Triple Crankset

Crankset's Hot Off the Presses

2009-07-05T06:51:00.004-04:00

Just a reminder that you can keep up with the latest Tour de France (and other cycling) news and features by following the Crankset's Hot Off the Presses feature just to the right of our blog posts.

Also, the Crankset really enjoys hearing from our readers, so we hope you'll occasionally comment on our blog posts. We get traffic from all around the world and we'd like to have more conversation with all of our international friends.

Also, from Chris Brewer on Twitter: chrisbrewer62- be sure to follow @tdf_updates if you want up to the second race reports from the Tour de France#livestrong #tdf

The Crankset hopes you are following OUR Twitter feeds.

Lance Live on Livestrong.com (post-Prologue)

2009-07-04T14:38:00.002-04:00

Good gosh but that was fast.
OBL is SO plugged in!

Lance gives some thoughts post Stage 1 -- powered by http://www.livestrong.com

Shades of 1985, 1986, or 2007? - Astana’s Tour Dilemma and Why They Will Win Regardless

2009-07-04T08:59:00.005-04:00

Last fall, when Lance Armstrong decided to end his three and a half year hiatus from the sport, questions and speculation abounded. Chief among them was whether he could recapture the form that earned him seven (7) Tour de France titles, and once he declared his intentions, whether he could coexist with riders who not only had Tour aspirations, but also were grand tour champions in their own right.

For most, the parallels to first of the super-teams, La Vie Claire, were evident. The outcome of that experiment provided fans with perhaps the most competitive Tours in modern history. But for the riders and management within La Vie Claire, who played out the drama on the world stage, it was a three-week nightmare that tested individual resolve and forever shaped reputations.

The task presented before Johan Bruyneel, Director Sportif of Team Astana, is as daunting as the one that faces his riders. And as we have seen in the days preceding the start in Monaco, many of the issues have yet to be resolved.

The decision to support “the strongest rider,” is ambiguous, at best, and straddles the line of being disingenuous. After all, as we have seen in past Tours, the strongest at the beginning of the race is not often the strongest during its crucial points or at its end.

But if you’re expecting the kind of turmoil that created the schism of La Vie Claire in the late eighties, you may be sorely disappointed. Lance Armstrong is too diplomatic and aware of his public image to be seen as a selfish and divisive force. Rather, expect the team drama to be confined to a few select stages as in 2007 when Levi Leipheimer rode with and for Alberto Contador, but still had an opportunity to best his teammate and claim the overall during the final time trial.

Ultimately, this is Astana’s race to lose. No other team can match its firepower on an individual basis, and their domestiques are tireless and unwavering. What remains to be seen; however, is whether a team packed full of stars, as is the case with Astana, can best a team of eight riders all pulling for one (a formula which Armstrong and Bruyneel are all too familiar).

It’s no mere coincidence that the 96th Tour de France begins on July 4th as we are sure to see a few fireworks.

Team Type 1’s Lill Second On Fitchburg Stage 2, Zirbel Remains On Top

2009-07-04T08:55:00.003-04:00

Fitchburg, Mass. – Darren Lill of Team Type 1 drove a small breakaway to the finish of the Fitchburg State College Circuit Race Friday to earn a runner-up placing on the second stage of the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic.

By finishing three seconds behind stage winner Kirk O’Bee (Bissell Pro Cycling) and earning a five-second time bonus, Lill climbed to seventh overall. He and Team Type 1 teammate Michael Creed – who is in eighth place – are two of 14 riders still within a minute of race leader Tom Zirbel (Bissell Pro Cycling).

Friday’s race began under partly sunny skies in Fitchburg, Mass., and ended in a total downpour. Lill and a half dozen others split from the pack near the halfway point of the 74.5-mile (120 km) race that featured an average speed of nearly 30 mph. Team Type 1 Director Sportif Vassili Davidenko said the rider from the Republic of South Africa was in a tough spot with O’Bee among the escapees.

“Darren did a lot of work while O’Bee had the advantage of being able to sit on since his teammate is the race leader,” Davidenko said. “The good thing is that the next race is on a pretty hard circuit and you never know how good the weather is going to be.”

Saturday’s 109-mile (176 km) Wachusett Mountain Road Race features 10 laps of a challenging 11.4-mile (18.3 km) circuit.

Photo: Courtesy Mark Suprenant

Team Type 1’s McRae Second On Fitchburg Stage 2, Stevens Moves Into Overall Lead

2009-07-04T08:49:00.002-04:00

Fitchburg, Mass. – Team Type 1’s Jen McRae scored a runner-up finish on the second stage of the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic Friday but it wasn’t enough to help teammate Alison Powers retain the overall lead.

Powers slipped to second following Friday’s Fitchburg State College Circuit Race that was won by Tina Pic (Colavita-Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light). Evelyn Stevens (Team Lip Smackers) took advantage of a three-second time bonus for finishing third on the 33-mile (54 km) stage to move ahead of Powers into the overall lead.

“Honestly, I was a little relived to see I’m in second place,” Powers said late Friday night. “Now I need to race my bike. That’s more fun than sitting in and not doing much. I’m super excited. It’s game on.”

Saturday’s 64-mile (102 km) Wachusett Mountain Road Race comprises six laps of an 11.4-mile (18.3 km) circuit. Just as in Friday’s race, it is the10, five and three-second time bonuses for the first three finishers that have Powers most concerned. Five riders are within 20 seconds of the lead with two stages to go.

“We would prefer that it not come down to a sprint finish because although it might be a great opportunity for Jen (McRae), Evelyn (Stevens) also has the power to get up the climb a little better that I do,” Powers said. “We would much rather take the opportunity to attack or get away solo. We definitely want to be on the offensive.”

Photo: Courtesy Mark Suprenant

On the Eve of the Tour: How the Crankset Works

2009-07-04T08:05:00.008-04:00

Yes, Granny, Tooth and I are well aware that the 96th Tour de France begins today with a time trial in Monaco!

And I'm just as excited about watching the Tour on TV as I was about attending the last week of the Tour with Granny and Tooth in 2003 on the first Trek Travel Tour trip.

I returned with Trek Travel for the first week of the Tour to Belgium and Northern France in 2004. And I was in London for the Grand Departe in 2007.

Otherwise, I have been an armchair fan like most of you.

Given that our 2003 experience was the 100th anniversary of the Tour, it always seems odd to me that there have been less than 100 Tours! Of course, there were four years that the Tour did not take place (during the Great Wars of the 20th century).

This is the year of "The Return." Lance Armstrong's (Our Boy Lance) has been well documented on this blog and everywhere else cycling, of course. And the attention to the Tour and cycling in general has increased accordingly. Even mainstream media and its dying print platform, newspapers, seem to recognize his significance, if not cycling's in general. The Crankset is fine with that. The best coverage, with a couple of exceptions like the New York Times, Boston Globe and Los Angeles Times, comes from the numerous cycling sites and blogs like the Crankset. That is the nature of media today. The Crankset (Granny) was at the Tour of California, for example. USA Today, despite employing one of the outstanding cycling writers in the world, Sal Ruibal, was not. Nothing says more about the changes in media over the past decade or so than that.

How will the Crankset cover and comment on this Tour? We are not there (someday). We will do what blogs do: comment. Through the "Hot Off the Presses" feature at the top of this blog, I will continue to post timely stories daily about the Tour, many written by journalists (mainstream and otherwise) attending the Tour. I make short-form comments on most of those postings; the are also published on Twitter. Granny will comment liberally, no doubt, throughout the Tour on the Crankset blog.

Granny is as insightful as any cycling journalist I know. That's why many of you find this blog interesting. I hope the timely nature of our story postings and my quick-form comments are useful as well. So, sit back and enjoy this 96th Tour de France. You can be sure we will, too.

Wild Knifes Through As Cervelo Test Team Finishes 1-2 – 20th Giro Donne Prologue

2009-07-03T23:44:00.006-04:00

The 20th Giro Donne, the women’s version of the Giro d’Italia, or Giro d’Italia Femminile, began this Friday with a 2.5km Prologue in the municipality of Scarperia, the city of knives.

Kirsten Wild (Cervelo Test Team) was fastest over the distance covering it in 3'06 seconds at an average speed of 48.387 km/h. The 26-year old from the Netherlands finished four (4) seconds ahead of teammate, and Olympic Champion in the disipline, Kristin Armstrong, and Linda Melanie Villumsen (Team Columbia HTC Women) who would round out the podium in third.

Results & Overall Classification After Stage 1
1. Kirsten Wild (Ned) Cervelo TestTeam
2. Kristin Armstrong (USA) Cervelo TestTeam
3. Linda Melanie Villumsen (Den) Team Columbia HTC Women
4. Ina Yoko Teutenberg (Ger) Team Columbia HTC Women
5. Charlotte Becker (Ger) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung
6. Katharine Carroll (USA) US National Team
7. Susanne Ljungskog (Swe) Team Flexpoint
8. Iris Slappendel (Ned) Team Flexpoint
9. Trine Schmidt (Den) Team Flexpoint
10. Chantal Beltman (Ned) Team Columbia HTC Women

Other Notables
18. Amber Neben (USA) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung
22. Lauren Tamayo (USA) US National Team
28. Liz Hatch (USA) Team System Data
34. Kimberly Anderson (USA) Team Columbia HTC Women
43. Meredith Miller (USA) US National Team
46. Brooke Miller (USA) US National Team
48. Shelley Olds (USA) US National Team
93. Megan Guarnier (USA) US National Team
105. Lisa Racchetto (USA) Team System Data
125. Mara Abbott (USA) Team Columbia HTC Women

Leader Jerseys – After Stage 1
maglia rosa - Kirsten Wild (Cervelo Test Team)
maglia ciclamino - Kristin Armstrong (Cervelo Test Team)
maglia verde - Linda Melanie Villumsen (Team Columbia
maglia bianca - Trine Schmidt (Team Flexpoint)

Next: Stage 1 - San Piero a Sieve - Pratolini di Vaglia (99.9km)
With a time trial already in their legs, the first of nine stages does the female peloton no favors with an uphill finish.
Photo: Cervelo Test Team

Team Type 1's Powers Wins Fitchburg Longsjo Time Trial

2009-07-03T10:26:00.005-04:00

Westminster, Mass. – U.S. National Time Trial Champion Alison Powers of Team Type 1 won the Courtyard by Marriott Fitchburg/South Street Time Trial to open the 50th edition of the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic Thursday.

Racing through foggy and damp conditions on an unseasonably cool New England day, Powers averaged more than 27 mph on the 8.8-mile (14.3 km) undulating course in Westminster, Mass., to win by four seconds over Evelyn Stevens (Team Lip Smackers). Stevens’ teammate, Anne Samplonius, was third, nine seconds behind Powers.

France’s Jeannie Longo (Vital Plus), a 57-time national champion, five-time world champion, four-time Olympic medalist and winner of more than 1,000 races, finished fourth, 13 seconds back.

Powers’ victory was the 26th overall by the Team Type 1 women in their inaugural season. It was also the squad’s fourth win (all by Powers) at a National Racing Calendar (NRC) event.

Team Type 1 women’s Team Director Jack Seehafer said he was unsure of how Powers would perform on a course that didn’t necessarily favor her and after a layoff since her third place finish at the Nature Valley Grand Prix nearly two weeks ago.

“This was her first hard effort as she rebuilds toward the national championships later this month,” Seehafer said.

Keeping Powers in the race leader’s jersey for the reminder of the four-day, four-stage event will mean racing aggressively during Friday’s Fitchburg State College Circuit Race, Seehafer said. The women will tackle 11 laps of a 1.2-mile (2.0 km) circuit that includes 100 feet of climbing on each lap of the 33-mile (54 km) race.

“What will work better for us is to be a little aggressive because of the time bonuses (of 10, five, and three seconds for the top three finishers),” Seehafer said. “Stevens had a good ride at Nature Valley so she’ll be one to watch and Samplonius is someone we have to keep our eye on, too. We also know Colavita-Sutter Home will be looking for stage wins and ValueAct Capital will be looking to be aggressive, too.”

Michael Creed’s sixth-place finish led the Team Type 1 men’s squad as Tom Zirbel (Bissell Pro Cycling) won by 23 seconds over Scott Zwizanski (Kelly Benefit Strategies). Zwizanski’s teammate, David Veilleux, was third at 32 seconds.

Photos: Courtesy Mark Suprenant (top - Alison Powers of Team Type 1 begins her winning ride Thursday in the Courtyard by Marriott Fitchburg/South Street Time Trial that opened the 50th edition of the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic; center - Foggy, damp conditions ruled the day in Westminster, Mass.; bottom - Matt Wilson of Team Type 1 prepares to set out at the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic)

Women’s Prestige Cycling Series Standings After Nature Valley GP

2009-07-03T10:04:00.007-04:00

Alison Powers adds a second jersey while TIBCO takes the team lead

Minneapolis – Women’s Prestige Cycling Series leader Alison Powers (Team Type 1) added the Sprinter’s jersey to her collection, but her hold on that jersey is tenuous. Rebecca Much (Webcor Builders) is still in the Best Young Riders jersey. And Team TIBCO swapped places with Webcor Builders in the team competition.

Individual Classification
Alison Powers (Team Type 1) holds a commanding lead in the Series individual classification, finishing third at the Nature Valley Grand Prix behind Olympic Champion Kristin Armstrong (Cervelo Test) and Shelley Olds (PROMAN Hit Squad), neither of who are participating in the Series. Katherine Carroll (Team TIBCO) moved into second, ahead of Katheryn Mattis (Webcor Builders), but the gap to Powers is so large that it’s unlikely that Carroll will be able to claim the win at the final Series event, the Cascade Cycling Classic.

1. Alison Powers (Team Type 1) - 484
2. Katharine Carroll (Team TIBCO) - 300
3. Katheryn Mattis (Webcor Builders Cycling Team) - 275
4. Joanne Kiesanowski (Team TIBCO) - 191
5. Kristin Sanders (Value Act Capital) - 162

Best Young Rider Competition
Rebecca Much (Webcor Builders) retains the lead over teammate Alexis Rhodes, but the gap narrowed from 121 points to 55. Rhodes had a standout performance at Nature Valley, winning the fifth stage and challenging Armstrong for the overall race lead before losing ground in the last stage, the brutal Stillwater Criterium. Much’s lead might be challenged if the two riders have similar results at Cascade.

1. Rebecca Much (Webcor Builders Cycling Team) - 484
2. Alexis Rhodes (Webcor Builders Cycling Team) - 429
3. Julie Beveridge (Team TIBCO) - 308
4. Tiffany Cromwell (Colavita Sutter Home) - 264
5. Amanda Miller (Team Lip Smackers) - 220

Sprinter Competition
Alison Powers ended the Nature Valley Grand Prix tied on points with Tina Pic (Colavita Sutter Home), but the tie was broken since Powers had a higher placing at the most recent Series event. Powers would likely have had a clear lead since Pic’s team hadn’t attended the Joe Martin Stage Race, but that race has no sprint classification, so no points were awarded. But the favorite for the sprint classification has to be 2009 Australian Criterium Champion Kristy Broun (Riverstones CDA), if she participates at the Cascade Classic, since she was launched into third place on the strength of just this one event.

1. Alison Powers (Team Type 1) - 209
2. Tina Pic (Colavita Sutter Home) - 209
3. Kirsty Broun (Riverstones CDA) - 165
4. Kori Seehafer (Team Type 1) - 165
5. Joanne Kiesanowski (Team TIBCO) - 154

Team Classification
In the Series Team competition, Team TIBCO took the lead while Webcor Builders fell to second place. But the margin is very narrow and Team Type 1 is within striking distance as well, so it’ll all come down to the Series finale at the Cascade Classic.

1. Team TIBCO - 769
2. Webcor Builders Cycling Team - 740
3. Team Type 1 - 655
4. ValueAct Capital Cycling Team - 459
5. Colavita Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light - 301

The 2009 Women’s Prestige Cycling Series began at the Redlands Cycling Classic, followed by the Joe Martin Stage Race and now the Nature Valley Grand Prix. It will conclude at the Cascade Classic (July 22 – 26) in Bend, Ore.

Visit www.WomenCyclists.com for more information.

Photos: Steve Pottenger (top - Women's Prestige Cycling Series leader Alison Powers (Team Type 1; right) shares the podium with Kristin Armstrong (Cervelo Test); inset - Alison Powers claimed a narrow lead in the Women's Prestige Cycling Series Sprinters competition)

Maaskant Replaces Injured Martin On Team Garmin-Slipstream's Tour de France Roster

2009-07-02T14:13:00.002-04:00

Monaco – Dutchman Martijn Maaskant, the first reserve for Team Garmin-Slipstream’s Tour de France Squad, will replace former Irish national champion Dan Martin on the start line on Saturday. Martin is suffering from knee tendonitis. Multiple team medical staff members have been working closely with Martin to resolve the issue and today team officials made the decision to replace him with Maaskant.

“These decisions are always hard,” said director Matt White. “The medical staff has done an outstanding job working with Dan but for his health and the benefit of the team, we have decided that Martijn will start on Saturday. We had Martijn on standby and we are very confident in his form and know he will deliver for the team even with such short notice.”

According to Jonathan Vaughters, CEO of Slipstream Sports: “Dan has shown outstanding grace and character as we have gone through the decision process. He wants what is best for the team.”

Maaskant has been training with the Tour squad since Martin’s knee problems surfaced earlier this week.

“Of course I would have loved to start the Tour, but I want what is best for the team,” said Dan Martin. “The medical staff and directors have been incredibly supportive, but at this point we’ve exhausted all of our resources. I wish the outcome would have been different, but Martijn is in great form and will be a strong replacement.”

Martijn Maaskant said: “I know this has been a challenging situation. Dan has been in exceptional form and to be forced out by injury right before the start is hard. But we’ve worked hard to position me as the alternate, and I will do everything possible to deliver good results for the team and especially for Dan.”

Interbike Launches Revamped Web Site

2009-07-02T11:30:00.000-04:00

The new design of Interbike.com highlights and expands on the site's most-used features, and includes resources to help attendees manage time at the show

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. - Interbike today announced the launch of its revamped website, which includes expanded exhibitor resources, enhanced attendee show planning features and resources for the entire cycling industry.

The website has been launched with three months to go before the bicycle industry's largest gathering in North America, the 2009 OutDoor Demo in Boulder City, Nev., September 21-22 followed by the Interbike International Bicycle Expo at the Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas, September 23-25.

"The new Interbike website is much more than a needed face lift - it truly enhances the user experience," said Rich Kelly, Interbike marketing manager. "Primary goals of the redesign were to make the most widely used features easier to find and to provide richer and more in-depth exhibitor information and show planning tools so retailers can make the most of their time before, during and after Interbike. We also wanted to better integrate our social media efforts with our main website for a more interactive and community oriented experience."

Interbike's website now uses a contemporary design to highlight its most used features such as the newly enhanced exhibitor floorplan and directory, the events schedule and industry news. The homepage's Product Showcase gallery links directly to the searchable Product Showcase itself, which features details of innovative products exhibitors will be debuting at this year's show.

The Product Showcase and the enhanced exhibitor directory and floor mapping are part of the show's new "Interbike Planner" tool. Exhibitors will be able to upload and enter detailed information about their company and offerings including photos, video and show specials retailers will be able to view while preparing for the show.

In addition, the revamped Interbike.com expands the cycling industry's social networking with links to Interbike's Twitter feed, Facebook page, Flickr account and YouTube channel. The Interbike Times blog is also prominently integrated into its homepage, along with news content from Bicycle Retailer & Industry News and news feeds from online bicycle news sites and advocacy partners. These homepage features make Interbike.com a central location for key cycling industry news, information and social networking resources.

New planning features on the Interbike website include:

A richer and more dynamic exhibitor directory
Enhanced exhibitor profiles with capability to include more company information, product information, images and video
Easier-to-use interactive floorplan map
A mobile phone optimized version of the website to allow easy access to the exhibitor directory and schedule from the show floor

Interbike has also expanded its online attendee resources to include a:

Password-protected area for attendees only
Detailed show planner to schedule and keep track of appointments, seminars and other events
Match-making system to help buyers find exhibitors offering products of interest to them.

Online retail attendee registration has been open since May. With today's re-launch of Interbike.com, online exhibitor registration for Interbike 2009 is officially open as well. To register, please go to the Interbike 2009 Registration page. Registration is free to qualified buyers through August 19, 2009.

Team Type 1 Weekend Wrap

2009-07-02T11:18:00.000-04:00

Powers, MacGregor Score Wins; Hanson, Jones Third At Criteriums

Alison Powers and Ian MacGregor each scored victories and Ken Hanson and Chris Jones added podium finishes at criteriums in California to cap a successful weekend for Team Type 1.

MacGregor took Saturday’s opening stage of the Dead Dog Classic Memorial Stage Race in Albany, Wyo., on the way to a fourth-place overall in the two-day, three-stage race that featured the largest field in its 21-year history.

MacGregor out-climbed the rest of the field on two ascents of Snowy Range Pass to solo in ahead of Bradley White (OUCH presented by Maxxis) and Ian Gray (Ciclismo Racing). White went on to win the overall crown.

Powers beat Eszter Horanyi (Waltworks/Fuentes Design) by nearly three minutes in Cross Country Super Loop, the second race of Colorado’s Winter Park Mountain Bike Race Series. The 17.2-mile (27.7 km) race featured 2,626 feet of climbing. The reigning U.S. time trial champion used it as a tune-up for next month’s USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships in Granby, Colo.

In Southern California, the odds weren’t in his favor, but Hanson said he had to take a chance when he hit the front of the Manhattan Beach Grand Prix with the finish line in sight.

“It was too early for me, but at that point we knew that was our best opportunity to win,” Hanson said, replaying the final 150 meters of the 80-minute criterium that is run in the shadow of the Pacific Ocean.

The reigning national criterium champion nearly made it to the line first, getting passed only by Rock Racing’s Rahsaan Bahati – who won the National Racing Calendar event for the third straight year – and Lucas Sebastian Haedo (Colavita-Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light).

Team Type 1 Assistant Director Gord Fraser said Joe Eldridge and Matt Wilson did yeoman’s work covering and killing moves while keeping Hanson and Aldo Ino Ilesic close to the front in anticipation of a field sprint.

Hanson’s last-lap gamble was set up when Team Type 1’s four riders found themselves caught in traffic as the pace slowed.

“Matt got us to the base of the little riser on the course with 500 or 600 meters to go,” Hanson said. “Then Aldo started sprinting and we passed more than 20 guys before we came to the Rock Racing train.”

In Northern California Sunday, Jones finished third at the Fidelity Investments Burlingame (Calif.) Criterium behind Scott Zwizanski (Kelly Benefit Strategies) and Chad Gerlach (Amore & Vita McDonald's Pro Cycling Team). The result was the 50th podium finish of the season for the Team Type 1 men’s professional team.

Photos: Courtesy Cassandra Jones (bottom; Chris Jones (second from right) earned a runner-up finish behind Scott Zwizanski (center) at the Fidelity Investments Burlingame Criterium Sunday)

Syncros Adds Online Store to Its Web Site

2009-07-02T11:06:00.003-04:00

New Web site capabilities give consumers the ability to purchase Syncros products online

SAN CARLOS, Calif. - Syncros Applied Technologies, a Canadian-based bicycle component manufacturer known for its grassroots mountain bike heritage and pragmatic, indestructible components, today announced that it added e-commerce functionality to its Web site that allows consumers to purchase products online with fulfillment through independent bicycle retailers.

"Consumers consider the Internet one of their greatest shopping resources," said Steve Parke, general manager and vice president of marketing for Syncros. "Authorized Syncros retailers also offer consumers service and expertise that help them get the most out of their purchases. Now Syncros gives consumers the opportunity to buy their components online and have their local dealers fill their orders. This makes shopping for components more convenient and helps them maintain their relationships with the local shops."

With the Web site's new e-commerce feature, consumers will be able to easily purchase Syncros products with the help of Syncros' authorized retailers. When consumers place an order through www.Syncros.com, orders are posted in a special queue. Within one business day, authorized Syncros retailers, with product in stock, will ship those orders within 24 hours. Open orders not selected by retailers will revert to Syncros USA for quick fulfillment.

Syncros offers a wide range of (handlebars, stems seatposts, rims and pedals) for off-road riders. Syncros also offers a complete line of innovative products ranging from saddles to wheelsets. Online purchases are only available to consumers in North America.

It's Not About the Bike, It's About You

2009-06-30T05:57:00.000-04:00

In case you were wondering what Lance Armstrong's motivation is for going after an unprecedented 8th Tour de France victory, you need only watch the video, Driven, below. Sadly, he isn't lacking in motivation...

Rock Racing’s Bahati Owns Manhattan Beach, Loans It To Precocious PROMAN

2009-06-30T05:13:00.001-04:00

Manhattan Beach, Calif. — If he keeps this up, the Manhattan Beach Grand Prix is going to have to be renamed the “Rahsaan Bahati Grand Prix.”

Rock Racing’s star sprinter won the 48th edition of the Chevron Manhattan Beach Grand Prix Sunday for the third consecutive year. It was his ninth win of the season and Rock Racing’s 24th victory on the year.

“I wasn’t feeling any pressure to win here again,” Bahati said. “It was just coming from my friends and peers – not from the guys on the team. It was just like another race to me.”

Bahati, the 27-year-old U.S. professional criterium champion, convincingly swept across the line at the end of the 80-minute race at Live Oak Park ahead of runner-up Lucas Sebastian Haedo (Colavita-Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light) and the reigning U.S. elite criterium champion, Ken Hanson (Team Type 1).

Rock Racing Team Owner Michael Ball was among the several thousand fans lining the 1.4-mile (2.2 km) hot dog-shaped course that borders the Pacific Ocean. That made the victory even sweeter, Bahati said.

“I’m glad he was there to witness another big win for the team,” Bahati said. “This shows that I care about my job and I’m glad I have a job. For me, I only wanted to show that Rock Racing competes a team, unselfishly. We have to show him we can succeed and give a sponsor its due.”

Last year, Bahati beat out Ricardo Escuela and Brad Huff. In 2007, the rider he beat here to take his first win – Ivan Dominguez – was helping lead him out in the final laps.

“Ivan adds another dimension to this team,” Bahati said of the Rock racing’s acquisition earlier this month of the accomplished Cuban-American sprinter. “He said ‘Follow me and I’ll take you to the Promised Land.’ So I did.”

But it wasn’t an entirely smooth ride in the final 200 meters when Team Type 1’s Aldo Ino Ilesic and teammate Ken Hanson tried to spoil the celebration by roaring past the Rock Racing lead-out train.

“We had Nic (Sanderson), Caleb (Manion), Sergio (Hernandez) and all the boys on the front and basically got jumped by Team Type 1,” Bahati said. “So I got on Hanson’s wheel and made sure I was third through the last corner. From there, I knew I had it.”

The only downside of Sunday’s race was a crash by Rock Racing’s Justin Williams. The U.S. Under-23 national criterium champion went down with two laps to go and lost a few teeth in a jarring collision with the pavement.

PROMAN Produces Another Hit
In the women's race, the precocious talents of 16-year old Coryn Rivera (Proman Hit Squad) were on display as she "went to the mattresses" with about 300 meters out to take the sprint ahead of Malindi Maclean (Jazz Apple) and Catherine Fiedler-Cook (Tommasini).

Team Type 2 Caps RAAM With Emotional Finish

2009-06-29T21:04:00.002-04:00

Annapolis, Md. – Team Type 2 crossed the finish line of the Race Across America (RAAM) early Sunday to complete the grueling, 3,021-mile (4,861 km) journey in seven days, seven hours and 24 minutes.

The squad’s stirring finish in front of a large crowd on the City Dock in Annapolis, Md., featured a mix of hugs, smiles, a few tears and plenty of high fives. One long-time RAAM observer called it the most emotional finish line celebration he has ever witnessed.

“It’s exciting to work so hard to get it done,” Team Type 2 director and rider Bob Avritt said. “It gives us the opportunity to look forward to help people and inspire them about what people with Type 2 diabetes can accomplish.”

Team Type 2 is believed to be the first squad consisting entirely of athletes with Type 2 diabetes to successfully complete the non-stop, transcontinental race since teams began competing in RAAM in 1989. People living with the disease have too much sugar in their bloodstream because their bodies either do not use insulin properly or do not produce enough insulin.

In addition to Avritt, team members were John Anderson, Bill Arnold, Bob Chaisson, Larry Cleveland, Peter Cowley, Mark Thul and Denny Voorhees.

Chaisson survived a scare in the final 12 hours of the race when he badly cut his right calf after slipping off the pedals. He needed seven stitches and a tetanus shot, but resumed riding four hours later.

Team Type 2 is an extension of Team Type 1, which was founded in 2004 by Phil Southerland and Joe Eldridge. Team Type 1 has competed in RAAM since 2006 and has men’s and women’s professional racing teams, a triathlon team and a development team. Team Type 2 strives to instill hope and inspiration for people around the world affected by diabetes; through active management, one can achieve their goals, dreams, and potential.

On Friday, Team Type 1 won the eight-person team division of RAAM in five days, nine hours and five minutes while bettering the race record. Many members of that team, as well as the squad’s volunteer crew, were in Annapolis Sunday morning to greet Team Type 2.

Avritt said RAAM – which began last Saturday in Oceanside, Calif. – was everything that he expected.

“Some of it was more difficult than I could have imagined,” he said. “The most difficult was the sleep deprivation. I knew it would be an issue, but not so much of a predominant issue. Regardless, we were able to meet our goal of finishing in seven days.”

Photos: Courtesy Michael Scholl

Astana Does Not Want A Double Burger

2009-06-27T12:49:00.006-04:00

Team Astana has named their nine for the New French Revolution. The roster includes:

Lance Armstrong, Alberto Contador, Levi Leipheimer, Andreas Kloden, Haimar Zubeldia, Yaroslav Popovych, Sergio Paulinho, Gregory Rast, and first-timer, Kazakh rider Dimitriy Muravyey.

The most notable exclusion from the Tour team was 37-year old American Chris Horner, he of In-N-Out Double-Double fame, who fell victim to politics and a numbers game. Watching Horner in his domestique role at this year’s Amgen Tour of California and at some of the pre-Tour tune up races, there was no denying his benefit to his teammates as a tireless worker or his instincts as a big-time racer.

Instead, the financially troubled Kazakhstan sponsor has chosen to sacrifice talent and team chemistry for the sake of having a countryman represent their colors in the biggest race of the season.

You're still angry about Borat, really?

Team Type 1 Wins Race Across America, Betters Team Record

2009-06-26T09:25:00.003-04:00

Annapolis, Md. – Team Type 1 rolled onto the Annapolis, Md., City Dock early Friday morning as champions of the eight-person team division of the Race Across America (RAAM).

The athletes on Team Type 1 – all of whom have Type 1 diabetes – won the non-stop, transcontinental race in record time. They completed the 3,021-mile (4,861 km) distance in five days, nine hours and five minutes after starting Saturday afternoon in Oceanside, Calif.

Their average speed of 23.41 mph bettered the 23.24 mph of last year's winner, the Norwegian Byggkjøp presented by BMC Cycling Team, which completed nearly the same distance in five days, nine hours and 43 minutes.

At 2:38 a.m. EDT, Team Type 1 riders Jeff Bannink, Simon Bennett, Alex Bowden, Matt Brooks, Tom Kingery, Lonny Knabe, Bob Schrank and Mark Suprenant were recognized on the victory podium to the cheers of a large crowd of supporters that included the team’s founder, Phil Southerland.

Schrank, the RAAM team director, teamed with Southerland and Team Type 1 co-founder Joe Eldridge in 2007 when Team Type 1 won its second straight eight-rider RAAM team title. Last year, Bowden, Brooks and Suprenant joined Schrank on the squad that finished as runners-up.

“This is the biggest one for me by far of the three years I’ve done this,” Schrank said. “It seemed to have all the right pieces seemed to fall together. What was great was how well the team conducted itself in the face adversity.”

That bad luck included a grass fire in the Arizona desert that destroyed a minivan, an RV that had its transmission go out in Utah and a crew car that ran out of gas – all within a 24-hour span early in the race. The team is also on the lookout for Suprenant's Orbea Ordu bicycle, which went missing Thursday night.

RAAM Manager Dave Eldridge said overcoming those challenges was a testament to the focus and diligence of the team and nearly two dozen volunteer crew members.

“Once we physically removed the riders from the environment to fight the challenges, they went back to the task at hand, which was to push the pedals as hard as they could and go east,” Eldridge said. “The crew also did a great job. We made some decisions to keep people back and move people forward with the team and they came through with the support that was necessary. That’s really consistent of the message of Team Type 1. You have to manage the disease, just like you manage things in real life.”

Another remarkable story to emerge was the perseverance of Kingery, a member of the new Team Type 1 triathlon squad. The 33-year-old, Delaware, Ohio, resident broke his hand a month before the race.

“I came into this knowing I wasn’t the strongest climber and my cast limited my climbing training,” Kingery said. “So that made it even more of a challenge. I knew my strong suit would be on the flats.”

The team's quest to better the existing RAAM team record hung in the balance until the final hours of the race. Two of the Team Type 1's three slowest legs of the 53 time stations along the route came in the final 300 miles. The toll of pedaling for 10 or 15 minutes at a time for more than five days caught up to the riders, RAAM Coach Nate Keck said.

“I knew that getting the record was not a given,” Keck said. “But I also knew that we had a shot. So coming down to the finish, I basically just told the guys what we had to achieve to get it and they went out and knocked it down. We were fortunate to only get one time penalty. If we had received any more, we definitely would have been out of luck.”

Team Type 1 was created in 2004 to inspire people living with diabetes to take a proactive approach to managing their health and overcoming the obstacles often associated with the condition. Type 1 diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to properly control blood sugar levels.

Photos: Courtesy, Karen Scheerer (top - from L to R: Tom Kingery, Mark Suprenant, Alex Bowden, Lonny Knabe, Jeff Bannink, Simon Bennett, Matt Brooks and Bob Schrank); Courtesy, Michael Scholl (bottom - Simon Bennett powers through a time station near Flagstaff, Ariz.)

Bahati’s Ultimate Pro-Tour Cycling Experience Gets Additional Star Power

2009-06-26T07:14:00.000-04:00

Carson, Calif. – Reigning United States criterium champion Rahsaan Bahati won't be the only star doing the pedaling at the Ultimate Pro-Tour Cycling Experience camp presented by Bahati Racing and Cannondale in mid-July in Aliso Viejo, Calif.

Daytime Emmy Award-winning actor Shemar Moore (inset) will meet camp participants when they participate in his charity ride to benefit the MS Society during the four-day cycling training camp. Moore plays Special Agent Derek Morgan in the CBS hit series, “Criminal Minds.”

There is still time to register for the Ultimate Pro-Tour Cycling Experience camp. From July 16-19, cyclists will receive professional riding instruction, learn racing tactics and skills, and receive expert advice about sports nutrition, recovery, strength training and time and energy management.

Bahati, who will be aiming for his third consecutive victory at Sunday’s Manhattan Beach Grand Prix, said he is excited about the opportunity to fine tune and enhance the skills of cyclists of all abilities. He is the camp’s primary instructor.

“I’m also pleased that everyone will get a chance to meet my friend Shemar, whose mother suffers from multiple sclerosis,” Bahati said. “Not only will they be getting the best in cycling instruction but they will also get a chance to show their support for a worthwhile cause and participate in a fun event.”

The Pro Cycling Experience includes fully-supported rides with support bicycles provided by Cannondale, sag and support vehicles to keep cyclists safe; on-site mechanics to keep bikes cleaned and tuned; on-staff masseurs to provide daily massages for peak performance and optimal recovery; a professional bike fit to ensure bicycles are custom adjusted to individual riders; chiropractic adjustments to keep everyone fine-tuned physically; daily lectures and skills clinics to educate participates on best practices; and ride appropriate nutrition lessons to inform athletes of how to get the most out of their daily food and beverage intake.

Camp participants will also enjoy first-class accommodations at the Renaissance Club Sport Resort in Aliso Viejo, Calif. In addition to its extensive full-service workout facility, rejuvenating day spa and top-rated restaurants, its guest rooms provide a one-of-a-kind, relaxing experience.

The four-day Ultimate Pro-Tour Cycling Experience camp presented by Bahati Racing and Cannondale includes all activities and accommodations for $1,400. Food and beverages are also included (with the exception of alcohol). For information on registering, visit the Bahati Racing website at www.bahatiracing.com.

Bahati is one of the most successful American cyclists on the road and track, having won more than a half-dozen national championships during a professional career that began in 2001. He is a member of the Rock Racing team.

Team Type 1 Earns Tour of Missouri Spot

2009-06-26T07:11:00.000-04:00

Atlanta – The Team Type 1 men’s professional team will be a part of one of the most prestigious stage races in the United States when it takes the start line of the Tour of Missouri in early September.

Team Type 1 has won nearly two dozen races and stands fifth in the National Racing Calendar (NRC) standings. Earlier this year, the only professional cycling team in the world with a mission to spread inspiration to those affected by diabetes competed in North America’s other major event, the Amgen Tour of California.

"We would like to extend a big thank you to the state of Missouri for having us in their race,” Team Type 1 founder and second-year professional Phil Southerland said. “I am very excited that we will again be competing against the best in the world, and have the opportunity to share our message of inspiration to people affected by diabetes.

"I have done a lot of work with the Lantus and Apidra insulin representatives in the state who have shown me what a great diabetes community Missouri has. I very much look forward to working with them, so that everyone with diabetes in Missouri has a chance to meet Team Type 1."

For the first time since its inaugural year, the Tour of Missouri will travel east to west, starting in St. Louis and finishing in Kansas City. The past two years, the race routed west to east, beginning in Kansas City and ending in St. Louis.

The more than 600-mile (965 km) race will be contested over seven days and seven stages. There will be two circuit races (St. Louis and Kansas City), one time trial (Sedalia) and four point-to-point road races (Ste. Genevieve-Cape Girardeau, Farmington-Rolla, St. James-Jefferson City and Chillicothe-St. Joseph).

Team Type 1 was created in 2004 by Southerland and Joe Eldridge, a pair of avid cyclists with Type 1 diabetes. In 2006 and 2007, the pair captained Team Type 1 to back-to-back victories in the eight-person team division of the Race Across America (RAAM). In 2008, the team grew to include a 15-rider professional continental team that included four riders with Type 1 diabetes. This year, Team Type 1 expanded to include a triathlon team, a developmental squad, a women's professional squad and a second team for RAAM: Team Type 2.

Team Type 1’s roster for the Tour of Missouri will be announced at a later date.

RAAM Finish Line In Sight For Team Type 1

2009-06-26T07:04:00.000-04:00

Near Ellenboro, W.Va. – Team Type 1 remained on pace Thursday morning to finish the Race Across America (RAAM) a little after midnight Eastern Daylight Time.

The team that is comprised entirely of athletes who have Type 1 diabetes is also riding fast enough to better the RAAM transcontinental crossing record of five days, nine hours and 43 minutes, established last year by the Norwegian Byggkjøp presented by BMC Cycling Team.

Through 2,575 miles of the 3,021-mile (4,861 km) race from Oceanside, Calif., to Annapolis, Md., Team Type 1 was averaging 23.76 mph. The second-place team in the race, Team ViaSat, was averaging 22.64 mph and riding nearly five-and-a-half hours behind Team Type 1 as of 8 a.m. EDT.

The past 24 hours for Team Type 1’s Jeff Bannink, Simon Bennett, Alex Bowden, Matt Brooks, Tom Kingery, Lonny Knabe, Bob Schrank and Mark Suprenant has not come without a few setbacks.

Bowden briefly had a scare Wednesday when his FreeStyle Navigator continuous blood glucose monitor revealed his blood sugar dropped from 307 to 56 in 25 minutes during a shift in Illinois. But he made a quick correction using rapid-acting insulin Apidra, along with eating gels, cookies and some candy.

Team Type 1 was also hit with its first 15-minute penalty of the race Wednesday night when RAAM officials ruled the team’s follow car failed to yield to follow traffic in Ohio.

But there was a more memorable moment Wednesday when Brooks turned in one of the most impressive riding shifts of the race when the vehicle carrying the riders who would replace him took a wrong turn near Oxford, Ohio.

“Matt ended up being out there for 28 miles and he averaged more than 26 miles an hour,” Team Type 1 RAAM Coach Nate Keck said. “The kid just cranked it.”

About a day behind Team Type 1 on the road, Team Type 2 was producing its own impressive performance. The eight riders who have Type 2 diabetes shifted up their strategy – turning to shorter, three-mile riding shifts – to up their average speed by nearly an entire mile-an-hour in a 24-hour span.

The team of John Anderson, Bill Arnold, Bob Avritt, Bob Chaisson, Larry Cleveland, Peter Cowley, Mark Thul and Denny Voorhees throttled through three of the 53 time stations along the route with an average speed of more than 22 mph to raise their average speed to 17.45 mph. At that pace, Team Type 2 will reach the finish line Saturday night.

“We’re going to try and add another mile an hour to that today,” Avritt said. “We’re going to do everything we can to go fast until we hit the Appalachian Mountains because we’ll give back some time in those climbs, for sure.”

Avritt was also pleased that Team Type 2 is riding fast enough to easily make the second of three time cut-off points (the Mississippi River) for teams.

Follow the progress of Team Type 1 and Team Type 2 during RAAM by going to teamtype1.org or on Twitter by following @teamtype1 and @teamtype2.

Photo: Courtesy Karen Scheerer

Team Garmin-Slipstream Names Tour Roster

2009-06-26T07:00:00.000-04:00

Boulder, CO – Team Garmin-Slipstream today announced its much-anticipated Tour de France roster. The riders that will represent the American team in tackling the world’s toughest sporting event are:

Julian Dean, Tyler Farrar, Ryder Hesjedal, Dan Martin, David Millar, Danny Pate, Christian Vande Velde, Bradley Wiggins, David Zabriskie

“We are bringing a diverse and versatile squad to the 2009 Tour de France,” said Jonathan Vaughters, CEO of Slipstream Sports, LLC and Director Sportif, Team Garmin-Slipstream. “We had an incredible first Tour as a team last year and this year we hope for GC contention, possible stage wins and even the yellow jersey at some point.”

The squad features four Americans, including Christian Vande Velde who was fourth in last year’s Tour and is returning from a crash in May that left him with five broken vertebrae and other fractures. Also on the list are current Irish national champion Dan Martin, Ryder Hesjedal of Canada, Julian Dean of New Zealand, and the UK’s David Millar and Bradley Wiggins. Dutchman Martijn Maaskant is the first reserve.

"As the title sponsor, we couldn't be more excited about the roster of champions that we're sending to the Tour to represent Garmin," said Jon Cassat, Garmin's vice president of communications. "With our Edge 705 on their handlebars guiding their way, we all look forward to cheering Garmin-Slipstream as they push the pace of the peloton."

Photo: Leonard Basobas

Team Type 1 Still Leads RAAM; Team Type 2 Increases Pace

2009-06-26T06:54:00.000-04:00

Crossing The Mississippi River – As Team Type 1 made short work of Kansas and Missouri to grow its lead to nearly four hours early Wednesday, Team Type 2 increased its average speed in the Race Across America (RAAM).

Team Type 1 crossed the Mississippi River shortly before 8 a.m. EDT Wednesday, having completed more than 2,000 of the 3,021-mile (4,861 km) non-stop race that began in Oceanside, Calif., and finishes in Annapolis, Md. The second-place team in the eight-rider division, Team ViaSat, was riding three hours and 59 minutes behind the squad that is comprised entirely of athletes with Type 1 diabetes.

“We’re trying to stay ahead of our time from last year,” Team Type 1 General Manager Tom Schuler said from the support car following rider Tom Kingery. “Our speed dropped a bit overnight when we hit a nasty headwind going through the Ozarks and we thought we were going to get caught up in some thunderstorms, but the rain ended up going around us.”

By averaging nearly 24 mph, Team Type 1 remains on pace to better the existing RAAM record of five days, nine hours and 43 minutes, established last year by the Norwegian Byggkjøp presented by BMC Cycling Team.

Bob Schrank, who has been part of Team Type 1’s past two RAAM squads, said fatigue has started to set in. But he remains optimistic the squad can maintain its record pace as it heads through Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.

“We’re riding great and the crew is doing everything it possibly can to make sure that is all we are doing – just riding,” Schrank said.

Team Type 2, which consists of eight riders who all have Type 2 diabetes, continued its strategy of utilizing short rider shifts – 3 to 4-mile pulls – to fight off stiff crosswinds that buffeted them across central Kansas.

"It’s nice to have the breeze when it’s more than 90 degrees out, but the wind is also beating the crap out of us," Team Type 2’s Bob Chaisson said. "It is definitely adding to the challenge."

Temperatures hovered near the century mark Tuesday, which made for some of the most brutal riding conditions to date. Staying hydrated while seeing that all the riders properly managed their blood sugar was tasked to Dr. Bill Russell, the team’s endocrinologist.

“One of the things that has helped Team Type 1 the most has been the experience from the guys who are returning from last year,” Dr. Russell said. “Every day on the ride is a different day in terms of what their basal rates need to be and how much Apidra or Lantus they need to keep their blood sugar under control. It seems like initially they need to cut back considerably on their insulin and then it slowly rises as they go on further.”

Follow the progress of Team Type 1 and Team Type 2 during RAAM by going to teamtype1.org or on Twitter by following @teamtype1 and @teamtype2.

Photos: Courtesy Race Across America (top - Team Type 2's Bob Chaisson cruises through New Mexico); Courtesy Michael Scholl (Simon Bennett of Team Type 1 powers across the Kansas plains near El Dorado Tuesday).

Team Type 2 Easily Makes First Time Cut

2009-06-26T06:52:00.000-04:00

Near Taos, N.M. — Team Type 2 successfully completed one of its goals Tuesday morning at the Race Across America (RAAM).

The eight-rider team that is comprised entirely of athletes with Type 2 diabetes rolled through Taos, N.M., which is one of two intermediate checkpoints along the 3,021-mile (4,861 km) route. Teams must reach these checkpoints within a designated time to officially continue in the non-stop, transcontinental race.

Team Type 2 Manager Bob Avritt said the accomplishment was satisfying for him and teammates John Anderson, Bill Arnold, Bob Chaisson, Larry Cleveland, Peter Cowley, Mark Thul and Denny Voorhees.

“We’re also happy to be out-pacing another team, too,” Avritt said as he prepared to ride another shift on his Orbea Opal bicycle.

Through the first 1,044 miles (1,680 km), Team Type 2 is averaging 16.8 mph. At that pace, the squad will reach the finish line in Annapolis, Md., sometime Sunday morning.

Team Type 2 crew member Kevin Stewart said morale is high for both riders and crew. Unlike Team Type 1, which is participating in RAAM for the fourth time, this is Team Type 2’s maiden voyage in the event that is billed as the “world’s toughest bicycle race.”

“I’m real pleased with the way things are going,” Stewart said. “We’re doing our rider exchanges a little bit better and the riders are pleased with their times and how they are riding and how they are feeling.”

Avritt said he checked his blood sugar more than 20 times during a 160-mile shift Monday night into Tuesday morning. People with Type 2 diabetes have too much sugar in their bloodstream because their bodies either do not use insulin properly or do not produce enough insulin.

“We check our levels before we get on the bike and after we get back from each pull,” Avritt said. “We’re doing five-mile pulls with the goal of 15 minutes, which is a 20 mph average. Our blood glucose has been going down 50 to 70 points per pull, so we can tell it’s very demanding.”

Team Type 2 crew member Andrew Burgess said it has been inspiring to watch. He said at one point, Cowley – a 42-year-old Milwaukee resident who has had Type 2 diabetes for the past 10 years – was going more than 60 mph down a descent. What followed looked to be a tremendous challenge for the American Diabetes Association employee who lost 25 pounds training for RAAM.

“We knew Peter was excellent at descending, but when it comes to climbing we established that in this group, Bob (Avritt) and Bill Arnold are the climbers. So we had no intention of Peter doing the climb through Monument Pass. But it was like watching Rocky running up the steps. He was just killing it. It was a bittersweet moment. He was psyched he had done it, but glad he could call it a day.”

Team Type 1 On Record Pace In RAAM

2009-06-26T06:49:00.000-04:00

Near Bloom, Kan. – The crackle over the megaphone broke the silence of an otherwise quiet morning Tuesday in western Kansas:

"Nice job, buddy. You’re just going to fly right on through this town," said Team Type 1 Coach Nate Keck to rider Bob Schrank.

Cruising at 28 mph on his Orbea Ordu time trial bike, Schrank gave the "high sign" of acknowledgment without interrupting his cadence.

This is business-as-usual for Team Type 1, which has been leading the eight-rider team division of the Race Across America (RAAM) since the 150th mile of the 3,021-mile (4,861 km) race that began Saturday in Oceanside, Calif.

Not only was Team Type 1 ahead of second-place Team ViaSat by nearly two hours and 45 minutes at 6:30 a.m. EDT, but the team of riders who all have Type 1 diabetes is knocking out the miles faster than any squad – or anyone, for that matter – has ridden across the country since RAAM team competition began in 1992.

Nearing the halfway point of the race, Team Type 1 is averaging 24 mph and riding at a pace nearly three hours faster than what Keck had calculated going into the race. Key to maintaining that record speed will be favorable weather conditions, he said.

"We want to get through Kansas as quickly as we can today in the hopes we can get into areas where we don’t have to worry as much about the wind," Keck said. "We had a section last night that we had a headwind and a strong cross wind. That really takes its toll on the guys."

Late Monday night, Team Type 1 caught up to and passed its first solo participant, Switzerland's Hermann Bachmann of the 50-59 age division, who left Oceanside, Calif., nearly three days before the team competitors.

"Those solo riders are amazing," Keck said.

While Team Type 1’s eight riders (Jeff Bannink, Simon Bennett, Alex Bowden, Matt Brooks, Tom Kingery, Lonny Knabe, Schrank and Mark Suprenant) cruised along, Team Type 1 RAAM Manager Dave Eldridge had his own race to manage.

The fourth-year crew chief was jamming through northeastern New Mexico in an attempt to get a new RV up to the team to replace the one that had its transmission go out Sunday morning near Mexican Hat, Utah. Unable to find a dealership close-by Monday, Eldridge rented a U-Haul, loaded it with the belongings from the broken-down RV and drove to an RV dealership in Flagstaff, Ariz.

Never did he imagine so many logistical headaches – particularly one in which he would have to deal with having only one RV for 20 crew members and eight riders.

"This just doesn’t fit into the plan," Eldridge said late Monday night. "But it’s certainly something we have to plan for in the future."

The RV breakdown was the second of three major vehicular mishaps for Team Type 1 in a 24-hour span between Sunday and Monday. A fire destroyed one of the team's minivans early Sunday and a crew car ran out of gas Monday morning.

Follow the progress of Team Type 1 and Team Type 2 during RAAM by going to teamtype1.org or on Twitter by following @teamtype1 and @teamtype2.

Photo: Courtesy Race Across America