2008 Cycling National Championships Update

Most of the national road and time trail championships have now been contested. Below, the significant results.

1. Spain: Alejandro Valverde, i.e. valv piti takes his country's championship. He'll look to win the Tour de France in his home country's jersey. It should give him confidence.

2. Italy: Filippo Simeoni!!! Are you kidding me?!??!?? Best known for his spat with Sir Lance-a-lie, Simeoni takes the tri-color jersey, and in doing so ensures himself another season in the pro peloton. Bravo!

3. France: Nic Vogondy!!! Like Simeoni, Vogondy buys himself another year in the peloton in taking his country's title. What a win for the Frenchman, who shows his class even late in his career.

4. Wegmann again for Germany. Fabian has done it again, taking the coveted three stripe german colors combo for the second year in a row. He hasn't been able to jump to the next level in other races, but back to back victories in his home championship race should boost Wegmann's confidence ahead of the Tour de France.

Now that most of the national championships are over, the teams will be able to focus as a group in preparation for the Tour. With less than a week to go, it is more about staying out of trouble than improving at this point in the calendar. If all the contenders can avoid sickness or crashing, the Tour de Fance should be one to remember.

Slipstream to Giro: All for TTT

The "Argyle gang" will look to pour the bubbly after stage one of the Giro

The Slipstream team will have a golden opportunity to take a grand tour leader's jersey this Saturday at the 91st Giro d'Italia. At 23.6 kilometers long, the team time trial course in Palermo, Sicily will give the "Argyle Gang" a real shot at winning the first stage and putting one of their guys into the Maglia Rosa of race leader. Although a technical course, the team time trial should suit Slipstream well.

British time trial champ Milar will lead Slipstream's efforts in the Giro TTT

If they can manage to take the win on stage one, Slipstream could presumably hold the jersey until stage seven, when the road really begins to turn upward. Stages two through 6 are no cakewalk though, so defending the jersey will be difficult. Expect Slipstream to let the jersey go before stage seven should they be lucky enough to win stage one.

Zabriskie will be a huge part of Slipstream's team time trial team at the Giro

In looking at the team's chances for the entire Giro, there doesn't seem to be anyone riding for the team that can hang tough in the high mountains. Danny Pate and Christian Vande Velde are good climbers, but neither has ever shown themselves capable of following the world's best. Expect the Giro as a whole to be a primer for the young American squad, as they gain valuable knowledge ahead of the July Tour de France.

Gilberto Simoni and the Giro d'Italia 2008: The Final Act

Gilberto Simoni has been cycling at a high level for a long time. He began his career way back in 1994, and has shown himself at the front of many big races ever since. A small, explosive climber, Simoni has managed to win two Giro d'Italia's despite the fact that he is not an excellent time trialist. He has done so in the high mountains, isolating and then destroying his adversaries in dominant style.

Simoni's best days, and both Giro victories, were with the powerhouse Saeco teams in the early 2000's

Today though, things are different for the aging Italian star. Gone is the seemingly endless power and energy, replaced by glimpses of his past form. Simoni can still ride at a high level, but even he admits that he doesn't have the spark of past years. Still, the Italian legend will line up again in 2008 at his favorite race, the Giro d'Itlalia, to contest the overall victory, probably for the final time.

Simoni fueded with Cunego in the 2004 Giro, but was ultimately classy in defeat

Simoni is an interesting rider in that he possesses the Italian flare that so many past Italian champions are known for. But Simoni takes things further than some of his contemporaries, often speaking his mind at his own peril. He quarelled with then teammate Damiano Cunego in the 2004 Giro, making no secret of the fact that he felt betrayed by the young up and coming climber, who bested Simoni en route to the overall 2004 title. Then, in 2006, Simoni was openly critical of fellow Italian Ivan Basso and his "extra-terrestrial" capabilities in the mountains. Several weeks later, Basso would be kicked out of the Tour de France for alleged doping, and Simoni's comments were vindicated, at least in the court of public opinion.

"Gibo" will contest the marathon mountain biking event in this year's Olympics in Beijing

Gilberto Simoni, and riders like him, are good for cycling. Always willing to speak his mind and give his opinion, Simoni adds drama and intrigue to any race he enters. And like many past champions, Simoni is never afraid of a new challenge. He has set his sights on challenging the world in the marathon mountain bike discipline in this year's upcoming summer Olympics, and also chose to ride this past year's Monte Paschi Eroica, the race on Italy's "white gravel" roads. Hopefully this year, like last year, Simoni will be able to wring one last stage victory out of his beloved Giro. And with a helpful portion of luck, perhaps the tiny climber can dream about the overall victory one last time.

Basso to Liquigas, Pro Tour Ethics Code Ignored

Ivan Basso has reportedly signed a contract to race for the Italian Liquigas team after his suspension ends later this year. His new sponsor Liquigas withdrew itself as a member of the Internationale des Groupes Cyclistes Professionnels (AIGCP) yesterday, headed by Cofidis' Eric Boyer. Like Discovery did last year, Liquigas cited lack of unity in the group as the reason for their leaving. Yeah right.

Basso has kept under cover the last few months, but is now plotting his return to cycling

They are withdrawing for one reason and one reason only: Ivan Basso. Additionally, expect them to disassociate themselves from the Pro Tour in the near future as well. The Pro Tour ethics code stipulates that any rider sanctioned for doping must serve an additional two year suspension from riding on a Pro Tour team. Basso will have served two years when he begins riding for Liquigas, who is currently a Pro Tour team.

Basso thinks he can win the Giro again in 2009 despite having been away from competition for two years

In what is a huge blow to Pat McQuaid and the Pro Tour, Liquigas is confirming what many already knew: the Pro Tour won't be around much longer. Following ASO and RCS Sport's decision to exclude select Pro Tour teams from their events, much of the Pro Tour's influence dissappeared. Liquigas signing Basso could prove to be the death blow to the Pro Tour, as teams are realizing that they don't need to be in the Pro Tour to get invited to the year's biggest races.

When Basso returns, will he still have the accelerations in the high mountains?

Meanwhile, all is falling into place nicely for Basso. After the initial firestorm over his semi-confession, the Italian has humbly built himself back up in his native Italy, positioning himself as a casualty in the fight against doping. When he was sanctioned, many thought he would never ride for a big time team again. With the news of Liquigas signing him, Basso has almost come full circle. Now all that is left is for the Italian to get back to racing. Whether he'll still be "Ivan the Terrible" however, remains to be seen.

Upcoming: 8th Settimana Ciclistica Internazionale Coppi Bartali, March 25-29, 2008

The 8th Settimana Ciclistica Internazionale Coppi Bartali runs this week from Tuesday through Sunday, providing a glimpse at the Grand Tour contenders for later in the year. There are some big stage race names entered in the event, and each will test himself on a course that features a little bit of everything: climbs, flats, and an all-important time trial.

Stage one is broken into two half-stages, 1a and 2a. 1a is a 95 kilometer test that features some small, steep climbs and a straight finish. This should be a stage for the sprinters, with Danilo Napolitano, Vincenzo Nibali or Salvatore Commesso the likely victors. Stage 2a is an 11.8 kilometer time trial, where the Grand Tour contenders will look to test themselves against the clock. Look for Janez Brajkovic or Vladamir Gusev of Astana, or Tour de France front runner Cadel Evans to come good against the clock.

Brajkovic will continue building for the Tour de Georgia, where he'll hope to defend his 2007 title

For stage two the field will tackle a good climb before descending into Faenza following a winding downhill approach. This is a good stage for an attack, where Stefano Garzelli may have a go, or possibly Paride Grillo of the CSF Group Navigare team.

Stage three is one for the climbers, featuring several tough climbs, including the category 1 climb to Baragizzo, site of many great moments in the Giro d'Italia and the Giro d'Emilia. This day will be one for Gilberto Simoni, who is preparing for what could be his last Giro, or maybe Daniele Contrini, the 33 year old Tour de Georgia stage winner.

No leaves on trees reveals that it is still cycling's early season

The fourth stage is a pancake-flat jaunt through the Italian countryside which will surely end in a sprint. Unless a large group gets away, expect an exciting bunch gallop to end the stage. The next day the climbs return, and riders will tackle the tough Montegibbio climb three times on the way to the finish. The climb, while only 1.9 kilometers, averages about 17%. Stage five should provide the fresh legs in the field with the opportunity to gain some time and perhaps the win in the town of Sassuolo.

Although it does not feature an all-star field, the Settimana Coppi Bartali is an important step for those riders looking to hone their form ahead of the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France. It is also an opportunity for riders to rebuild their form ahead of the hilly Ardennes classics. Finally, the race provides riders that don't excel in the chilly northern classics with a chance to get all-important race kilometers in their legs before the early season is gone.

Evans will hope for all systems go at the Coppi Bartali, as he continues his quest for the Tour de France title in July

Unstoppable Cancellara Wins MSR---Flanders, Roubaix Next?

Fabian Cancellara must be considered the number one favorite for the remaining spring classics until another rider shows definitively that the Swiss time trialist can be beat. Cancellara won Milan-San Remo in convincing fashion by simply riding away from everyone on the Corso Cavallotti this Saturday. In an Eddy Merckx-like move, Cancellara jumped away from a small group with about 3 kilometers left in the race on Saturday, and no one could catch him as the CSC ace arrived, hands raised, in San Remo as the winner of Italy's biggest one day race.

Cancellara has grown from a time trialer to an all-arounder over the last few years

Cancellara has the rest of the peloton running scared, as the Swiss has been able to win on raw power and fearless tactics. His new nickname, "Tony Sparticus," is as appropriate as it is comical. There was, however, nothing funny about Cancellara's attack on the Corso Cavallotti Saturday that clinched the win for the 27 year old.

Time trialing as the Swiss champ two years ago

With Cancellara's two bigest targets (Flanders, Roubaix) yet to come for 2008, the time has come to consider whether he can put together a season with multiple classics victories on varied courses. Always a favorite on the cobbles, a win in Milan-San Remo went against all conventional thinking, as breakaway victories in the longest classic are extremely rare. That Cancellara was able to go away and stay away speaks to his enormous power and determination. He'll be a marked rider in Flanders and Roubaix, but it won't matter if he can hold the incredble form he has until the Flemish monuments.

He represents the raibow jersey well

If Cancellara manages to win either Flanders or Roubaix, his early season will go down as one of the best, if not the best, in the history of modern cycling. He has now won both major one day races in Italy (he won the Pachi Monte Eroica two weeks ago) and the first major Italian stage race of 2008 (Tirreno-Adriatico). He was within striking distance of overall victory in California, after having won the prologue and the first leader's jersey of the budding American stage race.

Cancellara rode for the mighty Mapei team in the 90's

Meanwhile, the rest of the peloton will have to go back to the drawing board to figure out how they'll manage to outfox and outride Cancellara, who looks positively unbeatable in every race he enters. Already his season has been an overwhelming success, and we're not even into April yet, which is a scary thought in itself. If he keeps going like this, a 20 win season with a few classic victories is very much within reach for the best time trialist in the world.

Upcoming: 42nd Tirreno-Adriatico, March 12-18

The Italian stage race Tirreno-Adriatico commences on Wednesday, marking the build up to the year's first Classic, Milan San-Remo. A prestigious event, TA has been won by many great pros in its 41 year legacy, including Davide Rebellin, Oscar Friere, Abraham Olano, Francesco Casagrande, Tony Rominger, and Michele Bartoli. Roger de Vlaeminck, the rugged Belgian, took the event a record six times, all in a row, from 1972 through 1977.

Roger de Vlaeminck took Tirreno-Adriatico a record six times, and all in a row

When examining the variety of riders that have won Tirreno-Adriatico, you realize that the race can be won by almost any type of rider. Rebellin and Friere are great sprinters who can climb well enough, Rominger and Casagrande were both climbers, stage race guys, while Olano and de Vlaeminck were big engines with tremendous power. Last year's winner, Andreas Kloden, won't defend his title as the Astana team hasn't been invited to Tirreno-Adriatico or any other race organized by RCS Sport.

Tirreno-Adriatico: Touring old Italy on two wheels

The route for the 42nd edition is one built for the all-arounder. Stage one is for the sprinters, as it finishes flat after some climbing in the town of Civitavecchia. Danilo Hondo will be eager to try to get the win and the event's first leader's jersey after two years on suspension. But there will be stiff competition in Hondo's way, as big guns Tom Boonen, Paolo Bettini, "Ale-Jet" Allessandro Petacchi, Robbie McEwin, Oscar friere, Mark Cavendish, Baden Cooke, and Luca Pagliarini all will be on hand to compete. In fact, TA will have the best contingent of sprinting talent thus far in 2008, which should make for great, animated riding.

"The Cobra" winning at last year's Tirreno Adriatico

Stage five, a 26 kilometer time trial, marks the event as the winner will no doubt be someone who can put up a strong race against the clock. Look for world time trial champion Fabian Cancellera and Belgian champion Stijn Devolder to have a decent ride, as well as Vladimir Karpets of Caisse d'Epargne, Gerolsteiner's Sebastian Lang, and Slipstream's David Zabriskie. Finally, watch out for "il falco" Paolo Salvodelli, who now rides for the continental team LPR. A wily veteran with a big engine, Salvodelli will be keen to show himself ahead of the upcoming Giro d'Italia, which could be the last for the old pro.

Karpets is a good time trialist and climber, perfect for the overall title

For the climbers, three of the stages feature punchy little climbs at the finish. Stage two into Gubbio will give the climbers a chance to show themselves. The "Cobra," Riccardo Ricco always tends to use Tirreno-Adriatico as a launch pad for his season, and Andy Schleck, the younger of the two Schlecks, will be ramping up for the upcoming Giro. Stage three finishes with a nice little incline as well, which may give German champ Fabian Wegmann or "pippo" Pozzato, both riders with nice bursts on short climbs, a chance for a win. Again a stage finishes with a climb for stage six, as the field will ascend a stiff climb in the town of Castelfidardo five times. Franco Pellizotti could try his hand in stage six, as could big George Hincapie of the High Road team.

Fabian Wegmann will hope for better luck in Italy after falling ill in California

Tirreno-Adriatico should be an exciting race with fast finishes and intense competition. The last stage race before Milan-San Remo, TA will allow the sprinter's teams one more week to get things straight ahead of the meat of the Classics season. Meanwhile, the stage racers and climbers will be looking to perfect their form ahead of the Wallonian Classics and the Giro. Expect most of cycling's heads of state to be at the front of the peloton at some point during the race, with the victor having to fight all the way through to the final stage into San Banedetto del Tronto for the overall win.

Upcoming: 2nd Monte Paschi Eroica, March 8, 2008

The Monte Paschi Eroica runs for only the second time this weekend, but it is already attracting attention for its unique lay out. Touted as a Parix-Roubaix-type event in Italy, the Eroica features seven sections of unpaved roads throughout the course, accounting for better than 50 kilometers of the total distance. Under poor weather, treacherous conditions would surely meet the peloton on these rough rural roads. Similar to the cobbled Belgian Classics Het Volk, Flanders and Roubaix, L'Eroica will no doubt be on the pro schedule for a long time. Over the total 181 kilometers, the race is a rolling affair throughout, but not hilly enough to be won by a pure climber. The winner instead will be someone who possesses great power, tactics and the determination to make the race.

The field will tackle over 50 kilometers of gravel roadways

Many Italian riders are clamoring to line up in 2008 to contest the fledgling race, as Paolo Bettini, Gilberto Simoni, Giovanni Visconti, Alessandro Ballan, Marco Velo, Fillipo Pozzato, Riccardo Ricco, and Danilo Di Luca are all confirmed to take the start line. Additionally, many non-Italians will contest the "Heroes" race, among them Australia's Baden Cooke and Stuart O'Grady, Germany's Fabian Wegmann, Russia's Mikhail Ignatiev and Pavel Brutt, and Americans Mike "Meatball" Friedman and the "Mustached Maurader," Steven Cozza, both of the Slipstream team.

The dirt-paved roads lend an "old school" feeling to the Eroica

Weather for the event calls for light rain throughout the day, which could turn the dirt sections of the race into a slippery, muddy, dangerous mess. The race was run in October last year, which took many Classics-style riders out of the competition. Slotted before such monuments like Milan-San Remo, Flanders and Roubaix this year, the Eroica will provide great training miles for the aspiring hard men of 2008.

"Pippo" Pozzato rode well in last year's edition, and should show well again as he builds his form for Milan-San Remo

Look for riders with big engines and bigger hearts to prevail in the race's second edition. Riders to watch will include Alesandro Ballan, last year's Flanders winner, Pozzato, who took Het Volk ion 2007 and Milan-San Remo in 2006, Mikhail Ignatiev, 22 years young and a rising star of cycling, "il grillo" Bettini (if he races, as he is recovering from his crash at KBK), Italian national champ Giovanni Visconti, former french national champ and 7th place at Roubaix in 2005 Florent Brard, former Luxembourg national champ Kim Kirchin, or possibly former world champ and Liege-Bastogne-Liege winner Igor Astorloa.

Pagliarini already has one win in 2008 (Tour of California stage 6) and should be in with a chance at the Eroica

For dark horse candidates, consider the CSC duo of the two Matties---Goss and and Breschel. Both riders are young and hungry, and will be eager to try for an early season result before putting their heads down to work for the team leaders the rest of the year. Another wild card could be Luca Pagliarini of Saunier Duval. The Brazilian is riding well after the Tour of California, and will be one of the best sprinters entered in the race. If it finishes in a bunch kick, the 2nd ever Eroica could be his. With its new slot in the calendar and a top-flight field, expect the L'Eroica to gain in popularity by leaps and bounds in 2008.

Euro Peloton's Pick: Luca Pagliarini

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Pro Tour Teams Worst Fears Realized As Astana, Credit Agricole, Others Left Off 2008 Giro Start List

2008

The organizers of the 2008 Giro d'Italia, RCS Sport, announced on Friday that Pro Tour teams Astana, Credit Agricole, Bouygues Telecom and High Road would not be tendered invites to the 2008 Giro d'Italia. This is in stark contrast to last year, when all three Grand Tours were required to invite all Pro Tour teams. Also absent in 2008 will be Stefano Garzelli, the 2000 winner, as his Aqua & Sapone squad was passed over in favor of Barloworld, Tinkoff, Slipstream, and LPR, among others.

"The Killer" will have his chance to spray the champaign again in 2008, as his LPR team gets the Giro nod

Astana seemed shell shocked, as spokesperson Philippe Maertens expressed. "We are extremely surprised," he said, as the Astana team boarded a flight out of Alburqueque following their training camp and team presentation. "Our team management is currently trying to contact Zomegnan ..."

Alberto Contador and the Astana team got a chilly reception from Italy that followed them all the way to Alberqueque. Could the Tour de France be the next Grand Tour to dis the champ?

The French teams, however, were seeing things in a different light. Bouygues Telecom and Credit Agricole explained that without having to send a team to Italy in May, they would instead be able to focus on getting good results in other races, such as the Clásica Internacional a Alcobendas, the Volta a Catalunya, the Bayern-Rundfahrt and the Four Days of Dunkirk events, all which coincide with the Giro.

Little Tommy Veokler and the Bouygues Telecom team will have to find other races to hone their form ahead of the July Tour de France after being left out of the 2008 Giro

For Aqua & Sapone, there is no such optimism. An Italian sponsored team, missing the Giro will be a huge dissapointment for Garzelli and the rest of the team. At 34, his years of turning the pedals in anger are coming to an end. He'll instead have to hope for a wild card at the Tour, which is unlikely.

Glory Days: At 34, the chances for victory for Garzelli are running out. Here he takes a stage win ahead of Bettini and Mazzolini at last years Giro

The precedence set by the Giro organizers could lead to a similar situation in France. Perhaps Christian Prudhomme will feel that teams with questionable pasts should be punished for positives in previous years. This is a controversial perspective, as both High Road and Astana are under new management, and are among the most tested teams in the professional peloton. But if this proves to be Prudhomme's view, expect him to invite the lone French continental team Agritubel (Christophe Moreau, Romain Feillu), as well as the Italian LPR team (Danilo Di Luca, Paolo Salvodelli) and the British Barloworld (Mauricio Soler, Robbie Hunter, Geraint Thomas, Baden Cooke) squads. Slipstream, providing that they shine in the early season, should also expect to secure an invite as well.

The young neo-pro and next great French hope Romain Feillu (23 yrs old) likely will fly the flag for team Agritubel in the 2008 Tour de France, along with new teammate Christoph Moreau

In the end, this could end up sending a strong message to all teams that not only will individual riders be sanctioned and punished, but the teams themselves will be penalized as well. Team management will have to think long and hard about the riders they contract each year, taking into account that a positive test could affect them into the next season. And those teams that manage to avoid doping positives will be rewarded with the invites to the biggest events. Drastic measures are required for drastic times, and RCS sport has launched the first silo in the new war against doping.

No mercy: Giro race director Angelo Zomegnan made no apologies for leaving four Pro Tour teams and a former overall winner (Garzelli) out of the 2008 edition

Pegoretti: "Dreamride" In Disguise

Dario Pegoretti plying his trade. One customer explains that upon thanking Pegoretti for his custom built and painted frame, was told "It's only eight tubes welded together." Modesty from a true master builder

Ever heard of Pegoretti bikes? Thought not. Because no one wanted you to. Dario Pegoretti designed and built frames that were ridden exclusively by European pros like Miguel Indurain, Marco Pantani, Stephen Roche, Alex Zulle, Claudio Chiappucci, Mario Cippolini, Andy Hampsten, and Andrea Tafi among others throughout the 90's. The above riders had their bikes labeled for the team bike sponsor, whether it was Pinerello, Look, Colnago, or even Bianchi. This was done because the rest of the team was riding the team sponsor bike, and the sponsors themselves didn't want a boutique bike maker stealing their thunder---not to mention outfitting the best rider on the team, the one who would receive the most attention from the cameras and the fans.

CSC eat your heart out!

Made in Italy by master framebuilder Dario Pegoretti, the Pegoretti frame is known by cycling afficianados as a "Dreamride." One of a kind and built by hand, Pegoretti's are made only of Aluminum and Steel, though Pegeretti's experimentation with exotic alloys is world-renowned. Dario's rise to frame building prominence started in in 1975 where he began his apprenticeship in with the legendary builder Luigino Milani of Verona. Today, he is counted among the most respected frame builders in the business. Always modest, he often says "it's just a bike, it's not an airplane" and that "building a frame is a work made by sight."

Only Pegoretti could use "Bianchi Green" with such success

Today, Dario continues to build frames, even while dealing with cancer. He recently came out of chemotherapy and is back in the shop creating beautiful framsets. One imagines he'll design frames until he is taken from the earth. So you want to get your hands on one of these, heh? Well, you'll need a bit of cash, about $3000 to be exact. At first glace, this seems an extravagance, but is it really? Hand-built, hand-painted and built specifically to your specifications? I say its a deal. Here's to you Dario, may you continue building one-of-a-kind frames for many years to come!

Flawless lines and intricate paint patterns make Pegoretti one-of-a-kind

****Jessica Monaloy and Paul Whiting contributed to this story---thanks!****