Can Anna save Australia?

August 18, 2008

Anna Meares is Australia’s sole remaining medal hope after streaking into the semi-finals at the Laoshan Velodrome tonight.? Meares, 24, had a strong day yesterday and followed that up this evening by beating France’s Clara Sanchez in the first two heats of the best-of-three quarter-finals.

In the event affectionately known as the cat and mouse, Meares won the first heat comfortably before Sanchez fought tooth and nail in the second, only to lose by a whisker.

Meares will face home favourite Shuang Guo in the semi-final tomorrow…

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3:53! Brits win gold and break World Record!

August 18, 2008

The Great British team pursuit team have smashed their own world record to record the time of 3:53 for the 4km team pursuit, beating the Danish team home for the Olympic Gold medal…

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Australia finish 4th in Team Pursuit, New Zealand takes Bronze.

August 18, 2008

The Australian team pursuit quartert, consisting of 19 year old Jack Bobridge, Tasmanian Mark Jamieson and former Olympic champions Luke Roberts and Graeme Brown, have finished in fourth behind New Zealand in the bronze medal ride off tonight…

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BREAKING NEWS: World Calendar to replace ProTour

August 18, 2008

The long-running political battle between the UCI and the Grand Tour organisers appears to be moving closer to an end following the announcement on Monday of a new “UCI World Calendar” system.

According to the UCI, this will combine the existing ProTour races plus the monument events organised by the Grand Tour organisers. It will come into effect from next season and will feature both individual and team classifications.

Under the proposed terms, participation in the 2009 and 2010 Tours de France will be governed by the agreement signed by the teams and ASO on 18 June. From 2011 onwards, the classifications of the UCI World Calendar would confer the right to participate, with either seventeen teams of 9 riders or eighteen teams of eight taking part.

The announcement of the new system was made on Monday morning in Beijing and followed several weeks of discussions between the UCI…

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Australia Qualify 3rd in Team Pursuit

August 17, 2008

MARK Jamieson’s quick thinking and the doggedness of his 4000m pursuit teammates saved cycling defending champion Australias from Olympic Games elimination.

Jamieson’s front tyre punctured at the halfway mark, leaving Jack Bobridge, Bradley McGee and Luke Roberts to complete eight qualifying laps without one of the nation’s strongest riders.
Jamieson’s exit meant his teammates had to shoulder his share of the workload in an extreme endurance event – while making sure their time was good enough to make the top eight.
The Cyclones trio responded instinctively and courageously to clock a creditable 4min 02.041sec to finish third in qualifying, with competition rules demanding that three riders finish the course.

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Coming Soon… CyclingExtra.com

August 14, 2008

Free Cycling Wallpaper: Fabian Cancellara…2008 Olympic Champion

August 13, 2008

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Nicole Cooke wins women’s Olympic Road Race Championship

August 10, 2008

Great Britain’s Nicole Cooke has finally achieved her dream of winning the Olympic road race championship after a dominant performance in? appalling? conditions today. Cooke, who has won countless national and world championships, held on for the win after hitting out early in the final sprint of 5 riders.

Emma Johansson of Sweden looked as if she was going to take the win from Cooke in the dying stages of the race, but ran out of energy just before the line. Italy’s Tatiana Guderzo held on for a gutsy third place, after attacking constantly throughout the race.

Australia’s defending Olympic champion Sara Carrigan led the Australian contingent home in the second group on the road.

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Morton wins US National Championsip

August 10, 2008

Real Aussie Kids rider Lachlan Morton has won the American U17 National Road Championship ahead of Daniel Tisdell and Anders Newbury. Lachlan, who is currently training in Colorado with his brother Angus, attacked the 80 strong field with half a lap to go and held off to win against his US counterpart.

The Port Macquarie local has had a stellar season, which included winning his first professional road race two months ago.

Free Cycling Wallpaper: Samuel Sanchez … Olympic Champion!

August 9, 2008

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LIVE COVERAGE: Spains Samuel Sanchez wins Olympic Games Mens Road Race

August 9, 2008

Gold-Samuel Sanchez (Spain)

Silver-David Rebellin (Italy)

Bronze-Fabian Cancellara (Switzerland)

4th – Alexandr Kolobnev (Russia)

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6:57pm: SANCHEZZ!!!!!!!! We told you he could sprint!!!!

6:56pm: Rogers is at the back. It looks like Kolobnev, Sanchez…

6:55pm: Cancellara is on the front 500m to go.

6:54pm: Cancellara swings off. Rogers is in good position. Schleck leads. Sanchez is sitting well.? 

6:54pm: Rogers is sitting well. 1km to go!

6:53pm: BOOM BOOM BOOM! Fabian Cancellara has just crossed the gap!!! He is a machine, I’ll put $100 on him thankyou very much.

6:52pm: This is an excellent race, everyone is putting there hearts on the line. Sanchez is gritting his teeth, could we see Michael Rogers win the Olympic Games?!

6:50pm: Rogers is coming back! They’re going to catch them!

6:48pm: By the way, Andy Schleck is riding with white hudz, you can purchase a pair from our sponsors on the right.

6:46pm: The front three are flying through the tunnels what a great photo? —>? 

6:43pm: If anyone is listening to SBS’s coverage of the race, we wouldn’t be listening to Mike Turtur, Sammy Sanchez can sprint!

6:42pm: Rogers has now joined up with Kolobnev and they are now chasing the front three. There is still a large bunch chasing including Evans and Valverde.? 

6:41pm: Could it be a fairytale ending for Rebellin, whos birthday it is today?

6:39pm: The top 3 have broken away now, Schleck, Rebellin and Sanchez… who will win? 13km to go. They have 35 seconds on the Evans group.? 

6:38pm: Schleck puts in a huge attack after there was almost a crash in the front bunch. Rebellin is looking super strong and is following Schleck easily. It looks like Rogers is now in trouble.? 

6:37pm: Remember Kolobnev is an excellent rider with a great bunch kick. He finished 2nd to Paolo Bettini last year the Worlds.

6:35pm: Five riders away! Rogers, Rebellin, Kolobnev, Sanchez and Schleck.? 

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Road Race to start on schedule

August 9, 2008

The Olympic Road Race will start on schedule and will commence in the next ten minutes as predicted by cycling commentator Phil Liggett. Humidity for the road race is now at 94% which will also play into the races outcome.

Phil Liggett believes Road Race will start on schedule, O’Grady his favourite

August 9, 2008

Tour de France commentator Phil Liggett has told Channel 7 that he believes the Olympic Games road race will start on schedule, although still has his doubts. Liggett, who is also commentating on the games, says that the? decision? of the start time will be made in the near future by the? organizers? of the games.? 

Liggett also believes that Adelaide’s Stuart O’Grady is a strong favourite for the road race, citing his abilities on the flat and on the hills are suited to the course. Liggett said O’Grady was coming off great form after the Tour de France in which he told Liggett that “The tour finished too early for me”, and that he will be strong for the Games.

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Transfer News: Bathurst’s Mark Renshaw to move to Team Columbia?

August 9, 2008

Bathurst’s own Mark Renshaw is reportedly moving to Team Columbia for the 2009 season. Renshaw, who was an integral part of Thor Hushovd’s lead out train for Credit Agricole, will jump ship to help Team Columbia’s young gun Mark Cavendish.

Cavendish has often been lead out by Germany’s Gerald Ciolek before sprinting to victory in the last 18 months but the former Under 23 world champion is set to leave Columbia for a major German team looking to boost its line-up of sprinters after a disappointing season.

Renshaw has been riding against Cavendish on the track for many years now, and their combined track skills may come in handy in the final bunch sprints.

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BREAKING NEWS: Olympic Road Race could be postponed due to smog

August 9, 2008

OFFICIAL Olympic broadcasters around the world have been sent into panic as Games organisers warned them there was a chance the men’s cycling road race may be postponed because of smog.
CyclingExtra.com has learned broadcasters have been put on notice that they may need to find alternative programming if the air quality was not considered safe. The road race is the blue riband event of day one of competition and is scheduled to last from 11am until about 5pm.

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Michael Rogers confident for Olympic Road Race

August 9, 2008

MICHAEL Rogers has emerged as a serious contender for today’s Olympic cycling road race gold medal after describing the gruelling course as “perfect”.

The triple world champion time trialler is one of the few riders in the 245km slog from the heart of Beijing to the heights of the Great Wall Of China with a positive opinion about the circuit.

“In the past 10 years at the Olympic Games and the world champs, there’s been nothing like this course,” he said.

“It is a very strange course for cycling, but it does suit me … I couldn’t be happier with that course.

“Once you get out to the Wall, it’s basically 10km up and 10km back down again. We do that seven times.

“You don’t want to challenge too early in the conditions. You want to leave your run as late as possible.

“I think it suits me perfectly.”

The course climbs about 650m from the Temple of Heaven in Beijing to the highest point at Badaling Gate, before a rapid descent to the finish line.
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Free Cycling Wallpaper: Alejandro Valverde wins Tour de France Stage

August 8, 2008

Get this awesome Alejandro Valverde Desktop Background for your computer!


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Australians ready to tackle Olympic competition and conditions

August 8, 2008

The Australian men’s road cycling team felt the full sapping effect of Beijing’s humidity and smog as they trained on the Olympic course.

Cadel Evans, Stuart O’Grady, Michael Rogers, Simon Gerrans and Matt Lloyd did four laps of the tough 23.8km loop at the Great Wall, north west of Beijing, which forms the critical part of Saturday’s 245km men’s road race.

A thick haze hung over the finish line area and the conditions were muggy.

The day one event could yield Australia’s 400th Olympic medal and the Australian Olympic Committee will also watching closely to see what effect the weather conditions have on competitors in such a gruelling event.

The race starts in Beijing and travels about 80km before the hilly loop, which the men must complete seven times.

“You make an effort and you really pay for it in your breathing – when you make a 100 per cent effort, you pay for it,” O’Grady said.

“Your body is drained really quickly.

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Central Division (NSW) Age Championships

August 5, 2008

Full program for CD Age Championships

The 2008 Central Division Age Championships is shaping up to be an event of epic proportions if the turnout at the last event is any indication. Huge numbers of riders swarmed all over Kooragang Island on Sunday in what many riders were using as a warmup for the upcoming championships. Around 300 riders are expected to do battle in their respective age groups.

These championships are unique in that they cater for riders from under 11’s right through to the Masters 10+ category in a single afternoon of racing.

Racing gets under way with the junior grades at the earlier time of 12:00pm and continues on until about 4:00pm when the last of the senior grades finishes.

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Results: 2008 Tour of Gippsland Stage 8

August 4, 2008

Roe cracks under pressure as Sulzberger sprints to victory.

By Rod Morris

For the fifth day in a row, the lead in the Lakes Oil Tour of Gippsland changed hands, finally landing with Tasmanian Bernard Sulzberger. Sulzberger (24) mirrored the performance of his younger brother Wesley, who won the 2006 Tour of Gippsland before going on to win the national series, which was then known as the Tattersall’s Cup. It is now raced under the Scody Cup banner.

Sulzberger overcame a 16-second deficit in the last stage, a 44-km criterium in the seaside township of Paynesville to win the five-day tour by 18 seconds from overnight leader Timothy Roe, who failed to fire a shot on an exciting last day.

Sulzberger, riding for the Virgin Blue Cycling Team, not only won the tour, but claimed the Most Aggressive title and the lead in the Scody Cup series, with the Australian Cycling Grand Prix at Ballarat, the Tour of the Murray River and the Tour of Tasmania still to come.

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Photos: Licorice Gallery

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Results: 2008 Tour of Gippsland Stage 6

August 1, 2008

By Rod Morris

The battle for overall honours in the Lakes Oil Tour of Gippsland cycling race is destined to go to the wire after top Tasmanian rider Bernard Sulzberger moved into the lead.

Sulzberger put his sprinting prowess into overdrive in the Bairnsdale criterium sixth stage, scoring enough time bonuses and a podium placing to reel in Praties Cycling Team riders Daniel Furmston and Dylan Newell, who he trailed by 13 and 10 seconds respectively.

Riding for the Blue Virgin Cycling Team, Sulzberger, 24, is aiming to emulate the 2006 performance of his younger brother Wesley, who won the Tour of Gippsland. Sulzberger finished third in the afternoon stage behind ace Victorian Leigh Howard (Jayco/VIS) and Kyle Marwood (Lakes Oil Cycling Team). The extra bonus for third place gave Sulzberger a seven-second lead to Newell and Furmston.

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Photos: licorice gallery

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Results: 2008 Tour of Gippsland Stage 5

August 1, 2008

By Rod Morris

Newell moved to within three seconds on general classification of his Praties team-mate after winning the tough Dargo to Lindenow stage over 73.6 kilometres. Newell had been caught up in some mayhem in the Dargo to Lindenow race, but was able to recover and reel back in the early leaders including the hard working Peter Herzig, who had fought off numerous challengers.

The Praties team is concentrating hard on winning its first ever multi stage tour in the history of the Scody Cup, which has raced under previous banners, Tattersall’s Cup (1996-2006) and Timbercorp Cup (2007).

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Results: 2008 Tour of Gippsland Stage 3

August 1, 2008

By Rod Morris

A gutsy solo ride for 15 laps of the 1.4-kilometre Orbost circuit paid dividends for Queensland rider David Kemp.

Whilst not considered a serious threat at 1′31″ behind the tour leader, Kemp was allowed plenty of latitude and was able to reduce his deficit to 48 seconds and improved his rating from 27th overall to 12th.

Dickeson maintained his hold on the leader’s jersey although his advantage was reduced from 22 seconds to eight seconds by Queensland’s Malcolm Rudolph, who looks to be concentrating on the sprint championship. Rudolph was a clear leader after the opening day and extended his points margin to 18 after winning four more intermediate sprints and running second in another yesterday morning.

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Photos: Licorice Gallery? 

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Results: 2008 Tour of Gippsland Stage 2

July 31, 2008

By Rod Morris

A fall in the opening 20 minutes of racing didn’t stop Adelaide based cyclist Will Dickeson from claiming the lead on the first day of the Lakes Oil Tour of Gippsland.

Dickeson, riding for the strong Savings & Loans team, fell in the morning criterium at Mallacoota and although he later required medical attention to cuts and bruises on both elbows and his lower left leg, he recovered to finish eighth behind Tasmanian duo Bernard Sulzberger (Virgin Blue Cycling) and Nathan Clarke (Praties Cycling Team). In the afternoon’s Mallacoota road race over 93.4 km, Dickeson was able to slot into a seven-man breakaway group that did some serious damage to the peloton.

Malcolm Rudolph’s lead was shortlived when he missed the afternoon break.

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Photos: Licorice Gallery? 

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Results: 2008 Tour of Gippsland Stage 1

July 31, 2008

By Rod Morris

Bernard Sulzberger and NathanClarke fought out a thrilling finish and judges had to revert to the camera before declaring the former, the stage 1 winner. Third home in the criterium stage behind Sulzberger and Clarke was popular Victorian James Langedyk, riding for the Jayco VIS team..

This was Sulzberger’s third victory in the history of the series, having previously claimed the George Town to Beauty Point road race in the 2005 Tour of Tasmania and the Swan Hill to Manangatang race in the 2005 Tour of the Murray River. His younger brother Wesley, won the Tattersall’s Cup series in 2006 and both Bernard and Wesley are previous winners of the Sid Patterson Memorial Young Rider of the Future award.

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