Living in a Vini Fantasy World

Road cycling’s efforts to clean up took a bit of a blow yesterday with news that another of the Vini Fantini team tested positive for EPO at the start of the Giro. Santambrogio won a stage in the mountain s ahead of Nibali and throws a cloud over the team that was already under question and had already seen a rider test positive.

The peloton knew Vini Fantini weren't trustworthy: was the talking point for the first week of the Giro (until misery & survival took over).

— David Millar (@millarmind) June 3, 2013

Not only is that bad for cycling (although I feel the reaction from other riders shows how attitudes have shifted), but it also seems spectacularly stupid when testing is at the level it is. There was very little chance that he would not be caught.

Luckily, road cycling can also deliver spectacles, and the Dauphine did that in the shape of a third stage win in four races for the ever popular Eddy Boasson-Hagen. For those of you wanting an update, Sky continued to hold firm, with three riders in the top 11 (and yes, I’m making a slight stretch to include Froome in 11th). Porte and Thomas are looking strong and showing just how much depth the team has.

Keeping it on the road I’m going to be away at the weekend, grabbing some riding, and I’ll miss another mass-participation cycle event on the roads of London. Yes, that’s right, it’s time for the London World Naked Bike ride on Saturday. Head down and get your kit off, or, ahem, enjoy the views (of London, obviously).

To round out today’s news a couple of videos. Do you think if I keep posting enough promo films of Santa Cruz’s new Bronson 650b bike someone there will realise and send me one?

Neil Donoghue - Bronson Play on Pinkbike

If you need a reminder of what we’re waiting for from Danny MacAskill, here’s one:

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