Superman was wounded once...ONCE!

Armstrong honoured with memorial in Spain

Armstrong honoured in Spain
Photo ©: AFP

Lance Armstrong was honoured with a memorial erected by inhabitants of Antigüedad, Spain, at the roadside spot where he fractured his collarbone during first stage of the Vuelta Ciclista a Castilla y León. The small village - population 385 - found an old, blue racing bike and cast its rear wheel into concrete with a plaque that reads "La clavicula de Armstrong" - Armstrong's collarbone.

"It was clear that we weren't going to put a new bike there and had to get one that wasn't used anymore," said David Cancho, one of the youngsters that put the memorial into place.

Cancho is part of a non-profit association commemorating a historical event, the transfer of Philip I of Castile's body from Burgos to Granada in 1507. During the trip leading through Antigüedad, a soldier fractured his wrist in the hamlet. A memorial cross was erected to honour the soldier, and this sparked the idea to create yet another monument.

"It was during one of our association meetings," Cancho told AS. "We talked about doing something to on Armstrong's accident, and someone remembered this other story. That's how the idea took shape, always with humour and no bad intentions." (HK)

shamwow

Hamilton Not Done Yet

Hamilton: Cycling's not done with me yet

By Kirsten Robbins

Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing) enjoys
Photo ©: Jon Devich

Tyler Hamilton announced his retirement from professional cycling on Friday, April 17, following an admission to a second positive doping test, which will likely see him effectively banned for life. The reigning US National Champion ends a career which spanned nearly 20 years, during which he climbed atop sport's loftiest podiums before experiencing its lowest lows.

When asked what the future holds, Hamilton said, "I'll take some down time and make sure I'm OK, and then move forward from there. It's a beautiful sport. Cycling's not done with me yet."

After six years of domestique duty with the US Postal Service team, Hamilton left to forge a successful career with Bjarne Riis' CSC team in 2001. During his time with Riis, Hamilton scored high profile victories in the Giro d'Italia, with a stage win and second place overall in 2002. In 2003, he took victory in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the overall win at Tour de Romandie and a stage in the Tour de France.

In 2004, after making a move to the new Phonak squad, he took gold in the Olympic Games time trial in Athens. However, the following month he tested positive for a homologous blood transfusion. After a lengthy battle, he served a two-year suspension before returning to race in 2007.

Hamilton returned from his suspension in September, 2006. He quickly signed with the Tinkoff Credit Systems team, but was let go from the squad after his name came up in association with the Operación Puerto case. Hamilton was nearly resigned to retirement until Rock Racing's Michael Ball gave him the chance to compete for the American team.

"Michael pulled me out of retirement back them," Hamilton said. "But, I think now is a good time to step away and focus on my issues with depression and my family issues. I need to move forward to the next part of my life the next chapter and I will have many great memories."

His latest doping positive comes after a February 9 out-of-competition control performed by USADA while Hamilton was at his Rock Racing team camp in California. He tested positive for a banned steroid (DHEA). Hamilton decided to make the announcement on Friday.

"I woke up knowing that I'd be talking to a few people to make it official and it really hit home and I am really sad," Hamilton told Cyclingnews. "All careers have to come to an end. I didn't want it to end like this but life throws curve balls and I'm trying to see the reason why this has happened."

Coming up on Cyclingnews will cover Amstel Gold live on April 19 at 11:30 local Europe time (CEST)/ 20:30 Australian time (CDT)/ 5:30 (USA East) WAP-enabled mobile devices: http://live.cyclingnews.com/wap/

"It's been an incredible ride," Hamilton said of his career. "Cycling gave me an amazing opportunity to be a part of it all. I met so many great people and saw beautiful places. I've had my share of ups and down. It was a bit of a roller coaster but I've always tried to be humble respectful of others. This sport has given me a lot and I'm greatly appreciative of that. I will give back to it because I feel like I owe this sport something."

According to Hamilton, he came close to retirement on several occasions in the last few years, most recently after his victory at the US Pro Championships held in Greenville, South Carolina last September. "After winning that race, such as tight race, I thought maybe that was a good time to step away. I tried to retire a couple of times but, I didn't," he said. "Bike racing was just starting to go good for me in the second part of the year. I started being part of the race and I enjoyed that. It is so hard to hang up the wheels in this sport."

Remember your bike builder, Peter Togasaki

To Peter's Family and Friends,

We would like to extend an invitation to join us on Saturday, April 25th, between 12 Noon and 8 pm, for an Open House in our home at 6917 (Plsease contact Wrench Science for details.) It will be an informal (both in structure and dress) chance for us all to see each other and remember our beloved Peter. We're certain it has been a long year for all of us since we lost Peter last April 29th, 2008. We've all had to negotiate a new world without his presence while trying to incorporate his spirit and joie de vivre into our lives. It has been a year of "triggers" that brought back memories of Peter and moments we shared with him; memories that brought both smiles and tears.

Peter loved his family and friends with a passion, spending every free moment he could with them. It seems fitting that we have a chance to see one another to celebrate his life. An "Open House" means we won't have any formal structure or ceremony...it's a drop by when you can for as long as you wish, an hour or all day. If your schedule is such that you can only make it in the morning, or later in the evening, then please come by when you can. We'd like to see you all. Also, please forward this invitation to anyone we might have missed. We'll have some of Peter's favorite foods prepared just as he liked them. You're welcome to bring treats if you feel so moved. Feel free to BYOB. Children are welcome...Peter loved kids. If the day is warm and dry, the new backyard patio (built by the incredible combined efforts of many of you) will be open. There will be cigar and pipe smoking for those so inclined, weather permitting.

So we hope to see all of you Saturday, April 25th. Bring your good spirits, memories of Pete, and join us.

What: Peter's Remembrance Party
Where: (Please contact Wrench Science)
When: Saturday, April 25th, 12 - 8 pm
Home phone (land line): 510-841-4748
No Cell Phone Service
Lots of Parking (in the driveway or on the corner of Moore and Shepherd Canyon Rd)


With love,

Steve, Sally, Jessica, and Alekist

Where did all the Niners go?!

Niners have been flying off the shelves for a while now. It has not been uncommon for the RIP 9, Jet 9 and Air 9 to be sold out. But this spring, they are moving faster and more frequently then ever before! The only model currently available might be the Jet 9. I say might because even those are thinning out, certain colors in certain sizes, such as the Vanna White Large or Medium.
Right now, and perhaps throughout these more temperate months of 2009, the best way to get a Niner is to place one on backorder. This will ensure your earliest possible delivery, as all orders are filled in the order that they're received. I am expecting the RIP 9 and possibly other models to be possibly sold out perpetually, as each production run is sold out. Right now we are looking to June or July for the next run to come available to ship. That being said, Niner did surprise us with early arrivals of all the backordered framesets for Wrench Science customers, beating their worst ETA's by 4-6 weeks! Pedal Damn it!