Fortunately today’s budget seems to have been reasonably kind to me as I have incurred further expense. While out riding in West Sussex I heard a cracking noise from the bike but didn’t think much of it. On getting home I was shocked to see that my Shimano XTR rear hub flange has broken and the wheel is a scrapper.
I can’t recall when I bought the hub but I do know that I used the wheel on my Roberts in P-B-P 2003 so it has had a fair bit of use. But XTR is top mountain bike stuff so surely it should be up to the job. After all the bearings and freehub are perfect. I have ordered a pair of Shimano factory wheels from Ribble for £90 and I am expecting them to see me out. Sixteen spokes in the front wheel is heady stuff so I should be able to find the holy grail of a 16mph average.
The start of today’s stage was delayed for two minutes by a rider protest against Cav’s “lack of respect for the peloton.” In the first photo you can see Oscar controlling a hairy back wheel skid in masterly fashion.
Unlike the Criterium du Dauphine which, excluding Contador and Menchov, has a modest field the Tour of Switzerland should provide some clues about who will be in the frame come July.
The sprints should be exciting affairs with Mark Cavendish, Oscar Freire, Heinrich Haussler, Alessandro Petacchi, Robert Hunter, Gerald Ciolek, Allan Davis, Peter Sagan, Matti Breschel, Stuart O’Grady and Robbie McEwen expected to start.
Fabian Cancellara who won last year says he will be riding a clean bike and among the other contenders for the overall are Andy and Frank Schleck, Roman Kreuziger Michael Rogers, Luis Leon Sanchez, Simon Špilak, Robert Gesink and Kim Kirchen. Also at full strength is the team of Johan Bruyneel who takes Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer and Andreas Klöden.
I guess a lot of people will be listening for a buzzing sound if Cancellara attacks.
Jackie is in good company in these photos. I suspect the first photo is of the Merseyside Two Day in about 1961 with the late Ken Matthews officiating.
