Tour de France - CRISIS!

Ivan Basso, Jan Ullrich and others have been ejected from the tour. Because of allegations referencing more blood doping, several riders have been pulled from the competition before it even begins on July 1st.

Here are a couple of headline stories if you want to read more:

http://velonews.com/tour2006/news/articles/10176.0.html

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2006/jun06/jun30news3

Here is the full list of riders implicated in the lastest blood doping scandal from Spain called "Operación Pueto":

Astaná-Würth
Michele Scarponi (I)
Marcos Antonio Serrano (Sp)
David Etxebarria (Sp)
Joseba Beloki (Sp)
Angel Vicioso (Sp)
Isidro Nozal (Sp)
Unai Osa (Sp)
Jaksche Joorg (G)
Giampaolo Caruso (I)

CSC
Ivan Basso (I)

Caisse D'Epargne-Iles Baleares
Constantino Zaballa (Sp)

Saunier Duval
Carlos Zarate (Sp)

Ag2r
Francisco Mancebo (Sp)

T-Mobile
Jan Ullrich (G)
Oscar Sevilla (Sp)

Phonak
Jose Enrique Gutierrez (Sp)
Jose Ignacio Gutierrez (Sp)

Communidad de Valencia
Vicente Ballester (Sp)
David Bernabeu (Sp)
David Rodriguez (Sp)
Jose Adrian Bonilla (Sp)
Juan Gomis Lopez (Sp)
Eladio Jimenez Sanchez (Sp)
David Latasa (Sp)
Ruben Plaza (Sp)
Jose Luis Martinez (Sp)
Manuel Llorent (Sp)
Antonio Olmo (Sp)
David Munoz (Sp)
Javier Cherro (Sp)
Javier Pascual (Sp)former rider and now an official

Unibet.com
Carlos Garcia Quesada (Sp)

Riders retired or suspended for doping
Roberto Heras (Sp)
Angel Casero (Sp)
Santiago Perez (Sp)
Tyler Hamilton (USA)
Igor Gonzalez Galdeano (Sp)

PSA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22, 2006
Release #06-195
Firm's Recall Hotline: (877) 808-8154
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Specialized Bicycle Components Inc. Recalls Bicycles Due to Fall Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Bicycles with SW Carbon Stem with Magnesium Faceplate

Units: About 2,700

Manufacturer: Specialized Bicycle Components Inc., of Morgan Hill, Calif.

Hazard: The bicycle's stem has a magnesium faceplate that holds the handlebar in place. The faceplates on the recalled stems can crack allowing the handlebar to break off the bicycle, posing a serious fall hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Specialized has received five reports of the magnesium faceplate exhibiting cracks. No injuries have been reported.

Description and Models: The SW Carbon Stem with Magnesium Faceplate is black with the words "S-Works" and "Magnesium Faceplate" printed on it. The stems were included as original equipment on the following 2006 bicycles models: S-Works Tarmac, Tarmac Pro, S-Works Roubaix, Roubaix Pro, Allez Pro and S-Works Transition. It was also sold as an after market item under the name S-Works Advanced Composite Mag Road Stem.

Sold at: Authorized Specialized retailers from June 2005 through April 2006 as original equipment of the bicycle models referenced above or as an after market item for about $160.

Manufactured In: Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should stop riding the bicycles that have the recalled stems immediately and take them to an authorized Specialized retailer for a free replacement faceplate.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, call Specialized at (877) 808-8154 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. MT, Monday through Friday, or visit the company's Web site at www.Specialized.com

To view this recall online, please visit our website at: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml06/06195.html

Simply amazing

I have seen this video before, but I saw it again today and had to share it with you. It is a compilation of video taken at the Pacific Palisades Youth Triathlon.

Just look at the smiles and the looks of pure joy on these kids faces. That, is what this is all about, folks...



I hope everyone has a great training weekend, unless you are racing. Good luck to Shelley, TriGreyhound, TTUTri, CurlySu, Drew and anyone else who has a big race on Sunday!

The Flatman is a Giver

Never let it be said that the Flatman doesn't share his uncanny abilities of finding phenomenal deals online...

I received this little gem in my inbox this morning:






















If you ever need anything in particular, give me a shout and I'll see if I can help a brother (or sister) out!

So, head on over to performancebike and get ye some deals.

Quote of the Day

Greatness is more than potential. It is the execution of that potential. Beyond the raw talent. You need the appropriate training. You need the discipline. You need the inspiration. You need the drive.
Eric A. Burns

BWAAHAAHAAAAAAA!

Here is a job I DEFINITELY don't want...

Yuck.

That's an appropriate sponsor name, though!

Sex is yet to be determined...

Several of you have asked the sex of my new bike. I do not know yet. It will probably depend on the harshness and rideability factors, so for now, it will be un-sexed until further notice.

:)

Getting Closer...

My new baby (frame) should be delivered today. I will have many photos to share tomorrow!!!

Funny Post of the Week

That's right.

Your favorite segment is back. The "funny post of the week". This week's winner is a buddy of mine from the fair state of Ohio. Everyone go and give Moonpie a big welcome and a clap on the back for a hilarious post!

LINKY

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