firstoffthebike.com - Races

7 days in cycling

• Alberto Contador and Peter Sagan dominated the 68th edition of the Paris-Nice. Contador’s impressive history in the race continued, claiming stage four and a second overall victory, backing up his first win in 2007. Peter Sagan, the emerging talent from Slovakia, won two stages for Liquigas and his dream start to the 2010 season continues to gain momentum. Simon Gerrans was the best-placed Australian in 15th overall.
• Michael Matthews of the Australian U/23 squad, Jayco-Skins, can just about pick which ProTour team he will sign with in 2011, after two bunch-sprint stage wins at the Le Tour de Langkawi (Malaysia).
• HTC-Columbia’s impressive form at the Tour Down Under is set to continue throughout 2010, after claiming it’s second overall win at the Tour of Murcia (Spain) courtesy of Frantisek Rabon, who proved too strong for Denis Menchov (2nd) and Bradley Wiggins (3rd).
• Ben Kersten (NSW) proved again that his move from Kilo racing on the track to racing the road has been a smart move, winning the inaugural OCBC Cycle Singapore Pro Criterium in a strong international field. Fly V-Australia’s push to become the first domestic ProTour team in Australia is really starting to build up a head of steam after another international victory and the unveiling of their new feeder domestic squad, Virgin Blue-RBS Morgans.
• 25 teams were announced for the Paris-Roubaix to be raced on April 11. Astana and Footon-Servetto were the two notable omissions from the start list for the Hell of the North. This will be recurring theme one suspects for Astana in 2010 by having Vinokorouv listed on their books.
• Mitchell Docker (VIC) has bounced back after a relatively quiet season with Skil-Shimano in 2009, to finish 5th overall at the Three Days of West Flanders.
• Lance Armstrong helped teammate and local Daryl Impey finish third at a domestic race in Cape Town, South Africa. Lance has to be commended for his efforts in spreading the Livestrong message worldwide, but come on, time to get back to Europe and get serious.
• Stefano Garzeli is firming as a big favourite for the Giro d’Italia after winning the historical Tirreno-Adriatico in Italy. The news was also good for Cadel Evans, as the man from Barwon Heads finished third overall, just 12 seconds behind Garzeli. Expect to see these two names duelling it out in May later this year.
• Milan-San Remo takes place this weekend, and the name on every expert’s lips is Mark Cavendish. The Brit will have to make it over the 20km Turchino climb and the famous Poggio berg just before the finish, however, after showing he can do it in 2009 you’d be a fool to bet against Cav.
• Controversial Spanish rider Alejandro Valverde could now have his Italian ban extended worldwide by the UCI, after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) found in favour of CONI (The Italian Olympic body). Valverde cannot ride in Italy until May 2011, and if the UCI acknowledges CONI’s decision the former Tour of Spain winner will not be able to compete anywhere until that date. FOTB draws a strong line on the issue of doping: if your guilty, you got to go!