Cycling News

Coryn Rivera’s Zipp 404’s Taken from Wheel Pit at Barry Wolfe GP, Reward if Found
5/31/10 – Twenty-Five time Junior National Champion Coryn Rivera raced the Pro Womens 1/2/3 race yesterday at the Barry Wolf Grand Prix and unfortunately had her spare wheels stolen from the wheel pit.  Coryn told SoCalCycling.com,  “During the race I placed my Zipp 404s with campy junior gearing (14-27) and red spacers between the gears and have Continental tires in the wheel pit and they were stolen during the race.  I know it is replaceable but the wheels have a huge sentimental value as I've won multiple national championships and I have taken them to world championships and I won countless races on them since I was 14, including my first professional win.  There will be a reward if found”.   If you have information on these wheels, please contact Coryn through her web site at [email protected].

Have you seen these Zipp 404's? There is a reward for their return and good Karma will follow too!

Product Review:  Serfas SECA-RS Road Folding Tire
By Martin Adamczyk
5/30/10 – This is my first year on the Serfas Seca RS tire. The tire rides excellent, especially in criteriums and in tight, technical cornering. My reference point is using the tire in the Pro / Cat 1 races mainly on the SoCal Circuit. You can definitely feel the grip of the rubber compound in the design of this tire, especially at the 105-115 psi range, which is what I tend to run in the crits. For fast training on smooth roads, I have taken it up to the maximum recommended psi, which is 130 psi. The Serfas Seca RS tire rolls great and is FAST!!! The puncture resistance is excellent and is well above the average by three times with the integrated Flat Protection System. With the price point on these tires approximately 40 % less than Continental, Vittoria, or Michelin, you simply cannot go wrong giving them a try at least once, and deciding for yourself. There are seven different color options including grey, red, yellow, white, orange, blue, green, light blue, and pink, which allow for a perfect match with any bike or team livery. Serfas Seca RS Tire Specs: MSRP $37.50, Dimensions 700 x 23, Weight  215 Grams. Visit serfas.com to find a dealer near you.

The Serfas Seca RS Tire is available in seven colors including;
grey, red, yellow, white, orange, blue, green, light blue, and pink.

Video: Amgen Tour of California - Stage 8 Rock Store Climb KOM
5/29/10 – Watch the riders battle it out for the stage win and Overall GC during Stage 8 of the Amgen Tour of California. The riders tackle the last 3 laps up the Rock Store climb as an enthusiastic crowd goes nuts at the KOM.

Bahati Foundation Pro Cycling Team Restructures after OUCH and Landis Depart
5/28/10 – The Bahati Foundation Pro Cycling Team has announced that they have parted ways with Floyd Landis and that sponsor Ouch Medical has withdrawn their sponsorship in the wake of  Landis’ doping revelations and allegations against other riders this past week. In the Team's short existence the Bahati Foundation Pro Cycling Team has faced many challenges that also include; the death of teammate Jorge Alvarado, not being accepted to the Tour of California and the controversial crash at the Dana Point Grand Prix. Rahsaan Bahati released the following statement, “On behalf of the Bahati Foundation Pro Cycling Team management I would like to clarify the current team status.  We have entered into negotiations with a new management company to evaluate updated team ownership and structure that will facilitate our team continuing through this season and beyond.  Our efforts occur in the wake of truly turbulent times that will most likely have a fundamental impact not just on our team but also other cycling teams and the industry as a whole.  Being close to the epicenter of the revelations concerning drug abuse and other potentially traumatic information has taken its toll on our organization.  However, current management is committed to the success of the program and continuing the mission of the Bahati Foundation to help inner-city kids through the sport of cycling. I am committed to supporting the continuation of the Bahati Foundation Pro Cycling Team program in whatever capacity is required.  It is the unified goal of all associated with the mission of the Bahati Foundation to persevere and make a positive impact on the next generation of cyclist, especially those in underserved communities.  It is in that regard that I request the support and encouragement of the cycling community for the team and any efforts to create a fair and drug free sport.”

Bahati Foundation Pro Cycling Team members at the Dana Point Grand Prix.
Left to right - Hilton Clarke, Floyd Landis, Rahsaan Bahati.
photo © Mitch Clinton / www.clintonphoto.com

Cynergy Cycles Invites You to a Night of Roller Racing
5/21/10 – The guy’s from West Coast Goldsprints will be at Cynergy Cycles. Don’t miss this event. Races start at 7pm and end at midnight. Some of the best food trucks in the area are scheduled to be there and expect some great raffle prizes and giveaways. Proceeds will be donated to ALC9 and Bike-MS 2010. RSVP >

Landis Admits Doping During Racing Career, Alleges Use by Others
5/19/10  – In a phone interview with ESPN.com, Floyd Landis  admitted his use of performance enhancing drugs during his time on US Postal Service and Team Phonak. ESPN.com also reports that Landis sent emails to cycling and anti-doping officials over the past few weeks that implicated other athletes, team management and owners, including seven time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, three time Tour of California winner Levi Leipheimer, US Pro National Road Race Champion George Hincapie and current  Tour of California GC leader Dave Zabriskie  (all who are competing in the Tour of California currently) , as well as Team Phonak Owner Andy Rhis and US Postal Director Johann Bruyneel. Landis said he came forward because, "I want to clear my conscience," Landis said. "I don't want to be part of the problem anymore. With the benefit of hindsight and a somewhat different perspective, I made some misjudgments. And of course, I can sit here and say all day long, 'If I could do it again I'd do something different, but I just don't have that choice.” ESPN.com Story >

Auction for TOC Stage 7 VIP Experience and Fundraiser for Bahati Foundation
5/19/10 – Join the 2006 Tour of California champion Floyd Landis and members of the Ouch / Bahati Foundation Team for a private, catered VIP experience at the finish of stage 7 of the Tour of California in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday May 22nd, 2010 from 11 AM to 4 PM. You will have access to the 100 person VIP tent at the finish line that gives our guests an up close and personal look at the world's top professional cyclists. The tent also includes a live feed of the race on multiple big screens throughout the stage. Winners of the auction will also receive a free, autographed OUCH Pro Cycling Jersey that has been hand signed by Floyd Landis. Tickets and space are extremely limited! Do not delay! All proceeds will go to support the Bahati Foundation. Ebay Auction >

Cavendish Wins a Crash Marred Stage 1 of Amgen Tour of California
Results >, Communique >, GC >
5/16/10 - At the end of the 170km opening stage of the Amgen Tour of California, HTC-Columbia led their sprinter Mark Cavendish to victory with a perfect lead out around the streets of downtown Sacramento. "I'm really happy," said Cavendish after the stage. "I thought it was going to be a bunch sprint and the team controlled it perfectly. When you've got eight guys giving 100% and all trusting each other it just works. Only one guy crossed with their hands in the air but it's a team effort. "The beginning was quite hard when the attack was trying to go but after that the team controlled it all day to keep the gap down. A couple of teams helped us along the way and then we took over. We've got the best team in the world for leading out a sprint and we know not to take over too early or too late. "I trust Mark Renshaw's wheel, he trusts Bernie Eisel's wheel, Bernie trusts Tony Martin's wheel and it just goes like that. I'm the one who crosses the line first but all the guys in front of me deliver me perfectly. More>

Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia) took the win in Sacramento in a crash filled finale. JJ
Haedo (Saxo Bank) finished in second and Alexander Kristoff (BMC Racing Team) was third.
photo © Tim de Waele

The Amgen Tour of California gets underway with a huge crowd in Nevada City.
photo © Tim de Waele

Ride Of Silence to Honor Fallen Cyclists on May 19th
5/15/10 - On May 19, 2010, the Ride of Silence will begin in North America and roll across the globe. Cyclists will take to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public often isn't aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves. In 2003, Chris Phelan organized the first Ride of Silence in Dallas after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was hit by the mirror of a passing bus and was killed.  The Ride of Silence is a free ride that asks its cyclists to ride no faster than 12 mph and remain silent during the ride. There are no sponsors and no registration fees. The ride, which is held during National Bike Month, aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police and city officials that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways. The ride is also a chance to show respect for those who have been killed or injured. Ride of Silence Locations >

Justin Williams (Trek-LIVESTRONG U23 Team) takes the win at the Paramount GP.
photo © Eddie Meza

Medical Condition Ends Danny Finneran's Racing Career
5/14/10 - Past U.S. national junior team pursuit champion Danny Finneran announced his retirement from cycling Thursday, citing medical problems that include erectile dysfunction and possible nerve damage in his pelvic area. Finneran turned 20 years old Thursday and has only been racing competitively for three years. But the Oak Park, Calif., resident who races for Adageo Energy Pro Cycling said the pain he has endured has been a mystery to four physicians who have examined him over the past three months. He has changed saddles several times and even underwent a bike fit in an attempt to shift his weight from his posterior to his hands. None of it has worked. “It's absolutely horrible,” Finneran said. “Nothing has been able to keep me down, until this.” Racing for Rock Racing last year, his season was cut short by the team’s financial difficulties. But in 2008, he was part of the winning team pursuit squad at the USA Cycling junior national track championships while also earning bronze medals in the individual pursuit and the criterium. more >

US National Junior Team Pursuit Champion Danny Finneran
announced his retirement from cycling.

US Women Set a New World Record in the Women’s Team Pursuit
5/12/10 - Dotsie Bausch (Irvine, CA/ATF Empire Coaching Systems), Sarah Hammer (Temecula, CA/American Track Foundation) and Lauren Tamayo (Asheville, NC/Peanut Butter & Co. Twenty 12) set an unofficial new world record in the three-kilometer team pursuit on their way to winning the gold medal in women’s event at the Panamerican Championships in Aguascalientes, Mexico on May 12. Their time of 3:19.569 is nearly two seconds faster than the previous record of 3:22.552 set by New Zealand's Rushlee Buchanan, Lauren Ellis and Alison Shanks at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships on March 25th of this year. With that time, the newly formed American women's team pursuit became the first to break the renowned 3:20 mark. Official word on the status of the record is pending from the UCI, but as a continental championship run under UCI rules confirmation is expected. The trio's podium appearance marks the seventh medal and fourth gold for the USA Cycling squad at the Pan American Continental Championships. Santa Barbara’s Cody O'Reilly also won the silver in the men's scratch race.

Priscilla Calderon (SC Velo/Incycle/Time to Track) wins the Paramount Grand Prix.
photo © Dennis Gonzales

Congratulations to SoCal's 2010 Junior and Masters Criterium Champions
5/11/10 - The Junior Criterium Championships and Masters Criterium Championships were recently held at the Barrio Logan Grand Prix (Juniors) and Paramount Grand Prix (Masters) this month, where racers fought hard for the coveted title and championship jersey. Congratulations to the following Junior and Masters Champions.
Junior Criterium Champions: Junior Women 10-12 Rachel Cross (Sho-air/Sonance), Junior Women 13-14  Hannah Swan,  Junior Women 15-16 Karla Lopez ( Major Motion Cycling Club), Junior Women 17-18 Somersby Jenkins (Echelon Santa Barbara), Junior Men 10-12 Jeremy Lopez (SC Velo), Junior Men 13-14 Annan Hildebrand (SC Velo), Junior Men 15-16 Alex Darville (Echelon Santa Barbara), Junior Men 17-18 Ben Barthel (Echelon Santa Barbara).
Masters Criterium Champions: Women 35 + Bonnie Breeze (SC Velo),  Women 45 + Suzanne Sonye (Helens/Cannondale), Masters 35+ Antony Galvan (Amgen-UBS Elite Masters), Masters 45+ Bert Glennon (Schroeder Iron / BGM Sports), Masters 55+ Michael Birditt (Swami's Cycling Club), Masters 60+ Hylton Murphy (Sun Coast Velo), Masters 30+ 1-4 Nick Brandt-Sorenson,  Masters 40+ 1-4 Aron Gadhia  (Amgen-UBS Elite Masters), Masters 50+ 1-4  Thurlow Rogers (Amgen-UBS Elite Masters).

SC Velo Team Director Dominic Galenti gives Nick Castellano advice at the Junior Crit Champs.
photo © Dennis Gonzales

Sarah Hammer Sets New Individual Pursuit World Record
5/11/10 - Sarah Hammer (Temecula, CA/American Track Foundation) set an unofficial new world record in the three-kilometer individual pursuit during the qualifying round of the women’s event at the Panamerican Championships in Aguascalientes, Mexico on May 11. Her time of 3:22.269 is more than two seconds faster than the previous record of 3:24.537 set by New Zealand's Sarah Ulmer at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Official word on the status of the record is pending from the sport’s international governing body, the UCI, but as a continental championship run under UCI rules confirmation is expected. Upon confirmation, the reigning world champion will hold one of only 18 cycling elite world records. Hammer went on to win the evening's gold medal final catching Maria Luisa Calle of Columbia in five laps. Hammer’s gold marks the sixth medal and third gold for the USA Cycling squad at the Pan American Continental Championships, including a silver medal by Irvine's Amber Neben in the Individual Time Trial.

Rudy Napolitano (Helens) goes through turn four at the Long Beach Grand Prix.
photo © SoCalCycling.com

Universal Sports Provides Daily Coverage of the Giro d’Italia
5/10/10 - The first Grand Tour of the year opened with a bang as America’s top sprinter Tyler Farrar of Garmin–Transitions became only the seventh American to win a stage at the Giro d’Italia, despite being involved in a multiple-rider accident on Sunday.  Alexandre Vinokourov of Kazakhstan’s Team Astana currently has the pink jersey after the previous overall leaders, Australian world champion Cadel Evans and Britian’s Bradley Wiggins, were deterred by crashes (‘road furniture’), a common occurrence over the past three days. "My goal coming in was to win a stage, so it was great to get it out of the way earlier. Now I can move on to my next goal,” said Farrar.  When asked about Sunday’s crash, Farrar said, "That's the way it goes. First few days of a Grand Tour, everyone is nervous and wants to ride in front.  There's lots of traffic islands, medians, roundabouts and signs, and (crashing) is one of the unfortunate things to happen. Once we get a few days in, everyone will calm down and it'll be more chill." Universal Sports’ world-class cycling coverage of the 2010 Giro d’Italia rolls on, airing LIVE each day starting at 7 am PST (5 pm PST primetime re-air), and continuing throughout the three-week event ending Sunday, May 30. The network will air the Giro Race Review show on the rest days (May 11 and May 24), featuring highlights of the race and upcoming challenges. Giro Schedule >

Marcotte and Rodriguez Deliver at the Long Beach Grand Prix
5/9/10 - The Long Beach Grand Prix was held in Downtown Long Beach as part of the three day Long Beach Bicycle Festival.  Cycling enthusiasts were treated to an expo, bicycle polo matches, a fashion show, the Tour of Long Beach charity ride, as well as fast racing on the streets of Downtown Long Beach.  The Pro men’s race drew a large field who competed in hopes of taking home a piece of the $10,000 prize list. The biggest move came towards the end of the race when Devan Dunn (Ouch-Bahati Foundation) and Sergio Hernandez (MS-Now Society) broke away, but were brought back in the final laps. As the riders set up for the sprint on the final lap, a crash occurred in turn five which took down several riders and caused a traffic jam for others as they tried to get around it. Sensing there may be a crash, Eric Marcotte (Pista Palace) jumped on the second to last corner and got a big enough gap to hold off a hard charging Rahsaan Bahati (Ouch-Bahati Foundation) for 2nd and Jamie Paolinetti (Amgen-UBS Masters) for 3rd. Marcotte said, “In the second to last corner I was 4th through it and I punched it and right when I punched it, I heard a lot of stuff behind (crash) and knew I would be top five for sure. When Announcer Steve Hegg asked, “What does it feel like to beat some of the fastest guys in the country in your own backyard?” Marcotte replied, “I got a good jump on them. After Gila I needed a little ego boost. That thing kicked my butt. The only thing I did anything in was the Crit. The altitude and crosswinds out there really kicked my butt, so coming here and doing well it makes me feel pretty good.”  Bahati, who was a race favorite, said “I was way too far back.  I blame myself. I underestimated the strength of Marcotte and thought I could wait a little longer. Eric  is a phenomenal rider.” In the women’s race, Beatriz Rodriguez (Incycle/Time To Track) won the field sprint followed by Jennifer Weinbrecht (Herbalife LaGrange) in second and Cara Gillis (Specialized Designs for Women) in 3rd.

BMC Racing Team's Bookwalter and Evans Start Off the Giro on the Podium
5/8/10 - Brent Bookwalter and world road champion Cadel Evans finished second and third, respectively, in Saturday's Stage 1 individual time trial at the Giro d'Italia. It was an impressive result for the BMC Racing Team in its Grand Tour debut. Racing through the streets of Amsterdam on his BMC time machine TT01, Bookwalter held the fastest time for nearly an hour until Bradley Wiggins (Team Sky) recorded a 10:18 over the 8.4-kilometer course ˆ two seconds faster than him and Evans. "It was a fairly technical, short violent effort, which I think suits me well," Bookwalter said. "At least in the United States, I've always been pretty good in the five to 15 km distance. I'm not super tested at that distance over here. But I was motivated to do a good time for the team GC and also to do a good time so Cadel could get good time checks. It's really a pleasant surprise." Evans, who is wearing bib No. 1, said he wasn't going all-out on the wet, technical course. "I rode quite conservatively in the corners because I didn't expect to be fighting for the win," the Australian said. "Maybe if I had taken some risks, I might have cut a half a second off here or there. I'm really happy for Brent. It's a really good start for him and a great introduction into his first Grand Tour."

On Thursday evening 38-year old Radio Shack pro Chris Horner captivated a hometown
crowd at San Diego's Black Mountain Bicycles with stories of his recent Tour of the
Basque Country win, what it's like to race the Tour de France, and his new job riding for
Lance Armstrong and Levi Leipheimer. photo © Mark Johnson/Ironstring.com

Amgen Tour of California Announces Team Rosters
5/7/10 - The world-class roster of teams and cyclists scheduled to participate in the 2010 Amgen Tour of California has been announced by race presenter AEG.  An internationally sanctioned, professional cycling road race, the 2010 Amgen Tour of California will host 16 teams, comprised of 127 riders, from 23 countries for the fifth-annual race taking place May 16-23. The 2010 Amgen Tour of California will bring an exceptional concentration of cycling talent to compete across more than 800 miles of the state of California from Nevada City to Thousand Oaks, home of race sponsor Amgen. Attracting an unprecedented field of riders from around the world, cyclists hail from countries as far away as Belgium, Finland, Spain, France, Germany, New Zealand and Sweden. “We are proud of the powerful and talented group of international and domestic cyclists set to participate in the 2010 Amgen Tour of California,” said Andrew Messick, president of AEG Sports.  “From Tour de France champions to Olympic medalists and world champions, this field is one of the best that has ever competed on American soil. The growing reputation of the Amgen Tour of California has resulted in a very accomplished field of cyclists, which should make for a great race.” The field will include riders from well-known teams such as Team RadioShack, Team HTC-Columbia, Quick Step, Team Saxo Bank and Garmin-Transitions, who will all be competing to take the title in the overall team competition.  Rosters >

Eventual winner Jonathan Cantwell leads the winning break at the Barrio Logan Grand Prix.
photo © Eddie Meza

Montrose Riders - Tickets to be Given in Glendora for Failure to Stop at Stop Signs
5/7/10 - The following message was forwarded to SoCalCycling.com from Mark Rich: "A fellow cycling advocate just spent an hour talking with Glendora PD's top brass, including Chief Montoya.  GPD is planning to perform a mass stop and citation of the Montrose group in the future.  They begged him to do what we can to get the group to observe the posted stop signs this weekend. Those of us that did Montrose long last week witnessed a huge group of cyclists getting citations at Grand and Sierra Madre (they were hoping to get us but got another group first) so I think we can feel confident that GPD is serious. On a related note: If anyone wants to get involved politically and see if we can get our rides better accommodated by the community, hit me up in an email so we can chat.  It is my feeling that we can improve the situation with a minimal investment of our energy. Please forward so we can inform as many riders as possible." Please respect the rules of the road on this ride and all rides, so that our group rides can go on for many years to come.

As luck would have it we caught GPD, complete with 4 squad cars and 2 motos, ticketing
the unfortunate group of cyclists as we rolled by. The long ride came by a few minutes later.
photo © SoCalCycling.com

BMC Racing Team Has One Objective At the Giro d'Italia
5/6/10 - The BMC Racing Team might not have a Giro d'Italia squad with the most experience or the biggest names, but Director Sportif John Lelangue said the eight riders who will support world champion Cadel Evans are totally motivated to help him win the race. "Whether it was Tirreno-Adriatico or the Ardennes Classics, whenever we have had Cadel as our leader this year, the riders have done their maximum to be with him and help him until the last moment," Lelangue said. "This will be the case during the three weeks of the race. It may not be a team of big names, but we know they can do the job for us, so that's most important. Our only objective for this race is riding for Cadel for the general classification."  Lelangue said he is confident the three Americans on the team ˆ Brent Bookwalter, Jeff Louder and John Murphy ˆ are ready to perform despite not having ever ridden a Grand Tour. "They have done their preparation and go into this race knowing from the first day what their job is - to help the world champion reach his objective, which is the top place on the podium." To achieve its goal, Lelangue said the BMC Racing Team must be consistently good throughout the 3,418-kilometer, 21-day race that begins Saturday with a prologue in Amsterdam. "It's a Giro which will be pretty hard in the mountains and in the last week," he said. "We don't have to be afraid of the pressure. We only have to keep Cadel in a good position because we know the last week will be where the big gaps occur and the big things happen. So we just have to ride well to protect Cadel every day. But we are also going to have fun and enjoy this moment. It's the first big event for the BMC Racing Team." Giro d'Italia Roster Includes Brent Bookwalter (USA), Cadel Evans (AUS), Martin Kohler (SWI), Jeff Louder (USA), John Murphy (USA), Mauro Santambrogio (ITA), Florian Stalder (SWI), Michael Schär (SWI), Danilo Wyss (SWI).

Levi Leipheimer won the Tour of the Gila, showing he has good form for the upcoming
Tour of California. Tom Danielson and Phil Zajicek rounded out the podium.
photo © Mitch Clinton / www.clintonphoto.com

Leipheimer Wins Tour of the Gila as He Preps for Tour of California
5/3/10 - Team RadioShack’s Levi Leipheimer secured his overall win in the 24th SRAM Tour of the Gila (New Mexico, USA) on Sunday. He accomplished this with only Lance Armstrong and Jason McCartney as his support team throughout the 5-day race. The three riders rode the national event as individual riders in the Mellow Johnny’s jersey. Australian rider Darren Lill (Fly V Australia) won the last stage, the 171.2km/106.4mi Gila Monster Road Race. “"I felt great today, but I have to thank my teammates again," commented Leipheimer.  “Jason did a great job in the beginning of this hard stage by neutralizing the attacks of Dave Zabriskies’s team. Afterwards Lance was really good on the last climb. Nobody was able to attack. He was pulling the last 15 miles. With 5 miles to go, I took over to make sure the time gap with Darren Lill wasn’t that close.” Levi Leipheimer conquered the red leader’s jersey after the first stage on Wednesday. He showed he is in top form for racing in California. “It was a great week for me, coming to altitude straight from sea level," continued Leipheimer.  "I was never in any trouble and I don’t think it could have gone any better. It was a great week of preparation for the Tour of California.”

Taylor Phinney (Trek-LIVESTRONG) out sprints Ivan Dominguez (Jamis-SutterHome)
for the win at the Tour of the Gila Criterium in front of a large crowd.
photo © Mitch Clinton / www.clintonphoto.com

Insiders Guide to Stage 7 and 8 Activities at the Amgen Tour of California
5/2/10 - The final weekend of the ATOC will be the decisive stages of this great race. For the first time, the race will enter the Santa Monica Mountains for Stage 8 (Sunday, May 23). The place to watch will be on Mulholland Hwy at Saddlerock Ranch, home of Malibu Family Wines. Great food, wine and beer will be available at this beautiful property with proceeds benefiting the local organizing committee for Stage 8. Hosting a stage is an expensive endeavor and by supporting the event, you can help ensure the race is back in SoCal in 2011.  Also benefiting the local organizing committee is The Taste of the Tour, a food and wine event on Saturday, May 22. Come out to Saddlerock Ranch and enjoy great food and wine while taking in the Stage 7 LA Time Trial on numerous television screens in the relaxing Santa Monica Mountains. Event Details >
Win a Ride in a VIP Car at ATOC Stage 8
See the action of Stage 8 up close in a VIP car. For one lap, get a riders perspective of the course as you join the race caravan.  A truly unique experience! Just purchase a bottle of the limited release King of the Mountains cuvee, the official wine of the ATOC, and you’re entered to win! The more you buy, the greater your chances of winning. There is one entry for every bottle purchased and the contest ends May 7. The winner also receives 2 passes to the Rockstore VIP party! Two runner-ups will receive 2 passes each to the Rockstore VIP and will get to watch the winner ride around the course. Malibu Family Wines has produced a limited release wine bearing the official 2010 Amgen Tour of California mark from grapes grown along the Amgen Tour of California route next to the King of the Mountains line. This is a French style blend of Cabernet, Syrah, Mourvedre, and Grenache. Very approachable now and will only get better with some bottle time. To Purchase >

Dave Zabriskie (DZNuts) gets aero in the Time Trial at the Tour of the Gila.
photo © Kathleen Clinton / www.clintonphoto.com