Le Tour Parcours

The Tour de France 2008 route was announced today in Paris. The big highlights of the route include a start in the Brittany region of France which is home to the likes of “The Badger” Bernard Hinault. There is no prologue time trial to kick things off, only a flat stage that will favor the sprinters. Things should not be too hectic since a team such as Milram or Quick-Step would be just as eager to control things to get a sprint victory early on.

At first glance it seems that the Tour could produce a surprise winner. The course has fewer TT kilometers than years past. The first TT test is only 29km. Intermediate mountain stages come a little earlier too, but hopefully things do not get as front loaded as the Vuelta was this year with a very boring final week.

The Tour goes into Italy for the first time in this millennium with a stage finish in Prato Nevoso and spends the rest day in Cuneo. L’Alpe D’Huez is on tap for stage 17 which looks to be one of the toughest and probably most decisive stages of the tour. This could be a make or break stage since the parcours looks to keep things close up until this point.

With the visit to Italy, no prologue TT and earlier medium hill stages it looks like the ASO is taking some tips from RCS Giro organizers. The race looks to be exciting and unpredictable for the early part and provide a very close finish.

If Damiano Cunego makes his return to the Tour it could look to be a course that would favor his style. Alberto Contador can easily defend his title with this route since he has very good TT ability and can handle himself well in the medium and high mountains. Levi Leipheimer can contend, but his TT strengths won’t be as much of an advantage over other competitors. Cadel Evans could make a step to the top spot as he would do well with the mix of stages.

Sunday April 29th will be my first race of the season. I couldn’t go to the Rochester Giros, the MaxPower Racign Training series was frozen out by bad weather and I also missed out on Bloomfield last week.

I am anxious to get out to a race this year and show off the new kit. The race promises to have a large turnout from MaxPowerCycling team guys so it should be fun. The Binghamton course is a gradual loop with no tight turns and each lap is about 1.5 or so miles in length. I signed up for the Cat 4 race at 10am and the Cat 345 race at 1:45 although I am tempted to switch my second race to the Masters 35+ race at 12:30. Too much waiting around makes my legs stiff as a board and results in a quick in and out for me.

The course has a couple of small hills that can bit after a few laps. the main hill which I would guess is about 55 to 6% just before the start/finish seems to be the one that everyone focuses on, but the real tough one is the gradual almost 3% climb after that. Everyone tends to ease up on that smaller hill after not being dropped on the steeper hill just a few yards ahead.

The pack stays together for most of the race with folks dropping off the back throughout. The pack eventually whittles down to a group of strong guys and it most likely will end in a sprint up the steeper hill.

My goal will be to stay near the front for as long as possible. If there are any moves I will go with them, but the goal is to stay fresh in the main pack. The hill is tough enough to get through and if I am able to keep away from the accordion effect that happens in the middle or back of the pack then I should be OK.

The problem I have in all races is the start. I can’t get going as fast as everyone and them am stuck in the back or middle of the pack trying to move up. Last year I was floating near the back of the pack. I tried to move up, but did not have the strength or the guts to get to the front. Eventually the elastic snapped and I bagged it after falling behind on the second gradual climb. I was actually losing ground on the downhill at one point because the accordion effect brought out a quick acceleration for which I was not ready.

If I can clip in and get going fast enough and stay near the front for a few laps I will be a happy man and may end up with a good result. If I am near the back then I have to work hard to get to the front or it will be curtains for me. Anyway, hope to see some velochimp.com readers at the race or have fun where you are racing this weekend.

“Swandrome Cyclocross” in Ithaca to kick-off the 2006 Central New York Cyclocross Series.

Syracuse, NY (September 24, 2006) – The Central New York Cyclocross Series kicks-off on Sunday, October 1st at the Swandrome Cyclocross race in Ithaca, NY. The course, with a mix of fields, woods, and a gravel road is expected to produce some heated competition for riders vying to take an early lead in the CNY Cyclocross Series. Short run-ups and multiple barriers make the Swandrome Cyclocross Race a fast, yet challenging event.

The Swandrome Cyclocross registration opens at 9:30 in the morning with all races starting at 11:00 am. All categories will race for one hour plus a lap. There will be food available at this event. The entry fee is $15 for all riders except juniors who only pay $10 to race. A USCF license is required and one-day licenses will be available at the venue’s registration table for $10. Riders planning to do at least 3 events this year are encouraged to purchase a racing license at the reduced “end of year” price of $30 on the USA Cycling website (http://www.usacycling.org) prior to the race. This license will be valid for the remainder of 2006.

For more information and directions to the event, please visit the event web page at http://web.mac.com/steve.edgar/iWeb/Cross/Swandrome.html

About the Central NY Cyclocross Series
A coalition of Central New York cycling clubs including SpokePost.com Cycling, Finger Lakes Cycling Club, Tioga Velo Club, Onondaga Cycling Club and Team SCARR have announced the 2006 Central NY Cyclocross Series. With two races in each of the primary locales near Ithaca, Syracuse and Binghamton, the series is expected to produce some solid competition among regional cyclocross aficionados bidding to become CNY ‘Cross Champions.

Points will be awarded for the top 10 finishers in the Open Men’s, Open Women’s and Masters categories using the following structure:

1st – 16 points
2nd – 12 points
3rd – 9 points
4th – 7 points
5th – 6 points
6th – 5 points
7th – 4 points
8th – 3 points
9th – 2 points
10th – 1 point

The following races will be scored for cumulative points in the series:

October 1st – Swandrome Cyclocross, Ithaca, NY
October 15th – Syracuse Grand Prix, Syracuse, NY
October 22nd – SpokePost.com Wildcat ‘Crossing, Camillus, NY
October 29th – Main St. Bike Shop ‘Cross, Burdett, NY
November 5th – Green ‘Cross, Greene, NY
November 12th – Dave Panella Memorial ‘Cross, Endicott, NY

The Central New York Cyclocross Champion will be crowned at the conclusion of the Dave Panella Memorial ‘Cross on November 12th. Series awards are still to be announced, but the prestige is already evident! For more information about the series please visit the series web page: http://web.mac.com/steve.edgar/iWeb/Cross/Series.html or for additional Northeast Cyclocross information, visit http://spokepost.com/cross/. See you at the races!

Here is a preview from Matt Howey of Spokepost.com:

Race Preview: Chris Thater Memorial Criterium

Racing for prestige on the streets of Binghamton, NY
By Matt Howey

A Small Hill Helps Break Things
Up In the 2003 Professional Race

Binghamton, NY (August 17, 2006) — Ed Beamon, director of the Navigators Professional Cycling Team, answers a few questions below about the big upcoming Chris Thater Memorial Criterium in Binghamton, NY on August 26th and 27th. Of course, Ed’s Navigators team will be racing on Sunday in the marquee event, the men’s professional race. The pro race for 2006 is attracting some of the biggest domestic talent, all vying for their share of the prestige and monetary windfall that comes with a good performance at Thater.

The Teams
Here’s an overview of the teams slated to compete for the $20,000 purse in the Pro race:

• Health Net presented by MAXXIS
• Navigators Insurance
• T-Mobile
• Colavita Olive Oil/Sutter Home Wines Pro Cycling Team
• Toyota-United
• Rite-Aid Pro Cycling
• Nerac / Outdoorlights.com Professional Cycling
• MONEX
• Jittery Joe’s-Zero Gravity Pro Cycling Team
• TargetTraining
• Priority Health
• KodakGallery.com/Sierra Nevada
• Jelly Belly Cycling Team
• VMG Racing

It seems like there are potential contenders from any of these teams. This is a veritable who’s who of American domestic professional cycling. The 50 mile race is 40 laps of a six-corner technical course with a small hill in it.

Navigators Insurance’s DS Gives Us His Take
We asked Ed Beamon, director of the Navigators Insurance team what he thought their chances were for a victory, and what teams and riders they would be keeping an eye on during the race.

The last victory Navigators had at this race was in 2002 with Mark Walters, what do you think your chances are with your current squad?

Ed Beamon:

Two Navigators and Jonas carney on the podium in 2003

“The Navigators Insurance Team has been riding very well since mid May when
we returned to the States from our Spring campaign in Europe. The guys are very fit, and we are sending an excellent criterium squad to Chris Thater. It is true that we have not won the event since 2002, but we have consistently put guys on the podium, and I think this may be the best team we have ever sent to Binghamton. I am optimistic, but I recognize that the competition will be fierce.”

How does the Chris Thater Memorial Criterium compare to other national level events that the Navigators team attends?

Ed Beamon:

Crowds Line Beethoven Street

“Thater is one of the best criterium events in the Country. It is very well organized and has a very long history. It is a very challenging course, and really creates a selection that only the best riders can make. Hopefully the crowds will continue to grow, as I think Binghamton residents have a great and rare opportunity to see some of the best criterium cyclists in the world in their own backyard. The speed, skill, and thrill is really something special to see, and as a spectator, it costs nothing…what a fantastic family outing, and it benefits a tremendous cause, and celebrates the life of a great competitor.”

Who do you see as the riders to watch from the competing teams?

Ed Beamon:

“I have not seen the start list, but Mark McCormick is always a big threat. The HealthNet riders Greg Henderson and Karl Menzies are very skilled, and Toyota United has real strong finishers in Ivan Dominguez and JJ Haedo. I must admit I am partial to the Navigators Insurance lads.”

Any other comments?

Ed Beamon:
“Looking forward to some big crowds and plenty of cheering.”

Well, good luck to you guys and all the athletes participating in events during the weekend. Recreation Park in Binghamton, NY is teeming with activity during the weekend of the races including volleyball, basketball, vendors, Lupo’s speidies, and other various activities and distractions for a good time. It really is easy to spend several hours watching the racing, people watching and browsing. On top of all that, it’s for a good cause, the Broome County STOP-DWI Program. The races are dedicated to the memory of Chris Thater, an avid cyclist who was killed by a drunk driver.

The Bike Race Course

A map of the amateur race course

This classic, 4-corner, criterium course is just under a mile for all categories except the professionals who ride a 6-corner, 1.2 mile technical route with a longer hill and some downhill corners. The courses are situated around Recreation Park in Binghamton, NY.

Lot’s of Amateur Races
The racing kicks-off on Saturday, August 26th at 11:30 am with the Women’s and Men’s public races. Saturday afternoon brings the USA Cycling sanctioned racing starting with the always fast Master Men 30+ (Category 1-4) race at 1pm. Expect to see some fast racing action in the USA Cycling Men Category 2/3 race at 5:00pm. These guys will be racing for a $2,000 purse in that race alone.

Athletes can find out all the details and how to register for a race at http://www.gobroomecounty.com/bcstopdwi/StopDWI_Thater.php.

Chris Thater Memorial Criterium Racing Event Schedule:

Saturday, August 26th’s Cycling Events
11:30-12:15 – Public Men’s & Women’s Races (lot’s of age categories)
1:00 pm – Master Men 30+ – 25 miles
2:00 pm – Master Women 30+ and Master Men 50+, 20 miles
3:00 pm – Master Men 40+, 20 miles
4:00 pm – Women Category 3 & 4, 25 miles
5:00 pm – Men Category 2 & 3

Sunday, August 27th’s Cycling & Running Events
8:00 am – Men Category 4 & 5, 25 miles
9:30 am – Chris Thater 5k World-Class Running Race
10:30 am – Women Pro/1/2/3, 35 miles
12:30 pm – Men Pro/1/2, 50 miles
2:30 pm – Men Category 3, 30 miles

Tom Boonen will lead his QuickStep Team and show off the new “Maglia Iridata”. Other teams include Davitamon-Lotto, Chocolade Jacques-T-Interim and Unibet.com, Rabobank, Skill-Shimano, Phonak, Team CSC, le Gerolsteiner, Team Wiesenhof-Akud, Cofidis, Française des Jeux, Agritubel, Team Milram, Ceramica Panaria-Navigare, Naturino-Sapore di Mare and Kazak team CT Capec.

Tour of Qatar Stages:
Friday, January, 27th – Doha International Grand Prix
Doha Al Corniche: 108 km

Monday, January, 30th – 1st stage
Khalifa Stadium – Al Khor Corniche: 131,5 km

Tuesday, January, 31st – 2nd stage
Camel Race Track – Al Khor Corniche: 138 km

Wednesday, February, 1st – 3rd stage
Sealine Beach Resort – Khalifa Stadium : 160 km

Thursday, February, 2nd – 4th stage
Al Zubarah – Qatar Olympic Committee: 144 km

Friday, February, 3rd – 5th stage
Al Thakhira – Doha Corniche: 151,5 km (11 laps on the finish line))

Tuttobici web