Cycling News

Awesome Land: Women of Dirt Screening at Cinespace Hollywood on April 3rd 
2/28/10 - Bones over Metal’s Awesome Land: Women of Dirt, a feature length film delving in to the world female mountain bikers premieres in Southern California April 3rd, 2010 at Cinespace in Hollywood from 6 -9 pm. A VIP Cocktail Party kicks off the evening from 6 -7 pm, and General Admission begins at 7pm.  VIP movie-goers will have the opportunity to meet movie producer Mark Brent, and stars including Leana Gerard and Kathy Pruitt.  Aside from the film, the highlights of the VIP event include a fashion show followed by the announcement and presentation of the 5 Most Influential Women in Southern California Cycling.  Nominations are currently being accepted, please send a short bio and contact information for your nominee to [email protected].  Beneficiaries of the event include The Mark J. Reynolds Memorial Bike Fund, a foundation providing bicycles to underprivileged children.  This event is a Lycra Drive for the SoCal Interscholastic Cycling League.  Attendees are encouraged to donate extra lycra and cycling apparel for the League.  Announcement of additional beneficiaries forthcoming. Cinespace boasts 2 bars, a screening room, a lounge and outdoor lounge, all filled with screens to view the film from virtually anywhere in the 3 room venue. The evening will end with a raffle, 100% of the proceeds of the raffle go to the beneficiaries. More info >

Incycle Bicycles Invites You to Their Rancho Cucamonga Grand Opening
2/26/10 - Incycle Bicycles, LA County’s number one bike shop, is opening their fourth location and you’re invited to attend the grand opening party. The doors will open Friday, March 5th at 5:00PM for a night of celebration, Incycle style. With a great guest list including Tinker Juarez, Rahsaan Bahati, Mirinda Carfrae, and many more special invites, this will be a grand opening party to remember. This event is open to the public and free to attend. Appetizers and beverages will be served and there will be raffle drawings for great gifts and prizes. The raffle tickets can be bought right now at any of our current three locations. Each ticket cost 3 dollars and you can buy as many as you'd like. You do not have to be present at the Grand Opening to win your prize. All proceeds from the raffle drawings will go to the Bahati Foundation and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Bring your family and friends to help break in the new Incycle Bicycles, located in beautiful Rancho Cucamonga.

The Adageo Energy Pro Cycling Team poses for their team photo in the Nevada desert.
photo © Brian Hodes / Velo Images

Masters Road Nationals Head to Bend, Oregon in 2011 and 2012
2/26/10 - USA Cycling has awarded the 2011 and 2012 Masters Road National Championships to Bend, Oregon. Following the city’s successful hosting of the Elite/U23/Juniors Road and the Cyclo-cross National Championships, the cycling hotbed is now poised to host another round of the nation’s best. Held in Louisville, Kentucky 2008 through 2010, the USA Cycling Masters Road National Championships are scheduled to go off in Bend, August 30 – September 4, 2011 and August 27 – September 2, 2012. The two-year agreement between USA Cycling, the sport’s national governing body, and Visit Bend is expected to bring more than 800 competitors and 2,500 visitors to the Pacific Northwestern city for seven days of racing leading up to the Labor Day Weekend. Bend expects to continue to enjoy a significant economic impact in conjunction with the cycling championships. According to a study by Oregon State University, the two USA Cycling National Championship events hosted by the city in 2009 brought Bend $2.5 million dollars in direct tourist spending.  In 2009, Bend hosted the USA Cycling Elite, Junior and U23 Road National Championships, as well as the USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships. Both events will return to Bend in 2010.

Kenda Cup West Series Kicks Off this Weekend with the Sage Brush Safari
2/25/10 - The Kenda Cup West Series opener at Sage Brush, brought to you by Team Duke.Org is drawing top pro and amatuer athlete’s for 2010. Last years Sage Brush men’s pro winner; Sho-Air/Specialized rider Sid Taberlay, brings with him a 2010 Austrailian National Short Track title to this year’s event, as the Aussie looks to make it two for two. Taberlay will be hard pressed in 2010 however, as newly signed Cannondale Factory riders Jeremiah Bishop and Tinker Juarez are set to race this weekend.  Add in 2009 La Ruta and Costa Rican XC Champion Manny Prado of the Sho-Air/Specialized team, and the 2010 Kenda Cup West Series opener is shaping up to be a slug fest. 2009 women’s race winner, Pua Sawiki, of Team Mata/Okle Stuff.com looks to repeat as a two time race winner. Sawiki will have a solid line up of women racer’s with Rock N Road’s Allison Mann and others trying to knock off the six time National Endurance Champion. The Sage Brush is located east of San Diego off Interstate 8, the Sage Brush course is a throw back to a more traditional mountain bike loop, with multiple distances ranging from 26.8 miles and 3,500 feet of climbing for the Pro and CAT 1 loop, to a shorter 18 mile loop for the CAT 2 and 3 riders.  The course uses exsisting jeep and motorcycle trails of the Lake Morena OHV park and offers racers a wide variety of terrain, with rolling Whoop De Doo’s, banked berm corners and a fun flowy style of riding.  For the mountain bike purist, Sage Brush is a must attend event!

Sid Taberlay (Sho-Air) gears up for the Kenda Cup West Series opener at the Sage Brush Safari.
photo © Michael Darter

Housing Volunteers Are Needed for the San Dimas Stage Race
2/25/10 - The San Dimas Stage Race, which takes place March 19th - 21st, is currently looking for volunteers that can assist riders and teams (including Trek-LIVESTRONG U23, Bahati Foundation, and Peanut Butter & Co.) with housing during the event. Housing in the Foothill Communities from Rancho Cucamonga to Monrovia and down to the Chino Valley area is optimal. Please contact SDSR's Housing Coordinator for more info.

Riders Enjoy Great Racing at the 5th Annual Imperial Classic
2/24/10 - The 5th Annual Imperial Classic was held over the weekend in Imperial Valley under windy conditions. Winds gusting at up to 25 mph made for dangerous gutter riding for much of the race and blew the field apart early in the Pro men's race. Matthew Rice (Bahati Foundation Pro Cycling Team) powered away from teammate Hilton Clarke and Iggy Silva (Trek-LIVESTRONG U23 Team) on the final lap to win the 5th Annual Imperial Classic.  The Women's Pro 1-3 race was won by Trina Jacobson (ACQUA AL 2/SDBC), with Deborah Durand (Helens/Cannondale) in 2nd and Jenny Rios (Helens/Cannondale) in 3rd. All podium finishers went home with giant bags of fresh Imperial Valley winter vegetables and as many tangerines as they could carry.

Bahati Foundation Launch Event To Be Held at LA Live on March 12th
2/24/10 - The Bahati Foundation will make its official debut on March 12th in downtown Los Angeles from 7pm to 10pm.  The event will be held at LA Live’s flagship entertainment venue Club Nokia, and will support an entertaining media presentation that highlights each of the 3 pillars of the Bahati Foundation: Cycling, Education and Music. This star-studded event will include a comprehensive VIP Experience, Celebrity Red-Carpet, Bahati Foundation Pro Cycling Team Introduction, Video Presentation and Musical Performance. As ambassadors of the Bahati Foundation, the Pro Cycling Team will provide substantial support in furthering the Foundation’s message.  This 20-member UCI registered racing team will travel nationally to compete in all major 2010 USPRO, NRC and UCI events. In tandem with a comprehensive calendar, racers will perform speaking engagements, seminars and events designed to engage and inspire underprivileged youth. The other Bahati Foundation pillars, education and music will be highlighted through an inspirational musical performance. A musical artist will collaborate with a world-class LA-based youth choir and band to demonstrate the importance of music and education in today’s inner-city communities. As an integral action, the Foundation provides access, events and funding to schools and programs with a demonstrated need and desire for excellence. The Bahati Foundation recognizes Cannondale Bicycles as its newest corporate partner. In addition to supporting the Bahati Foundation Pro Cycling Team, Cannondale has created a one-of-a-kind bicycle that will be unveiled at the event and will be auctioned to raise funds for the Foundation. Enter to win two free tickets at bahatifoundation.org.

Race Report: Simple Green Criterium Women’s Race
By Priscilla Calderon, Incycle / Time to Track
2/23/10 - The Women Pro 1,2,3, had a good sized field of about 40. The field contained very good sprinters which included Anna Lang,  Jennifer Wilson, Tiffany Pezzolo and the Helen’s squad was out in full force. Helen's being the more "dominate" team as far as numbers goes. Once the whistle was blown, off we went with a few attacks here and there. All of the SC Velo - Incycle/TTT girls were on every move. Lea was on everything that looked dangerous yet promising. There were only a few primes, but Incycle/TTT managed to collect them. If there was a move up ahead Incycle/TTT was being represented. With 4 laps to go, it was obvious that it was going to come down to a field sprint. Just by instinct we all meet at the front of the field for a perfect lead out train. A girl from NOW-MS told me after the race it was a sea of blue and orange at the front. Our team captain, Pam, had discussed before the race how she wanted the lead out train to go down and who would pull where and how far, and it happened exactly like she said it would. Katie started the lead out with Bonnie delivering Pam and I off at the last corner. I was battling for Pam's wheel for laps on end it seemed like. That's a VERY popular wheel by the way. Jen Wilson was trying to over take my wheel countless times with one to go, In the last turn Wilson tried one last time to overtake Pam's wheel by taking the turn inside, but to no success. Pam started to sprint with me closely on her wheel, I looked back to see that we had a pretty descent gap to roll in first and second WOOT WOOT!!!

The Incycle / Time to Track Team get their lead out train rolling at the Simple Green Criterium.
photo © Tom Shao

Video: Floyd Landis Addresses his Arrest Warrant on Larry King Live
2/19/10 - Just in case you missed Floyd Landis on Larry King Live last night, you can view it here. Let us know your thoughts on our Facebook Page.

2010 Tour de Murrieta is Ready to Roll
2/18/10 - What was once considered a European sport is now attracting the world’s best cycling teams to the United States! Murrieta and Southern California residents can share in the excitement in their own backyard! The city of Murrieta’s CA Pools/DeWalt Cycling Team is a dedicated group of men and women committed to promoting the sport of cycling and bringing highly intense, competitive racing here to the Murrieta Valley. The team consists primarily of local Murrieta/Temecula and San Diego County residents who compete at all levels of abilities. Team members compete in categories against professional riders including ex-Olympians The 2010 Tour de Murrieta will be held March 12-14 and will feature some of the most competitive race teams in California. This USCF sanctioned, 3-day race will consist of a time trial held on March 12, an event also known as the "race of truth" as riders compete individually against the clock, a lightning fast-Grand Prix on a 1-mile course on Saturday, March 13, and a circuit race on a 3.5 mile course on Sunday, March 14. The riders will be competing for the coveted Leader’s/Champion’s Jersey awarded to the fastest overall rider in each category. more >

Sean Watkins (SBW), Jamie Paolinetti (Amgen-UBS) and Rudy Napolitano (Team Helens)
(l-rt) drill it during the always strong 35 + race at the Roger Millikan Memorial Criterium.
photo © Tom Shao

RIDE 2 SUPPORT YOSHIO! Medical Fund Charity Ride Fundraiser this Saturday
2/17/10 – One of SoCal's top MTB racers Yoshio Garcia, age 22, has been in the hospital since being hit by a car on his way to work on January 14, 2010. After two tense weeks in intensive care, he has stabilized considerably but remains in a coma with serious brain injuries. Because Yoshio does not have health insurance, a medical fund has been set up where fellow cyclists can contribute to his medical fund in any amount that you are able. Coates Cyclery is hosting a Charity Ride Fundraiser this Saturday, February 20th to help raise sufficient funds to ensure that Yoshio can continue to receive the best care and rehabilitation possible. There will be both a no-drop 25 mile road ride through Pomona, Walnut, Covina and San Dimas and a mountain bike ride that goes through Bonelli Park. Both rides will start at Coates Cyclery in Pomona at 8:30 AM.  The rides will end back at the shop with tacos and refreshments for everyone. A minimum donation of $ 20 is required to participate and includes a t-shirt and water bottle. If you can’t make the ride but would like to donate, you can still make a donation for Yoshio payable to “Yoshio Garcia Medical Fund” and send to Coates Cyclery, 760 E. Foothill Blvd, Pomona, CA 91767. more info >

Women’s Prestige Cycling Series Announces 2010 Events
2/17/10 – The 2010 edition of the Women’s Prestige Cycling Series will feature four national-caliber stage races that promise to showcase the country’s top female cycling talent.

The four events take place in four different states, from March through July:
March 25-28 – Redlands Bicycle Classic (California)
April 28-May 2 – SRAM Tour of the Gila (New Mexico)
June 16-20 – Nature Valley Grand Prix (Minnesota)
July 20-25 – Bend Memorial Clinic Cascade Cycling Classic (Oregon)

The Nature Valley Grand Prix has been a part of every Women’s Prestige Cycling Series. The Redlands Classic is in the line-up for the sixth time in seven years, while this is the second year for the Bend Memorial Clinic Cascade Cycling Classic. New to the calendar is the SRAM Tour of the Gila, which replaces the Joe Martin Stage Race.  Four separate competitions will comprise the Series including: top overall individual, best young rider, best sprinter and top team. Special jerseys, provided by custom clothing manufacturer Champion System, will identify the leaders in the first three classifications.  In 2009, the Champions of the Women’s Prestige Cycling Series were Alison Powers of Team Type 1 (top individual), Tina Pic of Colavita-Sutter Home (best sprinter), Rebecca Much of the Webcor Builders Cycling Team (best young rider) and Team TIBCO, which was the top team. more info >

SoCal Features the Final Two Stages of the Amgen Tour of California
2/12/10 - Stage 7: Los Angeles Individual Time Trial
The Amgen Tour of California descends on the City of Angels in Stage 7 with the 21-mile individual time trial. Los Angeles plays host to a course that is filled with several of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.  Each rider will leave L.A. LIVE and complete two laps of the 10.5-mile circuit around downtown Los Angeles.
Video >, Stage Map >, Stage Profile >

Stage 8: Thousand Oaks/Westlake Village/Agoura Hills Circuit Race
There is nothing easy about Stage 8 of the 2010 Amgen Tour of California. The cities of Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village and Agoura Hills host the final 84 miles (four 21 mile circuits) of the 2010 Amgen Tour of California, which finishes in the worldwide headquarter community of title sponsor Amgen. What starts as a beautiful rolling stage gets a bit challenging at Mulholland Highway.  Long regarded as one of the most scenic climbs in southern California, and a favorite haunt of motorcyclists, Mulholland Highway features steep climbs and numerous switchbacks, making it a great place for spectators. As the riders pass the Malibu Family Winery, they will start a twisting and technical descent on Westlake Blvd.  In less than an hour, the riders will be back at the finish line and bracing themselves for three more laps.  If ever there was a chance to see a change in the leader and sprint jerseys, it will be here.
Video >, Stage Map >, Stage Profile >

Former World Champion Alessandro Ballan, Current World Champion Cadel Evans and
USPRO National Champion George Hincapie lead the BMC Racing Team on a training ride.
photo © BMC / Tim De Waele

Amgen Tour of California Pasadena to Big Bear Lake Stage Announced
2/11/10 - Pasadena City Hall will serve as the backdrop for the most difficult stage the cyclists have faced in the five-year history of the Amgen Tour of California.  After crossing the Colorado St. Bridge and passing by the Rose Bowl, the route will wind through the City of La Cañada Flintridge.  From there, the riders continue on a 135-mile odyssey with more than 12,000 ft. of climbing.  The race will climb to a high point of nearly 8,000 ft. as it rolls along the Angeles Crest Highway.  Then, there is a brief respite as they descend to Wrightwood and over to Highway 138. The route again goes vertical as it passes through Crestline and Lake Arrowhead, as the cyclists take to the “Rim of the World” highway. Entering the Big Bear area, the riders will take the northern route around Big Bear Lake and then tackle the last ascent to the finish at a more than 7,000-foot elevation at the Snow Summit ski area for the Amgen Tour of California’s first-ever mountaintop finish. Stage Map >, Stage Profile >

22nd Annual Keyesville Classic Mountain Bike Stage Race is Set for March 20-21
2/10/10 - For 22 years, the historic Keyesville Classic has drawn casual riders, pro racers and their friends and families for a fun-filled weekend of bike racing and entertainment. The challenging Bionicon All-Mountain Stage Race, where riders tackle the Short Track, Cross-Country and Downhill courses all on the same bike, will continue to take center stage, but a large turnout is expected for all classes, including the two Vintage categories and the Observed Trials competition. The Keyesville Classic brings together riders, advocacy groups and racers to raise awareness and funds for trail stewardship in the Kern River Valley and the region. Bionicon directs the event with support from the Southern Sierra Fat Tire Association, from their headquarters in Kernville. There will be free camping, meal and beverages services, and evening entertainment including a night ride and poker run, a women's bike apparel fashion show, movie screenings and a bonfire. More info >

HTC-Columbia and Garmin-Transitions Auction Ride in Cars at Cobblestone Classics
2/9/10 - Team HTC-Columbia, Team Garmin-Transitions and USA Cycling today announced the American Pro Tour squads will auction seats in their team cars to benefit the USA Cycling Development Foundation. Participants can win the chance to ride in a mechanic's car to view the cobbles of the Classics up close. Team HTC-Columbia is offering two seats for the Tour of Flanders on April 4th and Team Garmin-Transitions has two seats available for Paris-Roubaix on April 11th.  The auction will be live on eBay from February 9th, 2010 to February 19th, 2010. The highest bidder for each auction will not only experience race action from a team car but will also have the opportunity to meet the riders and stay the night at the team hotels. Teams Garmin-Transitions and HTC-Columbia are significant advocates of development initiatives and have a strong history of supporting young American riders. The auction marks the next step of the teams' partnership to continue helping USA Cycling produce future generations of international cycling stars. more info >

Tour of Qatar Diary, Stage 2 - Welcome to the ProTour Kid!
By Justin Williams, Trek-LIVESTRONG U23 Team
2/8/10 - Welcome to the ProTour kid! "You've only got about 15 more years of this left in you career," said Reed our swanny (Soigneur).

Wow, today started off slower than a Sunday Cruise. It was nerve racking for the first 30k and I ended up stopping twice to use the bathroom. Two guys went up the road and a Garmin guy waved them off.

Everything felt like dream! All these guys were around me that I go to YouTube to see. Yeah, well that didn't last much longer, as we made a right turn and the fireworks started. It was like someone lit a rocket and we went from 22 mph to 32 mph in a crosswind. I was about 25 riders back, which was too far back. more >

Dotsie Bausch (Incycle / Time to Track) wins the Red Trolley womens race.
photo © Dennis Gonzales

2010 Amgen Tour of California Stages to be Announced Online by Video
2/8/10 - Specific route details for the 2010 Amgen Tour of California professional cycling race will be revealed beginning tomorrow via individual stage videos, AEG, presenter of the fifth-annual event, announced today.  The videos have been created in collaboration between the start and finish  host cities of each stage, highlighting features of the route for the eight-day event.  Two videos will be released per day throughout the week of Feb. 8, and they can be viewed online at the Amgen Tour of California site, Facebook page and on YouTube. The 2010 Amgen Tour of California will be staged over eight days and will travel more than 800 miles of California’s scenic roads, highways and coastline drives.  Running from May 16 – 23, 2010, the race will visit 16 host cities for official stage starts and finishes, with communities along the route getting the chance to see a lineup of some of the most elite, recognizable athletes and teams in the world. Host cities for the eight stages include: Nevada City (new city for 2010), Sacramento, Davis, Santa Rosa, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, San Jose, Modesto, Visalia, Bakersfield (new city for 2010), Pasadena, Big Bear Lake (new city for 2010), Los Angeles (new city for 2010) and Thousand Oaks/Westlake Village (new city for 2010)/Agoura Hills (new city for 2010), title-sponsor Amgen’s hometown community.

Tour of Qatar Diary, Stage 1 – Team Time Trial
By Justin Williams, Trek-LIVESTRONG U23 Team
2/7/10 - The day before the first stage of the Tour of Qatar, things started to get a little tense on the team. After a few TTT (Team Time Trial) efforts it was clear that we needed a little more practice. I hadn't been feeling good, so I'd pulled off a little early and watched the guys kill it.

We have so many talented guys, we all knew with a bit of luck and good legs the Trek-LIVESTRONG U23 Team could surprise a few teams. Axel (Merckx) could tell I wasn't myself, so he pulled me aside to talk and I assured him I was a little jet lagged and super nervous. He made it clear that we were lucky to be here and it should always be fun at the end of the day. I started to feel a lot more at ease after that and everything on the team seemed like it started to fall into place for the TTT.

Today's Team Time Trial was pretty cool. I woke up at 4:45 am, because I was so excited and waited for it to be time for breakfast. When I finally got down and told Axel how long I had been up he told me he always raced better with less sleep the night before and that kind of made me feel better. more >

Quote of the Day
2/6/10 - In an interview about Bradley Wiggins, Jonathan Vaughters said, "The 2009 Tour route was suited to Brad, but 2010 is less so. In 2009, the tactics worked in his favour and Astana were soft-pedalling a bit to not embarrass Lance [Armstrong]." Armstrong took offense and Twittered, "I won't be forgetting this comment anytime soon. #whatatool." Let the games begin!

Judith Arndt (Team HTC- Columbia) drives the pace at the Ladies Tour of Qatar.
photo © cjfoto.com

Redlands Bicycle Classic Announces Sponsors and Launches the NRC Season
2/4/10 - The 2010 Redlands Bicycle Classic Organizing Committee  announced another year of partnership with PossAbilities and will be presented by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. “This is exciting news,” exclaims Race Director, Dan Rendler, “over the past four years we have forged a strong relationship with PossAbilities and having them on board once again only deepens our commitment to our core values, specifically Diversity and Health.”Along with PossAbilities continuing its sponsorship role, this year’s event will be presented by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, with the event to be officially known as The 2010 Redlands Bicycle Classic powered by PossAbilities and presented by The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.  “We are fortunate to have such a good neighbor and community partner like the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians presenting this year’s event”, Says Rendler. As the opening round of the NRC calendar the 2010 Redlands Bicycle Classic will set the stage for a incredible year of bicycle racing with four great days of racing with a few course changes to make the routes more exciting for both racers and fans. One can’t forget the inspiring images that this event brings, from the quaint small town setting, professional fields, and the brutally tough hand-cycle participants to the community presentations that saw wounded Iraqi Vets recognized for their incredible sacrifices. This years’ event will reinforce what the local community, the professional peloton, and all the fans already know, the Redlands Bicycle Classic powered by PossAbilities and presented by The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is much more than a bike race!

SoCalCycling.com reader, Marcus Lehmann, wore the SoCalCycling.com colors in
Germany where he won his race. Marcus recently visited LA on his vacation to
escape the cold German winter and even visited the Dominguez Hills Crit!
Thanks for your support Marcus!