News - Colin Lewis Cycle Chat December 2009

Cycle Chat. 19.12.09

British Cycling has announced the first 50 cyclists to be honoured in the British Cycling Hall of Fame. The list includes well-known names Chris Boardman, Phil Liggett, Graeme Obree and Tom Simpson.

The "50 Cycling Heroes" will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at British Cycling's 50th anniversary gala February 20, in Manchester.

The selection panel chose from 300 nominations made by the public, ranging from riders to coaches to administrators and volunteers. The panel, consisting of journalists and representatives from British Cycling, purposely excluded those who are still active.

Brian Cookson, British Cycling's president, was thrilled with the public's response, calling it "phenomenal ," and adding, "With such a fantastic number of nominations this year we have decided to make the Hall of Fame an annual event to enable us to recognise more recent and current cycling successes."

The Cycling Heroes include Chris Boardman, who claimed the hour record three times (later known as the athletes hour) in addition to Olympic gold and World time trial and track titles; former amateur rider and cycling journalist Phil Liggett; two-time World hour record holder and two-time World track champion Graham Obree, and Tom Simpson, who rode professionally from 1959 to 1967.

Reigning Olympic road champion Nicole Cooke signed with Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung team for one year. Nichole is looking forward to leading the German squad, which she called "the strongest international team". The German squad will be called Skyter-Shipping in 2010.

The 26-year-old had a brilliant 2008 season, in which she won both the Olympic title and road World Championships, but her 2009 season saw only a few wins: the British Championships, a stage and the overall of the Giro del Trentino and two stages of the Lurreta-Emakumeen Bira. It was a far cry from the usual results of the two-time World Cup overall winner, who has been one of the most successful women cyclists of all time.
Somerset and Devon County Councils have announced that the 2009 Tour of Britain brought in £5.8 million of spending into the two south west counties.

An estimated 230,000 people turned up to watch two consecutive stages of the British race hosted by Somerset and Devon. Between them, visitors to the race spent £5.8 million in local shops and facilities.

All that remains as Christmas comes is to wish all our readers, customers and friends a "Very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous 2010!!

Bob.

Cycle Chat. 11.12.09

I never thought it would happen as he was a contracted rider but Team Sky have signed three-time Olympic champion Bradley Wiggins for the forthcoming road cycling season.

Bradley has left American team Garmin with a year left on his contract to join the team led by British Cycling performance director Dave Brailsford.

The 29-year-old finished fourth in this year's Tour de France, the joint-best ever finish by a British rider.

Bradley wanted to become part of the biggest, the best and the most admired team in the world. It's the first British ProTour team and to be part of that from the start he feels is going to be something quite special.

Bradley is expected to lead Sky's roster of riders in the team's debut season, after acquiring an International Cycling Union ProTour cycling licence.

Bradley signed a two-year deal with Garmin in October 2008, but had become frustrated with the American team's ambitions.

Formed in February, Team Sky has been given the remit to deliver a British Tour de France winner by 2014.

Bradley recently said he is targeting a second-placed finish in next year's Tour, as he believes he can gain an early edge over his rivals.

He's looked at the route. A lot of people are thinking it won't be a great Tour for him but that first week is, if anything, advantageous to his style.

To my way of thinking a contract is a contract and it seems the UCI agrees they are planning to tighten-up on the contract rules next year.

UCI President Pat McQuaid said that he is 'concerned' at recent developments in this area. McQuaid said the governing body is likely to introduce new rules in 2010 to safeguard the rights of riders and teams alike, in relation to existing contracts.

The seven-time Tour de France winner and now 37 years old Lance Armstrong, who this year returned to cycling after four years out, believes he is too old to take on the leader's duties.

Instead, Armstrong highlighted the potential of Andreas Kloden and Levi Leipheimer as future team leaders.

That's it!! Until next week,

Bob.

Cycle Chat. 05.12.09

With Christmas just round the corner we have a special offer this week for the Elite Volare Turbo Trainer. The package comes with free riser block, a sweat net and water bottle and is gift packed at just £164.95.

We have had a rush on Yanto Barker's clothing LeCol. Check out our web site for further details.

This is the report of Yanto's Winter Jacket:-
"I set out on a six hour training ride in the middle of winter. I have to brave all manner of cold, icy, wet and windy conditions.

At the furthest point on the ride I am 40-50 miles from home. I need to be able to rely on the clothing I am wearing.

High viz strips, security pocket on left rear pocket and front left breast ensure maximum practicality and function on long rides.

Extra long sleeves eliminate gaps and maintain warmth."

Team Sky has enlisted the support and expertise of McLaren Applied Technologies (MAT) to provide technical support for its riders in the lead up to the squad's debut season.

Members of the new British ProTour squad last week spent time at the MAT wind tunnel facility in Woking in South-west England to fine-tune their positions on the bike and develop the team's racing kit for 2010.
Part of the McLaren group, MAT provides the electronic technology for British-based Formula One motor racing team Vodafone McLaren Mercedes.

Team Sky's association with the McLaren group has come off the back of agreement signed between the MAT and UK Sport in August. The partnership was formed in order to maximise the technological advantages available to British athletes in the lead up to the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympics games.

MAT is also working with Sky to develop the team's racing kit for next season. The technology used is likely to be similar to the skin suits developed for the all-conquering British track team at last year's Beijing Olympic and Paralympics games. The specially designed suits were reportedly destroyed after the games so as to protect the secrets of the technology used.

Mark Cavendish remains convinced that his current team, Columbia-HTC, is in the best environment for continued sprint success. The 24-year-old says that although he aware of his value to rival squads, he is content with his position at the US-based outfit.

Mark reckons he is in the best position at Team Columbia. He's not looking for a contract, but wants to win and the best place to do that is Columbia."

His name had been mentioned in connection with the newly-formed Team Sky, but Mark said that concrete interest from the British ProTour squad had never materialised. "If Sky's the best team in five years, I'll be at Sky. If Radio Shack is the best team, I'll be at Radio Shack. I'm going to get paid the same wherever. But there was never a formal offer made to me by Sky."

Until next week,
Bob

Colin Lewis Cycles Limited, 17 Dartmouth Road, Paignton, TQ4 5AD. Telephone: 01803 553095. Registered company number: 4095543.