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