Richie Porte wins Volta ao Algarve

I awoke this morning to news that Richie Porte had taken overall victory at the 2012 Volta ao Algarve.

This is Porte's maiden victory at the top level and the first of the year for his new team Sky Procycling, after two very solid years working under Bjarne Riis at Team Saxo Bank.

Totally Rad Friday - Omega Pharma Quick Step

Omega Pharma Quick Step have got off to a cracking start to the year. Levi Leipheimer took overall victory at the Tour de San Luis and Tom Boonen went home with the silverware from the Tour of Qatar.

Along the way Leipheimer and Chicchi won two stages at the Tour de San Luis. Boonen also won a stage and added to this with two further stage wins on his way to his victory at the Tour of Qatar.

So, given such a dominant start to the season Omega Pharma Quick Step can now add a 'Totally Rad Friday' award to the trophy cabinet. Here's hoping there's a lot more where that came from.

All that awesome aside, I have ago ask... what on earth is going on here?

Have a Rad weekend.

~VL

Photo Credit: Tim De Waele

Sartorial Elegance - Rapha Trousers

Having a total love affair with a pair of Rapha Trousers picked up in the recent sales.

Could be the best $72 ever spent on a pair of pants.

~VL

2012 Audax Alpine Classic - The Ultimate Sufferfest

You may recall from a couple of recent posts that in a moment of poor judgement last year I signed up for the 2012 Audax Alpine Classic.

Most keen cyclists know of this ride, but for the initiated, the Alpine Classic is a 200 kilometre one day ride which takes in the Victorian Alpine climbs of Tawonga Gap, Falls Creek, Tawonga Gap (backside) and Mt Buffalo. In addition to covering just under 200 kilometres, riders tackle around 3,900 metres of climbing over the course of the day. All of this while tackling the searing heat of the Australian Summer.