car , did give Gianni a pull for a few hundrer metres . Second time around thre course , saw many head for the barn or Start Village .  When i eventually got through riding with the racers to the sign on , i was hailed by Gary , who was sittingh eating Lunch with Betty , in a Cafe close to the Start Line . Betty had been eating a Vegatarian Pizza , that together with a Peroni Beer , set me up for the afternoon.

Gary since arriving in Europe prior to the Northern Classics , has suffered a Medical Problem that required a week in Hospital and then recently , a pinched neck nerve has seen to his Cycling Enjoyment , being non existant . Betty has done little Cycling alone but i am sure now that we are in the warmer climes , they will both be back on the road .

Giro del Trentino 2013 .

15th visit to the Trentino , took me back to Lienz , where i first discovered , this " Special Event "! Regarded as a warm up for the Giro d'Italia by the racers , it amazes me that the Aussie Tour Operators , have overlooked a prime opportunity to line their pockets and provide the average Aussie Cycling Fan with ready access to the STARS of Road Racing !

 My first visits to the Giro del Trentino , have included Marco Pantani and Jan Ulrich , as well as other notables such as Aussies ,  Tom Leiper and Graeme Brown amongst many . This year we had Cameron Wurf and Cadel Evans representing Oz ! Seems to me that the Giro rarily has more than Two Racers although there are years when i am the only Aussie , present . Most of the management are friendly and the Racers certainly remember me and treat me as family . Some of the Cycling Fans even invite me to join them for a drink or meal roadside , as they do at the Giro d' Ìtalia and Tour de France .

 Cameron Wurf was with Champion Systems before joining Cannondale and working with Ivan Basso .

Very approachable guy who was close to the front of the Race whenever i saw him . Responded Wednesday to the " Aussie , Aussie , Aussie " as he headed up the climb outside Porte Ache on Thursday . He was lucky that he was in the leading group at the finish , because many racers were held back for quite a while , after a motorcycle crashed near the end of the Day's stage ! Normally such a late arrival creates all sorts of problems , including application of the " Race Formular " , that prevents those , that are in the rear of the Peloton from having a holiday . For the racers though , after spending hours in the saddle , some would have been suffering dehydration and in need of food . Fortunately the day was warm rather than stormy , as can happen in the Mountains . As yet i have to discover how the Motorbike came to crash ?

 Cadel has finished this event in 8th place , due to a reasonable effort on Friday . Being a Mountain Top Finish after some 170km  , where he looked as though he was in no discomfort , it bodes well for the later events this season . Had a couple of chats with him throughout the week as well .

 Tuesday , after the Team Time Trial , i had the pleasure of a chat with Vincenzo Nibali , as he warmed down in the Hotel . With his moving from " Liquigas now known as Cannondale ", to Astana Team he has put in some good efforts this season . Being the Star of this Team , he demonstrated his worth today with his fighting finish thus from starting the day , off the Podium , to winning the Event by distancing ALL !

 Sir Brad demonstrated " Tossing the Caber " , when Bike troubles caused him to toss the bike to the side of the road , leaving it leaning against the rock wall of the Climb . Most will recall David Millar , in a similar fit of Petulence on the Vuelta Espana , tossing the bike over the fence . Neither Sponsor , will have been impressed with what they saw on the TV ? Doubt they would have been watching , but feel certain that some dog catcher will have sought their comment ?

Tuesday i happened on a Cycling News Clinic Thread , relating to Danny Pate , in relation to a tweet , sent some time back , speculating on Tom Danielson's participation in a NON Sanctioned " UCI Event " , whilst serving that 6 month farce of a suspension for giving " Evidence to USADA " in relation to the " ArmStrong Affair "! The " Clinic thread " even had punters , speculating about whether , Danny had caused the USA Cycling to re impose the " Rule 1.2.019 " , causing consternation in many quarters . Having run the story past  the Sky Support Staff , much to their amusement , i chanced on Danny , riding to the sign on , and related some of  the comments made in the thread . NO doubt from the chuckles i heard , it put him in a good mood for the overcast & cool morning . After Tuesday's coolish afternoon , Wednesday Morning i was wearing wool gloves and thinking about a skillet , but by the off at 9.10CET , the sun broke through the mist .

Same morning i had a ride with Marco Pinotti and mentioned reading parts of his Auto Bio . He reminded me that a signed copy was out of the question since the English version  is only available on kindle , where i had read some parts . The sections that i had read , had been well written and entertaining .

Lots more chats with a variety of Racers during the past days but it is a question of how much time to spend on relating them and the value to others . wednesday night after the descent from the MTF , passing through the traffic , i arrived at the Bike shop run by Stefano Casagrande , who mentioned seeing me cross the line at the finish sand reminded me about his days at Saeco & Alessio , where i had first met him .
He had retired in 2004 and the past 5 years has been spent selling Fondriest & Focus Bikes .  Small world ?  Gilbert Simoni was another retired racer that i was able to enjoy a chat with but did not see Maurizio F or Francesco M. , perhaps they were elsewhere in the smaller crowds this year ?

With Eurosport and RAI ( Italian TV ) broadcasting for 1 1/2hrs daily , it is possible that people are content to sit back , at home ?  Roadside crowds were always subdued in comparison to the Giro d'Italia , thus Police Controls allow riding until the first of the Police Motor bikes arrive . Even then , it seems that some Cycling Fans show disrespect by using the road rather than the pedestrian Path . Some Locals have been known to join the Team caravans .

 Italian Drivers have little regard for Road Regulations , perhaps as i drive a UK Reg Vehicle , at " Posted Speed " in Tunnels , they think passing over the double white lines , as acceptable ? Several times i have caught them in another tunnel , walked up to them , photoed their Number Plate and their face in the Window . Wonder how they explain tthings , when the Cops come calling , after receiving the emailed photos and explanation?

TOMMO : The voice from Oz !

Twitter crosses time lines and grabs attention , occasionally provokes responses ! Just such a case took place these past coupl of days :                          

           

                         Michael Tomalaris

  Michael Tomalaris 22 Mar

                          Verified account

                                   ‏@miketomalaris17h

How about collectively wishing @rupertguinness all the best for tomorrow's       @IMAsiaPacific. A sports journo who practice what he preaches.

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My reply :

skippy mc carthy @skippydetour 23 Mar @miketomalaris @rupertguinness @IMAsiaPacific Wasn't he the Guy on Holiday when USADA came to light ? Now singing a diff. tune? Rolled over? Michael Tomalaris @miketomalaris @skippydetour @rupertguinness You're a dead-set goose Skippy! And you wonder why we flick you....

Not happy with this response , i decided to look for the link that caused me to remind " Tommo " of Rupert Guinness's previous acceptance of Lance's " Dubious " performance .          

1. skippy mc carthy ‏@skippydetour17m
   @miketomalaris @CyclingCentral @SBS2 Does this article remind you of Pre USADA Reasoned.."http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cycling/a-moment-of-truth-and-not-just-for-armstrong-20120907-25jp5.html …
   IT DOES ME ! Read my Blog ?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Whilst i was on that search , the following Tweet appeared , so i responded with my two cents worth :
   
   

1. 
   
2. 1. Michael Tomalaris ‏@miketomalaris22 Mar

      A new-look @CyclingCentral TV is coming to @SBS2 ! More details soon.

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   skippy mc carthy ‏@skippydetour2h

   @miketomalaris @CyclingCentral @SBS2 Does this mean you won't be misleading the PUBLIC? Looking back for source material on the flick ! onya

skippy mc carthy ‏@skippydetour1h

@miketomalaris @CyclingCentral @SBS2 Does this mean you won't be misleading the PUBLIC? Looking back for source material on the flick ! onya

Next days i will add more to this Post , as i found a treasure trove of comments on " Tommo's performance " on SBS TV !



 "  Originally Posted by sittingbison
Darryl, Anthony Tan and Mike Tomolaris on SBS here in Australia (which is the cycling TV channel) just could not bring themselves to say "Armstrong is found guilty", it was all prevarication and misdirection. Weasel Words.

I haven't checked (will try to do so today), but I suspect Rupert Guinness the main cycling journo has not come forth either. Although he did tweet he was blacklisted by lance 2002-2004, and did not turn his back on journo mates like David Walsh."



  "  It depresses me that mainstream journos cannot even now get their facts straight, reporting such drivel as "never tested positive" or "USADA has no authority". Good grief.

EDIT: Rupert Guinness just tweeted he apologises for not commenting yet, was on private time with his family, and would comment fully on his return
I have always found him forthright and credible, looking forward to his opinion
Phil Anderson has defended Armstrong.

Tomalaris uses figleaf "alleged".   "


  "  Most so called journalists , especially the cycling ones, knew years ago re Armstrong ( and many others )and are as guilty as the peloton in keeping the omarta and spinning the myth.
I've had more than one chat , off the record ,confirming that.
Most are simply advertorial yarn tellers with ****** all concern with the injustice,s and there job is less about telling truth than it is about making there magazine/ paper a place for advertisers.  "


  "  Probably because most of the teams have made donations to the Verbruggen McQuaid Pension Fund.

After 20 years of this I have become so cynical now I call it "cash for negatives".

In fact I wonder why I even follow cycling at this moment in time.  "




http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=17941&highlight=Rupert+Guinness

  "  Australian Taxpayers revolt: Time to go Tomo!

I understand that Tomalaris has done and continues to do a lot for Australian Cycling but his commentary and hosting is becoming much beyond bareable. It is a disgrace and has been throughout the tour.

SBS is a partially Government funded Network and I believe it is time we stopped paying for his ****!   "



  "  I'm an aussie and fan of Cadel (for his determination and spirit at last years TDF and the first couple of weeks of this years) but I agree with Apollonius. SBS coverage is very good - a few inopportune ad breaks aside - and when you consider we have had live coverage of 3 monuments; the giro; tour and coming up the vuelta all on free to air TV I don't think we should be complaining! Sure at times Tomo says some stupid things but talking on live TV unscripted is much harder than ppl realise. I'm sure if you (or anyone else) had to talk for 5-10 minutes in between uncertain live crosses and sometimes tactiturn co-commentators you'd also be prone to the odd inanity. If one of the ex pros like scotty sunderland could step up to present they would. Fact is that they couldn't. If you think Tomo is bad imagine if we had to endure 'the tanman' for 10mins at the end of each stage.. His shameful podcasts uncover just how poor his cycling knowledge is and what a posing pouncy ****er he is. At least Tomo isn't that!


  "  Tomo just jumps on the bandwagon of whoever is winning. He is painful but a bit better than he used to be. "



  "  Tomo is ok in small doses ... remember we want to keep cycling on SBS unlike the farce that was the tour down under coverage on channel nine ...... please, please dont wish the Tan Man upon us .... I turn channels or fast forward when i know he's coming on ....... the pick of the bunch is clearly Matt Keenan ..... but be careful what you wish for ...... I do agree however that his comments re Cadel and ditching the Tour for the Giro etc were ill timed.     "


  "  Yes please, I refuse to watch Tomo unless Tan is alongside.   "


  "  We do have them! At least they understand Cycling unlike Tomo.    "


  "  Tomo seems to have gone from Cadel being the next coming to making it sound like he should be thrown on the scrapheap (which Cadel does not deserve).
- Don't really like Rupert Guinness but can't really explain why just one of those things. "


  "  Maybe I was a little hasty but the calls that Cadel's career was over which was said multiple times by Tomo shows how naive and stupid he really is.  "


  "  Mackenzie sometimes seems to wince at what Tomo is saying which is quite amusing.  "


  "  Tomo's also needs to work on his pronunciation of French place names - he has the most ocker speech of any SBS presenter!  "



  "  Yes he does say some stupid things on the spur of the moment but I think I have become used to it and can overlook it.  "


  "  Speaking of commercials tho - what's with all the erection medication ads during the tour. Are they implying cyclists are soft c**ks? lol


  "  he is an absolute top bloke in person when he is not 'working'  "

CADEL WON THE 2005 Tour de France

Hein and Phat , listen up ! There are people doing the work that your minions have chosen not to do , YET ! As people will see , some are able to see the wood from the trees , and reach fairly logical conclusions from the existing information available . Of course that tome written by shamilton may change a few things in the information made available by their efforts !

Listed below in date order , are the blogs that i have found presenting their conclusions and worthy of your attention :

http://scotslawthoughts.wordpress.com/2012/08/25/if-not-armstrong-who-won-the-tour-de-france-or-tour-dutopia-from-1999-to-2005/

http://150wattsofawesome.blogspot.co.at/2012/09/lance-armstrong-aftermath.html

My coming across these blogs , came through a variety of resources , but i feel sure that the " Clinic " on CNF , had something to do with that . Seems the mushroom farm is good for something worthwhile occasionally .

What a pity that the " UCI " is such a mess of problems that both Cadel , as indicated by the conclusions drawn , for 2005 and Georg Totschnig  in 2004 , will not be presented with their wins when the 2013 edition of " Le Tour " begins on Corsica ! In celebrating the 100th Edition of  " Le Tour ", would it not be great to see ONLY those who are " Clean of Drugs " participate ?

Please take note of what was said by " Scotslawyer ":


 "  What this exercise does, I think, is demonstrate the futility of looking to change the record book by awarding titles, long after the fact, to people who did not win on the track or field.
This is different from disqualifying Ben Johnson the day after his 100m win at Seoul. “Fixing” the result within days, or weeks is probably in order, and in fact even within a year of the event would be possible.
However, going further than that risks creating strange results, not reflective of competition.
If, for example, the first seven finishers in the 2000 Tour had not entered, or had been disqualified as the race proceeded, then Escartín and his Kelme team would, in all probability, have had to ride the race in a totally different way, and the people who were just behind him in the General Classification would have attacked differently too. There is a big difference between how a rider races when 18 minutes behind the yellow jersey, and 18 seconds behind.
That is why my idea, which, when I started this piece, seemed a whimsical one, namely the Tour D’Utopia, could in fact have a place in sport. "


Some people think that the IOC is as badly run as the UCI and with the board of WADA having people like Phat as members of the Foundation Board of WADA , one wonders if there is not a taint of suspicion ? How much linkage is there between WADA and SportsAccord  when WADA funds the Salaries of SportsAccord personnel ?

Governments will listen to the IOC and WADA through their National Branches so it is not difficult to believe that these bodies have the power to seek their cooperation in instituting an " AMNESTY in ALL SPORTS "!  Would it not be worth while for Governments to allow Athletes to avoid " Double Jeopardy " when they choose to cooperate with a " Truth & Reconciliation  Commission " in the allotted Time Span , thus paving the way to discovering and destroying the resources and incomes of Criminals supplying the Products used in Doping ?

With WADA  conducting a meeting in Stockholm concerning " Doping as a Public Health Issues " , attended by World Health experts from the likes of  World Health Organization ( WHO ) , the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the United Nations Education, Science and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), INTERPOL and WADA . Link for more details here :

http://playtrue.wada-ama.org/news/wada-calls-for-increased-alliances-during-stockholm-symposium/

Earlier in the week there was another meeting in St Petersburg of the " Athletes Commission " regarding changes to the World Anti Doping Code , link here :

http://playtrue.wada-ama.org/news/athlete-committee-discusses-code-amendments/

Those at this meeting were concerned with the " Code review process " and their personal experiences will help to shape the 2015 version of the WADA Code ! People such as David Millar will be able to relate their experiences at the sharp end of the WADA experience ! In visiting the following website you will notice the background is of a Wheelchair race which no doubt will remind people that even Paralympians are involved in the collection of data needed to shape the 2015 WADA Code !

http://www.wada-ama.org/en/World-Anti-Doping-Program/Sports-and-Anti-Doping-Organizations/The-Code/Code-Review/

2012 London Paralympics detected several users of HGH , using new testing procedures , only recently introduced .  That they were not used at the 2012 Olympics , was a policy decision by those in the IOC , seeking to avoid controversy . Perhaps they  used the tests but decided not to publish the results ?  " Shamateurs " use whatever they can get their hands on for what purpose ? You guessed right ,  " BRAGGING RIGHTS "!  Of course Professional Athletes would not stoop to these means to inflate their income , prestige or EGO , would they ?  Some years ago i overheard Masters Cyclists " bragging about their " Supplements and bike weights " , they still continue , no doubt with the same methods , to attend events , thinking they need these underhand abilities to enhance their lives ?

AS to the minor placings for the years that LANCE  won , do we need to bother ? Doubtful that anyone cares ! Only Contador seems to have been  replaced in the records and that by a suspected Racer who regularly follows the same training regime as his brother . Mud sticks , so it is not surprising that Andy has not taken the step of returning to racing after his Spinal problems mid year .

Off to watch the end of the Women Road Race and then out on the bike if the rain will only stop for a while .

CADEL EVANS

Cuddles never was my favourite Cycle Racer , but these past few days have shown why he is such a champion and so badly misunderstood by many !

When i caught up with him on Saturday , i mentioned that i had been at L'Alp d'Huez for a couple of days with the Dutch " Alpe HuSes Challenge " , that Cancer Research Project , that raises masses of money ! I heard 32 Million Euros has been raised todate , this year , but there is still the Mont Ventoux Event , in September , to top off this year's result !

Incredible to think that 5000 Dutch Cyclists ride for two days as many as 6 times the L'Alpe d'huez climb , for many the highlight of their cycling season , for others a challenge hard to resist . When interviewed on Dutch National TV i stated i was there , since Cadel Evans was busy winning the Dauphine Libere , wearing a BMC kit , supplied by " GRAN BIKES " in Torino , i hope i looked the part .

Anyway Cuddles , replied that i did not look much like a " body double " !

Sunday morning , today , i was awake early and with a misty rain falling decided to ride the day's etappe early , as rain was predicted by many ! Getting around the course and back to Morzine left me fairly soaked so i was glad i chose to wear the BMC kit once again .




In Morzine , once again , i found the BMC Team Pullman , parked at the centre of town near the start line , luckily for me i arrived at the same time as Cadel , hence the photo !










After the event i came across Cadel as he rode from the Podium back to the Team pullman with his young son , with him , on the bike , photos here !

In McDonalds at Martigny without power cable , preparing for the Tour de Suisse in the morning so will add more later !

Earlier i had come across Brad Wiggins near the Podium . I said to him regarding the " Tour de France " ,

" Be the best you CAN , everything else will be icing on the cake "!

In other Blog Posts i have stated that i expect that the Winner of  this edition of the " Le Tour " will come out of the " Blue " ! Still believe this will be the case but hope that both Cadel and Brad will push the eventual Winner all the way to Paris !

Some of the French that are found at the Dauphine Libere :

TRIUMPHANT AUSSIES !

SBS BLOG PERSONNEL ATTACKING CYCLING

Tomalaris recently wrote a blog article which i thought offensive and denigrating to Sydney Cyclists.

Yesterday i found on Cycling Central yet another offensive and denigrating blog entry but this time by Gomez, below is my reply. I also commented on the Daily Telegraph site enclosing a google link referring to the attached comment:

" The article was an "April Fools Day joke"? Right? Thought Cycling Central was about supporting cycling in all it's aspects ! Gomes & Tomolaris recently



both seem to sit on their butt in a vehicle and denigrate cyclists, will the next articles they write be about the "wittisms" they call out to passing cyclists or even worse what they offer as they pull alongside a cyclist that they choose to offer advice. Worldwide the English speaking cycling blogs tend to highlight the frustration that everyone is experiencing as they try to ride to their destination in safety. Cadel today tweeted another cycling casualty, who knows what the circumstances are other than the father was on the scene. Politicians worldwide are taking up and talking up cycling as they realise the benefits to their electorate. We all know of the minority who cannot cook and are useless motoring correspondents who denigrate cyclists so as to grab the "headlines/sound bites" , guess we will see the "anti cycling Lobby" now quoting "Tomalaris/Gomez" to reinforce their point of view.


Marc of Gympie is correct in saying more consideration should be given to where bike lanes are. On the Tour de Suisse i had to ride up hills without bike lanes but going down the hill there was a bike lane, now what does that tell you ? Personally i thought the slow cyclist needed the protection , not those descending at or above the speed limit. Thecyclingsilk.blogspot recently wrote the "Home Sec. of the UK" to ask that there be more uniformity of Police/CPS attitudes towards cyclists, every where there is a variation in attitudes to cycling. On the harbour there are rules and generally you give way to the smaller vessel and the bigger vessel is held liable in an incident and generally the vehicle running up the rear of another is held liable. When Insurance Companies start cancelling the policy or increasing the premiums of Vehicles held responsible or involved in cycle accidents we will see a marked change in driver attitudes, no longer will some see how close they can get to spoiling a cyclist's day. Whereever i am in the world i see people in every form of locomotion breaking "rules" imposed to achieve a level playing field, "Throwing a "Uey", running a red light, Jay walking, we are all as bad as each other but it is the attitude we adopt to each other that needs modifying. Tolerance seems to have disappeared as we all leave everything till the last moment and then look for the excuse to present as justification for our late arrival. Take a look at Fatcyclist.com 's latest contest, in fact any of his blog entries and have a good laugh , lighten up and don't jump down the throat of the next person who breaks a law( Don't throw stones in glasshouses) ! Happy Festive season and safe cycling in the New Year. "

What more can i say , other than Cyclists should ALL decide to put on Cycling Clothes, put their bike on the roof of the car , post a large explanation note on each side of the car and each first monday of the month everywhere in the world and join the rush hour to and from work and let those naysayers realise not only how WE the cyclists have helped reduce congestion but ALSO how many of us CHOOSE not to drive during this period of time.

Could the Cycling Fraternity consider how this idea alone would drive home the message that people currently choose to ignore.