On Tap...

In The Pit
The next stop for the Chicago Cyclocross Cup, #9 in the series, is the Ed Brophy Memorial Cross For Life-Emricson Park scheduled for Sunday, November 23 in Woodstock, Illinois. The event will benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

For other events in and around your area, consult the listings below.

11/22/2008
Nebraska SOBE No Fear Cyclo-cross Weekend
Lincoln, NE
Wonderland Cyclocross
Lancaster, PA
North Carolina Grand Prix Races #1 and #2
Hendersonville, NC
Superior Cyclocross
Catharpin, VA

11/23/2008
Spring Mountain Cross
Spring Mount, PA
Ed Brophy Memorial Cross For Life-Emricson Park
Woodstock, IL
Cap City Cross State Championship
Upper Arlington, OH
Wisconsin State Cyclocross Championships presented SunRinglé
Hales Corners, WI
Squadra Coppi Tacchino Ciclocross
Leesburg, VA

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


Around The Way
For upcoming cross races in and around specific areas of the country, see below.

11/29/2008
PA State Cyclocross Championships
Allentown, PA

11/30/2008
Bay Area Super Prestige Series #4 - Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA
Murrysville Cyclocross
Murrysville, PA
Trashmore Cross
Virginia Beach, VA
Gene Galindo Memorial Turkey Trot Cross
Glendale, CA

Photo: Luke Seemann

Rock Racing Hires Pevenage, LaPage To Director Positions

Culver City, Calif. — Rock Racing is adding an experienced management structure to its already powerful roster by announcing the hiring of Director Sportif Rudy Pevanage and Assistant Director Laurenzo LaPage.

“Without a doubt, we have two of the most experienced director sportifs that cycling has produced in the last 20 years,” Rock Racing Team Owner Michael Ball said. “Rudy built a dynasty with the powerful Telekom and T-Mobile teams, while Laurenzo comes to us from Astana, a team that has won three of the past five Grand Tours.”

Pevanage and LaPage are part of an elite group of Belgians who have been successful in management in professional cycling. Joining them on that list are current Astana Director Sportifs Johan Bruyneel and Dirk Demol and former Astana Director Walter Godefroot.

“With these two heading up our team, Rock Racing will have the infrastructure to compete against the very best,” Ball said. “The caliber of riders on the bike will be matched by brilliant leadership behind the scenes.”

Pevanage, 54, followed a successful cycling career of his own with a management career that included stints with Histor (1989), Telekom/T-Mobile (1994-2002) and Coast/Bianchi (2003). He guided Jan Ullrich to victory at the 1997 Tour de France victory and three of his charges swept the podium at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia: Ullrich (gold), Alexander Vinokourov (silver), Andreas Kloeden (bronze).

During his own cycling career from 1976 to 1988, Pevenage won more than two dozen races, including the second stage of the Tour de France in 1980 (on the way to winning the points classification) as well as the team time trial stage of the Giro d’Italia in 1985.

LaPage, 42, helped direct Italian Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team) to victory at the 2005 Giro d’Italia and he was also part of the Discovery Channel staff when Lance Armstrong won his fifth (2003) and sixth (2004) Tours de France. LaPage raced professionally from 1989 to 2002.

Ball said while Rock Racing fans can expect the team’s familiar flamboyant approach in 2009, there will be some changes that are not so noticeable – including a more comprehensive internal anti-doping program.

“We are spending more money this year to hire the best riders and the best staff that go along with being one of the top professional cycling teams in the world,” he said. “We are also investing a lot of time, energy and money in 2009 on increased anti-doping measures through Scott Analytics.”

Rock Racing is the only U.S.-based professional team that has had an internal anti-doping program in place – uninterrupted – since April. The team’s testing 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.

Snap Judgment
The rumors of Rudy Pevanage's return have finally been substantiated by the Rock Racing hire. Although Pevenage's qualifications, which are as famous as they are infamous, nor his cycling acumen are in question, on the forefront of every one's mind at the moment has to be if and when Pevenage's most prized pupil, Jan Ullrich will shed his standard 6-7 kilos and come out of retirement.

After all, with Michael Ball's flair for the dramatic and his ability to pull rabbits, like a Mario Cipollini, out of the proverbial hat, an Ullrich reappearance wouldn't be that out of the question.

If the German locomotive does decide to don the spandex again, it begs the question, exactly how many riders mentioned along with Operacion Puerto are you allowed to have on one team?

And even if Ullrich never races a bike again, the speculation of such will have been all worth it to Rock Racing's entrepreneurial owner.

McLaughlin and Klug Take Elite Races; Lindsey Wilson College Dominates

By Imelda March

The 8th installment of the Chicago Cyclocross Cup traveled to the southern suburb of the Village of Lansing for the Lan-Oak Cyclocross Race. The course was flat as a pancake. But what the course lacked in elevation, it more than made up for it with multiple twisty sections and a loose sand pit. The trickiest part of the course was the run up to the sand pit. A well placed barrier just before the sand pit forced riders to dismount and quickly remount just before, and sometimes in the sand pit.

This section was promptly renamed “Hecklers Lane” because it was lined with enthusiastic spectators who got more and more “creative” in their support as the race wore on. The group decided to provide the riders with the unofficial “dip for dollars” prime. The “hecklers” placed half-sunk dollar bills into the sand which tempted each passing rider to get creative in their grab for cash.


The course itself was bone dry with no mud in sight since no precipitation had fallen the day before. The weather was partly cloudy with periods of sun through out the race. Temperatures stayed steady in the low 30 degree Fahrenheit; however, as the day progressed things did not get any better because as the wind picked up the thermometer dipped south. By late afternoon a few flurries started falling and embrocating was highly recommended.

Twenty one collegiate riders represented the Midwest Collegiate Cycling Conference (MWCCC) in which they earned points in their respected categories.

Elite Women
In the Elite Women's race, it was Killjoy vs. Verdigris Custom Homes. The women kept a close watch on each other, but it was a familiar Chicago Cyclocross Cup podium name who took the initiative. Holly Klug (Killjoy) took on the vaunted duo from Verdigris Custom Homes and kept the gas on all the way into the finish. Verdigris Custom Homes teammates, Debbie Dust and June Upshaw rounded out the three-deep podium.


Results - Elite Women
1 Holly Klug (Killjoy)
2 Debbie Dust (Verdigris Custom Homes)
3 June Upshaw (Verdigris Custom Homes)
4 Leah Sanda (Flatlandia)
5 Jessica Hill (Trails End Cycling)
6 Debbie Pielet (Albertos)
7 Lisa Distel
8 Beth Christiansen (xXx Racing - AthletiCo)
9 Sue Semanszczuk (ABD)
10 Gina Kenny (ABD)

Elite Men/Collegiate Men A
The 8th race of the Chicago Cyclocross Cup would be a tale of “two’s;” two fields and two races. A relatively large 25 man field, created by combining the Collegiate Men A with the Elite Men, contested the fast and flat course in the Village of Lansing. The race itself would end up being a story of two men, one who would make the race and the other who would win it.

In the first part of the race, Scott McLaughlin (SRAM) pushed hard to stay ahead of the both the Collegiate and Elite riders. Further back, the Lindsey Wilson College duo of Clayton Omer (below) and Daniel Estevez anxiously waited their turn. Working well together, Omer and Estevez would eventually catch up to McLaughlin.


With a lap and half to go McLaughlin would get dropped by Omer who rode the sandpit cleanly. Clayton Omer (Lindsey Wilson College) would not relinquish the lead and rode to victory in front of the hard working McLaughlin. Despite his second overall, McLaughlin would take the Elite Men’s division; his fourth win of the Chicago Cyclocross Cup series. Kevin Klug (Killjoy) rolled in for third overall, 2nd in the Elite division, followed by Daniel Estevez (Lindsey Wilson College) who earned second in the collegiate segment. They were followed by Brian Conant (Pony Shop) in 5th (3rd in the Elite category) and Derek Lan (Purdue University) in 6th (3rd in the collegiate division).

Results - Elite Men
1 Scott McLaughlin (SRAM; inset)
2 Kevin Klug (Killjoy)
3 Brian Conant (Pony Shop)
4 Tim Boundy (Verdigris Custom Homes)
5 Brad Zoller
6 Brian Dougherty (Verdigris Custom Homes)
7 Eric Sondag (Vision Quest)
8 Lou Kuhn (Pony Shop)
9 Teodoro Ramos (Verdigris Custom Homes)
10 Ara Oggoian (Bicycle Heaven Chicago)

Results - Collegiate Men A
1 Clayton Omer (Lindsey Wilson College)
2 Daniel Estevez (Lindsey Wilson College)
3 Derek Laan (Purdue University; inset)
4 Jonathan Schutter (University of Missouri)
5 Kip Spaude (Lindsey Wilson College)
6 Matthew Dooley (Lindsey Wilson College)
7 Jake Zimmerman (Lindsey Wilson College)
8 Peter Smith (Lindsey Wilson College)

Collegiate Women
Not to be outdone by their men, the women of Lindsey Wilson College likewise came ready to ride. Ashley James (below) and Emily Benson would represent the mountain bike powerhouse located in Columbia, Kentucky. The teammates did more that show up to earn their points, they obliterated the field.


Like their male brethren, the collegiate women were combined with another category, in this case the Category 4 women, which made for a crowded 22 woman field. It quickly became apparent that the Cat 4 field was duly over matched by the three co-eds in the race. Ashley James (Lindsey Wilson College) took immediate command of the race and seemed to open up the throttle with each passing lap. With a lead that would swell to a gargantuan 60 seconds at times, Ashley earned the 80 points with very little difficulty. Ashley, who will be part of Team Kenda’s NRC Elite team for 2009, swept the collegiate weekend that began Saturday at Purdue University. Emily Benson (inset) took 2nd while Rebecca Chan (University of Illinois) took 3rd.

Results - Collegiate Women
1 Ashley James (Lindsey Wilson College)
2 Emily Benson (Lindsey Wilson College)
3 Rebecca Chan (University of Illinois)

Upcoming Events
The next stop for the Chicago Cyclocross Cup is the Ed Brophy Memorial Cross #9 scheduled for Sunday, November 23 in Woodstock, Illinois. This cause event will benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Additional information about his race and the series can be found by visiting http://www.chicrosscup.com

Photos: Amy Dykema (first through third, fifth, seventh, eighth); Luke Seemann (fourth); Joe Gaspar (sixth); Paul Forsythe (ninth & tenth)

Twisted Pip - And So It Begins

Each time I get a cycling publication there is something about:

• injury prevention
• greater endurance
• how to gain strength
• how to stay in the zone
• how to maintain an even pedal strokes
• bike and body adjustments
• how to gain core strength
• lactic acid

I have a twisted solution to help you on you way to being the bad ass rider you are meant to be. It is something that cyclist think they can not do. No, it is not riding until your legs fall off, ignoring back pain or making it up the hill of death.

Are you ready…

I am talking about yoga.

It is something that we all know we should do but the excuses flow out of us like a water spout. “I don’t have time,” “I will suck at it,” “isn’t that for girls,” and my favorite “I can’t even touch my toes.”

You gotta let go of your excuses. I realize the thought of your hamstrings ripping off your legs comes to mind as many people think that they need to be flexible to begin yoga. But that's a little bit like thinking that you need to be able to win The Tour in order to start racing.

Let’s start with the first step:

Show up to a class

I feel like my legs are about to explode! I feel my quads tighten…to the point of reminding myself “this is not permanent.” My once dry pigtails are dripping on my back, “this is not permanent” and then the dreaded happens. A river of sweat is mainlined into my eye. There is no way to rub my eyes…at least it made me not think about my legs. With each passing second I try to relax and not fight with my body. With each passing moment I remind myself to breath. As I become aware of my surroundings I hear thumps of music and a calm voice making me push my edge. I am screaming in my head but my face is calm with a slight smile.

"This is not permanent!!!”

Then it ends! I relax my legs, rub my eyes and come back to my breath. Then I am asked to do it again.

"This is not permanent.” Nothing is permanent…good or bad.

Then it finally ends! I roll up my mat and hop on my bike.

I have found two ways to push my edge: yoga and on my bike. For years I avoided yoga. ”Why would I want to sit in a room and….do nothing.” I grew up playing sports: swim team, track, basketball, cross country, soccer, mountaineering climbing and mountain biking. I didn’t have time for “stretching.”

But, I lost a bet and I had to pay up by taking a yoga class. When I walked into the studio I saw people with a “light” about them. I also noticed people had cut arms and strong cores. As the class began my feet settled on to the mat and I felt like I was home. I know what you are thinking, “Are you kidding me…How is that possible???”

Think about the first time you rode…it is the same thing.

It is said the way you react on your mat is the way you react in your life. Your mat (and your bike) will show you the thoughts you have when things are hard. Both will show you that it is easier to relax and let your body figure out where it needs to be. Both are a million times harder if you hold your breath. Both give you moments of no outside world, a place of being in the moment. Both take complete commitment and acceptance of where you are at this moment. Both will force your ego to take a back seat and let you know compassion with others doesn’t mean jack. It only means you’re not focused on what you are doing.


I had told Triplecrankset I would write about yoga and riding, but I dragged it out for a year and a half. I have been teaching yoga for six years; athletes tend to gravitate to my classes. I am flexible as all get out but I understand where and how athletes are tight.

The reason it took me so long to write about riding and yoga????

As my teaching schedule and my personal practice (we call it a practice because it ain’t perfect, plus it sounds cooler) took up my time I became a bendy yogini (female “yogi,” a person who practices yoga) who taught and forgot what it is like to be tight. Over the past year, I have done the reverse. I had my first cyclocross season (talk about ditching your ego), rode 250 miles on my fixie in a 24 hour period, and decided to fully commit to riding.

My views of yoga have changed over the year. It is the perfect partner to riding! When my hips are open I create more power. This is a little teaser of what I want to do. At least twice a month I will give you guys ways to add yoga to your training and focus on certain postures. I would love for all questions, goofy comments and concerns (if you can cruise around in spandex after a ride: YOU CAN DO YOGA! To kick this off, answer the following and send it to me:

1. Can you touch your toes?
2. What is this core thing they speak of???

All right my little yogis…until next time.

Namaste (the inner good in me honors the inner good in you…or my badassness honors your badassness)

Pip

Photos: Mike Hammer (middle)

Races Sought For Nature Valley Pro Ride Calendar

Minneapolis – A national program is offering race promoters the opportunity to send their top amateurs to the 2009 edition of the Nature Valley Grand Prix (Minnesota, June 10-14) to compete against the country’s top men and women professional bicycle racers.

Entering its second year, the “Nature Valley Pro Ride” will select amateur men and women at regional races around the United States to become part of a pair of Nature Valley composite teams for the 11th annual edition of the five-day stage race that begins June 10.

The Nature Valley Grand Prix ranks as one of the premier events on the USA Cycling National Race Calendar (NRC) each year, attracting tens of thousands of cycling enthusiasts, pro athletes and avid recreational riders to Minnesota.

“This is a chance for a race promoter to raise the participation and visibility of their event at no extra cost,” Nature Valley Grand Prix Race Director David LaPorte said. “As for the riders who are selected, they can look forward to racing in front of huge crowds and being treated like a rock star at our event.”

Amateur racers (Category I men and Category 1,2 women) who qualify at a Nature Valley Pro Ride event receive a “battlefield promotion” that earns them free entry to the race, travel stipends, team clothing, housing, ground transportation, and staff support for their composite team.

Races that become part of the Nature Valley Pro Ride schedule can expect an aggressive marketing and media relations campaign, as well as on-site sampling of Nature Valley Granola Bars and complimentary staffing of the booth by company representatives.

“We’re looking for the top regional races who want to take their game to a higher level,” LaPorte said. “We’ll consider road races, criteriums and stage races, as long as they get strong fields. And our promotional programs will make those fields even stronger.”

To be considered for the 2009 Nature Valley Pro Ride, a race must be permitted through USA Cycling and take place no later than June 7. Preference will be given to races that take place between February and mid-May.

Interested promoters must submit their application by Dec. 15. More details and a downloadable application can be found at www.naturevalleyproride.com.

The 2009 Nature Valley Pro Ride schedule will be announced Jan. 5, 2009.

2009 Amgen Tour of California Education Curriculum Released to California Educators

Endorsed by Governor Schwarzenegger, Curriculum for 4th-6th Grade Instruction Contains Lessons to Encourage Students to Practice Bike Safety and Live Healthy Lifestyles

LOS ANGELES – In preparation for the highly anticipated return of the Amgen Tour of California professional cycling road race in February 2009, a specially developed classroom curriculum has been developed for fourth- through sixth-grade students. The educational handbook will be distributed to schools in the 16 California cities that will host the 2009 Amgen Tour of California.

Already considered cycling’s most important and successful road race in the United States, the 2009 Amgen Tour of California will be expanded to cover more than 800 miles over nine days. The event’s fourth running is scheduled for February 14-22, 2009, and will showcase some of the world’s top professional cycling teams. Traveling almost the entire length of California on a demanding course, the race will begin in the state’s capital, Sacramento, and end in San Diego County for the first time.

Through interactive lessons, the 2009 educational handbook will teach students about the history of cycling and includes bike safety and maintenance tips. Provided to more than 60,000 students, the booklet also provides information about the State of California, including targeted lesson plans that use cycling as a means to teach core subjects.

"We are proud to work with the Amgen Tour of California in bringing you an educational booklet for students in grades four through six," said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in his opening note to teachers. “This informative handbook – which includes valuable lessons in bike safety and maintenance, history, geography, science and math – can help make our kids safer, smarter and healthier.”

Classroom activities such as weather charting and word searches allow educators to reach students with engaging material developed specifically to supplement the curriculum of students in grades four through six. The handbook also includes a lesson on world geography, as it relates to cyclists that have participated in the race, math, science and a cycling glossary to help students better understand the intricacies of professional cycling.

"Part of the mission of the Amgen Tour of California is to give back to the communities that we visit," said Andrew Messick, president, AEG Sports, presenter of the race. "We always see such an incredible level of support from young people throughout the state during the race, so we designed this curriculum to further engage young Californians; not only get them excited about cycling, but also educate them on how to lead an active lifestyle and ensure they have the necessary tools to develop healthy habits at a young age."

Host cities along the route will augment the curriculum with exciting activities targeted to students such as drawing, coloring and essay contests; bike safety and other bike-related school assemblies; as well as spirit and participation contests among local schools.

Building on last year's third annual stage race, which attracted 1.6 million spectators, the 2009 Amgen Tour of California will visit 16 host cities for official stage starts and finishes, with communities along the route getting the chance to see firsthand a lineup of some of the best and most recognizable teams in the world. Host cities for the nine stages include: Sacramento, Davis (new city for 2009), Santa Rosa, Sausalito, Santa Cruz (new city for 2009), San Jose, Modesto, Merced (new city for 2009), Clovis (new city for 2009), Visalia (new city for 2009), Paso Robles (new city for 2009), Solvang, Santa Clarita, Pasadena, Rancho Bernardo (new city for 2009) and Escondido (new city for 2009).

Snap Judgment
The “Governator” certainly remains one of the more fitness oriented and progressive state leaders of our time. The incorporation of cycling into the educational curriculum is certainly something to be applauded. The interactive handbook is available for both English and Spanish speakers and is a wonderful resource for not only those students in 4th through 6th grades, but for anyone who wants to learn more about cycling and the sport of cycling.

For additional information on the 2009 Amgen Tour of California, please visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.

Storck Delivers for Vanderkitten

Lexington, SC - Storck Bicycle and Vanderkitten Racing have announced a multi-year sponsorship deal that will place the Elite Women’s Team on Storck road bikes beginning with the 2009 racing season.

“Our organization enjoyed a terrific 2008 season and we are confident that 2009 will be even more successful now that we will be riding Storcks”, said Robin Zellner, Managing Director - Vanderkitten Racing.

“We are delighted to be associated with this first rate team and are looking forward to a strong partnership which will benefit both our dealers and consumers”, said Dave Goeppner, GM for Storck in the US.

Liz Hatch and the rest of the -Kittens will make their assault on the
2009 circuit on Storck's Absolutist 0.9 (below)

Vanderkitten Racing was established in 2007 and finished the 2008 season with a first place team ranking in the USA Crits Series. The team has enjoyed immediate success and remarkable popularity. Plans for 2009 include the creation of Vanderkitten Club Teams in various cities across the US. The title sponsor, Vanderkitten, designs cycling apparel and lifestyle clothing for “women who kick ass” and is available direct, via retailers, and through The Hawley Company.
Storck Bicycle is a German brand that has experienced a surge in popularity in the US. Storck has a reputation for making the world’s lightest and stiffest bikes. The brand recently released the new Fenomalist and Absolutist road bikes to rave reviews.

Photo: Kurt Harvey

Rock Racing Announce 2009 Roster

Cooke, Dominguez, Gutiérrez and Mancebo among top names signed

Culver City, Calif. — Rock Racing bolstered its ranks for 2009 with the signings of European specialists Baden Cooke, Francisco Mancebo and José Enrique Gutiérrez, as well as top domestic talents Ivan Dominquez, Glen Chadwick, Chris Baldwin and Caleb Manion.

Rock Racing Owner Michael Ball also announced the re-signing of U.S. National Champions Tyler Hamilton (Road), Rahsaan Bahati (Criterium) and Justin Williams (Under 23 Criterium) as well as stalwarts Oscar Sevilla, Fred Rodriguez and Victor Hugo Peña.


“We have assembled a world class team and acquired a mix of tremendous talent and experience,” said Ball. “We have the strength, depth and tenacity to compete in any race around the globe.”

Rock Racing’s line-up for its third season includes riders from eight different countries who have won stages at all three of cycling’s “Grand Tours” – the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España – as well as multiple national championships.

“Last year was a year of redemption,” Ball said. “Given the opportunity to ride, we proved we were able to win. In 2009, we will continue our winning tradition, and from a branding and fan perspective, be the No. 1 team in the world.”

In 2008, Rock Racing scored 45 victories and 106 podium finishes. Every month brought a new highlight for Rock Racing fans: Santiago Botero won the Redlands Bicycle Classic in April and led a 1-2-3-4 finish in the prologue of the Vuelta a Colombia in May; Sevilla won the second leg of the Triple Crown of Cycling in June at the Reading Classic; Hamilton captured the Tour of Qinghai Lake in July; Bahati (criterium), Williams (Under 23 criterium) and Hamilton (road race) each won national titles in August. In the final two months of the season, the team came away with five medals at the 2008 USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships and Sevilla became the first non-Colombian in 48 years to win the RCN Classic.

Among those not returning to Rock Racing for 2009 is Botero, who represented Colombia at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. The 2002 world time trial champion decided to race closer to home following the birth of his daughter earlier this year.

Rock Racing’s 2009 Roster:
Rahsaan Bahati, Chris Baldwin, Alex Boyd, Austin Carroll, Glen Chadwick, Baden Cooke, Michael Creed, Freddy Cruz, Ivan Dominguez, Danny Finneran, Jose Manuel “Chepe” Garcia, Cesar Grajales, José Enrique Gutiérrez, Tyler Hamilton, Sergio Hernandez, Sterling Magnell, Francisco Mancebo, Caleb Manion, Ian Moir, Víctor Hugo Peña, Fred Rodriguez, Oscar Sevilla, David Taner, David Vitoria and Justin Williams.

2009 Rock Racing Riders At A Glance:

Returning:
Rahsaan Bahati (USA) is the reigning U.S. National Criterium Champion and a two-time winner of the Chevron Manhattan Beach Grand Prix. The 26-year-old won nine races in 2009, including two stages of the Point Premium Root Beer International Cycling Classic.


Austin Carroll (USA) is a track specialist who recently teamed with Guy East in the madison to give the USA Cycling Under 23 developmental program its first major success winning the UIV U-23 Dortmund three-day in Germany. The 21-year-old is also a former Under 23 national champion (2006) in the points race.

Michael Creed (USA) was one of the team’s most dependable stage racers in 2008, winning a hard-fought fourth place on the final stage of the 2008 Amgen Tour of California. The 27-year-old also finished in the top 10 at the U.S. National Time Trial Championships the past three years.

Freddy Cruz (USA) was a member of Rock Racing’s winning National Team Pursuit squad at the 2008 USA Cycling Junior Track National Championships. The 18-year-old went through the Major Motion Cycling developmental program with current Rock Racing teammates Ian Moir and Justin Williams.

Danny Finneran (USA) was a member of Rock Racing’s winning National Team Pursuit squad and was the bronze medalist in the 3 km pursuit at the 2008 USA Cycling Junior Track National Championships. The 18-year-old also finished third at the USA Cycling 17-18 Junior Men’s Criterium Championship.

Cesar Grajales (COL) missed much of the 2008 season with a knee injury sustained at training camp. The 35-year-old did return to racing in May and later won the Gwinnett Bike Fest. In 2004, he beat Lance Armstrong on the tortuous climbing stage up Brasstown Bald at the 2004 Tour de Georgia.

Tyler Hamilton (USA) enjoyed a storybook season in 2008 after nearly retiring from cycling in 2007. The 37-year-old won his first U.S. national road race title by two-thousandths of a second in a thrilling finish a month after winning his first stage race in four years at the Tour of Qinghai Lake in China.

Sergio Hernandez (USA) scored a pair of third-place finishes in his second year as a professional. The 23-year-old joins Rahsaan Bahati, Austin Carroll and Sterling Magnell as third-year riders with Rock Racing in 2009.

Sterling Magnell (USA) enjoyed his most prolific season with five victories in 2008, including two at the Point Premium Root Beer International Cycling Classic. The 25-year-old was also a winner of the U.S. National Criterium Pro-Am Challenge a day before helping Rahsaan Bahati earn the national criterium championship in Downers Grove, Ill.

Ian Moir (USA) is a track specialist who finished third in the Madison at the 2008 USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships. The 18-year-old is one of three riders on the Rock Racing roster who is under the age of 20.

Victor Hugo Peña (COL) figured prominently for Rock Racing in stage races in 2008 while scoring a victory of his own in the seventh stage of the Vuelta a Colombia in May. The 34-year-old is one of three Rock Racing Riders (joining Tyler Hamilton and Michael Creed) who are former teammates of Lance Armstrong.

Fred Rodriguez (USA) showed no signs of slowing down in his 13th season as a professional in 2008. The 35-year-old finished third at the Commerce Bank International Championship in Philadelphia and was second in the ING Direct Capital Criterium in Washington, D.C.

Oscar Sevilla (ESP) delivered one of Rock Racing’s biggest victories in 2008 by winning the Commerce Bank Reading Classic. The 32-year-old also had a team-high 21 podium finishes, including overall victory at the RCN Classic in Colombia and second in the Spanish national road race championships.

Justin Williams (USA) joined Rock Racing teammates Rahsaan Bahati and Tyler Hamilton as individual national champions when he captured the USA Cycling Under-23 National Criterium Championship. The 19-year-old also excels on the track, where he won three medals at the 2008 USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships.

New Signings:
Chris Baldwin (USA) is a two-time U.S. National Time Trial Champion (2003 and 2005) who spent the past three seasons riding for the Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team. A stage racing specialist, he has 22 podium finishes to his credit the past two seasons.

Alex Boyd (USA) won the 2007 Collegiate National Road Cycling Championships during his freshman year at Midwestern State University and displayed tremendous potential in nine seasons as an amateur. The 21-year-old raced for Team Waste Management/Racelab U23 in 2008.

Glen Chadwick (NZL) won the Tour of Arkansas and Vuelta Mexico stage races in 2008 while earning King of the Mountain jersey classifications at the Tour de Beauce and the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah. The 32-year-old also represented New Zealand at the Summer Olympics and the UCI world road race championships in Italy.

Baden Cooke (AUS) is a past stage and green jersey (sprints) winner at the Tour de France (both in 2003) who has won six stages of the Jayco Herald Sun Tour in his home country of Australia, including one in this year’s edition. The 30-year-old also earned a national championship in 2000 on the track in the Madison.

Ivan Dominguez (CUB) also known as “The Cuban Missle” is considered the top sprinter on the North American circuit. The 32 year old has won stages at all three of the U.S. “grand tours” (California, Georgia and Missouri) while racing for Toyota-United the past three years.

José Manuel “Chepe” Garcia (MEX) is the current Mexican National Time Trial Champion and winner of his country’s National Road Race Championship in 1996. The 35-year-old was a dependable teammate the past two seasons for former Toyota-United (and current Rock Racing) teammates Ivan Dominguez, Chris Baldwin and Caleb Manion.

José Enrique Gutiérrez (ESP) is a climbing and stage racing specialist who has participated in all three of cycling’s “Grand Tours” – finishing second at the Giro d’Italia in 2006 and winning a stage of the Vuelta a España in 2004. The 34-year-old comes to Rock Racing from the L.P.R. Brakes-Ballan squad.

Francisco Mancebo (ESP) won the 2008 Vuelta Chihuahua Internacional in Mexico for the second straight year while riding for the Portugese Fercase-Rota dos Moveis team. The 32-year-old has competed in all three of the “Grand Tours” and was the Spanish National Road Race Champion in 2004.

Caleb Manion (AUS) is one of four riders coming to Rock Racing from Toyota-United where he compiled nine podium finishes in 2008. The 27-year-old won two stages of the Mt. Hood Cycling Classic and the Nalley Historic Roswell Criterium on his way to capturing the overall win at Nalley/King Omnium.

David Tanner (AUS) is a one-day specialist who had nine podium finishes while competing for Barloworld in 2008. The 24-year-old is one of three Australians on the Rock Racing roster (all new to the team in 2009).

David Vitoria (SWI) compiled 10 podium finishes in 2008 while riding for the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia team. The 24-year-old also won a stage and briefly led the Under 23 version of the Vuelta a España. In 2007, he raced for the BMC Cycling Team.

Photos: Vero Image (first through third); Leonard Basobas (fourth)

On Tap...

Into the Fray
As the passerby, above, at the last Chicago Cyclocross Cup race can attest, its never too late to just jump in and have some good clean fun. Below is a listing of some weekend races in specific areas of the country.

11/15/2008
Bay Area Super Prestige Series #3-Sierra Point CX
Brisbane, CA
Tech Cross
Blacksburg, VA

11/16/2008
Sandhell in the Sandhills - NC Cyclocross Series Race
Southern Pines, NC
2008 Bike Authority Cyclocross Series # 3
Broadview Heights, OH
Urban Cyclocross Series
Irvine, CA
Lan-Oak Cyclocross Race
Lansing, IL

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


Up and Over
For upcoming cross races in and around specific areas of the country, see below.

11/22/2008
Nebraska SOBE No Fear Cyclo-cross Weekend
Lincoln, NE
Wonderland Cyclocross
Lancaster, PA
North Carolina Grand Prix Races #1 and #2
Hendersonville, NC
Superior Cyclocross
Catharpin, VA

11/23/2008
Spring Mountain Cross
Spring Mount, PA
Ed Brophy Memorial Cross For Life-Emricson Park
Woodstock, IL
Cap City Cross State Championship
Upper Arlington, OH
Wisconsin State Cyclocross Championships presented SunRinglé
Hales Corners, WI
Squadra Coppi Tacchino Ciclocross
Leesburg, VA

Photo: Amy Dykema

Slipstream Sports LLC Announces 2009 Team Garmin-Chipotle Launch Event

Proceeds will benefit The Children’s Hospital

Boulder, CO – Slipstream Sports LLC and its chief venture, the Garmin-Chipotle Professional Cycling Team, are providing fans with the rare opportunity to spend an evening with riders and staff at the Boulder Theatre in Boulder, Colo., on Saturday, Nov. 22. The event will feature the official announcement of the 2009 team roster, a silent auction, and an open forum Q&A with the riders. Additionally, guests will get a sneak peak at a feature length documentary from Nick Davis Productions about a year in the life of Team Garmin-Chipotle. The film will air on the Sundance Channel prior to the 2009 Tour de France.

Because Slipstream Sports is dedicated to philanthropy and the future, proceeds from the evening will benefit The Children’s Hospital Courage Classic, a three-day cycling event the benefits the hospital. Located in Aurora, Colo., Children’s is a leading pediatric network entirely devoted to the health and wellbeing of children. Cancer survivor and four-time Courage Classic rider Paul Lemieux, 17, will be a featured speaker of the evening.

A limited number of VIP tickets, which include a private cocktail hour with the team, special seating, and a gift bag, are available for $250.00. VIP tickets are available for purchase at www.slipstreamsports.com/gala. General admission tickets are available for $25.00 via the Boulder Theatre website. Each ticket purchased comes with one raffle ticket for a custom fit 2008 team edition Felt F1. The winner will be announced at the end of the evening.

Silent auction items will include:

• Christian Vande Velde's Felt DA time trial bike, used in the 2008 Tour de France.
• A leaders jersey from the 2008 Giro d'Italia signed by the 2008 team time trial squad.
• A 2008 Garmin-Chipotle team jersey signed by the entire 2008 Tour de France team.
• A Zipp time trial wheelset signed by U.S. Professional champion Dave Zabriskie.

Event Details:
WHAT: 2009 Team Launch
WHEN: Saturday, November 22, 2009 - Doors open at 6 pm
WHERE: Boulder Theater - 2032 14th Street Boulder, CO 80302
TICKETS: VIP or General

Rabobank Signs On As Founding Partner of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California

LOS ANGELES and ROSEVILLE, CA – Rabobank, N.A., a leading California community bank, and AEG announced that Rabobank will be a “Founding Partner” of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California. Under the three-year sponsorship agreement, Rabobank will be a Founding Partner and the Official Bank of the Amgen Tour of California beginning in 2009 and extending through the 2011 event.

The fourth-annual professional cycling road race will make its way through 16 host cities down the coast and through the Central Valley of California, which will include some of the state's most picturesque highlights, along a demanding 800-mile course. The nine-day race starts on Saturday, February 14, 2009 in Sacramento and concludes on Sunday, February 22, in San Diego County, with a finish in Escondido. The race passes through many of the communities where Rabobank currently has a bank presence or in which it plans to grow.

As part of the sponsorship, Rabobank will present the daily award given to the “best young rider” for the just concluded daily “stage.” Each day, all riders who are under the age of 23 compete for this special recognition. The recipient is determined by his overall placement at the finish line after each stage. During the daily awards ceremony, special recognition is given to the winner of the award as he is presented with the specially branded Rabobank Best Young Rider Jersey. At the race’s conclusion, an overall winner of the jersey is also named. Coincidentally, a rider from the Rabobank team has been the overall winner of this jersey for the past two years.

“We are pleased to enter into this partnership with AEG and to become the official bank of the Amgen Tour of California professional cycling race,” said Ronald Blok, chief executive officer of Rabobank, N.A. “In just three years, AEG has built the race into a highly professional and well-organized event that attracts millions of spectators and cycling fans in California and, increasingly, around the world. Rabobank has a long association with cycling and a century-old heritage of community banking, so our sponsorship of the Amgen Tour of California is an ideal synergy between our commitment to cycling and the growth of our bank in California.”

In addition to active participation in the awards ceremonies, Rabobank also will have a significant presence at the Amgen Tour of California Lifestyle Festival, where thousands of fans will engage in various cycling, healthy lifestyle and sponsor-supported activities in the city where the race finishes each day. Rabobank will offer special co-branded banking products to promote the bank’s involvement with the Amgen Tour of California and will feature these products at the Lifestyle Festival, along with games, giveaways and other items that showcase Rabobank’s position as the bank of choice in communities throughout California.

Rabobank has been a sponsor of one of the world’s top elite cycling teams for the past 12 years. Having participated in the Amgen Tour of California the past two years, the team is expected to once again compete.

Additionally, Rabobank’s sponsorship of the Amgen Tour of California will include VIP hospitality opportunities and promotional exposure through onsite advertisements, the Amgen Tour of California Web site, a commercial on the official television broadcast and all race marketing materials. Rabobank’s sponsorship will also include stage entitlement for a yet-to-be-determined stage of the race.

“The addition of Rabobank as a 'Founding Partner' of the Amgen Tour of California is a perfect fit,” said Andrew Messick, president of AEG Sports, presenter of the race. “Rabobank's commitment to the sport of cycling through their sponsorship of this race and of their professional cycling team is important to the growth of the Amgen Tour of California and to cyclists everywhere."

During the 2009 Amgen Tour of California, elite international and domestic cycling teams will traverse the state from north to south with scheduled stops in the following host cities: Sacramento, Davis, Santa Rosa, Sausalito, Santa Cruz, San Jose, Modesto, Merced, Clovis, Visalia, Paso Robles, Solvang, Santa Clarita, Pasadena, Rancho Bernardo and Escondido. A portion of the Tour proceeds will be dedicated to raising awareness and support for people affected by cancer.

For additional information on the 2009 Amgen Tour of California, please visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.

“Ride The World Cup” Fundraiser #3 at Hellyer Velodrome Welcomes Track and Tour de France Veteran Frankie Andreu

Next Ride the World Cup (RTWC) Event Will Feature Nine-Time Tour de France Veteran Andreu and Local Hellyer Track Champions; Video Coverage by CyclistVillage.com

Marin County, Calif. – PROMAN riders Shelley Olds and Nicola Cranmer traveled to Manchester, Great Britain, to compete in the first World Cup track event in front of a sold out stadium and electrifying crowds. Olds was able to build on PROMAN’s growing prominence in track cycling’s most important international series by taking 6th and 8th in the Scratch and Points races, respectively.

“We are very excited,” reported Olds from Manchester. “Everything seems to be falling into place for our racing squads at just the right time. It is also humbling and inspiring to be here in Manchester, one of the world’s track racing Meccas. The British Track Program is absolutely without equal; after dominating the Beijing Olympic track events, they’ve swept the highest podium steps in almost every event.”

For PROMAN, timing certainly seems key, as Olds and 30+ National Team Pursuit Champion/General Manager, Cranmer, return to the San Francisco Bay Area just in time to prepare for the third Ride the World Cup fundraiser on Saturday, November 15th.

Like the first edition, the event promises to showcase some exciting track racing, as well as spotlight local Hellyer track heroes at the Junior, Elite, Masters National and even World Championship levels. Several 2008 champions have been invited to show up with their complete collections of jerseys and medals for group pictures, including Daniel Holloway, Shelley Olds and multiple masters world champion Larry Nolan and many others which will make for unique photo opportunities. The photo session (all photographers are invited) will take place before the racing begins sometime between 12 noon and 2pm.

In addition, PROMAN will be introducing four new team riders at the event, all Juniors: Ruth Winder, Nikka Van Den Dries, Claire Jenson and Christina Noelle Yglesias.


“This represents an important milestone in the team’s history,” explains Cranmer. “Not only will we be continuing our support of women who are working their way up through the ranks in the form of our development squads, but we will have the opportunity to mentor and support promising young athletes who can follow in the footsteps of Shelley, Cari Higgins (below), Rachel Lloyd and other ‘PROMAN Girls’ who have excelled at the National and International levels.”


Frankie Andreu and sponsor CyclistVillage.com are supporting the team’s fundraising efforts in the hope that PROMAN riders can participate in multiple World Cups over the next four years in order to properly prepare for track World Championships and the Olympics in 2012. Frankie got his start in racing on the track and also was the PROMAN team director at several races this year.


Organizers are planning to modify the race formats somewhat, running the points races first, followed by motor-paced scratch events for the finale. Visit www.ridetheworldcups.com for additional information.

There will also be a "Frankie Fun Ride" on Sunday, November 16th, at 9am starting from The Java Hut in Fairfax, Calif. (760 Center Blvd, Fairfax). It will be a 42-mile recreational ride where cyclists can meet and mingle with Andreu and other celebrities while on their bikes, as well as win prizes afterward. More details are available here.

After what promises to be a memorable event and hopefully a successful fundraising effort, Olds, Cranmer and teammate Cari Higgins – four-time Elite National Track Champion – will already be preparing for the next track World Cup in Melbourne, Australia November 20-22, 2008.

“I can't wait to tell everyone about England,” added Olds, now back in the US. “I hope a lot of people can make it to the fundraiser on November fifteenth. It will be a truly memorable occasion; I’m really looking forward to it!”

More information about Frankie Andreu is available here. For more information about PROMAN Women’s Professional Cycling Team visit www.proman-paradigm.blogspot.com and www.promanracing.com.

Photos: Rob Evans

Team Type 1 Re-Signs Kobzarenko, Adds Slovenian Sprinter

Atlanta — Ukranian Valeriy Kobzarenko, who was one of Team Type 1’s most dependable riders in 2008, will return to the squad in 2009. At the same time, the second-year team announced the signing of promising young Slovenian sprinter Aldo Ino Ilesic.

The two join eight other riders already announced for Team Type 1, a team striving to instill hope and inspiration for people around the world affected by diabetes. Co-founders Phil Southerland and Joe Eldridge are two of four riders on the men’s professional roster who have Type 1 diabetes.

Kobzarenko is a three-time Olympian and past Ukranian national road race champion (1997). His season highlights include winning the Frank “Nap” Torpey Memorial Hills of Somerset County Road Race and finishing second on Stage 6 of the Tour de Taiwan and second on Stage 4a of the Tour de Beauce.

Team Type 1 Sport Director Ed Beamon said the 31-year-old has been the “rock” of the team that won 45 races as well as the team titles at the Vuelta Mexico and the Tour de Beauce.

“I honestly believe we would not have had the success that we enjoyed in 2008 without his undying, consistent, and selfless work and commitment,” Beamon said. “In every situation that I can remember this year where our leader may have been under fire, Kobza was always there to put out the flame. Valeriy can win when in the situation, but his experience and competitiveness make him one of the hardest workers on the team.”

Ino Ilesic, 23, was a late-season revelation on the U.S. racing scene, winning two races (Dylan Mitchell Memorial Criterium and the Vista Grand Prix) while finishing second in a third (USA Crits Finals) – all in a five-day period in September.

Beamon said Ino IIlesic’s tremendous finishing speed will be showcased in hard, one-day events and stages, as well as criteriums. In 2008 – his first season as a professional – he won 16 races and scored 23 podium finishes.

“He has extensive European experience coming from one of the top programs in central Europe,” Beamon said. “This was another move to improve our strength in the sprints and at the finish, especially in the harder internationally competitive finishes.”

Photo: Courtesy TT1

Yakima's Windmill and Foam Machine Bring Unique Spirit to 2008 Single Speed Cyclocross World Championships

The Single Speed Cyclocross World Championships were held in Portland, OR this past weekend, November 7-9. The course featured an extremely unique obstacle in the form of a huge windmill complete with a foam machine.

Yakima's company team, the Yakima Bike Vigilantes, developed the windmill for the event, which was perched at the top of the biggest run-up on the course. Racers had to dismount, run through as the blades tried to nail them, and then remount their bikes once they were through the contraption, all the while avoiding foam that was pumping out through a foam machine.

This is just another event where Yakima showcases their fun loving spirit -- it's about about having fun, making other people have fun, and Yakima is as authentic as it gets.



Cyclocross Magazine covered the event and shot the following video, which shows the windmill in full action.



Matt Karre filed the race report on the SSCXWC08 website. An excerpt follows.

...Olympic mountain biker Adam Craig hit the start line on a slightly modified version of his usual Giant ‘cross bike. It was, of course, single speed but Craig had a partner in crime. Attached to his bike was a tag-a-long trailer bike ridden by Tina Brubaker (who happened to be wearing his Short Track national champion skin suit). Technically not a tandem and not truly two bikes, the two raced around the course with surprising grace and speed, even trying to bunny hop the Vault. Trebon came to Portland with winning in mind. After winning two previous races, the Cross Crusade single speed race and Category A race, Trebon found himself caught behind the initial pile-up and was unable to catch the lead group.

While Craig may have had a unique racing bike, many other racers competed perhaps without speed in mind. One strong man raced on a Surly Big Dummy, a 45 plus pound long tail cargo bike converted to single speed. Another wore an outfit best called lots of moss. A crowd favorite wore PBaRmor, a knight suit made of PBR cans. Perhaps the slowest contender was Brody Boeger riding a plastic pony mounted to a 20 inch kid’s bike. Many donned bikini briefs. One man wore a women’s one piece bathing suit. Last year’s winner Wendy Williams wore her world champion bikini.

The women’s race saw crowd favorite Megan Farris take a huge early lead. Destined for victory, Farris suffered an untimely flat that allowed Butler and Williams to pass her. Over thirty racers qualified . Butler, Williams and Farris caught and passed most of the men’s field even after starting 30 seconds behind.

Trips for Kids to Host 11th Annual "Brews, Bikes and Bucks" Party

Quality drinks, food and mountain biking celebrities make this event the most fun cycling enthusiasts can have without being on a bike!

San Rafael, Calif. - Trips for Kids' annual "Brews, Bikes and Bucks" party will be held Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008 at the Broken Drum Brewery (1132 Fourth Street, San Rafael, Calif.) from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The popular event features local beer, terrific raffle prizes, delicious food and the chance to hobnob with famous mountain biking pioneers. Admission is free and all proceeds benefit Trips for Kids, the award-winning, Marin-based non-profit that has improved the lives of disadvantaged kids through trail rides and earn-a-bike programs for more than 20 years.

Now in its 11th year, this fundraiser has become a much-anticipated tradition. Mountain biking legends likely to attend include Gary Fisher, Tom Ritchey, Joe Breeze, Ned Overend, Scott Nicol, Jacquie Phelan, Otis Guy, Ross Shafer, Charles Kelly, Mert Lawwill and Chris Lang.

"Many of us take for granted the pleasure of getting out in Marin parks and wild areas and enjoying a bike ride. That simple experience isn't available to everyone, though - especially to a number of vulnerable, inner-city kids," says Marilyn Price, Trips for Kids founder. "Our goal has always been to help set that straight a little bit. This fundraiser lends a big hand by supporting our entire program!"

Bike-related prizes will be raffled throughout the afternoon. The grand prize will be a dual suspension Jamis Dakar XCR Sport mountain bike (MSRP: $1,475) donated by Jamis Bicycles. A silent auction will include other items such as a 2009 Marin Bikes Alpine Trail 29er mountain bike.

Advance raffle tickets are on sale at the Broken Drum Brewery and at the Trips for Kids' Re-Cyclery Thrift Shop in San Rafael. Raffle tickets will also be available at the event. Ticket holders need not be present to win. All event profits will benefit Trips for Kids.

Sheer and Much Tops at the Chicago Cyclocross Cup #7

By Imelda March

The 7th stop of the Chicago Cyclocross Cup traveled to the Village of Northbrook, a suburb north of the City of Chicago. The village has many charms, including that of Hollywood fame with several scenes of the movies Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Breakfast Club, Weird Science and Ice Harvest filmed at a hotel located in the village.

A damp and partly cloudy day brought out the dedicated to mix it up in treacherous cross conditions with temperatures that hovered around the 30 degree Fahrenheit mark.

Garner/Northbrook Bike Club and Flatlandia Cycling did a fantastic job setting up a cross course that would make the ancestors from Belgium very proud. The muddy course had no barriers; however, the two-stair run up was enough to keep the heart beats well elevated. The mud filled course kept many of the riders hitting the deck multiple times. The culprit was a section near and around the stair case run up section that got worse as the day went on.


The course design and amenities received rave reviews from the riders who finally were able to let the mud fly with a course that was very difficult both technically and physically. To top things off organizers ensured that hot coffee and coco was available for a quick warm up just steps from the finish line.

Elite Men
In the Elite Men’s race, Mike Sheer (Pony Shop) made the trip up from Indianapolis,IN to school the locals. He pressed on the gas early and got away very quickly. He was followed by yet another out-of-state visitor, James Lalonde (Ellis Cycles) of Wisconsin who took second. Locals Scott McLaughlin (SRAM), Kevin Klug (Killjoy), and Luca Lenzi (Pony Shop) rounded out the podium.


Results - Top 10
1 Mike Sheer (Pony Shop)
2 James Lalonde (Ellis Cycles)
3 Scott McLaughlin (SRAM)
4 Kevin Klug (Killjoy)
5 Luca Lenzi (Pony Shop)
6 Wayne Simon (Verdigris Custom Homes)
7 Christando Lombardo (Verdigris Custom Homes)
8 Michael Hemmi (Bicycle Heaven)
9 Kyle Jacobsen (Iscorp)
10 Matthew Stewart (Bicycle Heaven)

Elite Women
In the Elite Women's race, Rebecca Much (xXx Racing/AthletiCo), the current United States U23 TT Champion plowed through the field. Unmatched, Much arrived solo at the line to take yet another win in the Chicago Cyclocross Cup series.


The battle held by the chasers went to Holly Klug (Killjoy). The remaining podium spots went to: Jessica Hill (Trail’s End Cycling) in 3rd, Pam Loebig (Bike Reg.com) 4th and June Upshaw (Verdigris Custom Homes) in 5th.

Results - Top Ten
1 Rebecca Much (xXx Racing – AthletiCo)
2 Holly Klug (Killjoy)
3 Jessica Hill (Trail's End Cycling)
4 Pam Loebig (Bike Reg.com)
5 June Upshaw (Verdigris Custom Homes)
6 Debbie Pielet (Albertos)
7 Leah Sanda (Flatlandia)
8 Wendy Gaddy (Albertos)
9 Beth Christensen (xXx Racing - AthletiCo)
10 Heidi Sarna (xXx Racing – AthletiCo)

Upcoming Events
The next stop for the Chicago Cyclocross Cup is the Lan Oak Park #8 scheduled for Sunday, November 16. This race will feature collegiate racing for both men and women. Additional information about his race and the series can be found by visiting www.chicrosscup.com

Photos: Luke Seemann (first through fourth); Amy Dykema (fifth through seventh).

Chicago Cyclocross Cup to Host Collegiate Race

Chicago, Illinois – The Chicago Cyclocross Cup is pleased to announce the addition of a collegiate race for both men and women. The race is scheduled for Sunday, November 16 in Lansing, Illinois. The Lan-Oak Park Race #8 allows collegiate riders to earn points toward the Midwest Collegiate Cycling Conference (MWCCC) Cyclocross Series.

This is the first time the series has incorporated a collegiate race as part of the race offerings.

Individual series winners of the Midwest Collegiate Cycling Conference (MWCCC) Cyclocross Series earn front row privileges in the upcoming 2008 USA Cycling National Cyclocross Championships scheduled for December 11-14, 2008.

Further information about the race and the series be found by visiting www.chicrosscup.com