News Shorts - 17 July

NSW Cyclo Cross series @ 16 July @ St Ives Showground - Mike Lawson (BiciSport Team Force) at the St Ives Showground start in C grade.

Cyclo Cross continues to improve in leaps & bounds and the St Ives round had an excellent course, great entries in all categories and an excellent promotion. Congratulations to Peloton Sports Cycling Club. The State Championships are next Sunday at Heffron Park.

NSW Cyclo Cross series @ 16 July @ St Ives Showground - Mike Lawson

NSW Cyclo Cross series @ 16 July @ St Ives Showground - Mike Lawson

NSW Cyclo Cross series @ 16 July @ St Ives Showground - Mike Lawson

NSW Cyclo Cross series @ 16 July @ St Ives Showground - Mike van der O’Reilly with fellow Belgian Mike van der Lawson (BiciSport Team Force)

BICISPORT GRIFFITH TO MELBOURNE RIDE IN OCTOBER 23

• Details are now listed in the BiciSport Special Events section of this website.

• All welcome

SYDNEY MASTERS CHAMPS, NSW MASTERS CHAMPS & NATIONAL MASTERS CHAMPS - PROGRAM ANNOUNCED

• Reserve the weekend of August 5 & 6

  • August 5 is Lansdowne Park (Sydney Championships)

  • August 6 is the Penrith Lakes Regatta Centre CarPark Circuit (NSW Masters Criterium Champs)

• The following weekend (August 12 & 13) is the NSW Masters ITT & Road Championships at Gunning near Goulburn

• The National Masters Road Championships (September21-24) are Shepparton & Dookie (Victoria)

  • Full Championship details are now posted in the Special Events section of this website

BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTS FOR 2023

• Bicisport has a range of primary & secondary Special Events listed on this website (see the separate web page). These events receive personal rider support and the primary events also come with some financial support. Any questions should be directed to Mike O’Reilly on 0417 403 244

Upcoming primary Special Events for 2023 include -

• July 23 - NSW CycloCross Championships (Heffron Park)

• Aug 5 - Sydney & Country Championships (Lansdowne Park)

• Aug 6 - NSW Masters Criterium Championships (Penrith Lakes Regatta Centre - CarPark Circuit)

• Aug 12-13 - NSW Masters ITT & Road Championships (Gunning, NSW)

• Sept 21-24 - National Masters Road Championships (Shepparton, Vic)

• Oct 7 - NSW Team Time Trial Championships (Singleton, NSW)

• Oct 12-15 - BiciSport Enduro Ride from Griffith to Melbourne

• Oct 21-22 - Bowral Classic CycloSportive (Bowral, NSW)

• Dec 2-3 - Tour of Bright (Bright, Vic)

RACE SEEKER - THIS WEEK

• 21 July

  • Friday Night Track Racing (Dunc Gray Velodrome)

• 22 July

  • Compass ITT Series (Penrith Lakes)

• 23 July

  • NSW Cyclo Cross Championships (Heffron Park)

  • Lansdowne Park Criteriums (Waratah Masters)

BICISPORT TRAINING RIDES

• Every Mon/Wed/Fri Mornings

  • Centennial Park Masters @ Centennial Park

    • Meet at the corner of Parkes Drive/Grand Drive at 8.30am and do CP laps until 9.30am then coffee at Spruce Goose Cafe

• Tues 18 July & Thurs 20 July

  • 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 20 July

  • Belgian Waffle Ride @ Centennial Park @ Spruce Goose Cafe @ 10.30am for Park laps

• Sat 22 July

  • Coffee @ Sandstone Cafe Miramare Gardens @ 9.30am

Eldor-Viner-Mapei Pro Cycling Team (Italy) - first part of 1993 only

1993 and out of chaos became a legendary professional team.

Eldor combined with Viner bikes to form the Eldor Viner pro team at the beginning of 1993. But troubles started when the Eldor money never ever materialized from day 1 and Viner Cycles carried the team until Mapei stepped in just before the Tour of Italy in mid 1993. So then began the Mapei dynasty from mid 1993.

Eldor Viner team riders were a very capable peloton even if good financial management maybe never came their way. The early 14 rider team at Eldor Viner was full of talent - Della Santa, Gelfi (sadly RIP), Noe, Giovannetti, Bontempi & Ghiotto all went to future professional teams with great distinction. Losing Gelfi to depression/suicide was a sad outcome.

Eldor Viner team rider Luca Gelfi who also then rode for Mapei, Del Tongo, BresciaLat and Rose Mary professional teams in Italy

Eldor Viner professional team presentation in early 1993 when the only thing professional was the team presentation itself … the rest was financial smoke & lire mirrors and very little of the latter until Mapei saved the day

Mapei Professional Team from 1994 … where the money was real and so too were the real results

News Shorts - 10 July

NSW Cyclo Cross Series @ 8 July @ Dunc Gray Velodrome - Mike Lawson (BiciSport Team Force) on the start line

NSW Cyclo Cross Series @ 8 July @ Dunc Gray Velodrome - Mike Lawson (BiciSport Team Force) on the start line

NSW Cyclo Cross Series @ 8 July @ Dunc Gray Velodrome - Mike Lawson launches from a brisk start

NSW Cyclo Cross Series @ 8 July @ Dunc Gray Velodrome - Mike Lawson

NSW Cyclo Cross Series @ 8 July @ Dunc Gray Velodrome - Mike Lawson on the DGV stairs

NSW Cyclo Cross Series @ 8 July @ Dunc Gray Velodrome - Mike Lawson does the CX Hip Hop

BiciSport Belgium @ 5 July - Briek VerHulst (BiciSport Anytime Fitness) has recently completed a 5 day cycling tour starting-finishing in the regional city of St Niklaas. The tour rode the tiny Flemish laneways around Lokeren, Wassmunster & Hassdonk

BICISPORT GRIFFITH TO MELBOURNE RIDE IN OCTOBER 23

• Details are now listed in the BiciSport Special Events section of this website.

• All welcome

NSW MASTERS SYDNEY CHAMPS & NSW MASTERS ROAD CHAMPS - PROGRAM ANNOUNCED

• Reserve the weekend of August 5 & 6

  • August 5 is Lansdowne Park (Sydney Championships)

  • August 6 is the Penrith Lakes Regatta Centre CarPark Circuit (NSW Masters Criterium Champs)

• The following weekend (August 12 & 13) is the NSW Masters ITT & Road Championships at Gunning near Goulburn

  • Full Championship details are now posted in the Special Events section of this website

BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTS FOR 2023

• Bicisport has a range of primary & secondary Special Events listed on this website (see the separate web page). These events receive personal rider support and the primary events also come with some financial support. Any questions should be directed to Mike O’Reilly on 0417 403 244

Upcoming primary Special Events for 2023 include -

• July 16 - NSW CycloCross Series (St Ives)

• July 23 - NSW CycloCross Championships (Heffron Park)

• Aug 5 - Sydney & Country Championships (Lansdowne Park)

• Aug 6 - NSW Masters Criterium Championships (Penrith Lakes Regatta Centre - CarPark Circuit)

• Aug 12-13 - NSW Masters ITT & Road Championships (Gunning, NSW)

• Sept 21-24 - National Masters Road Championships (Shepparton, Vic)

• Oct 7 - NSW Team Time Trial Championships (Singleton, NSW)

• Oct 12-15 - BiciSport Enduro Ride from Griffith to Melbourne

• Oct 21-22 - Bowral Classic CycloSportive (Bowral, NSW)

• Dec 2-3 - Tour of Bright (Bright, Vic)

RACE SEEKER - THIS WEEK

• 14 July

  • Friday Night Track Racing (Dunc Gray Velodrome)

• 16 July

  • Mt Kuring Gai Criteriums (Northern Sydney)

  • Eastern Creek Dragway Criteriums (Waratah Masters)

  • NSW Cyclo Cross Series (St Ives)

BICISPORT TRAINING RIDES

• Every Mon/Wed/Fri Mornings

  • Centennial Park Masters @ Centennial Park

    • Meet at the corner of Parkes Drive/Grand Drive at 8.30am and do CP laps until 9.30am then coffee at Spruce Goose Cafe

• Tues 11 July & Thurs 13 July

  • 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 13 July

  • Belgian Waffle Ride @ Centennial Park @ Spruce Goose Cafe @ 10.30am for Park laps

• Sat 15 July

  • Coffee @ Sandstone Cafe Miramare Gardens @ 9.30am

ZOR Helios Gemeaz Cusin (Spain) - 1979-93

A team previously known as Amaya Segouros from 1979 (you are totally forgiven if you are blissfully unaware of that important fact) …. a team that became ZOR from 1980 until the end of 1983. Sponsorship origins are unknown as is most of the team results save for two victories in the Tour of Spain. Bike sponsorship was by the Spanish brand in BH and groupsets were Campagnolo.

Fausto Ruperez won the Tour of Spain in 1980, and Alvaro Pino won in Spain again in 1986. Beyond that its near impossible to see a meaningful result. Team members also included Juan Fernandez, Pedro Munoz, Edwardo Chozas, Laude Cubino (climber), Anselmo Fuerte (climber) and Phillipe Bouvatier (France).

News Shorts - 3 July

BiciSport @ China @ 27 June - Klayton Smith (BiciSport Happy Wheels) has been touring China

BiciSport @ China @ 27 June - Klayton Smith

NSW Cyclocross round @ DGV @ 8-9 July - Mike Lawson (BiciSport Team Force) does both days at the upcoming NSW Cyclocross series around the DGV Velodrome @ Bass Hill. Races start from 9.30am and Mike hits the grass at 10.30am in the M6+ category

BICISPORT GRIFFITH TO MELBOURNE RIDE IN OCTOBER 23

• Details are now listed in the BiciSport Special Events section of this website.

• All welcome

NSW MASTERS SYDNEY CHAMPS COURSE NOW LANSDOWNE PARK & NSW MASTERS ROAD CHAMPS - PROGRAM ANNOUNCED

• Saturday 5 March is now at Lansdowne Park and Sunday is the Penrith Lakes Car Park for the NSW Criterium Championships. .

• The following weekend (August 12 & 13) is the NSW Masters ITT & Road Championships at Gunning near Goulburn

• Full Championship details are now posted in the Special Events section of this website

BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTS FOR 2023

• Bicisport has a range of primary & secondary Special Events listed on this website (see the separate web page). These events receive personal rider support and the primary events also come with some financial support. Any questions should be directed to Mike O’Reilly on 0417 403 244

Upcoming primary Special Events for 2023 include -

• July 8-9 - NSW CycloCross Series (Dunc Gray Velodrome)

• July 23 - NSW Cyclo Cross Championships (Heffron Park)

• Aug 5 - Sydney & Country Championships (Lansdowne Park)

• Aug 6 - NSW Masters Criterium Championships (Penrith Lakes Regatta Centre)

  • CarPark Circuit

• Aug 12-13 - NSW Masters ITT & Road Championships (Gunning, NSW)

• Sept 21-24 - National Masters Road Championships (Shepparton, Vic)

• Oct 7 - NSW Team Time Trial Championships (Singleton, NSW)

• Oct 12-15 - BiciSport Enduro Ride from Griffith to Melbourne

• Oct 21-22 - Bowral Classic CycloSportive (Bowral, NSW)

• Dec 2-3 - Tour of Bright (Bright, Vic)

RACE SEEKER - THIS WEEK

• 7 July

  • Friday Night Track Racing (Dunc Gray Velodrome)

• 8-9 July

  • NSW Cyclo Cross Series (DGV Velodrome)

    • BiciSport starter Mike Lawson

• 9 July

  • Lansdowne Park Criteriums (Waratah Masters)

BICISPORT TRAINING RIDES

• Every Mon/Wed/Fri Mornings

  • Centennial Park Masters @ Centennial Park

    • Meet at the corner of Parkes Drive/Grand Drive at 8.30am and do CP laps until 9.30am then coffee at Spruce Goose Cafe

• Tues 4 July & Thurs 6 July

  • 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 6 July

  • Belgian Waffle Ride @ Centennial Park @ Spruce Goose Cafe @ 10.30am for Park laps

• Sat 8 July

  • Coffee @ Sandstone Cafe Miramare Gardens @ 9.30am

“Belgian Brown Cafes” @ Viane (Geraadsbergen) - Belgium is renowned for its numerous “Brown Cafes”. These are local cafes that are invariably set in a brown (wood) decor Be it the coffee tables, the bar itself (yes, they all sell alcohol as the need arises). Everything just resonates a heavy wooden feel. There is usually at least two Brown Cafes in most local suburbs or villages dotted all over Flanders.

The Brown Cafe shown here is in the village of Viane near the Mur of Geraadsbergen and in true cycling mad Belgian style it has a cycling theme (some would call it an obsession ! ! not a theme). This cafe has everything …

“Belgian Brown Cafes” @ Viane (Geraadsbergen) # 1 … petrol cans hanging from the roof

“Belgian Brown Cafes” @ Viane (Geraadsbergen) # 2

“Belgian Brown Cafes” @ Viane (Geraadsbergen) # 3 …. note the rider standing on the left, and his mate further back

“Belgian Brown Cafes” @ Viane (Geraadsbergen) # 4

“Belgian Brown Cafes” @ Viane (Geraadsbergen) # 5

“Belgian Brown Cafes” @ Viane (Geraadsbergen) # 6 … cycling shoes & leather helmets hanging from the ceiling

“Belgian Brown Cafes” @ Viane (Geraadsbergen) # 7

News Shorts - 26 June

BiciSport @ Dolomites Italy @ 24 June - Dudley Hoskin (BiciSport Happy Wheels) knows precisely where to park the treasured bike in the Dolomites

BiciSport @ Dolomites Italy @ 23 June - Dudley Hoskin @ Lake Iseo on the edge of the Dolomites just east of Bergamo

BiciSport @ Dolomites Italy @ 23 June - Dudley Hoskin @ Lake Iseo

BiciSport @ Dolomites Italy @ 23 June - Dudley Hoskin @ Lake Iseo

BiciSport Belgium @ Kruibeke @ 18 June - Nick Felix is turning into something of a Kermesse King with a second victory at Kruibeke (podium above). Kruibeke was 14 laps of a 4.3k circuit with the race a cracking 43kph average speed. Congrats Nick.

BiciSport Belgium @ Kruibeke @ 18 June - Nick Felix takes the win

BiciSport Belgium @ Kruibeke @ 18 June - A strong Team Force enjoyed the team win

BiciSport Belgium @ Kruibeke @ 18 June - Nick Felix and Team Force started how they finished … on the front row

BiciSport at the Tour of Belgium 2023 - Freddy Verheyen (in BiciSport cap)

BICISPORT ANNOUNCES GRIFFITH TO MELBOURNE RIDE IN OCTOBER 23

• Details are now listed in the BiciSport Special Events section of this website.

• All welcome

NSW MASTERS SYDNEY CHAMPS & NSW MASTERS ROAD CHAMPS - PROGRAM ANNOUNCED

• Reserve the weekend of August 5 & 6 for the Penrith Lakes World Masters Championships - the Saturday is the Lake Circuit and Sunday is the Car Park for the NSW Criterium Championships

• The following weekend (August 12 & 13) is the NSW Masters ITT & Road Championships at Gunning near Goulburn

• Full Championship details are now posted in the Special Events section of this website

BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTS FOR 2023

• Bicisport has a range of primary & secondary Special Events listed on this website (see the separate web page). These events receive personal rider support and the primary events also come with some financial support. Any questions should be directed to Mike O’Reilly on 0417 403 244

Upcoming primary Special Events for 2023 include -

• Aug 5 - Sydney & Country Championships (Penrith Lakes Regatta Centre)

• Aug 6 - NSW Masters Criterium Championships (Penrith Lakes Regatta Centre)

• Aug 12-13 - NSW Masters ITT & Road Championships (Gunning, NSW)

• Sept 21-24 - National Masters Road Championships (Shepparton, Vic)

• Oct 7 - NSW Team Time Trial Championships (Singleton, NSW)

• Oct 12-15 - BiciSport Enduro Ride from Griffith to Melbourne

• Oct 21-22 - Bowral Classic CycloSportive (Bowral, NSW)

• Dec 2-3 - Tour of Bright (Bright, Vic)

WARATAH MASTERS RACE PROGRAM OUT TO 31 DEC 23 ANNOUNCED

• Waratahs continue to organise high quality interclub events on a weekly basis and Waratah’s recently announced their race calendar out to 31 Dec 23. Their race dates can now be found on the Calender section of this website

RACE SEEKER - THIS WEEK

• 2 July

  • NSW CycloCross Series (Canberra ACT)

  • Lansdowne Park Criteriums (Waratah Masters)

BICISPORT TRAINING RIDES

• Every Mon/Wed/Fri Mornings

  • Centennial Park Masters @ Centennial Park

    • Meet at the corner of Parkes Drive/Grand Drive at 8.30am and do CP laps until 9.30am then coffee at Spruce Goose Cafe

• Tues 27 June & Thurs 29 June

  • 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 June

  • Belgian Waffle Ride @ Shark Park Cronulla Carpark @ 12noon for Kurnell & return

• Sat 1 July

  • Coffee @ Sandstone Cafe Miramare Gardens @ 9.30am

Milram Pro Cycling Team (Germany) - 2006-10

Sponsorship was by Milram (German milk), Motorex (a Swiss oil company), De Nardi, bikes were Colnago in a lovely sky blue. Jersey design was a classic, a simple sky blue. Clothing was Santini and cars were Skoda.

Milram were something of a stage race team (for targeted stage wins, not the overall GC) - like the early version of Orica GreenEdge. Throw in a couple of single day Classics (like Paris Tours) and there you have it. Lets win. The EPO drug wave derailed everything towards the end.

Team victories very much hung off Erik Zabel & Alessandro Petacchi (sprinters of the highest order). Stage victories followed at the Tour of Spain and Tour of Italy (where Petacchi won five stages in 2007 but then failed a dope test). Highly regarded team members were numerous - Servais Knaven (Classics), Ralph Grabsch, Brett Lancaster (Aus), Luke Roberts (Aus), Linus Gerdemann, Gerald Ciolek and a youthful Niki Terpstra who went on to win at Flanders & Roubaix with QuickStep. Its a pity it all ended in 2010 as it was a classy sky blue peloton.

Milram Pro Cycling Team - Erik Zabel

Milram Pro Cycling Team - a youthful Niki Terpstra before all things got much better at QuickStep

Milram Pro Cycling Team - Erik Zabel

Milram Pro Cycling Team

News Shorts - 19 June

BiciSport to Belgium in 2024 - The Belgian Spring Classics for 2024 are just a Sydney summer season away. If watching the best bike racing on the planet, coupled with several Classic cyclosportives over truly Classic terrain, the odd historic cycling museum or visiting the rustic Roubaix Velodrome is you then you should contact BiciSport and reserve your place in the Bici peloton. The contact is Mike O”Reilly on 0417 403 244

BiciSport to Belgium in 2024 - The BiciSport Service Corse is the Kokerelle B&B in Maarke Kerkem near Oudenaarde. An ideal location with the Koppenberg & Old Kwaremont just 5 kilometres down the Schelde bike path. A chance to walk up the Koppenberg every day of your holidays …

BiciSport team coffee is taken every Saturday morning @ 9.30am @ Sandstone Cafe on Myoora Road Terrey Hills. All welcome.

BiciSport Belgium @ Kruibeke East Flanders @ 11 June - Nick Felix (front row, 2nd from left) leads the Team Force squad at Kruibeke. The inaugural season for the Force peloton and the results just keep coming. Mike Lawson (BiciSport) heads to Belgium in November and based on the roadies results, Mike will have some challenges to match the roadies.

BiciSport Belgium @ Kruibeke East Flanders @ 11 June - Nick Felix (third from left) on the front row at Kruibeke

BiciSport Belgium @ Kruibeke East Flanders @ 11 June - Nick Felix (second right) at Kruibeke

BiciSport Belgium @ Kruibeke East Flanders @ 11 June

BiciSport Belgium @ Kruibeke East Flanders @ 11 June

BICISPORT ANNOUNCES GRIFFITH TO MELBOURNE RIDE IN OCTOBER 23

• Details are now listed in the BiciSport Special Events section of this website.

• All welcome

NSW MASTERS SYDNEY CHAMPS & NSW MASTERS ROAD CHAMPS - PROGRAM ANNOUNCED

• Reserve the weekend of August 5 & 6 for the Penrith Lakes World Masters Championships - the Saturday is the Lake Circuit and Sunday is the Car Park for the NSW Criterium Championships

• The following weekend (August 12 & 13) is the NSW Masters ITT & Road Championships at Gunning near Goulburn

• Full Championship details are now posted in the Special Events section of this website

BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTS FOR 2023

• Bicisport has a range of primary & secondary Special Events listed on this website (see the separate web page). These events receive personal rider support and the primary events also come with some financial support. Any questions should be directed to Mike O’Reilly on 0417 403 244

Upcoming primary Special Events for 2023 include -

• Aug 5 - Sydney & Country Championships (Penrith Lakes Regatta Centre)

• Aug 6 - NSW Masters Criterium Championships (Penrith Lakes Regatta Centre)

• Aug 12-13 - NSW Masters ITT & Road Championships (Goulburn, NSW)

• Sept 21-24 - National Masters Road Championships (Shepparton, Vic)

• Oct 7-8 - NSW Team Time Trial Championships (Singleton, NSW)

• Oct 12-15 - BiciSport Enduro Ride from Griffith to Melbourne

• Oct 21-22 - Bowral Classic CycloSportive (Bowral, NSW)

• Dec 2-3 - Tour of Bright (Bright, Vic)

WARATAH MASTERS RACE PROGRAM OUT TO 31 DEC 23 ANNOUNCED

• Waratahs continue to organise high quality interclub events on a weekly basis and Waratah’s recently announced their race calendar out to 31 Dec 23. Their race dates can now be found on the Calender section of this website

RACE SEEKER - THIS WEEK

• 24 June

  • AusCycling National Gravel Championships (Tasmania)

• 25 June

  • Orica Classic (Kurri Kurri, NSW)

  • Melburn Roobaix CycloSportive (Melbourne, Vic)

  • Heffron Park Criteriums (Waratah Masters)

BICISPORT TRAINING RIDES

• Every Mon/Wed/Fri Mornings

  • Centennial Park Masters @ Centennial Park

    • Meet at the corner of Parkes Drive/Grand Drive at 8.30am and do CP laps until 9.30am then coffee at Spruce Goose Cafe

• Tues 20 June & Thurs 22 June

  • 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 22 June

  • Belgian Waffle Ride @ Centennial Park @ Spruce Goose Cafe @ 10.30am for Park laps

• Sat 24 June

  • Coffee @ Sandstone Cafe Miramare Gardens @ 9.30am

Gewiss Ballan Pro Cycling (Italy) - 1993-97

Much has been written about this team, and its not all about a bunch of high level results and a nice retro jersey - there was a substantial dark side. Sponsorship was by Gewiss (electrical engineering), Ballan (garage doors). Bikes were Bianchi and groupsets Campagnolo. Team clothing was by Biemme. Jersey design was a stunner and a retro classic.

The team enjoyed success at the Giro, the Tour and numerous single day Classics. This team wasn’t the only pro team fueled by the performance enhancing EPO drug but you get a sense of the problem when the team doctor publicly stated “taking EPO is like taking orange juice”. Geez, where can I get those oranges !! …

The Gewiss team is generally noted as performing somewhat spectacularly on the “orange juice” when they took 1-2-3 at the Fleche Walloone Classic in Belgium in 1994 (the fact that the Mapei team took the 1-2-3 podium at the Paris Roubaix Classic a staggering THREE times and this is somehow always ignored).

Team members were big hitters at all Tours & Classics - Evgeni Berzin, Ivan Gotti (famous for his dad ferrying the “orange juice” in his campervan at the Giro), Giogio Furlan (won the Milan San Remo Classic), Nicola Minali (sprinter), Moreno Argentin (Classics), Piotr Ugrumov (Giro specialist) and Bjarne Rijs (his nickname was Mr 60 % based on excessive EPO consumption).

… Mr 60% ….

Fleche Walloone Classic 1994 … and The Fix is in …

The infamous Fleche Walloone Classic podium 1994

News Shorts - 12 June

NSW CycloCross Round @ Sun Valley (near Springwood) @ 12 June - Mike Lawson (BiciSport Team Force) rode in a strong B grade field of 35 riders over 8 laps around the Sun Valley Pony Club facility. A mishap on lap 2 (where two competitors crashed into his rear mech) caused some delay but he finished well.

NSW CycloCross Round @ Sun Valley (near Springwood) @ 12 June - Mike Lawson in the sandy pony dressage arena

NSW CycloCross Round @ Sun Valley (near Springwood) @ 12 June - Mike Lawson runs in the sand

NSW CycloCross Round @ Sun Valley (near Springwood) @ 12 June - Mike Lawson

NSW CycloCross Round @ Sun Valley (near Springwood) @ 12 June - Mike Lawson & MOR

BiciSport Belgium @ Maldegem @ 4 June - Nick Felix (Team Force) takes the victory at Maldegem (East Flanders)

BiciSport Belgium @ Maldegem @ 4 June - Nick Felix & Team Force on the Maldegem start line

BiciSport Belgium @ Maldegem @ 4 June - Nick Felix on the start line

BiciSport Belgium @ Maldegem @ 4 June - Nick Felix mid race in Maldegem

BiciSport Belgium @ Maldegem @ 4 June - Two Team Force riders controlling the peloton in rural Maldegem

ARE RACE RADIOS STIFLING PRO ROAD CYCLING ?

• The professional stage race typically goes like this …. the second level pro teams fight like hungry dogs to get into the television break of the day and race to a 4 minute lead. The peloton know exactly where and when they are anywhere. The breakaway edges towards a 4 minute lead.

• When the breakaway gets to the magical 4 minutes lead the breakaway eases back just a touch, but then so does the peloton !!. So here we are (all live on your pay for view tv screen) with two groups essentially soft pedaling (or crystal cranking) with neither giving it 100%. When they both hit the magical 50k to go mark, then hostilities resume in earnest. The peloton catches the break right on the 5k to go banner. The local hero wins the stage and the pantomime resumes the next day. The only way to reduce the boredom is to finish the stage up a wall. .

• The recommended solution is to ban team race radios and make pro stage racing worth watching. Racing into the unknown makes it all the more exciting. This beats a staged pantomime every time.

BICISPORT ANNOUNCES GRIFFITH TO MELBOURNE RIDE IN OCTOBER 23

• Details are now listed in the BiciSport Special Events section of this website.

• All welcome

BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTS FOR 2023

• Bicisport has a range of primary & secondary Special Events listed on this website (see the separate web page). These events receive personal rider support and the primary events also come with some financial support. Any questions should be directed to Mike O’Reilly on 0417 403 244

• Note that the NSW Masters Road Championships are split over two weekends & venues

Upcoming primary Special Events for 2023 include -

• Aug 5 - Sydney & Country Championships (Penrith Lakes Regatta Centre)

• Aug 6 - NSW Masters Criterium Championships (Penrith Lakes Regatta Centre)

• Aug 12-13 - NSW Masters ITT & Road Championships (Goulburn, NSW)

• Sept 21-24 - National Masters Road Championships (Shepparton, Vic)

• Oct 7-8 - NSW Team Time Trial Championships (Singleton, NSW)

• Oct 12-15 - BiciSport Enduro Ride from Griffith to Melbourne

• Oct 21-22 - Bowral Classic CycloSportive (Bowral, NSW)

• Dec 2-3 - Tour of Bright (Bright, Vic)

WARATAH MASTERS RACE PROGRAM OUT TO 31 DEC 23 ANNOUNCED

• Waratahs continue to to organise high quality interclub events on a weekly basis and Waratah’s recently announced their race calendar out to 31 Dec 23. Their race dates can now be found on the Calender section of this website

RACE SEEKER - THIS WEEK

• 17 June

  • Mogo Gravel (NSW South Coast)

• 18 June

  • Lansdowne Park Criteriums (Waratah Masters)

  • Compass ITT Series (Waratah Parh, Sutherland)

  • Mt Ku Ring Gai Criteriums (Northern Sydney)

BICISPORT TRAINING RIDES

• Every Mon/Wed/Fri Mornings

  • Centennial Park Masters @ Centennial Park

    • Meet at the corner of Parkes Drive/Grand Drive at 8.30am and do CP laps until 9.30am then coffee at Spruce Goose Cafe

• Tues 13 June & Thurs 15 June

  • 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 15 June

  • Belgian Waffle Ride @ Centennial Park @ Spruce Goose Cafe @ 10.30am for Park laps

• Sat 17 June

  • Coffee @ Sandstone Cafe Miramare Gardens @ 9.30am

Skala Pro Cycling Team (Netherlands) - 1985-87

The great Hennie Kuiper (centre of above picture) in the 1987 Amstel Gold Classic

Skala was best described as one day race wonders. Stage racing was certainly not their speciality but anything with a one day tag was theirs for the taking and they won a lot. Main sponsor was Skala (hair shampoo) with numerous sub sponsors in Skil (timber saws), Chiori, Roland (pianos), TW Rock (a Belgian rock festival !!). Bikes were Gazelle (Dutch) or Colnago (Italian).

Team members reflected the one day strategy - Johan Capiot (sprinter), Herman Frison (Classics), Brian Holm (Classics), Hennie Kuiper (ex World Champion & more Classics), Jesper Skibby (famous for being run over by a commissaires car on the Koppenberg in 1987), Brian Sorensen, Jean-Paul van Poppel (sprinter), Ferdi Van Den Haute (the hard man of the hard men), Nico Verhoeven & Dirk Wayenberg.

Skala Pro Cycling Team (Netherlands) - Ferdi van den Haute was one tough hard man

Skala Pro Cycling Team (Netherlands)

Skala Pro Cycling Team (Netherlands)

News Shorts - 5 June

National CycloCross Round @ Adelaide @ 3 June - Mike Lawson (BiciSport Team Force) on the Adelaide start line

National CycloCross Round @ Adelaide @ 3 June - Mike Lawson (BiciSport Team Force)

National CycloCross Round @ Adelaide @ 3 June - Mike Lawson (BiciSport Team Force)

National CycloCross Round @ Adelaide @ 3 June - Mike Lawson takes the victory

BiciSport @ Mawson Trail @ South Australian Outback @ 1 June - Dudley Hoskin (BiciSport) on the rugged Mawson Trail somewhere between there and way over there

BiciSport @ Mawson Trail @ South Australian Outback @ 1 June - Dudley Hoskin at Blinman

BiciSport @ Mawson Trail @ South Australian Outback @ 1 June - Dudley Hoskin cooking up a storm

BiciSport @ Mawson Trail @ South Australian Outback @ 1 June - Dudley Hoskin with a Mario Cipolini lookalike

BiciSport @ Mawson Trail @ South Australian Outback @ 1 June - the views on the Mawson Trail

BiciSport Belgium @ Limburg @ 28 May - Briek VerHulst (BiciSport) # 1 riding the Amstel Gold Classic roads in Limburg

BiciSport Belgium @ Limburg @ 28 May - Briek VerHulst (BiciSport) # 2 riding the Amstel Gold Classic roads in Limburg

BiciSport Belgium @ Limburg @ 28 May - Briek VerHulst (BiciSport) # 3 riding the Amstel Gold Classic roads in Limburg

Mike Lawson (BiciSport Team Force) will be competing at Sun Valley in the Lower Blue Mountains near Springwood. Mike starts in the B Grade event starting @ 12noon. Address is Sun Valley Reserve, Sun Valley Rd

ARE RACE RADIOS STIFLING PRO ROAD CYCLING ?

• The professional stage race typically goes like this …. the second level pro teams fight like hungry dogs to get into the television break of the day and race to a 4 minute lead. The peloton know exactly where and when they are anywhere. The breakaway edges towards a 4 minute lead.

• When the breakaway gets to the magical 4 minutes lead the breakaway eases back just a touch, but then so does the peloton !!. So here we are (all live on your pay for view tv screen) with two groups essentially soft pedaling (or crystal cranking) with neither giving it 100%. When they both hit the magical 50k to go mark, then hostilities resume in earnest. The peloton catches the break right on the 5k to go banner. The local hero wins the stage and the pantomime resumes the next day. The only way to reduce the boredom is to finish the stage up a wall. .

• The recommended solution is to ban team race radios and make pro stage racing worth watching. Racing into the unknown makes it all the more exciting. This beats a staged pantomime every time.

BICISPORT ANNOUNCES GRIFFITH TO MELBOURNE RIDE in OCTOBER 23

• Details are now listed in the BiciSport Special Events section of this website.

• All welcome

BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTS FOR 2023

• Bicisport has a range of primary & secondary Special Events listed on this website (see the separate web page). These events receive personal rider support and the primary events also come with some financial support. Any questions should be directed to Mike O’Reilly on 0417 403 244

• Note that the NSW Masters Road Championships are split over two weekends & venues

Upcoming primary Special Events for 2023 include -

• Aug 5 - Sydney & Country Championships (Penrith Lakes Regatta Centre)

• Aug 6 - NSW Masters Criterium Championships (venue tbc)

• Aug 12-13 - NSW Masters ITT & Road Championships (Goulburn, NSW)

• Sept 21-24 - National Masters Road Championships (Shepparton, Vic)

• Oct 7-8 - NSW Team Time Trial Championships (Singleton, NSW)

• Oct 12-15 - BiciSport Enduro Ride from Griffith to Melbourne

• Oct 21-22 - Bowral Classic CycloSportive (Bowral, NSW)

• Dec 2-3 - Tour of Bright (Bright, Vic)

WARATAH MASTERS RACE PROGRAM OUT TO 31 DEC 23 ANNOUNCED

• Waratahs continue to to organise high quality interclub events on a weekly basis and Waratah’s recently announced their race calendar out to 31 Dec 23. Their race dates can now be found on the Calender section of this website

RACE SEEKER - THIS WEEK

• 11 June

  • Lansdowne Park Criteriums (Waratah Masters)

• 12 June (Mon)

  • NSW Cyclo Cross Series (Lower Blue Mountains @ Sun Valley)

BICISPORT TRAINING RIDES

• Every Mon/Wed/Fri Mornings

  • Centennial Park Masters @ Centennial Park

    • Meet at the corner of Parkes Drive/Grand Drive at 8.30am and do CP laps until 9.30am then coffee at Spruce Goose Cafe

• Tues 6 June & Thurs 8 June

  • 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 8 June

  • Belgian Waffle Ride @ Centennial Park @ Spruce Goose Cafe @ 10.30am for Park laps

• Sat 10 June

  • Coffee @ Sandstone Cafe Miramare Gardens @ 9.30am

Hitachi Pro Cycling Team (Belgium) - 1985-89

The Hitachi years came out of the previous Belgian Splendor team. Sponsorship was headed by Hitachi (electronics) with numerous sub sponsors - Sunair, Robland, Marc, Bosal (car mufflers) and BCE Snooker. Bike sponsors were originally Splendor (Belgian) but moved to Rossin (Italian). Groupsets were Mavic.

It was simplistic to say it was all about Claude Criquielion (World Road Champion) as the support group was truly exceptional - be it Edwin Bafcop, Marc Assez, Dirk De Wolf (Classics), Fons De Wolf (Classics), Rudy Dhaenens (future World Road Champion) & Rudy Matthijs (Classics). They won a lot across every terrain.

Hitachi Pro Cycling Team (Belgium) - Claude Criquielion (RIP) has his victory at Fleche Wallonne Classic celebrated by having his own corner named after him on the steep Mur de Huy climb at the Fleche Wallonne Classic

Hitachi Pro Cycling Team (Belgium) - Claude Criquielion in the World Road Champions jersey

Hitachi Pro Cycling Team (Belgium) - Claude Criquielion takes victory in the 1987 Tour of Flanders (Ronde van Vlaanderen)

Claude Criquielion in the World Road Champions jersey

News Shorts - 29 May

The Giro has finally ended and now for Le Tour

The Giro ‘18 - Frank Signor (BiciSport Anytime Fitness) atop the famous Passo Gavia

The Giro ‘18 - Peter Budd (BiciSport Anytime Fitness) atop the Passo del Mortirolo

The Giro ‘18 - Melissa & Peter Budd at the Passo Gavia

The Giro ‘18 - Peter Budd, Frank Signor & Roger Thomson Seagrave looking for a great coffee in Bormio

Albert Bishop Park (Brisbane) @ Memorial Race @ 21 May - Klayton Smith (BiciSport Happy Wheels) again featured in this popular criterium and in his words “is determined to win one of these before the year ends”.

IS FRIDAY CYCLING NOW THE NEW “SILENT SUNDAY” ?

• With changing work habits courtesy of Covid 19 … is there a sense that Wednesday & Thursday are now super busy car days on the local roads (everybody is back in the office), yet Friday now seems to be a much lighter day ? … Saturday of course remains close to shambolic as always

BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTS FOR 2023

• Bicisport has a range of primary & secondary Special Events listed on this website (see the separate web page). These events receive personal rider support and the primary events also come with some financial support. Any questions should be directed to Mike O’Reilly on 0417 403 244

• Note that the NSW Masters Championships are split over two weekends & venues

Upcoming primary Special Events for 2023 include -

• Aug 5 - Sydney & Country Championships (Penrith Lakes Regatta Centre)

• Aug 6 - NSW Masters Criterium Championships (Venue tbc)

• Aug 12-13 - NSW Masters ITT & Road Championships (Goulburn, NSW)

• Sept 21-24 - National Masters Road Championships (Shepparton, Vic)

• Oct 7-8 - NSW Team Time Trial Championships (Singleton, NSW)

• Oct 21-22 - Bowral Classic CycloSportive (Bowral, NSW)

• Dec 2-3 - Tour of Bright (Bright, Vic)

RACE SEEKER - THIS WEEK

• 3 June (Sat)

  • Eastern Creek Raceway @ 6.50am

  • National CycloCross Series (Adelaide, SA)

    • BiciSport starter Mike Lawson

• 4 June

  • Eastern Creek Dragway Criteriums (Waratah Masters)

  • Dinnerville Handicaps (Dapto, NSW)

BICISPORT TRAINING RIDES

• Every Mon/Wed/Fri Mornings

  • Centennial Park Masters @ Centennial Park

    • Meet at the corner of Parkes Drive/Grand Drive at 8.30am and do CP laps until 9.30am then coffee at Spruce Goose Cafe

• Tues 30 May & Thurs 1 June

  • 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 1 June

  • Belgian Waffle Ride @ Centennial Park @ Spruce Goose Cafe @ 10.30am for Park laps

• Sat 3 June

  • Coffee @ Sandstone Cafe Miramare Gardens @ 9.30am

Jan Van Erp Tegels Cycling Team (Netherlands) - 1968-80

In an era when Dutch “amateur” trade teams were generally more professional than the so called professional teams of that era. Jan Van Erp was a dutch tile company and had 7 World Champions at one point. Clothing was supplied by Castelli and the bikes were either Concorde (being Dutch) or Saronni (an Italian sub brand of Colnago). As amateur teams go this was anything but “amateur” and very much professional in budget, organization, results & culture

A classy Jan van Erp peloton that included Gerrit Solleveld, Steve Jones (UK), Adrie Van Der Poel (father of the currently famous Van Der Poel), Jan Raas, Henk Lubberding, Bert Oosterbosch, David Akam (UK) and Johnny Broers.

Jan van Erp Tegels - 1978 World Teams Time Trial Champions over 100k. Jan Gisbers as manager went on to lead the professional PDM team as manager

News Shorts - 22 May

NSW CycloCross Round @ Heffron Park Maroubra @ 14 May - Pictured above is Mike Lawson (BiciSport Force Team) at Heffron. It was Mike’s first outing in the Belgian Force team kit. BiciSport is sponsoring the Belgian Force team for three years from 2023

NSW CycloCross Round @ Heffron Park Maroubra @ 14 May - Mike Lawson

NSW CycloCross Round @ Heffron Park Maroubra @ 14 May - Mike Lawson

NSW CycloCross Round @ Heffron Park Maroubra @ 14 May

BiciSport @ Sandstone Cafe Terrey Hills @ 20 May - Tony R, Marty W, Ian G, Karl H & Nigel S. Coffee is served every Saturday @ 9.30am. All welcome.

NOOSA CLASSIC CYCLOSPORTIVE POSTPONED FOR 2023

A loss in Qld government support has led to the postponement of this truly exceptional event. See you in 2024 we hope.

IS FRIDAY CYCLING NOW THE NEW “SILENT SUNDAY” ?

• With changing work habits courtesy of Covid 19 … is there a sense that Wednesday & Thursday are now super busy car days on the local roads (everybody is back in the office), yet Friday now seems to be a much lighter day ? … Saturday of course remains close to shambolic as always

BICISPORT SPECIAL EVENTS FOR 2023

• Bicisport has a range of primary & secondary Special Events listed on this website (see the separate web page). These events receive personal rider support and the primary events also come with some financial support. Any questions should be directed to Mike O’Reilly on 0417 403 244

• Note that the NSW Masters Championships are split over two weekends & venues

Upcoming primary Special Events for 2023 include -

• Aug 5 - Sydney & Country Championships (Penrith Lakes Regatta Centre)

• Aug 6 - NSW Masters Criterium Championships (Venue tbc)

• Aug 12-13 - NSW Masters ITT & Road Championships (Goulburn, NSW)

• Sept 21-24 - National Masters Road Championships (Shepparton, Vic)

• Oct 7-8 - NSW Team Time Trial Championships (Singleton, NSW)

• Oct 21-22 - Bowral Classic CycloSportive (Bowral, NSW)

• Dec 2-3 - Tour of Bright (Bright, Vic)

RACE SEEKER - THIS WEEK

• 28 May

  • Heffron Park Criteriums (Waratah Masters)

BICISPORT TRAINING RIDES

• Every Mon/Wed/Fri Mornings

  • Centennial Park Masters @ Centennial Park

    • Meet at the corner of Parkes Drive/Grand Drive at 8.30am and do CP laps until 9.30am then coffee at Spruce Goose Cafe

• Tues 23 May & Thurs 25 May

  • 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 25 May

  • Belgian Waffle Ride @ Centennial Park @ Spruce Goose Cafe @ 10.30am for Park laps

• Sat 27 May

  • Coffee @ Sandstone Cafe Miramare Gardens @ 9.30am

Cafe de Columbia Pro Cycling Team (Columbia) - 1983-90

Sponsorship was from the Columbian Coffee Plantation Owners Association and co sponsors were Varta (car batteries) with Mavic (cycling components), Wolber (tyres) and Vitus the bike frames.

The team roster had 24 riders (all Columbians) but only Luis “Lucho” Herrera and Fabio Parra rated a mention on the race result sheets. It was really all about Lucho & Parra. Lucho won a stage in the ‘84 Tour de France (the Alpe D’Huez stage no less) & Lucho then won the ‘87 Tour of Spain and the ‘88 Dauphine Libere stage race.

The drop in world coffee prices during 1990 ended the team dream.

Cafe de Columbia Pro Cycling Team (Columbia) - Lucho Herrera in the French Alps during the 1988 Dauphine Libere stage race

Cafe de Columbia Pro Cycling Team (Columbia) - Lucho Herrera

News Shorts - 15 May

Bathurst Road Race @ 13 May - Ian Grant (BiciSport Anytime Fitness) takes second in Bathurst A Grade

West Head Road Race @ 14 May - Dudley Hoskin (BiciSport Happy Wheels) at the West Head turning point in heavy fog with just a hint of autumn sunshine breaking through

West Head Road Race @ 14 May - Dudley Hoskin

West Head Road Race @ 14 May - Dudley Hoskin

West Head Road Race @ 14 May - MOR & Dudley Hoskin after the finish

Dudley Hoskin took the victory at the Aquabike Tri Series @ Port Stephens on 13 May

Melburn Roubaix is the ultimate cobbled cyclosportive in urban Melbourne on 25 June. Numerous cobbled laneways coupled with great coffee and a friendly atmosphere.

BICISPORT SPECIAL Events FOR 2023

Bicisport has a range of primary & secondary Special Events listed on this website (see the separate web page). These events receive personal rider support and the primary events also come with some financial support. Any questions should be directed to Mike O’Reilly on 0417 403 244

Upcoming primary Special Events for 2023 include -

• Aug 5 - Sydney & Country Championships (Penrith Lakes Regatta Centre)

• Aug 11-13 - NSW Masters Road Championships (Goulburn, NSW)

• Sept 21-24 - National Masters Road Championships (Shepparton, Vic)

• Oct 7-8 - NSW Team Time Trial Championships (Singleton, NSW)

• Oct 21-22 - Bowral Classic CycloSportive (Bowral, NSW)

• Dec 2-3 - Tour of Bright (Bright, Vic)

RACE SEEKER - THIS WEEK

• 20-21 May

  • Cootamundra Weekend (AusNSW)

  • National Cyclo Cross Series (Perth WA)

• 21 May

  • Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters)

  • Mt Ku Ring Gai Criteriums (Northern Sydney)

BICISPORT TRAINING RIDES

• Every Mon/Wed/Fri Mornings

  • Centennial Park Masters @ Centennial Park

    • Meet at the corner of Parkes Drive/Grand Drive at 8.30am and do CP laps until 9.30am then coffee at Spruce Goose Cafe

• Tues 16 May & Thurs 18 May

  • 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 18 May

  • Belgian Waffle Ride @ Centennial Park @ Spruce Goose Cafe @ 10.30am for Park laps

• Sat 20 May

  • Coffee @ Sandstone Cafe Miramare Gardens @ 9.30am

7-Eleven Pro Cycling Team (USA) - 1981-90

One of the original super teams by any measure. Sponsorship was by 7 Eleven (US food chain) until 1991 then it switched to Motorola. Bike sponsors were Schwinn (1981-84), Murray (85-86), Huffy (87-88), Merckx (from 89 into the Motorola years). Hoonved (washing machines) co sponsored the team in Italy as did American Airlines. Tyres were supplied by Wolber and groupsets were Shimano

The womens team was a classy peloton (with Rebecca Twigg), but went one better with Andy Hampsten (won the Tour of Italy in ‘88, and 3rd in Italy in ‘89). The support team was again a classy peloton with Heiden, Grewal, Alcala, Bradley, Demgen, Van Haute, Hayman, Phinney, Kiefel, Stieda, Roll, Shapiro & Yates. The team won stages at Tours of Italy, France & Switzerland.

7-Eleven Pro Cycling Team (USA) - Andy Hampsten (left) with team mate Raul Alcala

7-Eleven Pro Cycling Team (USA) - Alexi Grewal (turning)

7-Eleven Pro Cycling Team (USA) - Andy Hampsten climbing the snow covered Gavia Pass in the 1988 Tour of Italy

7-Eleven Pro Cycling Team (USA) - Andy Hampsten on the Gavia Pass

7-Eleven Pro Cycling Team (USA) - Andy Hampsten wins the 1988 Tour of Italy

News Shorts - 8 May

BiciSport @ Kosciusko National Park near Cabramurra @ 1 May - BiciSport’s Marty Wright & Dudley Hoskin ventured into “Bear Grylls Territory” with gravel roads, local wildlife & campside accommodation. Congratulations guys and it makes Paris Roubaix look like a cruise. Marty Wright is pictured above.

BiciSport @ Kosciusko National Park near Cabramurra @ 1 May

BiciSport @ Kosciusko National Park near Cabramurra @ 1 May

BiciSport @ Kosciusko National Park near Cabramurra @ 1 May

BiciSport Belgium @ East Flanders Road Race @ 1 May - Koen VerHulst (BiciSport Belgium) on the start line

RACE SEEKER - THIS WEEK

• 8 May

  • Compass ITT Series @ Eastern Creek (Camden CC)

• 13 May

  • AusCycling AGM

• 14 May

  • NSW Cyclo Cross Series (Heffron Park, NSW)

  • Eastern Creek Raceway (Waratah Masters)

  • West Head Road Race (Manly CC)

BICISPORT TRAINING RIDES

• Every Mon/Wed/Fri Mornings

  • Centennial Park Masters @ Centennial Park

    • Meet at the corner of Parkes Drive/Grand Drive at 8.30am and do CP laps until 9.30am then coffee at Spruce Goose Cafe

• Tues 9 May & Thurs 11 May

  • 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 11 May

  • Belgian Waffle Ride @ Centennial Park @ Spruce Goose Cafe @ 10.30am for Park laps

• Sat 13 May

  • Coffee @ Sandstone Cafe Miramare Gardens @ 9.30am

Dauphine Tour & Plane Flight & Bordeaux Paris & Mauberge Criterium @ 1965 - Jacques Anquetil (Ford France) left pictured with Raymond Poulidor (BP) & Rik Van Looy (Solo)

The Jacques Anquetil story runs thus … In a single 11 day period Master Jacques won the 8 day Dauphine Tour, rode the 557k Bordeaux Paris behind a motorized derny then raced the Mauberge Pro Criterium. It was no surprise that Jacques was famous for calling UCI drug tests “an invasion of personal liberty”.

Jacques won the Dauphine Tour, then 2 hours later caught the flight from Nimes to Bordeaux for the 557k Bordeaux race. The plane flight was organised by the French President Charles de Gaulle.

Jacques won Bordeaux Paris by just 57 seconds over his team mate Jean Stablinski with Tom Simpson third. The very next day Jacques drove to northern France to compete in the Mauberge pro criterium.

Dauphine Tour & Plane Flight & Bordeaux Paris & Mauberge Criterium @ 1965 - Jacques aboard the French President sponsored flight from Nimes

Dauphine Tour & Plane Flight & Bordeaux Paris & Mauberge Criterium @ 1965 - departing the Nimes flight at Bordeaux

Dauphine Tour & Plane Flight & Bordeaux Paris & Mauberge Criterium @ 1965

Jacques wins Bordeaux Paris at the Vincennes Velodrome in Paris with his two derny drivers (the last 300k was paced behind the motorised derny). The second derny was a spare should the first derny break down.

Dauphine Tour & Plane Flight & Bordeaux Paris & Mauberge Criterium @ 1965 - Jacques behind the team derny with the spare derny in reserve

Dauphine Tour & Plane Flight & Bordeaux Paris & Mauberge Criterium @ 1965 - Jacques behind the team derny during Bordeaux Paris

News Shorts - 1 May

Grafton Inverell Classic @ 29 Apr - BiciSport started both Klayton Smith & Craig Pager.

Conditions were ideal for the 228k journey over the Gibraltar Range. Both Klayton & Craig rode themselves to a standstill and should be very well satisfied as they left everything out on the road.

Grafton Inverell Classic @ 29 Apr - Klayton Smith (BiciSport Happy Wheels) climbing the Waterloo Range outside Glen Innes with 180k completed.

Grafton Inverell Classic @ 29 Apr - Craig Pager leading (BiciSport Happy Wheels) at the 120k Mount Mitchell Feed Zone.

Grafton Inverell Classic @ 29 Apr - Craig Pager dropped his chain at the Mount Mitchell Feed Zone and after quick assistance immediately remounted

Grafton Inverell Classic @ 29 Apr - Klayton Smith at the Inverell finish

Grafton Inverell Classic @ 29 Apr - Craig Pager at the Inverell finish

Grafton Inverell Classic @ 29 Apr - Craig Pager at the Inverell finish

Grafton Inverell Classic @ 29 Apr - BiciSport grupetto to Grafton 23 with Craig Pager, MOR & Klayton Smith. We really missed you Randolph … get better soon

Grafton Inverell Classic @ 29 Apr - Steve McLean (aka Bundy) the adorable motor cycle scout at the Mount Mitchell Feed Zone with MOR. Bundy has been a great volunteer over the years to many NSW races offering race official support.

Grafton Inverell Classic @ 29 Apr - Bundy revealing all at the Grafton Inverell Classic Feed Zone

RACE SEEKER - THIS WEEK

• 7 May

  • Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters)

BICISPORT TRAINING RIDES

• Every Mon/Wed/Fri Mornings

  • Centennial Park Masters @ Centennial Park

    • Meet at the corner of Parkes Drive/Grand Drive at 8.30am and do CP laps until 9.30am then coffee at Spruce Goose Cafe

• Tues 2 May & Thurs 4 May

  • 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 4 May

  • Belgian Waffle Ride @ Centennial Park @ Spruce Goose Cafe @ 10.30am for Park laps

• Sat 6 May

  • Coffee @ Sandstone Cafe Miramare Gardens @ 9.30am

IWC Pro Team (Switzerland) - 1981-82

The IWC pro team was arguably the smallest pro team in the peloton with the primary rider being just Patrick Sercu (of Belgium). The IWC team lasted from 1981 until the end of 1982. Sercu’s pro career extended from 1961 until the end of 1983 with the IWC sponsorship finishing at the end of 1982.

IWC made high quality Swiss watches, the bikes were Eddy Merckx (naturally, as Eddy was the best mate of Patrick). Team clothing was supplied by Decca. Sercu won an Olympic Sprint Gold on the velodrome, plus three World Sprint Championships, a staggering 88 six day races on the velodrome plus the Points jersey at the 1974 Tour de France.

News Shorts - 24 April

BiciSport @ Fleche Wallonne @ Mur de Huy @ 19 Apr

BiciSport @ Fleche Wallonne @ Mur de Huy @ 19 Apr - across the top of Mur de Huy and The Podge in total control (photo MOR)

BiciSport @ Fleche Wallonne @ Mur de Huy @ 19 Apr - The Podge # 2 (photo MOR)

BiciSport @ Fleche Wallonne @ Mur de Huy @ 19 Apr - Fleche peloton (photo MOR)

BiciSport @ Fleche Wallonne @ Mur de Huy @ 19 Apr - Fleche peloton (photo MOR)

BiciSport @ Fleche Wallonne @ Mur de Huy @ 19 Apr - Tom Pidcock at the Mur de Huy feed zone (photo MOR)

BiciSport @ Fleche Wallonne @ Mur de Huy @ 19 Apr - The Podge # 3 at the Mur de Huy feed zone (photo MOR)

BiciSport @ Fleche Wallonne @ Mur de Huy @ 19 Apr - the Womens Fleche Classic over a hilly 130k included three laps of the Fleche circuit (photo MOR)

BiciSport @ Fleche Wallonne @ Mur de Huy @ 19 Apr - Aussie rider Rachael Neylan (Cofidis - white arm warmers) (photo MOR)

BiciSport @ Fleche Wallonne @ Mur de Huy @ 19 Apr - Womens race team cars just 2k from the start in Huy (photo MOR)

BiciSport @ Fleche Wallonne @ Mur de Huy @ 19 Apr - World Champion Annemiek Van Vlueten # 1 (photo MOR)

BiciSport @ Fleche Wallonne @ Mur de Huy @ 19 Apr - World Champion Annemiek van Vlueten # 2 (photo MOR)

BiciSport @ Fleche Wallonne @ Mur de Huy @ 19 Apr - Womens Fleche podium (photo MOR)

BiciSport @ Fleche Wallonne @ Mur de Huy Cycling Cafe @ 18 Apr - wherever there is a Belgian cycling classic these days up springs the latest cycling themed coffee shop + mini clothing store.

The Mur de Huy cycle cafe offering rated well with good coffee & excellent food. The town of Huy offered everything from graphic World War 2 atrocities against the local Belgian population in the Citadel, to its own nuclear power station (… must have one of those in your suburb …), then plenty of heavy traffic on clogged narrow roads. This is compensated by quiet and very welcome canal cycle paths, good cafes & challenging local climbs. However, its one of those towns best described as … if it wasn’t for a professional Classic cycle race then you may not go there.

BiciSport @ Fleche Wallonne @ 18 Apr - the view over Huy from atop the Huy Citadel with the Tihange nuclear power station in the background. The steep Mur de Huy used in the cycle classic is in the forested area to the right of the picture.

RACE SEEKER - THIS WEEK

• 29 Apr

  • Great Otway Classic Cyclosportive (Vic)

  • Grafton to Inverell Classic (NRS - NSW)

    • BiciSport starters Klayton Smith & Craig Pager

• 30 Apr

  • Heffron Park (Waratah Masters)

BICISPORT TRAINING RIDES

• Every Mon/Wed/Fri Mornings

  • Centennial Park Masters @ Centennial Park

    • Meet at the corner of Parkes Drive/Grand Drive at 8.30am and do CP laps until 9.30am then coffee at Spruce Goose Cafe

• Tues 25 Apr & Thurs 27 Apr

  • 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 27 Apr

  • Belgian Waffle Ride @ Centennial Park @ Spruce Goose Cafe @ 10.30am for Park laps

• Sat 29 Apr

  • Coffee @ Sandstone Cafe Miramare Gardens @ 9.30am

BiciSport @ Fleche Wallonne Classic @ 17 Apr - Team Lotto at the top of the Mur de Huy climb on a training ride # 1

BiciSport @ Fleche Wallonne Classic @ 17 Apr - Team Lotto at the top of the Mur de Huy climb on a training ride # 2

BiciSport @ Fleche Wallonne Classic @ 17 Apr - Team Lotto at the top of the Mur de Huy climb on a training ride # 3

BiciSport @ Fleche Wallonne Classic @ 17 Apr - Team Lotto at the top of the Mur de Huy climb on a training ride with the Australian rider Harry Sweeny

BiciSport to the Belgian Spring Claasics 2023 - thanks for coming, see you in 2024

Kokerelle B&B - early March 2023

Kokerelle B&B - early March 2023

Kokerelle B&B - more like a home than a place to visit

Kokerelle B&B - picture taken in mid March 23 with the hedges still bare from the previous winter

Kokerelle B&B - picture taken end April 23 - nice & green with summer on the way

News Shorts - 17 April

West Head Road Race @ 16 Apr - Dudley Hoskin (BiciSport Happy Wheels) takes third in the Masters category

BiciSport Griffith @ 15 Apr - L to R … Max Kopp, Albert Ravanello & Peter Budd after they completed the 200k ride from Griffith to Wagga

Ian Grant (BiciSport Anytime Fitness) has made a welcome return to Masters racing at both Lansdowne Park & Eastern Creek after sustaining injuries from a crash at Eastern Creek.

Ian finished 3rd in A2 grade on 16 Apr.

BiciSport Report @ Amstel Gold Classic @ 16 Apr - the day dawned damp but greatly improved by lunchtime. The Podge dominated from 60k out and crushed the opposition. Most of the day was spent in the Fixed Gear Coffee lounge in central Valkenburg.

BiciSport @ Amstel Gold Classic @ 16 Apr - The Podge gets in the break of the day some 65k+ from the finish and looked menacing as he passed through Valkenburg the first time (picture MOR)

BiciSport @ Amstel Gold Classic @ 16 Apr - chasing The Podge inspired breakaway was the somewhat tortured peloton already looking broken at Valkenburg the first time (picture MOR)

BiciSport @ Amstel Gold Classic @ 16 Apr - chasing riders in Valkenburg through the race convoy

BiciSport @ Amstel Gold Classic @ 16 Apr - The Podge comes through Valkenburg the second time and most definitely solo. The race was over (picture MOR) with The Podge having a lower back stretch

BiciSport @ Amstel Gold Classic @ 16 Apr - Healey & Pidcock come through Valkenburg looking miserable having been worked over by The Podge on the second pass (picture MOR).

BiciSport @ Amstel Gold Classic @ 16 Apr - the Womens race convoy passes the Fixed Gear Coffee lounge … home for an Amstel Gold day out.

BiciSport @ Amstel Gold Classic @ 16 Apr - huge crowds in Valkenburg with loud music, lots of alcohol and The Podge took the victory

BiciSport @ Amstel Gold Classic @ 15 Apr - Fixed Gear Coffee lounge # 1 in Valkenburg sees the Womens Race pass five times and the Mens race pass twice (in the street outside).

BiciSport @ Amstel Gold Classic @ 15 Apr - Fixed Gear Coffee lounge # 2 is a mixture of bike shop & coffee lounge right in the heart of Valkenburg

BiciSport @ Amstel Gold Classic @ 15 Apr - Fixed Gear Coffee lounge # 3

BiciSport @ Amstel Gold Classic @ 15 Apr - Australian cyclist Rachael Neylan (second left) with her Cofidis team mates at Valkenburg

The Shimano Experience Centre @ Valkenburg @ 16 Apr - Wow # 1 …. located in a most insignificant street in the outskirts of Valkenburg is the Shimano Experience Centre (with Anytime Fitness upstairs !). This was amazing, stylishly designed inside & out, with all manner of displays & goodies inside ranging from clothing, gravel, MTB & road bikes, bike hire and a nice cafe.

The Shimano Experience Centre @ Valkenburg @ 16 Apr - Wow # 2 … inside the front foyer

The Shimano Experience Centre @ Valkenburg @ 16 Apr - Wow # 3 … a tiny part of a huge display zone inside

BiciSport Training @ Velle (Antwerp) @ 10 Apr - The day after Paris Roubaix and a chance to ride the rural laneways near Antwerp for L to R … Mike van der Lawson, Koen VerHulst, Eddy VerHulst & MOR

BiciSport @ Sint Niklaas @ 10 Apr - Koen VerHulst (left) presents Mike van der Lawson with his new Force team jersey. BiciSport is sponsoring the Belgian Force team for three years from 2023. BiciSport Australia is on the collarbone part of the jersey

BiciSport @ Niewkerken Waas WAOD event @ 7 Apr - Koen VerHulst (BiciSport Team Force) rode well in Niewkerken over 60k. There are three cycle racing leagues in Belgium - UCI (first category), WAOD (second category) & TTC (third category)

BiciSport Team Force @ Niewkerken @ 7 Apr - Team Force took their first WAOD victory with Tom Vanneuville (red helmet)

BiciSport Team Force @ Niewkerken @ 7 Apr - Team Force celebrates with Tom Vanneuville (white wine)

RACE SEEKER - THIS WEEK

• 17 Apr - 24 Apr

  • BiciSport to the Belgian Spring Classics

• 23 Apr

  • Eastern Creek Raceway (Waratah Masters)

BICISPORT TRAINING RIDES

• Every Mon/Wed/Fri Mornings

  • Centennial Park Masters @ Centennial Park

    • Meet at the corner of Parkes Drive/Grand Drive at 8.30am and do CP laps until 9.30am then coffee at Spruce Goose Cafe

• Tues 18 Apr & Thurs 20 Apr

  • 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 20 Apr

  • Belgian Waffle Ride @ Centennial Park @ Spruce Goose Cafe @ 10.30am for Park laps

• Sat 22 Apr

  • Coffee @ Sandstone Cafe Miramare Gardens @ 9.30am

A grand tour of a very grand cycling “Brown Belgian Cafe” - Belgium is littered with what they call Brown Cafes.

Literally every village has at least two - dressed in heavy brown tones, wood work everywhere, plus the heavy tinge of stale cigarettes or maybe just simply stale (that can also include the customers ! ). People may even call them rustic, others call them “period”. The special Brown Cafe in these pictures is by invitation only and very much a cyclists paradise. In the above pic note the signatures of Johan Museeuw, Frank Hoste & Eddy Merckx (twice) plus Jo Planckaert

A grand tour of a grand cycling “Brown Belgian Cafe” # 2

A grand tour of a grand cycling “Brown Belgian Cafe” # 3

A grand tour of a grand cycling “Brown Belgian Cafe” # 4

A grand tour of a grand cycling “Brown Belgian Cafe” # 5 - very much a Stairway to Cycling Heaven

A grand tour of a grand cycling “Brown Belgian Cafe” # 6

Liege Bastogne Liege 2023 - not an easy race to follow by car, and at best maybe two or three viewings. The red return leg has two relatively easy viewings near Vielsam

News Shorts - 10 April

Eastern Creek Raceway @ 10 Apr - Stew Campbell (BiciSport Happy Wheels) takes a B grade victory

BiciSport Report on Paris Roubaix 23 @ 9 Apr - Just over a two hour drive down the A1 Motorway in heavy fog for a 9am arrival in Compiegne. Crowds were building in Compiegne and took up position under the start banner at 9.30am and waited.

Plans were to then hit zone 6 but police road closures near Orchies thwarted that idea and we settled for zone 15 by sheer accident (we really had no choice). Talk about good luck as the police had set the road closures kilometres away in the middle of nowhere & then along came the salvation in dear old zone 15. Zone 15 came with its own bustling street party, a big tv screen, food, local produce and a band & seemingly endless beer, The French crowd was all for Van Aert but the victory went to VdP.

Paris Roubaix 23 @ 9 Apr - Compiegne start line (Wout van Aert in yellow jersey)

Paris Roubaix 23 @ 9 Apr - Zone 15 street party was left of picture in a local farmers paddock …. and it went off

Paris Roubaix 23 @ 9 Apr - The zone 15 street party had a must see TV screen & seats were provided

Paris Roubaix 23 @ 9 Apr - The zone 15 street party came with live music

Paris Roubaix 23 @ 9 Apr - VdP followed by Delkenlob & Ganna through the Zone 15 Feed Zone

Paris Roubaix 23 @ 9 Apr - Wout van Aert through the Zone 15 Feed Zone with VdP just behind

Paris Roubaix CycloSportive @ 8 Apr - Mike Lawson (BiciSport) before the start of the PR CycloSportive on the Saturday near the Roubaix Velodrome

Paris Roubaix 23 @ 8 Apr - The latest Eddy Merckx monument unveiled at the Camphin-en-Pevele cobbles just before this edition of Hell and 20k from the finish at the Roubaix Velodrome

Paris Roubaix 23 @ 8 Apr - on the Wannehain pave @ zone 6

RACE SEEKER - THIS WEEK

• 10 Apr - 24 Apr

  • BiciSport to the Belgian Spring Classics

• 13-16 Apr

  • National Masters Track Championships (Brisbane)

• 15 Apr

  • Glen Innes Gravel

• 16 Apr

  • Mail Run CycloSportive (Singleton, NSW)

  • West Head Road Race (Manly)

  • Hayman Gravel Classic (ACT)

  • Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters)

BICISPORT TRAINING RIDES

• Every Mon/Wed/Fri Mornings

  • Centennial Park Masters @ Centennial Park

    • Meet at the corner of Parkes Drive/Grand Drive at 8.30am and do CP laps until 9.30am then coffee at Spruce Goose Cafe

• Tues 11 Apr & Thurs 13 Apr

  • 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 13 Apr

  • Belgian Waffle Ride @ Centennial Park @ Spruce Goose Cafe @ 10.30am for Park laps

• Sat 15 Apr

  • Coffee @ Sandstone Cafe Miramare Gardens @ 9.30am

Paris Roubaix Training Day (Thursday) @ 6 Apr - Wout van Aert has completed his training effort at the Roubaix Velodrome. Conditions were cold & damp on the Thursday with light drizzle making the pave both slippery & dangerous.

Paris Roubaix Training Day (Thursday) @ 6 Apr - A very dirty Team Wanty rider jumping into the Wanty team bus after finishing at Carrefour

Paris Roubaix Training Day (Thursday) @ 6 Apr - AG2R on the Carrefour pave

Paris Roubaix Training Day (Thursday) @ 6 Apr - No putting your mouth to that gift from the Wanty Sports Director …. at the Carrefour pave with the L’Arbre Hotel in the background (right)

Amstel Gold Race starts in Maastricht then morphs into the worlds hilliest criterium over some 260k.

Lets not talk about the endless corners, countless traffic furniture and general road calming devices !. Most climbs and connect roads are traversed several times and in the opposite direction to the first pass. The finish is in Valkenberg (only 15 minutes by train from the Maastricht start).

Despite racing on rural laneways it’s not the easiest race to follow in a car or on a bike. A case of getting to Valkenberg and watch them come past a few times then head to a local cafe with a TV and a beer.

News Shorts - 3 April

Ronde van Vlaanderen @ 2 Apr - the day dawned very cold but the wind was pretty soft when compared to previous days. The BiciSport group decided on an early morning ride with the Force Team on the Dutch-Belgian border then headed back to Oudenaarde to see the Ronde. The Womens Ronde (pictured above with 30k to go) was a cracker of an edition and the Men’s event was an all time classic.

Ronde van Vlaanderen @ 2 Apr - Belge fan action in the Maarke Kerkem local pub # 1. Laden with genuine Flanders atmosphere all routing for Wout the Wonderful.

Ronde van Vlaanderen @ 2 Apr - Belge fan action in the Maarke Kerkem local pub # 2. A great round of applause greeted the amazing Podge victory.

Ronde Day Training Ride @ De Kikker @ 2 Apr - The Force Team lined up outside De Kikker Cafe in Niewerken Wass before a super brisk ride around the Dutch polders in the Netherlands (the Dutch Belge border is just 10k away).

Ronde Day Training Ride @ De Kikker @ 2 Apr - Koen Verhulst (left) and Mike Lawson (BiciSport - near red helmet) lead the post ride discussion in De Kikker pool room

Ronde Day Training Ride @ De Kikker Cafe @ 2 Apr - the church goers from across the road had departed the local church after Sunday service and headed straight for a cleansing ale at De Kikker (note - we hadn’t reached midday yet)

BiciSport @ Dwars door Vlaanderen @ 29 Mar - The Dwars race was a midweek semi Classic over 200k. BiciSport ventured firstly down to the Holleweg cobbles then to the Etikhove Railay Bridge

BiciSport @ Dwars door Vlaanderen @ 29 Mar - Greg Van Avermatt on the Holleweg cobbles near Oudenaarde

BiciSport @ Dwars door Vlaanderen @ 29 Mar - Caleb Ewen @ Etikhove Railway Bridge

BiciSport @ Dwars door Vlaanderen @ 29 Mar - Caleb Ewen @ Etikhove

BiciSport @ Dwars door Vlaanderen @ 29 Mar - Phillipo Ganna on a charge

Ronde van Vlaanderen Cyclosportive 2023 @ 1 Apr - Mike Lawson before the start in cold & damp conditions.

BiciSport to Belgium @ 30 Mar - Mike Lawson behind the Tom Boonen bronzed legs exhibition on top of the Taainberg cobbled climb near Etikhove in Flanders

BiciSport to Belgium @ 30 Mar - Mike Lawson (left) & Koen Verhulst after a local training around Oudenaarde. Koen is wearing the Team Force jersey with BiciSport noted across the collarbone. The sponsorship with BiciSport is a 3 year deal.

RACE SEEKER - THIS WEEK

• 3 Apr - 24 Apr

  • BiciSport to the Belgian Spring Classics

• 9 Apr

  • Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters)

• 10 Apr (Mon)

  • Eastern Creek Raceway (Eric Mather Cup - Waratah Masters)

  • Mt Ku Ring Gai Criteriums (Northern Sydney)

BICISPORT TRAINING RIDES

• Every Mon/Wed/Fri Mornings

  • Centennial Park Masters @ Centennial Park

    • Meet at the corner of Parkes Drive/Grand Drive at 8.30am and do CP laps until 9.30am then coffee at Spruce Goose Cafe

• Tues 4 Apr & Thurs 6 Apr

  • 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 6 Apr

  • Belgian Waffle Ride @ Centennial Park @ Spruce Goose Cafe @ 10.30am for Park laps

• Sat 8 Apr

  • Coffee @ Sandstone Cafe Miramare Gardens @ 9.30am

The upcoming BiciSport Belgian calendar -

April

8 - Paris Roubaix CycloSportive, 9 - Paris Roubaix Classic

12 - Brabant Arrow Classic, 15 - Amstel Gold CycloSportive (Netherlands)

16 - Amstel Gold Classic (Neth), 19 - Fleche Walloon Classic. 23 - Liege Bastogne Liege Classic

Paris Roubaix 2023 - a time to eat cobbles as part of a balanced diet

BiciSport to Roubaix 2023 - A different approach for ‘23.

Accommodation is 4 nights in the tiny village of Bachy (located between Orchies & Cysiong) near the top of the attached map. An early morning drive to Compiegne for the Sunday start in Compiegne, dash to the mid race cobbles at Viesly, then more than a mad dash to the cobbles at Cysiong, then find a cafe somewhere with a tv.

Ugo De Rosa RIP - an inspiration to many and one of the most creative frame builders on the planet.

News Shorts - 27 March

BiciSport @ E3 Saxo Classic @ 25 Mar - a Jayco rider leads the breakaway just after the Kortekeer climb

The day dawned cold, wet & windy but improved late in the day. Missed spectating at the Holleweg cobbles due to heavy traffic congestion coupled with a downpour of rain. So it was off to the Kortekeer climb then down to the Mariaborrestraat cobbles just outside Oudenaarde. The race at that point was splitting badly with maybe five groups. Sadly Peter Sagan was right at the back looking forlorn. Van Aert took the victory. What a Classic day.

BiciSport @ E3 Saxo Classic @ 25 Mar - Wout van Aert just after the Kortekeer climb

BiciSport @ E3 Saxo Classic @ 25 Mar - VdP causing some real agitation on the Mariaborrestraat cobbles just outside Oudenaarde

BiciSport @ E3 Saxo Classic @ 25 Mar - Wout van Amazing on the Mariaborrstraat cobbles

BiciSport @ E3 Saxo Classic @ 25 Mar - Peter Sagan looking like he wanted to be anywhere but on the Mariaborrestraat cobbles.

BiciSport @ E3 Saxo Classic @ 25 Mar - QuickStep team car near Oudenaarde

Michel Wuyts Narration @ Maarke Kerkem @ 24 Mar - Michel has been the leading Belgian tv commentator for many years and presented a cycling narration about Tom Boonen, Frank Van Den Broucke, Andre Tchmil & Jacques Anquetil

Michel Wuyts Narration @ Maarke Kerkem @ 24 Mar

BiciSport report on the Ghent Wevelgem weekend can best be described as wet, windy & cold.

Heffron Park Tuesday Criteriums @ 21 Mar - Rolly Delaytz (BiciSport Happy Wheels) takes second overall & second in B grade and just a single point behind the B grade Series leader with one round to go on 28 March. Go Rolly !.

Heffron Park Tuesday Criteriums @ 21 Mar - Henry Baird takes a great win and the B Grade Series pointscore lead by just one point from Rolly Delaytz (BiciSport)

Heffron Park Tuesday Criteriums @ 21 Mar - Rolly Delaytz (wearing the B grade Series Leader Jersey)

Heffron Park Tuesday Criteriums @ 21 Mar - Rolly Delaytz

NSW Masters Track Champs @ 19 Mar - Jeremy Hopson (BiciSport Pilu Racing) takes the Gold medal

NSW Masters Track Champs @ 19 Mar - Jeremy Hopson takes third

NSW Masters Track Champs @ 19 Mar - Masters medallists for BiciSport include Davide Browne, Peter Verhoeven & Ian Grant

NSW Masters Track Champs @ 19 Mar - Davide Browne goes Gold again

RACE SEEKER - THIS WEEK

• 28 Mar

  • Heffron Park Tuesday Night Criteriums @ 6pm

    • Oh no, this is the last one until October 23

• 27 Mar-26 Apr

  • BiciSport to the Belgian Spring Classics

    • De Ronde over 1 & 2 Apr

• 1 Apr

  • Snowy Mountains Classic Cyclosportive (Jindabyne)

  • Tour of Brisbane (Qld, NRS)

• 2 Apr

  • Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters)

BICISPORT TRAINING RIDES

• Every Mon/Wed/Fri Mornings

  • Centennial Park Masters @ Centennial Park

    • Meet at the corner of Parkes Drive/Grand Drive at 8.30am and do CP laps until 9.30am then coffee at Spruce Goose Cafe

• Tues 28 Mar & Thurs 30 Mar

  • 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 30 Mar

  • Belgian Waffle Ride @ Centennial Park @ Spruce Goose Cafe @ 10.30am for Park laps

• Sat 1 Apr

  • Coffee @ Sandstone Cafe Miramare Gardens @ 9.30am

Belgium @ Patersberg Training Ride @ 24 Mar - on a pedal near the Patersberg climb on the day before the E3 Classic and along comes Johan Miuseeuw and a happy snap ensued.

Johan was World Champion in 1996, won Tour of Flanders x 3, Paris Roubaix x 3 and E3 Classic x 2

The upcoming Belgian calendar going forward -

March

29 - Dwars Vlaanderen Classic

April

1 - Tour of Flanders CycloSportive, 2 - Tour of Flanders Classic

8 - Paris Roubaix CycloSportive (France), 9 - Paris Roubaix Classic

12 - Brabant Arrow Classic, 15 - Amstel Gold CycloSportive (Netherlands)

16 - Amstel Gold Classic (Neth), 19 - Fleche Walloon Classic. 23 - Liege Bastogne Liege Classic

The Ronde for 2023 - starts again in Brugge after a few years of starting in Antwerp. After the start a large loop out towards Kuurne, through Dienze, and the real action starts at Kluisbergen with 3 laps over the Old Kwaremont cobbled climb. The BiciSport group will follow the race by bike and see the Mens race five times and the Women’s race three times.

Flanders Classics 2023 have a 70 car fleet (yes, 70 !) of delightfully decorated BMW’s and this is the Race Convoy Lead Car. Now we are talking bling.

News Shorts - 20 March

Force Team gathering @ Nieuwkerken @ 17 Mar - Koen Verhulst (in 2023 Force team jersey) and Mike Lawson (right)

Mike Lawson & Mike O’Reilly met with the 20+ members of the Force Team at the Cafe De Kikker (The Frog Cafe) on the Belge-Dutch border. The team was in attendance to collect their 2023 team clothing & discuss the coming racing season (the teams first race is on 8 April in Nieuwkerken).

For those into their cycling history - Cafe De Kikker was the official Tom Steels supporters club watering hole.

BiciSport is co-sponsoring the Force team from 2023 (initially for a three year period). This collaboration is a great opportunity for BiciSport to support a progressive Belgian team and will open up further opportunities into the future. “BiciSport Australia” is located on the collarbone patch on the jersey.

Force Team gathering @ Nieuwkerken @ 17 Mar - back left is Mike Lawson, Koen VerHulst & Stijn VerHulst. A big thank you to Koen VerHulst for making the collaboration with the Belgian Force Team possible.

Force Team gathering @ Nieuwkerken @ 19 Mar - two days later and Mike Lawson goes with the Force team for a 2 hour journey through the Polder Land into the Netherlands & returns to the Cafe de Kikker

Force Team gathering @ Nieuwkerken @ 19 Mar - two days later and the Force Team pose for a happy snap in the Cafe De Kikker

Force Team gathering @ Nieuwkerken @ 17 Mar - Cafe De Kikker (The Frog Cafe) is the classic Flemish watering hole. Full of Flemish charm, a hint of rustic, nostalgic, neglected, edgy, blunt, old & smelly but above all completely friendly & welcoming.

Velle Junior Race @ 19 Mar - 95 starters lined up for the 55k junior race in good weather conditions

Velle Junior Race @ 19 Mar - before the start with Stijn & Maarten VerHulst (on the podium) in charge

Velle Junior Race @ 19 Mar - the junior peloton with two laps to go

Velle Junior Race @ 19 Mar - the first place went to Thor Feyaerts (Belgium)

Velle Junior Race @ 19 Mar - The Van Hoye sponsored Ford diesel is 30+ years old clunker and is an institution at the local Velle races as the official lead car. The term “Wedstrijd” just means cycle race.

In the picture is L to R … Mike Lawson, Maarten VerHulst (Velle Race Organiser), MOR & Eddy VerHulst.

BiciSport in Flanders @ Nokere Kourse @ 15 Mar - the Holleweg cobbles are just 2k from the tiny hamlet of Maarke Kerkem where BiciSport base themselves for the Belgian Spring Classics

BiciSport in Flanders @ Nokere Kourse @ 15 Mar - the Holleweg cobbles with Tim Merlier (Soudal QuickStep) who won the race

BiciSport in Flanders @ Nokere Kourse @ 15 Mar - the best presented team car in the Belgian pro peloton coupled with the best bike in the business

NSW Masters Track Champs @ DGV @ 18 Mar - Davide Browne (BiciSport Happy Wheels) takes Gold in a Teams Pursuit !. Rumours that Davide is only a selfish sprinter has now been completely discounted, and we look forward to a blossoming road racing & hill climbing career

NSW Masters Track Champs @ DGV @ 18 Mar - Ian Grant (BiciSport Anytime Fitness) takes Gold in the Scratch Race

NSW Masters Track Champs @ DGV @ 18 Mar - Davide Brown (BiciSport Happy Wheels) took Silver in the Sprint

RACE SEEKER - THIS WEEK

• 21 Mar

  • Heffron Park Tuesday Night Criteriums @ 6pm

    • Summer Series concludes 28 Mar

• 20 Mar-26 Apr

  • BiciSport to the Belgian Spring Classics

• 26 Mar

  • Lansdowne Park (Waratah Masters)

  • Bobbin Head Classic Cyclosportive (Turramurra)

  • John Woodman Handicap (Wagga to Albury)

BICISPORT TRAINING RIDES

• Every Mon/Wed/Fri Mornings

  • Centennial Park Masters @ Centennial Park

    • Meet at the corner of Parkes Drive/Grand Drive at 8.30am and do CP laps until 9.30am then coffee at Spruce Goose Cafe

• Tues 21 Mar & Thurs 23 Mar

  • 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 23 Mar

  • Belgian Waffle Ride @ Centennial Park @ Spruce Goose Cafe @ 10.30am for Park laps

• Sat 25 Mar

  • Coffee @ Sandstone Cafe Miramare Gardens @ 9.30am

BiciSport to the Belgian Spring Classics 2023

In 2023 the Belgian Spring Classic program is detailed below with weekly updates in BiciSport News on this website or on the BiciSport Sydney Facebook page.

March

24 - E3 Saxo Classic, 25 - Ghent Wevelgem CycoSportive, 26 - Ghent Wevelgem Classic

29 - Dwars Vlaanderen Classic

April

1 - Tour of Flanders CycloSportive, 2 - Tour of Flanders Classic

8 - Paris Roubaix CycloSportive (France), 9 - Paris Roubaix Classic

12 - Brabant Arrow Classic, 15 - Amstel Gold CycloSportive (Netherlands)

16 - Amstel Gold Classic (Neth), 19 - Fleche Walloon Classic, 23 - Liege Bastogne Liege Classic

The Saxo E3 Classic is well known for the somewhat different pre publicity marketing. The marketing poster above is 2023, with 2017 below.

The E3 Classic itself is a Friday event over 250k before the Ghent Wevelgem weekend. The E3 is a virtual replica of the Tour of Flanders in many ways with the same cobbled climbs often raced from a different direction.

The feature of the Ghent Wevelgem weekend is the Menin Gate at Ieper. Dedicated to the lost soldiers with no known grave from World War 1.

News Shorts - 13 March

BiciSport @ Tirenno Adriatico Pro Tour @ 10 Mar - Mike Lawson (BiciSport - white helmet) with the Italian tifosi (or fans) at the stage finish at Sassetteto. Conditions were best described as BLEAK in Italy (the stage in the Paris Nice race was cancelled due to the same awful weather system). The wind was that strong Mike’s glasses were blown off his face !, and riding a bike was virtually impossible. At one point some 400m from the stage finish Mike was blown to a standstill. Mike also experienced heavy rain & hail. .

BiciSport @ Tirenno Adriatico Pro Tour @ 10 Mar - bleak conditions at Tirenno

BiciSport @ Castorano @ 9 Mar - Mike Lawson’s view from his apartment near Siena

Heffron Park Tuesday Criteriums @ 7 Mar - Rolly Delaytz (far right - BiciSport Happy Wheels) takes first in B grade, with A grade taking the overall

Heffron Park Tuesday Criteriums @ 7 Mar - Rolly Delaytz (BiciSport Happy Wheels) hits the repeat button for a Tuesday night B grade victory

West Head Road Race @ 12 Mar - David Munro on the left (BiciSport Pilu Racing)

Carcoar @ Blayney Gravel @ 12 Mar - Marty Wright (BiciSport) centre of picture

Carcoar @ Blayney Gravel @ 12 Mar - Marty Wright

RACE SEEKER - THIS WEEK

• 14 Mar

  • Heffron Park Tuesday Night Criteriums @ 6pm

    • Summer Series concludes 28 Mar

• 14 Mar-26 Apr

  • BiciSport to the Belgian Spring Classics

• 17-19 Mar

  • NSW Masters Track Champs (DGV)

    • BiciSport starters Jeremy Hopson, Davide Browne, John Robb

• 19 Mar

  • Eastern Creek Dragway (Waratah Masters)

  • Velle Junior Race (Antwerp, Belgium) sponsored by BiciSport

BICISPORT TRAINING RIDES

• Every Mon/Wed/Fri Mornings

  • Centennial Park Masters @ Centennial Park

    • Meet at the corner of Parkes Drive/Grand Drive at 8.30am and do CP laps until 9.30am then coffee at Spruce Goose Cafe

• Tues 14 Mar & Thurs 16 Mar

  • 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 16 Mar

  • Belgian Waffle Ride @ Centennial Park @ Spruce Goose Cafe @ 10.30am for Park laps

• Sat 18 Mar

  • Odd Spoke Criteriums @ Eastern Creek Raceway @ 6.45am

  • Coffee @ Sandstone Cafe Miramare Gardens @ 9.30am

Belgian Spring Classes 2023 @ 9 Mar - the Patersberg climb @ 9 Mar just 5k from Oudenaarde …..

Belgian Spring Classes 2023 @ 9 Mar - the BiciSport Service Course is at www.kokerelle.be (picture above taken @ 9 Mar). The swimming pool can wait until August ….

Belgian Spring Classes 2023 - another bbrrrr pic from the Kokerelle AirBnB towards the front garden @ 9 Mar. Even Santa’s little elf looks cold.

BiciSport to the Belgian Spring Classics 2023

In 2023 the Belgian Spring Classic program is detailed below with weekly updates in BiciSport News on this website or on the BiciSport Sydney Facebook page.

March

15 - Nokere Kourse (Belgium)

18 - Dwars Vlaanderen Cyclosportive, Velle Antwerp 55k Junior Race sponsored by BiciSport

24 - E3 Classic, 25 - Ghent Wevelgem CycoSportive, 26 - Ghent Wevelgem Classic

29 - Dwars Vlaanderen Classic

April

1 - Tour of Flanders CycloSportive, 2 - Tour of Flanders Classic

8 - Paris Roubaix CycloSportive (France), 9 - Paris Roubaix Classic

12 - Brabant Arrow Classic, 15 - Amstel Gold CycloSportive (Netherlands)

16 - Amstel Gold Classic (Neth), 19 - Fleche Walloon Classic, 23 - Liege Bastogne Liege Classic

For the Belgian Spring Classics the “Wednesday” professional races are typically “semi Classics” whilst the weekend races are generally full status Classics.

The first Wednesday race being the Nokere Kourse on 15 March starting in Deinze with the opening loop through Gavere, back towards Oudenaarde, up the Wolvenberg climb, across the Holleweg cobbles near Mater (just about every race in Flanders hits the Holleweg cobbles at some point) to finish with 4 local laps in the small village of Nokere

The BiciSport accommodation is at the tiny hamlet of Etikhove (Maarke Kerkem) which is close to the Wolvenberg climb (see above, map towards the right)

BiciSport is a co-sponsor to the Velle Junior Road Race over 55k on 19 March near Antwerp

BiciSport Velle (Belgium) Junior Race over 55k attracted 100 starters in 2022 (start line picture above).

The next edition is Sunday 19 March 2023 and again in Velle.

News Shorts - 6 March

Heffron Park Tuesday Night Criteriums @ 28 Feb - Rolly Delaytz (BiciSport Happy Wheels) comfortably won B grade at Heffron in a fine display of sprinting

Heffron Park Tuesday Night Criteriums @ 28 Feb - Rolly Delaytz takes the B grade win

Heffron Park Tuesday Night Criteriums @ 28 Feb - Rolly Delaytz

Heffron Park Tuesday Night Criteriums @ 28 Feb - Rolly Delaytz crosses the finishing line

Heffron Park Tuesday Night Criteriums @ 28 Feb - Rolly Delaytz

Heffron Park Tuesday Night Criteriums @ 28 Feb - Giving Rolly the beauty treatment (… not that he needs it …)

Heffron Park Tuesday Night Criteriums @ 28 Feb - Rolly Delaytz

Narrabeen Lakes Cycle Path @ 1 Mar - the Narrabeen Lakes cycle path is a mixture of bitumen and light gravel. It was a chance to pay respects to Graham Jones.

Graham Jones was a long time member of firstly Manly Cycle Club then BiciSport in his later years. Graham was a keen race organiser and contributor to all things cycling - including the development of the Terrey Hills cyclo cross circuit. Graham was killed in an early morning training ride near Chatswood on 10 November 2002.

In memory of Graham's strong community focus there is a walking bridge named in his honour along the Narrabeen Lakes Walk (near the Narrabeen Fitness Centre carpark).

Mike Lawson (BiciSport) is currently in Siena for the Strade Bianche Classic

The village of Melden at the bottom of the Koppenberg climb - the Koppenberg Cafe always has topical artwork on the front window.

Koppenberg climb with views towards the Schelde River, just 5k from Oudenaarde

Oudenaarde dates are now confirmed for the BiciSport trip to the Belgian Spring Classics 2023. See the dates below. Weekly News updates and Facebook posts will be from 15 March starting at the Nokere Kourse near Oudenaarde. Mike Lawson gets the ball rolling at the Strada Bianche in Italy on 4 March

The picture above was taken at the Kapel Mur (Chapel Wall) at Geraadsbergen with Marty Wright & Mike Lawson

March

4 - Strada Bianche (Italy), 15 - Nokere Kourse (Belgium), 18 - Dwars Vlaanderen Cyclosportive, 19 - Velle Junior Road Race (sponsored by BiciSport)

24 - E3 Classic, 25 - Ghent Wevelgem CycoSportive, 26 - Ghent Wevelgem Classic, 29 - Dwars Vlaanderen Classic

April

1 - Tour of Flanders CycloSportive, 2 - Tour of Flanders Classic, 8 - Paris Roubaix CycloSportive

9 - Paris Roubaix Classic, 12 - Brabant Arrow Classic, 15 - Amstel Gold CycloSportive

16 - Amstel Gold Classic, 19 - Fleche Walloon Classic, 23 - Liege Bastogne Liege Classic

THREE PEAKS CHALLENGE 2023 - CANCELLED

• Due to ongoing issues with a road slippage at Bogong near Falls Creek the 2023 event has been cancelled and the next edition will be held on 10 March 2024

RACE SEEKER - THIS WEEK

• 7 Mar

  • Heffron Park Tuesday Night Criteriums @ 6pm

• 11 Mar

  • Bendigo Madison Weekend (Vic) - cancelled

• 12 Mar

  • Eastern Creek Raceway (Waratah Masters)

  • West Head Road Race (Manly)

BICISPORT TRAINING RIDES

• Every Mon/Wed/Fri Mornings

  • Centennial Park Masters @ Centennial Park

    • Meet at the corner of Parkes Drive/Grand Drive at 8.30am and do CP laps until 9.30am then coffee at Spruce Goose Cafe

• Tues 7 Mar & Thurs 9 Mar

  • 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 9 Mar

  • Belgian Waffle Ride @ Centennial Park @ Spruce Goose Cafe @ 10.30am for Park laps

• Sat 11 Mar

  • Coffee @ Sandstone Cafe Miramare Gardens @ 9.30am

Trofeo Baracchi Two Man Time (Italy) - 1944 to 1991

Pictured above is Fausto Coppi (left) with Riccardo Filippi

This unique 100k Italian classic was created by Mino Baracchi in memory of his father (Angelo). The who’s who of world cycling took the victory in the two man time trial in Ercole Baldini, Aldo & Francesco Moser, Jacques Anquetil, Rudi Altig, Eddy Merckx, Ferdi Bracke, Felice Gimondi, Fons De Wolf & Freddy Maertens

Eddy Merckx (left) and Ferdi Bracke on the start ramp

Davide Boifava (left - Molteni) was one of the few Baracchi partners who gave Eddy Merckx (right) a hard time. Boifava was an excellent rider in his own right but had much more success as a pro team Sports Director in future years

Freddy Maertens (left) and Joop Zoetemelk

Knut Knudsen (left) & Roy Schuiten

Felice Gimondi (left) & Martin Rodriguez

Roger De Vlaeminck (left) & Eddy Merckx