The TDF is almost here.

This weekend was busy for professional cycling. The Dauphiné Libéré was won by Alejandro Valverde. I sure hope that the Italian cycling authorities (CONI) allow him to participate in the Tour de France this year. Italian, you say, well yes. Seems that for his alleged involvement in Operation Puerto the Italians have banned him from any races on Italian soil for two years. The TDF takes a brief 80km (about 50 miles) run into Italy on stage 16. In all these type of cases it is usually a matter of he said/she said and this is no different. It is just a shame that one of the best cyclists in the world today will not be able to participate.

The Tour de Suisse started this past Saturday and although he did not win the prologue TT Big George Hincapie sure looked to be in good form preparing for the tour. As a matter of fact, all of the Columbia-Highroad team looks good for the upcoming TDF in July. Bernhard Eisel from the same Columbia-Highroad team is won stage two. Fabian Cancellara is the current leader. I don’t think George is a real TDF champion but it would be nice to see him win a stage or two along with Mark Cavendish.

It’s looking more likely that a Japanese rider will be at the Tour de France for the first time in more than a decade. Bbox Bouygues Telecom has named Yukiya Arashiro as one of the riders assured to start the 2009 Tour on July 4 in Monaco. This is just more proof that cycling is truly an international sport.

We will also get to see this week if Christian Vande Velde is fully recovered from his earlier crash to be in top form for the TDF.

June is turning out to be almost as exciting for cycling fans as the month of July. I can’t wait.