Spain
2016 Volta a Catalunya stage 3
With just two stages under their collective belt, the peloton embarked on the queen stage of the 96th edition of the Volta a Catalunya today. With the stage beginning in Girona, it was an especially sentimental stage to the numerous riders who call this city home. Koen Bouwman and Alexy Vermeulen. The American neo pro … Continue reading
2016 Volta a Catalunya stage 2
On a day when events in Brussels make me think that cycling is so trivial, I somehow also can’t help but feel that cycling is that much more essential. With this in mind, I present a photo gallery from Els Àngels, a category 1 climb just outside of Girona. The second stage of the Volta a … Continue reading
La Méditerranéenne stage 1 TTT
Today saw a miserably cold, wet afternoon as 16 teams rounded the usually scenic lake at Banyoles to complete a 5.5km team time trial in the opening stage of La Mediterraneenne. Having ridden the 20km from Girona to Banyoles, my fingers were sufficiently numb for much of the afternoon, so I hope you’ll excuse me … Continue reading
Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana stage 5
A million times during the off season, I meant to write a new post, but there was always something else to divert my attention. You can be sure now that the peloton is back to racing in Europe, they’ve got my full attention! The fifth and final stage of the Valencia race was scheduled … Continue reading
2015 La Vuelta stage 12
Andorra: beautiful scenery but very few cycling fans! Tony Hurel. Carlos Verona. Julien Simon. Dominique Rollin poses for fans. Markel Irizar and Stephane Rossetto's bike wait dutifully for their riders. Andrew Talasnky. Carlos Barbero. Amael Moinard and Mattia Cattaneo head in opposite directions. Joey Rosskopf signs … Continue reading
2015 La Vuelta stage 11: Alto Els Cortals d’Encamp
Thanks to a new friend with a car and the free funicular, we landed ourselves the perfect viewing spot about 1.2km before the finish line on Alto Els Cortals d'Encamp. When a single light blue dot appeared on a far road, it could only be Mikel Landa coming in to claim the stage. … Continue reading
2015 La Vuelta stage 11: Collada de Beixalis
Rest day? What rest day? It was a distant memory when the peloton woke up this morning to prepare for the 138km queen stage. I hiked up the first of 6 categorized climbs, which came after less than 10km of riding for the peloton. Waiting for the peloton. Romain Sicard and Darwin … Continue reading
2015 La Vuelta stage 10
An overnight rain I. Valencia did nothing to cool temperatures but it did make for a striking sky over the beach this morning. Valencia officially speaks Spanish and Valencian so there was an additional emcee on hand this morning alongside Juanma. The sign on window had been open for probably 15 minutes before … Continue reading
2015 La Vuelta stage 9
The town of Torrevieja, site of the ninth stage's start, isn't much itself but the beach certainly is gorgeous. At the Tour de France, it was Cyril Gautier who was usually the first rider to sign on. At the Vuelta, his teammate Jerome Cousin has been taking that distinction. Stephen Cummings. When … Continue reading
2015 La Vuelta stage 8
Today's stage was always a question mark. The profile was a long downward slope with two short, sharp peaks in the last 36km where the peloton would hit La Cresta del Gallo twice. It would be a tough climb, but would it be tough enough for the break to stick, or would it all come … Continue reading