2012 Tour of Japan preview Following visits to Oman, Qatar, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Philippines, Korea and Iran, the 2012 UCI AsiaTour finally lands in Japan; one of Asia s true cycling culture centers. Having missed 2011 due to Japan s natural disasters, Tour of Japan is back for its 15th edition. TOUR OF JAPAN BACKGROUNDERFirst … Read more
Joel Calderon s stage-winning Tour de Filipinas bike | Not only did Filipino cyclist Joel Calderon (Mail and More Cycling Team) demoralize an entire field of seasoned international pro cyclists in yesterday s head-splittingly hard mountains stage, he did it on a bike that could have been picked up on eBay for less than $1,500. … Read more
2012 Le Tour de Filipinas | Stage 3: Cauayan City ? Bayombong N.V. An important part of stage racing had been missing prior to today s third Tour de Filipinas stage; the peloton s arrival into categorised mountains territory meant one rider would finally be able to mount the podium wearing the King of the … Read more
Real Samurai Yukiya Arashiro HAO figurine Within Yukiya Arashiro s modest palmar s is the great achievement of becoming the first Japanese cyclist, alongside compatriot Fumiyuki Beppu in 2009, to finish the Tour de France. It s possible the completion of that final circuit over the iconic Champs- lys es was a career-defining moment when … Read more
Merida s Tour de France ambition Merida Industry Co., Ltd, Taiwan s second largest bicycle manufacturing company after Giant Manufacturing Co., Ltd, is now actively pursuing entry to the Tour de France. But first, the brand needs a team. Cycling iQ spoke about the barriers to entry with Merida VP, William Jeng, at Taipei Cycle … Read more
Shadow optic: the manufacturing partner paradox Who really makes your bike? It is a simple enough question. Country of origin has traditionally been a touchy subject for brands that rely on Asia-based manufacturing partners , let alone revealing who the partners are. Discovering the factory behind the brand is a stubbornly topical pastime amongst bicycle … Read more
Recollections of an interview with Jan Ullrich Motionless, like the plastic chair in Eurobike s media centre, I stare disbelievingly into space. Sounds of productivity encircle and taunt me. A peripheral flash of light pulls me back to the present. How did it go??? read the SMS from Wade at CyclingTips. At least we got … Read more
Backstory: BMW s Olympic bicycle deal Within its official scope as Automotive and Sustainability Partner to the 2012 London Olympics, BMW has supplied the Organizing Committee (LOCOG) with 400 BMW bicycles. Yes, everyone is expected to follow the sustainability line even the suits. Left to right: Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson (Paralympic Olympian, retired), Ian Robertson (BMC), … Read more
MIYATA: Japanese road bicycle legend re-born 120 years since a former gunsmith, Eisuke Miyata, built the first Miyata bicycle, this esteemed name in Japanese bicycle history is returning to its manufacturing roots, with a new project that promises to deliver catatonic doses of nostalgia to Baby Boomers and Gen X ers. Unlike modern-day bicycles, dimensions … Read more
GreenEDGE launches | Beppu targets Giro, Japan Cup | Following a novel training session with the Melbourne Storm rugby league team yesterday, cyclists from the Australian GreenEDGE professional cycling team were today presented to a small crowd outside Melbourne s Town Hall by Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle. Looking on was team owner Gerry Ryan, founder … Read more