Recent news such as the proposed comeback of Mario Cipollini, the masters’ hour record set in Aigle by 100-year old Robert Marchand and the retirement of 1997 Paris-Roubaix winner Frederic Guesdon (FDJ-BigMat) after coming back from a broken pelvis in the Tour Down Under to complete this year’s edition of the race, got me thinking about the contribution made by the older generation of riders. By older, I mean anyone born in 1975 or earlier. This is a select group of 22 riders some of whom, like Guesdon, are planning that this year will be their swansong. Riders such as Robbie McEwan (GreenEDGE) and Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana) are indulging in a trip down memory lane before they climb off the bike and into the team car as a directeur sportif. Continue reading
Daily Archives: April 13, 2012
COMPETITION: BMC Bumper Ballan Bonus
We knew the VeloVoices drinks trolley would pay for itself one day! We’ve been schmoozing it a bit with the friendly peeps at BMC and they have generously given us some cool team memorabilia to give to you. (Yes, YOU!) We have three prizes on offer:
3rd prize: A set of 2012’s official autograph card set – hold them out at the barricades and see who signs!
2nd prize: A jaunty BMC cycling cap – you’ve seen it on Cadel Evans, now you too can look like a champion!
And 1st prize: The official 2012 Paris-Roubaix programme signed by Alessandro Ballan himself.
Team updates: BMC, Euskaltel-Euskadi, FDJ-BigMat and GreenEDGE
At the beginning of the season, each member of the VeloVoices team selected one ProTeam to follow for the duration of 2012. Here’s an update on how each squad is progressing after the end of the Flandrian Classics.
BMC
WorldTour ranking: 7th, 279 points.
Major results:
- Criterium International: Cadel Evans – 1st overall, won stage 2 ITT.
- Strade Bianche: Alessandro Ballan – 4th. Greg van Avermaet – 5th.
- Ronde van Vlaanderen: Alessandro Ballan – 3rd. Greg van Avermaet – 4th.