Undeniable Heritage | Unrelenting Innovation

The 2009 Cento Uno

At the Tour de France, riders are often on bikes we may not see as commercially available production models until later in the summer, or as late as the fall, when the coming season’s models are unveiled. Wilier Triestina has broken the mold – again – something we’ve been doing at Le Tour for decades. This production year has possibly been our most audacious to date. Earlier this summer, we introduced 2009 running changes to team Lampre’s thoroughbred race steed, the Le Roi, and last month released a completely new 2009 model which will certainly get billing as one of the world’s new superbikes, the Cento Uno. Check out our new dedicated website at http://www.cento1.it.

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Boulder Colo. - The wait is over for CrossVegas fans looking for details about the cyclocross race that has become the highlight of the Interbike show week. CrossVegas.com has been revamped with complete information about the September 24th race in Las Vegas.

Among the most awaited information has been the “Wheelers and Dealers Race,” an industry insider’s race that will kick off a full evening of racing on the first evening of Interbike. CrossVegas partner Brook Watts explained “We’ve laid out full details of the Wheelers and Dealers race on the site so the floodgates will probably open when Online Registration begins on August 1st.” Categories for the 30-minute race include Men, Women, Media, Manufacturer, Retailer and Distributor. “Bragging rights and commemorative medals are at stake, this may be as hotly contested as the Elite races,” said Watts.

Crossvegas.com also describes VIP Hospitality packages available that include all food and beverages. Watts heads the sales and marketing effort and explained, “Anyone who is already doing entertaining or hosting dinners should consider CrossVegas as their site. We’ve created an atmosphere that’s perfect for a fun evening with packages include that “Wheelers and Dealers” entries if there are racers in the company. You don’t want to be the guy on the show floor Thursday morning who says I should’ve gone to CrossVegas” warned Watts.

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Fulcrum Racing 5 Wheelset - By Steve Cooper

• Oversized Hubs with sealed high quality bearings.
• Bladed spokes 20 front wheel and 24 in the rear
• 2 to 1 spoke ratio on the rear wheel
• Dynamic balance
• Weight - 1755 grams for the set
• MSRP - $495

Intro
What should you expect from a mid level clincher wheelset like Fulcrum’s Racing 5? Don’t plan on drooling stares from a gram conscious weight weenie. Nor will the gear snobs on your Sunday ride be duped into thinking you’ve hit the lotto. And although the wheels look sharp, they’ll likely look a little downtown on that TdF team poser bike at your local post-ride coffee joint. But if you’re like me and none of those things matter because you’re simply looking to put in lots of real world training miles on a tough set of wheels, expect Racing 5’s to fill the bill.

Solid, durable, medium-weight and bargain priced; they incorporate some cool design features that trickle down from Fulcrum’s top of line models, like dynamic balancing and 2:1 aero spoke lacing. Available from both online and brick and mortar retailers, a set of Racing 5’s can be scored for a deep deal if you’re willing to do a little digging.

The wheels are decaled with racy red, black and white graphics that, depending on your perspective, occupy the pleasing middle between garish and subdued. The medium profile rim, flat black bladed spokes, gloss black hubs, and clean internal cam quick releases scream functional with just enough form to complement most any mid to upper level frameset and build kit. And if you’re interested in practical training wheels to use day to day, mount up a pair of Racing 5’s and save your expensive uber-light wheels for race day. At 25 mph, no one will be the wiser.

Tech Details
Fulcrum’s website lists Racing 5, without quick releases, as 776 grams up front, and 980 grams at the rear. Those numbers don’t add up to a light weight wheel, but are spot-on for a medium weight training wheel. Listed as Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo compatible, the SRAM 1070 cassette used during this review fit perfectly. The hub uses sealed bearings in a one piece aluminum body that incorporates the freewheel body and pawl.

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The Tour De France is one of the most intense and grueling events in all of sports!

VERSUS, the exclusive cable television home of the Tour De France, is celebrating clean competition with “Take Back the Tour”. The campaign was created to champion the riders who compete clean, while giving a platform and a voice to the passionate fan base that supports them.

Check out Bob “Bobke” Roll give his thoughts on the Tour and answer questions from viewers on Versus TV. Check your local listings or http://www.versus.com/tdf for more details

ASK BOBKE Question…
“What makes a perfect team? How many climbers, sprinters, all-around riders? How many young versus experience riders?”
-Brad Benson

Team CSC Saxo Bank’s Fränk Schleck fulfilled a childhood dream of his, when he took the Yellow Jersey on Sunday after the 15th stage of Tour de France!

The Danish team was aggressive from the word go and all team members were used to attack during the last 40 of the 183-kilometer route from Digne-les-Bains to Prato Nevoso.

At the front it quickly became clear to all that a break of four would be impossible to catch and Simon Gerrans (Crédit Agricole) took the victory with four minutes down to the favorite’s group. But behind the break Team CSC Saxo Bank was stepping up the game somewhat.

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Credit Agricole ride Simon Gerrans took the stage win today in the first stage in the Italian Alps. Gerrans was part of a four man breakaway that was able to attack the main pack early and stayed away. Gerrans then broke away once again and won the stage ahead of second place Egoi Martinez by 2 seconds, followed by Danny Pate who finished 10 seconds behind.

Frank Schleck of Team CSC - Saxo Bank takes over the Maillot Jaune after the team attacked Cadel Evans on the final climb of the day. Younger brother Andy Schleck, was able to surge ahead forcing Cadel Evans to work harder, eventually allowing Frank Schleck to out pace the Australian. “For me to take the yellow jersey, it’s a childhood dream,” Schleck said.

Stage 15 Results
1 Simon Gerrans (Aus) Crédit Agricole - 4.50.44
2 Egoi Martinez De Esteban (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi - 0.03
3 Danny Pate (USA) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 - 0.10
4 José Luis Arrieta Lujambio (Spa) AG2R La Mondiale - 0.55
5 Bernhard Kohl (Aut) Gerolsteiner - 4.03
6 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC - Saxo Bank
7 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d’Epargne - 4.12
8 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank - 4.23
9 Frank Schleck (Lux) Team CSC - Saxo Bank - 4.41
10 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 - 4.43

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Oscar Freire wins the bunch spring into Digne les Bains, beating out fellow sprinters Leonardo Duque (Cofidis) and Erik Zabel (Milram). This is the triple world champion’s fourth tour stage win of his career. Freire had this to say after the stage, “I hope to keep green,” said Freire. “And in the mountains we have a leader like Menchov. We hope he can take yellow… For me, Menchov is the best candidate [to win] this Tour.”

Missing from the sprint was Team Columbia sensation Mark Cavendish. Cavendish had a hard time making it over the catagory four climb 9.5km before Dignes les Bain, finishing 3:27 back. “It was really hard. We knew all along it was going to be hard. I tried to hang on, hang on,” said Cavendish to Versus reporter Frankie Andreu after the stage. “I’m just getting tired.” Cavendish is expected to take an early exit from the tour and not start stage 15. Cavendish’s next goal will be the Olympics.

Jersey standings remain the same. With Cadel Evans in the Maillot Jaune, Oscar Freire in the Maillot Vert, Sebastian Lang in Polka Dots, and Vincenzo Nibali in the Best Young Rider Jersey.

Stage 14 Results
1 Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Rabobank - 4.13.08
2 Leonardo Duque (Col) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone
3 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram
4 Julian Dean (NZl) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30
5 Steven De Jongh (Ned) Quick Step
6 Alessandro Ballan (Ita) Lampre
7 Ruben Perez Moreno (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
8 Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Bouygues Telecom
9 Matteo Tosatto (Ita) Quick Step
10 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole

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Mark Cavendish thought that 3 was not quite enough and sprinted to another stage win in Nimes to make it 4. It looked like the Team Columbia rider was not going to make the bunch sprint when he was blocked with 700m to go, but it was only momentary and Cavendish was able to make a clear sprint to the line to beat out Robbie McEwen, Romain Feillu, Heinrich Haussler, and Oscar Gomez.

Cadel Evans finished with the peloton and will remain in yellow once again.

Stage 13 Results
1 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team Columbia - 4.25.42
2 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Silence - Lotto
3 Romain Feillu (Fra) Agritubel
4 Heinrich Haussler (Ger) Gerolsteiner
5 Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Rabobank
6 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole
7 Leonardo Duque (Col) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone
8 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram
9 Julian Dean (NZl) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30
10 Sébastien Chavanel (Fra) Française des Jeux

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Mark Cavensish of Team Columbia sprinted to a win today in stage 12, adding to his stage win total of 3. Cavendish is the first ever Briton to do so and makes tour history for his accomplishment. Cadel Evans retails the yellow jersey, and the GC leader board remains the same. The stage started out with scandal though when Saunier Duval was informed just an hour before the stat that Riccardo Ricco was ousted following a positive doping control. His teammates and team then voluntarily abandoned the race as well.

Stage 12 Results
1 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team Columbia - 3.40.52
2 Sébastien Chavanel (Fra) Française des Jeux
3 Gert Steegmans (Bel) Quick Step
4 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram
5 Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Rabobank
6 Francesco Chicchi (Ita) Liquigas
7 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole
8 Leonardo Duque (Col) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone
9 Julian Dean (NZl) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30
10 Heinrich Haussler (Ger) Gerolsteiner

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Yet another rider in this years Tour de France has tested positive and has been disqualified! Saunier Duval was notified just before the start of today’s stage that their GC leader Ricardo Ricco, had tested positive for EPO. The team took immediate action and voluntarily withdrew themselves from the race and Ricco was taken into custody for questioning by French authorities.

Ricardo Ricco, who had won 2 stages in this years tour, reportedly is part of a group of riders being targeted by doping control and has had to submit several samples during this years tour. One of those samples came back positive for a third generation version of EPO, Continuous Erythropoiesis Receptor Activator (CERA). If Ricco’s B sample comes back showing positive as well, Ricco will be stripped of his two stage wins, and will face a 2 year ban.

We’ll keep an eye on developments and report what we hear.

Have something to add, or want to chime in with your thoughts? We welcome comments below!

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