by Tao Geoghegan Hart | Oct 10, 2011
Tao - Le Stagiaire
I have been resting (off the bike) for a week now, and to put it blunty, I am absolutely dying to get back on! It’s a different type of rest to that of the pro riders, I am in school seven hours a day studying for my A levels, however hopefully it still makes a difference! Other than work at school I have been sorting out my sponsorship for next year, with a few new things also on the horizon (hopefully). I had some brilliant news on Friday, of my acceptance to the British Olympic Development Programme. This is a really great news, a big step in the right direction and to be honest I cant really put into words how much it means to me. I have been building up my winter bike over my break, and with only a few bits to fit, it will hopefully be up and running by this weekend!
by Tao Geoghegan Hart | Oct 8, 2011
Get down to Condor, if you cant, get on the phone, this book is really worth having. Anyone at all interested in the history of the shop, checkout Past Present Future.
I think it looks brilliant!
by Yanto Barker | Sep 30, 2011
Yanto & Darren
Please accept my apologies for such intermittent blog updates. Here is a picture of what I have been doing this week. In the photo me (left) Darren Moore right and middle. We spent the day at the Cycle Show at the NEC yesterday which was great. An opportunity to speak to everyone under one roof. It did feel a bit like a pressure cooker with people I wanted to speak to every 10 paces but was very pleased to have got everything done that we set out to do.
The main story I suppose was my signing for the UK Youth team with Magnus Backstedt. I am so excited, we have talked about racing together for years and I’m so pleased that next year will be the one. The team line up look s great and I am so excited to be back up to international UCI level. After co-presenting on ITV4 for the TOB (Tour of Britain) it was great to see the home based guys getting stuck in and mixing it with the big boys over from the continent.
Another interesting thing to talk about maybe, is this time of year. Its end of the season and were all looking to next year with more articles of who’s signed for who coming out every day now and is set to continue as the last riders find their places. But its not over yet. Part of the season is the end of the season. A time to look back and asses the performances of the year for both myself and other riders, especially up and coming ones. I’d like to give a quick mention of some to watch next season.
I think best improved rider of the year is Tom Last (Sigma sport Specialized) The Richmond GP (last premiere) was where I really noticed the lads strength. At the top of the last climb we were down to about 12-15 riders left in the group and Tom was there giving it big licks in the finale. A real talent and one to watch next year.
Ride of the Year for me was JTL (John Tiernan-Locke) on stage 5 of the TOB attacking and dropping some of the best riders in the world up the climb to Hay Tor in Devon on home roads, with home crowd and on the most glorious day. Made me proud he did as I watched from the lead car. Thoroughly deserves a proper world tour team contract.
Most Charismatic rider. For me Mark Cavendish is head and shoulders above the rest. He is a megastar. Even before the worlds win he was getting such a warm and positive reception every stage start and finish on the TOB. I had the pleasure of interviewing him a couple of times on the race and thought he was such a good personality for the sport in this country but for the world of cycling too. Cav if you read this keep up the good work you are a hero to many.
Nicest guy in the peloton. Alex Dowsett, But also the smoothest pedal action too which helped take stage 8a at the TOB along with many more wins to come. They say you shouldn’t meet your heroes but in the case of Dowsett its not true. If you do get to say hello you will go home glad you made the effort.
I could go on and on here, so will save a bit for later which will also give me a reason to keep up dating this blog.
Thanks for reading.
Take care, ride safe,
YB
by Tao Geoghegan Hart | Sep 27, 2011
Hi Everyone,
Firstly thanks for making your way to my section on Cycling Shorts, I am new to the site, and hope to add my own personal touch in the coming months. I have, up untill now, blogged at taogeogheganhart.blogspot.com, my own personal blog, and will continue to do so in the future. However I will also be sharing my blogs here on Cycling Shorts.
A little bit of background: I race for Cycling Club Hackney, a small club based in East London, whilst also representing my personal sponsors Condor Cycles and Rapha. This year I rode for Great Britain at the European Youth Olympics, finishing fourth in the Time Trial. I also took four medals at the British National Road and Track Championships. This year I have been selected for the British Olympic Development Programme and aim to continue to race nationally and internationally, hopefully with a few wins along the way.
Hopefully I can portray some of my adventure in writing, with a few stories of my travels, of the inevitable peaks and troughs, the wins and loses, and most definitely some brutal weather.
by Paul Sloper | Sep 21, 2011
[flagallery gid=4 name=”Gallery”]
The Tour of Britain 2011
Stage 6 Summary
Taunton to Wells 16 Sep 2011
** Indicates Under 23 riders
Stage
- Lars Boom (Rabobank)
- Alexandre Pichot (Team Europcar)
- Leopold Koenig (Team NetApp)
Overall
- Lars Boom (Rabobank)
- Leopold Koenig (Team NetApp)
- Daniel Lloyd (Team Garmin – Cervelo)
Points
- Lars Boom (Rabobank)
- Geraint Thomas (Sky ProCycling)
- Mark Cavendish (HTC Highroad)
Mountains
- Jonathan Tiernan Locke (Rapha Condor – Sharp)
- Russell Hampton (Sigma Sport-Specialized)
- Stephen Cummings (Sky ProCycling)
Sprints
- Pieter Ghyllebert (An Post – Sean Kelly)
- Russell Hampton (Sigma Sport-Specialized)
- Lars Boom (Rabobank)
Written & edited by Anna Magrath. All Images ©Copyright Paul Sloper
If you wish to purchase or get permission to use any of the images in this article or gallery please contact Paul through our contacts page.
by Paul Sloper | Sep 20, 2011
[flagallery gid=3 name=”Gallery”]
I decided to take a few days off work to go and watch and shoot some photos of the Tour of Britain stage 5 and 6. I decided not to go to start or finish as it’s not so easy to get backwards and forwards from one location to another without get stuck in the tour traffic. I hope you enjoy them!
Paul.
The Tour of Britain 2011
Stage 5 Summary
Exeter to Exmouth 15 Sep 2011
** Indicates Under 23 riders
Stage
- Mark Renshaw (HTC Highroad)
- Mark Cavendish (HTC Highroad)
- Robert Förster (UnitedHealthcare)
Overall
- Lars Boom (Rabobank)
- Geraint Thomas (Sky ProCycling)
- Boy Van Poppel (UnitedHealthcare)
Points
- Geraint Thomas (Sky ProCycling)
- Mark Cavendish (HTC Highroad)
- Lars Boom (Rabobank)
Mountains
- Jonathan Tiernan Locke (Rapha Condor – Sharp)
- Russell Hampton (Sigma Sport-Specialized)
- Stephen Cummings (Sky ProCycling)
Sprints
- Pieter Ghyllebert (An Post – Sean Kelly)
- Russell Hampton (Sigma Sport-Specialized)
- Andrew Fenn** (An Post – Sean Kelly)
Written by Paul Sloper & Anna Magrath. All Images ©Copyright Paul Sloper
If you wish to purchase or get permission to use any of the images in this article or gallery please contact Paul through our contacts page.
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