Cycling News Roundup 6 March 2006
CSC on Stage 1 Paris Nice, T-Mobile for Tirreno, Symmetrics, Site of the Week, Reader Rant, Myogenesis Georgia Cup Report, Race Announcements, Austin Velodrome - Lance Armstrong Museum? USA Pro Military Team, USA Cycling Funds Mountain Bike, catching up...

CSC on Paris Nice today
 Tom Boonen (Quick Step) was fastest and simultaneously took enough bonus seconds to capture the leader's jersey from Team CSC's Bobby Julich.
”It went according to plan for us today. As expected Quick Step had ambitions for Boonen to win the stage and the jersey and this means we can leave it up to the sprinters' teams to keep the peloton together and instead try to control the race as far as rivals for the overall victory are concerned,” said Bjarne Riis after the stage.
Bobby Julich is now second overall – seven seconds behind Boonen.
In Tuscany Team CSC's Lars Michaelsen sprinted his way to a ninth place in the 194-kilometer Giro della Provincia di Lucca
Alessandro Pettachi of Milram won the race ahead of Lampre's Claudio Corioni.
“There were attacks in the crosswinds during the last laps and about 30 riders hit the finish line collectively. Cancellara did a great job for Lars, who in turn did well in the sprint but lacked that last bit of speed out there. He continues to show improvement and is definitely on the right track though,” said D.S. Kim Andersen following the race, which went from Barga to Capannori

T-Mobile to Tirreno Adriatico
Kummer looks to classics specialists
The 41st edition of the Tirreno-Adriatico stage race gets underway Wednesday in Tivoli close to Rome. Known as the 'Race of the Two Seas' because it crosses southern Italy from the Mediterranean coast to San Benedetto del Tronto on the Adriatic, Tirreno-Adriatico is arguably Italy's most prestigious stage race after the Giro.

Seasoned campaigner Steffen Wesemann leads the T-Mobile Team in southern Italy, where the team focus will be on stage wins. "We are bringing an aggressive and committed approach to this race. We are not candidates for the overall standings, in that regard we are outsiders," says sport and technical director Mario Kummer. Kummer has nominated the hardcore of his classics squad for the seven-day tour, so taking their places alongside Wesemann are Stephan Schreck and the two Flanders residents Andreas Klier and Sergey Ivanov. Bernucci on home turf

The T-Mobile newcomer Lorenzo Bernucci is looking forward to a ride on home turf, while the Dutchman Bram Schmitz gets his season rolling after recovering from a broken foot. "We can't expect much from Bram. After his injury he is just here to get race miles into his legs", says Kummer.
Andreas Klöden also makes the trip to Italy. The 30-year-old, who started his season at the Swiss double-header two weeks ago, has opted for the more moderate parcours of Tirreno-Adriatico over the tougher Paris-Nice as he continues to build up his form and fine-tune his race sharpness ahead of bigger prizes to come.

Rounding out the eight-rider roster is another team newcomer André Greipel, who will give the team a sprint option in any bunch finishes - the 22-year old has already scored podium places this season at Vuelta ao Algarve and theTour of California.

Summit Finish Added
The race organisers have tweaked the format for this year’s edition, making the tour more interesting to complete riders through the addition of an individual time trial and a tough summit finish. The time trial comes Sunday over a tricky 20km course in and around Sevigliano, while Monday’s stage climaxes with a long 12 km haul up to the finish in San Giacomo at an altitude of 1,105 metres. "The new race plan will suit the team’s all-rounders," says sporting director Valerio Piva who expects these two stages to decide the final GC standings.

Northern Ireland
Deignan and McCann out for Commonweath Games
Northern Ireland's Commonwealth Games team have suffered a blow as cyclist Philip Deignan has been forced out while David McCann is recovering after a high-speed crash in Melbourne.
The cycling team have been in Melbourne for some time, while the rest of the team flew out Sunday from Belfast City Airport. Deignan suffered a broken collar bone during the UCI 1.1 ranked GP d'Ouverture at Marseille in early February and has failed to recover in time.

In a statement cycling manager Aliaster Irvine said: "I believe Philip was assured a medal in Melbourne. "His ability, the course characteristics and the support of a strong team, gave me a confidence that it was to be an exceptional Commonwealth Games. "Having to depart without a rider of Philip's quality, talent and ability was not an easy option. The decision reached by myself and Philip, was done in consultation with other concerned parties, considered medical assessment and evaluation of professional team objectives. The time scale to regain peak fitness between Philip's accident and the Commonwealth Games road race was influential, as was concern that Philip's recovery was not something anyone considered taking risks with."
As for McCann he suffered cuts and bruises and is concerned that his Games preparation will be effected

Symmetrics Update From Mexico
Vuelta Sonora Arizona (2.2)
Eric Wohlberg in Third
The Symmetrics Pro Cycling Team has begun its season en español, racing the Vuelta Sonora-Arizona (2.2) this week. After four stages of racing, the S-Team is poised well for an overall victory, with Eric Wohlberg sitting in third overall, just 16 seconds behind. Wohlberg won the third and most difficult stage, which put him in striking distance of the overall.

Last night was an 80km circuit race, where the team had two riders - Andrew Pinfold and Christian Meier - in a large breakaway. With 18km to go on the 2km circuit, Pinfold attacked to splinter the break. Meier and Target Training's Wes Hartman bridged up to the smaller break and at the line, Pinfold was just nipped by a tire for the win. However, both Symmetrics riders finished on the podium - Pinfold second, Meier third. Meier's result was even more impressive given the fact that he was involved in a minor incident on course - a car hit him! But he's fine.

Symmetrics lead U-23 & Team G.C.
Marsh Cooper is also leading the U23 competition. Yesterday he flatted with 8 laps to go and since there was no free lap, he had to chase back to catch on to preserve the jersey. Luckily, Andrew Randell and Brad Farrell dropped back and helped him get back on - the pace was quite high but he made it. Symmetrics took top team after stage 4 and currently sits second in the teams classification.
With two stages to go the boys from BC hope they can take both the overall GC - both team and individual - keep the U23 and maybe take another stage. Stay tuned...

Daily Peloton Site of the week:
Visit Miel Van Streels site containing photos of the Monuments to Cyclists in Europe. Fausto Coppi the crane leads the list with 7 monuments.
For more on History and Memorials on the Daily Peloton. and don't miss Fabio's four part series on Fausto Coppi: one, two, three, four. If you admire the many great Basque riders don't miss: The Spokes of Nationalism by Mark Hill. A series of articles about the history of cycling in the Basque Country and that region's struggles for governmental recognition...

Reader Rant
A reader takes exception to the ESPN Tour of California Coverage
of the Sierra Road Climb
Dear ESPN2: What on earth were you guys doing? Sleeping?! I am so very disappointed with the coverage ESPN and the media has been broadcasting of the Tour of California. It's no wonder US Cycling is asleep at the wheel.

Where were you on Sierra Road? This climb was as close as the United States will ever get to the legendary, historical, captivating, exciting (need I continue), climbs of some of the greatest European Tours. And where the hell were you guys?
Bob Roll and Paul Sherwen must have felt like throwing up after having to cut the best commentating on the most difficult part of the climb where about 2,000 spectators - mostly cyclists who earlier climbed Sierra or Calaveras so they could be at the top to cheer the riders as they came through.

I climbed Sierra Road and it was as if I was climbing Alp De Huez (in my dreams). I charged ahead, in the zone. Spectators cheering me on as I rode over the most famous names in cycling history (aside from Lance) chalked and spray painted on the road. Flags and encouragement everywhere. Achtung Levi!
I hammered on. As I neared the summit, it was almost as desolate as the famous French climbs but with hundreds of other cyclists finding their spots along the road preparing to cheer the riders. It was a beautiful feeling for everyone who made that climb yesterday. For many, it is was as close to Europe as we'll ever get.

When the riders approached it was just like the Tour De France (from what I've seen on OLN anyhow). All of us piled into the middle of the road parting the way as the riders neared, cheering them, encouraging them - EVERY LAST ONE of them - even the Mexican National team and other riders who had finally cracked and were even behind the sweeper. "200 METERS! YOU'RE THERE, YOU'RE THERE!!! GO! GO! GO!!!", we cheered as they came through. It was amazing. The guys running with the U.S. Flag, Angel Girl (who is she - I want my picture with her. Sorry honey!), the devil man. Everything. It was there. Even the cowboys on horses for cryin' out loud!!

And where were you? Going to a commercial?!! - an Amgen commercial of all things.
You covered the beginning of the climb, which really had about as much substance as a backyard barbeque with hot dogs - few spectators, no frills, no names chalked on the road - NOTHING. When you came back from the Antacid commercial, the guys were descending Calaveras Road. Unfricken believable. Even my wife said, "That was it?" I couldn't believe it. My jaw hit the floor. I went to bed and tossed and turned like a kid who didn't get what he wanted most for Christmas.

I dare say, this was/will be absolutely the very best part of the ENTIRE race. It will probably go down as being better than any stage on any Tour in the U.S. And you guys missed it! (Do you hear me shouting that?)
Your lack of coverage didn't discourage anyone on the mountain, when the guys came through, but ESPN's coverage just plain sucked (and I'm not one to usually talk like that). But it was unbelievable. Maybe if there was an alcohol induced fight the news would have been all over that, but not pure unadulterated suffering with 2,000 cyclists who just climbed that mountain on their own, now cheering on the men that made them go there in the first place.

Redeem yourselves and just maybe the Specialized Angel will blow you a kiss and forgive you IF you do a special coverage of that climb. It was about 15 minutes. You could do a whole damn show on that climb alone and it will motivate more people to participate in U.S. cycling in the future, than any other coverage of the race. (Yawn - Time Trial on flat empty open roads. Wake me when it's over - but way to go Floyd!).
C'mon cover the goods. Get on it and do a re-broadcast of the Tour of California; But this time show the action on the Col De Sierra.
T.Q. Hogye -

Austin Velodrome Project and Cycling Center
A nonprofit group, the Austin Velodrome Project, is pushing to build a $35 million indoor velodrome in the city. The proposed facility, which has the support of Armstrong, would seat 5,000 people around a banked, 250-meter wooden track, where coaches could closely watch athletes. It would provide a place for uninterrupted, year-round training.

"It would make Austin the center of the cycling universe," said Todd Reed, a corporate attorney and director of the board of the Austin Velodrome Project.
If the velodrome gets built in Austin, Gerard Bisceglia, head of USA Cycling, which oversees all amateur and professional bike racing in the U.S., says he would consider moving the group's headquarters, along with the national and Olympic cycling teams from the Olympic Training Center site in Colorado Springs, Colo., to Austin. Cyclists now train on an outdoor track at the center but train in warmer climes in the winter.

"It would be a great opportunity to be (in Austin) as a national cycling center instead of as a tenant at the Olympic Training Center," said Bisceglia. "Our sport is beginning to ascend to the point where we need to have our own home."
Reed and local professional cyclist Barry Lee, also on the Austin Velodrome Project's board, have dreams of building the world's most dominating developmental cycling program, training riders to compete in both track and road racing. The two cyclists, who have been working on the project for more than a year and have just released details of their plan, head Team Hotel San José, an elite amateur racing team and sports club. The team has a community outreach arm called United Youth Sports that works with young racers as well as blind, disadvantaged and at-risk youth.
"You can't put 8 or 10-year-olds out on Loop 360," Reed said. "You need a spot where a coach can watch at close range, not in traffic."
Early sketches call for the track, plus an adjacent building with 75,000 square feet of office, retail, restaurant and museum space. The complex also could include dormitory housing, a salt-water swimming pool to cross-train cyclists, gym and physical therapy facilities, and a parking garage.
"For cycling and the community, it's a big step," Armstrong said this week. "This would be a great way to bring kids into the sport and have them around coaches that are constantly observing them. I hope it happens."

Lance Armstrong Museum
The idea of adding a Lance Armstrong museum to the complex makes sense to the Tour de France champion. Austin's "my home, it's always going to be my home, it's my kids' home," Armstrong said. "I hope to be buried in the State Cemetery there, and I have a lot of my stuff — all my bikes from every Tour and all the jerseys. You could certainly put some interesting things in there."

Proponents of the velodrome project also have discussed bringing the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame, which now operates out of a temporary site in Bridgewater, N.J., to Austin.
The Austin group has its eye on four possible sites for the velodrome complex. Major national companies, which Reed declines to name, have been approached for corporate sponsorships to help build the velodrome, he says, but none has committed pending a site decision. Other money for the project could come from government grants such as the Texas Enterprise Fund, an economic development program, Reed says.
"If we can lock down one of these very good, centrally located pieces of property, I don't think money will be that difficult," Reed said.
His group would manage the facility and lease space to USA Cycling, which also would consider helping pay for the project. Revenue from leasing office and retail space at the complex would pay for maintenance and operations, he says.

Soldier Makes Armed Forces Cycling Team
Some people think that joining the military means giving up lifelong dreams such as being a professional singer, basketball player, Olympian or cyclist, but if you ask Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Michael J. Gallagher, he would tell you it’s only the beginning of achieving your dreams.

Gallagher, a former computer specialist with the Schwetzingen based Headquarters, 7th Army Reserve Command, turned his dream of being a professional cyclist into a reality, becoming the first - and only - Army Reserve soldier to become a member of the U.S. Armed Forces Cycling Team. Gallagher was selected in February to be a member of the elite 2006 U.S. Armed Forces Cycling Team. It’s also notable that Gallagher recently competed in the U.S. National Cyclocross Championships against approximately 160 professional and elite cyclocross riders and came in 11th place - an accomplishment that he trained for months to achieve.
Formally competing as a mountain biker, Gallagher said he had no idea that he could become a professional cyclist in the military, until he heard about the U.S. Armed Forces Cycling Team.
"I was told that I needed to concentrate on road cycling and transition from mountain biking, which, at that time, was my main focus," said Gallagher. "The AFCT manager told me that road cycling was the best supported cycling sport in the military. This way I would get the support to go further in my cycling career and represent the military at the same time."

Gallagher said in preparation for joining the Armed Forces Cycling Team, he took some medical sport tests which revealed his genetic disposition related to endurance sports. He added that the main test he was administered was the V02 max test, which informs a person of their maximal oxygen consumption and heart rate during levels of high intensity exercise. Gallagher tested in the 75 percentile.
"The elite professional level cyclists, cross country runners, and skiers start out at around 65 percent, so I realized that I had the correct equipment, I just needed to find out how to use it correctly," said Gallagher.

Giving Gallagher a hand with his training and his cycling career with the Armed Forces Cycling Team was his coach, Klaus Wolf - the official coach of the U.S. Armed Forces Cycling Team. After seeing Gallagher in several races in Germany, Wolf said he was anxious to talk to him about joining the U.S. Armed Forces Cycling Team.

"Michael is the type of cyclist who is always motivated and more of an athlete who likes to exceed his training," said Wolf. "He trains so hard that I’m always working to make sure he doesn’t over train."
Wolf said Gallagher is a natural talent with the potential to achieve even more than he already has.
"To be a member of the Armed Forces Cycling Team requires a great deal of dedication and self-discipline," said Debra Ponzio, manager, U.S. Armed Forces Cycling. "Cyclists start at category five and through their competitive results, work their way to category one - the level just below professional. All of our team members, including Staff Sergeant Gallagher, are category one cyclists."
Ponzio said that most of the athletes the team competes against earn their living as professional cyclists - unlike the members of the Armed Forces who also have their military careers to focus on.

"Staff Sergeant Gallagher competes in road races throughout the summer both in the U.S. and Europe," said Ponzio. "He has represented the United States in the Military World Championships in road cycling for the past two years. He is our only Armed Forces athlete who also specializes in cyclocross."

Ponzio added that Gallagher has worked his way up the cyclocross rankings to reach his current standing among the best in the United States. His recent selection to represent the United States in World Cup events means that he's at the start of the next level - racing among the world's best. She also expects him to move up in the rankings once he begins racing among the best cyclists in the world.
Gallagher said although he loves cycling, as an Army Reserve soldier he never places it before his Army Reserve mission.
"I have been supported quite well by many people in the military," said Gallagher. "I mean, when I was mobilized at the 7th ARCOM, I didn’t get to train during the work day, but I did let my section know my training plan and they worked with me. I usually worked during lunch so I could use that hour to ride when I left work. One thing that is for sure is that regardless of what is going on with my cycling, I’m a soldier first, so I have to make sure that my military job is never negatively impacted."

Now that Gallagher has moved back to the United States, he said he is glad that he was chosen to remain a member of the Armed Forces Cycling Team. Gallagher added that one thing is certain - joining the military has truly helped him achieve his wildest dream.
By Sgt. 1st Class Derrick Witherspoon Blackanthem Military News,
7th Army Reserve Command Public Affairs Office

Georgia Cup
Albany Race Report
Myogenesis Nutrition p/b Landmark Dodge.
The Georgia Cup is a hotly contested series in Georgia, USA, that is attended by several Continental Pro teams.
With the opening round of the Georgia Cup taking place in Albany, Georgia this weekend, the Myogenesis Nutrition p/b Landmark Dodge cycling team rolled into to town with the intentions of making a strong statement, and that they did.
The first round was a three race omnium. The first race on tap was an ITT (individual time trial) of 3.5K in downtown Albany. The Myogenesis boys put 3 racers in the top 5. Not a bad showing.
Criterium: A wet and cold 1 hour plus 5 laps; we placed 2 racers in the top 10.
The criterium was held in the hardest downpour I have ever raced in. Not to mention, the temperature was on a steady decline, dropping to the high 40’F. by the end of the race. This was exactly what we DIDN’T need, due to the fact that not only I, but Brady as well, had been sick for the entire week and logged ZERO miles. The fitness was a little suspect. On the starting line taking a look around, several Continental Pro teams were represented. AEG-Toshiba and VMG were heavily represented. There was also a large assortment of other Elite powerhouses: Pacesetter Steel Services, JC Investors (Miami), as well as Subaru-Duetsche Bank (formerly AG Edwards), and Aarons Corporate Furnishings, to name a few.

The gun went off, the race was on. Our team rode really strong at the front, with Cleve and Chad throwing punches from the start. I rested with Casey staying close by for support. Brady deteriorated quickly and decided to call it a day. The rain continued to beat down so hard, I could only keep one eye open at a time.
The cold wind was whipping and cutting us straight to the core. By race end, I had just one bullet left in reserve. With four laps to go, a VMG rider laid down a vicious attack. This looked like it could be the winning move. Immediately, Casey moved to the front, and with what remained of the field in tow, pressed on his pedals and kept it close. Cleve jumped to bridge the gap solo. With Cleve going, the other teams had to mount the chase. That move allowed Chad and I to rest up for the upcoming sprint.
At the 800 meter mark, Chad moved to the front to lead me out. Over the wet cobblestones and up the hill, Chad put it down and held until the 300 meter mark. We blew by the lead attacker and Cleve on his solo bridge effort like they were both tied to a tree. I pulled the trigger, and went with everything I had left.
My effort was too hard at first, my back wheel broke traction on several pedal strokes. I held until the last possible moment, getting nipped at the line and into second place. That’s ok though, the second put us in the yellow jersey for the next day, as the current race leader on the road.

Road Race: 148K or 91 miles, in which we had 2 racers in the top 15.
By placing 3 racers in the top 5 after the ITT, we opened three different possibilities to grab the race lead. After showing up to the race venue, the local news crew was tracking us down for the story. First race, first TV interview of the year. I was a bit nervous. I popped off some stuff about the sponsors, but boy do I need some practice!
Time to roll to the line for the road race. Mother Nature was being a bit more gentle with us today. The temperature was in the 60’s, bright blue sky, but she played the wind card.

During the first 40 minutes or so of the race, I felt weak, unrecovered, and tired with a bit of a stomach ache. That’s not good for the race leader. It only seemed to get harder from there. Cleve and former teammate and long time friend Ryan Barnett (CAICO Professional Cycling), started attacking with in the first kilo.
Our plan was to get Cleve to the first of three KOM sprint lines just 18 miles into the 91.
Chad, Casey and Brady were able to stay back and help me. Ryan was able to finally get a gap solo, and with the first part of the plan in place, Cleve was able to make the bridge with a racer From Aarons.

That group turned into the break of 13 for 80 of the 91 miles, with Cleve collecting enough KOM points to be solidly back in the jersey. With the KOM jersey safe on his back, our attention turned to the yellow jersey efforts. The team moved to the front and began to pull back time from the break, but too little, too late.

Coming to the finish, the team provided a lead-out and I was able to take second in the field sprint for 15th and a couple of extra GC points. It was enough to get me into the second place podium spot.
Our goals of securing the KOM jersey and staying close in the overall had been achieved. Overall, the weekend showed our rivals that we are strong and ride well as a team.
Jonathan Atkins Myogenisis/Landmark

Race Announcements:

The 2006 Twilight Criterium Announces Event Line Up for Annual Weekend
The Annual Athens Twilight Criterium races and festival will be held April 28–9, on the streets of downtown Athens. The races, which draw more than 25,000 spectators, include a wide variety of events from a 5K road race, PRO/AM cycling, mountain bike races, BMX flatland and street demonstrations, handcycling races and the KidsZone. The premier spring sporting event for the Southeast, the Athens Twilight has become a favorite destination for professional cyclists and fans from around the globe.

Women’s Criterium
The ladies come first at the Athens Twilight as they launch the serious racing action with the Women’s Criterium. Featuring more than 100 cyclists, this events is an exhibition of females from all over the nation who have come to race for points on the National Road Calendar and a coveted spot on the podium. This fast-paced race demonstrates strength and endurance at dusk.
Event time: Sat., Apr 29, 6 p.m. Start/Finish on Clayton St.

Men’s Pro Criterium
The main even of the Athens Twilight, the men's Criterium, features 150 cyclists representing teams from all over the nation and the world. Riders representing the best Criterium racers in the world, including Athens' own cycling teams, AEG-Toshiba-JetNetwork and Jittery Joe's Cycling Team, will race for sixty laps under the streetlights of downtown Athens. The Athens Twilight Criterium is on the national racing calendar.
Event time: Sat., April 29, 9 p.m.  Start/Finish on Clayton St.

Schedule of Events
The Twilight Expo: Newest in cycling technology products,Fri., April 28, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. & Sat.
CompuTrainer (Fri., April 28, 1 p.m.) Watch and meet your favorite pro rider as they compete on stationery bikes for $2000.
Movies by Moonlight: Breaking Away (1979) Fri., April 29, 9 p.m. College Ave.The Twilight 5K Road Race/ $1,000 Mile:  Runners, joggers and walkers, 5K road race, top finishers compete in a $1,000 mile later Saturday evening. Sat., April 29, 8:30 a.m.
USCF Greenway Cycling Races/USCF Amateur Finals (Sat., April 29)
Gambler: Combine your choice of a 50K or 100K ride Poker best hand wins! Sat., April 29, 10 a.m.
The Twilight Kids Criterium
Big Wheel Race 1 p.m./Kids Criterium Sat., April 29 - 2 p.m.
The Twilight KidsZone
BMX Flatland/Street Contest Sat., April 30, p.m. TBD
Handcycle Criterium  Sat., Apr 29, 6:40 p.m.
The Athens Twilight is a lifestyle-defining event that promotes community development and involvement through a weekend of sports and fitness activities for all ages, skill levels and abilities. The event encourages participation in lifetime sports while providing positive role models throughout area schools, raising money for local charities and creating economic growth through tourism.

Le Tour DeSales
Collegiate Cyclings Richest Race
International Cycling Center (ICC) is pleased to bring the Le Tour DeSales Collegiate race to the Lehigh Valley. This two day two stage race will be at the Desales University Campus on July 1-2, 2006. The race is organized in collaboration with the Lehigh Wheelmen.
Le Tour DeSales Collegiate Race
Criterium: Sat July 1, 2-5 pm -
Collegiate Men 60 mins, Collegiate Women 50 mins
One-mile big ring loop, slight uphill, smooth surface
Road Circuit Race Sun July 2, 12-3 pm -
Collegiate Men 60 mins, Collegiate Women 50 mins
2Km loop, big ring hill, counterclockwise
Food, beverage, and entertainment following race
The race holds a total purse $4000 in prize money and a ScottUSA racing bicycle for the overall winner.
The event will end with a festival and entertainment on the DeSales University campus.
Until online registration for Le Tour DeSales is available on www.Bikereg.com Two months before the race date, racers should call in or mail their registration to ICC with their name, address, phone, email, and UCI Collegiate License number. Free dormitory lodging (AC, showers, TV lounge, etc.; key deposit required),
Register now – limited availability
Race fees: $25.00 per racer, same college 4 or more $20 per rider entering both races. Current USA Collegiate License required.
For more information visit http://www.desales.edu/default.aspx?pageid=2815 Contact the ICC @ TEL: 610.739.5854 or E-mail Douglas Turco at douglas.turco@desales.edu
We invite College club teams and students to participate in this fun event. We also invite area communities to consider volunteering for race support. We need marshals to man the bike course and water stations and do many other important support jobs. All volunteers get free tee-shirts.
About ICC: The broad mission of ICC is to develop a comprehensive international cycling center, museum and hall of fame destination facility in the Lehigh Valley. We plan to make it the definitive institution for the sport of cycling, just as Cooperstown is to baseball. It will have facilities for a museum and hall of fame, conferencing and education, and sports training. In the second phase we will include an indoor velodrome, designed to be used for multiple sports in addition to bicycle racing. This will be a year-round facility operated by professional staff.

USA Cycling Announces UCI Sanctions for National Mountain Bike Series
More than $33,000 contributed toward prize money package
2006 Marks Beginning of Qualifying Period for 2008 Olympic Games
Colorado Springs, Colo. (March 3, 2006)—USA Cycling announced today that six of the seven 2006 National Mountain Bike Series events have been included on the UCI Calendar and USA Cycling will provide prize money for the UCI-sanctioned events.
The National Mountain Bike Series events in Fontana, Calif., May 5-7 and Banner Elk, N.C., June 10-11 have been granted Category 2 status from the UCI, while incumbent races in West Dover, Vt., June 17-18, Park City, Utah, July 8-9, Brian Head, Utah, August 5-6 and Snowmass Village, Colo., August 12-13 have received Category 1 status from the international governing body.
The events in Fontana and Banner Elk cannot obtain Category 1 designation as first-year events.

As a requirement for UCI sanctioning, USA Cycling has contributed more than $33,000 in prize money and inscription fees towards the national series – an important element in determining the number of start positions the U.S. will receive at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

The six National Mountain Bike Series events, plus the USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships in Mammoth Lakes, Calif. July 20-23, will provide U.S. athletes the opportunity to accumulate points that factor into a nation’s overall ranking.

Points earned between Jan. 1, 2006 and Dec. 31, 2007 will count towards a nation’s ranking and factor into the number of start positions a country receives at the 2008 Olympic Games.
The prize money contributed by USA Cycling for the national series events will be specific to men’s and women’s cross country races because they are only recognized mountain bike disciplines at the Olympic Games.

“The presence of UCI points for cross country athletes at seven events in the United States this year provides American athletes the much-desired opportunity to accumulate valuable points on their home turf,” commented USA Cycling chief executive officer Gerard Bisceglia. “Although the prize money is one of the basic requirements of UCI inscription, it certainly adds to the prestige of events on the national series calendar.”

In addition to securing more UCI-sanctioned events in the United States, USA Cycling will also announce plans next week for supporting its top professional riders to attend World Cup events in 2006 and 2007 in an effort to secure maximum start positions for the Beijing Games and further prepare athletes for world-class competition.
“The road to Beijing begins now,” Bisceglia said. “These programs are extremely vital to maximum participation and success in 2008.”

2006 National Mountain Bike Series Schedule
  #1 May 5-7: Southridge Park - Fontana, Calif. (UCI C2)
  #2 June 10-11: Sugar Mountain Resort - Banner Elk, N.C. (UCI C2)
  #3 June 17-18: Mount Snow Resort - West Dover, Vt. (UCI C1)
  #4 July 8-9: Deer Valley Resort - Park City, Utah (UCI C1)
  #5 July 15-16: Infineon Raceway - Sonoma, Calif.
  #6 Aug. 5-6: Brian Head Resort - Brian Head, Utah (UCI C1)
  #7 Aug. 12-13: Snowmass Resort - Aspen, Colo. (UCI C1)

Colorado Springs, Colo. (March 6, 2006)—USA Cycling announced today that it has earmarked more than $50,000 for the 2006 Elite Mountain Bike Performance Stipend program. The initiative is aimed at rewarding off-road athletes with incentives and support to compete at the highest level of international mountain bike competition.

"The international performances of our top athletes over the next two years will determine the number of Olympic start positions we are awarded as a nation," said Steve Johnson, chief operating officer and director of athletics for USA Cycling. "The participation of our top athletes in the UCI World Cup calendar is critical in this process and we are committed to supporting their efforts."
The program is specific to elite men’s and women’s cross country disciplines and begins with the first UCI World Cup event April 1 in Curacao.

Following each World Cup event, USA Cycling will pay cash incentives to the top-four men and the top-four women in the following day’s UCI rankings. To be considered for the cash incentives, athletes must participate in the World Cup in question. If an athlete fails to compete in a World Cup but is still ranked as one of the top-four American riders in the following edition of the UCI rankings, no stipend will be provided.
Additionally, riders must be ranked in the top 60 overall for men and top 40 overall for women to be eligible for the funding.
For each European-based World Cup race, athletes meeting the criteria for incentive funding will receive $1,200 per event. For World Cups in the Americas, qualified athletes will receive $750 per event.

“The benefit of this program is really twofold,” explained Gerard Bisceglia, chief executive officer of USA Cycling. “By providing funding for athletes to compete internationally, we’re creating a platform that supports more participation in World Cups and other internationally-sanctioned events. That alone will assure the U.S. a better chance at becoming one of the top-ranked nations in the sport of mountain biking. Secondly, the simple exposure to a higher level of competition will make our athletes more competitive globally.”
This stipend program is another example of USA Cycling’s commitment to securing the maximum number of start positions for the 2008 Olympic Games. Last week, USA Cycling announced its investment in the National Mountain Bike Series which resulted in the UCI sanctioning of six domestic mountain bike events and allows U.S. athletes the opportunity to obtain UCI points on home soil.

USA Cycling 2006 Mountain Bike Performance Stipend Program Qualifying Events:
Apr. 1-2 UCI World Cup #1 Curacao
May 13-14 UCI World Cup #2 Madrid, Spain
May 20-21 UCI World Cup #3 Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
May 27-28 UCI World Cup #4 Fort William, Scotland
June 24-25 UCI World Cup #5 Mt. Sainte Anne, Quebec
Sept. 9-10 UCI World Cup #6 Schladming, Austria

About USA Cycling: Recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling promotes American cycling through its 54,000 members and 2,000 annual events. For more information, visit www.usacycling.org

Cycling Around the World
South Africa: Canon Commits to Sponsorship
In a major step forward for cycling in the Eastern Cape, Canon SA have committed a major sponsorship as naming rights sponsor for the East London leg of the 2006 Argus Seeding Series which will take place over the weekend of the 29th and 30th April 2006.
Together with media sponsors Algoa FM the 2006 edition of the ALGOA FM CANON CLASSIC 2006 will boast a number of exciting changes according to Race Director Andre Oosthuizen.

In our quest to make cycling as safe as possible we have in negiotiation with Buffalo City Municipality secured a new route that will provide for full road closure of the entire event over 100km and with 90 km of this being double lane highway it certainly maximizes safety of the riders .A half distance event will also be on offer on the day .As has become tradition in East London an invitational Criterium will also be held for the pro cyclists on the Saturday afternoon after registration . Prize money of R60000.00 will be on offer over the weekend as well as plenty of lucky draws for the field .
Asked to comment Andrew Mclean said “the news that the event will be only the fourth event in the country with full road closure will place it very favourably to become one of the major events in the country in future .
“Canon South Africa is proud to be part of this exciting event and we look forward to a successful and safe racing environment.” Comments Nigel Taylor GM Marketing Canon S.A .
Online entries will be done via Cyclelab while Winningtime will do the timing http://www.supersport.co.za/