Cycling News

Video: Sneak Peak of the 2010 Cannondale Super Six

Urban Legend Fashion and Art Show is Back for its Second Year at Interbike
8/27/09 – Interbike, producers of North America's largest bicycle industry trade shows, will host the second annual Urban Legend Fashion and Art Show, presented by Giant Bicycles, at Interbike 2009 on the show floor, Thursday, September 24 at 5:00 p.m. "Interbike uses the Urban Legend Fashion Show to showcase the industry's growing enthusiasm for urban cycling and the exciting products that the segment supports," said Rich Kelly, Interbike marketing manager. "As with all of the products exhibited at Interbike, urban cycling gear and apparel is best appreciated in action."  Instead of a traditional catwalk, a road loop surrounded by bicycle-inspired art will be laid out on the main show floor in hall D of the Sands Expo Center. The Urban Legend audience will gather in and around the loop while models ride through it. The innovative layout allows attendees "front-row seats" to watch the models show off the function and fashion of urban bikes and cycling apparel. "We loved what Interbike did with the fashion show last year and thought sponsoring it this year would be a great way for Giant to highlight its new lifestyle products," said Elysa Walk, general manager of Giant Bicycles. "There is a lifestyle boom taking place in the consumer market and Giant wants to be part of it." Inspired and styled by Momentum magazine, the Urban Legend Fashion and Art Show will be a celebration of urban sustainability, culture and style. Highlights will include stylish, smart, sexy and professional clothing for every season that fits into everyday life and works great on a bike. Instead of typical athletic shorts and jerseys, models will sport practical urban and casual cycling wear while riding urban, folding, utilitarian and commuting bikes. To complement the cycling fashion on the runway, cycling-inspired art by a variety of artists will be on display at the fashion show venue. More info >

Fire in Angeles National Forest Produces Unhealthy Air Quality for Riding
8/26/09 – The Morris Fire, which started in Azusa Canyon on Tuesday afternoon, has burned over 750 acres so far. With dry hot conditions forcasted for this week it is expected that it will be difficult to get the fire under control. Unfortunately for cyclists, the air quality is unhealthy in many areas of LA County and San Bernardino County. Health professionals recommend that everyone limit their outdoor activities, especially vigorous activites like riding to prevent health problems. For updates on air quality, please visit this Air Quality Management District map. I have a feeling we'll be riding in the OC this weekend to get our riding fix. See you there!

Jesse Kimball rides into the sunset at Irvine Lake.
photo © Paul Rudman

Bicycle Film Festival Los Angeles Runs August 26-30
8/26/09 – The Bicycle Film Festival starts today and runs through this Sunday, August 30. “In 2001, Brendt Barbur, Founder and Director, was compelled to start the Bicycle Film Festival after being hit by a bus while riding his bike in New York City. Instead of being deterred by this experience, it inspired him to create a festival that celebrates the bicycle through music, art, and film. Now in its ninth year the festival is held in 39 cities worldwide. 250,000 people are expected to attend this year. The Bicycle Film Festival celebrates the bicycle in all forms and styles. If you can name it - Tall Bike Jousting, Track Bikes, BMX, Alleycats, Critical Mass, Bike Polo, Road Cycling, Mountain Biking, Recumbents - we've probably either ridden or screened it. What better way to celebrate these lifestyles than through art, film, music and performance. Ultimately the BFF is about having a good time.” More info >

Team Type 1 to Manage Programs In-House in 2010
8/25/09 – Team Type 1 is bringing management services in-house for the 2010 season, Chief Executive Officer Phil Southerland announced Tuesday. The announcement means the endurance sports program that consists primarily of athletes with Type 1 diabetes will employ its own staff to handle the day-to-day operations for six programs, including a pair of professional cycling teams. Team Sports, Inc., which has been employed the past two seasons to manage Team Type 1’s infrastructure, will not be a part of the program after the contract between the two parties expires on Dec. 31, 2009.  Team Sports General Manager Tom Schuler said the separation is an amicable one. Schuler has been with Team Type 1 since its initial season of professional racing in 2008, is a member of the Bicycling Hall of Fame and past owner of the groundbreaking Saturn Pro Cycling Team from 1992-2003. Schuler helped Team Type 1 expand to include a number of programs, including a women’s professional team, a triathlon team, a development squad and Team Type 2. In the past two years, Team Type 1 has won nearly 100 races, including this year’s Race Across America (RAAM) in the eight-person team division. The next step to accommodate further expansion in 2010 was for Team Type 1 to bring its business operations in-house, Southerland said. “The success of Team Type 1 has not come without having good people employed in the right positions,” Southerland said. “Bringing our operations in-house means we can directly employ these people and provide them with health insurance and other competitive benefits.”

Mancebo Wins the Tour of Utah, While Rock Racing Wins the Team GC
8/24/09 – Following a monstrous effort on yesterday’s “queen stage” at the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah which comfortably preserved his overall lead, Rock Racing’s Francisco Mancebo sealed the victory after today’s fifth and final stage. Mancebo maintained a 46 second advantage over second place finisher Darren Lill of Team Type 1. Aussie Champ Bernie Sulzberger (Fly V Australia) won the final criterium stage in Salt Lake City with new US Pro Criterium Champion John Murphy (OUCH) taking second.  Rock Racing leaves Utah as the top team, owning spots on the podium for three of five stages including a dramatic Stage 1 win that saw Mancebo and teammate Oscar Sevilla ride to victory in a 1-2 solo Rock Racing finish.  “This was a very important win for me and for the team,”said Mancebo, a first time competitor at the Tour of Utah. “The terrain was challenging and the caliber of riders was extremely high. There are a lot of young, talented riders here in the U.S. and it was a very good race .” “Mancebo is an unbelievable rider and this is an unbelievable team,” said Rock Racing owner Michael Ball.  “We rode this race with technically only six riders,” he said, referring to the loss of Nic Sanderson and David Vitoria who were forced to pull out due to injury and illness and replaced at the last minute by riders Sergio Hernandez and Enrique Gutierrez, who were not part of the team’s pre-tour training camp in Reno, Nevada. “Training camp and twelve days at altitude really paid off,” said Ball. “It brought these guys to another level and I am extremely happy with everything we’ve accomplished this week. I’m pretty excited about what’s going to happen next year.” The Tour of Utah marks Rock Racing’s last U.S stage race for the 2009 season. The team’s U.S. riders will compete at the USPRO Championships next weekend in Greenville, SC while the remaining squad heads back to Europe. The team will end its season at the Vuelta Chihuaha Internacional October 4-11 in Mexico, a race Mancebo won in 2007.  Despite contributing financially to the 2008 Tour of Missouri, Rock Racing was not selected to compete in this year's edition.

Rock Racing’s Francisco Mancebo flashes a pair of Devil Horns at the Tour of Utah.
photo © Mitchell Clinton / www.clintonphoto.com

Universal Sports to Air La Vuelta de Espana, Tour of Missouri and Road Worlds
8/22/09 – Universal Sports will be broadcasting an exciting schedule of cycling events starting on August 29. Coverage starts with the last of the Grand Tours, La Vuelta a Espana, from August 29 - September 20. Next up, the Tour of Missouri with an all-star line-up including Cavendish, Leipheimer, Hincapie, Vande Velde, Basso and the Schleck Brothers is scheduled to air September 7-13. Finally, the Road World Championships from Mendrisio, Switzerland will air September 23 - 27. Both La Vuelta and The Tour of Missouri will be broadcasted LIVE with La Vuelta LIVE every morning on TV and on-line and then replayed again on Universal Sports and on demand on universalsports.com.

Video: Sneak Peak of the 2010 Cannondale RZ 140 Carbon 1

 

Team Type 1’s Lill Rides to a  Stage Win on His Birthday
8/21/09 – Darren Lill claimed victory for Team Type 1 Thursday on one of the most difficult days of the event billed as “America’s Toughest Stage Race.” Lill won Stage 2 of the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah by leaving some of North America’s best climbers behind on the steep slopes of the nearly 20-mile (32 km) climb up Mount Nebo. Not only was it the South African’s biggest win of the season, but it also came on the same day he was celebrating his 27th birthday. "I've been looking for a win this year for a long time. I was praying the whole way,” Lill said. “It's great to win any race, especially a mountain top finish like this. It's quite an epic one, and to be able to win solo is rewarding, especially after such a long effort." His gutsy, 22-second victory over Francisco Mancebo (Rock Racing) – his sixth win of the year – shot him from 39th place to second in the overall standings. He stands 35 seconds behind Mancebo. Defending Tour of Utah champion Jeff Louder (BMC Racing Team) is third, 40 seconds off the race lead. Had Lill not lost time in a high-speed crash in the final 200 meters of Tuesday night’s prologue, the Salt Lake City resident might very well have donned the yellow jersey as race leader. But he will get at least two more chances to cut into Mancebo’s lead: Friday’s 9.2-mile (14.5 km) individual time trial at the Miller Motorsports Park and Saturday’s “Queen Stage,” a 96-mile (155 km) race from Park City to Snowbird Ski Resort. The six-day race concludes Sunday with a 90-minute criterium in Salt Lake City. Lill made the winning move by dropping Rock Racing’s Oscar Sevilla on the leg-breaking climb to Mount Nebo that began 55 miles into the 77-mile (123 km) stage and topped out at more than 9,350 feet. At one point, Lill led by more than a minute before attacks from behind whittled down his winning margin.

Contador Takes a Break from Racing
8/20/09 – Next Sunday Alberto Contador will not start in the Grand Prix Ouest-France in Plouay. The winner of the 2009 Tour de France had to stop his training program due to a cold. "I do not want to reappear after the Tour de  France without being able to ride decent race, that’s why I prefer not to take the start and to recover completely”, explained Alberto Contador. Contador plans to take a break from August 24th until the end of September. "Now I will take a real holiday," he says. “Then I will ride a criterium in Bavikhove (Belgium) on September 6th. In that period we will evaluate a possible participation to the World Championships in Mendrisio.”

Brent Bookwalter (BMC) put in the fastest time in the Prologue at the Tour of Utah with
David Zabriskie (Garmin Slipstream) in 2nd and Ian Mckissick (BMC) in third.
Zabriskie was fined $500 for wearing his DZ Nuts Jersey on the podium.
photo © Mitchell Clinton / www.clintonphoto.com

Library Alehouse Teams Up with National MS Society
8/18/09 – On Tuesday, August 25th, the Library Alehouse, which is located on 2911 Main Street in Santa Monica, is donating 15% of the entire day’s sales from 11:30 am – 11:30 pm to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in support of the Bike MS Southern California Ride. They will also raffle off two beach cruisers ($1 / ticket for the Bike MS Beach Cruiser and $2 / ticket for the Fat Tire/New Belgium Beach Cruiser Bike). Plus, for those looking for a little exercise, Phil Keoghan, host of the The Amazing Race, is leading a fun-ride that starts at the Library Alehouse at 5:30 pm.  There will be a short 30-minute loop, dropping off and picking up more riders at the Alehouse and riding an additional 30-minute loop. Bike valet will even be provided at the pub. In the spring, Keoghan biked 3,500 miles in just 40 days from coast to coast across America to raise funds and awareness for the MS cause. Keoghan hopes to continue to inspire others to get on their bikes and ride for a cure. He will lead the training ride next Tuesday in Santa Monica, and participate in the annual Bike MS Southern California Ride in Ventura on October 3 & 4, 2009. Bike MS is Southern California’s premier cycling event, with route options for every level of cyclist — from 15 miles on one day up to 160 miles over two days. Participants will enjoy an unforgettable weekend, and the chance to make a difference for people with MS. Monies raised support education, advocacy, research and local programs that enhance the quality of life for people with MS and their families. Cyclists and volunteers can register at bikeMSsocal.org. More more info please visit bikeMSsocal.org or call 310.479.4456.

Tomo Hamasaki (ACQUA AL 2/San Diego Bicycle Club) won the Ladera Ranch Grand Prix,
followed by Victor Ayala (Kahala LaGrange) in second and Nicholas Brandt-Sorenson in third.
photo © Kristy Morrow

Kersten and Pic Win US Pro Criterium Championships, Ouch’s Murphy Takes Title
8/17/09 – John Murphy of the OUCH Pro Cycling Team pb Maxxis will wear the stars and stripes jersey of the US National Criterium Champion for the next 12 months. Murphy took advantage of exceptional work by his four teammates and succeeded in avoiding several crashes – including one by his own lead-out, Karl Menzies with less than half a kilometer remaining in the race – to cross the line as first American to take the national champion’s jersey. “The team executed really well,” Murphy said. “We were a little shorthanded compared to the other main teams, but the guys rode today like they believed I could do it, and I did it.” With a little more than two-thirds of the 61-lap race done, a dangerous three-rider group was up the road. Roman Kilun and Bobby Lea went to the front, and just those two riders rotating through brought back the break with five laps to go. “From that point, Kelley Benefits took over the front and had seven guys lined up,” Murphy said. “Me, Karl and Pinner were together right behind them. Then the last four guys in their train sat up and let the front three get a gap. Karl immediately took me up to them.” The OUCH pb Maxxis duo was also joined by several other riders, including 2008 crit champion Rahsaan Bahati (Rock Racing), previous champion Tony Cruz (BMC) and Ben Kersten (Fly-V Australia), as well as Adam Myerson (Team Mountain Khakis). With half a lap to go, Menzies was on the front working to deliver Murphy to the final corner first. But with 0.4 km to go, he slid out on a slick turn, the result of intermittent rains that had caused the start of the race to be delayed twice. “Over the top of the last climb, Karl took over,” Murphy said. “When he crashed I barely missed going over him, by maybe a few millimeters. I tagged back on the group and with two turns to go, I took the inside line to move up. On the final corner, Bahati and Cruz came around me but Bahati overcooked it and crashed. I went through the turn at a good speed. Kersten came inside me and I thought he had good momentum going into the finish sprint, and I thought if he could keep that up it would be tough. I just went for it from there. I got close, and the outright win would’ve been great, but I’m really happy to get the jersey.”  In the Elite Women’s National Criterium Championship, Tina Pic (Colavita-Sutter Home) won her sixth National Criterium Championship ahead of Brooke Miller (Tibco) and Shelly Olds (Proman). Pic will be retiring the end of August after a successful professional career that began in 1996.

John Murphy (Ouch pb Maxxis) celebrates as the new US Pro Criterium Champion.
photo © Jonathan Devich

Everest Challenge Provides Epic Riding, Riders Save 10 % on SoCalCycling.com
8/16/09 – On September 12-13, the 9th Annual Everest Challenge / CA-NV State Climbing Championship bicycle race and fun ride promises to be the best edition yet of this epic bicycle race.  How epic? It is a major accomplishment, for pro racer or amateur alike, just to finish both days of the race.  The 300+ racers will start Stage 1 at Millpond Recreation Area just West of Bishop, CA climb up Rock Creek to the highest paved road in California at Mosquito Flat, then climb up Pine Creek, and finally climb up Bishop Creek to South Lake.  Stage 2 begins fifteen miles south of Bishop in Big Pine, CA.  Racers will ascend Big Pine Creek to Glacier Lodge, then climb partway up Death Valley Road, finally climbing to Schulman Grove high in the White Mountains, home of the Ancient Bristlecone Pines, oldest living things on the planet.  The riders are either climbing or descending for basically the whole two-day race distance of 208 miles.  The total elevation gain is 29,035’, the height of Mt. Everest from sea level, thus the name.   The race is the hardest two-day USA Cycling road race.  Quite a challenge, but quite a accomplishment to finish it!  Riders do not have to be racers to enter.  Entrants in the Everest Challenge have ranged from national racing champions like Chris Walker to everyday riders who just want to test themselves against the climbs of the Eastern Sierra.  Many riders have come from out of the area, including from Denmark, England, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, Hawaii, Alaska, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Colorado, Georgia, and Florida. The Everest Challenge is a not-for-profit event, and is organized because of passion for the sport, for climbing, and for the scenic beauty of the area and to bring a completely unique race to the American race calendar.  Proceeds are donated to the local groups and charities that are represented by the aid station volunteers.  The Everest Challenge has become famous for the support provided to riders, including on-course roving support vehicles, fifteen fully stocked aid stations, and gourmet food prepared as riders arrive at the final 10,000’ foot summit each day! The Everest Challenge Stage Race is offering a 10% Discount for entrants from SoCalCycling.com - discount code on SoCalCycling.com's flyer.

The Everest Challenge provides a beautiful backdrop for the riders.
photo © Everest Challenge

Sisquoc Road Race and Junior Road Race Championships Postponed
8/14/09 – The Sisquoc Road Race and Junior Road Race Championships has been postponed from this Saturday to August 29 due to the La Brea fire. Please check our Road and Criterium Race Schedule for more info as well as other upcoming events.

The women's podium at the Ladera Ranch Grand Prix: 1st Maria Lechuga (Helens)
2nd Morgan Knapp (Kahala LaGrange) and 3rd Jennifer Weinbrecht (B&L Bikes)
photo © Joe Weinbrecht

Santa Barbara's Kim Anderson Leads the Route de France
8/13/09 – Kim Anderson (Columbia-HTC), who lives in Santa Barbara, has taken the first lead of her career in the Route de France stage race.  Anderson succeeded teammate Ina-Yoko Teutenberg as overall leader of the six-day race after forming part of a 10-rider break that gained 28 minutes on the bunch. The American rider then powered after stage winner Evelyn Stevens of the USA when Stevens attacked in the final 30 kilometres.  Having caught her rival with 2.5 kilometres to go, Stevens won the stage but Anderson has moved into the overall lead, with a minute and 19 seconds advantage. "I'm really excited and pleased about how the day worked out," Anderson said afterwards.  "I chased down an attack and then there were 10 of us ahead, and for some reason the bunch just didn't chase behind.  Our lead grew really fast, about half of the break was working well, and then when Evelyn attacked I had to chase very hard to get her back.  I didn't get the stage win, but taking a race lead for the first time ever in my career is really important." "We're really pleased for Kim, because she is a really loyal team worker and it's great that she's got her own opportunity now," team manager Ronny Lauke commented.  It's true that tomorrow is a tough stage, but we've got a strong team here and we'll do everything we can to keep it all under control.  "I will have to watch Evelyn very closely but I'm very confident in my teammates," Anderson added. "I'll do my best to make sure it all works out."

Video - MC SpandX - Performance, It's the Name of the Game!
8/12/09 – A hilarious video by rapper MC SpandX that makes fun of hipsters on fixies and roadies in spandex.

CIELL CYCLING Brings Racing to Ladera Ranch On August 16th
8/11/09 – The Ladera Ranch Grand Prix presented by CIELL CYCLING and hosted by Ladera Legs will return to Ladera Ranch for a great day of bicycle racing excitement on Sunday, August 16, 2009. The Ladera Ranch Grand Prix has races of all types, from those featuring the fastest professionals in the United States to those for strong amateur and masters racers as well as fun-filled kids races. The course is a .7 mile circuit through the streets of Ladera Ranch along Sellas Avenue down the tree lined Avendale to Sienna Parkway and back to Sellas. The Grand Prix brings charity opportunities to both Local and National Charities with all of the proceeds going to CHOC Hospital and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  The event attracts more than 500 amateur and professional bicycle racers from across the United States. Thousands of race fans and cycling enthusiasts will be on hand to witness the fast racing action. While in Ladera Ranch they can explore the expo area which showcases the latest in cycling technology and nutritional products as well as the PYRAMID BREWERIES RACER VIP AREA - a place for the racers to hang out in the shade before and after racing. This year PYRAMID will be hosting an event after party at a local restaurant for the sponsors, volunteers and participants.   The Grand Prix includes 12 race categories by age and gender, with the racing program beginning at 7 am with the men’s Category 5 race. The event will also feature the Rock N’ Road Cyclery Kids Races for boys and girls ages 4-15. The highlight of the day, the Men’s Pro Race, will start at 4:00 pm, where $2,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded in this race alone. More info is available at laderaranchgrandprix.com.

Aldo Ino Ilesic Delivers 50th Win For Team Type 1 Men at the Hanes Park Classic
8/10/09 -  A flat rear tire nearly deflated Aldo Ino Ilesic’s hopes of scoring Team Type 1’s 50th victory of the season Sunday at the Hanes Park Classic in Winston-Salem, NC. Fortunately, the mishap occurred moments before the free lap period expired. Team Type 1 Technician Alex Banyay made a quick wheel change and shoved Ilesic back into the race. Three laps later, the 24-year-old Slovenian was freewheeling across the finish line with his arms in the air as race winner. The internationally flavored podium of the National Racing Calendar (NRC) event was completed by Australian Ben Kertsten (Fly V Australia) in second and Lucas Sebastian Haedo (Colavita-Sutter Home pb Cooking Light) of Argentina in third. Ilesic’s victory was his third in the past five days and his sixth of the season. He earned a pair of victories at the Giordana Crossroads Classic on Wednesday (Mocksville Criterium in Mocksville, NC) and Thursday (Cabarrus Creamery Criterium in Concord, NC). It was also Team Type 1’s fourth win in an NRC event. Ilesic credited flawless teamwork by Team Type 1 riders Joe Eldridge, Ken Hanson, Dan Holt, Valeriy Kobzarenko and Shawn Milne for making it look so easy. “The guys did just a perfect lead-out,” Ilesic said. “Everyone was up there. Dan and Shawn just kicked it in the end. We passed the Colavita train with no problem.” Team Type 1 made sure no one was able to dangle more than a few seconds off the front of the peloton for any extended period of time during the 90-minute race. The oppressive heat – temperatures were in the upper 90s with high humidity – also led race officials to open a feed zone on the 1.3-mile (2.0 km) tree-line circuit around a historic park in Winston-Salem’s West End.

Interbike Gears Up for Expo, Outdoor Demo and Cycling Events
8/9/09 - Interbike continues to be the place for gathering members of the bike industry at the 2009 Interbike International Expo and Outdoor Demo in Las Vegas the week of September 21-25. While at the five-day event, attendees and media will see the latest products and technologies from every major bicycle, component and accessory manufacturer in the cycling industry.  "This year's Interbike is shaping up to be among our strongest shows," said Andy Tompkins, Interbike's show director. "Just as in years past, attendees will have the opportunity to meet with all their key suppliers along with enjoying the comradery and networking the show naturally provides. Regardless of individual sales and marketing strategies, manufacturers recognize the value of participating in the week-long industry event. We are looking forward to another successful show." 1,100 brands are preparing to participate in next month's industry event including 65 new exhibitors. Kicking off with the only industry demo event of its kind, the Interbike Outdoor Demo gives attendees the chance to put the latest bikes and accessories through real-to-life testing. Amid the backdrop of Bootleg Canyon, home to one of International Mountain Bicycling Association's (IMBA) "Epic Rides," Outdoor Demo will provide an extensive groomed trail network, downhill-specific trails and dirt-jumping section. Returning features will also include a closed-cyclocross course set up and managed by CrossVegas LLC. For road bike dealers and enthusiasts, Outdoor Demo will also include a closed road loop for demos and the annual Tour de Lake Mead. The 24-mile ride to Lake Mead and back continues to be a fun networking opportunity and a great way to give retailers and journalists an extended demo on vendor's latest bikes and gear.  Once inside the expo at the Sands Convention Center, Interbike will host a number of product launches, business meetings and events tied to recent growth in the commuter and electric bike categories.  Once the tradeshow workday is done, Interbike participants are invited to attend the third annual CrossVegas and USA CRITS Finals on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, respectively. CrossVegas competitors will include both Elite Women's and Men's races along with the Wheelers and Dealers race for industry members. Interbike will provide complimentary shuttle service for attendees from The Sands to the race location from 6:00 -11:00 pm, shuttles leaving every 15 minutes.

The podium of the Cabarrus Creamery Criterium (l-r) 3rd Neil Bezdek (GS Mengoni),
winner Aldo Ino Ilesic (Team Type 1) and 2nd Eric Barlevav (Team Mountain Khakis).
photo © Jon Safka Photography

RadioShack Rebrands Itself as 'THE SHACK'
8/6/09 - A few weeks ago, RadioShack announced a partnership with seven-time Tour de France winner, Lance Armstrong, both to sponsor Team RadioShack and to work with the Lance Armstrong Foundation and LIVESTRONG campaign in the global fight against cancer. In addition, RadioShack Corporation will unveil its new brand creative platform, "THE SHACK," today, supported by an integrated television, print and digital media schedule, as well as a high-profile, three-day launch event taking place in New York City and San Francisco called Netogether, on August 6-8. The event will connect the cities with two, massive, 17-foot laptop computers with webcams that allow live video and audio exchanges. Netogether will feature live music, celebrity appearances and unique contests to demonstrate how technology can keep people connected - even 3,000 miles apa. "Our customers, associates and even the investor community have long referred to RadioShack as 'THE SHACK,' so we decided to embrace that fact and share it with the world," said Lee Applbaum, RadioShack's Chief Marketing Officer. "This creative is not about changing our name. Rather, we're contemporizing the way we want people to think about our brand. THE SHACK speaks to consumers in a fresh, new voice and distinctive creative look that reinforces RadioShack's authority in innovative products, leading brands and knowledgeable, helpful associates. We have tremendous equity in consumers' minds around cables, parts and batteries, but it's critically important that we help them to understand the role that we play in keeping people connected in this highly mobile world," added Applbaum. "You will see a real focus on mobility and wireless products from leading brands in our new advertising." The new creative was developed by Butler, Shine, Stern and Partners of Sausalito, CA, which was named the Company's creative agency of record in April.

Landis Takes on Utah Jazz Guard Deron Williams in a TT and 3-point Shootout
8/5/09 - According to Floyd Landis of the OUCH Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis, the last time he was even on a basketball court, let alone practicing three-pointers, “was probably when I was 15.” This may not bode well for Landis in his three-point shootout with second-team All-NBA point guard Deron Williams of the Utah Jazz this Friday. “But,” Landis adds, perhaps with tongue planted in cheek, “cyclists are usually really good basketball players, so I’m not concerned.” Landis and Williams will challenge one another in their respective sports at Miller Motorsports Park this Friday, August 7 at 6:30 p.m. local time. MMP is located about 30 miles west of Salt Lake City in Tooele, Utah, and the event is open to the public. Landis and Williams will both don an OUCH Presented by Maxxis kit and take each other on in a time trial on the raceway. Williams will then challenge Landis to a three-point shoot out. The event is a precursor to the 2009 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah, which Landis and seven OUCH Presented by Maxxis teammates will be contesting August 18-23. “I’m always game for a good challenge” said Williams, who was a member of the gold medal-winning Team USA at the Beijing Olympics last year. “I’m the consummate competitor, and going up against Floyd will be a lot of fun.”  Landis intends to show Williams no mercy on the bike. “No, I won’t be taking it easy on Deron,” he said. “I’m pretty sure he won’t show me any mercy either.  And if he does, he’ll probably make more shots accidentally than I will.” For the record, in his 34-game playoff career, Williams has made over 40% of his three-point attempts. Floyd better watch out as this video shows that Williams has been practicing on the bike.

OUCH pb Maxxis Teamwork Delivers Menzies to Overall Win at Elk Grove
8/3/09 - With only a final-stage criterium between Karl Menzies and the overall title of the Alexian Brothers Tour of Elk Grove, the task facing the OUCH Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis seemed pretty straightforward. However, throw in the fact that the crit was over 110 km long with strong winds on the  long finishing straight, and the fact that the team had done a significant amount of work Saturday to put Menzies in position to take the leader’s jersey, and the job was far from simple. In the end, Menzies’ two lead-out men, Andrew Pinfold and John Murphy, delivered the big Tasmanian safely to 11th in the final sprint, which was more than enough to secure his overall title. “The boys were amazing again today,” Menzies said. “I think between yesterday and today, I spent maybe a couple minutes total with my nose in the wind. They made things easy on me.” With time gaps tight within the top 25 overall coming into the crit, the team was going to have its work cut out for it. Early on, a group of nine riders got off the front and threatened Menzies’ lead. “That forced us to work a bit earlier than we would’ve like,” Tamayo said. “It took a bit of snap out of the legs later one.” “It’s great having guys like Rory , Floyd and Bobby, who can get on the front and put in the long efforts you need to bring back moves like that,” Menzies added. Once the nine-rider move was neutralized, a two-man break formed toward the end of the race that also posed a threat. “Fly V wanted to keep things together for a bunch sprint, so we got some help from then bringing back the two-man break,” Tamayo said. With that break back in the fold and the peloton coming into the final laps, “the sprinter’s teams started bunching up at the front,” Tamayo said. “A number of teams wanted a crack at the stage win.” Fly V wanted to set up Jonathan Cantwell, who took 3rd behind Menzies Saturday. Sebastian Haedo (Colavita/Sutter Home) was in the hunt for his second consecutive stage win. “I had Murph and Pinner there protecting me again,” Menzies. “The headwind made the sprint a bit more dangerous. There was a lot of swarming and bunching up. I was just trying to follow the guys.” The sprint played out similarly to Saturday’s, with Murphy leaving final lead-out duties to Pinfold coming out of the last corner. “Pinner took the last corner full gas, but the wind knocked him back a bit,” Menzies said. “Yesterday it worked, today it didn’t. But the main thing was the GC, and if we got a result on top of that, then great. But we got the main result we wanted.”

El Pais Article on Contador En Ingles
8/2/09 - The much talked about El Pais article on Contador's Tour de France experience has been translated to English and is featured on NYVelocity.com. The article suggests that the Tour was a psychological battle for Contador. The public's reaction varies from Contador being a sore winner to Armstrong being a sore loser. You can read the article here. Also be sure to check out the "As the Toto Turns" comics for some much needed humor in this crazy sport.

Rudy Napolitano (Liquid Fitness/Adageo Energy) leads the break at the San Marcos Circuit Race.
photo © Kristy Morrow

BISSELL Pro Cycling Removes Kirk O’Bee from Team for Contract Violation
8/1/09 - BISSELL Pro Cycling has removed Kirk O’Bee from the team today, immediately after learning that the rider has violated its no-tolerance policy agreed to under his contract.  The rider’s actions are an isolated incident that occurred independently and without the knowledge of both team management and his teammates.  BISSELL and each of its team sponsors are committed to fair competition, and support efforts for an end to performance-enhancing drugs in the sport of cycling through the enforcement of a strict zero-tolerance policy. “I deeply regret that a mistake I made as an individual will reflect poorly on the entire sport,” said O’Bee in a statement acknowledging his contract violation.  “I’d especially like to apologize to my teammates and to my sponsors, and hope that my actions will not damage their good names. ”O’Bee’s termination from BISSELL will not affect the team’s race schedule for the remainder of the year or any other day-to-day team operations. Separately from BISSELL, the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) are working with O’Bee to resolve his violation, and the team can make no further comments on this private matter.