Evans predicts a great future for Ritchie Porte

From Cyclingnews.com

Australians win all secondary jerseys of the Giro d'Italia

By: Jean-François Quénet - May 30, - Giro d'Italia, Stage 21

Australian riders won the points classification, the king of the mountain prize and the best young rider classification in the 2010 Giro d'Italia thanks to Cadel Evans, Matt Lloyd and Richie Porte. Never before has a rider from Down Under won a major secondary classification at the corsa rosa.
Phil Anderson came the closest in 1990 when he won the Intergiro, a temporal classification based on midway points for every stage. The leader wore a blue jersey.
"I came here for the pink jersey to be honest," said overall contender Evans, whose consistency netted him the points classification jersey. It is no longer cyclamen this year, but red.
"It was a great finish to the Giro and so thanks to the organisers for a great race," said the World Champion. The points jersey was some consolation for a missed opportunity to win a Grand Tour as Evans battled sickness during the Giro and did not have as strong of a team as some of the other favorites. "Some stages were amazing, and we didn't know what was going to happen next," he said. "I'm satisfied with my Giro."
Evans was full of praise for his young compatriots, the other classification winners. "I was very impressed with Matt yesterday," said Evans. "He showed his depth and rode above himself. The same for Richie. I first met him when he was reserve for the Australian worlds team. He's been in hiding, but now everyone knows his name and what he's capable of. Matt can go for other stages and mountain jerseys. Richie learned, and it was a learning curve that will help him during the rest of his career. I wish him all the best."
When Lloyd went on stage to get the green jersey of the mountains classification, he hadn't had a chance to research which other riders had won this classification previously. His name joins those of Gino Bartali, Fausto Coppi, Hugo Koblet, Louison Bobet, Charly Gaul, Federico Bahamontes, Rik Van Looy, Eddy Merckx, Lucien van Impe, Laurent Fignon, Robert Millar, Andy Hampsten, Lucio Herrera, Claudio Chiappucci, Marco Pantani, José Rujano and Stefano Garzelli in the record books. The mountains classification was implemented in 1933.
"I haven't got the words to describe the Giro after three weeks of racing," the Victorian from Omega Pharma-Lotto said. "We did three or four days in Holland. That was really difficult for me with the flat and the wind. Then we went up and down the country. It's a difficult country, and the mountains were in the last week. It was fantastic to the finish. It was something special.
"I didn't think I could win the green jersey, but thanks to my team I became more and more comfortable in it. I got great help from my team. Yesterday was my last chance to emphasize my climbing ability and confront these guys. It was fantastic and I can't ask for more from my Giro."
Porte is the true revelation of the three weeks of Giro d'Italia racing. "I came here with pretty modest expectations. It's been a hell of a trip for me. My team has been incredible but so has the Italian public. In some small villages, all the people were out, and so the future looks bright for cycling."
"There are some good young guys coming through like (Bauke) Mollema and (Robert) Kiserlovski," said Porte. "Yesterday, I was in a world of pain, but my teammates pulled me back."
"I'm quite young to the sport, but when I look at these guys (Evans and Basso), they're incredible and at the next level. Cadel was fantastic with me. He didn't have to be, but I was able to really appreciate that, just like I was with my teammates (Gustav) Larsson and (Nicki and Chris) Sørensen. It's good to have great champs who are willing to help."
An emotional Porte had a few words to sum up his experience: "Thanks to Italy for a great race."

Porte to finish 6th overall in Giro and win you riders white jersey.

With only a short time trial remaining Ritchie Porte will finish 6th in the Giro d italia, one place behind fellow Aussie cadel Evans. Portey will also take the prestigious young riders white jersey.
A stunning Grand tour debut.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/porte-secures-white-jersey-and-likely-top-eight-finish
http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/93rd-giro-ditalia-gt/stage-20/results

Investors cheer as Gay goes. SMH readers say take you pulp mill with you John - see poll

http://www.smh.com.au/business/investors-cheer-gunns-chairmans-exit-20100528-wl65.html

and more news on Gay's departure.......

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/gunns-coup-ousting-john-gay-will-kill-off-tasmanian-pulp-mill-wilderness-society-believes/story-e6frg6nf-1225872656638
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/28/2911794.htm?section=justin
http://www.proprint.com.au/News/176249,gunns-chairman-steps-down.aspx
http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2010/s2911936.htm
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/gunns-pulp-mill-still-on-the-agenda-20100528-wlhp.html

New anti-mill group Friends of the Tamar Valley have vowed to join the fight to ensure the proposed Tamar Valley mill is never built. Yesterday, Tasmania's print and electronic media featured the 'coming out' of this group and gave the story good coverage. The story was also picked up nationally (see above links).
Locally both Win & Southern Cross TV featured the launch of FOTV.
Curiously, local anti-pulp mill website the Tasmanian Times did not feature the FOTV launch instead burying the FOTV media release in its back links.

Friends of Tamar Valley tell local media Tamar Valley mill is dead.

From ABC news

Debate hots up on pulp mill future

Updated 3 hours 25 minutes ago

Forestry industry talks and the resignation of Gunns' chairman have restarted the debate over a proposed pulp mill in Tasmania's north.
John Gay was with the company for 37 years and was a major driver of the proposed $2 billion Tamar Valley pulp mill.
Former premier Paul Lennon has told ABC Local Radio the current industry crisis talks and a downturn in international wood chip markets had vindicated Mr Gay's determination.
"A mill must be built in Tasmania. If it's not, then the forest industry will wither on the vine," Mr Lennon said.
Australian Greens leader Bob Brown believes the mill project is still alive.
Senator Brown says Mr Gay's departure opens the way for alternative pulp mill proposals.
"The pulp mill as conceived by John Gay is dead in the water with its chlorine with its destruction of native forests and wildlife and pollution but it doesn't say that it's off the drawing board," he said.
Mr Gay's resignation coincides with the formation of a new anti-mill group.
The Friends of the Tamar Valley's Judith King says Mr Gay stepping down should deliver a clear signal to government that the mill is finished.
"But we also wants Gunns to deliver that signal, to say that the mill is finished."
She says her group will work with others to stop the mill being built.

Breaking News......new anti-mill group forms in Tamar Valley....Friends of the Tamar Valley.....media release

MEDIA RELEASE

28/05/2010

NEW TAMAR VALLEY COMMUNITY GROUP!

MORE PULP MILL OPPOSITION IN THE TAMAR

JOHN GAY’S RESIGNATION

"A new community group, Friends of the Tamar Valley, has formed with the intention of working with other concerned Tasmanians to stop the proposed Tamar Valley Pulp Mill.
Friends of the Tamar Valley's membership & supporters are from a broad cross section of the Tamar Valley community and are united in their determination to stop this unwanted pulp mill from ever being built.
The pulp mill would be detrimental to the Tamar Valley, risking human health, the environment, the local economy and lifestyles” said Judith King, a member of Friends of the Tamar Valley and resident in the area.
“The resignation of John Gay from Gunns & Southern Star coincides with the inauguration of Friends of the Tamar Valley and only serves to strengthen the group’s objective to ensure the pulp mill does not proceed” Ms King. “Mr Gay's resignation should deliver a clear signal to the Bartlett government that the mill is finished.
“Premier Bartlett must show integrity & reconnect with the people of the Tamar Valley by immediately withdrawing any & all government support. He must also repeal the Pulp Mill Assessment Act and allow the Tamar Valley Community the same justice, certainty and the right to a future that it gave the Gunns logging company over 3 years ago when it fast-tracked its pulp mill. This is long overdue.”
For further information contact: Judith King
Phone: 0419 572 539

John Gay retires from Gunns and Southern Star corp.

After Gunns shares plummet, massive media speculation and rumours of intense pressure from investors and within Gunns itself, John Gay finally takes a hike. Did he jump or was he pushed (cough, cough)?

Gunns shares close at a massive 27.5 cents

This is what some of Tasmania's brown nose politicians said.

Premier David Bartlett - "I was just getting used to the sound of his voice. Now who will be there to pull me into line?"When John told me to backflip, I backflipped so hard I nearly put out my back & nearly lost my job"

Opposition Leader Will Hodgman  - "When John said jump, all of us in the Tasmanian Liberals said 'how high'. I will miss taking oders from John. When John stuck the boots into the RPDC i was right there beside him agreeing all the way. I just love Gunns"

Rene Hidding "I wanted to have dinner with John every night. Thats what i said."

Peter Gutwein "I was right there with John when those greenies drew a green squiggly dick on his front fence"

Michael Aird - "I went to Europe with John"

Lara Giddings - "So did I"

The rest of the Tasmanian Liberal and Labor parties "So did we. We will miss you Mr Premier"
...............................
http://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20100527/pdf/31qkd6r6t9sjx5.pdf
http://www.smh.com.au/business/gunns-chairman-john-gay-steps-down-20100527-whav.html
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/27/2911367.htm?section=business

Kennett cannot chair Forestry Roundtable

What a ridiculous suggestion. Whose idea was this?
Kennett is clearly the wrong amigo because he publicly threw his weight (arguably without knowing a thing about the project) behind the Pulp Mill in his capacity as a  footy mate of Aurora stadium sponsor, Gunns & boofy former premier Paul Lennon .
Jeff Kennett is the president of Hawthorn footy club which has deal with the Tas govt who of course are 100% pro Gunns, pro pulp mill. No coincidence that Kennett came out in support of the pulp mill.
Hawthorn play around 5 matches a year at the heavily Gunns sponsored Aurora Stadium.
Sorry folks. Its just too cosy to work.

pilko.

For all my swimming mates.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax77_hHq9Dc&feature=related

Are the Liberals becoming another Tea Party - by Andrew Bartlett

From Blogotariat
http://www.blogotariat.com/node/194033

Are the Liberals becoming another Tea Party?

Bartlett's Blog - May 26, 2010 - 8:38pm

For the last few months, I’ve found it hard to shake the idea that the Liberal Party’s overriding approach to politics and policy has deteriorated to a level little better than where the US Republican Party now finds itself. I think the reason why things have sunk this low has a lot to do with the perverted nature of the so-called culture and history wars which were embraced with such fervour by the Howard government.
The public and policy debates engendered by the culture/history wars were driven by political point-scoring opportunities and a desire to reframe public perceptions in a way which fitted a hardline conservative worldview. It is no wonder Malcolm Fraser resigned from the Liberal party – a decision I am sure he would not have taken lightly.
Facts have been an optional extra in any of the arguments used to advance the culture/history war positions. Once a group of people engaging in political debate no longer feel the need to adhere to a reality based framework, and even basic tenets of logic and rationality are readily dispensed with if they get in the way of a desirable slogan or soundbite, then we are really are faced with a very different type of politics.
Just as the Republicans seem to think that, by definition everything Barack Obama is automatically another part of his socialist, big government, big spending, high taxing, pro-Muslim, anti-American, anti-religious, pro-abortion, gun-hating, pro-terrorist plot to destroy America from the inside – so the Liberal-Nationals now seem to feel every action by other parties, no matter how mundane, straight-forward or rational, must immediately be seen as another example of a fundamental threat to whatever it is they decide they believe in this week.
Julie Bishop’s latest bizarre attacks on the very middle of the road decision by the Rudd to eject one Israeli diplomat from Australia in response to that country’s action to forge Australian passports and steal the identities of at least 4 Australian citizens is a small but telling example.
Expelling a diplomat in this sort of circumstance seems like a very stock standard, almost tokenistic going-through-the-motions type of action by Foreign Minister Stephen Smith. Yet Ms Bishop immediately tried to portray this as some sort of anti-Israel action aimed at currying favour with Arab nations. So desperate was she to take a pro-Israel approach, and to suggest that what Israel did was no big deal that she stated that the Australian government (or our spy agency) did the same sort of thing when it came to passport forgery and identity theft.
There is plenty to criticise the Rudd government for, but replacing coherent critiques with knee-jerk shrieking sloganeering is not a good sign. It may even be that this low road approach of manically pushing every negative button in sight could work well electorally – but heaven help us all if it does.
I am not convinced that the Tea Party movement will achieve much politically in the long run other than splinter the Republican vote, but in the mean time they are making any attempt at coherent, rational policy debate in the USA almost impossible. The Liberal’s incoherent, self-contradicting approach on a whole range of policy issues – most worryingly even on economic and tax policy – might be sufficiently obscured by their continuing inchoate war on everything as to provide electoral benefits for them. But once rational thinking is no longer required – in fact becomes an impediment to launching the latest barrage – then there is no guarantee it will ever be returned to at some stage down the track.

Great cycling song by the Style Council & 2 more Style Council classics

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8sifv_the-style-council-my-ever-changing_music

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2d2gd_style-council-you-re-the-best-thing_music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfOv9rXBIas&feature=related

Porte's dream continues at the Giro - from Cyclingnews.com

By: Jean-François Quénet Published: Cyclingnews.com  Wednesday, May 26, 2010, Giro d'Italia, Stage 16

Richie Porte (Saxo Bank), leader of the best young rider classification, has been a revelation in this Giro edition.
At his first attempt in a Grand Tour, Richie Porte remains near the top of the Giro d'Italia standings during the third week after producing a solid ride up the Plan de Corones.
He finished 17th and lost only 1:10 to overall favourite Ivan Basso, who now sits just nine seconds ahead of him on general classification while compatriot Cadel Evans remains behind him in fourth place.
More than his position overall, Porte was concerned about the performance of the other contenders for the white jersey of best young rider. "I'm ahead of the other young guys, right?" he asked after descending the podium steps with the traces of rose lipstick on his cheeks to which he's become accustomed... at least until he rejoins his team-mates in the Saxo Bank team bus.
Porte scored a better time than Robert Kiserlovski and Bauke Mollema who finished 31st and 29th respectively. He's 6:21 ahead of the Croatian overall and 12:40 ahead of the Dutchman while Dario Cataldo has moved up thanks to his ninth place at Plan de Corones but he's 11:34 down on Porte in the best young rider classification.
"Uphill time trials aren't really my forte," Porte told Cyclingnews. "But I rode comfortably all day and I'm happy to consolidate my white jersey. I'm having a fantastic Giro d'Italia.
"Thanks to my team, I race stress free. I think this is the most important. I had no idea how I could time trial in the third week of a stage race but I think I've got the legs to do it.
"To bring this white jersey home is a major goal. With teammates like Chris Anker Sørensen who is dedicating himself for me in the climbs, I can be confident."
Porte could well make the top 10 - if not better - in his first attempt at a Grand Tour. "I love my new job," he said with a large smile. "For the GC, realistically, there are big guys chasing behind me. It's gonna be a pretty big war on the road. My position gives me the liberty to not go into the red."
And while the Australian wore the maglia rosa for three days during the Giro's second week, the maglia bianca is the jersey he's after and for good reason - he's a very realistic chance of taking it for keeps on Sunday in Verona"

Getting fit.

Hope you enjoy the piccy of Paper Beach taken this morning. I never get sick of riding in my backyard area of Deviot. 43 chilly km's this a.m from Blackwall Hill, Deviot rd, Paper Beach, Batman bridge, Tamar Ridge.
Plenty of hills today. Have managed about 800km in last 6 weeks which is o.k.
4km of swimming this week and also starting to run after nasty ankle sprain. Loving the autumn weather here in the Tamar Valley.

Frank Strie from Timber workers for Forests says Gunns FSC claims misreported and exaggerated by industry

From Frank Strie......

It’s now time to report the truth in the whole process:

Statement @ 2:45 pm 26th May 2010:

” FSC has not certified Tasmanian native forests or forest products. No forest or plantation in Tasmania has been certified to FSC standards; no Tasmanian forest management company has an FSC Chain of Custody certificate and; no forest or plantation has been certified as complying with even the minimum requirements to enter the FSC supply chain that is FSC Controlled Wood.
Gunns has embarked on a process toward FSC certification but this will take time and change.
Gunns Japanese customers, who are already FSC certified, have had their verification audit approved by their certification body. That means they can obtain non-FSC certified controlled wood from Gunns on the basis that wood from controversial areas (coupes listed by environment groups as containing high conservations values) will be excluded from any shipments to these Japanese customers.”

So reported by Michael Spencer CEO FSC Australia

This in contrast to this ABC headline report: "Timber contractors buoyed by forestry ‘tick’ ABC Local News"
.......... Forest Contractors Association says the FSC certification will help sales. ...
Forestry Tasmania Managing Director Bob Gordon says the announcement debunks the myth that FSC does not certify wood from sustainably managed forests. ...

 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/26/2909745.htm

UBS says 'Gunns Pulp Mill a long shot'.....SMH says "internal" brawling at Gunns......OZ says Gunns "trashed"

The news just gets better and better for everyones favourite logging company. See links below

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/26/2909802.htm?section=business
http://www.examiner.com.au/news/local/news/economy-business-it-finance/hardware-deal-scrutiny/1839903.aspx

and.....
http://www.smh.com.au/business/gunns-target-for-takeover-as-shares-slump-20100525-wb3z.html
......"Mr Eastment said there was an internal struggle in the company not unlike the factional dispute tearing apart Gunns's nemesis, The Wilderness Society.

He said ''old-guard'' board members were fighting against new management led by chief executive Greg L'Estrange"

and from the OZ......
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/opinion/sniffing-eucalyptus-in-a-wind-of-change/story-e6frg9lo-1225871284301

and from Business Spectator.........................
........"Things have been difficult for the Tasmanian timber group Gunns since its major banker, ANZ Banking Group, declined to fund its flagship pulp mill in Tasmania. Investors have grown impatient over the years as alternative funding failed to emerge (albeit in tricky conditions). Then there’s been concerns over Gunns’ debt load, anaemic Asian pulp demand, managed investment scheme troubles and a class action in regards to its disclosure over a profit slump – negative sentiment pushed Gunns shares to a record low of 26.5 cents yesterday, with some speculating it will exit the S&P/ASX200 altogether and rumours about its demise as an independent company gathering pace. On the plus side, Gunns has announced some steps on board renewal, non-core asset sales are underway, Deutsche values it at 60 cents per share and its Japanese customers have been granted Forest Stewardship Council “controlled wood status” for wood chips sourced from parts of Tassie".

Gunns shares close down a staggering 24.3% to 26.5cents. The lowest ever?

ABC news reports......"Sydney-based market analyst, Peter Warnes, says four million Gunns shares have been sold, most likely by big institutions.

"I think a lot of people are just fed up with the lack of corporate governance," he said.
Financial analyst Matthew Torenius says this is the lowest Gunns shares (31cents) have been since 1999.
"Much lower and it will be the lowest ever," he said.
"Gunns shares lost almost a quarter of their value today, as nearly five per cent of the company's stocks changed hands.

Shadforths financial analyst Matthew Torenius says it is surprising today's announcement has not boosted the Gunns share price.
"Investors are really spooked," he said.
"We've seen the share price just close down almost 25 per cent today, or 8.5 cents to 26.5 cents.
"Volume today: around 40 million shares traded so that's the heaviest volume in Gunns, in trading in Gunns shares for this year at least."

........from The OZ... Not so great Gunns
IF Gunns Ltd was a start-up company, the analysts wouldn't be looking at it.
Yesterday's $40 million deal with the Lowe's-Woolies-owned hardware outfit Danks & Son is clearly a constructive development for the buyer and particularly for the 283 affected employees but the vendor's market capitalisation is now around the $285m level. Shares in what was once Australia's all-powerful timber giant closed unchanged at 35c yesterday as market watchers mostly changed the subject when the topic of Gunns came up.
It's hardly surprising since the planned $2 billion Tamar River pulp mill is now disappearing over the horizon of the timber group's plans, thanks to the enormous and unfashionable leverage that would now be required to finance it. News from the bunker is sparse and most reports on the company highlight litigation funder IMF's class action, managed by Maurice Blackburn Cashman, alleging Gunns breached its continuous disclosure obligations earlier this year.
Gunns reported a 98.7 per cent profit drop in the half year to December 31, 2009, and the class action alleges the company failed to make the market aware of its deteriorating financial position.
To give you an idea of how well the company is travelling, that news in February knocked the share price down by 22 per cent from 88c to what seemed like a low 68c. Now it's just over half that."

.....from Launcestons financial rock god Jarvis Cocker...."When will the silly suggestions that Gunns is a takeover target come to an end? Takeover targets tend to be companies with share prices well below asset value, or those whose value is misunderstood by the market. I wouldn’t have thought either of those applied to Gunns. In the current economic climate, there isn’t likely to be a buyer for Gunns timber assets regardless of price. I suspect Gunns’ liabilities greatly exceed the recoverable value of assets. Shares have just finished the day trading at 26.5 cents, valuing the company at just slightly more than my local fish and chippery.There isn’t any indication a single buyer is taking any interest. No doubt The Examiner will harp on about Gunns being a target, but I don’t know any institution remotely interested in this sort of basket case. The Board deserve to be [!] (or at least reprimanded by the ASX) for their latest lack of disclosure. Whatever happened to protecting the interests of your shareholders by letting the ASX know why the price is plummeting? I’m sure John and Robin know why".

.........from Business Spectator....
...."Elsewhere, an announcement yesterday saw Woolworths further its hardware ambitions and the unravelling of timber group Gunns, with the retail giant (via Danks) paying $40 million for five Gunns retail stores in Tasmania, as well as a timber joinery centre and truss manufacturing plant".

The Pulp Mill is dead - not so says chemical Ali

First published here by pilko and reproduced by blogotariat

http://www.blogotariat.com/node/192829

Cyco Killers

Article from The Mercury about idiots who are setting barb wire traps on trails in South Hobart. Catch them and lock em up!

..............

Cycle wire mantrap anger - PHILIPPA DUNCAN, The Mercury
http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2010/05/23/147881_todays-news.html

May 23, 2010 08:05am

"POLICE are investigating who laid a barbed-wire mantrap that mauled a mountain biker in South Hobart.
The trap, across a popular walking and cycling track on private land earlier this month, shocked the mountain biking community, which fears someone could be killed.
Nathan Chilcott rode into the barbed wire strung at shoulder height across the track between two trees.
Luckily the wire broke, otherwise the injuries could have been a lot worse than the puncture wounds and bruises on Mr Chilcott's arms.
The bloodied cyclist posted pictures of his injuries on the website pedalbite.com, warning others to watch out because "some retard" was putting barbed wire across tracks.
"Something has got to be done about these assholes," he wrote.
Mr Chilcott did not want to speak to the Sunday Tasmanian, but another cyclist, Nathan Meyers, said mountain bikers were worried about the potentially deadly attack on one of their own.
"It is a real concern, this was set up as a mantrap designed to really hurt someone," he said.
"In my opinion, barbed wire across a trail at neck height could certainly cause life-threatening injuries."
Mr Chilcott reported it to Tasmania Police, who said "inquiries have been conducted".
It is not the first time a rider has hit wire in Hobart.
Early last year a woman was lucky to escape serious injury when she hit wire while cycling downhill in Coningham State Recreation Area.
It prompted Commander Peter Edwards to warn offenders they could face jail because of the potential for serious injury.
Mr Meyers said mountain bikers sometimes came across logs and rocks placed in the middle of tracks on Mt Wellington.
He suspected walkers laid the booby traps, not to hurt riders but to slow them down.
"Some walkers believe they have a greater tenure than we do because they have been using the mountain for 100 years and we have only been on it for 10 years," he said.
Wellington Park Management Trust manager Michael Easton condemned the barbed-wire trap.
"This could take a guy's head off," he said.
"If that had happened in Wellington Park we would be absolutely horrified."
He reminded walkers to respect the right of cyclists to use designated tracks on the mountain".

Porte's pink jersey dream ends in Asolo - From Cyclingnews.com

Porte's pink jersey dream ends in Asolo

By: Jean-François Quénet, Published: May 22, 18:31, Updated: May 22, 18:36, Cycling News, Saturday, May 22, 2010, Giro d'Italia

"Richie Porte (Saxo Bank) may have surrendered the pink jersey today, but the Australian still leads the young rider classification.
Rookie Richie Porte (Saxo Bank) has had the pink jersey for three days at the Giro d'Italia but his dream has ended today in Asolo as David Arroyo (Caisse d'Epargne), second place at the start of the day, took over the race lead. The 25-year-old Tasmanian is now only 39 seconds down on general classification but he knows he won't get back in the maglia rosa. However, Porte remains the leader in the best young rider classification.
Climbing over the Monte Grappa, Porte quickly realised he wouldn't be able to accompany the favourites of the Giro d'Italia when the Liquigas-Doimo team started to make the race difficult. Porte did his best to minimize the deficit, though, with the help of several Saxo Bank teammates. "The team was incredible today," Porte said at the finish line. "I can't believe they sacrificed their own race for me."
Porte wasn't disappointed about losing the pink jersey. "I've lost it but I'm content," he said. "Three days in pink are much more than what I could have imagined. I'm a happy man.
"I guess I'm back to my initial goal, which is the white jersey," Porte said. "Robert Kiserlovski [Liquigas-Doimo] is probably my number one rival. He was chasing behind his own teammates, it means he wants to be the best young rider. It's a funny game."
Kiserlovski is 1:56 behind Porte on GC but it will also be interesting to follow the progress of Dutch climbing sensation Bauke Mollema (Rabobank) in the coming mountains where steep hills will make huge differences, starting with the Zoncolan on tomorrow's stage 15"

MEDIA WATCH -Well done to Tasmanian print & electronic media on its coverage of Tasmanian cyclists in Giro

Tasmanian print & electronic media have rallied behind Ritchie Porte and the other Tasmanian boys at the Giro d Italia.
The ABC local radio in particular have been outstanding with Tim Cox, Rick "hollywood" Fontaine and Peter Niewlands all taking a keen interest.
Indeed, Peter Niewlands dedicated a large chunk of ABC local grandstand to the Giro, including a chat to Tassie Giro cyclist Cameron Wurf from Wurf's team hotel in Italy. Click on the link below and click on "Tasmanian Grandstand" Sat. May 22 at the top of page.

http://www.abc.net.au/sport/more/audio/

MEDIA WATCH. Spot the conflict of interest

http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/05/news/lance-armstrong-releases-emails-between-floyd-landis-and-the-tour-of-california_117763

MEDIA WATCH. An excellent and timeless article of a few years back by Greg Barns ....and....a mission statement from TT about what the Tasmanian Times used to be like.

Bloggers note - I stumbled across this older article the other day.

Once upon a time I disagreed with Greg Barns on this.

Not so much anymore.
I certainly dont agree with everything Greg Barns says, nor am i a fan of the Tasmanian logging practices or the proposed Tamar Valley pulp mill. That is well known. However i do like to think, talk and write about other things and i believe the left wing media should also

However if forestry is all you ever think about and you can keep your contrarian views to yourself then the Tasmanian Times is for you. Submit an article. Make a comment See what you think.

.............

Greg Barns writing for The Mercury, Monday, June 20, 2005

THE majority of Tasmanians probably don’t know it exists but those in the media and politics certainly do — and it’s won a couple of awards and been written up in The Australian newspaper.
It’s the website tasmanian times.com.

The aim of this site—that it “exists to be a forum of discussion and dissent, a cheeky, irreverent challenge to the mass media’s obsession with popularity, superficiality and celebrity’’—is one that’s rarely met.

There is nothing feisty about it. It is self-absorbed and boring, the antithesis of what a challenger to the established print medium ought to be.

Why does it matter? Because, as the owner of this newspaper Rupert Murdoch rightly noted earlier this year, people are turning increasingly to various forms of internet media for the news and information they want.

“We need to realise that the next generation of people accessing news and information, whether from newspapers or any other source, have a different set of expectations about the kind of news they will get, including when and how they will get it, where they will get it from and who they will get it from,’‘ he told a conference of American newspaper editors.

However, if you’re a Tasmanian who wants to find a reliable internet source of information, views and ideas about your state and what’s happening in it, tasmaniantimes.com will not help you.

In contrast to other Australian sites, such as Australian Policy Online and onlineopinion (I am a director of the company that owns onlineopinion), which are diverse and intellectually engaging, tasmaniantimes.com seems stodgy and complacent.

Like many writers in the state, I have written for tasmaniantimes.com and had articles I’ve had published elsewhere republished on the site; I have participated in the online argument and commentary section of the site.

However, I’m always left wondering “Why bother?’’ There’s a cricket team of individuals who dominate the site. Nearly all have a similar world view: that Tasmania is corrupt, dominated by conspiracies and that Bob Brown will save us all one day when he ascends to the green heaven.

Let’s take the fellow who calls himself “phill PARSONS’‘. Here’s the opening paragraph of Mr Parsons’ latest offering, published on June 7:

“Suddenly realising that there is at least a changing climate, perhaps even a looming global emergency, but no, not a crisis, never that, all sorts of reverse and rear-end lights are mouthing on about some need for clean electrical energy’‘.

One assumes Parsons means to tell us there is a debate about energy sources, given the climate change crisis. Then again, maybe not. His opening paragraph is as clear as mud.

Then there’s the character known as “The Hag’‘. Here’s the contributor’s breathless story of May 19 this year:

Hag, shambolically reminiscing on great carousings past, was staggering around the top end of Paterson St, Launceston last week when she thought she saw the eminent Apologist For All Things Forestry, Mont, and former Chief Media Harasser for the Bacon Government, Kenny, heading towards The Examiner building’‘.

Talk about keeping it all in-house. Who the hell are these people? I mean, I know—but does the average reader?

The dominance of forestry on the website is its downfall

Every day (almost literally) there is some person somewhere ranting about Gunns, Forestry Tasmania, the Lennon Government, chemicals in the water, Recherche Bay, log trucks disturbing their kids’ sleep, smoke from forest fires or logging. Rarely is there any attempt made by the site to balance the anti-forestry tirades or to check their accuracy.

Then there’s the comments section. Here, for example, is Mr Paul De Burgh Day, a regular commentator on the site, on the state of Tasmanian democracy:

“Politics anywhere on this darkening planet is all too often dismal in the extreme. Tasmania has to be near the bottom of a slops filled bucket’‘.

Oh, please! Tell that to the people of North Korea, any number of Middle Eastern countries or to those who suffer daily at the hands of megalomaniacal African dictators.

Tasmanians have more politicians and levels of government than they can poke a stick at and the media are as accessible as anywhere in this country.

The site’s layout is dull, uninspiring and reflects the paucity of meaty content that gets uploaded on to it. In an aesthetic sense, the layout is also a poor reflection on the state’s presumed creative capacities.

Tasmanians who seek sources of news, information and entertainment — in addition to the three newspapers that serve the island — deserve better than the myopic and clubhouse style banter of tasmaniantimes.com.

It might have started its life as a good idea but it has failed for lack of editing, new voices, new issues and decent writing".

......................and...

Here we stand- From the Tasmanian Times

04.10.05

"As Tasmanian Times has written before following an earlier legal threat (from former Premier Jim Bacon) Tasmanian Times believes that Tasmania’s future is best served by the truth, and so it will continue to bring you the truth about Tasmania, even when it offends and threatens the powerful.
Our masthead comes from a reference in John West’s History of Tasmania (1856). West was in a great Tasmanian tradition of dissenting journalists that begins with Henry Melville, who was imprisoned by Governor Arthur for his views.
John West — ironically — the Editor of the Launceston Examiner in a period when that paper was a major force for change in mid-nineteenth century Tasmania, went on to become the first great editor of the Sydney Morning Herald …
Defamation law is complex. Tasmanian Times urges its readers to study it for themselves. Of particular relevance are Sections 13, 14, 15:
Tasmanian Times exists to to be a forum which takes seriously a democratic society’s right for individuals to express their opinion on issues heartfelt or fleeting. Tasmanian Times is particularly concerned with issues of justice and the just treatment of individuals.
This forum is open to allcomers.
Tasmanian Times takes seriously its role as a forum which will publish all views. It has published immediately trenchant criticism of itself – witness Premier Paul Lennon’s statement that it is “f … g useless”.
"........................
(Cough, cough, splutter, choke, splutter....oh please!)

BLOGGERS NOTE - This blogger can testify from personal experience that once upon a time the Tasmanian Times did live up to the above mission statement. 
Well at least i thought it did.
I personally dedicated hundreds of hours of writing articles and comment for the website over a 6 year period. All of which i gave freely. I had many nervous days hoping i would not go to the letter box to find a nasty lawyers letter from some polly or businessman I had offended.
I was never paid a cent for my writing. When the editor asked for more, I gave more,  putting my neck on the chopping block by writing articles critical of powerful Tasmanian politicians and companies like Gunns.
However I noticed a distinct change once my articles dried up and I started to question some of the comment being written by Tasmanian Times stable of uber green opinion makers. When i tried to blow the whistle on some of the nastier going's on in the local environmental movement I hit a brick wall at the Tasmanian Times.
When my critical comments did make it to print (benign that it was) all of sudden I started recieving abusive emails, phone calls & threats of litigation from zealots and hard nosed idealogues on the site. People i once thought were friends turned on me savagely.
My comments were being censored, something that had never occured previously. I had to struggle, argue &cprotest to have the most benign comment published. All of a sudden I became dispensible and was eventually shut out.  Things were o.k whilst i was writing media analysis critical of other Tasmanian media outlets, however when I focussed my pen on TT and some of its content things got difficult.

The last paragraph of TT's mission statement says.....
........."Tasmanian Times takes seriously its role as a forum which will publish all views. It has published immediately trenchant criticism of itself – witness Premier Paul Lennon’s statement that it is “f … g useless. This is robust, honest reaction. We welcome it."


Hmmmm.

Gunns share price 34 cents. Down 30% in 7 days and over 90% since Pulp Mill proposal announced in late 2004

John Gay once promised Tasmanians that the proposed pulp mill would be 100% owned by Gunns, would deliver umpteen thousand full time jobs to local Tasmanians and umpteen billion dollars into local coffers.
He also said the Mill would be built and running by 2009. Its now half way through 2010 and not only do Gunns not have the money, we now know that the prospects of even a 50% Tasmanian owned mill are remote, just as the likelihood of the project ever getting off the ground. People in and associated with the industry have already admitted that Tasmanians will be lucky to get any of the work associated with construction of the mill.
Gunns financial situation is as dire as I have ever seen it and as market continues to be unimpressed by the so called "company restructure" the share price is in freefall.
One local financial analyst said this week that building the pulp mill was imperative for Gunns as the company couldnt afford to write off the $150 million plus it had thus far capitalised on the project. I'm no economist but I would argue that it is not sound or safe for anyone involved to build a $2.5-3 Billion dollar heavy industrial project for such a reason. And that is before we even begin to talk about the existing problem of the project already being on the nose with everyone except a few politicians and lumberjacks.

and......

http://www.examiner.com.au/news/local/news/economy-business-it-finance/gunns-shares-tumble-again/1836754.aspx

Crashed & Burnt. Could this be the end of the road for Lance?

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/armstrong-crashes-out-of-amgen-tour-of-california
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/armstrong-rejects-landis-allegations

Excellent articles about Portey from cycling news & The Mock

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/giros-leader-porte-exceptional-in-more-than-cycling
http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2010/05/21/147565_todays-news.html

My beautiful Tamar Valley.

Driving home from the pool this a.m along the West Tamar Highway, the Tamar Valley and the river looks so stunning. It steels me to keep fighting and speaking out against the insane proposal to build one of the world's largest and smelliest pulp & chemical facilities in this area. On the radio they sa that Gunns shares have dipped to 36cents. Another fall of 10%. Whilst i do not wish ill of Gunns employees I am happy to see this company in decline as long as they persist with their pie in the sky plan to build a pulp mill in place for which it was never intended and it is not wanted.