Fitchburg, Mass. – Team Type 1’s Alison Powers earned her fourth top-three finish at a National Racing Calendar (NRC) stage race Sunday while Jen McRae placed runner-up on a stage for the second time at the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic.

Powers finished 20 seconds behind overall winner Evelyn Stevens (Team Lip Smackers) following Sunday’s Workers’ Credit Union Downtown Criterium. McRae was second to Tina Pic (Colavita-Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light) in the 25-mile (40 km) race that was comprised of 28 laps of a hot dog-shaped course in Fitchburg, Mass.

While Powers did earn her team-leading 18th podium place of the season, the U.S. national time trial champion said she was a little bit disappointed she didn’t win the race overall.

“I definitely wanted to win, but you can’t win every race and I did take a break after the Nature Valley Grand Prix,” Powers said. “Every day of this race, I felt like my fitness was getting better and better, so I’m right on track for nationals at the end of the month.”

McRae said the strategy Sunday was to preserve – or improve – Powers’ place in the overall standings, while also aiming for the stage win.

“I wanted to use the last corner to get the gap and then try and hug the inside line all the way to the finish,” McRae said. “Unfortunately, Tina came by me right at the line. All in all, this was a good race for us and we had a break through with our criterium racing. We finally clicked. That’s key going into criterium nationals next month.”


In the men’s race, Team Type 1’s Michael Creed finished fifth overall and teammate Darren Lill was sixth as Sunday’s criterium created a shake-up in the final standings. Zach Bell (Kelly Benefit Strategies) overtook Tom Zirbel (Bissell Pro Cycling), who had been leading the four-day, four-stage race from the start.

Creed finished fifth on the final stage to wind up 20 seconds behind Bell, while Lill was 33 seconds back in the final overall standings. Matt Wilson (in fourth, above) scored Team Type 1’s best placing in Sunday’s 50-mile (80 km) criterium.

Photos: Courtesy Mark Suprenant.

Americans Amber Neben and Kristin Armstrong finish 1st and 2nd in Individual Time Trial


Yesterday, Amber Neben (Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung) won Stage 2 of the 20th Giro Donne ahead of compatriot and fellow Olympian, Kristin Armstrong. With her victory in the 13.5 km Individual Time Trial from Pontedera to Santa Maria a Monte, Neben would take over the lead in the General Classification and also move past Edita Pucinkaite in the points and mountain competitions.

Unfortunately, only a small minority of Americans actually know of her, or of her recent accomplishment.

It’s unfathomable in point in history of mass communication, where unknowns can become household names instantaneously, that one of the most accomplished and decorated American cyclist is a relative unknown in her country of origin. But that is exactly the case. Neben has long been known in the cycling world as one of the best, but to those outside of it she is just as foreign as the European teams she has represented and those she has called teammate.

To her credit, Amber Neben has once again placed herself in a position to capture one of the biggest races on the women’s professional circuit. Hopefully this time, Americans will finally stand up and take notice.

Results – Stage 2
1. Amber Neben (USA) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung
2. Kristin Armstrong (USA) Cervelo TestTeam
3. Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo TestTeam

Other Notables
16. Mara Abbott (USA) Team Columbia HTC Women
18. Katharine Carroll (USA) US National Team
23. Meredith Miller (USA) US National Team
31. Katheryn Curi Mattis (USA) US National Team
34. Kimberly Anderson (USA) Team Columbia HTC Women
39. Lauren Tamayo (USA) US National Team
42. Shelley Olds (USA) US National Team
56. Liz Hatch (USA) Team System Data
70. Megan Guarnier (USA) US National Team
76. Flavia Oliveira (Bra) S.C. Michela Fanini Record Rox
111. Lisa Racchetto (USA) Team System Data
112. Brooke Miller (USA) US National Team

General Classification After Stage 2
1. Amber Neben (USA) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung
2. Kristin Armstrong (USA) Cervelo TestTeam
3. Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo TestTeam
4. Judith Arndt (Ger) Team Columbia HTC Women
5. Noemi Cantele (Ita) Bigla Cycling Team
6. Svetlana Bubnenkova (Rus) Fenixs Edilsavino
7. Edita Pucinskaite (Ltu) Gauss RDZ Ormu - Colnago
8. Claudia Hausler (Ger) Cervelo TestTeam
9. Nicole Brandli (Swi) Bigla Cycling Team
10. Diana Ziliute (Ltu) Safi - Pasta Zara Titanedi

Other Notables
15. Mara Abbott (USA) Team Columbia HTC Women
20. Katharine Carroll (USA) US National Team
34. Kimberly Anderson (USA) Team Columbia HTC Women
40. Katheryn Curi Mattis (USA) US National Team
42. Meredith Miller (USA) US National Team
49. Lauren Tamayo (USA) US National Team
54. Flavia Oliveira (Bra) S.C. Michela Fanini Record Rox
79. Shelley Olds (USA) US National Team
90. Megan Guarnier (USA) US National Team
92. Lisa Racchetto (USA) Team System Data
93. Brooke Miller (USA) US National Team
100. Liz Hatch (USA) Team System Data

maglia rosa - Amber Neben (Equipe Nurberger)
maglia ciclamino - Amber Neben (Equipe Nurberger)
maglia verde - Amber Neben (Equipe Nurberger)
maglia bianca - Elisazabeth Armitstead (Lotto Betisol Ladies Team)

Next: Stage 3 - Calcinaia to Prato a Calci/Monte Serra (106.4km)

Similar to Fabian Cancellara’s greatness (Team Saxo Bank) in the time trial, Mark Cavendish (Team Columbia – HTC) is equally as consistent and devastating in the sprint.

On Stage 2 of the 96th Tour de France, the 24-year old from the Isle of Man would once again provide evidence that he is undoubtedly the fastest man on two wheels, at least of those on self-propelled wheels.

After a precarious run into the finish that would see several sprinters take themselves out of contention and into the turn off for support cars, the crazy train known as Team Columbia - HTC, finally peeled off and unbridled their fast man, who dashed to the line without much opposition. The victory would be Cavendish's 14th on the year, and his 5th Tour de France win overall.

The Bounce
Not being privy to the finances of companies that sponsor cycling teams, it’s difficult to determine the marketing bounce, in actual dollars, that sponsors make back by having their logos prominently displayed on a team’s jerseys, bicycles or accessories. But if Trek Bicycles' association with Lance Armstrong is any indicator, then mobile phone maker HTC, who signed on to Team Columbia – Highroad as a secondary sponsor prior to the start of the Tour, should in line for some instant gratification. A second place finish on Stage 1 by Tony Martin and a victory on Stage 2 by Mark Cavendish has already raised the profile of the little known company, despite the fact that it was ranked "as the second best performing technology company in Asia in 2007."

The Tour: It’s mostly about the bike, but sometimes its about the marketing.

The Sprinter Farrar
Team Garmin-Slipstream’s Tyler Farrar may fashion himself to be a Classics hard man, but should he stay the course through to Paris, he may just be a contender for the maillot vert. One of the few men to beat Mark Cavendish to a finish line this year, Farrar’s second place finish on Stage 2 not only speaks well of his individual chances, but also of the team’s ability to match their American based rival, Team Columbia-HTC, in leading out the sprint.

Results After Stage 2
1 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team Columbia - HTC
2 Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - Slipstream
3 Romain Feillu (Fra) Agritubel

General Classification After Stage 2
1 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank
2 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana
3 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Garmin - Slipstream
4 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana
5 Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence - Lotto
6 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana
7 Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas
8 Tony Martin (Ger) Team Columbia - HTC
9 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas
10 Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana

Jersey Leaders After Stage 2
Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank


Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team Columbia - HTC


Jussi Veikkanen Francaise Des Jeux


Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas


Next: Stage 3 - Marseille to La Grande-Motte (196.5km)
A flat as a pancake run in means a speed fest awaits.

The 2007 Giro Donne Champion sprints to victory on Stage 1, Take Overall Lead


Edita "Peter Pan" Pucinskaite, the 2007 winner of the Giro Donne, reclaimed her place amongst the elite of the women’s peloton by taking the difficult 99.9km Stage 1 of the 2009 Giro Donne from San Piero a Sieve to Pratolini di Vaglia. She would take the uphill sprint ahead of Fabiana Luperini (Selle Italia Ghezzi) and Judith Arndt (Team Columbia HTC Women).

The Lithuanian born Pucinkaite, who now resides in the Tuscany region of Italy, has been a stalwart of women’s peloton since she first appeared on the scene in 1994. For her efforts, she would don the all too familiar maglia rosa as well as take the lead in the points and mountain competitions.

Results – Stage 1
1. Edita Pucinskaite (Ltu) Gauss RDZ Ormu - Colnago
2. Fabiana Luperini (Ita) Selle Italia Ghezzi
3. Judith Arndt (Ger) Team Columbia HTC Women

Other Notables
4. Mara Abbott (USA) Team Columbia HTC Women
7. Amber Neben (USA) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung
12. Kristin Armstrong (USA) Cervelo TestTeam
33. Katharine Carroll (USA) US National Team
42. Kimberly Anderson (USA) Team Columbia HTC Women
55. Katheryn Curi Mattis (USA) US National Team
69. Lauren Tamayo (USA) US National Team
70. Meredith Miller (USA) US National Team
88. Lisa Racchetto (USA) Team System Data
90. Brooke Miller (USA) US National Team
92. Shelley Olds (USA) US National Team
95. Megan Guarnier (USA) US National Team
107. Liz Hatch (USA) Team System Data

General Classification After Stage 1
1. Edita Pucinskaite (Ltu) Gauss RDZ Ormu - Colnago
2. Judith Arndt (Ger) Team Columbia HTC Women
3. Noemi Cantele (Ita) Bigla Cycling Team
4. Fabiana Luperini (Ita) Selle Italia Ghezzi
5. Amber Neben (USA) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung
6. Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo TestTeam
7. Diana Ziliute (Ltu) Safi - Pasta Zara Titanedi
8. Nicole Brandli (Swi) Bigla Cycling Team
9. Svetlana Bubnenkova (Rus) Fenixs Edilsavino
10. Kristin Armstrong (USA) Cervelo TestTeam

Other Notables
15. Mara Abbott (USA) Team Columbia HTC Women
28. Katharine Carroll (USA) US National Team
29. Flavia Oliveira (Bra) S.C. Michela Fanini Record Rox
37. Kimberly Anderson (USA) Team Columbia HTC Women
56. Katheryn Curi Mattis (USA) US National Team
65. Lauren Tamayo (USA) US National Team
67. Meredith Miller (USA) US National Team
89. Lisa Racchetto (USA) Team System Data
90. Brooke Miller (USA) US National Team
92. Shelley Olds (USA) US National Team
95. Megan Guarnier (USA) US National Team
103. Liz Hatch (USA) Team System Data

Leader's Jerseys After Stage 1
maglia rosa - Edita Pucinskaite (Gauss RDZ Ormu Colnago)
maglia ciclamino - Edita Pucinskaite (Gauss RDZ Ormu Colnago)
maglia verde - Edita Pucinskaite (Gauss RDZ Ormu Colnago)
maglia bianca - Alona Andruk (Safi Pasta Zara)

Next: Stage 2 - Pontedera - Santa Maria a Monte, Individual Time Trial (13.5km)

The superlatives, and nicknames, seem to fly when Fabian Cancellara (Team Saxo Bank) is on the road during an Individual Time Trial. It is a discipline that he has practically owned since he won his first World Championship in 2006; clocking times and garnering victories with the type of precision and consistency for which watch makers from his home country, Switzerland, are known.

The current Olympic Time Trial Champion was a heavy favorite to take the first stage of the 96th Tour de France, but his dominating effort even earned him more praise with commentator, Phil Liggett, coining him “Fabulous” Cancellara. At days end, Cancellara had bested the next closest competitor, 2007 Tour de France Champion, Alberto Contador (Astana), by almost 19 seconds (averaging 47.80km/h) over the 13.5km course, which seemed to favor a climber/time trialist, through the Principality of Monaco.

Admittedly, Cancellara, despite his victory in the Tour de Suisse earlier this year, does not see himself as a contender for the final maillot jaune. However, it will certainly be difficult to take the yellow tunic from him in the next few days.

Astana, Na, Na, Na, Na
It may only be one stage, but for anyone who had wondered whether the best team on paper could translate that to the road, Team Astana left no doubt.

Lance Armstrong was the first of Astana’s big four, along with Levi Leipheimer, Andreas Kloden, and Contador, to take to the streets of Monaco. He would easily set the best time; providing the proverbial carrot for his teammates to follow. Each would subsequently come over-the-top of Armstrong’s time as if the team were playing a simple game of leap frog. Amstrong would finish the day in 10th overall, Leipheimer in 6th, Kloden in 4th, and Contador in 2nd.

With such firepower, if it seems like Astana is just playing with the rest of the field that just might be the case.

Results and General Classification After Stage 1
1. Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank
2. Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana
3. Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Garmin - Slipstream
4. Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana
5. Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence - Lotto
6. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana
7. Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas
8. Tony Martin (Ger) Team Columbia - High Road
9. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas
10. Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana

Other Notables
13. David Zabriskie (USA) Garmin - Slipstream
17. Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin - Slipstream
18. Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank
21. Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Cervelo Test Team
27. Michael Rogers (Aus) Team Columbia - High Road
34. George Hincapie (USA) Team Columbia - High Road
37. Danny Pate (USA) Garmin - Slipstream
77. Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - Slipstream

Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank


Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana


Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas


Next: Stage 2 - Monaco to Brignoles (187km)
A hilly course, but a day for the sprinters.

Just a reminder that you can keep up with the latest Tour de France (and other cycling) news and features by following the Crankset's Hot Off the Presses feature just to the right of our blog posts.

Good gosh but that was fast.
OBL is SO plugged in!

Last fall, when Lance Armstrong decided to end his three and a half year hiatus from the sport, questions and speculation abounded. Chief among them was whether he could recapture the form that earned him seven (7) Tour de France titles, and once he declared his intentions, whether he could coexist with riders who not only had Tour aspirations, but also were grand tour champions in their own right.


For most, the parallels to first of the super-teams, La Vie Claire, were evident. The outcome of that experiment provided fans with perhaps the most competitive Tours in modern history. But for the riders and management within La Vie Claire, who played out the drama on the world stage, it was a three-week nightmare that tested individual resolve and forever shaped reputations.

The task presented before Johan Bruyneel, Director Sportif of Team Astana, is as daunting as the one that faces his riders. And as we have seen in the days preceding the start in Monaco, many of the issues have yet to be resolved.

The decision to support “the strongest rider,” is ambiguous, at best, and straddles the line of being disingenuous. After all, as we have seen in past Tours, the strongest at the beginning of the race is not often the strongest during its crucial points or at its end.

But if you’re expecting the kind of turmoil that created the schism of La Vie Claire in the late eighties, you may be sorely disappointed. Lance Armstrong is too diplomatic and aware of his public image to be seen as a selfish and divisive force. Rather, expect the team drama to be confined to a few select stages as in 2007 when Levi Leipheimer rode with and for Alberto Contador, but still had an opportunity to best his teammate and claim the overall during the final time trial.

Ultimately, this is Astana’s race to lose. No other team can match its firepower on an individual basis, and their domestiques are tireless and unwavering. What remains to be seen; however, is whether a team packed full of stars, as is the case with Astana, can best a team of eight riders all pulling for one (a formula which Armstrong and Bruyneel are all too familiar).

It’s no mere coincidence that the 96th Tour de France begins on July 4th as we are sure to see a few fireworks.

Fitchburg, Mass. – Darren Lill of Team Type 1 drove a small breakaway to the finish of the Fitchburg State College Circuit Race Friday to earn a runner-up placing on the second stage of the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic.

By finishing three seconds behind stage winner Kirk O’Bee (Bissell Pro Cycling) and earning a five-second time bonus, Lill climbed to seventh overall. He and Team Type 1 teammate Michael Creed – who is in eighth place – are two of 14 riders still within a minute of race leader Tom Zirbel (Bissell Pro Cycling).


Friday’s race began under partly sunny skies in Fitchburg, Mass., and ended in a total downpour. Lill and a half dozen others split from the pack near the halfway point of the 74.5-mile (120 km) race that featured an average speed of nearly 30 mph. Team Type 1 Director Sportif Vassili Davidenko said the rider from the Republic of South Africa was in a tough spot with O’Bee among the escapees.

“Darren did a lot of work while O’Bee had the advantage of being able to sit on since his teammate is the race leader,” Davidenko said. “The good thing is that the next race is on a pretty hard circuit and you never know how good the weather is going to be.”

Saturday’s 109-mile (176 km) Wachusett Mountain Road Race features 10 laps of a challenging 11.4-mile (18.3 km) circuit.

Photo: Courtesy Mark Suprenant

Fitchburg, Mass. – Team Type 1’s Jen McRae scored a runner-up finish on the second stage of the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic Friday but it wasn’t enough to help teammate Alison Powers retain the overall lead.

Powers slipped to second following Friday’s Fitchburg State College Circuit Race that was won by Tina Pic (Colavita-Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light). Evelyn Stevens (Team Lip Smackers) took advantage of a three-second time bonus for finishing third on the 33-mile (54 km) stage to move ahead of Powers into the overall lead.

“Honestly, I was a little relived to see I’m in second place,” Powers said late Friday night. “Now I need to race my bike. That’s more fun than sitting in and not doing much. I’m super excited. It’s game on.”

Saturday’s 64-mile (102 km) Wachusett Mountain Road Race comprises six laps of an 11.4-mile (18.3 km) circuit. Just as in Friday’s race, it is the10, five and three-second time bonuses for the first three finishers that have Powers most concerned. Five riders are within 20 seconds of the lead with two stages to go.

“We would prefer that it not come down to a sprint finish because although it might be a great opportunity for Jen (McRae), Evelyn (Stevens) also has the power to get up the climb a little better that I do,” Powers said. “We would much rather take the opportunity to attack or get away solo. We definitely want to be on the offensive.”

Photo: Courtesy Mark Suprenant

Yes, Granny, Tooth and I are well aware that the 96th Tour de France begins today with a time trial in Monaco!

And I'm just as excited about watching the Tour on TV as I was about attending the last week of the Tour with Granny and Tooth in 2003 on the first Trek Travel Tour trip.

I returned with Trek Travel for the first week of the Tour to Belgium and Northern France in 2004. And I was in London for the Grand Departe in 2007.

The 20th Giro Donne, the women’s version of the Giro d’Italia, or Giro d’Italia Femminile, began this Friday with a 2.5km Prologue in the municipality of Scarperia, the city of knives.

Kirsten Wild (Cervelo Test Team) was fastest over the distance covering it in 3'06 seconds at an average speed of 48.387 km/h. The 26-year old from the Netherlands finished four (4) seconds ahead of teammate, and Olympic Champion in the disipline, Kristin Armstrong, and Linda Melanie Villumsen (Team Columbia HTC Women) who would round out the podium in third.

Results & Overall Classification After Prologue
1. Kirsten Wild (Ned) Cervelo TestTeam
2. Kristin Armstrong (USA) Cervelo TestTeam
3. Linda Melanie Villumsen (Den) Team Columbia HTC Women
4. Ina Yoko Teutenberg (Ger) Team Columbia HTC Women
5. Charlotte Becker (Ger) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung
6. Katharine Carroll (USA) US National Team
7. Susanne Ljungskog (Swe) Team Flexpoint
8. Iris Slappendel (Ned) Team Flexpoint
9. Trine Schmidt (Den) Team Flexpoint
10. Chantal Beltman (Ned) Team Columbia HTC Women

Other Notables
18. Amber Neben (USA) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung
22. Lauren Tamayo (USA) US National Team
28. Liz Hatch (USA) Team System Data
34. Kimberly Anderson (USA) Team Columbia HTC Women
43. Meredith Miller (USA) US National Team
46. Brooke Miller (USA) US National Team
48. Shelley Olds (USA) US National Team
93. Megan Guarnier (USA) US National Team
105. Lisa Racchetto (USA) Team System Data
125. Mara Abbott (USA) Team Columbia HTC Women

Leader Jerseys – After Prologue
maglia rosa - Kirsten Wild (Cervelo Test Team)
maglia ciclamino - Kristin Armstrong (Cervelo Test Team)
maglia verde - Linda Melanie Villumsen (Team Columbia
maglia bianca - Trine Schmidt (Team Flexpoint)

Next: Stage 1 - San Piero a Sieve - Pratolini di Vaglia (99.9km)
With a time trial already in their legs, the first of nine stages does the female peloton no favors with an uphill finish.
Photo: Cervelo Test Team

Westminster, Mass. – U.S. National Time Trial Champion Alison Powers of Team Type 1 won the Courtyard by Marriott Fitchburg/South Street Time Trial to open the 50th edition of the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic Thursday.


Racing through foggy and damp conditions on an unseasonably cool New England day, Powers averaged more than 27 mph on the 8.8-mile (14.3 km) undulating course in Westminster, Mass., to win by four seconds over Evelyn Stevens (Team Lip Smackers). Stevens’ teammate, Anne Samplonius, was third, nine seconds behind Powers.

France’s Jeannie Longo (Vital Plus), a 57-time national champion, five-time world champion, four-time Olympic medalist and winner of more than 1,000 races, finished fourth, 13 seconds back.

Powers’ victory was the 26th overall by the Team Type 1 women in their inaugural season. It was also the squad’s fourth win (all by Powers) at a National Racing Calendar (NRC) event.

Team Type 1 women’s Team Director Jack Seehafer said he was unsure of how Powers would perform on a course that didn’t necessarily favor her and after a layoff since her third place finish at the Nature Valley Grand Prix nearly two weeks ago.

“This was her first hard effort as she rebuilds toward the national championships later this month,” Seehafer said.

Keeping Powers in the race leader’s jersey for the reminder of the four-day, four-stage event will mean racing aggressively during Friday’s Fitchburg State College Circuit Race, Seehafer said. The women will tackle 11 laps of a 1.2-mile (2.0 km) circuit that includes 100 feet of climbing on each lap of the 33-mile (54 km) race.

“What will work better for us is to be a little aggressive because of the time bonuses (of 10, five, and three seconds for the top three finishers),” Seehafer said. “Stevens had a good ride at Nature Valley so she’ll be one to watch and Samplonius is someone we have to keep our eye on, too. We also know Colavita-Sutter Home will be looking for stage wins and ValueAct Capital will be looking to be aggressive, too.”


Michael Creed’s sixth-place finish led the Team Type 1 men’s squad as Tom Zirbel (Bissell Pro Cycling) won by 23 seconds over Scott Zwizanski (Kelly Benefit Strategies). Zwizanski’s teammate, David Veilleux, was third at 32 seconds.

Photos: Courtesy Mark Suprenant (top - Alison Powers of Team Type 1 begins her winning ride Thursday in the Courtyard by Marriott Fitchburg/South Street Time Trial that opened the 50th edition of the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic; center - Foggy, damp conditions ruled the day in Westminster, Mass.; bottom - Matt Wilson of Team Type 1 prepares to set out at the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic)

Alison Powers adds a second jersey while TIBCO takes the team lead


Minneapolis – Women’s Prestige Cycling Series leader Alison Powers (Team Type 1) added the Sprinter’s jersey to her collection, but her hold on that jersey is tenuous. Rebecca Much (Webcor Builders) is still in the Best Young Riders jersey. And Team TIBCO swapped places with Webcor Builders in the team competition.

Individual Classification
Alison Powers (Team Type 1) holds a commanding lead in the Series individual classification, finishing third at the Nature Valley Grand Prix behind Olympic Champion Kristin Armstrong (Cervelo Test) and Shelley Olds (PROMAN Hit Squad), neither of who are participating in the Series. Katherine Carroll (Team TIBCO) moved into second, ahead of Katheryn Mattis (Webcor Builders), but the gap to Powers is so large that it’s unlikely that Carroll will be able to claim the win at the final Series event, the Cascade Cycling Classic.

1. Alison Powers (Team Type 1) - 484
2. Katharine Carroll (Team TIBCO) - 300
3. Katheryn Mattis (Webcor Builders Cycling Team) - 275
4. Joanne Kiesanowski (Team TIBCO) - 191
5. Kristin Sanders (Value Act Capital) - 162

Best Young Rider Competition
Rebecca Much (Webcor Builders) retains the lead over teammate Alexis Rhodes, but the gap narrowed from 121 points to 55. Rhodes had a standout performance at Nature Valley, winning the fifth stage and challenging Armstrong for the overall race lead before losing ground in the last stage, the brutal Stillwater Criterium. Much’s lead might be challenged if the two riders have similar results at Cascade.

1. Rebecca Much (Webcor Builders Cycling Team) - 484
2. Alexis Rhodes (Webcor Builders Cycling Team) - 429
3. Julie Beveridge (Team TIBCO) - 308
4. Tiffany Cromwell (Colavita Sutter Home) - 264
5. Amanda Miller (Team Lip Smackers) - 220

Sprinter Competition
Alison Powers ended the Nature Valley Grand Prix tied on points with Tina Pic (Colavita Sutter Home), but the tie was broken since Powers had a higher placing at the most recent Series event. Powers would likely have had a clear lead since Pic’s team hadn’t attended the Joe Martin Stage Race, but that race has no sprint classification, so no points were awarded. But the favorite for the sprint classification has to be 2009 Australian Criterium Champion Kristy Broun (Riverstones CDA), if she participates at the Cascade Classic, since she was launched into third place on the strength of just this one event.

1. Alison Powers (Team Type 1) - 209
2. Tina Pic (Colavita Sutter Home) - 209
3. Kirsty Broun (Riverstones CDA) - 165
4. Kori Seehafer (Team Type 1) - 165
5. Joanne Kiesanowski (Team TIBCO) - 154

Team Classification
In the Series Team competition, Team TIBCO took the lead while Webcor Builders fell to second place. But the margin is very narrow and Team Type 1 is within striking distance as well, so it’ll all come down to the Series finale at the Cascade Classic.

1. Team TIBCO - 769
2. Webcor Builders Cycling Team - 740
3. Team Type 1 - 655
4. ValueAct Capital Cycling Team - 459
5. Colavita Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light - 301

The 2009 Women’s Prestige Cycling Series began at the Redlands Cycling Classic, followed by the Joe Martin Stage Race and now the Nature Valley Grand Prix. It will conclude at the Cascade Classic (July 22 – 26) in Bend, Ore.

Visit www.WomenCyclists.com for more information.

Photos: Steve Pottenger (top - Women's Prestige Cycling Series leader Alison Powers (Team Type 1; right) shares the podium with Kristin Armstrong (Cervelo Test); inset - Alison Powers claimed a narrow lead in the Women's Prestige Cycling Series Sprinters competition)

Monaco – Dutchman Martijn Maaskant, the first reserve for Team Garmin-Slipstream’s Tour de France Squad, will replace former Irish national champion Dan Martin on the start line on Saturday. Martin is suffering from knee tendonitis. Multiple team medical staff members have been working closely with Martin to resolve the issue and today team officials made the decision to replace him with Maaskant.

“These decisions are always hard,” said director Matt White. “The medical staff has done an outstanding job working with Dan but for his health and the benefit of the team, we have decided that Martijn will start on Saturday. We had Martijn on standby and we are very confident in his form and know he will deliver for the team even with such short notice.”

According to Jonathan Vaughters, CEO of Slipstream Sports: “Dan has shown outstanding grace and character as we have gone through the decision process. He wants what is best for the team.”

Maaskant has been training with the Tour squad since Martin’s knee problems surfaced earlier this week.

“Of course I would have loved to start the Tour, but I want what is best for the team,” said Dan Martin. “The medical staff and directors have been incredibly supportive, but at this point we’ve exhausted all of our resources. I wish the outcome would have been different, but Martijn is in great form and will be a strong replacement.”

Martijn Maaskant said: “I know this has been a challenging situation. Dan has been in exceptional form and to be forced out by injury right before the start is hard. But we’ve worked hard to position me as the alternate, and I will do everything possible to deliver good results for the team and especially for Dan.”

The new design of Interbike.com highlights and expands on the site's most-used features, and includes resources to help attendees manage time at the show

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. - Interbike today announced the launch of its revamped website, which includes expanded exhibitor resources, enhanced attendee show planning features and resources for the entire cycling industry.

The website has been launched with three months to go before the bicycle industry's largest gathering in North America, the 2009 OutDoor Demo in Boulder City, Nev., September 21-22 followed by the Interbike International Bicycle Expo at the Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas, September 23-25.

"The new Interbike website is much more than a needed face lift - it truly enhances the user experience," said Rich Kelly, Interbike marketing manager. "Primary goals of the redesign were to make the most widely used features easier to find and to provide richer and more in-depth exhibitor information and show planning tools so retailers can make the most of their time before, during and after Interbike. We also wanted to better integrate our social media efforts with our main website for a more interactive and community oriented experience."

Interbike's website now uses a contemporary design to highlight its most used features such as the newly enhanced exhibitor floorplan and directory, the events schedule and industry news. The homepage's Product Showcase gallery links directly to the searchable Product Showcase itself, which features details of innovative products exhibitors will be debuting at this year's show.

The Product Showcase and the enhanced exhibitor directory and floor mapping are part of the show's new "Interbike Planner" tool. Exhibitors will be able to upload and enter detailed information about their company and offerings including photos, video and show specials retailers will be able to view while preparing for the show.

In addition, the revamped Interbike.com expands the cycling industry's social networking with links to Interbike's Twitter feed, Facebook page, Flickr account and YouTube channel. The Interbike Times blog is also prominently integrated into its homepage, along with news content from Bicycle Retailer & Industry News and news feeds from online bicycle news sites and advocacy partners. These homepage features make Interbike.com a central location for key cycling industry news, information and social networking resources.

New planning features on the Interbike website include:

• A richer and more dynamic exhibitor directory
• Enhanced exhibitor profiles with capability to include more company information, product information, images and video
• Easier-to-use interactive floorplan map
• A mobile phone optimized version of the website to allow easy access to the exhibitor directory and schedule from the show floor

• Password-protected area for attendees only
• Detailed show planner to schedule and keep track of appointments, seminars and other events
• Match-making system to help buyers find exhibitors offering products of interest to them.

Powers, MacGregor Score Wins; Hanson, Jones Third At Criteriums


Alison Powers and Ian MacGregor each scored victories and Ken Hanson and Chris Jones added podium finishes at criteriums in California to cap a successful weekend for Team Type 1.

MacGregor took Saturday’s opening stage of the Dead Dog Classic Memorial Stage Race in Albany, Wyo., on the way to a fourth-place overall in the two-day, three-stage race that featured the largest field in its 21-year history.

MacGregor out-climbed the rest of the field on two ascents of Snowy Range Pass to solo in ahead of Bradley White (OUCH presented by Maxxis) and Ian Gray (Ciclismo Racing). White went on to win the overall crown.

Powers beat Eszter Horanyi (Waltworks/Fuentes Design) by nearly three minutes in Cross Country Super Loop, the second race of Colorado’s Winter Park Mountain Bike Race Series. The 17.2-mile (27.7 km) race featured 2,626 feet of climbing. The reigning U.S. time trial champion used it as a tune-up for next month’s USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships in Granby, Colo.

In Southern California, the odds weren’t in his favor, but Hanson said he had to take a chance when he hit the front of the Manhattan Beach Grand Prix with the finish line in sight.

“It was too early for me, but at that point we knew that was our best opportunity to win,” Hanson said, replaying the final 150 meters of the 80-minute criterium that is run in the shadow of the Pacific Ocean.


The reigning national criterium champion nearly made it to the line first, getting passed only by Rock Racing’s Rahsaan Bahati – who won the National Racing Calendar event for the third straight year – and Lucas Sebastian Haedo (Colavita-Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light).

Team Type 1 Assistant Director Gord Fraser said Joe Eldridge and Matt Wilson did yeoman’s work covering and killing moves while keeping Hanson and Aldo Ino Ilesic close to the front in anticipation of a field sprint.

Hanson’s last-lap gamble was set up when Team Type 1’s four riders found themselves caught in traffic as the pace slowed.

“Matt got us to the base of the little riser on the course with 500 or 600 meters to go,” Hanson said. “Then Aldo started sprinting and we passed more than 20 guys before we came to the Rock Racing train.”


In Northern California Sunday, Jones finished third at the Fidelity Investments Burlingame (Calif.) Criterium behind Scott Zwizanski (Kelly Benefit Strategies) and Chad Gerlach (Amore & Vita McDonald's Pro Cycling Team). The result was the 50th podium finish of the season for the Team Type 1 men’s professional team.

Photos: Courtesy Cassandra Jones (bottom; Chris Jones (second from right) earned a runner-up finish behind Scott Zwizanski (center) at the Fidelity Investments Burlingame Criterium Sunday)

New Web site capabilities give consumers the ability to purchase Syncros products online

SAN CARLOS, Calif. - Syncros Applied Technologies, a Canadian-based bicycle component manufacturer known for its grassroots mountain bike heritage and pragmatic, indestructible components, today announced that it added e-commerce functionality to its Web site that allows consumers to purchase products online with fulfillment through independent bicycle retailers.

"Consumers consider the Internet one of their greatest shopping resources," said Steve Parke, general manager and vice president of marketing for Syncros. "Authorized Syncros retailers also offer consumers service and expertise that help them get the most out of their purchases. Now Syncros gives consumers the opportunity to buy their components online and have their local dealers fill their orders. This makes shopping for components more convenient and helps them maintain their relationships with the local shops."

With the Web site's new e-commerce feature, consumers will be able to easily purchase Syncros products with the help of Syncros' authorized retailers. When consumers place an order through www.Syncros.com, orders are posted in a special queue. Within one business day, authorized Syncros retailers, with product in stock, will ship those orders within 24 hours. Open orders not selected by retailers will revert to Syncros USA for quick fulfillment.

Syncros offers a wide range of (handlebars, stems seatposts, rims and pedals) for off-road riders. Syncros also offers a complete line of innovative products ranging from saddles to wheelsets. Online purchases are only available to consumers in North America.

In case you were wondering what Lance Armstrong's motivation is for going after an unprecedented 8th Tour de France victory, you need only watch the video, Driven, below. Sadly, he isn't lacking in motivation...

Manhattan Beach, Calif. — If he keeps this up, the Manhattan Beach Grand Prix is going to have to be renamed the “Rahsaan Bahati Grand Prix.”

Rock Racing’s star sprinter won the 48th edition of the Chevron Manhattan Beach Grand Prix Sunday for the third consecutive year. It was his ninth win of the season and Rock Racing’s 24th victory on the year.

“I wasn’t feeling any pressure to win here again,” Bahati said. “It was just coming from my friends and peers – not from the guys on the team. It was just like another race to me.”

Bahati, the 27-year-old U.S. professional criterium champion, convincingly swept across the line at the end of the 80-minute race at Live Oak Park ahead of runner-up Lucas Sebastian Haedo (Colavita-Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light) and the reigning U.S. elite criterium champion, Ken Hanson (Team Type 1).

Rock Racing Team Owner Michael Ball was among the several thousand fans lining the 1.4-mile (2.2 km) hot dog-shaped course that borders the Pacific Ocean. That made the victory even sweeter, Bahati said.

“I’m glad he was there to witness another big win for the team,” Bahati said. “This shows that I care about my job and I’m glad I have a job. For me, I only wanted to show that Rock Racing competes a team, unselfishly. We have to show him we can succeed and give a sponsor its due.”

Last year, Bahati beat out Ricardo Escuela and Brad Huff. In 2007, the rider he beat here to take his first win – Ivan Dominguez – was helping lead him out in the final laps.

“Ivan adds another dimension to this team,” Bahati said of the Rock racing’s acquisition earlier this month of the accomplished Cuban-American sprinter. “He said ‘Follow me and I’ll take you to the Promised Land.’ So I did.”

But it wasn’t an entirely smooth ride in the final 200 meters when Team Type 1’s Aldo Ino Ilesic and teammate Ken Hanson tried to spoil the celebration by roaring past the Rock Racing lead-out train.

“We had Nic (Sanderson), Caleb (Manion), Sergio (Hernandez) and all the boys on the front and basically got jumped by Team Type 1,” Bahati said. “So I got on Hanson’s wheel and made sure I was third through the last corner. From there, I knew I had it.”

The only downside of Sunday’s race was a crash by Rock Racing’s Justin Williams. The U.S. Under-23 national criterium champion went down with two laps to go and lost a few teeth in a jarring collision with the pavement.

PROMAN Produces Another Hit
In the women's race, the precocious talents of 16-year old Coryn Rivera (Proman Hit Squad) were on display as she "went to the mattresses" with about 300 meters out to take the sprint ahead of Malindi Maclean (Jazz Apple) and Catherine Fiedler-Cook (Tommasini).

Annapolis, Md. – Team Type 2 crossed the finish line of the Race Across America (RAAM) early Sunday to complete the grueling, 3,021-mile (4,861 km) journey in seven days, seven hours and 24 minutes.

The squad’s stirring finish in front of a large crowd on the City Dock in Annapolis, Md., featured a mix of hugs, smiles, a few tears and plenty of high fives. One long-time RAAM observer called it the most emotional finish line celebration he has ever witnessed.

“It’s exciting to work so hard to get it done,” Team Type 2 director and rider Bob Avritt said. “It gives us the opportunity to look forward to help people and inspire them about what people with Type 2 diabetes can accomplish.”

Team Type 2 is believed to be the first squad consisting entirely of athletes with Type 2 diabetes to successfully complete the non-stop, transcontinental race since teams began competing in RAAM in 1989. People living with the disease have too much sugar in their bloodstream because their bodies either do not use insulin properly or do not produce enough insulin.

In addition to Avritt, team members were John Anderson, Bill Arnold, Bob Chaisson, Larry Cleveland, Peter Cowley, Mark Thul and Denny Voorhees.


Chaisson survived a scare in the final 12 hours of the race when he badly cut his right calf after slipping off the pedals. He needed seven stitches and a tetanus shot, but resumed riding four hours later.

Team Type 2 is an extension of Team Type 1, which was founded in 2004 by Phil Southerland and Joe Eldridge. Team Type 1 has competed in RAAM since 2006 and has men’s and women’s professional racing teams, a triathlon team and a development team. Team Type 2 strives to instill hope and inspiration for people around the world affected by diabetes; through active management, one can achieve their goals, dreams, and potential.

On Friday, Team Type 1 won the eight-person team division of RAAM in five days, nine hours and five minutes while bettering the race record. Many members of that team, as well as the squad’s volunteer crew, were in Annapolis Sunday morning to greet Team Type 2.

Avritt said RAAM – which began last Saturday in Oceanside, Calif. – was everything that he expected.

“Some of it was more difficult than I could have imagined,” he said. “The most difficult was the sleep deprivation. I knew it would be an issue, but not so much of a predominant issue. Regardless, we were able to meet our goal of finishing in seven days.”

Photos: Courtesy Michael Scholl