Interesting about him preferring to ride a Spesh to Pinarello, I'd always assumed the pros didn't really care what they rode as everything would be pretty much as good at that level. Or maybe it's about his relationship/input with Spesh rather than the bike itself?

It's certainly interesting to hear about any pro-rider who favours a particular machine. I've always felt that the big players like Trek and Specialized get a rough deal with many british roadies (presumably because the brand is seen as being too 'corporate' somehow?) These big brands clearly put the effort into design of their bikes and into the racing scene (pro and amateur) as a whole, so they certainly get a second look from me on this basis alone.

I read an article in an F1 magazine recently which was discussing Mark Webber and Alain Prost's ascent of Alpe D'Huez. I noted that Prost used to manufacture road bikes some years back and has a keen engineering mentality. His personal choice of bike for the ascent was an S-Works Tarmac; Mark Webber's choice was a Trek Madone. Being decent athletes, with a leaning towards technical excellence in their careers, these guys should really understand what they're riding!

Simon G - it could be that both Prost and Webber are also being provided with bikes at no cost. I'm pretty sure that's why Jensen Button uses a Specialized when he takes part in triathlons.

Quote: 'He has indicated that the British team would do everything possible to help Cavendish win in the London Olympics next year, but that “it would be bitter” if Cavendish was “in the colours of a foreign team."'

What a load of jingoistic bilge! I fail to see why it would better if he was riding for Sky, especially given that the team is built on the dirtiest money in cycling, what with Sky being a part of Murdoch's evil empire...

Brailsford having an "oral arrangement" with Cavendish has put quite a nasty image in my brain, thanks for that

Noticed recently that Button's girlfriend was riding a Rose road bike in a triathlon they did together.