SMP sees the finale of the Giro D’Italia Cyclocross

THE SMP SADDLES HAS CROWNED THE CHAMPIONS IN ROSE OF GIRO D’ITALIA

During the last weeks which close 2010 and open 2011, the winter cycling season sees always the SMP Saddles as protagonists, present during the greatest Italian races and with important and so much expected moments.

As a matter of fact, after six stages, the curtain dropped over Giro d’Italia, the challenge wanted by technical director both of the National and of Italian cycle federation supported by the Paduan trademark of Franco and Maurizio Schiavon brothers.

After the trials run at Paterno (Potenza) November 14th, Modena December 8th, Lucca November 21, Faè di Oderzo (Treviso) in the international seat on December 12, Borgosesia (Vercelli) December 12th, the grand final took place at Scorzè, in province of Venice, December 30th.

Those races were valid also for one one the latest appointments of 31st Triveneto Trophy.…

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Team Sky takes out the final stage of the TDU

Ben Swift and Greg Henderson one-two (credit bettini)

In a repeat of the finale at last year's Santos Tour Down Under, Team Sky has finished the last stage with two of its riders in first and second place, with Ben Swift saluting the crowd as victor and Greg Henderson behind him.

Sky's train, including Simon Gerrans, Michael Rogers, Mathew Hayman and Geraint Thomas, went to work in the closing kilometres of today's 90km criterium around the north of Adelaide's CBD and delivered both Swift and Henderson into pole position for the sprint.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/santos-tour-down-under-upt-1/stage-6/results

Lang takes 2nd at Aussie Crit Champs

Richy Lang on the Podium

Tasmanian Ben Grenda stormed to victory in the U23 national criterium championship in Ballarat this evening. The 20-year-old Genesys Wealth Advisers rider proved too fast for Richard Lang (Jayco AIS) and Tom Palmer (Drapac Porsche). "I'm really happy," Grenda said after the race. "This is the biggest win in my career. I have always wanted to win a national jersey and it feels good." The pace was brutal early and halfway during the race Luke Durbridge (Jayco AIS) launched a solo attack and held that advantage for 14 laps. Riders tried to bridge across, but the silver medalist at the U23 time trial world championships last year was too strong, holding an advantage of approximately 14 seconds over the peloton. With three laps to go, the peloton started to reel in the West Australian and Tom Palmer burst out of the peloton to get across to Luke in the final two laps. The duo were caught…Continue Reading

Marianna Longa on the podium in the Tour de Ski

Marianna Longa on the podium at the Tour de Ski

Polish star Justyna Kowalczyk defended the Tour de Ski victory and was the first on the top of the Alpe Cermis today.

Therese Johaug from Norway showed an excellent performance, and attacked from the fifth place and overtook both Follis and Longa and captured second place. Third came home Marianna Longa of Italy.

“It was a very hard race today, the climbing is really really though. I am so tired right now. Therese Johaug was really strong yesterday, and she was even more dangerous for me today. I am really satisfied with winning third place today, and I am happy with my race."

Cameron Brown wins race2 of the Contact NZ Tri series

Cameron Brown takes out race 2 of the contact NZ Tri series

Well I started the year off in winning form taking out race 2 of the Contact Energy New Zealand Triathlon series.

The race takes place in Whangamata, a beautiful beach resort on the east coast of New Zealand. Lucky I only had to bike 2mins down the road to the race start as my wife's parents live here.

The 2 lap 1.5km swim had some great waves to body surf on, I came out 90seconds down on former World aquathon world Champion Brent Foster and tried to quickly make inroads into his and under 23 athlete Edward Rawles lead. I caught Foster at the 5km mark but did'nt catch Rawles until 30km into the 40km ride, from then on I tried to establish a lead onto the run and came of the bike with a 45sec lead.

The three lap run was half on the road and half on the beach, most of that was on hard packed sand but the last 300m of each lap had some soft sand running so the calfs got a…

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