Oh, Lance Armstrong...

Remember when this guy used to be a badass?

Now Lance Armstrong has won as many Tour de Frances as me: none, after getting them stripped amid doping and drug allegations. If those weren't damning enough, and I think they were but the average American could probably care less, he then went on Oprah last night to admit he did all those horrible, no-good awful things that everyone else was doing at the time too.

Sportscenter then played highlights of the interview on a non-stop loop and people had to come to grips why they really give a crap about this guy and cycling. Okay he cheated, so did a lot of other cyclists. Do we have to freak out?

Well yeah. Here's why. Being in the public eye, Lance Armstrong didn't just deny the possibility of drug use or blood doping  He vehemently denied it and sued the pants off anyone who questions him. My good friend Curtis Campbell had this to say in a Facebook comment and I think it sums up this mess in about 140 characters...

You know, the doping thing is forgivable. But suing and ruining the lives of those who were telling the truth?!? It takes a special kind of scumbag to do something like that. He doesn't deserve to be ostracized because he's a cheater, he deserves to be because he's a horrible human being.

In the interview, Lance also read the definition of cheater and said he didn't cheat because he wasn't gaining an unfair advantage over everyone else. Apparently using PEDs or doping was as common as filling up your tires with air or taking a water bottle along. Thinking like this, I believe people would have been more than understanding of Lance had he not denied the truth for so long.

But he attacked his critics in a vain attempt to keep his image. A false attack. Lance Armstrong is a liar, which is worse than a cheater.

So instead of blowing this up in some controversy that rages on sports talk radio for years like Pete Rose or Barry Bonds - lets do what this guy deserves ... ask him to just go away, we don't care about him or cycling anymore.

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.

Tour de France stage 3 video

Here's the video of stage 3 of the Tour de France with Tyler Farrar winning!

Tyler Farrar wins 3rd stage of Tour de France

Happy 4th of July!

To celebrate Tyler Farrar of Wenatchee, Washington won the 3rd stage of the Tour de France. He's my favorite rider and this was so awesome following the day after Team Garmin Cervelo won the team time trial.

As he crossed the finish line Farrar held up his hands to make a "W" with his fingers to honor his friend Wouter Weylandt. Weylandt died in a crash during the Giro d'Italia in May.


“It’s a dream to win today. I was close the past few Tours, second, third, second, so to win a stage is incredible,” Farrar said.

“To have the world champion and yellow jersey leading you out is amazing. Our team was perfect today, with Millar and Dean and Hushovd. The first objectives were to win the team time trial and to win a stage. Now we’ll what the rest of the Tour brings.”

Garmin-Cervélo proudly rode at the front of the peloton to protect the leader’s jersey held by Hushovd. Five riders peeled off the front early and methodically built up a seven-minute, but it was all for naught as Garmin kept up steady to pressure to assure that Hushovd would arrive to the line with chances to defend his yellow jersey as well as challenge for the stage victory.

“The objective today was to win with Tyler and keep the jersey,” Hushovd said. “After winning yesterday and having the jersey, now we win a stage, it’s perfect. We’ll see tomorrow if we can keep the streak going.”

Dave Zabriskie, Ramunas Navardauskas and Tom Danielson took turns setting tempo on the front of the peloton to keep the pressure. Strong crosswinds became a factor, especially over the day’s lone climb at a bridge over the Loire at Saint-Nazaire. The team rode perfectly to set up Farrar. Millar took a long pull in the closing 500 meters, before Hushovd then long-time leadout man Dean finishing off the work to set up Farrar. French rider Romain Feillu came through second and JJ Rojas was third, but Farrar won with style in his first-career Tour de France stage victory.

Farrar also becomes the first American to win a Tour stage on the Fourth of July.

Congrats Tyler! Way to represent not only your country but also Washington!

Impact of loss won't stop Tyler Farrar

Here is a great article by Bonnie D. Ford of ESPN on Wenatchee's Tyler Farrar.

TIFFAUGES, France -- Tyler Farrar is a sprinter disguised as a gentleman. He has all of the drive and passion but none of the abrasiveness often associated with the specialty. At 27, he is one of the most good-natured, composed presences in the peloton, and he is not one to wear his emotions on his jersey sleeve.

That was partly why it was so heartbreaking to see him grieve publicly. Farrar's dear friend Wouter Weylandt, a Belgian from the American rider's adopted home in Ghent, died after crashing in the Giro d'Italia on May 9, leaving behind a pregnant partner. Farrar learned the news in the most jarring manner possible, from a reporter at the team bus. His Garmin-Cervelo teammate David Millar tried his best to console an inconsolable young man that night.

The next morning, Farrar set off with the rest of the field, riding 134 miles at a deliberately neutralized pace to pay homage to Weylandt. It took more than six hours. A short distance from the finish, Weylandt's Leopard-Trek teammates went to the front and beckoned Farrar to join them. They wrapped their arms around each other's shoulders. The images of Farrar inclining his head slightly, making no effort to hide his raw, stricken face, are not easily forgotten.

You can read the rest of her article over on ESPN.

Here's to a great Tour for Farrar!

Happy Tour de France day!

Today the Tour de France started! 10 Americans in it. Including Tyler Farrar of Wenatchee, Washington.

New Team Garmin-Cervélo kit features return of argyle

Team Garmin-Cervélo unveiled their new Tour de France kit today.

And I love it.

I was very disappointed in their kits this season when they got rid of the argyle. You can't be the Argyle Armada without argyle!

But the Team Garmin-Cervélo 2011 Tour de France kit brings the argyle back! It also switches the dominate color from black to white on the jersey. Which will be much cooler for the hot weather of the Tour de France.


The new jersey and shorts retain the distinctive Garmin and Cervélo logos, but reverse white with black on the jersey. The signature Slipstream Sports argyle is prominently displayed.

“We’re really excited about the Tour de France kit,” said Jonathan Vaughters, CEO of Slipstream Sports and Director Sportif, Team Garmin-Cervélo. “The lighter color is perfect for hot weather and our signature argyle is more prominent.”

This is the third time Castelli have introduced new clothing at the Tour de France. “We consider the Tour de France a very special event that deserves a special design,” said Steve Smith, Castelli Brand Manager.

“This team is rider-centric, and Castelli has done its part to make sure the riders have the most comfortable and technically advanced clothing for this big event. Racing in hot weather is physically demanding, that’s a given, and despite the fact that Castelli makes some of the lightest and coolest fabrics in existence, wearing a lighter colour will make a big difference, both psychologically and physically, to a rider’s well being,” explained Steve Smith.

2011 Tour de France Garmin Cervelo jersey

It's official. Today Team Garmin Cervelo announced that they would have a brand new jersey for the 2011 Tour de France that starts on July 2nd.

Today they released a blurry "teaser" photo with the real thing coming tomorrow.

I can only hope that there is more argyle then their current jersey.

Levi: A Documentary

Saw this over on Levi Leipheimer's site. I think it looks good. Worth checking out.

Coming in the fall of 2012.

This film will take its viewers on a journey through Levi Leipheimer’s rise from the mining town of Butte, Montana to the podium of the Tour de France.

Scheduled to debut during the 2012 GranFondo in Santa Rosa, CA. Sign up on our mailing list to be informed of DVD pre-sales and other film related information.

2011 Team RadioShack Team Kit

The 2011 Team RadioShack Team kit has been unveiled. I don't think it's as cool as those black jerseys that they wore the final day of the Tour de France.

But I do think these are neat. And should stand out in the peloton.

Win the 28 Team Radioshack jersey signed by Armstrong

Team Radioshack has been having contests this week to give away the autographed "28" jersey worn by the team.

Here's the details:

Today we bring you the last chance to win an autographed Team RadioShack 28 Jersey. Post your favorite Lance Armstrong memory from this season on the Facebook post, or @ reply to @TeamRadioShack on Twitter (make sure and end your Twitter reply with #TRS) and you will be entered to win. We will randomly draw one winner from the all the entries. You have three chances to enter, so enter now. You have until 11:59pm CST to enter today.

So go enter! Good luck! If you win send us a picture of you with your prize!

Lance Armstrong RadioShack commercials

These Lance Armstrong RadioShack commercials have been playing for a while now, but I just saw the LOL one today for the first time. I think they are pretty funny. Hope you enjoy.

Oh, and the last video is basically Brandon on a bike.

Black RadioShack 28 jersey

In case you missed the news about the Tour de France, on the final day of the race, Team RadioShack came out not wearing their normal kits. Instead they were wearing black RadioShack jerseys with the number 28 on the back.

The 28 stood for the 28 million people worldwide that are battling cancer.

Rules are rules and Team RadioShack was forced to change into their normal kits. But it was too late, the publicity stunt was complete and everyone was talking about those black 28 jerseys.

Well RadioShack just announced that you will soon be able to purchase your own. Through the teams website. The jerseys will be available in August.

Watch the short feature Team RadioShack did for 28:

MC Spandex is at it again

If you're into cycling, you might have heard about Robin Moore aka MC Spandex. He's the guy who made the music video last year about Performance.

Well he's at it again. This time he's off the road and hitting the woods. And it's awesome.

Here's his first video from 2009. Performance:



And now...Get Dirty:

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:

History of American Cycling: Part 5

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

Here's Part 5:

History of American Cycling: Part 4

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

Here's Part 4: