3 posts tagged “slipstream”

Wow, was it a hot day for bicycle racing yesterday.  The ~wife and I went out to the Philadelphia International Championship today.  It was a great race, but it was hot just to watch.  Can't imagine racing in the heat we had yesterday, which was mid-90s dF with high humidity. 

The women's race was cool to watch.  Kristin Armstrong got off the front early, and built up more than a minute advantage.  Couldn't hold it though, and eventually got caught.  A later break including a handful of High Road riders stuck a while, too.  Eventually Chantal Beltman from High Road got away, and stuck it to the end.  Brooke Millar from Tibco got second, sprinting away from Ina-Yoko Teutenberg.  Nice ride. 

As seems to be tradition, there was a break for most of the men's race, and that got caught, and it ended in a bunch sprint.  Young dude from CSC launched a long sprint and stuck it.  Nice race. 

We went out to the Manayunk Wall for a couple of laps, much thanks to Mr. Mambo and his VIP accomondations, and the shuttle bus from Center City to Manayunk that went with it.  Below is a pic my ~wife took of the great Maggy Backstedt, who I really admire.  He led this lap up the Manayunk Wall, and then later bridged up to the breakaway.  Unfortunately he did not finish, and the break was sucked up.  Svein Tufts put in a great effort after that, trying to stick a break.  It was all very exciting to watch.  And hot as hell.

maggy in philly 08

Not a moment too soon, the first of the grand tours started today (you thought I had changed my page to pink to match my toenails?).  The best pictures and coverage are over at Pez Cycling News.  Do go check it out.

Ssmagliarosa

The Giro is huge this year -- all the best teams are there, and it's packed with time trials and mountains.  And it's started with an absolutely HUGE result.  Slipstream/Chipotle, my new favorite team in the Whole Wide World, won the opening team time trial today.  American Christian Vande Velde was first across the finish line for Slipstream, and therefore dons the leader's jersey, the maglia rosa.  Bellisimo!

Tour de France organizers have named the teams for this year's race...no, I don't give a damn about Astana not being named.  Slipstream / Chipotle is in, there are rumors that race radio is (at least partly) out, I'm happy as a pig in crap!  From letour.fr:

20/03/2008 - Tour 2008 : vingt équipes invitées

Les organisateurs du Tour de France ont procédé au choix des équipes appelées à constituer le peloton de l'édition 2008. Vingt équipes, qui sélectionneront chacune neuf coureurs, sont invitées sur la Grande Boucle, dont le départ sera donné le 5 juillet de Bretagne, pour une arrivée finale jugée sur les Champs-Élysées le 27 juillet, après 21 jours de course.

Cette sélection est toutefois communiquée sous réserve du respect par chacune des équipes de l'éthique et de la loyauté qui doivent prévaloir dans le cyclisme.