USPCC Final Podium in Denver

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Levi goes for it on Mt. Crested Butte

So here are a few pictures from yesterday's stage....Started in Salida, Colorado.   Salida was completely into the race.  Everyone was so proud that it got to host the start of Stage 1.   A beautiful course for Stage 1.  Monarch Pass was packed and as you can see US Forest Service was out in force.. Only bad event of day....I spoke with a Gunnison County Sheriff and he told me there had been some malicious behavior by someone pouring some substance on the descent of Monarch Pass.  I saw highway crews cleaning up something but I didn't realize it was due to some jerk and his hatred of cycling.  It delayed the start of the race for an hour.

In Parlin, Colorado I saw the barn with a sign that begged to get some attention.  Not sure what that was about but it was interesting.  I don't think it made it on Versus.   In Gunnison, they have invented a new drink mixing machine.  Crested Butte pre race activities included a kid's bike race.   Huge Bike festival at finish line area.   Got some great shots of Levi's win and the chase.  Some interesting fans looking for Ivan Basso and others.. Mechanics start the hard work.    Hope you enjoy the pictures......On to Independence Pass.  Should be crazy....

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Andy Schleck, Frank Schleck and Ivan Basso (via mrbianchi2011)

I attended the inaugural US Pro Cycling Challenge Press Conference today in Colorado Springs.  It was awesome.   Cadel Evans, Andy Schleck, Frank Schleck, Ivan Basso, Robert Gesink and the Colombian terror Sergio Henao.   Some funny moments at press conference.   

Tom Danielson:  What's your opinion on who could win this race? Answer:  Probably the Colombians.  They will attack and then attack and when they aren't doing that they will attack again.    

Ivan Basso:  I have never raced this high before.  Its like racing into the sky... 

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Startlist announced this afternoon.  Excitement building in Colorado.   My only concern is Denver Post also had a piece about traffic problems that this race will cause. Oh well can't have it all.  I have taken the entire week off and will be glad to post pictures every night of the race if anyone interested.  Just wanted to share the startlist news.  Let the discussion begin.   Oh by the way, I get to ask Richie Porte in person why I bothered to put him on my VDS team in person.

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Awesome, Awesome, Awesome.  Just announced this morning.    I am trying to keep calm but Andy and Frank

and maybe Basso....This just keeps getting better and better.   A great return of pro cycling to Colorado.   Alright calm

down maybe, just maybe the Badger will show up to hand out stuff.  Nah.  Now I am just being silly.  Or maybe Roll,

Phinney, Alcala will show up to do an appearance.

http://www.denverpost.com/cycling/ci_18572812?source=email

Thoughts?  Comments.   Just quick story on a rest day at Le Tour.  I am looking forward to the upcoming Colorado Race.  I won't call it "Tour of C"  because I have been threatened with legal action if I do.  Whatever  I am so stoked.  I saw some story Horner (RadioShack) will be riding.  Race getting nice coverage in local press.   Funny thing is the media is acting like this is the first time a pro cycling race has come to Colorado.  I realize most of them weren't around when we had Red Zinger, Coor Classic etc.  Only a month away.

1.  Aggressive Rider Jersey

2.  King of the Mountain Jersey

3,  Leader's Jersey

4.  Best Young Rider Jersey

5.  Sprint Jersey

http://www.charitybuzz.com/support/davisphinneyfoundation

Finally some greats news about a cycling race in the United States.  A great comeback to pro racing for the state of Colorado. Word is building through out the state in the cycling community.  I have also had many casual fans ask me about this race.  I think the promoters are doing a good job in making sure the fans in Colorado know about it.  Now for everyone else to notice.  Coverage by Versus will go along way in keeping this race around for a while. Awesome, Awesome, Awesome.  Enough said....

http://www.denverpost.com/outdoors/ci_17557081

I found this in the local press.  It caught my attention due to the local outrage in the cycling community in Colorado.  I also noticed because I went to school with Mr. Hurlbert.   Mr. Hurlbert recently lost a bid to become a senator to the Colorado legislature.   Mr. Hurlbert is also famous for having tried to prosecute Kobe Bryant for rape and the mess that was created by that case.   

Vail DA Stands by decision on plea deal

Denver Post: DA defends decision on charges

Denver Post: Bill Johnson Comments on DA's decision

Denver Post: Berthoud man charged in bat attack on cyclists.

Coloradoan: Berthoud man faces charges in baseball attack on cyclists. 

So here is the big news in Colorado today....Interesting story about a guy going nuts on three cyclists on a rural road and deciding to attack one of the riders and his bike with a baseball bat.  Questions on legal websites about the value of the bike in question: Red Trek Madone. (Estimate so far $4800)  Not clear from the information available about the particular model of Trek Madone or wheels etc.   Anyway, its astonishing how little some of the commentators on the local news sites know about bicycles.   I have reviewed some of the debates/responses and was amazed to discover  the level of anger and ignorance.   Some commentators were stunned  that a "bicycle" could cost that much.   This incident has renewed the debate about the rights of cyclists and drivers.

Finally, after 22 years Colorado finally has pro cycling back where it belongs.  At least in my opinion.   Today, I attended the news conference/announcement of the the Inaugural Quiznos' Pro Challenge.   UCI Level 1 event.  (Not sure if that is right)  Race to be held August 2011.  Thank you Lance Armstrong and Governor Bill Ritter for getting this off the ground.   7 stages and honoring past races like Red Zinger and Coors Classic.   Quizno's spokesperson indicated that this is a long term commitment by the company to this race.   Armstrong and others spoke about exposing the next great generation of American cyclists to the world.   Armstrong did not rule out riding in the event but didn't make any promises.  

Funniest moment:  Gov Ritter and Armstrong that the defending champion was present and willing to defend his title: Davis Phinney.  Armstrong then warned him that comebacks don't always work out.  Good suggestion from crowd to run event through Blackhawk: Casino town that just banned riding your bike through it.  Anyway, finally I pro cycling is coming back to Colorado.  Taking suggestions for Pdc gatherings/parties.........BTW if I could figure out how to upload pictures I would share.....Help.....I read instructions but I just cannot figure it out.....my age catching up to me.

[Chris here:] Big stuff!! Links:

• Denver Post
• AP/Oregonian

And just for good measure, one for the old folks:

Well, I don't know about anyone else but I find this surprising.   I haven't read the decision or seen it.   My question to my fellow Pdc community members is what does this say about doping and a team's suspicions/actions about their own riders.   If I remember Gusev was fired because of Astana's internal doping program not a positive test.   I thought at the time of the "firing" by Astana that they were being safe rather than sorry.    Now it seems that they jumped the gun so to speak.   At the time,  I thought that they must have had some credible reason/basis to terminate Gusev given  that the information was provided by Dr. Damsgaard's program.  I thought Damsgaard was a world famous expert in this area.   So what does this mean in the fight againt doping?

I am new to the Podium Cafe but I wanted to bring this topic up for discussion.  Does anyone else think Garmin's Racing Tactics this season are suspect?   They don't seem to be racing to win anything.   Is every race a "training race"?   At least, Steve Cozza was in the break in Paris Roubaix.    I realize they can't win everything but Garmin as a team doesn't seem as aggressive as they did last year.  Or is it just me?