Mittwoch, 27. Oktober 2010

BOOK REVIEW Fausto Coppi


Fausto Coppi was one of the best and most popular Riders. Born 1919 "il Campionissimo", won two Times the Tour de France (1949,1952) and five Times the Giro d'Italia (1940, 1947, 1949, 1952, 1953).
Walter Lemke wrote an very nice Book from Coppi's Life. More than two decades international Cycling with all Results from Coppi. And also with a lot of things from Coppi's private Life. At more than 500 Pages, Lemke looks back to the great duel with Gino Bartali and also his to the tragical Time, when his Brother Serse died. A wonderful and voluminous book for a Cycling-Hero.
The Book ist written in German.


Fausto Coppi
from Walter Lemke
Verlag Die Werkstatt
ISBN: 978-3-89533-562-4

Mittwoch, 8. September 2010

Drunken Andy?

Andy is out of the Tour of Spain. He and his Teammate Stuart O'Grady must go home yesterday. And anybody ask why? After the Diner on Tuesday Andy and Stuart going out for a Beer...Enough for Bjarne Riis to say Goodbye to Bothes. Now, Fränck Schleck havn't enough helb to win the Tour of Spain.
For me, the punishment is to hard. We all don't now, what also had occur. They are Proffessionals Cyclists, they are Models, that is all true. But for me it makes the bothes more human as before!

Dienstag, 7. September 2010

Tour L'Avenir

On last Saturday starts in France the Tour d'Avenir. For Riders not older than 23 years, so it's the important race for the young Champions. A lot of Cyclingheros are spot at this race and get professional Contract after the Race. Formed in 1961 was the Race at the beginning a "Tour de France for Amateurs". This Year they have to Ride 1013 kilometers. Take a look there: www.letour.fr, you can see the full Parcours and the Results of the Day.
On Saturday the Tour of Britain starts in Rochdale in the North of England. Finished is the 18th september in the Heart of London. It's a nice race this Year. Crossing Wales and the Black Mountains at Monday, and finished in the very famous Region and Town from Glastonbury in Somerset at Wednesday. More Informations www.tourofbritain.co.uk
My planning to visit the Tour Down under is going on. When everybody have Ideas, Tipps or something else for me, please write me an mail. I'm searching for Cyclingclubs, Bars, Riders, Supporters, or ather things, they have to do with Cycling. Hope to write nice Articles then!

Freitag, 3. September 2010

Socceroos and Cav









Mark Cavendish must wait another Day to win an Stage at these Vuelta. Poor Guy. And now it's getting harder and harder every Day.
Yesterday i meet Holger Osieck at the AFG-Arena in St. Gallen. What a really friendly Man. The Australiens can be very happy to have him as a new National Coach. Hope, that they will be win today against Switzerland...
Here are some Pictures. On Sunday, i will write more. When you're near Zürich, don't forget the traditionale Roadrace "Zuri-Metzgete" on this Sunday. After many Years of Professional Race, it's since three Years a race for Amateurs and every Riders. But this Year they will be celebrate the 100th Birthday. More also on Sunday.



Mittwoch, 1. September 2010

Vuelta and other Things

Is Andy in Spain? I hope so, but I Don't have seen him at the Peloton. Perhaps it is to hot. The Time from Andy and his Brother will come, I'm sure :-).
I'm looking the Tour of Spain every Day in the Moment. And every Time I Think "Why are not so many fans there". It's sad for the Riders and the Organisation, that not Much People come to the Race. Only at the Finish there standing some People. It is a nice Route this Year. Nice days in the North of Spain, Andorra, will coming.
At Twitter the Riders are complaining while the Wheather is so bad. I Think it's not so funny to motivated himself every day to go outside for a 4h-Ride. I'm happy that i can siotting in my Homeoffice. On Monday i had rain here near Zürich and only 11 Degree. It's not a nice Summer. Poor Riders.
last Week I visit Wien and meet a Publisher. All Signs are good, that he will published the "Reiseführer Tour de France (Tour de France Travelguide). It will be the overworked new Edition. I'm really Happy about this. After the Meeting I go to the new Cycling-Shop from Bernhard Kohl. He owe me a Big chocolate, and I get one:-) With autograph, so I can't it them...

Tomorrow I'm on the way in Football :-) The Australien Soccer team will be play a Friendly-Match against Switzerland on Friday. Tomorrow there is a Pressconferenz and Training in St.Gallen. So, all Football-Fans come to the AFG-Arena in St.Gallen at Friday. Kick-Off 20.00!

R.I.P. Laurent Fignon

Yesterday died Laurent Fignon. He wins two times the Tour de France, 1983 and 1984. But he rides the Tour de France for Ten Times. I think, he is the famost Second in the Tour-History. 1989 he lost the Tour in Paris at the last Stage. Only eight seconds missed...
Yesterday he died in a hospital in Paris. Three Wekks after his 50th Birthday. The Big Cycle-Family lost one of his really big Heros.
R.I.P. Laurent Fignon.

Samstag, 14. August 2010

HEW Cyclassics

Sorry for not writing. Have my most busy Time in the Year in the Moment. All Books they I designed must finished in this Month, because they must be published to the Book-Fair in October. In the Moment I designed the "World-Cup-Encyklopedia". They came a new Edition after every World-Cup.
And good News also, that my "Reiseführer Tour de Farnce" (Not the Encyklopedia, the Travel-Book) will be published in a new Edition next Year. So, when everbody have Ideas or wishes, please send me an E-Mail. I thin,I will change some Things and i hope, we can print it colorful. Pleas cross the Fingers!
Some Things happened the last days. Jan Ullrich, our Tourwinner from 1997, have the Burn-Out. I think its not astonishing after all this...Good Luck Jan! Riccardo Ricco is giong the the belgish Quick-Step-Team. Ricco and Quick-Step? For me, it was a big surprise, because normaly the belgish Team make a good Job. Riccardo Ricco? He's is a f****** a******....Sorry.
I can't understand this action from the Teammanager....
And then we have the spanish swimmer Rafael Munoz, who's getting the new European Champion in 50 Meters Butterfly. But at three Visits from Dopingcontrollers, he wasn't home. And now? Only a "Sorry" from Munoz and all is good. Thank you very much World-Swim-Association... When a Cyclist isn't home when the Doping-Control comes, they can finished his cýcling-career. Or they bolck him for Years.
And Munoz? Again Spain...

Andy Andy Andy Andy Schleeeeeeccckkkk....

Tomorrow the last German Pro Tour Race will start in my Hometown Hamburg. It will be typical Hamburg Wheather (It's only a legend, I know, the Sun can be shine in Hamburg!), rainy and windy. But it will be a nice Race. A lot of People on the Streets and the Route is wonderful (with Rain perhaps not really...). Before the Profis are starting, there is a Race for everybody. It's one of my Dreams for the next Year attend for the 150k-Route, because it's so nice. But i must make more Training then...
:-)

Donnerstag, 5. August 2010

Charity Classic and More


Yesterday i take a nice Ride. The Sun was shining and my Condition was good. :-) Si i find a nice Route near from my new Domicile in Brugg. Its only a small Route, a "After-Work-Route. But there was a Hill (For me it was a Mountain...i was born in Hamburg, so the highest "mountain" are there with 50 Meters or so...So., for me its more than a Hill!). With 14% its going up...very steel for me. But down from the Hill was a very funny aventure. The first Time that i ride with more than 70 kilometers!!! It's amazing! What a pity, that i must ride up, before i can have this experiance....

For all Riders in Southgermay or Switzerland: On Saturday, 8th August, Markus Zberg, the Ex-Professional Rider from Gerolsteiner/BMC organised a Charity Bike Race in Thun. It's a very nice Idea and everybody can change between three Routes. The Weather will be very good on Saturday, so it will be for all a nice Day. More Informations: http://www.charityclassic.ch/.


Mittwoch, 28. Juli 2010

Back to Work

Andy and me :-) Pleas find me...


The first days home...after four weeks on the Road, sleeping in a Tent, it is not so easy going back on the Home-Office-Place und start to work. And i don't like it in the Moment. I'm lucky, that its raining, so it makes all a little bit easier. The last Rain, really heavy Rain, had we at the Tourmalet after the Singing-Evening.

On saturday our Milram-Boys starts at the Clasica San Sabastian in the North of Spain. It's an One-Day-Race, founded in 1981. Johannes Fröhlinger and four other Riders from the Milram-Tour-team will go the Race. Today i take a look for the last races in this Year. Find the Vuelta_Page and take my adress and so on there. Perhaps i will go somne days to Spain for the race. But i don't know yet.

At the Tour de France i had make near by 5000 Pictures this year. Thats a lot and i have all arranged it. But there a some very good Pictures. My favorite is this from Andy and me :-)

Take a look in the Blog the next days. i will write more. Not every day, but i try tro write some Times in the Week. Really :-)

Montag, 26. Juli 2010

The first in English

The last Night at the Tour de France. Pat, I, Monica, JEAN-CLAUDE (with the Flag), David and Steven.

I'M back in Zürich...What a really wonderful Tour de France. It was the best, i ever had. The Race from Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador was great, and in the Final it was so heavy. I crossed my Fingers for Andy, but it does'nt work. What a pity!
The Start in Rotterdam was fantastic and i send a very pretty "Hello" to Alex and his Family from South Africa. I meet them ther on the Camsite for the first Time, and then later in Arenberg. Even Tom and Nina, there a coming from a Worldtrip with the Motorbike and must go home. After long Years back to Zivilisation. Our camp at the Tourmalet is nothing about that. And i have problems after thes four Weeks...
Hope you arrived safetly. was really nice to meet you and i hope i see you in Switzerland! Even Alex from South Adfrica. Hope, that you coming next Year back with your Parents. I think that you like the Guys from Australia/Belgium :-)
In Revel I meet Steven (Australia), Sean (England) and Pat (Australia) I don't remember where or why we talking together, but we standing in front of the big Screen an talking. So, we all hav'nt a Campingplace and Steven said, that he had built his Tent on the Camping-Car-Area. I had make the same and in the Evening we all going to Revel to celebrate the Tour de France!
What a f******** wonderful pretty evening.
We meet again at the Tourmalet and even the belgish couple (Hello to Jaan and Magda!! and to Monica and David, two more Australien!)) ist going there. A lot of crazy lovely belgish Guys are even there and we camped together three oder four nights. Without Electricity, without Water, without Toilets. Giong together to the Tourmalet Stages, Eating. Drinking, Dancing, Singing, Restday-Activities. All. A lot og crazy peoples from all over the Worls celebrated the Tour de France (Andy Andy Andy Andy Schleeeeeckkkkkk!!). Friendly. With so many laughing.
After one Day at the campsite, the Way got to Bordeaux and the Time-Trail-Route. We find a nice place near by Winefields. And it was the best Thing, what we could do! The Owner of the Field lived near by, Jean-Claude...(Theres only ooooonnneee Jean-Claude!). he gave us all. A few bottles of Wine, Electricity, fresh Water, and basques Music (!!!). With Stevens Words "It was epic...". Yes, it was.
It was really...
On the Time-Trail, we gave all to the Riders. To every Rider. And last but not least, to every Policeman. I think they will don't forget this Stage, the Guys in Blue :-)
After the Stage we must say Good-Bye :-( Sad time...
It was a very amazing and epic ( :-) ) Time. In this large World to meet is a really big Present!
Thank you very much guys! For all. We're looking for each other and help with all things.
Auussssiiieee, Ausssssiiiieee, Ausssssiiiieeee!!! oioioi Aussssssiiieee! oi Ausssssiiieee oi!
:-)

Relaxen in Borddeaux. Schöne Wiese vor der Großbildleinwand.
Cadel Evans

Unser Campvalley in La Mongie am Tourmalet

Wusstet Ihr, dass am Tourmalet lamas rumlaufen? Also ich nicht...

David, Monica, Sean und Steven beim Zeitfahren. They give all their Voice....




Back

Nein. Ich bin nicht verschollen. Weggeschwemmt am Tourmalet durch nächtliche Gewitter hätte durchaus sein können, aber ich hab allem getrotzt! Nach einigen tagen ohne Strom, und so vielen Ereignissen bin ich also wieder gut in Brugg gelandet. Gestern hat mich mein weg von Perigeux nach Brugg geführt. Das war eine lange Fahrt, fast 1200 Kilometer...
Die erste nacht in einem richtigen bett liegt hinter mir und irgendwie vermisse ich die frische Luft, und vor allem die Weite über mir. Den Sternenhimmel, die Sonne, den Regen.
Die letzte Woche habe ich fast immer mit denselben Menschen verbracht und dadurch hat sich wirklich eine tolle Clique entwickelt. ich hab gearbeitet, wenig geschlafen und unendlich viel erlebt. das muss erstmal alles verarbeitet werden. Wie immer, wenn man vier Wochen im Tourtroß unterwegs war. der Tagesablauf ist so anders wie zu hause, dasses immer eine zeitlang benötigt, endlich wieder anzukommen.
Ganz plötzlich ist alles zu Ende. Als ich vorgestern aus Bordeaux weg gefahren bin, da war ich schon arg traurig. Normalerweise bewegen sich im Tourtroß um die 5000 Fahrzeuge. Das bedeutet, das man immer irgendwelche akkreditierten Fahrzeuge sieht, weil ja die Tour in der Region ist. Als ich am Samstag wegfuhr, da habe ich kein Auto mehr gesehen. Man fühlt sich dann immer fast ein wenig einsam und alleine. Natürlich kann man versuchen alles auch wiederzugeben, aber ist es nicht so, das wenn man es nicht selber erlebt hat, es schon schwer ist, es anderen mitzuteilen? Den letzten Tag habe ich an der Strecke des Zeitfahrens verbracht. Wir, mein Begleittroß und ich, hatten uns einen hnetten Platz zum Zelten ausgesucht. 400 Meter abseits der Strecke neben einem Weinfeld. Als der Besitzer uns erspähte, sein Name ist Jean-Claude, da zeigte sich einmal mehr die französische Herzlichkeit während der Tour de France. Er überschüttete uns regelrecht mit Wein (vom Feld, neben dem wir gecampt haben). Es gab frisches wasser, Strom und die Frage, wann wir am nächsten Morgen Kaffee möchten. Der Platz neben dem haus von jean-Claude war besser als jeder 5-Sterne Camping. Jean-Claude gesellte sich dann nachts auch noch zu uns, wir sangen, wir redeten. In welcher Sprache auch immer. Das war wirklich wundervbar.
An der Zeitfahrstrecke gaben wir dann alles, und ich würde wetten, das bei uns die beste Stimmung überhaupt war. Die jeweiligen gendarmen, die die Fahrer begleiteten wussten dann schon, das sie bei uns immer eine Laola bekamen und hatten wirklich Spaß an diesem Tag. Die Fahrer wurden lautstark angefeuert. Jeder einzelne bei seinem Vornamen. Ich denke, auch ihnen hat es gefallen!
Alberto hat also gewonnen, zumindest die Tour. Wir waren ja alle für Andy. Und wir haben wirklich alles getan, um ihn zu unterstützen. Vielleicht reicht es im nächsten Jahr...
Ich packe nun aus, und komme erstmal an. Dann gibt es noch Bilder. Und dieser Blog wird weiterhin betrieben. Nicht täglich, aber sicherlich immer öfter. Und ich werde versuchen, ihn in Englisch fortzuführen. Das übt und alle anderen von außerhalb können so auch Anteil daran haben!

Montag, 19. Juli 2010

Am Tourmalet

Hier ist die Hölle los! Tausende stehen bereits am Berg,es werden minütlich mehr. Ab der Skistation La Mongie ist die Straße zum Col bereits seit gestern gesperrt und alle Campings im Umkreis mehr als überfüllt. Ob überhaupt noch jemand in Luchon steht heute? Wenn die Etappe vorbei ist,dann kommen sicher noch mehr. Im Moment ist das hier sicher der bunteste und größte Camping Frankreichs!
Ich mag die Pyrenäen einfach. Und das jedes Mal mehr. Die Stimmung ist hier viel entspannter als in den Alpen. Ruhiger,aber noch internationaler.
Heute morgen bin ich ein ganzes Stück auf der Strecke gefahren. Schön,wie die Ortschaften hergerichtet werden. Die letzten Girlanden werden aufgehängt, Straßen gefegt. Die Tour ist hier wirklich zu Hause!
Vor 100 Jahren ging es zum ersten Mal über all die Gipfel. La Mongie gab es nicht und die Wege müssen der Sandpiste geglichen haben,die heute als Campingzugang dient. In dieser urigen Landschaft kann man sich das ebenso vorstellen.
Das Wetter ist sehr angenehm hier oben auf fast 2000 Metern. Sonne und Wind,und heute Nacht sicher angenehm kühl. Yippieh!

Mein Camping...

Sonntag, 18. Juli 2010

Nice Evening in Revel







Die erste Pyrenäenetappe läuft gerade. Heute morgen in Revel am Start war die Hölle los. Die Journalisten hatten sich voll auf Contador und Schleck konzentriert. Jeder erwartet heute ein tolles Duell. Warten wir es mal ab.



Letzte Nacht habe ich mit meinem Zelt wild gecampt. Was ein Spaß. Revel war gut vorbereitet. Wohnmoblstellplätze gab es zahlreich. Umsonst. Auf einem dieser Plätze gab es auch Gras, dort hatten sich einige Camper niedergelassen. Das ist halt das Schöne bei der Tour. Man darf mal Dinge tun, die man sonst nicht tun darf. Wir waren Belgier, Bretonen, Australier, Engländer, Deutsche...Das war ein echtes Kauderwelsch, aber ein supertoller Abend. Leider hab ich heute ein wenig Kopfschmerzen. Bier und Wein verträgt sich eben nicht so gut. Das Schreiben fiel mir eben schon wirklich schwer.



Die meisten sind heute morgen nach dem Start aufgebrochen zum Tourmalet. Hilfe. Der arme Berg, der platzt sicherlich aus allen Nähten morgen. Ich denke, ich werde morgen auch hinauf und ne Nacht dort bleiben. Das kann man sicherlich gut aushalten. Außerdem kann ich dann einigen noch Essen und Getränke mit hoch bringen. Wir werden sehen.



Anbei wieder mal ein paar Bilder:-)