Velochimp: Astrochimp on Cycling

Yahoo! Sports - Cycling Photos

1. Cyclist Moncoutie wins stage, Leipheimer leads in Spain (AFP/Diego Tuson)
   

   

   French David Moncoutie of Cofidis drinks cava on the podium after winning the eight stage of the Tour of Spain, a 151 km ride from Andorra to Pla de Beret.

   
   
2. Team CSC rider Carlos Sastre of Spain cycles during the stage ei... Reuters
   

   

   Team CSC rider Carlos Sastre of Spain cycles during the stage eight of the Tour of Spain "La Vuelta" cycling race between Andorra and Beret September 7, 2008.REUTERS/Dani Cardona (SPAIN)

   
   
3. The pack of riders cycle during the stage eight of the Tour of S... Reuters
   

   

   The pack of riders cycle during the stage eight of the Tour of Spain "La Vuelta" cycling race between Andorra and Beret September 7, 2008. REUTERS/Dani Cardona (SPAIN)

   
   
4. Team CSC rider Carlos Sastre of Spain is helped up after finishi... Reuters
   

   

   Team CSC rider Carlos Sastre of Spain is helped up after finishing the stage eight of the Tour of Spain "La Vuelta" cycling race between Andorra and Beret September 7, 2008.REUTERS/Dani Cardona (SPAIN)

   
   
5. Cyclists ride past a sign indicating the direction to follow dur... AFP/Getty Images
   

   

   Cyclists ride past a sign indicating the direction to follow during the 'Gordelroute' during the 28th edition of ' De Gordel ' cycling ride around Belgium's capital Brussels on September 7, 2008, in Wezenbeek-Oppem. Several thousand Dutch-speaking Belgians joined the annual Gordel cycling event around Brussels, asserting the Flemish character of suburbs that ring the largely francophone capital against a backdrop of political tensions. AFP PHOTO / BELGA PHOTO ERIC VIDAL (Photo credit should read ERIC VIDAL/AFP/Getty Images)

   
   
6. Cofidis rider David Moncoutie of France cycles to win the stage ... Reuters
   

   

   Cofidis rider David Moncoutie of France cycles to win the stage eight of the Tour of Spain "La Vuelta" cycling race between Andorra and Beret September 7, 2008.REUTERS/Dani Cardona (SPAIN)

   
   
7. US Yellow jersey Levi Leipheimer of Astana waits, on September 7... AFP/Getty Images
   

   

   US Yellow jersey Levi Leipheimer of Astana waits, on September 7, 2008 prior to compete in the eight stage of the Tour of Spain, a 151 km ride from Andorra to Pla de Beret. Frenchman David Moncoutie of Cofidis won the stage. AFP PHOTO/ DIEGO TUSON (Photo credit should read DIEGO TUSON/AFP/Getty Images)

   
   
8. Spanish Alejandro Valverde (L) jokes with countryman Carlos Sast... AFP/Getty Images
   

   

   Spanish Alejandro Valverde (L) jokes with countryman Carlos Sastre, on September 7, 2008 prior to compete in the eight stage of the Tour of Spain, a 151 km ride from Andorra to Pla de Beret. Frenchman David Moncoutie of Cofidis won the stage. AFP PHOTO/ DIEGO TUSON (Photo credit should read DIEGO TUSON/AFP/Getty Images)

   
   
9. Astana rider Levi Leipheimer of the U.S. raises his arms with hi... Reuters
   

   

   Astana rider Levi Leipheimer of the U.S. raises his arms with his new leader's jersey at the podium after finishing stage eight of the Tour of Spain "La Vuelta" cycling race between Andorra and Beret September 7, 2008.REUTERS/Dani Cardona (SPAIN)

   
   
10. Spanish's Alberto Contador of Astana looks on prior to compete, ... AFP/Getty Images
    

    

    Spanish's Alberto Contador of Astana looks on prior to compete, on September 7, 2008 in the eight stage of the Tour of Spain, a 151 km ride from Andorra to Pla de Beret. Frenchman David Moncoutie of Cofidis won the stage. AFP PHOTO/ DIEGO TUSON (Photo credit should read DIEGO TUSON/AFP/Getty Images)

    
    
11. Euskaltel's Igor Anton of Spain cycles during stage eight of... Reuters
    

    

    Euskaltel's Igor Anton of Spain cycles during stage eight of the Tour of Spain "La Vuelta" cycling race between Andorra and Beret September 7, 2008. REUTERS/Dani Cardona (SPAIN)

    
    
12. Spanish's Alberto Contador adjusts his helmet, on September 7, ... AFP/Getty Images
    

    

    Spanish's Alberto Contador adjusts his helmet, on September 7, 2008 prior to compete in the eight stage of the Tour of Spain, a 151 km ride from Andorra to Pla de Beret. Frenchman David Moncoutie of Cofidis won the stage. AFP PHOTO/ DIEGO TUSON (Photo credit should read DIEGO TUSON/AFP/Getty Images)

    
    
13. French David Moncoutie of Cofidiscelebrates with cava on the pod... AFP/Getty Images
    

    

    French David Moncoutie of Cofidiscelebrates with cava on the podium, on September 7, 2008 after winning the eight stage of the Tour of Spain, a 151 km ride from Andorra to Pla de Beret. AFP PHOTO/ DIEGO TUSON (Photo credit should read DIEGO TUSON/AFP/Getty Images)

    
    
14. French David Moncoutie of Cofidis drinks cava on the podium, on ... AFP/Getty Images
    

    

    French David Moncoutie of Cofidis drinks cava on the podium, on September 7, 2008 after winning the eight stage of the Tour of Spain, a 151 km ride from Andorra to Pla de Beret. AFP PHOTO/ DIEGO TUSON (Photo credit should read DIEGO TUSON/AFP/Getty Images)

    
    
15. Astana rider Alberto Contador (R) leads Caisse d´'Epargne Al... Reuters
    

    

    Astana rider Alberto Contador (R) leads Caisse d´'Epargne Alejandro Valverde of Spain during stage eight of the Tour of Spain "La Vuelta" cycling race between Andorra and Beret September 7, 2008.REUTERS/Dani Cardona (SPAIN)

    
    
16. French David Moncoutie of Astana reacts on the podium, on Septem... AFP/Getty Images
    

    

    French David Moncoutie of Astana reacts on the podium, on September 7, 2008 after winning the eight stage of the Tour of Spain, a 151 km ride from Andorra to Pla de Beret. AFP PHOTO/ DIEGO TUSON (Photo credit should read DIEGO TUSON/AFP/Getty Images)

    
    
17. Astana rider Alberto Contador (R) leads Caisse d'Epargne Ale... Reuters
    

    

    Astana rider Alberto Contador (R) leads Caisse d'Epargne Alejandro Valverde of Spain during stage eight of the Tour of Spain "La Vuelta" cycling race between Andorra and Beret September 7, 2008.REUTERS/Dani Cardona (SPAIN)

    
    
18. Astana rider Alberto Contador (R) leads Caisse d´Epargne Alejand... Reuters
    

    

    Astana rider Alberto Contador (R) leads Caisse d´Epargne Alejandro Valverde (C) and Euskaltel's Igor Anton of Spain during stage eight of the Tour of Spain "La Vuelta" cycling race between Andorra and Beret September 7, 2008. REUTERS/Dani Cardona (SPAIN)

    
    
19. US new Yellow jersey Levi Leipheimer of Astana adjusts his cap o... AFP/Getty Images
    

    

    US new Yellow jersey Levi Leipheimer of Astana adjusts his cap on the podium, on September 7, 2008 after the eight stage of the Tour of Spain, a 151 km ride from Andorra to Pla de Beret. Frenchman David Moncoutie of Cofidis won the stage. AFP PHOTO/ DIEGO TUSON (Photo credit should read DIEGO TUSON/AFP/Getty Images)

    
    
20. US new Yellow jersey Levi Leipheimer of Astana reacts on the pod... AFP/Getty Images
    

    

    US new Yellow jersey Levi Leipheimer of Astana reacts on the podium, on September 7, 2008 after the eight stage of the Tour of Spain, a 151 km ride from Andorra to Pla de Beret. Frenchman David Moncoutie of Cofidis won the stage. AFP PHOTO/ DIEGO TUSON (Photo credit should read DIEGO TUSON/AFP/Getty Images)

    
    
21. US new Yellow jersey Levi Leipheimer of Astana is kissed by two ... AFP/Getty Images
    

    

    US new Yellow jersey Levi Leipheimer of Astana is kissed by two beauties on the podium, on September 7, 2008 after the eight stage of the Tour of Spain, a 151 km ride from Andorra to Pla de Beret. Frenchman David Moncoutie of Cofidis won the stage. AFP PHOTO/ DIEGO TUSON (Photo credit should read DIEGO TUSON/AFP/Getty Images)

    
    
22. Cofidis rider David Moncoutie of France celebrates with a bottle... Reuters
    

    

    Cofidis rider David Moncoutie of France celebrates with a bottle of cava at the podium after winning stage eight of the Tour of Spain "La Vuelta" cycling race between Andorra and Beret September 7, 2008.REUTERS/Dani Cardona (SPAIN)

    
    
23. Cofidis rider David Moncoutie of France raises his arms at the p... Reuters
    

    

    Cofidis rider David Moncoutie of France raises his arms at the podium after winning stage eight of the Tour of Spain "La Vuelta" cycling race between Andorra and Beret September 7, 2008. REUTERS/Dani Cardona (SPAIN)

    
    
24. Cofidis rider David Moncoutie of France tries to open a bottle o... Reuters
    

    

    Cofidis rider David Moncoutie of France tries to open a bottle of cava at the podium after winning stage eight of the Tour of Spain "La Vuelta" cycling race between Andorra and Beret September 7, 2008.REUTERS/Dani Cardona (SPAIN)

    
    
25. Spanish Alejandro Valverde (C) sprints with countrymen Alberto c... AFP/Getty Images
    

    

    Spanish Alejandro Valverde (C) sprints with countrymen Alberto contador (L) and Igor Anton on September 7, 2008 during the eight stage of the Tour of Spain, a 151 km ride from Andorra to Pla de Beret. Frenchman David Moncoutie of Cofidis won the stage. AFP PHOTO/ DIEGO TUSON (Photo credit should read DIEGO TUSON/AFP/Getty Images)

    
    
26. Cofidis rider David Moncoutie of France raises his arms as he wi... Reuters
    

    

    Cofidis rider David Moncoutie of France raises his arms as he wins stage eight of the Tour of Spain "La Vuelta" cycling race between Andorra and Beret September 7, 2008.REUTERS/Dani Cardona (SPAIN)

    
    
27. Frenchman David Moncoutie of Cofidis reacts on September 7, 2008... AFP/Getty Images
    

    

    Frenchman David Moncoutie of Cofidis reacts on September 7, 2008 as he crosses the finish line of the eight stage of the Tour of Spain, a 151 km ride from Andorra to Pla de Beret. AFP PHOTO/ DIEGO TUSON (Photo credit should read DIEGO TUSON/AFP/Getty Images)

    
    
28. Frenchman David Moncoutie of Cofidis celebrates as he crosses th... AFP/Getty Images
    

    

    Frenchman David Moncoutie of Cofidis celebrates as he crosses the finish line of the eight stage of the Tour of Spain, a 151 km ride from Andorra to Pla de Beret, on September 7, 2008. AFP PHOTO/ DIEGO TUSON (Photo credit should read DIEGO TUSON/AFP/Getty Images)

    
    
29. LONDON - SEPTEMBER 07: The peloton makes it way through the str... Getty Images
    

    

    LONDON - SEPTEMBER 07: The peloton makes it way through the streets of London on stage 1 of the Tour of Britain on September 7, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

    
    
30. LONDON - SEPTEMBER 07: The peloton makes it past Big Ben on sta... Getty Images
    

    

    LONDON - SEPTEMBER 07: The peloton makes it past Big Ben on stage 1 of the Tour of Britain on September 7, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Hamish Blair/Getty Images)

    
    

VeloNews: The Journal of Competitive Cycling

Tour de France 2008

1. USA Cycling road race preview
   

   Today's the day for the 2008 US road race championship.

   This race course has been great at selecting the strongest riders, and has favored riders with ProTour-level experience. Garmin-Chipotle has brought all their big guns, so it's really their race to lose here.

   Garmin-Chipotle: The team held Danny Pate, who was 2nd in the TT last year, out of this year's championship on Saturday. Christian Vande Velde, coming off a great season, made a strong effort, finishing 3rd -- does that mean he won't be the team's designated rider here this year? A win here would put a whole new face on Tom Danielson's season...

   Another rider I was surprised to see skip the TT was Chris Baldwin, who won the open TT championship in 2005 and was 2nd in 2006. He and his Toyota-United teammates Chris Wherry and Justin England are looking for new teams, after their team management, still looking for a new team sponsor, freed the team to seek new employment in the meantime. They would really like to show off their talents here today.

   George Hincapie, Craig Lewis, and John Devine are here for Team Columbia. Rock Racing brings a big squad -- 8 riders -- including Tyler Hamilton and Fred Rodriguez.

   Many of the domestic squads are racing with nearly a full roster: Bissell's got 10 riders, including Asheville's Teddy King, Aaron Olson, and Ben Jacques-Maynes; BMC brought 7 riders, and their Jeff Louder is coming off a win at the Tour of Utah earlier this month.

   There's supposed to be live streaming video of the race starting at race time, 1 p.m. Eastern. That same page has the latest start list.

   I'll try to post some updates to my Twitter stream during the event -- look for photos later tonight.

   

2. Zabriskie rolls to 3rd US title
   

   
   
   

   Dave Zabriskie was seen by many as a question mark coming into the race, but he took a 3rd consecutive US title at the USA Cycling Pro Time Trial Championship today.

   Zabriskie edged out Bissell's Tom Zirbel, with Garmin-Chipotle teammate Christian Vande Velde 3rd.

   Here's my time trial photoset. I'll probably add a few more photos over the next couple of days. If you have photos of your own, please add them to Flickr's USA Cycling Championships pool.

   

3. Stars and Stripes on offer this weekend in Greenville
   

   The 2008 US Pro Cycling championships are this weekend in Greenville, and organizers have made a few changes I think will improve the fan experience. I've been to each of the Greenville championships, and had a great time at each -- if you're in the Southeast or mid-Atlantic, you should definitely consider the drive.

   In 2005, the time trial championship (Dave Zabriskie's first title) was run on Friday, with the road race on Sunday. This had the advantage of a rest day between hard efforts for the riders, but the Friday TT drew crowds on par with a neighborhood swim meet.

   Last year, organizers switched to a Saturday/Sunday alignment, which is probably best for fans (I might argue for Saturday/Monday, which would fill more Greenville hotel rooms and give riders trying to double a rest day). The TT course was a modified point-to-point, so there were only a few points on the course where you could see riders more than once. Additionally, access to the finish line was somewhat controlled by the community that hosted the finish, which ran satellite parking with shuttle buses to the finish.

   This year, time trial action moves to Clemson University's International Center for Automotive Research, where the 20.7-mile course is 3 laps of 6.9 miles. Because of looping and turnarounds, there will be spots on the course where you'll be able to see each rider 6 times, and parking and course access are reportedly far more open.

   For Sunday's road race, organizers didn't monkey much with a successful formula, again bridging early and late laps of downtown Greenville with 4 longer loops that include the race-making climb of Paris Mountain.

   Unfortunately, defending US champ Levi Leipheimer (left, with '07 2nd place Hincapie and 3rd place Neil Shirley) will be across the pond, racing in the Vuelta with Astana. Almost all the other usual suspects are penciled in: Zabriskie, George Hincapie, Christian Vande Velde, Fred Rodriguez, Tyler Hamilton, Tom Danielson, Danny Pate, and more, more, more. Two notable exceptions are Chris Horner and Bobby Julich.

   I'll be there, as will Byron from Bike Hugger, Briggs from Euro Peloton and James from Bicycle Design. We're planning a meetup at Barley's Taproom Saturday at 5.

   Look for live-blogging here and on Twitter, and for photos through the weekend in my Flickr photostream.

   Also:

   VeloNews.com | US Pro start lists

   Time Trial course map (PDF version) | Road Race course map(PDF version)

   Podium Cafe | Preview: USA Cycling Pro Championship

   The PdC preview is intensely entertaining -- don't miss it.

   podium in sight | US Pro Preview

   

4. Cancellara golden in Beijing; Kristin Armstrong takes women's gold
   

   BBC SPORT | Olympics | Cycling | Cancellara seals time trial glory

   Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara, twice world champion in the discipline, took Olympic gold on Wednesday.

   The TT course was a single lap of the road race course where Cancellara took bronze on Sunday, and Cancellara rode the 47.3 kilometers in 1:02:11. Sweden's Gustav Larsson, a teammate of Cancellara's at CSC, took silver, with American Levi Leipheimer in bronze.

   "I pictured myself on the top step but whether you win gold, silver or bronze, it's the Olympics. It's important," said Leipheimer. "It's a lifelong dream to get a medal at the Olympics. I fought really hard and in the end it paid off."

   Cancellara had marked Larsson as a threat back at training camp, when CSC's riders shared their season goals:

   "At training camp in America everyone had to write what they wanted to win this year. I said (the Tour of) Flanders and (Paris) Roubaix and Larsson said he wanted to be Olympic champion in the time trial!"

   Alberto Contador took fourth, the bitterest placing at the Olympics, while Cadel Evans was fifth.

   On the women's side, 35-year-old American Kristin Armstrong was class of the field, overcoming an early deficit to Emma Pooley of Great Britain, who took silver. Switzerland also took a medal in the women's discipline with triathlon specialist Karin Thurig.

   Also:

   VeloNews | Armstrong, Cancellara win time trial gold

   NBCOlympics.com | Armstrong, Leipheimer win time trial medals

   

Vimeo / astrochimp's uploaded videos

1. test another
   

   

   Cast: astrochimp

2. Cristina washing her hands
   

   

   Cast: astrochimp

3. Wildat Cyclocross Race 2006 2
   

   

   More Cyclocross Action from Camillus, NY

   Cast: astrochimp

4. Wildat Cyclocross Race 2006
   

   

   Wildcat Cyclocross Race Camillus, NY

   Cast: astrochimp

5. Syracuse Cyclocross Race Hill
   

   

   The fearsome hill climb in the syracuse cyclocross race. watch as several riders go all the way up without getting off of their bikes.

   Cast: astrochimp

6. Syracuse Cyclocross Grand Prix 2006 pt 1
   

   

   Part 1 of the Open Men's Cyclocross Race at Longbranch Park in Liverpool, NY

   Cast: astrochimp

7. Cristina
   

   

   Cristina at Grandpa and Grandma's house.

   Cast: astrochimp

8. Concrete Crit
   

   

   Concrete Crit in Rome, NY on Sunday August 6th, 2006.

   Cast: astrochimp

9. Rochester Twilight Criterium
   

   

   Rochester Twilight Criterium

   Cast: astrochimp

10. Syracuse Kids Race
    

    

    Syracuse Kids Race Memorial Day Weekend

    Cast: astrochimp

11. Mentos Fifth Try
    

    

    Cast: astrochimp

12. Bighamton Circuit Race
    

    

    Cast: astrochimp

13. Mentos and Pepsi
    

    

    Everyone is doing it, so we did too. Kinda lame.

    Cast: astrochimp

14. Top Chef Fausto
    

    

    Cast: astrochimp