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Edited by Paul Goldsmith
Over the next week or so between Christmas and New Year, Cyclingnews staff will be presenting their impressions of the 2001 season.
Today, Cyclingnews.com publisher, Gerard Knapp, looks at the Tour de France. Gerard takes a rider's view of the final stage into Paris, and looks ahead as the Tour heads into the 21st century. The following week will include more stories from the Tour de France, Vuelta a España, Giro d'Italia, MTB exploits , tech highlights and plenty more.
For those of you who observe the tradition, the team at Cyclingnews wishes you all a very merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year. Ride lots!
By Gerard Knapp
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It was that kind of day. The final romp into Paris is a good opportunity for some on-the-road skylarking with a more relaxed attitude overtaking the military-like evacuations which take place each morning as the Tour leaves the Village Depart, a cordoned off area which resembles something of a mobile trade show, except for a few lean figures with shaved legs fighting their way through the throngs of invitees feeding on the free fromage, jambon, café, etc, distributed from stalls with outrageously tacky displays. The overt commercialism of the Village only helps to remind us that it is indeed a bike race doubling as a mobile advertisement for France.
The riders visit the Village before the start of this stage where they take a seat and talk, sign autographs and have a last coffee or Coke. Many are looking forward to the end - they approach the sign-on area by a secure access road lined by thousands of fans trying to get a glimpse of their heroes, some more visible than others.
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But by this time, the race was well and truly on its final run home. The only things being fired by the moto gendarmes were the contents of the 330cl plastic water bottles supplied for free by yet another TdF sponsor. A gendarme would slow down to give the medical support moto a refreshing spray, while the CL boys in yellow with their little greenboard had little to do, except pose for photos and avoid the water-spray. These skillful motorcycle riders had looked out for each other for three weeks, squeezing through impossible gaps and respecting each others' presence, while jockeying for best positions - after all, only a few motos are allowed near the peloton at any time.
The moto riders relaxed and enjoyed the ride home. The American was in yellow, a Frenchman was also going to be on the podium and a legendary German sprinter and great TdF campaigner was about to break a record held by another great cyclist. The sun was out, it was warm, and the doping control staff had had very little to do, in terms of filing reports which required further attention. The world - in this case, France - was at is should be.
However, Jean-Marie's relief would be only a fraction of the palpable sense of relief felt by the riders as they took the last gradual descent into the heart of Paris, clearly indicated by the Eiffel Tower poking its steely nose above the horizon and framed by trees on either side. The riders could sit up, let their bikes follow the well-worn road down into Paris and reflect for a moment on what they had achieved - each rider had a ringside seat of this beautiful view - and they didn't even have to turn their legs.
It's a win-win deal
As the US Postal squad led the peloton onto the Champs Elysées to rapturous applause from thousands of American spectators, it was apparent these people had brought more than flags to the Tour. Armstrong's fans had brought their US$ to the waiting French economy, so it was a win-win deal all round, even if these tourists are subject to indifference from French brasseries, taxi drivers and Parisians in general. Some things never change - the French are what they are, without apology.
Is it also this disregard for the opinions of others which saw the race be less that what it possibly could have been? This is not to imply that the wildcard selections earlier this year affected the overall outcome of the GC - that was always unlikely and in this case they had no impact on the overall outcome. Indeed, only a few teams went home empty-handed.
It seems that the Western media really only has the time for one bike race per year, even though aficionados know it is a global sport, dominating our lives 52 weeks a year. But for sports editors on the major English-speaking newspapers and TV stations, there is only one bike race worth covering, and that is the Tour.
Similarly, did these same editors really care who was selected? No. The Tour was not even a blip on their story radars until the prologue started.
Would a second US team have generated more interest in the US media? Would a British team in the tour have meant that Channel 4 would have actually exercised its free-to-air broadcast rights for the UK? Would an Australian team also see the Tour receive more than 15 minutes per day of real race coverage on free-to-air TV?
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Ultimately, you would have to question if the wildcard selections were in the best interests of cycling in general and cycling in France; the second division French teams could begin to look like subsidised farmers: protected from the realities of foreign competition as they maintain their links with their past and their culture, which in turn, gives the Tour its overall appeal.
We should remember the vast majority of people lining the parcours of the TdF are French. The majority of banners are supporting Jalabert, Moreau, etc. It is their race. Nonetheless, I for one would argue that fewer French teams on the road would not result in smaller crowds. If some French fans were turned off by not seeing their Division 2 squads making up the numbers, then they would probably be replaced by more fans from overseas countries. It could result in even greater economic benefits for France.
The performances of Jalabert and Francois Simon show that French cycling does not need special assistance. To be strong it must be able to fight on world terms - and for the Tour de France to take cycling to the next level in recognition by Western media, it must become more accessible to foreign teams. At the same time, the French authorities must not impose rules on foreign teams which are designed to address the problems of the sport in their country. They should realise that while Credit Agricole won the Teams Time Trial, none of the finishing five riders from CA was actually French. Or that the greatest exposure for La Francaise de Jeux was from a foreign rider.
There are lessons which can be learned from le Tour. It has broken through, if you like, as the race which stands alongside other great sporting events, at least in the minds of editors and producers in mass-media outlets. While aficionados may pine for April, the masses know le Tour. What the rest of the cycling world must ask themselves is how to take other cycle races to that level of mass-appeal.
The start list for the Tour of Wellington, has been released. The tour which is to run from January 2 - 6, 2002 has a new sponsor in Trust House, with the race offically called the Trust House Cycle Classic
Click here for 2001 Tour of Wellington Results
Trust House - New Zealand Hong Kong National Team 1 Hayden Roulston 41 Kam Po Wong 2 Shane Melrose 42 Lau King Yu 3 Matt Randall 43 Ho Siu Lun 4 Lee Vertongen 44 Wong Ngai Chin 5 Jason Allen 45 Tsoi Chun Ming VIC Cycles Team Indonesian National Team 6 Bryce Martin (B) 46 Hari Nugroho 7 Stephen Collins 47 Hadi Riyono 8 Manu Robson (B) 48 Ferry Taridi 9 Stuart MacDonald (B) 49 Galup Purwanto 10 Anthony Strong 50 Novita Sari Penny Farthing BRC Kennermerland - Holland 20 Stephen Blair 56 Braam De Ward 21 Darren Gordon (B) 57 Eijk Meubelen 22 Adam Smith 58 Sander Lormans 23 Adrian McCabe 59 Arien de Heer 24 Mark Iremonger 60 Francis De Jager Avanti B Team Burkes Cycles - Australia 26 Matthew Gilbert 66 Tim Bartholomew 27 Ryan Hoogenberg 67 Jan Weber 28 Micheal Frankovich 68 Sebastian Retzlaff 29 Craig Pitt 69 Christian Wengler 30 Troy Klink 70 Brent Backhouse Ultimo Sports Clothing Avanti Cycles 31 Dan Warren 71 Jeremy Yates 32 Peter Cook 72 Jeremy Houltham 33 Andrew Bott 73 Bryce Shapley 34 Gareth Aplin 74 Robin Reid 35 Saul Gudsell 75 Matthew Yates Pins Cycles - Wellington Southend Cycles 36 Andrew East 76 Kurt Lancaster 37 Niels Madsen (B) 77 Ben Somerton 38 Nick Hotchw 79 Jason Clement 39 Paul Hattan (B) 80 Adam Curry 40 Brett Witherly (B) 81 Ben Robson Pack & Pedal Tourism Southland 82 Scott Allen 98 Stuart Lowe 83 Matt Webber 99 Gordon McCauley 84 Mike Willary 101 Craig Thomson 86 Aaron Tuckerman 102 Heat Blackgrove 87 Andrew Eagles 104 Dayle Cheatley Wallis Cycles Johnsonville Cycles 88 Tim Paviell 106 Roger Gray 89 Andrew Widdup 108 Stuart Houltham 90 Jordan Wood 111 Stephen Elden 91 Mark Tindle 112 Justin Ralph (B) 92 Paul Odlin 113 Bevan Williams (B) Sandoval Promotions Pedal Pushers 93 Alasdair Duncan 116 Neil Sentance 94 Michael Carter 117 Andrew Mildenhall 95 Mike Smith 118 Brendon O'Neill 96 119 Marcell Holstien 97 122 Derek Solomon
What was the best performance of 2001? Who was the best rider? It's time for you, the readers of Cyclingnews, to tell us the stand-out riders, rides and equipment of the year. However you need to act soon as entries close December 31, 2001.
Go to our Reader Poll page to cast your vote for the Legend of Cycling; the Cycling Personality of the Year; Photograph of the Year; the best teams and male and female riders across a range of disciplines, and the best bikes and equipment.
Click here to vote now! Results will be announced in the New Year.
Note: Please answer all categories and complete your form (including your name and email) to ensure your vote is counted. This is to ensure the accuracy of the poll as you may only vote once. Your details will not be revealed to any other party.
Never heard of Giant Bicycles? Surely not. Giant has been around for almost 30 years, with their inception way back in '72, in Taiwan. The company's philosophy is to cater for the needs of many rather than the few, and it produces approximately three million bicycles per year, from round-town knockabouts to pro quality race bikes like the TCR team and TCR ZERO.
Click here for the full tech review
Major Races and Events
September 7-29, 2002: Vuelta
a España (GT) - Preview, stage list
May 11-June 2, 2002: Giro
d'Italia (GT) - Preview, stage list, photos
July 6-28, 2002: Tour
de France (GT) - Full preview & official route details
December 8: Superprestige
Rd 5 (Cat. 1) - Erwin Vervecken
November 29-December 4: Six
Days of Noumea (6D) - Sassone/Neuville victorious
November 26-December 1: Six
Days of Zurich (6D) - Day
6 - McGrory/Gilmore/Schnider win
December 1: Melbourne
Cup on Wheels (IM) - Scott Moller, Keirin,
Sprint, Support
races
December 2: Cyclo-cross
World Cup #2 (CDM) - Sven Nijs again
November 24-December 3: Juegos
Deportivos Centroamericanos (JR) - Final results
December 8-9: Frankfurter
Rad-Cross (Cat. 2) - Alex Mudroch, UK
National Trophy Series #4 (Cat. 3) - Roger Hammond, Grote
Prijs Industrie Bosduin - Kalmthout (Cat. 1) - Bart Wellens, Int.
Radquer Obergösgen (Cat. 2) - Björn Rondelez, Trofeo
Mamma e Papa Guerciotti (Cat. 3) - Enrico Franzoi, Premio
Egondo (Cat 3) - David Seco, Irish
cyclo-cross championships - Robin Seymour
Results: local racing
Australia - CycleWest
Promotions Omnium Series #2, Eastern
Suburbs Summer Criterium Series, Carnegie
Caulfield Tuesday criterium, Southern
Cross Junior Track Open & Madison Cup, Manly
Warringah CC, George
Town Track Carnival, Carnegie
Caulfield CC, Randwick
Botany CC, Gold
Coast CATS CC, Caesar's
Illawarra CC, Caesar's
Illawarra (track)
Denmark - Danish
cyclo-cross Post Cup #3
Italy - Gran
Premio Città di Bassano
Luxembourg - GP
De Kopstal
New Zealand - Cyco
Criterium series
Spain - Elorrio
cyclo-cross
USA - Georgia
Cross Series Championship, Chimborazo
Grand Prix cyclo-cross, Boulder
Cross Rd 6, New
Mexico State Cyclo-x Champs, Sorrento
Cyclo-x & California State Champ's, Boulder
Cross Rd 5, Verge
New England series, Northampton
CC Cyclo-cross Championships, Chris
Cross International CycloCross
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Tales from the Peloton
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Tales from the Peloton
- Tony Cruz - back to his roots (December 7)
Marco Polo
Diary - Tour du Faso - Part II - Nathan Dahlberg's report (December 3)
Tech
maintenance - Wheels - how to keep them true and tight
Tech letters
- Headsets, Pegoretti, Carbon cage, gloves & tubes (December 10)
Tech news - Navigators
power-tap, Headsets, Carbon cages (December 7)
Tech- Recycling
- How to protect your chainstay for free
Tech Reviews:
Egg Beater pedals; Park
Tool belt; Shimano shoes;
Speedplay
Breaking
the Chain - Dope planning and testing - From Willy Voet's book
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