Don't Ask me about Lance T-shirt

It might be the road rash from Weds crash or pain pill that seems to have acted like a double shot of espresso...but I am awake @ 3AM.  Of course Social Media is a blaze with Lance stories, reaction, and speculation.  

As I was surfing Netflix content I realized what I dreaded most about this whole event.  I dread the ball and bat ESPN types wanting to chat with me about Lance.  If you're a cyclist, you know many of the chats are coming.  The ESPN crowd doesn't know the history of the sport, the danger involved or the immense suffering these athletes endure.  Our Babe Ruth the great Eddie Merckx, tested positive two times but they don't know that.  They think drugs in cycling started when it did in their sports, sometime between Lyle Alzado and Barry Bonds. Other sports have bigger issues they have felons making millions Michael Vick, Leonard Little, Donte' Stallworth for example.  But, they will want to talk about Lance and doping.... 

We received some tweets in the last few weeks for a shirt like this.  I think it might be time we make it.  I don't know about you, but I don't want to have one of those "chats" with someone that doesn't even know the history of OUR sport.  

Available in Men's and Women's sizes: 

BUY HERE

For the record our stance on Lance, cycling, it's history and why we love our bikes hasn't changed.  See previous blogs for our take:

http://handlebarmustache.blogspot.com/2012/06/burning-down-down-lance-and-johan-might.html

http://handlebarmustache.blogspot.com/2011/05/story-i-wish-60-minutes-would-tell-real.html

Stratton from Ritte nails it with his take here:

http://rittecycles.com/blog/

Hoping for a great Ronde this Sunday!

Hoping for a Ronde like this! NOT the race we saw last year!!!

Hope you enjoyed the clips, check out all our NEW T's including: Belgian The F*ck Up, Monsieur Paris Roubaix, and Cipo for President 

STEVEN COZZA T-Shirt sales to benefit Godson battling Leukemia

As Steven takes a break from cycling to focus on his personal health, he also has a loved one battling a serious illness.  Steven's Godson, Brody, is fighting Leukemia and needs help with treatment.  We will be donating ALL PROFITS from the Steven Cozza's Never Give Up T-shirt directly to Brody's trust fund via Steven's Race for Kids.

You can purchase the NEVER GIVE UP t-shirt here:

A year without Pistolero part DOS ?

With headlines everyday about Alberto Contador and his possible suspension, I have started to ponder a year or two without the Pistolero.  We did the same type of pondering last year, and some of the predictions about his riding proved to be true. The year of the Pistolero or Not?

As I have admitted in previous blogs, I have had a like him/ hate him sports fan perspective on Conta.  With Chain Gate, my initial reaction was that it was Bush league and had no place in the top level of the sport.

At the time I thought Chain Gate was a horrible display, and I was rooting for the lanky one to take back the time on Conta. Then the TDF played out and Andy's SCHLECKnd attitude brought me full circle with the Spaniard.  Sometimes sports force you to root for one athlete over the other - Bird or Magic, Brady or Manning, Lance or Jan.  Conta vs Andy.... it's very easy for me to pull for the guy that WANTS it and shows he knows how to finish.  In truth, Andy Schleck got me back on the Contador bandwagon with being a bit on the SOFT side. With time to think about it, many of us would have done the same thing as Alberto.  We are human and flawed....many of us are a bit more Conta down deep than Andy.  Whether we like to admit it or not, our inner "black hat" is a bit more likely to come out than our "white"one.

The Schlecks are a bit on the soft side (Marshmallow Peeps kinda soft)  when it comes to having a killer instinct

As most of us do, I think a lot while out riding.  With some time to reflect on Contador's 2011 season, I realized/remembered a few things.

*Dramatic story of a near death experience, to Grand Tour winner (As fans, we like those stories... especially in A-Merika!)
* Regardless of the help needed (Rasmussen ejection) or how close some of the victories were, he has won 5 GRAND TOURS... All 3 Grand Tours not just 1 of them multiple times. Really let that one sink in! That is the combined GC wins of Ivan Basso & Denis Menchov.

* He and his team got screwed out of the TDF in 08 (Anti-Astana/ Anti-Johan/Lance or whatever the reason) Without him we had the MOST forgettable Tour in....um.... a long.... LONG TIME! Who won that again?!? Carlos...zzzzzz

* I thought the cobbles at the 2010 edition of the Tour would end him, instead he did a very solid job with  them and went on to another win!  He wanted no part of riding that type of race, but he prepared and used it to gain some time instead of lose time.

* He is damn good for TV viewing!  As a sports fan, there are athletes you love & ones you love to hate.  Either way, you tune in to watch them.  He is one of those guys & I think the sport needs him for engagement sake.  Overall,  he is more like Lance than most US fans might realize and that means he is one to watch (to root for or against).  He has a wicked desire to win, he is a smart athlete that knows how to seize the moment even if it might require damage control later. He would rather be off the podium if he isn't on the top step.  He is egocentric, he is not a nice guy on the bike, and he will do whatever it takes. Yep, Lance was all of those things as well....and as I have stated many times I liked every bit it from LA (No Gifts, The Look,  Simeoni gate)!

I will say this and own it: Doped or not guilty, I hope he is riding in top form next year!  I want to watch Conta vs Cadel vs Schleck vs Wiggo at the TDF!


If Conta is 2nd TDF winner stripped in the last 5 years that means, This is now the 2nd times in the last 100 years!  Does this mean that cycling is closing the gap on the dopers, or are they throwing out a sacrificial lamb?  As Floyd Landis explained in our Twitter exchanges earlier this year, Alberto is not the most likable and is a big name, so a good target.  He lacks the "cancer shield" Lance carried so he is fair game.  Would it make the sport any cleaner?  Would it really make any rider pause and not take drugs?  Did the Festina affair or Op Puerto really do that?

I know what some of you are asking "Don't I want a clean sport?" I do! But I am also an optimistic realist, I know that there are 70 year old Masters racers doping and the French Cat 3 kid that was positive for 12 different drugs.  It has been part of the sport since 1900 will always be there. I do want a clearer sport, but I know it will never be squeaky clean and 100% "Pure". No twibbon band is going to change someone's mind that is that close to their dreams & financial security.

Honestly who are we to judge one rider against another?  Contador's winning margins are less that past Grand Tour winners like Lance, Basso, Merckx, etc.  So is that some kind of proof that he is clean or pretty clean? Our current favorite riders can all be tied directly or by 1 degree to a doping team, teammate, Dr. or director.  For example: Cadel Evans (time with T-Mobile 03-04), Andy Schleck (Riding for Riis & his brothers payments to Fuentez, etc), Cav having a missed test in 2011.

Either way I am looking forward to the 2012 season!  I am just rooting for a season with a certain Spaniard racing it!


Thanks for reading!  Check out our line of Cycling T's, Hoodies & Kits @ www.hbstache.com

NEW Spring classic T's Featuring: Philippe Gilbert & Fabian Cancellara

You know you are a BAD MAN, when Belgian fans hold up signs asking for your mercy!  Fabian Cancellara is one of the strongest riders in the pro peloton and we wanted to make a fitting tribute T!  This T is available in Men's & Ladies sizing and is set to deliver in late January. For a limited time it is Pre-Order priced at $22.  Buy NOW

$1 from this T will be donated to Ride for Reading

With a total of 15 race wins, Philippe Gilbert was hands down the best cyclist of 2011.  He earned his nickname of "Fast Phil" many times over.  This T is available in Men's & Ladies sizing and is set to deliver in late January. For a limited time it is Pre-Order priced at $22.  Buy NOW 

$1 from this T will be donated to Ride for Reading

Pro Cycling Team Kits: Time to get AWKWARD!

It's that time of year when we begin to see team kits being revealed.  It's also the time of year when we get some very awkward pics taken by photographers with an odd eye for what will make it "the shot".

Exhibit #1

This one is brand new.  You in the middle ditch the shoes. Closer...closer...closer right there.

Exhibit #2 

I know money is tight, but no sponsor is worth this!

Exhibit #3

Ummm...yeah I got nothing; I will let this one speak for it's self.

Don't know about you, but I am awaiting the pics of Team Crotch Eagle's new kit & Nissan Trek Shack's team presentaton! I can see it now The Schleck brothers showing up with scarves blowing in the breeze in a convertible 300Z wrapped to look like a dolphin.

I hope you enjoyed the pics!  Check out our cycling T's, Hoodies & Kits at www.hbstache.com  Use PROMO code: Holiday20 for 20% off on T's & Hoodies!

Tough choices for GC contenders: Which race is winnable?

Are the GC Contenders finally getting it?  For years I have wondered why certain riders continue to chase the dream of winning the Tour, instead of focusing on winning the Giro or the Vuelta.  I know the Tour is THE RACE for almost every young cyclist in the world, but that also makes it an unrealistic goal for 99%  of them.  

The Vuelta in particular looks to be the race that is the most wide open.  So should riders like Wiggo, 

Nabali, Leipheimer, or Horner make this race their primary goal for 2012?  Sounds like Igor Anton has already made this decision. Don't forget everyone's favorite Op Puerto character, Valpitti, is also back in 2012.  

What about the Giro?  It can be argued this is the toughest course year in, year out, but the TDF contenders often skip this race. So this race could be won by some of those that are consistently in the top 5 of the TDF.  Van den Broeck, Gesink, and Vande Velde.  Sounds like Ivan Basso has finally decided to give up his TDF dream and is looking to win his 3rd Giro. 

In the end, it has to be a mix of chasing a dream and being realistic.  Some riders are rewarded with their persistence, take Cadel for example, and others never quite get there, like Poulidor.  So what about Andy Schleck?  Should he take a closer look at these 3 races and figure out which one he is most suited for?  After seeing the TDF route and the amount of TT kilometers, he will be very lucky to get SCHLECKnd (we make this tee so we are pulling for him on this one!) or even SCHLird this year.  I think for many fans of these riders, a pink or red jersey on the wall is better than a yellow one in a dream.  

Thanks for reading!  Check out our cycling T's, Hoodies, Kits & Stickers @ www.hbstache.com

THE SCHLECKnd TEE PRE-ORDER

Andy has started to carve out a place for himself on the podium at Grand Tours.  It's not the top step yet, so we thought we would have some fun with it. 


 We are doing a PRE-ORDER 9/19-9/30 on our new SCHLECKnd TEE $23  ($1 donated per tee to Best Friends Animal Society) available in men's and women's on athletic gray. Purchase Men's or Women's.

WE NOW SHIP TO ( The UK, Canada, Australia, Belgium and France)

Get yours during the pre-order as we might make this one a limited edition!

*A sense of humor required to place an order!  

We have had some fun writing about FRAndy this year click to catch up on past blogs!

The LEAST interesting cyclist in the world

I saw that Carlos Sastre is in the break at the Vuelta today and I start thinking about how this made me feel...to be honest I felt like I just took a sedetive.  I am sure Carlos is a nice enough guy, but he is also the most boring rider in the peloton.  He is the the opposite of this man:

"When I am lying in bed with 3 women and must finally fall asleep, I watch the 08 TDF. I am out like a like in 10 min."

I'm not sure why his attacks look like they are in slow motion? I'm also not quite sure why he Phil & Paul refer to him as a "climber" when he get dropped as soon as the road tips up? Carlos is pretty much the San Antonio Spurs of cycling (with less hardware).  Just for fun ask people who won the 2008 TDF then just watch them?  They will pause, then realize that wasn't the one Floyd won/got stripped of, Must be Contador...no wait he didn't race....ummm...Sastre? Still not sure what kind of pictures/info he had on Riis, that allowed him to win the TDF?

I think some time riding with Rock Racing would have done Carlos some big favors and loosened him up a bit. Cipo could have mentored him on having a bit of panache.  At this point even if he tried this trick, I am afraid I might not be able to watch it for more than 3k.

Thanks for reading!  If your coming to Interbike/know someone that is, send em over to booth 1048 to check out the NEW LINE! 

USA PRO CYCLING Challenge needs some fixing

Photo courtesy of Gary Bradler

I had planned on attending 3 stages of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge presented by Millennium Promise.  Yes, I refer to it by it's proper name every time I say it, don't you?  I ended up attending only 1 stage instead.  Vail was great - TDF caliber riders, TDF quality backdrop, without the TDF traffic nightmare. So why did I not go to the stages on Saturday or Sunday as planned?  I looked at the route again, and realized the race was all but over after the TT.  Since there are no summit finishes, unless Levi hit an elk on the descent, it was going to be another bunch/sprint finish.  At this point, I have to admit I have been to some big races, including the TDF 4 times.  I guess I am a bit of a race snob, but if I had to decide between riding myself and watching sprinters not named Cavendish or Farrar duke it out, I will pass.  I had considered going to watch the climb on Lookout, but with 60 miles still to go after the climb, it didn't really matter what happened on that climb.

A buddy of mine form Chicago, who is new to the sport, texted wondering if I was at the race today.  I confessed that I was out riding instead.  "What's up?  Why didn't you go?"  So in lengthy texts I had to explain that this race route was really decided by dollars.  I get that the goal is to make money, but I question the short and long term money motivation.  Fans in CO love cycling, it's a beautiful state, etc, but, that doesn't secure long term sponsors and the big money.  Each start/finish town had to pony up $250,000 to host a stage, so you had towns like Durango and Boulder that wouldn't or couldn't front the cash so they were skipped completely on the route.  The $ provided by the sponsor towns is small money compared to big corporate dollars that could follow if you created an amazing and very challenging race.  What we got instead of Alpe d' Huez style finishes is a series of Milan San Remo type stages where the GC race was decided 1/2 way through the race.

What went right with the USA Pro Cycling Challenge?

The fans: They were amazing at this race.  Colorado loves cycling and the fans were passionate and loud. They filled the roads near the top of each climb and in every start and finish town.

The GC field:  You really could not have asked for better GC contenders for a race during it's first edition.  Cadel, Basso, the Schlecks and Levi.

The back drop:  Colorado is one of the most beautiful states, and offers a variety of terrain from desert, red rocks, pine forest, and rocky climbs.

The vibe from Fans and Media:  Those in and around the race have been very positive about this event and the turnout.

What needs to fixed:

The route:  I will give it to the ATOC, Tour of Utah and even the Tour de Georgia they used their terrain to make their race difficult and decisive.  The Tour of Missouri did not have that option, since there were no real long climbs to get into play.  Here in CO, we have plenty of climbs, many of which can be used but were not.  This race was decided on Thursday, yet did not officially end until Sunday.

The field:  If you insist on having a route that allows that many bunch/sprint finishes, then invite riders like Thor, Fabian, Cav, Gilbert and Boonen - at least make it interesting.  With all due respect to Elia Viviani, he is not exactly a household name. As I review this week, one of Thor's TDF style attacks could have won this race.

SUMMIT FINISH:  Let's be honest; that is what makes stage races famous and what shakes up GC!  Alpe d' Huez, Mont Ventoux, Zoncolan, Anglirue, Mt. Baldy, and Brasstown Bald.  You need summit finishes to make your stage race interesting and must see TV.  The USA Pro was more like a series of high altitude Milan San Remos with a few TT's thrown in (1 that was downhill?!).  Don't argue logistics, as the Aglirru is more remote than the top of Super James/ Super Flag or Sunshine.

Social Media director (or even a teenage kid that LIKES/KNOWS cycling and watches the @feed on twitter):  All week long this race has been slaughtered on Twitter about mistakes and typos on their site.  The best part is they have someone tweeting about the race, but they don't read/react to their @ messages.  @Neilroad and @Dwuori pointed out every error found on their website and they still have not fixed it.  My favorite - this line in the Spidertech Team bio: The team features two top sprinters Keven Lacombe and Phillipe Gilbert, who won a stage of the 2009 Tour of Missouri. The team also features American veteran Jon Patrick McCarty, who won the 2011 Amgen Tour of California KOM jersey and up and comer Zach Bell.


If you are going to spend millions and ask start/finish towns to pay you $250,000, at the very least have a novice fan check your website.  I even heard that some of these errors made it into print that was handed out at the race. OOPS?  

Volunteers that had no clue about cycling or what they were really supposed to do:  Give me the Gendarmerie any day, since cycling fans police themselves. I had one volunteer chase me out of the inside of a corner (behind a rusty guard rail and in a group of trees) on the TT course and ask me to go across the street and stand where they might end up if they over shot the corner. When I asked her why she said, "It's a closed course."  I said you, "You know that makes no sense right?" She went back to her post to wave an orange flag. She later  came back over to say, "I really don't know, it's just what they told me."


As my wife stated when we attended the TT in Vail, if this race was an the final Challenge on the Apprentice, Trump would have fired them.  


The Final GC: When this is your final GC, in a state with so many options to make a race brutal and interesting, you have a problem.  No offense to Big George, I have met him and I enjoy him as a rider.  At 38 years old, he should NOT be in the top 5 GC for a race promoted like this: Breathtaking altitudes, treacherous climbs and 128 of the worlds best riders. It’s the most challenging race held on American soil.

• 1. Levi Leipheimer, Team RadioShack
• 2. Christian Vande Velde, Team Garmin-Cervélo, at 0:11
• 3. Tejay Van Garderen, HTC-Highroad, at 0:17
• 4. Tom Danielson, Team Garmin-Cervélo, at 0:21
• 5. George Hincapie, BMC Racing Team, at 0:53

I know the riders rode hard and fans cheered their hearts out.  I just hope the race organizers do their part so that this can become the "Most challenging race held on American soil." Otherwise, I fear it will end up like Tour of GA and Tour of MO.


Thanks for reading!  Check out our cycling tees www.hbstache.com and use PROMO CODE: VIVACO for 25% off (excludes new arrivals)!

Fixing the Vuelta

It's that time of year again - the 3rd biggest stage race in Pro Cycling!  Can't wait to see FRANDY Schleck, Evans, Basso and others battle it out in ..... Colorado?! Who is racing the "traditional" 3rd biggest Grand Tour?  Nabali is there and others GC guys like Menchov and Sastre.  Sold yet? Cav and Boonen are there, but that only draws attention to the flat stages.

The biggest problem plaguing the Vuelta this year is the USA Pro Challenge with it's stacked start list of TDF level talent.  So we thought we would do our part to help the Vuelta get back some ratings:

•  Webcam of Contador watching the Vuelta on TV from a bunglo in Fiji.  As he does things like send a text message or drink a fruity umbrella beverage it would be considerably more exciting than watching Carlos Sastre go all out on a climb.  He might give the camera the occasional Pistolero or go swim with some dolphins to spice it up "Muie quinte!"

• Due to the location and time of year, snow can't be a factor in creating must watch TV. So leverage something this country already has down - the running of the bulls.  Let the bulls lose from a side alley as the peloton has 5k to go in a sprint stage.  GC guys will be mixing it up with Cav to avoid  El Toro! The wearer of the Leaders RED jersey will drop some serious watts to save himself.
• Let Rock Racing Team 2 in with a last minute "special invitation". Skull kits, Lambos, and strippers will lift ratings and add to the road side party! You would hear comments like this:  "I just caught a bag of Haribo candy from the caravan!" "Who cares, I just got a lapper from that Rock Racing chick, Saphire!!!"
• Carlos Sastre & Denis Menchov should be required to ride handcuffed together.  Apart these two are liking watching old men play chess in the park...chained together, they are way more interesting.

• Hire Joe Rogan to host Feed Zone Fear Factor for fun like this: Announcers in the booth,"A Crash near the feed zone, wonder what caused it?" Joe Rogan, "Looks like  Beñat Intxausti Elorriaga got a scorpion and a bull dong in his feed bag."

While we don't love the Spanish Cycling Federation, Spain is a cool country.  We also respect the history of the race, and hope it moves on the calendar or does something to lure the top talent back.

* We'd like to state one more time that we wish Levi would go back and ride the Vuelta and win the damn thing!  He has finished 2nd and 3rd and could stand on the top step if he made this his focus for the season.  Like it or not, the Vuelta has more history in the sport than ATOC and winning it would make his career.




Thanks for reading!  Check out our cycling tees www.hbstache.com and use PROMO CODE: VIVACO for 25% off (excludes new arrivals)!

NEW CYCLING TEES ARE HERE!

We are very excited to share our new line of Tees. People have asked us for more women's options, CX, another logo tee, different colors, a United We Pedal tee and we listened. Hope you enjoy, the can be purchased at www.hbstache.com . As always, each item we sell has a charity partner these include: Steven Cozza's Race for Kids, Saul Raisin's Raisin Hope, Mercy Corps, and LIVESTRONG.

*Some of these designed will also be available in hoodies very soon.

Rapha Continental USA Pro Cycling Challenge Stage 1

Rapha Continental USA Pro Cycling Challenge Stage 1 from RAPHA on Vimeo.

Stage 8 of the TDF: Provoking thoughts about Vino, Basso, and cycling fans

So I awoke from my codeine cough syrup fog (I have bronchitis, I'm not using it in a Lil' Wayne fashion) to see the final 10k of today's TDF stage.  When I tuned in, Twitter was a buzz with Vino hate! Stuff like "I hope that Doper Vino doesn't win", etc..

I have to say I have been on two stages of the TDF that he won with his balls out style and I dig the way the guy races his bike.  I was on 2003 Stage 9 into Gap and 2005 stage 11 into Briancon and they were both awesome to watch.  As I have stated in the past, I do give these "sporting school" kids of the eastern block a bit of a doping pass.  If you were getting the needle since age 10, it would tend to throw off your moral compass.  I'm not sure when or how they were supposed to realize it is wrong.  There past was full of coaches, teachers, and mentors telling them it was part of the sport.

Vino got busted, served his time and now is free to race and win if he can.  I see WAY MORE negative social media going on around Vino winning a one day race or attacking on stage, than I do around Basso winning the Giro.  This has led me to ask the question, "does it really just come down to who we like?"

Basso won the 06 Giro in "ET" fashion by 9 minutes. He then got caught up in Operation Puerto, caused his dog quite the identity crisis, had his "Clintonian" style admission/non-admisson. Then re-enters the peloton, and goes on to win the Giro in 2010 and it is seen as a "come back" story?  So what gives?  Is it really because he a good looking Italian fellow that makes really bad Sidi commercials for Eurosport and could not double as a Bond villain? Umm...Yeah pretty much!

This Tweet from @podiumchic really got me thinking about the lense we view the sport through: "I do think #Thor is as clean as any, but NO1 has even wondered about him keeping Yellow this long?Just saying our "like" keeps us from ?ing"

Can anyone but Thor know if he is clean?  No not really.   We can believe, hope and think but we don't ever really know.  You can't prove anyone is clean.  It doesn't take many degrees of separation with anyone in the peloton to tie them to a doping team, teammate, director, coach, doctor or training buddy.  I even had someone send me a nastygram about my pick for this year's TDF, Cadel Evans, based on the BMC low level associate being caught with doping product prior to the TDF.  You name them and they have been, or can be linked - Levi, Horner, Fabian, Christian, George, the Schlecks, DZ, Cunego, Cadel, and even Jens.

I have come to this conclusion: It really comes down to belief that those you root for are clean and those you don't like are doing everything dirty to win.  Just filter for a second before you Tweet/FB about their "doping ways". Your guys can have the same thing thrown at them.  These riders are turning themselves inside out, giving their best, and risking their lives.  If they are in the race, they have as much right to win as the next guy.  Yes, although it pains me to say it, even Contador! If and when they get busted...then fire away.  As far as generally making fun of their kits, things they say, riding style etc..GO FOR IT!


Thanks for reading! Check out our cycling tees and kits at www.hbstache.com 

Stage 3: First 4th of July TDF win for US Rider!

Until today it had never happened, a US rider winning on the 4th of July.  That all changed today with Tyler Farrar winning the sprint in stage 3!  As he crossed the line he once again saluted Wouter Weylandt.  I agree with Robbie Mcewen's tweet: "Also shows what a great guy Tyler is that in his finest career moment he makes the #W #WouterWeylandt"

Bottomline: Tyler could not have had a better victory for US cycling!  Capt. America eating a red, white and blue bombpop, listening to Lee Greenwood, with his girlfriend in a stars and stripes bikini, with a pet eagle could not be more AMERICAN than Tyler was today! 

We are celebrating by wearing this:

Get this Tee and others with a SWEET DEAL from www.handlebargains.com $20 voucher for just $10 to spend @ www.hbstache.com 

TDF Stage 2: Contador says "His lil' Pistolero wasn't happy!"

Our inside sources @ the TDF say Alberto Contador plans to protest today's UCI saddle inspection.  He claims that the adjustments he had to make kept his "lil' Pistolero and bullets" from being in a good position. He lost another 24" to his one of his main rivals Cadel Evans and now sits 75th overall.

After the stage Contador was visibly upset and made a call.

One has to wonder if he was on the phone with:

His butcher?

or

His BFF Valpitti?

Thanks for reading! Want a deal on www.hbstache.com tees?  We are this weeks HANDLEBARGAIN!  Go to www.handlebargains.com to get 50% off!!!

Stage 1 of the #TDF: Even Gilbert's girlfriend matched his new kit

It get's no better for fans obsessed with all things Belgian than Gilbert kit today.  He paid attention to all the details from his his glasses to his watch.  His girlfriend even joined in!

His Belgian colored Canyon also looked sharp! (It's no Ritte Vlaanderen Bosberg but they are not UCI legal, so we will say his Canyon looks good.)

His watch is now on our MUST HAVE list of Belgian Bling! 

His girlfriend was also in the spirit!!! WE LOVE BELGIUM!

Thanks for reading.  Want 50% off to use on our site www.hbstache.com ?  We are this weeks Handlebargain. Buy @www.handlebargains.com

The curious case of Andy Schleck

Let me start off by saying that I will be rooting for Leopard Trek to have some glory at the Tour this year.  I could not have been more impressed with the way the team handled the death of a teammate.  They are a class act, and I hope they keep Wouter Weylandt in the front of everyone's mind.

HUGS make "Angry" Tummies all better

That being said, let's talk about the Tour:

I have to ask the the question, can Andy Schleck win the Tour de France?  Can he beat the likes of Contador/Riis, Evans, Basso and the rest?

After watching races all year, all I can wonder is....WTF is up with Andy Schleck and his form/racing tactics/media comments?  I can understand some of the events of the year like racing ATOC with a heavy heart.  But as I am looking at the entire season, you have odd moments all around with the "Schleck Bros towing service" of Phillipe Gilbert at Amstel Gold.  Most recently, getting dropped at the Tour de Suisse and then being pleased with a 2nd place to Thomas De Gent the next day. Andy, you lost the stage to Thomas De Gent, not the ghost of Fausto Coppi, why are you happy with that showing?  Do you expect to see De Gent on the big climbs next month?

I think some good points are made in the recent VeloNation article: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/8779/No-panic-for-Andy-Schleck-despite-poor-Tour-de-Suisse-performance.aspx  but, I think one point is missed.  Last year his results were similar prior to Le Tour, but he had Bjarne Riis in the Team car.  I know many wondered what Riis was really up to last year with Schleck vs Conta etc.. but you can't deny Riis knows how to win (by rook or by crook) and wanted the TDF for his resume.

I'm not sure who is in Andy's ear piece this year. From watching the races, I would assume it's a combo of Forrest Gump, Alan from the Hangover and Michael Scott.

Heard over race radio during Amstel Gold "Don't attack him, he is a nice Walloone!"

There are athletes that are "killers", they just have that IT quality and they know how to seize the moment. Cyclists like Merckx, Hinault, Lance and Conta have it.  In other sports you have Tom Brady, MJ, Kobe etc..

You also have the "Never gonna get it" club: Lebron James, Karl Malone, the Buffalo Bills, etc.  This has nothing to do with how good a person they are, or what they do out of their sport, they just CAN'T win the big one.  Last year for about 17 hours, I thought Schleck was the MAN and had found IT!  He was so pissed he had his "Stomach full of anger" and wanted his revenge.  Apparently he took a Pepto flavored GU because by the time he crossed the line his tummy was all better. He got played (and he didn't really care) on the Tourmalet. So I just can't picture him owning his moment in 2011, if and when it presents itself.  He has even said this Tour isn't about revenge and he is looking past last year. Funny,  the GREATS wouldn't be looking past it; they would be thinking about it 24/7 until they WON!

The other challenge for Andy Schleck in the 2011 Tour is his bro Frank Schleck. Last year some felt not having Frank was a disadvantage later in the race.  I disagree.  Every time I see them race together they are looking for each other and waiting up for each other. This could work out if they had the tactical ability of even Donald Rumsfeld but we know they can't take advantage even when it's 2 on 1.

I will bet on Conta, Evans, Basso, Gesink and Van den Broeck but not on the very likeable, kind, nice (but soft) Schleck brothers.  They could totally be bluffing Edward Norton style and if they come on strong and show no mercy, then I will be the 1st to admit I was wrong:

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Stunned by the death of Wouter Weylandt

I had my day planned out, I was going to eat breakfast, watch the Giro and head out for a long day of training.  I am still sitting on the couch feeling numb after today's stage.  I was not a cyclist when Fabio Casartelli died, I was not watching the stage of Paris Nice when Andre Kivilev lost his life, but I was watching today. 


 I will never forget the images of them cutting Weylandt's helmet off.  The scene of the cars and the riders telling the cameras to get away.  I hoped and prayed for the next 40 minutes that he would recover.  We all just learned that he died from his injuries. I hope he felt no pain, and was gone the moment he fell.  I am so very sorry for his family, friends, and teammates.  It is rare that an athlete dies while participating in their sport; I can only recall a few others (Hank Gathers, Ayrton Senna, Reggie Lewis, Dale Earnhardt and Carla Swart).  I have the same questions now as I did when those athletes lost their lives.  Is it more sad or somehow a better ending for their life that they left this earth doing what they love?  Many people of the same ages have died in a hospital bed or in a car wreck.  All deaths are sad, whether the person is 99 or 24; they all leave a hole in the lives of those that loved them.  I can only hope that somehow, dying while doing that which they loved, was a better end.


RIP Wouter Weylandt 

Cycling Wiki Leaks: LEOPARDTREK rallies "NEW" Coaching consultants after #Liege loss

After getting owned by Phillipe Gilbert in the final, the Schlecks realize they really miss "MR.60" Bjarne Riss. Team LEOPARDTREK was scrambling to take away the Schleck's shoe laces, belts and scarves before they got back to the team hotel. Post race, the brothers quickly tried to right the ship by getting back into their normal routine; Frank went out and crashed his bike several times and Andy cuddled with his stuffed dolphin and skyped with Alberto Contador (who laughed at him! and admitted he called Gilbert this A.M.)

Social media was buzzing with phrases like these being thrown at the team:
"Trek bikes, if the 2nd and 3rd step are good enough for you"
"We're #2...We're #2!"
"PussycatTrek"

Other reports are coming in:

Mercedes has asked the team to remove the grill "Benzo" emblem from team cars and donate them to inner city youth trying to make a go in the hip hop scene.

Charly Gual's family asked the Schleck's to consider changing racing licenses to represent Turkekashan for 2012.

Mario Cippolini was so stunned by the Schleck's "mangina tactics" that he said he will not be able to have sex today.  This is the 1st time in history he HAS EVER SAID THIS!

Jens and Fabian are planning to go on a 400+ watt average 12 hr training ride during a hurricane or blizzard to try to forget who they ride with.

Once again, our euro connections have produced another internal Team LEOPARDTREK memo disclosing a secret team meeting after the rough loss at Liege Baston Liege. Fearing major sponsor issues, the team has reached out to a group of "consultants" for help.  They are looking to assemble a group of amazing athletes and some of the finest finishers in sports history:

The 90's Buffalo Bills:  Leopard is looking to fly in the entire team to perform a Saxo Bank style survival camp with a flag football game to help with team building and tactics in the last few minutes of an event.  Scott Norwood will advise the Schleck's to line up on the left side going into final K to avoid being wide right!

Zinedine Zidane: He will be brought in to help the Schleck brothers work on composure in the final few minutes of an event when the eyes of the world are all watching.  He is a master of keeping his calm and using his head when needed.

Jan Ullrich:  The Team tried to bring in The Kaiser, but he actually declined the invite.  Jan Ullrich sited that he has actually won the Tour and said, "Ich war also keine Eins Hündin".  He admits that he would get a bit chubby, got outwitted and had some issues but he was not scared to try and win.  He also sited that he won a Gold Medal...so please leave him to his beer and wiener schnitzels.

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