On Tap...

For three people who met up in France while riding the final week of the 2003 Tour de France, we've certainly come a long way (as have all of the fans of cycling) since that time.

We've gone from rabid European style fandom to shaking your head skeptical, and even to Soprano-like indifference [you know the type of indifference the guy who might get whacked next receives] for the professional ranks. (Isn't that an misnomer, "professional." I guess that's used in the same vain as in the movie Man on Fire, "I'm a professional, Mister.")

In any regard, we've dressed up the site for the Tour and we'll still provide a Tour Preview, but not quite as elaborate.

As has been the staple of this Friday post, below is a listing of some races, and some fun rides for specific geographic locations. If you'd like me to include your area, just drop us a line in the form of a comment or email. The listings for the Midwest may seem a little light this week, but it will certainly pick up with Superweek right around the corner.

The main race on the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar (NRC) this weekend is the Infineon Technologies Cougar Mountain Classic. Let's see, cycling and wine country...do those two things even go together? I'm being facetious of course! Racing begin on Saturday the 7th.

The Northbrook Velodrome will be closed this Saturday for the Human Power Vehicle Association competition. People will be competing on recumbant bicylces. They will also be competing on Sunday, July 8th, at Washington Park in Kenosha, WI.

For most of the results and photos of races this weekend, check with Truesport.com.

07/05/2007- 07/17/2007
USA Cycling National Festival Pres by Cal Giant
Seven Springs, PA

07/06/2007
Infineon Cougar Mt Classic-Road
Sonoma, CA
NAS-Track #3
Mike Walden Velodrome
Rochester Hills, MI

07/07/2007
Porcupine Hill Climb Fun Ride
Salt Lake City, UT
Ohio State Championships
Danville, OH
Faulkner Honda Criterium
Hummelstown, PA
Wisconsin State Criterium Championships
Elkhorn, WI
Coyote Creek Criterium
San Jose, CA
Porcupine Hill Climb
Salt Lake City, UT
Ironhill Twilight Criterium
West Chester, PA
Tandemonium
Trexlertown, PA
La Mirada Grand Prix
La Mirada, CA
Carrera De San Rafael
San Rafael, CA
Mill Mountain Hill Climb
Roanoke, VA
PA Dutch Country Stage Race
Lancaster County, PA

07/08/2007
Roanoke Cycling Fun Ride
Roanoke, VA
The Newmark Center Classic
Miami Township, OH
PA State Elite 40 & 20 KM Time Trial
Harrisburg, PA
Mississippi Buffs Road Race
Rapid City, IL

Viva la England?!
This Saturday, what's become synonymous to the SuperBowl in American football, or Daytona in stock car racing, the biggest race in cycling, the Tour de France, kicks off in London. Though our interest level for the ProTour ranks may be down, we'd be remise not to view this race in the larger context.

The Tour will remain, while the riders will change. So in this case, it is alright to "hate the players and not the game."

The Prologue
I hate going with chalk, but OBE homegrown Bradley Wiggins (Cofidis-Le Crédit par Téléphone) may be the best pick for this fast and flat course through the heart of London. If the Wimbledon weather is any indicator of the Saturday start, it may be a mixed bag. Look for one of these three riders instead, Paolo Salvodelli (Astana), Fabian Cancellara (CSC), and David Zabriskie (CSC).

Maillot Jaune (GC):
The big money (and pressure) seems to be on Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana). Not only is he the most powerful of the bunch at the moment, but Astana also looks to be the strongest team. It'll be interesting to see how Vinokourov's attacking style fits in with his responsibilities as a team leader over the course of three weeks.

America's hopes seem to be pinned onto Levi Leipheimer (Discovery Channel). The former Vuelta podium placer, will most likely never find a more perfect opportunity to win the Tour than in this year. He seems to be in form, but his low-key approach to his preparations haven't been that telling. We'll definitely have to wait till the lights come on.

The remaining contenders for the podium are Cadel Evans (Predictor-Lotto), Denis Menchov (Rabobank), Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne), Michael Rogers (T-Mobile), and Andreas Kloden (Astana).

Maillot Vert (Points):
This was shaping up to be an interesting 3 week sojourn with many of the top sprinters on form, but with Alessandro Pettachi's dismissal and Oscar Freire's recurring (saddle) ailments, this may come down to the battle of the killer "B's," Tom Boonen (Quickstep-Innergetic) and Daniele Bennati (Lampre-Fondital). Boonen seems to have finally gotten his bike issues resolved, and Bennati is as young, powerful and eager as any sprinter in the field.

The other surefire contenders for the points jersey are Robbie McEwen (Predictor-Lotto), Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole), Robbie Hunter (Barloworld), and Robert Forster (Gerolsteiner).

Maillot à Pois Rouges (KOM):
The easy pick to win this category would be former winner, Michael Rasmussen (Rabobank), but he'll be challenged by Christophe Moreau (AG2r - Prevoyance), and my pick for polka dots, Frank Schleck (CSC).

Maillot Blanc (Best Young Rider): Alberto Contador (Discovery Channel), Thomas Dekker (Rabobank), Patrik Sinkewitz (T-Mobile), Markus Fothen (Gerolsteiner), and Thomas Lovkvist (Francaise des Jeux) should all be in the runnning (that is, if I've gotten their ages right).

MORE:
-- Sal Ruibal (USA Today): Tour de France's downhill slide caused by scandals