(What about the socks? In an early in his career race Landis decided that there a bit too much emphasis on fashion and so wore a very “uncool” outfit… including knee high argyle socks pulled all the way up. He of course got the down the nose look from all the riders. He then rode away with the race taunting his fellow riders with shouts of “How do you like my socks now?” and “Maybe you’d like to see how they look from further away… lemme go up the road a bit.” He won by 15 minutes.

Just Like cousin Andy…

(Via Spoken.)

Count me among those glad to see UCI (the International Cycling Union) stepping in to call on the carpet everyone involved in last month’s allegations that an old urine specimen of Lance Armstrong’s might contain erythropoietin. In the UCI’s own…

(Via Q Daily News.)

BBC SPORT | Vinokourov joins Liberty Seguros

Alexandre Vinokourov, whose aggressive riding animated the 2005 Tour, will join Manolo Saiz’ Liberty Seguros squad.

The team’s previous Tour leader, Roberto Heras, had a disappointing Tour in 45th, and Saiz said publicly during the Tour that Heras would ride Giro and not lead the team’s Tour squad next season.

Vinokourov will bring along a fellow Kazakh, Sergey Yakovlev, from T-Mobile.

Said Vino:

“They have the best riders in the mountains and are among the best in the team time trials. It was almost a natural choice,” he said of Liberty Seguros.

“We have discussed my programme for 2006 – I’ve had the guarantee I will be able to fully focus on the Tour de France.”

I like VIno, I like to watch Vino, good luck Vino I hope that you have found a team with your kind of focus and desire to win. DO they understand what it takes to win the Tour now? We shall see

(Via Tour de France 2004.)

ThePaceline.com | Armstrong announces initial 2005 race calendar

Lance Armstrong announced today that he will ride the 2005 Tour de France, aiming for an unprecedented 7th consecutive Tour victory.

Armstrong had suggested he might skip this year’s Tour to concentrate on the spring classics and perhaps the Giro d’Italia.

Another surprise was that Armstrong will defend his title at the Tour de Georgia, April 19th-25th, although the final stage of that race conflicts with Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

As announced Monday, Armstrong will kick off his season at Paris-Nice March 6th-13th. He’ll also race the Tour of Flanders on April 3rd.

“Johan (Bruyneel, the team’s sports manager) and I will evaluate my fitness later this spring and possibly add some races to the calendar,” said Armstrong.

The release doesn’t mention any plans for a run at the world hour record, which Armstrong’s team is exploring. Many past champions have gone for the record in late summer or early fall.

Whoo hoo go lance go!

(Via Tour de France 2004.)

VeloNews | Wednesday’s EuroFile: Danielson to Discovery? Ullrich heading to world’s

VeloNews quotes Fassa Bortolo sources that US rider Tom Danielson, 26, has opted out of the second year of his contract with the Italian team.

Have to start looking at news about this team, what kind of power is Lance putting together now??

(Via Tour de France 2004.)

procycling.com | Virenque to announce retirement

Reigning Tour de France King of the Mountains Richard Virenque, 34, is expected to follow Laurent Dufaux’s lead, and exit the sport Friday.

Virenque won the polka-dot jersey a record seven times during a 14 year pro career.

He will be missed, he was class act.

(Via Tour de France 2004.)

Olympic time trial champion Tyler Hamilton faces a ban for doping after failing blood tests in Athens and last week’s Tour of Spain.

The 33-year-old American was found guilty of blood doping after winning the Vuelta’s eighth stage, a time-trial, on 11 September.

“

BBC SPORT | Millar eyes example role

David Millar wants to be the canary in the coal mine, helping cycling bodies understand how riders avoid testing positive, and helping young riders avoid pressure to dope.

“I made mistakes and am ready to learn. I’d like to explain the dangers to young riders,” he told the Guardian.

“I am someone who can give reasons why cyclists should not take drugs.”

The full article at the Guardian is well worth reading.

”

(Via Tour de France 2004.)

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VeloNews | Mercado wins, but Armstrong move takes center stage

Rupert Guinness offers the definitive account of Lance Armstrong’s contretemps with Filippo Simeoni from Friday, with after-stage comments from both riders, and both coaches.

Apparently, Simeoni was near tears after the incident and considered dropping out of the race.

”

(Via Tour de France 2004.)

“For all the other people who’re enjoying the cyclysm, there are two great discussion threads on yesterday’s Tour drama between Lance Armstrong and Filippo Simeoni, one on SportsFilter and the other on Ask MetaFilter. Armstrong may be arrogant, but he’s…”

(Via Q Daily News.)