13 minutes of adrenaline

Usually, I grab lunch in the cafeteria, run back to my office and continue what I am working on. Sometimes, I permit myself a little perusal of the world’s news, specifically cycling. Today, I trusted a friend of mine with 13 minutes of my day. It was well spent.

It seems that You Tube is not allowing this video to be embedded in blogs at this point. If you click on it, it will offer the link to the clip directly. To save the step, here is the link.

 

Assassins!

Next July will mark 100 years since Octave Lapize spat those words at Tour founder Henri Desgrange.  Those venom-laced words came after the inclusion of the Tourmalet.  Ever since that day, the Col du Tourmalet has towered both literally and figuratively over the Tour de France. 

A few facts about the Tourmalet.  The Tourmalet is 19.4 km long with an average gradient of 7.4% .  It bites the hardest with a 10.2% max gradient at the very end.  The Tourmalet  has been featured more times than any other mountain pass in Tour history including the past two editions.   Even the Vuelta has crossed the Tourmalet on a few occasions.  However, there has not been a mountain top finish at the Tourmalet since 1974.  I’m not counting the ‘02 and ‘04 finishes at La Mongie.  The Tour just got too big for the Grande Dame. 

So, what do you do for the 100th anniversary of the Col du Tourmalet?  Well, word leaking out of Belgium via Cyclingnews is the Tour may have a stage finish at the summit of the Tourmalet.  The stage finish will be on the second ascent of the mountain.  That’s right, riders may have to ride up the mountain twice in one stage.

I think riders may spit out a few expletives of their own to mark the occasion.  Remember David Millar’s finish line abandonment during the 2002 Vuelta?  Leaving his bike at the finish line atop the Angliru.  Didn’t Einstein talk about insanity as doing things over and over again?  Maybe that will be the word sent the way of the latest Tour boss.

Is it paranoia when people ARE out to get you?

Sometimes, it doesn’t pay to get out of bed in the morning.  Each day I, like most people in the country, wake up worried about the economy and my job.  Like most people, it seems that both are very tenuous.  But at least I have my bike.  I believe the bicycle is the best invention for stress relief, thought clarity and of course physical fitness.  Bike racing is such an alluring sport that when watching, everything else moves to the background.

I dropped what was then RCN Cable in favor of Dish Networks back in 1999 because the latter carried a little known channel called Outdoor Life Network.  When I switched to DirecTV a couple of years later, I made sure OLN was in the channel lineup I knew Patriot Media (the successor to RCN) did not.  Everything was going well until OLN started to program bull riding at the expense of cycling.  Bull riding?  That was a slap in the face.  OLN had morphed into Versus and had outgrown cycling.  It’s parent Comcast was moving it towards direct competition with ESPN.  But I found Cycling.Tv and the European peloton was back in my life.

I’ve never been in an earthquake but it must be really scary when the one thing you can count on, the earth under your feet, betrays you.  I’ve been in a tornado’s path once but at least I could huddle close to the ground for safety.  Over the last few months, I think I have felt a figurative earthquake.  In May, the Giro was dropped from Versus and by extension Cycling.TV.  You see, the cycling website had linked it’s fortune to Versus so when the cable channel declined to renew the contract with the Italian race, it caught Cycling.tv right where it hurt the most.  Not only was the Giro gone but the whole Italian series.

Then Universal Sports stepped in.  I could see the Giro online even if Anthony McCrossan and Brian Smith were not there with me.  OK.  I immediately called DirecTV.  “Get the Universal Sports Channel!” I yelled.  The answer was no.  During the same time, the Verizon FiOS trucks pulled in my neighborhood.  I looked and they had Universal Sports!  I called and asked when I could sign up.  The Giro was three weeks long, could I possibly be that lucky? No.  They started laying the conduit at the other end of my neighborhood.  Oh well.

The economy continued to tank and Verizon hooked up half of my neighborhood (the wrong half) and left.  I am about 200 yards from FiOS.  Does anyone have an extra 200 yards of fiber optic cable and a wire splicer? I watched the Tour in Versus HD.  Lance saved my Tour since I doubt I would have gotten the coverage had he not come back.  For three weeks, Versus reverted to OLD. Only Lance Network.  By the end of August, I received a message. “DirecTV will no longer carry Versus due to Comcast’s Outrageous demands.”  What? Then August changed into September and I was teased yet again.  My TiVo told me I had a cycling recording.  How could that be? Well, DirecTV replaced Versus with Universal Sports!  YES!

I watched the World Championships with the biggest grin you could imagine.  Until October 1st when I found out that DirecTV only ran the channel for a month.

Do you see what I mean?  This can’t be pure chance.  Someone must be doing this on purpose.  Yes, I know with 6 billion people in the world, why me?  But do you have a better explanation?

So,  everyone call DirecTV and tell them to lay off me.  I’m under enough stress already.  Give me Universal Sports!

Or get those Verizon trucks back here.

UCI Launches Anti-Doping Education Program

In 1930, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, in an effort to alleviate the effects of the… Anyone? Anyone?… the Great Depression, passed the… Anyone? Anyone? The tariff bill? The Hawley-Smoot Tariff Act? Which, anyone? Raised or lowered?… raised tariffs, in an effort to collect more revenue for the federal government. Did it work? Anyone? Anyone know the effects? It did not work, and the United States sank deeper into the Great Depression. Today we have a similar debate over this. Anyone know what this is? Class? Anyone? Anyone? Anyone seen this before? The Laffer Curve. Anyone know what this says? It says that at this point on the revenue curve, you will get exactly the same amount of revenue as at this point. This is very controversial. Does anyone know what Vice President Bush called this in 1980? Anyone? Something-d-o-o economics. “Voodoo” economics. – Ferris Bueller’s day Off 1986

Professional cyclists must be feeling that their profession is becoming more like a job every day.  The latest is the mandatory training program on doping.  Riders must complete a DVD or online “training” course by the start of the Tour de France next year or lose their ability to race. 

Was that wrong? Should I not have done that? I tell you, I gotta plead ignorance on this thing, because if anyone had said anything to me at all when I first started here that that sort of thing is frowned upon . . . you know, cause I’ve worked in a lot of offices, and I tell you, people do that all the time. George Costanza Seinfield

I put training in quotes because if you listen to the UCI, the main goal is more CYA than education.  The UCI wants to squash any excuse of “I didn’t know” or the old “Was that wrong?” I have to tell you, I have sat through many of these type of education courses.  When written to cover a rear end, there is no more boring course on the planet. 

I wonder if Ben Stein is the host?

Bueller? ... Bueller? ... Bueller?

Vuelta brings the Grand Tour season to an end

This past weekend saw the conclusion of the Vuelta a España.  This closes the door on the section leg of the cycling season.  The first section, Spring Classics, seem so long ago.  Now the hard men of the Spring return to close out our season with the Fall Classics and the World Championships. 

All in all, I think this season is shaping up to be a success.  Most of the press reports have focused on the races and riders actions within those races.  The only detours have occurred when personality clashes found their way into the headlines. 

I’d rather read about ego clashes between two great riders vying for control of a team than two organizations vying for control of cycling.  So in summary, cycling’s glass is half full.  That’s not to say that everything is just great in cycling.  The Vuelta presented us with a glimpse of why constant vigilance is needed.   

First, you have the return of AlexanderVinokourov to the peloton.  Getting absolution from his home country/team to ride again, he came back to top level racing.  It also seems that two years as a cycling’s outcast did nothing to humble the Kazak rider.  Fortunately, he was never a factor before exiting due to fatigue.  Hmm.  How ironic.

The winner was, until recently, Spain’s favorite son.  On one hand it was good to see Alejandro Valverde fulfill his potential as a Grand Tour rider.  It was looking clear that a three week race is a bit too long for a man that was once labeled invincible.  On the other hand, I’ve stopped wishing for Valverde to fulfill his potential after CONI released their information.

Between the two extremes, I loved watching the next generation have at it.  As most of the top names are beginning to wind their season down, those who labored in their shadows are getting some time in the sun. Men such as Lars Boom, Philip Deignan, and Anthony Roux.  This is what cycling is all about.

Skil-Shimano first to fold

You got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em,
Know when to walk away and know when to run.
You never count your money when you’re sittin at the table.
There’ll be time enough for countin when the dealin’s done. – Kenny Rogers, The Gambler

With seven ProTour licenses up for grabs, the stakes are pretty high.  Around the table competing were incumbents Cofidis, AG2R, BBox Bouygues Telecom, Lampre and Milram.  As the locals settled into their seats, the sound of distant hoofbeats caused heads to turn towards the swinging doors.  Riding into town were some high rollers.  

The swinging doors creaked open with the first high roller.  Scott Sunderland of Team Sky.  Scott carries the bankroll of none other than Rupert Murdoch himself.  The doors to the saloon had not yet ceased swinging when John LeLangue entered the room.  John had just won a big three way tournament with Bob Stapleton and Johan Bruyneel and walked away with the George Hincapie trophy.  He was looking to extend his lucky streak at these tables for his BMC team.  Whispers began about his chummy relationship with ASO.  Was a back room deal cut? 

There was not enough time to conclude this conversation when a nervous hush fell across the room. All had heard the distinctive sounds of spurs against the wooden porch outside.  Several folks looked nervously at the Marshall sitting at the bar.  Marshall Pat McQuaid subconsciously touched his six shooter.  No comfort was derived by finding it in the holster. Although the setting sun would only allow a silhouette to be seen, they all knew who had entered.  The Boss was playing this hand himself on behalf of his Radio Shack team.

Big Tex looked over at the Marshall and asked “Did you bring the licenses?” The Marshall opened his vest to reveal seven slips of paper.  With a wry smile, Lance Armstrong turned to the dealer and said “Deal. I think the game is Texas Hold ‘Em.”

Skil-Shimano,which was able to ride in the Tour de France this year as a wildcard, looked around the table and threw in their cards. 

Not another Raymond Poulidor

There is an old saying that says when you are putting together a basketball team remember, “You can’t teach height.”  This let’s everyone know that you need a combination of hard work and a little bit of luck in the genetic lottery. So, the first step in becoming a professional cyclist is to pick the right parents.

Folks like me, have come to grip with the fact that while I have the passion of a thoroughbred, I have the body of a Clydesdale.  That was tough to realize and took a little while to settle in.  The feeling is very similar to a mountain stage in a bike race.  You all start at the bottom together.  Then as the stage grows, the pack starts to thin.  That’s OK because even through you are at your limit; you are still with the elite group.  You’re ego convinces you that you are just as good as anyone in this group.  Then the group becomes more of a line and you are at the back of that line trying to hold the wheel of the person in front of you.   The ego still sees the group, sees the leader and feeds you the information that you belong.  Then, someone picks up the pace.  You see the wheel in front of you inch away.  You are now only a couple of feet behind that wheel and desperately trying to hold on to the lead group.  After all, you worked as hard as anyone there so you belong.  Right?  Wrong.

The big engines take it to a level you had no idea existed.  Then the realization quickly sets in.  You are not a thoroughbred.  You are at peak fitness, the best you can be, and you are dropped.  This figurative example happens to all of us at some point.  Some earlier than others.  The acceleration tends to happen between town sports and travel, middle school and high school, high school and college, college and the pros. 

Sport drops us.  We all can’t be Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong, Michael Jordan.  

Now, let’s say you won the genetic lottery.  You are blessed with the natural ability that 99.9% of us envy.  Sprinkle in some hard work and you stay with all the accelerations and make it to the top!  Only to find out that at the top, there is one person who had a better lottery ticket.  Only one person.  If you were born a little earlier or a little later and you would have enjoyed the accolades you so richly deserved. 

The last Triple Crown in horse racing was won in 31 years ago in 1978.  No horse has been able to do it since.  The horse was called Affirmed.  What a beautiful horse.  Very few horses were blessed with the ability to run like Affirmed.  Certainly not in the last 31 years.     In all three Triple Crown races, Affirmed ran away from the field like they were standing still.  Everyone except Alydar.  Alydar might be the second best horse of the last 50 years.  Also a beauty to behold.  Alydar had only one flaw.  He was born at the same time as Affirmed. 

 

When the greatest horses of all time are mentioned, Affirmed is hailed as one of only 11 Triple Crown winners.  Alydar barely gets mentioned.  Alydar is the only horse ever to finish second in all three races.  And those seconds were measured in inches.  If it were not for a cruel twist of fate, there would be 12 Triple Crown winners. 

Is Tyler Farrar cycling’s Alydar?  Is Andy Schleck?  I hope not.  I am huge fans of both and don’t want to see these two cyclists as a footnote in history.  After watching the Tour de France this year, I marveled at these two riders.  Then I lamented the fact that they are part of the Mark Cavendish/Alberto Contador era in cycling. 

I know what my fall felt like.   When you get that far, how does it feel?

 

Will Greg LeMond shut up?

Bitter at anyone who shows greatness, Greg LeMond seethes bitterness at his new target, Alberto Contador. Looking at the final climb of Mt. Verbier.

“Never has a rider in the Tour climbed so fast.”

Where does he get his opinion?  LeMond takes some postulations from Antoine Vayer, former Festina Trainer.  The face that Vayer clearly states that he makes a significant number of assumptions in his calculations  did not sway the former Tour Champ.

“Contador would have needed a VO2 max  of 99.5 ml/mn/kg to produce such an effort. To my knowledge this figure has never been achieved by any athlete in any sport. It is a bit like if you took a nice Mercedes out of the car showroom, lined it up on a Formula 1 circuit and won the race. There is something that is wrong. It would be interesting to know what is under the bonnet.”

The Science of Sport outlines these assumptions (including a big assumption of a 490 watt output) and how any conclusions made from watching TV are not worth the paper they are written on.  From article:

Last week, we looked at Contador’s climbing rate (VAMs) and using Michele Ferrari’s formula, arrive at a power output of 6.78 W/kg, or 420W.

Alex Simmons very kindly provided some calculations for the climb, given the speed and gradient, and he arrived at a value of 422 W. He went on to show that if you assume even a small following wind, this power output drops to 397W.

Using the same principles, but making more “aggressive” assumptions, I have calculated the power output at around 440 W - this is an upper end, call it the “worst case scenario”, because I think Alex has pretty much arrived at the accurate figures using his equations (which match the estimation of the Ferrari equations based on VAMs)

Given the seriousness of doping allegations, you better be damn sure of your facts Mr. LeMond.  You are the first to sue based on baseless allegations.  You of all people should understand the damage you can do by lobbing these type of grenades.

Let the bidding begin

With this Tour all but over, it is clear that the boys from Astana will part ways just as fast as they can pack and catch a taxi to the airport.  Lance will go to Radio Shack (I’m sorry with all due respect to the electronics company, I’m having trouble with this one) Johan will probably follow.  I expect Johan to pack a few other Astana riders with him on his flight to the US.

The question on everyone’s lips is where will Alberto Contador end up?  We heard the strong rumors of home team Caisse d’Epargne before the Tour.  Even Jonathan Vaughters was rumored to be negotiating with the Spanish rider.  One thing is for sure, with his palmares, there will not be a shortage of suitors for the best Grand Tour rider in the game today.  The question will move from who to how much? 

Starting a cycling team?  Better go back to your sponsor for some more cash and get ready for the biggest auction cycling has seen in a while!

Will Radio Shack stop selling Garmin GPS devices?

ESPN is reporting that the new sponsor for the Lance Armstrong/Johan Bruyneel team is Radio Shack.  This piece was discovered when ESPN found the URL teamradioshack.com was purchased by Capital Sports & Entertainment.  CS&E is Lance Armstrong’s management company.

We’ve all had questions, now we have answers.