(Reprinted from The Star)
Michael Barry has enthralled us with many reports from the pro peleton over the years. Here is his description of a pre TDF test climb by David Millar and Victoria's own star, Ryder Hesjedal.
Only 11 days to go until the Tour. Check the contest rules and prizes in the June 28th. post. To help you go here for all the details on this year's Tour, including stages, rider list etc. Remember, the contest closes on July 2nd.
Canadian Cyclist has a great virtual TDF competition here. However, for those of you who don't have the time to work out all the necessary inputs, MIVA is running a simpler contest. Name the top five finishers in this year's Tour de France in any order and post your selection as a comment to this post. The winning entry will receive a set of MIVA jersey and bib shorts plus free entry to every MIVA event for the balance of the current season. In the event of a tie, the entry naming more placed riders in the correct order will be deemed the winning one. If there is more than one perfect entry, both will receive the prize.
Entries close after the completion of the first stage. Any rider(s) who abandon or are disqualified, for whatever reason, will be removed from your list.
The weekly, Tuesday evening MIVA criteriums are getting more popular. These great races on a very safe and challenging 1.1km circuit in Nanaimo started off this Spring with only half a dozen or so riders but over the last couple of weeks there have been up to 20 participants. Most of the riders are men, but there is one regular youth rider, Brodie Hay who would love to see some more young competitors. Comox VCC did bring down a couple of juniors last week but there are local MTB kids who would do well in the races.
A few women come out to race but their attendance is somewhat sporadic. If 6 girls come out at a time there will be a separate race just for them plus a pre-race clinic to go over skills. Any woman who brings a second to race will get free entry for both riders.