Gilbert crowned UCI world cycling champ

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The world cycling championships held in the Netherlands came to an exciting conclusion yesterday with Belgium's Philippe Gilbert taking out the men's elite road race.

The race didn't disappoint with plenty of action but the final few kilometers proved to be the most exciting as Gilbert attacked.

No one was able to match Gilbert's pure strength and determination and he crossed the line with plenty of time to celebrate the rainbow jersey. Gilbert rode a tactically sound race with his Belgian team mates solid in their support.

Norway's Edvald Boasson Hagen took silver followed by Spain's Alejandro Valverde.

Unfortunately the race didn't pan out in the Aussie's favour with Allan Davis our best placed rider in a respectable 6th position.

Women's Road Race: UCI World Championships

There was little doubt that Maryanne Vos would take out the Women's Elite Road Race at the UCI World Championships in the Netherlands.

The golden girl of Women's Road Cycling didn't disappoint, but it was Australia's Rachel Neylan who excitedly took the silver medal ahead of Italy's Elisa Longo Borghini.

Congratulations Rachel! Awesome job. Another Aussie to be proud of!

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"At no stage was I told I was going to be a great cyclist or that I was talented but that is the best recipe as it just keeps you trying for more and wanting to prove to people that you can do it." - Rachel Neylan

Aussies left disappointment in time trial: Worlds

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It was a tough day for Aussie time trialists Luke Durbridge and Cameron Meyer at the UCI World Cycling Road Championships in The Netherlands yesterday.

Both Cameron and Luke were left disappointed after finishing in 16th and 21st respectively, well behind Germany's Tony Martin who claimed back to back titles.

The tough, undulating 45.7km course took its toll on the riders with many expecting that they would have fared better.

We now look ahead to the Men's Elite Road Race which promises to be a cracker with so many contenders.

For the Aussies we have a well rounded team for the 261km race on Sunday with Simon Clarke, Allan Davis, Simon Gerrans, Adam Hansen, Heinrich Haussler, Michael Matthews, Richie Porte, David Tanner as well as Wesley Sulzberger who replaces Mick Rogers who unfortunately had to withdraw from the race due to tonsillitis.

Go Aussies!

Who's your pick?

The Aussie squads : UCI World Cycling Championships

Not long now until the 2012 UCI Road World Cycling Championships and the Aussie's have announced their squads.

Elite Men
Simon Clarke
Allan Davis
Luke Durbridge
Simon Gerrans
Adam Hansen
Heinrich Haussler
Michael Matthews
Cameron Meyer
Richie Porte
Michael Rogers
David Tanner




Most notable of course is Simon Gerrans who is having a fantastic season, peaking at the right time. Gerrans along with Simon Clarke, coming off winning the Vuelta KOM jersey, strong man Adam Hansen and Richie Porte having a great year supporting team leaders at Sky including Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins, makes for a strong showing. Throw in a couple of sprinters including our best chance in a bunch sprint in Allan Davis and it is a pretty well rounded squad.

Cameron Meyer and Luke Durbridge will contest the time trial with Durbo out to prove he can beat the best (which I think he can!).

Notable exclusions would again be Mark Renshaw, (no surprise there, but is also without form), and Rory Sutherland who withdrew himself from selection.

It think the selectors have done a pretty good job this year, and I am particularly pleased to see Haussler given the nod. My pick is Gerro for the course, he is in with a fantastic chance, so GO Aussies, GO!

(full list of Aussie's squads can be found here)

Do you think the selectors have got it right this year?

It's a wrap! Vuelta 2012

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They saved the best for last. Grand tours that is. After a great start to the year with the Giro we went into Le Tour with great expectations only to be left feeling a little lackluster. Thankfully the Vuelta saved the day with some of the best racing we have seen all season.

I have mentioned before my excitement to see Alberto Contador back in the action so it is no surprise that I am thrilled that he took home the red jersey.

But mostly it was the excitement of the racing that made this the tour of the year.

Perhaps the Tour de France powers that be can learn something from this years vuelta? With shorter stages, greater and tougher climbs and perfect time trial placement the Vuelta had a good recipe for success. Throw in a couple of extra flat stages early on to whet the sprinters appetites and of course a full contingent of fit and healthy riders we have a fantastic scenario for a Grand Tour.

Caps off to Contador, Rodriguez, and Valverde for providing such great racing and ending the year on a high.


Long live the Vuelta ;)

This week in cycling. Aussies, Spaniards & Belgians.

It has been a pretty exciting week in cycling! (Positives only thank you).

Firstly at the Vuelta e Espana we will see Alberto Contador ride into Madrid wearing the red leaders jersey and then stand atop the podium, proud and accomplished. It has been a brilliant Vuelta for Contador and his team, and for spectators and cycling enthusiasts alike. Exciting racing, amazing attacks and twists and turns along the way. I for one am certainly happy to see Contador back in winning form.

Still at the Vuelta Australia's Simon Clarke will take to the podium wearing the King of Mountain's jersey for the best climber of the race. This is a fantastic result for Clarke, stage four winner, who rode a smart and tactical race and is proving he has come of age. Clarke, is the second Australian to take a KOM jersey in a Grand Tour with Matt Lloyd winning honours at the 2010 Giro d'Italia. It also marks new Australian team Orica-GreenEdge's first jersey win.

It was also great to see Aussie Richie Porte a gallant second in the tough Queen Stage. Heading over no less than three category one climbs, a category two and the final uncategorised climb to finish second behind Menchov is a fantastic result for Porte.

Also exciting this week was the one day Paris-Brussels. One of the oldest races on the European Tour, Paris-Brussels is a prestigious race and one that riders love to win. Omega-Pharma QuickStep's Tom Boonen crossed the line to take the honours ahead of Australia's Mark Renshaw. Boonen has hit top form heading into the upcoming UCI World Championships. Perfect timing.

Renshaw too, is finally showing some form after a frustrating season, however he yet again, Renshaw misses out on Australian selection for World Champs. This year though form may have had something to do with it, not only the questionable selectors.

Speaking of the World Championships with Belgian Philippe Gilbert's win on stage 19 of the Vuelta it would appear he too, is hitting form at the right end of the season which bodes well for an exciting race coming next weekend.

Finally, another Australian to finish off, Simon Gerrans is showing form also with a win at the GP Québec in Canada. It is great to see Gerro fnishing off the season well, and yes, another contender for World Champ honours.


What's been your favourite cycling story this week?

Contador The Great. Vuelta 2012

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I haven't been blogging as much as I would like for this year's Vuelta. Lots of reasons, mainly as I've been a bit ill and very tired, so I have been catching up with TiVo!

It's funny though, as I was going to blog Tuesday about Rodriguez being Mr. Cool Calm and Collected, almost James Bond like, unable to put a foot wrong and withstand any attacks that came his way. If I had have written that post, I would have been eating humble pie right now.

Contador is The Great. 'El Pistolero'. He armed himself, loaded, aimed and fired. And the bullet was spot on. Game over. .... Almost.

Contador wore down his opponents with sheer determination, multiple attacks on every climb over the past few weeks in the end wore them down. Christopher Froome was the first casualty, perhaps a lot earlier than expected. Valverde was next to go, although is certainly far from down and out. And it looked like Rodriguez was holding up the best to Contador's barrage, until now.

Stage 17 saw team Saxo-Bank tactically outmaneuver Rodriguez and allow Contador to make a decisive attack that would leave Rodriguez exposed, it was clear that the past couple of weeks had finally, albeit unfortunately taken their toll.

Contador ended up crossing the line, taking the stage with an outpouring of emotion, no doubt a combination of frustration and relief after the playing out of recent events.

Love him or hate him, Contador had his day. And it will be almost impossible for anyone to dislodge the Spaniard of the red jersey.

Do you feel a little for Rodriguez? What did you think of Contador and Saxo-Bank's tactics?

And then there were two... Vuelta 2012

Stage 14 of this year's Vuelta was another exciting one with Rodriguez proving that he is one of the punchiest climbers in the business. It was also the stage where four contenders would be reduced to just two.

Rodriguez and Contodor.

It was the last couple of kilometers that provided the action with Contodor displaying his trademark attacking style and placing what looked like could be a winning distance between him and his rivals on the final ascent.

Froome, Valverde, and Rodriguez at first had no answers but in the end it would be Rodriguez's boldness and determination that would see him overtake Contador and cross the line taking yet another stage and more time bonuses.

So is it now a two horse race? It would appear so. But really it will take some amazing racing from Contador to be able to brush Rodriguez aside.

Rodriguez has now proven himself to be a smart, tactical rider who is both composed and full of surprises. And possibly a Vuelta e Espana winner?

Of course it is not over until it is over and there are plenty of mountains to come which means plenty more exciting racing.

Another fantastic result out of Stage 14 was Aussie Simon Clarke taking the lead in the King of the Mountains classification. He has a 11 point lead and a good fight in his spirit. Lets hope he can carry it all the way to Madrid.