Landis Verdict: Who Cares, It's Tour Time!!!

It's Tour time!!!

Now that Floyd Landis has been convicted for the 700th time, the sport can move on to what is important: now and the future. With the Tour right arouind the corner, who has time to rehash old doping allegations? Can't we just let Vino, and Heras, and yes, Landis go once and for all? Let's focus on what's important, the field for this year's Tour de France.

Team rosters are finalized at this point as each rider now anxiously awaits the start in Brest in four days time. The overall contenders are tucked away in the high mountains, taking it easy ahead of the year's biggest test while most of the sprinters and domestiques go about business as usual.

In what will be a whirlwind week for the first timers of this year's Tour, endless interviews and daily distractions will challenge the uninitiated, while veterans like Eric Zabel and Christophe Moreau will smirk with knowing smiles, remembering their first Tour.

Still other riders will be watching from home, as they have not been invited to the 2008 edition. Among them the entire Astana team, winners of the Giro and the best stage racing team in the world. Alberto Contador and his teammates will watch the race unfold, knowing that if they were a part of it, things would probably be different. Ivan Basso, on suspension until September, will lick his chops thinking of 2009. Others like Tom Danielson and Rabobank's Thomas Dekker will bite their lips in frustration after having been left off their team's Tour rosters due to managerial decisions.

Things are starting to come together now, as we lie only four days from the start line in France. All riders are ready, now or never, to contest the most important bike race in the world. Equipment has been prepared, schedules and procedures have been agreed upon and finalized. The only thing left is the racing, which can't come soon enough for the riders, their coaches or the fans themselves.

2008 Cycling National Championships Update

Most of the national road and time trail championships have now been contested. Below, the significant results.

1. Spain: Alejandro Valverde, i.e. valv piti takes his country's championship. He'll look to win the Tour de France in his home country's jersey. It should give him confidence.

2. Italy: Filippo Simeoni!!! Are you kidding me?!??!?? Best known for his spat with Sir Lance-a-lie, Simeoni takes the tri-color jersey, and in doing so ensures himself another season in the pro peloton. Bravo!

3. France: Nic Vogondy!!! Like Simeoni, Vogondy buys himself another year in the peloton in taking his country's title. What a win for the Frenchman, who shows his class even late in his career.

4. Wegmann again for Germany. Fabian has done it again, taking the coveted three stripe german colors combo for the second year in a row. He hasn't been able to jump to the next level in other races, but back to back victories in his home championship race should boost Wegmann's confidence ahead of the Tour de France.

Now that most of the national championships are over, the teams will be able to focus as a group in preparation for the Tour. With less than a week to go, it is more about staying out of trouble than improving at this point in the calendar. If all the contenders can avoid sickness or crashing, the Tour de Fance should be one to remember.

Tour de France Countdown: 7 Days

It's Valverde . . . er no . . . it's Evans . . . uh nooooo . . . . it's . . . it's . . . Sastre?

We are now seven days from the Tour de France. Most of the top contenders are at elevation, finishing their preparation for the grande boucle, and anxiously awaiting the start line in Brest on July 5th. Below are four random pre-race observations with only one week to go.

1. The main favorites will have no excuses for their form

Evans, Valverde, Menchov, Cunego, Zubeldia, and Sastre all have managed to stay upright and out of harm for their preparations, and so each should come to the line in Breast in their best possible form. Look for very nervous racing over the first few stages, as each team leader attempts to assert their team's dominance on the race.

2. The second tier of contenders are still extremely talented

From the two Schlecks at CSC to Stijn Devolder of Quick Step, Vladamir Efimkin of the French AG2R team, and Kim Kirchin of team Columbia, the second level GC contenders are still serious threats if they come into the Tour on top form. Look for Devolder and Efimkin to surprise in the high mountains, and for Schleck as a key player amongst the big players as he looks to launch team leader Sastre. Kirchin is always steady in the Tour, and his recent victory at the Fleche Wallonne in April and the time trial championhip in Luxembourge this past week will have him arriving at the Tour with supreme confidence. EuroPeloton predicts a gritty ride from Kirchin, and a top ten placing overall.

3. The young rider competition should be exciting

Andy Schleck. Mauricio Soler of Barloworld. Roman Kreuzinger, recent winner of the Tour de Swiss. Thomas Lovkwist. Gerolsteiner's Markus Fothen. Liquigas's Vincenco Nibali. All will be on hand to contend for the mallot blanc, but some in the group will be contending for other jerseys as well. Andy Schleck and Soler likely will be involved in the KOM title as well, along with one other young rider, Riccardo Ricco. "The Cobra" came up just short of his goal of the overall title at the Giro, but he rode well (despite an enormous ego) and showed that he is a legit stage race threat for the future. It's looking like Ricco is primed for a run at the KOM title, and probably won't look to ride high on the GC or young rider competition.

4. The green jersey conpetition is wide open too

With Petacchi out of this year's Tour, the veteran Erik Zabel will enjoy team leadership duties once again. Ands why can't the old German win the green jersey again? Other veterans will be there to contest the green jersey, amongst them Thor Hushovd, Robbie McEwen and Oscar Freire, but none of them seem that much better than Zabel when considering their chances for the points title. Each would love a green jersey in Tom Boonen's absence, and only Freire seems questionable to finish the grand tour, as he prepares for another run at the world championship. It should be an exciting competition, with a surprise winner. Stuey O'Grady has been quiet thus far, but is a capable, sturdy rider who has won a green jersey in the past. Watch out for the understimated Aussie to take the title.

All Tour d eFrance, all the time over the next week as we inch ever closer to the biggest bicycle race in the world.

Cascade Classic 2008: Astana Ready to Pounce

Long ago they were adversaries (Levi left, Horner right), but today they are teammates. May the two have mercy on the other teams at the Cascade Classic

News out of Oregon has Astana team members Levi Leipheimer and Chris Horner scheduled to ride in the NRC stage race, adding an interesting twist to the way the tactics will play out on the mountainous parcours of the Classic. Onlookers in the stage race should expect a heavy onslaught from the Astana tandem, as they look to release some of their anger surrounding their exclusion from this year's Tour de France.

Other notable entrants for the upcoming Cascade Classic (July 9-13) includes last week's Tour de Nez winner Aaron Olson, of the Bissell team, who will be supported by his powerful teammates Ben Jacques-Maynes and Burke Swindlehurst. BMC, the 'white sharks' of the peloton, will ride in support of their GC man Scott Nydam.

Garmin-Chiptole's no-Tour de France contingent are headlined by GC hope Tom Danielson and fast finisher Tyler Farrar. Each are bothered (to say the least) over their non-selections for the Tour, but will try to make the most of things on home soil. Also suiting up for Garmin will be young Peter Stetina, son of 80's cycling star Dale Stetina. The youngster has shown well in this week's Tour of Pennsylvania stage race, and will be keen to have the opportunity to ride against the 'big boys.'

Also emerging for the hilly Western American classic will be the LA-based Rock Racing team. Former world time trial champion Santiago Botero will lead the acid-green and black outfit, while Cesar Grajales, virtually invisible thus far in 2008, will also be a factor on for Rock on the climbing stages. The former Tour de Georgia Brass Town Bald stage winner should be considered a dark horse for the overall win, or at least the climber's jersey.

Last but not least, look out for the Toyota United squad, as the bring Justin England, Chris Baldwin, and Domique Rollin to Oregon to contest the Cascade. The Toyoat team has yet to announce a sponsor agreement for 2009 and beyond, so every win that owner Sean Tucker's team can earn will help their cause for finding a replacement sponsor for Toyota.

In what should be a rare thrill for many of the entrants in this year's Cascade Classic, two of the best riders in the history of American cycling will toe the line against the field. Each domestic rider will get a real picture for what Pro Tour racing is like, as Levi and Horner shred the field. Euro Peloton expects an overall victory from Leipheimer and at a least a podium from Horner on one of the stages. More likely though is the scenario of both Astana riders making the final podium.

As sad as it is that Levi and Horner won't be at the Tour de France this July, it is also exhilirating that Amercian fans will be able to cheer the two-some on first hand in Oregon this week. They'll add an interesting twist to the domestic stage race, and bring the race more recognition than it normally would have received. Wish I had known ahead of the time that they'd be there. I woulda' been too!

The Beauty of the Cycling Fan's Pursuit

We may not all dress like the devil, but other cycling fans feel the same way when they see the peloton

As an announcer and reporter of cycling, I find many opportunities to observe the sport of cycling through the eyes of the fans. In these moments, whether it is a small child seeing the fleeting peloton pass by for the first time or the die hard fan rooting on their favorite team or rider, I remember the true beauty and simplicity of the sport.

I have always believed that you either love cycling or you don't care about it either way. Some people look at a bike race and see only a big group of people riding close to each other. But to the cycling aficianado, the true fan, therein lies much more. Instead, the cycling fan sees a game within a game, an ebbing and flowing, a fluid organism capable of various appearances at any given time. In short, a cycling fan sees life.

It is this 'life' that attracts one to the sport. It is in watching a sprinter like Tom Boonen battle over the huge climbs of the Tour de France in order to get to Paris. It is in seeing Tyler Hamilton, waaaay past his prime, soldier on for the love of the sport. It is in George Hincapie and Chris Horner, a desire to ride until no one wants them, until they can no longer derive a living from the activity. Few sports exhibit such passion, such perserverance, such grit.

And surrounding all this 'life' are the fans, the followers of the sport that support their favorite rider year in and year out. At the prologue in San Francisco at the 2007 Tour of California, while setting up for the race early in the morning, I saw a man sitting by himself on a news paper vending machine. He had a bag draped over his shoulder, and was wearing a Colnago world champion cycling hat. It was chilly outside, and he patiently sipped a hot coffee as I approached him.

I nodded hello and we started talking. Salvatore was his name, he was from Italy, and had been living in America for over 15 years. After telling me to call him "Sal," he explained that he was here for one reason and one reason only: Paolo Bettini. He had a "Squadra Azzura" jersey in his bag, along with a matching Italia cycling cap and a magazine with Bettini on the cover. As he showed me each treasure, he smiled a little bigger and became more animated as he described his hero. He was there four hours before the prologue to secure a spot at the front of the crowd for when Bettini arrived. Observing him, I could see the underlying concentration on his face not to miss his moment. I wished him luck and walked away.

A few hours later, I returned to the area where the team busses were to be parked. Some of the teams had already arrived, including the Discovery and CSC teams. They had run some yellow police tape around their campers, so as to keep the fans at a safe distance from the riders. I looked around for the man I had seen that morning, but he was nowhere to be found. I began walking back toward where I had seen him earlier that day.

As I approached the spot, I realized that I was arriving at the perfect moment to see the man's plan fulfilled. He was looking purposefully up the road, scanning the roadway ahead for any sign of his hero. Just then, a car approached carrying the world champion in the front seat. Springing into action, the man positioned himself in front of the passenger side door as the car came to a stop.

It was a beautiful thing to watch. Bettini non-chalantly stepped out of the team car, resplendant in his world champion's rainbow jersey. Meanwhile, in one fluid motion, Sal had the Italia jersey and hat in one hand, and a black sharpie in the other. He quickly presented both to Bettini, who signed first the hat and then the jersey. As Bettini signed the hat, the man carefully reached into his bag for the magazine. By the time Bettini finished signing the jersey, the magazine appeared just beneath as the final article to sign. After scribbling his name a third time, this time on a magazine, Bettini nodded at Sal and strode toward the team camper.

Sal meanwhile tucked the magazine and jersey back into the bag along with the cap, and scurried out of the way of the crowd toward a nearby bench. He was spent. Taking in a deep breath, he exhaled and looked up at the sky before carefully unfurling the jersey, cap and magazine from his bag. I walked over to him just as he was purveying his newly signed merchandise. Looking up at me, he smiled a mile-wide and held out his hand. With the conviction of someone that has accomplished exactly what they set out to do, he said to me, "I really got him to sign all three!" He was completely in his element, and completely satisfied.

I think back on Sal often as an example of what it means to be a true cycling fan. We're a strange lot, capable of patience and precision when searching out a given rider. Some people only want a handshake, others to ask a question, and others an autograph. Sal waited for about five hours just to interact briefly with Bettini for just under a minute. Yet to him it was completely worth it. I know how he feels. A year later, I would wait six hours in the pouring rain to see Toyota United's Dominique Rollin take the cold, rainy queen stage of the 2008 Tour of California. I gladly would have waited seven.

Moreau, Piepoli, Zabel: Their Final Tour de France?

Christophe Moreau, Leonardo Piepoli, and Erik Zabel approach the 2008 Tour de France at the very end of their cycling careers. Each may well continue riding into 2009, but it is unlikely that each will be able to make the cut for the Grande Boucle again.

Few people associate or remember Moreau as part of the tainted Festina team of 1998

At 37, Moreau has gone from a yearly top French contender in the Tour to a wild card candidate over the past few seasons. A strong, sturdy pro, Moreau may have not been the strongest rider most of the time, but when he was on, he was as good an elite stage racer as any other rider. The defending French National champ will try to win his national championship again ahead of the Tour so that he can wear French colors in his final year as a Tour de France participant.

Piepoli is a pure climber and a huge asset to a GC hope

Piepoli probably has one or two more Giro's in him, but it is unlikely that we'll see him at the Tour de France after this year. He's an aging mountain goat who can still be an asset once a year in a grand tour, and he'll end up finishing his career in the Giro d'Italia in one or two more seasons. The only reason he's even riding this year's Tour is due to his crashing out of the Giro. He is still relatively fresh, and the 36year old should be able to go top three or better in at least one of the mountian stages.

While at Telecom, Zabel was able to coexist with perrenial runner-up and grand tour contender Jan Ullrich

Erik Zabel has done pretty much everything there was to do in his career. For a pure spinter, he was miraculously durable and scrappy when he needed to be. He's an accomplished track rider, and has an affinity for the bike that few others can match. Despite his doping confession, the 37 year old remains one of the most talented sprinters of his generation. Taking all that into consideration, it seems that of the three riders mentioned here, Zabel is the best hope for a stage win.

Even if each rider fails in his quest for one more big time win in a Tour de France, it won't matter. Their legacies have been cemented into cycling's history books regardless of whether they succeed in this year's Tour or not. Hopefully though one of them will catch lightning, and wow their tifosi one more time.

Tom Danielson Left Off Garmin-Chipotle Tour Squad

The last time most of us saw Danielsen was at the Tour of California

Once again, Tom Danielson will miss the Tour de France. A promising rider on paper, Danielson has yet to even attempt the Tour de France, an astonishing fact considering that he has been riding with Tour eligible teams since 2004. Whether he'll ever get a chance to contest the world's biggest cycling race remains unknown. Suffereing from multiple injuries, Garmin team director Jonathan Vaughters puts his stage race hope at only 80%.

What a shame for Vaughters and the Garmin-Chipotle squad. After a decent spring campaign and a nice Giro d'Italia, the American team will head into the tour without a leader. And without clear team leadership, the "Argyle Gang" will have to be careful not to become anonymous in the year's second grand tour.

Another American left out of the Tour line up is Tyler Farrar, one of the faster finishers on the team. The New Zealander Julian Dean will be expected to contend in the bunch finishes, but he remains untested in big time sprinting. Hopefully Magnus Backstedt will be able to lend some of his race wisdom, and some solid lead outs for Dean.

Going back to Danielson, what next for the mercurial ex-phenom? Can he regroup in time for the Vuelta, a race he has had modest success in before? Or will he instead shut it down for the rest of the year and attempt a big time comeback next year? Hopefully the Durango resident will find his form before it's too late. There is very little room on a top ranked team for riders that don't ride. Danielson will need a solid second half of the year or an explosive early 2009 if he is to remain a rider of the Garmin-Chipotle team. One thing that can be counted on: his his fans will cheer him to the end, Tour de Fance rider or not.

National Championships Week Approaches

Over the next few weeks, the majority of national championships will take place, and wearing one's own distinctive national kit tends to bring out the best in many different types of riders each summer. With the exception of Australia and the USA, almost every other cycling nation will run it's national championship just ahead of the Tour de France. Many current national champs are scheduled to take place in the Grande Boucle, and they'll likely look different once the Tour arrives.

Stijn Devolder will defend his chamionship for Belgium, but will be up against some stiff competition in Tom Boonen and Leif Hoste. Philippe Gilbert too will be a threat. Finally, Greg Van Avermet could impress with a touch of luck. For the Dutch, Thomas Dekker will be a heavy favorite, with Robert Gesink and Bauke Molleme dark horses.

Joaquím Rodríguez will have to contend both with Oscar Freire and Alejandro Valverde. In all liklihood, he won't make it to the tour in his country's colors. And in France, Christophe Moreau will have a chance to defend his national jersey, and show it off on homke soil providing he can thwart the efforts of Sylvain and Sebastian Chavanel, Thomas Voekler and Remy Di Gregario. Finally, Giovanni Visconti will try to keep the tricolor Italian kit, having to watch out for Enrico Gasparotto, Filippo Pozzato, Daniele Bennati, and Danilo Napolitano.

For America, Levi Leipheimer gets to keep the jersey until the end of August, when the US Pro Championships occur. He'll face tough competition again no doubt, with Christian Vande Velde, Chris Horner, Dave Zabriskie, Fred Rodriguex, Andy Bajadali, Steven Cozza, and George Hincapie on hand to battle it out for the stars and stripes.

Roman Kreuziger Breaks Through With Tour de Swiss Overall Win

Kreuzinger won the 2004 Junior World Championship in Verona, Italy

Roman Kreuziger held off challenges from some of the best stage racers in cycling yesterday, completing the 2008 Tour de Swiss as the overall winner. After an epic first place in the individual mountain time trail a few days earlier, Kreuzinger showed himself as a young rider to watch for thr future.

Kreuzinger was able to defeat the likes of Kim Kirchen, Andreas Kloden and Damiano Cunego. At only 22 years old, Kreuzinger's best years are still ahead of him. He leads a new generation of young professionals that are able to win even at the beginning of their careers. Expect Kreuzinger to be around for a long time, and to be a darkhorse favorite for the Tour de France overall in about two years.

Two other young riders that also contested the Tour de Swiss were Thomas Lovkwist of the Columbia team and Andy Schleck of CSC-Saxo. Both riders put in excellent performances in the race, finishing 5th and 6th overall respectively. Expect both Lovkwist and Schleck to have good Tour de France rides, as they become more and more comfortable in the pro peloton.

Tour de Nez Stage 5: Olson Siezes Overall, Kilun Scores Stage

Olson drags Kilun, Baker, and Mach through the Village at Northstar en route to his overall win

Stage five of the 2008 Tour de Nez, a 45 mile up and down affair in and around the Village at Northstar resort, gave onlookers one last chance to see the main protagonists of the stage race fight it out on the tough, technical course. The 1.75 mile loop took riders over stretches of the cobbles stones that run through the village, lending an old school feel to the race.

As usual, the action came fast and furious, as the overall race leader through four stages, Andy Bajadali of the Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast team, held a tenuous four second lead over BMC’s Scott Nydam, five seconds on Symmetric’s Eric Wohlberg and a further 18 seconds on Bissell’s Burke Swindlehurst. All signs pointed to a showdown among the leading trio, but as happens so often in cycling, a different scenario played out.

The strongest team in the race, Bissell, initiated the action right away as Graham Howard, the brother of stage one winner Steven, went clear early with four others, including SRAM’s Ben Raby, Zteam’s Paul Mach, stage three winner Roman Kilun and Vitamin Cottage’s Jonathan Baker, second in stage three behind Kilun.

With only eight laps remaining, Bissell racheted up the pace, as Aaron Olson went off in search of the breakaway, and behind them, Garmin-Chipotle’s Steven Cozza, Team 5 Star Waste Vegetable Oil’s Karl Bordine and Tom Zirbel worked hard to bridge to the leading group of five.

Two laps later, the breakaway was nine strong, with Zirbel and Howard pinning it at the front. Bajadali’s Kelly Benefit Strategies squad suffered a bit of bad luck, as “The Bahj” explained. “The race was really tight, and we needed all our guys to battle Bissell. They brought a full GC team, so we had out work cut out for us. Candelario flatted and really had to dig to get back. By the time he reconnected, he was really tired. Dan Bowman too was really fatigued, so I got isolated and was unable to match Bissell’s power.”

As the race went inside the final five laps, both Howard and Zirbel put in huge pulls at the front, increasing the gap to Bajadali and the chasing field. Olson took over with three to go, and dragged the remaining four riders the rest of the way home. In what seemed like an impossibility, the affable 30 year old from Bend, Oregon was able to create enough of a time gap to take the overall title for the 2008 Tour de Nez.

Olson was obviously happy with the result, and described it as his biggest win to date. “I was able to win because of my teammates. They sacrificed themselves for my benefit. Graham Howard probably could have won today, but he sacrificed himself so that I could try for the overall. I’ve been feeling my form coming along over the last few weeks, and I was able to go with some of the better climbers, so I knew I had a good chance today for the overall win. For me, winning the overall is pretty special, especially considering the guys I beat this week.”

In the battle for the stage win, it was all Health Net’s Roman Kilun, as the Oakland, California native took his second stage win ahead of SRAM’s Ben Raby and John Baker of the Vitamin Cottage team. This time, Kilun won on a hilly, tough course, showing his versatility as a rider. “It’s been a really great week. When you’re relaxed and having fun, I think it makes it easier. With this race, it feels like family with Tim Helion and his crew. I come here every year, and it just seems to get better and better.”

In the final jersey competitions, Kelly Benefit’s Dan Bowman wrapped up the climber’s purple jersey, while team Rubicon-Orbea’s Carson Miller netted the best U-23 white jersey. For the green sprinter’s title, it was Roman Kilun, riding his two big wins in the five stage race. Olson meanwhile can bask in the glow of victory, as he scores the red overall winner’s jersey, which will match his predominantly red Bissell kit perfectly.

Tour de Nez Stage 4: GC Battle Heats Up as Wohlberg Takes Mountain Road Race

The Stage 4 Podium: Bajadali, Wohlberg and Nydam

As expected, the fourth stage of the 2008 Tour de Nez stage race provided a big shake up in the general classification, as Kelly Benefit’s Andy Bajadali took the leader’s jersey away from BMC’s Ian McKissick. Eric Wohlberg of the Symmetrics team was able to come away with a hard earned victory on the 6.5 mile mountain circuit, while at the same time vaulting himself back into contention for the overall crown.

The day’s action began early, as it has in most of the other stages, with the BMC team attacking. Scott Nydam, the 2008 Tour of California climbing champion, attacked the field on the very first lap, taking four other riders with him. After being caught on the descent, the field came back together ahead of the second lap, and the three mile ascent that featured a total of 869 vertical feet of climbing.

As the field hit the climb, Kelly Benefit Strategies’ Dan Bowman attacked, bringing Bissell’s Tom Zirbel and three others with him. He was counter-attacked by Successful Living’s Bradley White and Symmetrics Eric Wohlberg, who were able to forge a twenty second gap. Behind in the main field, the sudden attacks immediately put many riders in trouble, as multiple riders went off the back of the group, never to make contact with the leading field again.

After a third lap of more aggressive attacking, two riders were able to take a fifty-five second advantage over the chasing peloton. Bissell’s Zirbel was once again in a break, this time to stay, with his lap two partner Dan Bowman. The two worked together to extend the lead, and were able to hold a one minute gap over the field until the sixth lap, when they were joined by Wohlberg and another Bissell rider, Aaron Olson.

Behind the break, the main field was indecisive, as no one team seemed to want to take the responsibility of reeling in the break. By the beginning eighth lap, the foursome had shrunk to three, as Zirbel was dropped. The leading trio of Olson, Wohlberg, and Bowman had now grown their lead to over two minutes, as the stagnant field behind continued to give slack. Sensing that the race was getting away up the road, the remaining riders in the field began to pick up the pace. Health Net’s Corey Collier and Matthew Cooke pulled the remaining eleven riders up the climb, and by the time they hit the line for the ninth lap, the lead was down to only a minute and ten seconds.

On the ninth lap, multiple attacks split the remaining chasers, and Kelly Benefit’s Bajadali went away on his own in search of the break. Only four of the original eleven chasers were able to follow, as Nydam, Cooke, Successful Living’s Brad White, and Bissell’s Burke Swindlehurst followed about thirty seconds behind Bajadali. On the descent, the long day’s effort could be seen in the chasers, as Swindlehurst rubbed his cramping right leg and Aaron Olsen was unhitched by Wohlberg up the road, who sensed that the time was right for the decisive solo attack.

The tenth lap was one of survival, as all six of the remaining chasers did what they could to hang on. Cooke put in another acceleration on the final ascent of the climb, and Scott Nydam followed along with Brad White, dragging the four up to Olson and Bajadali. On the descent, the re-formed group of six rocketed toward the finish in a last gasp effort to reel in Wohlberg.

On the final climb to the finish, the chasing six could see Wohlberg up the road, but the Canadian was able to stay away, taking a heroic victory in the toughest stage of the Tour de Nez. Bajadali was able to unhitch his closest rival Olson on the final run in to the finish, and in doing so took the overall red leader’s jersey on the second to last stage. Scott Nydam rounded out the podium in third, keeping himself in the GC picture heading into the final stage tomorrow, another hilly forty-four mile jaunt in an around the Village at Northstar.

Many of the jersey’s changed hands, as Bajadali became both the overall and points leader. Adam Switters, after a tough Truckee criterium, conceded his best U-23 white jersey to Carson Miller of the Rubicon-Orbea team. A 19 year old from Bend, Oregon, Miller explained his expeience during the race. “This was an amazing day. I was unable to stay with the main group, but having the jersey means that I still did a good ride. I really hope I can defend the jersey tomorrow. I came here with a strong team, and we’ll definitely be looking to defend the jersey tomorrow for sure.”

Bajadali, the new race leader, realizes that nothing is assured tomorrow, as there are five riders within twenty seconds of the Kelly Benefit Strategies rider. “I have to hand it to Eric, he was the old Eric today. You know, tomorrow is another tough day, so I’m going to have to ride defensively and do the best I can to limit any gaps. My team was great today. Alex Candelario calmed me down early on, and now it’s anyone’s game. The GC is so tight, it’s gonna be kind of chaotic tomorrow.”

In what will be an electric final stage tomorrow at the Northstar resort, Bajadali will need his entire team’s help to ensure that he keeps the leader’s jersey. He’ll face constant attacks from Scott Nydam, Matthew Cooke, Burke Swindlehurst, Aaron Olson and Eric Wohlberg. In what should make for a memorable finale, the Tour de Nez is establishing itself as not only the “Coolest Bike Race in America,” but also one of the most difficult and exciting.

Tour de Nez Stage 3: Kilun Kills Em' in Truckee

Kilun won easily after beating his breakaway companions in Truckee

photo courtesy of Kurt Jambretz Action Images (www.actionimages.cc)

In what was an amazing day for bicycle racing in America, the third stage of the “Coolest Bike Race in America,” the Tour de Nez, unfolded in downtown Truckee. Conditions for the event were nearly perfect, with temperatures in the high 70’s and sunny skies. A stiff headwind made things interesting for the field, as the action was fast and furious from the opening gun in the seventy minute timed criterium.

Multiple attacks marked the first thirty minutes of the race, as pre-race favorite Alex Candelario took an early flyer, as did Eric Wohlberg, the former Canadian national champion riding for the Symmetrics squad. Behind in the main field, the BMC team struggled to pin down the early breaks, while the other teams with big sprinters refused to do much work to help bring back the break.

By the time the race had reached the one hour mark, a group of three had managed to escape from the field. Health Net’s Roman Kilun, Vitamin Cottage’s Jon Baker, and Justin England of the Toyota United team worked together to create a tentative gap, while behind BMC, weary from their race long effort to control the field, were unable to do much to bring the trio back. As the minutes ticked down, the gap held at twenty seconds, and the threesome was assured of being able to contest the sprint amongst themselves.

On the bell lap, the tactics began to play out, as each of the three riders began taking long looks at each other in an attempt to gauge the strength of each other. Coming down the home stretch, it was all Roman Kilun as the 26 year old from Oakland, California took the win easily ahead of Baker and England.

Kilun explained the situation on the road, and what his thoughts were during the race. “I was feeling really good when I went away with Justin and Jon, and I was surprised that we were able to get such a big gap. My next thought was for my teammates Corey Collier and Matt Cooke, who are high up on the GC. I didn’t want our break to get too much time, but I also wanted to go for the stage win. Since our gap didn’t get too big, I decided to go for it.” Speaking of winning against Baker and England, Kilun explained, “I felt pretty good. You know, they’re both good riders, so I didn’t take them for granted, but I was definitely confident that I could win.”

In what was a great day for the Health Net squad, Cooke and Collier finished second and third respectively in the morning time trial, while Kilun managed the win in the evening criterium. In looking to tomorrow’s road race, Kilun was humble. “I’ll work for my teammates, and try to give them the best chance possible to stay towards the top of the GC. They are both huge talents, and are really good climbers. They’ll show it for sure tomorrow.”

In the GC picture, BMC’s Ian McKissick was able to retain the leader’s red jersey, which he’ll try to defend or pass on to a teammate tomorrow on stage four. Roman Kilun claimed the latest green points jersey, while Adam Switters of the Rock Racing team was able to retain the white jersey of best U-23 rider despite significan mechanical problems with his back wheel throughout the race. “I had a problem with my back wheel, my gear kept slipping out on the sharp turns. I ended up being gapped very lap and had to work really hard just to stay in contact.”

Racing continues today with a 65 mile circuit race that is sure to shake up the general classification, as the riders will tackle 10 laps of a demanding 6.5 mile circuit, with a total of over 800 vertical feet of climbing on each circuit. Look for BMC to be out in force, along with Kelly Benefit’s Andrew Bajadali and Bissel’s Burke Swindlehurst. Finally, today’s breakaway rider Justin England should be in the mix, as he tries to take the overall win without any team support.

Tour de Nez Stage One: Bissell Foils Candelario

Under clear skies and breezy summer conditions in Reno, Nevada, seventy five top professional cyclists embarked on a five stage, four day journey, starting at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada, with a seventy five minute timed criterium race around the parking lot of the casino resort. Unlike in previous years when the race was an omnium, based on individual points earned in each stage, this season’s race is a true stage race, where the overall winner is the rider with the lowest total time combined for the five stages.

The criterium course was contested over a 1.04 mile loop around the parking lot of the Grand Sierra resort, with a slightly uphill finish to complete the first leg of the “Coolest Race in America.” And from the opening gun, the action was fast and furious as the BMC team attacked, first with Jackson Stewart and then with Mike Sayers, looking to push the pace and stretch the field. They were never able to gain a significant gap, as the Bissell team made sure to contain any breakaways. Riding at the front, sometimes as many as five strong, Bissell put both the peloton and the audience on notice that they would be a force to be reckoned with throughout the five stage race.

The field remained largely together for the first sixty minutes of the race, but as the time continued to tick down, multiple attacks went off the front. Steven Cozza of the Slipstream-Chipotle team went away with Aaron Olson of Bissell, but was pulled back by BMC, who were trying to set up the sprint for their designated rider Taylor Tolleson. Finally, in a surprise move with five laps to go in the race, local favorite Alex Candelario went off on his own in an attempt at a solo victory.

Candelario explained his attack to the media after the race. “I probably went a little bit too early, but we were just trying to mix it up and make it a fun race. Next thing I knew, I had a pretty big gap and decided to keep it going. Bissell had twice as many guys as everyone else though so they brought it back pretty easily.” Candelario still has a lot of fight left in him, and will target the downtown Truckee criterium, a race he won last year, tomorrow. With confidence typical of a top-flight sprinter, Candelario stated about tomorrow’s race, “I’m gonna win tomorrow. Yeah, I got it.”

As Candelario powered away from the field, the Bissell team once again came to the front and began the chase. The Reno resident was able to hold the field at bay for four laps, but he was caught on the back stretch of the final lap, setting up the bunch sprint.
Bissell continued to keep the pace high, discouraging any attacks, as a large crowd gathered around the finish line area to see the finish.

As they approached the finish line, the field was spread out ten wide on the finishing straight. Bissell began their lead out at about three hundred meters for young Steven Howard. Rocketing away from the field, the American completed the perfect day for his Bissell team, taking the win by more than a bike length ahead of Riccardo Escuela of the Successful Living squad and Eric Wohlberg of the Canadian Symmetrics team.

In the fight for the overall, Howard takes the race’s first overall leader’s jersey, as well as the best sprinter title. The best young rider jersey went to Roman Van Uden of Team Rubicon-Orbea. Racing for Lance Armstrong’s cancer foundation, the jersey will make a good prize for the small team as they look to raise awareness and money for cancer research.

Racing continues tomorrow with a 2.75 mile mountain time trial to the Village at Northstar resort in north Lake Tahoe, and then a timed seventy five minute evening criterium in downtown Truckee. The morning time trial should provide for a major shift in the GC standings, while the evening criterium will provide another chance for the fast finishers to shine.

Sponsor News: Slipstream Partners with Garmin

Following on the heels of both the CSC and High Road teams, Slipstream-Chipotle announced today the forming of a partnership with Garmin International, makers of GPS navigation tools. In what is great news for cycling, three of the cleanest teams in cycling have now secured powerful new sponsors that will carry them through the next few years. The new official name of the team will be Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30.

CEO Jonathan Vaughters had a vision when he started the Slipstream squad: clean cycling and integrity. His belief was that if you build it, they will come, and he was emphatically correct. Garmin, like Saxo Bank and Columbia sportswear, realized that a partnership with Slipstream will give them positive exposure in a variety of locations and demographics.

According to an official press release, the team will be overhauled from a visual perspective, from kits all the way up to the team bus. For the faithful Slipstream fan base, the question must be whether the signature argyle design will remain, or will it be replaced by an entirely different motif?

Asked about the general argyle design in a virtual press conference today and whether it will stay a part of the uniform, Vaughters explained that the trademark argyle will stay, as it has become a description for "where we came from. It identifies where we're from, where we came from and where we started. I symbolizes what we're all about, our personality." A Garmen rep also claimed that it "will be one of the finest looking kits in the Tour."

Garmin also announced that they will be debuting their new cycling computer, the Edge® 705, an all in one navigation/personal monitoring system that has built in maps and tracks all individual performace on the bike, all in a wireless device. Further, the 705 allows data to be downloaded and shared, which will be a plus for any average club rider looking to one-up his teammates.

Team expectations in the Tour will be very simple according to Garmin representative Steve Garmin. "We'll look to bring the most competitive squad possible, and ride it (the Tour) with as much commitment as possible every single day. There are individual stages that we have in mind for possible wins, but expect to see us at the front in every stage as we look to make our mark on the race." Expect the new Garmin-Chipotle outfit to continue to impress as the months and years go on, as one of the most progressive cycling minds, Jonathan Vaughters, refines his master plan.

Juan Mauricio Soler: A Columbian in France, Part II

Soler is known for creeping over his bike as he climbs, earning him the nickname "The Spider"

Juan Mauricio Soler came out of nowhere last year in the Tour de France, and took the polka dot climber's jersey after spectacular attacks in the high mountains throughout the three week grand tour. Soler will return to the Tour again in 2008, but no longer will he be considered an underdog. This time around, "The Spider" will have to win from the front of the group, and will have to initiate the mountain attacks. Whether he'll be up for the task remains to be seen.

Soler has done very little thus far in 2008. He was at the front for some of the hilly spring classics, and took the start line at the Giro with the intention of testing his form, but had to abandon the race after the 11th stage citing a respiratory problem. He did not garner any significant results during his time at the Giro.

Soler has been out of the spotlight ever since, as he presumably builds his climbing form in the high mountains of Italy in preparation of his KOM defense. How he performs in this year's Tour will indicate whether Soler can be considered a serious threat in big time bicycle races. If he contends again for the KOM, he'll be seen as a consistent "gamer" who can handle the pressure of a huge race. If he falters however, he'll be viewed as nothing more than a one year flash in the pan.

Stijn Devolder: Throwback Cyclist, Belgian Style

Devolder's win at Flanders was his biggest to date, but the Tour promises even more prestigious victories

Stijn Devolder began his ascent to cycling's top level last season while riding for Johan Bruyneel's Discovery Channel cycling team. He took his home country's national road race championship, and with it the coveted Belgian national jersey, which he wears to this day. Since that historic win though, Devolder has also taken his first classic win, at the Tour of Flanders. Devolder attacked the field early at De Ronde, and soloed home for the win, his biggest result to date.

Devolder is a rare cycling talent. He can time trial and climb, and has the individual strength required for the one day classics. He is one of only a few riders that is capable of contending in all types of races. His Quick Step team has high hopes for the 28 year old, and have made him their designated team leader for the upcoming Tour de France.

Devolder is an underground pick as a contender by many cyclin fans in the know. He has had an excellent season so far, and Patrick Lefevre, Quick Step's manager, sees Devolder more as a stage race rider than a classics specialist. If Lefevere has his way, Tom Boonen will lead the team each spring, and will pass on leadership responsibility to Devolder in the Tour and Vuelta.

Currently racing the Tour of Switzerland, Devolder has shown that his form is good. He remained with the elite climbers in the first high mountain stage (Cunego, Schleck, Kloden) and is in position to contend for the overall win. He'll continue to build his form as the Tour gets closer, and could end up being one of the biggest surprises in this year's TdF. One thing is for sure: by the time this year's Tour de France is over, all cycling fans will know the name Stijn Devolder.

2008 Dauphine Libere: What We Learned

The Dauphine Libere stage race concluded today, as Alejandro Valverde defended his overall lead and took top honors in the Tour de France tune up race. The Spaniard looks to be headed for a great performance in July at the Tour, as he showed off his much improved time trialing skills in winning the 31 kilometer time trial. In addition to Valverde though, other info can be extracted from the Dauphine as an indicator of what will happen in a few weeks time when the Tour kicks off in Brest.

1. Cadel Evans will be ready to battle come Tour time. The Aussie put in a good performance at the Dauphine, and showed that his form is coming along nicely ahead of his biggest target of the season. Evans has been tweaking his pre-Tour prep for a few years now and the former mountain biker seems to have it down to a science these days. He'll come to the Tour highly motivated, with a decent team behind him, hoping to improve on his second place from last year.

2. Robert Gesink will not ride the Tour, and he will be missed. Gesink is very young, and Rabobank team management wants to bring him along slowly, so he'll not ride the Tour this year. It is a shame for a couple of reasons. For one, his prowess in the high mountains could have dramatically affected the tactics on each hilly stage. Second, he would have been a very realistic contender for the polka dot jersey. He'll ride the Tour in 2009, but his absence in 2008 should be noted as a shame.

3. Astana will be missed dearly at the Tour. This has been discussed in detail already. Enough said.

4. CSC-Saxo won't know who its leader is until the first tough mountain stage. Carlos Sastre is usually on good form when the Tour rolls around, but he did very little to exhibit that fact at the Dauphine. In fact, the Spaniard has been invisible in 2008, and has not shown that he is riding especially well at any point this year. The other GC guys on CSC-Saxo, the Schleck brothers, also have not accomplished a whole lot in 2008. Frank was in contention in some of the hillier classics, but his brother Andy has had zero results. Add the fact that Andy is tackling his first Tour, and that Frank is unproven in stage races, and you have a very muddled team leadership picture for Bjarne Riis and CSC-Saxo. Which is probably just how Riis likes it.

5. Sammy Sanchez mirrors Sastre in terms of how he looks ahead of the Tour. Eskaltel-Euskadi management is saying that he is putting everything into having a good Tour, but he did not do well in the Dauphine. Expect teammate Haimer Zubeldia to have a better Tour, and to have team leadership from the first mountain stage on.

Racing now screeches to a halt in France, as the run up to the world's bigest cycling race ensues. Most of the GC favorites will go away to put the finishing touches on their preparation, while some of the one day specialists will compete in their national championships for the right to wear their country's colors over the next year.

Tour de France Dark Horse Haimar Zubeldia Looking Good for July

A great climber, Zubeldia also posesses excellent time trialing skills, which make him a top grand tour rider

Haimar Zubeldia is not a name that is usually mentioned when speaking about the favorites for the Tour de France. A lesser known Spaniard who rides for the Basque Euskaltel-Euskadi team, Zubeldia hasn't won a race since 2000, but has finished in the top ten in three of the last five TdF editions, including 5th in both last year's and 2003's edition.

Zubeldia is riding very well ahead of this year's Tour, and is sitting in 8th place overall at the Dauphine Libere. He has ridden a controlled race, and showed that his form is on track ahead of the French grand tour. The wild card for Zubeldia in determining his success in the Tour will be, as always, his undermanned Basque team. Although goo in the mountains, Euskaltel will have trouble controlling the peloton should Zubeldia find himself in the leader's jersey early on in the Tour.

Euskaltel-Euskadi is a special team in that every single rider on the squad must be Basque. That is, they must be from a small region in northern Spain in the western Pyranees. The region is known for its passion for cycling, and has produced several high profile cyclists, including Zubeldia, Iban Mayo, Joseba Beloki, Abraham Olano, and "Big Mig," Miguel Indurain, winner of five editions of the Tour de France.

Zubeldia knows how to suffer in the long climbs, and will be a rider to watch in the high mountains of this years Tour

Zubeldia will have outright leadership of his team in 2008, and should be expected to go at least top ten in this year's edition. At 31 years old, he is in the prime of his cycling career and must envision 2008 as one of his best chances at the overall title. With a bit of luck and some chutzpah though, Zubeldia could find himself on the podium of the biggest bicycle race in the world. Some will be surprised if that happens, but they should't be. Zubeldia, although not as well known as Alejandro Valverde or Cadel Evans, possesses just as much fire power and experience as his advesaries, and is a worthy candidate for the yellow jersey in the 2008 Tour.

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!"

The Boonen Dilemma: A One Time Transgression, or In Too Deep?

As most know by now, Tom Boonen has tested positive for cocaine in an out of competition test ahead of his home tour the Tour of Belgium back in May. He has faced unending scrutiny from the press and his tifosi since the story broke, and considering the situation, Boonen has managed to keep a cool head. As journalists and fans alike called for an explanation, Boonen issued only a curtly worded statement to explain (kind of) his actions.

Boonen is undoubtedly one of the biggest talents in cycling. He has a persona that exudes confidence and talent, and he has an easy way about him, even under stressful circumstances. That he is able to meet his rabid fane base and the press with such grace obscures the fact that like anyone, he is human, and prone to the same traps as anyone else under tremendous daily scrutiny. However, unlike most of us, he is followed every where he goes, and expected to deal with the pressure put upon him with aplomb every single time, regardless of the situation.

If this was your life, wouldn't you probably find yourself doing things against your better judgement too??

He has already paid a huge price for his transgression. He won't ride the Tour de Swiss, and the Tour de France also has banned him from participating. He will probably be able to take the start line at the Vuelta Espana, and the preperation he gains at the three week tour may help him to contend at the world championships in Varese in September. This time next year, this instance will be an afterthought, no one will remember it. Boonen will handle this situation as he has all others during his athletic career: with a quiet confidence and unswerving determination.

Out of the Limelight, Basso Trains, Eyes 2009 Debut

Word out of the Tuscany region in Italy says that deposed Italian star Ivan Basso is putting in huge hours on the bike, six days a week. He has a familiar climb that he has used to guage his fitness throughout his career, and he has supposedly shattered his records while out training. Recently annointed "Anti-Doping Ambassador" by the UCI, Basso signed with the Italian Liquigas team a few weeks ago, effectively returning him to approximately the same point he was at before his exclusion from the Tour de France in 2006.

Basso has always been a huge talent, and has won at every level of cycling. Whether he doped or not is less of an issue than in the past, as it seems that the European peloton is making strides in the fight against doping. Basso will compete on a more level playing field against a cleaner peloton when he returns. He'll have good team support from his new Liquigas team, and he is looking as though he'll at least be a threat in the 2009 Giro. His dedication to training has never been questioned, only his judgement. Hopefully, the second time around in pro cycling will go better for Basso. Best case scenario over the final few years of his career (he'll be 31 when he returns): One Tour de France win, two more Giro titles, and one classic. Worst case scenario: Makes a bunch of money over the next few years, fades away like Iban Mayo did.

Dauphine Libere Underway, Valverde Already Victorious

The Dauphine Libere Parcours

The Dauphine Libere stage race commenced on Sunday, with the American Levi Leipheimer taking the first leader's jersey after the short opening prologue time trial. Stage one was an uphill sprint, and Alejandro Valverde won ahead of fellow GC contenders Cadel Evans, Leipheimer, Robert Gesink and Carlos Sastre.

Sastre has been all but invisable thus far in 2008, but seems to have decent form as we approach the most important bike race of the year, the Tour de France. Gesink has been quiet since his epic meltdown at Paris Nice a few months ago, and looks to be rebuilding his form for a run at the polka dots in the Tour. Evans is on track as well, and will be a formidable adversary for Valverde and a few others in the hunt for the Malliot Juane in less than a month.

Meanwhile, some other Tour de France hopefuls are racing at the Tour of Luxembourg, a race previously won by lance Armstrong (1998), Bernard Hinault (1982), and Christian Vande Velde (2006). CSC has Frank and Andy Schleck at their home tour, as each of the young stars plan for the July Tour, and their teammate Fabian Cancellara will hope for good form again in July, like last year when he took the yellow jersey for his Danish team.

Now inside a month, the main topic of discussion will be the Tour de France. Even when talking about other races (Dauphine, Luxembourg, Tour de Swiss), they will be used merely as indicators for who will have the best chances once the Grand Boucle arrives. The heat of the cycling season has fallen, as we charge toward the second half of the 2008 cycling season.