SB Nation User Blog: Chief Commissaire

Race Across America: Nice Story

Chief Commissaire — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:43:25 -0000

If you haven't been following the Race Across America, now is the time to get caught up.

Team Type 1, which gets a lot of attention on here for its men's and women's professional teams, has an eight-rider team in the race that consists entirely of athletes who have Type 1 diabetes. Not only are they winning, but they have a chance to better the record set last year (five days, nine hours and 43 minutes) when they were pushed into second place for the first time.

The team's blog has all the latest news. And if you only read one story, catch the one about the impact of a special trip that was made to catch up to the team's crew car in Missouri.

Nature Valley: Behind The Scenes

Chief Commissaire — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 01:03:52 -0000

While Lyne was delivering all the action from the Great White North during the Tour de Beauce, Team Type 1's blog was chock-full of behind-the-scenes content from the Nature Valley Grand Prix. Billed as the "Minnesota Bicycle Festival," this National Racing Calendar event annually draws huge crowds to the Minneapolis area.

This year was no different. The action was compelling on both the men's and women's sides – right down to the final minutes of racing. Kristin Armstrong made it four straight, but not without a fight. And defending champion Rory Sutherland (OUCH) pulled off a stunning upset over Bissell's Tom Zirbel on the final stage.

Check out Team Type 1's blog for some interesting video. And don't forget the official race site, either.

ATOC: A Racer's Wife Weighs In

Chief Commissaire — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 02:35:47 -0000

How many of you remember the days when a pro racer's wife was banned from following their husband at a stage race? Phil Anderson's wife, Anne, even went so far as to disguise herself as a man in order to follow her husband at the 1981 Tour de France.

That's another era now, but I was reminded of it today while reading a diary entry on Bike World News. It's from Cassie Jones, wife of Team Type 1 racer Chris Jones. She writes about what it is like to follow her husband during the Amgen Tour of California.

Click here to read more.

Versus ATOC Preview

Chief Commissaire — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 23:47:54 -0000

Versus delivered a solid chunk of cycling Saturday, capped off by its Amgen Tour of California preview program.

Some initial thoughts:

- This year's race is going to be hard. There is a lot of climbing. Let me repeat: there is a lot of climbing.

- The line-up of talent is stacked (which we already knew). But we also heard Lance Armstrong say he'll be happy to work for Levi Leipheimer because Levi "obsesses" about the Tour of California (Lance's words, not mine).

- Did anybody else realize Jelly Belly is now the longest-running domestic team (10 years and counting)?

- Craig Hummer (who did the voiceover) conveniently didn't mention that Floyd Landis was sidelined for two years by a doping violation and not simply a hip resurfacing surgery.

- Rock Racing got more than the 10-second mention it received on last year's show (after not getting any mention in the official race guide produced by VeloNews).

Post-Race Fight At Cyclocross Nationals?

Chief Commissaire — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 21:30:28 -0000

Apparently, a group of fans got a little too enthusiastic after the men's elite race at the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships in Kansas City on Sunday.

There may have been two incidents - but the culprits appear to be the same.

Bicycling magazine's story makes mention (and includes a blurry photo) of a scuffle between "two shirtless, pant-less guys" after Ryan Trebon's win:

Better photos of a (separate?) fight show people being shoved face-first into a pile of bikes. (One of them has been rumored to be Jelly Belly pro Brad Huff.) Those pics are within this slideshow or direct link by clicking here.

The Beginning of the End of Super Week?

Chief Commissaire — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:40:20 -0000

Cyclingnews.com has a story about the new Midwest Cycling Series. Described as a "10-day professional cycling series to be held from June 18-28," it promises to feature top purses in best-of-class venues.

You can't argue with the men backing it - none other than U.S. Bicycle Hall of Famer and former 7-Eleven pro Tom Schuler and former executive direction of the BIke Federation of Wisconsin Jack Hirt.

The question is whether this series (which includes traditional Super Week series stops in Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, Sheboygan and the cash-rich, spectator-friendly Downer Avenue) will shift cyclists' plans from making the trip to Wisconsin in June rather than July.

It's no secret that Super Week (officially titled the "Point Premium Root Beer International Cycling Classic") has been mired in financial difficulties the past few years - to the point of not paying officials, bouncing prize checks and even refusing to compensate the course barrier company - a story that is worthy of an entire post by itself.

Amgen Tour of California: Team Speculation

Chief Commissaire — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 00:30:17 -0000

With the 2009 ProTour team lineup announced, it seems like the appropriate time to start speculating on who's likely to show up at the Amgen Tour of California.

Last year, 17 teams participated in the eight-day (prologue and seven stages), 670-mile race: Astana (LUX), Bissell Pro Cycling Team (USA), BMC Racing Team (USA), Bouygues Telecom (FRA), Credit Agricole (FRA), Gerolsteiner (GER), Health Net Presented by Maxxis (USA), High Road Sports (GER), Jelly Belly Cycling Team (USA), Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast (USA), Quick Step (BEL), Rabobank Cycling Team (Netherlands), Rock Racing (USA), Saunier Duval-Scott (ESP), Team CSC (DEN), Team Slipstream Powered by Chipotle (USA) and Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team (USA).

This year's race will begin on a Saturday and include nine stages (Feb. 14-22), with precise routes and race distances yet to be announced.

A 16-team line-up is expected for 2009. At least one team (Astana) is a lock. With a 2.HC categorized rating, you can expect eight ProTour teams in this year's field. Let the speculation begin.

Weigh In: New US Champion Kit

Chief Commissaire — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 19:14:03 -0000

So we got our first look at Tyler Hamilton's new USPRO road champion's kit during the first stage of the Tour of Britain Sunday. It was very similar in design to the rest of the team's "London Rocks" kit.

Initial impressions? I'm guessing this isn't the last re-incarnation of the kit we see before the year is out. Though not shown here, Rahsaan Bahati's kit says "US Criterium Champion."

via www.truesport.com

Tour of Ireland: On Versus

Chief Commissaire — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:03:48 -0000

The Tour of Ireland is featured in four one-hour shows on the Versus Network, beginning with Wednesday's program at 6 p.m. EST/3 p.m. PST.

Production is being handled out of Ireland, so expect a different slant than what you would normally see from Kent Gordis or Medalist Sports-produced events.

American teams are Garmin-Chipotle, Team Columbia and Team Type 1. The five-day race continues through Sunday, though Versus will only have coverage Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

Ball, Beamon & Vaughters: USPRO Trustee

Chief Commissaire — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:29:58 -0000

Did anyone else see that Michael Ball, Ed Beamon and Jonathan Vaughters are running for USPRO Trustee positions?

Only USPRO license holders can vote in that category (USA Cycling is also electing representatives) but this part of the candidate statement by Ball is interesting:

"As the At-Large Trustee for USPRO, I will continue my commitment to you
and ensure your voice is heard. From periodic rider forums at major races to
establishing a dedicated rider forum online, I will listen to your ideas,
feedback and concerns. I will keep working toward changes that improve the
quality of events and increase the positive exposure the sport needs to grow.
I will also promote unified, cooperative action between teams, race
organizers and USA Cycling membership."

Vaughters is up against Ken Mills (a ROAD Magazine columnist who works for Kelly Benefit Strategies), while Rock Racing's Ball is running against Beamon, who directs Team Type 1. Athlete Trustees are Nick Reistad, Dylan Casey and Will Frischkorn (only Reistad has a statement up).

Votes have to be cast - USPRO or otherwise - by Aug. 15.