Author Archives: Whit

About Whit

My experiences might easily fit many cycling fans' definitions of “living the dream.” Since getting hooked on the sport watching Lance Armstrong win the 1993 U.S. Pro Championship, I've raced as an amateur on Belgian cobbles, traveled Europe to help build a European pro team, and piloted that team from Malaysia to Mont Ventoux. As a former assistant director sportif with Mercury-Viatel, I've also seen the less dreamy side of the sport – the side rife with broken contracts, infighting, and positive dope tests. These days, I live with my lovely wife in Pennsylvania and share my experiences and views on the sport at Bicycling Magazine, the Embrocation Cycling Journal, and at my own site, Pavé.

Tour de France 2012 Team Preview: Lampre-ISD

Posted on June 28, 2012 by

I hate to say it, but Lampre (along with a few other teams) might be proof that the World Tour’s automatic grand tour entry policy might need some tweaking. Yes, the team won two stages and the green jersey in 2010, but any team whose grand tour prospects hinge upon Alessandro Petacchi might need to … Continue reading →

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Tour de France 2012 Team Preview: Katusha

Posted on June 28, 2012 by

Russia’s Katusha Team comes to Liege Saturday with a two-pronged approach to this year’s Tour de France: help Denis Menchov obtain as high a GC finish as possible and win a stage or two (and perhaps challenge for the green jersey) with Oscar Freire. While not incredibly lofty, these goals might seem a tad unrealistic … Continue reading →

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Tour de France 2012 Team Preview: Garmin-Sharp

Posted on June 27, 2012 by

Garmin-Sharp is first of a few teams heading to the Tour de France with more than one GC option. In fact, they have three of them. Giro d’Italia champion Ryder Hesjedal leads the way in an attempt to do what no rider has done since Marco Pantani in 1998—win both races in the same season. … Continue reading →

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Tour de France 2012 Team Preview: Euskaltel-Euskadi

Posted on June 27, 2012 by

A few months ago it looked as if this year’s Tour de France might have been the last for Euskaltel-Euskadi. Luckily, while Euskadi appears to be moving on, Euskaltel is reportedly stepping-in to fund the World Tour squad for a few more seasons. Crisis averted—at least for now. As to the race itself, Euskaltel-Euskadi comes … Continue reading →

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Tour de France 2012 Team Preview: Europcar

Posted on June 27, 2012 by

Just about every French team preview  includes some variation on the line “Team X comes to the Tour de France hoping for a stage win or two and maybe a top-10 GC-placing for Rider Y.” At last year’s Tour de France, Europcar set a new standard with Pierre Rolland winning a stage atop Alpe d’Huez … Continue reading →

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Tour de France 2012 Team Preview: FDJ-BigMat

Posted on June 27, 2012 by

FDJ-BigMat possesses one of the best young rosters in the sport—certainly in France. But while some teams might be tempted to rush young talent to the Tour de France, FDJ is resisting the temptation and leaving men like Arnaud Demare and Nacer Bohanni (the new French road race champion) at home. Instead, the team is … Continue reading →

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