Daily Dose 5/23
Today is the drop dead closing date for registration into the Edgar Sotol Memorial Stage Race. In fact, as I type this there are only three hours before it closes. Currently there are a whopping 517 people who have ponied up and committed to doing the event, which should leave the promoters breathing a big sigh of relief followed by hearty congratulatory hand shakes. Great job guys!
The huge turnout means huge fields, and that means positioning throughout the race will be the most critical factor in success. Since we don't have a closed course or rolling enclosure it means 100 riders in one lane, and that also could spell disaster if racers aren't focused and attentive every second in the peloton.
Have you looked at who is going to be there? Those of us in the Pro 1/2 field have a lot to look forward to seeing that guys from Healthnet, Jittery Joe's and Priority Health will be there. Names like Karl Menzies, Frank Pipp, Jeff Hopkins, Trent Wilson, Cesar Grajales and Neil Shirley to name a few. Rest assured their plan is to win, which means for some fast and hard racing for four days. Hang on to the wheel in front of you!
Edgar Soto Gets News Coverage
Did you see The City Paper on Tuesday? They had a huge spread about Edgar Soto including a lot of cool pictures. There were several articles included that you should definitely check out. Got to my main site NashvilleCyclist.com to download a PDF version of all three articles and photos. If you have time send thanks to the paper and reporters for covering our event.
NashvilleCyclist.com Criterium Results Posted on TBRA
Thanks to the great work of Bill Parsons for getting this posted quickly and points added to the overall TBAR series.
NashvilleCyclist.com Criterium Results Posted on USA Cycling
Go and check out not only the results from Sunday's crit, but you can also get the road race results HERE from the Intrepid Cyclist Sumner County Classic. Every promoter should do a better job at having their results posted with USA Cycling. This helps with riders requesting upgrades, and also with the overall national ranking system.
Have you ever checked out the national ranking system for the three racing disciplines?
It's pretty cool, and there's a new feature that I am really excited about. I now know that I am the top rated Cat 2 rider in my zip code! Seriously in my entire zip code! Hilarious that it gets broken down to that level, but it also tells you where you rank in the state, age groups, etc.
Go to your My USA Cycling and look into your personal rankings system. If you haven't started an account on USA Cycling's website I highly recommend it. You can manage your account through your license number, and stay on top of everything all year round.
New NashvilleCyclist.com Videos On YouTube
Last night I uploaded several new videos to the NashvilleCyclist.com YouTube account. All three were from the Collegiate Road Nationals a few weeks ago in Lawrence, KS. I have some action from the team time-trial and some back and forth mascot squabbling with Dave Towle in another.
However, the craziest one is of the road race in the 1.5 mile gravel section riders had to cover. Due to flooding around Lake Perry the course was re-routed, and unfortunately it meant going over gravel. Think Paris-Roubaix, but on a gravel country back road with a lot of dust. You're not going to believe that a national championship was decided by this, but sadly it was. The dreams of many top collegiate riders were dashed on this road due to an excessive amount of flats. Nobody had time to prepare for such a change in the course, so it just left us all shaking our heads in disappointment. In the video you can hear the rocks pinging all over the place.
LeMond drops bombshell at Landis hearing
You may be wondering if I have been paying attention to the Floyd Landis hearing, and the answer is yes I have. However, it hadn't been worth discussing here, until now.
What happened to Greg Lemond is absolutely despicable. As if Floyd hadn't lost the PR war up to this point his business manager kicks it up a notch with his unthinkable phone call to Lemond the day before he's supposed to testify.
Sure, the responsibility falls on the shoulders of Will Geoghegan for doing such a stupid thing, but now we're finding out that Floyd and others on his defense team knew immediately the phone call took place. Heck, Floyd walked in on Geoghegan as he was talking to Lemond!
I don't know about you, but at that point if I am Floyd I am going into supersonic rescue mode to save what little dignity I have left. First, boom, Floyd should have fired Geoghegan on the spot. Second, without calling his lawyer, Floyd should have called Lemond back and apologized for the actions of his friend and manager. He should also have told Lemond he walked in on the conversation and did not condone such an incredibly stupid decision. Third, now call your lawyers and have them take the necessary actions before the hearing resumes the next day.
Instead, Floyd waited for it to play out in court as Lemond was the one who broke the news. Another dumb mistake by Floyd. By now it's 50/50 as to those who want to see him win and those who could care less. Just know, if he does end up losing then he has nobody to blame but himself. Period.
Devine's Time Trial Victory Sets Up Tarragona Win
John Devine of the US National Team is making a name for himself the last few months. This article describes the US boys as really taking control and setting up Devine for a great win. Devine also had a great ride in the Tour de Georgia on the Brasstown Bald stage, which I think he finished 8th that day? Keep your eyes and ears open for his name in the future.
The huge turnout means huge fields, and that means positioning throughout the race will be the most critical factor in success. Since we don't have a closed course or rolling enclosure it means 100 riders in one lane, and that also could spell disaster if racers aren't focused and attentive every second in the peloton.
Have you looked at who is going to be there? Those of us in the Pro 1/2 field have a lot to look forward to seeing that guys from Healthnet, Jittery Joe's and Priority Health will be there. Names like Karl Menzies, Frank Pipp, Jeff Hopkins, Trent Wilson, Cesar Grajales and Neil Shirley to name a few. Rest assured their plan is to win, which means for some fast and hard racing for four days. Hang on to the wheel in front of you!
Edgar Soto Gets News Coverage
Did you see The City Paper on Tuesday? They had a huge spread about Edgar Soto including a lot of cool pictures. There were several articles included that you should definitely check out. Got to my main site NashvilleCyclist.com to download a PDF version of all three articles and photos. If you have time send thanks to the paper and reporters for covering our event.
NashvilleCyclist.com Criterium Results Posted on TBRA
Thanks to the great work of Bill Parsons for getting this posted quickly and points added to the overall TBAR series.
NashvilleCyclist.com Criterium Results Posted on USA Cycling
Go and check out not only the results from Sunday's crit, but you can also get the road race results HERE from the Intrepid Cyclist Sumner County Classic. Every promoter should do a better job at having their results posted with USA Cycling. This helps with riders requesting upgrades, and also with the overall national ranking system.
Have you ever checked out the national ranking system for the three racing disciplines?
It's pretty cool, and there's a new feature that I am really excited about. I now know that I am the top rated Cat 2 rider in my zip code! Seriously in my entire zip code! Hilarious that it gets broken down to that level, but it also tells you where you rank in the state, age groups, etc.
Go to your My USA Cycling and look into your personal rankings system. If you haven't started an account on USA Cycling's website I highly recommend it. You can manage your account through your license number, and stay on top of everything all year round.
New NashvilleCyclist.com Videos On YouTube
Last night I uploaded several new videos to the NashvilleCyclist.com YouTube account. All three were from the Collegiate Road Nationals a few weeks ago in Lawrence, KS. I have some action from the team time-trial and some back and forth mascot squabbling with Dave Towle in another.
However, the craziest one is of the road race in the 1.5 mile gravel section riders had to cover. Due to flooding around Lake Perry the course was re-routed, and unfortunately it meant going over gravel. Think Paris-Roubaix, but on a gravel country back road with a lot of dust. You're not going to believe that a national championship was decided by this, but sadly it was. The dreams of many top collegiate riders were dashed on this road due to an excessive amount of flats. Nobody had time to prepare for such a change in the course, so it just left us all shaking our heads in disappointment. In the video you can hear the rocks pinging all over the place.
LeMond drops bombshell at Landis hearing
You may be wondering if I have been paying attention to the Floyd Landis hearing, and the answer is yes I have. However, it hadn't been worth discussing here, until now.
What happened to Greg Lemond is absolutely despicable. As if Floyd hadn't lost the PR war up to this point his business manager kicks it up a notch with his unthinkable phone call to Lemond the day before he's supposed to testify.
Sure, the responsibility falls on the shoulders of Will Geoghegan for doing such a stupid thing, but now we're finding out that Floyd and others on his defense team knew immediately the phone call took place. Heck, Floyd walked in on Geoghegan as he was talking to Lemond!
I don't know about you, but at that point if I am Floyd I am going into supersonic rescue mode to save what little dignity I have left. First, boom, Floyd should have fired Geoghegan on the spot. Second, without calling his lawyer, Floyd should have called Lemond back and apologized for the actions of his friend and manager. He should also have told Lemond he walked in on the conversation and did not condone such an incredibly stupid decision. Third, now call your lawyers and have them take the necessary actions before the hearing resumes the next day.
Instead, Floyd waited for it to play out in court as Lemond was the one who broke the news. Another dumb mistake by Floyd. By now it's 50/50 as to those who want to see him win and those who could care less. Just know, if he does end up losing then he has nobody to blame but himself. Period.
Devine's Time Trial Victory Sets Up Tarragona Win
John Devine of the US National Team is making a name for himself the last few months. This article describes the US boys as really taking control and setting up Devine for a great win. Devine also had a great ride in the Tour de Georgia on the Brasstown Bald stage, which I think he finished 8th that day? Keep your eyes and ears open for his name in the future.
posted by NashvilleCyclist.com at 5/23/2007 08:40:00 AM
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