Remember 2009?
Before reviewing more 2010, how about looking back one year to 2009?
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
BTB #10
Always good entertainment:
"Behind The Barriers" Episode 10 from Behind The Barriers on Vimeo.
House, Sherer and Others Transfer Teams
'Tis the season for changing teams and rumors are being confirmed on just who is riding for whom.
Last week, word had it that Oneida, WI native Cole House was transferring from powerhouse BMC over to the US Pro team RealCyclist.Com in support of climber Francisco Mancebo. After racing much of last year in Europe with BMC, why did House suddenly change teams? Today Cycling News just published an interview with Cole that explains the change:
Cole House rode for BMC’s development team in 2009 and 2010, serving briefly as a stagiaire towards the end of the season. He tasted success on the road in the US this year, claiming a stage in the Valley of the Sun Stage and the International Cycling Classic. “It was kind of touch and go whether I would sign with BMC but it was kind of hard to compete for a spot when they're signing big names,” House told Cyclingnews. “But RealCyclist.com just came out of nowhere. I had my agent working on trying to get a ProTeam deal but with all the teams merging or down-sizing there wasn’t much. Then one day I got an email from Gordon Fraser saying he was directing this new team and wanted me to join them.”
Three former European based Garmin riders join KBS including Michael Friedman, Michael Creed and Jason Donald. Daniel Holloway, the current USPRO Criterium champ also joins the roster this season as well as Thomas Soladay, Julian Kyer, Michael Sherer and Colton Barrett. The 2011 KBS roster sees some old familiar faces. Soladay is a former member of the Kelly Benefit Strategies amateur team based in Baltimore and Creed is a former teammate of Carney.
Finally here, Kenda Pro Cycling has announced their final roster for 2011 including new transfer from Texas Roadhouse - Pat Lemieux who will ride along side of Chad Hartley, Jim Stemper, and Rob White among others.
Best of luck to all these riders with their new teams!
Glencoe Grand Prix: Mike Sherer Gets His Win from Verizon Wireless u25 Cycling on Vimeo. Read more...
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Zurich 6 Day
Need a mid-week, mid-day cycling fix? Check out the live streaming video from the Zurich 6 Day race. It will be on daily for the next 5 days from roughly 11:15am cst until 6:00pm cst. A number of Americans are racing in both the amateur and professional categories, plus our favorite German - Andreas Muller who has raced in Superweek the past two years during his 'off season'. Other racers you may know: Leon Van Bon, and Danilo Hondo!
http://sixdays-zuerich.ch/Livestream_Sixdays_Zuerich.php?v=0N6tOa2tcYE
Team Kenda Women’s Cycling joins forces with GEARGRINDER
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Team Kenda Women’s Cycling joins forces with GEARGRINDER
(Chicago, Illinois – December 1, 2010) – Team Kenda enters a new chapter and joins forces with GEARGRINDER Cycling Lifestyle Clothing and Accessories. With this collaboration, the squad will be renamed Team Kenda p/b GEARGRINDER for the 2011 season. As women’s teams continue to piece together deals to stay afloat, Geargrinder’s financial infusion allows Team Kenda p/b GEARGRINDER the greatest mobility to date. Specifically, travel support provided by Geargrinder will afford the team the freedom to attend more National Racing Calendar (NRC) events as well as other select stage racing events such as Tour of America’s Dairyland.
GEARGRINDER offers casual off-the-bike cycling lifestyle apparel and accessories for both men and women. Every garment and accessory is inspired by some element of cycling, with most offerings being eco-friendly, including the belts and wallets, which are made of recycled bike tubes.
“We are happy to welcome Geargrinder as a sponsor with modern vision, the same vision that drives their product line,” stated team manager, Paul Forsythe.
Geargrinder is also sponsor of the Men’s Kenda Pro Cycling Team p/b GEARGRINDER. The cooperative effort between Geargrinder and Team Kenda represents a refreshing move in support of professional level cycling that is not gender specific.
“Women’s racing is on the rise, and Geargrinder is pleased to offer financial support and resources to help grow the Kenda p/b Geargrinder women’s team and, in turn, expand the growing women’s cycling movement,” said Geargrinder co-founder Paul Weaver. “Our affiliation with the Men’s Kenda Pro Cycling Team made for a logical association with the Kenda Pro Women’s Team.”
In 2011, Team Kenda p/b Geargrinder will debut a new racing kit design, and all marketing collateral will reflect the new image and brand changes.
Under the new banner, once again Team Kenda p/b Geargrinder will be participating in the National Racing Calendar (NRC) while continuing to mentor junior, collegiate, and master women racers.
Team Kenda p/b Geargrinder sponsors include Kenda USA, Geargrinder, Blue Competition Cycles, Plant Solutions, Verge, SRAM, Thomson, PowerBar, Rudy Project, Zipp Speed Weaponry, CycleOps, Terry Precision Cycling, Headsweats, Skins, Deen-Gross Eye Centers, Thule, Govert Auto Body, Sportcrafters, Cateye, Ferguson & Associates, Hoo Ha Ride Glide, Anni Fanni, Richard Weiss Company, Inc, and Outlaw Earth.
About Team Kenda Women’s Cycling: Team Kenda began its roots in 1999 as Team Ameritech with nine riders who excelled at bicycle racing. Over the years, the team has steadily grown in size and now boasts NRC Elite, as well as Southeast, Mid-Atlantic Elite, Midwest, and West Regional Teams. The team competes in the United States focusing on the National Race Calendar (NRC). In 2010, the team finished 8th among 73 teams in the National Racing Calendar (NRC) Women’s Team competition. In 2011, the team will be operate as
Team Kenda p/b Geargrinder.
(http://www.teamkenda.com, www.facebook.com/teamkenda) Read more...
Monday, November 29, 2010
Racing with the Devil
Great video from Peanut Butter & Co 2012 about team mates and team work.
The Heat is On - Ep 3 "Racing with The Devil" from Jim Fryer/BrakeThrough Media on Vimeo.
Read more...Thursday, November 25, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
North America Cyclocross Rankings
Ashley James - Brian Matter ... how do they rank? (link)
Visit cyclingdirt.org for more Videos
Read more...
Engleman To Direct Nature Valley Pro Ride Teams
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| photo: courtesy Michelle Jacques |
Engleman has worked with some of America's most successful riders, including Kristin Armstrong, Mara Abbott, Amber Neben and Mari Holden. He raced 10 years as a professional for teams such as the U.S. Postal Service and Coors Light. Eight times he was selected to represent the U.S. at the UCI road world championships.
"I am thrilled and honored to be part of the Nature Valley Pro Ride team," Engleman said. "Nature Valley is providing a solid way for promising new athletes to step forward with their cycling careers or just to live the pro team experience. The fact that each year a few Nature Valley Pro Ride athletes go on to sign pro contracts shows that the innovative Nature Valley Pro Ride idea is a real benefit to the sport."
The Nature Valley Pro Ride selects top amateur cyclists for men's and women's teams that compete against the country's top professionals at the Nature Valley Grand Prix June 15-19 in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin.
Race promoters can still apply to be part of the Nature Valley Pro Ride for 2011. To be considered, a race must be permitted through USA Cycling and take place no later than June 5. Preference will be given to races that take place between March and late-May. More details and a downloadable application can be found at www.naturevalleyproride.com. Deadline to apply is Dec. 1.
Races that become part of the Nature Valley Pro Ride schedule will be promoted by an aggressive marketing and media relations campaign and will receive on-site distribution of Nature Valley Granola Bars from a booth staffed by company representatives. Amateur racers (Category 1 men and Category 1 and 2 women) who qualify at a Nature Valley Pro Ride event receive a "battlefield promotion" that provides them free entry to the race, travel stipends, team clothing, housing, ground transportation, and staff support for their composite team.
The 2011 Nature Valley Pro Ride schedule will be announced Jan. 4, 2011.
# # #
About the Nature Valley Grand Prix
The Nature Valley Grand Prix began as a one-day criterium in Saint Paul in 1999. Its schedule and prestige have grown steadily until now, in its 13th year, it has been ranked at the top of the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar since 2007. The 2011 Nature Valley Grand Prix schedule includes a unique mix of three criteriums (short circuit races), two road races and a time trial as the stages of the race move from downtown Saint Paul, to Cannon Falls, to Minneapolis, to Menomonie, and, finally culminates in Stillwater. For more information visit: www.NatureValleyGrandPrix.com
About Nature Valley
Nature Valley, the brand that created the granola bar category in 1975, brings variety to healthy, active consumers looking for wholesome and great-tasting snacks. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Nature Valley is part of General Mills, a leading global manufacturer and marketer of consumer foods products.
About the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar
Entering its 15th season in 2011, the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar (NRC) is an all-inclusive road cycling series sanctioned by USA Cycling. It is designed to provide a ranking system for all elite-level cyclists, both amateur and professional, through participation in the nation's premier cycling events. For more information on the NRC, visit www.usacycling.org/nrc/ or contact Micah Rice at (719) 434-4283 or mrice@usacycling.org.
For More Information, Contact:
David LaPorte
Executive Director, Nature Valley Grand Prix
Phone: 651.398.3235 | E-Mail: DavidCLaPorte@gmail.com
Sean Weide
Communications Specialist, Trailhead Marketing
P.O. Box 24263, Omaha, NE 68124-0263
Phone: 402.541.2594 | E-Mail: sean@trailheadmarketing.com Read more...
Monday, November 22, 2010
Anatomy of a Time Trial (Phinney's Road to Gold)
2010 Wisconsin State 'Cross Champs
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| Kevin Berger |
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| Sam Schneider |
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| Pro 1/2 starting field |
Before the Men's Pro 1/2 championship began, fans were talking among themselves speculating on who might be the champion today. It was known that Brian Matter and Marko LaLonde were both out of state, handing some whoop-ass to the boys over in North Carolina, so who would be the top bet for today's race? Would it be Steve Scholzen? Tim Pacholski? David Staab? Where's Tristan? Is he here? I think that's his wife and kid over there, isn't it? Is that his bike? After sitting in for a lap, we finally see him at the front for the first time, going over the barriers in the lead on lap two. Once at the front, there was no looking back and he put in a strong surge and gained big time over the rest of the riders with speeds that were visibly faster than everyone else up the gradual climb on the back side of the course . Alderfer Bergen's Isaac Neff did close down the gap to about 30 seconds at the finish, but this year, it is Tristan Schouten (CyclocrossRacing.Com) who is your 2010 Wisconsin State Cyclocross Champion! Congratulations on two in a row!
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| Tristan Schouten leads Isaac Neff and David Staab |
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| Tristan Schouten, 2010 WI State Cyclocross Champion |
Next up in the schedule is Iowa City's Jingle Cross, an awesome race that should be circled on every rider's calendar, followed by the Illinois State Cyclocross Championships at Montrose Harbor in Chicago, on December 5th. See you there! Read more...
Sunday, November 21, 2010
James and Matter Win in N.C.!
News from Saturday's UCI race in North Carolina is just coming into the news desk here at Peloton Star, and the news is that both Ashley James and Brian Matter won their respective elite races!
Read all about it at Carolina Cycling News and Brian Matter's blog.
Read more...
2011 Tour of America's Dairyland dates set
June 16 - 27 2011
"Tour of America's Dairyland is a healthy lifestyle event which benefits the family-owned Wisconsin dairy farms, cyclists of all abilities, and the entire state of Wisconsin," announced Dave Bavlnka, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board Vice President of Advertising. "I am proud to announce that Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board is coming back for the third year."
Continued Bavlnka, "Sponsorship of the Tour allows us to position our nutrition packed dairy products in a highly competitive and exciting sporting activity where the participants fully embrace a healthy, active lifestyle and all of the nutritional benefits that can be derived from real dairy products."
Executive Director Jack Hirt also announced June 16-26, as the race dates for the 2011 Tour of America's Dairyland presented by Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board.
"Any racer that has been with us our first two years has experienced not only the refreshing and refueling nutrition of chocolate milk but the excitement that the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board brings to Tour of America's Dairyland," said Hirt. "Closing day in Waukesha was unforgettable...I haven't seen that much anticipation over the arrival of the chocolate milk cart since snack time in grade school. Pete Leuer from Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board brought out the chocolate milk daily for the racers, and I think by day 11, he rivaled the podium girls in popularity."
Over $105,000 in cash and primes was paid out to racers of multiple categories during the Tour of America's Dairyland in 2010, which included the addition of the Women's 3/4 category and the Oarsman Capital Best Amateur jersey for men and women. Overall rider-ship in the Tour of America's Dairyland second year increased 70%, with several categories nearing capacity on some race days.
In 2010, Wauwatosa, Wis. native James Stemper (Kenda Pro Cycling presented by GEARGRINDER) took home the coveted yellow and white cowprint Overall Jersey in the Men’s Pro 1/2 category, with Sarah Caravella (Team CARD) emerging as the Overall Pro Women’s winner. Day 3 of the 2010 Tour of America's Dairyland, Giro d' Grafton, was a featured stop on the 2010 USA Crits Series calendar, which saw Rahsaan Bahati (Bahati Foundation) atop the podium in the coveted USA Crits stage jersey.
Tour of America’s Dairyland
p/by Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board
2011 Race Schedule:
Thursday, 6/17 Shorewood Criterium Cycling Classic p/by Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board
2011 Race Schedule:
presented by Tim Hart D.D.S, Jesse Smith D.D.S and Jerry Pearce/Rainbow Jersey Bicycles (Pro Men and Pro Women races only)
Friday, 6/18 Thiensville Fiddleheads Coffee Criterium
Saturday, 6/19 Giro d' Grafton (Criterium - part of USA CRIT Series)
Sunday, 6/20 Appleton Criterium
Monday, 6/21 Road Race at Elkhart Lake's Road America
Tuesday, 6/22 Sheboygan Harbor Centre Family Day & Bike Race (Criterium)
Wednesday, 6/23 Trek Waterloo Classic (Criterium)
Thursday, 6/24 Greenbush Road Race
Friday,6/25 Fond du Lac Criterium
Saturday, 6/26 ISCorp Downer Classic (Criterium on Milwaukee's Eastside)
Sunday, 6/27 Waukesha Carl Zach Cycling Classic (Criterium)
Edit: * These appear to be the 2010 dates - will update with confirmed 2011 dates!* Read more...
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Greta at the track.
Just recently posted by her new team: Peanut Butter & Co TWENTY12 Professional Cycling Team, new member Greta Neimanas (of Chicago)(Left) poses with, Coryn Rivera, Hanan Alves-Hyde, Ruth Winder, Alison Tetrick Starnes and Kristin McGrath at the USA Cycling Development Track Camp.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Greta Neimanas Joins Peanut Butter & Co.TWENTY12
Colorado Springs, CO (November 12, 2010) - Paralympic athlete Greta Neimanas to join Peanut Butter & Co.TWENTY12 for 2011 season. Neimanas grew up participating in Paralympic sport programs at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC), she was inspired to take up competitive cycling after watching the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece, which she attended as part of the Paralympic Experience Program, a grassroots education and outreach initiative of U.S. Paralympics.
(Seen here winning at the 2010 Superweek Lake Geneva race)
Within a year of starting her competitive career, Neimanas was invited to a U.S. Paralympics National Team camp in November 2005 in Chula Vista, Calif. Since that time, she has collected five world championships medals (4 silver, 1 bronze) and competed at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China.
"U.S. Paralympics is thrilled at the addition of Greta to the 2011 Peanut Butter & Co Twenty12 athlete roster" Remarked Craig Griffin, Director, U.S Paralympics, "With the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games less than two years away it is paramount to provide athletes every opportunity available to prepare and compete at the highest level. As a member of this team Greta will have the support and mentoring of world class athletes and team to draw from in her quest to be atop of the podium in London."
Neimanas will join the team for several races and camps and will also continue to focus on Para-cycling events for qualification for World Championships and ultimately the London 2012 Paralympics.
"We are delighted to add Greta to our roster", quoted Team Founder/Manager, Nicola Cranmer, "her goals are very much in line with the goals of the Peanut Butter & Co.TWENTY12 program. It's our hope to assist Greta in her quest for world and paralympic gold."
"I'm very excited to be a part of Peanut Butter & Co Twenty12 for the 2011 season! Having the opportunity to learn from and race with some of the best athletes is the world will be extremely beneficial in my preparation for the upcoming Paralympic Games" remarked Neimanas, "Looking towards 2012 and the London Games, my goal is to be on top of the podium, and I believe this program will help me get there. Having Kristin Armstrong as a teammate next year will be tremendous! Being able to learn from and race with an Olympic and World Champion is a very special opportunity. I'm looking forward to learning from the best."
For More information check USA Paralympics
Read more...
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Estabrook Park 'Cross
Sunny skies and barely a lick of wind ... it was a perfect day for cyclocross at Milwaukee's Estabrook Park presented by Rainbow Jersey Bikes! This mostly flat course is perfect for how the big boys roll and it's favorite of many with it's long straight stretches mixed in with some tight technical turns, and other obstacles. 
Both the men's and women's category 3 fields were dominated by junior riders today. Corrie Osborne, 15 years old riding for IS Corp and Lionel Rocheleau, 15 years old riding for Geargrinder each won their perspective race. Each already has a string of wins under their belt and no doubt many more to come. Well done to both of them!
Julie Phelps of the Big Ring Flyers picked up her third win of the season in the women's category 4 race. As someone who also enjoys time trials and running marathons, this sport seems a natural for her.
While Brian Matter was icing the competition up north in a major mountain bike race, Marko LaLonde continued his domination in 'cross by shattering today's field by about a minute on the finish line.
A group of five riders formed the chase group consisting of David Staab, Kevin Klug, Jordan Roessingh, Chad Hartley, Steve Scholzen who all finished in that order.
Scaling the steep 28 degree embankment was accomplished by most riders in the form of running and carrying or pushing their bike.The difficulty of this climb was compounded by the foot high natural barrier that had to be jumped immediately at the foot of the climb. These top six riders consistently bunny hopped the jump, then powered up the steep embankment lap after lap, with the five chasers seen on one lap staying in tight formation, wheel to wheel as if they were in a pace line, right up and over the top. It was very impressive!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Brian Matter wins the Iceman!
Visit cyclingdirt.org for more Videos
Visit cyclingdirt.org for more Videos
Visit cyclingdirt.org for more Videos
Visit cyclingdirt.org for more Videos
Read more...
Friday, November 5, 2010
Suitcase of Courage
Phil Liggett auctions off his Suitcase of Courage at the Saris Gala to benefiting the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
2010 Washington Park 'Cross
Once again the Washington Park Cyclocross, presented by Team Trocadero, did not disappoint! No, there weren't any flaming barriers this year (rats), but the racing was hot and the costumes even hotter. In addition to two sets of regular barriers, two small 'coffins' are set up as a small obstacle (these used to be set on fire). They are quite hop-able if you've practiced that in training, if not, watch out!
Team Tibco's Sam Schneider took the top spot in the Women's Elite race besting MTB specialists Holly Klug and Abby Strigel. A roadie beat the mountain bikers!
In the Pro Men's race, Brain Matter went pull for pull, or probably more accurately - attack for attack with Marco LaLonde the entire event. From time to time it looked like either might have been riding away from the other, but it really came down to a 100 meter sprint from the last corner to the finish line with LaLonde besting Matter by just a wheel. Sort of a mountain bike specialist vs cross/mtb/roadie. Also back on home soil was Kenda Pro Cycling's Chad Hartley, fresh back from Korea and the Tour of the DMZ.Other notable appearances were:
Lady Gaga
Super star Ace Frehley
Over at the Team Expo party, there was some sort of
royalty present:
and I don't know what was going on with the DJ:
Mark McGeen was riding his new 'cross bike:
(Yes, he rode most of the course!)
and Katy Steudel was riding her horse:
(Riding her horse???)
So, everybody had a great time, and once again the Washington
Park Cyclocross was one you didn't want to miss!
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Kletzsch Park Park 'Cross
While the region's top dogs were eating dust down in Kentucky, those that hung around here got a good taste of some Wisconsin mud during today's cyclocross race held in Milwaukee's Kletsch Park. Temps hung in the low to mid 60's and a light rain fell on and off throughout the morning bringing up just enough mud to enhance your 'crossing experience. Turnout was average, one would guess, for a rainy Saturday, and while you could hear the horns and cowbells all around the course, the top of 'the climb' was probably the choice spectating spot. This was especially true if you were from the host Team Pegasus, because you got to cheer for your riders, decked out in pink trim, twice every lap. 
The top of the climb was also a prime spot for watching some phenominal suffering as well as here we see the men's Cat. 3 winner Scott Vogelmann power up the hill for his second victory of the season.
In the Masters 45+, once again it was Greg Ferguson putting the hurt on the rest of the crew as he powered on to his third victory in a row in this division. He was pushed today, however, by Mark McGeen of Team Mack who had been on the podium the last three races but is still looking for that elusive win.
The largest field of the day was the men's Cat. 4 which topped out at 39 starters. First across the line was Tim Racette who comes from a land down under (Illinois) but rides for Team Wisconsin / MC2. Successfully staying away from a long line of chasers, this was Racette's first 'cross win of the season, added to his numerous podiums on the MTB circuit this year.
The women's Pro 1/2 race was once again won by Abby Strigel, today decked out today in her Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival jersey. Leading from start to finish, today's win was her 3rd 'cross victory this season and 12th win for the year so far.
With three laps to go, however, LaLonde put in a dig that Staab couldn't answer, and he rode away for about a 45 second win on the line. RESULTS
The Wisconsin Cyclocross series continues tomorrow at the Cam-Rock trails near Cambridge. Peloton Star will resume cyclocross coverage next Saturday at Washington Park for the annual Halloween Cross put on by Team Trocadero. See you there!
Read more...
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Cross the Domes
Starting by the duck pond, the course rose steadily toward the infamous botanical domes, snaked back and forth through the trees, across the sand pit - not once but twice! - then downhill once again only to lead to the base of a steep, nasty climb which was rideable by only the strongest of climbers.
Brian Matter - Winner
Marko LaLonde - 2nd
Mike Sherer - 3rd
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