www.chechurubiera.info - an online magazine for fans of Chechu Rubiera
INTERNET EXPLORER 6 USERS
If you are viewing in IE6 and seeing a blank space at the top of some pages, we apologise. We're aware that a small number of pages break in IE6.
Since we have upgraded to IE7, we can no longer test the old version and, despite our best efforts to search pages of code, identify the problem - think of looking for a needle in a haystack with a blindfold on.
Our website can be viewed perfectly in Internet Explorer 7 and Firefox, used by the majority of our visitors.
You might like to consider downloading the latest version of your browser. They're both free and are considered a huge improvement on IE6.
See FIREFOX or INTERNET EXPLORER 7
MEET THE TEAM
SO FAR!
Rebecca Bell : co-editor
I am from Kansas City, Missouri, USA. I'm a musician, and play the harpsichord, pipe organ, and piano. I perform with symphony, chamber orchestra, opera, and in chamber music, am involved with recording and education, and provide music for All Saints Episcopal Church.
I'm married to Larry Martin, a schoolteacher and cancer survivor, and we have a homeschooled daughter, Cricket, who is Chinese.
I support Chechu because ... he is an elite athlete of great skill who sacrificed his own chances to win in favor of his team leader, Lance Armstrong. People who make such sacrifices are capable of building great things in any field of endeavor. And Chechu does it all beautifully on a bike. He’s a smart man, a good man, and a fantastic athlete.
Nicky Orr : co-editor
I live in Edinburgh, Scotland with my husband, Tom and our three young daughters, Alice, Beth and Katy Mae. Tom is a designer of accessible communications, he has a web design business. I worked in the arts and in marketing before our children were born. I'm now a freelance copywriter, specialising in marketing communications.
I support Chechu because ... he's always there. When his team needs him, or
there's a mountain to be climbed. He's smart and interesting, he's a good man.
Christine Kahane : contributor
I live in Paris, France, am a cancer survivor and early retired legal assistant. I'm married to Roger, an English engineer, mother of two, and devoted grand-mother of Florian and Rebecca, my main occupation apart from following Chechu’s races around France.
I support Chechu because ... he is intelligent, friendly and always in a good mood. He never gives up, is reliable, unselfish and devoted to his job and his leader.
SIGNED PHOTOS
Before travelling to Italy for the 2007 Giro d'Italia, Chechu signed photos for us. These are exclusive to www.chechurubiera.info, you won't find them anywhere else.
We're very grateful to Liz Kreutz for allowing us to print her photo.
CONTACT US
TEAM RUBIERA
Our online magazine is the fruit of a chance encounter. Two fans, on opposite sides of an ocean, started talking. Their common language is English, their common enthusiasm is road cycling.
And in particular, a fantastic cyclist and intriguing man, Chechu Rubiera.
One of the special things about being Chechu’s fan is the other interests he inspires, such as learning a new language, and finding out about a culture and a life you can’t imagine. Of course, we’re interested in cycle racing, but we also love travel and food, literature and music. So our magazine will cover it all.
This is a gathering place for fans of Chechu Rubiera and through this website, we've met lots of people who admire Chechu and cycling just like we do.
Now we’re looking for other fans to join Team Rubiera, to produce smart, dynamic content. Can you contribute,
photographs
tales of your encounters with Chechu
a magazine feature
an opinion piece
news items?
If so, please GET IN TOUCH. We’d love to hear from you.
Rebecca Bell, Nicky Orr
ESPAÑOL
Sabemos que muchos de nuestros lectores son españoles. Chechu es un deportista muy querido en España y, por lo tanto, nos parece normal que haya una sección en español en nuestro sitio internet.
A pesar de nuestros esfuerzos, Rebecca y Nicky tienen que dedicar mucho tiempo para aprender el castellano. Por eso, invitamos a los amigos y aficionados de Chechu a escribir para nuestro sitio internet.
Escribir lo que os gusta. Les pedimos unicamente que sea algo sobre o inspirado por Chechu Rubiera, y que escribaís en castellano. Enviarnos fotografias o imágenes en formato jpj. gif o pdf.
Traduciremos su escrito al inglés. Como siempre, los editores se reservan el derecho de modificar y publicar los textos. El editor tiene la última palabra.
CONTACTAR
TIES THAT BIND
LUZ ARDIDEN 2003
This photograph, by Rob Cummings, is perhaps the most important image on this website.
In these moments, long before we knew each other, both Rebecca and I noticed Chechu Rubiera for the first time, and new fans were born.
It was 21 July 2003, and on stage 15 of the Tour de France, Lance Armstrong fell on the final climb to Luz Ardiden.
Chechu signalled to Armstrong, “It’s OK, calm yourself.”. He waited for his leader to take his wheel and pace him back to the lead group. And Lance won the stage. It was one of the most exciting sporting moments I had ever seen.
Lance was unbelievable that day, but without Chechu Rubiera being there at the right moment to do his job, the final result might have been very different.
ENCOUNTERS WITH CHECHU
Since our new magazine launched in April 2006, we’ve had great emails and photos from other fans of Chechu around the world. They are too good to keep to ourselves. Enjoy.
TEAM RUBIERA AT THE TOUR DE FRANCE 2006
Christine Kahane has sent us a great report on her visits to the Tour. Of course, she encountered Chechu and his team-mates.
Read all about it. It's a great account of the Tour Village and life as a fan.
TEAM RUBIERA AT THE DAUPHINÉ 2006
Christine Kahane has been to the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré 2006 and brilliantly describes just what it takes to get close to Team Discovery.
There are great photos of amigos Benjamin Noval and Jose Azevedo.
Read her report.
TEAM RUBIERA AT THE GIRO 2006
If you've ever wondered how you get close to Chechu and Team Discovery at a big race, then read all about it here from the expert.
We are grateful to Christine Kahane, who has sent us her stories of opening stages of the Giro and her amazing pictures of Chechu.
www.chechurubiera.info is compiled by Rebecca Bell and Nicky Orr, with the agreement and support of Chechu Rubiera. Our aim is to produce a dynamic magazine to celebrate the achievements of Chechu Rubiera.
www.chechurubiera.info is non-commercial. It is funded privately by Nicky Orr and Rebecca Bell.
Responsibility for all content lies with Nicky Orr and Rebecca Bell, not with José Luis (Chechu) Rubiera Vigíl.
Information and photographs is gathered and reproduced in good faith from published sources (online and print).
Interviews and race diary quotes are reproduced with the kind permission of Chechu Rubiera.
The editors’ decision is final.
We always seek to credit photographs where possible. On occasion, the original source of photography may not be available. If we have used your photos, please CONTACT US and we’ll be pleased to credit your work.
www.chechurubiera.info is a domain registered in UK to Nicola Orr.
Photo Credits: Masthead:Liz Kreutz 2006. Left column from top: Nicky Orr, Rebecca Bell, Christine KahaneRight column from top: Rob Cummings, Christine Kahane, Bob Badalucco.