Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Joly back in training

Sébastien Joly, former Lanterne Rouge, has joined the ranks of celebrity pro cyclists who are survivors of testicular cancer. He participated in the Française des Jeux training camp before Christmas and is back up to four hours in the saddle.

He says: "Mine was not life threatening. I didn't need chemotherapy. Then there was the prediction that I've heard a few times but which doesn't make me smile at all: people telling me that I'll win seven Tours de France now. Hey, I'm not the guy who was a World Champion age 21. I'm only an average French cyclist. I don't expect to become better; I'd just liked to get back to my level."

He's six kilos lighter than a year ago, so he also is remaking his physique as he works to regain his full cycling fitness. We wish him the best of luck in the 2008 season.

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Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Pez Unsung Heroes

A nice tribute from the year-end wrapup over at Pez:

"From Charles Manantan - My man of the year is the collective of cyclists that don't earn six figures... I've had enough of the top guys claiming heroics and claiming to be clean while not offering a blood sample... I've had enough of guys who suddenly become grand tour stars and also happen to have questionable doctors. Here's to the guys who have to live in terror knowing that they and their families could be left hungry because a team leader lands them in such hot water that their paycheck pulls the plug. Here's to the men that carry not only the bottles but the burden of fear that the sport will leave them and they don't have a few hundred grand to coast on till the next big pick up."

The rest of the piece is well worth reading as well.

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