Happy Boy! Cav fingers his critics.

Pozatto - Happy Birthday for yesterday

Hope you had fun on your big day.

Who's the greatest this week?

Well let's clear up a few things about tonight!  I had an idea, a theme about what to write about tonight so I penned a few thoughts sketched out the frame of my story and then bam like a cartoon punch it all went wrong tonight.  I will no doubt return to it throughout the season but given what happened tonight it can't really be used.

Before I start, I was dwelling, it's funny how quickly people forget, after Lance's stunning ride last week, post-ride chat last week focused not only on how Lance is beyond question the greatest rider of all time, but how he was also riding as well as he has ever done in his career and could even win a race this year!

Then, with Lance losing a couple of wheels to lowly riders like Voigt's and Ms Cooke and young Schleck coming to the fore with a win on the George so impressively that suddenly we're all celebrating a new era of dominance for the young star.

We're all guilty of it - having short memories - and it's part of the charm of the sport.

That's because there's something in the nature of the bunch that seduces us all. When the riders are on their best form, they tend to look so convincingly unbeatable that we find it impossible to imagine them losing. A purple patch for the likes of Hushovd, Ullrich, Pozatto or even Hincappie makes us see a run of form as a step up to the next level; it lifts us all and a good week for Schleck or Voigts makes us want to ignore the evidence and believe that the impossible is about to unfold before our eyes.

The truth will ultimately be more prosaic: Lance is brilliant, but ageing; Schleck has a long way to go before he can be said to have thrown off his mechanical worries; and Pozatto and Hushovd have both been in the waiting room of greatness for so long now that you have to start wondering if either will ever make it through the door.

Cancellara cited 'personal reasons' for pulling out of the ride tonight, leading to plenty of speculation about why he wouldn't be turning up. After making the final cut last week it suggests that he is clearly in some of the best form of his life.  Vino was a no show and Pooley another citing personal reasons using the night no doubt for secret training.  Menchov and Cippo had larger purses to chase on the continent no doubt whilst the elusive Evans continues to evade the bunch. Davies had an evening off and finally Voeckler was off to work on his tan in sunnier climes to lose his "petit blanc" tag.

But enough of the preamble, what happened tonight to make it so memorable?  A performance that justifies legendary status and 2 near misses!!

Eight riders, smooth in pairs, all on summer bikes, Lance, Schleck, Pozatto, Cooke, Hincappie, Hushovd, Ullrich and Voigts. A controlled ride took us all down to the start of the ferry with a good average aided somewhat by the tail wind no doubt.  Voigts showed some restraint for once as the bunch rolled onto the Ferry, staying together the shout of "one lane" was heard, Pozatto dominated the road through the roundabout and took an unusual line from out to in where young Schleck was heard to squeal! Perhaps in excitement of smelling Pozatto's Jo Malone, but more likely as a result of fear.  Adrenalin pumping the legend that he is becoming saw Schleck follow the wheel of Voigts as he attacked at Finalystone and then lift the pace a notch again, almost as if to say "don't start what you can't finish".  Schleck drove the bunch well tonight only occasionally not taking the wind as riders tried in vain to pass.  The bunch thinned towards the Clune, with Schleck, Lance, Pozatto, Ullrich and Voigts sucking the wheels.

The climb brought a welcome rest for the speedo as it finally dropped below 27 mph and the bunch climbed and regrouped for the ride home.  A relentless headwind seemed to spur Schleck on to greater things as he attacked the road with venom.  The bunch fought for his wheel and shared the wind from behind as we rolled down towards Bridge of Weir and homewards towards Houston.  Ullrich dropped off the back and Hushovd backed off only for Pozatto to decide it was an appropriate time to see if he could invent a new type of hub brake as he rammed Voigts from behind riding into his hub.  A manoeuvre he could only dream of doing if he tried, he made contact with the hub with the front of his tyre causing Voigts to come to an abrupt stop knocking his wheel out of true and upsetting his own new setup and loosening his headset!!  A sympathetic Voigts understood Pozatto's oxygen debt and duly sorted his headset and fixed his own wheel.  The bunch had kindly waited, perhaps because of the wind, perhaps because of the shelter Voigts gives but more likely to recover from the pain Schleck was inflicting.  The relief was only temporary as no sooner was the bunch up to speed than it started again with Schleck driving us home.  Ullrich and Hushovd made some brave attempts to lift the pace, but these were short lived!

The sprints were taken by Pozatto no doubt aided by his plentiful supplies of adrenalin.

The VW reception committee was there to greet us on our return and Voigts got off to check the rubbing on his hub, a cute black rubber stripe across the hub for his fight tonight to show as a war wound!  Probably not a patch on the stripe Pozatto has on his shorts!!

Lizzard Skin Bar Tape

This has got to be the best bar tape on the market, gets tacky in the wet and wipes clean.  Feels great and comes in a variety of colours.

Scottish 10 TT podium place for G3R

Congratulations to Sian who got 3rd place at the Scottish 10 mile TT Championships.  Photo of her below on race day.

http://www.neviscycles.com/owneruploads/results/10-04-
24_Jason_Macintyre_TT_Champs_2010_Placings.jpg

Happy 40th Lance

Not an easy age to become but wearing well :-).

I think I found love tonight :-)

Kev Clark I love you!! XX. I have never believed in it before but it was love at first sight or should I say first sound bite.

Let me explain what happened. I was nervous tonight, for reasons that will become apparent later. A little giddy and there I was at the back of the bunch rolling down to the Ferry when Kev rolled to the back sat up and took a photo of me. Strange I thought, but hey it happens all the time to celebreties, I even saw it happen once to Robert in Edinburgh (see my photos on Flickr). So I thought I better roll up and speak to the "stalker" 

and it was then that he uttered the magic words. They caught me off guard at first, I had to run them through my head a couple of times before a smile broke out across my face. Those words will stay with me for a long time and all I can say is Kev Clark I love you!!! You made my night, my day and even my year. As I rolled up next to him he said and I quote "I thought you were Gordon". Now I know I fasted today but good grief could I get a better compliment about my rapid weight loss.

Alas my weight loss was a result of my stupidity today, leaving my wallet at home whilst I headed to Aberdeen.  Luckily I had a full tank of diesel but no money=no food. I sucked wheels for the second week and thank you all.

What was it like at the front? Only others can truly comment and may wish to add their comments below in the comments section, but it seemed better tonight. Everyone seemed to behave from what I saw on the Ferry. Schelck had given his bike some tlc, Lance was back to himself, Pozatto needs some carbon and a word in his sponsors ear if he is to hold the bunch. Cancellara was tired after his recent wins. Vino worked well with Voigts having been caught at the back on the descent into Kilmacolm. Cooke was pulling strong again and Voeckler continues to improve. Young Roche rode strong again but once again the lack of attention to equipment caught another out as Roche slipped his pedal in the final sprint and didn't have a chance of competing. My lover lead Pozatto and Voigts out but steel flexes way too much and 1400 watts trumps flexi steel. It was a shallow victory and Voigts shouldn't really have contested it having not been at the tape at the end of the George.

No one has blown it apart yet but I fear the time is coming.....

Hincappie where were you? Your club needs you!

Weekend TT

Good to see everyone out on the TT bikes or at least nice summer bikes at the weekend.  I think everyone ironed out a few creases at the weekend and it shows how important doing regular rides on the TT bikes are.  I have a new bike and so am tweaking the position.  But a few people got mechanicals and then others began to notice what their position looked like behind others who were perhaps more aero.

All good fun but these sessions serve a purpose.

Ayr Duathlon

Looks like the boys had a good time down at Ayr and did well.  Results below on link below.

http://www.ayrodynamic.co.uk/races/ayr_du/ayr_du.htm

Is blue the new white?

So week 2 and a change of cast, some absent through choice, some not and others well....they just haven’t trapped yet.

Cippo chose not to, Lance had no choice, Hincappie developing the label, Evans still unaccounted for, Queally, anyone know what he looks like and Menchov, well perhaps he fell on the way to the Grande Depart.  Guesting for the night Nicolas Roche aka Crawford.  The rest of the cast remained constant with Voigt back in the fold. 

It was a night to remember more for the weather than the riding with the sun splitting the sky and a pack of 12 riders turning up.  This soon increased to 13 when Pooley joined the bunch in Renfrew.  A plethora of G3R and Rapha was on show with a few schizophrenic riders sporting a combination of Fusion and G3R and nothing wrong with that.

Father of the night (Pozatto) gave an impromptu motivational speech, calling us to arms and assuming the mantle that once was held so tightly by Lance but one could sense his grip slipping in his absence.

And so after the call to arms the bunch departed much enthused by a De Niro like performance by Pozatto, "inch by inch".  A gentle roll out to Bishopton was done in a convivial manner interrupted only by the occasional “Spell” shouts to remind riders that they were in a bunch.  The first yellow card of the night was awarded to Vino for performing stretches in the middle of the bunch that nearly took out two riders in the middle of the bunch. 

Rule # 3 – Stretches are performed off the bike - not on it.

Rule # 4 – Hand signals – important in the bunch. Please perform early.

As the altitude dropped the speed increased as the bunch descended towards the Westferry in preparation for the attacks.  So as not to disappoint and in an effort to “thin” the bunch Voigt attacked only to be chastised by Pozatto where he reminded him that it was only week 2 and to go easy.  Schleck followed his wheel as if he was on a Sunday ride, Cancellara jumped and then the bunch followed.  An altercation at the rear with a large lorry went largely unmissed but we should all remember we are sharing a busy road on the Ferry and that safety is the primary concern.  The attacks soon thinned the bunch with Voeckler, Schleck, Roche, Cooke, Pozatto, Ullrich and Voigts all coming through to the final turn for the climb (lactic may have harmed the writers memory, if the bunch isn't accurate post a comment).

The climb = rest, the rouleurs took advantage of this and brought up the rear. 

The final leg of the ride was completed by 12 riders although the attacks came early and selection was made in the run through Kilmacolm. Voeckler was riding strong, Schleck continues to find good form but I sense the young rider was feeling the pace as he dwelled in the odd wheel.  Vino made the selection for the first time and stayed until the end. Cooke was riding like a train and performing long pulls. Pozatto was dogged on his winter steed and will need to unleash the carbon to get the jump next week.  Young Roche seemed strong and had good form without demonstrating his apparent love for lactic whilst Voigts hung on for dear life. 

The two sprints were taken by Voigts, more by experience and guile rather than speed but a wins a win!

As for blue or white, we used to fear white vans, Lance got hit by a blue one, get well soon and hope to see you all next week.  Please note attacks are permitted.  

With a tear in my eye...........

With more than a tinge of jealousy towards the bunch I was gutted to miss tonight.  However it seems to have highlighted that we have more than an able scribe amongst the group and thus I post with my sincere approval a report prepared by Cippo.  I am now able to retire as scribe and rider gracefully.

So much to say / report.  Big cast for the opening scene and some glorious weather a backdrop.  Pairs and largely decent etiquette on the way out. Mr Durnan rightly showed the most constraint ever taking us onto westferry and so the work began. Some newbies looking smooth and graceful (the pale Mr Voeckler), some looking determined and skillful (Emma davies).  Some tired legs kicking about after intensive off season training (Nicole cooke).  Splits as usual In the second half of the dual carriageway into headwind. Several small groups working together with schleck, cippo, lance, voeckler and menchov to the fore.  Then the fun really kicked off – Schleck showed his persistent issue is not watts but rather mechanical ineptitude (yet again)  new chain, hanger and rear mech required. Lance cruised to king of the mountains chatting as he smoothly applied 3.5-4 w/kg up the hill.   The older statesman lance then went back down the hill to assist the stranded schleck – The youngster needs to realise how fortunate he is and how much he owes. So we rolled again -  now gravity and tailwind assisted the off season training reports were confirmed with a rampant Ullrich splitting the bunch repeatedly.  Cooke and davies played smart tactics sitting in till cooke required to stop for a saddle pack issue – pozatto ever the gentlemen peeled off to help the lady home, assisted by Thor.  So to the Georgetown where just 4 rolled at the front – rampant Ullrich, Voeckler, Cippo and emma davies sitting tight.  Solid pace with work shared by the 3 big men.  Cippo took the 2 sprints with ease but says chapeau to the gentlemen who were not there due to their generous  nature towards others.  Pozatto then took the team bus to collect schlock and Lance who was wearing a wry smile.  Me thinks Schleck owes a lot of people access to his back wheel and courteous, respectful riding this year

Summary:

Flame rouge       – Ullrich

KOM                      - Lance

Green points     - Cippo

Lanterne rouge – Schleck

Ones to watch – Ullrich, Voeckler, Davies.

And so it begins..........

Well as a new season beckons the cast has to be confirmed.  For the new ones amongst you we have a somewhat strange disposition that all started last year, where we go by the name of our cycling heroes.  We all have something in common with them and as a few of you are new and I haven’t met you I apologise in advance if you aren’t happy with your namesake.  You can bribe me if you want your name changed, I like Rapha. 

The cast is as follows :-

Lance – old boy, bit mouthy, can be grumpy but occasionally shows his class – David Ogg – occasionally goes by the name of Johny (Frank’s dad).

Cippolini – flamboyant dress sense, always in the wheel but boy can he sprint – John Dargie.

Andy Schleck – younger brother of Frank, bit of a climber, naive but may come of age this season – Graham Leitch

Emma Pooley – tiny wee thing, does things by stealth, concentrating on cycling this year so could be dangerous – Karen Glendinning

Jan Ullrich – Fond of an off season diet but talented underneath it all, dedication over the winter means it may be his best season ever – Bruce Heron

Hincappie – experienced and classy, eyes on retirement but he may have an Indian summer yet – Bruce Lees

Cadel Evans – anonymous a lot of the time – occasional brilliance if he turns up – Cormac MacCauley

Emma Davies – impressive palmarès, yet to be witnessed in the bunch – Emma Lamont

Nicole Cooke – undoubted winner on the road and a never say die attitude – Sian Tovey

Thor Hushovd – a big unit, class when he gets his frame shifting – Robert Heron

Pozatto – pretty boy of the bunch, all the newest shiny gear and with a preference for green - Gordon Durnan

Jason Queally – in his day one of the best riders on the track, living the dream again – Ian Churcher

Vino- been out of action for a while, but back on the right road – Paul McMillan

Cancellara – sheer class on a bike, all power and undiluted adrenalin – Giancarlo Romano

Menchov – tall classy rider on his day, prone to having bambi like moments and a love affair with the tarmac – Stuart Reid

Jens Voigt – big unit, not that pretty to watch but effective – Brian Skinner

Thomas Voeckler – our own “petit blanc”" due to his small stature and pale complexion, famous for something once – he will have to remind us - Ewan Mulhern

Not too sure where to start with this.....

It's just so wrong on many counts isn't it???  I mean why would you mix a double cone as chocolate and vanilla!!  I jest, I mean that look completely goes against the "Dress Code" of G3R!! Given that it is the start of the season perhaps I should post the code on the blog, but come on Schleck, you have been around us long enough to know that "that look" is not good enough for the brand.  Let's just hope that your riding makes up for it....

Don't miss it!!

There promises to be a big bunch out on Wednesday night, so don't be late or even consider missing it.  Metcheck looks favourably so fingers crossed.  There are a few new characters rumoured to be riding as well so nominations for names please!

Schleck -Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely the demonstration of their championship character - go easy on the pack.