Peloton Star: November 2010

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.

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

Engleman To Direct Nature Valley Pro Ride Teams

photo: courtesy Michelle Jacques

Minneapolis (Nov. 23, 2010) — Michael Engleman, former professional racer and head of the U.S. Women's Cycling Development Program, will serve as head coach for the Nature Valley Pro Ride teams in 2011.

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

More Matter from N.C. !

Monday, November 22, 2010

USAC Development Foundation Full-length Promotional Video

USAC DF Full-length Promotional Video from Jim Fryer/BrakeThrough Media on Vimeo.

Anatomy of a Time Trial (Phinney's Road to Gold)

Anatomy of a Time Trial (Phinney's Road to Gold) from Jim Fryer/BrakeThrough Media on Vimeo.

2010 Wisconsin State 'Cross Champs

Kevin Berger

It seems like just yesterday that the Wisco 'Cross season started at the new western town themed venue near Eagle, but now, here we are with it all behind us once again. There were no big surprises during Sunday's Wisconsin State Cyclocross Championships in Hales Corners, presented by Rainbow Jersey Bicycles. The top names brought their race legs and the fans brought their party makers to make for an excellent day of racing. You can review the full results over on the USAC site, so this will just be a quick recap of the top two races.


Sam Schneider

On the womens side, it was once again Sam Schneider (Tibco) setting the course ablaze with a solid performance leading the rest to the finish line and becoming the 2010 State Cyclocross Champion. Holly Klug (Pony Shop), from Illinois, was hot on her heels right after the start looking like she was ready to give it a go, but unfortunately she suffered a mechanical just past the pits on the second lap, and was forced to run about a mile and a half to get her backup machine. Despite this hardship, she pressed on and finished eighth. Second and third on the day were also from out of state, namely a couple of the handful of riders that drove up from Iowa City - Kim Eppen and Brittany Mcconnell. It was good to see some showing from the Hawkeye State, and we will certainly be returning the favor next week during the annual pilgrimage to Jingle Cross! Rounding out the top five was Abby Strigel, riding today for Team Pegasus, and the ever present force of Alyssa Severn (Magnus).

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!

Tristan Schouten leads Isaac Neff and David Staab


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!

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.

NCGP UCI Cyclocross Elite Men 1st lap from Josh Whitmore on Vimeo.

'The Heat is On"

"The Heat is On" - The Trailer from Jim Fryer/BrakeThrough Media on Vimeo.

2011 Tour of America's Dairyland dates set

June 16 - 27 2011

The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board will return in 2011 as presenting sponsor of the Tour of America's of Dairyland pro-am bicycling series across 11 Wisconsin communities.
"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
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!*

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Sheenan Park 'Cross (WCA)

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.

MN State 'Cross Champs and more!

Then down in Chicago:

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."

Neimanas became a resident athlete at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 2007 and, in addition to her training, is also a student at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs. Along with cycling, Neimanas enjoys skiing, kayaking, wakeboarding and photography.
For More information check USA Paralympics

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.

Other obstacles such as barriers to jump. Obviously a bit more challenging for some, but that's all part of the game and everyone came out smiling at the end of the day.

The barrier that really puts it's stamp on this course is a small climb that's really only half, or even one fourth the length of climbs on other courses, but it has a small natural barrier at the foot of it that must be jumped over first followed by the meat of the climb which I measure at about 28 degrees at it's maximum, or about a 50% gradient. Ouch!

That's steep enough to get your front wheel up off the ground if you're pulling up hard, as we see Louis Kuhn of Chicago's Pony Shop doing here.

A total of fifty riders toed the start line in the Men's Cat. 4 field today. Three riders managed a gap on the rest, and it came down to a three up sprint taken by UW-Madison's David Price for his first win of the year, besting a pair of seconds in the last two races. Second was Finn Ryan and Geargrinder Andrew Feuersthaler, third.

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.

Sam Schneider of Team Tibco won her seventh 'cross race that she's entered this season today in the Women's Elite race besting Holly Klug and Sarah Huang. Fourth place Alyssa Severn of Team Magnus rode strongly in the closing laps making up gobs of time perhaps lost earlier with a mechanical, but was not able to make the podium.

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!