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North American Roundup - Danielson smashes Mt. Evans record; Nav's in China

By VeloNews Interactive
Published: Jul. 25, 2004
Photo: Beth Seliga

American climber-extraordinaire Tom Danielson (Fassa Bortolo) set anew record at the Mount Evans Hillclimb Saturday, taking a full four minutesand ten seconds off Mike Engleman’s 12-year-old course record.

The threat of fog, rain, and snow didn’t deter Danielson, 26, who wason hiatus from his European schedule as he prepares to compete in the Vueltaa Espana in September. In his first ascent of the highest paved road inNorth America, Danielson hoped to break the mark and claim the $500 bonusfor doing so.

“Given the weather, gradient inconsistencies, and the altitude change,it is too much to count on,” Danielson wrote in a pre-race e-mail, notingthat he had never ridden the Mt. Evans climb. “Instead, I am focusing ondoing a good race to test my form.”


Photo: Beth Seliga

Given the chilly, foggy race conditions, Danielson passed the test.

From the race start in Idaho Springs, the net elevation gain was over6,500 feet in 27.7 miles. Now in its 43rd year (39th edition), the racealso served as the first-ever National Hillclimb Championship, held under the sanction of the Federation of Independent Associations for Cycling (FIAC).

Race Director Beth Wrenn-Estes and Chief Referee Dan MacLeod paid a4 a.m. visit to the summit finish area the morning of the race to verifythat the road was open and the previous day’s snow accumulation had beencleared away. Climatic concerns would prove unfounded, however, asthe full-up race field of 1,000 entrants (797 finishers) was treated tocloud, sun, and patches of crystal blue skies en route to the 14,120-foothigh finish.

37-year-old Colorado resident Scott Moninger (Health Net-Maxxis) finishedsecond among all men to claim the title of Colorado State Hillclimb Champion.Moninger finished 8:40 behind Danielson, but because Danielson is not anannual license holder with the governing American Cycling Association,Moninger took the state title as well as the FIAC National title. Accordingto race official Beth Wrenn-Estes, Danielson raced on a one-day licensewith ACA, so he received the first-place designation, the prize money,and the record.

Topping the women’s field was 40-year-old Olympian Ann Trombley of Golden,Colorado. Originally from the Marin County, the “birthplace” of mountainbiking, Trombley competed in the cross-country mountain-bike race racein Sydney four years ago.

Senior Men Pro, 1-2
1 Tom Danielson (Fassa Bortolo) 1:41.20
2 Scott Moninger (Health Net-Maxxis) at 8:40
3 Drew Miller (White Mountain Road Club) 9:35
4 Mitch Moreman (Hassle Free Sports) at 10:55
5 Christopher Brennan (JDR-Trek/VW) at 12:05
6 Cody Peterson (AST Cycling Team) at 12:42
7 Anthony Colby (AST) at 13:15
8 Jonathan Baker (Pro Peloton Racing) at 13:36
9 Tom Zirbel (AMOS Cycling Team) at 13:57
10 Tim Duggan (TIAA-CREF/5280) at 14:24

Zajicek wins overall; Navigators clean up in China
110-km of flat roads on a 7.5 km circuit is all that remained betweenNavigators Insurance's Phil Zajicek and the victory celebration as thefinal stage of the 3rd Tour de Quinghai Lake began Sunday morning. Zajicek'sNavigators Insurance team had controlled the race since the opening stage9 days ago, and were confident in their ability to deliver Zajicek to victory.

So solid has the team's control of the race been, that the locals have dubbed the American squad as the "Magic Team".

As in Saturday's stage, the Navigators took control immediately, andalong with the Italian De Nardi team, kept the field intact until the day's first intermediate sprint, won by Viktor Rapinski giving him back the leadin the points competition.

Several breakaway attempts were contained by the Navigators, until Action-ATI's Dennis Kraft broke clear with Poona's Michael Albasini. The two were allowed a 30 second cushion until Kraft's teammate, Tomasz Brozyna bridged the gap with AXA's Paul Van Schalen.

The quartet stayed at 30 seconds until the Frankfurt team came to the front to set up yesterday's winner Andre Schulze with two laps to go. The German team reeled in the escape with one to go, and pushed on to the finish. Taking advantage of a solid leadout, Rapinski charged to the line, just edging Shulze and Kazakhstan's Iglinski.

Zajicek, meanwhile, finished safely in the bunch to score the biggest win of his career. The Navigators capped a near perfect week and a half, winning four stages, the Overall GC, Team GC, the Sprint Jersey, and placing four riders in the top 10.

Stage 9:
1. Viktor Rapinski (Navigators Insurance)
2. Andre Schulze (Frankfurt)
3. Maxim Iglinski (Kazakhastan National Team)Final general classification

1 Phillip Zajicek (USA) Navigators Insurance Cycling Team29.51.08
2 Ryan Cox (RSA) Team Barloworld-Androni Giocattoli2.03
3 Ghader Mizbani Iranagh (Iri) Giant Asia Racing Team2.15
4 Jeff Louder (USA) Navigators Insurance Cycling Team2.34
5 Andrei Mizourov (Kaz) Oktos2.35

Canadian Olympic team announced
The official announcement of the Canadian Olympic team was made lastweek, with few surprises.

Three-time world champion Alison Sydor (Rocky Mountain-Business Objects)will lead a group of 12 athletes to Athens. Sydor, a native of North Vancouver,British Columbia, will be attending her fourth Olympics. A versatile rider,Sydor represented Canada at the 1992 Barcelona Games in the women’s roadrace, where she finished 12th. In the 1996 Games in Atlanta, she competedin the first-ever Olympic cross-country race and won the silver medal.At the Sydney Games in 2000, she finished fifth. She has won an unbelievable12 world championship medals throughout her illustrious career and wasan automatic selection based on her outstanding résumé ofmedal winning performances.

Joining Sydor on the start line for the women’s mountain bike eventwill be the 2004 national champion, Marie-Helene Premont (Rocky Mountain-BusinessObjects) of Chateau-Richer, Québec, and Kiara Bisaro (Gearsracing.com)of Courtney, British Columbia. It will be their first Olympic experience.

In the men’s cross-country event, Canada will be represented by RyderHesjedal (Subaru-Gary Fisher), the silver medalist from the 2003 worldchampionships from Victoria, British Columbia, and Seamus McGrath (Haro-adidas),from Millgrove, Ontario, winner of the silver medal at the 2002 CommonwealthGames. It will be their first Olympics, too.

Somewhat surprising to the casual cross-country fan is the omissionof 2001 and 2002 world champion Roland Green (Trek-Volkswagen), whose disappointing2003 season spilled over into 2004. Green had an incredible streak in 2001,when he won both the World Cup and NORBA overall series, and in 2002, whenhe swept the NORBA cross-country series.

Lori-Ann Muenzer, from Edmonton, Alberta, will be Canada’s sole representativeon the track. The double medalist from the 2002 world championships, andwinner of the bronze medal in the sprint event from the 2004 world championships,will compete in the 500m time trial and the sprint. She is the defendingnational champion in both events. She represented Canada at the 2000Olympic Games in Sydney and finished 13th in the 500m time trial.

U.S. Postal’s Michael Barry, from Toronto, Ontario, will lead the three-manroad team to Athens. Barry, who finished seventh at the 2003 world roadrace championships, will be joined by the recently-crowned 2004 Canadiannational champion, Gord Fraser (Health Net-Maxxis), from Ottawa, Ontario,and by Eric Wohlberg (Sierra Nevada), from Levack, Ontario. (All threemen reside in the U.S., with Barry making a home in Boulder, Colorado;Fraser in Tucson, Arizona; and Wohlberg in Sunnyvale, California.)

For Barry, this will be the second time he has represented Canada atthe Olympics, having participated in the road race in 1996. Fraser andWohlberg will each be competing at their third Olympics, both having competedat the 1996 and 2000 Games. In 2000 Fraser finished 16th in the road raceand Wohlberg finished 20th in the time trial.

In the women’s road race, recently crowned 2004 Canadian national championLyne Bessette (Quark Cycling), from Knowlton, Québec, will leadthe three-woman team. Bessette participated at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney,finishing 22nd in the road race. Sue Palmer-Komar (Genesis Scuba), of Hamilton,Ontario, and Manon Jutras (Team S.A.T.S.), of Montreal, Québec,will join Bessette. Palmer-Komar, the 2004 Canadian national time trialchampion, finished 10th in the road race at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta;it will be the first Olympic experience for Jutras. Bessette and Palmer-Komarwill also compete in the time trial in Athens.

San Rafael Cycling Classic calls it quits
The San Rafael Cycling Classic, a National Race Calendar event scheduledfor Saturday, September 11 — the day before the T-Mobile Internationalin neighboring San Francisco — will not be held due to lack of adequatefinancing.

Efforts to secure corporate partnerships proved futile, according torace organizer Wil Matthews, who has ruled out the possibility of a last-minutesave.

“We’ve put out the last call to all the larger prospective sponsors,as well as local government and agencies, and have no prospects whatsoever,”said Matthews. “We owe the teams and the exhibitors adequate notice sothat they can adjust their travel plans.”

Matthews added the race hotel was receiving reservations.

As a proven sports-marketing property, the San Rafael Cycling Classiccaught the attention of many potential corporate supporters. Even so, promisingtitle sponsors failed to step up.

“The opportunity to have a company’s name attached to this popular sportwhich carries an image of speed, strength and precision is an obvious advantage,especially with national television coverage. But California’s economicclimate is still dire,” said Matthews.

Corporate partnerships account for 60-70 percent of the financing forthe San Rafael race, which requires an annual budget of $75,000, a lowerbudget than many events thanks to donated services from the local community.This does not include any salary for Matthews, who creates custom landscapecarpentry for a living.

“This event has never made enough to pay a staff,” Matthews said. “Infact, I’ve spent many, many, many thousands of dollars, just about my entiresavings, just trying to pay off debts from 2003. I have probably investedthousands of hours too. It would be insane to keep doing this.”

Through all this, Matthews has praise for the supporters of the event.“I have deep gratitude for Tim Chase, creator of World Cycling Series,who saw this event as one which should be televised, and Craig Mintzlaffat Ground Zero Sports, who has made the expo what it is. But I especiallywant to thank the racers and the team managers who have told me over andover how much they like this race. I’ve concentrated on service to theracers, sponsors and spectators, and tried to shape an event, not justa bike race, and that created a great reputation for the San Rafael CyclingClassic.”

Colorado Cyclist Classic hits new heights
The Colorado Cyclist Classic is taking Colorado road racing to a newlevel this summer. Having been voted “The Best Race in Colorado” for thelast three years, the event is well known in the racing community.

The 2004 CCC is adding an important fundraiser for the Tyler Hamilton Foundation, a major fundraiser in the fight against Multiple Sclerosis and for Junior Cycling Development programs.

The CCC is a five-day stage race, for both men and women, that willcover over 350 miles, climb 15,000ft and demand the very best from thiselite group of racers. Past winners include Clark Sheehan, Tom Danielsonand Eddie Gragus.

The CCC and Tyler Hamilton’s Foundation have joined hands to supportracing and these great causes with the inaugural citizens event The RockyMountain Challenge Benefit Ride. This three-day citizen pledge ride offersriders incredible routes that skirt Rocky Mountain National Park and cover250 miles through Colorado’s most beautiful scenery. Since the citizen’sevent is coordinated with the CCC Pro event, riders will be rewarded witha unique opportunity to view the Pro’s compete for the leader’s jerseyat each daily stop of the event — Estes Park, Ft. Collins and Boulder.

For information about the 2004 CCC Stage race and the Rocky MountainBenefit Ride call Rich Godesiabois @ 720.272.4995 or see www.estescycling.com

For more about the Tyler Hamilton Foundation please see www.tylerhamiltonfoundation.org

The International—Tour de Toona Draws Large Women’s Field
Beginning on Monday, July 26, over 100 of the top women’s riders fromover 20 teams will be competing in the 451-mile the International-Tourde Toona race. The International, long known for its dedication tooffering women excellent racing, is the third race of the Women’s PrestigeCycling Series (WPCS). After this race, the teams participating inthe WPCS will know whether or not they are Bermuda-bound…for free.

“We’re excited to be part of the women’s prestige cycling series,” saidrace promoter Rick Geist. “Our race has always gone the extra mileto award large cash prizes to women and we are the only race that has keptthe mileage the same for the men’s and women’s pro fields.” It’spart of what makes our race so attractive to the best teams, he added.

The International is expecting the top teams and riders who have competedin the past WPCS events, which included Redlands in March and Nature ValleyGrand Prix in June. The leader of the WPCS, Team Quark’s Lyne Bessette,will attend and use the race as a preparation for the Olympic Games.To support Bessette, Quark has added fellow Canadian Manon Jutros, whohas spent the better part of this season racing in Europe on the Denmark-basedTeam SATS. Rona and Genesis-Scuba, the other top placed teams, will alsobe competing in the International.

Fellow Canadian Olympian, Sue Palmer-Komar, will be competing with a strong Genesis-Scuba squad which includes ace sprinters Laura VanGilder and Tina Pic. Team Rona will be in Pennsylvania with a full squad of six riders, but it is not known if Genevieve Jeanson will be part of the PA team.

The WPCS is a new cycling series that was developed by race directorsand women’s team managers. The series is designed to include thoseraces that make outstanding efforts to support women’s racing. Factorsthat influence inclusion of individual races in the series include prizelists, travel support, podium policies, efforts to market the women’s racesand the difficulty of the stages. The top-10 teams after the International—Tourde Toona will receive an all-expense paid trip to the Bermuda Grand Prix.

Races that met the inclusion criteria for the 2004 calendar include:
Redlands Bicycle Classic - March 24th-28th
Nature Valley Grand Prix - June 9th-13th
The International--Tour de Toona - July 26th - August 1
Bermuda Grand Prix* - September 23th-26th

”The women’s prestige cycling series has made significant impact inthe women’s pro peloton this year,” said David LaPorte, the Nature ValleyGrand Prix race director and coordinator of the Yoplait Women’s CyclingSummits. “We expect that the series will only grow and that nextyear, and we can add more races.” But the series will always be committedto including the smaller teams on limited budgets a chance to shine, headded.

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