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Cycling News Highlights from June 23 -30 , 2011.
International
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- June 23, 2011
Giant 2012 road launch
Giant's 2012 road bike range doesn't present the obvious visual changes that one usually expects from a newly overhauled collection – visually speaking, the general design language is still present from the current family and changes are mostly subtle below-the-skin tweaks instead of wholesale changes in direction. But it's unlikely most consumers will be upset.
Progression in materials and construction methods have allowed the company to shed big chunks of weight from the carbon frames while retaining their notably resilient ride quality and confident handling. The other major improvement comes in overall handling precision, which makes a significant jump with the move towards an even more oversized 1 1/4-to-1 1/2in tapered front end called OverDrive2.
In this case, Giant is claiming up to a 40 percent increase in "steering stiffness" with essentially no increase in weight and while we can't validate that precise number, test rides on new models confirmed that there's a tangible improvement in how well the front end responds to steering inputs and resists twisting ones. All of the new frames also feature fully internal cable routing along with Shimano Di2-ready fittings and ports for batteries and wiring harnesses.
Naturally, Giant hopes you'll pair either wheel set with its new 23mm-wide P-SLR1 road tires, which feature 120TPI nylon casings, front/rear-specific dual-density slick treads, foldable aramid fiber beads, and molded-in wear indicators located right down the center of the tire where they're most useful.
OverDrive2-equipped Giant bikes will also come with the company's own stems. The top-end Contact SLR gets an absolutely gargantuan carbon fiber extension (similar in scale to PRO's Cavendish Star Series model), a four-bolt aluminum faceplate and titanium hardware – all at just 135g for a 110mm-long version and coming in a whopping ten sizes.
The more conventional standard Contact comes in just 10g heavier, too, despite its forged aluminum construction.
· June 26, 2011
Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) finally got to pull on the iconic Belgian national champion’s jersey after another masterful display of racing in the Elite men’s road race in Hooglede Gits.
Gilbert was a marked man on the largely flat course but rode an aggressive race to win alone a few seconds ahead of Gianni Meersman (FDJ) and Jelle Wallays (Topsport Vlaanderen). Tom Boonen (Quick Step) finished seventh after sitting up and giving up following his last-ditched pursuit. 2010 champion Stijn Devolder (Vacansoleil) was sixth despite claiming to be out of form.
Gilbert had finished second in four editions of the Belgian national championships but was unbeatable in the scorching hot conditions. He must surely be the favourite to win the uphill finish of next Saturday’s opening stage of the Tour de France.
- June 26 , 2011
Eight teams are interested in signing Thor Hushovd for the coming season. The 33 year-old world champion said that he had not yet decided whether he would leave Garmin-Cervelo at the end of the season but confirmed the interest and offers from other teams, and indicated he might be interested in riding for a French team.
The Norwegian website claimed the eight teams include three ProTour teams and five Professional Continental teams.Hushovd, who rode for Credit Agricole for nine years, is very popular with the French teams, with Cofidis, Saur Sojasun and Francaise des Jeux said to be amongst those interested. Europcar has already said that it has opened negotiations with the Norwegian.
- June 27,2011
Three-time Tour de France stage winner Pierrick Fédrigo will not be joining his FDJ teammates at the Grand Tour this weekend, opting out of the event.
Fédrigo was a non-finisher at the French National Championships on Sunday, won by Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step), and decided that he was in no shape to contest his eighth consecutive Grand Boucle following a discussion with Mark Madiot. Fédrigo joined FDJ for the start of this season, having ridden with Bouygues Telecom for the past six years. He is yet to win a race in 2011.
The 32-year-old plans resume training in the latter months of the year and "start over.
· June 27, 2011
Italian TT champion Malori included in line-up
Damiano Cunego and Alessandro Petacchi will lead Lampre-ISD at the Tour de France, as the Italian squad bids for stage victories and a potential assault on the general classification.
After skipping the Giro d’Italia, Cunego approaches the Tour de France in a considerably fresher state than he did twelve months ago. His ambitions will be high after an impressive Tour de Suisse, where he finished second overall, just four seconds behind the seemingly evergreen Levi Leipheimer (RadioShack).
The 37-year-old Petacchi won two stages and the green jersey twelve months ago, and he lines up at the Tour as one of the few sprinters in the field to have beaten Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) on the big stage.
Petacchi recently outfoxed the Manxman on the opening road stage of the Giro di Parma, and was prominent in support of Michele Scarponi on the slopes of Mount Etna later in the race. His most recent sprint outing was a defeat to the precocious Andrea Guardini (Farnese Vini-Neri Sottoli) at the Tour de Slovenie.
As usual, Petacchi will be led out by the canny Danilo Hondo. The veteran German lines up in just the fourth Tour of a lengthy career.
Newly-crowned Italian time trial champion Adriano Malori is also included in the Lampre selection. The youngster was lanterne rouge (the last on general classification) twelve months ago and he is enthusiastic about travelling to the Tour as part of an experienced team.
- June 30,2011
The Tour de France, one of the biggest cycling races of the world is just around the corner; check out Tour de France 2011's games, maps, race route video to know more about the race at the event’s official website.
Tour de France 2011 has officially announced its riders and their teams on 30 June, 2011.
Teams:
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