Team CSC announced they have signed Danish classics specialist Lars Michaelsen to a one year contract extension. While Michaelsen says this will be his last year as a professional rider, CSC’s Bjarne Riis said he hoped Michaelsen would stay with the team even after finishing his riding career saying that Michaelsen “still has a lot more to offer.”
In today’s Outside Online Q&A section, a reader asks for several road-bike recommendations, in the $1,500 price range, which are light enough to comfortably tackle a century ride or longer. This is an interesting question to us since the $1,500 price level begins to offer buyers some decent choices both in frames and components. Included in the list are the Fuji Roubaix Pro, Giant TCR A1, and Bianchi Veloce. All bikes got decent marks but the reviewer seemed to like the Bianchi a bit more, solely because it was Italian. While not exactly the criteria we would base a bike purchase on, everyone is entitled to their opinion we guess. As for our two cents, we actual had a chance to ride a Giant TCR A1 several weeks ago, and while it’s not going to wow the carbon crowd, we found it to be a decent ride for the money. Shimano has come a long way with the 105 group, which now has a look that is closer to Dura Ace, and a feel is roughly on par with Ultegra 9’s. As for as durability of the 105 component group, only Shimano really knows at this point…
Eurobike organizers announced today they have decided to shelve plans for their 2007 Portland based cycle show. Instead, Eurobike says they will work with the organizer of the Sea Otter Classic to develop a new show, presumably to take place some time in April. While no official reason for the cancellation has been offered, the US representative of Eurobike’s organizers said that “initial reaction to the Portland show was less than positive as suppliers voiced concern over cost and another show in an already crowded September calendar.”
Jan Ullrich, still without a team for 2007, said on his website that he has started training for the upcoming season. While various reports have him training in South Africa, the German says he has been mountain biking for general fitness in Austria, and intensity training in Italy on road bikes. As far as signing with a specific team for the coming year, Ullrich says that he is still in discussions with a number of sponsors and teams, but nothing has yet been decided. Rumors however suggest that Ullrich could be headed to Tinkoff, the same team which signed Tyler Hamilton last week.
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Speculation surrounding Tyler Hamilton’s return to pro-cycling, following a two year suspension, officially ended today when the Tinkoff cycling team announced it had signed the rider to a one or two year deal - the AP is reporting a one-year deal, while Reuters is suggesting Hamilton has signed for two years. While the announcement means that Hamilton will again have the chance to ride professionally, it does not guarantee his participation in cycling's major events since Tinkoff is not part of the Pro Tour, and would require a wildcard invitation to participate.
