Nicole Cooke's Full Statement from her website:

http://www.twitlonger.com/show/kn72pr

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"Smart may have the answers, but stupid have all the interesting questions."

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/amstel- ... he-cauberg

Not sure if this will make much of a difference, didn't seem to hold Gilbert back at the worlds. Still liked that the finish was a little different to most though.

Ugh.

Here's the cyclingnews live report of the last time the race finished on the flats. Slightly off-topic, but I think it's safe to say the entire top four was well "enhanced".

17:01 CEST 246 km/8 km to go
The final climb is the two-part Sint-Antoniusbank - from here on in it is big main roads all the way to the line.

Armstrong attacks on the upper section, and Ivanov is fastest on his wheel. Boogerd and Bartoli have a bit more trouble, but the foursome are all back together again over the top in Kadier en Keer.

Ivanov attacks on the flat, and as they start the descent only Armstrong gets back to him, while Bartoli contents himself with marking Boogerd. But they come back together on the descent, just in time for Ivanov to have another go.

17:05 CEST 250 km/4 km to go
The two Fassa Bortolos alternate attacks without success. Boogerd looks the weakest. They settle down - looks like a four-up sprint coming up.

17:09 CEST 252 km/2 km to go
On the bridge over the Maas Ivanov goes yet again, and yet again it is Armstrong doing the chasing, but finding it harder each time. Bartoli in an armchair, as they say.

17:11 CEST 253 km/1 km to go
Round the final corner Ivanov slows it down to a near-trackstand.

17:13 CEST
Ivanov leads out on the right hand side of the road, Bartoli has moved up as the pace slowed, boxing Armstrong in, forcing him to try and come all the way round Boogerd, who is on Bartoli's wheel. Boogerd can't get past - Michele Bartoli wins ahead of his teammate, Boogerd and Armstrong.

Oscar Freire leads in the bunch for fifth place ahead of Van Petegem.

Result

1 Michele Bartoli (Ita) Fassa Bortolo 6.49.17 (37.37 km/h)
2 Serguei Ivanov (Rus) Fassa Bortolo
3 Michael Boogerd (Ned) Rabobank
4 Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal Service
5 Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Mapei-Quick Step 0.52

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http://djconnel.blogspot.com/
Fuji SL/1
Send your data to Weight Weenie listings!

Good one!

Giving old geezers hope

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I never took drugs to improve my performance at any time. I will be willing to stick my finger into a polygraph test if anyone with big media pull wants to take issue. If you buy a signed poster now it will not be tarnished later. --Graeme Obree

first pick of BMC with their new Giro


http://twitter.com/Phil_Gilbert1/status ... 01/photo/1

coffee break on a crossroad between Tarbena and the Col de Rates

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= ... =3&theater


Radioshack and Garmin in that region too these days.

I'll be there tomorrow.

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ciclismo-espresso.com

It worries me that i see so many rave reviews of the BMC TMR01 and so few riders from their race team using them

Why be worried? BMC riders travel all the way around the world to TDU and they only get one bike they are going to bring a jack of all trades frame like the SLR01.

When they have a full team support situation, like in Europe they are going to have more than one frame.. so the TMR01 will be there for stages/races that suit it.

I've got a TMR01 on test at the moment, and without giving too much away, it is unreal! Seriously well sorted internal brakes, smooth, stiff (maybe a little harsh through the rear) but with that short stubby post its not surprising.

So I'm going to take the family to see Ronde van Vlaanderen in few months. The problem is, that I need to rent a car to haul the clan from Amsterdam to the race course and was thinking to go to Oude Kwaremont or Paterberg. If I'm not terribly wrong, it's better to loop south through Brakel and Ronse on N48 around the race course to avoid road closures. But where would be the best spots to park and how early it gets crowded near Oude Kwaremont or Paterberg?

There is something about shuttle buses on RVV website, but nothing too detailed.

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http://demarere.blogspot.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

lucky you
for me Girona the first week of February

TDU is a strange example... It's been rarely used in any races

We'll se it at Milano-Sanremo, with C75 wheels.

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Bianchi-Campagnolo

I've seen plenty of them in the flesh, my LBS is the New Zealand importer, built up with Di2, SR EPS, mechanical SR and Sram. SR doesn't work to well in the rear derailleur though, everyone built up has had to have a ton of rear cable sticking out the chain stay. Di2, EPS and Sram though they look amazing, and the brakes are hella strong on it. If I could have one instead of my SLR I would!