Cycling News Roundup - 4 November 2009
16th Championship of the Spanish ACP, Ezequiel Mosquera Injury, Carmiooro A-Style 2010, 2010 Volta ao Algarve - Travelogue, Cyclists  in the News - Off Broadway debut of Mark-Paul Gosselaar  to London - Mayor Boris Johnson saves the day.  London Olympics Business and Sponsors..

Alejandro Valverde in the ACP Spanish Championship
Next weekend, Alejandro Valverde will take part in the activities organized by the ACP, the Professional Spanish Cyclists Associations. On Sunday November 8, he will start in the XVIth Championship of the ACP which will take place in the locality of San Andrés de Rabanedo in the province of León.

The championships will start at 11:15 am and will include three different races: a team time trial, a road race and an elimination race. The event will be broadcast on TV on Teledeporte, on the international channel and on the local channel of Castilla y León.

Alejandro Valverde and  Pipe Gomez, President of the la ACP
Photo courtesy of Alejandro Valverde

The day before, at 6:00 pm, in the Sport Hall of León, Alejandro will participate in the match of the Stars ACP-UNICEF, an indoor football match, which participants will be a selection of professional cyclists and other sportsmen or former sportsmen from different disciplines recognized at national or international level.

The collected funds will be transferred to the fight for survival of children in Niger, within the framework of the UNICEF campaign called Drops for Niger.

Xacobeo Gallicia's  Ezequiel Mosquera  fracture of the clavicle
Fall in the Criterium de Alcobendas
Ezequiel Mosquera sustained a fracture of the clavicle; the rider discovered the injury ten days later of the fall in the Criterium de Alcobendas after a visit to his doctor for X-rays. "I did  a review because I was in pain on the left side and  plates seemed to be in a  different positions. Then it was revealed the fracture in my left collarbone," said the cyclist Xacobeo Galicia.
Ezequiel Mosquera

It is was a reoccurrence of the same fracture that  ruined the Tour de Catalunya for the rider in 2008. "When I was in Alcobendas after the accident on 25 October I went to a doctor who treated me, there was nothing more to be done, he  told me that it appeared that there were fractures; but after making the X-rays, it was seen," said Ezequiel.

The good news is that "there is no shifting, therefore, it will require no surgical intervention. I have to stay with my arm in a sling for ten days and then go back to doing a review to see if the bone knitted well,"  Mosquera, missed  the Giro due to a broken wrist last year.

 2009 Vuelta a España: Ezequiel Mosquera (Xacobeo/Galicia) wrapped in bandages after several crashes held on to his 5th place on the G.C. and led his team to the top of the Team Classification.   Photo © 2009 Fotoreporter Sirotti

After falling in the criterium in Madrid, the leader of Xacobeo Galicia had doubts about the possibilities of participating in Criterium of  the ACP, in San Andrés del Rabanedo (León) on Sunday, but now it's dropped. However, he is thinking he will be in  Leon to be with his team mates for the end of the season fete of  the Association of Professional Cyclists.

 Ezequiel Mosquera take the injury with some tranquility and sense of humor at this point in the season: "What I feel is that fracture will deprive the fans to check out my excellent ball control," he finally said, referring to the football game that the participants prior contest on Saturday afternoon.

Team Carmiooro A-Style 2010
Spaniard Alberto Fernandez Signs
Spaniard Alberto De la Puebla Fenandez has signed with Carmiooro A-Style. The rider from Madrid has reached an agreement with the Team Manager Lorenzo Di Silvestro and president Natale Bellotti this week at the headquarters of NGC in Novedrate. The agreement is for a period of one year. Alberto and team executives later visited the establishment of the cycles De Rosa for the delivery of the new bike from a "master" Ugo De Rosa.

José Francisco Ventoso, a good week in the Trittio Lombardia at third in Coppa Agostoni and...   Photo © 2009 Fotoreporter Sirotti

"I'm happy that he came to race in Italy - said the  Iberian climber - and I'm ready for a 2010 attack. I am eager especially for the first part of the season where I would start to show my new team  they have done well to sign me .

Fernandez in 2009 scored a 9th place in the tough Giro dell'Emilia. "I prefer the very hard races, and I feel good going uphill. Having met other Carmiooro riders. Ventoso and Pardilla, they  spoke very well of the staff of the team."

Lorenzo Di Silvestro who sought  the rider for the team commented,  "We say an operation revival in style Carmiooro - explained the team manager - if we chose Albert it is because he has very good qualities. The boy wants to do well, he only needs to find the right conditions for self-expression."

Alberto De la Puebla Fenandez:  Born in Madrid 17/09/1984 - Climber
Victories:: 2 wins (Stage 3, Vuelta Asturias 2007, Stage 1 Euskal-bicicletta 2007) . During his career, he has ridden on the Saunier Duval team from 2006 to 2008, and comes from Fuji/Servetto team of  2009. www.fernandezdelapuebla.com 

Sergio Pardilla and Carmiooro together Again in 2010
Sergio Pardilla re-signed with a week ago in Milan. "I am happy to stay  in the Carmiooro team. where I found an ideal environment to express myrself." said the Spaniard who won 3 races in 2009. Pardilla had a brilliant season that with his best achievment the victory in the final standings of the Tour of Japan. "That was definitely a very important moment, but the season as a whole I was impressed. - Added Pardilla - For example, a particular satisfaction for me was to have helped gain some of the victories of Ventoso. Being a participant in those successes mde me very proud."

2010 will see a very motivated Pardilla, "I have not seen schedule at this point, it depends on the calendar. As soon as I have met with the  team, and Miodini Pelliconi, we will make a decision. Of course I'd do even better than in 2009."

Lorenzo Di Silvestro, Team Manager commented,  "We think that Sergio is a pure talent on the climbs; and maybe in the future could also be competitive in big tours. To have him with us means he gives us an additional value to a team which is already competitive. "

Sergio Pardillo: Born on January 16,1984 in Manzanares, Spain.  Climber, 1.70 m, 56 kg career victories: 7, in 2009:  Mount  Fuji ITT, G.C. Tour of Japan, and a stage in the Circuito Montanes..

GP Beghelli: Francisco Ventoso rides like the wind (as his name translates) to take the Italian Fall classic. Photo © 2009 Fotoreporter Sirotti

Currently, the 2010 Carmiooro A-Style roster has 18 riders:

Cycling & Cyclists  in the News
Actor/Cyclist Makes Broadway Debut
Even on a bike, Mark-Paul Gosselaar can’t always ride away from his résumé.
Not long ago, Mr. Gosselaar, a 35-year-old actor, was at a bike shop near the George Washington Bridge when he noticed another rider giving him a strange look. Mr. Gosselaar hopped on his bike and pedaled off, but the other rider followed.
“He’s like, ‘Hey, sorry dude, weird question,’ ” Mr. Gosselaar recalled, “ ‘But are you that guy from ‘Saved by the Bell?’”

It has been a decade and a half since Mr. Gosselaar last roamed the halls as Zack Morris, the blond troublemaker of Bayside High School, on the Saturday morning comedy “Saved by the Bell.” He has since worn a suit as a detective on “NYPD Blue” and, these days, he plays a defense lawyer in the TNT drama “Raising the Bar.” He is in New York City making his stage debut in an Off Broadway play, “The Understudy,” opening Nov. 5 at the Laura Pels Theater.

Lately, however, Mr. Gosselaar has developed another distinction: as perhaps the best celebrity-slash-bicyclist in America. Granted, it’s a niche category with no official rankings and a smattering of big names, like Patrick Dempsey of “Grey’s Anatomy” and Jake Gyllenhaal and Matthew McConaughey (both of whom are pals of Lance Armstrong).

Yet Mr. Gosselaar is the real spandexed deal. In and around Santa Clarita, Calif., where he lives, he competes at the Category 2 level, racing in fields that often include professionals. Loren Mooney, the editor in chief of Bicycling magazine, said of Mr. Gosselaar in an e-mail message: “He’s in a different league from all the other public figures who ride a bike. He’s not just out there riding, he’s competing and, in some cases, winning.”
Read the complete article in the New York Times

'Knight on a shining bicycle
London Mayor Boris Johnson saves film-maker from girl gang attack
Franny Armstrong was rescued by Boris Johnson after being attacked by a group of hoodies. Johnson had promised to lead the fight back against crime to make the streets of London safer. And it seems Boris Johnson is determined to lead by example.
The Mayor of London has saved a woman who was being attacked by a group of hoodies.

One of the gang was brandishing an iron bar, but that didn't stop Mr Johnson going to the aid of Franny Armstrong when he heard her cry for help. Documentary film-maker Miss Armstrong was walking home in Camden on Monday night when she was surrounded by a group of young girls. She was sending a text message and did not notice the girls until they pushed her 'quite hard' against a car. She said she feared they were about to mug her.  'I noticed that one had an iron bar in her hand - it was frightening,' she added.

She called out for help to a passing cyclist, who turned out to be Mr Johnson. The Mayor approached the girls, shouting: 'What do you think you are doing?'.  The girls dropped the iron bar and ran off.
Read the complete article about Mayor/hero/cyclist Boris Johnson in the Mail Online.

2010 Volta ao Algarve - Travelogue
The traditional race in February is often used by riders to prepare their form for the Spring Classics. This year it was Alberto Contador who opened his 2009 season with a victory in the 5 stage race. As some might want to take the opportunity to attend the race and explore the region by bike we present this short travelogue and links for your travel plans to Portugal.

Cycling in the Algarve
The Algarve is well known as Portugal`s most tourist-friendly location, often associated with golf courses, sandy beaches and its unique historic culture. However, the region also offers a diverse range of landscapes, from auburn meadows to stunning ocean views, many of which are accessible by bike for even a casual rider.

For those wanting to make best use of the Algarve`s magnificent coast line, a good route is one starting at Tavira and ending at Faro (or the other way around). On this relatively undemanding route, you are able to stop at old fishing towns such as Olhao along the way, to experience the specialist seafood cuisine and architecture. There are plenty of places to stay along this part of the region, to enable you to extend your trip towards some of the world famous golfing locations around Vilamoura. Another interesting trip in the Algarve allows you to experience the southern most point in Europe, while exploring the south west of the region, a one way trip that would cover less than 10 miles.

Starting at Vila do Bispo, simply take the primary route to Sagres, along what is generally a very cycle friendly and even road. The town offers a fascinating glimpse into traditional Algarve culture, and tours of a local fort are available. Continue on to Cabo de Sao Vicente, with a picturesque lighthouse clearly in sight along the way. For more experienced mountain bikers, the Serra de Monchique offers some more challenging terrain, featuring the region`s highest point, Foía (900m), with gentler routes also easily found on the way up and down. In addition, Foía offers a restaurant near the top, and there are a wealth of spa facilities in the area available as a final treat on the way down.

The Algarve region hosts the Volta ao Algarve (Tour of the Algarve) every year, in February. This is an excellent time to come for anyone seeking Cheap Algarve Holidays, as the tourist industry gears up to welcome cyclists from around the world to the region. The region has its own international airport, located in Faro, which offers frequent flights to around a dozen UK airports year round. Aside from Faro itself, a number of smaller towns such as Albufeira and Vilamoura are located nearby, with an abundance of accommodation and good links to the airport.
ndex: 2009 Volta ao Algarve (2.1) - Race Program

London 2012 Gets Set for Games - Business Push
Tender process categories for good and services announced
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) will today outline its approach to procuring the goods and services required to stage the Games in 2012. LOCOG is set to tender approximately £700m worth of goods and services between now and 2012, broken down into eight different categories:

Facilities management and catering
Production services for ceremonies
Security
Services
Sports
Technology
Transport and logistics
Venues and venue logistics

Speaking at the London 2012 Business Summit, organised by the Department for Business, Industry and Skills (BIS), LOCOG Chairman Sebastian Coe will present the scope and scale of staging Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. He will be joined by LOCOG’s Director of Procurement, Gerry Walsh who will outline in more detail the process and requirements over the next three years for LOCOG suppliers, licensees and sponsors. This includes working to LOCOG’s Sustainable Sourcing Code and Diversity & Inclusion Business Charter.

LOCOG Chairman Sebastian Coe commented, “The focus so far has been on the ODA and construction, but the organising committee is now at a stage where we move from planning to delivery. With less than three years to go, we’re starting the procurement process for everything we need to stage a memorable Games. The scope of this is potentially massive - from sporting equipment to catering services and beyond.

"We often talk about the Games heralding a golden decade of sport and I believe that this could be matched by a golden decade of sport-related business. We want the Games to be a triumph for Britain – at the finish line and the bottom line.”

LOCOG Procurement Director Gerry Walsh commented, “There are many opportunities for companies of all sizes to get involved with London 2012 - whether it’s directly through LOCOG or through one of our sponsors, stakeholders or suppliers further down the supply chain.

"Staging Olympic Games and Paralympic Games requires working to tight deadlines and working within our sustainability and diversity guidelines, so we have developed criteria by which we judge companies who will supply goods and services – and that goes for sponsors, licensees and suppliers. The opportunities are out there and I would urge anyone who is interested to sign up to our procurement portal Compete For.”

As a result of the Home textiles opportunity on Compete For, LOCOG today confirms that two new licensees have been appointed to produce London 2012 licensed products. Hertfordshire based Ashley Wilde will produce licensed towels, bedding, cushions and bed throws and Cheshire company Jan Constantine will produce hand embroidered cushions and other home textile accessories. Products will go on sale in 2010.

LOCOG Head of Licensing and retail, Simon Lilley commented on the appointments, “Both companies are fantastic examples of how smaller companies can be part of London 2012. The London 2012 merchandise programme is a key channel through which the general public will engage with and participate in the Games, as well as providing revenue to enable the successful staging of the Games.”

The vast majority of LOCOG’s procurement will go through Compete For, which is the online service for matching potential suppliers with Games-related business opportunities. Launched at the beginning of 2008, CompeteFor is an open and transparent procurement process that gives businesses access to all relevant opportunities between now and 2012.

Companies interested in Games-related contracts can register on the site to receive alerts and updates regarding potential opportunities. See www.london2012.com/business for further details.

As it heads towards its £2 billion budget for staging the Olympic and Paralympic Games, LOCOG has six domestic Tier One Partners - adidas, BP, British Airways, BT, EDF and Lloyds TSB. There are now six domestic Tier Two Supporters – Adecco, Cadbury, Cisco, Deloitte, Thomas Cook and UPS. There are eleven domestic Tier Three Suppliers and Providers – Airwave, Atkins, Boston Consulting Group, Crystal CG, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, Holiday Inn, McCann Worldgroup, The Nielsen Company, Populous, Ticketmaster and Trident.
The Worldwide Olympic Partners signed up for London 2012 are Coca-Cola, Acer, Atos Origin, GE, McDonald’s, Omega, Panasonic, Samsung and Visa.

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