Cycling 2013

Sport
501

Mixed feelings on this.

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/philip-deignan-to-join-team-sky-for-2014-season-1.1518496

Irish cyclist Philip Deignan has landed a place with Team Sky for the 2014 season.

The 29-year-old from Donegal joins the team after a successful second season with the UnitedHealthcare squad which has seen him win the Tour of the Gila, finish runner-up at the Tour de Beauce, and claim top-10 finishes at both the Tours of Utah, California and the USA Pro Challenge.

Deignan turned professional with AG2R Prevoyance in 2005 and won the Tour de Doubs in his maiden season before making his Grand Tour debut at the 2007 Vuelta a Espana.

After joining Cervelo TestTeam in 2009, Deignan helped the squad to four stage victories at the Giro d’Italia before sealing his first Grand Tour stage win at the Vuelta, riding to ninth place overall in the process.

Although illness hampered much of his 2010 campaign, Deignan was named in that year’s Vuelta a Espana squad before making the switch to RadioShack in 2011. His sixth Grand Tour appearance came that year at the Giro d’Italia and he also aided the team’s successes at the Trofeo Inca, Tour de Suisse, Tour of Utah and inaugural USA Pro Challenge before penning a two-year deal with UnitedHealthcare.

Next in action at the Tour of Britain, Deignan is the second new name to be unveiled ahead of the 2014 season, following the announcement in June that Nathan Earle would also be joining the squad.

On the prospect of becoming the first Irish Team Sky rider, Philip Deignan said: “I’m really excited to get the opportunity to race for the biggest team in the world and to be able to ride for some of the best riders in the world. It’s going to be a big challenge but I’m really looking forward to it.

“It’s a fantastic team where nothing is left to chance with the coaching and the diet – which will really suit the type of rider that I am. Team Sky will offer me the kind of environment I need to be in to help me perform to the best of my ability.

“I spent a few years in the WorldTour before moving over to America for two great seasons racing with UnitedHealthcare, who I really must thank for such great support both on and off the bike over the past two seasons.

“I now feel like I’m at the level where I can race in the WorldTour in Europe so when I got the opportunity to head back there with Team Sky it was hard to resist.”

Team Sky’s principal Dave Brailsford said: “Everyone at Team Sky is very excited to have Philip join us from the start of next season.

“We’re well aware of what he is capable of on a bike. He’s a climber of real quality and he will certainly strengthen our squad even further in stage race competition.

“He brings experience to the team and we believe he belongs at this level. It’s great to finally have an Irish rider on our roster and I’m certain that under our coaches and performance staff there is a lot more to come from Philip.”

502

:smiley: Ah here…fuck off.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/sep/16/chris-horner-vuelta-doping-test

r the Spanish Anti-Doping Agency (AEPSAD) officials went to a wrong hotel looking for the newly crowned Vuelta a España champion, according to his team.

“The testers came to the team hotel, Horner was not there, he was in the hotel where his wife was staying,” said a RadioShack press officer. “It’s mentioned in the whereabouts form, they got the wrong hotel. Horner had changed his hotel. It was the Spanish agency that came on behalf of Usada [the US Anti-Doping Agency].”

An AEPSAD spokesman said the agents had gone to the hotel address provided by the US agency early on Monday. They checked another hotel but Horner was not there either and AEPSAD admitted they did not know his then whereabouts. “We do not want to make any kind of judgment about whether this was a violation of the rules as we do not have all the facts,” he said.

RadioShack later issued a statement, accompanied by screenshots of emails sent by the American, to clarify that the Spanish Anti-Doping Agency is at fault.

“Chris Horner updated his whereabouts with United States Anti-Doping Agency before the start of the final stage,” the statement read. "He gave USADA the name of his hotel for the night, phone number and room number for his one-hour window between 6 to 7am.

“This is all according to the rules and Chris Horner received a confirmation email. The anti-doping inspectors from the Spanish Anti-Doping Agency that were asked to do the test by USADA showed up at the wrong hotel in Madrid, where the team was staying, but Horner was obviously not to be found.”

RadioShack are frustrated that news of the missed test was made public. “The team believes the communication between the Spanish Anti-Doping Agency and the media is a violation of the privacy of Chris Horner, especially since it comes down to a clear mistake by the tester,” the statement added. “The team will seek compensation for this matter with the responsible anti-doping agencies.”

Horner, who will be 42 next month, became the oldest Grand Tour champion and the first American winner of the Tour of Spain when he sealed victory on Sunday for the biggest win of his 19-year career.

503

I am sure it was all just a misunderstanding.

504

Philip Deignan has suffered a suspected broken collar bone in stage 3 of the Tour of Britain today is almost certainly out of the upcoming world championships.

505

Big win for young Sam Bennett today. Is next week’s WC suitable for Martin? With roche and bennett in support he could be in with a chance?

506

Is Bennett the lad from Carrick?

507

I think he might be Sean Kelly’s lovechild.

508

The WC course is the toughest in years and it’s hilly profile should be right up Martin’s street. It’s a shame Deignan is out as he would have been a valuable lieutenant for Martin. But he rode well again today and looks to be in top form.

Great result for Sam Bennett today, he also has two top 10 finishes in this Tour and has been named on the 4 man Ireland team for the world championships. Nico and Matt Brammeier complete the team.

509

Great reaction from Bennetts Team Manager at 0.50

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBSeQz2RUG8

510

Tony Martin won the world ITT today in Florence. Sir Brad 2nd and Spartacus 3rd. Nico was 13th, decent enough.

And Alonso has pulled out of the Euskatel deal. Did not want to take over their existing contracts and infrastructure. He plans to have his own team operational from 2015.

511

I reckon Nico will go well on Sunday. I fancy Nibali to win it.

512

What kinda money would the likes of Roche be making?

513

Heard some commentator (think it was kimmage) giving out about his performance in the London olympics saying he didnt try. Said commentator reckoned he was on about a quarter of a million a year.

514

Cheerio McQuaid.

Cookson wins 24-18

515

Still close enough.

516

Oh thank The Lord. Some hope for it.

517

Nico will win the title on Sunday.

518

He will if he’s prepared properly.

519

Backed Dan Martin in PPs yesterday at 33/1, think he’s got a great chance.

520

Tuscany is the home of preparation.