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USA vs Canada Showdown #2 At Home Depot Velodrome

Posted on 20. Jan, 2012 by lyne.

AEG Facilities’ Home Depot Center Velodrome will host the second installment of the USA vs. Canada Showdown Series on Sunday, January 22 at 6 p.m. The series will pit national team riders from the U.S. and Canadian National Teams in both sprint and endurance races in a free-to-the-public evening event.

The U.S. and Canadian National Teams are in training residency at The Home Depot Center Velodrome, and the racing series will provide an opportunity for the teams to augment their training programs in a competitive and spirited environment. The national team race lineup includes men’s and women’s sprint competitions. Other races during the evening include an invitational points race, Madison and exhibition kids racing.

USA national team riders expected to participate include sprint Olympians Giddeon Massie and Michael Blachford, along with eight other U.S. National Team riders to contest the men’s and women’s sprint competitions. Canada’s Stéphane Cossette returns to racing after a major accident. He will be joined by Commonwealth Games medalist Travis Smith, and five other members of the Canadian National Team.

The two-hour exhibition is free to the public, and will offer food and beverages for purchase, including burgers, hot dogs, soda and beer. For more information and a complete race schedule, please visit homedepotcenter.com.

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Four To Represent Canada At Cross Worlds

Posted on 11. Jan, 2012 by lyne.

The four cyclists who  will be representing Canada at the 2012 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships, held January 28-29, 2012 in Koksijde, Belgium were announced by the Canadian Cycling Association (CCA) today.

Yohan Patry (CAN) finished 35th at the 2011 Cyclocross World Championships

Canada’s team at the 2012 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships has two riders with previous experience at World Championships. Both Craig Richey of Smithers, BC and Yohan Patry of St-Jérome, Québec, participated at the 2011 UCI World Championships held in St-Wendel, Germany. Richey finished 46th in the men’s elite race, while Patry finished 21st in the men’s junior race.

Richey is looking forward to the challenges the course on the west coast of Belgium will provide: “The Koksijde course can be summed up in one word : sand. Koksijde is like nothing we have in North America with deep sand rut riding, lots of running, and at least six dismounts a lap.”

In the men’s U23 race, Félix Bouvette of Chateauguay, QC will be attending his first World Championships. Bouvette along with Richey and Patry will be competing in the final two World Cup rounds to prepare for the event.

In the men’s junior race, Canada will have two riders expected to take the start: Yohan Patry will be joined by Samuel Beaudoin of Edmonton. Beaudoin, who was 4th at Canadian Cyclo-cross Championships, will be competing in his first World Championships.

“My experience from last year helped me a lot in my preparations for this year, I know exactly what I need to do in order to be ready for these Worlds,” said Yohan Patry. “I’m feeling really strong now, both technically and physically and I don’t think that the level I have now would have been possible to reach without the experience I acquired last year.”

Canadian Delegation – 2012 UCI Cyclocross World Championships

• Craig Ritchey – Elite Men
• Félix Bouvette – U23 Men
• Samuel Beaudoin – Junior Men
• Yohan Patry – Junior Men
• Matthew Night – Team Manager

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Expecting Olympian Erinne Willock To Sit Out 2012 Season

Posted on 10. Jan, 2012 by lyne.

2008 Olympian and 2012 Olympic hopeful road cyclist Erinne Willock of Victoria, British Columbia announced on Tuesday she will put her Olympic dreams on hold as she and husband Tony Zarsadias are expecting the birth of her first child, only days before the start of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

“The last couple months have been quite a bit different than I had envisioned since the last Olympics. To say I’ve switched gears is a big understatement. I have very quickly gone from having complete focus for the 2012 Olympic year to now having a healthy and happy pregnancy being my new and exciting reality,” said Willock, who competed for Canada at the 2008 Olympic Summer Games in Beijing and at the 2006 and 2010 Commonwealth Games.

A smiling Erinne Willock at the 2011 TIBCO/To The Top training camp

Willock, an integral member of the Canadian Women’s Road Cycling Team, boasts an impressive cycling resume, which includes several victories on the professional racing circuit and many Top 10 at UCI World Cups throughout her career.

“I will definitely miss racing in 2012, as this is such an important year. Nevertheless, I’ll be cheering on my teammates from both Team TIBCO and the Canadian Cycling Team. You can be sure that I’ll be glued to my computer and TV checking the latest results, race reports and live coverage. There is so much depth in women’s cycling right now, especially Canadian Cycling, that it will be a great year to be a fan,” continued Willock.

Speaking to her teammates of the Canadian Cycling Team, Willock is confident that Canada will thrive at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, this summer and bring home some medals.

“To my teammates on the Canadian Cycling Team, I want to wish you all the best of luck! I am very excited to watch you all excel. For those who are vying for those precious spots on the Olympic Team for London, I hope you enjoy the experience, and more importantly have medals to bring home to show me!”

Denise Kelly, head coach of the Canadian Road Cycling Team, will miss Willock in the peloton this summer. “Erinne is an undoubtedly an outstanding cyclist – one of Canada’s finest. Her outgoing personality and aggressive racing style will definitely be missed this summer in the peloton across the world, and I join the staff at the Canadian Cycling Association to wish her a safe and healthy pregnancy. We are looking forward to enhancing our development programs with this new cyclist that will be born this summer.”

Erinne Willock’s Career Accomplishments to date

• Member of the 2008 Canadian Olympic Cycling Team
• Member of the 2006 and 2010 Canadian Commonwealth Games Cycling Team
• Winner of the 2011 Women’s Prestige Series
• 2011 Redlands Bicycle Classic – 2nd Overall GC
• 2011 Nature Valley Grand Prix – 2nd Overall GC
• 2011 Plouay World Cup – 5th
• 2011 Canadian Road Championships – 3rd
• 2009 UCI Road World Championships – 7th
• 2009 Plouay World Cup – 8th
• 2008 Tour of New Zealand – 3rd Overall
• 2008 Opende Suede Vargarda World Cup – 5th
• 3 x Top Ten – Montreal World Cup 2005, 2006 & 2008
• 2006 Joe Martin Stage Race – 1st Overall GC
• 2006 Pam American Time Trial Championships – 2nd
• 2005 San Dimas Stage Race – 1st Overall GC
• 2005 North American Best Young Rider

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Champion System Pro Cycling Team Reveals Final Roster, Directors

Posted on 03. Jan, 2012 by lyne.

2012 Champion System Pro Jersey

The Champion System Pro Cycling Team announced its final, 18-rider roster Tuesday while also revealing its assistant sport directors for its inaugural season.

Adding to the list of riders already announced for Asia’s first Pro Continental team is past Malaysian national road champion Adiq Othman. Ten nationalities are represented on the squad that will be directed by General Manager/Sport Director Ed Beamon.

Beamon announced Ludovic Capelle and Burke Swindlehurst will join the staff as sport directors. Capelle is a former Belgian national road champion who was once a teammate (on AG2R) with current Champion System rider Jaan Kirsipuu. Swindlehurst is a past three-time Tour of the Gila winner who raced under Beamon’s tutelage on the former Navigators Insurance team.

“I see a challenge, and will give my all to help the Chinese (and other) riders to become successful racers in Europe,” Capelle said. “The team is much better organized than many European teams, and it’s an exciting prospect.”

Swindlehurst said: “I have many great memories of racing under Ed’s direction and some of my fondest are of the trip we did to China some years back to compete in the Tour of Qinghai Lake. The Chinese culture seems to be really embracing the sport of cycling. I’m honored to be involved with a team and a country in what is a truly a milestone for both.”

The Champion System team will be presented Jan. 11 in Beijing, then head to the Chinese island of Hainan for its preseason training camp.

In addition to an earlier announcement that the Champion System Pro Cycling Team will be competing on Fuji bicycles, the team will also be supported by SRAM (groupsets), OSEOUS-Edco (wheels), Speedplay (pedals), Giro (helmets), Oakley (eyewear), Selle Italia (saddles), Vittoria (tires), Oval Concepts (bars and stems), Cat Eye (computers), Super B Tools (tools).

2012 Champion System Pro Cycling Team:
Clinton Avery (NZL)
Joris Biollat (SUI)
Chris Butler (USA)
Will Clarke (AUS)
Matthias Friedemann (GER)
Gorik Gardeyn (BEL)
Xu Gang (CHN)
Kun Jiang (CHN)
Aaron Kemps (AUS)
Jaan Kirsipuu (EST)
Craig Lewis (USA)
Biao Liu (CHN)
Anuar Manan (MAS)
Mart Ojavee (EST)
Adiq Othman (MAS)
Jiao Pengda (CHN)
Steven Wong (HKG)
Kin San WU (HKG)

General Manager/Sport Director:
Ed Beamon (USA)

Assistant Directors:
Ludovic Capelle (BEL)
Burke Swindlehurst (USA)

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CashCall Mortgage Cycling Team Announces 2012 Roster

Posted on 03. Jan, 2012 by lyne.

The CashCall Mortgage Cycling Team is proud to announce the addition of two major sponsors for the 2012 season. KHS Bicycles and Sho-Air International have chosen to partner with the CashCall Mortgage Cycling Team. With their support, the team will race a full NRC schedule and build upon the success generated in 2011. The team won 27 races and the CA/NV State Road Race and Criterium championship titles in their first season. With the support of all their great sponsors, the team’s goal is to become the number one Domestic Elite team in the country.

“Building on our solid partnership with CashCall Mortgage, we are looking forward to working with KHS Bicycles and Sho-Air International. We will be riding KHS Flite Team bicycles,” states CashCall Cycling team owner, Paul Abrahams. “The team is excited to showcase how quick and responsive the KHS road bikes truly are.”

Team SC - photo courtesy Danny Munson

According to Paul Reddam, President of CashCall, Inc., the sponsorship is a logical choice. “Our speed, expertise and efficiency are what allow us to undercut our competitors and offer lower refinance rates than the big banks. We see the same characteristics mirrored in this team. These are qualities we like to nurture.”

Sho-Air International will be the team’s lead provider in transportation and logistical support. “We found it was a great opportunity to partner with the CashCall Cycling Team under the leadership of my friend Paul Abrahams,” says Scott Tedro, CEO & President Sho-Air International. “We currently own the Sho-Air mountain bike team and manage the US CUP mountain bike series. This is an opportunity to continue to grow the sport of cycling as a whole and showcase our skills on the national road scene.”

The 2012 roster includes returning riders CA/NV State Road Champion and SoCal Cup winner David Santos, Devan Dunn, Lee Muse, Brian McCulloch and CA/NV State Criterium Champion Anthony Canevari. The addition of Wes Holloway (former Echelon Development rider), Stefano Barberi (former Toyota United team rider), and Justin Williams (former Trek Livestrong U23 rider) will add strength, depth and experience to the roster.

Team sponsors include: CashCall Mortgage, KHS Bikes, Sho-Air International, FSA, iRT, Serfas, Jakroo, VP Headsets, Rudy Project, Bont, Shimano, Bike Religion, Hammer Nutrition, and Rennie & Associates.

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Team USA 2012 Olympic Long Team for Women’s Road and MTB

Posted on 01. Dec, 2011 by lyne.

A total 30 athletes make up the women’s road and men’s and women’s mountain-bike long team to represent the United States at the 2012 London Olympic Games.

As part of its Olympic Team nomination process, USA Cycling names a Long Team of eligible athletes for men’s and women’s mountain bike and women’s road cycling; men’s and women’s track cycling and men’s and women’s BMX. This long team serves as a pool of riders from which the Olympic Team will be selected.

Women’s Road Long Team. four of the 13 athletes in women’s road long team met the automatic nomination criteria:  Robin Farina (NOW and Novartis for MS), Megan Guarnier (Team TIBCO), Amber Neben (HTC-Highroad) and Evelyn Stevens (HTC-Highroad). Farina, a North Carolina bike shop owner and coach, earned her automatic nomination by virtue of winning the 2011 USA Cycling Elite Women’s Road Race National Championship. Guarnier by winning the  overall victory at the 2011 Giro Toscana. Neben, a 2008 Olympian and time trial world champion, is ranked inside the top 25 in international ranking points giving her an automatic berth. Stevens, a former Wall Street banker, secured her spot on the Long Team with a win at the 2011 USA Cycling Elite Women’s Time Trial National Championship.

Nine additional women’s road cyclists will join the four as discretionary selections, including: 2008 Olympic time trial gold medalist Kristin Armstrong (Team Exergy 2012), Theresa Cliff-Ryan (Colavita-Forno d’Asolo), Andrea Dvorak (Colavita-Forno d’Asolo), 2011 USA Cycling National Racing Calendar champion Janel Holcomb (Colavita-Forno d’Asolo), Kristin McGrath (Team Exergy 2012), Amanda Miller (HTC-Highroad), Shelley Olds (Diadora-Pasta Zara), Carmen Small (Team TIBCO) and Lauren Tamayo (Team Exergy 2012).

Men’s Mountain Bike Long Team. Five of the eight men received automatic nominations: 2008 mountain bike Olympian Todd Wells (Specialized), who finished inside the top 10, in seventh, at the 2011 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships and finished 10th in 2011 UCI World Cup #1;  26 year-old Sam Schultz (Subaru-Trek) is the youngest automatic nominee, after finishing third overall in USA Cycling’s 2011 Pro Cross-Country Tour (Pro XCT) standings. 2004 mountain bike Olympian Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Subaru-Trek), Jeremiah Bishop (Cannondale) and 2008 mountain bike Olympian Adam Craig (Rabobank-Giant) all finished inside the top 60 of the UCI individual world rankings, therefore earning automatic nominations to the Long Team.

2011 USA Cycling Mountain Bike Cross-Country national champion in the U23 division Stephen Ettinger (BMC), Spencer Paxson (Kona) and Michael Broderick (Kenda-Seven-NoTubes) all received discretionary nods.

Women’s Mountain Bike Long Team. Five women earned automatic nominations. With top 10 finishes at the 2011 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, UCI Mountain Bike World Cups #6 and #7 and as the winner of USA Cycling Pro XCT in 2011, Lea Davison (Specialized) locked up her automatic nomination. With a fifth-place finish at the 2011 UCI World Cup #5 and second overall in the 2011 Pro XCT, 2008 mountain bike Olympian Georgia Gould (Luna) secured her spot. Heather Irmiger (Subaru-Trek) earned the automatic nod after finishing the year ranked 24th internationally. Mountain bike Olympian in 2004 and 2008, Mary McConneloug (Kenda-Seven-NoTubes) and Katie Compton (Rabobank) also earned automatic nominations via their top-50 international ranking.

Willow Rockwell (Trek World Racing), who won the bronze medal at the 2009 and 2010 World Championships is a discretionary nominee, along with Chloe (Forsman) Woodruff (BMC), Krista Park (Cannondale-No Tubes) and <Judy Freeman (Kenda-Felt).

The Long Team rosters for men’s and women’s track cycling are set to be unveiled on Dec. 15. The Long Team for men’s BMX will be announced on May 31, 2012, in advance of the June 16 BMX Olympic Trials in Chula Vista, Calif. The women’s BMX selection process does not include the naming of a Long Team.

The selection process of athletes to the men’s road squad does not include the naming of a Long Team. Instead, the team that will represent the United States in London will be determined by competitive results at major international events throughout the 2011 and 2012 racing seasons. To date none has yet met the automatic nomination criteria.

Women’s Road Long Team

• Kristin Armstrong (Boise, Idaho/Team Exergy 2012)
• Theresa Cliff-Ryan (Cedar Springs, Mich./Colavita-Forno d’Asolo)
• Andrea Dvorak (Crozet, Va./Colavita-Forno d’Asolo)
• Robin Farina (Charlotte, N.C./NOW and Novartis for MS)*
• Megan Guarnier (Mountain View, Calif./Team TIBCO)*
• Janel Holcomb (San Diego, Calif./Colavita-Forno d’Asolo)
• Kristin McGrath (Durango, Colo./Team Exergy 2012)
• Amanda Miller (Fort Collins, Colo./HTC-Highroad)
• Amber Neben (Irvine, Calif./HTC-Highroad)*
• Shelley Olds (Gilroy, Calif./ Diadora-Pasta Zara)
• Carmen Small (Durango, Colo./Team TIBCO)
• Evelyn Stevens (Dennis, Mass./HTC-Highroad)*
• Lauren Tamayo (Asheville, N.C./Team Exergy 2012)

Men’s Mountain Bike Long Team

• Jeremiah Bishop(Harrisonburg, Va./Cannondale)*
• Michael Broderick (Chilmark, Mass./Kenda-Seven-NoTubes)
• Adam Craig (Bend, Ore./Rabobank-Giant)*
• Stephen Ettinger (Cashmere, Wash./BMC)
• Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Boulder, Colo./Subaru-Trek)*
• Spencer Paxson (Seattle, Wash./Kona)
• Sam Schultz (Missoula, Mont./Subaru-Trek)*
• Todd Wells (Durango, Colo./Specialized)*

Women’s Mountain Bike Long Team

• Katie Compton (Colorado Springs, Colo./Rabobank)*
• Lea Davison (Jericho, Vt./Specialized)*
• Judy Freeman (Brighton, Colo./Kenda-Felt)
• Georgia Gould (Fort Collins, Colo./Luna) *
• Heather Irmiger (Boulder, Colo./Subaru-Trek)*
• Mary McConneloug (Fairfax, Calif./Kenda-Seven-NoTubes)*
• Krista Park (Madison, S.D./Cannondale-No Tubes)
• Willow Rockwell (Durango, Colo./Trek World Racing)
• Chloe Woodruff (Tucson, Ariz./BMC)

*Automatic Nomination

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Shimano and Verge Series Finals: The $10,000 Showdown at NBX Gran Prix of Cross

Posted on 01. Dec, 2011 by jeffrey.

This weekend marks the finale of the inaugural Shimano New England Professional Cyclocross Series presented by Verge as well as the final leg of the Verge New England Cyclo-Cross Series. Over the past three months, we’ve been treated to the best and most competitive racing in the country, boasting huge fields with marquee riders from across the globe. With the New England hotbed of cyclocross racing’s storied past, this season has been able to showcase the heritage through America’s best courses, while also, through the rapidly growing Amateur fields for both men and women, demonstrating that New England is also the future of cyclocross in America.

The NBX Gran Prix of Cross has long been the final round of the Verge Series, and for good reason. The courses boast long sand features, extremely technical wooded sections and long power sections. In short, Goddard Park in Warwick, Rhode Island, the host venue for NBX, is the epitome of ideal cyclocross – technical, challenging and unrelenting. This year’s edition has the added distinction of playing host to the final rounds of the Shimano New England Professional Cyclocross Series. The Shimano series, which is one of only a small handful of UCI conscripted series in the United States, boasts a prize list of $10,000, split evenly between the men and women.

The Elite Women’s racing at NBX will be top notch, as we will see the best racers on the East Coast. Matt Bodziony, the lead promoter of NBX has pledged equal prize money to the top 15 in the Elite Women’s race both days. Shimano Series leader Laura Van Gilder (C3 p/b Mellow Mushroom) will be aiming to defend her lead. She’s coming off a great weekend in Sterling at Bay State Cross where she picked up victory both days on vastly different courses and in different ways. Van Gilder is clearly a rider whose quiver contains diversity of strengths. Sally Annis (crossresults.com p/b JRA Cycles) comes into the weekend in hopes of dethroning Van Gilder and racking up some valuable UCI points in the run up to Nationals. Annis has performed admirably this season and is sure to give Van Gilder a run for her money.

Also challenging for the wins this weekend will be teammates Andrea Smith and Crystal Anthony of LadiesFirst Racing. These two are relative newcomers to cyclocross but are constantly challenging for victory. Either one is capable of picking up a win or two this weekend. Local favorite Maureen Bruno Roy (Bob’s Red Mill p/b Seven Cycles) has begun to come on to the best form of her season over the past few weeks and thrives on technical courses like those at NBX. Don’t be surprised to see her on the top step this weekend.

On the Elite Men’s side, there is a great, season-long battle between Luke Keough (Champion System p/b Keough Cyclocross) and Justin Lindine (bikereg.com/Joe’s Garage) that will come to a close with the $5,000 Showdown in Rhode Island. Keough is making a return from a short European trip where he competed in the U23 race at the Koksijde World Cup. Keough is, in simplest terms, a winner. He has a singular focus and the determination to make vision a reality, and right now, his vision is to take home top honors in both the Elite and U23 divisions of the Shimano Series. Lindine, meanwhile, came out this season with absolute dominance, holding a winning streak that spanned nearly a month, with two victories at the Providence Cross Festival, among others. He came on to the national radar last season, but this has been a breakout year for the workingman.

On the hunt to spoil the Keough-Lindine rivalry include Dylan McNicholas (cyclocrossworld.com), who finally picked up a UCI victory last weekend in Sterling and is ready to dominate the end of the season. McNicholas is best known as a fast starter, but he’s found the ability to stay within himself and has strung together some of the best performances of his career in recent weeks. Currently, he’s positioned third in the Shimano Series, but he isn’t eliminated from overall contention and will definitely be gunning for that number one spot.

Jerome Townsend and Adam Myerson from the SmartStop/MOB are both hoping to take advantage of their great form and go a position or two better this weekend at NBX. Both showed last weekend they’ve got the fitness and the technique to be on the podium, but small mistakes cost them both the top steps they’d been hunting for.

Just confirmed last night, Mike Garrigan (Lapierre Canada) is going to be bringing his blisteringly fast starts to NBX. Garrigan was part of the group of Canadians that made a big impact on the early season in New England, his return means yet another great animator in the races of NBX.

There are also rumors circling that there will be some of the top names from the world’s stage at NBX. Stay tuned for more to come on that.

The Verge Series, which crowns the best Amateur, Juniors and Masters racers of New England, will be concluding this weekend and all the races will be tight until the last day. The Amateur and Junior Men’s races are both led by Team CF’s Peter Goguen, whose season has been extremely consistent. Not a flashy racer, but an incredible competitor, Goguen is finally getting his due in New England racing. Hot on Goguen’s heels is Nate Morse (cyclocrossworld.com). Morse is coming into NBX hoping to pick up the series championships before he leaves for Geoff Proctor’s Euro Cross Camp.

Brian Wilichoski (cyclocrossword.com) has tied up the Masters 35+ series, but there is a great battle for second with four racers in the hunt. Paul Richard (CCB) and Sam Morse (Corner Cycle) are battling for the top step in the 45+ series and will come down to the final race. Bill Sawyer (Gearworks/Spinarts) and David Goodwin (NCC) are head to head in the 55+ and are the tightest race coming into NBX.

The story of the season has been Ellen Noble (Portsmouth Trek) and her utter dominance of the Amateur Women’s field, which will be paid out $250 both days this weekend thanks to the fine folks of NBX Bikes. At only 15 years old, she’s picked up victories in nearly all the races she’s entered. Hers is a name to mark for the future. Behind Noble, there is a battle for second in the Amateur Women that carries over to the Masters Women. Lori Cooke (Cycle Lodge), Kathy Savary (Blue Steel Cyclery) and Karen Tripp (Blue Steel Cyclery) are all in contention for both the Amateur and the Masters. These three have all had impressive seasons and it’s anyone’s guess who will be on top at the end of the day Sunday. Finally, the 10-14 Juniors series is up for grabs among three of the finest young men in New England. Kevin Goguen (Team CF) is in the driver’s seat with Michael Owens (Bliss Racing Belgen Cycles) and Donnie Seib (bikeman.com) hot on his heels.

Jon Lewis from CycleOps Power will have his great trainer setup at NBX right near the starting grid so racers can warm up and cool down using the best trainers in a calm, focused and collegial environment, because we can all use a bit of the pro treatment. Racers should keep an eye out and plan to make use of his setup.

Registration for NBX closes Thursday, December 1 at 6pm. Registration can be found on bikereg.com. You can follow the races on Twitter using @NBXBikes, @VergeNECCS and @NEProCX. The weekend’s hashtag will be #NBX.

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Baystate Cyclocross Weekend Approaches This Weekend – Prereg Closes Wednesday

Posted on 23. Nov, 2011 by jeffrey.

After a much-needed respite, the final two weekends of the Verge New England Cyclo-Cross Series are right on the horizon. This weekend, the best racers in New England will return to the Chocksett Middle School in Sterling, Massachusetts. Resuming in its traditional slot on the weekend after Thanksgiving, the Bay State Cyclocross Weekend is the home race of the king of course design – Tom Stevens.

Because of the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, pre-registration closes on Wednesday, November 23 at noon. Day-of registration is available for all races except Sunday’s UCI Elite Women and Men. With over 700 racers registered for the weekend, it’s sure to be one of the best editions in the race’s long history.

As always, this year’s course will feature the steep run up, fast sweeping descent and, of course, the horse jump. The courses, designed by Tom Stevens, are known for their flow and will offer a great challenge to even the most technically proficient racers. Of course, Bay State is also a great venue for spectators, with the course easily visible from the main infield.

The Amateur, Masters and Juniors are all competing in the 12th and 13th races in the prestigious Verge New England Cyclo-Cross Series. The Verge Series has always come down to the wire, but all of the competitions are going to come down to the final two weekends, with Bay State being the last chance for the leaders to get some breathing room before the finale at the NBX Gran Prix of Cross in Warwick, RI. Bay State is, as always, going to be a pivotal part of the hotly competitive New England cyclocross season.

Race registration can be found on bikereg.com. Follow the weekend on Twitter @VergeNECCS. The weekend’s hashtag will be #BaystateCX.

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Swindlehurst’s ‘Crusher’ Back For Second Helping

Posted on 22. Nov, 2011 by lyne.

One of the year’s most unique on- and off-road cycling events – the “Crusher in the Tushar” – will return in 2012 with the Beaver County Travel Council as a new title sponsor.

Recently-retired road and mountain bike professional and race promoter Burke Swindlehurst also announced the point-to-point race from Beaver, Utah, across one of Utah’s highest roads to the ski resort at Eagle Point, will keep its mid-July date. The 69-mile race is scheduled for Saturday, July 14.

A variety of different bicycles were on the front row of the start line of the inaugural edition of the Crusher in the Tushar. Left to right: David "Tinker" Jarez, Tim Johnson, Jeff Louder, Tyler Wren, Nick Frey and Paul Mach. - photo Chris See (via www.tusharcrusher.com)

Last year’s inaugural edition attracted nearly 200 road, mountain and cyclocross riders of all abilities from 17 states and Canada. An impressive line-up of professional riders included Olympian Clara Hughes – who won the pro/open women’s division – along with pro mountain bike legend David “Tinker” Juarez, three-time U.S. national cyclocross champion Tim Johnson, and pro roadies Jeff Louder, Paul Mach and men’s division winner Tyler Wren.

“It was hugely satisfying to see the race come off the way it did and particularly how much the local community embraced the event,” Swindlehurst said. “The Beaver County Travel Council came to me afterwards and said they wanted to play an even larger role for 2012. As a result, the event now has a title sponsor and I couldn’t be more thrilled.”

As a special thank you to first-year participants, Swindlehurst said riders who registered for the 2011 edition will be given an special early registration opportunity the day before it opens to the general public on Wednesday, Jan. 11th at 7 p.m. MST.

“In anticipation of a quick sell-out of the limited number of spots (350) available for the 2012 Crusher, I want to show my gratitude to those who supported the event in its first year by giving them a jump on registration,” Swindlehurst said. “I like to take care of those who take care of me.”

Registered “Crusher” riders from 2011 will receive an email explaining how they can take advantage of the early registration opportunity, Swindlehurst said.

Event details, including the available categories, how to register, a detailed course description, and tips on choosing the right bike for the race, can be found at the race’s official website, www.tusharcrusher.com.

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Hagens Berman Cycling Team Continues to Raise the Bar in 2012

Posted on 10. Nov, 2011 by lyne.

Hagens Berman Cycling is pleased to announce increased support from its title sponsor, Hagens Berman LLP in 2012. “I couldn’t be happier with the trajectory of this program,” states Steve Berman, managing partner of Hagens Berman LLP, “I’m proud to offer these guys the opportunity to experience racing at a professional level and look forward to this coming season and more.” This increased support will be instrumental in its effort to continue its vision of being one of the premier development teams in U.S. Cycling.  “We’re very proud of our long running record of developing professional riders,” Alan Schmitz, General Manager of the team states, “With this increased commitment to our program, we will be able to offer our riders a first class environment in which to succeed.”

The 2012 U.S. registered Domestic Elite Team roster includes returning riders Ian Crane, Steve Fisher, Dan Bechtold, Cody Campbell, Kennett Peterson, Chris Wingfield, Colin Gibson and Logan Owen. New to the team in 2012 are Jonathan Hornbeck, Jesse Reams, Danny Heeley, David Fleischhauer and Gabe Varela.

Kennett Peterson (Hagens Berman) at 2011 San Dimas Stage Race

Returning for his fourth year is Sport Director Joe Holmes. “I am very happy to be a part of a program that has had such success in the development of so many riders”, stated Holmes. “We have a great crop of guys in the program now and I am really excited to see what they can do in 2012.”

The team will once again be racing on Blue Competition bicycles and rolling on Cole Wheels and Vittoria Tires. They will be outfitted by Castelli and fueled by Hammer Nutrition. Supporting sponsors include Shimano, Connex, DeFeet, Gravitec Systems, Smith Optics, Lazer Helmets, Rocky Mounts and Black Diamond Equipment.

The Hagens Berman Cycling Team is a Northwest based team headquartered in Seattle. The team has over a decade of experience developing riders, many of whom have graduated to the professional ranks. Alumni include riders such as Tyler Farrar, Svein Tuft, Tom Peterson, Morgan Schmitt, Jennifer Wheeler, Sam Johnson, Adrian Hedgyvary and its latest graduate Chris Parrish who has signed for a U.S. Continental Squad in 2012..

“Hagens Berman is one of a select few elite amateur teams in North America from which we look to recruit. Their program has been around for a very long time and consistently graduates riders into the pro ranks. The riders who make that jump are ready because they have been given the time and resources to develop fully in a positive environment with good guidance. The Hagen Berman program is an integral part of the development pipeline here in America.” – Jonas Carney, Director, Kelly Benefit Strategies-Optum Health Pro Cycling Team

“The Hagens Berman Cycling Team crucially fills a need in the competitive cycling community. They are consistently the best amateur team at the open races and the riders race with an accountability and responsibility lacking in even some professional teams. It’s no wonder this program graduates more riders to the professional ranks than any other. Simply, their riders have the talent and experience to contribute straight away due to their invaluable apprenticeship acquired at Hagens Berman.”-Gord Fraser, Director, RealCyclist.com Pro Cycling Team

The team can be found on the web at hagensbermancycling.com or on Twitter at @hbcycling.

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