The Farm Frites Ladies team has announced its roster for the 2004 season:  Brodtka (D), Heal (GB), Oki (Japan), Missbach (D), Visser, Van Moorsel, Van der Zee, Van Alebeek, Van der Helm, Vink, Melchers and Hijgenaar

Flotsam and Jetsam to affect Sunday’s Bay Area Super Prestige CycloCross, Round 4

CycloCross racers frequently contend with mud, sand, & tree roots as part of their parcours but rarely do they need to consult a tide table to plan their strategy. At Round 4 of the Bay Area Super Prestige CylcoCross (CCCP CycloCross @ Coyote Point - UCI Cat. 3) early starters on Sunday may need to carefully dance along the edge of the Ritchey “Walk on the Beach” that borders San Francisco Bay because the winter high tides will be washing right up to the edge of the fence line of the race copurse during the morning amateur events. The tide recedes with noon marking the lowest point of a still considerable winter tide and then begins its gradual invasion of the beach again until the 2:15 start of the Men’s Elite race.

The 3200 meter parcours features the maximum UCI-allowable 4 obstacles with the Bianchi “Celeste-ial Barricades”, the 30 meters of “Cannondale Canyon”, a soft earth forest pathway,– the 80 meters of potentially soggy sand in the “Ritchey “Walk on the Beach” before the circuit turns flat and begins it first portion of pavement – a 300 meter long straightaway on the beach promenade. Race Directors have relocated the Finish line closer to the Beach portion of the circuit for 2003 and also created a brand new Start loop – a separate 250 paved meters before riders enter the first forest paths and encounter “Cannondale Canyon” for the first time.

The Soviet-tinged podium ceremonies will also be highlighted by the “Commissar of ‘Cross” Richard Fries from OLN who will be handing out the rubles to the gold medalists, assisted by his lovely “Peoples Commissaires” from the Bay Area Velo Girls.  Racing gets underway at 9:00 with the Amateur events with the first UCI Elite fields (Women and Juniors) getting their Fries-ian introductions at 1:15 – just when the tide has turned. The first 3 rounds of the Bay Area Super Prestige Series have averaged 300 competitors and the prospect of a little rain on saturday may lure those Californians who envy their Pacific Northwest ‘cross buddies who always have a healthy dose of mud to consider their season complete.

Another special event will occur during Elite podium ceremonies when the winning ticket for the Pilarcitos Cyclesports “World Championships Trip” will be chosen. This 5 day adventure for 2 to the Worlds in Pont-Chateau leaves January 28th and returns to San Francisco 5 days later with visions of Wellens, Groenendaal, Nijs, Kupfernagel, LeBoucher dancing in the winners eyes. The US medal-contenders will add iceing to the cake in a special opportunity to experience CycloCross in the biggest venue possible – the World Championships. Tickets are $5 each and may be purchased at the venue up until the Elite Podium ceremony at 3:30 pm.

For more information, please consult our website.

Vergegear.com Mid-Atlantic Cyclo-Cross Championship Series

Round 10: Blue Diamond Park Cross, New Castle, Delaware – November 30, 2003

The 2003 Vergegear.com Mid-Atlantic Cyclo-Cross Championship Series wraps up this Sunday with Blue Diamond Park ‘Cross in New Castle, Delaware. 

Although Ryan Trebon (Kona) has already clinched the 2003 Vergegear.com series title, the Elite men’s race this Sunday promises to be full of fireworks.  Sitting in second and third places, respectively, are Fort/GPOA teammates Gunnar Shogren and Ryan Leech.  Shogren, the reigning Master’s 40+ National Champion, has a twenty-four point lead over newly crowned Pennsylvania State Champion, Leech. Although they are teammates, both want to finish the 2003 series ranked second only to Trebon.  The Fort/GPOA riders have exhibited great teamwork this season but the fact that the points race is close, means all bets may be off this weekend.  A third Fort/GPOA rider in the mix will be Greg Ferguson.  Ferguson has been a key part of the Fort/GPOA teamwork this season and in fact was instrumental in the Shogren-Leech, one –two finish at last weekend’s Raccoon ‘Cross.  Joe Reynolds (Wissahickon), who was denied a shot at victory last weekend when he suffered a flat on the final lap, will be looking to make up for that heartbreak this Sunday. Cross stalwarts, Bill Elliston (Ideal Tile) and Mike Yozell (Wissahickon) are both expected to be in the mix on race day and Greg Wittwer (LSV/Trek), who has already won the 2003 U-23 title, is also expected to be in the field on Sunday.

In the Elite Women’s field, Betsy Schauer (Fort/GPOA) still sits in the number one position.  Continuing to narrow the gap to her is Amber Itle (Wissahickon) who is coming off a fantastic win at Raccoon Township Cross. Mathematically, it appears that Schauer just needs to put in a consistent, steady ride on Sunday to take the win.  Even a win by Itle will not vault her past Schauer unless everything goes wrong for the Fort/GPOA rider. That’s doubtful since Schauer has been the model of consistency this season but strange things can happen in ‘cross and the series isn’t over until it’s over!

Carmen D’Aluisio (Clif Bar) sits in third position overall but is not expected to be at Blue Diamond. Her absence bodes well for fourth placed rider Lisa Most (Wissahickon) who will have a good shot at finishing the season in third place. Another rider expected on Sunday is Sami Fournier (Velo Bella). Fournier, the current Women’s Master 35+ leader, put in a great ride last weekend to place second behind Itle. A strong ride by Fournier this weekend could see her finish in the top five overall for the 2003 series.

Eric Schlauch (Somerset Wheelmen) and Rob Hacker (Lite Bites) are dead-even in points coming into the final weekend after Hacker out sprinted Schlauch for the win at last weekend’s Raccoon Township ‘Cross.  With the slate wiped clean, the order of their finish this Sunday will determine the champion for 2003.  Fred Wittwer (Charlottesville Racing) looks to hold on to his lead in the Masters 45+ category as does Sami Fournier (Velo Bella) in the Women’s 35+ class.  Gonzalo Escobar (Squadra Coppi) has already locked up the series title in the Juniors’ field. Thirteen year old, Nina Santiago (Liberty Cycle) has clinched the 2003 title in the Women’s B class and Brian Webster (SVVC) has done the same in the Men’s C category. There is still a battle being waged in the Men’s B class as Jesse Semanchik (First State Velo Sport) attempts to stay ahead of second-placed rider Wade Hess (Beacon Cycling).

For race details or additional series details, please go to the official website, and for race registration, you may visit sponsor BikeReg.com.

Velo Girls™ announces unique partnership with Giana Roberge and Team Speed Queen™

In what might be considered a unique alliance between grassroots and elite women’s racing, Velo Girls™, a San Francisco-based women’s cycling club, has announced the addition of Giana Roberge to their coaching roster for 2004. Ms. Roberge will join Velo Girls™ to coach the 2004 race team, and partner with Velo Girls™ founder Lorri Lee Lown on presenting camps & clinics during 2004.

Giana Roberge has an illustrious and successful career in professional cycling. She began road racing in 1994 and quickly established herself on the national scene. After turning pro in 1996, she competed domestically and internationally with the Timex Women’s Professional Cycling Team, posting impressive finishes in the Inaugural World Cup Series, Tour de France, Giro D’Italia, Tour of Holland, Tour de L’Aude, HP Women’s Challenge, Tour of Willamette, Tour de ‘Toona, Killington Stage Race, and the Redlands Classic.

She retired from professional racing in 1999 due to a heart condition, but quickly transitioned to the role of coach and manager with the Timex Team, and most recently, as the Assistant General Manager for the Saturn Professional Cycling Team, and the Coach for the Saturn Women’s Team. Under her leadership, the Saturn Women’s team became the top rated team in the United States and the World. She returned to racing in 2003, with a gold medal finish at the 2003 Master’s National Time Trial Championship and a silver medal finish at the 2003 Master’s World Time Trial Championships. In an effort to raise awareness of women’s cycling, Roberge has launched her own business, Team Speed Queen™ and plans to compete in the 2004 Race across America.

Roberge is enthusiastic about her position as strategy coach, "I am delighted to be coaching Velo Girls™. It will allow me to translate my experience and knowledge from the pro ranks into education for women pursuing their dreams. Lorri has obviously established an impressive format to bring women into the racing scene and I am looking forward to not only adding to the team’s energy but to learn from the athletes and Lorri as well."

Lorri Lee Lown began coaching professionally in 2002, with the goal of sharing the immense health, mental, and social benefits of cycling with other women in the San Francisco Bay Area. She’s a USA Cycling Expert Coach as well as an ACE-certified personal trainer and a Johnny G. Spinning Instructor. She coaches the Velo Girls™ Racing Team, private clients, and leads numerous clinics, seminars and workshops. She’s been instrumental in the growth of women’s cycling and racing in Northern California and has just begun working as Chair of the Yoplait National Women’s Grassroots Cycling Task Force.

Velo Girls™, founded in March 2002, counts almost 250 women and girls as members, hosts an online community of nearly 600 women cyclists, and has a very active calendar of rides and events. The youngest member is 11 ½ years old and the oldest is 76. Among members, 41 women will race with Velo Girls™ during the 2004 race season (including two junior racers). More information on this and other Velo Girls™ programs can be found at the website.

Genevieve Jeanson Named North American Female Cyclist of the Year

Montreal, November 26, 2003 – VeloNews has awarded the North American Female Cyclist of the Year title for 2003 to Geneviève Jeanson of the RONA-Esker cycling team. Citing Jeanson’s “dominance” in this year’s North American racing season, the American cycling magazine noted the “palpable air of fear” among rival cyclists each time the “diminutive 22-year-old from Lachine, Québec, rolled to the start line.”

VeloNews also noted that Jeanson, already known for her climbing and time trial abilities, added the sprint to her arsenal of skills this year. The VeloNews report announcing the award is published online.

“I’m flattered and pleased to learn I’ve been chosen by VeloNews,” says Geneviève Jeanson. “An honor like this is always a pleasure, but I particularly appreciate it this year. It’s good for my morale after the controversies I’ve been through the past few weeks. I really want to share this honor with my coach, André Aubut, and my teammates. This year our team was as good as it gets in women’s cycling, and that’s a big reason for my own results.”

Team RONA/Esker is one of only two Canadian women’s cycling teams in the Elite Category recognized by the International Cycling Union. The 2003 team was made up of four Canadian racers (Geneviève Jeanson, Andrea Hannos, Carrie Tuck and Erinne Willock), French racers Catherine Marsal and Magali Le Floc’h, New Zealander Melissa Holt, German Karen Bockel and American Kristen LaSasso.

RONA is one of Canada’s leading hardware and home renovation retailers. Esker is a natural spring water from the north of Canada, sold in North America and Asia.

The 2003 team also received equipment and service sponsorships from many companies, including Colnago, Biemme, Shimano, Michelin, Mavic, Diadora, Limar, Selle Italia, ITM, Look, CatEye, Tacx, Finish Line, Cane Creek, Saris, Power Tap, Trialtir, Cycles Lambert and Club Médico-Sportif.