To coincide with the arrival of the Giro d’Italia in the region, the Gran Fondo Mario Cipollini was introduced in Forte dei Marmi to members of the press and a host of remarkable guests and sponsors, including: Paolo Garimberti, the President of Rai, the assistant director Gianfranco Comanducci, the president of Federazione ciclistica italiana, Renato di Rocco, Paolo Barilla of Barilla Spa, Valentino Campagnolo of Campagnolo Srl, Enza Doimo of Frezza Inc., Zecchetto of Giordana, Ezio Isacchini and Guido Peracchi of Comar Italia, and Marco Mauri of Monwatch.

Together with the mayor of Lucca, Mauro Favilla, and the President and the Director of Lucca Fiere & Congressi, Domenico Petrocelli and Alessandro Dianda, Cipollini described the race course he chose for this particular competition. The race will take place in his native land, along the very roads where Mario Cipollini trained to become a champion.

“I have personally planned the route and chosen my favorite roads along all the land of Lucca,” stated Cipollini.

A shared vision among Lucca Fiere & Congressi, Comune di Lucca and the Italian cycling champion Mario Cipollini, the inaugural Gran Fondo Mario Cipollini will take place in conjunction with Lucca Bike, a three-day festival totally devoted to the two-wheeled world, with sport activities, such as an international bicycle race that the Lucca born champion has always personally wanted in his home town.

Scheduled for the spring of 2011, the Lucca Bike exposition will welcome both technical and accessorial innovations from the cycling industry, but there will also be the opportunity to investigate and discuss the main themes related to cycling in meetings open to the public, and to watch or take part in sport activities of different levels. The exhibition will present numerous interesting areas apart from those linked to bike manufacture, such as “soft mobility,” the policies implemented by institutions to entice citizens to walk and ride in order to improve the quality of air and also a more active lifestyle. Lucca Bike 2011 will also provide an educational point of view, thanks to a collaborative planning with local schools. Great attention will also be devoted to tourist cycling, a field which both in Italy and all over the world yearly gathers an ever-increasing number of participants.

Lucca is one of the Italian capitals of cycling, both for the number of people who use it daily as a means of transport and for the amount of members enrolled in amateur and competitive leagues. The city boasts 44 km of bicycling paths and a network of hundreds of kilometers of white roads leading to the green hills in the surroundings. It also has one of the largest town centers in Europe reserved for pedestrians as well as for bicycles. The hometown of Mario Cipollini, one of history's greatest cycling champions, Lucca seemed destined to organize an event where the bike acts as the central character.

The Gran Fondo Mario Cipollini intends to be one of the great national and international cycling rendezvous, with participants from all over Europe and the World. Mario Cipollini, who still holds numerous cycling records, has placed his full experience at the disposal of the Town of Lucca and Lucca Fiere & Congressi with the aim of realizing an international event.

With the safety of its participants at the forefront during the planning, the race course will wind through the whole province. The characteristic features of the course offer all the challenges that a cyclist would find in a competition. There are three options available to the rider, each course providing different features, technical sections and distances: 1) Corto Fondo (53 km), 2) Medio Fondo (115 km) and of course 3) the Gran Fondo (152 km). The final section of the race will wind round the fascinating city Walls, which in the past saw giants of the sport, such as Bernard Hinault and Francesco Moser compete in a race against the clock during the Giro d’Italia.

“This will be a very important event," commented Mayor Mauro Favilla. “It will witness the close link between the bike and Lucca, which coincidentally has been nominated the Italian capital of urban green. The exhibition will be hosted in the fair district of Lucca, a new structure in a strategic position to the town centre. I wish to thank our champion Cipollini, since we have together believed in the realization of this event. I am convinced that all the artistic towns have nothing but advantages to gain from encouraging the use of bicycles.”

“I am proud and honored to have been called and involved by the municipal administration in the Lucca Bike plan,” added Mario Cipollini. “I have been frequently asked to give my name to a competition, but today they are also offering me the chance to let the entire world know the splendor of this land. I never forgot, in fact, that all my wins started on the roads of this province, rich in cycling routes suitable for everyone, and ones which we are going to run through again thanks to the Gran Fondo.”

On the occasion, Cipollini also announced that this enterprise will pay particular attention to children, so that they can learn how to love sport. This piece of news attracted the attention of Paolo Garimberti, President of Rai: “Sport helps growth and Rai pays a special attention to children, as we have just been demonstrating with the event “Cartoon on the Bike.”

For any further information, please visit www.granfondomariocipollini.it

One of the great traditions of the sport of cycling is not found in the pageantry, pomp and circumstance, but quite literally on the very roads of that the cyclists race over, the chalk or painted tributes that fans leave for their favorite teams or riders.

Last year, Lance Armstrong's LIVESTRONG Foundation took the tradition up a notch on the streets of France with its Chalk-Bot. And now the bar has been raised again with artist Kathleen King's Bike Scribbles.

In similar guerrilla-like fashion to those who create street art, we took to the actual course, she drawing while I filmed, to spread a little cheer at various start lines, finishing cities and KOMs of the 2010 Amgen Tour of California.

Sacramento - Stage 1

Davis - Start of Stage 2

Start city of Stage 2 of the 2010 Amgen Tour of California also new home to the US Bicycling Hall of Fame

Davis, CA - Walking around the city of Davis waiting for the start of Stage 2 of the 2010 Amgen Tour of California, it became apparent why Bicycling Magazine recently named it the best cycling town in the United States.

Streams of commuting locals and visitors, some of whom rented bikes from local hotels during their stay, flowed down streets just as freely as automobiles, while the community pride in their two-wheeled affiliation was constantly on display, whether it be in the penny-farthing shaped bicycle racks found around the city or in the images of same antique bicycle on many of the town's parks and recreations vehicles.

So when plans to relocate the US Bicycling Hall of Fame from its original Somerville, New Jersey home were being hatched, it was not much of a surprise that Davis was at the top of the list.

Located in the heart of downtown Davis on 303 B Street, the new US Bicycling Hall of Fame opened in April of 2010.  Combining the memorabilia of the Somerville location with the UC Davis Pierce Miller Collection of antiques bikes, all of which are on display on the lower floor of the three-leveled building, the hall of fame is a must see for all cycling fans and bicycle aficionados alike. And who knows, you may just run into a Hall of Famer, like mountain biker, Cheri Elliott, while you are there.

Admission is $5 for adults and it is open on Wednesdays from 2pm - 8pm and on Saturdays from 8am - 2pm. T-shirts, hats, and other souvenirs are available in the gift shop.

See more photos of the memorabilia and bicycles on display at the US Bicycling Hall of Fame in our Photo Gallery.

Photos: © Leonard Basobas

If you are a fan of women’s cycling, as we are, here is yet another opportunity to actually support it. We have featured Amber Rais our site several times in the past, and for good reason. I could begin to list her superlatives, but its better that you read about her background and her current situation for yourself.

The Triple Crankset is basically a non-profit site; choosing instead to give back to cycling in a manner by which we see fit. As such, we will be donating the bulk of our advertising dollars toward Amber’s dream to race at this year’s US Nationals. To most that may not sound like good business, but then again, when has investing in people ever been a bad thing to do.

Make your pledge today, http://bit.ly/Apex_Austria

Those who support TFK through the 2 Mile Challenge could help the organization earn up to $50,000 this year

San Rafael, CA - Trips for Kids (TFK) has earned $25,000 as one of the three bike-focused nonprofits Clif Bar & Company has selected to lead its 2 Mile Challenge, a program that encourages the public to bike instead of drive trips under two miles. The nonprofit team with the most supporters with the most miles traveled will win an additional $25,000.

"The CLIF BAR 2 Mile Challenge really motivates the public get on their bikes to fight climate change by translating their efforts into financial support for their favorite bike advocacy group," says Marilyn Price, Trips for Kids executive director. "This invitation to partner with CLIF BAR is a huge honor because bike advocacy and environmental protection are among Trips for Kids' fundamental goals."

Participants can help Trips for Kids win this additional funding by registering online for the 2 Mile Challenge, joining the Red Team to pedal for Trips for Kids and logging their miles traveled by bike before October 31, 2010.

"Forty percent of urban travel is less than two miles and about ninety percent of those trips are taken by car," says Ryan Mayo, brand experience manager of Clif Bar & Company. "We are thrilled to partner with Trips for Kids for the 2 Mile Challenge because, as an organization empowering youth to bike, it greatly influences the rising generation of bike and car commuters."

Register for the CLIF BAR 2 Mile Challenge to join the Red Team and pedal for Trips for Kids at www.2milechallenge.com. The Gold and Blue Teams will be pedaling for the Alliance for Bicycling & Walking and the Alliance for Climate Education, respectively.

For more information about TFK and to donate to the organization, please visit www.tripsforkids.org or call Marilyn Price at 415.458.2986.

Atlanta — Team Type 1 and 23andMe announce a strategic partnership to research and understand Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes through 23andMe’s Personal Genome Service. 23andMe, Inc., an industry leader in personal genetics, conducted a genetic analysis of all 88 members of Team Type 1, to investigate diabetes and how genes impact athletic performance. The analysis was conducted at Team Type 1’s training camp in Georgia where saliva samples from each team member were collected.

The process by which 23andMe genotypes DNA uses the latest in DNA technology. Once the lab receives a sample of a person’s saliva, DNA is extracted, cut into smaller, more manageable pieces and applied to a DNA "chip." The DNA chip is a small glass slide with millions of microscopic beads on its surface. Attached to each bead are "probes"—bits of DNA complementary to sites in a person’s genome where their single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs, are located. SNPs act as biological markers and allow scientists to locate genes associated with disease.

The last time a study like this was conducted was in 2009 when over 100 players from the NFL were recruited for a study to understand how genes impact athletic performance. It was the largest genetic examination ever conducted on professional American athletes.

"We are pleased to partner with Team Type 1 on this diabetes research project," said Anne Wojcicki, President and Co-Founder of 23andMe. "We hope to advance the scientific research into Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes using our web-based research platform which creates an entirely new way to study complex diseases, as we have done with our Parkinson's Disease Initiative."

“Team Type 1 is excited to join forces with 23andMe to research and understand the role genes and our environment impact diabetes,” said Team Type 1 Founder and CEO, Phil Southerland. “It’s partnerships like these that help Team Type 1 take its mission to the next level to create change in people’s lives.”

Results of Team Type 1’s genetic analysis with 23andMe will be available in the coming months.

Mountain bike pioneers and Bay Area Community members raise nearly $3,000 for Trips for Kids at the annual Brews, Bike and Bucks party

San Rafael, Calif. - Trips for Kids' annual Brews, Bikes and Bucks fundraiser held Sunday, February 21, attracted more mountain bike pioneers, along with dozens of Bay Area-based mountain bikers, than it has since its inception 12 years ago. The raffle ticket and drink sales along with the silent auction revenue brought in nearly $3,000 to support Trips for Kids' mission to take under-served youth around the world on mountain bike excursions.

Mountain bike superstars in attendance included Gary Fisher, Ned Overend, Juli Furtado, Joe Breeze, Scot Nicol, Otis Guy, Ross Shafer, Jacquie Phelan, Charles Kelly, Sky Yaeger, Steve Potts, Rich Sutton, Michael Kelley and Chris Lang.

"This event is such a great opportunity for the founders of mountain biking and mountain biking enthusiasts to gather and celebrate the sport," said Marilyn Price, Trips for Kids founder and director. "Many of the same people attend every year because the party is such a good time, but I think this year's Brews, Bikes and Bucks event was enormously successful because of the energy of the people there."

The donated raffle and silent auction prizes that helped make the fundraiser successful included a 2009 Jamis Bakar XC dual suspension bike and a 2010 Marin Bikes Alpine Trail 29er. Broken Drum Brewery, the annual venue host, added to the event's success by donating all of the Brews, Bikes and Bucks drink sales to TFK.

"I like donating my place to Trips for Kids because it is such a great locally based organization that gets kids out of the concrete jungle into nature," said Noah Berry, Broken Drum owner. "With Marilyn at the helm and all the great people, I can't imagine a better group to donate time and effort to."

To make a donation to Trips for Kids, please contact Marilyn Price at info@tripsforkids.org or 415.458.2986. More information about the organization can be found at www.tripsforkids.org.

Photo: Jon Suzuki

Two weeks ago, the sad news of the passing of Lino Gastaldello, who revived the Wilier Triestina brand, filtered throughout the cycling world. Along with his sons, Signore Gastaldello had run the company over the past three decades, but was tragically killed while out riding his bike in San Zenone degli Ezzelini, Italy at the end of January.

For The Love Of Cycling

Lino Gastaldello was born in Rossano Veneto on March 20, 1938, one of five brothers. From the time he was a child, the legendary Wilier Triestina cycling team captivated him. The squad was named to honor the city of Trieste, and the great champion Fiorenzo Magni led the team to a Giro d’Italia victory right after WWII. It was also the squad of other legendary riders, such as Cottur, the Maggini brothers, and Toni Bevilacqua.

Lino’s father Giovanni Gastaldello worked at the bicycle factory, which eventually integrated the team name into their brand identity. Wilier Triestina was originally founded under the name Ciclomeccanica Dal Molin in 1906, flourishing for half a century before a combination of adverse circumstances forced them to close their doors for several years.

When Giovanni Gastaldello and his sons Lino and Antonio had the opportunity to acquire the historic brand, the family jumped at the chance. The Gastaldellos paid 1,000,000 Italian Lire (about $700 or €520 in today’s currency), and became the new owners of one of cycling’s most celebrated patrimonies: Wilier Triestina.

The immense challenge of reviving a brand after years of struggle was all the more daunting due to the brothers’ artisan background with no formal training in business and management. The first step was to select the machinery that was still operational from the old factory and move it to the “new facility” – the family’s former residence on Via Stazione.

They began with the production of brazed and lugged steel frames – at that time the material and handmade manufacturing process of choice. In the beginning, they painted frames using popular colors, but soon realized that they needed to bring back Wilier’s trademark copper from the 40’s and 50’s. And so the gioelli ramati (“copper jewels”) returned to the roads of the brand’s home in the Veneto region, as well as to greater Italy. Production increased, the first employees of the new era were hired, and Wilier Triestina’s legacy was about to experience a full‐blown rebirth.

At the same time that the Gastaldello brothers were rebuilding the brand, Lino was building a family. In 1965, he had married Elisa, and out of their union would be born their daughter, Valeria, and three sons: Enrico, Michele and Andrea.

Wilier Triestina’s big break came in 1979, when former sprinter Dino Zandegù convinced the Gastaldellos to supply bikes to the Mecap Hoonved team, including famed Italian rider Mario Beccia. From then on, the story of the “new” Wilier Triestina was one of growth and success as a business as well as passionate sponsorship of cycling. In 1989, Lino Gastaldello formed the corporation Wilier Triestina SpA, serving as its president. Today, the company is known throughout the world for the quality and performance of its products.

Brand of Champions

Wilier Triestina’s fame has always been linked to the achievements of great champions. The first sponsorship of the Gastaldello era was the Mecap Hoonved team in 1979, resulting in a Giro d’Italia stage win by Mario Beccia. In 1981, it was Team Selle San Marco with Alfio Vandi winning the Coppa Placci. No truly prestigious palmarès resulted from sponsorship of Selle San Marco (1982), Mareno (1983) and Supermercati Brianzoli (1984), but success was just around the corner. In 1985, Claudio Corti of Supermercati Brianzoli won the Italian National Road Championship, as well as the Giro di Umbria and the Giro di Romagna.

After a pause, Wilier Triestina reentered professional cycling in a big way in 1995 as sponsor of Team Brescialat. Massimo Podenzana won the Giro di Toscana and Mariano Piccoli won stage 15 of the Giro d’Italia. In 1997, the brand would experience an historic year as Wilier became the official sponsor of Mercatone Uno, who had signed the legendary Marco Pantani. Il Pirata was reaching the peak of his career after recovering from serious injuries. He had a breakout performance in the ’97 Tour de France, winning the Alpe d’Huez and Morzine stages, as well as 3rd overall.

More victories came in 1999, now with Team Liquigas: Davide Rebellin won Tirreno‐Adriatico and other races while Serhiy Honchar won the World Time Trial Championships. In 2003, Wilier sponsored both Team Lampre and Team Gerolsteiner. Francesco Casagrande was Lampre’s co‐leader along with reigning World Champion Igor Astarloa, while Rebellin led Gerolsteiner, racking up several victories. In 2004, Rebellin pulled off an historic triple at the Ardennes Classics, winning Amstel Gold, Fleche Wallone, and Liege‐Bastogne‐Liege. The following two seasons saw Cofidis riders David Moncoutie win a Tour de France stage and Leonardo Bertagnolli win a Vuelta a Espana stage astride Wilier Triestina race machines.

Over the last few years, a close relationship has formed between the company and Team and Lampre – led by Damiano Cunego , and formerly, Alessandro Ballan – whose riders have served as the ultimate testers for Wilier’s top‐end models. Memorable exploits include Ballan’s 2007 Tour of Flanders, Cunego’s 2008 Amstel Gold, and Cunego’s 2007 and 2008 Giro di Lombardia victories. The ultimate confirmation of Wilier Triestina’s efforts in R&D and ProTour‐level validation came in September 2008, when Lampre and Italian national squad teammates Ballan and Cunego took first and second at the World Road Race Championships, winning gold and silver for Italy – and Wilier.

A Family Company That Will Carry On Lino's Legacy

Over ten years ago, Lino handed over direction of the company to his sons whom he had already trained and worked alongside for several years. As most Wilier fans know, Lino was still involved, carrying the title of President and sitting on the family‐chaired board of directors. Although Lino liked to be involved with sponsorship (he and his family originally motivated Lampre to sign the young and yet unproven Ballan by paying half of the new rider’s salary his first season) and the presentation of new models, his passion had always remained focused on the artisanal side of making bicycles. His heart was forever rooted in the technical and handcrafted aspects of frame building.

Lino had always been an active cyclist and loved everything about bicycles, riding and racing. In 2009, he led a group of local riders who took part in the Granfondo of Flanders. Just a few days before his death, he and his family had celebrated the 20th anniversary of the formation of Wilier Triestina SpA, his masterpiece. Although he still carried the title of President, he spent most of every day in his black mechanic’s shirt in the workshop.

Up until the very end, Lino Gastaldello was building bicycles with the same passion that had proven so contagious 40 years earlier.

The landing page of their corporate website currently features a farewell to Lino. It includes mention of bicycling industry personalities, political leaders and champions past & present who attended his memorial services, as well as a note of thanks to all who have conveyed condolences. There is also info on how to make donations to help children in Haiti in Lino’s honor.

Photos: Courtesy Wilier Triestina

San Rafael, CA - Trips for Kids (TFK) proudly announces its annual "Brews, Bikes and Bucks" raffle event will take place Sunday, February 21, 2010 at the Broken Drum Brewery in San Rafael, Calif. from 2 pm to 6 pm.

Now in its twelfth year, this fundraising event has become an annual gathering of local mountain bike legends and a much anticipated tradition in Marin County. The local mountain biking legends likely to attend include Gary Fisher, Tom Ritchey, Joe Breeze, Ned Overend, Scott Nicol and Otis Guy.

Admission to the event is free and attendees are encouraged to arrive early to get their seating and food before the raffle begins. Bike-related prizes will be raffled throughout the afternoon, including the grand prize 2009 Jamis Dakar XC dual suspension mountain bike (retail value $1,025) donated by Jamis Bicycles. The silent auction will include items such as a 2010 Marin Bikes Alpine Trail 29er mountain bike (retail value $785).

The prize bikes are on display at the Broken Drum Brewery at 1132 Fourth Street in San Rafael, 415.456.4677, where advance raffle tickets are on sale. All proceeds from the event's food and drink sales will benefit Trips for Kids, thanks to the generosity of Broken Drum Owner, Noah Berry.

Advance raffle tickets are also available at the Trips for Kids' Re-Cyclery Thrift Shop located at 610 Fourth Street, San Rafael, Calif., open Tuesday through Friday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Attendees can purchase tickets at event. Ticket holders do not need to be present to win.

For more information about the Brews, Bikes and Bucks event and Trips for Kids, please visit the Trips for Kids website, or call Marilyn Price at 415.458.2986.

The men roll into Qatar, Team Vera Bradley Foundation muscles up for another fundraiser, and some local flavors...

It has been a little over a year since I last wrote this Friday column, but given the time of season, it only seemed appropriate to resurrect it.

2010 Tour of Qatar

The 9th edition of the Tour of Qatar begins this Sunday, February 7th. The six-stage race will once again kick off with a Team Time Trial, which will cover 8.2km around Doha's West Bay Lagoon. Tom Boonen (Quick Step), a three-time winner of race, will return to the Gulf emirate to defend his title along with 127 other riders, 120 of whom will be looking to knock him off his golden-fleeced perch.

Schedule
Sunday, February 7 - Stage 1 - West Bay Lagoon to West Bay Lagoon – Team TT (8.2 km)
Monday, February 8 – Stage 2 - Camel Race Track to Qatar Foundation (147 km)
Tuesday, February 9 – Stage 3 - Dukhan to Mesaieed (136.5 km)
Wednesday, February 10 – Stage 4 - The Pearl to Al Khor Corniche (146.5 km)
Thursday, February 11 – Stage 5 - Lusail to Madinat Al Shamal (142 km)
Friday, February 12 – Stage 6 - Al Wakra to Doha Corniche (123.5 km)

Map

Download (PDF, 752.94KB)

Start List

Versus will not be televising the race live, but instead will show a 1-hour recap of the entire race on Sunday, February 21st from 3-4PM EST. For coverage, go to CyclingFans.com or Steephill.tv for live video.

Team Vera Bradley Foundation Fundraiser

After a successful initial Breast Cancer fundraiser in St. Louis last month, the women of Team Vera Bradley Foundation are once again flexing their muscles to raise monies to fight a disease which effects approximately 13% (one in eight) of women in the United States.

On Friday, February 12th, team members Erica Allar, Robin Farina and Alison Powers will be on hand at Uptown Cycles in Charlotte, North Carolina to host the event. Participants will have the opportunity to test their legs during one of the four Computrainer sessions in support of Team Vera Bradley Foundation's fund-raising efforts on behalf of their title sponsor the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer. All proceeds of the event will go directly to the Foundation.

Classes are open to all genders, ages and abilities. Prizes will be awarded to the fastest male and female finisher as well as the top finishers in masters, juniors, Cat 5, Cat 4 and Cat 3.

Classes begin every 75 minutes (4:00PM, 5:30PM, 6:45PM, & 8:00PM). Eight spots are available in each time slot. To reserve your spot, call Uptown Cycles at (704) 632-7440. Bring your bike, shoes, water bottle and sweat towel.

Cost: $25

Local Flavors

While a snow storm is blanketing the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States this weekend, the road season is set to kick off in other parts of the country. Below are but a few of the races, for this weekend and the next, in select areas of the country. If you have never seen a race, consider taking in your first. If you have never participated, but are considering making the leap, make 2010 the year to do so.

02/06/2010
Boulevard Road Race
Boulevard, CA
Flapjack Flats Time Trial
Pinal County, AZ

02/07/2010
7th Annual Red Trolley Classic
San Diego, CA
McDowell Mt. Circuit Race
Fountain Hills, AZ
Cherry Pie Criterium
Napa, CA

02/12/2010
Valley of the Sun Stage Race
Phoenix, AZ

02/13/2010
Cantua Creek Road Race
Coalinga, CA

02/14/2010
Pine Flat Road Race
Piedra, CA

02/15/2010
Dinuba Criterium
Dinuba, CA