Sporting Communities

Merckx questions Boonen's motivation

2011-12-12T10:09:00.001Z

Cycling legend Eddy Merckx has voiced his concern over whether Tom Boonen can come back to the form that saw him win a trio of Paris-Roubaix titles in 2005, 2008 and 2009. Merckx, who is now a consultant at the Omega Pharma-Quick Step squad, has been a long time admirer of Boonenbut the rider’s last major Classics win came two years ago.
“I don’t think he’s the rider he once was,” Merckx said, pointing to the fact that Boonen is no longer a major contender in bunch sprints.

“Last year he had some problems with his hand, and he’s had knee problems, too. He’s not a young rider anymore,” Merckx is reported as saying.

Merckx also raised the issue of Boonen’s motivation.

“For him it’s also a question of motivation. If he can be motivated then he can perhaps come back in the Classics like Flanders and Roubaix but it will be very difficult for him to beat the sprinters these days.”

According to Merckx, Boonen’s chances of winning a major spring Classic depend on his form at the start of the season.

“I hope he can still win races like Roubaix and Flanders. Everything depends on the start of the season and how he starts - although last year he won Gent-Wevelgem and then wasn’t so good in Flanders or Roubaix.”

Merckx, who attended the Omega Pharma-Quick Step team presentation in Antwerp last week, also gave his opinion on the team’s strength in depth. Historically they have been built around the Classics but 2012 will see a slight change with the likes of Levi Leipheimer and Tony Martin drafted in to bolster the team’s stage racing and time trial skills.

Although both recruits will be expected to bring in success, Merckx has tipped Martin to shine to the extent of competing for a possible podium place at the Tour de France.

“With Leipheimer and Martin they have options but it’s not going to be easy to beat the likes of Contador, the Schlecks or Cadel Evans. Martin is still very young, he’s a very strong rider and there’s a lot of time trialing in the Tour de France. He can perhaps improve in the mountains and although he can’t win the Tour de France he could make the podium, “ Merckx said.

GreenEDGE GRANTED WORLDTOUR LICENSE

2011-12-12T10:05:00.001Z

GreenEDGE Cycling is proud to announce that the UCI has approved its license application for WorldTour status. On the basis of the documentation submitted to the UCI License Commission, GreenEDGE has been granted a UCI World Tour license for the 2012-2013 period. This announcement gives Australia its first team in the WorldTour with a roster of 30 riders competing from 2012.
“This is a key moment for Australian cycling and we are proud to enter the WorldTour with a new and extremely motivated project,” says team founder Gerry Ryan. “I am convinced that we will bring great moments and a lot of passion to the sport with this team. I’d like to use this opportunity to congratulate the entire team and all of our partners with this important, historical step.”

Eighteen teams have been granted UCI WorldTour status. These teams will be eligible to compete in all WorldTour events.

“This is a team built for the future and we are obviously thrilled to have the license in place,” says General Manager Shayne Bannan. “We have been confident all along during the process, but at the same time humble towards the criteria you need to meet in order to get the final approval. We are currently busy with our first team camp and everything is coming together for a great debut year in the WorldTour. We’re young team with big ambitions about giving back to the sport and create excitement both in Australia and across the globe. Cycling has grown immensely over the last years and we are happy to be an integrated part of that positive development.”

Designer Road Bikes by Bianchi and Gucci

2011-12-09T09:37:00.001Z

Italian firms Bianchi and Gucci have joined forces to create a new range high-end bikes at only $14,000.

Bianchi by Gucci has brought together the talents of the legendary bike manufacturer and world-renowned fashion house to produce two bikes; a touring bike and a single-speed city model.

The matte black 11-speed carbon bike is for urban/off-road use and has a carbon fork and hydraulic disc brakes. It won't come cheap, though - it's listed on Gucci's US website at an eye-watering $14,000. The white single-speed city model is made from hydroformed steel and is listed at a comparatively modest but still steep $6,200. Both feature Gucci’s signature green/red/green stripe on the down tube, with a range of Gucci accessories, including helmet, gloves and water bottle, made to complete the look.

The bikes will be available to buy at select Gucci outlets around the world, including London, New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Milan. They will also be showcased in Stockholm at Bianchi’s Café&Cycles, a concept store created by Bianchi’s owner and president Salvatore Grimaldi.

LEOPARD TREK continental team sets off in 2012

2011-12-06T17:32:00.001Z

LEOPARD s.a., the owner of the RADIOSHACK NISSAN TREK WorldTour Cycling Team, is proud to announce the launch of its Continental Team, named LEOPARD TREK. The Team will be led by Team Director Adriano Baffi.

“The Continental Team is aimed at promoting and developing Luxembourgish Cycling in the world”, says Flavio Becca. “Since Fränk and Andy Schleck conquered their place in cycling’s top tier and the Grand Duchy witnessed the birth of the 2011 LEOPARD TREK WorldTour Team, the popularity of cycling has grown to immense proportions. It shouldn’t be a surprise that we want to build for the future. With this Team we are able to structurally search for talent and provide experience and training to young and promising athletes.”

The LEOPARD TREK roster for 2012 will be the following: Eugenio Alafaci (ITA), Giorgio Brambilla (ITA), Jesus Ezquerra (SPA), Oliver Hofstetter (SUI), Bob Jungels (LUX), Julian Kern (GER), Alex Kirsch (LUX), Alexandr Pliuschin (MOL), Pit Schlechter (LUX), Fabio Silvestre (POR) and Joel Zangerle (LUX).

“The Team consists of a majority of U23 riders”, says Adriano Baffi, who acknowledges that there will be an important role for Alexandr Pliuschin and Bob Jungels, the 2010 Junior World Time Trial Champion. “Bob and Alexandr are absolute bright prospects and I am really looking forward to working closely with them. Alexandr will be our road captain: he is an all-rounder and has some experience already. Bob, from his side, will be able to grow in terms of endurance and experience.”

“The Team will concentrate on one single race program,” says Baffi. “I would like to see every rider race between 60 and 70 days per season, which would be an ideal learning experience for each one of them.”

Vacansoleil-DCM to ride Bianchi Oltre in 2012

2011-12-06T15:56:00.001Z

Dutch World Tour squad in Italian training camp soon

Vacansoleil-DCM's bike supplier Bianchi has officially unveiled the new team Oltre model for the 2012 season. The carbon momocoque bike is described as "one of the best racing machines Bianchi has ever made. X-Tex carbon technology and Bianchi optimized aerodynamic shape give it an incredibly efficient power transmission and stiffness to weight ratio,' according to the Italian bike manufacturer's press release.

The Oltre combines Bianchi's traditional "celeste" colour with blue and white touches to match the official outfit of the WorldTour team, with the Bianchi Eagle logo located on the lower part of the down-tube. The frame is equipped with FSA components, Fast Forward wheels, Vredestein tires and Shimano Dura Ace gears.

Vacansoleil-DCM riders will get acquainted with their new equipment in Montecatini Terme (Italy) from December 10 to 20, where the first official team meeting will be held. From January 10 to 20, the Dutch WorldTour team will move to Spain, in Benidorm, for its second training camp ahead of the first 2012 season races.

2013 Tour de France unveils three Corsican stages

2011-12-06T15:49:00.001Z

100th Tour de France to be celebrated by a first.

Christian Prudhomme, director of the Tour de France, on Tuesday morning unveiled the programme for the 2013 Grand Départ on the island of Corsica. The race's one-hundredth edition will see the Mediterranean island host three stages in what will be the Tour's first visit to Corsica, after having visited all the departments of mainland France, since its inception in 1903.

The first stage will see the peloton start in Porto-Vecchio in the south of the island for what should be a bunch sprint finish further north in Bastia. From Porto-Vecchio, the race will travel south to the cliffs of Bonifacio before moving up north again on one of the rare flat roads on the island to the stage finish in Bastia.

Stage two, on the other hand, will give the climbers the first opportunity to express themselves. Riders will start in Bastia and then move westwards over the challenging mountains of Corsica, via Corte, to finish in Ajaccio on the island's west coast. That day, climbs will include the Col de Bellagranajo (723m), Col de la Serra (807m) and Col de Vizzavona (1,163m) passes. Ten kilometres from the finish, the ascent of the steep slope of Monte Salario will provide another hurdle.

The third and final day on Corsica will then involve another mountainous stage from Ajaccio to Calvi along the west coast, including spectacular viewpoints over the coves at Piana, a World Heritage site. Main obstacles on this route will be the Col de San Bastiano (415 m) at kilometre 15, and then further on, the Cols de Lava (498 m), de Palmarella (374 m) and de Marsolino (443 m). For its first three stages on Corsica, the 2013 Tour could thus see the yellow jersey change shoulders every day before the race arrives on mainland France.

"The setting of the Island of Beauty will definitely offer a terrain and roads designed for attacks and we are already thoroughly looking forward to enjoying the magnificent scenery boasted by the sea and the mountains!" commented Prudhomme.

The Corsican stages of the 2013 Tour de France:
Saturday June 29: Porto-Vecchio - Bastia, 200 km
Sunday June 30: Bastia - Ajaccio, 155 km
Monday July 1: Ajaccio - Calvi, 145 km

Follow the race with sportingcommuniti.es all through the summer!

RADIOSHACK NISSAN TREK ANNOUNCES 2012 ROSTER

2011-12-06T10:12:00.001Z

LEOPARD s.a., the company behind the RADIOSHACK NISSAN TREK ProTeam, is pleased to have its registration confirmed by the UCI License Commission.

In September 2011, LEOPARD s.a. announced that the team would have new management, sponsors and name in 2012. After three full months of preparation, the RADIOSHACK NISSAN TREK roster for 2012 has been finalized and counts with 30 of the world’s top professional cyclists, hailing from 14 different nations. The team will be led by 6 team directors under the management and direction of General Manager Johan Bruyneel.

LEOPARD s.a. President Flavio Becca is confident that the team will be very competitive in 2012, prolonging the string of good results in 2011. “In our inaugural season we had many podium places in the classics and Tour de France. Oliver Zaugg completed the season with a spectacular Tour of Lombardy victory and we secured third place in the UCI World Tour ranking. But like any owner, whether it is in business or sports, I am constantly looking for ways to improve the team. Johan Bruyneel is a leader who has a proven record of unparalleled success. He maximizes talent, employs winning strategies and motivates riders and staff to achieve greatness. I am confident that Johan is the best person for our team.”

Bruyneel has had a busy few months assembling the 2012 roster. “I’ve never been one to shy away from challenges so when I was presented with this opportunity, I immediately saw the potential of the idea. We collectively decided it was a win-win partnership for all parties. After that, we became focused on putting together 30 riders, which was a tougher task than I’ve ever experienced in the past. Combining Team RadioShack riders that we made an agreement with for 2012, with existing LEOPARD TREK riders resulted in 42 riders, 12 over the maximum limit for World Tour teams. We worked hard to ensure that every rider’s contract was honored and that each one had a place to ride in 2012; if not with RADIOSHACK NISSAN TREK, then with another professional cycling team. With the roster of 30 riders finalized, we can now spend all our time and effort in preparing this group for the challenges that lie ahead.”

STAGE RACING

With an impressive array of GC contenders in the team,

Bruyneel will look to win another Tour de France title. “It’s too early to decide the complete Tour de France team, but I know we’ll have numerous riders who can compete for the top podium step in Paris. Certainly Andy has come the closest, as he has finished second the past three years. I’m excited to work with him and Fränk, two talented and successful riders, who I believe will continue to rise in the eyes of the cycling world.”

Andy Schleck believes Bruyneel will play an important role in achieving his lifetime dream of winning Grand Tours. “When the new management structure was announced, I was a bit unsure of all the changes. But after talking with Johan and really understanding his philosophy, it’s very clear that having him lead this team is in my best interests, as well as in those of the team. He’ll help me build upon my strengths and improve my weak areas. In addition to that, I don’t think anyone understands race strategies and tactics better than Johan. Adding that to the work I’ve been doing with Kim Andersen makes me believe that I’ll have the best opportunity yet to stand on the highest podium spot.”

2011 Tour de France podium finisher Fränk Schleck understands the importance of a strong team. “We have riders that can perform in the mountains, on the flats, in the sprints, in time-trials. When I look at all the names and think about all the victories these riders have achieved in the past, I can’t help but be filled with excitement and optimism. After only the first meeting in October, it was clear that this group is very motivated to achieve success, not only at one race, but throughout the season. Our strength does not lie in any one individual, but rather the collective team. I think that is what will benefit us the most as we battle our competitors.”

Andreas Klöden, the two-time Tour de France runner-up, will enter his fifth season under the guidance of Bruyneel and is no stranger to sharing the leadership. “For me to continue with Johan was an easy decision. Besides the misfortune at the Tour, 2011 was one of my best seasons with victories in numerous races. I have been on teams with other great riders so this situation is not new for me. If the Schlecks have the best opportunity to win the Tour, I will fully support them. If there is an opportunity for me and Johan decides that it gives the team the best chance to win, I will be ready for the challenge. But I have goals in other races as well – either to win for the first time or defend my title.”

Also joining Klöden from Team RadioShack is the veteran American rider and 2011 Amgen Tour of California Champion Chris Horner. “2011 had its highs and lows for me. Certainly the crash at the Tour was the lowest point, but I also had one of my career highlights when I won the Amgen Tour of California. That was a very important race not only for me, but also our sponsors and I imagine with our strong American ties that the goal remains the same in 2012. I may be forty years old, but I believe I have the perfect combination to achieve top results – the motivation of a neo-pro combined with the experiences of a seasoned rider.”

CLASSICS

Fabian Cancellara is RADIOSHACK NISSAN TREK’s undisputable captain for the one-day races. Cancellara, four-time World Time Trial Champion, will lead the team throughout the Spring Campaign and aim for victory in his favorite races, the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. “I’m a rider that puts a lot of expectations on myself to win. So it was tough for me last year when I didn’t win Flanders or Roubaix. Those experiences have made me even more motivated and stronger, both physically and mentally. Besides strong men like Robert Wagner and Joost Posthuma, we’ve added Hayden Roulston and my fellow countryman and friend Gregory Rast to the group of riders for the cobblestone classics. And in the car we’ll have Dirk Demol, who was a Paris-Roubaix winner himself. The classics are still a few months away, but I have no reason not to be confident.”

Bruyneel, who has been successful in a long list of stage races, but has only one classic victory in his thirteen year directing career, is excited about the potential to add more in 2012. “Fabian is a very special rider. His palmares reads like a cyclist’s dream – He’s won the World Time Trial Championships four times, national championships, an Olympic Gold Medal, Tour de France stages, worn the Yellow Jersey and then victories in Paris-Roubaix, Flanders, Milan-Sanremo. After all these achievements, some riders would lose motivation, but Fabian has that winning drive that lies in all champions. I’m honored and excited to help build upon all his success.”

RADIOSHACK NISSAN TREK will gather in Calpe, Spain for a December training camp. The second training camp will be held in January on the Spanish island of Mallorca. The team’s first race will be the Santos Tour Down Under in Adelaide, Australia from January 15-22, 2012.

RADIOSHACK NISSAN TREK 2012
30 riders, 14 nationalities

Jan Bakelants (BEL)
Climber and Tour de l’Avenir winner.
Daniele Bennati (ITA)
51 professional victories, including 10 Grand Tour stages.
George Bennett (NZL)
Tour of Wellington winner and as a stagiaire instrumental in Team RadioShack 2011 victories in Tour of Utah and USA Pro Cycling Challenge.
Matthew Busche (USA)
2011 USA Pro Champion.
Fabian Cancellara (SUI)
Olympic and four-time World TT Champion, National Road (2x) and TT (4x) Champion, winner of Paris-Roubaix (2x), Tour of Flanders, Milan-Sanremo, E3-Prijs Harelbeke (2x) and 9 Grand Tour stages. Overall winner Tirreno-Adriatico and Tours of Switzerland, Denmark and Oman.
Laurent Didier (LUX)
Podium placings in 2011 National Road and TT Championships.
Jakob Fuglsang (DEN)
Three-time Overall winner Tour of Denmark, Overall winner Tour of Slovenia. 2010 National TT Champion. 2007 U23 World Champion Mountain Bike Cross Country.
Tony Gallopin (FRA)
2011 Coupe de France winner. Pro stage wins in Tours of Luxembourg and Limousin, U23 Paris-Tours winner and bronze medals at Junior World TT and Road Championships.
Linus Gerdemann (GER)
Stage winner (and yellow jersey) in Tour de France, Overall winner Tours of Luxembourg, Germany, Ain and Bayern.
Ben Hermans (BEL)
2011 silver medalist National TT Championships and winner Trofeo Inca. 2010 queen stage winner Tour of Belgium. 2004 Junior National TT champion.
Chris Horner (USA)
2011 Tour of California Champion, winner of 18 professional stage races.
Markel Irizar (ESP)
2011 Tour of Andalucia Overall winner.
Ben King (USA)
2010 National Road Race Champion after winning in the same year the U23 Road and Criterium Titles as well. 2007 Junior National Road and TT Champion.
Andreas Klöden (GER)
Two-time Tour de France runner-up and overall winner of Paris-Nice, Tirreno-Adriatico, Tour de Romandie and Tour of the Basque Country (2x).
Tiago Machado (POR)
National TT Champion 2009 (elite) and 2006 (U23). 2007 U23 National Road Champion. Finished ten times in top ten stage races in his two years at Team RadioShack.
Maxime Monfort (BEL)
2009 National TT Champion. Overall winner Tour du Luxembourg. Impressive 6th place in 2011 Tour of Spain.
Giacomo Nizzolo (ITA)
Sprinter. 2011 stage winner Bayern Rundfahrt, beating Degenkolb and Boasson Hagen.
Nelson Oliveira (POR)
Four-time and current National TT Champion. Silver medal at U23 World TT Championship (2009) and U23 European Road Championship (2010)
Yaroslav Popovych (UKR)
Indispensable teammate in the mountains as well as classics specialist. White jersey Tour de France 2005, 3rd Overall in Tour of Italy, 2001 U23 World Champion and U23 Paris-Roubaix winner.
Joost Posthuma (NED)
Overall winner Tour du Luxembourg, Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde, Tour of Andalucia, Sachsen Tour and stage winner Paris-Nice.
Gregory Rast (SUI)
Three-time National Road Champion and 2007 Tour du Luxembourg winner
Thomas Rohregger (AUT)
Tour of Austria winner. Instrumental in 2011 Tour of Spain success of Monfort and Fuglsang.
Hayden Roulston (NZL)
Silver and bronze medalist 2008 Olympic Games (pursuit and team pursuit). 2011 and 2006 national road champion.
Andy Schleck (LUX)
Three-time runner-up Tour de France (three-times stage winner (Morzine, Tourmalet and Galibier), runner-up Tour of Italy and winner Liège-Bastogne-Liège. National Road (2x) and TT Champion.
Fränk Schleck (LUX)
3rd Overall 2011 Tour de France. Winner of Amstel Gold Race, Tour of Switzerland, Tour du Luxembourg, Critérium International and two Tour de France stages (Alpe d’Huez and Le Grand-Bornand). Three-time National Road Champion. Seven podium placings in classics.
Jesse Sergent (NZL)
In his first year as pro rider Overall winner of the Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen, the Tour du Poitou-Charentes and the Eneco Tour TT. 2010 silver medalist of the World Pursuit Championships. Bronze medalist at the 2008 Summer Olympics (team pursuit).
Jens Voigt (GER)
81 professional victories, including 16 stage races like Critérium International (5x), Deutschland Tour (2x) and Tour of Poland. Winner of 2 stages in the Tour de France and 1 stage in the Tour of Italy.
Robert Wagner (GER)
2011 German national champion.
Oliver Zaugg (SUI)
2011 Tour of Lombardy winner. Instrumental in 2011 Tour of Spain success of Monfort and Fuglsang.
Haimar Zubeldia (ESP)
Finished in the top ten in four Grand Tours.

General Manager
Johan Bruyneel

Team Directors
Kim Andersen, José Azevedo, Dirk Demol, Alain Gallopin, Luca Guercilena & Lars Michaelsen

Giro d'Italia to widen the search for wildcards?

2011-12-01T17:46:00.001Z

Four invitations due to be issued before the end of the year

RCS is set to announce the four wildcards for the 2012 Giro d’Italia before the turn of the year, and new race director Michele Acquarone has hinted that some home teams could miss out as the corsa rosa looks to widen its international appeal.

After receiving dispensation to hand out five wildcards in 2011, RCS handed four berths to Italian teams (Androni Giocattoli, Acqua e Sapone, Colnago-CSF and Farnese Vini), with the fifth awarded to an Italian sponsor (Geox-TMC). However, Acquarone has suggested that the 2012 Giro will look to encompass a broader spread of nations.

“For these four wild cards, I would like to favour foreign teams who might widen the sphere of interest in our race – for instance, a German or Chinese team that would otherwise be absent. But I know that we will have to find a compromise,” Acquarone told Bici Sport magazine.

Lampre-ISD and Liquigas-Cannondale are the only Italian teams at WorldTour level, and the Giro has become increasingly reliant on its wildcard invitations to boost the size of the home contingent at the race in recent years.

“I know how important it is for our tifosi to see their own favourites on the road, but the Giro also needs fans in the rest of the world. In that way, in the future we can guarantee ourselves more resources and more attention from teams and champions.”

Last year, the winner of the season-long Coppa Italia classification was granted one of the Giro’s wildcard berths, but Acquarone explained that the deal between his predecessor Angelo Zomegnan and the Italian cycling federation was never formalised.

Androni Giocattoli qualified for the Giro by this route in 2011, but in spite of repeating their Coppa Italia triumph this season, Gianni Savio’s men are thus not yet guaranteed their place at next year’s Giro.

“I know of an agreement between Angelo Zomegnan and Renato Di Rocco to admit the winning team from the Coppa Italia, but I haven’t found any written document,” Acquarone said.

With the final make-up of the WorldTour due to be confirmed on December 10, RCS is set to unveil its wildcard invitations in the next month. “I hope top announce the four chosen teams before the end of the year, or within fifteen days of the date on which the UCI confirms the [WorldTour] registrations,” Acquarone said.

In spite of the desire to bring the Giro d'Italia to an international audience, exemplified by the race's start in Denmark in 2012, Acquarone insisted that its spirit and traditions would remain sacrosanct. "If I have understood one thing about this sport, it's the value of its tradition, its history and its champions," he said. "And a future that doesn't take account of that would be a future without hope."

The Giro begins on Saturday May 5, getting underway with a 8.7km individual time trial in the city of Herning.

The first road stage also starts and finishes in Herning, taking in a 206km loop out to the wind-battered coast. The final Danish stage starts and finishes in Horsen, with the 190km route running along Horsens Fjord and finishing with a city-centre loop.

“From the very first day, we have experienced a great involvement and a high degree of professionalism on the Danish organisers’ part and, certainly, the route designed for the first three stages of the Giro d’Italia 2012 reflects this,” said Giro race director Michele Acquarone, who replaced Angelo Zomegnan earlier this year.

The 2012 route will be presented in full on October 16, but the race is already beginning to take shape, with Acquarone last month revealing the penultimate stage will climb to the highest point in Grand Tour history – finishing at the summit of the Passo Stelvio at 2,832m.

The final week will also feature the Passo Giau (2,236m) on a testing stage in the Dolomites on May 23. The 187km route will see the peloton tackle four mountain passes, taking in the Passo Valparola, Passo Duran and Forcella Staulanza, before the finale on the Passo Giau, a 9.9km ascent with an average gradient of 9.3 per cent.

David Millar will not challenge BOA lifetime ban

2011-11-29T14:46:00.001Z

Cyclist David Millar insists he will not seek to overturn a lifetime Olympic ban imposed by the British Olympic Association (BOA).

The 34-year-old Scot was banned in 2004 after admitting taking performance-enhancing drugs.
However, despite the World Anti-Doping Agency ruling against the British stance, Miller has no plans to push for a place at the London 2012 Games.

"In all honesty, I'd written off the Olympics a long time ago," said Millar.

Under British Olympic Association rules, athletes who have tested positive are given a lifetime ban.
However WADA has has told the BOA that its punishment for athletes found guilty of doping is no longer compliant with their rules.

Millar expressed surprise at the speed at which the dispute between the BOA and WADA over the British ban had escalated

"I though it would be something that would more likely happen in the future, maybe even post-Olympics, so to have WADA react so quickly is quite good," he said.
He also expressed concern that the current BOA lifetime ban ruled out any possibility of offenders' rehabilitation.

"There's a place for lifetime bans in sport, but I'd like to think that what I've been through is a shining example of the worth of second chances," said Millar.

"Every case needs to be judged on its own merits. I don't think every athlete should be treated the same way.

"Imagine you have a 16-year-old who's been given something by their coach and goes positive and receives a lifetime ban, that doesn't seem fair.

"But maybe, if you have a 34-year-old multi-millionaire who lives in Monte Carlo, with a team of medical staff, who goes positive, maybe they should get a lifetime ban for a first offence.

"But those two cases are so different that they can't be judged the same."

Millar, who is now an athlete's representative for WADA, believes that all countries should apply the same rules when it comes to doping.

"If we have individual countries having their own rules in place - and it's understandable that people feel very strongly about these rules - every country has to be under the same umbrella, if you like," he said.
"If the UK has the choice of having a lifetime ban for the Olympics, why can't another country just punish six months?"

But despite the prospect of the BOA's lifetime ban rule being overturned, Millar has revealed he will not be seeking to challenge it and is not thinking of competing at the Olympics.

"I just considered that the lifetime ban was in place and it wasn't something I wanted to challenge," he added.

"There are certain fights I don't want to fight and that was one of them.

"I just don't fancy being vilified any more. It's been a tough couple of years."

Geraint Thomas: Aussies are ahead of us

2011-11-27T11:59:00.001Z

Geraint Thomas admits Australia are now ahead of Great Britain in the battle for team pursuit gold at London 2012 - but insists the defending champions will be ready when it matters.

Alongside Bradley Wiggins, Ed Clancy and Paul Manning, Thomas was part of the GB team who smashed the world record on the way to winning gold in Beijing.

But since then the Australians have taken over their mantle and are the current world champions, after beating Team GB to gold in Copenhagen earlier this year.

“To be honest I think the Australians are probably ahead of us in the team pursuit now," said Thomas.

“They are the current world champions and are posting some impressive times.

“However, we haven’t had our best side out for a while so when we do, we know we have to go out, work hard and do whatever we have to do to get in front of them again.

“I am sure it will be a lot closer than it was in Beijing though.”

Thomas, who wore the top young rider’s white jersey for the first seven stages at this year’s Tour de France, is also realistic about the expectation levels that will surround Team GB’s cyclists after winning an astonishing 14 medals, including eight golds, in Beijing.

He added: “There is always expectation and being at home and having smashed it four years ago, there is bound to be even more.

“That doesn’t bother us at all. That’s something for the media to debate but the fans will know that we are getting out there, working hard and doing everything we can to come out on top.

“We are confident that will be enough but if it isn’t enough on the day then that’s life. That’s the kind of attitude we need to have.”

I will win gold in London for my new baby: Cavendish reveals what drives him on

2011-11-27T11:13:00.001Z

Mark Cavendish, winner of the coveted green jersey at the Tour de France and Britain’s first world road race champion for 46 years, is using impending fatherhood as his inspiration for still greater glory in Olympic year.

The 26-year-old Manxman’s girlfriend, former glamour model Peta Todd, is expecting their first child in April and Cavendish said: ‘The baby is permanently on my mind and it’s incredible how much it’s changing me

‘Far from blunting my edge, it’s making me want to strive even harder because everything I do will affect my child’s future. There will be no holding back in 2012.’

Cavendish, the favourite to win gold in the men’s road race at the Olympics after his historic achievement at the World Championships this year, is already pounding the roads of the Essex countryside, where he and Peta live, as he prepares for what he hopes will be a defining year.

‘I’ve never been going so well at this time of the year as I am now,’ said
Cavendish, who won five stages in this year’s Tour de France to take his tally to 20.

‘Before, with the Tour being in the summer, I haven’t needed to try so hard just now. But I’m a very different person this time because of what will happen in my life next year.’

His schedule will be intense, particularly next summer when Cavendish plans to defend his green jersey with his new team, Team Sky, alongside Bradley Wiggins in the Tour de France before attempting to win Team GB’s first gold medal of the London Olympics six days later.

‘It’s not ideal but I’m a professional cyclist whose job is to ride in the Tour de France,’ he said. ‘All my Olympic rivals will also be in the Tour, so I’m not at a disadvantage. If I didn’t think I could win both, I wouldn’t attempt it.’

Can a team work when they have one cyclist (Wiggins) aiming for a podium finish in the general classification and another (Cavendish) wanting to retain his sprinting crown?

‘Absolutely,’ said the latter. ‘It will help because Brad crashed last year. He was too far back in the peloton where accidents tend to happen whereas with me pushing for sprint points, he’ll be further up the field and out of trouble. We’ll work as a team and it will take pressure off us with both in the team.’

Cavendish failed to medal at the 2008 Olympics — the only member of the British track team not to do so — when partnering Wiggins in the Madison after leaving the Tour early for Beijing.

‘I’ll always compete in the Olympics but I’ll never quit the Tour again to do so,’ he said. ‘I regret doing that.’

Four years on he will have the chance to win Team GB’s first gold. ‘It’s a massive incentive,’ he said. ‘Of course, I’d love to win a gold medal for me, and for cycling, but to be able to do it for my country at the Olympics, and kickstart a wonderful two weeks for British sport, means that the five of us
in the road race team will do everything in our power to make it happen.’

He could pick up more silverware before then at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards. After a stellar year, he should have a good chance, having finished fourth in 2009 and seventh last year.

He would be the first cyclist since Tommy Simpson in 1965, Britain’s last road-race world champion, to win in a non-Olympic year.

‘I’m very excited about it because I know I’ve got a chance to win it, which would be great for me, and even better for the sport,’ he said. ‘Chris [Hoy] had a great 2008 and deserved to win the BBC award but that was in an Olympic year. I’m very aware that if I win, it will be because of my feats out on the roads this year. It would be very special.’

And he has the birth of his first child to look forward to, too. He knows which sex the baby will be and has been put in charge of buying baby clothes. ‘It’s the most exciting news I’ve had all year, and that includes what I’ve done in cycling ,’ he added.

ASTANA SQUAD 2012 WILL MEET IN ITALY AND IN SPAIN TO PREPARE FOR NEXT SEASON

2011-11-26T11:40:00.001Z

The riders of the Kazakh Pro Team will meet in Italy and Spain to prepare for the 2012 season.

On this occasion, the sports director will plan for 2012 with all the riders including the charismatic leader Alexandre Vinkourov, and the strong hopes for next season as, Roman Kreuziger, Janez Brajkovič, Frederik Kessiakoff and Robert Kiserlovski, among others.

The squad, which will include off-season signings Kevin Seeldraeyers (Belgium) and Slovenian duo Borut Bozic and Janez Brajkovic, will be looking to make a fast start to 2012 after finishing in a disappointing 15th place in the rankings in 2011. The loss of Spanish star Alberto Contador was a key factor in their decline, with the team having finished in 3rd place in the 2010 rankings when Contador was still part of their roster and won the Tour de France.

Here are the dates of these trainings:
From 28th Nov. to 1st Dec. 2011 - Montecatini, Italy
From 1st to 10th Dec. 2011 - Calpe, Spain

Tour de France 2011 Highlights - revisit the summer!

2011-11-25T14:40:00.001Z

World Series Cycling - who are these people and are they threat or opportunity?

2011-11-25T14:12:00.001Z

Though the reports of a potential breakaway league backed by the Rothschild financial group were quickly dismissed by the UCI as "unworkable" it has been reported that the details concerning the structure of the league demonstrate a well-thought proposal by people who mean serious business.

So who are the people behind this idea? Jonathan Price and Thomas Kurth who both have a history of battling sporting administrators with Price's 'Gifted Group' specialises in bundling television rights and Kurth, who is a former head of the G14 (a now defunct organisation that comprised of the richest European football clubs, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United and Arsenal) provide real credibility in both the idea and its potential delivery.

In effect they have the skills, experience Kurth and 'finances' to make things happen!

The culmination of this conflict in European football was the proposal for a hypothetical European Super League, controlled by the clubs, to wrestle back some control from the administrating bodies.

Though it was unclear as to whether this proposal would ever actually go ahead, or whether it was simply being used as a bargaining chip in the ongoing negotiations between FIFA and the G14, there are obvious parallels to be drawn with the current proposal drafted by the Gifted Group.

It is important to note that the end result of the G14's protracted battle with FIFA and UEFA resulted in a long legal battle and an out of court settlement. The settlement gave some concessions to the clubs, but the structures of the sport have remained more or less the same.

In the same way that Kurth had formerly represented European football clubs, the same could occur under the Gifted Group proposal with regard to WorldTour teams. This really is something that the UCI cannot simply ignore.

This has again highlighted the issues of television rights revenue being distributed fairly - a long held view by many team managers including Jonathan Vaughters.

Vaughters has been actively tweeting for some sort of centralised revenue deal to help the stability of the existing WorldTour teams. This view has also been held by Johan Bruyneel has also been critical in the past of the UCI's approach, which he feels does not give teams enough of say.

"Whatever comes - a private league, a system like in Formula 1, or anything else, cycling will not exist without the UCI, I presume. The UCI remains the authoritative body of cycling and the professional cycling teams," Bruyneel said in an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws in March. "But we are not little puppets; we want respect."

Change is good and whatever the outcome any sport can benefit from the high profile disruption of a quality proposition. What ever is the eventual outcome lets hope for an exciting agenda from well funded teams that are marketed to a wider audience through more media coverage - lets spread the word on cycling for the good of cycling.

Victoria Pendleton believes Team GB 'conflicts' could bring gold at 2012

2011-11-25T13:42:00.001Z

Team GB is in disarray due to a squabble between its potential leadership. Lizzie Armitstead and Nicole Cooke is threatening to undermine British hopes of an Olympic road race double at London 2012.

The rivalry spilled into a public war of words after Armitstead accused reigning Olympic champion Cooke of “riding for herself” at the world championships in Copenhagen two months ago while Cooke hit back, insisting she just followed team instructions.

But the super successful and 'role model' for the Team GB 'Way' last night claimed the pair’s “jostling” for the No.1 rider’s mantle would HELP Team GB’s gold rush.
Pendleton herself will be targeting an unprecedented hat-trick of Olympic titles next summer and is reported as saying:

“Even if you can’t be best friends, it doesn’t mean you can’t be team-mates.
The fact we have two girls jostling to lead the road race squad is a healthy sign and rivalry can be a good thing if they push each other on and it increases our chances of winning a gold medal. It must be really hard to decide who should be leader of the pack on that day. Nicole has the history, Lizzie has the current form. Do you go with experience or youth? In a road race, you have to nominate your No.1 rider and plan your tactics around her. Ultimately, the fastest girl will get the nod. But potentially, one of them is going to be in with a real chance of winning, so we need to focus mainly on that. I don’t know much about the situation involving Lizzie and Nicole, but I’m sure Dave Brailsford (British cycling performance director) will sort it out.”

While world champion and Tour de France legend Mark Cavendish is undisputed leader of the men’s squad, and is favourite to land Great Britain’s first medal at London 2012 on July 28, the spat between Armitstead and Cooke has put an unsettling atmosphere over the women’s race. Cooke, 28, set the golden template for Britain’s haul of 19 golds in Beijing three years ago with her heroic sprint finish, in torrential rain, on the Great Wall of China.

Armitstead, 22, believes she will become captain of the squad in London after being designated team leader at the world championships in Denmark, where she finished seventh after being caught up in a crash. Surprisingly in an amazing outburst she accused Cooke, who finished fourth, of damaging self-interest, claiming: “I’ve never seen her work for a team-mate.”

The Armitstead outburst took place at a team meeting after the race and she admitted: “I said exactly how I felt – and I’m really happy I did because it’s been an unspoken situation for too long.
“Someone needed to be honest about what was going on and why we didn’t win a medal when we were capable of doing it. I was really disappointed. I had support at the meeting – and it was a unanimous decision that Nicole didn’t do her job properly.”

But Cooke insisted: “I rode for the team and according to the instructions given to me. And (at London 2012) I’ll ride for whoever the leader is.”

Whatever the decisions and out come any dispute can go two ways and lets hope for the sake of the impressive model Team GB have created that we loose the cohesive purpose of winning - lets do it in a nice way though and keep petty squabbling in private!

WIGGINS BOUNCES BACK - an interview with Bradley Wiggins

2011-11-24T22:25:00.001Z

There's little doubt about the low point in 2011 for Bradley Wiggins - the crash on stage seven from Le Mans to Chateauroux which ended his Tour de France hopes.

He'd enjoyed an almost perfect build-up to cycling's biggest event as he aimed to better his fourth place in 2009, including an overall win at the Critérium du Dauphiné, the traditional Tour warm-up.

And he had continued that fine form at the Tour, standing just 10 seconds behind race leader Thor Hushovd in sixth on the overall standings after a solid first week. But all that suddenly counted for nothing after a mass pile-up 38 kilometres from home on stage seven, with Wiggins caught up right in the middle of it.

He remained on the road surface for a couple of minutes after the crash and when he got to his feet he was holding his left arm to his body.

Geraint Thomas, in the young rider's white jersey, and his other teammates waited to see if their leader was able to continue,

a moment that Wiggins describes as one of the most emotive of the season for him.

He explained: "I think it was just a measure of how far we'd come as a team. And how close we were as a team. And how much the guys believed in what we were trying to achieve. That sort of moment summed it up for me really.

Sacrifice

"Guys can ride as much as they like but to sacrifice their own chances in a bike race to really make absolutely sure I was out of the race was something I remember as one of the overriding images of the year."

As his team-mates waited, Wiggins was examined by both the official race doctor and his team doctor Richard Freeman, before making the decision to abandon the race and enter an awaiting ambulance.

The scale of that blow was summed up by Sports Director Sean Yates, who said at the time: "We're all gutted for Bradley. This isn't just any old bike race. We've been focusing on this for the best part of a year and so much preparation has gone into it both physically and mentally. It's a massive, massive blow and all we can wonder now is 'what if?'"

However Yates and Team Principal Dave Brailsford quickly focussed the rest of the team on getting back on the front foot and making their mark in the remainder of the race - the most obvious illustration of which was a second stage win for Edvald Boasson Hagen in the final week.

Wiggins too refused to dwell on what might have been, even as Cadel Evans - who he had beaten into second at the Dauphiné - went on to claim a historic victory for Australia on cycling's biggest stage.

Inspiration

Indeed, as he recovered from the surgery on his broken collarbone, Wiggins used Evans' heroics as an added motivation to make the most of his good form in what was left of the season.

He said: "I gathered a lot of inspiration from watching Cadel win the Tour. It was a very inspiring performance - right from the start. The way he took the race on; he was second on stage one and was never really out of the top three overall. He managed to win the fourth stage on the Mûr-de-Bretagne and from there on, it was just inspirational.

"He never gave up once, he continued fighting all the way, even when he was without team-mates around him. And then he produced the ride of his life in that last time trial.

"He has always been very consistent throughout his career and is someone I've looked up to so I've gained a lot from watching him win the Tour - it gives you fire to try and do the same next year."

And while Evans was busy parading the maillot jaune, Wiggins was back on the turbo trainer at his home in the UK, building up to the Vuelta a España with hours and hours of heat acclimatisation work in his garden shed.

"I had it at 41-42 degrees - it was the one thing I was able to do immediately after my operation and maintained it almost all the way through to the Vuelta.

"It was something we certainly recognised from the Tour de France last year when it was so hot. I really suffered with that as well as the altitude so they were things we concentrated on this year and thought there was a performance gain to be made."

That attention to detail - allied to a fierce determination - saw the Vuelta become not only Team Sky's most successful Grand Tour to date but also British cycling's as Wiggins finished in third while team-mate Chris Froome was a breakthrough second, just 13 seconds behind winner Juan José Cobo.

Voyage into the unknown

Looking back, Wiggins admitted: "We both started it not knowing what to expect; me coming back from the crash and not having raced for more than six weeks while Chris was pretty much without a contract and just riding to do the best he could."

But what happened over the following three weeks went down in Team Sky and British cycling folklore as the two Brits lit up the race and both had spells in the leader's red jersey.

"We rode shotgun for the first half of the race for each other, pushing each other along, inspiring each other," recalls Wiggins. "We obviously got to the point where we both found ourselves up there and challenging for the win, until the last week where I sort of dropped back but Chris continued his upward progression.

"It was an incredible race for so many reasons and it was a slightly happy and sad experience for me in the sense that I'd come so far from what I'd expected that I almost believed at some point that I could actually win it. So when I did lose the jersey it was a huge disappointment, as in any bike race. So there were two sides to the coin really; I'd come so far from the crash at the Tour, yet I'd come so close to winning it that it was a disappointment at the same time."

But in common with the year as a whole Wiggins had little time to let scale of the Vuelta achievement sink in, explaining: "As soon as that race had finished there was no time to dwell on it, it was a case of looking forward to the World Championships and moving on to the next goals. That was what the whole process had been about from the moment of the crash."

Saxo Bank to Take Over Full Title Sponsorship of Riis Cycling

2011-11-24T15:54:00.001Z

Saxo Bank, the trading and investment specialist, will take over the full title sponsorship of Riis Cycling in 2012.

In 2011 the sponsorship was held jointly with SunGard, one of the world’s leading software and technology services companies, but Saxo Bank has now decided to exercise an option to step up and become the sole title sponsor. All three parties have agreed that the timing is now right for a smooth transition, where SunGard will discontinue its sponsorship.

Saxo Bank has sponsored Riis Cycling since 2008, and Saxo Bank’s decision to once again become sole title sponsor of the team is based on a genuine wish to support the team and a commercial decision to further build on the advantages that Saxo Bank believes are extended through this additional commitment to Riis Cycling.

Team owner Bjarne Riis says:

“Since 2008 Saxo Bank
and Riis Cycling have proven to be a great match. I am proud that a truly professional company such as Saxo Bank not only continues to see the commercial benefits in sponsoring our teams, but also shows its commitment and faith in our work by stepping up to become the sole title sponsor. This is evidence of a great partnership, and I’m convinced there are many more gains to be realized from this relationship in the future.”

In a joint statement, Kim Fournais and Lars Seier Christensen, co-CEOs and co-founders of Saxo Bank, say:

“Saxo Bank was offered an option to become the sole title sponsor of Riis Cycling, which was an offer we could not turn down. From the outset, we have sincerely wanted to support Bjarne Riis and his team and with our continued geographical expansion, the sponsorship also makes good sense commercially. While the decision to continue as full title sponsor is a strategic one, our past collaboration with the team has been fantastic, and we are looking forward to watching Team Saxo Bank race across the streets of the world in 2012.”

SunGard became a sponsor of Riis Cycling below title level in 2010. This paved the way for SunGard to announce the co-title sponsorship deal for 2011 and 2012 during the 2010 Tour de France.

Bjarne Riis says:

“We have had a great partnership with SunGard, and I’m forever grateful for SunGard believing in us and stepping up to sponsoring the team at title level at what was a very difficult moment for the team, but SunGard did never hide that this wasn’t part of their long-term strategy.”
With Saxo Bank ready to take over the full title sponsorship again, the parties have agreed for SunGard to step down and terminate SunGard’s deal for next year. The agreement has no influence on the 2012 team budget.
George Thomas, SunGard’s vice president of communications said:
“We have had a successful partnership with Riis Cycling over the past two years and we are pleased that we were part of the team’s success. The decision to end our sponsorship was a business decision and not related to the team. We know we are leaving them with a great sponsor in Saxo Bank and we wish them much continued success.”

In 2012 the name of the professional cycling team will be “Team Saxo Bank Professional Cycling Team.”

2012 Santos Tour Down Under - BMC Racing Team Squad

2011-11-24T15:33:00.001Z

BMC launches its 2012 Season in Oz with a well balanced team prepared for the fast finishes and climb up Old Willunga Hill...

BMC Racing Team will open its 2012 season at the Santos Tour Down Under with a lineup that includes Australian Tim Roe and Paris-Tours winner Greg Van Avermaet.

Not Just For Sprinters
BMC Racing Team Assistant Director Rik Verbrugghe said the six-stage race that begins Jan. 17 might play out differently than past editions.

"It's always been more of a sprinter's race, but this year could be different because Stage 5 finishes at the top of Old Willunga Hill," Verbrugghe said.
Greg Van Avermaet will be making his first appearance in the race. "Australia is becoming a big cycling country," the winner of the Tour of Wallonie said. "I'm looking forward to starting my season there. Hopefully, I can start the new season like I finished 2011."

Tim Roe said he is also excited to be in the BMC Racing Team's seven-man line-up.

"It's not only my home race, but I train on many of the same roads in the race and it's always fun to ride in front of big crowds," Roe said. "They really get behind the race."

BMC Racing Team RosterSantos Tour Down Under (Jan. 17-22)
Alessandro Ballan (ITA)
Adam Blythe (GBR)
Marcus Burghardt (GER)
Martin Kohler (SUI) Manuel Quinziato (ITA)
Tim Roe (AUS)
Greg Van Avermaet (BEL).

Sport Director: Rik Verbrugghe (BEL)Staff:
Chief Communications Officer: Georges Lüchinger (LIE).
Doctor: Scott Major (USA).
Mechanics: Nick Mondelaers (BEL), Ronald Ruymen (BEL).
Soigneurs: Chris De Vos (BEL), Matt Excell (AUS), Stefano Rubino (ITA).

BMC Racing Team Training Ride

2011-11-24T15:26:00.001Z

The BMC Racing Team discusses its plans for a training ride on the eve of Scheldeprijs.

Liquigas - A Day In The Life at team camp

2011-11-24T15:18:00.001Z

We are always interested behind the scenes info surrounding the leading pro teams and will be adding more videos in the future. If you see any that we should use please let us know!

Three Teams for the WorldTour

2011-11-24T15:13:00.001Z

Ag2r-La Mondiale and Euskaltel-Euskadi teams are confirmed as continuing in the top tier of Professional cycling and FdJ makes a return after not making the cut last year. Vacansoleil-DCM was also included in the UCI’s WorldTour list as it had been missed off in the earlier announcement. Three year licenses were given to Katusha and the new Lotto team, while two years licenses for Omega Pharma - Quick-Step and FdJ and another year for Saxo Bank. Unsure at the moment are the licenses for RadioShack and GreenEdge and unsuccessful applicants were Europcar and the now disbanded Geox team, Europcar will stay a ProConti team and so will the Geox set-up depending on whether a new sponsor is found in time.

Confirmed UCI WorldTour Teams for 2012:

AG2R La Mondiale,
Astana,
BMC,
FdJ - Big Mat,
Euskaltel – Euskadi,
Garmin – Cervélo,
Katusha,
Lampre – ISD,
Liquigas – Cannondale,
Lotto,
Movistar,
Omega Pharma – Quick-Step,
Rabobank,
Saxo Bank,
Sky,
Vacansoleil – DCM.

Track World Cup 2011: Sir Chris Hoy wins sprint gold in Astana

2011-11-24T11:42:00.000Z

Sir Chris Hoy won gold in the men's sprint competition at the Track Cycling World Cup opener in Kazakhstan.

The four-time Olympic champion, who pulled out of the recent European Championships with a chest infection, also clinched silver in Saturday's keirin event in Astana.

Hoy, who won sprint gold at the 2008 Olympics, beat Russia's Denis Dmitriev 2-0 in the best-of-three final.
Britain's Dani King also won the silver in the six-discipline women's omnium.

Hoy, 35, beat team-mate Matt Crampton in the last eight, while Jason Kenny crashed out in the last 16 but ended with a second-place finish in the B final.

Scotland's Hoy then came from behind to beat Germany's Robert Forstemann 2-1 in the semi-final.

King, lying fourth overnight in the omnium, climbed into second with victory in the individual pursuit, finished sixth in the scratch race and secured her silver medal with a second-place finish in the 500m time trial.

Her fellow Britons Becky James and Jess Varnish were unable to progress to the final of the women's keirin.

Corsica to host 2013 Tour de France start

2011-11-24T11:39:00.000Z

The 100th staging of the Tour de France will start from Corsica in 2013.

It will be the first time the Mediterranean island has hosted a stage in the prestigious three-week race.
Corsica is the only metropolitan region of France never to have hosted a stage and more details are set to be revealed on Tuesday, 6 December.

The 2012 race starts on 30 June, with Australia's Cadel Evans starting the defence of his title in the Belgian city of Liege.

Corsica has held the past two editions of the two-day Criterium International, with Luxembourg's Frank Schleck winning this year's race.

Contador will not learn fate until 2012

2011-11-24T11:37:00.000Z

Spanish cyclist Alberto Contador, whose hearing over a failed dope test before the Court of Arbitration for Sport will end on Thursday, will not know his fate before the end of the year.

The 28-year-old Contador tested positive for the banned anabolic agent clenbuterol during the 2010 Tour de France but was cleared by the Spanish federation (RFEC) last February, only for the International Cycling Union (UCI) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to appeal against the decision to the CAS.

Little has been leaking out from this week's hearing in Lausanne and CAS provided scant information for the media on Wednesday as three-times Tour champion Contador was heard by the three-man arbitration panel.

"In the morning of November 24, 2011, the CAS panel...will hear the parties' closing submissions at the CAS premises," CAS said in a brief statement.

"The hearing will be closed at 12.30 p.m. There will be no press conference after the hearing.

"The CAS decision in this matter is not expected before the end of 2011."

CAS had previously said it could take six to eight weeks before it announced a decision.

If found guilty, Contador, who said contaminated meat was responsible for the failed test, could face a two-year ban and be stripped of his 2010 Tour title.

The Saxo Bank rider could also lose all the titles he has collected since he was cleared by the RFEC, including the second Giro d'Italia title he won this year.

Contador was scheduled to be heard by the panel after his former team mates at Astana, Italian Paolo Tiralongo and Spain's Benjamin Noval.

Contador, one of only five men with titles in all three grand Tours (France, Italy, Spain), has made no comments since he arrived in Lausanne on Monday to attend the hearing.

"For the moment, we are happy and everything seems to be going well," one of his lawyers was quoted as saying by various media on Wednesday.

Ricco loses appeal over sentence

2011-11-24T11:34:00.000Z

Italian cyclist Riccardo Ricco has lost his appeal against a two-month suspended prison sentence for doping during the 2008 Tour de France.
A Toulouse court upheld the June 2010 verdict, when Ricco was found guilty of "using a poisonous substance".

Ricco tested positive for Cera, an advanced version of the banned blood-booster EPO, after winning two mountain stages on the 2008 Tour.

Ricco has five days to appeal against the latest court ruling.
Ricco's lawyer Annamaria Tripicchio-Rogier tried to get the charges dropped because Ricco had already been charged by a court in Italy in February 2010.
She said: "We're not pleading in favour of doping, far from it. Mr. Ricco made a mistake and admitted it.

"But given the fact he's already been condemned for the same thing by an Italian court, he can't be condemned again by another tribunal."

Ricco also lost his appeal against a fine of 3,000 euros (£2,600).

Ricco had won two stages of the 2008 Tour before he was disqualified. He served a 20-month ban and was also tried and fined 5,710 euros (£4,930) by a court in Padua.

Ricco has not raced since being investigated by Italy's anti-doping body over reports he performed a blood transfusion on himself at his home near Modena in February.

He was subsequently sacked by his Dutch team Vacansoleil-DCM after the incident.