Kovarus Sponsors Annual Cycling Event to Benefit the American Brain Tumor Association

South San Francisco Technology Service Firm Sponsors the Lafayette Criterium and the “Racing for Research” Cycling Team to Support Brain Tumor Research


South San Francisco, Calif., July 10, 2008 – Kovarus, Inc., a leading technology integrator specializing in delivering enterprise storage and networking solutions, today announced it will sponsor the 4th Annual Lafayette Criterium bicycle race on July 13, 2008 in Lafayette, California. The event, which benefits the American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA), will be hosted by the Contra Costa Cycling Club (C4), a non-profit cycling team sponsored by Wells Fargo – The Private Bank. Registration and event details can be viewed at http://www.c4racing.org/www/events.htm.

To further support the event, the Kovarus/ABTA Racing for Research cycling team will be participating in the race for the third consecutive year. More information on the Kovarus/ABTA Racing for Research cycling team can be viewed at http://www.racing-4-research.org/index.htm.

“We are pleased to partner with Kovarus and the Kovarus/ABTA Racing for Research cycling team to support brain tumor research,” said ABTA Executive Director Elizabeth M. Wilson. “While there has been tremendous progress in understanding what causes brain tumors and in the development of better treatments for them, ongoing research funding is critical to ensuring continued scientific advancements and hope for an eventual cure.”

The American Brain Tumor Association is a leading nonprofit organization responsible for raising funds for brain tumor research and heightening awareness about this disease. There are more than 120 different types of brain tumors, some of which are malignant, and many of which are benign (non-cancerous). More than 200,000 individuals in the U.S. and Canada are diagnosed with a brain tumor each year. It is estimated that 359,000 people in the United States are living with the diagnosis of a primary brain tumor today. The cause of brain tumors is unknown.

“Kovarus remains dedicated to supporting the American Brain Tumor Association through the Kovarus/ABTA Racing for Research cycling team and events like the Lafayette Criterium,” stated Peter Castaldi, Principal at Kovarus. “I have seen firsthand the devastating effects of this illness in my 10-year-old nephew, who has been battling a brain tumor for eight years. I strongly advocate continued research to improve treatment options and survival rates.”

Team captain of Racing for Research, David Ridder, started the cycling team back in 2006 after a close friend was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2004. Since then the team has partnered with Kovarus and the ABTA to raise money and gain support for brain tumor research through athletic endeavors.

About the American Brain Tumor Association
The American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) is a not-for-profit, independent organization. Not affiliated with any one institution, they serve individuals globally and award funds to researchers throughout the United States and Canada. Founded in 1973 out of a desperate need, the American Brain Tumor Association exists to eliminate brain tumors through research and to meet the needs of brain tumor patients and their families. For more information, please visit www.abta.org.

About Kovarus
Kovarus is a leading system integrator of virtualized data center technologies. As a specialist in delivering virtualization, enterprise storage and data center networking solutions, Kovarus enables companies of all sizes to optimize IT resources, lower capital and operating expenses and ensure business continuity while reducing energy consumption. Kovarus’ extensive engineering experience and unique ability to converge these three technologies gives us a distinct advantage in data center design and implementation. Since its formation in 2003, Kovarus has been chosen as a premier provider of consulting and integration services by leading technology companies including, VMware, EMC and Cisco. Kovarus is headquartered in South San Francisco, CA. For more information please visit www.kovarus.com.

Event Spokesperson Availability:
Peter Castaldi, Kovarus – 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Kim Helgans, C4 Cycling Club – 6:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Riccò, Whoa, Oh, Oh, Oh

He's for the money, he's for the show...Riccò 's a-waitin' for another go


Every Italian dreams of winning their national race, the Giro d’Italia, in front of the adoring tifosi. But the cyclists who wear the azzurri also have a long and storied history with the Tour de France. Gino Bartali, Fausto Coppi, Gastone Nencini, Felice Gimondi, and Marco Pantani, who pulled off the double in 1998, have all walked away from the streets of Paris wearing the maillot jaune.

In Ricardo Riccò (Saunier Duval – Scott), the winner of today’s 195.5km Stage 6 from Aigurande to Super Besse, Italy may just have their next campione del ciclismo.

Although the talented 24-year old has chosen to shy away from such comparisons early on in his career, his results may force him into the limelight sooner than latter. His recent effort in the Giro, where he finished second and a scant 1.57 to reigning Tour de France champion Alberto Contador (Astana), has the already excitable tifosi at near fever pitch.

In reality, with his energies not yet fully revitalized from his massive efforts in the Giro, a significant result in France may be too much to ask of the climbing specialist from Formigine.

But despite his best efforts to dismiss any and all speculation of his chances, Riccò’s first Tour stage win now has many anxiously a-waitin’ for him to have another go.

Results
1 Riccardo Riccò (Ita) Saunier Duval - Scott
2 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
3 Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence - Lotto

Kimmi In Yellow
With the first real mountain stage and an uphill finish in Super Besse, the overall classification was definitely shaken, but not stirred [that will come later in the high mountains].

Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Chipotle presented by H30) was the first of those high on the classification to grasp for the yellow tunic, but his surprise effort in the closing kilometers proved to be a case of too much too soon as he and Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval – Scott) were overtaken by the lead pack on the day’s final ascent.

As a result of his 5th placed finish on the day, Kim Kirchen (Columbia) collected the maillot jaune from Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner). Ironically, Schumacher’s valiant attempt to retain the jersey were thwarted when he went down after touching wheels with Kirchen in the finale.

Overall Classification After Stage 6
1 Kim Kirchen (Lux) Team Columbia
2 Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence - Lotto
3 Stefan Schumacher (Ger) Gerolsteiner
4 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30
5 David Millar (GBr) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30
6 Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Team Columbia
7 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank
8 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
9 Stijn Devolder (Bel) Quick Step
10 Oscar Pereiro Sio (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne

I Must Break You
With a time gap of a little over a minute between the two overwhelming favorites Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) and Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d’Epargne), it remains to be seen how the gap will be diminished given there are no time bonuses this year.

With two full weeks remaining, it will be highly interesting to see whose will breaks first.

Next: Stage 7 - Friday, July 11: Brioude – Aurillac (159km). The profile looks deceptively a bit more forgiving than that of Stage 6, with a nice flat run in to the finish, but the final climb, the Pas de Peyrol may give the riders some fits. Another break may just be in order for the day.


More:
International Herald Tribune - Riccardo Ricco wins 6th stage of Tour de France, Kim Kirchen takes yellow
Cyclingnews - Riccò takes the stage, disaster for Schumacher
Velonews - Riccò wins atop Super-Besse

Photo: Jean-Paul Pelissier/Reuter

Beijing-Bound Botero Rocks Opening Stage Of Cascade Classic

Bend, Ore. — Rock Racing’s Santiago Botero may have his sights set on next month’s Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, but his focus Wednesday was on winning in Bend, Oregon.

Botero averaged more than 29 miles per hour (46.6 kph) as he soloed to victory in the 83-mile (133.5 km) Prineville Road Race that finished with a challenging ascent to Pilot Butte State Park.

“I’m feeling good, but I’m not 100 percent on form right now,” Botero said. “But we executed good team tactics today and I’m very happy.”

Botero was the driving force of a 12-man breakaway that enjoyed up to a two-minute lead before it disintegrated when the former world time trial champion accelerated up the final climb. Botero finished six seconds ahead of Chris Baldwin (Toyota-United Pro Cycling) and 20 seconds ahead of third-place finisher Jeff Louder (BMC).


Levi Leipheimer (Astana), the reigning U.S. national road race champion, finished fifth, 25 seconds behind, while Botero’s teammate, Cesar Grajales, placed seventh on the day to help Rock Racing to second place on the team classification.

Botero has a penchant for starting stage races with strong showings this year. He won Stage 1 of the Redlands Bicycle Classic in April and the prologue of the Vuelta a Colombia in his home country in May before using the month of June to focus on the upcoming Olympic road race, which takes place on the second day of the Games, Aug. 9.

Despite past successes, it will be difficult to defend the leader’s yellow jersey from start to finish of the five-day, six-stage race, Botero said.

“Obviously I would like to hold onto the lead, but there are a lot of strong teams here,” Botero said. “Our team has a lot of young riders so it’s going to be difficult. But Rock Racing will be trying to cover all the breakaways and just take it day by day.”

Thursday’s Stage 2 is the 78-mile (125.5 km) Three Creeks Road Race that includes another summit finish, this time at Three Creeks Snow Park.

Photos: Copyright Kurt Jambretz (www.actionimages.cc)

Team Type 1's Brooks Stable Following Violent Crash

Bend, Ore. — Team Type 1’s Ben Brooks is hospitalized in stable condition following a violent crash Wednesday during the opening stage of the Bend Memorial Clinic Cascade Cycling Classic in Bend, Ore.

The 29-year-old Australian fell victim to one of a half dozen cattle guard crossings along the 83-mile (133.5 km) Prineville Road Race. A cattle guard is a series of parallel metal bars installed in the road to deter cattle and other hoofed animals from crossing. The gaps between the bars are wide enough for an animal’s legs to fall through.

Team Type 1 Sport Director Ed Beamon said riders who witnessed the crash told him the cattle guard sent Brooks into a spin that catapulted him off his bicycle as the 150-rider field was traversing a mostly flat, but twisting, section before a descent about 50 miles (80 km) into the race.

“They had to be going about 60 kilometers and hour (37 mph) and it was single-file, full gas at the time,” Beamon said.

A rescue squad rushed Brooks to a local hospital.

“He is at an excellent facility with excellent care and his condition is stable,” Beamon said. “We are just reaching out now for good thoughts and prayers. We are fairly confident he will be OK.”

Brooks’s wife, Rachael, was en route to Bend Wednesday night, Beamon said.

Team Type 1 is a first-year professional squad that created in 2004 by two riders with Type 1 diabetes to inspire people living with diabetes to take a proactive approach to managing their health and overcoming the obstacles often associated with the condition. Brooks is not one of the four racers on Team Type 1’s pro team that has Type 1 diabetes.

Team Type 1’s Christopher Jones finished fourth in the stage that ended with a climb up to Pilot Butte State Park. Jones was joined by teammate Glen Chadwick in an 11-man break that was away most of the day. Santiago Botero (Rock Racing) won the stage.

You Say You Want A Revolution

Grandview Heights, OH - Standing along the barricades at the Vegas Crits last fall, I met Chris Roettger, a founding member of Team Revolution based out of St. Louis. She was there to root on teammate Carrie Cash-Wootten, who despite riding solo was out front on several occasions before tiring and coming home in 11th place.

Since that time, the "cycling education and advocacy group for women" has grown considerably.

From the team's website:

"In 2007 we went from two club members to 54. Our race team traveled 11 states to participate in 47 races. Team Revolution's roots are grounded in a passion for cycling, and the drive to create a resource and network for women to explore and discover what cycling is all about. We're taking a calculated risk to dream and to build. Being advocates for all aspects of cycling, for fitness and for women, we look forward to our challenge."

Through a bit of happenstance, I literally ran into Chris again as I rounded a corner along the route of the Germain.com Tour de Grandview held on June 28th and 29th. Rather than watch this time around, Chris was there to race, and more so, to "attack, attack, attack."

Over the weekend, that is exactly what the ladies from Team Revolution did. Bri Kovac led the way placing 5th and 2nd respectively, while Kendi Thomas finished 2nd during Saturday's criterium.

With riders like these, don't you know that this team is gonna be alright, alright.


Photos: Leonard Basobas (top to bottom: Chris Roettger; Bri Kovac; Chris leading Carrie Cash-Wootten; Carrie, Pam Loebig, and Chris; Kendi Thomas leading Bri; the ladies taking in the men's race; Chris)

Ritchey Design Launches Revamped Consumer Web Site With Online Store

New consumer Web site includes product, sponsored team and women's cycling information, a corporate blog and the ability to purchase Ritchey products online

SAN CARLOS, Calif. - Ritchey Design, a leading developer and manufacturer of high-quality road and mountain bike components, today announced the launch of its new consumer Web site, which includes the ability to purchase products online with fulfillment through independent bicycle retailers.

Ritchey Design offers a wide range of "cockpit" components (handlebars, stems and seatposts) that help riders custom fit their bikes for a more efficient and comfortable ride, a philosophy Ritchey calls, "Fit Logic." Ritchey Design also offers a complete line of innovative products ranging from saddles to carbon wheels for professional racers and the serious weekend rider. With the new Web site, consumers will be able to easily purchase Ritchey products with the help of Ritchey Design's extensive network of authorized retailers.

"More and more consumers are using the Internet to find the products they need," said Steve Parke, general manager and vice president of marketing for Ritchey Design. "Ritchey's authorized retailers provide knowledgeable service and are key to helping cyclists get the most from their bikes. There is no other substitute for the service of a good independent retailer. The new Ritchey site will help consumers find the products they want, along with the service and support of a shop."


When consumers place an order through www.RitcheyLogic.com, orders are posted in a special queue. Within one business, authorized Ritchey retailers, with product in stock, will ship those orders within 24 hours. Open orders not selected by retailers revert to Ritchey Design for fulfillment.

The new site features detailed information about Ritchey Design products, sponsored teams, news, cycling tips and a blog. Online purchases are only available to consumers in North America, and sales of Ritchey's line of Break-Away travel bikes will not be available when the new site launches.

Manxman Of The Day

Finally, a day for the sprinters.

Having missed out on the opportunity in Nantes because of a successful four-man breakaway, the sprinters’ teams finally got it together and caught the last remnant, Nicolas Vogondy (Agritubel), of a three-man break in the final 300m before the finish in Châteauroux.

Similar to his teammate Romain Feillu on Stage 3, Vogondy, the champion of France, set out on a suicidal sojourn with Lilian Jegou (Française des Jeux) and Florent Brard (Cofidis) to cover the 232km distance from Cholet to Châteauroux the fastest. But the learned peloton timed its efforts perfectly today.

At the end of the longest stage in this year’s Tour, it would be Bob Stapleton’s powerful Team Columbia that would organize the chase and ultimately deliver the goods in the form of Mark Cavendish.

The 23-year old from the Isle of Man, Manxman edged out Tour veterans Oscar Freire (Rabobank) and Erik Zabel (Milram) to add a Tour de France stage to his pair of victories at this year’s Giro d’Italia.

The man of day, however, may not ultimately prove to be the man of the Tour as Cavendish will likely go the way of an early Tour departure given his Olympic prospects in the Madison with teammate Bradley Wiggins [the two winning the World Championships in the same event earlier this year].

In an interview with William Fotheringham (The Guardian) in Brest, Cavendish alluded to an early exit. Although he intends to stay in his second Tour as long as he can and quite possibly contend for the sprint on the Champs Ellysees, his body may tell him otherwise.

"I'll aim to finish. It's not fair on the organisers, the team or the sponsor to race with the aim of not finishing. If I'm too tired I won't finish, and if I'm not good enough I won't make the time limit, so maybe I won't finish, but mentally I'm aiming to do 21 days."

Although there were a few crashes, mostly minor, to several Tour contenders, there was no movement in the overall classification.

For those, like me, who picked Mauricio Soler (Barloworld) to re-claim the maillot a pois rouge this year, forget it. Soler abandoned today after another crash.

Results
1 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team Columbia
2 Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Rabobank
3 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram

Overall After Stage 5
1 Stefan Schumacher (Ger) Gerolsteiner
2 Kim Kirchen (Lux) Team Columbia
3 David Millar (GBr) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30
4 Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence - Lotto
5 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC - Saxo Bank
6 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30
7 George Hincapie (USA) Team Columbia
8 Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Team Columbia
9 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas
10 José Iván Gutierrez (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne

Next: Stage 6 - Thursday, July 10 - Aigurande - Super Besse (195.5km). It may not be the high mountains, but the Massif Central should provide a good test for the those not ready to go uphill.


More:
FoxSports – Cavendish takes 1st Tour victory
Cyclingnews – Cavendish claims first Tour stage
Velonews – Cavendish outkicks bunch to win his first Tour stage

Photo: AP

Like Water For Yellow

You would be hard pressed to find anyone who had singled out German Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) as a pre-race favorite going into today’s Stage 4 Individual Time Trial in Cholet.

Yet, there was the Gerolsteiner rider flowing as fluidly as the water of his team’s sponsor.

Known less for his time trialing skills, though he did win the ITT during Tirreno-Adriatico last year, Schumacher clocked the fastest time at every intermediate check point on his way to covering the 29.5 km out-and-back course in a sterling 35:44.

"A lot of guys told me this circuit was good for me because it's really up and down, not too flat. And the distance, between 20 and 30 km is good for me," said Schumacher afterward.

For his effort, Schumacher claimed the maillot jaune and the overall lead.

Results
1 Stefan Schumacher (Ger) Gerolsteiner
2 Kim Kirchen (Lux) Team Columbia
3 David Millar (GBr) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30


Bending But Not Breaking
The first true test for the contenders to the overall crown brought few surprises.

Using the odds-on favorite Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) as the measuring stick, both Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d’Epargne) and Damiano Cunego (Lampre) were able to limit their loses. Each now knows the work that is before them. If either wants a realistic chance of reaching the top step on the Paris podium, they must attack in the upcoming mountain stages to create a sizable time buffer before the final ITT.

But perhaps the most dangerous threat to Evans lies in front of him in the form of Kim Kirchen (Team Columbia). Kirchen, a more than adept climber, has shown his form early on in this race. If he is still rounding out into form, as most riders going into a three week race are apt to do, or if he can maintain his current form, the strength of Team Columbia will make Kirchen incredibly tough to beat.

Overall Through Stage 4
1 Stefan Schumacher (Ger) Gerolsteiner
2 Kim Kirchen (Lux) Team Columbia
3 David Millar (GBr) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30
4 Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence-Lotto
5 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC - Saxo Bank
6 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30
7 George Hincapie (USA) Team Columbia
8 Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Team Columbia
9 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas
10 José Iván Gutierrez (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne


American [Team] In Paris?
Don’t look now my European brethren but the historic entry of two American teams in the Tour de France may yield another American victory in the team classification, as Garmin-Chipotle presented by H30 and Team Columbia are currently running one-two in that category.

Next: Stage 5 - Wednesday, July 9 - Cholet – Châteauroux (232km).


More:
International Herald Tribune - Stefan Schumacher wins Tour de France time trial
Cyclingnews - Schumacher's stage victory garners yellow
Velonews - Schumacher has his own out-of-competition positive to explain

Photo: Pascal Pavani/Getty Images

Up Close And Personal

In May, Tour of ’03 featured the story of Rob Mackey, a 41-year-old Web journalist and novice cyclist who signed up to ride L'Etape du Tour, the single-stage (Stage 10, from Pau to the Hautacaum and over the Tourmalet) of the Tour de France open to amateurs on Sunday July 6 .

He has been chronicling his adventures, The Climb, for the New York Times’ Play Magazine.

Rob completed the “105 soggy miles from Pau to Hautacam, along the route of next week’s 10th stage of the Tour de France, up four climbs, two rated third-category in degree of difficulty and two rated “beyond category,” in 8 hours 5 minutes — which officially placed him 3182nd out of more than 7,500 cyclists who started the race, and 961st in his age group.

READ more…

All Aboard!
For those with a little less sanity or who slant to the more extreme, I have been following "The Crazy Bet" laid down among John Bradley (Senior Editor, Outside Magazine), Guy Andrews (Editor, Rouleur), Bill Strickland (Editor, Bicycling Magazine), and Simon Richardson (Deputy Editor, Cycling Weekly) through Bradley's Outside Blog.

Attempting to emulate the exploits of Jacques Anquetil,

The Crazy Bet is inspired by the exploits of Jacques Anquetil, the enigmatic French genius who, in May 1965, accomplished an extraordinary feat of cycling endurance. Stung by what he perceived to be the greater popularity of his arch-rival, Raymond Poulidor, Anquetil responded to a challenge from Raphael Geminiani, Directeur Sportif of Anquetil’s St Raphael team, to prove beyond all doubt that he was the superior athlete. At 3pm, on 29th May, Anquetil won the Dauphiné Libéré, a week-long stage race ending in the southern French city of Nîmes. Less than four hours later, having completed several rounds of interviews and the post-race reception, the often controversial Frenchman boarded a plane for a 40-minute flight to Bordeaux. At 1am the following morning, Anquetil lined up for the start of the Bordeaux-Paris, the punishing 557km one-day classic which would end later that morning in the French capital.

The challenge for "The Crazy Bet" riders,

In July 2008, the team of riders brought together by Rapha will attempt to emulate the achievements of ‘Master Jacques’ by taking on the two most demanding amateur road riding challenges in Europe back to back. On Saturday 5th July, the riders will tackle the Marmotte, the 174km sportive which includes the dreaded climbs of the Col de la Croix de Fer, Col du Telegraphe and Col du Galibier.

Riding Independent Fabrication XS bikes and kitted out in Rapha clothing, the team will cross the finishing line on the mighty Alpe d’Huez before boarding a private plane, accompanied by a masseur, and flying to Pau. The following morning, 6th July, they will head out on the Étape du Tour, the 10th stage of this year’s Tour de France, and whose 156 kilometres include the fearsome climbs of the Tourmalet and Hautacam.

Accompanied by dedicated photographers, their weekend of epic riding will be published in the next Rouleur magazine.

Photo: Rob Mackey

The One That Got Away

When a breakaway goes up the road, the peloton plays the dangerous game of “cat and mouse” because the larger group is usually assured of catching the smaller one somewhere, whether it is kilometers or fractions of a meter, before the finish line. A break more often than not gets reeled in.

A successful break, therefore, is the “perfect storm” of cycling. It requires a great deal of guile and bravado, along with a modicum of “suicidal tendency” on the rider’s part, and a forging of temporary alliances strong enough to create the necessary teamwork to stay away and not expend copious amounts of energy in doing so.

A successful breakaway also involves a bit of luck, especially when the peloton is as attentive as it is during the first week of a three week stage race. Although you cannot win a Grand Tour in the first week, you can certainly lose one during that same time frame.

On today’s Stage 3 of the Tour de France from Saint-Malo to Nantes, a day which should have favored the fastmen, a band of four unlikely brothers banded together to create cycling's perfect storm.

Romain Feillu (Agritubel), Will Frischkorn (Garmin-Chipotle), Samuel Dumoulin (Cofidis) and Paolo Longo Borghini (Barloworld) built a lead of over 15 minutes before the peloton decided to reel them in. Aided by a series of crashes and strong winds, the four-man break outlasted the peloton and destroyed any and all hope for a classic field sprint finish.

At the line it was Sammy Dumoulin, a rider known more for his Tour crashes than his exploits, who took the win. If you’ll recall, Dumoulin was caught up in the unfortunate circumstance of running into a dog during the 2004 Tour de France.

Will Frischkorn and Romain Feillu would take second and third respectively.

For Frischkorn, who was recently spotlighted by Bonnie D. Ford on ESPN.com, his effort provided some instant credibility to a Garmin-Chipotle team attempting to grow into a Pro Tour squad, while Feillu earned the maillot jaune and some respect for a French team whose leader and overall hope for a Tour victory has most likely seen his best days already go by him.

Next: Stage 4 - Tuesday, July 8: Cholet - Cholet (ITT), 29.5km. Althought the high mountains still loom in the distance, the Individual Time Trial should help separate the contenders from the pretenders. The flat course should favor a freight train like Fabian Cancellara (CSC-Saxo Bank).



More:
Cyclingnews - French fantasy: Dumoulin with win and Feillu yellow
International Herald Tribune - Samuel Dumoulin stays on course in 3rd stage of Tour de France
Velonews - Tour de France stage 3: Will Frischkorn gets on the podium

Photo: AP

Cyclist Village Follows The High Road Through France

Social-networking platform to document Team Columbia's Tour de France trek

With all eyes focused on France this month for one of the greatest annual events in all of sports, new social-networking platform Cyclist Village (www.cyclistvillage.com) will take cycling fans behind the scenes to get a unique view into the three-week road show known as the Tour de France when they accompany Team Columbia, the American squad owned and operated by High Road Sports, Inc., formerly known as Team High Road and now sponsored by the Columbia Sportswear Company. Coverage of the endurance spectacle will begin airing on the Cyclist Village site Saturday, July 5 when the 21-stage, 2,212-mile/3,560-km bicycle race gets underway in Brest and finishes July 27 in Paris on the Champs-Elysees. The Cyclist Village branded segments will also available for viewing on the Team Columbia site (www.highroadsports.com ) and on the Columbia Sportswear Company’s site (www.columbia.com).

Cyclist Village co-founder Jim Fryer, said, "We are thrilled to be partnering with Team Columbia to give viewers - both die-hard cycling enthusiasts and those who only tune into the sport in July - a comprehensive look backstage at arguably the toughest and most prestigious event in all of sports. Our crew will take you into the Team Columbia camp to tell the intriguing stories behind the riders, directors, mechanics, soigneurs and staff. We'll document how the athletes and organization prepare, race, recover and travel throughout the entire race."

"Our daily video clips will chronicle from start to finish the captivating journey of Team Columbia on cycling's grandest stage. The team is allowing Cyclist Village the opportunity to follow their every move to provide fans with a clear view into the inner workings of one of professional cycling's top teams. Team Columbia has it all as they are a truly international squad comprised of seasoned Tour de France veterans like captain George Hincapie (the American is making his 13th start and was a member of eight winning Tour de France teams), general classification favorite Kim Kirchen (from Luxembourg who placed 7th GC at the 2007 Tour de France), fiery sprint sensation Mark Cavendish (the young man from Great Britain will be battling for stage wins and the points competition jersey), climbing phenom Kanstantsin Sivtsov (winner of the 2008 Tour de Georgia from Belarus) and riders making their Tour de France debut like 21-year-old sprinter Gerald Ciolek (Germany). It should be a fascinating series that will let viewers see what it really takes to compete in this grueling sports monument that tests the physical and mental fortitude of the athletes," stated Marty Church, co-founder of Cyclist Village.

Launched last month, Cyclist Village is a social-networking platform that connects all things cycling on a global scale. It is an alluring multidimensional site that attracts an array of cyclists, including road, track, mountain, fixed gear and BMX riders. Cyclist Village is a comprehensive tool that houses individual and group socializing, email, an event calendar, forums, classified listings, blogs, contests, files, photos and a video vault. The video vault consists of user-generated content and the best video clips gleaned from the web along with premium original packages professionally produced under the Cyclist Village TV banner. The menu offers highlights from major races, rider interviews, product reviews, and behind the scenes segments hosted by Tour de France veteran Frankie Andreu and former World Champion Mari Holden. The site also showcases exclusive content from Garmin-Chipotle team captain Christian Vande Velde and other notable professional cyclists such as Katharine Carroll of Aaron’s Pro Cycling Team.

Field Hushed

Striking with a deafening silence befitting his namesake, Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) asserted his dominance like the Norse god of thunder over the field in the sprint for Stage 2 of the Tour de France.

On a day where another break went up the road only to get swarmed over by the on-rushing peloton, another uphill finish, this one in Saint Brieuc, would once again cause considerable havoc not only to the classic sprinters but also to the entire field.

Only the truly strong and most attentive would play into the finale as a crash in the final 3kms of Stage 2 divided the peloton into three groups. A former winner of the maillot vert, Hushovd was already well up the road to take the sprint ahead of Kim Kirchen (Columbia) and teammate Gerald Ciolek.

Kirchen took over the points classification and received the green jersey for his strong finishes during the first two stages.

Results
1 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole
2 Kim Kirchen (Lux) Team Columbia
3 Gerald Ciolek (Ger) Team Columbia

Overall
1 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
2 Kim Kirchen (Lux) Team Columbia
3 Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Rabobank
4 Juan Jose Cobo Acebo (Spa) Saunier Duval - Scott
5 Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence - Lotto
6 Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Bouygues Telecom
7 David Millar (GBr) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30
8 Riccardo Riccò (Ita) Saunier Duval - Scott
9 Frank Schleck (Lux) Team CSC - Saxo Bank
10 Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Liquigas

Winners and Losers
With the unveiling of new sponsors and new kits only a few days before the start of the Tour de France, it has taken some time for the new look of Garmin - Chipotle and Team Columbia to sink in.

I have to say that I might have been a little tardy in returning a verdict, partly because it has been difficult to get a really good look at Team Columbia's kit on the actual riders, but this is one decision that didn't require much deliberation. Garmin - Chipotle has done a superb job in their re-design, while I'm left wondering whether the riders of Team Columbia aren't all Belgian National Champions, in the classical sense (see top and compare to inset).

Grandest Stage Equals Greatest Marketing Exposure
Much like the advertisers during the Super Bowl, bicycle and product manufacturers use the three weeks of the Tour de France to get some air time for their new wares. We have already mentioned the new paint job on the Pinarello of Spanish National Champion, Alejandro Valverde, but as Velonews' Matt Pacocha found out, the bike is even more beautiful up close.

The signature Oakley frames that have seemingly become synonymous with George Hincapie, the Race Jacket has finally been updated. Much like the M Frames, which were updated to the Radar, the Race Jacket looks to be a hybrid of the Straight Jacket and the Juliet. Once again, Velonews' Matt Pacocha has the story and a few pictures.

Next: Stage 3 - Monday, July 7 - Saint-Malo – Nantes (208km) - A classic sprinters stage with no classified mountains and a flat run up to the finishing line.

More:
Cyclingnews - Thor thunders to sixth tour stage win
Velonews - Tour de France stage 2: Hushovd gets the win
New York Times - French Riders Stir Fans Before a Norwegian Wins

Photo: AP (top)

USWCDP and Giant for Women Scholarship Bikes to Alicia Pastore

The US Women's Cycling Development Program announces the latest recipient of scholarship bikes to Alicia Pastore of Durango, Colorado. Besides all of Alicia's accomplishments on the road and mountain bike competing in the junior expert division as a 14 year old, she was also the the top J2 girl in Nordic skiing in the Rocky Mountain Division and is a two time All - American at the Junior Olympics. Alicia is also a 3.8 Honor Roll student at Durango High School.

Director of the USWCDP Michael Engleman commented on the recent scholarship, "As the USWCDP network has grown we have seen the value in not just finding young talent and helping to develop their athletic potential, but also to promote the stories of these women in all their endeavors. These athletes will stand on a lot of podiums and they will have all sorts of company logos on their jerseys when they do but they will also run companies and contribute to the success of many a cause. Alicia and the rest of the Pastore family is a perfect example of the sort of team it takes to create valuable citizens of the world as well as world class athletes. While we have proven ourselves very good at finding talent and helping to develop it to the National and International level, we always wish we could do more so with the help of our supporters like Giant for Women, Time Sport USA, Aerus Composites and Hutchinson Tires and all the women of cycling we are at least able to give a few bikes out as scholarship to deserving riders."

The valued relationship between the program and Giant for Women is something the two programs are looking to develop even further for future riders. The Giant for Women manager Tiffany Brown stated, "Giant for Women is thrilled to be able to support and partner with the USWCDP! Both of our programs are about giving women more opportunities, education, and assistance, whether they are just starting to ride, or like Alicia, developing into world-class riders. We are looking forward to helping develop a whole new generation of racers."


For more information on the USWCDP visit us online at www.uswcdp.org, Giant for Women www.giantforwomen.com.

Photos: Karen Webster (top - Alicia with her Giants; bottom - Michael Engleman and Alicia); Jeanne Pastore (middle - Alicia at Junior Olympics in Anchorage, AK)

Green With Envy

Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) lived up to his nickname, "Bala Verde" or "The Green Bullet," as he shot passed the competition in the final kilometers of today's Tour de France - Stage 1 from Brest to Plumelec.

After the peloton had reeled in the main break of day, it would be the parcours that would factor in to the ultimate selection. After traversing the bulk of the 197.5 km route, an uphill finish in Plumelec would benefit the sprinter/climber normally favored for the Classics such as Fleche Wallone or Liege-Bastonge-Liege.

With 1 km to go, the first significant move was launched by Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner). Kim Kirchen (Columbia), whose team did a yeoman's effort to chase down the remnants of the break, quickly countered. With a sizable gap, Kirchen's victory looked certain.

But with approximately 200m to the line, Valverde, resplendent in a new red and yellow paint job to his Pinarello to signify his recent victory in Spain's National Campionship, put forth a massive effort to close on Kirchen and shoot passed the Luxembourgish rider.

As one of the favorites for the overall, the yellow paint on Valverde's bike may just be enough of a harbinger as the current Dauphine Libere champion gets set to defend the maillot jaune.

Results
1 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
2 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Française des Jeux
3 Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Bouygues Telecom
4 Kim Kirchen (Lux) Team Columbia
5 Riccardo Riccò (Ita) Saunier Duval - Scott
6 Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence - Lotto
7 Frank Schleck (Lux) Team CSC - Saxo Bank
8 Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Liquigas
9 Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Rabobank
10 Oscar Pereiro Sio (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne

Over Before It Began
Lady luck wasn't smiling on Hervé Duclos-Lassalle (Cofidis) whose Tour was over before it began. The son of former Paris-Roubaix winner Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle, Hervé crashed out of the race at the feeding station.

Next:
Stage 2 - Sunday, July 6: Auray - Saint Brieuc, 164.5km

More:
NY Times - For Valverde, A Blue Sky, A Yellow Shirt
Velonews - 2008 Tour de France: Valverde leaps uphill to stage win and yellow jersey
International Herald Tribune - 'Why not first?': Spain's Valverde eyes top prize at Tour de France

Team Type 1’s Chadwick Earns Olympic Team Berth

New Zealand — From hospital bed to Beijing.

That’s the story of the season for Team Type 1’s Glen Chadwick, who will represent New Zealand next month at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

The accomplishment is remarkable considering the 31-year-old was hospitalized for several weeks in February after doctors discovered he had the Epstein-Barr virus in his spine. The virus causes mononucleosis and Chadwick apparently had been showing effects of the disease since last December without knowing it.

Chadwick becomes the second bicycle racer from Team Type 1 to earn a trip to the Olympics. Moises Aldape learned last month that he will represent Mexico.

“It sure does feel awesome to become an Olympian,” Chadwick said. “I have represented New Zealand at the world championships before, but this is a sportman’s dream. It comes once every four years, so there are fewer chances to go.”

Joining Chadwick on the Kiwi road team will be Tim Gudsell (Française des Jeux) and Julian Dean (Garmin-Chipotle presented by H30). At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Dean finished 15th. New Zealand's best finish in the Olympic road race is fourth place by Bruce Biddle in Munich in 1972.

Team Type 1 Sport Director Ed Beamon said Chadwick will work unselfishly for Dean, much like he has this season – and under Beamon’s previous squad, Navigators Insurance.

“It’s a tribute to Glen’s individual ability and his teamwork ability that he got the selection,” Beamon said. “I can’t think of a guy who would be a better teammate than Glen. From our perspective, he’s been one of those guys who has done an incredible amount of work for the team.”

Chadwick has experienced his own success this season, winning two stages and the overall title at the inaugural Tour of Arkansas in May. In 2007, he was New Zealand’s national time trial champion.

The Games of the XXIX Olympiad begin Aug. 8.

Team Type 1's Ian MacGregor Wins Stage 2 At Fitchburg; Cheatley Leads Women

Fitchburg, Mass. — Ian MacGregor scored his first win of the season and Shawn Milne earned the points jersey as Team Type 1 figured prominently on Stage 2 of the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic Friday.

MacGregor won the summit finish of the 104-mile (167 km) Wachusett Mountain Road Race ahead of Kyle Wamsley (Colavita-Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light) and Ted King (Bissell Pro Cycling). The victory was MacGregor’s first since he captured the fifth stage of the Tour de Beauce a year ago.

It was the 15th win of the season for Team Type 1, a first-year professional squad whose mission and message is to inspire people living with diabetes to take a proactive approach to managing their health. Four riders on the pro team have Type 1 diabetes.

Milne earned himself a sizeable lead in the points competition by escaping the 139-rider field with Stefan Rothe (Marx & Bensdorf/Tristar). The pair built up a more than five-minute lead before Rothe suffered a flat tire. Milne soldiered on alone, but was caught by the peloton after more than 55 miles (88 km) of freedom.

Team Type 1 Sport Director Ed Beamon said a long breakaway wasn’t part of the pre-race plan for Milne, who won this race two years ago.


“We said if there was a three or four-man breakaway, we weren’t going to work it very hard because it’s so hard for a small group to stay away,” Beamon said. “But the field lacked cooperation and only two teams, Colavita and Bissell, were doing the chasing. I knew it was going to be suicide for Shawn to win the stage, but it gave him a 90-point cushion on the points jersey.”

Less than half the field remained together on the final lap of nine of a hilly, 11.5-mile circuit that preceded a 1.5-mile (3 km) climb to the finish at the Wachusett Mountain ski resort. Attacks launched by Team Type 1’s Daniel Holt and Jesse Anthony trimmed that number down to fewer than 50 as the final ascent began.

“We went into the stage today to set either Ian or Chris (Jones) up for the win,” Beamon said. “It’s awesome that Ian won because most of the time he’s been racing with the stage crew squad in a worker capacity. So it was really good to see him step up and deliver.”

With two stages of the four-day race remaining, Jones is Team Type 1’s best-placed rider overall, 19 seconds behind Wamsley, who assumed the race lead from Jonathan Chodroff (CRCA/Empire Cycling Team). Justin Spinelli (Kelly Benefit Strategies presented by Medifast) is second, five seconds back, while King is third, seven seconds behind.

Team Type 1’s Jesse Anthony, who had the best performance of the squad in Thursday’s Best Western Royal Plaza/Rindge Road Time Trial, is ninth overall, 37 seconds behind. MacGregor climbed from 48th to 13th and is 55 seconds back.

Saturday’s stage is the 75-mile Fitchburg State College Circuit Race, followed by the Workers’ Credit Union Downtown Criterium on Sunday.

Cheatley Leads The Way
Taking second in the Stage 1 time trial, Cheerwine's Catherine Cheatley demonstrated her all-round skills by taking the victory in the Wachusett Mountain Road Race on Friday.

Results
1 CHEATLEY, Catherine Cheerwine Cycling
2 MCGRATH, Kristin Colavita/Sutter Home p/b Cooking Light
3 BILLINGTON, Kathleen CONNECTICUT COAST CYCLING
4 DVORAK, Andrea Colavita/Sutter Home p/b Cooking Light
5 Mayolo-Pic, Tina Colavita/Sutter Home p/b Cooking Light

Photo: Kurt Jambretz

Faceless Tour

Is it the clothes that makes the man, or the man that makes the clothes? Is it the rider that make the race, or the race that makes the rider?

Somewhere in the history of cycling, when the decision was made to market the sport to a global and more generalized audience, the emphasis switched from touting the actual races to the individual riders.

Although doping was in the sport well before this marketing push, riders [and their teams] seemingly became more creative in their attempts to vie for that center of attention. As a result, the sport of cycling has seen unprecedented growth, but it has also lost sight of one of the basic tenets of all sport, individuals come and go but the events and the sport continue to move forward.

Given the current state of cycling, it is perhaps fitting then that cycling publications and media outlets alike have chosen to market the sport's biggest race merely by one of its signatures, the color of the maillot jaune. Of all the publications currently on the newsstands, only one has a rider's image on its cover. But even Road Bike Action does not directly refer to Cadel Evans' chances or likelihood of becoming the next Tour champion in its Tour preview, only that he is a SRAM Red user.


Perhaps the most striking marketing campaign and commercial for this new faceless Tour comes from the very face of it television coverage, the Versus channel. Their current Tour de France URL reads, www.takebackthetour.com, where its home page challenges you to join up and re-seize the grandeur of the Grand Boucle.


The funny thing is, the Tour has always been grand, but those who have been packaging it recently have chosen instead to make its riders bigger than the race and the sport itself.

The Contenders
Most publications and pundits would have you believe that with the exclusion of Astana, and therefore the absence of last year's first and third place finishers, that the line of succession begins and ends with Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto), who finished in second in 2007.

Although he is the most likely choice for victory in 2008, this Tour is very much wide open.

Another year has brought experience and confidence to a host of riders who have previously tackled the Tour. The CSC trio of Carlos Sastre, and Frank and Andy Schleck should prove formidable and provide enough headaches for those team leaders looking to mark any of them over the three week race, while riders like Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne), Damiano Cunego (Lampre), Kim Kirchen (Columbia), Stijn Devolder (Quick Step - Innergetic), Denis Menchov (Rabobank), and Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Chipotle) have more than legitimate puncher's chance to fight themselves on to the top spot in Paris.

In addition, all of the men mentioned above have raced and measured each other enough times that none is truly fearful of each other's skill set.

The Johnny's
Maillot Vert (Points Jersey) - The exclusion of Tom Boonen (Quick Step - Innergetic) also makes this a wide open affair.

Could this be teammate Gert Steegmans' Wally Pipp moment?

Perhaps, but Boonen's exlcusion may also mean that Thor Hushovd (Credit-Agricole), Robbie McEwen (Silence-Lotto), Erik Zabel (Milram), and Baden Cooke (Barloworld) may have an easier time in winning their next Maillot Vert.

If you're a betting person or a fantasy cycling player, be leery of picking riders who may be eyeing gold in Beijing rather than green in Paris.

Maillot a Pois Rouge (KOM) - The line really does begin and end with Mauricio Soler (Barloworld) in this category. Even with the exploits of the tainted Michael Rasmussen in last year's race, Soler proved he could climb [and out-climb] any one in the field on any given day.

Maillot Blanc (Best Young Rider) - Given to the best rider under the age of 25, this jersey has usually gone to the best young climber. Look for CSC's Andy Schleck or Caisse d'Epargne's Luis Leon Sanchez to take this prize.

Pools
If you've played in a Fantasy league in any other sport or think you know cycling, then head on over to these two sites and beginning managing your team to victory today.

ProBikePool
Performance Bike Fantasy

On Tap...

Le Tour
The three week sojourn of 21 stages and 3,500 km kicks off tomorrow, July 5th, with the 197.5 km Stage 1 from Brest to Plumelec.

Schedule
Stage 1 - Saturday, July 5 - Brest – Plumelec (197.5km)
Stage 2 - Sunday, July 6 - Auray - Saint Brieuc (164.5km)
Stage 3 - Monday, July 7 - Saint-Malo – Nantes (208km)
Stage 4 - Tuesday, July 8 - Cholet - Cholet - ITT (29.5km)
Stage 5 - Wednesday, July 9 - Cholet – Châteauroux (232km)
Stage 6 - Thursday, July 10 - Aigurande - Super Besse (195.5km)
Stage 7 - Friday, July 11 - Brioude – Aurillac (159km)
Stage 8 - Saturday, July 12 - Figeac – Toulouse (172.5km)
Stage 9 - Sunday, July 13 - Toulouse - Bagnères de Bigorre (224km)
Stage 10 - Monday, July 14 - Pau – Hautacam (156km)
Rest Day 1 - Tuesday, July 15 - Pau
Stage 11 - Wednesday, July 16 - Lannemezan – Foix (167.5km)
Stage 12 - Thursday, July 17 - Lavelanet – Narbonne (168.5km)
Stage 13 - Friday, July 18 - Narbonne – Nîmes (182km)
Stage 14 - Saturday, July 19 - Nîmes - Digne les Bains (194.5km)
Stage 15 - Sunday, July 20 - Embrun - Prato Nevoso (183km)
Rest Day 2 - Monday, July 21 - Cuneo
Stage 16 - Tuesday, July 22 - Cuneo – Jausiers (157km)
Stage 17 - Wednesday, July 23 - Embrun - L'Alpe d'Huez (210.5km)
Stage 18 - Thursday, July 24 - Bourg d'Oisans - Saint Étienne (196.5km)
Stage 19 - Friday, July 25 - Roanne – Montluçon (165.5km)
Stage 20 - Saturday, July 26 - Cérilly - Saint Amand Montrond - ITT (53km)
Stage 21 - Sunday, July 27 - Étampes - Paris/Champs Élysées (143km)

You can catch it all on the Versus channel. Coverage begins at 8AM.

Statesides
The Fitchburg Longsjo Classic is on NRC schedule for this weekend.

One of America's oldest and largest pro/am races, Fitchburg Longsjo began yesterday, July 3rd, with the 6.55 mi Best Western Royal Plaza/Rindge Road Time Trial.

Proving she is more than just one of the top sprinters in the world, the 44-year old Laura Van Gilder (Cheerwine) came in fourth on the day behind a pair of teammates, Stacy Marple and Catherine Cheatley, and Colavita's Kristin McGrath.

Women's Results
1 MCGRATH, Kristin Colavita/Sutter Home p/b Cooking Light
2 CHEATLEY, Catherine Cheerwine Cycling
3 MARPLE, Stacy Cheerwine Cycling
4 VAN GILDER, Laura Cheerwine Cycling
5 FARINA, Robin Cheerwine Cycling

Men's Results
1 CHODROFF, Jonathan CRCA/Empire Cycling Team
2 HOWARD, Graham Bissell Pro Cycling Team
3 AMARAN, Luis Colavita Sutter Home p/b Cooking Light
4 SPINELLI, Justin KBS/Medifast Pro Cycling Team
5 TALANSKY, Andrew Toshiba-Santo p/b Herbalife

New England's premier race continued today with the 11.4 mile Wachusett Mountain Road Race and concludes on Sunday.

Schedule
July 5, 2008 Fitchburg State College Circuit Race
July 6, 2008 Workers’ Credit Union Downtown Criterium

The Iron Hill Twilight Criterium takes center stage in the USA Crits series this Saturday, July 5th.

The downtown streets of West Chester, Pennsylvania should be buzzing with the races beginning at the intersection of Gay and High Streets, the home of title sponsor Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant.

Local Flavors
For races in or around specific areas of the country, consult the listings below.

07/04/2008
Barkett Allen Criterium
Roanoke, VA
Davis 4th of July Criterium
Davis, CA
NSA-Track UIV 3 Day
Rochester Hills, MI

07/05/2008
Leesville Gap Road Race
Williams, CA
Ed Peters Memorial Masters - Criterium
Bethlehem Township, PA
Whitewater Race Days
Whitewater, WI
Ironhill Twilight Criterium
West Chester, PA
Carilion Clinic-Mill Mtn TT
Roanoke, VA

07/06/2008
Vacaville Gran Prix
Vacaville, CA
Ed Peters Memorial Masters - Circuit Race
Center Valley, PA
The Paramount Racing Criterium
Carson, CA
Team Dayton Renaissance Festival Classic
Wilmington, OH
Barkett Allen Criterium
Blacksburg, VA

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


Up The Road
07/11/2008
The Piedmont Triad Omnium
Lexington, NC
SuperWeek Pro Tour - International Cycling Classic
WI & IL

07/12/2008
Shreve Chiropractic Cycling Challenge
Shreve, OH
Omaha Cycling Weekend
Papillion & Omaha, NE
Porcupine Hill Climb
Salt Lake City, UT
UMPC TT and Community Cycling Day at the Track
Pittsburgh, PA
Charles Kulp Memorial Race #1
Indianapolis, IN
Coyote Creek Circuit Race
San Jose, CA
Peiffer Hill Road Race (TM)
Stevens, PA
Illinois State Junior Track Championships
Northbrook, IL

07/13/2008
Oley Valley Junior Road Race
Oley, PA
JBN Bicycle Race
Bethlehem, PA
Chicago Time Trial Series-Hampshire Time Trial
Hampshire, IL
Lafayette Criterium
Lafayette, CA
Junior Omniums
Carson, CA

Independence Day - Rewind

The "Big Blue Train" of US Postal is arguably the greatest team in cycling history. Though Lance Armstrong was showered with all the accolades for having won the Tour de France a staggering 7 times, he would be the first to say that none of it was possible without the great riders that shepherded him to those victories.

In celebration of the Independence Day holiday, I thought it fitting to rewind the clock a bit with this video that celebrates the concept that helped forge our great country, teamwork, in the cycling discipline that exemplifies it the most, the Team Time Trial.

Last Call

Floyd Landis' appeal to the Court of Arbitration on Sport (CAS) literally fell on deaf ears. The court summarily dismissed his case by a 3-0 ruling.

From the Huffington Post:

In its 58-page decision, the panel at sports' highest court said the French lab that analyzed Landis' positive test results followed international standards, disagreeing with one of Landis' key accusations.

Much like the arbitration panel that ruled on this case before, CAS conceded the lab used some "less than ideal laboratory practices, but not lies, fraud, forgery or cover-ups," the way the Landis camp had alleged.

In the end, the panel saved its harshest criticism for the 32-year-old cyclist from Murrieta, Calif. CAS said his lawyers tried to muddle the evidence and embarrass the French lab, and continued on that course even after the evidence was shown not to exist.

The strategy continued all the way through the closing briefs.

"The Panel has found no evidence at all to sustain any of these serious allegations," the decision read. "Moreover, the Panel is surprised that such serious allegations should be pursued in the closing brief when it must have been clear at the end of the hearing that there was no evidential basis from expert testimony or otherwise to support them."

Though a saddened Landis has signaled that he may still pursue some other legal avenues, this ruling was effectively his "last call."

The sport of cycling has rung the bell, turned off the light, and asked Landis to leave.

Although his 2-year suspension ends in January of 2009, Landis' future in cycling will most likely resemble that of Oscar Sevilla, Tyler Hamilton, or Santiago Botero, which is to say that he won't be given the opportunity to race in the most prestigious races ever again.

There will be no story of vindication at the Tour de France.

The 32-year old will still be able to race, but after this soul-sucking ordeal will he want to.

Bonnie D. Ford (ESPN.com) - Landis May Not Race Again, But He's Not Done Fighting
Cyclingnews - Suh Disappointed With Landis Outcome; CAS delivers final blow to Landis legal challenge
Velonews - Landis Loses CAS Appeal

Triple Crankset Coverage/Reaction During The Landis Ordeal

• Railroaded
• 7 Days in May
• The Ballad of Nell
• Day 1: The Floyd Landis Hearing
• Hear Ye, Hear Ye
• Ranting His Head Off
• With Friends Like...
• Worth His Weight In...
• Bad Boy Floyd Could Testify Saturday
• Landis: 'It wouldn't serve any purpose for me to cheat and win the Tour, because I wouldn't be proud of it.
• Hero
• Goat?
• Day 7: The Floyd Landis Hearing
• Day 8: The Floyd Landis Hearing
• Its Officially Bad Boy Floyd Now
• Baffled
• The Winner and Now Champion
  
• The Appeal