Cycling News Roundup 29 October 2009
Liquigas/Sidi, Colombian Federation President Pliny Casas, Cyclocross News: Beacon & Kitten Cross, Halloween Classic Cyclocross, Gun Club Cross, Jonathan Vaughters - NorCal CycleFest, Audiobike Stereo Speaker System, Milani Cycles Factory 2010...

Powers and Bruno-Roy lead National Calendar standings
Last weekend marked the midway point of the 2009/2010 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Racing Calendar as events 19 through 22 were contested.

Ryan Trebon (Bend, Ore./Kona) won the elite men's contest on day one of the USGP of Cyclocross Derby City Cup in Louisville, Ken. on Saturday while Katerina Nash (Truckee, Calif./Luna) picked up the elite women's win. On day two in Louisville, Nash was again the women's winner while Tim Johnson (Beverly, Mass./Cannondale/ Cyclocrossworld.com) grabbed the victory in the elite men's race. Click here for full results from day one of the Derby City Cup, and here for results from day two.

Also contested over the weekend were Downeast Cyclocross Days I and II in New Gloucester, Maine. Dan Timmerman (Clay, N.Y./Richard Sachs-RGM Watches-Radix) and Maureen Bruno Roy (Arlington, Mass./MM Racing p/b Seven Cycles) went two for two, picking up the elite men's and women's wins on both days. Click here for complete results from day one of the Downeast Cyclocross, and here for complete results from day two.

Halfway through the 2009/2010 USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Racing Calendar, Jeremy Powers (Hadley, Mass.) and Maureen Bruno-Roy lead the elite men's and women's standings with 234 and 165 points respectively. The current standings are as follows:

Men's Standings
1. Jeremy Powers (Hadley, Mass.) 234
2. James Driscoll (Jericho, Vt.) 229
3. Ryan Trebon (Bend, Ore.) 225
4. Jonathan Page (Northfield, N.H.) 170
5. Dan Timmerman (Clay, N.Y.) 167
 Men's complete standings

Women's Standings
1. Maureen Bruno-Roy (Arlington, Mass.) 165
2. Katerina Nash (Truckee, Calif.) 125
3. Sue Butler (Portland, Ore.) 124
4. Katie Compton (Colorado Springs, Colo.) 120
5. Laura Van Gilder (Cresco, Pa.) 118
Women's standings

Liquigas/Doimo Continue Winning Parnership with Sidi
Ergo 2 Carbon and Genius 6.6 Carbon on the feet of Basso, Pellizotti & Co. again in 2010
Ivan Basso, Franco Pellizotti and all the riders on Team Liquigas can count on the support of Sidi Sport again next season. After the collaborative synergy of the last five seasons, in 2010 and 2011 the shoes from the Maser (TV) company will again be on the feet of the members of the Team Liquigas juggernaut that’s based in San Donà di Piave (VE), just a few kilometres from Sidi Sport’s headquarters.

Specifically, the riders will be wearing the Sidi Ergo 2 Carbon model, featuring a caliper buckle and techno 2 system closing mechanism used by the Czech Roman Kreuziger and by Vincenzo Nibali; Ivan Basso, Franco Pellizotti and Daniele Bennati favour the Sidi Genius 6.6 Carbon model, with caliper buckle closure and high security Velcro.

Sidi Genius 66 ala Liquigas green and blue eam accents

Both of these models represent the top of the line in the 2010 Sidi Sport collection, which has introduced the innovative Carbon Lite Sole that was designed and developed using an original mix of materials combined to maximize the resistance of the sole, which is placed under enormous stress during performance, while at the same time making the shoe even lighter. Sidi Sport will also have its logo on the riders’ socks, and will supply the entire team with Chrono Cover shoe covers featuring the Liquigas graphics and colours, as well as Covershoes Socks and winter Thermocovers. Working side by side, Sidi Sport and Team Liquigas won a total of 18 victories in 2009.

Franco Pellizotti & Sidi Sport’s polka dot jersey at the Tour de France 2009
Photo courtesy Sidi Shoes

Some of the most brilliant successes of the season that has just ended include the coveted polka-dot jersey for the best climber at the Tour de France; the podium at the Giro d’Italia for the “Dolphin from Bibione,” Franco Pellizotti; victory at the Tour de Suisse for Roman Kreuziger and the win at the Giro del Trentino for Ivan Basso, who was a major team player throughout the year, from the Pink Race to the end of the season in the Vuelta a España, the World Championships at Mendrisio and the Giro di Lombardia.

Goals for 2010 will include the major stage races that will see Basso, Pellizotti, Nibali and Kreuziger giving it their all. We’ll also be following the winning sprinters Daniele Bennati and the young up and comer Jacopo Guarnieri during the major one-day classics.

Fallen Heroes
Colombia Cycling Federation President
Pliny Casas,  President Federacion Colombiana de Ciclismo died Wednesday in Bogota, after suffering from a disease which took his life at 58 years old.

Pliny Casas was a successful cyclist with a Tour of Chile Tour victory and runner-up Tour of Colombia and from the17 January, the president of the Colombian Cycling Federation. Domingo Hernandez, first vice president announced that the Fedeciclismo was mourning the sad news for Colombian cycling and noted that in the next few hours will be announced details of his funeral.

Pliny leaves a cyclist legacy in his family - son Ivan Mauricio is an active rider and his brother Fabio as director of the Lino League in Boyaca and leader of that section of the country.
Jairo Enrique Rodriguez - Press Officer fedeciclismo Colombia

Alejandro Valverde Photo courtesy Sidi Shoes

Jonathan Vaughters to lead out NorCal CycleFest
New season of High School Cycling
Three days of festivities mark the imminent 2009 NorCal CycleFest, regarded by many as the Bay Area’s cycling social event of the season, November 6-8 in Mill Valley. The event is a benefit for the Northern California High School Mountain Bike Racing League.

Matt Fritzinger, founder of the NorCal League, said “The NorCal CycleFest is the main annual fundraiser for the League. This year attendees will enjoy the vintage poster show, our line-up of speakers and the silent auction which provides a great win-win opportunity to support the League. This is a key developmental year for high school cycling, and we are really counting on the continued support of Bay Area cyclists.”

The event begins on Friday, November 6th, with a cocktail reception from 6-10 p.m. presented by McGuire Real Estate, where Jonathan Vaughters, founder of the Garmin-Slipstream Professional cycling team, will chat and mingle with attendees.

Saturday evening, November 7th, starting at 6 p.m., is the main event: a gala dinner featuring a silent auction and vintage poster show, at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto. The stars of the silent auction are two ultra-desirable offerings from Specialized Bicycle Components and a luxury guided mountain bike trip from Western Spirits.

Of the bicycles, one is a Specialized Roubaix PRO SRAM road bicycle, equipped with the award winning Specialized crankset. Described as ‘the ultimate alchemy of performance and comfort,’ with an MSRP of $4400, this machine is the perfect ride for the less-than perfect Northern California country roads.

Another, a Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Expert, is a mountain bike that, fitted with the Specialized AFR shock and Fox’s F120 RLC fork, will easily handle any course found on the NorCal League racing circuit. MSRP on this state-of-the-art offroader is $3700.

Other sought-after auction items are generously donated by CamelBak, Fox Racing Shox, Ritchey Design, Syncros, and Shimano.. Other dinner sponsors include Clif Bar, GU Energy Labs, NCNCA, Mike's Bikes and Mountain Hardwear and Touchstone Climbing and Fitness.

Master of ceremonies for the evening is the well-known commentator and freelance cycling journalist Bruce Hildenbrand, while CycleTo.com journalist Bob Cullinan will interview Jonathan Vaughters. With this mix of personalities, the evening is sure to be filled with wry, humorous and intellectual takes on the contemporary cycling scene.

Sunday’s ride, generously supported by the Marin Cyclists, features Garmin-Slipstream pro riders Lucas Euser and Steven Cozza, who will be ready to discuss the 2010 Tour of California route and relate tales from the peloton during an easy 50-mile spin out to Pt. Reyes, which includes California Highway Patrol escort and a fabulous rest stop with scrumptious treats.

The CycleFest schedule is as follows:
Friday November 6th: Cocktail reception with Jonathan Vaughters in Mill Valley
Saturday, November 7th: Benefit dinner, silent auction and vintage poster show, hosted by Jonathan Vaughters at the Mill Valley Community Center
Sunday, November 8th: Scenic road ride in Marin countryside with Jonathan Vaughters, Lucas Euser and Steven Cozza.

Proceeds from the ticket sales support the Northern California High School Mountain Bike League, so be sure to purchase one for your friend/spouse/partner too! Admission is $150.00 (Regular), and $195.00 for Patron tickets tickets, which include a pre-dinner cocktail hour with Jonathan, preferred seating and special gifts. All tickets are available online at www.norcalmtb.org

Cyclocross News
NACT Preview: Colorado ‘Cross
Snow Bound Cyclocross - Compton NACT Debut
Tere are tricks, there are treats and for the fourth round of the NACT series in Colorado this weekend, the weather is planning to play the biggest trick off all (or a treat, depending on who you talk to). With the eight inches of wet snow that has already arrived, course organizers have decided to move Sunday’s race from Harlow Platts Park to the Boulder Reservoir. But the magnitude of the weather matches the magnitude of riders coming to Boulder and Longmont.

Katie Compton (Planet Bike) will make her 2009 NACT debut at the Blue Sky Velo Cup on Saturday and unfortunately for her competitors, Compton’s stars’n’stripes jersey isn’t just a costume. Compton is currently leading - no, dominating - the UCI standings. But some of her toughest competition has come from the Luna Chix and both Georgia Gould and Alison Dunlap are ready to give Compton a run for her money. With series leader Natasha Elliott and second place Sue Butler absent, Dunlap who is currently in fourth overall in the NACT standings, could be posed to move up.

While Compton’s presence may shake up the women’s standings, the Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com men’s team will be looking to solidify their hold over the top spots in the series. The only question is which one of the trio Tim Johnson, Jeremy Powers or Jamey Driscoll, will be slipping into the red jersey.  The current order is Johnson, Driscoll and Powers in second, third and fourth. Bissell’s Andy Jacques-Maybes in fifth is the next closest contender but with Powers nearly fifty points ahead of Jacques-Maynes, the top spots look to be Cannondale’s for the taking.

Despite the venue change, the racing schedule for Sunday remains the same. For current information, please visit our Twitter page or NACT website. More information about the races can be found at Blue Sky Velo Cup and Boulder Cup.
Stephanie Chase

MAC's New Jersey Weekend A Dress Up Affair
Cyclocross racers at MAC’s two days of UCI and amateur racing in New Jersey this weekend will need to pay closer-than-normal attention to what they’re wearing. Beacon Cyclocross in Bridgeton New Jersey will see racers trying to avoid the Jersey Devil while rushing through the woods on Halloween, while promoters of the following day’s Cat and Kitten Cross presented by HPCX in Jamesburg New Jersey have a few suggestions about what to wear to a wedding reception in the middle of a cyclocross race.

The irrationality of cyclocross, such as Beacon’s “Amphitheater of Pain” run-up to the top of the terraced seating area of Bridgeton’s two-story high amphitheater, provides a good setting for Halloween attire. Last season, the entire C3 team, nearly 20 members strong, debuted a special Karate Kid “Fists of Death” skinsuit just for the occasion.

In keeping with the theme of trick or treat, Halloween day’s Beacon Cross has made the first change in many years to its classic roads-in-the-woods course. “The city installed new guardrails, so we’ve extended the straight, paved start several hundred feet further up the hill before merging it with the main course this year,” says Beacon promoter Wade Hess. “It’ll probably be a treat for most racers, but it’ll be a cruel trick anybody that expects the old right-hand corner that isn’t there anymore.”

Because the following day’s “Cat and Kitten Cross presented by HPCX”, serves as the wedding reception for pro riders Jonny Sundt and Mandy Lozano, the organizers have issued a statement clarifying what constitutes “proper attire” at a reception that incorporates a cyclocross race:

“Proper attire is requested for Cat and Kitten’s reception. Since the lovebirds have settled in Texas, and the race takes place just minutes from the New Jersey Turnpike, cowboy boots would be appropriate. But for the love of humanity, and in the name of all that is decent, please do not walk around the reception (nor anyplace else) wearing only a skinsuit and cowboy boots. HPCX suggests that a freshly-coiffed mullet and a fashionably black HPCX Tee Shirt (purchased from our registration page on BikeReg.com) would be a tasteful, yet not ostentatious, wardrobe combination for this special occasion. Please also wear trousers.”

Sundt, for his part, has no doubt about what he and Mandy are expecting from their wedding reception, “It’s going to be an insane party, with the Beer Garden and the great food. And you can keep your belly full and your mug full and watch really good UCI racing.”

For more information on the Beacon Cyclocross and the Cat and Kitten Cyclocross presented by HPCX, rounds 5 and 6 of the MAC Cyclocross Series, see www.BikeReg.com.

Halloween Classic Cyclocross - Wisconsin
Costumed Cyclocross Racers to Invade Washington Park on Halloween
Washington Park’s landscape will turn spooky yet family-friendly this Saturday, Oct. 31, as hundreds of cyclocross racers in costume will compete in the Annual Halloween Classic Cyclocross Race hosted by the Velo Trocadero Cycling Team.

Races are open to cyclocross racers of all skill levels, with the first cycling ghouls taking the course at 9:45am. The 1.5 mile rolling, grassy loop will feature coffin hops and a run-up capped by a Halloween Party sponsored by Team Expo.

Families are encouraged to come cheer on costume-clad riders throughout the day as they compete for over $1,100 in cash plus merchandise courtesy of Wheel & Sprocket and Brookstone Homes. A free, 50-yard Kid’s Race at 11:45am, open to young riders of all ages and abilities, will feature Halloween candy prizes to all. Costumes are encouraged for kids and parents alike!

Monster appetites will be satisfied with food and beverage from Trocadero Café, and the witches brooms will stay operational thanks to the on-site Wheel & Sprocket mechanics.

The seventh race of the Planet Bike Cyclocross Series, the Velo Trocadero Halloween Classic is all about family fun. No experience is required, and any off-road bike is sufficient to get through the course. Helmets are required. Being a USA Cycling permitted event, licenses are required but one-day licenses can be purchased on-site in Washington Park, which is located on North 41st Street between Vliet and Lisbon in Milwaukee. Wisonsin.

Race participation fees are $27 ($10 for the second race), with Juniors just $15. Visit www.velotrocadero.com or www.wicycling.org for complete details.

A DAY OF BOOM-BOOM FUN
Zipp OVCX’s Gun Club Cross
The Gun Club Cross, the one that uses a shotgun blast to start each race, is the next stop on the Zipp OVCX Tour on Sunday November 1. Held at the Sycamore Gun Club in suburban Cincinnati, the Gun Club is one of those rare events that’s as well known for its peripherals as for its parcours. Oh sure, it has dirt, mud and a run-up interspersed with grass throughout its 7-9 minutes lap, not to mention two sand pits and three barriers taken out of the “Book of Old School”. But the Gun Club Cyclocross seems just as well-known for its massive food offerings and its comfy hunting lodge, which boasts real indoor showers.

Promoter John Gatch, of the cycling-oriented Two John’s Podcast, says, “It’s a day of fun. Last year’s race was off the hook. The local church youth group sold just about every crumb of food they brought, so they’re raising the bar this year. The attendance at Zipp OVCX races is through the roof this year, so there will be plenty of people to race with. And we have a warm lodge with cross videos playing on the large screen TV all day. It’s a perfect Autumn day.”

The lodge is a defining feature of the privately-owned Sycamore Gun Club that has been owned by the Todd family for generations. The facility is still an active gun club and trap shooting continues to be its major activity. But the Todd’s also rent out the beautiful facility for functions ranging from business meetings to birthday parties and, of course, cyclocross races.

For more information on the Gun Club Cross, round 9 of the Zipp OVCX Tour, see BikeReg.com. Online pre-registration closes October 29. Follow late-breaking news about the Gun Club Cross on Twitter, www.twitter.com/gunclubcross.

Audio Bike
Handlebar mounted Stereo Speakers
Surprisingly, there are very few states where it is against the law to ride a bike while using headphones. Since the use of headphones covers the ear canals and limits you hearing of your surroundings and oncoming traffic. Audio Bike systems seeks to short circuit audio deafness for a choice in listening to your favorite music, but not losing touch with your riding environment.

The bicycle speakers incorporate two individual speaker assemblies. The streamlined aerodynamic housings are inserted into each end of a bicycle handlebar. The speakers extend rearward and the sound upwards from the handlebar. The speakers are positioned equidistant and apart from your head providing optimum listening. The speakers allow the cyclist to listen to their audio programs without covering the ear channel. This allows the cyclist to hear other ambient noises, cars and traffic.

Audiobike speakers mounted in the ends of the handlebars

The accessory platform is secured via fasteners on top of the handlebar and stem. Built into the bottom of the platform is a 2 watt amplifier powered by a rechargeable lithium battery. On left side of the platform is an on/off switch and an LED light to indicate when the system is on. On the right side of the platform is a mini USB jack to recharge the battery. Included with your Audio Bike is a USB cable so you can recharge your battery. 
Cost $69.95
More info: www.audiobike.com 
Product Inquiries - sales@audiobike.com

Bike Biz News
Milani Cycles Factory presents 2010 Products Range
Three new models for the Race Line and one among the Vintage models - New design and new colours for all 2010 Range
Milani Cycles Factory, the Italian factory producing steel, aluminum and carbon fibre frames made by hand, presents the new 2010 Products Range during the international trade Fair of Utrecht (Nederland) from the 30th of October to the 2nd of November. The new Collection is enriched with new models and innovative graphic elements as a results from a lasting and constant research activity involving design and materials suitable for a rich and innovative proposal.

The 2010 Range includes three different Lines of products: Race, Special and Vintage. The two first lines are thought for those that are fond of cycling and for all the sportsmen that every day train themselves to compete in cycling competitions, on road and on track, both for triathlon and cyclo-cross. The Vintage line is made for those who use bicycle as a philosophy of life or simply for one’s own wellbeing.

The most important news in the Race line for 2010 regard the extension of the offer by three new models:
SPECIALISSIMA, N109 and ACCIAIO PURO.
SPECIALISSIMA is an extreme bicycle for the uncompromising cyclist. The frame is as lightweight as a cycle can possibly be, thanks to the use of certified, pre-impregnated T800 carbon, coupled with exceptional performance. Frame, fork and components are all built in Italy. N109, represents the natural evolution of the N107 frame. It has double section steering headset, tubes with a wider diameter and oriented ellipse for an essential frame that is comfortable, aggressive and able to guarantee high performance. ACCIAIO PURO, built using 100% stainless steel, is the essence of tradition and technology. Steel absorbs vibrations while returns the strength boosted down into the pedals and the frame design combines the cycle-making traditions of the past with the criteria and technology of the present days.

The Race Line is completed by N107E, proposed with a larger range of colours, N107, SL228 and SL227. These models have a new graphic design and new colouring thanks to a painting process that consists of a base of colour followed by as many steps of masking.

The Special Line is designed for triathlon, pistard and cyclo-cross athletes. The ICON is a frame made for Crono-men who love to compete against time: it is aerodynamic but still comfortable, lightweight thank to the use of carbon fiber and with drop-shaped tubes. The SEIGIORNI, aluminium hand-made, is a fixed bike, the ideal way to pistard of indoor race. CRENNA54 and SC308 are for medium and high level cyclo-cross athletes: both frames are lightweight and easy to steer, CRENNA54 is built 100% aluminium while SC308 is built 100% with carbon fiber, a unique frame and a real rarity.

Milani Bike History - The origin of Milani Cycles Factory dates way back to 1927, when three brothers began making bikes for themselves. All were top-quality racers in their own right at the time the company was formed. Giuseppe Milani was racing in the Bianchi team with the likes of Michele Mara, Domenico Piemontesi, Fiorenzo Crippae Ambrogio Morelli. Natale Milani, meanwhile, was racing with the Viscontea team and riding alongside Cino Cinelli - another great rider of the time who later went on to also found his own bicycle company.

As well as being a racer, Natale was already an accomplished craftsman. During World War II, he’d served with the Italian Air Force as a flight engineer. He regularly manufactured parts when spares weren’t available or made changes purely to improve upon existing designs. This ability to make things with hands, along with his understanding of engineering, led to Milani Cycles being among the first companies to make bicycle frames using aluminum alloy. As a result, Milani Cycles quickly became known as the best that money could buy.

The brothers’ first workshop, based in Gallarate, was in an excellent position too. It was surrounded by several giants of engineering, such as MV Agusta Aviation - later to became MV Agusta motorcycles and AgustaWestland helicopters - Caproni aviation, Macchi aviation, Frera motorcycles and Ganna Cycles. With this concentration of expertise to hand, it should be no real surprise that Milani Cycles quickly became one of the best manufacturers of bicycles in Italy. Yet Milani didn’t only construct bikes for themselves, they also produced some of the best bikes in the world for the biggest names in cycling. Their craftsmanship and attention to detail quite rightly made Natale Milani one of the most widely respected Italian frame builders. That dedication to detail is something that can equally be seen in the Milani products of today.

But a modern Milani was very nearly not to be. When Natale died in 1926, the brand lay dormant until Celeste Milani and his wife Paola Di Domenico resurrected the business. Today, they apply the same core values that Natale applied to his range of bikes - quality and performance. They also continue to offer the option to have any Milani frame custom-built. Their current range of bikes runs to a replica steel frame that recaptures one Natale’s original designs.

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