Astana in Giro d'Italia?

Velonews is reporting Astana may get an invite, in this article. However, nothing is for sure yet. With Kloden, Levi, and Contador, the team is strong and they should be there. Kloden is about to seal up the Tour de Romandie, the team won the GC at the Tour de Georgia, Contador is delivering in Europe, etc.

Why would they not get invited?




!!!!!UPDATE!!!!!ASTANA HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN INVITED TO THE GIRO D'ITALIA! Check out this article! Since Astana will be in both the Giro and the Vuelta, it looks like the Tour de France will be even less legit without the strongest team competing! It's similar to saying "Let's exclude the Yankees this season because Roger Clemens doped...or might have?" I'll never understand ASO's logic.

Anyway, thanks to the Giro Organizer, Angelo Zomegnan, the Giro will be contain the best riders in the world and be truly competitive! I think Levi Leipheimer, Alberto Contador or Andreas Kloden will look good in pink:) All three will be there, check out this article from www.guardian.co.uk.

For live coverage May 10 - June 1, 2008, go to www.cycling.tv/giro

The Devil Went...

Down to Georgia! We are packing up and shipping out to catch stage 5 & 6 of the TDG. Stage 5 is an epic mountain stage (see my earlier TDG post) and of course stage 6 will be amazing with Brasstown Bald as the finish. I've got my bright orange 2008 TDG visor, my nephew has the matching jersey, so we are all set. I'll post pics and reports as soon as I can download them.

As for now, Toyota United's Ivan Dominguez (Toyota United) takes stage 1, J.J. Haedo (CSC) takes stage 2, Greg Henderson (Team High Road) takes stage 3 and the overall lead. Thursday's TTT is at Road Atlanta.

Live and On-Demand Tour de Georgia Coverage

If you are not as lucky as me to see the Tour de Georgia in person (I'll be at Stage 5 & 6), the next best thing is to watch the tour live on the web. As you can see below, there are many other races being covered, see below for more info...

WCSN.COM/cycling

Cycling enthusiasts can watch exclusive events, races and their favorite cyclists online through complete, live and on-demand coverage via a $4.95 monthly subscription plus free access to results, video highlights, breaking news, behind-the-scenes features, and more . In 2008, WCSN will offer coverage of the UCI Road World Championships (Varese), UCI Mountain Bike World Cup and World Championships, Tour of Germany, Nature Valley Grand Prix and WCSN USA CRITS Championship Series. Also, on-demand events available for viewing include 2008 UCI Track World Championships (Manchester); 2008 Cyclo-Cross World Championships (Treviso) and 2007 UCI Road World Championships (Stuttgart).

Tour de Georgia

Tour de Georgia (I wish they would change the name to Tour of Georgia)

Even though the Tour de Georgia is just shy of 6 weeks away, I’m getting pumped about planning my trip. I can’t wait to take my nephews and my daughter to Brasstown Bald for what always is an exciting finish. For the 2007 finish click here:

http://www.tourdegeorgia.com/mambots/content/mgmediabot2/players.php?mode=popup&playerid=74b8246d3dc332b9bd1a2250b0ff91c7

Plus, on Friday, April 25, 2008, stage five charges right past my brother’s house in Suwanee, GA. (one of the best towns in the U.S.) After they roll by, we’ll hop in the cars and head up to Dahlonega. We’ll have plenty of time. This will pan out to be a key day in the race, 133.4 miles with 3 climbs of Burnt Mtn., Woody Gap, and Crown Mtn.

For all the details on the race, go to: http://www.tourdegeorgia.com/2008-route-details-announced-3.html

2008 Tour de Georgia Teams (so far):
Feburary 14 update:
Astana (Luxembourg)
Team CSC (Denmark)
Gerolsteiner (Germany)
Team High Road (USA)
Team Slipstream/Chipotle presented by H30
BMC Racing
Bissell Pro Cycling Team (USA)
Jittery Joe's Professional Cycling Team (USA

Check out TV coverage on Versus on May 4th @ 4PM EST. (What a weird channel, it’s either bloodsport cage fighting or cycling, the two just don’t go together, I mean transitioning from Phil Ligget to a commercial about a BLOODY CAGE MATCH BEAT DOWNS just doesn’t seem right…thank god for Tivo & DVR!

I’ll take tons of pictures and hopefully get in some good rides while I’m down there. The weather should be paradise compared to Cleveland!