On Tap...

Tomorrow a new Tour de France champion will most likely be crowned, as Sunday's ride into Paris has traditionally been more parade than actual race for those contesting the General Classification, no matter how small the time gap.

Carlos Sastre (CSC - Saxo Bank) goes into the ITT with over a minute and a half lead on pre-Tour favorite Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto).

If we were to use the results from the shorter Stage 4 ITT as a guide to see who might be the final maillot jaune wearer, then Spain should get ready to celebrate its first back-to-back [Alberto Contador (Astana) winning last year, in case someone forgot] Tour champions since Miguel Indurain, by the slimmest of margins.

But definitely stay tuned as the forecast calls for a light rain and warm weather. The right choice of equipment [bike and tires] will play a crucial role in determining who takes the grand prize.

Schedule
Stage 20 - Saturday, July 26 - Cérilly - Saint Amand Montrond - ITT (53km)
Stage 21 - Sunday, July 27 - Étampes - Paris/Champs Élysées (143km)

Catch it all on Versus. LIVE Coverage begins on Saturday at 730AM EST.

On the NRC, the International Tour de 'Toona will be contested this year as a one-day criterium rather than in its traditional 7-day stage race format. Once again, the professional men's and women's field will race the same distance, 65km, and be allotted equal prize money, $15,000.

The planning committee, however, has been working diligently to return the race to prominence and has already announced that the 2009 version of the Tour de Toona will return to the traditional 7-day stage race format for both pro men and women, including the popular 3-day omnium points race and weekend amateur events. Next year's professional races will also showcase a first time feature in its 23 year history: a mountain-top finish at the Blue Knob ski resort.

In the Midwest, the long overdue debut of the inaugural Chicago Criterium will take place amidst the beautiful downtown scenery of Grant Park on Sunday, July 27. Racing will begin at 7am and continue through the day. The total prize money is $40,000 with $25,000 of that marked for the Pro Category 1& 2 race, the final race of the day starting at 2.25pm.

If you are in the Charlotte, North Carolina area make sure to head down to Myers Park and support the riders participating in this year's 24 Hours of Booty, the official 24 hour event of the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF).

You won't see any death defying speeds around the Booty Loop, as its not a race. But hopefully what you will see are some death defying acts of courage by cancer survivors, those battling cancer, and cancer advocates.


For other races this weekend in or around your area, consult the listings below.

07/26/2008
Porcupine Chalk Creek Road Race
Coalville, UT
2008 Woodburn Pancake Race
Woodburn, IN
Breaking Away Movie Night
Indianapolis, IN
Diamond Valley Road Race
Woodfords, CA
Downtown Lenoir Criterium
Lenoir, NC
Flapjack Flats Time Trial
Florence, AZ

07/27/2008
Sportsfest Irving Park Criterium
Allentown, PA
Peter Teeuwen Memorial Omnium Time Trials #2
Chesapeake, VA
Chicago Criterium
Chicago, IL
San Marcos Circuit Race
San Marcos, CA
International Tour de 'Toona
Altoona, PA
Morganton Cycling Classic
Morganton, NC

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


Up The Road
08/01/2008
Alexian Brothers Tour of Elk Grove
Elk Grove Village, IL
Statesville Criterium
Statesville, NC
Kenosha Velodrome Elite Qualifier & State Championship
Kenosha, WI

08/02/2008
Nor/Cal Nevada District Road Race Championships
Marina, CA
Tour de Park City
Park City, UT
Deodate Road Race (TM)
Deodate, PA
Pur Tour 2008
Mason, OH
NCNCA Masters State Track Championships
San Jose, CA
Town Center Criterium
Harrisburg, NC
Presbyterian Hospital Invitational Criterium
Charlotte, NC
Mt Ogden Race
Ogden, UT
The Hammer Creek Road Race
Lititz, Lancaster County, PA
Ada Criterium
Ada, MI

08/03/2008
Atlantic Regional JR Track Championship
Trexlertown, PA
Timpani Criterium
Santa Clara, CA
Hanes Park Classic
Winston Salem, NC
Zoar Road Race
Zoar, OH
VA Age-Graded Road Race
Page County, VA