Cycling News

Saxo Bank's Frank Schleck Wins an Epic Stage Up Mount Palomar
2/22/09 - After nine challenging and epic days of cycling through more than 750-miles of scenic California roads, and a thrilling fight to the finish, Levi Leipheimer (Astana) was crowned champion of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California, solidifying a three-peat for the California resident.  With a week-long total time of 31 hours, 28 minutes and 21 seconds, Leipheimer accepted the highly coveted title of race champion in front of massive cheering crowds in Escondido, which brought the race total to 2 million fans along the race route from Sacramento to Escondido.  In a nine-day battle against the best field ever assembled to compete in the United States, which included Tour de France winners, Olympic medalists and World Champions, Frank Schleck (Saxo Bank) claimed the Stage 8 win. David Zabriskie (Garmin-Slipstream) finished in second place overall at 36 seconds behind Leipheimer, and Michael Rogers (Columbia-Highroad) finished third at 45 seconds behind. In one of the most difficult stages of the 2009 race, the 96.8-mile route from Rancho Bernardo to Escondido included one sprint and four KOM climbs, including the ‘above categorization’ ascent of Palomar Mountain, the highest point ever reached in the Amgen Tour of California at 5,123 feet.  The ascent unfolded over 11.7 miles and included 21 switchbacks at an average gradient of seven percent. The Queen stage of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California began with an early breakaway of nine riders, which was split up a half hour later.  Soon after, a second breakaway formed, which included Schleck and inaugural Amgen Tour of California winner Floyd Landis (Ouch pb Maxxis). Chased and eventually caught by the top-three riders in the general classification, Leipheimer, Rogers and Zabriskie, the breakaway included most of the top riders in the peloton. Lined with fans, some of which had camped out for two nights to secure their spot to watch the cyclists compete in the final day of the race, Mount Palomar made the final stage of the race an extremely challenging course.  Schleck opened up a gap on the descent, but was then joined by three additional riders to make a group of four.  With Lance Armstrong (Astana) setting a fast pace at the front of the field, the gap began to close.  After riding in the breakaway for most of the day, Schleck battled Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) up to the finish line to take the final stage with the roar of cheering fans in Escondido in the background. “The riding was furious today and I said, ‘I’m just going to go for it again’,” said Schleck.  “On Palomar, that is where I attacked and got up to Andy, and then he set a really hard pace.  Really, for a guy like me, it took a big effort today for sure.” Stage 8 Results, Stage 8 GC Results

Astana’s Levi Leipheimer Becomes 3-Time Amgen Tour of California Champion
2/22/09 - Astana Cycling Team’s Levi Leipheimer captured his third consecutive Amgen Tour of California title.  The victory comes on the same day that teammate Alberto Contador won the Tour of Algarve, giving Team Astana four total victories in the early part of 2009. Over the 9 days and 1256 km (780 miles) of racing, Levi Leipheimer was 36 seconds faster than Garmin-Slipstream’s Dave Zabriskie and 45 seconds faster than Columbia’s Michael Rogers. Leipheimer laid the foundation for his final victory during the 2nd stage’s Bonny Doon mountain, and in the individual time trial in Solvang, which he won in convincing fashion.  Leipheimer led a strong group of Team Astana riders which won the Overall Team Classification with three riders in the top ten.  Making his return to professional road cycling in the United States Lance Armstrong finished 7th overall and Jose Luis Rubiera rounded out the top ten.  “"It gets sweeter and sweeter to win”, told the delighted leader of the Astana Cycling Team. Once was awesome, twice was like “wow”, but three times, is an exclamation point. It was an honor to have Lance Armstrong as a domestique for me and I hope to pay him back in future races. Also without my other teammates Brajkovic, Horner, Morabito, Popovych, Rast and Rubiera, I would never have succeeded. They were upfront the whole week, including the first days in the most miserable, horrific weather conditions. I needed them today in that tough last stage over the Palomar, a climb of Tour de France caliber, a kind of hors category.” Lance Armstrong was delighted with Leipheimer’s and the Team’s victory. He was also pleased with his performance, though recognizes that improvements can be made. “I cannot complain about the results and how I feel on the bike, but I still have to work on my bike position. To improve in the mountains, I surely have to lose weight. I am already strong enough, but I need to get lighter.”

Team Astana's Lance Armstrong and Levi Leipheimer celebrate a successful Tour.
photo © Mitchell Clinton / www.clintonphoto.com

AG2R-La Mondiale's Nocentini Wins in Front of Huge Crowds at the Rose Bowl
2/21/09 - The penultimate day of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California featured the same difficult, hilly and technical terrain that was used in the final day of the 2008 race.  The stage opened with a gradual 25-mile climb out of Santa Clarita to Angeles Forest Road. Showcasing the breathtaking beauty of the San Gabriel Mountains, the course continued uphill to the massive Millcreek Summit, which at 4,906 ft. is the second-highest elevation ever reached in the race.  The riders then headed down a 15-mile trek to Angeles Crest Highway before dropping precipitously to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.  Surrounded by mountains and the legendary stadium, the field concluded the stage with five challenging laps on a rolling five-mile circuit around the picturesque Rose Bowl.   Stage 7 began with the launch of several attacks and counter-attacks to try and get a break going.  It was a day characterized by very aggressive riding that left 16 riders behind the peloton.  An hour and a half into the stage, a successful attack was launched led by Saxo Bank rider Frank Schleck and George Hincapie (Team Columbia-Highroad), along five additional riders, with Astana at the front of the peloton setting the pace for the chase. As the riders approached the only KOM of the stage Millcreek Summit, team managers were urged to warn their riders about the enormous crowds lining the turns on the descent.  A similar warning was issued as the pack headed into the finishing circuits at the Rose Bowl, a testament to the huge crowds that have turned out to watch the race throughout the past eight days. At 48 miles into the race, three more riders joined the break to make it 10 strong, including Chris Baldwin, Pieter Weening, Addy Engels, Martin Elmiger , Markus Zberg , Christian Vande Velde, Schleck, Roulston, Hincapie and Nocentini. After a series of attacks on the final two laps, Weening, Nocentini and Roulston opened up a gap that proved to be the winning move.  The trio dueled to the finish with Nocentini beating out Roulston on the line.  Leipheimer retained his overall lead with 36 seconds over David Zabriskie heading in the final stage of the race tomorrow. “This was a hard stage in the beginning,” added Leipheimer.  “There were a lot of attacks with riders dangerous for the overall general classification.  It took a while before there was a breakaway with which we could agree.” Stage 8 of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California will feature a KOM competition up Mount Palomar, the highest point ever reached in the Amgen Tour of California.  Stage 7 Results, Stage 7 GC Results

Team Astana leads the chase of the peloton through a huge crowd of cycling fans in Pasadena.
photo © SoCalCycling.com

Team Astana worked hard at the front to minimize the damage being done by the breakaway.
photo © Mitchell Clinton / www.clintonphoto.com

Leipheimer Wins Time Trial in Solvang for Third Consective Year
2/20/09 - Fans lined up ten deep in some places along the 15-mile individual time trial route in Solvang to welcome world-class cyclists from 17 professional teams for the critical Stage 6 individual time trial of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California.  After completing the longest day of the race yesterday, the riders were faced with a course that was dominated by Levi Leipheimer (Astana) for the third consecutive year.  Besting four-time U.S. National Individual Time Trial Champion David Zabriskie (Garmin-Slipstream) by eight seconds, Leipheimer further built on his overall lead in the 2009 race to 36 seconds and will wear the Amgen Leader Jersey going into Stage 7 tomorrow.  Moving into second and third overall were Zabriskie and three-time individual time trial world champion Michael Rogers (Columbia-Highroad), respectively. With the start and finish lines located only one block apart, the individual time trial provided fans with an ideal opportunity to watch riders both start and finish the race.  The route showcased the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley, winding through quaint towns, vineyards, farms, and one short, but steep, climb up Ballard Canyon.  The short, flat and fast time trial created a challenging test for the riders in a decisive day cycling.  Racing on a 15-mile course, Leipheimer rolled out of the start gate with confidence.  Coming off a demanding and challenging stage on Thursday, most of the cyclists struggled to beat the 30-minute barrier.  Of the early riders, Gustav Larsson (Saxo Bank) posted 30:57, which was good enough to keep the lead until Zabriskie and Leipheimer left the start house. The most anticipated rider of the day, seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong (Astana) came in 14th today with a time of 31:56, which put him in sixth place overall going into tomorrow’s stage. Leipheimer hit the tape to post an amazing time of 30:40. Despite wind, turns and hills, he had powered his bike nearly 30 mph for a half hour and crushed the competition at every time split. Going into the final two stages, the Astana team will work to help Leipheimer keep the Amgen Leader Jersey and defend his title as the two-time champion of the Amgen Tour of California.
Stage 6 Results, Stage 6 GC Results

The fans came out in Solvang to get a glimpse of Lance Armstrong ride the time trial.
photo © SoCalCycling.com

Levi Leipheimer powered up the hill in the Solvang Time Trial putting in the winning time.
photo © SoCalCycling.com

Columbia-Highroad's Cavendish Wins Two in a Row in Paso Robles 
2/19/09 - The longest route in this year's Amgen Tour of California, Stage 5, sponsored by Rabobank, was a 134.3-mile trek from Visalia to Paso Robles with neither a bump nor a hill along the way. After five miles, a six-man escape: Curtis Gunn (Fly V Australia), Glen Chadwick (Rock Racing), Pieter Weening (Rabobank), Cameron Evans (OUCH), Matthew Crane (Jelly Belly) and Jeff Louder (BMC) - formed and held out for over 100 miles of flat roads that included a pair of Herbalife Sprints. Louder and Gunn folded from the pace and the new four-man break marched towards finish under glorious blue skies, sunshine and warm temperatures. With 4 km remaining, the teams of the sprinters nabbed their prey setting the stage for a sprint finish. Team Columbia-Highroad's Mark Cavendish collected his second consecutive stage win by more than a bike length over rival Tom Boonen (Quick Step). Overall race leader, Levi Leipheimer (Astana) finished safely in the field to retain his yellow jersey. Stage 5 Results, Stage 5 GC Results

The Visalia to Paso Robles podium featured Mark Cavendish (Columbia-Highroad),
Tom Boonen (Quick-Step) and Pedro Horrillo (Rabobank).
photo © Mitchell Clinton / www.clintonphoto.com

Mark Cavendish launched his explosive sprint to take his 2nd stage win in a row over Tom Boonen.
photo © Mitchell Clinton / www.clintonphoto.com

BMC Racing Team's Nydam Rattled His Brain a Bit, but Has a Clean Bill of Health
2/19/09 - The day after suffering what Directeur Sportif John Lelangue called the scariest crash he had ever seen, Scott Nydam is determined not to let this setback adversely impact his season. Though he did suffer a concussion bad enough that he had to be woken up every two hours the night after the crash, Nydam feels that he should be able to return to training quickly once he has his re-broken collarbone attended to in the next few days. "I was routinely going back to the car to drop off the jackets like I have done hundreds of times before, and I remember I had to pass a jacket from my left hand to my right, and in the process, the sleeve or something grabbed my break lever making my bars do a 180°. I remember having a split second of panic that I was going down, but then the next thing I knew I was waking up in the ambulance listening to John Lelangue's voice. It's so bizarre since I had made it safely through all those terribly rainy days and we had even just come down a really treacherous descent that I had no trouble on, and then this happened. It just goes to show you." Nydam said, "I broke my collarbone right at the end of the titanium plate that was put in it last time I broke it at the Tour of Utah. We will need to fix that, probably by taking out and replacing the old plate. Dr. Heiden who performed the surgery last time is on vacation, but currently flying home to Salt Lake City, so I can either fly out there to have the surgery done Friday by Dr. Heiden, or I can use a doctor in Santa Rosa who Dr. Heiden highly recommends. In either case, it should be no problem and I should be on the bike again very quickly." When asked how this will impact his early season plans, he said, "If I get this fixed tomorrow, then by early next week I should be able to ride on the road again. I need to let my body recuperate, not only from the race, but also the surgery. But since I'm not racing to the end of the Tour of California, at least that is giving me a head start and hopefully I won't miss a beat of my training regime. My racing schedule picks up again at the end of March for Redlands and then hopefully European racing in April. Being on this team gives me so many amazing opportunities. I want to be fit enough to be on the Tour of Romandie team. That is a race a lot of guys would love to be able to do, so I am determined to stay on track for that because it is something I really want to do with this team.

Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing), Serge Pauwels (Cervélo TestTeam) and Jason McCartney (Saxo Bank)
were in a break for most of the day, only to be caught at the end with Cavendish winning.
photo © Mitchell Clinton / www.clintonphoto.com

The Ontario Point Series Kicks Off this Weekend with a New Women's Series
2/19/09 - This Sunday will be the first of five in the Ontario Point Series. First race of the series will be the 11th Annual DARE TO RACE. This year for the Ontario Women's Race Series, Pacific Sunset Velo, Cannondale and Incycle have put together over $3000 in cash and prizes in hopes of growing the women's field and rewarding the hard work of women racers. Great racing for all categories. more info>

Sprinter Mark Cavendish Wins an Animated and Epic Stage in Clovis
2/18/09 - Mark Cavendish (Team Columbia-Highroad) sprinted to an impressive win in Stage 4 of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California.  Two-time defending champion Levi Leipheimer of Astana was able to retain the overall lead and will wear the Amgen Leader Jersey heading into Stage 5 of the race.  The impressive and challenging Stage 4 course, which took the riders from Merced to Clovis, included five King of the Mountain (KOM) and two sprint competitions.  After a fast and furious start to the race, which began with immediate attacks, Cavendish celebrated a narrow victory over Tom Boonen (Quick Step).  “This win was massive for me and for the team,” said Cavendish. “I was really driven and I wanted this win bad.  The team stayed so well together on every climb and it played into our ends today.” Though the 115.8-mile stage saw no major changes in the overall general classification, the field faced multiple challenging aspects, including the five categorized climbs between the morning start in Merced and the final flat run-in to the finish line in Clovis.  “The scenery on the course is awesome,” said Leipheimer.  “It’s very pretty and there were a ton of people, even in the snow, cheering for us.  I think it’s great that the Amgen Tour of California can come to new places and spread the word.”  Jason McCartney (Saxo Bank) drove several early moves, finally getting clear at the 26-mile mark with Serge Pauwels of Cervelo Test Team and Rock Racing's Tyler Hamilton.  Hamilton's teammate Francisco Mancebo joined the break as well, hoping to defend his sprint and KOM jerseys.  The first dry day of the race was marred by serious injuries to three high-profile riders: Kim Kirchen (Team Columbia-Highroad) fractured his right clavicle and scapula; Oscar Friere (Rabobank) fractured two ribs on his left side; and Scott Nydam (BMC) fractured his left clavicle. As the peloton continued their charge, Cavendish’s confidence grew.  Mancebo stayed up front long enough to consolidate his leads, then retreated to the field to give teammate Hamilton a shot at staying away.  The lead quickly climbed to more than five minutes with 50 miles to go, but with the mountains and motivated sprinters behind, the breakaway had no chance. They were finally swallowed by the fast-moving peloton at the Clovis city limits, where the Cervelo Test Team pulled to the front.  But, Team Columbia-Highroad’s infamous sprinter Cavendish quickly took over for the win. In what was a photo-finish bunch sprint to the “Gateway to the Sierras,” Boonen took second and JJ Haedo (Saxo Bank) took third.
Stage 4 Results, Stage 4 GC Results

Mark Cavendish (Columbia-Highroad) outsprinted Tom Boonen (Quick-Step)
and JJ Haedo (Saxo Bank) in the Merced to Clovis Stage.
photo © Mitchell Clinton / www.clintonphoto.com

Floyd is Fine After Hitting the Deck During Stage 4
2/18/09 - With five rated climbs taking the Amgen Tour of California peloton through snow-lined roads in the Sierra Nevada range for the first time, Stage 4 of the Amgen Tour of California was expected to shake up the peloton a bit. But not in the way people expected. The stage ended with Mark Cavendish (Columbia-Highroad) winning in a bunch sprint, but several crashes in the peloton took a toll on a number of riders, including Floyd Landis of the OUCH Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis. Landis was able to escape with some bumps and scrapes, however the same crash sent 2008 Tour de France yellow jersey wearer Kim Kirchen (Columbia-Highroad) to the hospital, along with multiple world champion Oscar Friere (Rabobank). “I feel fine,” Landis said. “I saw the wreck happening, and I was able to react in time and got lucky.” Landis, as well as the rest of the team, continued the team’s aggressive racing again today. At one point, he and teammate Karl Menzies bridged up to an early break. But, noted team directeur sportif Mike Tamayo, “it was apparent that Astana wasn’t letting him go anywhere, so he sat up and came back to the bunch. “But all the guys were trying today. McCarty had a go today. Rory tried to get in a move. It just didn’t work out today. But it was nice to get a break in the weather today. The guys are all doing well, and getting better every day.”

The U.S. Cup Announces Series Contests and Contingencies for Amateur Riders
2/18/09 - The U.S. Cup presented by Specialized is pleased to announce some very exciting series contest and contingencies available for amateur racers competing in the 2009 Kenda Cup West and Kenda Cup East series events. With its focus on providing amateur racers a better and more rewarding experience, the U.S. Cup has partnered with some of the bicycle industry’s leading companies to provide some unbelievable opportunities for amateur riders competing in the Kenda Cup West and Kenda Cup East series events. Contests include: KENDA PODIUM KICKBACK: Open to all racing categories, the Kenda Podium Kickback program will reimburse the race entry fee for one male and one female class winner at each of the Kenda Cup West/East series rounds, HAYES LUCKY 12-One racer at every Kenda Cup West, Kenda Cup East series round and one back up winner will be selected from the event pre registered rider list at random to receive Round trip airfare to Las Vegas and more, SPECIALIZED YOUTH MOVEMENT: The first five male and female pre registered riders 18 years and under to sign up for a Kenda Cup West or Kenda Cup East series event will be refunded the cost of registration up to $25, via a VISA check card, SHO-AIR U.S. CUP ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE ESSAY: This 250 word or less essay contest must be submitted through the dedicated contest page on U.S. Cup website. Here riders can share their ultimate race experience at a U.S. Cup series event. One Winner from the Kenda Cup West and Kenda Cup East series will be selected at the end of the respective series dates. more info >

Follow SoCalCycling.com on Twitter for Amgen Tour of California Updates
SoCalCycling.com will be providing live updates during the Amgen Tour of CA and live updates and photos during the Solvang Time Trial and Pasadena finish on Twitter at http://twitter.com/SoCalCycling or @SoCalCycling. Twitter is a great way to follow the Amgen Tour of CA on your phone and on the down low at work with free apps like Twirl.

Cervelo Test Team’s Thor Hushovd Wins Field Sprint in Modesto
2/17/09 - Completing one of the most defining stages of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California, which included the Sierra Road climb, Thor Hushovd  of Cervelo Test Team held on to take the stage win.  Santa Rosa resident Levi Leipheimer  of Astana had another strong performance in front of thousands of enthused cycling fans to retain the overall lead.  The riders were hit hard early in Stage 3, just five miles into the race, when they took on the first King of the Mountains competition on Sierra Road.  The racers then sped through flat sections that twisted and turned, including more than 40 switchbacks on Calaveras Road.  After tackling the second KOM climb of the day, Patterson Pass, the stage concluded with a lap around a downtown circuit in Modesto. As the field started up the climb just outside of San Jose, a small breakaway group of four riders separated from the pack and was briefly joined by the previous day’s KOM leader Francisco Mancebo (of Rock Racing.   After taking first place in the first KOM competition, Mancebo sat up, leaving four riders to fight off the front: Bauke Mollema (Rabobank), Brian Vandborg (Liquigas), Jeffry Louder (BMC) and Brad White (Ouch). Back in the field, the combination of growing fatigue and inclimate weather conditions contributed to a string of mechanicals and accidents out on the road.  Omer Klem (Bissell) and Ian MacGregor (Team Type 1) both crashed out of the race early on and even overall race leader Leipheimer had an innocuous look at the pavement around the 35-mile mark after clipping a Armstrong’s wheel.   Only Leipheimer was able to remain in the race. "That was my fault; I just looked down for one second and it was windy and everybody moved left and right and next thing I know there was a touch of a wheel," commented Leipheimer.  “It hurts but it happens.  I didn’t break anything.  I’ve done it before; it’s not big deal.” The four riders in the breakaway built a maximum gap of five and a half minutes, but this was not quite enough to hold off the hard charge by the sprinters in the final hour of racing.  A strong move by Louder before the finishing circuit only delayed the inevitable until the very end, where he was the last to be caught.  An impressive team effort propelled Hushovd to a sprint victory in front of a roaring crowd at the Modesto finish.  Hushovd confirmed that the team lead-out train was what set him up for the race's first mass finish. “My teammates, including Hayden Roulston, started with 1 kilometer to go, and then Dominique Rollin pulled to just the last corner,” said Hushovd.  “Then, Lancaster and I started to pass with only 150 meters to go, so our team did a great job today.” Rabobank's Oscar Freire  Team Columbia-Highroad’s Mark Renshaw trailed in just behind for second and third, respectively.   Stage Results, GC Results

The Tour of California peloton starts the climb of Sierra Grade from San Jose to Modesto.
photo © Mitchell Clinton / www.clintonphoto.com

Bicycle Rack Design Competition Pays $2,000 to the Winner
2/17/09 - Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti, in partnership with the Bike Writers Collective and the support of the Hollywood Project Area of the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, is sponsoring a competition for a unique bicycle rack for the East Hollywood community. This project seeks to add visual appeal and transportation amenity to its vibrant East Hollywood streetscape along Hollywood Boulevard between Western Avenue and Vermont Avenue. The City of Los Angeles welcomes the creative energy of the greater community to assist in the creation of this important element of street furniture - the bicycle rack. The winning design will receive $2,000 and the competition is open to all artists and designers living in Los Angeles County. The deadline is Friday, March 6, 2009. more info >

Astana's Levi Leipheimer Attacks Climb and Moves into Lead
2/16/09 - Astana Cycling Team’s Levi Leipheimer took the overall lead in the second stage of the Amgen Tour of California. Nobody was able to answer Levi Leipheimer’s attack at the base of the final climb with 27 K (17 mi) to the finish line. Leipheimer then joined an earlier break and dropped all but Tom Peterson (Garmin). Leipheimer flew down the descent and hammered his way to the finish line in Santa Cruz. Peterson tucked in and conserved his strength for the finish while Levi Leipheimer concentrated on gaining back the 63 seconds that separated him from the leader’s jersey. Peterson took the stage with Leipheimer finishing with the gold jersey. Michael Rogers (Team Columbia) won the sprint of the chasing group of 18 riders – with four Astana Cycling Team riders - 21 seconds behind. Chris Horner finished fourth. Former GC leader, Francisco Mancebo (Rock Racing) lost 1 minute 52 seconds. ""The weather has been nasty the last couple of days and I took off all my extra clothes before the last climb,” said the two-times Tour of California winner. “Then I thought I’d better go because if not I would freeze up with no clothes and freezing rain. There were some attacks at the bottom. Popo was next to me and I said, ‘Let’s go!’ I felt great and was trying to make some friends out there but basically I couldn’t wait any longer. Mancebo did a big effort yesterday and we definitely had that in mind,” continued Levi Leipheimer as he explained race tactics. "That’s the way it goes. Each day is a new bike race and that’s what’s exciting about bike racing. I feel confident that we have the best team here and we showed it yesterday. When we had to chase yesterday we just wanted to take the time back and set things up nicely for today."Lance Armstrong suffered a crash on the day but was able to continue and seems to feel fine: "A moto photograher from the race crashed right in front of me. Unfortuate but it could have been worse. I don't feel too bad. The hip is a little banged up but overall it was a great day." Regarding teammate Levi's bold ride, Armstrong said, "Levi proved he is the best guy in the race, hands down."  Stage Results, GC Results

Levi Leipheimer savors his moment in the Yellow Jersey.
photo © Brian Hodes / www.VeloImages.com

Quote of the Day
2/16/09 - "The Tour of California should be in late April. Better weather, can get into the Sierras, final Tour of Italy tune up, etc." Lance Armstrong, after two days of racing in cold and rainy conditions.

The Tour of California peloton and caravan make their way across San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge.
photo © Mitchell Clinton / www.clintonphoto.com

Rock Racing’s Francisco Mancebo Wins in Santa Rosa After Epic Ride
2/15/09 - Record crowds were on hand for Stage 1 of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California to watch the world’s top cyclists travel from Davis to Santa Rosa, culminating with a climactic finish in downtown Santa Rosa.  Francisco Mancebo of Rock Racing took an early lead and ended up with the stage win, the team’s first in the Amgen Tour of California, ahead of Jurgen Van de Walle, of Quick Step, and Vincenzo Nibali of Liquigas. The 107.6-mile stage from Davis to Santa Rosa took the riders through the scenic settings of Lake Berryessa and Napa Valley before heading into downtown Santa Rosa. Motivated to attack by weather conditions, Mancebo left the field behind in the in the first half-hour of the race, a move that eventually brought him the stage victory.  After the first feed zone, Prologue winner and race leader Fabian Cancellara of Saxo Bank had to abandon the race due to illness, leaving the Amgen Leader Jersey open for the taking. After his initial attack, Mancebo was joined by Aaron Kemp of Fly V Australia pb Successful Living Foundation and Tim Johnson of OUCH pb Maxxis on the descent following the first King of the Mountain (KOM) competition of the stage, and the race overall, on Highway 128.  The riders formed a hard-working trio, eventually building a lead of more than 12 minutes over the pack.  Mancebo left the breakaway group behind to take the lead on Howell Mountain, the second KOM, at 44 miles to go. With approximately 30 miles left in the stage, an all-star chase group of more than 20 riders, led by Astana, including both two-time defending race champion Levi Leipheimer and Lance Armstrong , formed behind.  Despite the chase group’s concerted efforts, Mancebo held on to the lead to cross the line and take the stage win in Santa Rosa. “When I attacked, I just wanted to keep going and stay ahead because the cold was hard for me, and slowly after I started speeding up, I started feeling more comfortable,” added Mancebo.  “Five kilometers before the finish, I just wanted to keep going.  I kept telling myself that I had to keep going and I was going to win.” The tight Santa Rosa finishing circuits have gained a reputation in the short history of the Amgen Tour of California. This year, due to weather conditions and for the safety of the riders, officials decided to call the general classification time when the first rider crossed the finish line for the first time (before the first of three circuits). “The decision was made about 80 miles into the race and was made solely for the safety of the riders,” said Jim Birrell, race director. “This will not be protocol for the rest of the race; if we have blue skies we will race as it’s written in the rule book.”

Rock Racing's Francisco Mancebo won the Davis to Santa Rosa stage in epic conditions.
photo © Mitchell Clinton / www.clintonphoto.com

Columbia-Highroad’s Emilia Fahlin  Wins the Amgen Tour of CA Women's Criterium
2/15/09 - Welcomed by thousands of fans lining the streets of Santa Rosa, Stage 1 of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California featured the second-annual Women's Criterium presented by the Redwood Regional Breast Center.  Emilia Fahlin (SWE), the youngest member of Team Columbia-Highroad, won the criterium race with an impressive performance besting an outstanding field of international competitors. The first event of the 2009 season on the National Racing Calendar (NRC), the Women’s Criterium took part over portions of the Stage 1 men’s finishing circuit in Santa Rosa.  The second-annual event consisted of a field of 88 riders competing for more than $15,000 in prizes.  Set as a category Pro 1,2 race and with a limit of eight riders per team, the Amgen Tour of California Women's Criterium showcased some of the world's top professional women's cycling teams, including defending champion Brooke Miller of Team TIBCO, who finished 15th overall. Rounding out the top three were Lauren Tamayo (USA) of Team TIBCO in second and Rachel Lloyd (USA) of Proman in third.  Tamayo took first in the 2008 Women’s International Challenge and the 2008 Atlanta 10K Classic.  Lloyd won the 2008 Single Speed World Championship Mountain Bike Race. Results >

Emilia Fahlen (Columbia-Highroad) wins the Amgen Tour of California Women's Crit in the rain.
photo © Mitchell Clinton / www.clintonphoto.com

Armstrong's Time Trial Bike and Team Astana Bikes Stolen
2/15/09 - According to Lance Armstrong's Twitter, "Whoa!! They just came to my room and said our truck was broken into and someone stole my time trial bike (and they also stole 3 others. crazy!!!) Wtf?!? APB out to the twitterati." Times are tough for a lot of folks right now that are looking for ways to generate some cash and my guess is these thieves ran out of gold to sell at Cash4Gold. If you see this one of a kind bike, there is a reward being offered. Let's hope Armstrong gets his TT bike back before the Solvang Time Trial this Friday.

Have you seen this bike? A reward is being offered.

Cancellara Wins Prologue for the Second Year in a Row at the Amgen Tour of CA
2/14/09 - The 2009 Amgen Tour of California got underway in Sacramento as California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, actor Patrick Dempsey and record crowds cheered on the exciting Prologue win, for the second consecutive year, of 2008 Olympic time trial champion Fabian Cancellara (SUI) of Saxo Bank.  On a short, fast, flat individual time trial course in downtown Sacramento, Cancellara crossed the finish line in record time with the State Capitol building in the background.  Cancellara beat out top cyclists, including two Tour de France champions, 10 world champions and seven Olympic medalists to take the win.  The enthusiastic crowd, comprised of shoulder-to-shoulder fans, cheered on the cyclists as they made their way through downtown Sacramento. Completing the 2.41-mile course with a record time of 4:32, Cancellara will begin day two of the race wearing the Amgen Leader Jersey when Stage 1 takes the riders from Davis to Santa Rosa, a new route for the race, on Sunday beginning at noon.  In second place, two seconds behind Cancellara, was defending champion Levi Leipheimer (USA) of Astana, followed closely by David Zabriskie (USA) of Garmin-Slipstream, who came in third, three seconds off the pace.   “The Amgen Tour of California is the first race of the year and I’m very happy,” said Cancellara.  “This is a beautiful race and I like coming every year.  This is the second time I’ve won the Prologue, so it makes me happy.  There is lots of beautiful scenery and the crowds are great.” Early race favorites include two-time defending champion Leipheimer of Santa Rosa, who finished second (4:34); George Hincapie (USA) of Team Columbia-Highroad (4:36), who finished sixth; Tom Boonen (BEL) of QuickStep, who finished seventh (4:36); and Christian Vande Velde (USA) of Garmin-Slipstream, who finished 22nd (4:41). The newly unveiled, Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer™ Most Courageous Rider Jersey was awarded to Lance Armstrong (USA) of Astana, with the Herbalife Sprint Jersey went to two-time overall defending champion Leipheimer.  The Rabobank Best Young Rider Jersey was claimed by Mark Cavendish (GBR) of Team Columbia-Highroad.  The California Travel & Tourism Commission King of the Mountain (KOM) Jersey will be awarded for the first time after Stage 1 tomorrow, along with the other jerseys. Full Results >

Fabian Cancellara won the ATOC Prologue for the second year in a row.
photo © Mitchell Clinton / www.clintonphoto.com

Amgen Tour of California Team Rosters Announced
2/13/09 - Considered the best collection of talent to compete in a U.S. professional cycling stage race, the world-class roster of teams and cyclists* scheduled to participate in the 2009 Amgen Tour of California has been announced by race presenter AEG.  An internationally sanctioned professional cycling road race, the 2009 Amgen Tour of California will host 17 teams and 136 riders from 24 countries for the fourth-annual race from February 14-22. The race will bring the top cycling talent in the world to compete across more than 750 miles down the state of California from the state’s capital, Sacramento, to San Diego County. Attracting an unprecedented field of riders from around the world, cyclists hail from countries as far away as Belgium, Cuba, Finland, France, Germany, New Zealand, South Africa and Sweden.  “As the Amgen Tour of California continues to grow in stature year after year, we continue to see the caliber of the field increase,” said Andrew Messick, president, AEG Sports.  “The group of cyclists that will comprise the field for the 2009 race will create an unprecedented level of competition that is sure to make 2009 the best year yet.  We are looking forward to watching the competition unfold.” The field will include riders from well-known teams such as Astana, Team Columbia-Highroad, Quick Step, Saxo Bank and Garmin-Slipstream, which returns to defend the title as the winner of the overall team competition. Team Rosters >

Video - Lance Armstrong Blasts Journalist Paul Kimmage
2/13/09 - Lance Armstrong takes on Irish journalist Paul Kimmage who described Armstrong's return to cycling as a "cancer and the cancer is out of remission". Don't mess with Texas!

As the Cycling World Turns...
2/12/09 - As the Amgen Tour of California gets ready to get underway, excitement is brewing for both the cycling fans and teams competing. The field this year will be stacked with some of the best riders in the world including previous two time ATOC winner Levi Leipheimer, Tour de France winner Carlos Sastre, Paris-Roubaix winner Tom Boonen, and a slew of riders making a comeback including seven time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, ATOC winner Floyd Landis (Temecula) and Giro d'Italia winner Ivan Basso. It’s going to be an exciting week of hard racing and challenging conditions with predicted rain and a strong possibly of snow over the higher elevations on Mt. Palomar and Mt. Hamilton. If you can't attend some of the stages, you can watch all the action with daily TV coverage on Versus or  watch the race during each stage live online with the Tour Tracker ... This just in -  there are reports that Floyd has crashed during a training ride leading into the Tour of California and is "bruised up pretty good," but will compete in the race. We wish him a quick recovery! ...   Floyd fans will want to listen to a recent interview on XX Sports Radio San Diego ... It was announced yesterday that Lance Armstrong will not be working with Don Caitlin in an independent antidoping program afterall due to a “myriad of problems relating to administration, coordination and cost."  "After a thorough review of the efficiency of a separate testing program the decision has been made to transfer the comprehensive program we had planned to do with Don Catlin to Ramsus Damsgaard, a renowned anti-doping expert who runs the Astana team’s internal testing program," said Bill Stapleton, Armstrong's long-time agent and lawyer. Armstrong’s  test results from the internal tests by Damsgaard are now being posted online at livestrong.com.

Team Type 1 Announces ‘Signs For Sacramento’ Contest
2/12/09 - Fans who turn out to show their support for Team Type 1 at Saturday’s prologue time trial of the Amgen Tour of California can win free souvenirs as part of the team’s “Signs for Sacramento” contest. Representatives of Team Type 1 will be judging posters, banners and signs along the 2.4-mile (3.8 km) route that showcases the State Capitol, the Capitol Mall area and the well-known local Tower Bridge. The creators of the most original signs cheering on Team Type 1 will be awarded hats, T-shirts, socks and other official team memorabilia. To be eligible to win, the sign, banner or poster must feature the words “Team Type 1.” Judging will begin a half-hour before the first rider heads down the start ramp (1:30 p.m.) through the conclusion of the prologue (approximately 4 p.m.). Team Type 1 is the only one of 17 teams in the race with riders who have Type 1 diabetes. Phil Southerland (diagnosed in 1982 at the age of seven months) and Fabio Calabria (diagnosed in 2000 at the age of 13) will be joined in the nine-day race by Moises Aldape, Chris Jones, Valeriy Kobzarenko, Darren Lill, Ian MacGregor and Matt Wilson. Fans are invited to meet-and-greet Team Type 1 at every start and finish venue along the more than 750-mile route. Riders and staff of Team Type 1 will be on hand one hour before each stage and immediately following each race.

Floyd Landis (Team Ouch), left, raced the Boulevard Road Race as his first race back in 2 1/2 years.
The riders were greeted with snow and rain, which should be good prep for the Tour of CA.
photo © Mark Johnson/Ironstring.com

U.S. Cup Opening Round at Bonelli Park to Feed 500 racers with In N Out Burgers
2/10/09 - The U.S. Cup presented by Specialized has announced that it will be pulling out all the stops at the opening round of the Kenda Cup West series by hiring the In N Out cook out trailer to feed five hundred racers at the March 1st event. The first five hundred hungry racers to register for the opening round of the Kenda Cup West event at Bonelli Park will receive a ticket for a free In N Out cheeseburger, drink and bag of chips as a show of appreciation for their participation in the U.S. Cup Series. Qualifying registered racers will be met with a full blown In N Out cook out trailer serving up famous In N Out burgers starting from 12:30 pm to 2:30pm. Spectators, family and friends also have the option of purchasing lunch from the In N Out cook out trailer during the two-hour serving period for an additional charge. Racers may pre enter or sign up the day of the event to qualify for the offer, first five hundred registered racers only will be fed free of charge.

Fly V Australia p/b Successful Living Makes A Statement at Boulevard
2/9/09 - A week out from their upcoming debut in the 2009 Amgen Tour of California, the Fly V Australia p/b Successful Living Professional Cycling Team have announced their intentions with a powerful showing in the 90 mile Boulevard Road Race in east San Diego County on Saturday 7 February. Held in snowy and rainy conditions on a tough, hilly course featuring almost 8,000 feet of climbing, the race was dominated by Fly V Australia p/b Successful Living riders, with Ben Day taking the victory ahead of teammates David Kemp, Charles Dionne, and Bernard Sulzberger who rounded out third through fifth. Fly V Australia p/b Successful Living riders were on the attack from the start of the race, with Sulzberger taking an early flyer, hoping to “get warm”. Speaking about the race and his victory, Day said, “We managed to dictate the tempo of the race and get four into the race winning break. With our numerical advantage, it was simply a matter of doing the right things coming into the finish. I attacked with about 1 mile to go – it’s always nice to get a win so early in the season!”  Speaking about the snowy conditions, Day said, “I only arrived in California 2 days ago. I spent the last week training in 125 degree temperatures in Australia – so this is a big contrast. Metaphorically, the cold race was a great warm up for me and the team! We’re looking forward to the Tour of California, and this hit out gives us a lot of confidence.” Not content with dominating in California, the team enjoyed success on the other side of the Pacific, with Australian-based riders dominating in Queensland’s Oakey Two Day with Haydn Brooks winning both races from an all-star local field. Speaking about the weekend’s results, Team Director Chris White said, “The strength of our results on both sides of the Pacific this weekend shows that our two-pronged program comprising professional and talent development squads is working well.”

Chris Daggs (Swamis DET) takes on the epic conditions at the Boulevard Road Race.
photo © Mark Johnson/Ironstring.com

Cyclists of All Ages and Levels Unite National Level Cycling at the Valley of the Sun
2/6/09 - The 17th Annual VALLEY OF THE SUN, John Earley Memorial Stage Race, presented by Landis Cyclery and Trek will be held Friday, Saturday, & Sunday February 13, 14, & 15. The VALLEY OF THE SUN Stage Race, held in the greater Phoenix area, is a premiere event that has become the largest attended, multi-day bicycle race in North America. In 2008, almost 900 cyclists competed in front of thousands of enthusiastic spectators as they lined the courses and cheered on the riders. The 2009 race will award over $10,000 in cash and prizes and will attract some of the top professional cycling teams from North America and abroad. Frank Pipp of Bissell Pro Cycling will be leading a team of 5 racers. No doubt, this will be a true showdown of strength and power. In addition, the three-day event hosts a variety of fund raising events for various non-profit organizations, including a race just for kids (complete with a helmet fitting clinic prior). This three-day event offers men and women, both amateur and professional road racing cyclists of all levels, the opportunity to compete for cash and prizes.

Amgen Tour of California Women’s Criterium to Kick Off the Women’s Pro Season
2/6/09 - The 2009 Amgen Tour of California Women’s Criterium presented by the Redwood Regional Breast Center will assemble some of the world’s top professional women cyclists to compete in Santa Rosa on Sunday, February 15, in the season opening NRC event.  The second-annual race will, once again, be held in conjunction with Stage 1 of the Amgen Tour of California.  Featuring a field that includes defending champion and 2008 U.S. National Criterium and Road Race Champion Brooke Miller, the race is sure to be an exciting and challenging competition, kicking off the women’s cycling season. “The Amgen Tour of California Women’s Criterium is returning for a second year to Santa Rosa to showcase the excitement and competitiveness of women's professional cycling to fans along the route," said Andrew Messick, president of AEG Sports.  "The 2009 race will bring together some of the finest competitors in women's professional cycling.  That, combined with the men’s field, will make this an epic day of bike racing." The Women's Criterium will begin at 1 p.m. and will showcase some of the world's top professional women cyclists competing for more than $15,000 in prizes.  Set as a category Pro 1/2 race, the Amgen Tour of California Women's Criterium will have a limit of eight riders per team.  Once again using portions of the Stage 1 men’s finishing circuit in Santa Rosa, the Women’s Criterium will bring the thrill of professional women’s cycling to fans in the hours just before the men’s finish in downtown Santa Rosa.   “The Amgen Tour of California Women’s Criterium is emerging as one of the top women’s cycling events in America and carries international athletic importance. The field of National Champions, World Cup winners and Olympians will be competing to become the leader of the 2009 National Race Calendar, as well as for the overall prizes,” said Laura Charameda, race director, Amgen Tour of California Women's Criterium.  “With huge crowds expected to be in Santa Rosa to see both the men’s Amgen Tour of California and the Amgen Tour of California Women's Criterium, the event promises to be exciting for both racers and cycling fans." The 2009 Amgen Tour of California Women’s Criterium roster includes representation from top American women’s cycling teams including, Team Columbia-Highroad, Webcor Builders, Colavita/Sutter Home Presented by Cooking Light, Team TIBCO and Proman.

Ride for LIVESTRONG Website to Support the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Campaign
2/5/09 - The Astana Cycling Team announced its support for the Lance Armstrong Foundation’s LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Campaign. Team Astana unveiled the “Ride for LIVESTRONG” website - the team’s season-long effort to connect cycling fans around the world to the global fight against cancer. Ride for LIVESTRONG is composed of three elements – a race kilometer contest, a fundraising initiative and an educational component. The announcement, made on World Cancer Day, took place at Team Astana’s press conference at training camp. “The 27 riders representing nine countries on Team Astana are proud to stand with Lance Armstrong in the global fight against cancer,” said Johan Bruyneel, Team Astana General Manager. “Many of the riders, like our fans, have a personal connection to cancer; Ride for LIVESTRONG allows them to take an active role this season to support this effort.” Fans will select their favorite Team Astana rider at the Ride for LIVESTRONG website, where they can view rider profiles and their connections to cancer. The website also features cancer statistics for each rider’s home country, as well as the burden of cancer in each of the countries where Team Astana will compete this season. By selecting a rider, fans can enter into a race km contest to win great team sponsor prizes, including a race-ridden 2009 Trek Madone 6.9 road bike; a special edition Giro Ionus LIVESTRONG road helmet signed by Lance Armstrong, and a Nike LIVESTRONG clothing package.

Niels Albert (Belgium) celebrates his win at the Cyclocross Worlds .
photo © Mitchell Clinton / www.clintonphoto.com

USA Cycling Contributes $360,000 to its Local Associations
2/5/09 - Following another year of solid growth in overall membership, USA Cycling announced today that it will distribute nearly $360,000 to its 34 Local Associations as part of its effort to support competitive cycling at the grassroots level. Based on 2008 license sales, USA Cycling will have delivered more than $1.7 million in direct funding to its Local Associations since the program’s inception in 2003. For the first time, all 34 Local Associations earned rebates from the sale of USA Cycling licenses. For the fourth consecutive year, the Northern California/Nevada Cycling Association earned the largest payout, qualifying for $36,105 in funding, followed by the Southern California/Nevada Cycling Association ($32,210), the New England Bicycle Racing Association ($30,520), the Texas Bicycle Racing Association ($23,225) and the Pennsylvania Cycling Association ($15,495). Each year, USA Cycling reinvests a significant percentage of its membership dollars back into each Local Association based on each organization’s license sales, including $10 for every license sold and $ 5 for per adult add-on license sold. These investments are in turn allocated and prioritized by each Local Association to support racing-specific programs in their respective geographic region. “The funding is a real bonus,” explained SCNCA president Eric Smith. “It has helped us to support a very successful Best All-Around Rider and Best All-Around Team series, as well as a results program that has driven more and more participation each year. We feel the payouts are also important to help support our juniors. Nearly a third of our funding from USA Cycling goes to support a variety of junior programs. In the past three years our junior membership has tripled and continues to grow. The funding we receive allows us to specifically dedicate resources to junior and women’s programs, as well as the growth of cyclo-cross.”

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Joel Price and Floyd Landis at the Team Ouch Training Camp in Temecula.
photo © Joel Price

Junior, U23 & Elite Road Nationals Awarded to Bend, Oregon
2/4/09 - The 2009-10 USA Cycling Junior, U23 & Elite Road National Championships have been awarded to the city of Bend, Ore., the national governing body announced today. The announcement comes six weeks after the cycling-friendly community was also awarded the next two editions of the USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships. The dates for the 2009 USA Cycling Junior, U23 & Elite Road National Championships will be July 28 through Aug. 2. Since the Junior, U23 and Elite fields were combined into one national championship event in 2005, the 2009 edition marks the event’s first visit to the Pacific Northwest. Previous hosts include Anaheim, CA (2008), Seven Springs Resort in Champion, PA (2006-07) and Park City, Utah (2005). The six-day event will host approximately 1,000 competitive cyclists as they compete for national titles in three different disciplines of road racing – the individual time trial, road race and criterium. “Bend is a destination for both recreational and competitive cycling, and we’re excited to bring another national championship to Oregon,” commented USA Cycling chief executive officer Steve Johnson. “Bend’s long tradition of community-wide support and passion for cycling convinced us to award them two national championships in the same year.”

Cavendish Sprints in for the First Win of 2009 at the Tour of Quatar
2/4/09 - Mark Cavendish captured his first victory of the 2009 season on Wednesday when he outsprinted the field on stage four of the Tour of Qatar. Cavendish took a convincing win in a stage where strong winds and splits in the bunch meant teamwork played a crucial part in his victory.  “Today was the kind of day that had to finish in a win,” Cavendish said afterwards. “My team did a great job as a unit, working hard in the early part of the stage, getting Michael [Barry] in the break, then doing a brilliant job to get me up there for the final sprint. There were five of us in the front group early on, then four, then three in the last part, but  everybody did a perfect job all day. The conditions were very tough, but that’s Qatar, it’s always windy here. There are two more stages to come and hopefully I’ll be able to do well in those ones, too. I’ve been unfortunate in the finishes earlier on in this race, now it seems my luck has turned.” On Wednesday Cavendish outpowered German Heinrich Haussler and Belgian race leader Tom Boonen in a long sprint in the northern fishing town of Madinat Al Shamal. After his victory, Cavendish is now lying ninth overall. In a dramatic day’s racing, cross-winds shattered the peloton on the long exposed ride from Doha’s Old Souq across the Qatar desert. But Cavendish and his Columbia-Highroad team-mates were never far from the front. Wednesday’s win was even more satisfying for Cavendish because in the first two sprint stages bad luck had kept Cavendish out of contention. Tuesday’s stage was particularly frustrating for the British rider. A puncture less than 1500 metres from the line wrecked Cavendish’s chances when he was on the point of accelerating for the finish. The Tour of Qatar ends on Friday, when Cavendish heads directly to the United States to join his team at a training camp leading up to the Amgen Tour of California.

Tour of Quatar Video Coverage
2/4/09 - Catch the action at the Tour of Quatar with some great video coverage of all the stages. Definately some tough and windy conditions with some good old fashioned gutterball racing.

Rock Racing to Ride Kestrel Bicycles
2/3/09 - Kestrel Bicycles announced their sponsorship of the Rock Racing Professional Cycling Team. "We are thrilled to be partnering with one of the most exciting teams in pro cycling," said Karen Bliss, Director of Marketing at Advanced Sports, Inc., the parent company for Kestrel. "We have built great relationships with many of Rock Racing's riders through our other brands' sponsorships, and I'm happy they will get the opportunity to race on our bikes in 2009." The team will ride Kestrel's new RT900, a 950 gram carbon frameset that features a unique aero-shaped monocoque frame design and its proprietary EMS Pro fork. The team will also be supported by Shimano with Dura-Ace components. Current U.S. Pro Road Champion Tyler Hamilton, who tested the Kestrel road bike the team will be riding, said, "The road bike handles perfectly - it's got an incredible strength to weight ratio. I'm really impressed." An important component to the sponsorship is Kestrel's ability to utilize Rock's team members' experience and expertise in the development of its new time trial frame. Scheduled for release in mid-summer, the yet-to-be named bike has already tested exceedingly well in the wind tunnel. "Rider input at this stage is paramount to the success of our new TT project," said Steven Harad, Kestrel Brand Manager. "I look forward to working closely with Rock's time trial experts to fine-tune our new super bike." Rock Racing will make its racing debut at the Tour of California, February 14, 2009. The TOC team roster includes: Victor Hugo Pena Grisales (Col), Enrique Gutierrez (Spa), Francisco Mancebo (Spa), Freddy Rodriguez (USA), Tyler Hamilton (USA), David Vitoria (Swi), Oscar Sevilla (Spa), Aaron Kemps (Aus).

2009 Road Racing Season Gets Underway With Boulevard Road Race
2/3/09 - One of Southern California's most demanding amateur road race courses is also one of the first on the 2009 calendar. The California road racing season kick starts on Saturday, February 7th with the 9th annual Boulevard RR presented by Ouch Sports Medical Center and hosted by the U.C. San Diego Cycling Team. Races are being held to accommodate amateur, masters and professional categories. The course is a 22.4-mile loop with roughly 1400 ft of elevation per lap that will be sure to jump start your early season fitness into action. After a rolling start from the staging area and then a short pitchy climb over Live Oaks Springs Rd., riders head towards a bombing descent down Hwy 94. At the bottom, the race really starts to pick up after making a right turn onto La Post Rd. and it continues climbing until the bottom of the "real" climb at the corner of Hwy 80, where there is very little reprieve until the finish line at the top of Hwy 80 shortly past Stage Coach Springs Rd. This race is emblematic of California's revered status as the premier location for amateur and professional bike racing throughout the entire United States. So come out and join the UCSD Cycling Team for one of the most memorable races of the season! Food, parking, and gas are also available inside the staging area at the intersection of Royal Dr. and Hwy 80. more info >

The 4th Annual Imperial Classic Delivers a Great Day of Racing
2/2/09 - Olympian Sarah Hammer (Hawk Relay) showed off Imperial Valley radishes from the podium at the 4th Annual Imperial Classic, Saturday January 31, 2009 after winning the women's race. Nicole Brandt (CA Pools Racing) and Rachel Herring (Team Alliance Environmental) filled out the rest of the Women's Pro 1-2 podium. Norm Carter (Team Redlands) won both the 30+ Elimination race and the Pro 1-2 Crit. Race announcer, Ralph Elliot of MGE Racing commented, “This race is a hidden gem. Even at big races, cities don't put up cycling banners on the lamp posts and repave a street just for cyclists.” Ideal weather, live music in the park, and a supportive community event made for satisfied racers.

Imperial Classic winner Sarah Hammer (Hawk Relay) stands atop the podium with
Nicole Brandt (CA Pools Racing) and Rachel Herring (Team Alliance Environmental).

BMC Racing Team - Tour of Qatar Stage 2 Report
2/2/09 - For BMC, the Tour of Qatar’s Stage 2 unfolded in a somewhat more satisfying fashion. BMC neo-pro Chad Beyer managed to insert himself into the main break of the day while closer to the finish, team leader Markus Zberg rode with the second group, keeping the team’s hopes for a high GC placing alive.  As had been predicted, the brutal north winds ripped up the peloton and by the finish line, only 14 riders remained in the first group. Cervelo Test Team’s Roger Hammond attacked the group which contained defending champion Tom Boonen.  The Briton pre-empted the bunch gallop and won the stage by 1 second. “The weather and winds lived up to the forecast, so we were lucky that when the first break went after about only 3 kilometers, we had Chad Beyer in it,” John Lelangue reported.  “There was no reaction from the peloton so the break of three riders gain upwards of 14 minutes at one point, but once the course turned and the three were riding into a head wind, they naturally started to lose their advantage.”  Due to the force and direction of the winds, the peloton split into five different echelons.  “We had Markus Zberg in the first echelon while Martin Kohler and Florian Stalder were in the second,” Lelangue said.  Feeling as though the team was well placed for the finish, one final split reduced the size of the front group to just 14, putting Zberg in the second grouping. “With about 45 km to go the final winning group separated itself, and though Boonen made the split, riders like Cavendish didn’t,” Lelangue said.  This group hung off the front with about a 40 second advantage for the majority of the rest of the race, though by the finish line, they had stretched that out to around 2 minutes.

Team Type 1 Goes 1-2 at the Poor College Kids Road Race
2/1/09 - Team Type 1 scored its first victory of 2009 on Saturday when Ricardo Escuela out-sprinted teammate Moises Alape to win the Poor College Kids Road Race near Solvang, Calif. Sergio Hernandez (Rock Racing) was third in the 68-mile race that served as the season-opener for a number of Southern California riders and teams. Team Type 1 placed nine riders in the top 20 – and it would have been 10 had fifth-place finisher Valeriy Kobzarenko not been disqualified for a centerline violation. Escuela is in his first year with the team that includes four riders who have Type 1 diabetes.  "I felt really confident," Escuela said. "We had two or three - or more - guys in every break today." The 25-year-old Argentinian said the lead-out for the sprint was one the team had practiced earlier this week. "Valeriy (Kobzarenko) and Jesse (Anthony) gave me a strong lead out and Moises was right there on my wheel to make sure no one came around," Escuela said.  Team Type 1 is holding its training camp in the Santa Ynez Valley as it prepares for the Amgen Tour of California.

Ricardo Escuela scores Team Type 1's first victory of the year in a field sprint
Saturday at the Poor College Kids Road Race. photo © Marco Quezada