Right Up Downing(s) Street

Posted on April 9, 2012 by chrismeadsphoto

Russ Downing so far this season has had two significant wins on his European travels with Endura and is again looking like a force to be reckoned with. So heres an interesting thought. I know he is now in his mid 30’s but if a Pro Tour team like say for example, Sky came after him I am sure he could do a good job for them. He would make a good domestique and on the right occasion be a worthy leader and go for his own victories. He would be cheaper than Mick Rogers and Davide Appolonnio, he would be good for morale as everyone loves him and we would have an extra Brit to cheer on.

Its just a thought. I am very impressed with Endura but surely Russ deserves to be playing on a bigger stage. I have even mocked up a photo of how Russ might look in a Team Sky kit.

Brailsford take note.

this is another Tongue in Cheek ProductionRuss as he might look in a Team Sky kit

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Now That Is Impressive!

Posted on April 9, 2012 by chrismeadsphoto

Anybody who has  the slightest knowledge about cycling would have failed to have been surprised at Tom Boonens victory in Paris Roubaix yesterday. But hey! Bet nobody thought he would do it like that. The 52 km solo ride where he not only fended off the chasing pack but actually got further away from them as the race developed was straight out of  the Fabian Cancellara “How to Win a Classic” handbook. Heres a tip. Bet your house on him taking the first stage of this years Tour de France by 20 minutes and then defending it all the way to Paris. On second thoughts dont! He generously likes to give his valuable time to Mark Cavendish and Tyler Farrar when the road goes upwards. This is probably to keep their spirits up so they can give him a good drubbing when it goes flat again.

Nice one Tommy!!

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Jim’ll Fix It

Posted on April 7, 2012 by chrismeadsphoto

Tomorrows the big one. The best (in my opinion) race there is. Paris-Roubaix or The Race into Hell as it is also known. If Jimmy Saville was still alive i would be asking him to fix it for my camera to go there for a days work (preferably with me attached to it). One day maybe.

There will be a story to tell at the end of this race and i will be putting my own spin on it. Call back for that.

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Where Was Plan B??

Posted on March 19, 2012 by chrismeadsphoto

I think in terms of Milan-SanRemo Mark Cavendish has been sussed out.  Its easy when you think about it. He can’t keep up with the pace when the road goes uphill so all the other teams just need to put the hammer down long enough to make the gap to far to bridge. The likes of Gilbert, Boonen and Cancellara can then get themselves close to the finish without worrying about the fastest sprinter. This is what happened on Saturday and i will lay a bet that whilst Cavendish is the fastest finisher in the world he will not win this race again.

This maybe should have been anticpated by the brains at Sky when formualting their plan of attack. Edvald Boasson Hagen is probably a safer bet to come up with the spoils so why did he only have Thomas Lofkvist looking after him? A lot of strong guys were wasted in the service of Cav when they could have been doing turns for Eddy.

If this is Skys idea of a Plan B then i think it may be time for a rethink.

Get another basket for your eggs Dave

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Chris McManus

Posted on March 13, 2012 by chrismeadsphoto

I worked closely with Chris McManus for several months and considered him a friend. I am still in shock at the violent way he met his death. I always will be.

Chris was a truly nice guy

Rest in Peace Chris

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Here Wiggo, Here Wiggo, Here………….

Posted on March 11, 2012 by chrismeadsphoto

Bradley Wiggins has today won the prestigious one week stage race Paris-Nice. This is an achievement to rank alongside some of the very best British triumphs over the last few decades. Make no mistake this race is major and this result bears testament to the talent and hardwork that Wiggins applies to his preparation. Theres a certain tough/mardy (delete as applicable) Aussie who has sat up and taken notice enough to pass comment which tells me that he senses a credible rival.

We are not midway through March yet and British victories are stacking up like Denis Menchov on a hairpin descent.  My prediction is that this will be far and away the most successful road season for these shores ever. Now bring on the cobbles and lets see Stannard and Thomas fly

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Legendary Moments in Cycling Number 3

Posted on February 23, 2012 by chrismeadsphoto

Come on i bet even Dave laughs at this one now!

 

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Hit the North 3

Posted on February 8, 2012 by chrismeadsphoto

Saturday last i went along to the Hit the North 3 race at Phillips Park Whitefield. This is an “if its got two wheels and no engine you can enter” type of race which every man and his dog with a bike seemed to be there for. The course was testing, the track was frozen to a concretous state and the last lap was livened up by a blizzard. Marvellous! The race lasted two hours or by the looks of some competitors a lifetime! A good old northern brass band was in attendance as was a hotdog/burger stall and the whole event was top class sporting entertainment from first to last. I am not sure who won but great respect to all who completed the race. Full set of photos are on my website but heres a taster.

 

 

 

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Do We Have To Have Him Back?!

Posted on January 21, 2012 by chrismeadsphoto

Alejandro Valverde has just won stage five of the Tour Down Under after serving a two year suspension. He was linked by dna and documentary evidence to Operation Puerto, a blood doping affair which blew up in 2006. Now i know that others have served their bans and returned with varying degrees of success to the peleton but isn’t it time the rules were changed to introduce a lifetime ban? The sport has come pretty close to imploding over the last few years but it does now seem that the newer generation are general riding clean. This can quite easily be jeopardised by more positives and whilst i am not suggesting that AV will transgress it does seem that whilst he and his ilk continue to ride the sport will carry some of the staining these guys subjected upon it. AV is a classy rider and this victory will probably be one of plenty over the next few years but I for one will not cheer a single minute of his efforts no matter how impressive they are

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A Word About Roger

Posted on January 17, 2012 by chrismeadsphoto

Whilst Mark Cavendish was still better known for his ballroom dancing skills rather than his sprinting ability there was one Brit out there mixing it up with the big boys and grabbing a good few decent victories in the process. Now at the age of 38 Roger Hammond finds himself out of contract and out of work so rather than soldier on in the domestic scene it appears that he has finally hung his pro wheels up.

Roger was junior cross champ in 1992, got himself a degree and then turned out for some of the lesser continental teams before getting in at the top level at the late age of 31. He won the national road race champs in 2003 and 2004 as well as being National Cross Champion seven times. A well respected professional who always gave 100% he will be a sad loss to the peleton. Good luck for the future Roger

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