On April 26-28, cycling enthusiasts will flock once again to Nuvali to partake of Dirt Weekend Invitational.
Two sets of events will take place in the invitational, which has invited participants from as far as Baguio and Sultan Kudarat to take part in either the Cross Country (Olympic and Relay) or the Fourcross.
Now on its fifth year, the Dirt Weekend Invitational will feature a new wrinkle, as for the first time, it is a sanctioned race within the auspices of the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines (PhilCycling) and the world governing body Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).
Having PhilCycling and UCI sanction the event equates to participants in the different events allows them to garner points. It also means that all competitors will have to apply for a PhilCycling / UCI license before they can join. In fact, UCI commissaries will be on hand to judge the competition.
PhilCycling officials are also looking at this competition as a means to determine the participants to the upcoming SEA Games later this year.
For more details, you can check out Nuvali's website on the event.
The individual writing this piece has the same number of Tour de France titles as Lance Armstrong. This after UCI has confirmed USADA's report. With that confirmation, TdF organizers finally conducted what they feel is the right thing to do, which is to strip the seven TdF titles.
This news puts a pall on the race, which will be turning 100 next year. In addition, within the next couple of days, the TdF organizers are supposed to announce the planned race route next year's centennial. All the buzz there will now be re-centered on Lance.
Trying to understand and figure out the whole drama on Lance is filled with shades and shades of gray.
Yes, trying to cheat is clearly wrong, but the culture of the sport makes it difficult to turn away. It's still worth noting that Lance was never caught in their tests and USADA needed to have people testify to ensure they can pin him down. It's a conflicting context for the sport, which Lance was its face for so long. Now they want to be as far away as they possibly could. It's a sad crossroad that cycling is in. This is a challenge to the new generation of riders, led by reigning TdF winner Bradley Wiggins to blaze a new trail and carve a new path.
As for Lance, what is the truth? Many things needed to be clarified and enlightened. Is there something worth salvageable? That's how things are right now. Queries right ahead. The fear is always how this affects the fight against cancer, as Lance is THE face of Livestrong and the worry of collateral damage is ever present.
Welcome to the latest edition of The Morning After.
I am sure you had your fill of football. You missed it like heck. You love it like your significant other. May this be the beginning of something great.
Here forth is the Storify I did for this week after the jump.
To part, here is Coldplay closing out the Paralympics.
Lance Armstong's Statement of August 23, 2012 (reposted in full and unedited)
AUSTIN, Texas - August 23rd, 2012 - There comes a point in every man's life when he has to say, "Enough is enough." For me, that time is now. I have been dealing with claims that I cheated and had an unfair advantage in winning my seven Tours since 1999. Over the past three years, I have been subjected to a two-year federal criminal investigation followed by Travis Tygart's unconstitutional witch hunt. The toll this has taken on my family, and my work for our foundation and on me leads me to where I am today – finished with this nonsense.
I had hoped that a federal court would stop USADA’s charade. Although the court was sympathetic to my concerns and recognized the many improprieties and deficiencies in USADA’s motives, its conduct, and its process, the court ultimately decided that it could not intervene.
If I thought for one moment that by participating in USADA’s process, I could confront these allegations in a fair setting and – once and for all – put these charges to rest, I would jump at the chance. But I refuse to participate in a process that is so one-sided and unfair. Regardless of what Travis Tygart says, there is zero physical evidence to support his outlandish and heinous claims. The only physical evidence here is the hundreds of controls I have passed with flying colors. I made myself available around the clock and around the world. In-competition. Out of competition. Blood. Urine. Whatever they asked for I provided. What is the point of all this testing if, in the end, USADA will not stand by it?
From the beginning, however, this investigation has not been about learning the truth or cleaning up cycling, but about punishing me at all costs. I am a retired cyclist, yet USADA has lodged charges over 17 years old despite its own 8-year limitation. As respected organizations such as UCI and USA Cycling have made clear, USADA lacks jurisdiction even to bring these charges. The international bodies governing cycling have ordered USADA to stop, have given notice that no one should participate in USADA’s improper proceedings, and have made it clear the pronouncements by USADA that it has banned people for life or stripped them of their accomplishments are made without authority. And as many others, including USADA’s own arbitrators, have found, there is nothing even remotely fair about its process. USADA has broken the law, turned its back on its own rules, and stiff-armed those who have tried to persuade USADA to honor its obligations. At every turn, USADA has played the role of a bully, threatening everyone in its way and challenging the good faith of anyone who questions its motives or its methods, all at U.S. taxpayers’ expense. For the last two months, USADA has endlessly repeated the mantra that there should be a single set of rules, applicable to all, but they have arrogantly refused to practice what they preach. On top of all that, USADA has allegedly made deals with other riders that circumvent their own rules as long as they said I cheated. Many of those riders continue to race today.
The bottom line is I played by the rules that were put in place by the UCI, WADA and USADA when I raced. The idea that athletes can be convicted today without positive A and B samples, under the same rules and procedures that apply to athletes with positive tests, perverts the system and creates a process where any begrudged ex-teammate can open a USADA case out of spite or for personal gain or a cheating cyclist can cut a sweetheart deal for themselves. It’s an unfair approach, applied selectively, in opposition to all the rules. It’s just not right.
USADA cannot assert control of a professional international sport and attempt to strip my seven Tour de France titles. I know who won those seven Tours, my teammates know who won those seven Tours, and everyone I competed against knows who won those seven Tours. We all raced together. For three weeks over the same roads, the same mountains, and against all the weather and elements that we had to confront. There were no shortcuts, there was no special treatment. The same courses, the same rules. The toughest event in the world where the strongest man wins. Nobody can ever change that. Especially not Travis Tygart.
Today I turn the page. I will no longer address this issue, regardless of the circumstances. I will commit myself to the work I began before ever winning a single Tour de France title: serving people and families affected by cancer, especially those in underserved communities. This October, my Foundation will celebrate 15 years of service to cancer survivors and the milestone of raising nearly $500 million. We have a lot of work to do and I'm looking forward to an end to this pointless distraction. I have a responsibility to all those who have stepped forward to devote their time and energy to the cancer cause. I will not stop fighting for that mission. Going forward, I am going to devote myself to raising my five beautiful (and energetic) kids, fighting cancer, and attempting to be the fittest 40-year old on the planet.
This is probably one of the most complicated stories out there, if you know the story about Lance.
Greetings and I hope you have had a happy Monday. Obviously, most, if not all of us, suffered some major buzzkill from the past few days, mostly from the Aurora shootings and the fallout from the Freeh report being applied onto the current and incoming batch of Penn State players.
To provide you with something positive to kickstart your morning, here is Michelle Jenneke (thank you to With Leather).
Here forth are the links after the jump. Easy E takes the jug home. (c/o London Telegraph)
Hello and hope your Bastille Day weekend went well.
I managed to get a taste of witnessing my first-ever Mixed Martial Arts event last Saturday night. I have been always accustomed to watching them on the television, on a delayed basis, too. But, thanks to some people I know, I managed to get in and see for myself what exactly goes on in such an event, considering that this could also be ongoing in boxing, too.
The event I watched is PXC 31. Its main event featured someone named Crisanto Pitpitunge becoming the 2nd ever homegrown Filipino to become a PXC champion, issuing a knockout victory on the former titleholder Justin Cruz in the bantamweight division. Seeing what goes on behind the scenes and looking around at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig was an interesting thing to observe on Saturday night.
Meanwhile, the UAAP opened it's 75th Season this weekend. Host National University, led by former Georgia Tech recruit Bobby Ray Parks, jr., issued a 90-55 beating over the University of the East. However, my alma mater also issued a 73-57 victory in their quest for a fifth straight crown in men's basketball. We face them this weekend.
Here forth are the links after the jump. Borat's Mankini as prom wear? (c/o Buzzfeed)
Welcome to the latest edition of The Morning After.
It was Father's Day, yesterday, and although I did nothing much of note for that Sunday, I hope you spent the time honoring your dad. Come to think of it, the best way to celebrate the occasion is to honor him every single day of the year.
Meanwhile, the Miami Heat escaped with the victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder, 91-85. The series has been the all about the narrative. Will Lebron be clutch? (he has been so far, in general) Is Russell Westbrook what is wrong with Oklahoma City? (not really) It is so distinct that it has been simplified enough to that and simply that.
Meanwhile, love the NBA and Turner collaboration. Having that enables TNT's Charles Barkley and Shaq doing pregame and post-game for NBA TV. Chuck, as always, is the loquacious one. From defending Westbrook from the excessive criticisms by his fellow members of the media, to praising Lebron James, to saying Peter Vecsey is a douchebag, and to the seminal moment with the Wonder Woman. Chuck is the gift to bloggers all around.
Here forth are the links after the jump. The Czech Republic won their way to the Quarterfinals of the Euro 2012. They face Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugese teammates. (c/o Football.co.uk and Belfast Telegraph)
Meanwhile, the other QF that is set features Germany and Greece. You may proceed to invent bailout jokes for this one. (c/o The Guardian and The Age)
Later today will be Group C's final set of matches. Spain and Croatia face each other, while Italy tries to make it to QF against Ireland. (c/o Daily Mail and NBC Sports' Pro Soccer Talk)
The Premiership has released its schedule. (c/o BBC Sport)
It is a special day for all my friends in the United States. A time to celebrate, remember and respect those who have worn the uniform with pride, dignity and honor. A day to express your admiration, love and devotion. Remember that when you enjoy the weekend.
Here forth are the links to keep you busy this holiday.
The glitz and glam of Monaco. (c/o London Telegraph)
The pomp and tradition of Indianapolis. (c/o Indianapolis Star)
The grit and grind of Charlotte. (c/o Charlotte Observer)
Hidden in the limelight of the three big races, rally legends win in Charlotte and Greece. (c/o Racin Nation and Paddock Talk)
Bad day for the Lotusbrand. (c/o Motorsport and The Checkered Flag)
Hello and Welcome to the latest edition of The Morning After (which has somewhat morphed into some kind of a weekly thing).
So, there was a fight this Saturday / Sunday. A long awaited fight. Featuring two pound-for-pound greats. One from Mexico, the other, the Philippines. Much has been said before, during and after the match. Lot of debate whether Dinamita won, or should it be a draw, but one thing for sure, come Cinco de Mayo 2012, the Fighting Congressman will be facing someone.
Here forth are the links after the jump to stuff you may not necessarily have missed during the weekend. The Miami Marlins have arrived. (c/o Call To The Pen)
Cards go back to an old reliable of theirs to retain the essence of Larussa. (c/o STL Today)
How do people deal with Pujols anxiety. (c/o Viva El Birdos)
He's safe and sound now. (c/o Yahoo!'s Big League Stew)
Hello! Welcome to the latest edition of The Victory Formation.
I hope everyone in the Eastern Seaboard of the United States is just fine. If you were hiding in a cave, Hurricane Irene was passing by during the weekend, wrecking havoc in the sporting weekend. Meanwhile, in the Motherland, Typhoon Nanmadol (known locally as Typhoon Mina) made its way to the northern portion of the island of Luzon. You can see how the typhoon went here:
It rained hard here, though.
Here forth are the links after the jump: Manchester is better than North London. The blue side does something (c/o Daily Star), but the red side does them better (c/o Zonal Marking).
Considering that Sir Alex was very complimentary about Arsene earlier in the week, (c/o The Guardian) It has been definitely one humiliating week for the Frenchman. (c/o BBC News)
Read what a Gooner thinks of the current mess. (c/o Online Gooner)
Seeing that game justified what Fabio Capello just did. (c/o Soccerway)
Serie A on ice. (c/o Soccer Central Philippines) Real Madrid start the season in style. (c/o Managing Madrid)
Champions League > Europa League. Not bad for Cesc Fabregas. In 9 days after joining FC Barcelona, he has won two Cups. (c/o The Offside: Barcelona)
Only Usain Bolt can stop Usain Bolt. (c/o The First Post)
That is an awesome nickname, Oscar. (c/o Opposing Views)
Lep wins a cycling event out in the mountains. (c/o Denver Post)
Missed UFC in Rio. Must have been a riot. (c/o Bloody Elbow)
With Floyd, there is always something happening. (c/o Doghouse Boxing)
If i missed something, someone will always update us all. After all the rain, I just want to be at the beach...
Greeting everyone! Welcome to the latest edition of The Victory Formation.
The past weekend was a great sporting spectacle. I wrote about it here. It's heartwarming and enlightening on how they somehow pulled it off, but they did, and the result is amazing. Once I am done with the pictures from the press conference I attended, I will shed some more tales.
Welcome to today's edition of The Victory Formation.
Earlier this week, there was a retirement that was announced. It was that of Yao Ming , the Chinese center who played his entire NBA career with the Houston Rockets. Injuries plagued the former number one overall draft pick in 2002 all throughout his tenure, especially on his foot. He's just 30 years old, with a multitude of possible greatness ahead of him, but like Bill Walton, his feet denied him of it.
The frustrating thing about this is, that the Houston Rockets themselves cannot make a statement on this. The decision of Yao to retire had to be coursed through the NBA's offices in New York. Yup, this is a direct result of the NBA lockout. You see, the teams cannot say anything regarding players. In fact, these teams cannot even retweet or mention the players when they do use the social media. The NBA probably would not even give the Rockets a one-off for this, which is a damn shame. But then again, these are some bitter times, and as long as the lockout is on, this is the norm.
However, if you have NBA TV, you must be enjoying the trips down memory lane with all the stuff they're putting up.
On other Motherland news, Hey, it's collegiate basketball time again here at home. My alma mater is gearing up for its title defense, and boy, I am so giddy about it. In addition, some guy also complained about this particular billboard that is located near a main thoroughfare, and managed to successfully take it down.
Here is a much closer look.
Here forth are the links after the jump.
Because it was after all, one year ago...
No Rafa, no problem. Spain moves forward in the Davis Cup. (c/o 10sBalls)
Yup, there is a team called the Washington Kastles. (c/o The Sacramento Press)
Andre Agassi gets inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame. (c/o Sportsrageous)
The final Tour de France of Alexandre Vinokourov goes crash and burn. (c/o VeloNation)
One sign that television is not good for you. (c/o The Guardian)
There is only one Ricky Hatton... (c/o East Side Boxing)
Cotto vs Margarito. This time without the loaded gloves. (c/o BoxingNews24)
The Punisher ekes out a victory. (c/o The Examiner)
Ferrari mark the 60th anniversary of their debut win the right way. (c/o Sportinglife)
Thomas Levet pulls a Kendrys Morales. (c/o Today's Golfer)
Colin Montgomerie talked smack about Rory McIlroy (c/o Irish Central). Karma must have struck (c/o The Independent).
Steve Stricker won the same tournament three straight years. Ain't that sweet (c/o Chicago Sun-Times).
Who says conference shake-ups are a football / basketball thing? (c/o Boston Herald) Of course, some are solutions-oriented... (c/o Western College Hockey)
How do you remember Armon Gilliam? (c/o Washington Post)
This game set Twitter abuzz with madness against Paul Hewitt. (c/o Huffington Post) They did salvage 5th place, though. (c/o NCAA)
Deron likes the challenge Turkey poses. (c/o ProBasketball Talk)
Kobe in China? Why not? (c/o Hoopsvibe) He'd might be more interested in Los Angeles given that his dad is coaching and all... (c/o Los Angeles Times). Oh, and he's coming to the Motherland soon. (c/o Nike Philippines)
This solution might be too good to be true for both the NBA and the Players Association. (c/o Grantland)
PacMan Jones acting like PacMan Jones. (c/o Outside the Boxscore)
Should Pat Tillman be in the Hall of Fame in Canton? Discuss below. (c/o Gang Green Nation)
Speaking of Canton, something new will be there as well. (c/o Cleveland Plain Dealer)
Christian Lopez is the guy who caught Jeter's 3,000th hit. (c/o Pocono Record)
Will Mike Trout be a good catch? (c/o Philadelphia Inquirer)
Could Bryce Harper open Nationals Park in 2012? (c/o Sports Illustrated)
Bored and nothing to do later? Go tweet the baseball All-Stars during the Home Run Derby a.k.a. US (National League) vs the World (American League). (c/o The News-Journal)
I am still jarred by the idea of a guy dying trying to catch a ball. (c/o Baseball Nation)
It happened just like that 12 years ago. (c/o New York Daily News)
Some of the people who will be facing Manchester United later this month. (c/o MLS Soccer)
Here are the highlights from the scintillating game in Stuttgart.
Welcome to the latest edition of The Victory Formation.
I want to wish every single American I know a happy Independence Day. Remember this line:
Just when you think about the Fourth of July, you think about fireworks and similar stuff like that. Then again, in Ohio, there is a new way to celebrate in the clubs. This comes too late for Plaxico Burress, as it would have better for him to have played with the Cleveland Browns or the Cincinnati Bengals instead of the Giants.
Nothing like having the Sheik of Abu Dhabi sign off on wish lists. (c/o Soccerlens)
Frank Rijkaard tasked to bring back respectability to Saudi Arabian football. (c/o The Sun)
West Ham and Tottenham want the Olympic Stadium after 2012. (c/o Sport Business)
Handball in the Women's World Cup for football. (c/o Australian Four Four Two) The Hungarian referee has since apologized for the gaffe and will most likely be exiled back. (c/o Daily Telegraph Australia)
The magic of Marta, the best female footballer in the world. (c/o Boston Globe)
The latest on what used to be dubbed as the Tour de Lance. (c/o The Register-Guard)
Michael Phelps is slowly getting into form. (c/o New York Times)
Looks like Nate Marquardt has been given the kibosh. (c/o Bloody Elbow)
Wanderlei Silva. Probably the end of his era. (c/o Digital Journal)
Welcome to the special Memorial Day edition to The Victory Formation.
Just to remind everyone, Memorial Day is an American Federal Holiday that they observe yearly at the last Monday of May, in which this year falls on the 30th. This commemorates all those who died while serving in the United States military.
Like most of the people in the United States, I am also getting the day off. To all my Stateside friends, I hope you get to do the right thing and honor the ones who gave their lives to defend your country from threats known or unknown.
It has been a while since I got the weekend off, and I really need it to get some rest, relaxation and time to stay at home. Unfortunately, most of my family got the chance to go out and frolic. At least, I get to do some more editing of photos and finish some blogs that I really need to go and write about, I hope.
How does the U.S. Embassy here honor Memorial Day? Recently, the U.S.S. Carl Vinson docked in our shores for a routine port call and then some. That aircraft carrier is the so-called funeral hearse for Osama Bin Laden. Some of my blogger friends luckily were able to go on-board and check the dock out.
Here is a nice picture of the U.S.S. Carl Vinson in Manila before we give way to the links.
Memorial Day weekend is all about racing. Dan Wheldon lucks into a rookie mistake (c/o Los Angeles Times). Kevin Harvick takes advantage of Dale Earnhardt, jr.'s fuel woes (c/o USA Today). In the principality of Monaco, Sebastian Vettel continues his dominance of the Formula 1 circuit (c/o VivaF1).
Danica Patrick might be coming to 2012 to a redneck neighborhood near you. (c/o Post Chronicle)
The beat goes on. Lost in the midst of Novak and his quest to smash McEnroe's streak is the fact that Roger Federer is now in 28 straight quarterfinals on Grand Slams (c/o The Independent).
The Williams siblings will be back in time for World Team Tennis. (c/o MSNBC)
Maryland vs Virginia for Lacrosse dominance by the men. (c/o Streaking the Lawn) Bad sign? Northwestern beat the kids from College Park to seal ladies' lacrosse. (c/o Wall Street Journal)
Jamaican dominance in sprints. Probably not going to go away anytime soon. (c/o BBC Sport) Meanwhile, Usain Bolt comes out just fine. (c/o Jamaican Observer)
It takes Charlie Davies and DC United to finally be the team to beat the Portland Timbers at their turf. (c/o Potomac Soccer Wire)
Congratulations to FC Barcelona, who made mincemeat of whatever Manchester United threw at them (c/o Zonal Marking). Meanwhile, Berbatov did not take kindly to being omitted. (c/o The Sun)
Congratulations to AS Monaco for playing your 2000th Ligue 1 game. Your reward is relegation to Ligue 2. (c/o Yahoo! Eurosport UK)
Sepp Blatter has escaped once again the clutches of nasty allegations. (c/o New York Times) And he probably will be getting a fresh new mandate (c/o Bloomberg).
The Donald is finally on top. (c/o Herald Scotland)
Charl gets membership. For Life. (c/o ProGolf Talk)
Something Annika Sorenstam or Michelle Wie never could do. (c/o Larry Brown Sports)
Greg Paulus as a future college basketball coach? (c/o The Lantern)
No more Cody Green, pressure now on Brion Carnes. (c/o Husker Extra)
Classic case of "OMG, I just threw my school under the bus, I need to be in good graces with them, you know..." (c/o Waiting for Next Year)
Some of the Rams know that sports provide temporary relief from trauma. (c/o STL Sports Minute)
Transforming a sign of negativity into a sign of hope. (c/o National Football Post)
Good news for the Canucks (c/o The Globe and Mail). He's been handy for them off the ice (c/o Orland Kurtenblog).
Hockey is king, because unlike basketball in Chicago, others had to adjust schedule. (c/o Vancouver Sun)
Defending the need for the Atlanta Thrashers to stay. (c/o Matchsticks and Gasoline)
Cavs want BOTH Kyrie Irving and Derrick Williams. (c/o ProBasketball Talk)
The John Kuester era in Detroit has reached a merciful end. (c/o The Detroit Sports Site)
Lebron is humbled by the Jordan praise. (c/o King James Gospel)
Welcome to the latest edition of Sparty and Friends!
Again, apologies for the snafu last Friday. I did try to make that up later that day with the Afternoon hangover. Yes, we all got confused by the today vis-a-vis tomorrow thing. That's the hard part dealing with someone beyond the International Date Line.
Anyhow, I remembered Big D's post on College Football and his email to me wondering about my college football allegiances. This post is dedicated to trying to answer that question.
Being a sort-of casual fan of the sport (considering it gets little or no attention round my parts). I really never had a solid one-team allegiance. The way one has with Purdue or Florida or Tennessee or Michigan State. I have multiple allegiances. It would be based on certain aspects:
1. Jesuits. I will always support Jesuit institutions as an homage to my alma mater. To a certain extent, that extends to similar academic institutions (i.e. Northwestern or Vandy)
2. Underdogs. Being the little guy, I always admire the have-nots in their efforts against the haves. I loved Boise State and its smurf turf and TCU and its hard-nosed D.
3. I dislike Notre Dame. Need I say more? I just find them annoying. And for similar programs, I prefer Michigan over Ohio State. I liked the Fun N' Gun and was in awe of the Tebow era. (Sure helps that he was here in the country before).
4. Quirkiness. Whether players (my love and respect for Virginia Tech nowadays started with the magic of Michael Vick) or coaches (Texas Tech during the Mike Leach era, the wonders of JoePa), if you interest me, that's awesome.
And so ends my soapbox. Feel free to blast me anytime.
Here comes the links madness:
Louis Oosthuizen. Your Open Champion. This time, Tiger is not in 4th place.
There will be a basketball court built on Times Square. Hope someone near there can cover it for me. (Btw, thanks to a good friend named Sarah, who will be going to NYC to cover it).
Andy Pettitte gets hurt. At least not the way AJ Burnett gone through. The good news, at least they get a little breathing room thanks to the Rangers.
Speaking of Boston, 600 straight sellouts. And Josh Beckett is in the horizon...
With just 2 weeks to go until the trade deadline, injuries affect market value.
Looks like Carlos Zambrano is getting ready, but is he now mentally ready? Meanwhile, Doc Halladay got outdueled.
The American parallel to this would be the IRL removing the Indy 500 on their schedule.
Floyd likes having things go his way on his terms. Unless something that would forcibly prod him to do it (i.e. IRS). Not surprised with his shenanigans. Anyhow, if Timothy Bradley is interested or a Paul Williams, just buzz us. Margarito is not an option.
Oh and yes, my alma mater is 2-1. Up next is the biggest school rivalry ever. They have the same record as we do. I hope for tickets.
Double Dip videos for today:
This first one contains the top 20 goals of the World Cup.
The second one is Slim Shady. Because he is a lyrical poetic genius.
