AK47 Update

Back in the saddle after a short time off, AK wins the opening TT at the Giro del Trentino.

With GC contenders like Basso, Di Luca, Simoni, and Garzelli close behind, this will be a good test of his form.

The Juice Is On High

Mongo correctly predicts Rebellin in first and Cunego in third at Fleche Wallonne. An-orexic Schleck came in second

(Photo:Graham Watson/VeloNews)

Fleche Wallonne Predictions

1. Davide Rebellin

2. Roman Kreuziger

3. Damiano Cunego

(Photo:VeloNews)

Hammerfestastic

Hmm...Eat less+Train more=Ride stronger...Go figure!

Mongo "will" be ready for the Summer Omnium Series.

Shaving Grams While Losing Pounds

Mongo came to the conclusion and understanding a while ago that, barring me getting a completely new carbon fiber frame, the weight of my road bike would remain slightly below nineteen pounds.

Fortunately for me, there's something called "rolling weight". This is the combined weight of the rider and the machine. Since I can't lose any more weight on the machine, I've been concentrating on the rider.

Since emerging from my Winter hibernation with more blubber than would be acceptable on a Walrus, Mongo has focused on burning fat and improving my climbing. So far, so good!

Mongo has lost an entire Time VXR from around my waist...and my climbing skills have improved from McEwen to Hushovd.

White Russian Or Black Russian?

Sergei Ivanov's most recent employers.

1. Fassa Bartolo

2. T-Mobile

3. Astana

4. Katusha

The first three are among the most scandal and doping plagued teams in Pro cycling history...and the fourth is Russian!

At thirty four years old, Ivanov wins the Amstel Gold Race against many of the top cyclists in the world. Isn't it a little odd that he hasn't won any race of substance during his career, especially since 2001, and now he pulls off this huge victory?

(Photo:Graham Watson/VeloNews)

Sucking Sucks..Doesn't It?

Another former "Doping Champion" finds the road to redemption paved with excuses and bad results.

After testing positive for Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which is a steroid, Kelly Leak/Moocher has called his career a day.

Which leads me to this appropriate and prophetic cartoon.

(Photo:VeloNews)

Ralph

I can unequivocally state that what happened to me today is the grossest, most disgusting, three seconds of time altering horror that I have ever experienced on my bicycle.

A delivery truck, giving me a nice wide berth as he went around me, ran directly over a large, dead Possum, with both the front and rear wheels.

At the exact moment the shredded carcass flew into the air after exiting the rear wheel, Mongo rode by at a brisk 24mph into a spray of death and disease.

I'm not saying anything went in my mouth , but...

357 Magnum P.I.

"Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?"

(Henry David Thoreau)

Benny The Jet

Will somebody with a Pro Tour license please give this man a job! He's too good to be relegated to a second tier team with limited big race opportunities.

He's paid his due for "whatever" he did, and most of all, he's still winning.

Including this weeks Scheldeprijs, Petacchi has notched up seven wins this season. Granted, it was mostly against the Jelly Bellys of Europe, but he still has the goods to win on the highest level.

C'mon Liquigas...you already have Basso...one more ain't gonna hurt you.

(Photo:VeloNews)

I Will Choose A Path That's Clear

It's over! My brief romance with the sexy newcomer I like to call,"Expensive fake leather white bar tape that looked like crap after the first ride", has come to an abrupt end.

Mongo is known throughout the local cycling community as someone who is extremely anal about both the mechanical and cosmetic performance of his bikes. That's why the grimy, white bar tape had to go.

I'm back in black, baby! Specifically, a Cinelli carbon weave that matches my stem, bar, and seatpost. The s**t looks tight. Unfortunately, it has the same amount of padding as no padding.

...To The Fishes In The Deep Blue Sea

I've talked a little bit before about my personal pursuit of joy as I journey through this life. I say joy because words like happy or happiness have very little substantive meaning to me. But joy...this is a word which represents a feeling that is programmed in our DNA. It can't be faked or manufactured, but instead, it rises from the depths of your soul like a perfect wave cresting a sandbar. Ultimately revealing itself in a smile, laugh, or twinkle in the eye.

Paris-Roubaix Haiku

Boonen takes the win

Hushovd and Haussler were close

Race of attrition

(Photo:VeloNews)