Deja Vu: CSC Again in Philly as Breschel Breaks Through

Matti Breschel, the 24 year old Dane of the CSC squad, has long been hailed as a future star of cycling. An affable, likable youngster, Breschel has ridden in support of his CSC teammates since he joined the team in 2005, and most expected that he would assist fellow teammate Matt Goss, second in the 2007 Philly race, to victory in Sunday's 24th edition of the American cycling tradition.

To everyone's surprise though, Breschel was the protected rider on the CSC squad, and he made good on the confidence placed in him by director sportif Lars Michaelson and the rest of the CSC squad. Coming seemingly out of nowhere, Breschel was able to hold off American Kirk O'Bee of the Health Net team as well as former Philly winner Fred Rodriguez of the Rock Racing outfit for a hige victory for his CSC squad.

In what was by far his biggest victory to date, Breschel put the cycling world on notice that he is fast becoming a world class all-arounder capable of taking victory even under the most difficult of circumstances. Temperatures for the race were in the high 90's, and the humidty was measured at 99%. Breschel however kept his cool, sitting in the main bunch throughout the race, waiting for his time to pounce.

CSC, once again, has taken a huge win when no one thought they had a shot at victory. They are such a tactically sound team that they always seem to place their riders in position to win. And more times than not, CSC riders get the job done. Last year, JJ Haedo was not thought to be a serious threat for the Philly title, but he bested Bernhard Eisel in the bunch sprint, after a masterful lead out from his fellow teammate Matt Goss.

Breschel is at the end of a two year contract with CSC, and will be looking for more significant money. If things don't work out at CSC, where would he most like to ride in 2009 and beyond? "Probably a Belgian team. They do things right and I like Belgium, the fans are great!" More likely though is that CSC boss Bjarne Riis will hold onto his fellow countryman, who is on the verge of more great things in the sport of cycling.

Philadelphia International Cycling Championship: The Favorites

The winner of the 2008 International Cycling Championship will establish themselves as a Philadelphia legend, like another well known Philly sports icon

The most anticipated leg of the Commerce Bank Triple Crown of Cycling is finally upon us: the big one, Philly. A world class field is assembled, ready to do battle in lava-like conditions as temperatures for the 156 mile race are expected to be in the mid 90's with high humidity levels. Under such tough conditions, many riders will wilt, unable to maintain in such adverse conditions. Others love extremely hot conditons, and so will be favored to take the biggest of the three leg Triple Crown of Cycling. Below follow the favorites for the International Cycling Classic.

Oscar Sevilla, Rock Racing

The Spaniard took a huge win for his Rock Racing team on Thursday at the Reading Classic, and loves racing in hot conditions. He believes he is in with a very realistic chance for another win, and with it the overall title in the Triple Crown competition. Expect "El Nino" to attack on the Manayunk Wall, hoping he can eliminate the sprinters and time trialists for the win. At worst, he should wrap up the KOM title.

Ivan Stevic, Toyota United

Stevic, the B World Champion (world champ for smaller countries), also is a fan of hot conditions and thinks a select group will remain toward the end of the race as the ultra-hot conditions will seperate the contenders from the pretenders early. "It will be so hot, alot of guys won't finish. You'll probably have about 50 guys left at the end who will try to win. I like the heat, so I should be there at the end."

Daniele Bennati, Liquigas

The Italian is coming off a hugely successful Giro d'Italia, where he took three stages and the points jersey. He has been slowed recently by a calf injury, but the world-class sprinter can't be counted out as a contender. He'll be battling jet lag and the hot conditions, but if he's there at the end, he'll be hard to come around.

Bernhard Eisel, High Road

Eisel is a dengerous sprinter an a durable all arounder capable of winning in a multitude of conditions. He showed well at Reading on Thursday in third place, and will be around at the end as he looks to improve on his third place in Philly from last year. He'll lead his High Road squad inn Philly, with an eye on a big win for the American team.

Rory Sutherland, Health Net presented by Maxxis

Sutherland is from New Zealand, and has raced in the baking heat of Australia many times. He is an accompished all-arounder, and has had a great season thus far in 2008. He should have good support from his team, and will be active in any breaks that go up the road. If not him though, perhaps his teammate Kirk O'Bee could carry the torch for Health Net.

While the above riders will be favored to win, there are a number of riders not mentioned above who could take the win. The incredibly high eat and humidity make the race tough to predict, and a lesser known rider probably won't be the one to win. Expect an accomplished, savvy pro to take top honors in what should be one of the toughest races thus far in 2008, in America or otherwise.

Euro Peloton Philly Bound for Commerce Bank Triple Crown of Cycling

The big round-about in the bottom right hand corner above marks the turn around point that takes the field to the finish line in the International Championship

Euro Peloton will be traveling to Pennsylvania for the upcoming Commerce Bank Triple Crown of Cycling. I'll be close to the riders all week, with in-depth interviews with the contenders, as well as same day race coverage of each of the three men's races and the one women's race. Look for fan predictions and perspective pieces as well, as I soak up an American cycling institution, the Philadelphia International Cycling Classic, now in its 24th year.

The talent for the event looks good, with several big time European stars making the trip across the Atlantic to compete against the best America has to offer. And don't think the Americans will be out done. Expect good performances from Rory Sutherland of the Health-Net team, as well as from Lucas Sebastian Haedo, the younger bother of JJ Haedo, last year's Philadelphia winner. No word yet on whether the older Haedo will be present, but Euro Peloton has it from informed sources that he'll start Philly at least. See you in "The City of Brotherly Love," as Euro Peloton reports live daily from the heart of the action.

"Put Up Or Shut Up," Says Steegmans to UCI; Liquigas to Philly

Steegmans, perhaps in anticipation of becoming a team leader next year, has called out the UCI for their veiled report of doped cyclists

Quick Step sprinter Gert Steegmans, 27, channelled wisdom far beyond his age in calling out the UCI over their announcement that 23 riders and "one top rider" are under suspicion for doping after test analyses from the new anti-doping passport program. An angry Steegmans declared, "It is a perfect example of how not to deal with such things. Why was that announced in this way? Either you say the full names, or you shut up and go about your business."

Bravo.

Steegmans, speaking on behalf of other riders, wondered aloud why the UCI has absolutely no professionalism when it comes to dealing with the sanctioning process. As usual, they have decided to create an environment of fear and uncertainty just days ahead of a grand tour. And like in the 2006 Tour de France, the peloton waits anxiously to learn who the suspected riders are, and which teams may face repercussions as a result of the allegations. In what is sure to be a long Friday, teams will wait for an announcement to be made the day before the Giro begins in Palermo.

If one of Liquigas' big three (Bennati, Pozzato, Pellizotti) take the start at the Triple Crown, fans will be ecstatic

Meanwhile, in America, positive news for the Triple Crown of Cycling event in Pennsylvania, as the Italian Liquigas team is confirmed as a late addition for the three race series. The acid green and blue squad, who recently signed new anti-doping ambassador Ivan Basso, will be on hand to contest the legendary Liberty Classic race on Sunday, June 7th in Philadelphia. American fans will remain hopeful that Daniele "Benna" Bennati, the recovering Italian sprinter, will be on hand to contest the series ahead of his bigger objective for 2008, the Tour de France. The addition of the Pro Tour squad is good for the race, it's organizers and the fans, as the inclusion of the Italian outfit will add color and talent to an already strong field.