Movistar 'nearly signed' Chris Froome for 2012

Movistar's boss, Eusebio Unzué revealed that Chris Froome nearly joined his Spanish team for the 2012 season. Contract negotiations broke down and instead of blue and green, Froome re-signed to ride in Sky's black and blue colours.

"He tried, he wanted to come. It's a pity," Unzué told newspaper Diario de Navarra and website Bici Ciclismo. "He'd still be the same rider, but he may have already won the Vuelta a España and another Tour de France [the 2012 editions - ed.]."

Froome spoke with other teams after the 2011 Vuelta but agreed on a three-year deal, through 2014 with Sky. At this year's Tour, Team Principal David Brailsford said that he was already negotiating to extend that contract. Froome went on to finish first, 4-20 minutes ahead of Movistar's Nairo Quintana.

Fellow Canadian cyclist slams Hesjedal dope confession

François Parisien (Argos-Shimano) criticised fellow Canadian Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Sharp), saying his doping confession was too little, too late.

Hesjedal, last year's Giro d'Italia winner, admitted on October 30 he made mistakes after Michael Rasmussen said he taught him how to use EPO and Synacthen in 2003. He also said that he worked with US investigators in its case against Lance Armstrong. It is the second such case for Canada, following Michael Barry's testimony and confession.

"I do not believe it at all, in the same way that Michael Barry said he stopped taking drugs in 2006. I do not believe it at all either. They have lied for around 10 years and have decided to confess, a confession after being exposed," Parisien told Radio Canada.

Parisien sat as a reserve while Hesjedal and Barry raced the 2008 Olympics.

"It makes me sick. I feel a deep disgust, and there is a lot of frustration. Cheats had an influence on much of my career and I've been ground down by such guys since I was young. There's no way to get over it, I think it is something that I must swallow and live with. It's done... stolen is stolen and can't be found again."

Colombia bids for 2017 Worlds

After hosting the 1995 edition and fielding a string of successful cyclists, Colombia wants to host the World Championships. According to TeleAntioquia, the federation is ready to send documents to the UCI and request the 2017 edition.

The 2014 Worlds will run in Ponferrada, Spain, 2015 in the USA and 2016 in Qatar. In Ponferrada, the UCI will meet and select among the candidates. Norway has also shown interest.

Colombia hosted the Worlds only once before in 1995, when Abraham Olano won ahead of Miguel Indurain and Marco Pantani.

Lotto-Belisol sells bus

Lotto-Belisol sent out an unusual press release three days ago announcing that it is selling its bus.

With a new, upgraded bus that it debuted at the Tour de France, it has no need for the other. Belgian newspaper, Het Nieuwsblad posted photos on its website for those interested.