The giro did the job - what's next for cycling?



No words needed

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That's it, the 2012 giro is over. It all happened way too fast, the days of hurrying back from work to catch the last 50 k's live on the TV are definitely over. Following the race was excellent due to social media, allowing fans to follow the race at the same as doing the household tasks.

The changes
The RCS, organisers of the giro, promised some changes from last year's debated course, and they kept their promise. Many shorter stages, cut down on transfer length between stages, are some of the actions the organisers chose. And the result? I haven't seen a more open and exciting giro in years. Of course, this is not something the RCS have the sole resposibility for, as you all know, they create arenas for the teams and riders. What happens in a stage or in the race is solely up to the riders and the repective teams.

Earlier we've seen endless, boring stage races where one team towed their leader to the beginning of the mountain and it all exploded last 10 k. I think we're seeing a new beginning on the horizon. Shorter stages opens up a race on a totally different level, many more riders can actually be a star. Braveness should be rewarded, and it was, at least twice. I will forever remember the bold push by Rabottini who clung on to Rodriguez and won the stage after spending the whole day in the break was spectacular. I was hoarse after that stage, tell you that. And De Gendt, who was the only one who dared to take the mighty mountains of Moltirolo and Stelvio by force, in which he was rewarded with a brilliant giro podium. Racing a stage race has changed from getting that huge attack and gain 5 minutes, to the accumalation of the seconds on every stage, every day. Yes it is three weeks of racing and you've got like 3500 km to do it, but it comes down to that guy who gets the small seconds every time.

The brave should be rewarded. If I could decide, that would be the mantra for the future of racing.

Being a facilitator is not easy though, as many will have an opinion on the race, the logistics and for certain the course it self. Social media have flattened the playing field as riders and others can reach the organisers quickly and broadcast their meaning. Judging by the response from the riders they seem pretty content with the RCS.

Fighting spirit can take you here...

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Appearances
Many riders deserve a mention, I will just come up with some. Taylor Phinney, who was the first giro leader, was a fine ambassador and fought with his heart. All heart was also the reigning WC Mark Cavendish. I have to admit that I pictured him leave the race after ten days or so, bringing some PR to Sky Italia, the giro and of course to Sky, but he didn't crack. He stayed all race, giving all he had. Can't blame him for not trying win the red jersey. How long he will be in the tour is another chapter.

The fact that sprinters can win without a train is something i like to see. Guardini and Ferrari took care of that, the latter did not get the prize as the giro's most popular rider week one.

Last but not least; the Maglia Rosa himself Ryder Hesjedal. I had him as a possible podium contender if he was in shape, and he delievered the merchandise. He really wanted that win, that was easy to see. The attack on stage 14, he did the same on the queen-stage on Stelvio and he really did his part of pulling during the race. A consistent approach to the giro paid off after three weeks of battle in Italy. The days of the big time-gain is probably over, from now on it is all in the details every day. It is supposed to be a fight for the seconds.

Summary
Three weeks and 3500 km done, a brilliant giro is over. We've seen some outstanding racing and the excitement stayed until the last day. A recipe for good entertainment. Provided by the RCS, given to us by the riders. I hope racing continues to develop, I hope organisers of stage races shorten most of their stages like the RCS did, and above all I hope to see riders stepping up and claiming their place in the history books.

A nice way to summon the 2012 giro is Cavendish' words to Velonews: “The Giro is the hardest grand tour in the world. The Tour is different; it’s the racing that makes it hard. Here the mountains are diabolical. It kills you.”

The Glava of Norway

Today the Glava Tour of Norway begins, a five stage tour around the Eastern part of Norway. The race builds on Ringerike GP, a UCI race several big stars have entered over the years, usually in the beginning of their pro career.

Glava - the main sponsor
Many of you are probably familiar woth much of the work being layed down to organise such an event. Many sponsors contribute in different ways, local corporate organisations use the event to marketing themselves both locally and perhaps trying to be recognised internationally as well. So what kind of company is Glava?

Glava is a Norwegian industrial company who "developes and produce market insulation materials and other products."  Using the slogan "Good insulation is envirmonmental protection”, GLAVA ® have a broad range of products for building insulation. The main product is glasswool which is widely recognised as the leading insulation in the world. Almost every house in Norway has these materials, yellow matts are roled out in the walls and on ceilings.The company also have other materials and experiments with differents foams.

GLAVA ® insulation for houses

Glava is one of the companies that supports cross country skiing and cycling the recent years, something marketing manager Øystein Kvam highlighted recently. The race director of Glava tour of Norway is Birger Hungerholdt. Ring a bell? Hungerholdt is Edvald Boasson Hagen's manager and he has been a key player in making the Glava tour what is is. As Edvald Boasson Hagen said to the local newspaper in Lillehammer today, "I'm not sure if stage 4 is buildt spesificly to me, but I guess Birger had me in his thoughts". But as Edvald discovered during his recon of the climbs, they are tougher than he expected. Although the race pass by Edvald's childhood home, not once but twice.

Read more about Glava on their website here.

Summary
The Glava tour is a huge race for Norway and is a leap in the right direction for cycling in Norway. The sport has been through a remarkable development with pros like Arvesen, Hushovd and now Boasson Hagen and Kristoff too are leading the way.
Hopefully you know what kind of company Glava is, tune in to watch the game, nothing is written in stone and I expect a fight all the way for the overall win.

Glava Tour of Norway's official website is here. 

Birger Hungerholdt - race director and EBH's manager.

 

Why change a winning coach?

Science - the solution to all problems?

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Yesterday we learned that Edvald Boasson Hagen (EBH) ends his professional relationship with his personal coach over many years, Fredrik Mohn.

Earlier today, a gentleman named Peter, asked me on twitter if I could comment on the importance of coaching, something I can try to do now.


Relationship
Fredrik Mohn and EBH have been working together for a long time, the last seven years, Mohn has been working closely with Edvald.
Back in the day EBH was recognised as a talent quite early. Like many other talented riders, he was good while being young, something that can easily tip both ways as the years go by.
At the age of 17 he was a part of the junior national team, trained by Gino Oudenhove, now team manager of Joker-Merida. He was still improving, but suddenly the results didn't came as easily as before and EBH felt sick. Several riders rode him straight off their back wheel; something was not right. Gino Oudenhove had a good impression of Mohn already back then. Mohn wasn't carrying a degree in physiology, he didn't even had a career as a top athlete he relied on, but still brought out the best in many young riders from different clubs. Mohn is actually educated as a goldsmith, something people have joked respectfully with over the years, as Mohn indeed has turned some riders into gold.

Oudenhove felt EBH needed new impulses and gave Mohn the job of bringing young EBH back into shape. Mohn, who is known to be thorough and very methodological in his work, changed some of Boasson Hagen's program and EBH began to respond to training once again. "It got a lot to do with communication. I tell the riders to write detailed training diaries I, in return I read everything and give them feedback", Mohn says in this article in the newspaper Nettavisen. In addition to this, Mohn surrounds himself with the right people with background from physiology, nutrition, and medicine.

Later EBH joined Oudenhove at Joker-Bianchi (now Joker-Merida), the season before T-mobile bought him was special, as he really made himself a name by winning many races internationally.

This stage he timed the sprint perfectly...

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Change is (almost) always good
In addition to be a slogan for paid-by-the-hour consultants, this has also been the foundation for all physical training the recent years. Always shock/surprise your body, always vary your intensity etc, you know the drill.

On top of this it is no surprise a team like Sky, or any other team for that matter, want more control over the training. After all, the team have paid millions of € and want to have ROI. Will it work? That is the million dollar question and one that only time will tell. EBH is surrounded by some of the best coaches in the business, Sky is known for combining science and training. Their focus on detail, which perhaps was too much their first year, seems to be more relaxed these days yet still very high on a positive note.

According to procycling.no, EBH will be working with Tim Kerrison, who is known for his outstanding job with Wiggo the last couple of years. Also in the coaching team is Kurt Asle Arvesen, fellow Norwegian, who bring experience and perhaps some mental coaching to the table.

Will it be another success story? It all depends on if the rider himself believes in the concept and if the communication is present. It worked for Wiggo, Julich works fine with Froome and Nordhaug, but chemistry is mighty important in sports. Either have a very good chemistry with your coach, or an extremely good sense of professionalism, coping with bad chemistry but still believing in the concept. Oudenhove says it right, if a rider need new stimuli, it is the right time for a change.

Summary
Team Sky want more control over their assets and their ROI, but changing a coach can go both ways. It all depends on whether the rider believes in the concept. To have the upper hand a rider need to continue develop him or herself, making sure the opponents are left behind. Maybe a change of coach from time to time is good? Either within the existing team, or on a brand new one.

Sprinting - the wild bunch

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Today's crash and the rulings

Giro stage 3 gave us a bunch sprint as predicted today, but many riders hit the deck due to a dangerous manoeuvre by  Androni Giacattoli rider Roberto Ferrari. Among them reigning WC Mark Cavendish and Maglia Rosa Taylor Phinney.

The rules are quite clear: 

2.3.036 Sprints

Riders shall be strictly forbidden to deviate from the lane they selected when launching the sprint and, in so doing, endangering others. 

Not very concise if you study the text, but it is what it is and that's pretty much all there is of rules regarding sprinting. 

There is little doubt that Ferrari endangered others, a glance at Cav and Phinney tell you that, but when did Ferrari opened up his sprint? If we rewind to yesterday's sprint Cav kept his cool and looked left-right before he changed his lane as he opened his sprint, so it is possible to do so without endangering others. 

In addition to this, the rulings are there and there are officials who can react upon themselves and to any reaction from teams. Clearly Ferrari made a huge mistake, something the peloton will not forget. The riders form a tight community and riders being labelled as dangerous or hot-heads, will be treated according to group rules. Cav has also been criticised for changing lanes, remember Tour of Switzerland and the sprint where he and Haussler went down?

Development

Sprinting has developed much during the years, or perhaps the dynamic of the peloton has. Firstly, many more riders are trying to keep themselves out of trouble staying near the front. Much to the disturbance of the sprintertrains. Secondly, many teams, including pro conti teams have young riders trying to make themselves a name and/or putting the team on the map. Sometimes the team make it on the map but not necessarily the way they hoped, as today. Competitive cycling is tough these days and not many believes it will be better any time soon. Experienced riders complaining about lack of respect for jerseys and "rank". Perhaps the peloton need more governance for riders safety, either by UCI or the riders themselves?

Summary

Today a huge crash happened just 200 meters from the finish line, causing Cav, Phinney and a few more hit the deck. Rulings are limited on the subject, but are clear to when riders are exposing others for risk. I love seeing a battle for the finish line but at the same time I want this to be as safe as possible. The sprints have developed and need a joint effort to control the outcome. Broad roads last 2 k's, few hairpins etc can the organisers do but the riders need to take responsibility for their own safety.

Here the last 5 kilometres of today's stage: