Five Things Every Cycling Fan Should Know About Today: October 9th, 2012
5. Ekimov in as Manager of Katusha
Katusha have quelled the rumors of impending change by today announcing that Viatcheslav Ekimov will replace Hans-Michael Holczer as General Manager of Katusha. Ekimov was placed in charge of the development of Russian Cycling within the Russian Global Cycling Project last year by team president Igor Makarov. He won Olympic Gold in the time trial at the 2000 Olympics, and won stages of Tour and Vuelta during his career. He has worked as a Director Sportif at Discovery Channel, Astana, and Radioshack.
The change comes as a shock to some, given the success of the team this season under former Gerolsteiner manager Holczer. "The decision came from the Russian sponsor and federation; I don't know why or the reason," sports director Valero Piva said. "It's difficult to understand after a season like this. I can't say more on it, though." The team's success was owed largely to Joaquim Rodriguez, who finished second overall at the Giro d'Italia and third at the Vuelta Espana, as well as winning Fleche Wallone and the Giro di Lombardia.
After his win at Lombardia, Rodriguez hinted that shake up might be in the works. "They have their ideas, I have mine," he said. "I am racing with my group of guys; the boys are happy. It's up to them to do their work, but, up until now, they [management] haven't done it. I will be with Katusha through next year, but if they keep thinking the way they are, for sure, I won't be with them in 2014." Apparently tension between the top rider and GM had driven a wedge at the top of the team. Rodriguez had hoped for an increased salary given the season he was having, but Holczer had thus far been unwilling. Rodriguez considered breaking his contract over the issue, but opted to remain with the team instead. The Spaniard's agent said Holczer and Makarov blamed each other over the issue, but that no resolution had thus far been met for his rider.
It is unclear at this time whether Holczer resigned or was let go, but the move came as a surprise to several within the team, so the suspicion is that Holczer resigned of his own accord. With it being run by the Russians, it's hard to say if we'll ever get a straight answer to that question.
4. Houanard Provisionally Suspended for EPO
The UCI has provisionally suspended 26 year old French rider Steve Houanard of Ag2R La Mondiale for an out of competition EPO positive conducted September 21st, 2012. Houanard has been withdrawn from the Tour of Beijing where he raced today. It is not yet known if he has requested his B-sample be tested.
Team manager Vincent Lavenu was outraged at the news. "It is with sadness that I heard this unfortunate news," he said. "Above all, I'm driven this evening by a strong feeling of anger because of the damage to the team and our sponsors. I want to reiterate our commitment to the biological passport and to the values upheld by the International Cycling Union. We have full confidence in the competent authorities in their fight against doping."
Houanard turned professional in 2009 with Skil-Shimano and rode with the team until making the transfer to Ag2R in 2011. His best ride of note was a third place on a stage at the 2011 Route de Sud.
3. Armstrong's 2009 Blood Values Indicate Doping say Anti-Doping Scientists
Anti-Doping Scientists Michael Ashenden and Robin Parisotto believe that blood values taken from Armstrong in 2009 indicate blood manipulation and doping. Both scientists were part of the expert panel that assessed the biological passport programme, and are among the chief experts in the field. Ashenden says two things stand out when the blood values are examined. First, Armstrong's system showed a lower-than-expected level of reticulocytes, young red blood cells which are generated as part of the body's normal turnaround of the more mature hemoglobin molecules. "Suppressed red blood cell production is a classic signature associated with blood doping," Ashenden said. "The body to reacts to the presence of excess red cells in circulation by suppressing the bone marrow's production of new cells." Second, "the absence of a natural decline in blood concentration during a three-week race is also consistent with blood doping," said Ashenden.
At the 2009 Giro, Armstrong's Hematocrit Reading went from 43.5 to 38.2 by the end of the race, consistent with normal figures. His Tour Hematocrit Reading however, went from 42.8 to 43.0, an increase. Ashenden and Parisotto believe this to be an indication of blood doping. So while Armstrong may not have failed a test, his spokesman Mark Fabiani is wrong to conclude that prevents USADA from bringing the case. There is an in-between, to refute his exact statement. Maybe Armstrong missed the memo while he was retired, but the biological passport has gotten riders without them ever testing positive. USADA likely has viewed this evidence in reaching their decision.
Meanwhile his lawyers have attacked USADA for using evidence from "serial perjurers" (aka Landis and Hamilton) and coerced through "threats and sweetheart deals." (Likely from Hincapie, Leipheimer, Zabriskie, Vaughters et al.) Armstrong's lawyers also pointed out that USADA was using the assistance of lawyers from of "Big Tobacco's favorite law firms" when Lance Armstrong is one of America's leading anti-tobacco and cancer advocates.
2. Androni-Giocattoli Wins Guaranteed Giro d'Italia Wildcard Place
The Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela squad has earned one of the four wildcard entries available for the 2013 Giro d'Italia thanks to their win in the Coppa Italia, the season-long competition for Italian cycling teams. Androni finished with 814 points, beating Colnago CSF-Inox (766) and the now-defunct Acqua & Sapone team (680). The series counts points from .1 and HC class races throughout the season. Androni secured their place in the race in the same fashion last year, and will be looking to build on their two stage win at this year's edition of the race.
1. Tour of Beijing Stage 1 ResultsFive stage race
Elia Viviani took the stage one sprint victory in the Bird's Nest Olympic Piazza after 117km of racing. Viviani won ahead of Andy Fenn (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) and Edvald Boasson-Hagen, and now wears the red leader's jersey thanks to time bonuses. Fenn is second at 4 seconds back, breakaway member Matthieu Ladagnous & Boasson-Hagen tied at 6 seconds, and the field at 10, led by Kenny Van Hummel. Viviani said he counted on Boasson-Hagen to sprint from further out, as he enjoys longer sprints, and just held his wheel until the final 250 meters.
American Craig Lewis featured in the break today, and was the last rider to be caught before the finishing line. Lewis' Champion System Chinese team was invited late to the race, and he will be looking to display the level of skill he had while at HTC-Highroad in the hopes of finding his way back to the ProTour level for next year.
