2014 Volta A Catalunya Stage 7

Lieuwe Westra took this stage by the neck

early on 

Astana's new guy has a hard on

He's time trialling the final lap

Over the top

He can't be stopped

The overall outcome is still unclear

'tho Katusha has kept Rodríguez dear

Contador and TeJay attack

A nice duel on a Sunday wet

J J Rodríguez takes tenth

but the race is his yet

He's a local hero

Also a good bet

Alberto, TeJay, came close

KOM Stef Clement--raise a toast!

A happy Dutch lad is Westra, Lieuwe

His winning ride a thing of beauty

JJ Rod from Catalàn 

takes the homeboy prize--

He's their man!

Michel Koch wins for sprints

A big star for Steph Clement

TeJay takes third for BMC

I think he'll settle happily

Alberto Contador is two

He did quite well

I wouldn't be blue

In fact his race looked like ressurection

From the back pages of the has been section

Joaquim Rodrìguez throws his victory bouquet

All praises due to him today

I think he won a case of gazpacho

More Catalàn treats for Purito

In all --the winners a happy trio

Plus Westra who won with brio

Through rain and cold of Spanish Spring

Thrills and Chills did Catalunya bring

2014 Volta A Catalunya Stage 6

Giant's Luka Mezgec

Proves he's one of the cool kids

Yet,  a nine man breakaway

is showing great form today

Jens Voigt is there

also Pierre Rolland

Crosswinds are a factor

as they roll along

Giant Shimano spearheads the pack

Worried the break is too far to reel back

32 KM ahead

The break is earning their daily bread

at four minutes in the lead

cooperation is just what they need

Damien Howson for Orica G

Stef Clement takes his turn easily

It's a training session by Jens-- 

vieil homme

His goal is to bring the break home

The GC riders are within 10 seconds

So the race is still open

one might reckon

A headwind raises the energy bar

The Cap de Cursa might go far

At 2' 48" ahead at 20 KM

The Gran Group is lacking motivation

Or are they playing mouse and cat?

Can Giant-Shimano bring them back?

Villanova is a headwind end

Dangerous for the breakaway men

Belkin's Stef Clement and Simons, Nico

at 9 K Jens Voigt says "watch me go!"

Attack and attack the breakaway crumbles

Every man for himself

It's a regular rumble

Jens is in front to keep the pace high

Rolland attacks --Eurocar's guy!

Belkin's Stef Clement solos in

He fights the wind and takes the win!!!

He's KOM and a great stage winner

The rest of the break--he owes them a dinner

Rudy Molard two Pieter Serry three

Jens Voigt comes four

But he'll rest easily

He animated the breakaway

Although he didn't win today

Tomorrow the leader will be in dispute

JJ, Alberto, even Tejay--if he rides cute

Two jerseys today for Michel Koch

Cannondale's lad's giving all he's got

Mañana to Barcelona we look

Winner take all by hook or by crook

2014 Volta A Catalunya Stage 5

36 KM left today

A headwind bedevils

the breakaway

Burghardt and Rolland

and Preidler

Cannon and Lampre

speed on descent

Take them out

 protecting their leaders

Ditto Katush and Tink

At 20 KM the climb's on the brink

The roundabout redistributes

the teams

Reversal of Fortune?

Know what I mean?

No, here comes Cannon

They're on a mission

Alt de Lilla is yet to come

BMC, FDJ and Ryder, H

MovieStar starts to agitate

Westra attacks for Astana

Looking strong in the panorama

Contador attacks on the summit 

Purito following close

Fugslang attacks 

Descending wind cracks

Jakob is really flying

8 KM and 90 KM

He looks super-human

5 KM Fugslang is done

Saxo Tink is ready to run

Katush is in place

for Rodríguez, J J

Ryder makes another play

 Mezgec wins his third stage

Two Alaphilippe

Kévin Reza is 8th

Seven Talansky

An excellent race

Both plain and fancy

Purito remains in the leader's spot

But praises to Luka

When you're hot

You're hot!

Rodríguez, Contador, and TJ

Promise GC thrills for Saturday!

l

2014 Volta A Catalunya Stage 4

It's talking heads not tapping legs

which we find today

The weather is so funky

The broadcast is delayed

In fact, I think it's cancelled

For they're at 30 K

So my report is third hand

Plan C-- for Thursday

OK--here's a feed

De Gendt for Omega's taken the lead

Contador, Quintana, and Froome

TJ and Rodriguez all fight the gloom

At the finish there's a report of snow

We can see nothing

So what do we know?

Katusha, MovieStar, Tinkoff, and Sky

All hump at the front protecting their guys

The fog is low as is visibility

Finish line chaos is a possibility

Rolland, Barguil, Bennet attack

Peloton hard upon their backs

8 Km to go

They'e all back together

A mystery stage--

Blame it on the weather

2 KM the faves are in front

The fog remains thick

I'm totally stumped

Bardet is there among the faves

Contador attacks in heavy haze

TJ's in the lead with Barguil

TJ Van Garderen takes the stage!

BMC wins on a tough day

Bardet came two

Contador three

The race is open for the GC

PS. Talansky does well

On a day of cycling hell

2014 Volta A Catalunya Stage 3

Jack Bobridge for Belkin leads 

He'll get KOM for his deeds

Cold is the enemy

On this mountain route

Hot tea the remedy

The descent is a brute

Fingers so frigid it's hard to break

55 KM of chill to contemplate

Katusha and Tinkoff

stay at the front

Huddling together

Because of cold weather

Kévin Reza for Eurocar

Works well in the break

He will go far

20 KM the break is at three

The Cap de Cursa rolls manfully

The final climb sets the stage for Alberto

It's a real contest 'tho the pace is slow

Reza and Samoilau hang with La Molina

FDJ and Eurocar unfurl teams--ah!

De Gent, T looks strong for Omega-P

Kévin Reza takes the lead

He's fast. he's French, and très chic

Looking good at KM 6

He heads the race and takes his licks

Moviestar and Cannondale

chase La Molina--all hill no dale!

The front is filled with heavy hitters

The rear includes the colds and bitters

Contador looks happy

Rodríguez is snappy

Igor Anton climbs

Chris Froome moves forward

Ar KM 3

Astanas' Fugstang, Jak

Takes a turn but is pulled back

Chris makes his move

Rod, Contador follow

Joaquim Rodríguez wins

The race is his --

Katusha is pleased

They took care of biz

Alberto came two

Quintana three--

good on you

TJ four Chris is five

He lost no time

Sky's still alive

J J Rodríguez showed who's boss

Everybody! Go in and defrost !

2014 Volta A Catalunya Stage 2

Soggy weather

A six man break

Riche Porte is out 

A Sky belly ache?

Tommy V breaks out

at 27 K

Passing clear the breakaway

Tommy's tongue leads the way

Can he make it for 22 K?

The Peloton responds 

Voeckler le puncheur

makes the last peak

The sprinter teams 

begin to speak

Tommy steps back

He's done his bit

Mayhem at Girona

As teams are split

Luka Mezgec wins again!

Ferrari comes two

But it's all about Luka

Giant praises for you!

2014 Volta A Catalunya Stage 1

Slovenian Mezgec, Luka

Took Stage 1 Catalunya

Two was Leigh Howard

Far from a coward

Alaphilippe came three

For Omega-P

We’re looking forward

to Albertos’ ressurection

Or will Chris Froome 

offer correction?

2014 Milan-San Remo

Milan-San Remo

A seven man break

Takes the first 100 KMs

While danger men

wait 

Trek, Cannon, Katusha and Sky

are poised for what comes as miles fly by

At less than 100 km to go

there's rain and wind, but (give thanks!) no snow

Cannondale, Trek and Giant bound

The break is 6 and still around

The Capo Mele 

Cervo and Berta

Loom ahead the sprinters

will hurt--ah!

Giant-Shimano serves the pain

Exhausting the bunch is their aim

Wardrobe malfunctions! The capes!

The gloves!

The rain continues to pour from above!

Staying warm is now a task

I guess they wish for a whisky flask

Markey's lips are blue

But he's undaunted

A sprinters' race is what he's wanted

Paolini pours hot tea on his gloves

La Primavera--it's Spring we love!

Cannondale pounds on for Pete

Capo Berta is fresh meat

Taking Barta in its' fangs

Sorry, Jan, that wrecks your plans

Mark with Quick is looking well

He wants to ring the winners' bell

Ditto Fab! He looks so great

I love to watch him concentrate

Now the clock says AM eight

My heart begins to agitate

Deep in early morning sighs

I feel their pain

these macho guys

The favorites must achieve the front

The Cipressa yet to hump

Katusha is on it

Mark's lost part of his train

More high drama from hilly terrain

Cannondale leaps

Tjallingii and de Maar

Have come so far

Nibali makes his move

Nine KM to Pogio

Phil Gilbert seems ready to go

Nibali on his stomping grounds

Stays in front

Does not look 'round

Pronto! The Poggio!

The favs bide their time

Cav, Deg, and Greipel

have much on the line

Gilbert attacks 

always a thrill

The descent Poggio 

a dangerous hill

Wet, technical Pete and Greipel 

20 riders contest for the title

Kristoff wins for Katusha

A bit of a dark horse

Cav must settle for fifth

But he stayed the course

Glorious Fab Cancellara takes two

But Kristoff did more--good on you

Ben Swift came three

Happy is he

Cancellara feels the frustration

Alex Kristoff and Katusha

Earned their ovation

Poor Fab!!!  Dip your fork into cheesy fondue

Comfort food is prescribed for you

Ditto Degenkolb, felled by a late puncture 

How 'bout beer and brats and some acupuncture?

Whatever it takes to get through the night

The entire group put up a great fight 

Milan San-Remo 2014

The bottom line:

Kristoff took it clean

Reflections on 2014 Paris-Nice

To my faithful readers--

My apology

I moved from Paris-Nice

To ancient Italy

I enjoyed an Ojai weekend

with Mimi and her crew

Binge watching The Borgias

While Betancur played through

A sturdy lad of 24

He's called an old-school puncheur

A mighty man on short steep climbs

He plans to gain form and bide his time

A lad from Colombian coffee lands

He is determined to be his own man

Ag2r seems to agree

He can win some stages handily

They'd like him to shed a few pounds

But they're totally happy he's around

Paris-Nice was exciting and fresh

Everybody did their best

Lots of lads had their moment of gloire

This early test leaves me eager for more

2014 Paris-Nice Stage 6

2014 Paris-Nice Stage 6

Two big climbs have cut down the group

To 30 or 40 riders

With less than 12 KM to go

You won't find seek or hiders

The break is done

As is Johnny D

Caruso and Devenyns work easily

Nibali descends breezily

Astana asserts

At 5KM Nibali's works hurts

Betancur seems a tad shakey

His team gathers 'round

A steep climb awaits

Betancur agitates

Shagter  comes alive

And then dies

Betancur revives and

takes the prize!

He gave it everything he had

Rui Costa is two

World champion, you

G. Thomas is four

He's still covered with gloire

But Betancur now wears juene

Mondiale AG 2

says we're so proud of you

And we'll see more from you, soon

2014 Paris-Nice Stage 5

The five man breakaway

Has worked hard today

The course is a bit short

The peloton is heaving

Lots of hard breathing

But the break just won't abort

Split and strung out long

The bunch moves along

The break holds at 30 seconds

Bakelants, Chavanel, Feillu

Make their mark

Busche and Insausti take part

With 25 km left the break shows heart

Feillu, Brice grits his teeth

Chavanel his lead won't release

A long climb  sets the stage for attacks

No one is holding back

The mood of the bunch is full tilt 

They've all put on the gas 

Tommy V falls away

He 's been taken by task

Didier is OK for Trek Factory

His sense of the win is olfactory

Degenkolb is a factor

His team a non-actor

Geraint Thomas has Lopez and Hog

It's all teams attack

There's no holding back

G. Thomas flails the rod

Aggressive riding the rule of this stage

Nibali and Betancur rage

John Degenkolb is there

With his cool facial hair

Geraint is there

Jungels fights fair

But Betancur takes the win

Second is Jungels

Not quite king of jungle

2R AG Claims victory

A Columbian long hair

The story

An exciting stage

Fought hard from the get

A lot of racing to go yet

Betancur now GC four 

Does AG 2 R see an open door?

My heart beat is raised

From a finish crazed

Geraint T dons yellow for Sky

A thrilling race

Fought at fast pace

Hats off to to all say I

2014 Paris-Nice Stage 4

The wine of today

Is Beaujolais 

Etage Quatre est presque fini

A long steep climb

And a tricky descent

Creates late race argument

Geraint Thomas,and Slagter are 

In front 

Degenkolb not far behind

Thomas' given his head

Can he put it to bed ?

With 4 km left to go?

At this point no one knows

Slagter wins the sprint

To Garmin compliments

Geraint Thomas hangs in for Sky

Stage Four makes him the yellow guy

Degenkolb three seconds down

He no longer leads

But he 's still around

A likely lad Thomas prevails

Top GC score, he hails from Wales

Tom Jette Slagter gets his kiss

For Geraint it was a near miss

He looks quite a treat in jeune

For the Welshman a good afternoon

2014 Paris-Nice Stage 3

Gianni Meersman is gone

He got nicked for a draft

Lars Boom crashed out

Belkin thinks that 's daft

Perrig Quemeneur 

flies like gull through the air

Julien Fouchard has a puncture 

They wait for him in the break

Snacking through that juncture

Bouhanni's team--FDJ I mean

Je regrette, for my faux pas

It's been a four month off time

My brain's un peu de blah

The Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours

For sprinters is an open door

Riding well is Team IAM

Hoping to avoid a jam

Andy Schleck is a new pop

But in this race he's had poor luck

Many teams have sprinters' dreams

Timing will be everything

I'm on my second cuppa joe

With 17 kilometers to go

Jeff Soupe is in the potage

For FDJ  c'est dommage 

Quemeneur remains tête des affaires

He is on a mission

As they start the circuit

He asks no one's permission 

Degenkolb wins first this time

Stage 3 is his time to shine

He's wearing yellow and green

His joy a sight to be seen

Matt Goss comes in two

Giant-Shimano says to John

Yo home boy--we love you.

I like his spiffy facial hair

He took the sprint fair and square

A bow to Perrig Quemeneur 

Who faltered not through wear and tear

2014 Paris-Nice Stage 1 and 2

The race to the sun

Has so far been fun

If you have strong nerves 

I've been MIA

since Saturday

Unable to observe

Bouhanni won for FJC

Enduring a knee injury

He dueled with Degenkolb, John

They then agreed to get along

Bouhanni likes the roads of France

The Schlecks slowed down by circumstance

An early stage held a big crash

Later on the sprinters clash!

In Etage Deux Nacer stays in yellow

Moreno Hofland is the winning fellow

John Degebkolb takes second times deux

So for now I'll say adieu