ChechuRubiera.info - an online magazine for fans of Chechu Rubiera


CHECHU'S RACE SCHEDULE 2009

Tour Down Under
18 to 25 January

Tour of California
14 to 22 February

Vuelta Ciclista a Castilla y León
23 to 27 March

Vuelta Ciclista a País Vasco
6 to 11 April

Giro d'Italia
9 to 31 May

Clasica Ciclista San Sebastian
1 August

Tour de l'Ain
9-12 August

Tour of Ireland
21-23 August

Vuelta a España
29 August to 20 September


RACE DIARY 2009



1st CRITERIUM CIUDAD DE OVIEDO




Contador, Rubiera and Hernandez line-up for the TTT

The first Criterium Ciudad de Oviedo was held in November and paid tribute to Samuel Sanchez, Olympic champion and local hero. Samuel won overall, but Astana's team of Contador, Rubiera and Hernandez took the TTT prize. A win at home! And an emotional moment for Chechu.



Photographs courtesy of Herminio Garcia Aller


VUELTA A ESPAÑA 2009

29 AUGUST to 20 SEPTEMBER 2009


See Vuelta Race Diary


TOUR OF IRELAND

21 to 23 AUGUST 2009


See Tour of Ireland Videos and Race website

23 August

Stage 3: Bantry to Cork, 185km

Wicked weather. And most of Team Astana (and most of the peloton) called it a day. Chechu made it to Cork, finishing 17th at 51'. He rocketed up the GC to finish 18th overall at 3'20". Just wait until you see the photos. It was wet!

22 August

Stage 2: Clonmel to Killarney, 196km

Chechu gained KOM points today, crossing the summit of the 1st category climb of Curragh in 6th place, before the descent into Killarney and the bunch sprint finish. He finished 76th, same time as winner Mark Cavendish. He now lies 64th overall at 2'22". Chechu is also 6th overall, with 12 points, in mountains competition.



Photograph © Graham Watson, Team Astana

21 August

Stage 1: Powerscourt to Waterford, 196 km

Chechu was in an early break, but missed the decisive move with 40km to go. He came home with the main bunch, finishing 51st at 2'12".





Photographs © Graham Watson, Team Astana



Photograph © Tour of Ireland


TOUR DE L'AIN

9 to 12 AUGUST 2009




Photographs © Christine and Roger Kahane

12 August

Stage 4: Belley-Culoz to Col du Grand Colombier, 129.6km

With his job done on the final race day, and with two hectic weeks ahead, Chechu didn't finish today's stage. He's scheduled to race next week in Ireland before returning to Spain for the Vuelta (starts 29th August).

Chris Horner just missed taking the yellow jersey. He couldn't quite catch winner Rein Taaramae on the final climb, and finished 2nd overall at 25".

11 August

Stage 3a: Lelex Mont Jura 103.2km, Stage 3b: St-Genis-Pouilly 8.8km

An early start, with today's split stage. A tricky mountain stage was followed by a short 8.8km individual time trial.

Chechu finished safely in 43rd place on the first stage, and 54th at 58" behind Alexandre Vinokourov in the TT. A great day's work. He's now 35th overall at 4'27".



10 August

Stage 2: Trevoux to Oyonnax, 146.5 km

A final ascent of Côte d'Arbent, followed by 3.5km flat run-in to the finish, leads to a peloton sprint for the line. Chechu finishes safely in 36th place, and now lies 59th overall at 47".



9 August

Stage 1: Bourg-en-Bresse to St. Denis les Bourg, 146.5km

Chechu finished in 84th place in the main peloton, 37" behind winner of the breakaway sprint, Mickaël Buffaz.


29th CLÁSICA CICLISTA SAN SEBASTIÁN

1 AUGUST


Asturian Carlos Barredo wins with Chechu listed as DNF.

He told us on Sunday that he didn't finish, but he's OK (no crashes). His condition isn't great but it is improving.


GIRO D'ITALIA

9 to 31 MAY 2009


See Giro Race Diary


VUELTA CICLISTA AL PAÍS VASCO

6 to 11 APRIL 2009




Photograph © Team Astana

11 April

Stage 6 : Zalla to Zalla ITT, 24km

Congratulations to Alberto Contador, the first rider in history to win País Vasco two years in a row. And to Team Astana, who return home exhausted from this challenging tour, having lost two team-mates but still delivering their leader to a memorable victory.

Only 82 riders took part in yesterday's time trial, from an original peloton of 157. It was a tough week. Chechu came in 66th at 4'51", and finished in 80th place overall, at 41'58".

Alberto Contador has talent and passion in bucket-loads, and by all accounts, he's also a nice man. He thanks his team-mates religiously, without whose protection on hard climbs and windy plains, much of his success would be impossible.

Chechu is the gregario, the team-mate who sacrifices himself to close down a break, or pull on the final climb. He's been here many times, and he'll shrug his shoulders at this week's result. That's cycle racing. That's his job.

But he's also a competitor and this wasn't vintage Chechu Rubiera. Whatever held him back this week - illness, injury or maybe even his Giro preparation - he'll want to do better.



Photograph © Team Astana, Stage 5

10 April

Stage 5 : Güeñes to Zalla, 169km

It was cold and wet as the peloton headed into Zalla. Astana rode in front, controlling the race as always, with Jesús Hernadez and Chechu pulling the pack along. With the rain coming down, it was a treacherous and visibility was poor.

On the podium, Alberto Contador thanked his team, delivering him safely into tomorrow's crucial time trial. The weather could be the key factor, and with only 8 seconds separating the top four riders in the general classification, it promises to be nailbiting finale.

There were more than 50 DNFs on this stage. As we know though, Chechu is tough and he never gives up. He crossed the line 82nd at 7'15", and is now 84th overall at 37'07".

9 April

Stage 4 : Eibar to Güeñes, 161km

Chechu's result today : 131st at 1'56". Now 128th overall at 30'11".



Photograph © Susanne Goetze, cyclinginside.com. Source : cyclingnews.com

8 April

Stage 3 : Villatuerta to Eibar, 172.5km

Contador wins the big one, storming up the difficult ascent to Eibar.



Photograph © Team Astana, Stage 3

It was far from yesterday's calm on the Grand Twick. How exciting it was to receive the anticipation of victory minute-by-minute. Joy and rapture. Twitter can make sense, after all.

Chechu worked hard in the early part of the race, and crossed the line in 119th place at 18'56". He is now 135th overall, at 29'41".



Photograph © Team Astana

7 April

Stage 2 : Ataun to Villatuerta, 160km

The Great Twicker reveals a calm and a sense of anticipation before tomorrow's queen stage to the Sanctuary of Arrate at Eibar.

The long descent to the line meant a mass sprint. Chechu took turns at the front of the peloton over six categorised climbs, and stayed with the main group to cross the line, same time as winner Yuri Trofimov. He now lies 134th overall at 10'45".

Today's best twicky line : "Trofimov pedals with fury".

6 April

Stage 1 : Ataun to Ataun, 142.5km

In the old days (in other words, a couple of years ago), the only way to follow a cycle race was most often a live online ticker. Not ideal, but you got the jist.

We've been spoilt recently, with TV coverage supplemented by online pictures streamed from the host broadcaster.

Today, it's simply unacceptable that a ProTour race, featuring the best road cyclist in the world, isn't available live across Europe. The USA has got it covered on Universal Sports, but most of Europe is excluded.

In English, the action in the Basque Country is best captured by RebeccaB on her live Twicker.

According to the great twick, the break was caught in the last few kilometres, with Astana (and Chechu) leading the peloton to the catch. The pace was fast on narrow Basque roads and Samuel Sanchez made the scary descents look easy. In the charge for the finish line, the twicky info is scant. A series of question marks ... what on earth was happening? A fifteen man sprint, that's what. Luis Leon Sanchez wins and Contador is safely home in 13th place.

Wearing the number 5 this week, Chechu finished with the grupetto, 151st at 10'45".

Don't be disappointed with today's result. He worked hard all day, and April is allergy time for Chechu!



Photograph © Team Astana


VUELTA CICLISTA A CASTILLA Y LEÓN 2009

23 to 27 March 2009


27 March

Stage 5 : Benavente to Valladolid, 152.5km

The final stage. Another comprehensive Astana victory. Contador worked all week for Levi Leipheimer. Of course, he could have won himself but he has bigger goals, and he'll need Levi come July.

It's hard to know how Chechu is feeling. He's not in top form but then he doesn't need to be at this moment. A week of recovery, then a short trip to the Basque Country for the Vuelta Ciclista a País Vasco, 6 to 11 April. With the Giro still over a month away, he has lots of hard work ahead.

Chechu finished 103rd at 1'35", and was 74th overall at 24'27".

26 March

Stage 4 : Santa María Del Páramo to Galende-Laguna De Los Peces, 145.4km

Another big chase, with Chechu and his Astana team-mates working hard protect Leipheimer's GC lead.

We watched the live coverage in a curious way today. With our central heating boiler in bits on the floor next to CheRubi.inf central, we had the Asus notebook wirelessly connected to the internet but hard-wired to the widescreen TV next door. Interesting, and it kind of worked. We just couldn't maximise the screen and keep picture quality. Lots of great (small) pictures of Chechu though, with his distinctive riding style.

Sadly, we missed him crossing the line at 11'33". He now lies 72nd overall at 23'14".

And what's that chat all about on justin.tv? It's just annoying.



Photograph © Graham Watson, Team Astana

25 March

Stage 3 : Sahagún to Estación Inv. de San Isiro, 156.9km

Chechu looked cool at the end of today's 156km stage to Estación Invierno de San Isiro, chatting with fans and apparently hugging babies! He told us tonight,

I am fine. My condition is not super, but better this way. It's too early for the Giro and being too well now could be a problem later.
I heard today that Lance's fracture is not easy, so maybe it takes longer than we thought. Let's see, he is a tough guy.
Tomorrow will be not easy...
Hope you are well. Say hello to everyone.
Chechu

After chasing down the breakaway - or "Chechu's hammering" as Rebecca reported on the Live Twicker - he crossed the line at 2'20" after winner Alejandro Valverde, and now lies 11th overall at 11'50".



Photograph © Graham Watson, Team Astana

Astana was responsible for much of the pacemaking in this fast and aggressive stage. Levi Leipheimer said, "My team did a great job, with Noval and Vaitkus pulling almost the whole day, and then with Chechu, Jesus Hernández and Haimar. They worked very well, because it was not simple to control on this finish".

24 March

Stage 2 : Palencia, ITT, 28.2km

Astana took first and second in today's 28.2km time trial, their disappointment over the loss of team-mate Lance Armstrong hasn't dented their fighting spirit.

No-one could match the speed of Levi Leipheimer on the blustery course, although Contador came close at just 16". Team Astana will now ride for race leader Leipheimer.

Chechu finished 48th at 2'54" and now lies 105th overall at 9'30".



Photograph © Graham Watson, Team Astana

23 March

Stage 1 : Paredes De Nava to Baltanás, 176.3km

"Yes, I am OK. Thanks. Just we lost the boss ..."

With all media coverage on Armstrong, ambulanced to hospital in Valladolid after a mid-peloton pile-up, we received this short message from Chechu. We don't think he was involved in the crash, but the loss of his friend from the race will be huge disappointment to Chechu.

He finished 127th at 6'36".

We all send our best wishes to Lance ... fingers crossed, next stop Italy.


TOUR OF CALIFORNIA

14 to 22 February 2009


22 February

Stage 8 : Rancho Bernardo to Escondido, 155.8 km

It's unlikely that Levi Leipheimer and Team Astana thought they would process unchallenged to the final finish at Escondido. But I wonder if they anticipated how hard it would be. It was hard, really hard.

Halfway and Levi was isolated in a break on the climb to Mount Palomar, and Chechu, Lance Armstrong and Yaroslav Popovych were forced to chase. Of course, in a team so experienced and so disciplined, it was nothing they couldn't handle.

Chechu crossed the line in 6th place, at 40", and jumped up the final GC to 10th overall, at 2'48".

It's a phenomenal result for Chechu, and a stunning week's work for Team Astana. Three riders in final top 10. This Tour of California was challenging, and is perhaps too tough, too early. The weather simply isn't good enough, and we shouldn't expect our heroes to suffer such conditions for our entertainment.

It was great to see Lance return to the road. The prospect of him, and Alberto Contador, and Chechu racing in Castilla y León next month is juicily tantalising and you know, we need to get organised for that one.

Photograph © Amy Bush

21 February

Stage 7 : Santa Clarita to Pasedena, 143km

How exciting! How exasperating! One of the most thrilling stages, and the TV director can't find a camera to cover the sprint for the line. Unbelievable. Or is it?

The pictures from California have been appalling this week. Not just the technical quality - which has been well dodgy - but the direction generally. There just haven't been enough TV motos, and the lack of variety in the shots is tedious. California, the world is watching and you could do so much better.

Astana had a long day on the front of the peloton. How comforting it is to Yaroslav Popovych taking long turns on the front. And how impressive the team's slick six-man chain was during the final circuits. Astana has demonstrated extraordinary teamwork, and have delivered the overall winner. As fans, we can't ask more.

As the peloton approached the finish, 2 minutes or so behind the winner, Chechu peeled off the front to let the sprinters through. He finished 81st at 2'19" and now lies 12th overall at 2'48".

Just one day to go!



Photographs © Amy Bush (top), Jim Wiggenhorn (above)

20 February

Stage 6 : Solvang ITT, 24.1km



Photograph © Amy Bush

So David Harmon (Eurosport) doesn't think that Chechu's a good time trialist. I think he'll find that Chechu is mostly a top 40 finisher. For a climber (not an all-rounder), whose job is to haul team leaders up mountains, that's pretty damn good and shouldn't be so casually dismissed.

In Solvang's 24km TT, he finished 40th at 2'10" and is now 13th overall at 2'48".

Chechu told us last night, "I did not feel really well today, maybe a little bit tired from all these days working hard, but it's OK."

With his unfailing positive attitude, Chechu Rubiera is a bright star. Because he doesn't rack up the big wins, because he's been around for a while, he gets lost in the busy, star-spangled wallpaper of commentary. Well, that's not good enough. Chechu is the ultimate gregario. That means sacrifice, hard work, the glory going to others. We need more gregarios, and fewer hollow icons. They can disappoint us. Chechu never has.

Fans called out to Chechu on Sierra Road last Tuesday, he turned and smiled. "For you to make eye contact and acknowledge a fan screaming your name from the side of the road while climbing a steep road says a lot about how you truly appreciate the fan support. Some riders hardly acknowledge fans on the side of the road, which is why your simple acknowledgement on Tuesday’s stage proves what a pretty cool guy you are."

We ask fans of Chechu Rubiera to contact your TV commentary team, telling them why you support him.

Contact David Harmon at cycling.eurosport@yahoo.com, or on Twitter, Brian Smith is @cyclevox.



Photograph © Cintya Pranata

19 February

Stage 5 : Visalia to Paso Robles, 216.1 km

An emphatic win for Mark Cavendish today, sprinting to his second stage victory in two days. It was another chase day, this time the sprinters' teams got organised early and reeled in the breakaway with time to spare.

Chechu and his Astana team-mates stayed at the front once more, controlling the break. He finished in the first group, and is still 8th overall, at 38'.



Photograph © Team Astana

Some might celebrate this moron, flying the flag and running with the peloton. We don't. On Wednesday, he wore enormous bull horns on his helment and ran in front of the peloton. How stupid. How arrogant. If he tripped, or even just turned his head, he could cause such damage and injury. The police need to clip his enthusiasm.

18 February

Stage 4 : Merced to Clovis, 187.7km

In the winter sunshine, riding through spectacular scenery, a three-man breakaway seemed destined to succeed, as the peloton left the chase to the last moment.

Lance Armstrong dealt unceremoniously with an over-excited spectator. Of course, he may sue. It is litigious California after all, but the world was witness to this maniac's dangerous actions. Go Lance!

After the final climb to Crane Valley Road, and through the snow-covered pass, the sprinters' teams finally came to the front to chase down the break, making the catch in the last two kilometres.

Chechu stayed out of trouble at the front of the peloton, and came in with Armstrong in the leading group. He finished 80th, same time as sprint winner, Mark Cavendish. He is still 8th overall at 38".

Eurosport is covering this race live which, on this side of the Atlantic, means live cycling all evening. New audiences are tuning in, and the combination of David Harmon and Brian Smith is inspired. It's great entertainment.

17 February

Stage 3 : San José to Modesto, 167.7 km



Photograph © Steve Gall

Hola a todos.

I am still in California or maybe I should say Siberia ... The weather is been so bad, 3 days raining. Today a little bit better but yesterday and 2 days ago, mamma mia, I don't have any more dry clothing!!

The good news is that I am having good feelings and the team is really well, with Levi, Lance, Giany, Chris and me in the first places. I hope to keep it but the most important thing by far would be to win the race, no matter who. Also to have more than one guy in the podium but that would be extra, the most important is to win.

People here are really nice with us, they love Lance and the team and even with this weather, we feel the support of so many people that it surprises me. I don't think is nice to stay in the side of the road for maybe 40 minutes in the rain and the cold to see a group of guys passing 50 km an hour in 20 seconds ...

Thanks to everyone.

Chechu

Stage 3 result : Chechu finished with the leading group and is still 8th overall at 38".

16 February

Stage 2 : Sausalito to Santa Cruz, 186.6 km



Stage 2, ToC. Photograph © Amy Bush

Another miserable, wet day on the Pacific coast. A great race though, with a tired peloton split on the final climb. Levi Leipheimer devasted the peloton on steep Bonny Doon Road, and claimed a well-deserved yellow jersey.

Chechu finished 15th at 20". He now lies 8th overall at 38".

15 February

Stage 1 : Davis to Santa Rosa, 173.1km



Photograph © Graham Watson, Team Astana

It was just one of those days in California. Astana bikes were stolen overnight, including LA's unique TT bike. Unsaleable in the open market, but in tough times, I guess people are desperate.

Then it rained. And rained. Although the TV helicopters were in the air, the picture quality was too poor. We gave up watching after 15 minutes, there's only so long you can watch a soggy finish line. Maybe we should have persevered, pictures did eventually appear apparently.

Chechu is now 8th overall, behind new GC leader Francisco Mancebo, finishing Stage 1 in 19th place, at 1'07.

14 February

Prologue : Sacramento, 3.8km



Photograph © chosumgum, flickr.com

The spectacle of Lance Armstrong racing again in the USA brought tens of thousands - diehards fans and curious spectators alike - into windy, central Sacramento. The Boss didn't disappoint, and neither did they. Enthusiasm for their hero is undiminished.

So it's true. He is really back.

Fabian Cancellara is in top time-trialling form again and won by two seconds from a motivated defending champ, Levi Leipheimer.

Chechu gave a sturdy performance, finishing in 41st place, at 13".

Brian Smith (@cyclevox) has joined the Eurosport team this week, and regular commentator David Harmon warmed to his alternative celtic banter. They are fans too, and their excitement during the final minutes of the prologue captured the moment beautifully.

Brian is well-connected and knows a thing or two about bike racing. And he's not afraid to give his opinion. His verdict on Lance's return was mixed. Great for publicity, great for cancer. But in a race which saw the return of a few old aristocrats, he'd rather move forward and focus on new talent and new ethics.

Photo © Graham Watson, Team Astana


TOUR DOWN UNDER

18 to 25 January 2009


Photograph © Mark Gunter, Tour Down Under

28 January

Back home

Hola,
The trip was good, we even could visit Singapore for a few hours.
I had the longest birthday ever. More than 30 hours. It was my birthday already when we left Singapore and I arrived in Paris at 6am in the same day!
Take care and hello to everyone,
Chechu

25 January

Stage 6 : Adelaide City Council Circuit, 90 km

Chechu finished the race 58th overall, at 24' 24", having crossed the line in 94th place, at 24".

I'd have loved to have been Australia for these two glorious weeks in January. In the northern hemisphere, it's grey and gloomy, the daily news provides no light or colour. What a great escape Chechu and his team have had, heading to Australia to soak in the sunshine and the great atmosphere. Over 900,000 Aussies lined the streets around Adelaide for this second ProTour Tour Down Under. To winner Allan Davis, it felt like the Tour de France. He'd never seen anything like it in Oz.

Of course, Lance Armstrong attracted huge interest, and tremendous good will. Will he have the same welcoming reception in Europe? I truly hope so. We've missed him.

There's a price to be paid for Lance's return however. Finding news and photos of Chechu this year has been almost impossible. To most pundits, Lance is the only Astana rider in town. Even on the amazing flickr.com, other Astana riders are virtually invisible. And that's a pity. The frenzy around Lance is a phenomenon that Chechu knows well. And as fans of Chechu Rubiera, we just have to get used to it again.

The race itself largely passed me by, just because of the time difference. I'm saving the Stage 5 (on video) climbs on Willunga Hill for when I have a quiet moment, I want to see this Jesus Hernandez.

I woke to an email from the USA. Chechu crashed. It was a horrid moment. The time difference was on my side, however, and we saw he was smiling. He is quite extraordinary, and that's why we love him.

24 January

Stage 5 : Snapper Point to Willunga, 148 km

A day for the climbers, yet it was sprinter Alan Davis who took the win. Lance powered up Willunga Hill with Chechu and Jesus Hernandez, all finishing in the lead group.

Chechu crossed the line 36th, and now lies 57th overall at 24'.



Photograph © Johan Bruyneel, twitter.com

23 January

Stage 4 : Burnside Village to Angaston, 143 km

Chechu finished in 90th place, at 1'22", and now lies 79th overall at 23'50".

Chechu's news from Adelaide

Hola,
No worries, I am fine. I was really lucky, it was a bad crash. I could sleep well.
We are going much faster than last year and I need to help Lance with the wind, so I'm quite tired at the end.
Take care and thanks,
Chechu

Photograph © Graham Watson, Team Astana

22 January

Stage 3 : Unley to Victor Harbor, 136 km



Chechu was caught up in a serious crash with approx. 98km to go. He finished the race with the grupetto under police escort, crossing the line in 117th place, at 21'49".

Team Astana reports that he is fine. He hurt his left shoulder and arm, and has bruising and road rash.







Photographs © Graham Watson, Team Astana



Photograph © brooke, flickr.com

21 January

Stage 2 : Hahndorf to Stirling, 145 km

"Tough and hilly" with four difficult climbs, but a flat run-in to Stirling meant another day for the sprinters, and another Australian win. This time, Alan Davis crossed the line first. Chechu finished 71st, at 13".

"It's unrealistic to expect a victory", Armstrong stated before this race started.

Yet he's willing to test his legs nevertheless and for a few kilometres today, he escaped the peloton with Aussie youngster, Jack Bobridge. I'd like to have seen it. I hope there are more escapes to come this year.

Jinkies, I'm doing it now. Talking about Lance, just like everyone else. As we know, Chechu is the only Astana rider who's experienced the Lance fest. I suspect he quite missed it, he always talks about it as being the best of times and on the road around Adelaide, he's sticking pretty close to the Boss.

Yet things have changed. Chechu is not the glorious domestique he was in 2005. He has wins notched on his handlebars, and an huge international following all of his own. With veteran status comes respect, and Chechu truly deserves it. He's the ultimate gregario who always pedals a straight line.

Photograph © AP, yahoo.com





Photographs © Graham Watson, Team Astana



Photograph © Johan Bruyneel, twitter.com

20 January

Stage 1 : Norwood to Mawson Lakes, 140km

Stage 1 saw a classic sprinters' finish, but there was some tough climbing along the way. Chechu finished 106th, same time as stage winner Andre Greipel.

A week or so ago, Chechu Rubiera was stuck in a snowstorm in Spain. Today he was laboring away in the 40-degree Australian summer, sacrificing himself once again for his old mate Lance Armstrong, after a three-year separation.



Photograph © Mark Gunter, cyclingnews.com





It was a day for work and no glory. The course went persistently up and down, as the peloton chased a two-man escape.

After more than 100 km, a quick series of events took place: the escape was caught, an attack was launched and foiled. The tempo was brought to a boil, especially thanks to Columbia, in the last 10 km--the only flat terrain in the stage. As the end neared, Robbie McEwen crashed painfully, as Columbia's Andre Greipel (the defending TDU champion) fought a handful of Australians in a sprint. Victory: Greipel.

The real news of the day was full of joy for Chechu's fans: He has officially begun the 2009 season, and we have him back for another year!


Photographs © Graham Watson, Team Astana

18 January

Cancer Council Classic (criterium)

The ProTour peloton travelled halfway across the globe for first race of the new season. Tour Down Under kicked off with the Cancer Council Classic, a 30 lap, 51km criterium in Adelaide's Rymill Park.



Photograph © Graham Watson, Team Astana

138,000 people flocked to the prelude of the 2009 Tour Down Under, many hoping for a glimpse of Lance Armstrong. He's received an enthusiastic welcome in Australia in the build-up to his comeback race. The Astana team protected him towards the back of the peloton, and he finished 64th at 23" in his first crit since 1990.

Chechu wasn't far behind, crossing the line in 83rd place, at 25" behind winner Robbie McEwen (Katusha). "I was feeling good. There were a lot of strong accelerations in front but being in the back of the pack was a good place for me for my first race.”

It's worth mentioning that Cancer Council SA is TDU's charity partner in 2009, and is South Australia's leading non-government cancer control organisation. We like their Slip Slop Slap Seek Slide slogan. Not easy to say, but so easy to protect yourself against the sun's harmful rays.



Photograph © Graham Watson, Team Astana



Photograph © philwillmedia, flickr.com

Chechu's update from Adelaide, Saturday 18 January

Hola,
Everything well here. The weather now is perfect. A few day ago was really hot, too too much . . . but today was perfect.
Yesterday, we had a rest day so we went to see some wild koalas in the trees. It was really nice. They just sleep most of the time.
The people here are really nice with us and we are enjoying (ourselves), but tomorrow the race starts, so let's go to work.
Lance is moving a lot of people, media, photographers . . . and I think is really good for cycling. They are talking about cycling now all around the world!!
We got the new jerseys but (they) look exactly the same, no difference with the jerseys from last year.
Take care and say hello to everyone there.
Chechu

Training days in Adelaide







Photographs © Graham Watson, Team Astana


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