Is it 'Cross yet? No!

No, there's no 'cross races yet, it's only August! I know that some of you are sneaking in some MTBing and cross racing doesn't begin in earnest until September, so you've still got time to practice your mounts and hops if it's not too hot. Let's take a look at what August has to offer on the road here in the midwest before we starting thinking much about mud. Indiana still has two criteriums and the Indiana State Road Race to race. In Illinois, the big money Tour of Elk Grove TT/RR/Criterium for the Pros kicks off the month along with a criterium down in Edwardsville. Also, the Illinois State Championships begin on the track in Northbrook. 

Over in Iowa, they have their state road race and TT championships in Iowa City and Des Moines has a criterium on the thirteenth. In Minnesota, their state track championships begin on the wooden velodrome in Blaine and on the road, the Tornen Heuval Kermesse happens in Avon on the 7th followed by the Minnesota state road race championship on the 14^th in Richmond. Across the pond, in Michigan, their state road race championships paired with a criterium up on Traverse City are held on the 13^th and 14^th. Don't forget the USAC Pro Criterium Championships in Grand Rapids on the 20^th, and on the 28^th you can still race a criterium in Birmingham. 

Here in Wisconsin, there are a pair of criteriums in Menasha on the 13^th and 14^th, followed by another in Fond Du Lac on the 20^th. Don't forget Race the Lake, the 90 mile race around Lake Winnebago on the 21st that offers $10,000 in prize money and a rare point-to-point racing experience.  


Don't forget that all the velodromes still have racing action in August so support their programs and check 'em out!
 
INDIANA
Warsaw Downtown Classic
Permit Number: 2011-2751
Race Value Level: D Event
08/06/2011
Warsaw, IN
Event Flyer
kcvcycling.org
Online Registration

IN State Road Race
Permit Number: 2011-538
Race Value Level: D Event
08/07/2011
Woodburn, IN
Event Flyer
www.menofsteelracing.com/races.html
Online Registration

Mass Ave Criterium  Event is not yet permitted
Please contact event promoter for info
Race Value Level: D Event
08/13/2011
Massachusetts Ave
Indianapolis, IN
www.mac.nuvo.net

Staybridge Suites Indiana Masters & Juniors Champi
Permit Number: 2011-1612
Race Value Level: D Event
08/14/2011
Indianapolis, IN
Event Flyer
www.planetadventurerace.com
Online Registration

ILLINOIS
Alexian Brothers Tour of Elk Grove
Permit Number: 2011-1523
Race Value Level: Nrc1
08/05/2011 - 08/07/2011
225 Elk Grove Blvd
Elk Grove Village, IL
Event Flyer
www.chicagoevents.com
Online Registration

Edwardsville Rotary Criterium
Permit Number: 2011-2335
Race Value Level: B Event
08/07/2011
Edwardsville, IL
Event Flyer
www.edwardsvillecriterium.com
Online Registration

2011 Illinois State Championships Points Race  Event is not yet permitted
Please contact event promoter for info
Race Value Level: State
08/11/2011
Northbrook, IL
www.northbrookvelodrome.org

2011 Illinois State Championships/Elite Qualifier
Permit Number: 2011-1010
Race Value Level: State
08/13/2011
Northbrook, IL
Event Flyer
www.northbrookvelodrome.org

XXX Racing Juniors Cyclocross Clinic
Permit Number: 2011-2467
Race Value Level:
08/15/2011
Chicago, IL
Event Flyer

Morton Community Bank Cycling Classic
Permit Number: 2011-1723
Race Value Level: D Event
08/20/2011
200 S. Main St
Morton, IL
Event Flyer
www.peoriabicycleclub.com
Online Registration

2011 Elaine Nekritz / Illinois State Championships  Event is not yet permitted
Please contact event promoter for info
Race Value Level: State
08/25/2011
Northbrook, IL
www.northbrookvelodrome.org

Iowa
Iowa State Road Race Championships
Permit Number: 2011-2739
Race Value Level: D Event
08/06/2011
Hoover Elementary School
West Branch, IA
Event Flyer
www.iowacitycycling.com
Online Registration

Chamois Time #5
Permit Number: 2011-1032
Race Value Level: E Event
08/10/2011
Iowa City, IA
Event Flyer
www.iowacitycyclingclub.com

East Village Criterium
Permit Number: 2011-2187
Race Value Level: D Event
08/13/2011
Des Moines, IA
Event Flyer
www.eastvillagecrit.com
Online Registration

Iowa State Time Trial Championships  Event is not yet permitted
Please contact event promoter for info
Race Value Level: State
08/21/2011
Nichols, IA
www.iowacitycycling.com

MICHIGAN
Michigan Junior Scratch and Points Track State Cha
Permit Number: 2011-2266
Race Value Level: D Event
08/05/2011
345 John R Rd
Rochester Hills, MI
Event Flyer
www.velodromeatbloomerpark.com
Online Registration

Hines Park Time Trial
Permit Number: 2011-2770
Race Value Level: E Event
08/07/2011
Westland, MI
Event Flyer

Cherry- Roubaix Criterium and State Championship R
Permit Number: 2011-1385
Race Value Level: D Event
08/13/2011 - 08/14/2011
Traverse City and Cedar -respectively, MI
Event Flyer
www.cherry-roubaix.com
Online Registration

GR Cycling Classic & USAC Pro Crit Nat Champ
Permit Number: 2011-176
Race Value Level: Uci
08/20/2011
Grand Rapids, MI
Event Flyer
www.GRCyclingClassic.com
Online Registration

Tour de Gaslight
Permit Number: 2011-2451
Race Value Level: D Event
08/21/2011
1351 Valley NW
East Grand Rapids, MI
Event Flyer
ridewestmichigan.com/tdg/

CXpreX-Ann Arbor
Event is not yet permitted
Please contact event promoter for info
Race Value Level:
08/25/2011 - 09/15/2011
338 Mulholland
Ann Arbor, MI

Birmingham Bike Festival Crit
Permit Number: 2011-1876
Race Value Level: C Event
08/28/2011
320 Martin
Birmingham, MI
Event Flyer
birminghambikefestival.com/Home_Page.html
Online Registration

2011 Michigan Masters Track Scratch & Points Champ  Event is not yet permitted
Please contact event promoter for info
Race Value Level: D Event
09/02/2011
345 John R Road
Rochester Hills, MI
www.velodromeatbloomerpark.com

MINNESOTA
Minnesota State Timed Events Championships
Permit Number: 2011-1360
Race Value Level: State
08/06/2011
1700-105th Ave. NE
Blaine, MN
Event Flyer
nscsports.org/velo

Toren Heuval Kermesse
Permit Number: 2011-2549
Race Value Level: E Event
08/07/2011
Avon, MN
Event Flyer
EndurancePromotions.com

2011 MN RR Championship
Permit Number: 2011-2648
Race Value Level: D Event
08/14/2011
Richmond, MN
Event Flyer
www.EndurancePromotions.com

Minnesota State Sprint Championships
Permit Number: 2011-1361
Race Value Level: State
08/15/2011
1700-105th Ave. NE
Blaine, MN
Event Flyer
nscsports.org/velo

The Grind
Permit Number: 2011-2882
Race Value Level: D Event
08/19/2011 - 08/20/2011
Blaine, MN
Event Flyer

Minnesota Track Omnium State Championship
Permit Number: 2011-1363
Race Value Level: State
08/27/2011
1700-105th Ave. NE
Blaine, MN
Event Flyer
nscsports.org/velo

WISCONSIN
N.E.W. Wheelers Weekend Presents the Otto Grunski
Permit Number: 2011-2643
Race Value Level: D Event
08/13/2011 - 08/14/2011
Jefferson Park
Menasha, WI
Event Flyer

Road Cycling Skills Weekly Practice Sessions
Permit Number: 2011-2771
Race Value Level:
08/17/2011 - 08/31/2011
Fox Point, WI
Event Flyer
cyclingskillscoaching.com/events/
Online Registration

Attitude sports criterium
Event is not yet permitted
Please contact event promoter for info
Race Value Level: D Event
08/20/2011
Fond du lac, WI

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Cheque Please!

After seeing this photo of Julie Phelps (Big Ring Flyers) holding up the check she won at Superweek, I decided to post some images of other riders holding up the checks that they earned.

$HOW ME THE MONEY$!

  

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A view from the other side ...

So, what does it mean to foreign riders when they come over here to race Superweek? Here's a screenshot of Laurent Beuret's web page (second place overall) It also has a link to Peloton-Pix's Downer Avenue video:

 

Here is the page of Andreas Mueller, an Austrian Six Day star,  who raced here in 2010. 

Note the photo gallery (yes, Brad Sohner .. your photo is in there):

 and it's a little hard to follow them on Facebook because it's all written in Mandarin, but Action
Cycling Team of overall winner Feng Chun-Kai had tons of photos and comments about Superweek:

Now, I'm using Superweek as an example, but there are often many things in your own backyard worthy of being grateful for. Never forget to stop once in a while to smell the roses. .

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Loose ends ...

Random news bits.

IS Corp fielded a team in The Tour de l’Abitibi which is an UCI sanctioned international stage race for junior men 17 and 18 years old held in Amos, Quebec. National teams, regional teams, and club teams will compete in the largest stage race for juniors in North America, if not the world.

The team consisted of:

2011 ISCorp l’Abitibi Team

Kaleb Koch (17) Glenview, IL 2011 US Junior Olympic Sprint National Champion

Kevin Lindlau (17) Waukesha, WI

Vance Fletcher (18) Chariton, IA

Leif Byrge-Leibig (18) Menomonee Falls, WI

Paul Kumm (18) Wausau, WI

Nathan Labecki (17) Milwaukee, WI

2011 ISCorp l’Abitibi Personnel Support Staff

Lowell Kellogg (Director Sportif) Menomonee Falls, WI

Joe Cieszynski (Soigneur) Wauwatosa, WI

Josh Hanson (Mechanic) Green Bay, WI

Read more about their adventure on: SKIDMARK

Kaitlin Antonneau and Ashley James recently competed in France at the Tour de Bretagne Feminin and the Tour du Limousin. Velonews had a short write up stating:

Ashley James (Team Kenda p/b GearGrinder) also finished well, placing fifth in the Young Rider Classification with her top finish coming stage 2′s individual time trial. 

Kaitlin Antonneau (Peanut Butter & CoTwenty12) and Kendall Ryan (Team TIBCO to the Top) also helped the U.S. National Team finish 7th in the Teams Classification. 

 

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Re: US Steel / Chicago Velocampus

I was curious about the old US Steel site where Chicago Velocampus is building their new velodrome. I found this site that gives a brief history of the 'south works' site.

The site reads:

The story of the South Works reads as a microcosm of the rust belt. First opened in 1882 as the North Chicago Railway Mill Company, the mill went through several name changes before becoming the U.S. Steel South Works. The placement of the steel mill at the mouth of the Calumet River at Lake Michigan made for easy transport of goods and raw materials. The neighborhood that developed around the mill, South Chicago, was filled with immigrants of all types who came to the area for the well-paying jobs at the mill. However, the prosperity did not last forever, and due mainly to market forces affecting the entire United States steel industry, the South Works began a long period of downsizing beginning in the 1970s. Finally, on April 10, 1992, the doors closed for good. The mill that once produced steel beams for most of Chicago’s skyscrapers and jobs for thousands of area residents was now gone, and with it went the prosperity of South Chicago. With each round of job cuts at the mill, the neighborhood had become more and more economically depressed. Once the South Works closed, South Chicago spiraled into major decay, a trend that has yet to be reversed.

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Chicago Velocampus

At 8615 South Burley Avenue, Chicago, a new era is starting, or perhaps  it could be stated that an old era is being revived.



The temporary 166 meter track is going up quickly now, won't be long before someone gets to be the first to put wheels to the boards. A 'bubble' is planned to be installed over this temporary track for this winter. The permanent 250 meter track will be indoors.

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Track Racing!

We're baaaaack! Did you miss us? Hey, this past Tuesday, Peloton Star went down to the Washington Park Velodrome in Kenosha to watch the 150 lap points race. 150 laps with a sprint for points every 5 laps. That will make the 50k go by quickly! According to Len Cabaltera on FaceBook:
Great Night in Kenosha with the 150 lap Bob Pfarr. Teamwork prevailed as John Tomlinson of Chemstar won for his second time time. Second Place was David Moyer of XXX Racing and Alex Wielser of Chemstar in third. Race time for 150 laps was 1:06.

Among the approximately 24 starters, two women also competed in the race - Stacy Appelwick (ABD) and Samantha Schneider (TIBCO). Spectators on the field numbered around 200 according to the track announcer, so it was a good night of racing. Check out the video:



Racing continues at the Ed Rudolph Velodrome in Northbrook, IL (schedule) and construction of the 166 meter track at the Chicago Velocampus is coming along nicely. One of only two new velodromes currently in construction in the United States. Support your local track program!

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Rays MTB Park

Ray's MTB Park on Milwaukee's north side is OPEN!

BYOP (Bring Your Own Pads)

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Antonneau to Elite 'Cross Worlds

 Cyclocross Magazine is announcing that Kaitlin Antonneau has been named to the Elite Woman's Cyclocross Worlds team that will be held on January 29-30 in St. Wendel, Germany.

Leading the elite women’s squad will be seven-time national champion Katie Compton (Colorado Springs, Colo./Planet Bike-Stevens Bikes). A serious contender for the world title, Compton earned an automatic nomination to the team after taking four of the five World Cup wins this season.
Another automatic qualifier for the women’s team is Sue Butler (Portland, Ore.). Butler earned her nomination based on her 14^th-place finish at the second World Cup this season. She has been active on the ‘Cross World Cup circuit and recently ended her domestic season with fifth-place at the national championships in Bend.
Joining Compton and Butler on the start line in Germany will be discretionary nominees Meredith Miller (Fort Collins, Colo./Team TIBCO-To the Top), Amy Dombroski (Boulder, Colo.), and Kaitlin Antonneau (Racine, Wis./Peanut Butter & Co TWENTY 12).

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Remember 2009?

Before reviewing more 2010, how about looking back one year to 2009?

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Stand Up For The Champions

Part of the "Year In Review" series.

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Cyclocross Super Fans

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Team Xtra Normal - Part I

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BTB #10

Always good entertainment:


"Behind The Barriers" Episode 10 from Behind The Barriers on Vimeo.

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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.”

Also in the news is Bloomington, Indiana's Mike Sherer who just came off a very successful season with Verizon U25 and is moving on to Kelly Benefit Strategies per an announcement published in The Daily Peloton:

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.

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'Cross Nats II

Cyclocross National Championships 2010 from mark colton on Vimeo.

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'Cross Nats

Visit cyclingdirt.org for more Videos

Visit cyclingdirt.org for more Videos

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Tour de France 2010 interesting moments.

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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

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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)

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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.

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A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

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North America Cyclocross Rankings

Ashley James - Brian Matter ... how do they rank? (link)

Visit cyclingdirt.org for more Videos

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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

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More Matter from N.C. !

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USAC Development Foundation Full-length Promotional Video

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

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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.

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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!

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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.

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'The Heat is On"

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

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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!*

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Sheenan Park 'Cross (WCA)

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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.

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MN State 'Cross Champs and more!

Then down in Chicago:

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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


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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!

 

Full results.

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Brian Matter wins the Iceman!

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Visit cyclingdirt.org for more Videos

Visit cyclingdirt.org for more Videos

Visit cyclingdirt.org for more Videos

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Suitcase of Courage

Phil Liggett auctions off his Suitcase of Courage at the Saris Gala to benefiting the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin.

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Video - Big Ring Flyers Season Review

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Grafton Pumpkin 'Cross Video

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