Fairly, Gonda rock pro Battenkill

By Ian Landau

Pavel Gonda, center, at Hudson Valley CX. Photo: McMahon/CyclingReporter.com

Caleb Fairly of Holowesko Partners Wins Pro Battenkill Race—NYC racer Pavel Gonda 14th

Covered in dirt from a day battling the elements on unpaved roads, Caleb Fairly of Garmin’s U23 team Holowesko Partners won the inaugural UCI-ranked Tour of the Battenkill race yesterday. Fairly dispatched Floyd Landis (Bahati Foundation) on the day’s final climb and soloed in to claim victory with a 2:24 advantage over the disgraced former Tour de France rider. South African Jay Robert Thompson of Fly V Australia took the final podium spot. The field was decimated over the 200 km course, with the results listing just 59 finishers of the 166 starters.

Of note were impressive rides by two local Czech-born amateurs: CRCA/BH-Garneau’s Pavel Gonda finished 14th and Daniel Zmolik (CRCA/AXA Equitable) ended up 21st, both finishing in what was left of the main field. No doubt a bit pissed with their results was the Rapha Condor-Sharp team. The Brits had traveled from the U.K. to tackle the race and while they no doubt enjoyed meeting their Stateside fans [http://www.rapha.cc/rapha-condor-sharp-rides-battenkill-day2], the best they could muster was 15th by Dean Downing. Granted, the team’s Darren Lapthorne did make the day’s one major break, but in the end the stylish Rapha lads had nothing to show for their American journey.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-the-battenkill-1-2/results

Phillipe Gilbert Ends Lotto’s Drought

Unable to nail down even a podium finish in the major classics this season, the Omega Pharma-Lotto boys were due some good luck. Naturally, it was Philippe Gilbert who ended the Belgians’ eight-month winning drought with his strong sprint up the Cauberg to take the Amstel Gold Race yesterday in the Netherlands.

http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza/videozone/MG_sportnieuws/MG_wielrennen/1.762368

Contador Wins Another

Alberto Contador notched his third stage race victory of the season, wrapping up the Vuelta a Castilla y Leon in Spain yesterday. The win follows his overall victories at Paris-Nice and the Volta ao Algarve.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/24th-vuelta-a-castilla-y-leon-2-1/stage-5/results

Team Sky’s Kurt Asle Arvesen Back on Dry Land After Being Stranded on a North Sea Oil Rig Because of Icelandic Volcano

I thought this story was some delayed April Fools’ joke from the cheeky Sky team, but alas, it’s for real. Norwegian road champion Kurt Asle Arvesen got dropped off on an oil rig in the North Sea last Wednesday to deliver a lecture on cycling and sport science and to give a spin class. He was supposed to leave the rig Thursday via helicopter, but was told the dust cloud from the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull had grounded the copter. Stuck on the rig, Arvesen made the best of things, walking the stairs, lifting weights, and spinning on the exercise bikes. He even watched the Amstel Gold race.

http://www.teamsky.com/article/0,27290,17553_6103425,00.html

Cavendish on His Crap Season So Far

So far, this season has not gone to plan for Mark Cavendish. In a probing interview with England’s The Sunday Times newspaper published yesterday, Cav discusses his health problems resulting from dental surgery, the end of his engagement to his long-time girlfriend, his younger brother Andy being sent to jail last week, his chances of joining Team Sky, and a whole lot of other stuff.  Written by Irish journalist Paul Kimmage, author of Rough Ride and not so big fan of Lance Armstrong.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/cycling/article7101041.ece

Jens Voight’s Parenting Advice

Papa Voight has—count ’em—five kids. In this video prior to the Amstel Gold Race, Voight offers his hard-earned parenting insights. Oh, and he discusses Saxo’s plans for the race.

http://www.saxobanktakingthelead.com/