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Olympic Hopeful Dotsie Bausch Profiled in the LA Times
7/31/11 - Irvine's Dotsie Bausch was recently featured in the LA Times as one of five Southern California athletes trying to make the Olympic team for the 2012 Olympics, which will be held in London. In 2010, Bausch set a world record in the team pursuit with Sarah Hammer and Lauren Tamayo. In 2011, Bausch, Hammer and Jennie Reed won a World Championship silver medal in the 3-kilometer team pursuit and hope to ride together at the 2012 Olympic Games. LA Times Profile >

Dotsie Bausch was profiled in the LA Times in her quest to make the 2012 Olympic Team.
Photo Courtesy Dotsie Bausch / © Wally Skalij

Cycling to Raise Awareness for Women and HIV Prevention, Film Fundraiser
7/29/11 - In January 2013, Jamila K. Gaskins will ride her bike 12,000 miles across the country to areas most affected with HIV and AIDS in America, to raise awareness of HIV prevention and women, and encouraging women to take control of their bodies and health. This expedition is titled Project 1, and will involve Gaskins and a film crew documenting her entire journey.

On August 6, 2011, she will host a screening of Ride the Divide at the Downtown Independent to raise money for this project. Ride the Divide is testament to riding with a purpose and will be followed by a discussion with expert cyclist Mary Collier. The event is from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., tickets are $20, and will also host a silent auction. 

Grand Tour Veterans to Headline International Rosters at Tour of Utah
7/28/11 - Fresh from Paris and the Champs-Élysées, a number of noted professional cyclists next eye the Wasatch Front and the Tour of Utah. Race organizers for the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah confirmed team rosters today, including participation by George Hincapie (BMC Racing Team), three-time U.S. Pro Road Race Champion; Tom Danielson (Team Garmin-Cervélo), ninth overall at the 2011 Tour de France; and Levi Leipheimer (Team RadioShack), defending Tour of Utah champion and reigning Tour de Suisse winner. The August 9-14 event, referred to as “America’s Toughest Stage Race™”, is now a UCI 2.1-sanctioned stage event and will feature five ProTeams. The final field, includes 120 riders representing 20 countries. More >

The Junior Men's 13-14 Road Race Championships saw Nick Castellano (SC Velo) win the title.
Photo © Richard Castellano

Junior Road Race Champions Crowned at Sisquoc
7/27/11 – The Sisquoc Road Race hosted the Junior Road Race Championships on July 23rd in Santa Maria over a 14.2 mile course. Congratulations to following Juniors on winning the Championship title in their respective categories: Junior Men 10-12 McElroy Sean, Junior Men 13-14 Nicholas Castellano (SC Velo), Junior Men 15-16  Diego Binatena (Team Specialized Racing Juniors), Junior Men 17-18 Ben Bertiger (Major Motion), Junior Women 10-12 Moriah Swan (Strive Racing), Junior Women 13-14 Rachel Swan (Strive Racing) and Junior Women 15-16 Hannah Swan (Strive Racing).

Ben Bertiger (Major Motion), center, won the Junior Men's 17-18 Road Race Championships.
Photo © Richard Castellano

Interbike to Feature Circulus Mini-Velodrome
7/26/11 - Celebrating urban, fixed and track bike culture, Interbike is installing Portland Design Works' Circulus, a 132-foot circumference (40.2m), 45-degree wooden mini-velodrome inside the Sands Expo and Convention Center.  Sponsored by Paved magazine, Yakima, All-City Cycles and Portland Design Works (PDW), Circulus will be the site of multiple events at the Interbike Expo in Las Vegas September 14-16.
 
Circulus will be setup next to the Urban Lounge, home of the Interbike City Style Fashion Show, and The Pub, a new beer garden and bar located on the show's street level expo space. Show attendees will be able to hang out, ride All-City Cycles bikes on the track and compete in events on the first and second days of the show, including the PDW/Paved Pro-Am Classic at Circulus. More >

Video: Circulus was originally created by Samuel Starr for his senior thesis at Pomona College in
Claremont, CA. It will now be featured at the Interbike Expo in Las Vegas from September 14-16.

Aussie Evans Wins Tour de France, Cavendish Victorious
7/24/11 - Cadel Evans of the BMC Racing Team confirmed his place in Tour de France history Sunday by becoming the first Australian to win the world's greatest bicycle race. Andy Schleck clinched second place as Fränk Schleck finished one step behind in third. It is the first time that two brothers have secured podium finishes at the Tour de France. After crossing the finish line in Paris, Evans was swarmed by all eight of his teammates who completed the three-week, 3,430-kilometer race. Thirty years after fellow Australian Phil Anderson first wore the yellow jersey, Evans celebrated his first win in seven Tour de France appearances. More >

Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) celebrates winning the green jersey on the Champs Elysees.
Photo © Tim De Waele / Tim De Waele

Martin Wins Grenoble Time Trial, Evans Powers into Yellow
7/23/11 - Cadel Evans (BMC Racing Team) put in a powerful performance to earn second in Stage 20 of the Tour de France during the time trial in Grenoble, just seven seconds off the winning time. Evan’s flawless ride moved him into the yellow jersey ahead of Leopard-Trek’s Andy Schleck and Frank Schleck, who sit 2nd and 3rd in GC respectively. Alberto Contador continued the fight and finished the stage in third at 1:06 back. More >

Cadel Evans (BMC Racing team) celebrates moving into the yellow jersey.
Photo © BMC Racing Team / Tim De Waele

Frank Schleck leads Cadel Evans through the crowd on the way to the summit.
Photo © BMC Racing Team / Tim De Waele

Andy Schleck Wins Tour Queen Stage, Voeckler Hangs on to Yellow
7/21/11 - LEOPARD TREK finished one-two on the Queen Stage of the 2011 Tour de France. Andy Schleck soloed to victory atop Galibier in a superb display of strength and defiance. Sixty kilometers from the finish line, Andy broke away from the other race favorites on Col d’Izoard and stayed away to the line. Two minutes behind Andy, Fränk Schleck finished second after jumping from a group that included Cadel Evans (BMC), Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) and Ivan Basso (Liquigas-Cannondale). "We had a very precise plan today,” said Andy. More > 

Cadel Evans (BMC Racing Team) attacks in the final kilometer on the Galibier.
Photo © BMC Racing Team / Tim De Waele

Los Angeles City Council Approves Ordinance Prohibiting Harassment of Cyclists
7/21/11 – In an effort to encourage more people to ride their bikes than drive cars and do so safely, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved an ordinance prohibiting the harassment of bicyclists by making it unlawful to intentionally force or attempt to force a bicyclist from a roadway for purposes unrelated to public safety. After public hearings and testimony, the City of Los Angeles found that harassment of cyclists exists and existing criminal and civil laws did not effectively prevent the unlawful harassment of bicyclists because of their status as bicyclists.

Any person who violates the provisions of this ordinance will be liable for three times the actual damages with regard to each and every such violation, or $1,000, whichever is greater, and will be liable for reasonable attorneys' fees and costs of litigation. In addition, a jury or a court may award punitive damages where warranted. Ordinance >

Masters Criterium Championships Titles Awarded
7/20/11 – The Masters Criterium Championships were held at the Paramount Grand Prix in Dominguez Hills on Sunday. The following winners earned titles in their respective categories: Masters 35+ Charon Smith (Surf City Cyclery),  Masters 45+ Richard Meeker (Breakaway-UBS Elite Masters), Masters 55+ Dale Luedtke (Swami's Cycling Club), Masters 60+ Bruce Steele (South Bay Wheelmen), Masters 30+ 1-4  Jason Bausch (Monster Media), Masters 40+ 1-4  Michael Johnson (Surf City Cyclery), Masters 50+ 1-4 Jay Wolkoff (Pinnaclife Racing Team), Women 35+ Trina Jacobson (ACQUA AL 2/SDBC), Women 45+ Jane Faulkner (Team Cycles Brixton).

Team Sky’s Boasson Hagen Soloes to Stage 17 Victory
7/20/11 - Edvald Boasson Hagen won his and Team Sky's second stage of the 2011 Tour de France with a superb solo attack near the end of the 17th stage from Gap to Pinerolo.  Boasson Hagen said, “It was a really great day today. I felt a bit disappointed yesterday to not win. I really wanted the win today and I did everything I could to get into the break again. My team-mates did a great job to help me get into it.  It was really hard to get away in the group as riders were chasing behind. Finally we made it away and I was feeling great the whole day.  I really wanted to win so I got some extra power from that and also from all the Norwegian fans out on the course. It’s so nice to win. We did the route in training earlier on this year and I was thinking about this stage. I had a plan and everything was perfect.  The race goes into some really hard stages now so I will try to save my legs for the time trial (on Saturday)." More >

Frank Schleck (Leopard-Trek) leads the GC contenders during Stage 17 from Gap to Pinerolo.
Photo © BMC Racing Team / Tim De Waele

NOW-MS Society’s Collin Berry Heads to Moscow after Striking Gold and Silver
7/19/11 - NOW-MS Society’s Junior rider Collin Berry struck gold—and silver twice—at this month’s Junior Track Nationals in Frisco, Texas. Collin along with Ben Barthel, Andrew Lanier and Corey Williams had no actual time to practice together before they hit the track to compete in the Team Pursuit. The team came together just the night before the race and the men stepped up to the pressure and even became a crowd favorite, inspiring cheers from an enthusiastic audience. The team did not disappoint; they won Silver. Collin also won Silver in the Omnium. On the final day of Nationals, the Madison shaped up to be a hotly contested race in temperatures over 100 degrees. Collin and partner Chandler Knop of Chipotle Development Team lapped the field and won the Gold. Both National Champions Collin and Chandler will represent the USA in the Madison at the Junior Track World Championships in Moscow August 14 – 22.

Collin Berry, Ben Barthel, Andrew Lanier and Corey Williams on their
way to winning the Silver Medal in the Team Pursuit.

Hushovd Again, Contador Attacks
7/19/11 - World champion Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) claimed his second individual stage win of the 2011 Tour de France when edging out fellow Norwegian Edvald Boasson Hagen (Team Sky) to win a dramatic 16th stage in Gap.

Team Sky Sports Director Sean Yates, explained, "The team covered every move and it took a long, long time for that break to go so there was a lot of work involved. Once again Edvald was up against Thor Hushovd who is in superb form and also had a teammate (Ryder Hesjedal) with him which made it a big ask for Edvald to win the stage. But it was a super performance from Edvald."

Cadel Evans of the BMC Racing Team raced into second place overall at the Tour de France Tuesday by following all the attacks on the final climb and making a daring descent on rain-soaked roads to the finish. Evans gained time on all his closest competitors on the 162.5-kilometer stage that was defined by the Col de Manse, a climb that summited 11.5 km from the finish. The former world road champion attacked with Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank-Sungard) and Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and the trio had 30 seconds near the top. Evans gapped the two on the descent to gain three seconds on Contador and Sanchez and 21 seconds on both overall leader Thomas Voeckler (Team Europcar) and Frank Schleck (Leopard Trek), who was previously second overall.

Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervelo) sprinted to his second stage win of the
2011 Tour de France ahead of fellow Norwegian Edvald Boasson Hagen (Team Sky).
Photo © Team Garmin-Cervelo / Graham Watson

SoCal Juniors to Represent the US at Junior Track World Championships in Moscow
7/18/11 - USA Cycling announced today the 16 junior athletes that will represent the United States at the 2011 UCI Juniors Track World Championships in Moscow, Russia, August 17-21.
 
All 16 riders qualified to represent the U.S. at Juniors Track World Championships based on automatic criteria, including winning national titles in their respective events at the recent USA Cycling Juniors Track National Championships.
  
Three Southern Californian juniors have made the Junior Track World Championships Team. After grabbing six national titles in Frisco, Jennifer Valente (San Diego, CA /Adams Avenue Bicycles-G S) will lead a talented team of five women who will compete in eight events over the course of the competition. In addition, Kate Wilson (Los Angeles, CA /FLYING PIGS) will compete in the individual pursuit, team pursuit, omnium, and Colin Berry (Huntington Beach, CA/VRC/NOW-MS Society) will compete in the madison. More >

Cavendish Sprints to Fourth Tour de France Win of 2011
7/17/11 - Britain's Mark Cavendish powered to the fourth stage win of this year's Tour de France on Sunday, a victory that strengthened his overall lead in the Tour's points competition. Cavendish blasted past the rest of the pack at the end of stage fifteen's 192.5 kilometer run from Limoux to Montpellier, with American Tyler Farrar in second and Italy's Alessandro Petacchi in third.  Since turning pro in 2007, Cavendish has now taken seventy wins, including twenty-nine Grand Tour stage and nineteen in the Tour de France.  
 
"It's not me, it's my team that really made this victory possible,"  Cavendish said afterwards. "Right from the start, all nine riders did a great job today and after a few very hard days in the mountains, that's not so easy. I was tired after the Pyrenees too, but I use different muscles for sprinting than for climbing, so I was ok. It was a difficult stage, with lots of attacks at the end but my team kept control of things. Without them my win wouldn't have happened." As for the green jersey, Cavendish said, "I'll keep trying and see what I can do. Hopefully I'll be able to take it all the way to Paris."

Thomas Voeckler (Team Europcar) retains the leaders jersey after Stage 15. Monday marks the second rest day for the peloton.

Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) sprints to his fourth win at the 2011 Tour de France.
Photo © Tim De Waele / tdwsport.com

Vanendert Wins on Plateau de Beille, Voeckler Stays in Yellow
7/16/11 - Jelle Vanendert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) timed his attack to perfection to take an impressive solo victory on the Plateau de Beille as the fight between the overall contenders ended in stalemate. Thomas Voeckler (Team Europcar) comfortably held onto his race lead while Team Sky’s Rigoberto Uran climbed to fifth place on the day and claimed the white young rider’s jersey. Sean Yates, Team Sky Sports Director said, "It was a good day all round, and for Rigoberto especially. It went very much as planned.  Xabier [Zandio] made the breakaway and that was perfect for us. It enabled the rest of the team – including Rigoberto – to know we had all bases covered and didn’t have to waste any extra energy.

GC favorite, Cadel Evans (BMC RacingTeam) conceded 27 seconds to Samuel Sanchez (sixth overall at 3:44), who was runner-up on the stage, and two seconds to Andy Schleck (fourth overall at 2:15). "I tried to keep things under control," Evans said. "It was a long, but not a steep climb. It's at this point in the race that the GC contenders are pretty evenly matched. So it's really hard to make a big difference. Like so many cycling experts have said, we wasted a lot of energy as a team to put ourselves into a good position coming into the mountains. It's a little bit of conservative racing, but these stages are hard." With seven stages remaining, Evans is 2:06 behind race leader Thomas Voeckler (Team Europcar) and sandwiched between brothers Frank Schleck (17 seconds ahead of him) and Andy Schleck (nine seconds behind him) in the overall standings. Asked what it will take to improve on two runner-up finishes at the Tour, Evans said: "It's consistency and being there every day. That's how I approach it."

Hushovd Soloes to Victory After Attack on the Col d’Aubisque
7/15/11 - Thor Hushovd attacked on the Col d’Aubisque before chasing down Jeremy Roy to take a memorable solo victory in Lourdes on stage 13 of the Tour de France. Edvald Boasson Hagen made the break and claimed sixth for Team Sky while Thomas Voeckler comfortably maintained the yellow jersey ahead of a pivotal mountain test on Saturday.

Simon Gerrans (Team Sky) said, “Today both myself and Edvald has been told to try and get in the breakaway because this was the first real stage where everyone expected it to survive until the finish. We did everything we could to get in the move and that meant covering as many attacks as possible until it got away. It was a really hard start to the day because every team had the same idea. There were constant attacks during the first 55km. Fortunately though Edvald had the legs just at the right time and was able to get in there. He gave it everything he had on the Col d’Aubisque but just couldn’t stay with Thor Hushovd and Jeremy Roy when they made their move. You have to hand it to Thor today he rode an amazing ride and fully deserved his win. Once the break had gone it was just a matter of conserving my energy for the coming days and finishing inside the time limit. We all appreciated the chance to relax after a hard day yesterday.”

Duvendeck to Manage The Home Depot Center’s Velodrome and Event Center
7/15/11 - Two-time Olympian and local track cycling coach Adam Duvendeck was named manager of The Home Depot Center’s Velodrome and Event Center. In his new role at the 2,450-seat facility, Duvendeck will oversee the operations, marketing and programming for the nation’s most complete indoor track cycling facility and training center for USA Cycling’s National Track Cycling Team. More >

SoCalCycling.com Team's Michael Smith Larsen (right) celebrates 3rd on the podium at BC Week.

Sanchez Conquers the Tourmalet on Bastille Day
7/14/11 - Samuel Sánchez climbed to victory on the 12th stage but reigning champion Alberto Contador's yellow jersey hopes suffered another blow as the Tour de France hit the high mountains for the first time this year. For Team Sky, Geraint Thomas won the day's combativity prize with a superb breakaway performance while Rigoberto Urán moved into the top 20 on the general classification. Geraint Thomas, (Team Sky) who spent most of the day off the front in a breakaway and was awarded the Most Aggressive Rider jersey, said, "I was feeling good and the buzz from the crowd helped a lot as well. We're missing Brad (Wiggins) and wanted to get stuck into the race. We got out there and gave it a good bash. It's just great to be up the front racing on a day like today - it was a great day out. I found myself going a bit too hard (up the Tourmalet), I had to back off a bit because I wanted to be able to get up this (Luz-Ardiden) as well.  We only had about two and a half minutes at the bottom of the final climb so I didn't really fancy my chances to be honest but I kept plugging away and kept on trying. I thought that being caught with seven kilometres to go wasn't too bad but it seemed as though there was another half hour of pedalling after that!”  Results:  1 - Samuel Sánchez – (Euskaltel) (6h 01m 15s), 2 - Jelle Vanendert (Omega Pharma - Lotto) - (+7s), 3 - Fränk Schleck – Leopard Trek - (+10s).

Cavendish Sprints to Hat-Trick of Tour Stages and the Green Jersey
7/13/11 - Britain's Mark Cavendish blasted to the eighteenth Tour de France stage win of his career on Wednesday, the third of the 2011 race and a victory which also earned him the lead in the points competition. The HTC-Highroad sprinter was the fastest in stage eleven from Blaye-les-Mines to Lavaur, out-sprinting André Greipel and Tyler Farrar to take his seventh victory of the 2011 season. With twenty-eight Grand Tour stage wins in his palmares, Cavendish said he was delighted to have the green jersey of points leader again. "It's incredible to have the green jersey, it's the most beautiful jersey in the world. I have to thank my team-mates for the work they did today, even the guys who are in the top ten overall gave it one hundred percent and that shows what a great team we are. There are two more bunch sprints in this year's race, one in Montpellier and the other in Paris and I want to try to win both of them. It's not easy fighting for the green jersey but I'm going to keep going and try to keep hold of it right through to the end."

Stepping Onto New Turf: The San Rafael Twilight GP and Lodi Crit
By Lucas Binder, SKLZ/Pista Palace
7/12/11 – After nearly six months of racing in over six different states across the US our SKLZ/Pista Palace Team and others from teams like Full Circle racing, NOW-MS, RB4U, and Surf City finally headed up to northern California for the first time this year to compete in the San Rafael Twilight Criterium and Lodi Cyclefest. With a prize purse of $2000 and a reg fee higher than even that of Ontario the SRGP doesn’t have much money appeal, instead racers come to get the exciting experience that only a twilight criterium can offer. More >

Greipel Edges Rival Cavendish in Stage 10 Sprint
7/12/11 – Andre Greipel (Omega Pharma-Lotto) beat Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) in the sprint to win the 158-kilometer stage. Thomas Voeckler (Team Europcar) retained his lead and a 2:26 advantage over Evans, who is in third place. BMC Racing Team's Brent Bookwalter, one of several riders involved in a crash on a descent during Sunday's stage, said he appreciated the rest day. "My legs felt decent considering the first week we've had," he said. "My body still feels kind of beat up from the crash the other day. It was nice to come back with a slightly shorter stage, although it was a fast one. There were also nicer roads today, which was very welcome after being on so many goat paths for the first nine days."

Wednesday marks the halfway point of the Tour in terms of stages, but not the midpoint as far as the selective kilometers, Bookwalter said. "The main selections or time gaps thus far have been from crashes and technical conditions," he said. "There are a lot of really brutal stages coming which are sure to shake up the GC (general classification) and really only one more day until those start," he said. "So far, we are still in a good position going into those days."

Incycle Awards SC Velo Junior Team with Donation
7/11/11 – Last Wednesday, several members of the Southern California Velo Junior team took time out of the Bud's Ride to be present for the acceptance of a generous check for the junior team.

Incycle store co-owners, Mark Smits and Dominic Galenti recently celebrated 20 years in business with an anniversary party at the San Dimas store.  A portion of the proceeds from the silent auction at the party was donated to the Junior Team.

Incycle's Mark Smits and Dominic Galenti present the SC Velo Juniors with a donation.
"Southern California Velo junior team shouts out a Big THANKS, guys!"  
Picture courtesy Kim Lopez

SoCal Juniors Wrap Track Nationals with More Titles
7/11/11 – The final five national titles were divvied out Sunday morning at the Richardson Bike Mart USA Cycling Juniors Track National Championships. The 17-18 team sprint, Madison and 15-16 points races wrapped up competition at the Superdrome in Frisco, Texas. More >

The Tour de France peloton rides past an ancient castle.
Photo © Tim De Waele / tdwsport.com

SoCal Juniors Earn Titles at Juniors Track Nationals
7/9/11 – National titles of the 2011 Richardson Bike Mart USA Cycling Juniors Track National Championships, including the first-ever junior omnium titles, were awarded on Thursday as the event opened in over 100 degree temperatures. In all, over 140 of the nation’s top track cyclists will be competing for the Stars-and-Stripes in eight events across four age divisions at the Superdrome in Frisco, Texas this week. More >

American Teams Shine at Tour de France, Van Garderen Earns Polka Dot Jersey
7/9/11- The BMC Racing Team successfully passed another test Saturday at the Tour de France, powering the pursuit of a breakaway and delivering Cadel Evans to the foot of the final climb ˆ which he rode to a third-place finish to keep his second place overall. As Rui Costa (Movistar) was surviving out of the breakaway to take the stage win, Evans comfortably monitored a flurry of action in the final kilometer. Philippe Gilbert attacked and got a gap. More >

Tejay Van Garderen (HTC-Highroad) earned the Polka Dot jersey and most aggressive rider award.
Photo © Tim De Waele / tdwsport.com

Mayor Villaraigosa Mandates the Implementation of a 1,680 Mile Bikeway System
7/7/11 - In an Executive Directive, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has called on the City’s General Managers to implement the Los Angeles Master Bicycle Plan, a blueprint to build a 1,680 mile, city-wide bikeway system.  The Mayor’s Executive Directive, which took effect on July 1, 2011, ensures all City departments and agencies coordinate on bike-related matters to meet the City’s ambitious alternative transportation goals.

“By adding 1,600 miles of bicycle lanes to our City’s landscape, we will give the vast majority of Angelenos access to a City bikeway within one mile of their home,” Mayor Villaraigosa said. More >

Click to Play Slideshow - Photos from the Ontario Grand Prix

Team Sky’s Boasson Hagen Wins a Rainy Stage 6
7/7/11 - Norway’s Edvald Boasson Hagen today claimed his and Team Sky's first Tour de France stage success by winning the longest stage of the race in a bunch finish in Lisieux. "I felt really good today and I'm so pleased to win the sprint. Geraint Thomas did a great lead out and it's just fantastic it's all worked out. I was feeling strong and I knew from yesterday that I had the legs so the chance was there - I'm so glad we were able to take it.  It's hard to describe the emotions, I'm just so happy. To get my first stage at the Tour de France is so special. It means so much to the team as a whole because this is the biggest race in the world. It's gone well for us so far and will hopefully continue to do so as we work for Bradley (Wiggins) in the general classification."

Cadel Evans conceded the King of the Mountains jersey Thursday at the Tour de France. But the BMC Racing Team's leader said staying safe was his top priority on a rainy stage that was the longest of the three-week race. "Already it was a long day (226.5 kilometers), with the wind and the rain," Evans said. "This is my seventh Tour and it's the most wet weather I have had in one day. And to have it happen on the longest day made it even harder." The last rider in a five-man breakaway that had a lead of as many as 11 minutes was caught three kilometers from the finish. That led to a bunch sprint won by Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky Pro Cycling). Evans finished 12th to remain second overall, one second behind Thor Hushovd (Garmin-Cervélo).

Former Olympian Mark Whitehead Passes Away at Junior Track Nationals
7/6/11 - USA Cycling has confirmed the unfortunate passing of Mark Whitehead while in Texas attending the Juniors Track National Championships. Whitehead was born in Bell, CA and was just 50 years old. He was member of the 1984 Olympic Track Team, was a 20 time National Champion on the Track and had over 200 career wins. Whitehead coached many athletes on the track including SoCal standouts Sarah Hammer, Iggy Silva and Rahsaan Bahati. Whitehead is survived by his wife Therese and 3 sons. SoCalCycling.com extends our condolences to Mark's family, friends and athletes.

Evans Powers to Victory in Uphill Finish
7/5/11 - Cadel Evans of the BMC Racing Team won his second career Tour de France stage Tuesday by narrowly edging three-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank Sungard) in a sprint to the top of the the Mûr de Bretagne.

"I don't know if I'm the master of the uphill finish, but today it was a difficult one with the wind and everything," Evans said. "It was very close. I didn't know if I had it on the line myself." The victory was Evans's second stage victory this year and the BMC Racing Team's sixth of the season. More >

Cadel Evans (BMC Racing Team) narrowly edged out Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank) on Stage 4.
Photo © Tim De Waele / tdwsport.com

Fourth of July Fireworks for Farrar
7/4/11 – Garmin-Cervélo rode at the front of the peloton to protect the leader’s jersey held by Thor Hushovd. Five riders rode off the front early and methodically built up a seven-minute, but it was all for naught as Garmin kept up steady to pressure to assure that Hushovd would arrive to the line with chances to defend his yellow jersey as well as challenge for the stage victory.

“The objective today was to win with Tyler and keep the jersey,” Hushovd said. “After winning yesterday and having the jersey, now we win a stage, it’s perfect. We’ll see tomorrow if we can keep the streak going.”

Dave Zabriskie, Ramunas Navardauskas and Tom Danielson took turns setting tempo on the front of the peloton to keep the pressure. Strong crosswinds became a factor, especially over the day’s lone climb at a bridge over the Loire at Saint-Nazaire. The team rode perfectly to set up Farrar. Millar took a long pull in the closing 500 meters, before Hushovd then long-time leadout man Dean finishing off the work to set up Farrar. French rider Romain Feillu came through second and JJ Rojas was third, but Farrar won with style in his first-career Tour de France stage victory.

Farrar also becomes the first American to win a Tour stage on the Fourth of July. “It makes it even more special to win today,” Farrar said. “The team was just perfect. I couldn’t have asked for a better lead-out. It was just up to me to finish it off.”

Dave "Captain Amercia" Zabriskie leads the Garmin-Cervelo Team to victory in the Stage 2
Team Time Trial at the Tour de France. World Champion Thor Hushovd wore the polka dot
climbers jersey and earned the yellow jersey after the Garmin-Cervelo Team won the stage.
Photo © Graham Watson

HTC-Highroad Leads Women's Prestige Cycling Series
7/3/11 – On the strength of a dominant performance at the Nature Valley Grand Prix, the HTC-Highroad women are leading the Women's Prestige Cycling Series standings in three of four categories. Irvine's Amber Neben (HTC-Highroad) regained the lead in the individual standings she previously had after the first Women's Prestige Cycling Series event (Redlands Bicycle Classic) by winning the overall at the Nature Valley Grand Prix. More >

The Tour de France got underway with a vibrant flash of color.
Photo © Tim De Waele / tdwsport.com

Specialized Launches New Tarmac SL4 with HTC-Highroad at the Tour de France
7/1/11 - Specialized and HTC-Highroad have issued the new S-Works + McLaren Tarmac SL4 for the team for the 2011 Tour. As part of their ongoing collaboration with McLaren, Specialized announced the development of an advanced carbon layup, making the SL4 the stiffest frameset and complete module possible, without sacrificing ride quality. The features include; the proprietary King Cobra headtube, a one-piece BB/Chainstay, carbon dropouts, dual-tapered seatstays, internal cable routing, and many more marvels of engineering and precision that will keep HTC-Highroad ahead of the game. Early prototypes will be ridden by six select riders at this year's Tour de France, where data and rider feedback will be gathered for further fine tuning. A release date will be determined based on that field research. S-Works SL4 bikes will start arriving in shops in late July. Specs >

The HTC-Highroad Team will ride the new Specialized S-Works + McLaren Tarmac SL4 for the Tour.