Thanks for pointing that out, I hadn't even noticed! botto clearly has his priorities straight and is putting his money in to his bike and Assos collection. First things first!

Thanks for posting that information botto. I'm always curious about the European side of the sport, and I wish America had the same appreciation for cycling. I think we're getting better though. Today's broadcast of the U.S. Open race was very encouraging.

As a guy who used to race entry-level USCF and collegiate events in the late 80's through mid 90's, I had dreamed of being able to race as a pro in Europe. Unfortunately I was just average, and being the next Greg LeMond or Andy Hampsten wasn't in the cards. I've toyed with the idea of trying the amateur event of the Ronde (or a similar event) in the next few years as an extra source of inspiration to get in to shape again. Doesn't that event usually attract around 15,000 participants? If pros at the back of the field of 200 are reduced to walking up some of the climbs, I can only imagine what it is like in the amateur version! Despite being in the clydesdale category, I did manage to haul my fat ass up Alpe d'Huez in 2004 with a 39 x 26, so perhaps there's hope that I'm not totally over the hill yet, so to speak.