Sevilla Edged Out On San Dimas’ Final Stage

San Dimas, Calif. — Rock Racing’s Oscar Sevilla came up an excruciating one second short of victory Sunday at the San Dimas Stage Race.

Sevilla and his Rock Racing teammates lost a hard-fought battle during the final stage in a race that was the closest finish in the nine-year history of the event.

Canadian Cameron Evans (Symmetrics Cycling Team) emerged from a two-man breakaway during the 90-minute Cannondale Incycle Old Town Classic Criterium to earn enough bonus time in mid-race sprints and at the finish line to climb from 11th place to first overall.

“It was a little bit of a miscalculation on our part,” Rock Racing Team Owner Michael Ball said. “We will re-adjust things next week at the Redlands Classic and come out on the top like we intended to today.”

Rock Racing impressively defended Sevilla’s yellow jersey during the San Dimas Hospital Road Race Saturday and rode hard on the front during much of Sunday’s race around the six-corner course. But in the end, it came down to a single second separating Sevilla and Evans after nearly five hours of racing over three days.

“I probably should have taken a little more responsibility toward the end,” an obviously disappointed Sevilla said. “Maybe I could have gone to the front with four or five laps to go to help do a little bit more in chasing. But it was so aggressive in the last couple of laps that there really was no organization.”

Sevilla came into the final stage with an eight-second cushion over Peter Stetina (VMG-Felt-RMG) and 19 seconds over Ben Day (Toyota-United Pro Cycling). But time bonuses of 10, six and three seconds were available to the first three sprinters at the 30 and 60-minute marks of the criterium.

Sevilla earned three bonus seconds with a third-place finish on the first bonus sprint – which was won by Toyota-United’s Day. But immediately after the sprint, Evans launched an attack to initiate the decisive breakaway that included Amaran and Chris Jones (Team Type 1).

The leading trio eventually gained a 25-second lead that grew to more than a minute with less than 30 minutes of racing remaining. At that point, Rock Racing initiated a full-throttle chase to bring back what was now two escapees, with Team Type 1’s Jones having been dropped after the second bonus sprint.

Despite a valiant effort, the gap between the breakaway and the field didn’t come down dramatically until the waning laps, when teams other than Rock Racing began eyeing a chance at winning the field sprint.

Sevilla, who was racing this weekend in the United States for the first time, now joins Rock Racing teammates Santiago Botero, David Clinger, Michael Creed, Tyler Hamilton, Kayle Leogrande, Victor Hugo Peña and Fred Rodriguez in the first National Race Calendar event of the season. The 24th Annual Redlands Classic begins Thursday in Redlands, Calif.

Abraham Third At San Dimas Finale

San Dimas, Calif. – Team Type 1's Emile Abraham won the field sprint Sunday for third place as the San Dimas Stage Race wrapped up with the Cannondale Incycle Old Town Classic Criterium.

Abraham improved on his fourth-place finish in Saturday’s Stage 2 San Dimas Hospital Road Race with an impressive sprint from the final corner that left him a bike length ahead of the hard-charging field by the finish line.

“I got the perfect lead-out,” Abraham said. “The guys are really motivated and we know the team is strong and we can get results. It’s just a matter of us meshing together and we’ll be able to win some of the best races in America.”

Ahead of Abraham, Luis Amaran (Colavita-Sutter Home) won the stage while runner-up finisher Cameron Evans (Symmetrics Cycling Team) captured the race overall. The pair originally broke away with Team Type 1’s Chris Jones 30 minutes into the 90-minute event.


“Unfortunately, Chris got gapped off when Amaran attacked with about five laps to go,” Team Type 1 Sport Director Ed Beamon said. “At that point, we told him to go back to the field so he could hang onto his place overall.”

That set the stage for the spectacular lead-out that delivered Abraham to his second top three finish of the season. Ben Brooks and Shawn Milne looked after the multi-time Trinidad and Tabago national champion as the pace quickened in the final laps around the six-corner course through San Dimas’ city center.

“Ben and Shawn did an awesome job to keep me up at the front,” Abraham said. On the final lap, Shawn and I got together and we were right behind the train of Alex Candelario of Kelly Benefit Strategies-Medifast). When we hit the final stretch before the last turn, Shawn just drilled it and we were 1-2 going into the final corner. I knew once I came off the turn, I had to go.

“It was all headwind the last 300 meters, but I was strong enough to hold off the field.”

So fast was Milne’s lead-out, Beamon said, that the field closed what had been a 45-second lead with one lap to go down to only 21 seconds by the finish. The result nearly allowed Oscar Sevilla (Rock Racing) to hold onto the lead he had held since Friday’s opening time trial. Instead, Evans won the race overall by one second.

Jones led five Team Type 1 racers in the top 30 with his 13th place overall, 41 seconds behind Evans. Teammate Ian MacGregor was 20th, 57 seconds back, Moises Aldape was 22nd, 59 seconds behind, Milne was 24th, 1:04 behind and Brooks was 29th, 1:08 back. Abraham finished 56th overall, 2:18 behind.

Next up for the squad is the Redlands Classic, a four-day National Race Calendar event in Redlands, Calif.

Photo: Courtesy of Team Type 1 [Team Type 1's Emile Abraham (right) on the podium at San Dimas with Stage 3 winner Luis Amaran of Colavita-Sutter Home (center) and runner-up Cameron Evans of the Symmetrics Cycling Team].

Seconds

Today, the 29th of March, marks the Triple Crankset's second year of existence.

Though we have been corresponding and writing about cycling since our Trek Travel trip through the Pyrenees in 2003, we only officially put pen to paper, or rather finger to keyboard in 2006.

During our first year, we were definitely writing for ourselves and for those with whom we travelled. But through a matter of happenstance and a lot of work, we have begun to reach a broader scope of the vaunted cycling community in our second year.

That said, we have a multitude of individuals to thank. Some have been with us from our humble beginnings, others we are just getting to know.

In no certain order, we would like to extend our gratitude to:

Dan McCormack - One of the originals who rode with us in France. Ride on Rider.

Leo Cordery - Owner of Bicycle Generation in Deerfield Beach, FL and another one of the originals.

Shannon Hutchison-Krupat - The lady with one of the most infectious smiles; she was one our very first interviews and helped introduce me to the wonderful world of women's cycling.

Sean Weide - We have certainly profited from your vast knowledge of cycling and of those in the industry. Your contributions to our blogging experiment have been immeasurable.

Liz Hatch - Your loyalty is unmatched and your friendship unwavering. I truly appreciate your willingness to support our site. Heal up and see you in Philly!


Vanderkitten [Dave Verrecchia, Mark Zefeldt] - Your welcoming nature has always made me feel like part of your grassroot effort to create a racing team.

Knut Walther Baldersheim and Kurt Asle Arvesen - Our unending thanks to Knut for helping us to make an interview with KAA possible, and to Kurt for being so gracious in taking the time to answer our questions before his preparation for Worlds. Tusen takk!

Kathleen King - Your passionate disposition toward cycling and art are truly infectious. We appreciate your constant support and feedback.

Amber Rais - Your physical talents make you a great cyclist. Your openness, candor, friendship, and audacity to strive for something to benefit us all makes you a great person. We look forward to future contributions and collaborations.


Michael Engleman - The man who more than "walks the walk." Your dedication to women's cycling is an investment that will never take a downturn.

Dave "Poppa P" Politis, Chip Smith, and Maura Lansford of SOAR Communications - Thanks for your guidance and for the information you supply to the site.

Pip Gregson - Yoga instructor and bike shop co-owner extraordinaire. Your contributions and friendship have been invaluable to me. You Rock!

Katie W. - One of my best friends. Thanks for letting us accompany you on your journey toward becoming an Iron[wo]man. Run like the wind in Boston.

Amy K. - Your continued friendship and support behind the scenes is much appreciated.

Other notable mentions: Kurt Harvey, Chris Lees, Nicola Cranmer, Shelley Olds, Carmen D'Aluisio, Kris Keim, Steve Hatch, Sheena Johnson, Luke Seemann, Carlos Cabalu, Johlene Hess, Kerri Martin, Molly White & Bianca Dillon.

To others not mentioned above who have placed a link to us on their site or who have linked to one of our post:

Spoke Punchers
PROMAN Professional Cycling
Team TIBCO
Its All In Your Headset
Robert T. Metz
Adventures on Bicycles
Are We There Yet?
Donald's Daily Draft
Untitled
theclothezline
The Virtual Musette
Trust But Verify
B Misc
Steroid Nation
Podium Cafe
Bicycle Design
Cozy Beehive
FredCube
BlogNetNews - Cycling

If I have inadvertently forgotten anyone, my apologies [I'll make sure to update the list above if I have].

For our readers, thank you, and please feel free to leave us a note when you drop in.

So what's on tap for the upcoming year...more interviews, reviews, and a new home...STAY TUNED.

Sevilla Overcomes

It's been sometime since we heard the name Oscar Sevilla tied to a result; his name bandied about with the doping scandal Operacion Puerto with more regularity these days. But there he was, like former Rock Racing teammate, Mario Cipollini, fresh off a plane and in California riding well once again.

The cynic in me is aligned with the race organizers, doping and cycling organizations, and the multitude of those disenchanted that look at riders, like Sevilla, as a large stain that needs to be extracted from the sport.

The realist, and perhaps optimist, in me, however, says that the baby-faced precocious talent we once saw emerge at cycling's highest level has some ability and looked only to level the playing field in a dope riddled peloton.

Regardless of which side you fall on, I am not here to advocate for summarily dismissing those past offenses, but rather a refrainment of passing judgment on the remainder of his body of work as a result of those past indiscretions.

Afterall, with doping agencies and laboratories such as the LNDD purporting to the infallibility of their own results [as in the Landis case], if Sevilla and any of those other implicated or confessed riders ever waivers from the narrow path again, they should mostly likely get caught.


Sevilla Delivers a Victory for Rock Racing

San Dimas, Calif. — In his first race in the United States, Oscar Sevilla overcame a mechanical difficulty Friday to deliver Rock Racing an impressive victory at the San Dimas Stage Race.

A shifting problem with his rear derailleur forced Sevilla to get off his bike and remount his chain in the final half-mile of the uphill Glendora Chevrolet Mountain Time Trial.

Despite those troubles, Sevilla still bested runner-up Peter Stetina (VMG-Felt-RGM) by eight seconds and third-place finisher Ben Day (Toyota-United Pro Cycling) by 16 seconds. Sevilla’s winning time of 13 minutes and five seconds on the twisting, 3.8-mile (6.1 km) course would have certainly been faster had he not had mechanical difficulties, Rock Racing Team Owner Michael Ball said.

“He lost at least 35 seconds – or even more by having to stop,” Ball said. “To have him pull off this victory today is very gratifying. Our original track was to see Oscar at the top of the GC (general classification) at any given race, especially domestically. So we’re back on track.”

Sevilla was one of three Rock Racing riders excluded by race organizers from competing at the Amgen Tour of California last month. The former best young rider at the Tour de France (2001) and a two-time runner-up at the Vuelta a España (2001, 2002) scored his first victory since winning the Route de Sud in France last June. It was the fourth win of the season for Rock Racing.

“I was very nervous before the start, but I was motivated to do well today,” Sevilla said. “I haven’t been able to race in so long that I had a lot of butterflies.”

Sevilla said his biggest concern was jet lag following a 10-hour flight Tuesday from Madrid to Los Angeles.

“Last week I was feeling pretty good but with all the traveling, I didn’t know if I would have my racing legs today,” the 31-year-old said.

Rock Racing Team Director Mariano Friedick is now a familiar position – having to help defend the race lead. In 2006, he was racing in San Dimas in support of former Toyota-United teammate Heath Blackgrove, who won the race overall.

“I know exactly what this race is like and I have complete faith in these guys,” Friedick said.

Rock Racing’s Michael Creed was also impressive Friday with a ninth place finish, 26 seconds behind. Other Rock Racing finishers were: Tyler Hamilton, 23rd at 41 seconds; Jeremiah Wiscovich, 50th at 1:09; Peter Dawson, 67th at 1:33; Kayle Leogrande, 84th at 1:52; Adam Switters, 90th at 1:55, and Rahsaan Bahati, 126th at 3:26.

Saturday’s second stage is the San Dimas Hospital Road Race. The 84-mile (135 km) race comprises 12 laps of a seven-mile loop over rolling terrain. The final stage on Sunday is the Cannondale Incycle Old Town Classic, a six-corner, 90-minute criterium in the San Dimas city center.

On Tap...

With the fireworks of the northern Spring Classics set to go off next weekend, our attention turns to the track and the domestic scene.

The 2008 World Track Championships started this past Wednesday at the British National Cycling Centre in Manchester, England. With the velodrome boards recently overhauled [yes, I'm one of the few who actually owns a piece of the old pines] and with the Olympics merely a scant 4 months away, this championship promised to be a fast a furious one.

After two days of competition, cheery old England has certainly had plenty to cheer about. Bradley Wiggins (GBR), the reigning World and Olympic Pursuit champion, once again dominated the field in the individual event on Day 1, while heading up the Gold medal winning effort in the team pursuit the following day.

Victoria Pendleton and Shanaze Reade (GBR) added to the hometown gold rush by defending their World Team Sprint championship.


But perhaps the most amazing result for the home nation had to be Rebecca Romero's victory in the Individual Pursuit. It bears repeating [except for those in the US Cycling camp], but Romero really did hammer defending champion Sarah Hammer (USA) in the finals. If you haven't yet read about the former champion rower turned cyclist, her story is a startling example of finding or "falling into what you were truly meant to do."

Other Results:
Men's Scratch - Aliaksandr Lisouki (Belarus) - Gold; Wim Stroetinga (Netherlands) - Silver; Roger Kluge (Germany) - Bronze.

Men's Team Sprint - France - Gold; Great Britain - Silver; Netherlands - Bronze.

Women's 500km Time Trial - Lisandra Guerra Rodriguez (Cuba) - Gold; Simona Krupeckaite (Lithuania) - Silver; Sandie Clair (France) - Bronze.

As an aside, a happy belated birthday to US Cycling legend Rebecca Twigg, who once dominated the Individual Pursuit taking away 6 World Championships. Twigg turned 45 this past Wednesday the 26th.


Party On, Dudes
Although not on the NRC any longer, the domestic circuit takes a stop in the hometown of Bill S. Preston, Esq. and Ted "Theodore" Logan with the San Dimas Stage Race this weekend.

Men's Start List
Women's Start List

For a more local flavor, check out these races in select geographical areas.

03/28/2008
Tucson Bicycle Classic
Tucson, AZ
San Dimas Stage Race
San Dimas, CA

03/29/2008
Kirkwood Road Race (TM)
Christiana, PA
Ronde Van Brisbeen
Birsbane, CA
Orosi Road Race
Orosi, CA
Hillsboro Roubaix 2008
Hillsboro, IL
NCA Criterium Training Race #2
Norfolk, NE
Waterford Hills Training Series
Waterford, MI
2008 Uptown Greenville Criteriums
Greenville, NC

03/30/2008
Quick Release Spring Training Series #24
Ann Arbor, MI
Fisk Knob Time Trial
Cedar Springs, MI
Jefferson Cup Road Race
Charlottesville, VA
Hanford Sentinel Criterium
Hanford, CA
Hueston Wood
College Corner, OH
Becker Time Trial Series
Long Beach, CA
Mingo Creek Spring Road Race Series
Nottingham Twp, PA
3 RVS Spring Tune Up #1
Auburn, IN
Spring Training Camp 2008
Nellysford, VA

For results and photos of some of the races above, click through to TrueSport.com.


Up The Road
As the entrance of April usually marks the beginning of the northern Spring Classic campaigns for the European peloton, it signifies the Redlands Classic for the domestic one.

04/03/2008
Redlands Bicycle Classic-Stage Race
Redlands, CA
Thursday Night Training Series
Trexlertown, PA
RMR/Salt Aire-Utah Time Trial Series
Salt Lake City, UT

04/05/2008
Wards Ferry Road Race
Sonora, CA
Waterford Hills Training Series
Waterford, MI
2008 Bob Hansing Memorial Cup Series
Encino, CA
Hell of the North
Salt Lake City, UT
Evergreen Park Criterium
Sheboygan, WI
Martinez Bay Front Criterium
Martinez, CA

04/06/2008
10th Colossal Cave Road Race 2008
Tucson, AZ
Santa Cruz Classic Criterium
Santa Cruz, CA
Tyson's Corner Circuit Race
Vienna, VA
Vandervorts Corner
Clarksville, OH
NCA Spring Training Series #3
Papillion, NE
Burnham Racing Spring Super Criterium
South Beloit, IL
Redlands Bicycle Classic-Criterium
Redlands, CA
Anthill Criterium
Irvine, CA
3 RVS Spring Tune Up #2
Auburn, IN
PICC Spring Training Series-Fairview
Fairview Township, PA

Mama's Boy?

Humans, unlike some animals, are not bred for a specific purpose. Talyor Phinney's life purpose, however, certainly seems to be reflective of his physiological inheritance. If Taylor were a thoroughbred he would be said to have come from good stock.

Though his father, Davis Phinney, is certainly the more decorated and well known cyclist in the family, the infancy of Taylor's career seems to indicate that he's more a chip off the old maternal rather than paternal block.

Like his mother, Connie Carpenter-Phinney, a former World Track Champion in the pursuit, Taylor has vaulted himself into the World and Olympic picture for the United States in the same discipline.


At the 2008 World Track Championships, which began yesterday, Taylor finished in 8th overall while setting the 3km world record for juniors in the process.

A truly amazing feat for the 17-year-old who only started out on the pines last fall.

MORE:
USA Cycling [Velonews] - Phinney Sets PR and Junior World Record
Vicki Michaelis [USA Today] - Olympic Quest a Ride for the Phinney Family

Photo: Reuters

Large Feet...

...Big Bike.

If you are Leonid Stadnyk, a Ukrainian man recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's tallest human, you can't simply walk into the local shop and ride off on a brand new bike. Afterall, there aren't any stock frames for someone 8-foot-5-inches tall and weighing 440lbs [and to think he was once the smallest child in his class].


Only a customized ride [this one given to him this past Sunday by an organization for the disabled] could work for the former veternarian, who suffers from acromegalic gigantism as a result of a benign tumor that stimulated his pituitary gland at the age of 14.

If you're wondering what type of dimensions the bike could possibly have, a one-of-a-kind bicycle once produced by Connecticut-based Cannondale Bicycles for basketball star Shaquille O'Neal might give you some indication.

To accommodate the 7'1", 320 lb. frame of O'Neal, the bicycle featured a super-beefy 2 3/8" diameter downtube, and had a top tube height of 37.2".

And yes, those are flats on end of those cranks, above, as even the finest Italian shoe maker doesn't have a last to make clip-ons for a size 27 shoe nor does Look make a pair of Keos that big.

Welcome to Mellow Johnny's

As reported in the Austin American Stateman last month, Our Boy Lance Armstrong is set to unveil a new bike shop in May, Mellow Johnny's; a Lance-ism in reference to the famed Maillot Jaune of the Tour de France.

Hey, wasn't opening up a bike shop Mike Anderson's idea?

In any regard, Armstrong hopes that the "bike shop, commuting center, training facility and cafe in a 1950s-era building at the northwest corner of Fourth and Nueces streets" in Austin, TX will help to transform the cycling community.

Armstrong said he'd like to see Austin evolve into a place like Portland, Ore., where biking is part of the culture and people pedal to work, to restaurants and to run errands. "Walk outside, and the streets are lined with bikes — because they have a safe place to ride," Armstrong said of the city long known for its bicycle-friendly amenities and policies.

What can the good people of Austin expect? Knowing LA's penchant for perfection, probably nothing less than "the coolest bike shop in the world."

Our Boy Lance (OBL): Welcome to Mellow Johnny's. What can we help you with?

Average Joe Cyclist (AJC): Ah, dude…you're Lance Armstrong!

OBL: Yup, last time I looked in the mirror I was.

AJC: What the…I thought some other dude was managing the store? What are you doing here?

OBL: Just stopped by to visit the store and see how things were going. The boys just headed out on a ride. So what can I help you with?

AJC: Well, I was just going to check out the shop and look for a new ride. I'll just cruise around if you've got things to do.

OBL: Nope, let me show you around and we can try to set you up with something.

AJC: [looking around] Cool, dude!

OBL: So whattya think of the shop?

AJC: There's an awful lot of black and yellow in here.

OBL: Signature colors.

AJC: Oh yeah right.

OBL: So let's set you up with a ride. They're over here.

So this is Trek's new top of the line Madone 6.9 Pro. It's got an integrated seat mast and a sloping top tube like the rest of the '08 line, but I never really cared for that type of geometry...[leaning in] for sissies if you ask me [laughs]. So I've made sure we carry the older line of Madones as well.

AJC: Is the Madone line the only one that you carry?

OBL: Nope. We've also got the Equinox line. This tricked out baby is the TTX 9.9 SSL. It's got a race proven geometry that helped me win many a time trial and 7 Tours.

AJC: Ah, ok. What else ya got in here?

OBL: Glad you asked, cause we carry the absolute shit in here…Shimano, Oakley Sunglasses, Giro Helmets, HED wheel sets, Nike clothing, Deda handlebars…you know the ones with the shallow drops…the absolute shit!

AJC: Well thanks LA. You hit me with quite a lot, maybe I should sleep on it.

OBL: Nonsense! Let's just head over here to the fitting area. Grab one of those Shiner Bocks out of that bucket by the cafe while you're at it and we'll talk about which Madone you want.

Plus if you act now, we'll throw in a pass to the local 24 Hour Fitness, a free coaching evaluation from Carmichael Training System, a couple of free samples of FRS, and here's the cherry on top…wait for it…some Nike three quarter length black cycling socks.

Hhhmm, hhhmmm?

AJC: Doesn't Trek also make Lemond bicycles? Got any of those around?

OBL: Out.

AJC: Huh?

OBL: OUT! I thought you were serious about bikes, now you're just wasting my time.

Team Type 1 Unveils Lineup For San Dimas

San Dimas, Calif. – Team Type 1 will field a much different lineup for its third stage race of the season – and its first in the United States – when it takes the start line Friday at the San Dimas Stage Race.

On Team Type 1’s roster for the three-day, three-stage race are Americans Chris Jones, Ian MacGregor, Shawn Milne and Phil Southerland, Australian Ben Brooks, Mexican Moises Aldape and Emile Abraham of Trinidad and Tobago.

Southerland is one of four riders with Type 1 diabetes on Team Type 1’s professional roster. Earlier this month, he competed in the Tour de Taiwan with Abraham, Jones and Milne – who finished second overall. Aldape, Brooks and MacGregor raced for Team Type 1 in its first action of the season, the Tour of Langkawi in Malaysia.

Team Type 1 Sport Director Ed Beamon said he is anxious to see the chemistry that develops among the seven who will race in San Dimas.

“This will be the first test for the new TT1 squad against the American teams, so we are excited to see how we stack up,” Beamon said.

Brooks and Jones raced at San Dimas last year, with Brooks finishing fifth overall and Jones placing 12th.

“I am hoping Chris Jones will have a good ride on the hilly time trial, and we expect to take an aggressive approach to the road and criterium,” Beamon said.

Racing begins with Friday’s Glendora Chevrolet Mountain Time Trial, a twisting climb that gains 1,375 feet in elevation over the 3.8-mile (6.1 km) distance. Saturday’s Stage 2 is the 84-mile (135 km) San Dimas Hospital Road Race that comprises 12 laps of a seven-mile loop on rolling terrain. The final stage Sunday is the Cannondale Incycle Old Town Classic, a six-corner, 90-minute criterium in the San Dimas city center.

Team Type 1 will be without the services of Matt Wilson and Dan Holt, both of whom are out with broken wrists. Wilson broke his wrist in a training accident last week while Holt crashed Saturday midway through the Webster-Roubaix Road Race in Webster, Fla. Despite his injury, Holt still managed to finish third.

“It is a big disappointment losing Dan,” Beamon said. “His injury is a little more serious than Matt’s and he will most likely lose a bit more time. We were really counting on Dan in the early season criteriums, so this is another unfortunate setback.”

For the second straight year, the San Dimas Stage Race is assured of crowning a new champion. Last year’s winner, Scott Moninger (BMC Pro Cycling Team) has retired. The 2006 champion, Heath Blackgrove (Toyota-United Pro Cycling), did not compete last year but is schedule to compete this year.

Weather forecasts for San Dimas call for nearly ideal conditions, with sunny skies and temperatures in the mid to upper 60s. This race is the final tune-up before the National Race Calendar schedule for men begins at the Redlands Classic, April 3-6.

On Tap...

La Primavera
The European peloton's next stop is La Classiclisma, Milano-San Remo. As is the case with the Belgian classics, the men who hail from the home country are usually favored. Of the Squadra Azzura, none should be more favored than David Rebellin (Gerolsteiner), who captured the Paris-Nice title last weekend.

If you are looking for someone else other than an Italian, the smart money seems to swaying toward former World Champion Oscar Freire (Rabobank). In the end, the winner of San Remo is often as unpredictable as its finale, which always comes down to a very late break or a bunch sprint.

Around the Way
For a more local flavor to your weekend, head out to these races in select geographical areas.

03/22/2008
Copperopolis Road Race
Milton, CA
Lake Ontelaunee Time Trials
Leesport, PA
NCA Criterium Training Race #1
Lincoln, NE

03/23/2008
Steel City Showdown Sunday USCF
Pittsburgh, PA
Easter Sunday GP-11th Annual
Ontario, CA
Bonny Doon Hill Climb
Santa Cruz, CA
Dixie Classic Criterium Series- Part 1
Winston-Salem, NC


As always, click through to Truesport.com for photos or results for some of these local races.

Up The Road
03/28/2008
Tucson Bicycle Classic
Tucson, AZ
San Dimas Stage Race
San Dimas, CA

03/29/2008
Kirkwood Road Race (TM)
Christiana, PA
Ronde Van Brisbeen
Birsbane, CA
Orosi Road Race
Orosi, CA
Hillsboro Roubaix 2008
Hillsboro, IL
NCA Criterium Training Race #2
Norfolk, NE Criterium
Waterford Hills Training Series
Waterford, MI Open (Pro-am)
2008 Uptown Greenville Criteriums
Greenville, NC

03/30/2008
Fisk Knob Time Trial
Cedar Springs, MI
Jefferson Cup Road Race
Charlottesville, VA
Hanford Sentinel Criterium
Hanford, CA
Hueston Wood
College Corner, OH
Mingo Creek Spring Road Race Series
Nottingham Twp, PA

Team Type 1 Gets Nod For Tour de Georgia

Atlanta – Team Type 1, a first-year professional team that has twice won the Race Across America corporate team division, will be among 15 squads at this year’s Tour de Georgia presented by AT&T.

Team Type 1 was founded in 2004 by racers Phil Southerland and Joe Eldridge to inspire people living with diabetes to take a proactive approach to managing their health and overcoming obstacles often associated with the condition. Four of the 15 riders on the Team Type 1 professional squad – Southerland, Eldridge, Tim Hargrave and Fabio Calabria – have Type 1 diabetes.

“This is great news for Team Type 1, and it is a major stepping stone toward our hopes of getting to the Tour de France in 2012,” Southerland said. “Being a native of Georgia, it means the world to me to be able to take part in the biggest race in the state, if not one of the most prestigious in the entire country.”

The 660-mile race begins Monday, April 21 on Tybee Island and ends with a circuit race through the streets of Atlanta on Sunday, April 27. The Tour de Georgia is widely considered to be one of the most prestigious stage races in the United States.

Eldridge said Team Type 1’s berth in the race – which is now in its sixth year – is a major milestone in sports for people with diabetes.

“For the first time, we’ll have riders with diabetes racing against guys who will be competing in the Tour de France,” Eldridge said. “This is our opportunity to show the diabetes community, as well as fans of pro cycling, what we are able to achieve.”

The eight racers who will represent Team Type 1 in the race will be announced at a later date by Team Type 1 Sport Director Ed Beamon and Assistant Sport Director Vassili Davidenko.

Beamon said the squad will have its sights set on a stage win and not necessarily the overall individual or team classification.

“With the terrain that Georgia presents – up and down and rolling – we’ll put a squad together that will be good in that arena,” Beamon said. “Field sprints won’t be for us and realistically, with the climb up Brasstown Bald mountain (on Stage 6) being such a decisive element in the classification, trying to win the race overall would be a real reach for us. However, that stage will be a good opportunity for Chris Jones to show what he can do.”

Team Type 1 has already experienced success this season on the international stage, having finished runner-up at the Tour de Taiwan with Shawn Milne last week and second in the team classification at the Tour of Langkawi in Malaysia in February.

Next up for Team Type 1 is the San Dimas Stage Race in San Dimas, Calif., March 28-30.

Photo: Courtesy: Marco Quezada

Here To Stay?

Inside the cover of the latest edition of Road Bike Action Magazine is a two page Rock Racing advertisement with the simple statement, "Here To Stay!"

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for anyone in the Rock Racing organization who wants to have a hand in running it. Unless of course your name is Michael Ball (inset).

Earlier this year, incumbent Director Sportif Frankie Andreu departed when his role in the team was essentially reduced to figurehead status. And now, Le Reone, Mario Cipollini has cut ties with the organization.

Michael Ball's statement to the press, though tactful, seems to leave room for speculation as to Cipo's reasons for leaving.

“From a business perspective and from an overall team standpoint, the relationship between Mario Cipollini and Rock Racing was not advantageous, and would not work long-term. We have terminated his contract and wish him luck in future endeavors.”

(Please note: Mr. Ball is not available for follow-up interviews.)

But anyone, not even remotely close to the situation, can read in-between the proverbial lines. No one should be shocked by this outcome.

In the closing days of, and immediately folowing the conclusion of the Amgen Tour of California, there were already grumblings that the promise of a leadership role made to Cipo were far in excess to what Ball had personally intended. So what looked to be the perfect forum for the 41-year-old veteran of the peloton to make a comeback and perhaps impart his bevy of cycling wisdom upon a younger generation of sprinters has now gone by the wayside.

The story of Michael Ball's rise in the fashion industry is an admirable one; proving once again that a person's will can overcome his or her environment. But it is that same will, or ego, that is hindering Ball's path in the cycling industry. Until Ball realizes that he is creating a similar hole to the one he dug himself out of as a youth, then the longevity of Rock Racing in cycling is stunted at best.

Salem's Lot

East Coast - West Coast
Just when you thought the feud was put to rest, it looks like Biggie has risen up and popped 2Pac again.

From Cyclingnews:

The 2008 Tour of the Battenkill Cycling Race in Salem, New York has become the largest one-day race in the United States, organisers announced Thursday. With 1200 current registrants, the race has already surpassed Monterey California's Sea Otter Classic, and more than 1600 racers from across the US and Canada are expected to race on April 19.

In its 4th year, the Roubaix style race "is like no other in the USA; racers compete over rolling terrain on both dirt and paved roads in the world famous Battenkill Valley and pass directly through the small villages of Southern Washington County, NY."

But even with its growing numbers, Battenkill still pales in comparison to what Sea Otter has become, a veritable cycling celebration.

That said, the cycling feud between the two coasts over the likes of who makes the best bicycles, who has the best trails, or who has the biggest races is grossly overestimated in comparison to the hip-hop rivalry that took place in the late '90s.

Rather, the fact that the U.S. has two competing races run on the same weekend, with participants numbering over 1500 for each, speaks volumes for the growth and popularity of cycling in a country whose love affair with the sport has often paralleled the rise and fall of its cycling heroes.

Godfather of the Blog

Heading up the road one final time this week was Trek Bicycle founder, Dick Burke, who passed away at the age of 73. For the full story, find it here or here.

In a circuitous way, Mr. Burke could be considered the Godfather of the Triple Crankset, as without his company's evolution and expansion into cycling tourism, with Trek Travel, we would most likely cease to exist.

Our sincerest condolences to the Burkes and the whole Trek family.

On Tap...

Paris-Nice wraps up on Sunday the 16th. The finale can be seen on Versus' Cyclysm Sunday [check your local listings] or LIVE on Cycling.tv.

To recap:
After Stage 5, Robert Gesink (Rabobank), the 21-year-old who won a stage at the Amgen Tour of California, is in the overall lead. Carlos Barredo (Quick Step - Innergetic) won the stage from Althen-des-Paluds to Sisteron by breaking away from the lead group that numbered 17 at times.

Gesink claimed the leader's jersey on Stage 4; a stage which saw Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) take the victory on Mont Ventoux. For Evans, the victory provided an early indication of his Tour form, while Gesink's performance only served to comfirm the precocious climber's talent.

Stages 3 was won by Kjell Carlstrom (Liquigas) in a breakaway. The benficiary of the events on the stage was Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis) who became the first Frenchman in 5 years to wear the leader's jersey of the French stage race [Didier Rous being the last in 2002].

The first 2 stages were nearly mirror images of themselves as the big Belgian Gert Steegmans (Quick Step - Innergetic) pulled off the sprint double.

The Prologue and the first leader's jersey went to Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole).

Slowly But Surely
The racing calendar for the mere mortal racers is starting to burgeon as the weather begins to break in several areas of the country. For races in select areas, please see below. If you would like to see listings for your geographical area, we would be happy to list them.

03/15/2008
Del Mar Criterium Series
Del Mar, CA
Strasburg Road Race
Strasburg, PA
Tumacacori Omnium
Tucson, AZ
Remax Town & Country RR
Albemarle, NC
VBW Smackdown
Portsmouth, VA
Land Park Criterium
Sacramento, CA
Sequoia Cycling Classic Yokohl Ranch Exeter TT
Exeter, CA

03/16/2008
LA Circuit Race
Los Angeles, CA
Dismal Dash Time Trial
Suffolk, VA
Salisbury City Park Criteruim
Salisbury, NC
Sequoia Cycling Classic-Visalia Criterium-Kids Race
Visalia, CA
Sequoia Cycling Classic Visalia Criterium
Exeter, CA
Bariani Road Race (Amateur Only)
Zamora, CA
Maumee Valley Wheelman Club Race Series
Toledo, OH

For photos and results of some of the above, click through to Truesport.com


Up the Road
03/22/2008
Copperopolis Road Race
Milton, CA
Vulture Mines TT
Wickenberg, AZ
Lake Ontelaunee Time Trials
Leesport, PA
NCA Criterium Training Race #1
Lincoln, NE

03/23/2008
Steel City Showdown Sunday USCF
Pittsburgh, PA
Easter Sunday GP-11th Annual
Ontario, CA

Photo: Leonard Basobas

Look Out For Cyclists

(Click on the Image)

Our FOB [friend of the blog] in the mighty C-bus (Columbus, OH) sent me the link for the March 2008 Cycle Safety Advert from the Transport for London website.

Imagine...
A passer-by asks you for directions. As you talk to him, two workmen walk between you carrying a door. In a flash the passer-by switches places with one of the workmen, and you are left giving directions to a different person. Do you think you would notice?

Researchers at Harvard University played this trick on some unsuspecting people and over 50 per cent failed to spot the change.

This phenomenon is known as "change blindness" - only a tiny fraction of all the information going into your brain enters your consciousness. People often fail to see a change in their surroundings because their attention is elsewhere.

Even stranger, if you are concentrating on something, you can become blind to other events that you would normally notice. This "inattention blindness" is possibly the reason why motorists collide with cyclists.

Just as it is important for road users to keep an eye out for cyclists, cyclists must also take steps to ensure they are seen by motorists.

Memorial Ride
On Monday, March 10th, the news came out that two Bay Area cyclists, Matt Petersen (Roaring Mouse Racing) and Kristy Gough (Three Pillar Racing) were killed when "Santa Clara County Deputy James Council, 27, crossed the centerline on a right turn and hit the cyclists head on at about 10:30 a.m." during a Sunday morning group ride. For the full story, find it here or here.

A memorial ride has been organized for this Saturday, March 15th.

From the "Remembering Matt" site:
Team Roaring Mouse Cycles and Third Pillar Racing Team are holding a joint memorial ride this Saturday March 15th, to honor the lives of Kristy Gough and Matt Peterson, our two teammates killed on Steven's Creek Canyon last Sunday while on a training ride. We welcome friends, family, fellow cyclists and all those whose lives have been touched by Matt and Kristy. Our ride will include a visit to the site of the crash site for those to share their memories.

When: Saturday, March 15th

Where: Leaving from Foothill College
12345 El Monte Road,
Los Altos Hills, CA 94022

Google map to location: http://tinyurl.com/2b6qvb

**We kindly request you do NOT drive out to the crash site during this time, as we need to keep cars to a minimum in the area, given the road conditions.

Time: Meet at 2:30pm, ride by 3pm

Length: 30-45 minutes to the crash site. Base pace (ie, mellow). No drop.

Route:
Start @ Foothill College (Parking Lot #1, near the football stadium; see link above for map)

- Left on El Monte
- Right on Foothill Expressway
- Continue on Steven's Creek Canyon
- Return

Route directions via Google: http://tinyurl.com/2pc8pf

**Press are welcome to attend, however we request respect during our ride. It would mean the most to us if press were to accompany us on their bikes, as we are all cyclists this week.

http://rememberingmatt.blogspot.com
http://thirdpillarracing.com

As was said at the hometown memorial service of the UNC student body president whose life was also suddenly cut short, "we should not be here this afternoon...it is too early to be remembering the life..." of either Matt or Kristy.

Be AWARE

Shawn Milne Scores Team Type 1’s First Pro Victory

Hsinchu City, Taiwan (March 13, 2008) – American Shawn Milne scored his first win in a field sprint in nearly two years Thursday at the Tour de Taiwan, earning Team Type 1 its inaugural victory as a professional cycling team. Milne picked up a 10-second bonus at the end of the 92-mile (148 km) Hsinchu City Circuit Race to climb into second place overall, seven seconds behind John Murphy (Health Net presented by Maxxis) with three stages left in the eight-day race. Last year, Milne won the Tour de Taiwan while racing for Health Net.

“As they have done so well all week, the Merida squad took control of the final 10 kilometers to set up the sprint, but our guys played it nearly perfectly at the end,” Team Type 1 Sport Director Ed Beamon said. “This win will certainly be one for Shawn and the entire team to remember.”

Team Type 1 is in its first season as a professional cycling team. It was founded in 2004 by racers Phil Southerland (inset) and Joe Eldridge to inspire people living with diabetes to take a proactive approach to managing their health and overcoming obstacles often associated with the condition. The past two years, Team Type 1 has won the eight-rider corporate division of the Race Across America (RAAM). All 11 racers on its elite/developmental team have Type 1 diabetes, as do four of its 15 pro riders.

“This victory is definitely a big day – not only for all of us on the team – but for everyone who is affected by diabetes,” Southerland said. “It shows that people with diabetes can compete on the highest of levels and also be a part of a winning team. We could not have accomplished today’s win without the tremendous support of all of our friends and sponsors along the way. This victory takes us one step closer to our ultimate goal of someday racing in the Tour de France.”

Wesoly Marek (Merida Europe Team) finished second and Sung Baek Park (Seoul City Cycling Team) was third as Murphy placed sixth to keep the race lead he seized on Stage 2. The pancake-flat stage was completed at an average speed of 28 miles an hour (45.3 kph).

Beamon said without an individual time trial, the Tour de Taiwan has shaped up to be a battle for the sprinters. Up until Thursday's stage, Murphy had held a commanding lead and was beginning to look impenetrable.

“We really wanted to put pressure on Health Net since today and tomorrow were the only semi long stages left,” Beamon said. “The roads are flat, but we were hoping for some wind, and we feel we have the endurance to race hard and put pressure on the other teams.”

Strong and savvy riding by the Japanese teams of Team Meitan Hompo-GDR, Skill Shimano, and the very fast AISAN Racing Team have kept the action hot, and the Australian Drapac Porsche team has made certain that the southern hemisphere has been well represented. The Polish Merida Europe team has reflected its CCCP roots by coordinating spectacular late race attacks and strong, coordinated lead-outs while their Taiwan-based bike sponsor is sure to be proud of their wins on Stages 2 and 4.

Milne came into Stage 5 in sixth place, 16 seconds behind Murphy. But at the first bonus sprint at mile 32, the Beverly, Mass., resident picked up one second by finishing third. Taiji Nischitani (AISAN Racing Team), who now lies third overall, also closed the gap on Murphy with second place in the sprint.

Twenty miles later, Team Type 1 launched an attack after the second bonus sprint that sprung Valeriy Kobzarenko and Emile Abraham into a 12-man breakaway.


“Health Net and AISAN were forced to chase hard for one-and-a-half laps,” Beamon said. “As the break was caught Milne and Erik Hoffman (Giant Asia Racing Team) continued to turn the screws by escaping in a group of five. That break lasted less than a lap, but Health Net was starting to show fatigue, and the race was nearing the finish.”


Friday's stage is a 79-mile (127.7 km) circuit race through Taipei County.

Photos: Courtesy of Team Type 1

Schwinn Signs First-ever National Bicycle Sponsorship of Team In Training

Madison, Wis. - March 13, 2008 - Schwinn Bicycles, America's most recognized bicycle brand, today announced the signing of a partnership with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training (TNT), the world's largest endurance sports training and fundraising program, to become its first-ever national bicycle sponsor. Schwinn is owned by Dorel Industries (TSX: DII.B, DII.A).

Under the terms of the two-year agreement, Schwinn will become the exclusive bicycle sponsor of TNT starting April 1, 2008. With the help of its dealer partners nationwide, Schwinn will provide relevant cycling information, bicycle demos, on-site event support and product discounts to the 39,000 cycling, triathlon and marathon participants who train and fundraise through the organization each year.

"For more than 100 years, Schwinn has helped people realize their two-wheeled dreams," said Steve Reeds, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Schwinn Bicycle's IBD division. "We are honored to carry on this tradition by helping Team In Training participants achieve their training goals."

Now in its 20th year, TNT participants have raised more than $850 million for lifesaving cancer research and to help blood cancer patients live longer, better lives. The program provides coaching to help support participants crossing the finish line at century rides, triathlons and marathons.

"Over 20 years, we have seen Team In Training expand from a single sport program - the marathon - to a multi-endurance sport program with challenges such as triathlons and 100 mile rides," said Nancy L. Klein, LLS senior vice president marketing communications. "We are thrilled to have Schwinn's support because it's a brand that people already know and trust."

To learn more about Team In Training, please visit www.teamintraining.org.

About Schwinn
Founded in 1895, Schwinn is an American icon and has built some of the best-known and best-loved bicycles of all time. Schwinn has been an indispensable player in revolutionizing bicycling around the world. With a continued dedication to quality, forever synonymous with the Schwinn name, America's most famous bicycle brand looks forward to providing another century of innovation, freedom and performance to people of all ages. Information about Schwinn bicycles is available at www.SchwinnBike.com.

About Dorel
Dorel Industries Inc. (TSX: DII.B, DII.A) is a world class juvenile products and bicycle company. Established in 1962, Dorel creates style and excitement in equal measure to safety, quality and value. The Company's lifestyle leadership position is pronounced in both its Juvenile and bicycle categories with an array of trend-setting products. In the Juvenile segment, Dorel's powerfully branded products such as Quinny, Maxi-Cosi, Safety 1st and Bébé Confort have shown the way to safety, originality and fashion. Similarly, its highly popular brands such as Cannondale, Schwinn, GT, Mongoose and SUGOI have made Dorel a principal player with both independent bicycle dealers and mass merchants. Dorel's Home Furnishings segment markets a wide assortment of furniture products, both domestically produced and imported. The Company exerts relentless innovation and marketing flair across all of its divisions. Dorel is a $2 billion company with forty-six hundred employees, facilities in seventeen countries, and sales worldwide.

US operations include Dorel Juvenile Group USA; the Cannondale Sports Group; Pacific Cycle; Ameriwood Industries which produces ready-to-assemble furniture; Altra Furniture; and Cosco Home & Office. In Canada, Dorel operates Dorel Distribution Canada and Dorel Home Products. Abroad, operations include Dorel Europe and IGC in Australia, a manufacturer and distributor of juvenile products. Dorel Asia sources and imports home furnishings products. Dorel China has eight offices which oversee the sourcing, engineering and logistics of the Company's Asian supplier chain.

About Team In Training
Since its inception in 1988, when a team of 38 runners trained together for the New York City Marathon and raised $320,000, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training® program (TNT), has prepared more than 360,000 people-approximately 39,000 participants annually- to achieve their dream of completing a marathon, half marathon, triathlon or 100-mile (century) bicycle ride. And, in that time, TNT participants have raised over $850 million to support blood cancer research and patient services. The enormous success of this program has helped make possible advances in blood cancer therapies and treatments that have prolonged and enhanced the lives of hundreds of thousands of patients.

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. LLS's mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, LLS has provided more than $550 million for research specifically targeting blood cancers.

Ritchey to Build and Strengthen North American OEM Partnerships

Ritchey to display unidirectional carbon fiber products and Syncros "grunge" graphics at Taipei International Cycle Show, March 13-16, 2008

SAN CARLOS, Calif. - March 10, 2008 - Ritchey Design, a leading developer and manufacturer of high-quality road and mountain bike components, today announced it will participate in the trade-only Taipei International Cycle Show (Taipei Cycle 2008) taking place March 13-16 at the Taipei World Trade Center Nangang Exhibition Hall.

"Ritchey Design, Inc., which services OEM sales to North American bike brands, has enjoyed sales growth in this category of our business over the last three years," said Steve Parke, general manager and vice president of marketing for Ritchey Design. "We would especially like to acknowledge the fine bands that helped us attain this growth. Fuji, GT, Haro, Masi, Jamis, Guru, Felt, Marin, Redline, Van Dessel, Novara, Schwinn, Mongoose Pro, Norco, Ironhorse, Santa Cruz, Turner, Pivot Cycles and Brodie."

During the show, Ritchey will exhibit new versions of the Logic II Carbon road bars, Evo SL carbon road handlebars, WCS Carbon Flat and Carbon Rizer mountain bike handlebars, each using a carbon fiber with unidirectional weave. The unidirectional weave provides a better mix of strength and stiffness while reducing weight at the same time.

"In addition to reinforcing relationships with the U.S. brands we serve, the Taipei Cycle Show is an opportunity for us to introduce new concepts and product finishes for 2010 models to our attending partners," Parke said. "We also have the opportunity to build focus and excitement for the Ritchey road and mountain bike handlebars using hi-strength "UD" unidirectional carbon fiber and the Syncros grunge graphics we will launch during Interbike '08."

Hailed as the largest bicycle industry exhibition in Asia and the third largest in the world, the Taipei International Cycle Show (www.taipeicycle.com.tw) is open to manufacturers, suppliers and distributors interested in expanding overseas sales networks. This year's event boosts more than 2,700 booths and will host 700 foreign and domestic companies during the four-day exhibition.

For more information about Ritchey Design's involvement in Taipei Cycle 2008, please contact Chip Smith at csmith@soarcomm.com or 801.523.3730.

Team Type 1 Ready For Tour of Taiwan

Buellton, Calif. – Fresh off a 10-day training camp in the Santa Ynez Valley near Buellton, Calif., Team Type 1 is headed to the Tour of Taiwan to help Shawn Milne successfully defend his title at the seven-stage, week-long UCI 2.2 race.

Team Type 1 was founded in 2004 to inspire people living with diabetes to take a proactive approach to managing their health and overcome the obstacles often associated with the condition. The first-year professional team is headed up by the veteran management team of General Manager Tom Schuler, a member of the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame, and Sport Director Ed Beamon, who previously guided the longest-running, continuous U.S.-based professional cycling team.

Team Type 1 features 15 professionals – four of whom have Type 1 diabetes – and 11 racers on a development team – all of whom have Type 1 diabetes. The developmental team will focus on defending the Race Across America eight-rider corporate title the team won in 2007. In the professional team’s first-ever race last month at the Tour of Langkawi, Australian Matt Wilson earned a top 10 finish on individual classification while helping Team Type 1 earn a runner-up placing in the team standings.

“You wouldn’t know we are a first-year team by the caliber of our roster or our recent race results in Malaysia,” Beamon said. “Team Type 1 was built to make a difference – not only for people who have diabetes, but also to get results so they can root for a winning team.”

Team Type 1’s roster for the Tour of Taiwan includes Milne, Jesse Anthony, Chris Jones, Valeriy Kobzarenko and Phil Southerland. Kobzarenko is in his fifth season as a pro, Milne in his fourth, Anthony in his third, Jones in his second and Southerland – team’s co-founder – is a rookie pro. At the team’s training camp from Feb. 26-March 5, riders from both the professional and developmental team rode together, attended sponsor presentations, photo shoots and media training, and performed community outreach in the form of a school appearance to students at Oak Valley Elementary.

Team Type 1 will race on Orbea bicycles and wear Champion System clothing. Other industry sponsors of the team include DeFeet socks, LAS helmets, Park Tool Company, Selle Italia saddles, Speedplay pedals, SRAM components, Thule racks, Timex and Zipp wheels. For more information, visit the team’s official website, www.teamtype1.org.

On Tap...

For those who are fans of the Grand Tours, this weekend has traditionally been the kick-off for sizing up the would-be contenders for the three week races. But with the current row between the ASO and the UCI, Paris-Nice has lost a bit of its luster as many have been barred from participating, while others are choosing to bypass the "Race to the Sun" for fear of being sanctioned.

Catch the start and the finish on Versus' Cyclysm Sunday coverage, March 9th and 16th.

Local Flavors
With the forecast for more snow in the Midwest this weekend, its hard to believe that there are actually some road races scheduled.

Below are a few local races in some select areas.

03/08/2008
Henryville Classic Road Race
Henryville, IN
Cold Toes Race Series [Amateur ONLY]
Chantilly, VA
Gruppo Summit Training Event
Fort Wayne, IN
Stanford Road Races
San Jose, CA
Tucson Crit Series
Tucson, AZ
Tri-Flow Menlo Park Grand Prix [Amateur ONLY]
Menlo Park, CA
RMR/Salt Aire-Utah Criterium Series
Salt Lake City, UT

03/09/2008
Berkeley Bicycle Club Team Time Trial
Richmond, CA
Central Valley Classic
Fresno, CA
Hungry Dog Criterium
Phoenix, AZ

For results and photos of some of the above, click through to TrueSport.

The Week

Evidently we took the converse of the weather proverb about March to heart and entered the month more like "a lamb than a lion." But no matter, as we take a look back at what transpired his past weekend before telling you what's "On Tap..." for the weekend of March 8th - 9th.

Giddy Over Gilbert
The creator of the YouTube video below can certainly lay claim to being giddiest over Philippe Gilbert. But after his showing at Omloop Het Volk, perhaps we should all join in the admiration. What was described by some cycling news outlets as "Merckx-ian," Gilbert attacked his competition into submission, and showed us all what it might have been like to stand on the shoulder of cobbled roads to witness the "Cannibal" as he devoured the competition.

And to prove those pundits correct in their assumptions, Gilbert followed with another victory in Belgium at the Memorial Samyn.



A Quick Revenge
To prove that a team could likewise dominate in the style of Eddy Merckx, Quick Step - Innergetic got their revenge at Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne the day after Het Volk. Of the lead group of 35 riders, all of Quick Step sans Paolo Bettini [who was caught up in a crash] made the final selection. With a stacked deck, the Quick Step locomotive delivered Dutchman Steven De Jongh to the line.

Slipstreaming the Cobbles
One of the great stories coming out of the Belgian semi-classics last weekend was the impressive showing by UCI Continental team Slipstream/Chipotle presented by H3O. At Het Volk, Michael Friedman turned in a yeoman's effort, followed by Steven Cozza helping to drive the definitive break at K-B-K. With Magnus Backstedt on the mend and Tyler Farrar coming back from an illness, Slipstream is in a position to more than contend in the jewels of the upcoming Spring Classics.

Nicole Who?
With Nicole Cooke choosing to move on from Cervélo-Lifeforce [fomerly Univega Raleigh Lifeforce] to Team Halfords Bikehut, Lifeforce looked to be in a state of flux without the World's #1 ranked Women's rider. But with the late signing of Kristin Armstrong and cycling manufacturer Cervelo, Lifeforce seemingly hasn't missed a beat.

From the Cervelo website:
"With an awesome final day for the Cervélo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling team finished the "Women’s Tour of New Zealand": Overall victory for the 34-year-old American Kristin Armstrong, Stage victory for Armstrong in the time trial over 7 km, as well the second position in the time trial from Karin Thürig (SUI) and also the third place for Sarah Düster (GER) in the final road race.


Kristin Armstrong showed an excellent performance in the time trial, enlarged her lead ahead of Oenone Wood [High Road Sports] in the overall ranking and defended together with her team-mates from Cervélo Lifeforce the leader position in the 6th and last stage.

"My girls did such a great job today protecting the yellow jersey, and I couldn't have won this Tour of New Zealand without them", said Armstrong after the race.

Kristin Armstrong managed her second stage victory in the time trial race, finishing 10 seconds ahead of her team-mate Karin Thürig. The third place took Oenone Wood, 12 seconds behind of Armstrong.

The 24th place in the sixth and last stage was enough for Armstrong to win the overall ranking, while Ina Yoko Teutenberg [High Road Sports] claimed victory in that stage in the finish sprint ahead of Suzanne de Goede and a sensational racing Sarah Düster."

Aaron's Cycling, Kat Carroll, riding for Team USA claimed the overall points jersey.

Fast Track
While the women of Team High Road were making some noise down in New Zealand, 19-year-old Emilia Fahlin was making her case to be included in their top-tier team.

From the High Road Sports website:
"High Road's youngest rider, Emilia Fahlin took her second victory of the season winning the sprint out of a break of five at the Merced Downtown Grand Prix.

The High Road women were agressive from the start with Anderson staying away solo for the majority of the race. When caught Fahlin countered opening up an immediate gap with one other rider. Eventually Anderson followed an attack bridged to the pair making it four.

In the final laps Mara Abbott also made it across to the break going straight to the front for the final lap. Anderson attacked setting up the sprint for Fahlin. Abbott took third, Anderson fourth and Anke Wichmann won the bunch sprit for fifth place."

And Fahlin repeated the feat a day later at the Merced Road Race.

CycleTo caught up with Emilia after the race.

On the Highbanks
Mark Cavendish was denied a victory earlier on Stage 6 of the Amgen Tour of California, but a return to his old stomping grounds on the pines proved to be the perfect remedy.


From the High Road Sports website:
"With his normal partner, Bradley Wiggins still sick after Tour of California, Mark Cavendish raced the British Madison Championships with a Peter Kennaugh and the pair dominated the 50 km race.

They won the first sprint to set things off and by the end of the race they were two laps clear of their nearest rivals. Cavendish is looking forward to the World Championships coming up."

One place you won't be seeing either Cavendish or Wiggins is at Paris-Nice. Although originally slated to ride the French stage race, neither wants to jeopardize their standing with the UCI and risk any sanctioning that may or may not come down to riders who participate in the race as a result of the UCI's current disputes with the ASO.

Photos: Leonard Basobas (third & fourth)

How They Roll

Kreitler Rolls Out for US Women's Cycling Development Program

You have an amazing opportunity to show your "true colors" (as in PINK) and support for the US Women's Cycling Development Program in 2008! The season is fast approaching and the women of the USWCDP are preparing for a huge season racing in the US and Internationally. With this being an Olympic year, now is the perfect time to hop on some sweet Kreitler Rollers made exclusively to support these amazing riders.


Kreitler Rollers are easily the most popular name for rollers. They are the industry leader and have consistently produced high quality products for almost 40 years.


This time, however, they have out done themselves by producing a one-time only special run of pink powder coated roller frames with glitter designed specifically for the US Women's Cycling Development Program, Inc.

All the current Kreitler frames will be made available in the pink coating. Prices start at $115.00 for the frame alone and $359.00 to $499.00 [+ cost of shipping] for a complete roller set.

Contact them at:
Kreitler Rollers is a division of Mountain Racing Products.

Mountain Racing Products is open Monday-Friday from:

8:00AM to 5:00PM Mountain Time Zone
7:00AM to 4:00PM Pacific Time Zone
9:00AM to 6:00PM Central Time Zone
10:00AM to 7:00PM Eastern Time Zone

Our manufacturing facility and offices are located at:

Mountain Racing Products
580 N Westgate Dr.
Grand Junction, CO 81505

tel: 800-999-8277 toll free
tel: 970-241-3518
fax: 970-241-3529
email: info@kreitler.com

Let them know you want the PINK, and help support the USWCDP today!

Rock Racing Announces Anti-Doping Partnership

Rock Racing and Scott Analytics, Inc., Announce Anti-Doping Partnership


Los Angeles, Calif. (March 1, 2008) – Rock Racing today announced Scott Analytics, Inc. as the team’s anti-doping partner. The team will participate in the company’s new Athlete Passport Program, a testing methodology that ensures athletes are in compliance with anti-doping regulations by monitoring biological markers in urine and blood.

“Rock Racing is proud to partner with Scott Analytics in our commitment to change this sport for the better,” said Team Owner Michael Ball. “The Athlete Passport Program will ensure the integrity of our team and reinforce our position that all of our riders should be eligible to race.”

Similar in scope to the UCI Passport Program, the Athlete Passport Program consists of approximately twelve blood collections per rider per year, monitoring biological markers indicative of possible blood doping, and approximately four urine and serum collections per rider per year, monitoring biological markers indicative of anabolic or hormone doping.

The program was developed by respected anti-doping researcher and Scott Analytics Founder and President, Paul Scott, who also served as Director of Clients at the UCLA Olympic Analytical Laboratory and Chief Scientific Officer and Chief Operating Officer of the Agency for Cycling Ethics, Inc.

“We are thrilled to have Rock Racing on board at the launch of our program,” Scott said. “Rock Racing and Team Owner Michael Ball are serious about the ethical conduct of their riders and we are proud to support the team’s commitment to fairness.”

The implementation of Rock Racing’s testing program follows the conclusion of the 2008 Amgen Tour of California where three of the team’s riders – American Tyler Hamilton, Colombian Santiago Botero and Spaniard Oscar Sevilla ­– were barred from competition in a controversial decision by race organizer, AEG, citing open doping investigations as the basis. All three had previously received clearance from their respective national federations confirming they were not the subject of any current investigations and were free and clear to race.