‘Tour de France 2011 – the Official Game’ for Android and Blackberry

The Official Tour de France Game for Android and Blackberry

The Official Game of the Tour de France: The global standard for cycling games, is now available to all Android and Blackberry users!

According to the description on the Android Market:

Become the team manager for your favorite team and then become a legend as you lead your team to victory!

Manage the peloton and deal with breakaways, climbs, accidents, loss of form, and more. TAKE CONTROL and take part in the most realistic virtual Tour de France ever seen! Choose the correct racing strategy and the best tactical plans. Expose the weaknesses of your competitors, and attack with your team in full force!

Tour de France 2011 – The Official Game: The best way to experience the race!

Game features include:

The official Tour de France 2011 app

Main screen with plenty of options to choose from

The 2011 Tour de France kicked off this weekend to a great start. Unfortunately not all of us get to work from home during the week and watch it live on TV. So, to make do we use the internet and anything else that can help bring us closer to the race. And this is something the Tour de France organisers, along with sponsor SKODA, have cottoned onto. They have launched the Official Tour de France Application powered by ŠKODA.

According to the Google Android App Store:

Johnson Health Tech Women’s Grand Prix Series – Final Round – Woking

Johnson Health Tech Series winner Helen Wyman (photo credit: Tour Series/VeloUK)

Helen Wyman crowned in Woking

Victory for Lucy Garner isn’t enough to overall Wyman at top of inaugural Johnson Health Tech Women’s Grand Prix Series standings

Sixteen-year-old Lucy Garner sprinted to victory in Woking in the final round of the Johnson Health Tech Women’s Grand Prix Series, but the win wasn’t enough to overhaul Series leader Helen Wyman, who took the title and the final leader’s white jersey by just three points.

Wyman came fourth on the night, behind the podium of Garner, Hannah Rich and Hannah Barnes, with the latter taking a narrow victory in the Series Sprints competition on count back.

With team, individual and sprint standings still at stake, the final round of the Johnson Health Tech Women’s Grand Prix Series was a controlled affair, with no riders managing to escape the main field for any prolonged period.

A consistent pace throughout meant that the favourites remained bunched together in the front group throughout, which gradually thinned out as the race progressed.

Prominent early on in proceedings was Tamina Oliver of VC Squadra Donne, making her Series debut and immediately get into the thick of the action and taking the honours at the opening intermediate sprint of the evening.

NeilPryde Bikes – It all starts here!

Diablo from NeilPryde Bikes

A few posts ago you saw me in a video as part of an entry process to become a NeilPryde Epic Rider. A few days later I was lucky to be informed that I was selected to become a NeilPryde Epic Rider. I even have my own page on the company’s website.  For this, the company let’s me try out their bikes – the Diablo and the Alize – and provide my feedback on it, while at the same time telling you about it.

So the company goes out to to find a select few people who are passionate about cycling, give them each a bike, and let them spread the news about the company and its products. For a company breaking their way into the cycling market, I still feel this is a clever marketing tactic. No matter which way you look at it. Clever!

So, who or what is NeilPryde? Well, let me introduce NeilPryde to you – the condensed version:

• The company was created in 1970, and by 1973 becomes the world’s largest sail provider;
• By ’82 NeilPryde branded windsurf sails enter the market;
• In ’83 a guy by the name of Fred Haywood, using NeilPryde sails, breaks the 30 knot speed barrier (55.5km/hr);
• Then in ’89, the company launches the industry’s (wind surfing, of course) first fully integrated carbon Matrix Rig System;
• Official supplier of sails at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona;
• 2007-2009 company carefully studies their consumer base to consider brand extension opportunity;
• Extensive market research shows 60% of NeilPryde customers are also cyclists;
• In 2009 bike division established – NeilPryde Bikes – headed up by Michael Pryde
• Strategy for entering the cycling market starts to develop and division begins working with BMW Group Designworks USA

So, wanting to break out into a new area, the company decided to speak to its customer base. After carefully listening to what their windsurfing customers had to say, they found that cycling was a very popular sport amongst their fans. And so NeilPryde Bikes was born.

I’ve included a video the company created that talks about how the two bikes the company currently produces – the Diablo and the Alize – came about through the partnership they have with BMW Group Designworks USA.

Since becoming an Epic Rider, I received the Diablo in matt carbon complete with Shimano Ultegra and Mavic Kyserium wheels. I’ll include some pictures of the bike in a different post but for now I’ll let you see how the bike was introduced to the world:

A pretty awesome way to launch a bike aptly named the Diablo. Not sure I would ever do that myself, but I think it does the trick. Last week the company went on to release a behind the scenes video of the ‘Pyromaniac on Wheels’. This is it:

The question is, how good are these bikes? Well, only time will really tell. Not to mention a lot of road testing from myself and the other Epic Riders. However, this morning the company announced it received an iF Product Design Award 2011 in the Leisure + Lifestyle section for both the Alize and the Diablo. For over 50 years the iF Design Award has served as a recognised trademark for outstanding design all over the world. So the company is onto something good here.

And if Procycling UK is anything to go by, then the Diablo looks set to make a remarkable impact upon the market.  I, for one, am looking forward to it!

Cycle Show 2010: Team Sky’s Pinarello Graal

This year’s London Cycle Show also showcased the new Pinarello Graal that will be used by Team Sky in 2011. An awesome looking machine to say the least. The extended/integrated stem with its own unique handlebars; the one-piece fork and headtube; the front brake housed behind the fork; and the hideaway section on the rear chainstay for the Di2 battery pack (if you choose to ride with the Di2, of course).

However, the best looking part of the entire bike is the downtube. It has sections that look like raised ‘shark fin’ profiles. Whether it enhances the rider’s performance is yet to be established, but it does look quite cool. I’m sure when the 2011 season kicks off, we’ll soon be able to tell if does help when the Team Sky riders edge their way up the GC. Maybe we’ll even see Bradley put in a sterling performance at the Tour de France.

Team Sky Pinarello Graal

Super skinny

Looks alien-like from the front (ever seen Men in Black?)

The aero downtube

A close up shows the shark fin ripples on the downtube

The battery pack for the Di2 nicely tucked awy within the chain stay

A chunky but much needed integrated stem and unique handlebars

Front brakes sitting behind the forks

Team Sky Pinarello Graal

Team Lotto Honda – part 2

Team Lotto Honda

I seem to be getting a lot of hits on my first posting on the new women’s Honda Lotto cycling team. Liz Hatch and Veronica Andreasson seem to have created a profile for themselves in the world of women’s professional cycling.

As such, I did a Google search and found that P Magazine out of Belgium also did a photoshoot on the daythat video was done. The girls who take part are Liz Hatch, Veronica Andreasson, Rochelle Gilmore, and Kim Schoonbaert.

Unfortunately, the one thing the team has not done is created a website on who they are and what they do. Somehow think they are missing a trick with that, especially with a rider list such as this.

Here are the pictures from that day (and thanks to P-Magazine for them):

Rochelle Gilmore

Liz Hatch

Liz Hatch and Veronica Andreasson

Kim Schoonbaert

Rochelle Gilmore

Liz and Veronica

Veronica Andreasson

Tour of Britain Race Report – Stage 7: Bozic wins as Albasini moves a step closer to victory

By Peter Hodges

Vacansoleil win again, as Michael Albasini enters final stage with a minutes lead over rivals, while ‘Tour de France’ style crowds great The Tour of Britain in Suffolk and Essex

Borut Bozic (Vacansoleil) taking stage 7 honours

The Vacansoleil team took their second stage win of The Tour of Britain, as Borut Bozic sprinted to victory on East Hill in Colchester, as the gradient took its toll ensuring just Greg Henderson could stay with the Slovenian rider as they reached the line.

With the drag to the line causing splits in the field, Bozic and Henderson came in three seconds up on third placed man Richie Porte, with the leading trio all collecting time bonuses to add to their advantage over race leader Michael Albasini, who came in 20^th in a group 11 seconds down on the winner.

That means that Albasini now holds the Yellow Jersey presented by Bikeability by 1 minute and 5 seconds from Bozic, with Porte a further nine seconds back and Henderson two more in arrears.

The Swiss rider, who won Stage Three into Swansea on Monday, spoke after the stage of his relief at having safely negotiated the final road stage of The Tour, with just London’s circuit race remaining.

“I was always looking forward to this moment, normally in the last stage not so much happens and it should be a bunch sprint.  I am happy to still have the Yellow Jersey.  Three days ago I wasn’t so sure to bring it this far when we had just four riders in the race.

“It’s perfect now with three stage wins and hopefully also the yellow at the end in London.”

The 29-year-old though isn’t going to celebrate early, saying, “The last stage is always hard, you have to keep the concentration and it’s only over when it’s over.”

Friday’s stage was characterised by a long breakaway containing Sigma Sport – Specialized’s Tom Murray and Pieter Jacobs, which went away after 21 miles of racing.  For the second day running in the East of England massive crowds turned out to welcome The Tour of Britain to Suffolk and Essex, with sunshine and good weather greeting the riders for the start in Bury St Edmunds.

The peloton making its wat through Sudbury

With Team Sky a constant presence at the front of the peloton, the break’s lead only just rose above three minutes at its greatest, before steadily being slashed as The Tour reached Essex just after passing through Sudbury and climbing Ballingdon Hill, both described as being the scene of ‘Tour de France style crowds’, by experienced cycling journalists after the race.

With 25 kilometres of racing to go, Murray had no response when Jacobs sensed him slowing and attacked, leaving the British to be swallowed up by the peloton.  Ahead the Topsport Vlaanderen – Mercator rider persevered on alone, before being caught with five kilometres remaining on the outskirts of Colchester.  But with an uphill drag to the line awaiting it wasn’t going to be conventional bunch gallop, as Bozic and Henderson crested the rise ahead, with the Slovenian coming through to take the win, much to his and his teammates joy.

Speaking afterwards, former Vuelta a Espana stage winner Borut Bozic said, “For me this is a big victory because there are a lot of good riders here.  It doesn’t matter where it is; every race is hard to win.”

Bozic also commented on his team, who have featured prominently throughout The Tour, saying, “We are a good team and we help each other a lot.  There is also, as you can see, a good team spirit.”

Teammate Johnny Hoogerland sealed the overall King of the Mountains and now just has to finish Stage Eight to claim the polka dot jersey, and spoke afterwards of his happiness to take a jersey, although his overall aspirations have not come to fruition.

“Yesterday I was pretty sure of the jersey”, said the Dutchman, “But with today it could have happened that 15 riders had gone with Richie (Porte) and stolen the points, so you never know.

“During the last few stages I have been taking the most points, but it was on the fourth stage when I took the jersey that it was good for me.  I’m very happy to bring it home.

Hoogerland also praised The Tour of Britain’s route, saying, “You always have hilly and flat stages so I think it’s normal.  They could have stayed in the South West the whole week, but I think that’s not fair for the sprinters!  For me, two extra stages in the South West would probably have been better, and then maybe Albasini wouldn’t have got his jersey still.

“Some teams are probably less motivated because it is only a 2.1 category race, but for us they are all big races.  I looked at the programme for September and I said ‘I want to do The Tour of Britain’, because I think it’s a beautiful race.”

The Vacansoleil rider also praised Suffolk and Essex for their role in hosting Stage Seven of the race, explaining, “There are a lot of people!  It was actually more beautiful than I expected, because in every village there are fans, I think all the schools are empty for the race, and it’s lovely to be here.”

The peloton going through Suffolk

The final stage of The Tour of Britain takes place in Newham, London’s Olympic and Paralympic Borough, with a 96 kilometre circuit race around the historic Royal Dockyards and London’s ExCeL Centre.

Before the racing gets underway and the winner of the 2010 Tour of Britain is crowned amateur cyclists will have the chance to take part in the second of this year’s Prostate Cancer Charity Tour Rides, offering the unique opportunity to ride an official stage of The Tour in London.

The Tour of Britain is in the second year of its successful partnership with The Prostate Cancer Charity, who are sponsoring the coveted blue Points Jersey, currently worn by Team Sky’s Greg Henderson.

Mark Bishop, Director of Fundraising at the Charity, said: “By turning the Points Jersey blue, we are demonstrating the commitment of each party to this partnership which has proved hugely beneficial.

“Our first of three events this month went exceptionally well last weekend, in the South West. We believe the unique proposition of riding in the tracks of the pros has added something fresh and credible to the sportive calendar.

“Through the partnership, we have been able not only to raise awareness of prostate cancer in the men we are trying to reach – but given all cyclists something challenging and active to do to support the cause.”

Cyclists get a further chance to ride a Tour of Britain stage on Sunday 26^th September, when The Prostate Cancer Charity Tour Ride takes place at Stoke-on-Trent over the tough of Stage Two of The Tour.  To find out more visit www.tourride.co.uk

Stage Seven Results

1) Borut Bozic                               Vacansoleil Pro Cycling             3h 24m 15s

2) Greg Henderson                        Sky Professional Cycling Team  @ same time

3) Richie Porte                              Team Saxo Bank                       @ 3s

Honda Combativity Award Winner: Pieter Jacobs         Topsport Vlaanderen – Mercator

General Classification standings (after seven stages)

1) Michael Albasini                        Team HTC – Columbia               27h 26m 40s

2) Borut Bozic                               Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team    @ 1m 05s

3) Richie Porte                              Team Saxo Bank                       @ 1m 14s

The Prostate Cancer Charity Points Jersey standings (after seven stages)

1) Greg Henderson                        Sky Professional Cycling Team  62pts

2) Borut Bozic                               Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team    57pts

3) Koen de Kort                            Skil – Shimano                          50pts

The King of the Mountains Jersey standings (after seven stages)

1) Johnny Hoogerland                   Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team    56pts

2) Richie Porte                              Team Saxo Bank                       45pts

3) Wout Poels                               Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team    31pts

The Sprints Jersey standings (after seven stages)

1) Michal Golas                             Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team    31pts

2) Richie Porte                              Team Saxo Bank                       20pts

3) Johnny Hoogerland                   Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team    16pts

The Tour of Britain is proud to be partnered with The Prostate Cancer Charity.  Don’t forget this September your chance to follow in the wheel tracks of the professionals and ride three stages from The Tour of Britain.  Go to www.tourride.co.uk to find out more!

Tour of Britain Race Report – Stage 5: Frapporti doesn’t look back as he solos to victory in Glastonbury

By Peter Hodges

Bradley Wiggins second, as Marco Frapporti takes solo victory in Somerset

Marco Frapporti (Colnago – CSF Inox) taking a solo victory in Glastonbury

The Tour of Britain leaves the South West of Britain tonight after two days of tough racing in Devon and Somerset with Michael Albasini still in the lead of the race, having maintained his 1 minute 28 second advantage over Richie Porte during Wednesday’s 178 kilometre stage from Tavistock to Glastonbury.

Winner on the day was Marco Frapporti of the Colnago – CSF Inox team, who broke away from his breakaway companions in the closing kilometres to win by 13 seconds from Bradley Wiggins, with the main field coming in over nine minutes in arrears.

Bradley Wiggins coming in second behind Frapporti

Frapporti was a member of a seven rider breakaway group that spent the majority of the stage out in front, escaping in the closing kilometres to ride alone into the packed Glastonbury town centre, where he crossed the line arms aloft head of Britain’s Wiggins.

“I was here to ride for Manuel Belletti, so I have been riding in support of my team,” said Frapporti.  “But when Manuel got a virus and had to stop, then today I was able to take my own chance, which I did.”

Frapporti, who hails from Gavardo in Lombardy, described his winning move in the post-race press conference.

“I attacked with ten kilometres to go with Dan Martin.  With five kilometres to go there was a false flat and I jumped then and Dan couldn’t go with me, and luckily for me I kept away.

“I didn’t even look back, because the moment you look back then you lose, so I just put my head down and went.”

With the day’s first King of the Mountains climb at Merrivale coming within the first few kilometres of racing, there was action right from the flag drop, particularly as a number of those riders looking for King of the Mountains points like Johnny Hoogerland and Richie Porte were also in overall contention, provoking a fierce chase behind.

Windy conditions on the exposed roads across Dartmoor didn’t help matters, although the dry and bright weather conditions were a marked improvement on previous days.  The wind contributed to a split in the peloton, but with Albasini and the other contenders in the front group there was no fierce drive on to distance any rivals.

After an hour of racing the day’s break formed, containing Frapporti, Lucas Sebastien Haedo, Iker Camano, Michal Golas, Pieter Ghyllebert and Daniel Martin, with Heinrich Haussler and then Wiggins joining them, with the septet quickly building an advantage thanks to the lack of threat they posed the yellow jersey.

After beginning to struggle with the pace, Haussler was first dropped and then abandoned into his Cervelo team car.  At the same time Wiggins rode away from the break crossing the King of the Mountains climb of Rosemary Hill as he was joined first by Golas and Camano before the rest of the escapees also caught up.  The steep Category One Rosemary Hill also saw Porte and Patrick Sinkewitz attack from the peloton, but a fast chase by the HTC – Columbia headed peloton reeled them both back in after the climb.

One rider who did escape the peloton was Skil – Shimano’s Ronald Van Zandbeek, with around 35 kilometres to go, however the Dutch rider spent the rest of the stage dangling between the break and the peloton, eventually crossing the line six and a half minutes in arrears.

With ten kilometres to go, Martin, one of the stars of Stage Four who admitted before the start that his legs were only just beginning to come good attacked, and was swiftly joined by Frapporti.  The duo worked well together until with five kilometres to go the Italian struck off alone, and Martin was unable to match the rise in pace.

With Martin slipping backwards to an eventual seventh, Wiggins leapt forwards and attempted to ride down Frapporti, but instead of victory only had the sight of the Colnago – CSF Inox rider crossing the line, arms aloft, 13 agonising seconds ahead of him.

“At first it was very hard, we had 15 riders with us then a group came together”, said Frapporti.  “Then we went again as four and Haussler arrived, and then Wiggins.  And then Haussler for some reason stopped.  It was hard as it kept splitting over the hills.

“The crowd were very very friendly, and very warm.  During the entire stage there were a lot of people watching and everybody was cheering and shouting so it was a very good atmosphere.

The 25-year-old also admitted to a moment’s inattention in the closing metres that almost cost him dearly, saying, “At the finish I was going too hard and I followed the motorbikes in front and almost went down the deviation, so there was fear, but it was ok.”

Frapporti becomes the eighth Italian rider to win a stage of The Tour of Britain since it’s re-birth in 2004, joining the ranks of Alessandro Petacchi and Filippo Pozzato.  Italy are statistically the most successful nation in Tour history, having now won eleven stages of the race in seven editions.

While Yellow Jersey presented by Bikeability holder Albasini held onto his race lead, his bid for overall honours has been hampered by the loss of a second teammate in consecutive days, after Tony Martin abandoned with illness.

Albasini also kept possession of The Prostate Cancer Charity Points Jersey, although thanks to the Swiss rider’s overall race lead, Sky’s Greg Henderson will once again have the honour of wearing the blue jersey.

Once again the South West proved to be a happy hunting ground for the Vacansoleil team, as Hoogerland kept hold of the King of the Mountains jersey, reinforcing his lead along the way, while Golas took control of the Sprints competition in a battle which looks set to go right down to Stage Eight in London on Saturday.

Away from the racing, Glastonbury also The Tour of Britain remember Battle of Britain Day, with a minutes silence and the release of 70 white balloons, shaped as doves.

Stage Six sees The Tour of Britain visit Norfolk for the first time ever, with the longest stage of the race, 190 kilometres from King’s Lynn to Great Yarmouth, visiting the likes of Sandringham, Wells-next-the-sea and Norwich on its way across the county.

Stage Five Results

1) Marco Frapporti                                    Colnago – CSF Inox                  4h 16m 10s

2) Bradley Wiggins                        Sky Professional Cycling Team  @ 13s

3) Lucas Sebastien Haedo             Team Saxo Bank                       @ 32s

Honda Combativity Award Winner: Pieter Ghyllebert     AN Post Sean Kelly Cycling Team

General Classification standings (after five stages)

1) Michael Albasini                        Team HTC – Columbia               19h 53m 09s

2) Richie Porte                              Team Saxo Bank                       @ 1m 28s

3) Borut Bozic                               Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team    @ 1m 32s

The Prostate Cancer Charity Points Jersey standings (after five stages)

1) Michael Albasini                        Team HTC – Columbia               39pts

2) Greg Henderson                        Sky Professional Cycling Team  36pts

3) Koen De Kort                            Skil – Shimano                          30pts

The King of the Mountains Jersey standings (after five stages)

1) Johnny Hoogerland                   Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team    51pts

2) Richie Porte                              Team Saxo Bank                       45pts

3) Dan Martin                                Garmin – Transitions                  32pts

The Sprints Jersey standings (after five stages)

1) Michal Golas                             Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team    23pts

2) Richie Porte                              Team Saxo Bank                       15pts

3) Matthew Hayman                       Sky Professional Cycling Team  11pts

The Tour of Britain is proud to be partnered with The Prostate Cancer Charity.  Don’t forget this September your chance to follow in the wheel tracks of the professionals and ride three stages from The Tour of Britain.  Go to www.tourride.co.uk to find out more!

Tour of Britain Race Report – Stage 2: Henderson heads the selection, as The Tour gets tough

Greg Henderson taking the win on stage 2 of The Tour of Britain (image courtesy of The Tour of Britain)

By Peter Hodges

Greg Henderson wins in Stoke-on-Trent to move into the Yellow Jersey

Team Sky picked up their first win of The Tour of Britain, as Greg Henderson sprinted to victory on the tough uphill finish in Stoke-on-Trent, as the day’s racing was shaped by an 18 rider break that shook up the overall standings.

Henderson headed home breakaway companions Michael Albasini and Heinrich Haussler, to move into the Yellow Jersey presented by Bikeability, as well as taking early control of The Prostate Cancer Charity Points Jersey thanks to his third placed finish on Saturday’s stage.

A frantic start to the 100 mile stage, that helped to celebrate the centenary of Stoke-on-Trent, saw a number of repeated attacks going away from the peloton, only to be brought back by the speeding bunch as it passed through the Staffordshire countryside.

The Tour of Britain peloton making their way through the beautiful Staffordshire Moorlands (image courtesy of The Tour of Britain)

Among the teams most active in trying to put riders up the road were AN Post and Topsport Vlaanderen – Mercator, but despite several small groups pulling away before being reeled in, neither team had a rider in the break when it eventually formed after around ten kilometres of racing.

With the peloton chasing hard to counter a two-rider move, the front group split leaving a high-quality group out in front, including Henderson, Albasini and Haussler, plus the likes of Sprints Jersey holder Richie Porte, Welshman Rob Partridge, Vacansoleil duo Borut Bozic and Michal Golas and most crucially for the eventual winner, his Sky teammates Bradley Wiggins and Geraint Thomas.

The peloton was always going to find it hard to bring back such a strong break, and so it proved as the gap immediately went out to around the 40 second mark as Endura’s Iker Camano tried to bridge across.

The Spaniard’s attempt failed, but after 29 kilometres of racing and heading towards Millwich the gap was down to just 22 seconds, persuading Darren Lapthorne and Johnny Hoogerland to set off in pursuit.

The pair soon caught Jaroslav Marycz who was dropped from the front bunch, but Rapha – Condor – Sharp’s Australian couldn’t hold the wheel of the Dutchman, and found himself heading back to the peloton after around forty kilometres of racing.

Hoogerland continued alone, with his impressive solo ride paying off as he made contact with the leading riders, while the peloton was headed by the Sigma Sport – Specialized team.

With the third Vacansoleil rider now at the front the gap stretched out, particularly after Thomas drove hard on the opening King of the Mountains climb at Ramshorn, sending the gap up to the three and a half minute mark.

Behind AN Post and Topsport Vlaanderen chased, but to no avail as the gap soared past six minutes by the time the peloton was negotiating the huge crowds in the village of Longnor in the Peak District National Park.

With the 18 strong rider group working well together they extended their lead to just shy of eight minutes by the top of the Hollinsclough Moor King of the Mountains climb, as the wind on the exposed tops near to Flash seemed to hamper the chase of the peloton, who by this time realised they were racing for the minor placings.

Stage One escapee Porte then tried his hand alone from the group, jumping away on the road to Gun Hill and pulling out a 16 second lead.  Behind a chasing group consisting of Albasini, Wiggins, Hoogerland, Patrik Sinkewitz, Travis Meyer, Dan Craven and Koen de Kort formed, with Porte being caught on the descent to Leek and the front group reforming.  Sinkewitz was next to try his hand off the front, but the ISD rider’s advantage was short lived.

Heading in the opposite direction from the front group were ENECO Tour winner Tony Martin and Federico Canuti, both of whom were dropped as the pace rose after Leek.

At the front Team Sky began driving, sensing the potential to set Henderson up for the win, so when Haussler and Golas escaped nearing Stoke-on-Trent and built a 13 second lead, it fell to Wiggins and Thomas to ride the duo down, with both riders pulling massive turns before dropping off the back to finish 1 minute 16 seconds and 1 minute 48 seconds down respectively at the finish on Albion Street.

With Haussler and Golas caught, it set things up for an exciting 13 rider sprint up the 500 metre drag to the line, with New Zealander Henderson heading home Albasini, and preventing the HTC – Columbia team from taking a third successive victory in the city of Stoke-on-Trent.

More crucially the time bonus on the line, along with that gained in Blackpool, helped Henderson into yellow, with a 14 second lead over the second placed Swiss rider.  In each of the previous three Tours of Britain, such a lead has proved enough to win the race overall, but with a trio of tougher stages to come and six days of the race still to go, Henderson will be looking over his shoulder at the twelve riders placed within 23 seconds of his race lead.

Winner of the Honda Combativity Award for his impressive ride across to the break Johnny Hoogerland certainly believes the Sky man’s lead isn’t insurmountable, saying at the post-stage press conference, “I think it’s very difficult for Henderson to keep the jersey.  He is good on the hills, but we are getting a few hilly stages, so I think it is difficult for him.

“We are not satisfied with sixth place on the General Classification, so we are going to try and win the Overall.  We had three in the first group and we have Wout (Poels) and (Matteo) Carrara in the peloton, but they are also in very good condition, so I think we can make it pretty hard for Sky.”

The Dutchman was also full of praise for the route, saying, “It was not what I expected.  I spoke to Daniel Martin yesterday and he said tomorrow is not a heavy stage, and then I just wanted to take it easy until stages four and five, as I know these are the heavy stages of The Tour of Britain.

“I’ve never been to England before, I was only one night in Heathrow, but that’s all.  The mountains are steep; it’s totally different to Belgium or France.  It’s steep, a little bit flat, steep and a lot of corners.  It’s a beautiful landscape.  Today it was perfect with like twenty riders, but with the whole peloton and then on the top of the climbs with a little bit of wind from the side it’s difficult.”

Hoogerland also revealed his future motivation for the rest of the race was not just one, but two snubs he, and his team had received.

“Not just for the Vuelta a Espana, but also for the World Championship.  I also really wanted to do the World Championship but they passed me by, so I just want to show that I have to be there.  I am always good in September and October, so it is the same this year.

“Maybe when someone is injured I can go, but maybe I am not really motivated anymore for doing that race, I just want to do a very good Tour of Britain.”

Stage Three sees The Tour of Britain return to Wales for the first time since 2004, as The Tour races through mid-Wales from Newtown to Swansea, via the King of the Mountains climb of Black Mountain.  Also on the route is Constitution Hill in Swansea, a brutal one-in-three cobbled climb that features in the final two kilometres, and will surely see the General Classification of The Tour of Britain shaken up once again.

Stage 2 podium presentation: Johnny Hoogerland (left), Richie Porter (middle), Greg Henderson (right) (image courtesy of The Tour of Britain)

Stage Two Results

1) Greg Henderson            Sky Professional Cycling Team  3:59:52

2) Michael Albasini            Team HTC – Columbia               @ same time

3) Heinrich Haussler           Cervelo Test Team                     @ same time

Honda Combativity Award Winner: Johnny Hoogerland, Vacansoleil Professional Cycling Team

General Classification standings (after two stages)

1) Greg Henderson            Sky Professional Cycling Team              7:16:23

2) Michael Albasini            Team HTC – Columbia                           @ 14”

3) Heinrich Haussler           Cervelo Test Team                                 @ same time

The Prostate Cancer Charity Points Jersey standings (after two stages)

1) Greg Henderson            Sky Professional Cycling Team              28 points

2) Andre Greipel                Team HTC – Columbia                           15 points

3) Michael Albasini            Team HTC – Columbia                           15 points

The King of the Mountains Jersey standings (after two stages)

1) Richie Porte                  Team Saxo Bank                                   35 points

2) Johnny Hoogerland       Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team                24 points

3) Wout Poels                   Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team                16 points

The Sprints Jersey standings (after two stages)

1) Richie Porte                  Team Saxo Bank                                   15 points

2) Michal Golas                 Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team                8 points

3) Koen De Kort                Skil – Shimano                                      8 points

The Tour of Britain is proud to be partnered with The Prostate Cancer Charity.  Don’t forget this September your chance to follow in the wheel tracks of the professionals and ride three stages from The Tour of Britain.  Go to www.tourride.co.uk to find out more!

Basso at Cycle Show

Basso Diamante

As promised in my last posting about the Wilier’s on display at the Cycle Show, here is the next installment about the awesome Italian racing machine, Basso. There are quite a few versions, which have recently become available to the UK market, thanks to the team at Moore Large.

Basso Diamante

Above is the Diamante which is Basso’s only unique hand-made frameset built in limited quantity. So pretty much means an expensive buy either way you look at it. But if you want that something special made just for you, then this is the way to go.

Basso Astra

Now this is one beautiful racing machine. I used to own a steel version (Columbus EL OS for all you old school folk) of this now carbon monocoque only frame, and used to love riding on it everyday. Seeing this frame at Cycle Show brought back so many memories for me, the training, the racing and the winning. The day will come when I will purchase one, even if it is just for the sake of nostalgia.

According to the company website, the following is said about the Astra – the company’s flagship frame:

A new star is born in the Basso R&D department. It is dedicated to the most demanding riders. It has a full monocoque T700 3K carbon fibre frame and its front and rear triangle tubes have visible longitudinal lines that remind us of a four-leafed clover shape. The new Astra has a maximum flexion of 0,21 mm on the BB shell and a maximum torsion of 2,3 mm on the head tube; on both tests we apply a weight of 50 kgs at 40 cm distance from the fulcrum. It can be driven in long distance races in a very smooth and comfortable way, but it is very reactive and precise in fast accelerations or very winding roads. 7 colour combinations will let you choose your personalized look.

I have to confess though, when I purchase one of these, it will have to be kitted with Campagnolo. An Italian frame deserves to be ridden with complimentary Italian equipment.

Basso Astra

Basso Astra (with Campag)

Basso Astra

Basso Astra

Basso  Laguna

Now the remainder of the range in the form of the Laguna, the Reef and the Devil.

Basso Laguna

Basso Reef

Basso Reef

Basso Devil

Basso Devil

Basso Konos

Last but not least from Basso is the Konos, the company’s time-trial frame. I’ll be honest when I say that I’ve seen beter looking time trial frame’s but at least this is something to build and improve upon.

Basso Konos

I know this is going to sound like I’m working for Basso (or Moore Large), but if you have time this weekend, get yourself down to your local bike store and make some enquiries about these bikes. Xmas is just around the corner and this would make a great present, either for yourself or your partner.

And to my darling wife, if you are trying to find the perfect gift for me this xmas, then may I suggest the Blue Astra (pictured above). It would be the perfect gift .

Then again, if I can’t get it as a gift, I wonder if the guys at Moore Large will let me review an Astra for a few weeks (or months)?

[UPDATE] I am now selling my Basso Astra – if you want to get details and see more pictures of it, then check this post out.