Cyclepassion 2011 calendar for xmas

Fabienne Heinzmann on the cover of Cyclepassion 2011

For those of you who are still wondering about what to get for xmas, or if you are the girlfriend of a cyclist and not sure what to get him, then look no further. The 2011 Cyclepassion calendar is by far the best cycling calendar in the time it has been around. Very tasetfully done, while showing off the top road and mountain biking women racers in a way we’ve never seen them before.

Well, here are some video trailers for the calendar, tastefully put together by  Markus Neuert of Cyclefilm:

Calendar / DVD – 1 of 3

Calendar / DVD – 2 of 3

Calendar / DVD – 3 of 3

The 2011 Cyclepassion Athletes:

Willow Koerber (USA) – Trek/Subaru – MTB
Heather Irmiger (USA) – Trek/Subaru – MTB
Liz Hatch (USA) – Lotto Ladies Team – Road
Veronica Andreasson (Sweden) – Lotto Ladies Team – Road
Julie Krasniak – (France) Look – Road
Fabienne Heinzmann – (Switzerland) BMC – MTB
Mona Eiberweiser (Germany) – CentralPro – MTB
Hanka Kupfernagel (Germany) Road/Cross

So, what are you waiting for?!

Endura Racing Team

The 2010 Endura Racing Team

Last week Friday I attended the launch of the Endura Racing cycling team, which took place at the Porsche Human Performance Centre located at the Silverstone race circuit.

My day started off quite early considering I had a two drive to get there. But I had good reason to get there early too  – thanks to both Endura and Cyclevox, I was given the opportunity to drive as passenger inside a Porsche 911 Turbo. The drifting around the low friction circuit as well as super fast straights (and the drifting around) on the handling circuit, it was an awesome experience.

The Porsche 911 Turbo

Anyway, back to the launch itself. It was a slick event which in my view, made a big impression on the gathered audience. The day started with MC Anthony McCrossan introducing the Endura brand and Endura Racing history, to a backdrop of SRAM equipped LOOK race and TT bikes. Endura director, Jim McFarlane, then addressed the audience expressing his ‘pride’ at what had been assembled in the impressive Porsche centre’s foyer.

Team captain Rob Hayles being interviewed by Anthony McCrossan (check out the red trainers!)

A suprise announcement on the day was that of Alexandre Blain.  A former ProTour rider with Cofidis, 28 year-old Blain is a continental rider whose pedigree extends to podium rides in races such as the Etoile de Besseges. His arrival on the squad is yet another statement of intent from this very ambitious team.

Former ProTour rider Alexandre Blain interviewed by Anthony McCrossan

Another announcement on the day saw the team reveal a key partnership with the Porsche Human Performance Centre (PHPC) at Silverstone. Acccording to press release, the PHPC will provide rider physiological testing and support over the season and will be the bedrock of performance measurement as the Endura riders progress through their season of domestic and continental racing.

Prior to the team riders being unveiled the Endura Racing promo film was shown to the crowd gathered, a video-diary of visits to the Endura offices, team sponsors Fisher Outdoor Leisure (LOOK, SRAM, MET and Tacx) and the house of Rob Hayles, for an insight into his thoughts and expectations for 2010.

Look Team Bike, kitted out in Zipp wheels and SRAM components

Look 596 Team Time Trial Bike

The launch finale saw the team riders being introduced and interviewed, followed by team photos with riders, guests and sponsors.

The Endura Racing team for 2010 are:

• Alexandre Blain
• Callum Wilkinson
• David Lines
• Evan Oliphant
• Gary Hand
• Ian Wilkinson
• Jack Bauer
• James McCallum
• James Moss
• Jason Christie
• Rob Hayles
• Rob Partridge
• Ross Creber
• Sandy King
• Scott Thwaites

All in all, a really good launch. So, watch this space. This team is on the cusp of something big!

New bikes for Pro teams in 2009

Well, end August beginning September seems like the time for bike manufacturers to announce their plans for 2009.  Here’s a quick recap of the announcements made over the past week:

SCOTT

First Scott announced last week Wednesday that it was leaving the sport. On the Friday of the same week, news made its way round that the company was not going to be leaving the world of professional cycling. Instead the company inked a deal to become the bike sponsor of the U.S.-based Columbia team.

In a press release, the company cited the fact Columbia has “set a new standard in anti-doping measures” in signing on as a sponsor.

RIDLEY

Belgian bike manufacturer, Ridley, announced it will end its sponsorship of the Belgian ProTour team Silence-Lotto. The company instead will be sponsoring Russian team Katusha, successor of Team Tinkoff, in 2009.

Which manufacturer will replace Ridley at Silence-Lotto is not decided yet. There are two bike brands in the running: French Look and Belgian Museeuw Bikes.

SPECIALIZED

Following Cervélo’s news last week that it was creating it’s own professional team, Team Saxo Bank have formally announced that they will be using Specialized for the 2009 season.

With the presence of classics rider and world time trial and Olympic champion Fabian Cancellara along with GC riders such as the Schleck brothers and recently crowned Tour de France champion Carlos Sastre – although still not confirmed for the team next year – assures Specialized of a high-profile position in the peloton throughout all the season’s highlights.

FELT

News in today that Felt Bicycles has extended its sponsorship of Team Garmin-Chipotle presented by H30 until 2011. Under the extension, Team Garmin-Chipotle will race exclusively on Felt’s framesets for the next three years.

***

A busy week indeed for announcements. Now, what would be nice, would be to see the pictures of all the new 2009 models.  Something to look forward to.

If only xmas could come early…

Well, I’m hoping that my wife will read this blog and see what I am adding to my xmas wish list. Look have unveiled their new 2009 range and wow, do these bikes just look incredible!

And to my darling wife, if I could make a single wish for xmas this year, it would be for the Look 595 (in Red).

The new Look 596

The unchanged Look 586

Look 586: The new 'Pro Team' paint job is the same one used by Crédit Agricole.

Look 585

The new Look 576

Look 566

For a more technical outlook on these gorgeous machines, take a read of this review by James Huang, technical editor of Bikeradar.com.

Cadel needs to work on his image

For the sake of his sponsors. Seriously! The guy was a hot favourite to win this year’s Tour, even though he didn’t quite manage to pull it off. So a lot of media attention is paid on him, which I am sure all his sponsors love. However, his attitude towards the media isn’t all that great.

Take a look at what I mean.

If I was one of Evans’ sponsors, I don’t think I’d be all that happy with the what I’ve just seen. Now don’t get me wrong, I understand the guy is under huge pressure and all to win. But, making enemies with the media is not generally a smart move. Remember, sponsors pay riders and teams so their names make it into the press, whether it be print, internet, TV or even radio.

The more forcefully fans and TV crews are kept away, the more unruly their attempts to get close to Evans will become. However, taking a look back at footage from this year’s Tour, Evans’ rivals, appear to have cottoned onto the fact that, the more respectful they are towards the media, the more the media keeps a respectful distance from them.

So come on Evans, get working on your PR. You could definitely do with some brushing up in that department!