FEATURES

After months of doping stories dominating the headlines, the international peloton seemed relieved to get back to the business of entertainment with the fi rst grand tour of the year. Liquigas took the opening time trial on a stunningly beautiful course on the Maddalena Islands, Robbie McEwen won a stage and Italy’s gentleman sprinter Alessandro Petacchi showed the world he has fi nally recovered from breaking a kneecap a year ago.

Neither the Wicked Witch nor a tornado struck collegiate nationals in Kansas, but a gravel stretch of road course added at the last minute threw a spanner in the works for more than a hundred riders. When the dust had settled, Walt Whitman’s Mara Abott came up with her third consecutive national title, Stanford won the overall and Virginia sold a boatload of socks.

With the help of his controversial coach, young Thomas Dekker of The Netherlands plans to fl ash his warm bucktooth smile on the podium of the Tour de France, giving his Dutch countrymen hope for their fi rst Tour victory in 27 years.

Every May, pro and amateur riders gather in the remote town of Silver City, New Mexico — home to a community of hippies, miners, artists, cowboys, Harley riders and retirees — for fi ve days of stage racing. This year they were joined by a few Rwandans.

The week-long criterium series received some Southern hospitality from Nascar-like fans. But, you know, they only came hoping to see a crash. And this year’s series did not disappoint them.

After a few poor attempts at some clever puns — Gould Winner, Pure Gould, the Goulden Age — we decided just to tell her story straight: Georgia Gould is the fastest female cross-country racer in America.

Don’t let this doctorate of evolutionary biology fool you; in just her second year of professional racing, the 5-foot 10 sprinter has women in both domestic and European pelotons chasing her tail.

Despite a string of nasty crashes and two wrist operations, the 31-yearold world champion hopes to defy the infamous curse of the multi-colored jersey and rediscover his pot of gold somewhere over the rainbow.



DEPARTMENTS & COLUMNS

For Ryder Hesjedal, the road to Europe may be paved through the windy streets of New Mexico.

Sicilian Vincenzo Nibali takes on Tuscany.

As organizers in North America bury mountain cross, BMX and dual slalom rise from the truckloads of dirt.

Ritchey wheelset, Trek digital computer, pricey bib shorts and more.

Not as secretive as Area 51, Fox’s lesser-known R&D program is still shooting for the stars and keeping riders fi rmly gripped to the trail.

Essential advice to avoid the stress of travel and put energy where it counts — the race. Plus, 10 tips to pack your bike right.

Fox’s Float RP23 rear shock, Mavic Crossmax SLR, USE Spin Sticks.

with Mike Schatzman

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