Sean Kelly week

Check out the cool leather hairnets on LeMond and Bauer in this video. Trivia question- Kelly was the last pro to switch to clipless pedals...what was the reason given?

Cadel cries at Flèche Wallonne!

Which means he won- or lost, or came in third, or he had a flat. No such bad luck today as the world champion claws past Alberto Contador to victory on the Mur de Huy! Alberto just couldn't hold him off. Chris Horner was duking it out at the front as well and came in 7th, his second top 10 finish this week. For the TV dinner version watch Versus this Sunday. For those who prefer cycling fresh and piping hot- go to cyclingfans.com Sunday for Liège-Bastogne-Liège!

Contador Connects!

He takes today's ITT and the classement general at Vuelta A Castillo Y Leon! Could there be a Contador/Cancellara duel at the TDF? Has Fabian peaked too early in the season? Is the swiss phenom just unbeatable? What do you think?
Tomorrow- the 'Beer Race' in Holland; Amstel Gold! My pick- Filippo Pozzato!

Leukemans gives his all at Paris-Roubaix!!

Sunday's race was a disappointment for Belgian fans, with the Flamand star Boonen unable to shake up the race. A moment's inattention, and Fabian Cancellara soared away. Only one rider gave a serious attempt to chase- Bjorn Leukemans! Is he the Belgian who can get a win this spring? Watch his catch attempt here ; the best part of this year's race.......

Cancellara crushes the competition at Paris-Roubaix!

Impressive riding by Fabian! But a boring bike race! Never was the psychological component of bike racing so evident as Fabian rode away from a dispirited peloton to claim his second victory at Paris-Roubaix. Other than Boonen, who rode rashly again Sunday, no one bothered to take a hard pull. The chase group looked like amateurs as they let Cancellara pull away. And thus the Spring drought continues for Flanders' riders. Hope 'springs' again for this weekend's Amstel Gold "beer race", and there's always Fléche Wallone. Can Flanders produce a win this year??

Horner wins Tour of the Basque Country!

Congratulations Chris Horner! Podium time! Today's time trial was a real nail-biter. Only one second separated Horner and Alejandro Valverde at the start, and Chris gained one second by the 7KM mark, leaving zero time between them as they raced for the line. Horner finished this week's racing in fine style, beating Valverde in the last KM to take the overall. Thanks for a great show, Chris!

Horner hangs with the big boys!

More than a domestique! Chris Horner stays glued to Alejandro Valverde to finish 4th again today in the Tour of the Basque Country. He keeps his 2nd overall! Chris shows us he's podium material, at least for the classement general. Way to go Chris!

Museeuw musings. After Flanders hangover post.

I can't let this week pass without a comment on the Tour of Flanders yesterday. As I watched Cancellara and Boonen race together (at first) to the line, I was reminded of the advice Johan Museeuw gave to 'Tommke' Boonen last week. "Use your head- save some effort. Don't be rash." Yet Boonen insisted on taking hard pulls, even appearing to pull ahead of Cancellara on the lower part of the Kapelmuur, just before Fabian pulled away, not to be seen again 'till the podium. I can only wonder what could have happened if Boonen had heeded the advice of Johan. Tom has another chance Sunday at Paris-Roubaix. Will the excitement of youth again seduce the pride of Flanders? Or will he keep his head? We'll see.

Fabian Flies! Cancellara takes De Ronde!

Tom Boonen's hopes for a win today were smashed on the cobbles of the Kapelmuur! The Mur de Grammont claimed another victim as Cancellara floated away from Boonen, and the few yards widened to over a full minute as the world time trial champion roared into Ninova. Not so lucky was his teammate Matti Breschel, who was plagued with mechanicals. Boonen admitted in the postrace interview, " I was going well, but he was stronger on the Kapelmuur. I was chasing at 55KMPH, what else could I do?" The podium was all smiles, with Phillipe Gilbert happy to be there too. Tyler Farrar got the bunch sprint for 5th, just ahead of George Hincapie. Lance was looking solid all day and finished 27th. Sunday- Paris-Roubaix!!

Flanders-the epicenter of cycling passion!

Flanders is a small country, which has no spectacular alpine passes, no grand descents, yet captures the imagination of cycling fans worldwide! How do they do it? It's passion! I believe Flanders is the most bike-crazy place on Earth! Flandrians have created epic racing with a combination of bad roads and cobblestones to build a history and a community of cycling unrivaled in the world!
Never have I been welcomed with more 'chaleur' than in Flanders. The last thing a Flandrian said to me as I prepared to leave (in response to my statement; "everyone here is so friendly") was "we aim to please" ...just like that. If you want to experience bike racing at its best-and be welcomed with open arms- Go to Flanders!

Lance announces he will ride all 3 major tours!

He wants the "Triple Crown" of cycling!!! Radio shack was all 'abuzz today as The Man announces; "No more will they call me a one trick pony! No longer will I be just one of those 'sunshine boys of summer'- I'll ride the Giro, the TDF, and the Vuelta! Take that... you doubters!" The French press, led by the newspaper; "Poisson D'Avril" announces tough new doping tests. All English-speaking riders will need to give a pound of flesh, as well as the usual controls.

Garmin Grabs a three-peet at De Panne!

The sun was out for Garmin today as the drought continues for Belgian racers. Tyler Farrar won this morning's stage, David Millar takes the TT and the overall to make three wins! Next- De Ronde Sunday!!!

Tyler sticks it! He wins De Panne stage!

Our Tyler Farrar makes it look easy as he powers to a win in Belgium! He's been payin' his dues this spring and it paid off today!