http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/7521970.stm

The BBC Website has a great series of photographs of the British olympic team, including this stunning one of Victoria Pendleton

Victoria Pendleton

Congratulations to Andrew Peace who steamed home as the winner of the 2008 Etape Du Dales. The Science for Sport rider competed the ride in 5 hours 56 minutes. Congratulations to all of those who took part and raised huge amounts of money for a great cause. Special mention, as always, to Sid Spalding, as well as having a great name, he also got round in a little over 11 hours and completed the day.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A37115633

check this out, has a good preview of the Etape for those of you lucky enough to be riding it.

Congratulations to Veli-Matti Raikkonen winner of the 2008 Etape Caledonia in a time of 3 hours 38 minutes. Veli-Matti of Granite cycle club beat his team mate by just 2 seconds to take the win. Congratulations also to Jennifer Logan, finishing  at the rear in a very respectable 7 hours 40 minutes and completing a great day of road cycling on Britain’s only closed road race.

So can Victoria Pendleton win gold in this year’s Olympics. Victoria believes she is better prepared for her second Olympics than she was in Athens where she considered retirement after finishing ninth in the Sprint.

She should do, since then she has won the world title three times. Back in 2004 she had just finished studying, she was less prepared and didn’t know what to expect.

The sad thing for track and road cycling is that many of the women’s events have been replaced by mountain biking and even BMX. There is no women’s Keirin, where she was second in March at the worlds.

She says; ‘if there were more events I’d do them’

I say, if there were more events she’d win them

I think she is a great chance for some British golds.

The following is a great article on the 2008 Etape from the Rapha website

 www.rapha.cc/index.php?page=490

Turning the Screw

L’Étape du Tour 2008 – Pau to Hautacam

Many argue that after the very difficutl 2006 & 2007 Etape’s this years is far simpler. This year’s route is stunning. It is alo one of the legendary ‘parcours’, with two of the most spectacular and famous of the Tour’s climbs, the long grind of the Tourmalet and the very dangerous and somewhat unpredictable Hautacam. With the Hautacam at the end of a long days riding, an unprepared rider is going to really feel it. The shorter distance and the well placed feeding stations means that as long as you are well prepared it should be reasonably straight forward.

Getting through the day, some tips

1. Prepare correctly. – Experience riding hills, experience riding in groups, experience eating on the bike, don’t make any last minute changes
2. Ride your own race, don’t get carried away early with the adrenalin. It is easy to do but hard to sustain when you are on the bike for 7 hours plus.  
3. Keep hydrated, try and drink little and often, aim to consume 1gm of carbs every minute you are on the bike. Stop at all of the feed stations, gather your thoughts, enjoy a baguette and keep on going.
4. Use the other riders, You’ll save a lot of energy riding in a group, join one wherever you can, it also makes it far more enjoyable.
5. It is going to get hot on the climbs and cold on the descent, carry some arm warmers as a minimum.

Pau is often used on the Etape’s it is a popular tourist area. It takes its name from the wooden posts or paux of a hill stockade that eventually grew into a great city and one that, down the years, has been revered for a variety of reasons. In the 19th century, for example, it was a popular tourist destination. The British visited in their droves, attracted by a favourable climate and picturesque location. Nestling in the shadow of the Pyrenees, Pau was regarded as a tranquil retreat from the worst of the British winter. More recently, it established itself as a venue for top-class motor racing: Pau was the first city in the world to stage a grand prix of any kind, in 1901, and until the early 1960s provided the opening race of the Formula One calendar. Its main industry is oil and for that reason it was the birthplace of that one-time engine of the French economy, the Elf Aquitaine Oil company, now part of Total.

The city’s association with the Tour de France is a long and distinguished one. This year Pau will host its 62nd Tour stage, making it one of the most visited cities, outside Paris, in Tour history. And when the vast peloton of this year’s Etape rolls out on 6th July, it can expect nothing like the calm, relaxing experience so enjoyed by those early British visitors.

The first thing to note is that the start is not at Place Verdun, which provided both the start point for the Etape of 2003 and the finish in 2005. Instead, both the start itself and the start village (where visitors to the Rapha stand will be made extremely welcome) are located on the northern edge of town, at the new Palais des Sports. Situated on the horse racing track (Hippodrome du Pont-Long), it’s a far bigger space than in previous years, even if it lacks the charm of Pau’s old town and is rather too close to the A64 motorway. If you’re coming into town on the A64, it’s less than a kilometre from junction 10 but if you’re staying in the centre of town, the start village is a 10-minute ride.

The start of the Etape route takes you back into town, down the long Avenues of the N134, Didier Daurat and Jean Mermoz. Here, you will dive down to the river, and the railway tracks, through a tunnel under the Parc Royal, passing signposts to Spain (‘Saragosse’). Perhaps conscious of the congestion that has occurred at previous Etape starts, the organisers have chosen a circuitous route through town, heading south and then onto a western bypass. The road here is broad and safe and in the distance, further south still, you can see the snow-capped Pyrenees.

Within minutes you’ll be back on the N134, heading to Gan and Nay.

The next 15km are fast but relatively straightforward. The huge pelotons will pose no danger on the wide, tree-lined Route Nationale. This is one of the rare sections on this year’s Etape course where you will be able to get in a group and save a lot of energy.

Turning left off the N134, the road passes through the centre of Gan before taking a left at the roundabout, to Rebenac. This road, the D934, actually climbs steadily but you’re unlikely to feel it as it’s fast, smooth and beautiful as it rolls alongside the Nez river. Get into a group that’s just slightly too fast, sit in and take a moment to gather your thoughts. After all, you’re riding the Etape du Tour into the Pyrenees to face two of the most famous climbs in cycling.

Early Tests Early Rewards

Km 25-70: Rebenac to Lourdes

At Rebenac, the course turns onto the D936 and the fast peloton will instantly blow apart. To keep your attention, on the other side of the village lies a 400m ramp at 7%. Then, after a brief descent, the road snakes up through woods and pasture and, weather gods permitting, into the sun for the 5km to Les Pindats. The climb isn’t hard but it will slow you down after the express train from Pau. It’s essential that you ride at your own pace here and certainly well below your lactic threshold.

click image for bigger panorama

The good news is that these 12km offer cycling perfection. With views to the Pyrenees, the riding here, through rolling, bucolic countryside is as good as anyone could hope for. Mountain flowers grow among the fruit trees, to a soundtrack of cow bells and tractors. Pray for a clear day and watch out for a solitary palm on the left – it heralds a truly wonderful view. A stand of pine trees marks the top of the climb from where, to the right, you can see the Aubisque and views of Bigorre. Interestingly, this climb doesn’t even make it on to the official course profile and was also missed out by Mike Cotty and cyclefilm.com when they shot their recce in November. Their loss, it’s beautiful.

The 5km descent is equally delightful but take care. The road is bumpy in parts, with some sharp turns. At this early stage there will still be racers shooting past on your left – “A droite!” – and they will accelerate away over the second slight rise, before the road flattens into the town of Nay and left, over the River Pau.

These faster roads are a good time to find another group to join. Leaving Nay, the course takes a small diversion, around the train station, to avoid a dangerous level crossing. Then the D936 straightens out, across a wide flood plain to Benejacq. It will still be early morning and your speed will be high. No doubt you’ll be looking forward to sheltering in your group all the way to the first feed station, at Lourdes.

At 471m, the climb to Labatmale isn’t long or steep but annoyingly it may put paid to your little peloton. The short climb starts with two sharp hairpins to gain some height, then settles down into a straight drag of 5%. On any other day you might treat this as a ‘power climb’ and stomp up it in the big ring. But this early in the Etape it would be foolhardy to try to keep up with a fast group on a 3km climb. Better to keep your heart rate in check and keep things steady. Tap a rhythm out on the small ring and relax.

At Labatmale your reward is a swift, sweeping descent to Pontacq. The course then joins the D940, a fast main road heading south and straight for the mountains. You should be able to get back into a group here. The road is slightly downhill for the 13km to Lourdes and the pace will be very fast. Find the right group and you’ll be able to soft pedal all the way.

The holy shrine of Lourdes and its legions of trinket sellers welcomes thousands of believers and invalids each year from all over the world. The speeding procession of wheeled pilgrims on 6th July will have little time for the famous Grotto and Basilica. Indeed, the descent into Lourdes is so fast you’ll be lucky even to catch a glimpse of the famous citadel. Again, be careful. You will dive right, over a level crossing, and descend into the main city before taking another sharp right and plunging down a steep alley to Boulevard du Lapacca. Here you take a sharp left between the cafes and souvenir shops. Once you’ve passed under the bridge carrying the main road above you, the road opens out on the right, with a large parking area likely to be filled with pilgrims’ coaches. It is here you’ll find the first feed station of this year’s Etape and one well positioned at 70km.

The Long Grind

Km 70-116: Lourdes to La Mongie

Although you’ve yet to reach the half way point, make sure you stop at the Lourdes ‘ravitaillement’. Take on some proper food and fill two bidons: your next stop is near the top of the Tourmalet. Try to get into a group as soon as you leave the feed station. The next 25km of riding is on wide, flat or rolling roads, perfect for high-speed drafting.

The D937 Route des Pyrenees heads eastward, skirting the bottom of the Adour massif, through Arcizac and Escoubes, before the relatively gentle climb to Loucrup, at 571m. Nothing to worry about here. You’ll soon be descending between the wheatfields to the Adour Valley and the right-turn towards Bagneres and the Tourmalet.

Your main concerns at this point will be the wind, particularly if it’s a headwind from the 2,500m peaks that lie ahead, and some dangerous tramlines that cut across the road as you enter Bagneres. It’s likely these will be filled in by July but if not, you should exercise extreme caution as they could bring lots of riders down. After snaking through Bagneres the road heads into the Vallee de Campan with its lush green meadows, scattered barns and the cool Adour river. Travellers have been using this road for centuries; the road to the Tourmalet was completed in 1788 and the Tour de France has visited regularly since 1910. The road heads purposefully and steadily through Campan, with only a 2-3% gradient. You’ll still be moving quickly, eager to get on with the climb.

The Tourmalet rightly deserves its legendary status. Unlike most climbs in the Pyrenees it has a constant gradient – rather than snaking over the hill it seems to force its way up directly. In that sense, it’s quite like an Alpine road, wide and solid, perfect for the ski traffic heading to the resort of La Mongie and a masterpiece of French engineering. But it’s also rather beautiful as it takes you on a satisfying 16km journey, from lush farmland to the bleak, windswept pass. Most of the climb is 8-9%, tough enough to test you but consistent enough to allow you can get into a rhythm and give it a steady and sustained effort.

Sainte Marie de Campan, at 102km, is the official start of the Tourmalet climb. It was here, in 1913, that Eugene Christophe fashioned new forks in the local forge after his broke, only to be disqualified later in the day when a commissaire discovered he had enlisted the help of the smithy’s boy, a third party, to pump the bellows. Think of Christophe if your day has already been disrupted by a flat or other mechanicals. From here, the first official sign says it’s 16.9km to the top.

The first 4km of these are relatively benign, at an average of 4.5%, but don’t get carried away. More serious challenges await and for many, the green Elan garage at Gripp is where the climbing proper begins. The gradient jumps to 7%, then rises to 9% through the trees and under the first snow gallery. After a further 2km, the road has to snake left and then right in order to scale a ridge of rock that blocks the valley. There’s a picturesque waterfall on your right and a less charming water pumping station on the left. The road is a steady 9% here and quite steep. You’re gaining height quickly and there are great views down the valley and ahead to the snow line. It will be close to the middle of the day by now and could well be getting hot. There are a lot of parking places at the side of the road in this section – don’t be tempted to pull over and admire the view.

With 8.5km to go, you’ll enjoy your first proper switchback, a rare treat because the rest of the climb is direct and unrelenting. It’s still 9% for the next 2km as you keep heading straight up and through several more snow galleries. If it is hot and the sun is high in the sky these should provide some welcome shade. When you reach the end of the trees the vista opens up and there’s a further 2km to go to La Mongie. For a time, the gradient increases to more than 10% and its very tough going.

La Mongie has to be one of the ugliest ski resorts anywhere. In the winter it’s a brutal, modern, functional station, bulldozed into the mountain with no sympathy for the surroundings or local traditions. In the summer it’s even worse, an arc of tatty grey buildings looking up to scarred mountainsides. The good news is that the next feed station is positioned at the top of the village. For Etape riders, the Tourmalet climb is only 13.6km long and the feed station will give you time to recover and take on more fuel. Unless the weather is terrible this should provide a real boost, both physically and psychologically. Have something to eat, refill your bidons and put on your gilet, jacket or arm warmers in readiness for the final 3.3km climb to the famous summit.

Km 117-155: La Mongie to Ayros

The short climb to the top rarely exceeds 9% and you should be re-energised after the stop. Standing at 2,115m, the café at the top of the Tourmalet is one of the best in the Pyrenees, with great tartes, confit de canard, and a box of newspapers for cyclists starting their descent. You, however, will ride straight over, perhaps stopping for a moment to take in the staggering view to the west.

From here you’re going to be descending for 35km but the start of the descent of the Tourmalet can be quite dangerous, with a series of sharp switchbacks on ice-damaged roads offering no protection on the corners whatsoever. Once you’ve picked your way down this first section, the road straightens out and plunges down the valley to Baréges. This will be really fast. The one-way road through Baréges normally skirts the right of the village but the Etape route takes you straight through the middle of this attractive ski station. The fountain in the centre of the village, on the right, is a popular place to fill bidons. Beware of anyone crossing the road to do this (although they shouldn’t need to so soon after La Mongie) but if the road’s clear there’s no need to slow down.

At the spa town of Luz Saint Sauveur, the road turns right and down the Gorge de Luz. Shaded by rocky outcrops and trees, the descent will be fast and cool. Make sure you sip your drink frequently all the way to the bottom of the final climb as you need to be well hydrated before the Hautacam. Watch out for cramp here, too. Change position and move around on your bike to give sore muscles a rest.
At Soulom, the gorge opens out into the larger Argeles valley and the course takes a right turn, signposted the ‘Donjon des Aigles’. You now have 3km of small lanes, rolling through delightful countryside. There is a small climb through Prechac, but that isn’t the start of the Hautacam. That happens another kilometre further down the road, at Ayros-Arbouix.

Jeckyll and Hyde

Km 156-169: Hautacam

After 156km of riding you’ll be physically tired. After your ascent of the Tourmalet and having spent a long time riding on your own, your spirit will probably have taken a few knocks, too. What you need now is a manageable, straightforward climb to the finish, like the Peyresourde in 2007. Unfortunately, the unpredictable, schizophrenic climb of the Hautacam is not so accommodating and is going to surprise and challenge a lot of riders.

A 13km climb to 1,520m, with an average gradient of 8%, doesn’t sound too bad but there are also three sections of 10% and one of 13%. Add to that constantly changing gradients and direction, slopes exposed to the baking hot afternoon sun, and the Hautacam could prove to be a destructive as the Alpe d’Huez was at the end of the Etape of 2006.

At the bottom it feels like the Mortirolo – a steep, narrow lane, aimlessly winding up through pretty meadows, woods and villages. The climb starts with a severe ramp of 1-2km, through Arbouix, followed by a short breather – of 30 metres – before another steep pitch of 9.5%. You gain height really quickly and soon have great views over the valley to your right.

With 10km to go, the road slackens off to 6% for a couple of kilometres of respite, through Artalens. At this point you may be tempted to think you’ve cracked it. But then the next 3km shoot up to 9-10%, through Saint Andre. The road climbs aimlessly, with no sign of the summit. Its only purpose seems to be to make you suffer. At this point many Etape riders will lose the will to keep riding and start walking.

With 5km to go, the gradient eases back to 8%, the trees thin out and a slight downhill should restore the spirit. The road now cuts right, across the face of the mountain and with spectacular views to the south-west. Ahead, a left-hand corner seems to hang in the sky, its newly-painted safety wall crying out for some Rapha graffiti. What a climb.

For the steepest pitch of all, close to 14%, the road then turns left and up the mountain again. But there’s only 3km to go now. You can see the ski lifts and the finish is, literally, in sight. A humble cattle grid marks the beginning of the end. It’s only 7% from here and you’ll be able to see the crowds at the finish.

http://greenjersey.wordpress.com/2008/03/03/victoria-pendleton-a-stunt-too-far/

Was reading through greenjersey’s blog and found this, I can’t understand what the fuss is all about. You have one of the greatest female cyclists in the world and one of the best female photographers, greenjersey is right, no one batted an eyelid when Lance did it. What’s the difference

So Valverde for the Tour De France? He is comparing his win to Induran’s wins in the Libere, it was certainly a great ride, but can he win the Tour, I think he has a great shot

Is it just me or does this seem a little crazy. Tom Boonen has been a great feature at the tour in recent years, he is a hugely exciting cyclist. With no reigning champion at the Tour and with Contador;s team banned, now no reigning green jersey, with Contador also the white jersey and Discovery Channel the team winners, only Soler is still in it.

Boonen’s crime seems to be one of stupidity. Cocaine is not a banned substance outside of racing. He hasn’t been charged by the police, but has been prevented from taking part in the Tour. He is a role model and as such his behaviour should reflect this, but banning from the Tour seems to me to a step to far. 

I’m going for a Leipheimer win overall and Zabel for the yellow….