Favorite pro-cycling quotes of the week: on food, fighting back, judgement, love magnets, and turning the tables

Matthew Busche leaves the start house for the 2012 USA Pro Challenge TT in Denver

Love magnets

“Because the race is close to Girona, Lisa was able to make it to the stage with a couple friends. They were a welcome surprise not only once but FIVE times along the road! I’m not sure how it works, but it is always easy to pick someone you know and love out in a crowd.” – Matthew Busche (RadioShack-Leopard-Trek), writing on his blog after Stage 1 of the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya. Lisa is Matthew’s wife. They have a home in Girona, Spain.

No more muffins

“I was expecting the Tour of Taiwan to be my first race with the team but when I was on the camp in Arizona I was told my first race would be in France in a couple of weeks. I literally dropped the muffin I was eating and stepped away from the dessert cart!” – Martyn Irvine (UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team), from an update on his blog while racing in the Tour de Taiwan.

Withholding judgement

Phil Gaimon on the last day of the 2012 Tour of the Gila

“He did some bad stuff, for sure. But it’s complicated. I mean look at a guy like [Garmin-Sharp manager Jonathan] Vaughters. He’s made clear that he was involved in doping as a rider, but many would argue that he’s also been key to changing the sport for the better. You have to judge a human being by everything they do. To say all dopers are worthless is to oversimplify things. And even I get that as a guy with a ‘clean’ tattoo.” – Phil Gaimon (Bissell), when prompted about training with Tom Danielson over the winter in Tucson, from a story in Velonews.

Turning the tables

“I think we’re developing our own tactics at the moment and a lot of people are criticizing us saying it’s boring,” Froome said. “But I think it’s quite exciting because other teams have to plan their own tactics against ours, it’s not boring.” – Chris Froome (Sky), responding to a statement during an interview with a Reuters reporter about the team’s ride-tempo-at-the-front strategy.

Fighting back

“I was a bit stressed,” Parisien said of his new responsibility. “I was in a really deep, dark hole last year and wouldn’t have handled it well. Now I can manage that stress during a race much better. I’m more calm and stable. In the lead-out during stage five, I was able to tell the guys to wait and stay calm. I surprised myself. I’m really liking the new Frank.” – Francois Parisien (Argos-Shimano) in an interview with Cyclingnews, after winning Stage 5 at the Volta a Ciclista a Catalunya. His team had designated him lead sprinter for the stage race. He dealt with an injury and depression in the first half of last year.