2013 Tour of California Route

Lampre-ISD 2012 Season in Review

Lampre-ISD’s 2012 season was largely underwhelming with not a single World Tour win and will end the season with a cloud of uncertainty engulfing the team. With only three riders winning races in 2012 this was a poor season for a team that regularly wins Grand Tour stages and is noticed in the peloton for more than just their pink jerseys. Michele Scarponi who finished second on the road in the 2011 Giro d’Italia inherited the maglia rosa after Alberto Contador was stripped of his results from the 2010 Tour de France but ends 2012 winless and suspended by his team for his meetings with the disgraced Italian doctor Michele Ferrari. Compatriot Filippo Pozzato was recently given a six month suspension for meeting with doctor and Scarponi looks likely to receive at least the same sentence. A new sponsor and team name in 2013 could see a rejuvenated Lampre team who will also be riding Merida bikes but two investigations into doping practices could derail the team’s preparation or season next year. 

2013 Giro d'Italia Route

Garmin-Sharp 2012 Season in Review

Season 2012 would again welcome a new season, a new sponsor for the American Garmin team. Initially Barracuda came on board as a new co-sponsor with Cervélo as last season’s co-sponsor downgraded their sponsorship to supplying team bikes. Before the Tour de France Sharp was announced as a new co sponsor and the team jersey for the rest of the season had Garmin, Sharp and Barracuda as sponsors. The change of sponsors and departure of almost all the Australian riders on the team to GreenEdge as well as the departure of Thor Hushovd to BMC had relatively little impact as Ryder Hesjedal became the first Canadian and Garmin rider to win a Grand Tour. With several distraction across the season Hesjedal's Giro win was confirmations of Garmin's place as one of the top Pro Tour team.

Orica-GreenEdge Sever Ties with Matt White

Matt White has been sacked by the Australian cycling team GreenEdge after his admission of doping when riding on the US Postal team. He had previously been sacked from his Cycling Australia role after his admission.