Master racers hide from the camera afraid of being targeted by testers
USA Cycling And Amgen Team Up For Master’s Drug Testing
“This is way overdo, says USA Cycling’s Steve Johanson. We have guys racing three classes, winning them all and then going home and doing four hours or yard work. Something’s not adding up, “says an angry Johanson. “We spend so much time scrutinizing the pros of the peloton without checking the drug use at home. We have people on tape saying the Masters class is almost as hopped-up as the 45+ classes at mountain bike races.” It’s time to bring the cows home, so to speak and a generous donation by Amgen of $500,000 should get the testing going.”
On the practical side, USA Cycling has partnered with Rock Racing to use their fleet of Bentley’s to ferry and carry the additional staff and testing equipment to races in Southern California. The first testing date: Devil’s Punchbowl Race on April 18th. “We hope to catch a few of the bigger perpetrators and make an example of them,” says Steve.
When asked why USA Cycling is targeting Southern California as opposed to New England or the Midwest, Mr. Johanson said, “There really isn’t’ any racing going on in other parts of the country to speak of, he says. “All roads, as far as drug use in the Master’s classes, lead to Southern California. The new unit will be testing for weight loss medicines, a high-level of B12, Iron and a few other popular supplements.”
 Salt water tackle will be SRAM's new focus
SRAM Enters Fishing Market
In an effort to compete with Shimano on a toe-to-toe basis, SRAM has announced its entry into the fishing tackle market. A spokesman with SRAM said, "Based on our expertise in engineering and aluminum and carbon fiber manufacturing, we believe we can offer a line of products that will offer a superior angling experience."
The spokesman noted that SRAM's patented Double-Tap technology will be incorporated into its spin-cast reel designs, though he declined to go into specific details saying only that, "Our spring designs have given us new insight into how to keep the big one on the line."
The company expects the new equipment to be in retailers in time for Memorial Day fishing excursions. Initially, the line will include models for fresh and salt water fishing but will eventually expand to include equipment for deep-sea and fly fishing. Apparently some of the engineers are already hard at work on new fly designs.
The spokesman added, "We live in Chicago where our cars spend a winter damp and salty. And if there's one thing we know how to do it is to make an aluminum component that won't immediately corrode if it is dunked in salt water."
 The April issue will feature an exclusive "6-Minute Ab Action" workout
Hi-Torque Buys Rodale And Adds “Action” To All Titles
In a monumental financial move by the 30-year old Hi-Torque Publications, they have made an offer to buy Rodale’s magazine business and take over all titles: Bicycling, Men’s Health, Organic Gardening, Prevention and others. The first change, according to Hi-Torque’s new media spokesperson, John Duke, is to add “Action” to some of the more boring titles.
“We think Prevention Action, Organic Gardening Action and Men’s Health Action sound a lot more “core” and will get more people interested in the niche. Who wants to just garden organically? Why not learn Five Ways To Cardio-Harvest Arugula” Or combine passions like-Riding With The Bees—How To Ride And Thrive As A Beekeeper.” Hi-Torque plans to move all Rodale staff to Southern California to make sure all coverage, testing and photos shoots take place at or near the beach, “It’s pretty clear to cyclists that Southern California is the only place to ride and live and we think gardeners and prevention experts will agree. Hard to grow a decent high-cardio organic garden in the snow,” says Duke. “People don’t get sick as much here either, due to the palliative effects of the great weather.” The first issue of Prevention Action will focus on why people on the East Coast and Midwest always have the sniffles.” It has a lot to do with weather and heating systems, "says Duke. “We are going to expose that right out of the gate.”
In a more aggressive move, Duke says the Hi-Torque management plans to combine some titles and then add the word “Action” at the end. The first conglomerate title will be Bicycling Women’s Health Runner’s World Action. “It’s a long title for sure,” says Duke, but it’s got such a global feeling.” When asked if Hi-Torque has prepared for these combination titles, “It’s a risk, but so was discovering the New World” says Duke with a hint of pride, remembering ten of his relatives were actually on the Mayflower. He concludes, “I can tell you one thing, like the band Air Supply, my guess is this title will be huge in Asia.”
 Speed but no "Big Air" in 2010
UCI Unveils Road Downhill Discipline
Feeding on the success of mountain bike downhill events, the UCI announced today that it will create a new discipline for the speed demons of the skinny tire set. Road racing has long featured time trials, both flat and uphill, but now fans can look forward to a race of truth that tests riders' fear factor as much as their pedaling prowess.
The first downhill test is set for the mythical Alpe d'Huez in 2010, where riders will set off one by one on a hair-raising descent down the 21 fabled turns into a hay bale-lined finish at the foot of the mountain in Bourg d'Oisans. For safety reasons, the use of aero handlebars will be prohibited in the downhill event, but riders will be permitted to employ a maximum gear of 65x11 on their time trial machines.
"We are confident that a merger of road racing's finesse with the dare-devil thrills of mountain bike downhill will provide spectators with a new and refreshing venue to admire their heroes," the UCI said in a statement. "After an evaluation at the inaugural downhill time trial at the 2010 Tour de France, we will examine the possibilities for an expanded array of competitions, including a four-cross style event or team downhill."
This new test will no doubt provide a shake-up for the general classification in the grand tours, as time gained uphill by the mountain goats could be wiped away in a dizzying blur by the cannonball descenders. When asked whether obstacles or jumps would be incorporated into the downhill courses, a UCI spokeswoman insisted that safety concerns would preclude such extremes.
"We believe that a 100 km/h descent will provide excitement enough. Our technical committee has ruled out any artificial course elements that would provoke irresponsible and potentially catastrophic 'big air' on road bikes."
 Tyler Hamilton and the Anarchy symbol in question
AAA Sues Rock Racing
The Rock Racing Team suffered another setback today when it was announced that AAA (Anarchist Association of America) is suing the team for copyright infringement of their logo. The lawsuit stems from the teams new kit, which features the anarchist symbol in place of the letter “A” in the word racing. In a statement released by AAA, the association’s president Charles Moore said, “We normally take a free use policy when it comes to the use of our logo, however, in this case the Rock Racing team has simply gone to far. We cannot sit back and let them use our logo to sell high-end jeans through a promotional vehicle such as cycling – a team sport. The amount of the lawsuit has not been released, but Moore said, “It will be enough to make sure other teams don’t make the same mistake.”
In response to the lawsuit, Rock Racing Owner Michael Ball simply stated, “We’re here to stay!” before “slinging metal”, Ball’s now famous hand gesture that involves extending the index and little fingers while holding the middle and ring fingers down with the thumb. In related news, Ronnie James Dio is rumored to be considering a lawsuit against Ball for identity theft.
 The LA Galaxy are looking for a high-profile player
LA Galaxy Makes Offer to Lance ArmstrongBarely out of surgery to repair his broken collarbone, Lance Armstrong got a call from the management of the LA Galaxy with an offer he may not beable to refuse. Saying only that his offer is more generous than the $36.4 million paid to washed-out David Beckham, the Galaxy's representative said that Armstrong would likely be more willing toconsider a switch based on his recent injury, "Nobody breaks their collarbone playing soccer."
He went on to add, "Armstrong has proven his value as an athlete and the ultimate media magnet. Right now, we need someone who is fit, motivated and camera-ready. Lance has all of that and true leadership qualities as well. With us, he won't have to work for free."  The Col d'Plateau is the highest point in the 2010 edition of the Tour deBenelux
New Grand Tour Announced A new Grand Tour has been announced for the countries of Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Known together as Benelux, the three countries have decided to run a Grand Tour in August, following closely on the heels of the Tour de France. The race's primary sponsor will bethe Netherlands' largest financial institution, Rabobank. The will have no title sponsorship, per se, instead following the leads of the Tours of France, Italy and Spain and will simple be called the Tour de Benelux.
The Tour de Benelux will be the only Grand Tour not to feature any high mountain passes. Instead, its queen stages will recreate the Spring Classics courses of the Tour of Flanders and Amstel Gold. Another stage will reportedly send racers up the famous Bosbergsome 24 times in a circuit reminiscent of an American-style criterium.The race will likely feature riders who weren't selected for teams' Tour de France squad, helping more riders gain important fitness in therun-up to the Vuelta and the World Championships.
The Tour de Benelux will be a reported 3000km, contain a prologue, a team time trial and three individual time trials. Sprint points bonuses will be a whopping 30 seconds for a win and 15 seconds for second and 5 seconds for third, making overall victory for a sprinter a real possibility. The race will run the first time in 2010.
|