Bathurst Interclub road race @ 18 Dec - Ian Grant (BiciSport Anytime Fitness) took the top spot at the Bathurst Interclub. Ian has been a regular visitor to the podiums in several interclubs, State & National Masters Road Championships. Congratulations Ian on a great 2022 and we look forward to 2023.
Darren Benson in France @ Dec 22 - Best wishes Darren for a new start in rural France
Gent 6 Day @ t’Kuipe Velodrome in Gent - Iljo Keisee pulls a nice wheelie at 65kph behind the motorised derny … don’t try this at home
Cafe De Karper @ Gent Belgium - a simple matter of 400m down the road from t’Kuipe Velodrome is the Cafe De Karper owned by the father (Ronnie) of Iljo Keisse. Its flemish cycling to the core
Covid 19 …. that little treasure is the gift that keeps on giving with several BiciSport riders down at present. Speedy recovery to all.
Rest in Peace the admired Vittorio Adorni who passed away on 24 December 22. Picture above was winning the World Pro Road Championships at Imola in 1966. Class, elegance, sportsmanship, a gentleman.
RACE SEEKER - THIS WEEK
28-30 Dec
Sydney Christmas Track Carnivals (various Sydney Velodromes)
6-10 Jan
National Road Championships (Ballarat, Vic)
8 Jan
Landsowne Park Criteriums (Waratah Masters)
Tumut Classic Cyclosportive
10 Jan
Presentation for the Tour of Spain 2023
17 Jan
Oh no …. there is no Heffron Park Tuesday Night Criteriums until 17 Jan
BICISPORT TRAINING RIDES
Tues 27 Dec
Waratah Peloton @ pass the corner of Yulong Ave & McCarrs Creek Rd Terrey Hills @ 8.00am for Akuna Bay, top of McCarrs Creek Rd climb at 8.40am, then direction Duffys Forest, then return Terrey Hills shops @ 9.15am then to St Ives for coffee
Centennial Park Lower Loop from 5.30am to 7.45am
Thurs 29 Dec
Belgian Waffle Ride @ Centennial Park @ Spruce Goose Cafe @ 10.30am for Park laps
Waratah Peloton @ pass the corner of Yulong Ave & McCarrs Creek Rd Terrey Hills @ 8.00am for Akuna Bay, top of McCarrs Creek Rd climb at 8.40am, then direction Duffys Forest, then return Terrey Hills shops @ 9.15am then to St Ives for coffee
Sat 31 Dec
Coffee @ Sandstone Cafe Miramare Gardens @ 9.30am
Eddy Merckx presents the Pope with a Molteni team bike at the 1975 Tour of Italy
The close relationships with Popes and cycling are well known. Pope Pius X (1903-14) perceived cycling “as a virtuous practice”. Pope Pius X11 (1939-58) took cycling to a whole new dimension with a small chapel built in 1948 on the Ghisallo Pass near Bellagio on Lake Como. Pope Paul V1 (1963-78) was a fervent advocate for physical exercise … “sports are the symbol of spiritual reality”. Finally, Pope Francis blessed the Tour of Italy Pink Jersey in 2013
The Ghisallo Church was commissioned in 1948 by Pope Pius X11 and is dedicated to all cyclists.
The Pope greets Felice Gimondi (right) and Eddy Merckx at the 1975 Tour of Italy
Pope Francis blesses the Tour of Italy leaders jersey in 2013
The Pope greets a beaming Felice Gimondi (Bianchi Campagnolo) at the start of the Tour of Italy 1974
Being Christmas nothing can top the Tour of Italy team presentation with the Pope kindly gracing the opening celebrations. Popes over the ages have been presented with several team bikes
Peter Sagan presents a Vatican inspired team bike to Pope Francis
The Pope receives his own Colnago