Cycling News Roundup - 25 March 2008
CPA & UCI Statement, Team News, Isle of Man Youth Tour, Copperopolis, Toyota/United Winning Weekend, VisitPA.com MTB Team, TOSHIBA-Santo Pro, American Track Racing Association, Agency for Cycling Ethics and more...

Joint press release by CPA and UCI
Description: The CPA (Cyclistes Professionnels Associés) was met today in Geneva by the UCI to discuss the disciplinary consequences for riders who participated in Paris-Nice recently. A delegation of riders expressed their grave concerns regarding the state of professional cycling. The CPA also explained how the riders find themselves in very weak position in this context.

The UCI explained it was sympathetic to the points of view expressed by the CPA and the riders and reminded the participants of the various stages that had led to the current situation. The UCI also made it clear that it is the role of its Disciplinary Commission to decide on the appropriate sanctions for riders who participate in an event which has not been registered on the UCI’s calendar by the French Cycling Federation.

The CPA and UCI decided to step up their exchanges of communication with a view to defending the federal structure which is currently under threat and yet so essential for the protection of the interests of all parties, particularly the riders.

Caisse d'Epargne New Rider
Former Relax Rider Daniel Moreno
The team Caisse d'Epargne came to an agreement with the Spanish rider Daniel Moreno for this season. Daniel Moreno is a 26 years old rider who competed last year with the Team Relax. He turned a professional in September 2004 and last year he won a stage of the Tour of San Luis (Argentina) and the escalada of Montjuich.

Tinkoff Credit Systems
Mazzanti, Petrov, and Rovny to Coppi-Bartali
After Rovny's breakaway efforts at Milan-Sanremo, Tinkoff Credit Systems continues to assume the role of breakaway specialists at Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali that begins tomorrow in Riccione and concludes Saturday, 29 March in Sassuolo. Joining Rovny on the team roster are: Daniele Contrini, Luca Mazzanti, Alberto Loddo, Walter Pedraza, Yauhen Sobal, Sergey Klimov, Evengi Petrov, and Alexander Khatuntsev

WCSN Live Video - UCI Track World Champioships
Watch Top Nations Compete to Qualify for Beijing Olympic Games
World Championship Sports Network (WCSN) will provide exclusive coverage of the UCI Track Cycling World Championships beginning March 26 - 30  in Manchester, UK. Cycling fans can watch the webcast on www.wcsn.com and broadcast on WCSN TV as the top 47 nations compete for the honor of wearing the rainbow jersey.

The 2008 World Championships also serves as the last chance for the world’s top athletes to qualify for the Beijing Olympic Games this summer. On WCSN.com, fans can follow Americans Sarah Hammer (Temecula, CA), Jennie Reed (Kirkland, WA) and 17-year old Taylor Phinney (Boulder, CO) race for top honors in Manchester.

The UCI Track Cycling World Championship will include races in the Keirin, Kilometer and 500 meter, Madison, Omnium, Individual Pursuit, Points Race, Scratch Race, Sprint, Team Pursuit and Team Sprint. In Saturday’s Madison Americans Colby Pearce (Boulder, CO) and Michael Friedman (Pittsburgh, PA) will go up against the UK’s Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish as well as the Swiss defending champions Bruno Risi and Franco Marvulli.

Fans can follow world-class cycling events and their favorite athletes online with complete coverage via a $4.95 monthly subscription with free access to results, video highlights, breaking news, behind-the-scenes features, and more. Visit www.WCSN.com/cycling for detailed schedules.

2008 Track Season Brings a Dedicated New Board to ATRA
The American Track Racing Association (ATRA) has been reborn for the 2008 season with a new executive board, website and National track racing calendar boasting over $100,000 in prize money at 30 events held around the United States.

ATRA’s 2008 Executive Board
• President – Pete Antonvich
• Vice President – Tim Goodwin
• Secretary – Leigh Barczewski
• Treasurer – Mike Murray

A Base for Growth
Starting with the 2008 season, ATRA’s dedicated board of executives seeks to grow track racing in North America. By offering economical insurance rates, creating continuity and opening communication channels among all member tracks, ATRA seeks to develop a base from which to build a strong track racing community in North America. In addition, marketing services will be available to member tracks for events as well as public and corporate relations. Having recently filed for incorporation, the board will also be seeking 501(c)(3) or non-profit status as a next step to securing long-term growth.

www.RaceATRA.com
The recently launched website (www.raceatra.com) has been redesigned with additional member track information. The website will also feature news from member tracks across the continent and provide information for non-member tracks who wish to join ATRA in the development of track racing. A complete listing of all 28 North American velodromes can be found on the website, along with a National track racing calendar. Encompassing over $100,000 in prize money, the calendar spans 6 months and features major races at 14 member tracks in 11 States.

Mission Statement:
The American Track Racing Association (ATRA) is formed by United States and Canadian velodromes to advance the sport of track cycling, the capital improvements of our facilities and for the promotion of track riding and racing.
American Track Racing Association
www.raceatra.com

Toyota-United celebrates Easter weekend with four wins
Henk Vogels doubles up with a pair of victories in Colorado, Ivan Stevic returns to racing with a 2nd place finish.
After a late spring snow storm dusted Boulder, Colorado Saturday evening, it was a bright and sunny Easter Sunday for the 100-man field toeing the line for the 60-minute Colorado University Research Park Criterium. With a number of local pros on hand, the pace was fast from the start. Toyota-United used their strength in numbers to establish the winning break in the opening 25 minutes.

The five-man break consisted of Toyota-United’s Henk Vogels, Ivan Stevic and Justin England along with Frank Pipp (HealthNet) and Michael Cody (Jelly Belly). With 15 minutes remaining, Toyota-United’s Ben Day and Tom Zirbel (Bissell) jumped from the peloton, but only Day was able to bridge up to the break. The break only had an advantage of 10-20 seconds that shrunk to within eight seconds on the final lap. Vogels launched his sprint with 500 meters to go and Stevic, in his season debut, came around Cody to score the top two podium positions. Finishing off an outstanding day for Toyota-United, Jonny Clarke took the field sprint for 7th place.

Stevic leads the breat at CU Crit.        copyright Darren Zrubek.

Results – CU Research Park Criterium
1st Henk Vogels – Toyota-United
2nd Ivan Stevic – Toyota-United
3rd Michael Cody – Jelly Belly
4th Justin England – Toyota-United
5th Frank Pipp - HealthNet
6th Ben Day – Toyota-United
7th Jonny Clarke – Toyota-United

The previous day, Vogels won the Promontory Park Criterium in Greely, Colorado on Saturday from a five-man breakaway. The Australian strongman logged 230 kms that day by riding 90 km each way to and from the race in addition to a 90-minute effort in the winning break. The snowstorm hit Boulder during the final 30 km of his ride home with temperatures hovering in the mid-30s.

Henk Vogels celebrates his win.    copyright Darren Zrubek.

Results- Promontory Park Criterium
1st - Henk Vogels- Toyota-United
2nd - Stefano Barberi
3rd - Jim Mohan

The California-based Toyota-United racers added two wins of their own for a total of four team victories over the holiday weekend. It was a gorgeous 75-degree day in Del Mar, California where Toyota-United contested the Del Mar Criterium. Continuing to display winning form, recently crowned Mexico Time Trial Champion Chepe Garcia escaped with one rider from the Time Pro Team before winning the race in a sprint. Just behind the break were Toyota-United’s Hilton Clarke and Dominique Rollin, who finished 3rd and 4th respectively. Hilton's top three placing enabled him to win the Del Mar Criterium series.

Del Mar Criterium Series- San Diego, CA
1st - Chepe Garcia- Toyota-United
2nd - Rider from the Time Pro Team
3rd - Hilton Clarke- Toyota-United

Overall winner of the 2008 Del Mar Criterium Series
1st - Hilton Clarke- Toyota-United

UCI President Pat McQuaid in Japan to discuss cycling’s development
Description: The President of the International Cycling Union, Pat McQuaid, was in Japan from March 19th – 22nd to discuss the development of cycling in Japan and Asia.

Mr McQuaid, together with the UCI’s Finance Directeur Jean-Pierre Strebel, met with the Japanese Cycling Federation and with the Japanese Keirin Association. Talks also touched on the continuing relationship between the UCI and the two Japanese cycling bodies.

Mr McQuaid and Mr Strebel also traveled to Shuzenji to visit the Japan Keirin School and the UCI Asian Continental Centre. The UCI President gave a lecture to the keirin students about the UCI’s mission and its objectives for the worldwide development of cycling.

Pennsylvania's Tourism Agency Sponsors Mtn. Bike Team
VisitPA.com MTB Team VisitPA.com, the state of Pennsylvania's tourism agency has announced its official 2008 Mountain Bike Team, leading into the team's fourth season.  Since its inception, the VisitPA.com Mountain Bike Team has been dominating racing in the Mid-Atlantic region, as well  promoting Pennsylvania outdoor recreation.

The nine member team will compete primarily in the Mid Atlantic Super Series (MASS), regional USAC events and the NUE MTB Series.  New to the team is 2007 24-Hour National Points Series Solo winner and endurance specialist Rob Lichtenwalner.

Photo: (L to R) Wes Schempf, Nancy Adams, Ryan Leech, Mike Yozell, Mike Kuhn, Ray Adams, and Mike Hebe. Not pictured: Michelle Stopper and Rob Lichtenwalner.

Returning team members include two 2007 USAC National MTB Champions: Weston Schempf, who claimed the US Semi Pro STXC title as well as the Mid-Atlantic XC Super Series title and Mike Yozell who earned a Master's XC Championship; co-captains Mike Kuhn and Ray Adams; endurance specialist Michelle Stopper; MASS Short Track series champion and former cyclocross National Champion Ryan Leech; and cross country specialists Nancy Adams and Mike Hebe.

2008 Team:
Ray Adams, 30 Harrisburg PA (Pro)
Nancy Adams, 30 Harrisburg PA (Expert)
Mike Hebe, 40 Camp Hill PA (Semi-Pro)
Mike Kuhn, 34 Center Valley PA (Semi-Pro)
Ryan Leech, 30 Center Valley PA (Semi-Pro)
Rob Lichtenwalner, 30 Bethlehem PA (Pro)
Weston Schempf, 30 Reading PA (Semi-Pro)
Michelle Stopper, 30 Williamsport PA (Expert)
Mike Yozell, 39 Emmaus PA (Semi-Pro)

The VisitPA.com MTB Team will be riding Cannondale Bicycles with additional support from Suunto Heart Rate Monitors, Northwave Shoes, Rudy Project, Ergon, Deuter, Sram, and Cadence Performance Center. For more information visit www.VisitPA.com/mountainbiketeam or ww.Highspeedcycling.com

Isle of Man Tour
Free Accommodation and Race Entry for Isle of Man Tour!
Isle of Man Youth Tour sponsors Sleepwell Hotels have kindly offered free accommodation and entry for two teams of four riders for this year’s Youth Tour.

All you have to do is email youthtour2008@manx.net , type 'win' in the subject bar and leave the name of your team and contact details by Sunday March 30 at the latest. The competition is open to any teams and clubs, even if you have already booked and entered in advance.

The Youth Tour is a three day tour for Junior and Youth riders and is held over the May Bank holiday weekend (May 2 to 4). The Junior race is a counting round towards the National Junior Series.
Please visit www.youthtour.co.uk for more details or contact race organiser Ollie Last on 07624 456146 for more information regarding special deals for teams and clubs.

TOSHIBA-Santo Pro Cycling Team p/by Herbalife
Strong showing at the Vuelta a la Cuidad de Mexico
The 2008 edition of the Vuelta a la Ciudad de Mexico was set to be a promising four days of racing for the TOSHIBA-Santo Pro Cycling Team presented by Herbalife. With team members Yosvany Falcon, Alex Hagman, Andrew Talansky, Frank Travieso, John Durango, and John Freddy Parra making the trip down to Mexico City, the squad had a solid mix of climbers and sprinters who were sure to be in the thick of the action each day.

Stage 1: 112 km
After arriving at the race course and taking a few preview laps of the 7 kilometer circuit, the team knew that it would be an aggressive and fast day of racing. The course was not very technical, designed in the shape of a hot dog loop with tight U-turns at each end and wide open, three lane roads on the straight-a-ways. After an easy warm up, it was time for the real action to begin, and with 160 riders making up the elite peloton, it was on from the gun.

The attacks began with each team member having a go off the front until a rather large group of around 10 riders finally got away. Unfortunately, the makeup of the riders was not in favor of the TOSHIBA team with only John Durango representing them in the break. For the next two laps the team flexed its muscles, going to the front and pulling back the large gap in only 14 kilometers. The team’s effort on the front left quite a few of the other squad’s riders gasping for air and it became clear that TOSHIBA was definitely one of the strongest teams present.

With a few laps to go, another move went away with Durango once again representing the team. This time; however, the move stuck as the team decided that Durango would have good odds in a sprint finish. As the final laps began, Durango was attacked constantly by the other members of the break as they knew he was the odds on favorite for a sprint finish. Like a true professional, Durango managed to conserve enough energy to sprint to a 2nd place finish giving the team great motivation to build on this effort the following day.

Stage 2: 53 kilometers
With the course for the day consisting of a 20 kilometer neutral rollout followed by a 33 kilometer climb, the team knew that this was the day that the GC would be sorted out. With this in mind, the pressure was on for the team’s climbers, Andrew Talansky and Alex Hagman. Going into the day the guys knew that the climb was going to be tough, not so much because of its steep pitches but more so because of the altitude with the climb finishing at just over 3,500 meters above sea level. After the neutral section, the race was stopped for a moment so that riders could shed some clothing as the pace was sure to heat up once the climb started and then the race began in earnest.

Talansky and Hagman stayed near the front making sure nothing escaped without their presence; however, a strong group did manage to make it up the road without Hagman or Talansky being able to cover it. However, the duo quickly responded and began what would be an impressive demonstration of teamwork for the next 25 kilometers. Hagman and Talansky set a high tempo, slowly reeling the leading group back. Unfortunately, despite their valiant efforts, Hagman and Talansky never made contact with the group and would go on to finish in 12th and 13th place on the day. The team was motivated to move up on the GC in the following days and hunt down a stage win before the race was over.

Stage 3: 75 kilometers
Stage 3 held another circuit of around 3 kilometers per loop with 25 laps to be completed by the riders before the finish. Again, there were only two turns on the course meaning that the pace was sure to be fast, and a bunch sprint was likely. The only difficulties around the short circuit were the many speed bumps and a few tiny undulations on the front side of the course. During their pre-race meeting, the TOSHIBA-Santo presented by Herbalife team decided on the following plan: be aggressive and active off the front for the fist two thirds of the race and if no breaks were sticking by then, set up the team’s sprinters for the finale.

All went as planned with all of the team members attacking repeatedly up until about 50 kilometers after which it was clear that the high tempo of the race combined with the lack of difficulty on the course meant that a bunch sprint was in order. Gus Carillo (DS) and Ravi Rajcoomar (team manager) were active on the radio keeping the boys motivated and helping them to get organized as the finish quickly approached. Despite a few hiccups, with one lap to go everyone had done their job and the sprinters, John Durango, Frank Travieso, and Yosvany Falcon were where they needed to be. In the end though it was Falcon who was the best positioned in the pack, and after a tremendous effort from John Freddy Parra on the backstretch of the course, Ivan Franco took over with Falcon on his wheel.

Franco opened up the sprint out of the last corner, about 400 meters from the line and gave it his all in hopes that one of the teams’ sprinters was on his wheel. As it turned out, Franco was in luck as he was towing one of the fastest riders in the peloton to the finish, and with just 100 meters remaining, Falcon shot out of the draft to take the win with plenty of room to spare. It was a great result for Falcon as well as a superb demonstration of teamwork and dedication as each rider gave his all so that Falcon could take victory on the day. Travieso came in right behind the hard charging Falcon for the 3rd place finish.

Stage 4: 65 kilometers
Another day and another circuit race for the boys in red, this time; however, it was held on a slightly shorter course through a city park near downtown Mexico City. With the previous days win still fresh in their minds, the TOSHIBA team was ready to once again assert their dominance on the road. The game plan was similar to stage 3's with the team once again looking out for the early moves and setting up for a bunch sprint if nothing was staying away by the end. With a great crowd showing up on Easter Sunday, the whole field seemed motivated to attack from the gun, and the fast pace proved too much for the early attackers as it was all together with 10 laps to go.

Falcon found himself in a breakaway with seven other riders and their advantage over the field quickly shot up to over 20 seconds, a time gap that everyone was taking seriously as the field approached 6 laps to go. Gus Carillo made the executive decision that the move was not in favor of the team as the odds were only one of eight, as the other riders would surely try to shake Falcon after witnessing his finishing speed the day before. So the team went to the front and for the next five laps Talansky, Hagman, Parra, and Franco rotated on the front, closing the gap to the break down, while Frank Travieso and John Durango were able to sit on and conserve themselves for the finish.

With just over a lap to go the break was caught and then it was up to Parra, Travieso, and Durango to seal the deal as Hagman, Talansky, and Franco pulled off with their job done for the day. Through the final turn on the last lap there was some confusion which caused Travieso to lose a few spots as other riders fought to get onto Durango’s wheel. Still, Travieso opened his killer sprint with 200 meters remaining and crossed the line with Durango right on his wheel. For a few minutes after the stage, no one was sure who had won as it was down to a photo finish between Travieso and a member of the Tlax-Mex team. Unforunately, the judges decided that Travieso had come up with second place for the team, while Durango finished in a respectable third to round out the podium for the day.

All in all these were some great results result that capped off a solid four days of racing in the south of Mexico. Overall, the Vuelta a la Ciudad de Mexico was a great experience for the TOSHIBA-Santo presented by Herbalife team. Not only did they come up with four podium finishes, (1st place, two 2nd places, and two 3rd places) but they had the opportunity to work together and fine tune their teamwork and race strategy, something that will surely serve them well as several of the team’s most important spring races are approaching quickly.

Next up for the team is the Bike America/Herbalife race weekend in South Florida, as well as preparations for the quickly approaching USA CRITS Speed Week series at the end of April.Follow all of the adventures of the TOSHIBA-Santo Pro Cycling Team presented by Herbalife online at www.toshibacycling.com.

Copperopolis Road Race
Milton, CA, 3/22/05
Taylor Tolleson of BMC won the Copperopolis road race -billed as the Paris - Roubaix of California with a total length of 105 miles (5 laps on a roughly paved 21 mile circuit) including two climbs each circuit. The organizer warns riders to use thick tires and strong wheels; no loose water bottle holders or dentures.

Cat 1/2/Pro,
1 84 Taylor TOLLESON BMC Professional Racing Team
2 89 Cam Evans Symmetrics
3 20 jonathan garcia BMC Professional Racing Team
4 32 Andy Jacques-Maynes California Giant Berry Farms/
5 27 todd Hennings Pacific State Bank Cycling Tea
6 59 Mark Santurbane California Giant Berry Farms/
7 61 michael sayers BMC Professional Racing Team
8 47 Jesse Moore California Giant Berry Farms/
9 71 Devon Vigus California Giant Berry Farms/
10 52 scott nydam BMC Professional Racing Team
11 17 Timothy Farnham Team Norcal Bike Sport
12 25 Ken Hanson California Giant Berry Farms/
13 7 Dan Bryant Specialized/Sierra Nevada
14 42 James Mattis California Giant Berry Farms/
15 30 John Hunt California Giant Berry Farms/
16 53 Osvaldo Olmos California Giant Berry Farms/
17 69 Chris Turner Page Mill Racing
18 57 Uthman Ray IV ZteaM
19 55 Vincent Owens Sierra Pacific Racing
20 78 David Quist Team Clif Bar
21 16 david everett bpg/montano velo
22 18 Dave Galvin BMC Professional Racing Team
23 26 UNKNOWN RIDER
24 63 John Staroba Team Norcal Bike Sport
25 4 Ryan Bennett Adobe/HDR presented by Lombard
Photos of the race at AbbiOrca

ZteaM Cycling Sweeps Elite 3, 4 & 5 Categories
Copperopolis Road Race - the “Paris-Roubaix of California”
Northern California’s ZteaM Cycling took top honors in the Elite 3, 4, and 5 categories at this past weekend’s Copperopolis Road Race, dubbed the “Paris-Roubaix of California” in reference to the grueling one-day French Classics race.

Referred to as a “hard man” race and one of the toughest in California by event veterans, Copperopolis is well known among racers for its relentless course and brutal roads that break equipment and spirit alike. ZteaM’s Nathaniel English rode away from the field to win the Elite 3 category. Chris Lyman endured to win the Elite 4 race thanks to the hard work of teammate Brian Gilliss, who finished third. In the Elite 5 ZteaM’s Scott Andron was awarded first place after a co-racer was relegated due to a penalty.

“We couldn’t be more excited about the progression of our club racing's success at a time when we are expanding into professional cycling," said Hans Gouwens, ZteaM's race captain. "The whole concept of our club is to support and develop riders who will compete at higher levels, including Nathan English who is soon to join our elite team to compete in NRC races."

ZteaM is a national cycling club supporting the growth of masters, elite, and youth cycling through club riding and racing. The group is funded by national and regional sponsors, and its own members. ZteaM regional chapters operate independently with a focus on supporting youth cycling programs in their areas. While ZteaM has a racing emphasis, its objective is to support all areas of cycling and to encourage family involvement by hosting social events for both cyclists and their families. ZteaM Cycling has largely focused on club riding and masters racing since 2004, but recently formed an Elite team which is managed by veteran riders Christian Kearney and Dave McCook, the current Scratch Race National Champion and 1994 USPRO Criterium Champion.
Abbi Holtom Whitaker
For more information about ZteaM, please visit www.zteamcycling.com.

"Ace Pure Sports Teams"
Tour Bids: Slipstream & Team High Road
BMC - Tour of Georgia
The Agency for Cycling Ethics, Inc., (“ACE”), a subsidiary of The Agency for Sports Ethics, LLC, (“ASE”), applauds the PURE SPORT Program participating teams’, Team High Road and Slipstream-Chipotle, invitations to the 2008 Tour de France. In addition, BMC will join Team High Road and Slipstream-Chipotle in April at the starting line in the Tour of Georgia.

“The ASO/Tour de France and Tour of Georgia roster announcements are fantastic achievements for the teams in our various programs!” Paul Strauss, CEO of ACE exclaimed upon reading the team selections. “The great results of these teams during the Tour of California and other early season races show that riders can race clean, get podium finishes and be invited to participate in two of the biggest races in our sport. We could not be happier for the riders, team management and their sponsors.”

Slipstream and High Road participate in the ACE PURE SPORT Program by voluntarily submitting to approximately 750 blood and urine collections per team per year, the most vigorous anti-doping program in professional cycling. BMC, participating in the ACE Blood Passport Program, undertakes approximately 240 blood tests per team per year.

About The Agency for Sports Ethics, LLC - The Agency for Sports Ethics, LLC is committed to the highest ethical standards in all sports. ASE’s goal is to provide the tools and programs necessary to ensure sponsors, teams, athletes and the public that those participants in the ASE family of programs compete drug-free and embody ethical competition on a level playing field. ASE intends to use the latest technologies, employ the most up-to-date proven methodologies and work with the foremost scientific experts in anti-doping in conjunction with sports’ governing bodies to ensure athletes compete Pure.

About The Agency for Cycling Ethics, Inc.- The Agency for Cycling Ethics is committed to the highest ethical standards in the professional sport of cycling. ACE believes in creating a cycling environment free of performance enhancing drugs by providing teams with the independent resources necessary to achieve this goal. ACE’s global mission is to create a conscious environment in which athletes are responsible and accountable for their physical well-being while strictly adhering to the ethical standards of the sport

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