Tour de Nez 2008: Bigger, Better, Badder

The Tour de Nez gets it's name from the Deux Gros Nez coffee shop that race director Tim Healion owned for years in Reno

The Tour de Nez stage race storms into the Reno/Tahoe area beginning this Wednesday, June 18, and a top-flight field is expected on hand to battle for the overall title of the "coolest stage race in cycling." Comprised of five total stages, the race features a 4 mile climbing time trial, two action-packed criteriums (one in Reno, one in Truckee), a climb-heavy 60 mile road race, and a final hilly circuit race through the Village at Northstar recreational resort

Some of the bigger names confirmed include Bissell's Burke Swindlehurst, 4th in the 2006 US Pro Road Championship, and Aaron Olson, the ex Pro-Tour rouler who rode with stars like Gilberto Simoni at Saunier Duval and Mick Rogers at T-Mobile.

Jittery Joe's will start Neil Shirley, who is suffering from a broken wrist suffered during Philly Week. He'll do his best to nurse the good form he still has from the last few weeks. An elite climber, even though he has a broken bone, expect Shirley to have a good race, and be in the hunt for the overall title.

Toyota United meanwhile is only represented by one rider, Justin England, but that doesn't mean you won't see their jersey at the front in many stages at the Nez. England is a former winner of the Mt. Washington hill climb event, and so should excell in the circuit and road race at the Nez. Also, don't be surprised to see a few more United kits in the peloton, as the Tour de Nez is a race many riders ride because they WANT to, not because they have to.

Candelario takes the downtown Truckee crit last year. He'll be a favorite again after his 5th place at the Philadelphia International Championship last weekend

One such rider who shows up year after year to compete is Alex Candelario of the Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast cycling team. Jonas Carney's team will bring a full contingent to battle for stage wins and the overall. "Candy" will handle the flatter stages, while Andrew Bajadali will aim for the overall title. Watch out for "The Bahj", who is an accomplished stage racer and climber. He'll be one of the prohibited favorites for the overall win.

The most dominant team at the 2008 Tour de Nez however must be the Swiss BMC squad. They bring a trio of climbers and a top flight sprinter to the race, with 2008 Tour of California Mountains classification winner Scott Nydam, 2006 Commerce Bank Lancaster Invitational winner Jackson Stewart, and 2007 stage winner and 2nd overall at the Tour de Nez Mike Sayers. Add sprinter Taylor Tolleson to the mix, and you have a BMC team that should be able to make it's presence felt in every Tour de Nez stage.

Finally, there is one more rider who will light up the crowd and the race on each and every stage. The "Mustached Maurader," Steven Cozza, will be on hand to give it a go, as the "Argyle Gang" Slipstream Chipotle will be represented at the Nez for the first time. Expect to see Cozza off the front, attacking with abandon, as he continues to rebuild his form after an early season collar bone injury. He rode well at the Triple Crown in support of teammate Tyler Farrar, and should be primed to race in his home state.

The old Deux Gros Nez coffee shop, before it closed in 2007

The Tour de Nez, as it does every year, promises non-stop cycling action with a local flair. From the race launch at the Grand Sierra casino in Reno to it's finish in the Village at Northstar at Tahoe to post race block parties after each stage, the Nez really is the "coolest race in cycling!"