Must Reads: Cavendish form ‘pretty good for January;’ Mosquera has no plan B, and more.
Cycling news from all over.
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HeraldSun: Cavendish ready to take on Greipel Down Under
“It’s no longer an early-season training race. It’s a big part of the calendar,” Mark Cavendish tells the Herald Sun about the Tour Down Under, which starts Sunday. Cavendish said his form is “pretty good for January” and was ready to take on defending TDU champion and former teammate Andre Greipel. But he said he hasn’t spoken to Greipel. “Why would I? I’ve maybe spoken to four people who weren’t on my team since the end of the season,” Cav said.
Versus: Versus to air daily Tour Down Under features
The Versus cable network will air daily half-hour stage recaps during Australia’s Tour Down Under, January 18-22. The coverage will air at 6 pm ET. Also, the network will stream the entire final stage of the race live online beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET. Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen will provide commentary. Sherwan also will host a half-hour race preview show on January 17 at 6 p.m. ET.
Daily Record: Scotland to bid for Tour stage
Scottish tourism officials are bidding to host a stage of the 2017 Tour de France, likely between Edinburgh and Glasgow. The national events agency EventScotland estimates it would cost 5 million pounds to hold the event but bring in 100 million pounds. Paul Bush, chief executive of EventScotland, said: “We think the event is a natural fit for Scotland with the history of the Auld Alliance. We’ve already had three meetings with the race organizers about a possible bid.”
Telegraaf: Mosquera says suspension would end his career
Vuelta a Espana runner-up Ezequiel Mosquera tells the paper he’s growing frustrated waiting for the UCI to make a ruling after he tested positive for a masking agent. Mosquera sgned with Vacansoleil for 2011 and attended a team presentation in Rotterdam Monday. The 35-year-old said if the UCI decides to slap him with a suspension, he has no plan B. “Then, it’s time for other things in life.”
BN/De Stem: Boom plans to ride cyclocross worlds next year
2008 world cyclocross champion Lars Boom won the Dutch championships Sunday, the final ‘cross race of the season for him. The Rabobank rider will skip the world championships to begin training for the road season. However, Boom told the Dutch news site De Stem that he might race ‘cross worlds in 2012. In an interview, Boom asked where worlds would be held next year. When told they would be in Koksijde, Belgium, “the eyes of the Rabobank rider did shine.”Then I definitely do it.”
