Frattini: 2013′s top-10 moments in cycling
With the close of 2013 just a few weeks away, Canadian Cycling Magazine’s writers are reflecting on the major moments of the past year. Following Rob Sturney’s opening salvo, Kirsten Frattini sets down her top-10.
10. Brian Cookson wins the International Cycling Union presidential election
Brian Cookson, the former British Cycling boss, became the most powerful man in the sport of cycling after defeating Pat McQuaid in what was a bitter and controversial presidential election held in Florence, Italy. The cycling community is expecting Cookson’s new leadership to have a positive impact on re-shaping the future of the sport.
9. The UCI elite cyclocross world championships held in the U.S.
The elite cyclocross world championships were held for the first time in North America at the Eva Bandman Park in Louisville, Ky. It was also the first time in the cyclocross world championships’ 64-year history that the event was held outside of Europe. Marianne Vos and Sven Nys won the elite events.
8. Svein Tuft wins a stage of the Tour de France
At his first-ever Tour de France, the veteran time trial specialist played a massive role in his Orica-GreenEdge team’s victory during the Stage 4 team time trial, a 25-km race in Nice. The win helped put his teammate Simon Gerrans in the yellow jersey.
7. Milan-San Remo shortened due to snow
Miserable, cold and snowy weather conditions forced race organizers to stop, delay and shorten Milan-San Remo, bypassing the Turchino and La Manie climbs. Riders re-started the race in Cogoleto, two hours after the original start in Milan. MTN-Qhubeka’s Gerald Cioleck won the sprint finish.
6. RadioShack-Leopard’s Chris Horner wins the Vuelta a España
Chris Horner, 42, was the first American and the oldest racer to win a Grand Tour at the Vuelta a España. According to Horner, his victory signifies two decades of hard work. Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali, who won the Giro d’Italia in May, placed second and Spain’s Alejandro Valverde third.
5. Marianne Vos wins road world championships, again!
Marianne Vos is a 12-time world champion in the disciplines of road, cyclocross and track racing. Watching her stand on the top step of a world championship podium never gets old. Why? Because she’s the gutsiest rider in the women’s peloton. She’s fearless, aggressive and smart.
4. International Cycling Union appoints first-ever female vice-president
Australia’s Tracey Gaudry became the first female vice-president of the UCI in November. The former professional cyclist was president of the Oceana Cycling Confederation and worked with the UCI management committee. One of her responsibilities will be to improve women’s cycling. “We want to put women’s cycling in the position that it deserves,” she said.
3. David Veilleux wears the yellow jersey at the WorldTour Critérium du Dauphiné
The racer from Cap Rouge, Que., secured his biggest career win when he soloed to the Stage 1 victory in Champery at the Critérium du Dauphiné. He was in a decisive breakaway for much of the 121-km stage and attacked his small group with 45 km to go. He rode alone to the finish line, winning the stage by nearly two minutes ahead of the field. With help from his Europcar teammates, he hung onto the yellow jersey through the next three stages. This performance secured him a spot on the start line of his first-ever Tour de France.
2. Chris Froome wins the 100th Tour de France
Chris Froome became the second Briton, after Sir Bradley Wiggins, to win the Tour de France on the prestigious event’s centennial run. It was his consistent performances and help from teammate Richie Porte in the Alps and the Pyrenees stages that led to what seemed like a near-flawless victory for Team Sky.
1. Lance Armstrong admits to doping
Lance Armstrong admitted to using performance-enhancing substances during his professional cycling career in an exclusive two–part interview with Oprah Winfrey. His admission came after the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency publicly released its Reasoned Decision investigation that pointed to Armstrong as the leader of what has been dubbed the biggest doping conspiracy in sporting history. He was subsequently stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and banned from Olympic sports for life.
