Racing News: Lance Armstrong gives himself a 1 in 3 chance, and more…

June 30th, 2009 by Al Fresco 5,595 views One Comment

Cervelo's new black on white kit

Here’s today’s Tour de France and cycling news:

Lance Armstrong gives himself a 1-in-3 chance of winning the Tour de France. He told Eurosport that he feels a little like he did in 2003, when he barely beat Jan Ullrich. He says that the opening time trial in Monaco will really show who is strong this year.

Other Tour de France News:

Alberto Contador does not feel a rivalry with Armstrong, saying he is focused on the race, that the race will determine who the real leader is and the team will support the strongest rider. He says that he feeels stronger than he did in 2007, but there is more pressure on his shoulders. He notes that he is now better able to read a race and that he knows himself and his rivals better than he did two years ago.
During the Tour de France, the UCI and the AFLD will work hand in hand to do testing. As we noted last week, the AFLD has a new test up its sleeve that is said to detect a previously indetectable doping product. There will be the usual testing of stage winners and such, but there are a number of riders that will be targeted during the race either because they are top contenders or because of suspicions in their biological passport (or both).
Team leaders are solidly against the ASO’s “experiment” to forgo rider earphones on two stages of the race. They call the measure “outdated and inappropriate” and say that it will make the race unsafe.
Cervelo has asked the UCI for permission to change their jersey design in advance of the race. The black and white color scheme will be reversed, in the hopes of lessening the impact of the sun on the riders.
Garmin Slipstream’s Tyler Farrar will be aiming for sprint wins at the Tour. He’s the first American sprinter to contest the race for some time.
Andy Schleck leads a strong contigent of young riders that will be going for the white jersey at the Tour. Look for Roman Kreuziger, Robert Gesink, Vincenzo Nibali, Tony Martin and Thomas Dekker to wear white as well.
Euskatel for the Tour: Mikel Astarloza (Spa), Igor Anton (Spa), Koldo Fernandez (Spa), Egoi Martinez (Spa), Juanjo Oroz (Spa), Alan Pérez (Spa), Rubén Pérez (Spa ) Amet Txurruka (Spa) and Gorka Verdugo (Spa)
Caisse d’Epargne: David Arroyo, Rui Costa, Arnaud Coyot, Iván Gutiérrez, Luis Pasamontes, Oscar Pereiro, José Joaquín Rojas, Luis León Sánchez and Rigoberto Uran.
Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) fell and broke two ribs when a wasp flew into him while he was training on Sunday. He may still start the Tour on Saturday.

Tom Boonen:

The sun is going down on Tom Boonen. The French tribunal that was to hear his case announced today that they did not have jurisdiction over the matter, forcing Boonen to file an appeal with France’s Olympic Committee (the Chambre du Comité olympique du Sport Français). That organization is listed as having jurisdiction between the ASO and the teams in the race. [Seems like Quick Step's lawyers would have known this. Is it possible that they knew that they wouldn't have a chance and are just putting on the appearance of "fighting the good fight"? - Ed.]
Frans De Cock, the main representative for Quick Step, has pledged his support to Boonen. He notes that last year, the team and the ASO agreed that Boonen would not start the race, but that this year is a different matter. He has talked to leaders at both the UCI and the ASO to plead Boonen’s case. He says that he and the 4700 employees of the Mohawk Group (the parent company of Quick Step) are behind Boonen.

Other Cycling News:

Kevyn Ista, formerly of the Agritubel squad, has signed a two year contract with Skil-Shimano and will ride with them through the end of next season.
David Le Lay, who has been a professional since 2005, has also left Agritubel. He will head to AG2R-La Mondiale for two years.
Iljo Keisse will ride the Six Day event in Fiorenzuola, Italy with Danny Stam.
The Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung team hopes to see U.S. Time Trial champion Amber Neben back on the podium at the Giro Donne, July 3 to 12.
Rabobank’s Oscar Freire is a father for the second time. His wife Laura gave birth to a son, Mateo, on Monday. Both mother and child are well.
Bernhard Kohl told Austrian TV that he provided doping products to other athletes. The admission opens him up to the possibility of prosecution.
Patrik Sinkewitz has accused the Quick Step team of engaging in systematic doping while he was a member of the team in 2006. He says that team doctors would give him injections before races. In addition, he claims that doctors supplied him with Synacthen (a growth hormone) and EPO blood doping agents.
Ridley has extended their partnership with the Contentpolis-COPE team through 2011.
The NK cyclo-cross in 2010 will take place in the Dutch city of Heerlen.