Measured Redemption, Scarponi Solos- Stage 6 Giro d'Italia Centoanni

Michele Scarponi (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli ) took the victory in Stage 6 of the 100th Giro d'Italia well ahead of Team Columbia - Highroad's Edvald Boasson Hagen and a rejuvenated Allan Davis (Quick Step).

But seeing Scarponi cross the finish line to take the monstrously long stage into Austria was somewhat bittersweet. The self-confessed client of Operacion Puerto's Dr. Fuentes, Scarponi had just accomplished what few ever had; made it all the way back from the required two year doping suspension to not only compete at the highest level of cycling but also to take a stage in one of it's greatest races.

But that, unfortunately, is the current and confusing nature of our sport. Life, is at best gray. But, the introduction of performance enhancers in sport has shown us that even gray has different shades. Why are Alessandro Petacchi's recent victories extolled, while Scarponi's win begs for further investigation?

Scarponi's victory should be viewed as a sort of redemption, but because of the rampant and varying degrees by which riders have attempted to cheat in cycling's past, we, as fans, are left in a state of ambiguity, deciphering who to believe in and when to believe in them. Superlatives, once thrown out with excited regularity, now should be withheld until further testing.

Results
1. Michele Scarponi (Ita) Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli
2. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Team Columbia - Highroad
3. Allan Davis (Aus) Quick Step

General Classification After Stage 6
1. Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini
2. Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Team Columbia - Highroad
3. Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad
4. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana
5. Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank
6. Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas
7. Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team
8. Christopher Horner (USA) Astana
9. Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas
10. David Arroyo (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne

Next: Stage 7 - Innsbruck (Aut) - Chiavenna, 244km
On a stage that began in the Austrian town that twice hosted the Winter Olympic Games, it was only fitting for a Scandinavian to take the win.

Russian Roulette - Stage 5 Giro d'Italia Centoanni

Denis Menchov (Rabobank) would lead a host of favorites to the finish line at the Alpe di Siusi in taking the Stage 5 victory of the 100th Giro d'Italia. Both Danilo Di Luca (LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini), and Thomas Lövkvist (Team Columbia - Highroad) would confirm their form and their place among the favorites to win this year's race by coming in second and third, respectively on the day.

The 31-year old Russian, an all-rounder who climbs and time trials well, is a perennial favorite to win any of the grand tour races. But for the most part, his accomplishments have largely gone unnoticed. A legitimate two-time winner of the Vuelta a España, the Rabobank leader often gets slotted into the second tier of favorites when the Tour de France rolls around. Depending on his season's goals and aspirations, Menchov possesses enough talent and determination to take the trophy in Rome. If, however, his eyes are on the Tour, then his name will slide quickly down the General Classification.

Results
1. Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank
2. Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini
3. Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Team Columbia - Highroad

As a result of his second place finish, Danilo DiLuca pulled on the maglia rosa for the first time this year.

General Classification After Stage 5
1. Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini
2. Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Team Columbia - Highroad
3. Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad
4. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana
5. Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank
6. Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas
7. Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team
8. Christopher Horner (USA) Astana
9. Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas
10. David Arroyo (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne

What's In A Name
For the boys of Astana, the name on the front of the jersey has nothing to do with the names on the back (that is if cyclists had their last names printed on their backs to identify themselves). In solidarity and in a sign of protest for not being paid for the better part of this year's cycling season, the entire Astana team rode the stage sans their main sponsor's logo anywhere on their person.

The missing payments could have serious implications for the team moving forward on the season as the UCI has suspended teams with unstable management in the past. I doubt anything or anyone could prevent arguably the greatest assembled stage race team from competing in the Tour de France and beyond, but a May 31st deadline for the riders to receive some payment looms large.

Most likely, another as yet to be named sponsor(s) will keep Armstrong, Contador, and Leipheimer riding well into the 2009 season.

Next: Stage 6 - Bressanone/Brixen - Mayrhofen (Aut), 248km
A monster of a stage in length looked to produce another sprint finish, but several riders had other thoughts in mind.

The Italian Job, Killer Makes Three - Stage 4 Giro d'Italia

Lance Armstrong once said that in order to win a race one must eventually come to the table and slam down their fist. Although the 100th Giro d'Italia was only 4 days old, "Il Killer di Spoltore," the cold-blooded killer, Danilo DiLuca (LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini) came to the table on Stage 4 and clearly made his intentions known. His victory made it three in a row for the LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini team.

The 2007 Giro d'Italia champion seemed to capture the hearts and minds of his competitors with his relentless attacking style on the first mountain stage of this year's Giro. He would lead an Italian sweep of the podium with Stefano Garzelli (Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo) coming in second, and Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas) taking third.

When DiLuca is on form, his accelerations on the slopes are as deadly has his teammate's, Alessandro Petacchi, are on the flats. If there were any questions as to whether DiLuca was a serious contender to win the Giro, he certainly dispelled any such notion.

Results
1. Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini
2. Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo
3. Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas

Despite a resounding victory, DiLuca would slot into second on the General Classification with Thomas Lövkvist being the latest Columbia rider to benefit from their sterling Team Time Trial ride.

General Classification After Stage 4
1. Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Team Columbia - Highroad
2. Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini
3. Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad
4. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Astana
5. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana
6. Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana
7. Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas
8. Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C.
9. Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C.
10. Carlos Sastre (Spa) Cervelo Test Team

Next: Stage 5 - San Martino Di Castrozza - Alpe di Siusi, 125 km
Another day in the mountains brought out some of the other favorites who either held something back on Stage 4 or are still working themselves into form.

Return Flight, Ale-Jet Doubles - Stage 3 Giro d'Italia Centoanni

As if to prove his Stage 2 victory was no fluke, Alessandro Petacchi (LPR Brakes-Farnese Vini) once again showed the way to the finish line at the 100th Giro d'Italia. His victory marked his 21st (five stage wins from the 2007 Giro d'Italia were forfeited due to a non-negative for the asthma medicine, Salbutamol) Giro d'Italia career win.

Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Slipstream) and Francesco Gavazzi (Lampre - NGC) would round out the day's podium.

In this hypersensitive world of doping and discovering the next drug cheat, it would be easy to dismiss the recent accomplishments of the man known as Ale-Jet simply as a result of his return to or use of a new and undetectable performance enhancer; once a drug cheat always a drug cheat. And while my own views on the subject have definitely hardened over the years because of the never ending cavalcade of doping news stories, it would be equally unjust not to give credit when credit is due.

Peatcchi's back-to-back victories signal a return to a previous version of his dominant self. Now whether it is good enough to elevate him back into the pantheon of the greatest sprinters ever remains to be seen. In his time away from the spotlight, younger riders have amply picked up the speed mantle and delivered it with impressive results. But like his predecessor, Mario Cipollini, it would be a great mistake to underestimate Petacchi's sprinting prowess in the grand tour he has virtually owned.

Results
1. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) LPR Brakes-Farnese Vini
2. Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - Slipstream
3. Francesco Gavazzi (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C.

General Classification After Stage 3
1. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini
2. Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - Slipstream
3. Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad
4. Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Team Columbia - Highroad
5. Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana
6. Danilo Di Luca (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini
7. Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr) Astana
8. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana
9. Andriy Grivko (Ukr) ISD
10. Francesco Gavazzi (Ita) Lampre - N.G.C.

Next: Stage 4 - Padova - San Martino di Castrozza, 162km
The Giro d'Italia has played second fiddle to the Tour de France for a number of years, but the organizer's creativeness in choosing the parcours in recent years has certainly brought the race back into the forefront. The first mountain stage comes after only two relatively flat stages.

Ale-Jet, On Time; Cavendish, Delayed - Stage 2 Giro d'Italia Centoanni

Attention, Attention - For those passengers awaiting the return flight of Ale-Jet, Mr. Petacchi has finally arrived at Stage 2 of the 100th Giro d'Italia.

Injuries and a suspension dropped him from cycling’s radar, and subsequently legitimate questions arose as to whether the 35-year-old Ale-Jet would ever regain the form that earned him the distinction of being the fastest man on two wheels.

Utilizing all the mustard and guile reminiscent of another old Italian lion fending off his rivals, Alessandro Petacchi (Brakes - Farnese Vini) defended his arena, where he once won 9 stages in a single year, from the current world’s fastest title holder, Columbia's Mark Cavendish.

Results
1. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini
2. Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team Columbia - Highroad
3. Ben Swift (GBr) Team Katusha

Even with the victory, the General Classification continued to show the previous day's effort in the Team Time Trial.

General Classification After Stage 2
1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team Columbia - Highroad
2. Mark Renshaw (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad
3. Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - Highroad
4. Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Team Columbia - Highroad
5. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Team Columbia - Highroad
6. Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - Slipstream
7. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini
8. Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin - Slipstream
9. Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Garmin - Slipstream
10. Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana

Next: Stage 3 - Grado - Valdobbiadene, 198km
Another flat stage set the way for another bunch sprint.

Team Trial Throwdown - Stage 1 Giro d'Italia Centoanni

On the first rest day of the three week Giro d’Italia, we take a look back at the first nine stages while getting caught up ourselves.

The Giro d’Italia Centoanni, or 100th edition, began on Saturday, May 9th with what is arguably the sport's greatest spectacle, the Team Time Trial.

Much was made of the purported rivalry between the two American based Pro Tour teams, Garmin-Slipstream and Columbia-Highroad, and the “disrespect” Columbia’s Mark Cavendish felt Garmin was showing toward the overall race by placing so much emphasis on the Stage 1 TTT, and surprisingly the actual battle lived up to its hype.

Cavendish and his Columbia-Highroad teammates bested the well-practiced Garmin-Slipstream team by 6 seconds; with Lance Armstrong’s Astana bunch finishing third, 13 seconds back. For his effort and candidness, the team awarded Cavendish with the race’s first Maglia Rosa; his first leader’s jersey.

Rivalries, whether real or media manufactured, are good for any sport because it heightens the level of play. In cycling, there have been some classic rivalries, like Anquetil versus Poulidor, Coppi versus Bartali, and Lemond versus Hinault (which technically didn’t have the longevity of a true rivalry, but deserves mention for its intensity over a three week period), despite the continuous fluidity of rosters. And while it remains difficult to envision the ultra laidback David Zabriskie (Garmin-Chipotle) and the mild mannered George Hincapie (Columbia-Highroad) “going to the mattresses” against each other, the fodder provided us with something we have never before seen in the sport, two American teams legitimately battling for the top spot.

Results
1. Team Columbia - Highroad
2. Garmin - Slipstream 0.06
3. Astana 0.13
4. LPR Brakes - Farnese Vini
5. ISD
6. Team Katusha
7. Rabobank
8. Liquigas
9. Lampre - NGC
10. Team Milram

Next: Stage 2 - Jesolo - Trieste, 156km
An relatively flat profile set up perfectly for a sprinters' showdown.
It's All About The Bike
SCOTT Bicycles launched its brand new Time Trial (TT) creation for Stage 1, the Plasma TT. Though it probably didn't receive the bounce that Trek received with Lance Armstrong's successes, its hard to envision a more perfect debut.

SCOTT dubbed the Plasma TT project as the most advanced R&D project in the bicycle industry to produce the fastest bike the world has yet seen. Judging from the photos below and Columbia-Highroad's victory, its hard to argue their point.


For more information on the making of SCOTT Plasma TT, click on the image below to be taken to a video about the project.

Five Boro Bike Tour

The cycling season means different things to different people. For some it means climbing into a hurt locker to test yourself on the racing circuit or on your next local club ride; but for others it means gearing up for your next century, charity ride, or bike tour.

One bike tour that is fast becoming an annual rite of spring, and not just for the great majority of New Yorkers who participate, is the Five Boro Bike Tour. The 42-mile ride, sponsored this year by TD Bank, was held on Sunday, May 3rd.

Last year, I had the good fortune of participating in this event. And while I wasn't sure what to expect when I signed up, the anticipated adventure quickly turned into a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

New York, NY – An early spring illness placed my participation in jeopardy. But despite a lingering cough and over 600 miles of driving the night before, I was determined to line up with the other 29,999 riders in Lower Manhattan for the start of the 31st edition of the ride, which was then known as the Commerce Bank Five Boro Bike Tour.

Riders were asked to enter the start lineup from Battery Park, at the southern tip of Manhattan, but wily veterans of the ride often bypass all the congestion on Church Street to find other entry points farther along the route. As it was my first Five Boro, I wanted to garner the full experience and entered the lineup as prescribed. After walking and standing with my bike for approximately half an hour, I began to regret my choice of entry point until I realized where I had ambled to, Ground Zero.


The remnants of the previous night's rain had blanketed the area giving it an air of stillness usually reserved for remote areas in nature. At the time of the ride, it had been close to seven years since 9/11, but the area still held its sense of reverence as the thousands of riders waiting to put foot to pedal seemed more like parishioners mulling around the inside of a church. Someday the area may lose its solemnity, but at its current state of perpetual construction Americans will always be reminded of the events that occurred on that fateful day.

Once past Ground Zero, I was finally able to saddle up and ride. I'm not sure whether it was the feeling of finally being unbridled or the sheer fact that I was riding down the middle of New York streets usually inundated by automobile traffic, but the first few yards were simply exhilarating. Up Church Street and the Avenue of the Americas (Sixth Avenue), I rode unabashedly through Midtown Manhattan under a canopy of brick, mortar, and steel provided by the surrounding skyscrapers.

But like all good things coming to an end, gleeful freedom abruptly turned to gridlocked constraint. At the iconic Radio City Music Hall, a massive standstill of riders, a scene that would be replayed multiple times over the day, prevented me from reaching the next destination, Central Park.

Growing impatient to regain my new found freedom, I followed a small subset of riders and did something I had never intentionally done in all my 13 years of riding the streets of Chicago, rode the wrong way against one way traffic. It wasn't the smartest thing to do, but the scene of the Park at full bloom was certainly rewarding.


Out of the park, the Tour traveled "through Harlem and then over to the Bronx and back on bridges spanning the Harlem River." For those looking for a greater sampling of the Bronx or perhaps a spin by Yankee Stadium, this isn't the ride for you. The course description and the corresponding map are truly indicative of the time spent in the Bronx, "over and back." Once back in Manhattan, I headed down the closed off section of the FDR Drive to the first rest stop at 116th Street.

Pedal Partners at Rest: Anne, Rob, Charlotte, and Rose

After a brief respite for a quick accounting of my riding partners, I set off once again down the FDR Drive to the next standstill at the foot of the Queensboro Bridge (the "59th Street Bridge"), which would take me to the third of the five boroughs, Queens. Once in Queens, I came upon the next rest area in Astoria Park. Although I was somewhat surprised to see another rest area so soon, I understood the need of so many riders to once again climb off their bikes and relax. The stress of riding in a pack during a club ride or in a race, which at times can be unnerving for even the most seasoned cyclists, is markedly less than that of riding among a group of cyclists of varying skill sets and road awareness.

After another quick accounting, I headed out of Astoria Park and followed the throng of riders along the East River, which provided views of Wards and Randall's Island, the Manhattan skyline, some of Queen’s industrial neighborhoods, and even Roosevelt Island.

Bypassing the third rest area at the Con Edison Learning Center in Queens, the tour once again began to open up as I crossed over the Pulaski Bridge into Brooklyn. I actually took a spill while riding through the neighborhoods of Greenpoint and Williamsburg as I attempted to stop at a gas station for a nature break. Needless to say, entry ramps fortified by an under layer of steel should not be approached at an angle. Suffering more from embarrassment than any physical damage, I soon reached and bypassed another rest area at Commodore John Barry Park, adjacent to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, before running smack into the Brooklyn Bridge.

After a few photos of the, at then, 125-year old structure, I found myself on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Although the Five Boro’s website stated that the BQE is "miraculously clear of its usual traffic jam on tour day," that descriptor was only partially correct. With temperatures ranging in the high-70s to the mid-80s, the scene of air conditioned passengers comfortably sitting in traffic juxtaposed against a weary, sweaty and sundrenched mob of bicyclists standing and walking with their bikes made the idea of riding on traffic free roads somewhat ironic. Once we were able to get going again, a quick jaunt over the Gowanus Canal and along the South Brooklyn waterfront landed me at the last rest area at John Paul Jones/Cannonball Park in Bay Ridge.

The last major hurdle of the tour was the crossing of the iconic Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. After circling around an on-ramp the most arduous climb of the tour was met with long breezy descent into Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island. While most choose to relax at the Festival, buy lunch, have a massage, check out the vendors and exhibitors, or listen to live music, some head up the road a bit to some of the local watering holes before riding the final 3 miles to the Staten Island Ferry.

Although we may have been packed like sardines (with bikes) in a large orange can, for those who have never experienced the ride on the Staten Island Ferry, it provides some of the best views of the city, passing the Statue of Liberty and bringing you into Lower Manhattan.

Each ride is an adventure, but the Five Boro Bike Tour is like no other. If you long to simply ride rather than sightsee, it may not be for you. Perhaps our own 53rd Tooth summarized it best in saying,

"I actually rode in this one year. It was like pushing a herd of cattle through a straw. Something worth doing once in a lifetime just to see NYC from that perspective. Bring your defensive riding skills; however, because given the great disparity of riding skills, it can be a horror show."

Photos: Leonard Basobas (second through eighth)

Team Type 1's New Creed

Atlanta – Team Type 1 bolstered its men’s team roster yesterday with the addition of Michael Creed, a 10-year professional who has won nearly two dozen national titles on the road and track.

The 5-foot-11, 155-pound native of Twin Falls, Idaho, is expected to bolster the team’s already solid core of climbing and time trial talent. Team Type 1 is the only professional cycling team in the world with a mission to instill hope and inspiration for people around the world affected by diabetes.

“It’s nice to be in a position to help out a deserving American rider like Mike Creed,” Team Type 1 Director Sportif Vassili Davidenko said. “He will definitely be an asset for us in some of the biggest races in the United States this year.”

Creed, 28, has six times represented the United States at the world championships while finishing a career-best sixth place in the Under 23 individual time trial in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 2003. His 22 national titles include victories at the Under 23 time trial championships in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

Last year, the Colorado Springs, Colo., resident competed in nearly all of America’s top stage races, including the Amgen Tour of California, the Tour of Missouri, the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah and the Nature Valley Grand Prix. He also raced a number of times on the international front, including the Tour of Qinghai Lake in China where he helped a teammate win the overall title.

Creed said he looks forward to racing for Team Type 1 beginning at Saturday’s Bank of America Wilmington Grand Prix in Wilmington, Del., and the BikeJam/Kelly Cup to benefit World Bicycle Relief on Sunday in Baltimore, Md.

“I’m excited to be racing for a team that is spreading such an inspirational message,” Creed said.

In his 10 years as a professional, Creed has ridden for 7-Up/Colorado Cyclist (2000), Prime Alliance Cycling Team (2001-2003), U.S. Postal presented by Berry Floor (2004), Discovery Channel Pro Cycling (2005), TIAA-CREF (2006) and Team Slipstream (2007). Last season, he competed for Rock Racing but was not part of the squad’s professional team for the 2009 season.

Team Type 1 was created in 2004 by two racers with Type 1 diabetes, Phil Southerland and Joe Eldridge. Since then, it has grown from an eight-person team of cyclists with Type 1 diabetes who won the Race Across America in 2006 and 2007 to a program that now includes men's and women's professional race teams, an all-Type 1 triathlon team and an all-Type 1 development team. A newly-formed “Team Type 2” will also compete in the Race Across America next month.

NAHBS Heads East

Speedway, In.— The Greater Richmond Convention Center in the historic city of Richmond, Va. will host the 2010 North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS) when the world’s number one custom bicycle show moves to the east coast next February 26-28.

Booth registration for the show will start immediately for the 2009 exhibitors, who will be contacted by email. Open registration will start June 15, and will be accessible through the event website www.handmadebicycleshow.com.

Show founder and director, Don Walker, said “I researched all the way along the east coast and Richmond came up as the strongest candidate, all criteria considered. I then put forward three candidates to a vote among this year’s exhibitors, and Richmond was the clear winner. I looked at some of the largest cities as well, and while these cities might have great cycling culture, their prices are out of range for the vast majority of my
exhibitors.”

Jack Berry, president and CEO of the Richmond Metropolitan Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, commended the decision. “The timing’s perfect! Cycling is really becoming more and more popular in this region. Being a cyclist myself, personally I’m thrilled! This is huge for Richmond and the Mid-Atlantic.”

Champe Burnley, president of the Richmond Area Bicycling Association, also sees this as a good time for NAHBS to come to Richmond. “Richmond is a cycling hub with a great history. We have a strong cycling community with great facilities, which helps draw a major international show like NAHBS. We really want Richmond to be a world class cycling city. For officials and the business community, our efforts are now starting to realize a return. Officials here are really beginning to get cycling and its benefits to the community. NAHBS could not have chosen a better time to come. This marks a cycling renaissance for the Richmond area.”

NAHBS will occupy the 46,000 sq. ft show hall D in the convention center. This has space for over 200 10’x10’ booths, and Walker expects to fill it.

Richmond is located within a day’s drive of half the U.S. population, and within cycling distance of the nation’s second largest cycling club (Potomac Pedalers). Only 90 minutes by car from Washington, DC, Richmond is served by Amtrak as well, with a station about a mile from the proposed host hotel. Richmond International Airport is approximately 15 minutes by car from the convention center.

The state of Virginia actively promotes bicycling and related activities, and has designated various special routes for the purpose. United States Bicycle Routes 1 and 5 meet in the city of Richmond, and the city is known to have a strong cycling culture, ranging from racing to tourists and fixed-gear riders.

Located in the middle of the Eastern Seaboard, Richmond becomes the fifth city to host the NAHBS in the show’s six-year history. Houston, Texas was first, and then two years in San Jose, California, followed by Portland, Oregon, and in 2009 Indianapolis.

Vroom Vroom Party Starter - Boonen Banned From Tour, Again

Frankly, when the news came out this past weekend that Tom Boonen (Quick Step) had failed another out-of-competition test for cocaine, his second in consecutive years, I was rather ambivalent.

Boonen is considered one of the superstars of cycling, not only in the present but quite possibly of all-time. As such, he receives "rockstar" treatment wherever he goes and evidently he parties like one as well.

But Tom Boonen's drug use doesn't make him the devil or even a bad person, but to many, just an incredibly stupid one.

At 28-years old, Tom Boonen now has as many Ronde van Vlaanderen victories as he has drug suspensions and bans from participating in the Tour de France. His legacy inches farther away from the likes of Eddy Merckx and closer to Frank Vandenbroucke.

But when all is said and done, it is Tommeke's life to live and his reputation to either raise or squander. As cycling fans, we all hope he chooses the former. But until he takes a more active role in that decision, I will neither extol his virtues or bury him for his transgressions. I'll simply remain ambivalent and take his cycling feats at face value.

Photo: AP

Greenville Hospital System USA Cycling Professional Championships Expands

In its fourth year, the Greenville Hospital System USA Cycling Professional Championships has expanded its event schedule. Duke Energy joins as a presenting level sponsor and TV Coverage will include local and national shows

Greenville, S.C. - With three consecutive years of strong crowds and community support, the Greenville Hospital System USA Cycling Professional Championship will return to Greenville, S.C. for its celebrated weekend of racing and family events, August 29-30, 2009. Two-time U.S. Professional Road Race national champion George Hincapie (1998, 2006), who resides in Greenville, announced at a press conference today that he will return in an effort to recapture the famed Stars and Stripes jersey. Three-time U.S. National Pro Time Trial champion Dave Zabriskie (2006-08) of Salt Lake City, Utah is expected to return as well for a fourth consecutive title.

"I'm excited to race in Greenville again for the USA Cycling Pro Championships," said George Hincapie, a Tour de France stage winner and 16-year pro cyclist who now rides for Team Columbia. "I love racing in front of family and friends, so it's awesome to have the race right here in my back yard. It is quite an honor to wear the Stars and Stripes jersey, so I'll be trying my best to win it again this year."

New for 2009, the dual championships will also host two races for the U.S. Handcycling Series, presented by the Paralyzed Veterans of America. Greenville will be the season-ending finale for the U.S. Handcycling's 2009 calendar on Aug 29-30, utilizing the same courses for the best Americans on bicycles for elite Americans on handcycles. The handcycling races will be the warm-up events for the world championships in late September.

On Saturday, Aug. 29, the Professional Time Trial Championship will return to the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR). This course will also host a time trial for U.S. Handcycling the same day. The proximity to downtown Greenville and the compact, closed course make it both easily accessible and engaging for fans. On Sunday, Aug. 30, the 110-mile Professional Road Race Championship will remain at the start/finish location from last year in the West End section of downtown Greenville. This area will also stage a criterium for U.S. Handcycling and the start for the 4th annual Stars and Stripes Challenge, a recreational bicycle ride produced by the Palmetto Peloton Project to generate awareness and funds for cancer research.

"GHS is honored to serve as title sponsor of the USA Cycling Professional Championships for a fourth year and to be a recipient of the Palmetto Peloton Project (P3)," said GHS President and CEO Mike Riordan. "We are grateful for P3's gift to cancer research because it not only impacts the people in our community but people across the county and around the world. In addition, P3 events, such as the Stars and Stripes bicycle ride, offer our community an opportunity to get out and be active, which reinforces our commitment to total health. GHS is also pleased that Medalist Sports is adding a handcycling event to this year's USA Cycling Professional Championships. Handcycling is an impressive sport that showcases not only athleticism but the courage and determination of participants with and without disabilities."

The press conference, hosted by Hincapie Sportswear in Greenville, also introduced Duke Energy as a new Presenting level partner for Championship weekend. Duke Energy will be involved in several of the community-oriented events in the Upstate.

"Duke Energy Carolinas is proud to participate as a Presenting Level Sponsor for the Greenville Hospital System USA Cycling Professional Championship this year," said George Acker, Director of Southern Region Government and Community Relations. "This is an exciting event and a wonderful opportunity to showcase the region while raising money for cancer research."

This will be the first time in four years of the dual championships that major college football will open a week after the event, expanding the national focus on the championships. A one-hour highlight program will be broadcast nationwide one week after the event (date/time to be confirmed) by new broadcast partner, the Universal Sports Television Network. WYFF-4, the NBC affiliate in the Upstate, will broadcast the same program locally on Saturday, Sept. 5 from 2:30 - 3:30p.m.

"We are excited to continue to raise the bar year after year with this event," stated Chris Aronhalt, Managing Partner with Medalist Sports and the event's Executive Director. The event has been managed all four years by Medalist Sports, a sports marketing company that specializes in planning, promotion and management of multi-day, multi-jurisdiction sports. "In addition to the significant funds and awareness generated by the Palmetto Peloton Project for two important cancer advocacy and research programs, the event itself and the level of competition continue to grow in stature. We are honored to be part of a fourth year and wish to thank our sponsors and partners, as well as the city and county of Greenville."

This will mark the 25th anniversary of the Professional Road Race Championship. After 21 years in Philadelphia, Pa., USA Cycling, Inc. moved the Professional Road Race Championship to Greenville in 2006. That same year the Professional Individual Time Trial Championship was added to the lineup for the first time to make the event a dual championship for the top professional American cyclists. Since 2006, Greenville has generated huge crowds for the event, averaging close to 65,000 each year.

Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center (GHS), one of the largest not-for-profit healthcare providers in South Carolina, returns for a fourth year as title sponsor for the championship weekend. In addition, GHS' Oncology Research Insitute will continue as a major recipient of the Stars and Stripes Challenge. Last year a record $110,000 was presented for cancer research by the Palmetto Peloton Project (P3) with Stars and Stripes Challenge events. In the three years that the P3 organization has partnered with the Championships, it has raised over $400,000.. Funds this year will be distributed to GHS' Oncology Research Institute, the Lance Armstrong Foundation and Activate Upstate.

Route maps and details for each professional race can be found at the official web site, www.usacyclingchampionships.com. In addition, the Web site offers online registration for volunteers, which are needed for both days.

Schedule of Events
Saturday, August 29, 2009

• 11:00 a.m. - USA Cycling Professional Individual Time Trial Championship
• TBD - Time Trial for US Handcycling Series, presented by Paralyzed Veterans of America
• Start/Finish: Millenium Dr. at CU/ICAR Greenville, S.C. 29607
• Cost: free for all spectators watching both Time Trials

Sunday, August 30, 2009

• 7:30 a.m. - Stars and Stripes Challenge Bicycle Ride
• Start/Finish: S Main & Camperdown streets in downtown Greenville, S.C.29601
• Cost: $50 adults advance registration for Stars and Stripes Bicycle Ride

• 10:00 a.m. - Stars and Stripes Challenge Family Ride
• Location: Falls Park
• Cost: Free for all families

• 1:00 p.m. - USA Cycling Professional Road Race Championship
• TBD - Criterium for US Handcycling Series, presented by Paralyzed Veterans of America
• Start/Finish: Main & Camperdown streets in downtown Greenville, S.C.29601
• Cost: Free for all spectators watching Road Race

Twilight Postponed

San Francisco Twilight Criterium Postponed Until 2010


San Francisco, Calif. – Organizers of the San Francisco Twilight Criterium say the event will be postponed until September of 2010, due to a lack of adequate sponsorship.

“Unfortunately, in this lackluster economic climate, securing sponsorship dollars is a tough task,” said race director Ryan Dawkins of Project Sport, LLC. “We had a choice between putting on a smaller event or waiting until next year to do it right, and on the grand scale our fans expect.”

USA Cycling National Events Manager Tom Vinson said he supports the race’s postponement. The San Francisco Twilight Criterium is the latest in a number of events on the National Racing Calendar (NRC) that have had to be called off due to challenging economic conditions.

“While we always hate losing an event, we look forward to having the race back on the calendar next year, just as strong and well-run as it was in 2008,” Vinson said.

Large crowds turned out last year to see national cycling champions and Olympians race through one of San Francisco’s most scenic neighborhoods, on a course that included the city’s equivalent of Rodeo Drive. But when Dawkins put out the call for additional sponsorship, there were few takers.

“We had some nibbles, but nothing in the form of a title sponsor that would have made it possible to have a world-class event,” he said. “But we are already well into our planning for next year. We look forward to finding a company that realizes the benefits of putting their name on an exciting, family-friendly event that promotes the healthy lifestyle cherished by so many people in the Bay Area.”

Next year’s San Francisco Twilight Criterium is scheduled for Sept. 4, 2010.

Companies that are interested in becoming part of the 2010 edition of the race can contact Dawkins directly at 415.287.4253 or e-mail him at ryan@projectsport.com.

For more information on the San Francisco Twilight Criterium, visit www.sftwilight.com.

Photo: Tim Brennan (PROMAN's Shelley Olds, winner of the 2008 San Francisco Twilight Criterium)

Team Type 1’s Powers Keys Historic Day

Fayetteville, Ark. – Alison Powers was the star of the show on the most prolific day in the history of Team Type 1’s professional cycling programs.

The U.S. national time trial champion motored away from the field near the end of Sunday’s criterium at the Joe Martin Stage Race to score an impressive win that sealed her overall victory in the National Racing calendar event. Powers’ teammate, Jen McRae, won the field sprint to help Team Type 1 earn a runner-up finish to Webcor Builders in the team classification.

“Our plan was to race aggressively,” Team Type 1 women’s team director Jack Seehafer said. “Part of our goal initially for Alison and the team was to bring her on as a GC (general classification) rider. With the way this team is, we have been able to fine tune that, especially with our other riders filling other important roles.”

Powers’ stage win and overall title came just about two hours before Chris Jones of the Team Type 1 men’s squad scored a victory in that criterium. Among the crowd on hand for both accomplishments in Downtown Fayetteville, Ark., was Orbea’s Tony Karklins, managing director of Orbea's U.S. distributor, which has its headquarters in nearby Little Rock.

“Today was very satisfying,” Powers said. “I think the whole team is super psyched that we are doing so well.”

Powers’ wire-to-wire victory – her ninth of the season and the 24th overall for the Team Type 1 women – also means she retains her overall lead in the Women’s Prestige Cycling Series (WPCS). Teammate Kori Seehafer leads the WPCS sprint classification. Both will wear their leaders jerseys at next month’s Nature Valley Grand Prix, the third event of the WPCS.

It was Seehafer’s attack toward the end of Sunday’s criterium that provided the springboard for Powers to launch her race-winning move.

“Kori has won on this course before and she had some amazing attacks that just wore people down,” Powers said, “I knew after the last one she did, I would be ready to attack. I was just waiting for it to happen. Jack saw the lull and told me ‘attack now’ on the radio.”

Team Type 1’s Jones Wins Joe Martin Criterium; OUCH's Sutherland Claims Overall

Fayetteville, Ark. – Team Type 1’s Chris Jones didn’t have time to sit up and enjoy his first win of the season.

Had he conserved a single pedal stroke near the end of Sunday’s 90-minute criterium at the Joe Martin Stage Race, the Auburn, Calif., resident would not have won the National Racing Calendar event.

“Thankfully it was an uphill sprint,” Jones said. “It wasn’t an easy way to win it, but it worked out very well.”

Jones crossed the finish line one second ahead of Luis Amaran (Colavita-Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light), who had been his breakaway companion for the final eight laps. Amaran finished two seconds ahead of the charging pack that was led in by his teammate, Lucas Sebastian Haedo.

“Once Amaran and I got away, I was waiting for Darren (Lill) to come across,” Jones said of his Team Type 1 teammate. “But once we figured he wasn’t going to make it and the time gap was coming down, we both started riding hard. The pack was coming fast so I wasn’t sure if we were going to make it to the line.”

As the pair screamed down the final straight toward the turn leading to the uphill finish, Amaran went right. Jones surprised the Cuban by steering his Orbea left and got enough of a gap to secure the sixth victory of his career and the team’s 14th of the year. Team Type 1 also finished second in the four-day race's team standings behind Bissell Pro Cycling.

Assistant Team Director Gord Fraser said the victory comes at a most opportune time.

“As far as tangible success, this win was nothing short of what this team needed,” he said. “Last weekend at the Tour of the Gila, the level of competition was kind of intense and we definitely missed out on a couple of days where we deserved to win.”

Rory Sutherland (OUCH presented by Maxxis) won the overall title while Lill scored a team-best, eighth-place finish.

Crowell Doubles Up At Collegiate Nationals

Team Type 1's Jacquelyn Crowell, riding for the University of Florida, claimed two medals during this past weekend's Collegiate Nationals, taking third in Friday's Road Race and second during Saturday's Criterium

Fort Collins, Colo. – Team Type 1’s Jacquelyn Crowell added to her medal collection Saturday at the USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships with a runner-up finish for the University of Florida in the Division I criterium.

Crowell was the first rider through the final corner but was passed a few feet from the line by Sinead Miller (Marian College). Tammy Wildgoose (University of California-San Diego) finished third.

Crowell said she it was her strategy to lead out the sprint, unaware that Miller – a multi-time national collegiate and junior national track champion – was on her wheel.

“I’m obviously disappointed but I knew I had to go early,” she said, “I did hear something today that made me feel a little better. Dave Towle (the race announcer) was saying you can’t win if you don’t risk losing. That’s a good way to put it.”

Crowell never ventured far from the front during the hour-long race along a 0.9-mile, figure-eight course. She also won a pair of point prime sprints, which helped her finish second in the omnium competition to Carla Swart (Lees-McRae College).

“I think I rode the best race I could today,” she said. “Eventually, I’m going to win one of these times.”


On Friday, Crowell of Team Type 1 rode to a bronze medal finish at the USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships.

Crowell attacked Melanie Meyers (University of Arizona) in the final 800 meters to cross the line alone, 26 seconds behind race winner Carla Swart (Lees-McRae College). Swart out-sprinted Anna McLoon (Harvard) at the end of the 51-mile (82 km) Division I women's race that was run in wind-swept conditions near Fort Collins, Colo.

“”It was like a hurricane out there,” Crowell said. “The high level of competition and conditions made my race much more of a defensive one.”

The Team Type 1 racer was one of nine riders who made the decisive early break on a challenging course that included several climbs through Horsetooth Reservoir. As the group made its way back toward the finish at Colorado State University’s Hughes Stadium, Swart attacked on one of the final leg-breaking ascents that included a stretch of 15 percent grade.

“When she went, I just couldn’t go with her,” Crowell said of Swart’s attack.

Team Type 1 Men Go 3-4 On Stage 2 At Joe Martin

This past weekend, both the men and women of Team Type 1 excelled at the Joe Martin Stage Race in Fayetteville, Arkansas.


Fayetteville, Ark. – Team Type 1’s Shawn Milne finished third and Darren Lill was fourth, but their performances on Stage 2 of the Joe Martin Stage Race were hardly the results of individual effort.

The pair got a huge lead-out from their teammates as the men’s field roared from spacious highway roads into the narrow streets of Downtown Fayetteville for the uphill finish of Friday’s 112-mile (180 km) race.

“They guys did an awesome job because it was a huge battle for position in the last 10 miles,” Milne said. “They dropped me, Moises (Aldape) and Darren off at the last corner 300 meters from the finish. Moises did great job of shuffling me through the chaos.”

Lucas Sebastian Haedo (Colavita/Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light) took the victory ahead of Rory Sutherland (OUCH presented by Maxxis), who moved into the overall lead. Milne’s podium finish was Team Type 1’s 27th of the season and the first of the year at a National Racing Calendar (NRC) event.

Lill remains the team’s best-placed rider with Saturday’s 92-mile (148 km) road race and Sunday’s 90-minute criterium remaining. The Republic of South Africa rider is eighth in the overall standings, 28 seconds back of race leader Sutherland. Milne is 10th, 30 seconds behind.

In the women’s race, Team Type 1’s Alison Powers remains the overall leader following Friday’s 64-mile (102 km) road race that was won by Jo Kiesanowski (Team TIBCO). Jen McRae was sixth and Powers finished eighth as Team Type 1 remained third in the team classification behind Webcor Builders and ValueAct Capital.

Powers takes a four-second lead over Katheryn Curi Mattis (Webcor Builders) into Saturday’s 69-mile (111 km) road race. Sunday’s final stage is an hour-long criterium.

Team Type 1 Sets Expectations For Joe Martin Stage Race

Fayetteville, Ark. – The Team Type 1 women’s professional squad looks to defend its lead in two categories of the Women’s Prestige Cycling Series at this week’s Joe Martin Stage Race, while the men’s professional team has high expectations for a strong overall team performance.

The 32nd edition of the four-day, four-stage National Racing Calendar (NRC) event begins Thursday in Fayetteville, Ark.

Representing the Team Type 1 women’s team will be Veronica Leal, Jen McRae, Morgan Patton, Alison Powers, Samantha Schneider and Kori Seehafer. Powers leads the Women’s Prestige Cycling Series (WPCS) and is coming off a second place finish at the SRAM Tour of the Gila. Seehafer is the WPCS sprint leader and captured the Lap Leaders jersey at the recent USA CRITS Speed Week series.

“I have big expectations for Alison with the time trial being first,” Team Type 1 women’s Director Jack Seehafer said. “I will also be looking to Jen for stage wins and I hope to see a podium finish in the general classification by week’s end.”

Team Type 1 men’s Director Sportif Vassili Davidenko said Darren Lill’s overall victory 10 days ago at La Vuelta de Bisbee and a recent runner-up finish on the team classification at the USA CRITS Speed Week series set the stage for even more success.

“I have big expectations for Shawn (Milne), too,” Davidenko said. “Without question, he'll be a stage contender and I think we can win the team general classification, too. I think Fabio Calabria’s form is growing too, and soon he'll be able to show it.”


Calabria and Patton are the team’s two competitors in the race who have Type 1 diabetes. Joining Calabria, Lill and Milne on the men’s roster are Moises Aldape, Chris Jones, Valeriy Kobzarenko, Ian MacGregor and Matt Wilson.

A 2.5-mile (4.0 km) uphill time trial out of Devil’s Den State Park opens the race Thursday. Road races Friday have the men traveling 110 miles (177 km) and the women 64 miles (102 km). A second road race takes place Saturday – 92 miles (148 km) for men and 69 miles (111 km) for women – followed by 90-minute and hour-long criteriums, respectively, on Sunday.

Team Garmin-Slipstream And Cycling Australia Announce Partnership; Jack Bobridge Added To Roster

Cycling Australia and Team Garmin-Slipstream continue to develop young talent with new partnership and team’s addition of 19-year-old phenomenon

Team Garmin-Slipstream, the top American professional cycling team dedicated to ethical sporting and developing the next generation of cycling champions, announced today that it has added Australian Jack Bobridge to its roster and formed a partnership with Cycling Australia to develop young riders into professional road and track champions.

The team already boasts Australia’s reigning points race World Champion, Cameron Meyer and today has confirmed 19-year-old Jack Bobridge as part of the team’s line-up. The Adelaide rider is the Australian U-23 road race and time trial champion and will join the professional team as a stagiaire later this year.

“Jack is a phenomenal talent -- possibly the most talented rider of his generation,” said Jonathan Vaughters, CEO of Slipstream Sports and Director Sportif of Team Garmin-Slipstream. “He excels on the road and on the track and makes an outstanding addition to our roster. We are thrilled that he decided to join Team Garmin-Slipstream.”

Among the best U-23 riders in the world, Bobridge claimed two silver medals at the Track World Championships in March for individual pursuit and team pursuit, the latter won alongside new teammate, Meyer. Bobridge is also the Oceania and Australian Individual Pursuit Champion.

“I chose Team Garmin-Slipstream because I believe in its mission of helping young riders reach their full potential,” said Bobridge. “I know that I will continue to grow as a part of this team – on the track and on the road.”

Earlier this season Garmin-Slipstream hired 21-year-old Meyer, who recently took home one gold and two silver medals at the Track World Championships and on the road claimed the bronze medal in the U-23 time trial at the 2008 Road World Championships.

Australian Matt White, a director of Team Garmin-Slipstream and former pro cyclist, serves as Meyer’s coach and will become Bobridge’s mentor.

“It’s an exciting partnership because we are working with the best talent coming out of Australia,” said White. “And we are able to give these riders the tools they need to excel on the road and on the track.”

“This partnership provides an ideal opportunity for Australia’s emerging talent to forge professional careers but to also to pursue their ambition to represent Australia in major international events,” said Graham Fredericks, CEO of Cycling Australia. “We are very pleased to formalise a relationship with a team that shares our philosophy and look forward to working with Team Garmin-Slipstream.”

Cycling Australia National Performance Director, Shayne Bannan, says the partnership is a ‘win-win situation’ for all involved.

“This is a fabulous opportunity for our riders and for our program,” said Mr Bannan. “The team is well respected and they understand how important it is for us to have access to riders such as Cameron and Jack at critical periods to prepare for Commonwealth Games, World Championships and Olympic Games.”

Slipstream Sports LLC, the parent company of Team Garmin-Slipstream, was founded in 2005 with the goal of developing young riders and promoting ethical sportsmanship.

Slipstream sponsors USA Cycling’s U-23 team in the United States, in which several of its riders participate

Women’s Prestige Cycling Series Releases Resumes at Joe Martin

New series addition is second stop on 2009 tour

Minneapolis – The 2009 Women’s Prestige Cycling Series resumes this week at the Joe Martin Stage Race, a new addition to the Series. At the opener in Redlands, Team Type 1 and Team TIBCO traded blows, each claiming the lead in two of the four competitions. Expect Webcor Builders, a consistent WPCS powerhouse, to put in a strong challenge as well.

The individual competition is still up for grabs since all of the top five women in the standings will be on the startling line. Alison Powers, with the aid of her Team Type 1 teammates, will be trying to protect her narrow lead, but she’ll be chased by former US National champion Kathryn Mattis (Webcor Builders), Lauren Tamayo (Team TIBCO), Kristin Sanders (ValueAct Capital) and Meredith Miller (Team TIBCO), in second through fifth, respectively.

The WPCS Sprint Classification is looking to be a battle between Team Type 1 and Team TIBCO. Team Type 1 holds the first and third positions (Kori Seehafer & Powers), while Team TIBCO holds fourth and fifth (Tamayo and Joanne Kiesanowski). Colavita Sutter Home is not currently on the start list, taking second place Tina Pic, a legendary sprinter, out of the picture. Team Type 1 may have to choose between protecting Powers’ lead in the individual competition and Seehafer’s lead as the top sprinter.

Rebecca Much (Webcor Builders) looks good for the Best Young Rider classification. Much currently holds second, but leader Julie Beveridge (Team TIBCO) is not on her team’s roster while Colavita Sutter Homes and Wines of Washington are not attending, taking third place Tiffany Cromwell and fourth place Lindsey Myer out of contention.

In the WPCS team classification, Webcor Builders is trailing leader Team TIBCO by 93 points (294 vs. 201), with Team Type 1 hot on Webcor’s heals with 196 points. However, the WPCS team competition offers bonus points for riders under age 26, giving a possible edge to Webcor Builders and Team Type 1, each of whom is fielding three young riders compared to only one young rider for Team TIBCO. If these young riders do well, it could narrow Team TIBCO’s lead and possibly shake up the team standings.

The 2009 Women’s Prestige Cycling Series began at the Redlands Bicycle Classic. Following the Joe Martin Stage race, it will continue at the Nature Valley Grand Prix (June 10 – 14) before concluding at the Cascade Classic (July 22 – 26).

Cadence Cycling & Multisport Center Celebrates 5th Anniversary With Mixed Emotions

Business is up at the Philadelphia flagship store for the 5th consecutive year, New York City location is closing

When the doors first opened to the Cadence Cycling & Multisport Center in May 2004, no one had ever seen anything like it. The bi-level retail space and training facility in the heart of the Manayunk section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was immaculately designed and uncluttered with artfully displayed premium cycling and triathlon brands. Cadence set out to provide a first-class level of service to customers and the athletes of all abilities that they coach locally and remotely. The concept has proven successful as business grows each year. This month, Cadence marks their fifth anniversary with mixed emotions: business is up twenty percent in the first quarter this year in Philadelphia, but they decided to close the two-year-old New York City location at the end of business on May 17th due to the economic slowdown. The plan will enable the company to refocus their resources on the Philadelphia location and building the remote coaching brand.

Cadence’s New York City location was specifically chosen to be in close proximity to the financial sector and investment banker clientele, which were hit the hardest in the global recession. If Philadelphia was unrivaled in its look and layout, the trendy Tribeca location in New York City was a true marvel. The state-of-the-art retail and training facility was honored last year with a distinguished award of excellence for its design and architecture. In addition to the retail showroom, the training and testing facilities included two gyms designed specifically for endurance athletes, an Endless Pool, room for up to 24 cyclists to take classes simultaneously on CompuTrainers, bike valet and a complete locker room. The venue also houses a café where athletes refuel after workouts.

“It’s a bittersweet time for us at Cadence. We’re proud that our original location continues to flourish, but the New York City location was a victim of the economic downturn. Closing was a very difficult decision to make as we fully believe in the Cadence concept and plan to grow it by opening additional locations in a more favorable economic climate,” said owner Jay Snider. “We created something that didn’t previously exist thus we accomplished what we set out to do by building the finest cycling and multisport center in the world. While it’s tough to leave New York City, Philadelphia will benefit and become even stronger as we reallocate our resources. This will also allow us the opportunity to put more muscle into building our coaching brand nationally.”

With all eyes on Philadelphia on June 7th for the Philadelphia International Cycling Classic, the biggest one-day professional bike race in the U.S., expect Cadence to once again be a hub of activity race weekend. Last year, the center hosted events with Team CSC (now Team Saxo Bank), Cervelo and a question & answer session with Dominique Rollin, a Cadence-coached professional based in Europe who races for the Cervelo TestTeam.

Under the direction of Brian Walton, an Olympic silver medalist, Canadian National Champion and former pro cyclist, the expert team of Cadence coaches designs training programs for pro cyclist Francois Parisen (Planet Energy), the U.S. Marine Corp Triathlon and Running Programs, and cyclists and triathletes across the nation ranging from weekend warriors and dedicated amateurs to elite and professional athletes.

Athletes coached by Cadence are able to take advantage of another Cadence innovation: Cadence TV is home to hundreds of workouts and stimulating videos including some shot with a helmet camera. Athletes personalize their workouts on Cadence TV by specifying their target heart rate and power zones.

Team Type 1 Women Win Speed Week; Powers Second At Gila

Atlanta – The Team Type 1 women’s professional cycling team posted its most impressive weekend of results to date by winning the USA Crits Speed Week series team crown, as well as the Lap Leader and Best Young Rider classifications.

The accomplishments came as Team Type 1’s Alison Powers was earning second place overall at the SRAM Tour of the Gila in Silver City, N.M. Powers finished behind Kristin Armstrong (Cervelo Test Team) in the five-day stage race.

“It was a good week of racing,” Team Type 1 Team Director Jack Seehafer said. “Alison was able to hold her own racing by herself in New Mexico. For the rest of the team (at Speed Week), one of the things we tried to emphasize this week was how to race for the win instead of just racing for a place.”


Kori Seehafer (ledt) capped the six-race series by finishing second in Sunday’s Global BMW Sandy Springs Criterium in Sandy Springs, Ga., that was won by Tina Pic (Colavita-Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light). Seehafer took home the Lap Leader jersey while Team Type 1’s Samantha Schneider (right) earned the Best Young Rider title.

Other members of the Speed Week series team were Jacqueline Crowell, Monique Hanley, Veronica Leal, Jennifer McRae and Morgan Patton. Hanley and Patton have Type 1 diabetes.

Powers will join the team for the Joe Martin Stage Race, which begins Thursday in Fayetteville, Ark., while Crowell will represent the University of Florida Friday through Sunday at the collegiate national championships in Fort Collins, Colo.

The Joe Martin Stage Race is the second event of the Women’s Prestige Cycling Series. Powers is the series leader and Kori Seehafer is first in the sprint competition. Powers said it will be nice to have the team compete together in a stage race for the first time since the Redlands Bicycle Classic in late March.

“Having a team (at Gila) would have been nice,” she said. “But I got some people to help me out and luckily I had the fitness to work very hard.”

Rock Racing's Mancebo Victorious At 53rd Vuelta a Asturias

Rock takes overall team classification capturing three of five stages


Oviedo, Spain - Following an exciting Stage 4 victory that earned him the yellow jersey, Rock Racing’s Paco Mancebo captured the 53rd Vuelta a Asturias this past weekend to claim a GC win in his home country.

On Stage 4 from Cafes Toscaf to El Acebo, Mancebo crushed three category one climbs and a mountain-top finish to move him from 8th place into the race lead. He would place fifth on the fifth and final 178 km stage from Cangas de Narcea to Oviedo and finish a comfortable 24 seconds ahead of his closest challenger, Tiago Machado of Madeinox Boavista.

Mancebo’s performance topped a spectacular week for Rock Racing, who took the overall team classification and three of five stage wins including back to back victories in Stages 1 and 2 courtesy of Glen Chadwick and Oscar Sevilla.

“All the guys came into this race extremely motivated to show fans here how strong this team is,” said assistant Team Director Laurenzo LaPage. “This is a very special group of riders. They are all great friends who work extremely hard for each other, and watching what they were able to do here – three stages with three different riders – is incredible.”

Mancebo’s victory is Rock Racing’s 17th of the season and Mancebo’s first since the 2009 Amgen Tour of California where earned a stage win, but then crashed in the second to last stage sustaining a concussion and broken bones to his hand and elbow.

The team followed up their victory in the Vuelta a Asturias by participating in the spring classic, Subida al Naranco, a 149 km race through the heart of the Asturias that finished at the summit of Mount Naranco.

Photo: © Rafa Gómez

Team Type 1’s Hanson Runner-Up At Speed Week

Atlanta – Ken Hanson’s victory Saturday at the Dilworth Criterium and his runner-up placing at Sunday’s Global BMW Sandy Springs Criterium propelled him to a second-place finish overall in the USA CRITS Speed Week series.

Hanson’s win was his first of the season and the 12th overall for the Team Type 1 men’s professional squad. Mark Hekman (Team Mountain Khakis) earned the Speed Week series crown while Carlos Vargas (Team Hotel San Jose) finished third.

Hanson said competing in seven races in nine days allowed the squad to get familiar with each other and hone its sprint lead-out. Hanson and teammate Aldo Ino Ilesic combined for nine top 10 finishes, including a third-place for Ilesic at the Downtown Walterboro Criterium on Wednesday.

“Aldo and I have a good relationship,” Hanson said. “It doesn’t matter who wins, as long as we are able to give 100 percent for each other. It was good to at least get one win this week.”

Hanson, the reigning U.S. Elite criterium champion, scored his victory in Dilworth, S.C., in a race that was cut short by lightning in the waning moments of the 75-minute rain-slickened event.

“I got where I wanted to be for the last 300 meters and jumped on the right lead-out train for the Fly V Australia team,” Hanson said. “With 100 meters to go, I was sitting second wheel and I knew I had it.”

Team Type 1 Director Sportif Vassili Davidenko said the win was much deserved after a solid team effort. In addition to Ilesic and Hanson, Team Type 1 was represented at Speed Week by team co-founders Phil Southerland and Joe Eldridge as well as Jesse Anthony, Timothy Hargrave and Dan Holt. Southerland and Eldridge have Type 1 diabetes.

“The guys raced smart and represented the team in all the important breaks,” he said. “We made some very big progress since the beginning of the week and everyone raced very professionally.”

While half of the Team Type 1 men’s squad was competing in the Speed Week series, the other half was racing in the SRAM Tour of the Gila in Silver City, N.M. Darren Lill’s 11th place there led the team in the five-day stage race. Next up for the squad is the Joe Martin Stage Race Thursday through Sunday in Fayetteville, Ark.