Spaniard Benjamin Noval is motivated to get to the 2010 Tour de France and help his teammate and friend, two-time Tour winner Alberto Contador. He promises to be there for Contador in the Tour in July, and he wants to regain his position as Contador’s “bodyguard.” “Just like a lot of fans, I believe that Astana didn’t work for Alberto during the last Tour. They were not united. In 2010, nevertheless, I am convinced that we are all going to be rowing in the same direction. We don’t have the stars like RadioShack does, but in the end, I believe we will be up to the job because all of us are clear on who is the leader, what the objective is and how our jobs are,” Noval told Spanish daily MARCA. Noval, nicknamed “el toro,” did not participate in 2009′s Tour because of the…

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2008 Tour de France winner Carlos Sastre has announced today that he plans to compete in the 2010 Giro d’Italia. The 2010 Giro will begin on May 8th in Amsterdam. “After analyzing the routes of the three big tours — Italy, France and Spain — and discussing things with the team sporting director I’ve decided to take part in the Giro,” says Sastre. “Its a real opportunity,” he adds, and said that the 2010 route was “very attractive” to him. Spaniard Sastre has won two stages of the 2009 Giro; Monte Petrano and Vesuvio. He finished fourth overall. Sastre also wants to compete in the Tour of Catalunya from March 22nd through 28th, and the Amstel Gold Race and Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

Via Velo News….

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If you plan on going for long bike rides during the winter, as most hardcore cyclists do, then you might want to strap up with some warm gear. The Bontrager Sport Leg Warmers go a long way in keeping the cold out, and are constructed with thermal fabric which regulates your body temperature and wicks moisture, all the while being comfortable. They also feature a silicone gripper which keeps the warmers in place. Not only do the Bontrager Sport Leg Warmers provide warmth and coverage for the entire leg, they also allow you to adapt to changing weather conditions. You can purchase the Bontrager Sport Leg Warmers at the Trek online shop for $44.99….

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There are a great many cycling shoes out there, however, they are mostly aimed at road and mountain cyclists. The Bontrager Wingtip Urban Cycling Shoes, however, are designed with a more urban taste to them, while still remaining tailored to cycling. They feature full leather uppers with a primary lace closure underneath a buckled hood. A rubber sole and nylon reinforcement help add flexibility and stiffness to the shoe. There is even reflective material in the mix for that nighttime safety. No word yet on availability or pricing, but maybe expect spring at Bontrager.

Via Urban Velo….

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The paparazzi are very clever when it comes to locking down those photos of celebs, using whatever kind of transportation they can. It now seems as if they’re using bikes, and may need to try out some training wheels first. Hollywood reports say that a paparazzo on a bike crashed into star Anne Hathaway’s car, a black Audi, that was being driven by her boyfriend Adam Shulman. Steve Whitmore, Sheriff’s spokesman, told the LA Times that the photographer was riding a Viola 24-speed and was moving “way too fast.” The man was later identified as Freddy Ferraro, and he left the scene before cops arrived. He had with him a high-end camera with a large telephoto lens….

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America’s newest cycling team, coming in 2010, will be team Yahoo!. An online survey was targeted at Silicon Valley, and found that 50% of the people are cycling fans and follow cycling, which encouraged Yahoo! to come on board. Kevin Klein, a former pro, will be taking the reigns as manager. The team will be starting at the grassroots level, and will be based out of California for the first year. “The whole idea behind the Yahoo! Cycling Team is the recruitment of high tech professionals in the Silicon Valley and to provide a platform for partners to achieve more involvement at the community level. If you do it right, everyone should win and grow their business,” says Klein. The team is made up of 15 riders so far, with Klein on the roster as well. “There are veterans, young guys, and professionals…

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The ValueAct Capital Women’s Pro Cycling Team has a new sponsor for the 2010 season, and a new name as well. Team VBF, as they are now called, also has a new top rider for the 2010 season, NRC individual champion Alison Powers. Team VBF works with the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer to help raise funds for breast cancer research. Specialized will remain the supplier of bikes and gear as well. “Specialized couldn’t be more proud of the team. Their new partnership works great with Specialized initiatives and the team already has an amazing ability to connect with women and their communities. Our goal is to introduce more women to the sport. With the team’s invaluable feedback on our design and geometry of the entire women’s line, they are helping us make riding a better experience,” says Tara Moeller, Specialized’s US marketing manager. …

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