2013 Dates of Major International Road Cycling Races

Start getting your holidays and days off planned now folks, the cycling season is just about to start.  Here's a list of the main international pro events being held during 2013 for you to help with your plans.

January
Tour Down Under - 22nd Jan to 27th Jan

February
Tour of Qatar - 3rd Feb to 8th Feb
Tour of Oman - 11th Feb to 16th Feb

March
Paris-Nice - 3rd March to 10th March
Tirreno - Adriatico - 6th March to 12th March
Milano - San Remo - 17th March
Gent - Wevelgem - 24th March
Tour of Flanders - 31st March

April
Paris - Roubaix - 7th April
Amstel Gold Race - 14th April
Fleche Wallonne - 17th April
Liege - Bastogne - Liege - 21st April
Tour de Romandie - 23rd April to 28th April

May 
Giro D'Italia - 4th May to 26th May
Tour of Norway - 15th May - 19th May 

June
Criterium du Dauphine - 2nd June to 9th June
Tour de Suisse - 8th June to 16th June
Tour de France - 29th June to 21st July

July
Tour de Pologne - 27th July to 3rd August

August
Eneco Tour - 12th August to 18th August
Vuelta a Espana - 24th August to 15th September

September
Tour of Britain - 15th September to 22nd September
World Championships - 22nd September and 25th September

October
Tour of Beijing - 16th October to 20th October

Armstrong and USADA

As I started cycling in August 2009, I had no idea of professional cyclings doping culture, I didn't understand the concept of one nominated rider to win a race with every other rider supporting them, I didn't understand the demands on the body of being a pro-cyclist.  I was brand new to this sport.

Over the last three years I've read a huge number of books, watched videos, read blogs and articles which have indicated the scale of doping in the sports culture past and present. 

The most recent of which by Tyler Hamilton called "The Secret Race" is potentially the most explosive as it details at first hand that the lengths that Lance Armstrong went to evade discovery during his racing career.   I'd highly recommend you read it.

Arguably the highest profile racer of his time, the recent USADA report (which you can read here) combined with Tyler Hamiltons book present a case against him which leaves you pretty certain that the constant denials of "I've never failed a test" aren't quite the same as "I've never doped." A bit like when Bill Clinton said "I have never had sexual relations with that woman."  I've read the whole 200 page report this weekend and it's pretty damning.

When you read of the blood transfusions from Dr. Michele Ferrari, the motorcycle drugs courier "motoman" and the direct into vein (micro-dosing) of EPO injections to evade dope tests, you'll quickly get the picture alongside the testosterone patches, human growth hormone and cortiscoids.  The report also details the $1.029M paid by Armstrong to discredited Ferrari between 1996 amd 2006 for his services.

If you looked to all the big stars of the time - Pantani, Ullrich et al, they have all subsequently been found to have been complicit in the doping culture and at a structural level, the whole sport was involved team managers to senior figureheads at the UCI (the world governining body).  

The victories of the entire pro-racing scene during this period of investigation is suspect and is subsequently being peeled back layer by layer as more riders step forth.  The famous 'omerta'or code of silence keeping the dirty washing from being aired in public for so long.

Pro-cycling today is trying to move on and appears to be making progress in cleaning itself up.  A new breed of clean riders, more advanced testing and tight contracts from sponsors have given it no choice.  The Armstrong affair of current paints a damning picture of how cycling used to be, rather than how it now is (although it would be unfair to say it's totally clean as riders are still failing tests - Alberto Contador being the last major scalp).

The major issue with Armstrong is the breach of trust between him and his supporters - everything that he has stood is now under a microscope.  The contents of his numerous books, the awards and the accolades, the Tour de France victories and the people that have raised money for his foundation believing him to be be clean. I appreciate the tremendous work that Armstrong has done and still does for cancer survivors, the issue I think still remains open about his credibility in his sporting achievements.

The truth ultimately always comes out in such situations, the USADA report has seen to that, how the Armstrong brand will be damaged will ultimately be down to the media and the support of the public.  It's also interesting to read the affidavits of the former teammates of Armstrong on the USADA website (see here).  It can only lead you to conclude that the bubble will ultimately burst.  For me, even if he did admit it, I think he could turn opinion round in time and be one of the biggest stars to inspire the next generation of cyclists to race clean.

Two additional books I'd recommend you to read if you want to understand more about the doping culture in pro-cycling are: -

Racing Through the Dark - David Millar.  Link to Amazon here.
Breaking the Chain - Willy Voets.  Link to Amazon here.

Disappointment for Team GB in Olympic Road Race

Mark Cavendish Olympic Gold Medal Hopes Dashed

If there is one Gold medal you would have put your house on Team GB winning at the Olympics, it would have been the Olympic Road race.   Fresh from the Tour de France which showed a shop window of quality in Brad Wiggins, Chris Froome, David Millar and Ian Stannard, the media had it as a foregone conclusion, along with millions of cyclists.

There are three key things that made today's race different from what we might normally witness on one of the grand tours: -

1. No race radios, so no real time strategy from the Directeur Sportive.
2. A team of only five riders, meaning there is less depth in terms of people to work the front.
3. Less people to work with on competing teams.

It was obvious from the start that GB would have to sit on the front for the bulk of the very long race today, everyone knew it and everyone sat back to let them do the work.  As it entered it's final quarter, a breakaway group was off the front and the GB riders ran out of energy having been on the front of the peloton for much of the day, meaning no leadout train for Cav and goodbye to Olympic glory for him.

You could see how disappointed everyone was.  Cav - as we know - wears his heart on his sleeve and I'm sure a few tears will be shed in private.  Bradley Wiggins had a big debt to re-pay for all Cav's work on the Tour de France to get him in Jersey, he'll be gutted too but also now has to recover for the Time Trial.

When you get used to winning, it can never be taken for granted.  Today's race was practically already won if you are to believe the media, however sport has a way of reminding us that it's what happens on the day that really counts.

Mark Cavendish is still World Race Champion and Bradley Wiggins our first ever winner of the Tour de France.  We've a lot to be proud of in these formidable riders, our team and the effort they put in to make it happen.  Sometimes even the best preparation and plans aren't enough and the race just plays out differently. 

Bradley Wiggins has still to compete in the Time Trial event, however it's game over for Cav and his dream of the gold medal in his year as World Champion, shame I would have loved to have see him get it.  Now over to the ladies who will race tomorrow and into the Velodrome for the track, which will be heaped with equal expectation.

Tweets from the riders said shortly after the finish said: -

Mark Cavendish - "Gutted.  After 250km, less than a minute to 20 guys.  My guys were INCREDIBLE & there was nothing more we could do.  Victims of our own success."


David Millar - "We did what we'd planned.  Cav had the legs to go with the attacks on the last climb but trusted our ability to bring it home.  Gutted.  On the bright side it was the most amazing feeling in the world carrying the weight of a nation.  Feel terrible we didn't deliver.

Bradley Wiggins - "Well we did everything we could as a team, gutted for Cav and sad to see Fabian out"

Sky is the Limit

We have a new super celebrity in cycling - step forward Bradley Wiggins -  2012 Tour de France winner (and hopefully the next BBC Sportsperson of the Year).  

If you're like me, I've been hoping that Bradley stayed out of trouble, avoided crashes and had the legs to get through the high mountains unscathed.  Since 2009 when he came fourth, the promise was always there that he had the potential.  2010 it kind of fell apart for him on the tour, 2011 a crash and a broken collarbone.  Here we now are with Bradley in Paris, crowned the first ever British winner of the Tour de France - awesome.

He couldn't of done it alone.  Grand Tours are won by the dedication and work rates of the entire teams, domestiques sacrificing themselves and - particularly on this tour - super domestique Chris Froome ably assisted at times by the the road race world champion - Mark Cavendish.  We can't forget either his wife and family who have had to endure the endless training camps, long periods away and media attention, it can't be easy.  Then there's the mechanics, soigneurs and back-room staff, pro-cycling has a big infrastructure behind it.

The role of SKY

One thing I thought of the other day was whether this would have happened in the timescales it has, without the mega £30M investment by SKY into British Cycling and SKY team in 2009.  In my view, it was a game changer.

When the annoucment was first made in 2008, the stated ambition was for them to put a British winner on the podium within five years.  Since then, they've invested huge amounts in signing the right riders, the right coaches and technology to achieve that grand goal.  Someone will be popping the Champagne corks, that's for sure.  In fact, SKY have already committed to a further four year deal with British Cycling, securing sponsorship until 2016.

Prior to that, no one had backed the concept in such a brave way.  Wiggins, Cavendish and the other riders could quite happily have ridden in other teams, however Sky backed the concept and no fewer than 9 out of their 28 squad are now British.

Wiggomania

Bradleys life is going to change forever.  The Mod loving, Wigan living cyclist who shoots it straight from the hip, is a journalists dream (and a PR persons nightmare). Outspoken, forthright and unpredicatable, the cycling public love him for it.  His tirade of swear words at a press-conference when asked about doping, being a typical example of his no-nonsense style.

What people like most is that he is very down to earth.  No airs and graces, no delusions of grandeur and supportive of the fans that stood out to cheer him along the whole route.  It's been quite a journey for him, his auto-biography is well worth a read and will no doubt enjoy a good boost in sales, along with other endorsements.  I noted that Fred Perry have just launched a Bradley Wiggins range of shirts  with a cycling/mod theme.  


So, with the Olympic road race only a couple of weeks away, this win will give the entire team a big lift and I'm sure Wiggo will be paying back Mark Cavendish big style in his pursuit to be Olympic champion.  

Prior to then, life is going to be a whirlwind of media.  Cycling is going to have yet another big lift, more people will engage in the sport and it will move up the list of national past times.  To see Bradley Wiggins achieve his boyhood dream is inspiring, he's worked hard, had one hell of a journey and made a lot of British road cyclists very happy.  On behalf of us all, Chapeau Wiggo!

Bradleys Yellow Jersey and Race Number

Andy Tennant's Ticker

Rapha Condor Sharp rider  - Andy Tennant

"What's your heart rate doing Andy?"  As we rode the back ten home of a chilly forty five mile run out yesterday, I glimpsed down at my heart rate monitor to see my ticker beating away at around 155bpm (HRZ4 for me which would be described as an intensive zone). 

"120" came the reply from Andy Tennant, road racing professional for Rapha Condor Sharp, 24 years of age with a heart rate maximum of 210bpm.  Effectively, he was at about 55% of maximum  heart rate, I was nearer 82%.  It gave me a good chuckle as my high intensity workout was Andy's recovery ride!  Let's put it this way, my base mile ride would probably see Andy walking alongside me in his cleats :-)

Preparing for London 2012

Andy is part of the six man squad currently competing for four places in the pursuit team at London 2012.  He's been bouncing back and forth from Majorca over the last couple of months on training camps, working on technique, fitness and strategy to deliver the big prize at London 2012.  Seems all is going to plan and without giving any crown jewels away, the team are performing well and where they need to be at this time.

On our three hour ride out, we talked extensively about training, preparation and rest both in the context of Team GB aswell as Rapha Condor Sharp.  Outside of the glamour of racing, the life of a professional cyclist can be pretty boring when it comes to time off the bike, particularly when considering rest and recovery.

Rest is of critical importance if you are wanting to get stronger on the bike.  Andy Tennant will tell you that when he is declared to "rest" by the coaches at Team GB, they mean total rest.  Not to go shopping, catch up on errands and do some non-bike running about, they mean feet-up plus minimal energy usage to allow the body to repair and renew.

What that means at training camps is long periods in hotel rooms with DVD players, laptops and game consoles, mmm - perhaps it doesn't sound too bad after all!

Translating that to everyday cyclists, what this means is to ensure that you give your body the time to rest and recover if you've had a big day on the bike.  It's always recommended after a long ride to have a recovery drink and a good stretch post-ride but to also flush the legs out with an easy recovery ride the next day.  Don't think that getting on the bike and hammering it, ride after ride will make you a stronger cyclist.  Training + Rest + Recovery will.

Back to tickers (hearts) then.  Clearly, you can't compare a 43 year old businessperson with an interest in cycling to a 24 year old professional and GB squad member.  However, the principles of training are similar.  You need to understand your zones, to understand what intensity to train and recover at.  I'd recommend anyone coming into the sport to buy a trip computer with heart rate monitor in order that you can make the best use of your training, relative to your own body, capability and age.

By getting to know what your ticker is doing, you'll get quicker, stronger and be able to achieve greater things in a shorter period.

Riding with Andy Tennant

Andy Tennant - Rapha Condor Sharp

Check the weather, check the weather.  That was the first thing I did this morning before setting off for a ride with Rapha Condor Sharp rider Andy Tennant this morning.  Why?  It would denote which bike I took with me for the fifty mile ride I'd planned for us today.  Winter bike or slightly speedier Onix Azzuro, good news it's going to be dry.  Onix Azzuro it is.

As Andy rolled round the corner on his Condor TT bike, I thought I was in for a battering.  It ran through my mind, "jeez, if he goes aero on that thing, I'm going to need more than this bike to keep up!"

It's the third time I've ridden with Andy, and with London 2012 now looming firmly on the horizon, it was a great opportunity for a good natter.  On the face of it, Andy is a pretty sorted guy.  Model girlfriend - Tour of Britain podium girl - Lauren Bason.  Professional bike rider for team Rapha Condor Sharp.  Team GB pursuit rider.  Despite all of this he has his feet firmly on the ground and is laid back, outgoing and friendly.

Bimbling around the Cheshire lanes (our average speed across the 62 miles was 17.1mph - down to my legs, not his), we talked across a range of subjects from the Tour of Britain, London 2012, life at Rapha Condor Sharp, British Cycling, plus other stuff.  The time passed really quickly, despite a headwind for much of the ride.  Andy acknowledges other roadies as they pass, which I think is a nice touch.  A couple of them, took a second take, that's for sure.

A funny moment was when we saw Rapha Condor Sharp Directeur Sportif - John Heraty - over Northwich way in the team car.  Pulling over for a quick chat, he gave Andy the quick once over to make sure all his kit was in order.  Ever the professional, Andy was head to foot in Rapha gear - looking the part.  Box ticked.

Direceur Sportif - John Heraty

Setting off, we started talking around training "by feel."  A lot of the track training is done with power meters and data analysis, but on the big day, no meters, just focus on your line, your technique and your process - no distractions.  Andy is able to metronome out his lap times within 0.2 seconds, which is remarkable.

It's obviously working as the Team GB pursuit squad only recently picked up the Gold medal at the European Track Cycling Championships in Apeldoorn.  Tennant, part of the squad with Steven Burke, Ed Clancy and Pete Kennaugh, beating Denmark in the final.  

All the training the team do is about knowing what a spot on lap feels like in terms of cadence, speed etc so that they can just concentrate on process.  All very Graeme Obree.  Andy rode with an SRM power meter on his bike today, we rode at around 170 watts in the main.  Pushing more up hills and drags (250W).  When he normally trains, he's out at 250W for the duration.  I'd of been battered, if he'd of kept that pace for three hours.

It wasn't a particularly hard ride today but I was feeling it, the route was quite flat (1.5k ft), 62 miles in distance.  I hadn't eaten before I went out and had forgot to put some food in my back pocket, so the tank was feeling a little empty as we pulled up to Casa Tennant.  Andy was also very gracious in ensuring I was on his wheel and calibrated his speed accordingly!

For 24, Tennant has an old head on young shoulders.  He's accomplished himself multi-discipline across the track and road.  He's a good time triallist, bashing out a 10M in 19 minutes aswell aswell as being one of the real candidates for a medal in the Team Pursuit in London 2012.  Main things for him in the lead in to 2012 is to avoid illness and injury, in order that he can continue to train to his full potential.  I'll certainly be cheering him on.

Team UK Youth Ride for #SIMONSTRONG

Former Tour de France stage winner and Paris-Roubaix winner Magnus Backstedt is a giant of a man, not just in physical stature but in leadership terms too.  Yesterday, he sported a message of support for Simon Richardson on his helmet, whilst racing in the Premier Calender Twinings Pro-Am.

Big Maggy as he is known is a close friend of Simon and Amanda Richardson.  Despite having his own personal battle with losing his mother recently, Magnus has continued to show his support for Simon, from day one. I think that shows real strength of character and it's no surprise to me that this character took him to win one of the hardest one day classic races in calender, Paris - Roubaix.

Big Maggy supporting #SIMONSTRONG

Note to Press; Simon Richardson is a double-gold Paralympic cyclist.  On the track in Bejing 2008 he won the LC3/4 1km time trial and 3km individual pursuit. He also claimed a silver in the road time trial and assisted team mate Darren Kenny to victory in the road race.  Further details can be found on his Wikipedia page.

Andy Tennant and Ed Clancy

Got sent a couple of nice shots from Rick Robson - at Cyclesportphotos.com.  Couple of the boys from Rapha Condor Sharp at the Colne Grand Prix Crit which was held last weekend.  Rapha Condor Sharp took all the places on the podium, with Ed Clancy bagging first, with a double from the deans following, Dean Downing (2nd) and Dean Windsor (3rd).

Andy Tennant

Eventual Winner Ed Clancy

Ten Tips from Andy Tennant

Over the last few months I've been fortunate to ride out with Team GB and Rapha-Condor Pro - Andy Tennant.  On one our last runs out, we got talking about kit.  I asked Andy if he'd consider knocking a blog up on his Top 10 tips for us non super-humans on the road.  He's been good to his word, so you want to ride like a Pro?  Read on for some great tips: -

I Have been riding now for 10 years. A relatively short time compared to some people. However in this short period I have been round some of the best riders and ridden the best kit in the World.

Currently I am Ridding for Rapha-Condor-Sharp on the road and Represent GB on the track during the winter months. This means that I have to train all year round so I know how it feels to have cold hands - something I try and avoid at all costs!

Now I could start listing all sorts of wonderful items of kit.  For example; the best track bike is the one I ride, but you'll need a small fortune to go and buy one of these.  My idea for my 10 products are 10 things that are not too expensive, but mainly things that I think will make your ride more enjoyable.  At the end of the day, if you don’t enjoy something you will never keep doing it, so here goes: -

1. Chamois Cream. Saddle sores are not pleasant things. Riders have quit the Tour de France because of it.  You don’t need to suffer from this problem.  The main cause is chaffing, then this getting infected by sweat.   My recommendation is using a product called Aqueous cream, the Boots own brand is the best you can use and apply lots of it. Its inexpensive and a lot cheaper and more effective than many of the Chamois creams out there (Note from Phil.  I used this on the Fred Whitton following Andy's advice and found it to be A1).
2. Get fitted up.  A beautiful carbon bike with carbon wheels are great however you will never get the best out of yourself unless it actually fits.  My second recommendation is a bike fit. My recommendation is to visit Claremont who you can find here.  This will help you enjoy your bike riding more and maybe actually make you go faster.
3. Wool rules.  Friends always used to rave on about wool.  Being a young guy and man of the future, I always thought new technical fabrics would be the best. However, I am now a changed man.  This year I am lucky to be given Rapha kit and one thing they make is Merino wool undervests. They are a modern take on wool not like the 60s jersey - all I can say is amazing. I wear them all the time even off the bike.  I live in them. They're so good a new Pro-Tour team distributed them to their tour riders last year! 
4. Recovery drinks.  People forget them and generally skip this important ritual. They get in off their ride and reach straight for the biscuit tin or whatever sweet sugary food is close to hand. I know because I do the same, however I always make sure I have my recovery drink to get in the carbs and the protein for recovery. At the end of the day its great doing all this training but unless you allow you body to recover you will never get better. So give yourself the best chance possible. everyone has different taste, my advice is try a few until you find one you like, but I like products from Science in Sport. 
5. Tyres.  Lots of people by a brand new bike from the shops and when they do this they are looking at what cranks its got on and what handlebars make they have. No one seems to look at the tyres on the bike. The thing you are relying on the most when cycling.  If they go wrong you either are going to get dirty hands - as you have a puncture - or worse if you lose grip on a corner in the wet and you have a few nights of not great sleep with road rash or worst. So don’t be tight get yourself some good rubber. Continental GP 4000 are great fast reliable and grippy.
6.  Heart rate monitor.  I think these are a great tool.  Don’t become too obsessed with them though, a lot of riders do. It’s a tool, and should be used in a combination with feel. They are really only super useful if you have done sports testing but great for giving you confidence if you are maintaining lower heart rate to get fitter. Or if you feel bad and your heart rate is really low it confirms it time to go home! Don’t think about spending you money on power measuring tools.  In my opinion they're not worth it and they just seem to break all the time!
7.  Helmet. Quite simply it may save your life. If you by a high quality one you will forget you have it on I do I personally choose this one - Giro Aeon.     Great combination of lightweight and well ventilated.
8. Good quality winter cycling kit. For me winter riding is made hard by my hands and feet being cold, I hate it!!  Some good quality gloves and and overshoes are a great start.  If its wet or really cold, try wrapping your feet in cling film and maybe some tinfoil.   For your hands some of those cheap latex gloves, hopefully this will keep you a bit warmer in the winter.
9. Big frame pump.   I hate these little mini pumps.  Yes they look cool but when you're wet in winter and you need to blow your tyre up there is nothing worse than it taking too long than it needs to. Actually the worst is, when your waiting for someone else to pump there tyre up. If you haven’t got a pump, well you should have one.  There lots of makes out there. Just buy a quality one and when you puncture and you pump up easily then you will have a big smile on you face as you see people struggle with their mini pumps.  
10.  Coffee - A cyclists best friend.  Go find yourself a nice coffee shop, preferably with nice cakes. Treat yourself,  go on make your easy ride even more enjoyably by getting a little coffee stop in.  Best thing though is to find a nice independent  shop. Good place to start http://www.beanhunter.com/

Hopefully these 10 recommendations will make your bike riding more enjoyable.

Andy Tennant.

Twitter - @Tennanto