Cycling News

Race Report: The End of a Long Season
Lucas Binder, SKLZ/Pista Palace
8/31/11 - With the SCNCA schedule starting in January and building up through spring and climaxing in the summer it has been a long season of racing for Southern California riders. The San Clemente Criterium is a fitting finale to the long season with its exciting course and a nice amount of prize money and primes. Last year, the race saw a large and deep field of riders that featured all of the strong SoCal teams and a few local pros. However this year, a lot of riders opted to race a flat crit at CBR instead, so the field at San Clemente was small with about 40 riders lining up. More >

Race Report:  Clean Sweep at the Paralympic Road National Championships
By Matt Bigos
8/30/11 - I know this is  late , but, I’ve been on the road for coming up on 9 weeks now, and things have kind of been crazy to say the least.  Road Nationals were held in Augusta, Georgia this year, and the city did an AMAZING job putting on what I thought was the best Road Nationals that I’ve been to yet.  Things started off fast paced and a little crazy just getting there.  I had the second World Cup the week before Nationals in Spain and flew home for all of 2 days before heading back out again.  I took off Thursday from San Diego to head to Colorado Springs to pick up Greta Neimanas and her sister Nadia.  From there it was just a quick short 27 hour drive to Augusta. More >

Matt Bigos attacks from the gun during the Paralympic National Championship Road Race.
Read Race Report >

Interview with Incycle Co-owner Mark Smits, Celebrating 20 Years
By Frank Sarate, SoCalCycling.com
8/29/11 - Incycle bike shops recently celebrated their 20th Anniversary in May. A lot has happened in the bike industry in the last 20 years.  Incycle has grown to four successful locations (San Dimas, Chino, Rancho Cucamonga, Pasadena) since 1991. We caught up with co-owner Mark Smits to learn more about Incycle.

SoCalCycling.com: How did Incycle get started and what made you want to own a bike shop?

Mark Smits:  Incycle got started in 1991 by myself Mark W. Smits, Dominic Galenti and another gent named Jesus that was in business across the street behind the REI when it was in San Dimas. Incycle was originally named Cycling Associates, so every day we would get calls asking if we were cycling lawyers. We would have made more $$$. How we got started was completely the wrong way. I was 19 working at Trader Joes and Dominic was my Boss. He, as he is good at today, got the whole crew interested in riding and I was one that got hooked on mountain biking. Full Interview >

Incycle Co-Owner Mark Smits helps a customer at the San Dimas store.
Interview with Mark on Incycle >
photo © SoCalCycling.com

Leipheimer Clinches Win at USA Pro Cycling Challenge, Oss Takes Stage
8/28/11 – After seven challenging days of racing through the Colorado Rockies, Levi Leipheimer (USA) of Team RadioShack was crowned the first-ever champion of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge in front of a monumental crowd in downtown Denver.  Daniel Oss (ITA) of Liquigas-Cannondale outsprinted teammate Elia Viviani (ITA) and took the final stage after an exciting battle for the lead on the route from Golden to Denver, which had an estimated crowd of 250,000 spectators. “It’s hard to put into words and to describe the emotion and experience that I’ve had this week,” said Leipheimer.  “Today has been the biggest crowd that I’ve seen in the U.S. and that is really saying something.  This race really raised the bar for American cycling. This victory means so much to me because of the way we raced this week.  It took every ounce of energy and motivation we had to pull it off.” More >

The crowds came out in force to see world class cycling at the USA Pro Cycling Challenge.
photo © Casey B. Gibson

ArtCycle Brings Art, Cyclists, Food Trucks and Entertainment to East Hollywood
8/27/11 - On Saturday, September 17, ArtCycle’s vision for bringing public space to life takes over Santa Monica Boulevard, from Vermont Avenue to Virgil Avenue, opening the street to people and closing it to motor vehicles, creating a temporary open-air gallery that features artists and artisans creating arts and crafts, bike tours of local galleries and architecture, live music on two stages, opportunities to create and activities for all ages.
Santa Monica Boulevard, also known as Route 66, has a long history as “the Road of New Beginnings” and on Saturday, September 17th, it will connect with its legacy by once again hosting ArtCycle and bringing happiness to those who travel her way. More >

Viviani Scores Second Consecutive Stage Win in Breckenridge
8/27/11 - Tour de France second-place finisher Andy Schleck (NED) of Team Leopard-Trek attempted to win his first-ever American race, but came 500 meters short as the riders sprinted into Breckenridge for the USA Pro Cycling Challenge Stage 5 finish where Elia Viviani (ITA) of Liquigas-Cannondale crossed the line first to take his second consecutive stage win.  With crowds that continue to grow day after day, the 105.8-mile route from Steamboat Springs kept  Levi Leipheimer (USA) of Team RadioShack in the overall lead and the Quiznos Leader Jersey for the third consecutive day.  Heading into the final day of racing, the GC is lead by Americans with Christian Vande Velde of Garmin-Cervelo, Tejay Van Garderen of HTC-Highroad, Tom Danielson of Garmin-Cervelo and George Hincapie of BMC Racing Team rounding out the top-5. More >

Liquigas-Cannondale’s Viviani Wins in Steamboat Springs, Leipheimer Retains Lead
8/26/11 - Clear blue skies and remarkable crowds welcomed the riders to the Stage 4 finish in Steamboat Springs, as 22-year-old Elia Viviani (ITA) took a strong lead-out from teammate Daniel Oss of Liquigas-Cannondale and outsprinted the field to take the win. After another impressive day of racing, Levi Leipheimer (USA) of Team RadioShack retained the overall lead and will wear the Quiznos Leader Jersey heading into the penultimate stage tomorrow, which takes the riders from Steamboat Springs to Breckenridge. More >

Team Type 1 - SANOFI's Vladimir Efimkin leads teammate Rubens Bertogliati
into a breakaway on stage four at the USA Pro Cycling Challenge.
photo © Brian Hodes / Velo Images

SoCal Masters Vye for Masters Road National Championships Titles Next Week
8/25/11 - Over 850 riders are registered for the 2011 USA Cycling Masters Road National Championships which will begin on Wednesday, August 31 in Bend, Oregon. Cyclists 30 years and older will vie for more than 60 national titles in the road race, criterium, and time trial events. In addition to the individual events being awarded, USA Cycling will present a male and female Best All-Around Rider award for each age group, as well as crown the Best All-Around Team. Awards will be determined by total points accumulated throughout the event. Among those competing is 1972 and 1976 Olympian Wayne Stetina (Mission Viejo, CA/Breakaway-UBS Elite Masters). Stetina, whose nephew, Peter, races for Garmin-Cervelo, contested the team time trial at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany and in 1976 at the Olympic Games in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. More >

35+ National Criterium Champion Chris DeMarchi (SKLZ-Pista Palace), who recently edged
out Gary Douville (Platinum Performance), heads to Masters Nats in Bend, OR looking to repeat.
photo © SoCalCycling.com

Leipheimer Claims Vail Time Trial Stage and Overall Lead
8/25/11 - In a race against time, Levi Leipheimer (USA) of Team RadioShack, a time trial specialist, came out on top after completing the 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge individual time trial in 25 minutes and 47.08 seconds to take the stage and re-claim the overall lead.  Lined with a wall of fans from start to finish, the route for the Stage 3 “race of truth” in Vail, Colo., took the riders from the heart of the city – Vail Village – on an uphill climb to the finish on Vail Pass Trail.  Coming in second and third were Christian Vande Velde (USA) of Garmin-Cervelo with a time of 25 minutes and 47.66 seconds and Rafael Infantino (COL) of UNE-EPM with a time of 25 minutes and 51.52 seconds, respectively. A familiar route for many cyclists, the previous course record of 25 minutes and 48 seconds was set by Ben Day at the 2008 Teva Games. More >

Hincapie Wins in Aspen, Van Garderen Takes the Overall Lead
8/24/11 - At more than 130 miles, Stage 2, the epic Queen Stage of the inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challenge, tested the riders strength and endurance as they traveled to unheard of heights on the route from Gunnison, CO, to Aspen.  The route, which included three KOMs and two sprint competitions, provided majestic views and tough competition that led to George Hincapie (USA) of BMC Racing Team taking the stage in front of roaring crowds in Aspen.  Tejay Van Garderen (USA) of HTC-Highroad took the overall lead heading into tomorrow’s individual time trial in Vail. More >

 Runner-up Tejay Van Garderen, winner George Hincapie and 3rd placed Tom Danielson
rounded out Stage 2's podium after finishing the Queen Stage in Aspen.
photo © Casey B. Gibson

San Diego Cyclo-Vets Fall Classic Time Trial Brings Speed to Fiesta Island Sept 25
8/23/11 - The Fall Classic Cyclo-Vets 20K Time Trial--A 20K time trial (three laps on Fiesta Island). Fiesta Island has the fastest island road course in California. Join all the competitors to see who can ride the quickest 20k, improve the most, or log your best PR. This event is limited to 150 riders.
 
Cyclo-Vets have a 27-year history of providing all riders 35 and older (families welcome) an organized program for becoming a better rider.  The club has taken many casual riders off the street and turned them into Master’s-level national and world champions.
 
The annual event on September 25 is part of Cyclo-Vet’s program approach to better cycling for all riders, with this event focusing on the highest level of amateur racing. First racer starts at 7:00 am and the course is closed by 9:00 am.
 
Cyclo-Vets also sponsors, as part of this race, the state championships for “Super Masters”, racers over 55 for women and 65 for men. Winners in each 5-year age group will wear the State Bear jersey for 2011. Cyclo-Vets is a 501K nonprofit and invites new riders come to their introductory rides on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Leipheimer Takes Stage 1 and the Lead in the USA Pro Cycling Challenge
8/23/11 - Enthusiastic crowds welcomed the field of 130 cyclists to Mt. Crested Butte for the Stage 1 finish of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge today, as Levi Leipheimer (USA) of Team RadioShack showed an impressive finish taking the stage win and claiming the lead in the general classification and sprint competitions.  Known for his climbing skills and after a first place finish in this year’s Tour of Switzerland and Tour of Utah, Leipheimer is a fan favorite in American cycling. “I am very happy to get the win and get the Quiznos Leader Jersey,” said Leipheimer. “We’re all proud to get this jersey and win the first stage of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge.” More >

Sergio Hernandez (Jelly Belly) chats with Tour de France winner Cadel Evans (BMC Racing Team)
during Stage 1 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge which finished in Mt. Crested Butte.
photo © Casey B. Gibson

Patrick Gretsch Wins USA Pro Cycling Challenge Prologue in Colorado Springs
8/22/11 - The inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challenge started on a high note in Colorado Springs when Patrick Gretsch (GER) of HTC-Highroad bested a world-class field containing the 2011 Tour de France podium finishers and five World Champions to claim victory on a fast, mainly downhill course lined shoulder-to-shoulder with cheering fans.  The enthusiastic crowd cheered on the cyclists as they made their way from The Garden of the Gods to downtown Colorado Springs where Gretsch became the first rider ever to wear the Quiznos Leader Jersey in the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. “Winning the Prologue of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge today is a really nice feeling,” said Gretsch.  “I put a lot of my focus on the Prologue.  I had really good preparation and I felt really good in training this morning.  It felt great out there and I’m super happy to get the win.  I think all the other teams have to watch out for us.” More >

Brent Bookwalter (right) made the podium in third place, joining stage winner
Patrick Gretsch (center) and runner-up Christian Vande Velde.
photo © Casey B. Gibson

Temecula's Aaron Gwin Wins 2011 Overall Downhill World Cup Title
8/22/11 – Following his fifth Union Cycliste International (UCI) Mountain Bike World Cup downhill victory in Val di Sole, Italy last weekend, Aaron Gwin (Temecula, CA/Trek World Racing) sealed the overall downhill World Cup title. Gwin completed the Val di Sole downhill course in 3:10. 256; more than a second faster than silver medalist Danny Hart of Great Britain and his countryman, former World Champ Gee Atherton. Overall Gwin ran away with the 2011 World Cup title winning five of the seven events this season and tallying 1,558 total points as compared to the 1,093 point total from his closest competition, Greg Minnaar of South Africa. American Luke Strobel (Issaquah, WA/MS Evil Racing) also finished within the top 20 of the overall downhill World Cup standings in 18th. More >

San Diego's Jennifer Valente Wins Gold at Junior Track World Championships
8/21/11 - Jennifer Valente (San Diego, CA/Adams Avenue Bicycles-G S) was the first American to ascend to the top of the podium at the Union Cycliste Internationale’s Junior Track World Championships. Valente earned a gold medal in the scratch race Friday at the Krylatskoe Velodrome in Moscow, Russia. Valente rode a tactical and patient race and was in a good position with two laps remaining in the contest. At the sound of the bell, Valente attacked and led the race without competition, coasting to victory. More >

Stage 2 of the Vuelta passed along the Mediterranean coast, which made for a scenic ride. 
Photo © BMC Racing Team / Tim De Waele

Video: Profile on Professional Cycling Photographer Tim De Waele
8/20/11 - Professional photographer Tim De Waele gives us some insight into the day of the life of a photographer at the Tour de France and what it takes to get the shot.

Red Zinger/Coors Classic 35th Reunion to be Held August 25th
8/18/11 - A Red Zinger/Coors Classic reunion August 25th in Vail, Colorado, will mark the 35th anniversary of the start of the modern stage racing era in the United States. Held in conjunction with the inaugural edition of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge – which marks the return of stage racing to Colorado – more than 300 former Red Zinger/Coors Classic staff, officials, volunteers, racers, police and media members are expected to gather to celebrate 18 years of bike racing that was shared by the event's two sponsors: Celestial Seasonings and the Adolph Coors Company (now MillerCoors.) A reunion dinner presentation featuring video, story telling, special awards and several surprises, highlights a weekend of activities that will include two events in Golden, Colorado: a Friday night screening of the movie, "American Flyers" and a pre-race pancake breakfast on Sunday. More >

Bernard Hinault leads the peloton through the streets of Vail during the 1985 edition
of the Coors Classic. Vail will host a Red Zinger/Coors Classic reunion dinner on August 25th.

Criterium at DC Ranch and Tour de Scottsdale to Draw Thousands to DC Ranch
8/17/11 - About 1,500 cyclists from around the Valley and around the nation and hundreds of spectators are expected at the 8th annual Tour de Scottsdale on October 2. The ride, which launches from DC Ranch in north Scottsdale, is a 70-mile tour around Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve and benefits the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy (MSC).

A new element to the Tour this year is a 30-mile “mini Tour,” which includes some of the challenging climbs of the 70-mile route but is geared toward novice cyclists. Also new to the traditional Tour in 2011 is a new finish line location, which has been moved to the corner of Thompson Peak Parkway and 90th Street to accommodate spectators.

The Tour will be preceded by two other events. A Criterium will be staged by White Mountain Road Club at DC Ranch on Saturday, September 24. More >

USA Pro Cycling Challenge To Air Live Daily on NBC and Versus August 22 - 28
8/16/11 - The NBC Sports Group will provide live daily coverage of the inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challenge, a seven-day cycling event that features 135 of the world’s top riders. Coverage begins on VERSUS on Monday, August 22, at 4 pm ET, with the final stage set to air live on NBC on Sunday, August 28, at 2 pm ET. The 500-mile international pro-cycling race will originate from Colorado Springs and is expected to be the largest spectator event in Colorado history. VERSUS will provide live daily HD coverage of the prologue and first five stages of the competition and will air highlights of the stages each night at 11 pm ET. The USA Pro Cycling Challenge will have some of the best riders in the sport of cycling participate in this event, including the entire 2011 Tour de France podium with winner Cadel Evans, runner-up Andy Schleck and third overall Frank Schleck. More & Schedule >

ahsaan Bahati (SKLZ-Pista Palace) topped the Ladera Ranch Grand Prix podium, with
Cody O'Reilly (Clif Bar) in 2nd and David Santos (CashCall Mortgage) in 3rd.  
photo © Alex Sharifi Photography

Cycles Veloce Aims to Expand 2011 Junior Development Program
8/15/11 – Cycles Veloce, AKA “Simple Green Cycling” has openings in their Junior Development program for 2011. Riders and parents interested in cycling as a sport are encouraged to contact team leadership to inquire and ensure space.  It is preferred that riders are located in Southern California with a primary focus on Orange, Riverside and North San Diego Counties. A strong preference will be given to young riders without a current Team/Club affiliation and to athletes from complementary sports such as Cross Country that are looking for off season activities. The program offers a strong mentoring, coaching & skills training program that gives young riders exposure to a great wealth of knowledge with riders that have Olympic, World Championship and National Championship experience. In the first year of the Junior Development Program in 2010, Cycles Veloce successfully took on twelve riders and produced four different State and National Championship podiums. Only one of these riders had past competitive club/team experience.

Rahsaan Bahati (SKLZ-Pista Palace) edged out Cody O'Reilly (Clif Bar) followed by David Santos
(CashCall Mortgage).  Bahati made a strong cat and mouse move to pass O'Reilly to take the win.
photo © Alex Sharifi Photography

Leipheimer Wins Tour of Utah, Haneo Wins Final Stage at Snowbird
8/14/11 – Twice Levi Leipheimer of Team Radioshack has raced the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah and both times he has won. At Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort, the American crossed the line just behind stage winner Sergio Luis Haneo (COL) of Columbian team Gobernacion de Antioquia Indeportes and secured a second Larry H. Miller Dealerships Overall Leader’s jersey. More >

Sergio Luis Haneo (Gobernacion de Antioquia Indeportes) won the final stage of
the Tour of Utah, while Levi Leipheimer (RadioShack) secured the overall title in Snowbird.
photo © Jonathan Devich

Invitation to NOW-MS Society Cycling Club's Party and Fundraiser for Bike MS
8/14/11 – The NOW-MS Society Cycling Club is hosting a party and invites all local cyclists and cycling fans to join them on the evening of Tuesday, August 30. The party will be held at the poolside cabanas of the Viceroy Santa Monica hotel which is located at 1819 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica for fun, good conversation and cocktails from  7-10pm.  All proceeds from their special cocktail, the Grapefruit Rickey, will benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The MS Society will be there to register anyone that wishes to join the NOW-MS Society Cycling Club on the Bike MS Coastal Challenge, which will be held on October 1-2. Please RSVP by Sunday, August 21 to [email protected] or on Facebook. Invitation >

Colombia's Acevedo Wins Tour of Utah Circuit Race, Leipheimer Retains Lead
8/13/11 – Colombian Janier Acevedo Calle of Gobernacion Indeportes Antioquia pushed hard in the final 500 meters to break away from a lead group of 17 professional cyclists and grabbed today’s win in 2.56’18” at Stage Four presented by University of Utah Health Care in the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah.  Team Type 1-SANOFI teammates finished on the podium with Acevedo, Javier Megias Leal (ESP) in second and Rubens Bertogliati (SUI) in third. Levi Leipheimer (USA) of Team RadioShack held on to his Larry H. Miller Dealerships Overall Leader’s Jersey with the General Classification lead (G.C.), going on the defensive after a long 95-degree day in the saddle. More >

Thursday Night Racing Series at Great Park Adds Junior and Women's Clinic
8/12/11 - A Junior and Women's Cycling Clinic in conjunction with the regular Thursday Night Race Series at the Orange County Great Park has been announced. The goal is getting more juniors and women into road cycling. The third and final 2011 Junior Clinic At Great Park is scheduled for Thursday, August 18 at 5 pm at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine. Pro racer Brandon Gritters will provide the training and guidance for the juniors. Rock 'n Road Cyclery will take care of all race fees for participating juniors with no cost to participate!!   There will also be awards for the top three in each of the two age groups (10 - 14 and 15 - 18). A Women's Clinic will be promoted by A Road Bike 4U on August 25, with valuable skills taught by experienced professional riders. More >

Tour of Utah Kicks Off with Prologue, TourTracker Offers Live Viewing
8/10/11 – Colombian Sergio Henao of Gobernacion Indeportes Antioquia was the fastest man at Utah Olympic Park with a time of 4:04 minutes in the Prologue presented by KJZZ TV and 1320 KFAN at the 2011 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah. Climbing to 7,275 feet of elevation on the 1.3-miles (2.1kilometer) course adjacent to the world-class bobsled track, Henao bested 117 other riders in the first day of the six-day professional cycling event.  He will wear the Larry H. Miller Dealerships Leader’s jersey on Wednesday.

Filling the podium were two Spanish climbers, Francisco Mancebo of RealCyclist.com two seconds back in second place and Oscar Sevilla of Gobernacion Indeportes Antioquia five seconds off the winning pace in third. American Tejay Van Garderen (HTC-Highroad), who turns 23 on Friday, took top honors as the Subaru Best Young Rider jersey.  American Tyler Wren, who lives in Salt Lake City, was awarded the Miller Lite Best Utah Rider.

Fans can follow each stage from the Tour of Utah as it is happening on the Tour Tracker.

Brentwood Grand Prix Crowns Criterium Champions
8/9/11 – The Brentwood Grand Prix hosted the Elite Criterium Championships in downtown Brentwood on Sunday. The riders raced along the scenic San Vicente Blvd. in front of a large crowd, great atmosphere and expo area while vying for the chance to win the coveted Bear Jersey. Aggressive racing and a challenging course took it’s toll in each race throughout the day. In the end six riders earned the title and the opportunity to don the Bear Jersey. Congrats to the following riders on winning the title of Criterium Champion: Category 1,2 Anthony Canevari (CashCall Mortgage), Women 1-3 Coryn Rivera (Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY12), Category 3 Brian Zink (ACQUA AL 2/SDBC), Category 4 Jonathan Draheim (Sho-air/Rock 'n Road), Women 3 Patricia Ortiz (Team Cycles Brixton), Women 4 Rachel Wills (Moment Cycle Sport). Photo Gallery >

Thor Hushovd Signs with BMC Racing Team Through 2014
8/9/11 – Thor Hushovd will join the BMC Racing Team for the 2012 season, becoming the third straight world road champion to become part of the American team's roster the past two seasons. BMC Racing Team President/General Manager Jim Ochowicz said, "Thor brings a lot of qualities to us and complements other riders on the team in races like the Spring Classics and the Grand Tours."

Hushovd won two stages of the Tour de France this year and wore the leader's yellow jersey for Garmin-Cervélo for seven days. A two-time winner of the Tour's points classification (2005, 2009), the Norwegian said a finely tuned organizational structure is what attracted him to the BMC Racing Team. "It's a serious team where it looks like everything is well-organized," he said. "There's a plan put together for the riders for all the big and important races. Everyone knows what to do. That's a good thing." Hushovd said one ambition remains when it comes to his classics career. "My biggest goal is still to win Paris-Roubaix. The BMC Racing Team has good riders to support me or for me to help someone else on the team win," he said.

Southern California Junior Headed to Europe to Race
8/5/11 - A love of cycling, competitive spirit, and natural talent have enabled So Cal teenager, Diego Binatena, to take the next step in his cycling career. At age 15 with only two seasons of racing experience under his belt Binatena will realize his dream of racing in Belgium- the cradle of bike racing. Binatena has been selected by USA Cycling to attend the 15/16 European Race Camp in Belgium, which is a developmental camp designed to provide high-level European race experience for our country’s best bike racers. The camp, which runs from Aug. 3 through August 23, includes several one-day race events along with a four-day stage race. Binatena will be racing against the best 15 and 16 year-old cyclists in Europe. More >

Diego Binatena has been selected to attend the 15/16 European Race Camp in Belgium.

Ladera Ranch Grand Prix of Cycling to Benefit Local and National Charities
8/4/11 – Ladera Ranch will be hosting its 5th annual Ladera Ranch Grand Prix of Cycling, an all-day cycling event on Sunday, August 14th. The Grand Prix comprises of twelve different races throughout the day from 7am to 6pm with 100% of the event proceeds benefiting the Laura’s House and the YSC -Young Survival Coalition Organization. Last year the event hosted 500 racers and event officials expect to have between 600-800 participants this year. And, as extra incentive, this year the race is offering over $7500.00 in cash and prizes thanks to it Presenting Sponsor Power Balance and Supporting Sponsor Shimano, PRO, Pyramid Breweries, Hot Shoppe Designs, Cytomax, Mouse Graphics and Rock N’ Road Cyclery.

Pyramid Breweries will also be sponsoring the after party at Beach Fire Restaurant in Ladera Ranch for all the participants and sponsors just after the men’s pro race. "Last year's event blew away all our expectations. This is an ultra fast course that proved to be as exciting to watch last year as to participate", said Jeff Davis, event founder. "The fourth edition of this event brought out all the big names in local cycling and we anticipate an even broader range of athletes making this race one of the most exciting races of the cycling season." “ We also added a Rock N’ Road kids race in the middle of the day to bring in more families to the event. More Info >

SoCal Masters Thomas Wood, Kurt Broadhag, John Walsh & Kevin Phillips won the
30 + Team Pursuit at the Master’s National Championships in Trexlertown, PA. Full Results >

Race Report: Tour De Nez Criterium
by Lucas Binder, SKLZ/Pista Palace
8/3/11 – The last NRC race on the west coast this year is the Tour de Nez Criterium in Reno, Nevada. The race was originally scheduled on the NRC calendar as a 5-day stage race but was changed to a one-day criterium. I had been planning to do the race for a while though so I still headed up to the race along with my teammates Rahsaan Bahati and Eric Marcotte. With a lot of teams racing the NRC race on the east coast, or just worn out from the craziness of Cascade, not much more than 50 riders started the Tour de Nez Crit, making it the smallest NRC field so far this year. Nevertheless $15,000 in prize money was still up for grabs and with a challenging, technical course the race was sure to be hard. More >

Tour de France Podium Finishers to Compete in USA Pro Cycling Challenge
8/2/11 – USA Pro Cycling Challenge today announced that the top three in GC at the Tour de France are set to be at the starting line for the inaugural race, August 22-28.  In a move that is unprecedented in US cycling history, this stellar line-up will compete against each other on American soil just weeks after the Tour de France. In addition, the top American finisher, Tom Danielson is confirmed to compete along with two-time Giro d'Italia winner Ivan Basso of Italy. More >

Lee Muse (CashCall Mortgage) gets another win.
Photo by Jeremy Ayers

Race Report: San Marcos Criterium
By Bryan Larsen
8/1/11 - Frustrations from past races often drive us to seek that redeemed result. We mentally encounter setbacks in our last races that motivate us towards our future goals. Sometimes races serve as mental rehabilitation after a week, month, or season of mistakes or bad luck, while other races only serve as a marker of our progress towards an end goal. For me, San Marcos Grand Prix served as both: progress and personal redemption. Jordan Itaya and myself cruised from the start but had plans set in stone: a break would be winning the race and we needed to be in it. More >

Bryan Larsen (A Road Bike 4U) celebrates winning the San Marcos Criterium.
Photo © Scott Burnham