jimmythecuckoo's blog

Peterborough has been one of the staple rounds of the Halfords Tour Series since its inception but it appears that unless some alternative funding is found the event could well be facing the axe in 2013.

That would be a real shame as the Tour de France's arrival in 2014 could be enhanced and built up by Cambridge's near neighbour retaining its round of the popular criterium series.

To be fair, from a cycling point of view, I will be very disappointed if the withdrawal of funding for the event is confirmed.

There are many reasons I love this website. The main one being that they have long given me the mouthpiece to spout my nonsense about Albert Timmer, Tony Gibb and fake replica jersey's.

I suppose its like giving the madman the keys to an asylum. Or something like that.

Where this site has come into its own in recent years has been the fantasy cycling competition.

Many a lunch time has been spent agonising over the selections as I scanned the list of 3.5 credit riders looking for the next Thomas de Gendt.

The local branch of the Rapha/Condor cycling club hosted the inagural "Celebration of Peterborough Cycling" last night.

John Herety, team Manager of the pro element to that squad was the guest speaker and told the assembled audience that engaging youth riders and then retaining them was the key to continued progress in the sport.

Intriguing in the first word that springs to mind when thinking about tonights event in Peterborough.

For too many years the Peterborough and Fenland Clarion cycling clubs have operated in parallel coming together a couple of times a year to promote an early season time trial and end of season hill climb.

There is always a sense of anticipation and excitement in the days before the club dinner.
Even if you have won nothing in the whole season it’s too good an opportunity to meet up with mate for one last time before the winter properly bites.
Fenland Clarion Cycling Club held its dinner the weekend before last at historic local hotel “The Bell” in Stilton. Vein leaden cheese was of course on the menu as was a question and answer session with Russell Downing, our guest of honour.

Not since the late 1980's and the epic duels of the ANC, Ever Ready and Banana teams has the UK domestic cycling scene shown such promise and strength in depth.

This preview takes in the big three of Rapha/Condor/Sharp, UK Youth and newcomers Madison/Genesis, but we could talk about Raleigh, Knights of Old and so on. We have some big teams now competing on our shores. Of course with Endura stepping up there has been a bit of movement in the transfer market as some of their riders are not going on their European adventure.

And so Rabobank pro cycling team is no more.

The Dutch pro team ends over a decade of involvement at 1030 am this morning when the announcement leaked overnight is confirmed.

Citing the USADA statement as reason to quit the sport at professional level is topical for sure. But is it a convenient smokescreen to save the bank some of its vital marketing Euros at this time?

It seems like ages since I last clicked on "Blogs" and typed a pre-Tour post about Andy Schleck not looking likely to win... Prophetic eh?

So what have I been up to? And will it have been enough to justify Dave and Tony keeping my blog page open?

Well apart from busting my shoulder and getting a trapped nerve in my back (very painful) I have been busy riding club time trials and working on my 10 mile tt time.

After dismissing him as a contender for this years Tour de France here, I am starting to feel a pang of guilt when it comes to Andy...

As I write this the full impact of his Dauphine flop is getting more and more journalists more and more feverish.

Not content with being dropped on a third cat climb on day 2 he is now over 9 minutes adrift of the leading time in the time trial... that is before any of the real favourites get to the finish.

As the magazines and guides start to fill the newsagents shelves, our minds can start to turn to the start of the Tour de France ... in Belgium ...

We all know who we want to win, and I don't want to mention him for fear of being a curse. And of course I have previously stated on this very blog that I dont think he could ever win it... humble pie could be in the oven by the end of next month.

But who else could win this flatter, less mountainous, time trial friendly Tour?