A New Direction For This Site

OK… I admit it’s been a long time since I’ve done anything on this site but life’s priorities changed and this site took a back seat. When I first started this site, I had no idea it would take such a large time commitment. Race coverage was never my focus for this site; however, that took most of the time and didn’t provide any value beyond what many other sites already provide in that area.

Poll #3: What Is Your Favorite Spring Classic?

2009 Presidential Cycling Tour

45th Presidential Cycling Tour (2.1)

Turkey, April 12-19, 2009, 8 Stages (1212 km)

2008 winner, David Garcia (Xacobeo), returns to defend his title in the 2009 Presidential Cycling Tour. The 45th edition of this UCI Europe Tour race will see 20 teams take on this eight-stage Turkish event covering 1212 km. Climbers should do well here such as: Markus Fothen (Milram), Mauro Finetto (CSF Group) and Janek Tombak (CC Bourgas).

2009 Klasika Primavera

55th Klasika Primavera (1.1)

Spain, April 12, 2009, 171.6 km

2008 winner, Damiano Cunego (Lampre), returns to defend his title in the 2009 Klasika Primavera. The 55th edition of this UCI Europe Tour race will see 16 teams take on this Spanish event covering just over 171 km. The end of the race features six climbs and favors a climbing puncher, such as the past winners also taking the start: 2003-04 winner Alejandro Valverde, 2007 winner Joaquin Rodriguez (Caisse d’Epargne) and 2002 winner Angel Vicioso (Andalucia-Cajasur). Other contenders include Frank Schleck (Saxo Bank) and Josep Jufre & David de la Fuente (Fuji).

2009 Paris-Roubaix

107th Paris-Roubaix (HIS)

France, April 12, 2009, 259 km

2008 winner, Tom Boonen (Quick Step), returns to defend his title in the 2009 Paris-Roubaix, along with Stijn Devolder and Sylvain Chavanel. The 107th edition of this UCI Historic Series race, also known as the Hell of the North, is the third on the calendar of the five monuments of cycling; the other four being Milano Sanremo, Ronde Van Vlaanderen, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Giro di Lombardia. 24 teams take on this grueling, French classic covering 259 km, considered to be the hardest one-day cycling race. The difficulty lies in the length and the 27 sections of cobblestones totaling just under 53 km.

2009 Gent-Wevelgem

71st Gent-Wevelgem (UPT)

Belgium, April 8, 2009, 203 km

2008 winner, Oscar Freire (Rabobank), will not return to defend his title in the 2009 Gent-Webelgem. However, his team brings several threats to the 71st edition of this UCI ProTour race, usually a sprinter’s affair. 24 teams take on this Belgian semi-classic covering 203 km, where the Kemmelberg is climbed twice, often causing some spectacular crashes. Aside from Rabobank’s Graeme Brown, Tom Leezer & Mathew Hayman other contenders include: 2004 winner Tom Boonen (Quick Step), Roy Sentjens (Silence-Lotto), Aureliaen Clerc & & Martin Elmiger (AG2R), Jose Joaquin Rojas (Caisse d’Epargne), Alexandre Usov (Cofidis) Koldo Fernandez (Euskaltel), Frederic Guesdon (Francaise des Jeux), Julian Dean (Garmin), Murilo Fischer & Francesco Chicchi (Liquigas), Mark Cavendish & Marcus Burghardt (Columbia), Robbie McEwen (Katusha), Gerald Ciolek & Robert Forster (Milram), Matti Breschel & JJ Haedo (Saxo Bank), Heinrich Haussler & Roger Hammond (Cervelo), Tom Veelers (Skil) and Baden Cooke & Bjorn Leukemans (Vacansoleil).

2009 Circuit Cycliste Sarthe-Pays de la Loire

57th Circuit Cycliste Sarthe-Pays de la Loire (2.1)

France, April 7-10, 2009, 5 Stages (667.8 km)

2008 winner, Thomas Voeckler (Bouygues), returns to defend his title in the 2009 Circuit Cycliste Sarthe. The 57th edition of this UCI Europe Tour race covers 667.8 km in five stages, with 15 teams taking the start. With national rivalries strong in this French event, all arounders are usually the GC contenders. This list includes:  Julian El Fares (Cofidis), Kim Kirchen & Tony Martin (Columbia), Benoit Vaugrenard (Francaise des Jeux), Oscar Pereiro (Caisse d’Epargne), Nicolas Vogondy (Agritubel) and 2007 winner Andreas Kloden (Astana).

2009 Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco

49th Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco (UPT)

Spain, April 6-11, 2009, 6 Stages (829 km)

2008 winner, Alberto Contador (Astana), leads his team in defending his title in the 2009 Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco. The 49th edition of this UCI ProTour race covers 829 km in six stages, with 20 teams taking the start. Climbers rule this event’s palmares but there are a few opportunities for punchers and strong sprinters to make it over the climbs for a stage win. Contador’s competition list is long with big names such as: Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel), Carlos Sastre (Cervélo), the Schleck brothers & Gustav Erik Larsson (Saxo Bank), Luis Leon Sanchez & Joaquin Rodriguez (Caisse d’Epargne), Antonio Colom (Katusha), Thomas Lovkvist & Michael Rogers (Columbia), Damiano Cunego (Lampre), Robert Gesink (Rabobank), Christian Vande Velde (Garmin), Vincenzo Nibali & Roman Kreuziger (Liquigas), David Moncoutie (Cofidis), Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto), Fabian Wegmann & Christian Knees (Milram) and Juan Jose Cobo & David de la Fuente (Fuji).

2009 Ronde van Vlaanderen / Tour of Flanders

93rd Ronde van Vlaanderen / Tour of Flanders (UPT)

Belgium, April 5, 2009, 261.5 km

2008 winner, Stijn Devolder (Quick Step), leads his team in defending his title in the 2009 Ronde van Vlaanderen, along with Tom Boonen and Sylvain Chavanel. The 93rd edition of this UCI ProTour race is the second on the calendar of the five Monuments of cycling; the other four being Milano-SanRemo (March 21), Paris-Roubaix, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Giro di Lombardia. 25 teams take on this grueling, Belgian one day event covering 261.5 km. Considerer cycling’s Super Bowl of Belgium, hundreds of thousands of fans watch as riders tackle the cobbles and 16 hellingen: Molenberg, Wolvenberg, Oude Kwaremont, Paterberg, Koppenberg, Steenbeekdries, Taaienberg, Eikenberg, Varent, Leberg, Berendries, Valkenberg, Tenbosse, Eikenmolen, Muur-Kapelmuur and Bosberg.

2009 Gran Premio Miguel Indurain

11th Gran Premio Miguel Indurain (1.HC)

Spain, April 4, 2009, 191 km

2008 winner, Fabian Wegmann (Milram), leads his team in defending his title in the 2009 GP Miguel Indurain. The 11th edition of this UCI Europe Tour race will see 15 teams take on this Spanish one day event covering 191 km. Prior to 1999, the race took on various names relating to the region of Navarra and the last Spanish winner was Javier Pascual-Rodriguez in 2005. Contenders besides Wegmann and team mate Linus Gerdemann include: Alejandro Valverde & Joaquin Rodriquez (Caisse d’Epargne), Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel), David de la Fuente & Eros Capecchi (Fuji), Nicolas Roche (AG2R), Amaël Moinard & David Moncoutie (Cofidis), Roman Kreuziger & Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas), Antonio Colom & Christian Pfannberger (Katusha), Alexander Kolbnev & the Schleck brothers (Saxo Bank), Carlos Sastre & Xavier Florencio (Cervelo), Dionisio Galparsoro (Contentpolis) and Ezequiel Mosquera (Xacobeo).

2009 Hel van het Mergelland

36th Hel van het Mergelland (1.1)

Netherlands, April 4, 2009, 190.5 km

2008 winner, Tony Martin (Columbia), will not defend his title in the 2009 Hel van het Mergelland, along with his team. The 36th edition of this UCI Europe Tour race will see 20 teams take on this Dutch one day event covering just over 190 km. Prior to 1993, the race was amateur status and the last Dutch winner was Raymond Meijs in 1999. Contenders include: on-form Koos Moerenhout (Rabobank), Mauro Finetto (CSF Group) and Jonathan Hivert (Skil). Of course the usual dark horses will surprise with national pride in mind.

2009 Route Adélie de Vitré

23rd Route Adélie de Vitré (1.1)

France, April 3, 2009, 185.3 km

2008 winner, Kevin Ista (Agritubel), will not defend his title in the 2009 Route Adélie de Vitré . The 23rd edition of this UCI Europe Tour race will see only 15 teams take on this French one day event covering just over 185 km. Prior to 1997, the race spanned 10 editions as the Tour d’Armorique. With a predominantly French start list, a national battle for pride will definitely be the case. Contenders include: Benoit Vaugrenard (FdJ), Lloyd Mondory (AG2R), 2006 winner Samuel Dumoulin (Cofidis), Romain Feillu (Agritubel), Jimmy Casper (Besson), Pierre Rolland (Bouyges) and Lilian Jegou (Bretagne).

2009 Volta ao Alentejo em Bicicleta

27th Volta ao Alentejo em Bicicleta (2.1)

Portugal, April 1-5, 2009, 5 stages (722 km)

2008 winner, Hector Guerra (Liberty Seguros), leads his team in defending his title in the 2009 Volta ao Alentejo em Bicicleta. The 27th edition of this UCI Europe Tour race will see only 14 teams take on this five-stage event covering 722 km. The last Portuguese winner was Sergio Ribeiro in 2006 and, since there aren’t many races in Portugal, a national fight will be at hand. Contenders include: Jesus Rosendo & Angel Vicioso (Andalucia), Christophe Moreau (Agritubel), Serafin Martinez (Xacobeo), Bruno Pires (Barbot), David Blanco & Candido Barbosa (Palmeiras), Eladio Jimenez (C. C. Loulé), Constantino Zaballa (Paredes) and Oscar Sevilla & Francisco Mancebo (Rock Racing).

2009 Settimana Ciclistica Lombarda

39th Settimana Ciclistica Lombarda (2.1)

Italy, March 31 – April 5, 2009, 6 stages (816.6 km)

2008 winner, Danilo Di Luca (LPR Brakes), leads his team in defending his title in the 2009 Settimana Ciclistica Lombarda. The 39th edition of this UCI Europe Tour race will see 25 teams take on this six-stage event covering over 816 km. The first few days are for the sprinters, while the last few days favor the climbers and overall contenders. Sprinters & overall contenders include: Alessandro Petacchi & Danilo Di Luca (LPR Brakes), Danilo Napolitano (Katusha), Luca Paolini (Acqua & Sapone), Juan Mauricio Soler (Barloworld), Fortunato Baliani & Domenico Pozzovivo (CSF Group), Giovanni Visconti (ISD), Mattia Gavazzi, Gilberto Simoni & Davide Rebellin (Diquigiovanni-Androni), Matteo Carrara (Vacansoleil), Carolos Castaño & David Garcia (Xacobeo), Francisco Ventoso (Carmiooro) and Massimo Giunti (Miche).

2009 KBC-Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde

33rd KBC-Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde (2.HC)

Belgium, March 31 – April 2, 2009, 3 stages (544.75 km)

2008 winner, Joost Posthuma (Rabobank), leads his team in defending his title in the 2009 KBC-Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde. The 33rd edition of this UCI Europe Tour semi-classic will see 23 teams take on this extremely challenging three-day event. It is one of the most dangerous races on the calendar and, even though it’s ideal hilly and cobbled preparation for Sunday’s Ronde, it can take out some riders due to narrow roads and road hazards. Riders to watch are: Philippe Gilbert & Greg Van Avermaet (Silence-Lotto), Mirco Lorenzetto (Lampre), Tom Boonen & Stijn Devolder (Quick Step), Filippo Pozzato (Katusha), Mark Cavendish (Columbia), Martijn Maaskant (Garmin), Daniele Bennati & Frederik Willems (Liquigas), Niki Terpstra (Milram), Robert Hunter (Barloworld), Baden Cooke (Vacansoleil), Rene Haselbacher (Vorarlberg) and Mauro Finetto (CSF Group).

2009 Brabantse Pijl

49th Brabantse Pijl – “Brabant Arrow” (1.1)

Belgium, March 29, 2009, 193.5 km

Though 2008 winner, Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step), will not defend his title, the Quick Step team will bring contenders Carlos Barredo, Jerome Pineau & Allan Davis to the 2009 Brabantse Pijl. The 49th edition of this UCI Europe Tour semi-classic will see 25 teams take on this challenging 193.5 km route. Barring a successful breakaway, the puncher or sprinter with an explosive finish is a good bet for the win. Riders to watch are: win-starved Philippe Gilbert (Silence-Lotto), Leonardo Duque (Cofidis), Anthony Geslin (Francaise des Jeux), Josep Jufre (Fuji), Sergei Ivanov (Katusha), Frederik Willems (Liquigas), Fabian Wegmann (Milram), Robert Gesink (Rabobank), Matti Breschel & Karsten Kroon (Saxo Bank), Xavier Florencio (Cervelo), Tom Veelers (SKIL-Shimano), Bjorn Leukemans (Vacansoleil), Rene Haselbacher (Vorarlberg) and Niko Eechhout (Sean Kelly).

2009 Gran Premio Llodio

60th Gran Premio Llodio (1.1)

Spain, March 29, 2009, 175.5 km

2008 winner, Hector Guerra, and his Liberty Seguros team, will not take part in this year’s Gran Premio Llodio. The 60th edition of this UCI Europe Tour Spanish semi-classic will see 14 larger and mostly Spanish teams take on this challenging 175.5 km route. The start list is full of big names and a puncher with an explosive finish, especially a local, is a good bet for the win. Riders to watch are: 2008 Beijing Olympic road race champion, Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel), David Lopez & José Rojas (Caisse d’Epargne), Ezequiel Mosquera & David Herrero (Xacobeo), Angel Vicioso & Xabier Tondo (Andalucia), Tyler Hamilton & Oscar Sevilla (Rock Racing) and David de la Fuente & Juan José Cobo (Fuji).

2009 Criterium International

78th Critérium International (2.HC)

France, March 28-29, 2009, 3 Stages (296.8 km)

Four-time and 2008 winner, Jens Voigt (Saxo Bank), will lead his team in defending his title in the 2009 Critérium International, while going for a record fifth win. The 78th edition of this UCI Europe Tour race will see 18 teams, from eight nations, take the start in three stages that test all around strength: sprinting, climbing and time trialing. Unless there’s a breakaway on stage one, the sprint does not factor in the overall as much as the next two stages. Often dubbed the Mini Tour de France, this year’s edition will see the following names as possible GC contenders: Voigt’s team mates Frank Schleck & Gustav Larsson (Saxo Bank), Oscar Pereiro & Nicolas Portal (Caisse d’Epargne), Julien El Fares (Cofidis), Janez Brajkovic (Astana), Maxime Monfort (Columbia), Vladimir Karpets (Katusha), Mikel Astarloza (Euskaltel), Yury Trofimov (Bouygues), Clément Lhôtellerie (Vacansoleil) and Jonathan Hivert (Skil).

2009 E3 Prijs Vlaanderen / GP Harelbeke

52nd E3 Prijs Vlaanderen / GP Harelbeke (1.HC)

Belgium, March 28, 2009, 208 km

2008 winner, Kurt-Asle Arvesen (Saxo Bank), will lead his team (with Matti Breschel & Fabian Cancellara) in defending his title in the 2009 E3 Prijs Vlaanderen. Also known as GP Harelbeke, the 52nd edition of this UCI Europe Tour semi-classic is a tuneup for the Tour of Flanders (de Ronde) next Sunday and will show us who’s on form. 25 teams tackle 12 small, steep climbs (hellingen) toward the last half of the 208 km route, some of which have cobbled sections: La Houppe, Berg Stene, Boigneberg, Eikenberg (1000 m of cobbles), Stationsberg (500), Taaienberg (500), Oude Kruiskens (900), Kapelberg, Paterberg (400), Oude Kwaremont (1500), Knokteberg and Tiegemberg.

2009 Dwars door Vlaanderen / A Travers la Flandre

64th Dwars door Vlaanderen / A Travers la Flandre (1.1)

Belgium, March 25, 2009, 200 km

2008 winner, Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step), will lead his team (with Tom Boonen & Stijn Devolder) in defending his title in the 2009 Dwars door Vlaanderen. Also known as A Travers la Flandre, the 64th edition of this UCI Europe Tour semi-classic will see 25 teams tackle the following 12 small, steep climbs (or “hellingen”) throughout the 200 km route: Katteberg (79 km), Berendries (94 km), Valkenberg (99 km), Eikenberg (113 km), Oude Kwaremont (130 km), Kalkhoveberg (132 km), Patersberg (134 km), Knokteberg (143 km), Vossenhol (154 km), Nokereberg (164 km), Holstraat (179 km en 194 km). Chavanel will face strong competition in Greg Van Avermaet (Silence-Lotto), Matti Breschel (Saxo Bank), Marcus Burghardt (Columbia), Filippo Pozzato (Katusha), Nick Nuyens (Rabobank), 2009 Milano-Sanremo runner-up, Heinrich Haussler (Cervelo) and last year’s podium finisher, Niko Eeckhout (An Post).

2009 Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali

9th Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali (2.1)

Italy, March 24-28, 2009, 782.3 km

2008 winner, Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto), will lead his team in defending his title in the 2009 Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali. 2006 winner, Damiano Cunego (Lampre), will also be in the mix as a team leader. The 9th edition of this UCI Europe Tour race will see 22 teams take the start and some names include: Luca Mazzanti & Christian Pfannberger (Katusha), Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank), Marco Pinotti & Michael Rogers (Columbia-Highroad), Juan Mauricio Soler (Barloworld), Domenico Pozzovivo & Fortunato Baliani (CSF Group-Navigare), Leonardo Bertagnolli (Amica Chips-Knauf), Giovanni Visconti (ISD) and Italian champion, Filippo Simeoni (Ceramica Flaminia). Italian climbers have dominated six of the prior eight editions so expect to see a national fight for victory on stages and for the GC.

2009 Vuelta a Castilla y Leon

24th Vuelta a Castilla y Leon (2.1)

Spain, March 23-27, 2009, 651.3 km

Two-time defending champion, Alberto Contador (Astana), will lead his team for a “3-peat” in the 2009 Vuelta a Castilla y Leon. Joining Contador are stage race veterans Levi Leipheimer, Lance Armstrong, Jose Luis Rubiera and Haimar Zubeldia. The 24th edition of this UCI Europe Tour race will see 18 teams and a star-studded list take the start, including many of this year’s Grand Tour contenders: Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d’Epargne), Igor Anton (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Juan Jose Cobo (Fuji-Servetto), Christian Van De Velde (Garmin-Slipstream), Denis Menchov (Rabobank), Ezequiel Mosquera (Xacobeo-Galicia) and 2008 Tour de France winner, Carlos Sastre (Cérvelo Test Team). Other stage race veterans include: Francisco Mancebo & Oscar Sevilla (Rock Racing) and Isidro Nozal & Ruben Plaza (Liberty Seguros).

2009 Cholet-Pays de Loire

32nd Cholet-Pays de Loire (1.1)

France, March 22, 2009, 205 km

Cycling Team Bourgas will help Janek Tombak defend his title, but others with more results this year will make his repeat difficult. The 2009 Cholet-Pays de Loire is the 32nd edition of this UCI Europe Tour race and will see 18 teams take the start. Contenders can be a mix of tougher sprinters and punchers including: Jens Voigt, Lars Bak & JJ Haedo (Saxo Bank), Xabier Zandio & David Lopez (Caisse d’Epargne), Frédéric Guesdon (FdJ), Yury Trofimov (Bouygues), 2007 winner Stéphane Auge (Cofidis), Romain Feillu & Kevin Ista (Agritubel), Björn Leukemans & Baden Cooke (Vacansoleil) and Jimmy Casper (Besson).

2009 Ronde van het Groene Hart

3rd Ronde van het Groene Hart (1.1)

Netherlands, March 22, 2009, 203.4 km

Though Astana will not be here to help Tomas Vaitkus defend his title, other fast men will be here to contest the 2009 Ronde van het Groene Hart. The 3rd edition of this UCI Europe Tour race will see 18 teams take the start. Contenders include: Danilo Napolitano & Gert Steegmans (Katusha), Graeme Brown (Rabobank), Roy Sentjens & Gork Gardeyn (Silence-Lotto), Robert Forster & Markus Eichler (Milram), Aart Vierhouten (Vacansoleil), Kenny Van Hummel (Skil), Markus Zberg (BMC), Niko Eeckhout (An Post), Stefan Van Dijk (Verandas), Geert Omloop (Palmans) and Bert Roesems (Cinelli).

2009 Milano-Sanremo

100th Milano-Sanremo (HIS)

Italy, March 21, 2009, 298 km

The 100th edition of this epic classic, the 2009 Milano-Sanremo, adds Le Mànie climb to the grueling 298 km course. The UCI Historic race is the longest one-day race and the first on the calendar of the five Monuments of cycling; the other four being Ronde van Vlaanderen, Paris-Roubaix, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Giro di Lombardia. Strong sprinters who can climb, and punchers with an aggressive attack, factor well here. Since defending champion, Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank) and World Champion, Alessandro Ballan (Lampre), are both skipping this edition, others will be marked closely as this race of attrition progresses.