Great story on Aspen's Jessica Phillips

Here's a great story on Jessica Phillips of Aspen in velonews.com, congrats Jessica on a great season making it back to the top of the sport!

http://www.velonews.com/article/98831/for-phillips-just-making-it-to-mendrisio-was-a-victory

Impressive, well timed attack and victory for Aussie Cadel Evans

Oft maligned Cadel Evans secured the first ever World Championship Elite Men's Road Race title for his native Australia yesterday in Mendrisio, SUI. Evans used a timely attack on the last of 19 tough circuits to spring clear of silver and bronze medalists Alexander Kolobnev(RUS) and Joacuin Rodriguez(SPA). Evans then time trialed home to the finish as Fabian Cancellara(SUI) tried desperately to bring the race back together.

Cancellara had good reason to chase, he appeared to be the strongest rider in the group, first breaking the peloton into little pieces on the penultimate lap, and then, when all his teammates were used up, continually neutralizing every attempted move. That is, until Kolobnev broke free with Rodriguez and Evans. This time Spartacus had enough of pulling 10 favorites up to every move and he looked to Belgium and Italy for help. The only problem is that Phillipe Gilbert and Damiano Cunego were left isolated and in no way wished to assist the ultra-strong Swiss to the finish. That was the lucky hesitation Evans needed, and when he found himself noodling away from Kolobnev and Rodriguez just prior to the last climb, he punched it and never looked back, taking his most glorious win since joining the roadie peloton nearly a decade ago.

What went wrong for the big favorites Italy and Spain? Well, I was partly right in my predictions, Spain was a little splintered and frustrated in their efforts. Primarily, even though Spain had three riders up the road in a big 20 man chase, they still put three more on the front of the bunch. Why? Not sure about that one... Italy did have a great day but suffered when they had to do all of the work in the big chase of the day. With three in the counter, including last year's winner Alessandro Ballan, Italy was forced into an aggressive race, and they crumbled at crunch time. Specifically, on the last lap we saw Pippo Pozzato come to the fore with Ivan Basso. They set a furious tempo up the Acqua Fresca climb, but had nothing at the top when Cancellara put in another typical acceleration. Cunego was able to respond, but while Spain had three riders in the final 10, Cunego was isolated and out-gunned. Perhaps Pozzato himself would have been better in the final? I think it would have been better for Italy to keep Basso and Pippo for a little later in the final rather than spending them, but hindsight is 20-20.

In any case the World's is filled with 'what ifs', and suffice to say that Australia raced masterfully and had at least one representative for the team in the important moves as well as several workhorses like Stuart O'Grady. Congratulations to Australia and to Cadel Evans, an artful and inspirational ride, a career defining moment, and a big monkey lifted off the back of one of the toughest yet mis-understood riders on the planet.

World Championships this Sunday

Finally got to see the start list for sunday, www.uci.ch for the skinny.
Tons of people with a chance to win or get a great result, I have checked off 1,2,3 and 4 star favorites. Here's the 4's, 3's and 2's with my analysis and prediction:
　
****
Cunego
Valverde
Gilbert

***
Ballan
Sanchez
Evans
Tony Martin
Ivanov
Millar
Boom
Chavanel
Vinokourov
Hesjedal
Roche

**
Gerrans
Wegman
Kolobnev
Monfort
A. Schleck
Danielson
Brajkovic
Serpa
Paulinho
T. Lovkvist
Dan Martin
Siutsou

I see a more unified team in the Squadra Azzura than the Spaniards, just like last year. When the real, real selection is made, Spain will hesitate, leaving Cunego free to win a small group sprint from those attentive enough to jump at the right time.

1. Cunego
2. Gerrans
3. Vinokourov

I know that's a stretch for Vino but who knows, he may find the "magic" once again.

Darkhorse strongman - David Millar, GBR

Floyd into the top 20! Well almost.

When I saw the start list for the US Pro time trial championships I instantly predicted Floyd Landis' first top 20 placing of the season. Riding for OUCH/pb Maxxis, Landis, the former non-winner of the Tour de France, has had a difficult time re-integrating into domestic racing. For some reason Floyd can't seem to ride his way out of a paper bag and he has barely sniffed the top 20 all season, even in such places as Arkansas, Floyd can't ride with the leaders.

But when the start list came out for the pro tt, I knew it would happen. No, not because Floyd's form was finally on the rise, but becase there were only 20 starters on the list! It was a lock, top 20 for sure.

But wait, those damn late entries. Shit! Floyd Landis 21st at US Pro.