Posted by Mark on June 24, 2007 under sport | 
Went to watch some racing in London on Saturday night, The Smithfield Nocturne. A great night’s cycle racing, including an ‘all star’ race – of journos and the likes; a messenger race – complete with convoluted challenges that had everyone confused; a commuter race on folding bikes – with riders suited up and having to do a ‘Le Mans’ style start; and completing the evening, an hour long criterium for the pro riders.
Apart from the heavens opening halfway through the messenger race, and drowning everyone, it was great fun to watch. There are some pictures here.
Smithfield Nocturne homepage
Posted by Mark on under track |
Went to see a preview screening of The Flying Scotsman a couple of nights ago in London. Although I count myself as a big fan of all cycle sport, I wasn’t particularly into track cycling at the time Graeme Obree was busy breaking the hour record.
What a great film though. Both the girlfriend and I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I’d say the director has done a great job of putting the story to film.
The BBC has a great link about the story here, and The Independent a profile of Obree.
Posted by Mark on June 16, 2007 under doping |
There we have it, the maximum two year ban for Basso’s ‘involvement’ in Operation Puerto…
Basso handed two-year doping ban
So does anybody actually believe he ‘thought about doping’ but didn’t actually act on it? His performance in the Giro last year (2006) was nothing short of stunning. I love this sport, but I am beginning to wonder how many performances I’ve witnessed that weren’t helped significantly with a wee bit of EPO or re-injection of blood.
Still, on the bright side, it’s only three weeks now till Le Tour starts in London 
Posted by Mark on June 3, 2007 under sport |
So it’s done and dusted, and Danilo Di Luca gives Italy another home win (11th year running?). Without a doubt the best stage was 17, to Monte Zoncolan – another clear demonstration that the Giro route planners are all nuts.
