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Tredz Tour predictions

The Tour de France kicks off tomorrow in Monaco, and after careful discussion with our top road racing experts we've come up with our rock solid predictions for the 2009 event:

 - Lance Armstrong, super domestique and well known selfless bike racing philanthropist will work tirelessly for Contador. Providing slipstream, constant food and liquid and even at one point serenading the team leader with gentle Texan folk songs when the Spaniard appears to be flagging.

- Cadel Evans wins by a landslide. Suprising everyone with his formidable attacking style of riding and his laid back post race attitude.

- Mark Cavendish, "bored with the lack of competition" does away with his lead out train dismissing them as unnecessary. He wins no sprints but makes for interesting live interviews in which he berates his peers, his old coaches and the British tendency to say 'sorry' inappropriately.

- Andy Schleck will ride a perfect race and everyone will say that he is a future Tour winner (this prediction good for the next eight Tours).

- The dopers will have found the next level of blood doping. It will allow the riders to race undetected, at a level that doesn't arouse suspicion, without affecting over all performance. 

- The lack of radio causes mass confusion on the stages where it is not used. Riders take wrong turnings, two Quikstep riders are never found again. 

 

Tour De France 2009!

Only a few short days away from the beginning of the world’s greatest sporting event (says us), the Tour De France.

So what's getting us worked up this time round?

Britain to host 2 rounds of 2010 UCI mountain bike world cup

It has been anounced that round 1 of the UCI mountain bike world cup will be held in Dalby forest on April 24th. The idea of holding it at this new venue is to promote the sport in advance of the 2012 Olympics. Only the XC will be held in Dalby with the Downhill and 4 cross remaining in Fort William (thank god!) on June 5th - 6th.

It only remains for us to hope that Dalby can put on a decent event that will match the legendary atmosphere of the Fort William venue, they've a lot to live up to. The UK is the only country to hold two UCI world cup MTB events in 2010, this says a lot about Britains standing as a world leading mountain biking venue.

All that remains is for the likes of you and me to support the events and make them the success they could so easily be. 

Fort William, minus the midges

Watch the World Cup action from Fort William tomorrow. It's all free thanks to the good people at Freecaster. They'll be following all  the 4X (Saturday) and Downhill (Sunday) action from the British venue.

Just like being there. Except instead of being wet and half eaten alive by insects you'll be dry with an endless supply of tea.

Penal Tour de France

I'm already getting sick of hearing news anchors' snigger about the riders not being allowed to 'breakaway', but it is an interesting story.

Have you heard about the 200 French inmates (and almost as many guards) taking part in a penal Tour de France. Cycling 1500 miles between 17 jails and ending in Paris. Supposed to give the participents some invaluable principals  to take with them as they re-enter society. The meaning of teamwork, self-esteem and of course, how to spot a pinch puncture.

If Tom Boonen keeps it up, maybe he'll be allowed to participate in this tour next year.

Bikeradar Live

Castle Donington can relax, it’s time to go back to the tamer pastimes of motor racing and rock festivals as the dust has settled on Bike Radar live.

Bike Radar Live

What an awesome weekend for cyclists. As well as the Big Welsh Weekend on our doorstop we're also getting more and more excited about the upcoming Bike Radar live event being held at Donnington Park.

Admitedly, we can get excited about the lamest of things; the latest glove technology, new developments in gear cables etc, but for once this is something that normal people could get a bit excited about as well.

Bike radar promises to be the biggest “festival of cycling” the UK has experienced; and about time we say. It’s shaping up to be a weekend of demo’s, expo’s, racing across all disciplines, partying (we’ll be in bed early, of course!) and generally celebrating all aspects of pedalling.

We're trying not to get carried away, but the US has the ‘Sea Otter Classic’ which is one of THE biggest events on the world cycling calendar and (I hope I’m not proved wrong) we get the feeling that the hope is that Bike Radar Live becomes the UK equivalent.

Whatever it turns out to be, a few of us (those who aren't keeping it local) will be there, running around like kids in a candy store. Hopefully see you there!

Big Welsh Weekend

One of the biggest mountain bike events in the UK is happening right on our doorstep on the weekend of May 30-31st.

The Big Welsh Weekend takes place once again in the stunning Margam Park, literally over the hill from the Afan valley.

This great location will host round 3 of the national XC race series and the British Marathon championships (100km!).
 
As well as the serious business of racing there will be a whole host of events including ‘led’ rides, under 12s races, good food, parties etc. In fact everything the whole family will need to enjoy a cracking celebration of all things fat tyred.

Add into the mix, the events proximity to the Afan and Glyncorwg riding centres and there is no excuse for any serious trail riding fan not to be there.

If that gets a bit much, you could always pop to Swansea (30mins) and visit the poor unfortunate staff in our shop who will be tirelessly serving yourselves instead of enjoying the sun (fingers crossed) and fun at Margam.

Hopefully we’ll see you there.

Paralympic World Cup

The Paralympic World Cup has gone very well for the Track team. Including, it almost goes with out saying, Mr Cundy:

"I've won every cycling race I've competed in at the Paralympic World Cup so it has been a good event for me".

A born winner. Congratulations mate (you must be getting sick of us saying that!).

2012 watch out. 

Jody Cundy back in action

174 Bejing Paralympians are confirmed for the Paralympic world cup taking place from the 20th - 25th May in Manchester.

Masses of events from various categories will be taking place, but the best action will be taking place (as always) at the velodrome.

Not least because adopted local boy and multiple Gold medallist Jody Cundy MBE will be there, beginning his route to 2012. We've no doubt he'll be proving once again he is one of the fastest men in the world on the track.

The track racing kicks off tomorrow and runs till Friday, featuring Sprinting, Pursuit and some Kilo action. The action will be fierce and simply awesome to watch.

We expect great things from Jody. It's his fault for continually pushing back the boundaries of his sport with world record after world record. He is, quite simply, one of our hero's.

We will of course keep you up to date with his performances.