Cycling 2014

Cycling Season is Starting

The Tour Down Under is not, in fact, one of my recommended options for your Anniversary Coupon Book, but the first cycling race of the year.  It is the first race of the year, starting on the 19th with a TT in Adelaide.  This is a very well-attended race, as it's the the first chance to get in to true racing form this year.  That said, a lot of guys show up to use to get in form, not to really win.  But whatever, racing is fun!  Sadly, and not really surprisingly, the first withdrawal of the season has also already taken place, as my favorite Frenchman Tommy Voeckler got in a training accident and broke his collarbone.  Also, it's apparently effing hot down there.

I'm not entirely sure what I should be watching out for the next 3km

There are some pretty strong teams present, mostly represented by sprinters.  Cadel Evans will be riding (he has to, he's Australian) as well as Frank Schleck, Richie Porte, and THE JENSIE.  Also, first time to see TdF breakout star Marcel Kittel this year, and he'll be tested against Andre Greipel.  Should be some fun racing.  The crux of this race is, of course, the 2 TTs, but also this finish:

There are HILLS

It's not super epic, but it ain't a breeze.  Also, it's called Old Willunga Hill, so that's pretty awesome.

Ok, it's also a highly recommended coupon option.

Off Season Notes

Radio-Shack Leopard nee RadioShack-Nissan-Trek nee Leopard Trek nee Radio Shack is now finally just Trek Factory Racing.  And their kits are black.  So, good luck with that down in Australia, TFR.

New team on the scene is NFTO.  NFTO is apparently a British outdoor apparel company.  They got Adam Blythe from BMC, and a bunch of other people I didn't immediately recognize.

Euskaltel and Vacansoleil folded.

There were a couple notable transfers.

• Young American Lawson Craddock moved from the Bontrager development team to Argos Shimano.  Also from Bontrager, Nathan Brown inked with Garmin-Sharp.  Good on ya, kids!
• Michele Scarponi from Lampre to Astana.
• Rui Costa to Lampre from Movistar.  I think that could be a great pickup for them, Lampre (even with Scarponi) had fallen off the radar a bit.

In other news, Boulderite and shoe-fetishist Taylor Phinney is in South America for the Tour de San Luis.  That's all I got to say about that.

Parting Thoughts: Totes magoats