from CNN.com:
(CNN) — American cyclist Lance Armstrong suffered a shattering blow in his comeback bid on Monday when he broke his right collarbone after falling on the first stage of a five-day race in northern Spain.
Emerging from a hospital with his arm in a sling, Armstrong said he will return to the United States, where doctors will determined whether he needs surgery.
“I’m miserable,” said the record seven-time Tour de France champion. “I just need to relax a couple of days and then make a plan.”
Armstrong could be out for three to four weeks said Jacinto Vidarte, spokesman for the Vuelta Ciclista Castilla y Leon race, following a crash that involved a group of 15 to 20 riders some 20 kilometers from the finish.
The injury looks certain to end Armstrong’s hopes of challenging for the Giro d’Italia from May 9-31 and must cast big doubts on his plans to chase an eighth Tour crown from July 4-26 in France.
The 37-year-old Armstrong was taken to a hospital by ambulance and was seen pointing to his collarbone, CNN’s Al Goodman reported from northern Spain.
Armstrong, who came out of retirement after more than three years to return to competitive cycling with Astana in January, walked to the ambulance unaided, television pictures from the scene showed.
Bartosz Huzarski, a cyclist racing for the Italian team ISD, saw the fall, but said he did not know what had caused it. Only Armstrong appeared to indicate he was hurt, the Polish cyclist said.
The fall took place a on a sunny day on a stretch of two-lane highway, Goodman said, as riders tackled the 104-mile (168-km) opening stage, as Armstrong stepped up his latest return to the sport.
Armstrong’s first comeback came in 1998, two years after he was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and brain. Doctors gave him a less than 50 percent chance of survival.
Lance Armstrong is getting back on his bike and he’s riding after his 8th win at the Tour de France.
After returning from cancer to win the Tour seven consecutive times has made him a legend worldwide. He has popularized bicycling in America, but no one looks up to him like cancer patients do. To them he’s more than just fast, he’s a hero.
“I am happy to announce that after talking with my children, my family and my closest friends, I have decided to return to professional cycling in order to raise awareness of the global cancer burden,” the 36-year-old Armstrong said in a statement released to The Associated Press. “This year alone, nearly eight million people will die of cancer worldwide. … It’s now time to address cancer on a global level.”
Continue here to read more about Armstrong according to Sports Illustrated.
As athletes from all over the world arrive in Beijing ahead of the start of the Olympics some members of the U.S. cycling team arrive wearing anti-pollution masks.
A U.S. team official said members of the cycling squad were wearing the respiratory masks but declined further comment.
One man wore a mask that covered the nose and mouth while also wearing a white T-shirt with ‘BEIJING’ in black letters across the chest.
Beijing’s pollution problem has been a major cause for concern for athletes who fear it may impact their health and sporting performance.
A cycling official later tried to play down the incident. “I don’t believe there was any statement trying to be made”, said Andrea Smith, spokeswoman for USA cycling.
Cautious? Crazy? Excessive? You be the judge:
Time Warner takes a page from the book of “give people what they want”
Enter SI Vault. If you are wondering what SI Vault is, as the name would imply, it’s 54 years of Sports Illustraded’s covers, images, stories and much more. If an image is worth a thousand words, what would 54 years’ worth of images be worth?
Here’s a story dating back to 1992, for example, on Christian Laettner and Duke. Hmm… Laettner? Duke? Pardon the shameless plug, but enjoy WatchMojo.com’s classic college programming:
Duke in Top College Programs:
And Laettner in Top College Careers:
All right, enough shameless promotion, now go and enjoy 54 years of SI at SI Vault.
Lance Armstrong was seen sucking face with one of the Olsen twins. Now be honest, don’t you feel a little stupid for buying one of those yellow bracelets?
Hilarious. From Fox Sports.
This was a matter of time, not a day went by when there wasn’t one scandal or another…
Cycling sponsors are reconsidering their involvement in the sport after the series of doping scandals which have rocked the Tour de France.
The world’s greatest cycling race is now without the Astana and Cofidis teams over doping affairs and former overall leader Michael Rasmussen, who was sacked by Rabobank for having lied about his training whereabouts.
French company Cofidis, whose contract finishes at the end of the 2008 season, is unlikely to renew its deal with the cycling team after Italy’s Cristian Moreni tested positive for testosterone following the 11th stage of the Tour.
“It can have serious consequences on the future of the team”, team manager Eric Boyer said after Cofidis withdrew from the race.
Rabobank announced on Thursday that it was to reconsider its involvement in cycling.
WATERLOO, WI — (MARKET WIRE) — May 31, 2007 — In the all-new Madone, Trek Bicycle has taken its quest for perfection to new levels. Charged with creating the world’s finest all-day performance bike, an army of engineers, designers, physicists, chemists, carbon producers, bike shop owners, project managers and riders spent the past two years elevating the Madone from elite racing cycle to the consummate performance experience. The result of their efforts is an exquisitely balanced machine that delivers a transcendental riding experience.
The road to Madone
The new Madone represents the largest design project Trek has undertaken on any bike, at any time. It was born from the expertise of seven consecutive Tour de France victories, more than 15 years of OCLV Carbon engineering experience and the input of Lance Armstrong and other world-class riders. The Madone underwent hours of FEA analysis, exhaustive real-world ride testing and 30 different lay-up schedules as engineers fine-tuned every detail of this ultimate riding machine.
The OCLV Carbon Line-up
OCLV Carbon is synonymous with unmatched ride quality. Long the Carbon market leader, Trek continues to outpace the competition with entirely new proprietary processes and patented fiber technology that combine to deliver an extraordinarily light and strong ride. The Madone is available in three different OCLV frames:
– OCLV Red features the highest performing carbon fiber arranged
according to the most complex lay-up schedules.
– OCLV Black employs intermediate modulus carbon fiber and sophisticated
lay-up schedules.
– OCLV White uses predominantly standard modulus carbon fiber and
delivers an outstanding value.
Pick your fit
In a radical departure from the conventional thinking — that a performance-oriented bike demands an aggressive fit — Madone offers a trio of fit options without sacrificing Pro-Tour proven geometry.
– Pro Fit is the racer’s choice and uses the same aggressive fit as the
original Madone
– Performance Fit features a 30mm taller head tube that provides a
slightly higher hand position.
– WSD Fit is designed specifically to address a woman’s body structure
without compromising performance.
Availability
The Madone will be available at independent bike retailers beginning June 4th, 2007 with prices ranging from $2,749 to $7,499.
About Trek
Founded in 1976, Trek manufactures a full line of bicycles and accessories that are distributed in over 65 countries. A leader in product innovation and the bicycle champion of seven consecutive Tours de France, Trek bikes are proudly made in Waterloo, Wisconsin, and have been for more than 30 years.
WATERLOO, WI — (MARKET WIRE) — March 19, 2007 — Trek Bicycle Corporation, the country’s premier bicycle manufacturer, is reintroducing millions of Americans to the joy of bike riding with the launch of its new Lime bike. Lime is the ideal bike for the casual rider who wants a fun, convenient and stylish way to run out for a cup of coffee or a breath of fresh air. With its comfortable, upright riding position, automatic transmission and pedal brakes, Lime is designed to ride the way we did as kids — spontaneously, socially and to experience the sheer joy of motion.Hidden technology: Lime features the superior quality and elegant design Trek is famous for, coupled with cutting-edge Coasting™ technology developed by Shimano, the industry leader in bicycle components. While the 3-speed automatic transmission technology is sophisticated, its result is the simplest, easiest bike ride ever. A sensor detects the bike’s speed and sends a message to a computer telling it to shift up or down. The turning of the front wheel generates the energy to operate the computer — there are no batteries. The computer controls the selection of the perfect gear for the bike’s speed and always returns to first gear at a stop. And all of this is hidden from view providing a clean, classic look. Lime is also equipped with pedal brakes; pedal forward and you go, pedal backward and you stop. It doesn’t get any easier than that.
Two miles, two wheels: It is estimated that 41 percent of the automobile trips taken in this country are for distances less than two miles(1). Lime is a fun, efficient alternative to a car, bus or cab for those short distance errands. With a bike using only 35 calories per passenger-mile compared to a car’s whopping 1,860(2), if only half of those brief trips were accomplished by Lime rather than a motor vehicle the energy savings would be enormous. Fresh air, exercise and an enhanced connection to your neighborhood and neighbors are all additional benefits to living the Lime life.
Personal expression and customization: Owning a Lime will say a lot about you; you are casual and fun, social and socially conscious, fit and free. And the variety of options available to personalize your Lime will allow you to say even more. Choices in size, price and color allow you to pick the perfect bike for your build, budget and personal taste. Lime Peelz™ color kits, bells and baskets allow for further customization.
Enjoy the ride: Lime’s natural heads-up riding position, puncture-resistant tires, comfort saddle, ergonomic hand grips, stable frame geometry, ease of operation and virtually maintenance-free mechanics combine for a riding experience that frees you to enjoy the scenery, socialize with your riding companions and focus on the sheer joy of the ride. Bike riding the way it used to be. Bike riding the way it can be again.
Where can I get one of these? Lime bikes are available in two models, Lime and Lime Lite. Both versions will be available at Trek retailers nationwide. For more information, visit www.trekbikes.com or www.trekbikes.com/lime.
About Trek: Headquartered in Waterloo, Wisconsin, Trek Bicycle Corporation is a global leader in bicycle design and manufacturing. From the original hand-built steel touring frames introduced in 1976 to the revolutionary OCLV carbon fiber first introduced in 1992, Trek’s passion for innovation, quality, and performance leads the industry with next-generation technology and thinking. With a record seven consecutive Tour de France titles, six straight 24-hour World Solo Mountain Bike Championships, and countless other professional wins, Trek enjoys a rich tradition of victory in the world’s premier cycling events. Today, with a broad range of bicycles and cycling products under the Trek, Gary Fisher, LeMond, Bontrager, and Klein brand names, Trek continues to pursue new ways to bring the joy of cycling to all people.
MADISON, WI — (MARKET WIRE) — February 02, 2007 — Trek Travel have announced they will be launching a fully supported 34-day, 33-night epic cross country bike tour that will span the continental United States starting in Santa Barbara, California and ending in Charleston, South Carolina. The trip, open to any qualified and fit guests, will cycle a total of 3,000 plus miles, include over 167,000 feet of total climbing, clock an average of 100 miles per day, and have 3 rest days.”When we came up with the idea of our Cross Country trip, we wanted to build on the things that set Trek Travel apart in the industry — top of the line bikes, professional, fun and flexible guides, exceptional service and amazing experiences that one never forgets — and take them to a whole new level,” said Tania Worgull, President and founder of Trek Travel. “What we offer guests on our Cross Country USA trip is the experience of a lifetime — the opportunity for ordinary people to do an extraordinary thing — with all the details and support managed seamlessly by the elite Trek Travel team.”
The 2007 Trek Travel Cross Country USA trip will start on September 17, 2007 and finish on October 20, 2007. Professional coaching and training for Trek Travel Cross Country USA trip guests will be available through former pro-cyclist Kevin Livingston’s Pedal Hard, and will include a complete fitness assessment, individual training schedules and nutrition recommendations.
Trek Travel LLC began in 2002 as a subsidiary of Trek Bicycle Corporation offering cycling vacations across North American and Europe. With the addition of the Cross Country USA trip, Trek Travel offers bike trips in 30 destinations across 11 countries around the globe, including trips to all three European Grand Tours cycling races and the Tour of California. With an emphasis on complete riding flexibility, Trek Travel has a cycling vacation for any level of rider. Born from the same pursuit of excellence that for 30 years has driven Trek Bikes to become the industry leader, Trek Travel’s focus is on consistently providing exceptionally personalized vacation experiences to every guest.
Top of the line Trek bikes, highly trained world class guides, and unique local connections have helped set Trek Travel apart in an increasingly competitive and growing active travel industry.
I am not sure I agree with all of the picks, or the rankings, but nonetheless, nice eye candy.
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