The greatest moments of tension surely came from the duel between fellow Astana riders Alberto Contador and Lance Armstrong. From the start of the Tour to the very last day, the big question was whether 7 times Tour de France winner, Armstrong would support Contador or ride his own race.
As expected, what was said bore little relation to what actually happened, and who knows what plans were actually laid by these two riders?
As the post race interviews tumbled out, Contador told a news conference in Madrid: ‘my relationship with Lance is non-existant. Even if he is a great champion, I have never had admiration for him and I never will’.
As they say: ‘that’s good to know’, especially after the race, and how different to Contador’s quote in last week’s blog.
Still before I bid farewell to the tour, it would be remiss not to mention the outstanding British riders; Bradley Wiggins, who in coming fourth has equalled the 1984 record of fellow British rider Robert Millar, and sprinter Mark Cavendish, whose six wins in the 2009 Tour, and four wins in last year’s tour, puts him among cycling’s elite.
I have found writing up the Tour an interesting experience, especially as I write my copy a week before it goes out. This means that by the time you read it, a lot can have happened, so I’m very delighted that I managed to guess two out of three podium places, a week before it actually happened!
Braking(late) News
You never forget how to ride a bike – its official!
Yes, another of those often repeated old chestnuts that you secretly think is cobblers- is true.
A team of neuroscientists led by the University of Aberdeen has proved it. A research team made up of scientists from the Universities of Aberdeen, Rotterdam, London, Turin and New York have concluded that there is a connection with one particular type of cell in the cerebellum, the so-called molecular layer interneuron. The cerebellum is the part of the brain that is needed to learn a co-ordinated movement like cycling.
Campagnolo San?
A rumour currently floating around alleges that the iconic Italian component manufacture Campagnolo has been sold to an unnamed Japanese company. When pressed, Campagnolo would not give any answer, and as yet, no Far Eastern cycle companies are giving away anything either.
Following this news breaking on the Bike Europe website on Tuesday 28th July, Campagnolo have categorically denied that the company has been sold. Lorenzo Taxis, Campagnolo’s communications and marketing director said: ‘Apparently summer temperature brings silly gossip! Campagnolo do not know who has the time to circulate crazy rumours; instead we prefer, as usual, not to waste time and concentrate on business. Campagnolo is not on sale! Have a nice summer period and see you in September.’
No more esplanade cycling in Weymouth
From the first of August, Weymouth Council is enforcing a ban on cycling along the seafront esplanade. Numerous complaints from seafront users have forced the Council to bring in legislation.
Naturally, local cycling groups, like the Dorset Cyclists’ Network, have expressed their concern. The chairman of the Dorset Cyclists’ Network, Michael Evans voiced their feelings: ‘It’s a shame that the council cannot find a way to allow cycling on the seafront’. He added: ‘Now that cycling is banned there, it will only encourage cyclists to take to the busy main roads, which is more of a danger for them’.
• Arthur Lamy is the manager of Boudins for Bikes, in Sand Street, and author of Jersey Cycles. He has spent 15 years as a tourist guide and writer, and is also a keen photographer. More information can be found on his website: www.arthurlamy.com
