Tour de France 2010: Sergio Paulinho, domestique

CEBU, Philippines - A lot of folks have asked me how come there are no Filipinos in the biggest bicycle race in world. Well, the answer is simply talent, or in our case, the lack of it. In professional cycling, you can get a contract to ride for a professional team maybe because of “friends”, but when it comes to riding for a team in the Tour de France, it’s all about talent and current form.

All pro cyclists are talented but peaking in July is another story. A broken collarbone or maybe an infection in May or June can derail someone’s ambitions to ride for the TdF team. Remember that there are 25 riders in a team and only two or three are automatic shoo-ins for the squad. Alberto Contador, Lance Armstrong, Andy Schleck, Cadel Evans and most team leaders automatic because they are not only talented, they give a face to their teams.

Yesterday’s winner, Sergio Paulinho is a Portuguese domestique for Lance Armstrong’s team, RADIO SHACK. Just like the other domestiques in the team, he had to fight for a spot in the team. The great thing about Paulinho’s win was that he wasn’t supposed to win or even go out on a break away. He was supposed to help LA win an 8thTdF but when LA cracked during stage 8, the team’s objective apparently changed from targeting the overall leadership to stage wins.

Paulinho’s greatest achievements so far was the silver medal in the 2004 Olympic games and a stage win in last year’s Vuelta a Espana. The 30yo also finished 6th in the 2004 Volta a Portugal and also got a bronze in the U-23 road race in 2001.

Team Sponsorships

You may have read that SAXO BANK, the team of yellow jersey Andy Schleck, was pulling out of cycling this year. How could a team end a sponsorship when when everything looks golden for next year?

Reasons includes financial problems, image problems (due to a rider who tested positive) or maybe because the company had already met its objective about the awareness of their brand.

Fortunately for the SAXO BANK management, they have found a new sponsor for the next two years. The sad thing is that its top riders, Andy and brother Frank are leaving to form a new team. Also rumored to follow the Schlecks is World TT champion and the most successful Classic rider of 2010, Fabian Cancellara.

I guess team owner and 1996 TdF champion Bjarni Riis, who has an eye for potential talents, will have to get new riders for for 2011.

Sometimes, it’s obvious what the sponsor does. But there are other sponsors who doesn’t ring a bell. Here are a few of them: RADIO SHACK is a electronic retail shop in the US. CERVELO (US) and BMC (Swiss) are bicycle companies. QUICKSTEP manufactures wooden tiles in Belgium, while AG2-R is a French insurance company. –THE FREEMAN