Cycling News

Doug Flynn, Yuma Bike Club President, Fatally Injured in Car/Bike Collision
9/30/09 - We have received sad news that Doug Flynn, the President of the Yuma Bike Club and Promoter of the North End Classic, was fatally injured while riding his bike on the morning of September 24th. According to the Yuma Sun, “According to Officer Ed Quintero of the Somerton Police Department, the accident happened at about 6:41 a.m. in the 300 block of East Madison Street as the cyclists were riding through town. Quintero said a preliminary investigation shows that the vehicle that struck Flynn was traveling eastbound on Madison Street and the cyclists were riding in a long single-file line on the opposite side of street, heading west. He said the vehicle, driven by a 25-year-old Somerton woman, tried to pass a tractor pulling a farm implement in a legal passing zone. During that passing attempt, Quintero said, her car struck Flynn and another cyclist. Two other cyclists were riding ahead of Flynn at the time. "The first cyclist was able to get out of the way," Quintero said. "The second cyclist also came in contact with the vehicle and was injured in the fall." The Yuma Bicycle Club’s web site says, “Argueably, he (Doug) did more to advance cycling in Yuma than any other person in memory.  He routinely gave tips to help others improve, worked with our youth racing program, and generally was a cycling ambassador to the Yuma community as a whole”.  When SoCalCycling.com spoke to Doug he was really excited to promote the historic North End Classic and put on a great event for the racers and Yuma community. A fund has been set up to help Dougs’s wife Mary and their children. Our thoughts and condolences go out to Doug’s family and friends.

Champion System featured the SoCalCycling.com Team and kit at their Interbike booth.
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photo © SoCalCycling.com

Successful Interbike Reflects Resilience and Optimism of the Bike Industry
9/29/09 - The Interbike OutDoor Demo and International Bicycle Expo, held in Las Vegas Sept. 21-25, wrapped up a successful week of product demos, launches, business meetings and events while reflecting the upbeat outlook of the bicycle industry as a whole.  "The buzz of business and enthusiasm on the Interbike show reflected a resilient marketplace place determined to maximize opportunities in 2010," said Andy Tompkins, Interbike show director. "Interbike provided a critical meeting place for more than 1,100 brands to connect with thousands of buyers, media, athletes and industry professionals to share ideas, garner business education and network as a community. Combined efforts of the entire industry made the show a resounding success."  Interbike's week-long trade event began with buyers and media testing the latest in road, downhill, cross-country, all-mountain, electric, and commuter-style bikes and accessory categories at Interbike's Outdoor Demo, held Sept. 21-22 in Bootleg Canyon, Boulder City, Nev. Anxious to get the real product experience with 2010 bikes and accessories, overall attendance at the two day event increased over last year.  Once in the Sands Expo and Convention Center for the indoor portion of the show, more than 22,500 exhibitors and attendees filled the hall to see products from more than 1,100 exhibiting brands. Exhibiting brands showcased full 2010 product stories with the latest bikes, clothing and accessories. According to exhibitors, viewing products and talking with their sales staff helped retailers solidify inventory decisions for the coming year and strengthen business relationships. Preliminary attendance figures show the number of unique stores represented increased to more than 4,000 and the number of total buyers increased to more than 11,300. International buyers also increased as 1,300 Interbike attendees represented 64 countries outside of the United States. The growth in stores in attendance can be attributed to the steady increase in cycling participation and to an increase in outdoor recreation, performance and ski retailers.  International buyers from Canada, Mexico, China, and Australia and a growing base of dealers from central and South America bolstered buyer attendance figures.  Despite the challenges of the economy and cautious expectations going into the show, attending retailers were optimistic about the event and exhibitors' new 2010 product offerings.

Brooks saddles had a nice display of leather saddles at Interbike.
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photo © SoCalCycling.com

National Criterium Champion Tina Pic Retires and Looks to the Future
By Christy Nicholson
9/28/09 - My longtime friend, Tina Pic has ended her long and stellar career and is going out on top after winning the TD Bank Mayor’s Cup in Boston, a race that boasted a $40,000 prize list that was split evenly between the men and women. Former racer and Olympian, Nicole Freedman was the promoter.

I first met and raced with Tina at the 1995 International Women's Challenge in Idaho when she was switching over from duathlons and triathlons and her last name was Mayolo. I remember Tina being really strong when I raced with her through 2000, but she was not an overnight sensation. Rather she had a steady progression over the years and consistently got better and better becoming the best and going on to win six National Criterium Championships as well as claim the NRC Title five times.  

A few days ago, I was fortunate to run into Tina at Interbike where she brought me up to speed on her plans for the future and the state of women’s racing in the US. While at Interbike, she was talking to various companies and working in her new role as Team Director for Colavita/ Sutter Home. She will share this position with her teammate Rachel Heal and hopes this will cut down on the travel that is such a big part of racing on the NRC Circuit. Tina is also looking forward to being home more and spending more time with her husband and long time training partner, Chris.

What I enjoyed most about racing with Tina was her sense of humor, both on and off the bike, and her willingness to always work hard with you in a race. These are two qualities that will serve her well as she transitions into the next phase of her life and I have no doubt she will be successful.

Rock Racing Launches New Product Line
9/25/09 - Rock Racing Team Owner Michael Ball ushered in the team’s new product line of branded bikes, equipment and isotonic sports drinks Wednesday night amidst a crowd of media and VIP’s at the Blush Boutique Nightclub in Las Vegas. Rock Racing riders Fred Rodriguez and Ivan Dominguez helped show off the new “RX-1” and “X-2” carbon frame and fork racing bicycles and the “Project 4815” fixed gear bike. Guests also had the opportunity to sample Rock Racing’s two one-of-a-kind isotonic sports drinks, R3 POWER ELIXIR and R3 RECOVERY. Ball told the invitation-only media and guests that the bicycles, components, wheels, tires, helmets, shoes, kits, cycling lifestyle apparel and sports drinks signal the team’s “Here To Stay” commitment that has made Rock Racing one of the most popular professional cycling teams in the world. “We are partnering with the top companies, incorporating the latest technology and working with leading manufacturers to bring our brand to the public,” Ball said. “This gives cyclists of all ages and abilities the opportunity to have the same top-notch cycling experience as the pros." Ball also announced that six companies will partner with Rock Racing in 2010 to leverage its brand to produce special edition Rock Racing products: Louis Garneau (helmets and shoes), Prologo (saddles), Shimano, FSA (handlebars, stems, seatposts, cranks and headsets) Carbon Sports (Lightweight wheel sets) and Vittoria (tires and tubes).

Rock Racing's new carbon frame and fork was displayed at the Louis Garneau booth.
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photo © SoCalCycling.com

Eric Barlevav (Mountain Khakis) won the USA Crits Finals at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
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photo © SoCalCycling.com

SoCalCross Prestige Series C-X-C Unification Race Gets the Cross Season Started
By Dave Sheek, OutsideAllDay.com
9/24/09 - Southern California pedaled into the 2009-10 cyclocross season with the C-X-C unification weekend. It was cyclocross races Saturday as the Southern California Prestige Series set way and mountain bike races on Sunday with U.S. Cup Unification race. It was a great start to the cyclocross season that really brought some unexpected events. The women’s field started strong and stayed close for the first few laps. It looked like the ladies of the CICLE team were going to stay together and dominate the field. But, it was the two young power houses of Kendall Ryan (Team SoCalCross-CICLE) and Coryn Rivera who pushed the pace and began opening gaps on the field. The chase was lead by Tonya Bray (YOR) as her teammates Alexis Ryan and Dorothy Wong followed working together to real in the two Juniors who were off the front. Unfortunately, they never regained the leaders. It looked like Kendall Ryan had control but in the end Rivera found her way to the front for the win. The Elite Men’s race was another unexpected event as mountain bikers preparing for Sunday’s race came out to throw down a few hard laps on the technical course. Sho-Air/Specialized’s Sid Taberlay who was on a mountain bike and his skills allowed him to see the un-deliberate chaos and respond with an immediate attack as he was the first around Smith and Taberlay hit the course hard. The pack saw Taberlay take off and did not respond with a huge push as they regained form as most thought the mountain bike would be a disadvantage on the cross course.  As Taberlay was attacking the course lap after lap the chase group began to pick up the pace and the battles really began. It was young Morgan Ryan (Team SoCalCross-CICLE) and Rock N’ Road’s Ted Willard and Chance Noble (Giant Berry Farms) who were leading the group through the first barrier and over the muddy grass run up. But the group shifted fast as Chance had not one but two unexpected flats in the race and the heat seemed to melt the power from the rest of the riders’ legs early in the race. By the third lap it was Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific) and Brandon Gritters (Rock N’ Road) who were working to get back up to Taberlay as he rode around in Aussie fashion springing over barriers like a kangaroo, never dismounting, to maintain his lead.  In the end it was Taberlay who unexpectedly won with at least a 30 second gap on second place finisher Prenzlow. It was Gritters who was able to hold onto third Jason Siegle of Bike Religion who put in one last hard effort for fourth to beat out Mark Noble who rounded out the top five.

Katie Compton (Planet Bike) starts her cross season off with a win at Cross Vegas.
photo © Mitchell Clinton / www.clintonphoto.com

U.S. Cup Unification Race Wraps up Inaugural Season
9/22/09 - Nearly four hundred competitors came out to stake their claim at the U.S. Cup Unification race at Bonelli Park on Sunday the 20th.  Racers were met with warm sunny skies with temps topping out in the high 80’s, and the racing was just as intense.  With a custom Primal unification jersey up for grabs and a load of swag from contributing US Cup sponsors, racers were leaving it all out on the course in hopes of adding one more title to their resume, and another trophy to the mantle before the season’s end.  In the men’s Pro Class, it was Sid Taberlay defending his Kenda Cup West title against some heavy hitters, who were there to try and topple his efforts.  At the end of the day, Taberlay proved to be too strong for Team Turbo’s Ignacio Torres from Mexico and KHS/Cytomax’s Sean Donovan.  Rounding out the unification pro men’s podium was Trek rider Dana Weber and Team Sho-Air/Specialized’s Manny Prado.  In the Women’s class, Kenda Cup West Champion Krista Park from the Incycle team lost the battle on the day but won the war.  It was Sho-Air support rider Alison Mann taking her first professional win after turning pro in March 2009. However because of her late start, Park got the Unification title based on her points accumulation and her second place finish on the day.  “Bonelli Park looks very likely to host the opening round of the 2010 PRO XCT series in early March and the venue has a lot of potential”, states US Cup marketing director Ty Kady. In conjunction with USA Cycling we should be releasing a full PRO XCT schedule as early as October or maybe sooner once we confirm commitments from promoters and venues.

Cross Vegas winner Jamey Driscoll (Cannondale-CyclocrossWorld.com) and breakaway
partner Chris Jones (Champion System) jump the cross barriers.
photo © Mitchell Clinton / www.clintonphoto.com

Interbike and Bikes Belong Invest $50,000 to Enhance Bicycling in Las Vegas
9/18/09 – Bikes Belong, the national coalition of bike-industry retailers and suppliers, and Interbike, the industry's annual tradeshow, will invest more than $50,000 during the next two years to improve bicycling conditions in Las Vegas-the show's host city. To launch the first of this three-phase project, Interbike and Bikes Belong awarded a grant of $10,000 to the City of Las Vegas to help build 3.2 miles of new bike lanes in Ward 5. The Las Vegas Regional Transportation Commission matched the bike industry's contribution. The bike-lanes project was spearheaded by the Ward 5 Bicycle Coalition-a committee of community leaders and representatives from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, local schools, recreation centers, and the Las Vegas Bike Club. This committed group of cycling supporters will host bike rodeos and safety events to promote the new lanes. In phase two, slated for the first half of 2010, Bikes Belong and Interbike will donate trip counters called Freikometers to several Las Vegas elementary schools. These solar-powered Freikometers, which tally bike rides and walks to school, are the backbone technology of the Freiker (Frequent Biker) program. Part of the growing national Safe Routes to School movement (labeled Suggested Routes to School in the city of Las Vegas), Freiker helps to quantify and celebrate students who arrive at school under their own power, encouraging active, healthy transportation. Phase three will be announced at Interbike 2010, complementing the first two phases through additional investments in Las Vegas bike facilities, programs, and organizations. This Las Vegas partnership is one project of many associated with a 10-year, multi-million dollar alliance between Interbike and Bikes Belong, initiated in 2007 to get more Americans nationwide riding bicycles.

SoCalCross Prestige Series Season Kicks Off with the US Cup at Bonelli Park
9/17/09 – The 2009-10 Southern California Prestige Series of Cyclocross will kick off its 4th season on Saturday, September 19th... where CX meets XC at Frank G. Bonelli Park in San Dimas, CA part of the C-X-C Unification weekend September 19th and 20th... featuring cyclocross Saturday and mountain bike racing Sunday. On Saturday, September 19th, the SoCalCross Prestige Series known as the premier race series in Southern California will showcase the fastest growing cycling sport of cyclocross hosting 18 events across eight counties from San Diego to San Luis Obispo this season. Saturday's event will offer a full range of cyclocross racing... timed circuits in and around Picnic Valley15 cyclocross categories of racing are available from beginner to elite and juniors to masters. Juniors 18 and under race for FREE thanks to the Southern California Nevada Cycling Association.  FREE beginner clinics will be hosted by MTBChick.com and if you don't want to race, try the Team Duke Relay ‘Cross race at the end the day... benefiting the John Wayne Cancer Foundation. On Sunday, September 20th is the US Cup Unification race and the final showdown of the US Cup of Mountain Biking National Championship Series presented by Specialized. Competitors will be vying for the national championship title along with the “Unification Series” Title. 

The riders celebrate winning their respective jerseys and titles at the Tour of Missouri.
photo © Mitchell Clinton / www.clintonphoto.com

Lance Armstrong to Hold Group Ride in Griffith Park Thursday Morning
9/9/09 – You may have seen stories of Lance Armstrong holding various impromptu rides all over the world, with the most recent ride attracting thousands of riders in Dublin, Ireland. Armstrong is in Los Angeles and has decided to challenge the folks of LA to come out for a ride with him tomorrow AM. Lance sent out the following tweet, "Hey LA - get out of your cars and get on your bikes. Time to ride. 7:30 tomorrow am. Griffith Park, LA Zoo parking lot. See you there..". Who's in?

VNC Racing Announces a New Off-Season Criterium Series
9/9/09 – After much input received from local Southern California racers, VNC Racing's response is to promote a 3-race USCF Criterium Series with its focus solely on acquiring additional race experience and/or upgrade points to advance in one's respective racing category. With the weather conducive to year-round training, VNC Racing decided to experiment by giving the local racers a chance to train, though not necessarily peak, for off-season racing.  Bicycle racers are very competitive, and even if they just want to train in the off-season, this is the perfect chance for them to gauge their fitness level.  Those racers wanting to get the heck out of Cat 5 and Cat 4 have three extra races before the year's end!  As always, there will be a FREE race clinic to those cat. 5 racers hoping to become Cat. 4 racers! The USCF Criterium Series will be held on October 11, November 15 and December 13 on the Dominguez Hills course. more info >

Tour of Missouri Team Preview, No Rock Racing
9/5/09 – The Tour of Missouri is set to get underway September 7th and will run through September 13th. The following teams are confirmed to compete in the Tour of Missouri: Astana, BMC Racing, Cervelo Test Team, Garmin-Slipstream, Jelly Belly, Liquigas, OUCH pb Maxxis, Quick Step, Team Saxo Bank, Columbia/HTC, Bissell, Colavita /Sutter Home, Kelly Benefit Strategies, Planet Energy and Team Type 1. One team that won’t be lining up at the Tour of Missouri is Rock Racing. Michael Ball had this to say about Rock’s exclusion “Rock Racing is not among the teams competing at the 2009 Tour of Missouri because we were not invited. We were told the exclusion was a direct consequence of Rock Racing’s inability to send our “A” squad to the 2008 Tour of Missouri, which at the time, overlapped with the Tour of Britain, a race we had already committed to and invested significant resources in, months before we received a Tour of Missouri invitation.  In an effort to “punish” our team, it’s the fans who ultimately suffer. They deserve to have the best race with the best riders, and this year, that will not be the case.  It’s also very disappointing that we have been left out of one of the biggest races on the U.S. calendar especially when Rock Racing has been one of the strongest supporters of the sport overall.  In 2008, Rock Racing sponsored seven domestic races and invested millions of dollars to support the efforts of the same race organizers who chose to keep us out of Missouri in 2009." The Tour of Missouri will be broadcasted LIVE every morning on TV and on-line and then replayed again on Universal Sports and on demand on universalsports.com.

Columbia-HTC on the front during Stage 6 at the Vuelta.
photo © TDWSport.com

BMC Racing Team Signs Hincapie and Ballan for 2010
9/1/09 – BMC Racing Team announces the signing of the current World Professional Road Champion, current US Professional Road Champion and proven, successful new riders for the 2010 season. They look forward to an aggressive 2010 schedule focused on a higher level of professional racing. The BMC Racing Team has acquired the current World Professional Road Champion from Italy, Alessandro Ballan, as well as three-time US National Professional Road Champion George Hincapie. "When we started with the idea of the BMC Racing Team, we had a plan which would one day elevate us to the highest level of professional racing.  That day is today," explained the two partners and co-owners of the BMC Racing Team, Jim Ochowicz and Andy Rihs. "Hincapie very recently won the US National Professional Road Champion title for the third time in his career and will race for BMC in the 2010 season in the stars and stripes jersey. World Professional Road Champion Alessandro Ballan, also the 2007 winner of the Tour of Flanders, brings a wealth of experience as a five-year professional.  Other notable riders with great promise and potential joining the team include: Tour de France stage winner (2008) and 2007 Gent-Wevelgem winner Marcus Burghardt from Germany; Dutchman Karsten Kroon, second in the 2009 Amstel Gold Race and a Tour de France stage winner (2002); and Steve Morabito, Michael Schär and Simon Zahner from Switzerland.  All riders have signed a two-year commitment with the BMC Racing Team with the exception of Simon Zahner who holds a one-year contract.  George Hincapie is very excited to be part of this operation and part of the Rihs and Ochowicz vision.  "Definitely the idea of working with the young team and helping to build the program appealed to me," George Hincapie explained.  "I know a lot of the American racers on the team already and have seen how talented the young Swiss riders are, so I am very excited to help mentor the riders while also focusing on my major goals at the same time."  

George Hincapie talks about his chances at the USA Cycling Pro Championships in Greenville, SC.
photo © Mitchell Clinton / www.clintonphoto.com

Team Garmin-Slipstream Announces New Additions to 2010 Team Roster
9/1/09 – Team Garmin-Slipstream, the American professional cycling team dedicated to ethical sporting and developing the next generation of cycling champions, today announced six exciting additions to its 2010 roster including Robbie Hunter, Fredrik Kessiakoff, Michel Kreder, Peter Stetina, Johan Vansummeren and Tom Zirbel. Robbie Hunter joins from Barloworld and will be a huge asset in leading out sprinter Tyler Farrar.  Garmin will also look to Hunter for various stage wins throughout the year. Johan Vansummeren the two-time top ten finisher of Paris Roubaix joins Garmin from Silence-Lotto, where he supported Cadel Evans. The addition of Vansummeren creates a triple-threat for Garmin’s Cobbled Classics crew, including Martijin Maaskant and Tyler Farrar. Tom Zirbel is currently leading the NRC series and is an accomplished time trialist and was recently second in the US National Time Trial Championships to Garmin’s own David Zabriskie.“We’re poised for another exciting year with these riders rounding out an already strong roster,” said Jonathan Vaughters, CEO of Slipstream Sports. “We started the team with the goal of developing young talent, so riders Peter Stetina and Michel Kreder were natural fits for us. And this year we’ll continue to build on the success Tyler has had by giving him more lead-out guys, and the success that  Christian and Wiggo have had in the mountains by adding talented climbers. But make no mistake, the riders on this list are all capable of stage wins and one-day race victories. 2010 is shaping up to be a big year for us.” Team Garmin-Slipstream will unveil a full roster later this year.