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LATEST NEWS: RADIOSHACK RESPONDS TO VUELTA SNUB
Road Bike Action & AFP
June 15, 2010
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(Photo: Yuzuru Sunda)
RadioShack Responds to Vuelta Snub
RadioShack manager Johan Bruyneel was left speechless after learning that his Lance Armstrong-led team was not invited to the Tour of in Spain September. Bruyneel, who has managed every team in which Armstrong has competed since his comeback from beating cancer in 1998, is set to lead the American in his quest for an eighth Tour de France yellow jersey next month. However Bruyneel's aims of sending a competitive team to the 'Vuelta' in September were ended when organisers decided not to offer one of six 'wildcard' invitations to the American outfit.
Sixteen teams had already qualified in accordance with a 2008 agreement between race organizers and the International Cycling Union (UCI). However RadioShack were stunned to find out they had not been offered one of six invitations - handed out instead to Andalucia, Cervelo Test Team, Garmin-Transitions, Team Sky, Katusha, and Xacobeo.
"I am not only surprised, I am speechless," Bruyneel said from the Tour of Switzerland. "At first I thought it was a mistake so I called organizer Javier Guillen for some explanation. He told me that the other teams offered him better options on a sporting level.
"I cannot accept or understand this decision. With Levi Leipheimer, Andreas Klöden, Chris Horner and Jani Brajkovic we had four potential Vuelta winners on the roster we sent to (race organizers) Unipublic."
Both Armstrong and Bruyneel were recently accused by former team rider Floyd Landis of being involved in doping practices throughout much of the American superstar's career, a charge both men have categorically denied. And while there is no indication that those allegations, which are set to be probed by federal investigators in the United States, played a role in the Tour of Spain decision Bruyneel said it is time to take a stand.
The Belgian said he now wants to "fight for the interests of the cycling teams" to make sure race organizers do not "abuse" the power they have when it comes to choosing teams for their races.
"There is an abuse of power. Some organizers take away the hunger of potential sponsors to invest in our sport," added Bryneel. "For me it is hard to explain to my sponsor that 21 other teams are apparently better than us. Especially when it isn't true. These actions are unfair to our sponsors as well as a blow to our fans."
 The defunct Rock Racing team dominated the 2009 edition of the Tour of Utah (Photo: Mitchell Clinton)
Tour of Utah Announces Teams
The 2010 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah presented by Zions Bank today announced the confirmed lineup of the professional and elite amateur-level cycling teams slated to compete in the August 17-22 stage race.
Eighteen teams consisting of 144 of the finest cyclists in the world will compete for their share of the $45,000 purse and valuable National Racing Calendar (NRC) points. The team breakdown is as follows
Professional Teams (11 total)
Adageo Energy Pro Cycling
Bahati Foundation Pro Cycling
Bissell Pro Cycling
Fly V Australia
Holowesko Partners/Garmin U23
Jamis/Sutter Home
Kelly Benefit Strategies Pro Cycling
KENDA Pro Cycling presented by GEARGRINDER
Trek-LIVESTRONG Development Team
Team Type 1
UnitedHealthcare presented by Maxxis
Elite Teams (7 total)
Official California Giant Cycling Team
Canyon Bicycles Utah Allstars
Cole Sport Racing
Team Exergy
Hagens Berman Cycling Team
K-FANN Elite Composite Team
Team Rio Grande
UnitedHealthcare Looks to Continue Winning at Nature Valley Grand Prix
The UnitedHealthcare p/b Maxxis brings tremendous momentum into this week’s Nature Valley Grand Prix, following its sweep of the Air Force Cycling Classic’s Clarendon and Crystal City Cups last weekend in Arlington, VA.
“The way we’re going right now, we can’t wait to race in Minnesota,” said Jake Keough, who took the Crystal City win ahead of teammates Karl Menzies and Hilton Clarke Sunday. Clarke also won the Clarendon Cup on Saturday in his first race for his new team.
UnitedHealthcare Presented by Maxxis brings the same squad from Arlington to the NVGP, with the exception of Andrew Pinfold, who instead is racing the Tour de Beauce in his native Canada starting today. His replacement: two-time defending NVGP champion Rory Sutherland.
“I think it goes without saying that we’re highly motivated to defend Rory’s title again,” said Team Director Mike Tamayo. Adding to the motivation is that the Team will take on that task in and around the hometown of title sponsor UnitedHealthcare.
“We’re anticipating having quite a good cheering section from UnitedHealthcare this week,” Tamayo said. “So we especially want to put on a good show for them.”
The race kicks off Wednesday with a double day in St. Paul, starting at 10 a.m. local time with a 6.1-mile time trial that ends with a climb up Ohio Street. The day concludes with a criterium in downtown St. Paul starting at 7:45 p.m., where the team will play host to UnitedHealthcare dignitaries.
The race continues the next two days with the 65-mile Cannon Falls Road Race and the Uptown Minneapolis Criterium, which drew huge post-work crowds on Friday evening last year.
The weekend brings a new stage to the race, venturing for the first time out of Minnesota to Wisconsin for the Menomonie Road Race. The 95-mile course packs plenty of rolling hills and longer climbs that have the potential to shake up the overall standings.
The race ends with the traditional leg-breaking Stillwater Criterium, with its notorious 20%-grade Chilkoot Hill. Last year, UnitedHealthcare p/b Maxxis waited until the last time up Chilkoot to launch Sutherland up the climb in a successful bid to overtake Tom Zirbel (Bissell) to win his second consecutive NVGP title. This year, the Team won’t want to wait until the final two miles of the 200-mile stage race to have the title in its grasp.
UnitedHealthcare Presented by Maxxis for the Nature Valley Grand Prix
Hilton Clarke
Jonny Clarke
Matt Crane
Adrian Hegyvary
Jake Keough
Karl Menzies
Rory Sutherland
Brad White
Jamis/Sutter Home Looks to Reclaim Top Spot at Nature Valley
Luis Amaran of the Jamis/Sutter Home Men’s Cycling Team presented by Colavita retains the #1 ranking in USA Cycling’s NRC rider standings for a fifth straight week. Jamis/Sutter Home Men’s Cycling Team presented by Colavita also reclaims the top spot in the NRC team rankings.
Amaran will lead the Jamis/Sutter Home team at the upcoming Nature Valley Grand Prix stage race in Minnesota. Jamis/Sutter Home’s eight-man squad will include: Luis Amaran (CUB), Alejandro Borrajo (ARG), Ivan Dominguez (USA), Jamey Driscoll (USA), Nick Frey (USA), Ignacio Pereyra (ARG), Frank Travieso (CUB), Tyler Wren (USA)
“With two criteriums and rolling stages, Nature Valley Grand Prix is well suited to our team,” said Jamis/Sutter Home Directeur Sportif Sebastian Alexandre. “Luis is riding very strong so we have a good chance of a GC win with him,” Alexandre continued. With Alejandro and Ivan, we are also capable of winning any of the individual stages.”
TIBCO Aims for Overall Title at Nature Valley
Last year, Team TIBCO/To the Top won the overall team title of the Nature Valley Grand Prix. This year, the team brings a deep squad intent on winning the individual overall championship in what looks to be a wide-open race following the retirement of four-time champion Kristen Armstrong.
The team has several riders who could contend for that title, including Australian National Champion Ruth Corset and New Zealander Joanne Kiesanowski. Both riders come off of strong performances at the Liberty Classic, where Corset took 7th as well as the QoM title, and Le Grande Visite de Gatineau, where Kiesanowski took a fine 2nd place in the second-day circuit race. She also placed top-10 at Liberty.
Both riders should excel on the hilly road courses, and Kiesanowski can use her experience and sprinting ability to try to gain an advantage during the race’s two criteriums.
The team also brings an on-form Brooke Miller into NVGP following her win at the Clarendon Cup on Saturday, which followed her 4th place at the Liberty Classic the week before. Miller has won stages at the NVGP the previous two years. The team will also have the added leadership and horsepower of road captain and U.S. National Champion Meredith Miller in Minnesota this week.
“The team is coming in with a lot of confidence,” said Directeur Sportif Emma Rickards. “Everyone on this year’s squad comes in with good form, and recent results to build momentum. We’re looking forward to making an impact here this week.”
The team’s “support” riders for NVGP all have the potential to make their own impact on the race. Amanda Miller comes into the five-day, six stage race after following wins at Snake Alley and the Tulsa Tough. Alison Starnes took 3rd in the Chrono Gatineau on Saturday in a strong field, and she and Rebecca Much should find the opening 6.1-mile time trial, which ends with a climb up Ohio Street, much to their liking.
Super-domestique Emma Mackie will bring her aggressive style and unbending work ethic to the race.
In addition to Wednesday’s morning time trial in St. Paul, the double day concludes with a criterium in downtown St. Paul.
The race continues the next two days with the 65-mile Cannon Falls Road Race and the Uptown Minneapolis Criterium, which drew huge post-work crowds on Friday evening last year.
Saturday, the race ventures out of Minnesota for the first time to Wisconsin for the Menomonie Road Race. The 76-mile course packs plenty of rolling hills and longer climbs that have the potential to shake up the overall standings.
The race ends Sunday with the traditional leg-breaking Stillwater Criterium, with its notorious 20%-grade Chilkoot Hill.
Team TIBCO/To the Top for the NVGP
Ruth Corset, AUS
Joanne Kiesanowski, NZL
Emma Mackie, AUS
Amanda Miller, USA
Brooke Miller, USA
Meredith Miller, USA
Rebecca Much, USA
Alison Starnes, USA |
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