Sunday 12 August 2012

the new kit is here.......

Stivali !

This morning we went out on our first ride since getting back from our summer trip. First ride in the new kit too. It feels & looks great and turned quite a few heads on our short ride this morning.
Those of you who have ordered, it is now winging its way to you.
Here are some pics from today, send us some of yours when you get it.
Thanks to Champion System
More options available now too (triathlon, winter gear, accessories, casual wear etc..). Will be placing another order mid-September. See our 'club clothing' page at www.italianclarion.com

Sunday 3 June 2012

cronoscalata 'Castelnuovo Don Bosco to Albugnano'

Stivali !
When we first moved to Italy 5 years ago we lived in Moncalieri. I went out on a ride with a couple of guys who were pretty handy on the bike and made me earn my turn in their jetstream on one particular day. I suppose they were weighing me up and decided to take me up this hill I'd never ridden before. They said before we got there it was about 5km long and the record was 11 minutes. Well, I thought yeah, when you're fresh and haven't raced on the flat for 70km beforehand.
So we hit the climb and the speed didn't let up. The gauntlet had been thrown down and I was up for a challenge. After a few minutes racing together, Marco started to open up a gap. His pal Giampaolo then let on that it was Marco who held the record from a few years previous. Well, mentally that gave me the excuse to ease off. Or maybe I was just knackered.

Friday 1 June 2012

A Clarion Team, 900 miles and the 1998 FBD Milk Rás

Stivali!

In June of 1997, Graham Pearce, the Stockport Clarion race guru came back from that years edition of the Rás telling us all of the great experience. He was leading one of the teams from their support vehicle. He made it sound ridiculously hard & insane, but also like the nearest an amateur could get to a true ‘tour’ experience. Over 30 teams, 9 days of racing, over 100 miles each day, 170 riders, team support vehicles, racing around Ireland, the home of Kelly, Roche, Earley & ofcourse Guinness. It sounded epic. It was…..This was going to be something we’d never forget.

Wednesday 30 May 2012

New Team Kit Finalised

Stivali !
We are about to place our order for the new kit:

Final design approved, now taking orders. Please visit www.italianclarion.com if you want some kit.
For payment please email me: info@italianclarion.com
Many thanks
Speroni !

Monza - SanRemo 330km

Stivali !
Monza - the depart
Our rides 'percorso' was a little different to the professionals held annually in March. We started in Monza, thanks to the support offered by a local team there, 'cicli piazza'. We also stopped off at the half-way point in Acqui Terme for the night.
The ride started off at 8am in Monza and we headed south through Milano, past the Duomo and San Siro. It was then pretty monotonous as we made our way through the flat lands of the rice fields. However the comradeship of our new friends kept things interesting, as well as the two support vehicles who motivated us with cheers from the roadside, from within the cars and at the cafe bars.

Monday 7 May 2012

Bra - Bra

Stivali !
First of all, I should clarify; Bra is a place, a beautiful place in Le Langhe, not far from us.
Today we took part in the Medio Fondo event 110km over very undulating terrain (1740m dsl) in this stunning wine region.
http://www.bikemap.net/route/1557685 is the route.

Saturday 5 May 2012

pretty in pink?

Stivali !
As it's the start of the Giro today, here's our pink offering. What about these:

designs for italian clarion team kit

Stivali !

We have finally come up with some proposals for our team kit.
Options are as per the Italian national champions jersey: