Some might not realise it, but we are one week away from the 'real' start of the cycling season. Unlike last years, it's not Paris Nice or any kind of race with that status that starts off the Pro Tour. Next week, the riders will start in the Tour Down Under, new in the Pro Tour. A race which, not too long ago, had a 2.3 status on the international calendar.
It marks one of many dramatic changes in the cycling calendar of 2008. Three years ago, since the start of the Pro Tour, the UCI and the grand tour organisers, ASO (Tour de France), RCS (Giro 'd Italia) and Unipublic (Vuelta a España) have battled eachother. The GT organisers wanted more influence and changes in the Pro Tour, but the UCI didn't really want to change much. A power struggle was the result, and in the end Unibet was the real victim. The team had gained Pro Tour status in 2007, but was denied at the start of most races organised by the GT organisations.
This made the UCI decide to throw these races out of the Pro Tour. They gave the organisers what they wanted. The result is a heavily devaluated Pro Tour, because the GT organisations also organise races such as Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Milano San Remo, Paris Nice, the Tour of Lombardy and many other races. All these races no longer make a part of the UCI Pro Tour.
In an attempt to save some status, the UCI then added the Tour Down Under to the Pro Tour, as well as a "Pro Tour Finale" which is to be held at 5 october, but it is still unknown where or what. However, it's clear the Pro Tour ranking of 2008 won't give us a satisfying winner. After all, what's a year ranking worth without the three grand tours and many of the greatest historical classics?
Luckily enough, the changed raced categories also have some pro's. For instance, the Giro, Tour and Vuelta organisers can now invite whatever teams they want. This means we finally won't have to watch Euskaltel's worst riders in the Giro, or Bouygues Telecom struggling to do anything in the Vuelta. The new category opens the door to small teams from Italy in the Giro and Spain in the Vuelta. Allways motivated and ready to attack.
Next to that, the ridersfield will still stay strong in most "ex-Pro Tour" races, so a major difference with last season is not to be expected. We might want to get used to some new names up front though. A new generation is coming fast, while some famous oldies have retired or will retire after this year.
For example, in the Ronde van Vlaanderen we don't have to look for Van Petegem on de Muur van Geraadsbergen, he decided to retire after a long and succesfull career. Also no more teeth monster on the Cauberg, Boogerd has had enough of his 2nd and 3rd places and decided to call it a day. Paolo Bettini told the press some months ago 2008 will be his last cycling season, but rumours say he might just continue one year more. Davide Rebellin is also coming close to the end of his career. So the classic 'hilly rider' kings of the past decade all seem to fade away.
As allways, new faces will rise to the occassion. In 2007 we already saw a glimpse of this new upcoming generation. Andy Schleck, the revelation of the Giro d'Italia, with the ambition for the white jersey. Mark Cavendish, finally a Brittish rider with the ability to win many races due to his amazing speed at the finishing line. Thomas Dekker, steadily rising since he became pro in 2005, after a succesfull season with 7 wins including the Tour of Romandy and a mountain stage in Switzerland. Ricardo Ricco', who climbed amazingly well in the Tirreno Adriatico, the Giro d'Italia and the Tour of Lombardy. And ofcourse Tour winner Alberto Contador, the greatest of them all.
It will be interesting to see them battle the previous generation of the early 80-ties, who are now reaching their peak normally. Alejandro Valverde, Tom Boonen, Frank Schleck, Damiano Cunego, Samuel Sanchez and Stefan Schumacher are now expected to carry the weight of the favourite role...
Ofcourse, there is still the old and experienced to battle. Cadel Evans, Levi Leipheimer and earlier named Paolo Bettini and Davide Rebellin are still well capable of winning. As they all proved last year. Can they continue battling the fight against their own age?
No one can predict the outcome of a new season. Who will be the major unexpected suprise of the season? Which rider suddenly steps up from mediocracy to greatness? And what rider is dumb enough to get caught on dope in these times?
The nice thing of cycling for me is its unpredictability. Sure, for the greatest races you can guess 10 names who are most probably fighting for the win, but never can you guess the exact outcome of a race. This is what makes this sport great to watch. Surely with the olympics in Bejing, hot, humid, and a lot of smog will make this race so though only the very strongest of the day will have a chance. I'm looking forward to this season already!!!
· Posted by ruben
on January 14 2008 ·
3 Comments ·
3352 Reads ·
very nice article Ruben. Though I must say I was impressed you only devoted 1 sentence to Dekker
A little bird told me that the GT organizers didn't like being part of the pro tour and when the UCI dropped them from the pro-Tour the organizers didn't like not being part of it
