The Week in Cycling: Armstrong Saga Divides Opinions

[G&GR News Bot]

Opinions Split
Since the news last Friday that Lance Armstrong will not challenge doping allegations set by USADA, the opinions of cycling fans worldwide has been split over the decision. On one hand, many believe that this was an admission of guilt by Armstrong, whilst a majority of the American’s supporters see this as a witch hunt conducted by USADA.
Over his career there have been countless cases which have been amounted against Armstrong, with recent testimonials from ex-teammates, most notably long-term friend George Hincappie, creating a significant amount of doubt over his maintained statement of innocence. But the fact that Armstrong has withdrew from the fight against the doping allegations, means that the evidence complied by USADA will most likely never see the light of day, and for his fans, this means he is innocent until proven guilty. Unfortunately this debate will quite possibly never be resolved; with the withdrawal meaning USADA can enforce a life-time ban without presenting their evidence against Armstrong. One can only speculate that Armstrong’s decision may have saved his public image to some extent, because whilst now the opinions are 50/50, if he did challenge and fail, he would be forever remembered as the one of the biggest drug cheats in sporting history.
Whether you support Armstrong or not, this saga will only come to a complete conclusion if evidence is released publicly.
Wait, there’s still cycling going on?
With the Armstrong case dominating headlines, one can be forgiven for forgetting that the Vuelta is currently in its second week. Whilst there is no Wiggins, Schleck or Nibali on this Grand Tour, it hasn’t stopped it from being more entertaining than the entire Tour de France. The tour organizers clearly have little sympathy or compassion for the riders, with countless menacing mountain top finishes already and still a week in the mountains to come. Currently there is little over a minute between the pre-race favourites, with Katusha rider Joaquin Rodriguez leading the race by only a few seconds over Alberto Contador, with Chris Froome and Alejandro Valverde a further minute back.
The Spaniard Rodriguez has surprised many by restricting his losses in the TT, and by also keeping the pace with the countless number of Contador attacks through the race. The final week see’s the riders tackle the mountains again, and with only small margin between the pre-race favourites, expect shots fired from all competitors on the vigorous climbs. With Froome looking off the pace, I see this one coming down to a two man race to the finish between the two Spanish riders. Normally Contador would be considered the favourite to take this one, but after seeing Rodriguez shake the Saxo-Bank rider on the final climb on Stage 12, the Katusha climber could be the man to claim the Red Jersey.
Cadel’s Season Over?
Cadel Evans’ season has hit another speed bump, with the BMC rider citing continued illness and a suspected low grade infection as reasons for considering early withdrawal from racing this season. The 2011 Tour de France champion will go under testing on in the coming weeks before final judgement is made and if he passes these tests he is a chance to return to the circuit at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal in Canada. Evans recently rode for American Teejay van Garderen in the USA Pro Tour, but struggled to make an impact.
Evans is not the only rider who’s suffering physically, with Swiss favourite Fabian Cancellara deciding to end his 2012 season. Despite being listed as a starter at the UCI Road Cycling World Championships, the Radio-Shack rider has chosen to undergo surgery on his clavicle to remove the screws put in place after his crash at the Tour of Flanders.
Liquigas-Cannondale replace by Brixia Sport
Italian team Liquigas-Cannondale has squandered doubts over their future by recently announcing that Brixia Sport has taken over ownership of the team, with more sponsorships to be announced. Despite the loss of main rider Vicenzo Nibali to Kazak team Astana, the Italians have ensured some stability by resigning several riders, including Slovak sprint weapon Peter Sagan.
Americans Shine
The USA Pro Challenge wrapped up during the week, with Christian Vande Velde taking the yellow jersey after racing to victory in the final stage TT. All the big names finished at the top of the heap, with Levi Leipheimer, Teejay van Garderen, Janez Brajkovic and Andreas Kloden all featuring. The race highlight came when veteran Jens Voigt rode solo for almost the entire fourth stage to take the victory in Beaver Creek. Despite being nearly 41, the German finished three minutes ahead of Kloden and van Garderen, resulting in his 88th professional career victory, and possibly one of his most popular.
Leaving It Late
Team Sky’s Norwegian classics specialist Edvald Boasson Hagen attacked late to take the win in the Grand Prix Ouest France-Plouay, giving him his first race win in several months. With a healthy field that featured previous winners Matt Goss and Simon Gerrans of Orica-GreenEdge, Movistar rider Rui Costa was the lone leader on the final lap of the winding course as the field looked to be relatively disbanded after several attacks left many in uncomfortable positions, including Boasson Hagen. But the Norwegian surprised everyone by sprinting clear from the group who were getting set for a bunch sprint, in the end taking the win with Costa, Haussler and Goss taking second, third and fourth respectively.
Australians Riding Strong
This past week has seen several Australian riders make a name for themselves on an international level. As previously mentioned, Matt Goss and Heinrich Haussler finished strong in the Plouay Grand Prix, but it was the somewhat junior riders Cam Meyer, Luke Durbridge and Simon Clarke who took the headlines. Cameron Meyer has been riding the Vuelta with a large amount of vigour, twice being the last man to be caught in the breakaway and also finishing eighth overall in the Stage 11 TT. The young Orica-GreenEdge rider has prompted many to predict big things from him in Grand Tours over the next few seasons.
He may not be a young rider; but 26 year old Simon Clarke is not a household name. This is why his win on the mountainous fourth stage at the Vuelta came as a surprise. The Aussie took his first professional win since turning pro four years ago by sprinting clear of Tony Martin on the final mountain top climb. Both Clarke and Meyer attacked again in a breakaway on the flat Stage 13 overnight.
Finally, Luke Durbridge capped off a great week for Orica-GreenEdge by capturing the Tour de Poitou Charentres. He dominated the stage race from the outset, and only shared the leader’s jersey with teammate Aidis Krupois.
Remember This Guy?
Andy Schleck is set to make his return from injury at the Grand Prix de Fourmies this coming week after spending nearly three months out due to a fractured sacrum. The Luxembourg rider was expected to ride at the Vuetla or USA Pro Cycling Challenge, but he failed to recover from an ongoing pelvis injury. The Grand Prix event will present Schleck with an easy transition back into competition with a fairly flat circuit being profiled.
Australian World’s Squad Named
Australia has named an extended squad for the upcoming World Championships in Holland. Nine men will compete in the road race, with two of Durbridge, Porte, Rogers or Meyer to compete in the time-trial. A big surprise in the selections is the omissions of sprinters Matt Goss and Mark Renshaw, with team director Kevin Tabotta citing the hilly race course as a reason to choose a more all-round squad. Cadel Evans has been named, but it is expected he will not compete.
Long team selections for the elite men include: Simon Clarke (Orica-GreenEDGE), Allan Davis (Orica-GreenEDGE), Luke Durbridge (Orica-GreenEDGE), Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEDGE), Cadel Evans (BMC), Adam Hansen (Lotto-Belisol), Heinrich Haussler (Garmin Sharp), Michael Matthews (Rabobank), Cameron Meyer (Orica-GreenEDGE), Richie Porte (Sky), Michael Rogers (Sky), Rory Sutherland (United Healthcare) and David Tanner (Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank).
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