Team HTC-Highroad to disband after season

This is some very unfortunate and sad news coming from the cycling world. Cycling team HTC-Highroads will be disbanding at the end of the season.

Top professional cycling team HTC-Highroad is folding after five years in the sport following an unsuccessful effort to secure a long-term sponsor.

Team owner Bob Stapleton announced the decision Thursday, urging riders such as 20-time Tour de France stage winner Mark Cavendish of Britain, top time trialist Tony Martin of Germany and up-and-coming American Tejay van Garderen to find new teams for 2012.

The American squad has been one of pro cycling’s most successful since it was formed, winning 484 races, including 54 grand tour stages.

Stapleton said the team’s “success has been based on our outstanding people” and he was making the decision to disband the team now so that they could find teams in 2012.

I hate to see any team disband but especially a extremely successful, American team.

History of American Cycling: Part 8

Versus has been running an awesome series of videos throughout the Tour de France on the history of American cycling. Today's feature was very touching even if you know about the story of Fabio Casartelli.

Here's Part 8:

History of American Cycling: Part 7

Versus has been running an awesome series of videos throughout the Tour de France on the history of American cycling.

Here's Part 7:

Renshaw disqualified from Tour de France

It was a strange finish in today's stage of the Tour de France. Mark Cavendish got his 3rd stage win of the Tour, but his teammate Mark Renshaw got thrown out of the Tour after the stage thanks to some unsportsmanlike conduct on the final stretch.

Check out the finish and the questionable move by Renshaw. (BTW that's Garmin-Transitions rider Julian Dean he's headbutting.)



Renshaw also rode across the path of American Tyler Farrar, preventing Farrar from challenging Cavendish for the win. Here's what Farrar had to say after the stage.



Tour director Jean-Francois Pescheux reviewed video of the incident and decided that Renshaw's questionable actions and poor sportsmanship should result in his disqualification of this year's Tour.

I agree and think that he deserved to be thrown out. The contact he made with Dean was not incidental and he could have caused a serious crash at the finish. It was the right decision by Pescheux.

What do you think? Was his disqualification justified?

History of American Cycling: Part 6

Versus has been running an awesome series of videos throughout the Tour de France on the history of American cycling.

Here's Part 6:

Cavendish wins 2nd stage in a row

With today's win Mark Cavendish won not only his second Tour de France stage in a row, but that was his 12th total stage victory.

But Tyler Farrar came in second, even with his fractured wrist and all. Not too shabby.

Follow Team HTC-Columbia

Here's how technology has come into the Tour de France. You can now track Team HTC-Columbia through Google Maps.

Pretty neat feature.

Check it out.

2010 Tour de France preview

The Tour de France starts tomorrow. The countdown begins. Check out this awesome preview from Versus. If this doesn't get you pumped up for the Tour then I don't know what will. But one thing is for sure, the yellow jersey is up for grabs this year.