Lance Armstrong's Italian Job

After breaking his collarbone a few weeks back, Lance Armstrong has decided to take a low key approach in his preparation for the Giro d’Italia which will start this weekend. Instead of doing races in Europe, he had a 2-week training camp at altitude in the Colorado Rockies and is currently doing a race in the US so small that he and his teammates almost got excluded for being over qualified.

How would Armstrong fare in the 3-week Giro? It would be hard to guess since no cyclist of Lance Armstrong’s pedigree had ever tried retiring at the top of his game and then made a return to high level bike racing and then break his collarbone. I think that Armstrong originally planned to be competitive at the Giro but his injury might prevent him from doing so. Instead, he will use the Giro as a preparation for the Tour de France this July and will just be supporting teammate Levi Leipheimmer, who is currently in exceptional form.

This year’s Giro will most likely be a toss up between Armstrong’s team, ASTANA, and the rest of the Italians. However, the Italians have a tendency to quarrel among themselves during the race that they would rather have someone win their own race rather than one on them.

The race organizers also have shown biased towards local riders, too. Back in the 80’s, Giro organizers altered the route of one hard mountain climbs for the tifosi’s favorite son, Francesco Moser. Moser, who was an exceptional time trialist, was a so-so climber compared to Frenchman Laurent Fignon who was the better climber. Moser would go on to win that race.

After Leipheimmer, the other favorite would be Ivan Basso. Basso was Armstrong heir apparent when he confessed to being a patient of the infamous Dr. Eufemiano Fuentes of Operation Puerto fame. After an almost 2 year ban from racing, Basso is now ready to claim that throne.

Lasang

Bilar’s Man-made Forest never ceases to enchant me. If I have my way, I’d plant trees along all roads here in Cebu. Last week, I biked to Bilar with VELLUM’s Euguene Sanchez and local boys Pio Castro and Bryan Besa. I was there for the city fiesta and as a Bol-anon, it would be mortal sin if I missed it for no good reason.

Rendezvous was at the Dauis junction and at exactly 5:30, we were off. I had a loose crankarm bolt near Baclayon so I had to go back to get the right tool (thanks to Rey Cimini). After fixing it, I was riding solo wishfully thinking that I could catch the trio. Fortunately for me, they were waiting at the top of the forest, enjoying the scene. Eugene told me that could not help but gush about the place, telling me that he stopped at the middle of the forest, savoring the area with his senses before moving on.

If there is a perfect place to ride your bike, this is it. The place is just near the city, the climb isn’t too steep, the people are hospitable and the place is simply heaven.

Trademark time

We don’t own “TIME” and we don’t own “TIDE”. Heck, we don’t even own “LIFE”! So the next you use the phrase “sky hook,” you better get permission from NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar since the Lakers special assistant coach has trademarked the words. “My legacy is part of the game. I might as well do something with it, so I put my little trademark on it,” Abdul-Jabbar said. Proceeds from “sky hook” apparel sales will help fund a new venture that involves fundraising for grade schools and high schools.

Finally, I’d like to wish my cousin, Dulce Clarin and her new husband Quinn Karter, good luck after walking down the aisle two weekends ago. I wish you guys the best! -  THE FREEMAN