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The Gossip Page

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What... ?

What are you looking at?

There's really nothing to see here. You do need to move along, now. Hup, hup, move along.

What are you staring at? It's a blank screen. Look. All blank. Nothing going on.

Oh... you say you're looking for Gossip? Really? Surely, you know how to find that by now. Do we have to explain everything to you?

Star-divide

We begin today in Italy. For what better place could there be to start? Benna! Daniele Bennati won Thursday's Giro del Piemonte ahead of Luca Paolini and Alexandre Usov. And there was much rejoicing! A long sprint allowed il Pantera (the Panther) to open up a significant gap and celebrate his second win in Piemonte. The first was in 2006, for those keeping track of such things. Now, it's vacation time for Benna, after a season that included seven victories, making him the most winningest rider at Team Liquigas. After the race, Bennati thanked his team-mates for their hard work controlling the 199 km race. "Carlström led me through the final two kilometers, then at around 200 meters to go, I decided to go. It was a long sprint, but all worked out for the best," he concluded. Next season, the Tuscan sprinter would like to win a classic, especially Milano-San Remo, which he said "intrigues me." See you on the Via Roma! The Gossip gratefully acknowledges the Bennati Research Team for their valuable contributions to this post.

Gustav Larsson has had an eventful transfer season. Everyone thought he was transferring to Caisse d'Épargne. Guess again. Bjarne Riis came through with the counter-offer, and Larsson will remain at CSC-Saxo Bank next season. Craigslist, Sweden: For sale, Spanish-Swedish dictionary, Spanish grammar book, Sun screen. Must sell. Email notmovingtospain@mail.se for info. Thanks for looking!

Christophe Laurent will return to France next season after a year with the American Team Garmin. Though Laurent had one more year on his contract with Garmin, he has negotiated an early exit, and will ride for Agritubel in 2009. Laurent said on his webby that he had reached verbal agreements with both teams, and would sign the official agreements presently. Explaining the decision, he cited the language barrier and a general failure to fit into the team. The requirement to live in Gerona also did not suit him especially well, he said. No doubt the non-selection for the 2008 Tour de France also did not suit the French rider well. The 31 year old Laurent previously rode for Agritubel for two seasons, 2005 and 2006, and found success there as a rider for the breakaways. Bonne Chance, Christophe!

Nearly all of the riders from the disbanding Crédit Agricole have found teams for next season. The nice people at L'Équipe have made us this handy-dandy cheat sheet. Team Cervélo is the winner, boasting five former Agricoles on next year's roster. Not that anyone is counting or anything.

German sponsors do not heart the bike racing. There will be no opportunities to type Rundfarht next season, as there will be no Deutschland Rundfahrt. Schade. Or, perhaps Sheiß. The decision came after the D-Tour lost its title sponsor, zillertal.at Tiroll, and all hope of securing a new one. The dopage fall-out has also led to the cancellation of the Stüttgart Six Day track event. ARD and ZDF will no longer broadcast the Tour. The German Bundestag may cut off funding for the German Cycling Federation. Really, it's a rough time to be a cycling fan in Germany, if in fact, there are any left.

For their part, the ASO defended their hard-line against doping and strict testing programs. We're trying. We're trying really, really hard. Bad dopers, very bad dopers. French television will still continue to show the race. The Tour de France is more than a sporting event said a recent statement confirming French teevee's continued loyalty to the event.

On a brighter note, German dairy company Milram will continue to sponsor the last German pro tour team standing. At least, for now. The sponsor has also made clear that it reserves the right to withdraw in the event of a doping scandal. The new team contracts will specify that riders may undergo independent testing by the team, and could be fired for suspicious results. The team management has not yet specified what measures they may take the ensure their riders' cleanliness. Soap and water will probably not be sufficient. Just trying to help out.

In other German news, Jan Ullrich will not return to racing. Absolutely not, said Ullrich's long-time manager Wolfgang Strohband in a statement this week. Rumors had circulated over the last few weeks that der Jan might consider a big Comeback. I mean, all the cool people are doing it. Jan, clearly not one of the cool people.

Obligatory Armstrong Mention. Lance Armstrong will not attend next week's official unveiling of the 2009 Tour de France. Instead, Armstrong will stay home and train. He told Gazzetta dello Sport recently that he weighed 82 kilos at the beginning of the summer, but now he is down to 76. He hopes to lose ten more before riding the Tour, if in fact he rides, which remains for now uncertain. In the meantime, the ASO will present the plan for next July's party on Wednesday, 22 October. Former winners Carlos Sastre and Alberto Contador will both be present, doing their best to look enthusiastic about the proceedings. True confessions? Here at the Gossip World Headquarters we find it terribly difficult to rally the enthusiasm in October for a grand tour. We do, however, look forward with immense anticipation to the fashion choices at next week's event. Our fashion correspondents are standing by.

Filippo Simeoni has one more reason to not love Armstrong. As if he needed another. Simeoni, currently the Italian national champion, thinks it's a tad unfair that Armstrong who suddenly decided that he wanted to ride the Giro has a confirmed invite. Simeoni does not. The Italian Champion does not know if his team will be invited to next year's Giro. Oh, and, he doesn't yet know which team's roster he will grace.

Clean Water boys. The new Team H20-Teltek directed by Max Radoni has announced its first two signings. Rubens Bertagliati and Sergio Pardilla have officially joined the roster. Bertogliati, formerly of Scott-American Beef, wore the Yellow Jersey in the 2002. He won a stage, too. Pardilla, currently riding for Burgos Monumental won the queen stage of the 2006 Tour de l'Avenir and the overall at the 2007 Tour des Pyrénées. According to Rumor, Radoni currently negotiates with Davide Rebellin, who still needs a team. Other riders connected with the new Clean Water Team include: Luca Paolini, Filippo Simeoni, Patrice Halgand, Aurélien Passeron, and Michaël Szkolnik. Radoni, who manages the amateur team BC Vallauris, is expected to bring three riders from his current team: Micula Dematteis and the brothers Pedro and Jesus Merino. The team will register in Luxembourg, and is seeking a ProContinental license from the UCI. Team H20, the sponsor, aims to improve access to clean water throughout Africa. Teltek is a Canadian telecommunications corporation.

Marta Bastianelli will miss one year of competition. The 21 year old former world champion tested positive for the stimulant fenfluramine, used a weightloss drug, on 5 July at the U23 European championships in Verbania. The procura of CONI requested a two year ban, but the Tribunale nazionale anti-doping decided upon one year, because she had received the drug on a doctor's prescription. The suspension ends 7 August 2009. Bastianelli's lawyer, Giuseppe Napoleone, told the press that they would almost certainly take the case to TAS, in an effort further to shorten the sanction. Napoleone suggested that the revised WADA code that goes into effect in 2009 might offer a possibility to alter the sanction in light of the responsibility of the doctor for prescribing the herbal supplement that contained the drug.

No Maglia Rosa for Danilo Diluca next year. Diluca has said that he will not target overall victory at next year's 100th anniversary Giro d'Italia. Instead, he plans to chase classics wins and a make a serious run at the World Championship in Mendrisio. One wonders if Franco Ballerini is aware of this plan. Care to comment Signor Ballerini? On the subject of Ballerini, the national team selector has turned down several offers, including one from Lampre, to sign on as a full-time DS. Ballerini said he enjoys his role as cat-herder to the Azurri, and has no plans to give it up just yet. Here at the Gossip we miss the pre-Ballerini Azurri, what with the Drama and the Egos, but we can't argue with the winnings. Ballerini boasts three straight world championship victories, for those playing along at home. Who will be next? Diluca is certainly hoping it's his turn. In other Diluca news, with his win at the Giro dell'Emilia, Diluca secured overall victory in the Italian Cup by 10 points over Stefano Garzelli.

From the Statistics Department. Bernhard Kohl is the 13th positive doping control in Austrian cycling since 1999. Can anyone name 13 Austrian cyclists?

As of this writing, 7 days, 7 hours, 11 minutes and 52 seconds remain until Ivan Basso returns to racing. But who's counting? Well, Basso is. Basso will take the start at the Tour of Japan. Damiano Cunego will also be present. In a recent interview, Basso said he hopes that Cunego wins Lombardia. Then, he hopes that Basso wins Japan. No, Ivan, that would not make you the winner of Lombardia. Not even in some kind of alternate universe. Sorry, better luck next year. Alessandro Ballan commented in a recent interview that he'd seen Basso out training. Apparently, the Varesino looks fast. He will need to be, if he hopes to win next year's Giro.

Last, but not least, a race notice. Has anyone noticed the Herald Sun Tour? You know, stage race, Australia, Spring. We feel certain you've heard of it. Well, thursday it completed its fourth stage. Lars Bak of CSC-Saxo Bank took over the race lead from team-mate Stuart OGrady. Australian Chris Jongeward of Panasonic won the stage from a three-up break.

That's all for today from the Gossip World Headquarters. We'll be back. Soon. Consistency, order, routine, so not what we do best.

À presto!

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Bennati?

Thanks for the gossip reports! I’m eagerly awaiting the fashion reports from the TDF presentation.

by Katiek on Oct 16, 2008 10:22 PM EDT reply actions  

Yay Benna, looking good too.. Great to see new photos of him...

As for the Sun Tour, well done to the CSC guys, kicking ass in Aust, just wishing i was there too, but hey I can’t afford to go to every race… But i’ll be making sure i catch up with them at the TDU…

But so looking forward to seeing the guys all dressed up in their suits, sweeeeet… Bring it on… I’m excited about the announcement, it means i can then organise my trip for next year… it is a military operation when planning the TdF trip… LOLCertain things need to be achieved in 2009… hahaha Albertina are you in???

Hmm Basso, hey i’m excited. more eye candy.. ohhh sorry need to concentrate on the racing…

by CycleGirl on Oct 16, 2008 11:13 PM EDT reply actions  

Phen-phen is so mid 90s. Sheesh.

by marian on Oct 17, 2008 1:20 AM EDT reply actions  

ahh the good old days of Phen-phen.

back before EPO was killing off cyclists, phen-phen was the reining champion of killing people f’ing up the dosage.

WTF? this is about the 5th weight loss drug case inside of a year. if I have to back off eating as much as i want, why can’t someone who gets paid to do it do the same?

by humbug1 on Oct 17, 2008 1:48 AM EDT reply actions  

got me

Even better, in this case, the doc recommended a herbal supplement that contained the drug. Bastianelli apparently had no idea what she was taking. uh, duh?

She’s teeny tiny, already, so not sure weightloss was really the goal there.

by Jen See on Oct 17, 2008 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions  

Oh come on. If she was Argentinian she’d have got off scot free. Ask Richeze.

pounding along in three ratios like a sonata
like a Ritter with pommelled scrotum atra cura on the step
Botticelli from the fork down pestling the transmission
tires bleeding voiding zeep the highway

by fmk on Oct 17, 2008 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions  

But didn't one of the guys from the Italian Federation (or whatevs)

Say something along the lines that she’s obsessed with her weight & “eats only lettuce”?

But I think that alot of the weight loss/appetite suppression drugs are rather speed/meth-esque (is there a difference between speed & meth?) in their effects. & supposedly speed/meth are performance enhancing.

by marian on Oct 17, 2008 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions  

speed

That’s where I was obliquely going with the “not sure weightloss” was the point comment. LOL, clarity, so over-rated ;-)

by Jen See on Oct 17, 2008 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

Because Alvaro Pino is such a swell guy that cycling just can't do without

[puking noices]
Seven dopingpositives this year wasn’t enough? Tip to ASO : if you don’t want *-holes ruining your party DON’T INVITE THEM!

Carlos Sastre - Tour de France winner - Born From Jets

by Jens on Oct 17, 2008 3:34 AM EDT up reply actions  

gah

Pino. There’s a name I really never wanted to see again. Can’t believe they’re letting him show up. Maybe they need a team that will allow them to show definitively that the doping controls are working.

by Jen See on Oct 17, 2008 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions  

That's...

just weird.

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris Fontecchio on Oct 17, 2008 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions  

Is this the new ASO version

of reuniting the cycling family? I wonder what Ferrari’s doing that day.

by Monty. on Oct 18, 2008 7:57 AM EDT up reply actions  

BTW did you see that Stuey won the ITT stage at the Jayco Sun Tour today and

Stuey took back the yellow jersey by a margin of 21 seconds on Lars Bak.

by CycleGirl on Oct 17, 2008 4:37 AM EDT reply actions  

i did, oh i did, pick me, pick me.

this is my ‘local’ race, seeing as i live no more than 200km from wherre it is this year, and it frequently comes through my hometown. great opportunity to meet some aussie cyclists in particular. last year i met ogrady. super exciting. :D

i am master of my fate, i am captain of my soul

by randie on Oct 17, 2008 5:57 AM EDT up reply actions  

Nice

purple lips.

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris Fontecchio on Oct 17, 2008 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions  

Or dosing too high on the strychnine?

pounding along in three ratios like a sonata
like a Ritter with pommelled scrotum atra cura on the step
Botticelli from the fork down pestling the transmission
tires bleeding voiding zeep the highway

by fmk on Oct 17, 2008 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions  

allegedly

pounding along in three ratios like a sonata
like a Ritter with pommelled scrotum atra cura on the step
Botticelli from the fork down pestling the transmission
tires bleeding voiding zeep the highway

by fmk on Oct 17, 2008 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions  

excellent article tagging!

Fashion choices for the Tour de France unveiling:

I am hoping that Sastre shows up in Polka Dots

(I am eager to see the route)

by cyclingchallenge on Oct 17, 2008 6:06 AM EDT reply actions  

Well if you live that close, i would be there everyday..

Stuey is a great guy… I’m looking forward to catching up with him again at the TDU. and it’s great to see someone else getting excited about meeting the cyclists… apart from the usual …

by CycleGirl on Oct 17, 2008 6:10 AM EDT reply actions  

Ullrich Getting Back On His Bke

He’s putting on a farewell ride for his fans. IN Germany. I kid you not. He (thinks he) has fans. In Germany.

“It was planned a while ago, but the circumstances after my exclusion from the 2006 Tour de France did not allow for the cycling festival I had in mind.”

And the current ‘circumstance’ do allow for this ride?

“It won’t be a normal ‘man against man’ race. I will think of something special.”

Man against donuts? That’d be special.

And yes, he will be inviting LA. And Indy too.

Eurosport De via CN

pounding along in three ratios like a sonata
like a Ritter with pommelled scrotum atra cura on the step
Botticelli from the fork down pestling the transmission
tires bleeding voiding zeep the highway

by fmk on Oct 17, 2008 7:16 AM EDT reply actions  

I have a friend from Germany

I spoke to him yesterday about the current situation.
He says the media over there is thought to be over-reacting and are idiots and that cycling is still a huge draw after football. Says that Franke Werner is looked upon as a crack in Germany
He also said that alot of people are looking forward to seeing Ullrich do this ride. And oh yeah, the way he pronounces Kloden is awesome.
And lastly, he said that Shumacher is an idiot.

If you don't have time to do it right the first time, when are you going to have time to do it again?

by CannonDowell on Oct 17, 2008 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions  

Reminds me

I’d really like to see the even Ulle has planned. keep fingers crossed for on-line broadcast

by OctaBech on Oct 17, 2008 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions  

Tribal marketing

I love this stuff. Seriously, I do.

Cavatoni recommends that marketers head to niche digital channels to engage with tribe members.

Come out, come out, wherever you are … we know you’re watching.

pounding along in three ratios like a sonata
like a Ritter with pommelled scrotum atra cura on the step
Botticelli from the fork down pestling the transmission
tires bleeding voiding zeep the highway

by fmk on Oct 17, 2008 8:01 AM EDT reply actions  

"The Gossip gratefully acknowledges the Bennati Research Team for their valuable contributions to this post."

Thanks gratefully received :-) Any time, no really, ANY time. The BRT has many future plans in place, culminating in field research in France next July…..

by Albertina on Oct 17, 2008 8:31 AM EDT reply actions  

Fashion choices....

For the first time, I feel a pang of sadness that Il Cobra no longer graces the peloton…

by Albertina on Oct 17, 2008 8:33 AM EDT reply actions  

I hope the picture Ithat doesn't download

is the one of him in the suit with the writing on it. And the shades. At a Giro presentation, I think.

by NE Observer on Oct 17, 2008 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

Can we get a ruling on white?

Is it in or out? It’s so hard to tell these days. White belts were in, but now they are out. White rimmed glasses were in (gross!) but now they are out.

But iPods are white & those are def in. & DT Swiss is producing white spokes now.
So, in or out?

by marian on Oct 17, 2008 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions  

Let's think....

White cycling shorts, on men, defo out. White saddles, most certainly in. White spokes, nah, don’t like that idea. Were white rimmed glasses ever in?!

by Albertina on Oct 17, 2008 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

White shorts

You should be required to wear them at Paris-Roubaix before you wear them anywhere else. And by “them” I mean the same shorts.

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris Fontecchio on Oct 17, 2008 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions  

Seriously.

Even blue shorts can be problematic as can be seen in the picture of Larz scoping a cross course here.

by marian on Oct 17, 2008 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions  

I can't get that to open.

Probably just as well given the early hour.

by Albertina on Oct 18, 2008 4:46 AM EDT up reply actions  

Yikes - that writer has a bit of a crush on Lars I think

"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum."

by Drew Davis on Oct 19, 2008 7:46 AM EDT up reply actions  

The Bennati Research Team (BRT) would like to point out

that the Gossip World team have misspelt the name ‘Daniele’ in line one, paragraph one. For shame Gavia, for shame! ;-)

by Albertina on Oct 17, 2008 10:17 AM EDT reply actions  

lol

I really should put a disclaimer on this thing. Not responsible for spelling. Cuz it’s never really very right ;-)

by Jen See on Oct 17, 2008 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions  

Not responsible for spelling

Do you have a TUE for dyslexia?

pounding along in three ratios like a sonata
like a Ritter with pommelled scrotum atra cura on the step
Botticelli from the fork down pestling the transmission
tires bleeding voiding zeep the highway

by fmk on Oct 17, 2008 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions  

bingo

that’s ezactly waht i need.

by Jen See on Oct 17, 2008 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions  

Did somebody mention Basso?

by Katiek on Oct 17, 2008 10:22 AM EDT reply actions  

Oh, he has his nice new outfit (and his new bikey too)

I saw he was having some sort of meet and greet with Leaky today. He looks a happy boy in that second pic (though not so much in the big poster…)

by Albertina on Oct 17, 2008 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions  

More pics in the new kit here

at Cycling Weekly: BASSO WANTS A CLEAN START AFTER DOPING BAN

And in case anyone might mistake him for another David Millar:

Despite being embarrassed by several questions about his involvement in Operacion Puerto, Basso refused to take a clear stance against doping or speak about other riders who may have been in Puerto but have so far not been punished.
"What happens to other riders isn’t my problem, I don’t think I’m the right person to judge things and give an opinion," Basso said.

by majope on Oct 17, 2008 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions  

shades of Landis

pounding along in three ratios like a sonata
like a Ritter with pommelled scrotum atra cura on the step
Botticelli from the fork down pestling the transmission
tires bleeding voiding zeep the highway

by fmk on Oct 17, 2008 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions  

not too surprising

He’s never been one to court controversy or conflict. There’s a reason he’s often been considered too nice for bike racing. There’s no way he could take the pressure of taking a stand on the doping issue the way Millar has, especially not in Italy, where it’s so very divisive.

by Jen See on Oct 17, 2008 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions  

meant to add

Which is not to say that the journos should not keep pressuring him on the issue by any means.

by Jen See on Oct 17, 2008 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions  

But McQuaid has declared him the sport’s Anti-Doping Ambassador. He can’t just sit there and munch Ferrero Rocher all day. He’s gotta speak. Ambassadorially. On doping.

pounding along in three ratios like a sonata
like a Ritter with pommelled scrotum atra cura on the step
Botticelli from the fork down pestling the transmission
tires bleeding voiding zeep the highway

by fmk on Oct 17, 2008 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions  

So that was why St David threw that hissy-fit.

pounding along in three ratios like a sonata
like a Ritter with pommelled scrotum atra cura on the step
Botticelli from the fork down pestling the transmission
tires bleeding voiding zeep the highway

by fmk on Oct 17, 2008 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions  

you just had to go and mention ferrero rocher, didn't you?

"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind

by umwolverine on Oct 18, 2008 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions  

You want some?

pounding along in three ratios like a sonata
like a Ritter with pommelled scrotum atra cura on the step
Botticelli from the fork down pestling the transmission
tires bleeding voiding zeep the highway

by fmk on Oct 18, 2008 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions  

lol, yeah

they really need to do away with that. s’pose we could write them a letter?

by Jen See on Oct 17, 2008 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

It's a fairly blatant arrow too.

You could hardly fail to locate said area.

Caro Roberto,
Now look here, this really isn’t on you know…….

by Albertina on Oct 17, 2008 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions  

You people have all missed the point

Ivan is not making a comeback to win races. He’s doing it to promote Groin-Awareness around the world.

Carlos Sastre - Tour de France winner - Born From Jets

by Jens on Oct 18, 2008 8:24 AM EDT up reply actions  

But you've missed the point

We are all aware of the Liquigas groins…. LOL

by CycleGirl on Oct 18, 2008 9:01 AM EDT up reply actions  

lol :-)

it could be a long season next year ;-)

so, now it’s down to six more days. but who’s counting?

by Jen See on Oct 17, 2008 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions  

s'okay we can practice with the dirty boys

mind out of the gutter, I was talking about cross racers

by lyne on Oct 17, 2008 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions  

awww :-)

lol, i really think we need to continue this conversation at the bottom of the thready, though, cuz it’s getting a little crowded over here and stuff.

by Jen See on Oct 17, 2008 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions  

He takes my breath away, everytime i se him

OHHHH Did i tell you that i’ve had my arm around him, ohhh and gave him a kiss…

by CycleGirl on Oct 17, 2008 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions  

Who's counting? Me.

Basso…..a guilty pleasure ;-)

by Albertina on Oct 17, 2008 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions  

i'm thinking better, actually

because at least the doping surprise is already out of the bag, so to speak.

by Jen See on Oct 17, 2008 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions  

lol

There’s a whole load of Basso/Leaky pics in the blog linked on the bottom left of the ticker thingy. Just in case you have an idle moment which needs filling.

by Albertina on Oct 17, 2008 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions  

indeed

there is always an idle moment for the important things

by Jen See on Oct 17, 2008 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions  

yikes

that’s sorta creepy – that big poster thingy. the lake photo is nice though. italy, so purty.

by Jen See on Oct 17, 2008 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions  

Oh wow. And that one was my fave race of the year.

pounding along in three ratios like a sonata
like a Ritter with pommelled scrotum atra cura on the step
Botticelli from the fork down pestling the transmission
tires bleeding voiding zeep the highway

by fmk on Oct 17, 2008 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions  

Dang

You’re right, no more rundfahrts. There’s still the Rundt though.

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris Fontecchio on Oct 17, 2008 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions  

sigh

i so like the rundfahrts. what ever will be do?

by Jen See on Oct 17, 2008 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions  

Maybe the Ostrich Rundfart is still on?

pounding along in three ratios like a sonata
like a Ritter with pommelled scrotum atra cura on the step
Botticelli from the fork down pestling the transmission
tires bleeding voiding zeep the highway

by fmk on Oct 17, 2008 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions  

Ostrich Fart Not Cancelled

Hoorah! Ostrich Rundfart set to roll on!


The Austrian Cycling Federation “voted unanimously in favour of the Oesterreich Rundfahrt” (Tour of Austria), saying “It is not only a great race in Austria with an advertising value of 4.5 million euro, but especially because it is very important to the Austrian teams. […] Right now there are discussions and negotiations. The final decision about the next race will be made the beginning of the year. We will do all we can up to the end, to have the Tour again in the form that we now have it.”

CN

pounding along in three ratios like a sonata
like a Ritter with pommelled scrotum atra cura on the step
Botticelli from the fork down pestling the transmission
tires bleeding voiding zeep the highway

by fmk on Oct 18, 2008 6:57 AM EDT up reply actions  

follow through?

pounding along in three ratios like a sonata
like a Ritter with pommelled scrotum atra cura on the step
Botticelli from the fork down pestling the transmission
tires bleeding voiding zeep the highway

by fmk on Oct 17, 2008 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions  

Volume

"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum."

by Drew Davis on Oct 19, 2008 7:51 AM EDT up reply actions  

rund is just round

you need the farhting part to have a bike race

by Jen See on Oct 17, 2008 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions  

si...

fahren means to drive literally, but it’s used for all sorts of things meaning movement

by Jen See on Oct 17, 2008 7:06 PM EDT up reply actions  

No way

am I answering that one.

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris Fontecchio on Oct 17, 2008 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions  

Techmology

I need to ask the SBN wizards for some sort of automatic hot-guy picture generator to keep conversation flowing here through the winter. Not that those pictures wouldn’t happen anyway. Just thinking, we might as well get a widget for it. Right after the auto-VDS.

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris Fontecchio on Oct 17, 2008 6:39 PM EDT reply actions  

lol, now that would rock

we’d never have to write anything again. just activate the hotty-o-matic. suweet.

hours of entertainment for the whole fandamnly.

by Jen See on Oct 17, 2008 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions  

And here's mine!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29041824@N07/2715264532/in/set-72157606445782301/

It wouldn’t appear, so you’ll have to make do with the link. Stupid computer.

by Albertina on Oct 18, 2008 4:54 AM EDT up reply actions  

That was a great nite wasn't it

Best time eva.. I can’t wait for TdF 2009..

BTW did you mean to put Pippo up.. Not that i’m complaining, one can never have enough of Pippo.. Oh how charming was her that nite… LOL

by CycleGirl on Oct 18, 2008 5:00 AM EDT up reply actions  

Oh. Who did you put up?

I assumed we were talking about Pippo, but for some reason I can’t see your photo!

by Albertina on Oct 18, 2008 5:27 AM EDT up reply actions  

Whatever! Both are worth a viewing ;-)

I didn’t manage a pic of manuel, there was too much a scrum going on. I did bump into him, Pippo and Nibali on an evening stroll after leaving the hotel but it was too dark by then for pictures!

by Albertina on Oct 18, 2008 8:13 AM EDT up reply actions  

I love how we casually say

yeah we bumped into them, yeah just chatted, went to the function..it makes me laugh..(Still can’t believe it all happened, i pinch myself when thinking about that day) But what a great group to just bump into on a walk…

BTW can i use your photo in Manuels Facebook group?

by CycleGirl on Oct 18, 2008 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions  

WoW that sunburn face is shocking...

At least by the end i had a great European tan…

by CycleGirl on Oct 18, 2008 5:01 AM EDT up reply actions  

My panda eyes were a disaster.

Never again will I leave my suncream in a tent at the top of a mountain! I had to go to a wedding two days after getting home and spent about half an hour infront of a mirror trying to tone down the colour. It didn’t work and I just ended up looking purple.

by Albertina on Oct 18, 2008 5:29 AM EDT up reply actions  

LMAO.... thats so funnny

But fully understand your situation.. It was like that in Paris all dressed up with tan lines in the wrong places… I thought my Roman sandal sunburnt feet was the best, didn’t look good in high heels though.. but funny..

by CycleGirl on Oct 18, 2008 7:16 AM EDT up reply actions  

Is it just me

or are the girls here on something this afternoon…..

by Christopher See on Oct 17, 2008 7:03 PM EDT reply actions  

friday is good :-)

and i just bought cupcakes. yum.

by Jen See on Oct 17, 2008 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions  

uh-huh

bakery a few blocks away. oh-so-tempting.

good thing about the bike racing.

by Jen See on Oct 17, 2008 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions  

huh

they just closed about 10 minutes ago. but eh, maybe i share :-)

i could always buy some more tomorrow, though.

by Jen See on Oct 17, 2008 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions  

Do you have any left?

I’m at work and I need something to cheer me up :-(

by Albertina on Oct 18, 2008 4:55 AM EDT up reply actions  

sorry :-(

all eaten. i’m not sure they’d survive fed ex. the sprinkles might fall off.

by Jen See on Oct 20, 2008 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions  

oh my goodness

There is a rumor in a Spanish forum about the new sponsor for AmericanBeef team, could it be Mapei?

http://forodeciclismo.mforos.com/30984/7371296-mercado-de-fichajes-iv-2008-2009/?pag=11

but nothing confirmed, just a rumor. No news, no press reports, nothing.

by King of Doping on Oct 17, 2008 7:25 PM EDT reply actions  

that would be beyond bizarre

There have been occasional murmurings in Italy that Mr Mapei might return to sponsoring cycling. But that team? Gah.

I’m going to say… no.

by Jen See on Oct 17, 2008 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions  

lol, don't ask me

i can hardly remember what i read and where. as if i can keep track of what you read and where…

unless it’s benna photos, then i’m all over keeping track.

by Jen See on Oct 17, 2008 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions  

I think exactly the same.

before the end of next week we should know whether there is a new sponsor for the team.

by King of Doping on Oct 17, 2008 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions  

+1

not a chance in hell. I would love to see Squinzi back, but why would he go there?

by Monty. on Oct 18, 2008 8:09 AM EDT up reply actions  

speaking of Basso....

Lyne….Cathy emailed me yesterday that he will be at the ToC!!! Ooooo mama!!!

by steph- on Oct 18, 2008 9:00 AM EDT reply actions  

Yes I saw that.

Don’t suppose there’s much hope of at Tour of Britain appearance. Leaky never come…..

by Albertina on Oct 18, 2008 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions  

When do we get to work on TOC plans again?

The riders list is getting hotter by the week. :-)

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Oct 19, 2008 12:42 AM EDT up reply actions  

Can you just bring California a little closer?

You know, like, tow it round South America and across the Atlantic? Just for January of course, you can take it back after…..

by Albertina on Oct 19, 2008 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions  

Sweetie...

You can have it in January, as long as we get it back for February. Tee hee. :-)
You know…. you could come for a visit.

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Oct 20, 2008 1:12 AM EDT up reply actions  

Basso videos

Couple of clips up at Gazzetta—don’t know how long they’ll be on the main cycling page, but right now look to the right for Gazzetta TV (if they get replaced, they’ll probably still be searchable). “Basso torna al sognare” shows him riding his new bike into the press conference, big smile on his face. He looks so happy to be back.

by majope on Oct 18, 2008 9:45 AM EDT reply actions  

Just saved the link

He looks sweeeeet.. and ohh the italian language.. he can whispers sweet nothings anytime

by CycleGirl on Oct 18, 2008 10:43 AM EDT reply actions  

+1

Everyone’s 2degrees hotter in a foreign language & 3degrees if it’s Italian.

by marian on Oct 18, 2008 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions  

Bye bye Victor Cordero, hello Javier Guillén

Vuelta gets a new director.

pounding along in three ratios like a sonata
like a Ritter with pommelled scrotum atra cura on the step
Botticelli from the fork down pestling the transmission
tires bleeding voiding zeep the highway

by fmk on Oct 19, 2008 8:49 AM EDT reply actions  

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