Hi

Seems a little late to be wishing you all happy new year, but just
catching up with myself.

Starting to get in the mood for the new season. Having ridden a couple
of sportives towards the back end of 07, and kept doing regular club
runs I have not lost too much over christmas. Things were going well
upto a week ago. had ridden a couple of reliability trials and was
averaging 1-1.5mph faster over 100k's than this time last year. The
caught a bug last week and been laid up.

Being laid up has meant that i have had a little more time to reflect
on the pro scene for the next year.

No Diso, no T mobile, and whole generation of riders discredited or a
least under suspicion it could be an interesting year. I would rather
that the slightly tainted riders like Valverde, Diluca and Contador
don't end up winning stuff with big question marks. I would like to see
a cleaner generation step forward.

Is it me, but Tom Boonen appears to be displaying a certain
excentricity.

I looks like the UCI and the big tours may be closer to sorting out
their issues, lets hope they do. The continued disputes tends to lend
an feeling of chaos to the sport.

The olympics could be a cracking highlight, especially for the British
Team. on the track, BMX, mountain bikes and a least in the Women's road
team there are great chances for medals. It is a great chance for
Britain to put itself on the cycling map (and for bike racing to but
itself on the map in Britain).

With all respect to the Tour down under and Tour of Qatar for me the
pro road season really comes to life with the spring classics.

For myself I will probably start in late feb early march with a couple
of sporting TT's just to spoil a perfectly good sunday morning. Big aim
this year is to go under the hour as soon as possible.

Having been doing a bit of training with a Cat 2 rider and tempted to
try my hand this year. That said I don't want to spread myself to thin.
Have not got any major european trips booked yet, but am aiming to do a
few UK based on a least. At this stage I have the Dartmoor Classic,
Tour of Wessex and Circuit of Kent on the agenda.

Anyway- best wishes to all for the season- lets have a good one

Cheers
Andy --- In roadracingukandireland@yahoogroups.com, mickymallen
<no_reply@...> wrote:
>
> Hi
> How is everyone? getting excited for the new season? Not far away now,
> and the domestic amateur season for all us plebs seems even closer,
> especially with easter being so early this year!
> first 3 or 4 races of 2008 will likely see the lead car being a snow
plow!
>
> No Telekom for 08... who will be the dominant team for this season?
> Will we see more scandal or will the whole drugs issue quieten down
> and make us supporters proud of our sport again?
>
> see ya
> micky
>