News
National News: Sea Otter Classic
Wells scores short track win at Sea Otter
<img border="0" align="left" src=http://www.velonews.com/files/images/9O5B7546.jpg>09 Sea Otter: Wells represents the big red S
Halfway through the short track, it was a three-way race for the podium. And all three men were riding for Specialized: Todd Wells, Burry Stander and world champion Christoph Sauser.
Sauser burped his tire and did not finish, but Wells charged on for the win, with Stander taking second and Giant’s Carl Decker outsprinting Jeremiah Bishop (Monavie-Cannondale) for third. Kona’s Ryan Trebon and Subaru-Gary Fisher’s Sam Schultz and Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski were also in the hunt.
“Burry and Susi got off initially, and I was just sitting on JHK and Trebon, seeing how strong they were,” Wells said. “They didn’t have much gas today, so I was able to punch it across to Burry and Susi. There was an off-camber corner where Susi rolled his tire, so then it was just Burry and I.”
For a short track race, where hardtails are the rule, bike selection was interesting. A number of riders raced full-suspension rigs. Wells raced Specialized’s new 29-inch bike, the Stumperjumper S-Workers 29er Hardtail.
... VeloNews
Published: Apr 19, 2009 - 12:41 PM
National News: Leipheimer takes Sea Otter with ease
Astana's Levi Leipheimer glided up the finishing climb to victory at the Sea Otter Classic road race Friday
<img border="0" align="right" src=http://www.velonews.com/files/images/9O5B7080.jpg>Leipheimer came for training and left with a win
... finishing just ahead of the three Bissell men with whom he was in a long breakaway.
Leipheimer's Santa Rosa training buddy, Paul Mach, took second with his Bissell teammate Morgan Schmitt rounding out the podium. Ben Jacques-Maynes, the fourth man in the break, came in just behind.
"This is home for me," Leipheimer said. "I came up through the ranks doing these local races and I appreciate them. And I wanted to keep a light spring training schedule. So, this is what I call free training – to get out there and battle with these guys. And it was tough."
Bissell threw its numbers at Leipheimer, putting a number of riders into early moves.
"We had a pretty good day in the breakaways," said Mach. "We were trying to send as many guys up the road as possible to try and tire him out."
...VeloNews
Published: Apr 18, 2009 - 10:30 AM
National News: Garmin-Slipstream Injuries - Tuft Update
<img border="0" align="right" src=http://www.pedalmag.com/images/pedal/49e4aeb35091fTuft%20CORVOS_00013301-037.2.jpg?PHPSESSID=d6b65460de6342f48669438d90eb1f3b> April 14, 2009 - Many have asked for an update of Svein Tuft, who is one of many Garmin-Slipstream riders recovering from mishaps in the past month. In his case he and Mike Friedman tried to knock over some giant flower planters that were handily located in the middle of the road in the Three Days of De Panne. Despite the size of the Canadian time trial champion, the planter won and Tuft did his best impression of “stop, drop and roll” to avoid serious injury. He went on to finish in seventh in the time trial that SAME afternoon. He is now taking some time to properly recover with the help of the Argyle Armada medical team and the now well-known Space Legs from team sponsor NormaTec MVP.
“Yeah, things are gettin’ better,” said Tuft. “Just chillin’ with the Space Legs for some sweet compression! Rode today for an hour and a bit, but still feel a sharp pain while standing and going uphill. I think with some proper rest and care I should be back in action in no time. Thanks for the checking in everyone and take care.”
Published: Apr 14, 2009 - 07:15 PM
National News: dEVo Spring Series: Escape Velocity Stage Race
Jesse Reams - playing with the big boys
The 2009 dEVo Spring Series culminated with the Escape Velocity Stage Race this past weekend. Over 125 racers braved inclement weather to battle for the coveted overall omnium in each category.
Saturday was a split day, with the very technical Old Yale criterium in the morning, and the flat and fast River Road time trial in the afternoon. A four rider break from the gun in the C group stuck to the end, with new racer Cole Stewart taking a convincing win over Ted Matson and Jeff Hanninen (Daryl-Evans Racing). The B race was perhaps the most aggressive with U23 riders fighting for spots on Team BC at the Canada Summer Games. In the end it was track riders showing their sprinting skills with young gun Boris Martin (Trek Red Truck p/b Mosaic Homes) taking the bunch gallop followed closely by the 'Flying Squirrel' Jacob Schwingboth (Garneau Evolution) and Marcel Aarden (H&R Block Kona). The A race was also aggressive with Tyler Trace (Trek Red Truck p/b Mosaic Homes)just catching a late solo move by Matt Potma (H&R Block Kona). Murray Solem (Glotman Simpson), young Yukonian Jesse Reams (dEVo) and Will Routley (Jelly Belly) rounded out the top five.
... to see the results and how well Jesse did, click HERE
Published: Apr 14, 2009 - 07:12 PM
National News: OREGON NEWS
Update: Driver who hit cyclists was "a shy, peaceful person"
<img border="0" align="right" src=http://blog.oregonlive.com/news_impact/2009/04/large_Ben%20Ramsdell.JPG>Images of the injuries Ben Ramsdell sustained when he was deliberately hit by a car driven by Johnny Jerry Eschweiler in 2007
A 49-year-old driver who intentionally rammed his car into two bicyclists -- after one chided him for bad driving -- has avoided a prison sentence.
A Multnomah County Circuit Court judge found Johnny Jerry Eschweiler guilty except for insanity and said that Eschweiler shall live at home under the jurisdiction of the state Psychiatric Security Review Board for up to 15 years.
Eschweiler had been charged with two counts of attempted murder among other crimes and could have faced at least 7 1/2 years in prison if convicted without the insanity clause. The crash sent both cyclists to the hospital after they were struck while pedaling in a bike boulevard in the 1000 block of Southeast Clinton Street on Aug. 17, 2007.
... to read more click HERE
Published: Apr 14, 2009 - 03:59 PM
National News:
Friends don't let friends bike drunk
<img border="0" align="left" src=http://blog.oregonlive.com/commuting/2009/04/medium_SquidVicious-bike-memorial.jpg> Fatality numbers suggest that biking is getting safer in Portland - zero bike deaths in 2008 and none so far this year, despite more riders on the road. But Portland traffic cops have told me that they're concerned by what seems like a growing number of cyclists who are "drunk biking."
Of course, at this point, the evidence is only anecdotal. There has been no definitive research.
New York City, however, has done a study on drinking and biking. From this morning's New York Times: "Some 21 percent of autopsies for New York City bicyclists who died within three hours of their accidents detected alcohol in the body."
... to read more click HERE
Published: Apr 09, 2009 - 01:11 PM
National News: Blizzard Bike Club - Fort St. John, BC, April 5, 2009
<img src=http://www.canadiancyclist.com/races09/blizz_rockystart.jpg>
Kendra Young leading Rod Lewis, Bob Andrews, Jolea Bilodeau and Roger St. Jean on the muddy Rocky roadBlaine “Cannonball' Richter of Grande Prairie, was the repeat Rocky Road Race winner in Taylor, Sunday. He out sprinted Colter Young for the win in the 36 km., 2 lap event with a time of 1:07:00 hours. Pat Ferris was third at 1:17:19. Gary Hilderman was 4th at 1:22:31, Peter King 5th at 1:22:37 and Roger St. Jean 6th at 1:24:00.
Kendra Young won the 18 km 1 lap event with a time of 41:47 minutes. Barb Polehoykie came in 10 seconds later. Bob Andrews was third at 42:55. Jolea Bilodeau was 4th at 42:59 and Rod Lewis 5th at 46:34.
The Rocky Road Trophy Race was held on the gravely and muddy Peace View road. Eleven riders started out going through the muddy and snowy lower road section, progressed to the 2 km 10 percent gravel hill and then the gentle climb to the tee in the road. From then on it was a swift decent to the bottom.
Colter Young and Blaine Richter left Pat Ferris on the lower half of the uphill. Colter Young pulled away from Blaine on the hill on lap 2, gaining about a 30 second lead. Richter pulled back up to Young on the gentle climb to the tee. The two then descended the hill and headed to the finish with Blaine Richter holding off Colter Young's late charge. Ferris rode the race virtually by himself with Peter King chasing. Gary Hilderman eventually caught King and the two rode together to the finish with Roger St. Jean chasing.
Despite being covered with mud and grit from head to toe, all riders enjoyed the event.
Coming up:
The Spring Stage race and first 2 races of the 2009 challenge Cup Series.-Race #1 - Thursday Baldonnel time trial at 6:15 pm.
-Race #2 - Friday Beatton River hill climb at 10 am (Challenge Cup 1)
-Race #3 - Friday Beatton park - Alaska Highway - Gun range loop at 1 pm (Challenge Cup 1)
-Race #4 - Saturday Beatton Park - to Mile 62 and return - 1 pm
-Race #5 - Sunday Humpty's and around the Beatton - Montney Store loop - 1 PM
... this story came from the webpages of Canadian Cyclist, check them out.
Published: Apr 08, 2009 - 09:39 AM
National News: Now if it was your bike would they find the guy who stole it?
2 arrested, charged in theft of Armstrong bike
SACRAMENTO (AP)—Sacramento police have arrested two men on charges related to the theft of a bicycle belonging to seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong.
Officers said on Tuesday that they arrested 39-year-old Lee Crider on suspicion of stealing Armstrong’s Trek Livestrong 1274 and two other bikes from members of Team Astana.
Another man, 34-year-old Dung Le, was arrested on suspicion of possessing stolen property.
Officers say Crider stole the bicycles from the back of a rental truck while Team Astana was in Sacramento in February for Stage 1 of the Tour of California.
Crider then sold Armstrong’s time-trial bike to Le, who turned it in to police four days after it was reported stolen.
The other two bikes have not been recovered.
Published: Apr 08, 2009 - 09:29 AM
National News: Happy new year, indeed; duo saves man from South Sask. River
<img border="0" align="right" src=http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/media.canada.com/18999381-a686-495f-8661-8264cdefbb6b/1rescue.jpg>Saskatoon cyclists Scott Paisley (left) and Gerald Reshetnyk rescued a man from the river Sunday after going on the ice and using a backpack to reach him.A sunny sky. Fellow outdoorsmen enjoying the day. Snow-covered trees. Those are things Scott Paisley may have expected to see on Sunday afternoon. Looking over the side of the Victoria Bridge and seeing a man being carried away by the South Saskatchewan River? Definitely unexpected. But that's the situation Paisley was faced with.
The chance glimpse likely saved the life of a middle-aged man who tumbled into the freezing water after falling off his bicycle moments earlier. Paisley and friend Gerald Reshetnyk, who were also on bicycles, had been travelling towards the city's downtown core when Paisley noticed the man struggling in the water. The pair rushed to the river's edge, where Paisley called 911 before joining Reshetnyk, who had crawled out onto an ice shelf and thrown the 50-year-old man a backpack to pull him in. Saskatoon Fire and Protective Services arrived shortly after.
... go to the Star Phoenix for the rest
Published: Jan 08, 2008 - 11:16 AM
National News: Burnaby Six Day 2008 - Day 6 Final Report
<img src=http://www.pedalmag.com/images/pedal/47818055f1bb6Overall%20BVC66387.jpg>BVC 6-Day overall winners Symmetrics joined by Slipsteam (2nd) and Health Net (3rd).
January 6, 2008 - The 2008 Burnaby Six Day wrapped up on Saturday night, with an even larger crowd than on Friday night. In front of at least 400 excited race fans, Symmetrics defended their 2-lap lead over Slipstream Sports, and claimed the 2008 Burnaby Six Day champion jerseys.
... Pedal Magazine
Published: Jan 08, 2008 - 11:10 AM
National News: Update
The Tour of AmericaRight now we are starting to build on this event. We are learning at every turn. We made it more realistic with less stages and distances. We took positive input and used it. This is what we need!” Frank Arokiasamy
The tour of America project was first announced in September with a press release describing the race as: The event will be the largest spectator event in the history of U.S. sports, covering approximately 4,000 miles (more than 6,000 km) from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, with 27 stages held during 30 days of competition. The event will invite twenty-five of the most elite cycling teams in the world and will boast a prize purse currently pegged at $11 million, the largest purse of any international cycling event. The Tour of America will span approximately 22 states and will cover hundreds of towns and cities along the way.
... to read more go to The Daily Peloton
Published: Nov 07, 2007 - 01:27 AM
National News: Latest News
TransRockies 2008 selling out fast<img src=http://mos.bikeradar.com/images/news/2007/08/20/tr%20day%206%20womens%20leader%20sue%20haywood%20leads%20teammate%20hillary%20harrison%20through%20the%20singletrack-798-99.jpg>
Racing to enter the 2008 TransRockies
Fancy a week racing mountain bikes through the Canadian wilderness? If so, you better get yourself over to the TransRockies Challenge website pretty sharpish.
Entries for the 2008 edition, which runs 10-16 August, opened on November 1 and five days later there are just 50 spots left, each for a team of two riders.
Two hundred teams entered on the opening day. "It was a hectic morning," said event director Aaron McConnell.
The event's website has had a complete revamp to make it easier to use for both competitors and event staff. The site provides images, information and forums for riders, plus communications and update tools for event staff.
For more information see the TransRockies Challenge website.
Published: Nov 07, 2007 - 01:09 AM
National News: HOT AND HOT
<img border="0" align="right" src=http://www.nypost.com/seven/11012007/photos/p6k.jpg> LANCE Armstrong, 36, and Ashley Olsen, 21, are turning the heat up on their unlikely relationship. Page Six's ever-alert observers spotted the duo enjoying a romantic dinner at Graydon Carter's Waverly Inn on Tuesday night. The night before, Armstrong was seen "making out" with the tiny actress perched on his lap at the Gramercy Park Hotel's Rose Bar.
Published: Nov 01, 2007 - 11:09 AM
National News: CycloCross
Johnson, Barnholt burn up a hot Granouge 'crossThe unseasonably hot weather that has afflicted the East Coast cyclocross season continued at the first Verge MAC event of 2007, Delaware's UCI C1 Granogue ‘Cross. But it did not keep Tim Johnson and Kerry Barnholt from winning their first-ever Granogue titles by huge margins, and taking home the unique pink-flamingo trophies and a lot of cash.
Heavy overnight rain offered the promise of mud and cooler temperatures, but race day offered neither. The rain did, however, did make the track slick enough to provide some entertaining carnage in the day's first two amateur races, particularly on the long, sweeping off-camber turn down the side of the course's largest hill. There were so many slips, slides and spinouts (yes, actual spinouts), that race announcer Richard Fries dubbed the section the "SRAM Slip ‘n Slide."
... go to VeloNews to read the rest
Published: Oct 21, 2007 - 09:47 AM
National News: Sad News
Richard Juryn and Denis Fontaine Die in Kayak Mishap<img border="0" align="right" src=http://www.nsmb.com/images/shore_news/richjuryn/mongolia.jpg>Richard Juryn (far left) and five of his buddies on their recent riding trip to Mongolia.
Richard Juryn and seven friends set out on an epic, season-capping adventure on Saturday morning. Their plan was to kayak from Deep Cove to Anvil Island, run to the top, paddle back to the mainland and then cycle to Whistler.
After their climb to the top of Anvil the weather turned foul. Despite the increasing swell they decided to make for the mainland. Soon after, the weather deteriorated further and amid seven foot swells and 85 km/h winds the kayak containing Denis Fontaine and Cheryl Beatty capsized. Richard Juryn and his paddling partner, Graham Tutti, attempted to rescue Fontaine and paddle with him toward Porteau Cove while another picked up Beatty and made it safely back to Anvil Island. Fontaine climbed into the centre hatch of the double kayak but in the foul weather it began to take on water and eventually sank.
The three men were rescued after over an hour in the water but Richard Juryn and Denis Fontaine could not be revived.
... go to NSMBe.Magazine for the rest of this tragic story
Published: Oct 09, 2007 - 06:09 AM
National News: Tour of Missouri - Stage 2
Hincapie takes stage, lead at Tour of Missouri<img border="0" align="right" src=http://www.velonews.com/images/dom/13266.20466.f.jpg>Hincapie nips Canadian Dominque Rollin at the first sprint
Barring a repeat of the bad luck that has periodically plagued George Hincapie the last couple years, the American is in solid position to win the overall title at the inaugural Tour of Missouri.
On Wednesday, the Discovery Channel rider was part of a 12-rider break that rolled off the front of the field early in the rolling 125.6-mile stage 2 run from Clinton to Springfield and never looked back. At the finish, when Hincapie darted out of the small pack to take the stage win, the trailing field was more than 14 minutes behind.
...VeloNews
Published: Sep 13, 2007 - 07:03 AM
National News: Tour of Missouri - A Canadian Perspective
Bell Second at Tour of Missouri Opener<img border="0" align="right" src=http://www.tourofmissouri.com/galleries/0000/0267/Mia_091107_2191.jpg>Zach Bell is seen on the left
With no "big mountains" to climb and a course that better suits a well rounded rider & sprinter Whitehorse's Zach Bell made an impression on the national scene with his second place result in the opening stage of the Tour of Missouri.
_________________________________________________________
Zach Bell (Symmetrics Cycling Fuelled By FarmPure) just missed out on an opening stage victory in today's Tour of Missouri, taking second place.
A five-man break was clear for most of the 137 kilometres Kansas City stage today, breaking clear just 50 kilometres into the race. The gap ballooned to the 5 minute mark, but was caught on the final city circuits, with less than 10 kilometres to go. With several aggressive and technical corners to go, it was a wild ride to the finish. Zach Bell duked it out against the top North American sprinters, just losing to Ivan Dominguez (Toyota-United).
"We came to the final corner and I took the inside line," Bell explained. "The field swing hard right and I went on the left. It was just a touch too early, as it meant I started the sprint with 300m to go. At 50m to go, I saw a shadow. At 25, Ivan passed me. Still, Iím happy with today's result and I hope we can keep it up."
An Interview with Bell by Canadian Cyclist's Amy Smolens
Zach Bell - Symmetrics Cycling fuelled by Farm Pure - 2nd place, Stage 1
AS: How was it out there today?
ZB; Oh, it was pretty good. That break went away pretty early, like 30-40 k in. It was pretty controlled so the sprinters had a pretty good sit-in all day. So coming to the finishing circuits it was just down to us kind of rubbing elbows the whole way in.
AS: Were you able to utilize your track skills?
ZB: Oh yeah. I mean, this finish was a little bit downhill if not just perfectly flat. So I definitely had the speed and the leadout was pretty quick after the last corner. So yeah, once they start getting up to those top-end speeds that's good for me.
AS: When did you see Ivan Dominguez?
ZB: I took a peek under my shoulder with about 50 meters to go and saw a shadow. I knew I went pretty early so I knew that probably there'd be only one or two guys right there with me. When I took a peek under I didn't know who it was, but I knew that if it was him or one or two other guys that I'd be hard pressed in the last 25 meters to hold them off. But you gotta do what you gotta do. Once you've done your move you're committed, so I did the best I could do with it.
AS: How does second place to a guy like Dominguez give you confidence for the rest of the race here?
ZB: Oh, I mean, it's good, I mean I think it just confirms that I do have the speed coming in off the track. I was a little concerned cause the speed, it's a little different, a different kind of speed. But yeah, it just confirms to me today that I should be able to rub elbows with him for most of the week, which was the goal coming, so I'm pretty happy.
Published: Sep 12, 2007 - 09:13 AM
National News: Tour of Missouri
Dominguez wins Tour of Missouri opener<img src=http://www.velonews.com/images/dom/13258.20453.f.jpg>
The newly-crowned U.S. champ meets fans
Cuban speedster Ivan Dominguez earned the first yellow jersey of the inaugural Tour of Missouri, blasting across the line at the end of stage 1 on a sun-splashed Tuesday in Kansas City. The Toyota United rider's triumph came at the expense of Canadian Zach Bell (Symmetrics) and American Kyle Wamsley (Navigators) who were second and third respectively on the opening day of this six-stage, 600-mile race that will head west to east across the Show Me State before finishing on Sunday in St. Louis
... VeloNews
Published: Sep 12, 2007 - 08:50 AM
National News: Canadian National Track Championships
Zach Bell wins again ... ho hum, another race, another National Championship Jersey<img border="0" align="right" src=http://www.pedalmag.com/images/pedal/46e1ed7eaae84Mens%20indv%20pursuit%20winners2.jpg>Men's Pursuit podium (l-r): Jamie Sparling (La-Z-Boy Cycling) 2nd, Zach Bell (Symmetrics Cycling) 1st, Alexandre Cloutier (Équipe du Québec) 3rd
September 7, 2007 (Dieppe, NB) - Travis Smith of Calgary won the men’s sprint gold on Friday completing an undefeated performance with a victory over Felix Haspel of Alberta in the final at the 2007 Canadian track cycling championships in Dieppe, New Brunswick.
The victory shows Smith is back in form after a serious accident earlier this season.
“It’s a great results because I’ve come back from an injury I suffered at the world championships in March. I broke my pelvis in the Keirin race,’’ said Smith, who started training a month and half ago at his base in Los Angeles.
“After surgery the doctors said I probably wouldn’t race for a year, if ever. I was determined to prove them wrong so today’s showing is very satisfying. Today I was the fastest but there are some youngsters that are pushing me hard.’’
In the women’s event, Tara Whitten of Edmonton defeated Joanna Wiersma in the final.
Whitten is also a nationally ranked cross country skier. “I started cycling as cross training but now I’ll have to chose between the two sports,’’ said the 27-year-old who is leaning towards focusing on the summer sport. “I’m still training and I’m always learning so it’s always motivating.’’
In the individual pursuit, Quebec’s Lyne Bessette won the gold medal. In the final, she clocked 3:57.573 to beat out Whitten in second at 4:00.735.
For the men, Zach Bell defeated Jamie Sparling, in the final clocking 3:42.420.
“With today’s windy conditions, it’s a good clocking,’’ said Bell, who has also raced on the road this season. “I’m pleased with my fitness over the last few months and I’m on track to peak for the World Cups in November and December.’’
Competition continues through to Sunday.
... this story came from Pedal Magazine
Published: Sep 08, 2007 - 06:59 AM
National News: US Pro Championships
Zabriskie defends pro ITT title<img border="0" align="right" src=http://images.velonews.com/images/dom/13194.20279.t.jpg>Zabriskie defends his pro time-trial title
This year hasn't been stellar, results-wise, for Team CSC's David Zabriskie. But his second consecutive time-trial win at the 2007 USA Cycling Professional Championships on Saturday may have brightened things up a bit.
Zabriskie, who will continue to wear the national champion's stars-and-stripes jersey when he moves over to Team Slipstream-Chipotle next season, covered the 18.7-mile course in 39 minutes and 34 seconds - just a single tick of the clock faster than one of his teammates-to-be, former under-23 world time-trial champion Danny Pate. Another Slipstream rider, Tim Duggan, finished third at eight seconds back.
Sponsored by the Greenville Hospital System, the out-and-back time trial was held for the second time in the hills outside of Greenville, South Carolina. But this year's course did without last year's decidedly technical finish, now jokingly referred to as "Baldwin's corner," for the spot where Toyota-United's Chris Baldwin misjudged a turn and crashed.
... VeloNews
Published: Sep 02, 2007 - 06:44 AM
National News: Car strikes two cyclists in road rage
<img border="0" align="left" src=http://www.kgw.com/sharedcontent/newslink/thumbnail/kgw/0733/bikecar2_4518-t240.jpg>Police arrested a driver Friday afternoon after a bizarre chase in which two cyclists were hit by a car in Southeast Portland.
It all started around 12:30 on 1000 block of Southeast Clinton Street. Police said 46-year-old Johnny Eschweiler was driving along when he reported a cyclist kicked his car. Officers said Eschweiler sped up and hit the cyclist, who rolled onto the hood of the car, smashing the windshield.
The car continued on about 75 feet, sideswiping a car and hitting a truck before turning a corner where another cyclist heading towards the car was then hit, investigators said.
Police arrested Eschweiler and charged him with two counts of attempted assault.
The cyclists, 25-year-old Ben Ramsdell and 41-year-old Timothy Mastne, were taken to OHSU. Their injuries were not life-threatening.
Neither cyclist was wearing a helmet.
Published: Aug 19, 2007 - 09:31 AM
National News: Wicked weather snuffs Mt. Washington Hillclimb
<img src=http://velonews.com/galleries/2007Contest4/mt%20washington%20hill%20climb%202006%20by%20Paul%20Burns.jpg>Horizontal sleet, rime ice, 87-mph gusts of wind and freezing temperatures forced the cancellation of this year's Mt. Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb on Saturday.
Six hundred cyclists had come from all over New England and from as far away as the West Coast for the chance to race the 7.6 miles to Mt. Washington's summit in what is called, all too aptly, "the world's toughest hillclimb." Now they'll wait another year to battle the Auto Road's 12 percent average grade.
... VeloNews
Published: Aug 19, 2007 - 09:26 AM
National News: TransRockies 2007 - Stage 7 Report
Sessford and Clark (Midnight Sun) finished 5th on Stage 7 and 10th overall, Slater and Parker (Klondike Cog Cursers) finished 17th and 26th overall_________________________________________________________________
Team United Cycles Wins Overall
<img src=http://www.pedalmag.com/images/pedal/46c76e74035b9tr%20day%207%20the%20overall%20podiu2.jpg>
Final TR07 Open Men's podium (l-r): Federico Ramirez (Crc)/Ivan Amador (Crc) La Ruta 2nd, Tim Heemskerk (Can)/Roddi Lega (Can) United Cycle Team 1st, Matt Green (Can)/Matt Hadley (Can) Rocky Mountain/EAsports 3rd.
After a Day 6 which will go down as one of the most brutal days in TransRockies history, the riders were treated to a quick 48km Stage 7 run into beautiful Fernie to the finish line celebrations with the friends and family who were waiting there for them. The weather held in and the 2007 TransRockies Challenge will go down as having the finest weather since the race began.
The short and fast last stage of the TransRockies saw the Team United Cycles duo of Roddi Lega and Tim Heemskerk confirm their dominant overall victory with their sixth stage win in seven days. They gapped the second and third placed Team La Ruta/Pizza Hut and Team Rocky Mountain EA Sports in the last singletrack section and rolled across the line with a narrow 18-second victory on the day and a 26-minute win in the overall standings.
A select group of teams formed during the first 20km of the race when the leading racers averaged close to 35km/h on a series of rolling forestry roads and doubletrack trails. With most of the technical singletrack packed into the last half of the stage, riders worked together knowing that the race would be won later.
As they had throughout the race, the team from Edmonton, Alberta was able to use their superior technical skills to gap the Costa Ricans on the rocky, rooty trails which make the TransRockies Challenge unique among the grand epic races in the world. With a gap in place, the question became could the young guns from Rocky Mountain EA Sports use their prowess in the singletrack to overcome the advantage that Team La Ruta/Pizza Hut had opened earlier in the race. In the end they came up a few seconds short and the podium on day 7 exactly mirrored the final overall standing with Team United Cycles in 1st, La Ruta in 2nd and Rocky Mountain EA Sports rounding out the top 3.
... once again, go to Pedal Magazine for the full results and rest of the story
Published: Aug 18, 2007 - 11:09 PM
National News: TransRockies - Stage 6
Midnight Sun continues to impress as they have now moved into 10th place overall in the TransRockies Challenge. It will be tough to move up further but going into the last leg they are only 24 minutes behind the 9th place team. The Klondike Cog Cursers are presntly in 27th place only 3 seconds back from 26th._________________________________________________________________
United Cycles Edges La Ruta
<img border="0" align="left" src=http://www.pedalmag.com/images/pedal/46c6760d761aatr%20day%206%20the%20last%20singletr2.jpg>The final singletrack takes its toll
Going into stage 6 of the 2007 TransRockies Challenge, Elkford to Sparwood, 116 kms with 2,300m of climbing, all racers knew that there was every chance that this would be longest and toughest stage of the race. The day dawned ominously with an orange and hazy sunrise above the mountains East of Elkford, British Columbia. Smoke from forest fires rolling into the area was responsible for the murky day but a relentless and punishing course was responsible for the suffering that ensued.
The day's challenges started immediately with a 4km asphalt climb at 7% up the Fording Creek Mine road bringing the riders to the trailhead of some sweet but challenging singletrack along Josephine Creek. The race quickly splintered into pieces as the accumulated fatigue of five days of tough racing left lot of riders running on empty. The main group of roughly 20 riders who reached the top first set the racing order for the day's competition.
... a complete report can be found at Pedal Magazine's website
Published: Aug 18, 2007 - 06:47 AM
National News: TransRockies Challenge - Stage 4
Yukon riders continue to do well after 4 stages of this sufferfest called the TransRockies. To be honest judging by the pictures it looks more like a bike carrying contest than a bike riding contest. Team Midnighht Sun remains in 14th place 1 hr. 57 min back of the leaders and Klondike Cog Cursers are in 27th place 3 hr 39 min back._______________________________________________________________
La Ruta Takes the Win
<img border="0" align="right" src=http://www.transrockies.com/transrockies/media/2006_images/tr06_stage4/tr06_stage4/images/tr06_stage4_009.jpg>Listen dorkstick, I'm almost positive its round side down
The Costa Rican team La Ruta (Federico Ramirez /Ivan Amador) finally broke the stranglehold of Team United Cycles (Tim Heemskerk/Can, Roddi Lega/Can) with a close sprint win today on 115km Stage 4, with 1,342m of elevation from Nipika to the wilderness campground of Whiteswan Lake, the most remote location that the TransRockies Challenge will visit in 2007. With two major climbs and over 50km of single and doubletrack, riders were happy to see the finish line at Whiteswan Lake.
.... for full results go to Pedal Magazine
Published: Aug 16, 2007 - 05:28 AM
National News: TransRockies Challenge - Stage 3
Team Midnight Sun now sits in 14th place in the Open Men's GC after three stages. They are 1 hr 34 minutes back of race leader United Cycles. Klondike Cog Cursers have slipped to 24th and are now 2 hr. and 25 minutes back.________________________________________________________________
United Cycles in Control
<img border="0" align="right" src=http://www.pedalmag.com/images/pedal/46c27e136428atr%20day%203%20what%20would%20the%20tr2.jpg> ... and we get to ride our bikes, when?
August 14, 2007 (Nipika, BC) - Riders and crew alike woke up in a great frame of mind as Day 3 of the TransRockies Challenge dawned clear and crisp. For the first time in the six years of the event’s history, riders could head to the start line without packing bags for the move and the staff was able to look ahead to the same.
But riders did have the small business of Stage 3 to deal with - Nipika-Nipika, 93kms and 1,500m climbing. Covering as many kms as the first two days combined and including the most climbing yet, with two passes in and out of the spectacular Kootenay River Valley, Stage 3 was going to turn the ‘sufferator metre’ up a couple of notches.
... go to Pedal Magazine to read the rest
Published: Aug 15, 2007 - 04:10 AM
National News: TransRockies - Stage Two
Team Midnight Sun - Sessford and Clark finished 8th on the stage only 16 minutes behind the leaders and have moved from 17th place to 15th in the Men's Open GC<img border="0" align="right" src=http://www.pedalmag.com/images/pedal/46c1316890f52day%202%20mixed%20leaders%20simms.2.jpg>Mixed Team leaders: Normon Thibault (Can)/Wendy Simms (Can) Frontrunners-KONA
United Cycle Wins Again
August 13, 2007 (Invermere, BC) - After a late-afternoon windstorm which blew through Invermere on Sunday, that flipped tents and wreaked havoc in the rider village, conditions settled down for the evening and riders were treated to a perfect cool mountain night to rest up for the second day of the TransRockies Challenge.
Leaving Invermere in a rolling closure provided by the local Royal Canadian Mounted Police, riders were launched into race mode after the first three neutralized kms and the attacks came fast and furious as the top teams tested each other to see who had recovered after the first day’s effort. Riders rode uphill for the next 20 kms climbing to the top of Bear Creek, first via logging roads, then on some steep and technical jeep trails. The majority of the last 40km was raced on singletrack, varying from raw and precarious trails down from Bear Creek into the Kootenay River Valley, finishing on the buffed and perfect trails of Nipika Mountain Resort.
... go to Pedal Magazine to read more and see the complete results.
Published: Aug 14, 2007 - 04:46 AM
National News: TransRockies
Stage One ReportThe Yukon entry of Sessford and Clark are sitting in 17th place after the short prologue beginning to the 2007 TransRockies Challenge. The stage was won in a time of 2 hr 12 min and the Yukoners came in at 2 hr. 46 min.
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<img border="0" align="left" src=http://www.pedalmag.com/images/pedal/46bfead11bc4efifteen%20minutes%20to%20start%20f.jpg> Getting ready for the start
August 12, 2007 (Panorama Mountain Village, BC) - The first stage of the TransRockies Challenge has traditionally been a shorter prologue stage to allow riders to work their way into the race before the route takes them deep into the wilderness of the Kootenay Rockies. Starting from Panorama for the first time in event history, the riders faced a short 33km course which opened up with a 1.6km start loop through the village past the crowds of friends, family and well-wishers before rolling straight into a gruelling 1,200 vertical metre climb including a significant hike-a-bike to the summit of Taynton Pass.
The potential bottlenecks made a ripping fast start a tactical must for teams with podium ambitions. Last year’s second-place finisher Tim Heemskerk of United Cycles has teamed up with longtime National Team member Roddi Lega with the single goal of taking the top podium spot this year. They went to the front early sending a message to all the other teams with a furious pace up the first climb.
... you can read the rest in Pedal Magazine
Published: Aug 13, 2007 - 08:48 AM
National News: Mountain Biking
Gould, Kabush clinch NMBS XC titles<img border="0" align="left" src=http://www.velonews.com/images/mtn/13081.20032.f.jpg>Kabush: Hey, a win's a win
Capping a season that saw her spring to the top of American women's cross-country racing, Georgia Gould won the sixth and final round of the 2007 National Mountain Bike Series on Sunday in Snowmass, Colorado. In doing so, the Coloradan became only the second woman in series history to sweep the series. Mountain biking great Juli Furtado, owner of 26 NORBA cross-country wins, swept the old NORBA series in 1993.
Gould already had the overall locked up heading into the Snowmass finals. Still, the 27-year-old admitted the buzz surrounding her potentially flawless season brought some extra pressure to bear.
... VeloNews
Published: Aug 12, 2007 - 04:04 PM
National News: Landis takes second in mountain bike race
<img border="0" align="right" src=http://d.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com//ng/sp/eurosport/20070812/15/281298916.jpg> Floyd Landis took second place in the Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race despite sustaining a cut leg in a crash early on.The former Phonak rider finished one minute 43 seconds behind winner Dave Wiens, who claimed his fifth victory in the event.
He arrived in with his right leg wrapped in a gauze, covered in blood, and joked "I'm never going to do this again," before adding "I'm glad I came and did this. I really enjoyed it."
The race was the American's second since testing positive for testosterone at last year's Tour de France. He is awaiting the findings of an arbitration panel after protesting his innocence in a lengthy case.
Published: Aug 12, 2007 - 03:19 PM
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