Easily forgotten is the incredible racing that goes on within our shores during that same time span.
The greatest criticism I have heard for not following the domestic scene is that the quality of event and rider is below par in comparison to those in the European circuit. But, even that is a poor excuse and frankly does an injustice to our domestic riders, many of whom have had experience abroad in their developmental years or have a mixed program currently.
Though the attitudes, fanfare, and style of racing still differ, with the emphasis of criterium style racing and the lack of a grand tour style race in the United States certainly playing a part in those differences, as I have gotten to know the domestic scene and the riders that participate in these events better, I have come to appreciate it and them that much more. Suffering after all is translatable to all languages.
That said, though my attention is currently fixed on France, my eyes are definitely wandering.
Over the weekend, the Louisville Metro Police Foundation Criterium took place on Saturday, July 12th and the Bend Memorial Clinic Cascade Cycling Classic concluded on Sunday.Toyota-United's Hilton Clarke took the victory in the Elite Men's field in Louisville, while Bri Kovac of Team Revolution took the prize in the Women's event. Mark Zalewski of Cyclingnews has a nice write up and photos of the event, while Kurt Jambretz has a great gallery of the event on Velonews and on his website.
Men's Top Ten
1 Hilton Clarke (Toyota- United Pro Cycling Team)
2 Adam Bergman (Texas Roadhouse Cycling Team)
3 Nick Frey (Time Pro Cycling)
4 Matt Winstead (Team Inferno Pro Cycling)
5 Kevin Attkisson (Texas Roadhouse Cycling Team)
6 John Puffer (Texas Roadhouse Cycling Team)
7 Michael Lantz (Nuvo Cultural Trail)
8 Adam Myerson (Time Pro Cycling)
9 Derek Laan (Turin Bicycle/Barker+Nestor)
10 Paul Martin (Texas Roadhouse Cycling Team)
Women's Top Ten
1 Briana Kovac (Team Revolution)
2 Allyson Brandt (Cheerwine Cycling)
3 Christina Smith (Lonestarworks.Com)
4 Jenette Williams (Hpc Powered By Altarum)
5 Erica Allar (Aaron's Womens Pro Cycling)
6 Laura McCaughey (Juice Plus)
7 Robin Farina (Cheerwine Cycling)
8 Louise Turner (Morris Trucking Velo)
9 Christi An Hansley (Team Medplan)
10 Kirsten Davis (Sorella Cycling P/B Bvm Engineering)
When Levi Leipheimer (Astana) and teammate Chris Horner registered for the Bend Memorial Clinic Cascade Cycling Classic, many thought it was a forgone conclusion that the third place finisher in the 2007 Tour de France would win going away even if he didn't have Horner along for the ride. Though everyone was indeed proven correct, Levi's victory didn't come as easily as many thought.
Men's Overall Classification
1 Levi Leipheimer (Astana)
2 Jeff Louder (BMC)
3 Darren Lill (BMC)
4 Chris Baldwin (Toyota-United)
5 Matt Wilson (Team Type 1)
6 Blake A Caldwell (Garmin/Chipotle p/b H3O)
7 Brent Bookwalter (BMC)
8 Tom Zirbel (Bissell Pro Cycling Team)
9 Peter Stetina (Garmin/Chipotle p/b H3O)
10 Thomas I Peterson (Garmin/Chipotle p/b H3O)
Kristin Armstrong (Cervelo-Lifeforce), in her run up to the Beijing Olympics, proved that her form was of gold medal standard by winning the overall. Newly named US Olympic teammate, Christine Thorburn (Webcor Builders) finished in second, while 2006 and defending champion Amber Rais (Team TIBCO) finished in 8th. The 2007 Women's event was canceled due to a scheduling conflict.
Women's Overall Classification
1 Kristin Armstrong Savola (Cervelo-Lifeforce)
2 Christine Thorburn (Webcor Builders)
3 Julie Beveridge (Aaron's Pro Cycling)
4 Katheryn Mattis (Webcor Builders)
5 Felicia Gomez (Aaron's Pro Cycling)
6 Kristin Sanders (Aaron's Pro Cycling)
7 Janel Holcomb (Webcor Builders)
8 Amber Rais (Team TIBCO)
9 Kelly Mcdonald (Touchstone Climbing)
10 Meredith Miller (Aaron's Pro Cycling)
Kirsten Robbins and photographer Jonathan Devich covered the entire event for Cyclingnews.
3 comments:
Hey Len, just to let you know I've been watching and reading. You're doing a bang-up job casting your gaze outside of France and onto hometown turf to keep us informed of wheels that continue to spin in other circles.
Finally, on a rest day I too can tear myself away long enough to give you your due and say... Thanks!
Wish I could ride in that 24-hour Booty event!
Thanks, though I wish I could do more with the domestic scene. Its tough keeping up with all the great races around the country.
Yeah, I threatened Pip with actually coming down and doing the ride, but it looks like I won't be able to make it.
Hope your riding is going well.
L
TV coverage makes the Tour an easy race to follow. The day is coming when some of these domestic races will be back on the tube - and not on Versus.
Until then, keep up the great work on sharing news from our own backyard on this side of "the pond." Some of these guys will someday race the Tour, while others have already made their mark in cycling's greatest race.
Post a Comment