News

Sand...

...and more sand

The beer tent is empty today, but tomorrow will be a different story.

Film maker Sam Smith checks in with Kona's Ryan Trebron and Erik Tonkin after the race.

After leaving the shores of placid Lake Geneva and driving a handful of kilometers south of Montreux, views of the Swiss Alps open up as you reach Aigle, a storybook town surrounded by the rolling Chablais vineyards. This small Swiss community, with its own turreted 13th century castle, cobbled streets and white-painted, tile-roofed houses, is home to the $20 million World Cycling Center, a curved, stainless-steel-sided building on a picturesque site next to the Rhône River Besides housing the 70-strong staff of the Union Cycliste Internationale, the WCC also accommodates a 200-meter wood

McQuaid at the helm.

McQuaid and his predecessor, the often-controversial Hein Verbruggen (L).

Do you have a Supporter's Club jacket for your favorite cross racer?

The Belgian feed zone.

Fans wait outside of Sven Nys' personal mobile home for a chance to see the World Champ.

When the European professional peloton rolls out in 2006, a few dozenfamiliar names will be missing. Here’s a rundown on the 16 best-known ridersthat hung up their cleats in 2005 with a combined 568 career wins: LANCE ARMSTRONG (USA), 34Teams: Discovery Channel (2005), U.S. Postal Service (1998-2004),Cofidis (1997), Motorola (1992-96)Major winsTour de France (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005)World Road Championship (1993)Clasica San Sebastian (1995)Flèche Wallonne (1996)GP des Nations (2000)Tour of Switzerland (2001)Dauphiné-Libéré (2002 and 2003)Tour of Luxembourg (1998)Midi Libre

The Mailbag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.What about Tafi?Editor:I noticed one rather glaring omission in John Wilcockson's "Last Look Back" column. Wilcockson set out to review the "top riders who retired in 2005." In doing so, however, he left out the great Andrea Tafi. Tafi retired in 2005, with his last race being the

We rode some amazing Belgian country roads today. I wonder if Boonen has been here?

Michel Bajorek, mechanic for hire, and my Belgian tour guide.

Chocolate, Waffles and ‘Cross - Arrival at the Mecca of `cross

Dear Bob;I was involved in an accident on my bike. I swerved to avoid a crazycab driver and ran into a pedestrian and knocked her over. She was injuredin the collision, so I called an ambulance and waited with her to makesure she would be alright. I also gave her all of my contact information.Now she's hired an attorney who is threatening to sue me. It doesn’t seemfair that I can be sued for an accident caused by the cab driver. Can Ibe held responsible for this accident?A.B.,New YorkDear A.B.;Wow, you got the double whammy there—being run off the road, and nowyou’re being sued. Before I

Milan-San Remo, the first classic on the Italian calendar, is among Ivan Basso’s objectives for 2006, the CSC rider announced Wednesday in Busnago. "I decided to add Milan-San Remo to my program after learning of a modification to the course that suits my strengths," Basso said. The race is March 18. Basso also confirmed that he will start the Giro d’Italia, which begins May 8 in Seraing, Belgium. The Tour de France, however, remains his top priority. The Italian finished second to Lance Armstrong this year, nearly two minutes ahead of third-placed Jan Ullrich. Mendez undergoes surgery

Health Net-Maxxis adds RoulstonThe Health Net Pro Cycling Team presented by Maxxis has made one final, significant addition to its 2006 roster: New Zealander Hayden Roulston. The Kiwi joins compatriot Greg Henderson on North America’s top team after departing from Discovery Channel. "Hayden is a big addition to our squad," said Greg Raifman, chairman and CEO of Momentum Sports Group, which owns and operates the Health Net team. "He gives us another strong engine in our lead-out train, a strong rider for the one-day races and adds significant international experience as our team steps up to

Basso has an ambitious schedule for 2006

The Mailbag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.Spin controlDear VeloNews,I can understand NicolaSemboloni’s dismay at Armstrong’s recent retelling of the Simeoniincident. I recall hearing a very different story from even Armstrongon OLN during the tour. Am I wrong about that? Whatever thetruth may be, I can tell you for sure that it

It all started two seasons ago, when Mo Bruno Roy decided to try a cyclo-cross race or two. At the snowy Verge Series season finale that year, she found herself battling for the win in Merrimack, New Hampshire with Olympian Mary McConneloug. "Hey, you might be kinda good at this 'cross thing," we all told her. The next year, Mo got a little more serious. She hired a coach, trained more, planned a set race schedule, and came pretty damn close to winning a master's national championship in the deep mud of Portland, Oregon. She finished second after a tussle with another rider in the

Boonen wins the world championship

While Greg LeMond was burning up the roads of Europe in the early 1980s, becoming world professional road champion and making the podium at the Tour de France, pro road racing was still in its infancy back home. LeMond’s successes were a clear inspiration to amateur racers in North America, but there were no pro teams for them to join and no pro races in which to compete. That situation only started to change in 1982 after an agreement was reached between the U.S. Cycling Federation (USCF) and the Professional Racing Organization of America (PRO) to sanction "open" pro-am road racing in the

Want to be a bike racer, kids? Fifteen aspiring junior racers will be awarded equipment, technical support and coaching for the 2006 season based on their essays written on the topic, "Why I Want to Be a Bicycle Racer." The contest is a collaboration among Specialized, Team Gerolsteiner’s Levi Leipheimer, NorCal Bike Sport and the city of Santa Rosa, California. All submissions are due by January 31, 2006; guidelines and rules can be found at www.norcalcycling.com. Winners will be selected by a panel of judges led by Leipheimer, a two-time top-10 Tour de France finisher and a resident of

The Mailbag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.No reason to sueEditor,Of course Lance Armstrong will never bring a defamation suit against L’Equipe and the French national doping lab. The truth of the statement sued upon is an absolute defense to defamation. There is an abundance of scientific evidence that would point to

Our latest reader-submitted Photo Gallery is now up for your viewing pleasure. Of course, a new gallery also means the naming of the winner of ourmost recent contest. Take the time to wander through that gallery and see if you agree or disagree with our choice of winner. After looking through a remarkable selection of entries, we settled upon “Angles at Los Angeles Velodrome,” by Wil Kuan, which gave us – and several of our readers – an initial “what the….?” moment. Nice composition. Interesting perspective. Congratulations Wil! Drop us a note at Rosters@InsideInc.com to work out the

SRAM has committed to a SRAM Neutral Race Support (NRS) program through 2007. The agreement puts five SRAM-decaled 2006 Volvo XC70s on the road, providing neutral mechanical support at more than 80 events nationwide. Program manager Butch Balzano expects to travel nearly 250,000 miles in the coming year and oversee as many as 15 technicians. "SRAM is excited about the road and is demonstrating that through their strong support of this program as well as producing some of the most exciting componentry we have seen in 10 or 15 years." The SRAM NRS appearance calendar will include the Sea

Angles at Los Angeles Velodrome

Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong says that allegations made about him taking drugs was part of a “witch hunt” orchestrated by the French. The 34-year-old added, however, he would not give either the French newspaper L'Equipe which published the claims he had tested positive for blood-booster EPO in 1999 nor the laboratory involved the satisfaction of suing them. "The paper has no proof whatsoever," Armstrong told Saturday's Het Nieuwsblad newspaper. "It is a witch hunt and a publicity exercise." However Armstrong - who retired from the saddle following his

Matt Kelly, the surprise winner of the junior cyclo-cross world championship in Poprad, Slovakia, in 1999, is back. Kelly is the newest addition to the Subaru-Gary Fisher pro mountain bike team, and will fill the spot formerly held by Trent Lowe for the 2006 season. The youngster from Wisconsin briefly rose to prominence after his world’s win, but, unlike many of his contemporaries, never parlayed that first big win into a solid career. Kelly’s return to the pro ranks ends a four-year hiatus from the sport, which began in 2001 when the Wisconsin native pulled out of the Tour of the Gila

Kelly's back, and in blue

Canadian national champ Lyne Bessette was the only woman to race the Liberty Cup. Bessette had a good start, but abandoned the race after 40 minutes.

Nice shirt, bro: Elite champ Todd Wells and brother Troy, the U23 champ, were the first riders called to the front of the Liberty Cup.

Coming into the Liberty Cup race, a fair amount of hype surrounded Alex Coelho (Redline), who nearly won the Colorado elite cyclo-cross state championship on December 3. Coelho won the junior 15-16 national title by almost three minutes.

The sun shone most brightly on Katie Compton (Redline), who ran away with the elite women's race.

I have just been going through my photos from last weekend's Liberty Mutual U.S. national cyclo-cross championships in Providence, Rhode Island, and I found a few I thought I'd share. Granted, I'm not a professional photographer, but here are a few shots that capture some of the feel of the race. Next week: Mr. Rogers' best and worst from 2005.

The Mailbag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.Respect and rulesVeloNews,As the Technical Coordinator for this year's U.S. Cyclo-Cross Nationalsand the one responsible for enforcing the staging procedures at the event,I feel compelled to respond to MarcVettori's characterization of Katie Compton's call-up spot a

Winter wonderland: Roger Williams Park was blanketed in snow following Friday's vicious winter storm.

Six-time national champion Jesse Anthony (Clif Bar) put in a valiant effort in the U23 race, chasing back to within 10 seconds of Troy Wells after a first-lap puncture set him back.

Russell Kappius attends to his son Brady's frostbitten hands after the juniors race. Kappius finished sixth behind Selander.

After battling with defending champion Bjørn Selander (Alan Factory) for most of the juniors race, TIAA-CREF-Clif Bar rider Danny Summerhill soloed in for the title following a tangle that left Selander off the back.

Ryan Trebon had some supporters of his own in Rhode Island.

Former national champions Tim Johnson (Cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau) and Jonathan Page (Liberty Mutual-Cervelo) shook hands before heading into battle.

Kona's Ryan Trebon looking cold at the start of the elite men's race. Trebon finished second, but called it a less-than-stellar day: I’m not really happy with my race.

Three-time national champ Jonathan Page had supporters, but a stomach flu saw him relinquish his title to Todd Wells. Page finished an admirable third before heading back to the local hospital for intravenous fluids.

No one negotiated the slippery off-camber sections better than Todd Wells.

Linda and Pete Wells were proud parents after their sons took back-to-back national titles on December 10.

Dear Bob,I've Googled, and I’ve searched the Kentucky Legislature site, butthe only Kentucky "laws" I can find dealing with bikes on the road areabout lights, reflectors, etc. I can't find anything about cars havingto pass bikes with 3 feet of clearance (which appears to be the "universalstandard"). I've looked through both the Kentucky Revised Statutes andthe Kentucky Administrative Rules, and there's nothing other than"Wear a helmet" and "use a reflector.”I’ve tried asking cops. A local cop didn't know of any bike-specificlaws. I talked with a state cop. He had no idea

Sastre, shown in the 2005 Vuelta, hopes to defend his podium finish

Mancebo, also seen in the '05 Vuelta, calls the '06 route 'spectacular'

Valverde's attendance depends on how he does in the Tour

The Mailbag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.Here’s something for your listDear Velo,Hot:Katie Compton storming to her second national title from far back in the pack.Not:The decision to disrespect the current national champion, and deny her a call up.I wonder if next year a two-time national champion will get the same shabby

Manuel Piñera, president and majority stock holder of the firm that manages the Liberty Seguros cycling team, has resigned in apparent reaction to the Roberto Heras doping scandal. "I'm leaving because there are things I do not agree with and that I cannot change even though I am president of the team," Piñera told Spain’s sports daily AS on Tuesday. Piñera is currently the largest shareholder in Active Bay, the management company that runs the Liberty squad, but in addition to his resignation, he said he plans to sell his shares to team directors Manolo Saiz and Pablo Anton. Piñera

The Navigators Insurance Cycling team is bigger than ever as it prepares for the 2006 season. New on the 17-man squad are Uzbekistan’s Sergey Lagutin, the 2003 under-23 world road champion and reigning Uzbek national road and time trial champion; former Ukrainian national champion Valeriy Kobzarenko; Australians Glen Chadwick and Ben Brooks; and two Americans, former Navigators rider T. Burke Swindlehurst and Bernard Van Ulden, third in the time trial at the 2005 U.S. national championships. Returning riders include sprinter Vassili Davidenko, 2005 Irish national champ David O’Loughlin,

Ask the Doctor: A brighter shade of.... yellow?

Tech Shorts: Cannondale and Health Net; SRM and FSA; Scott plans new design; Serotta suggests stem check

Five riders have received automatic nominations to USA Cycling’s 2006 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships squad, the governing body announced Tuesday. Daniel Summerhill (TIAA-CREF-Clif Bar) of Englewood, Colorado, earned his automatic bid by winning the junior men’s national championship at the Liberty Mutual U.S. National Cyclo-cross Championships December 9-11 in Providence, Rhode Island. Troy Wells (TIAA-CREF-Clif Bar) of Durango, Colorado, and Jesse Anthony (Clif Bar) of Beverly, Massachusetts, earned automatic selections in the under-23 category. Wells rode to a national title on

Summerhill, shown winning at nationals in Rhode Island, is among the automatic nominations to the 2006 'cross-world's team

Our latest reader-submitted Photo Gallery is now up for your viewing pleasure. Of course, a new gallery also means the naming of the winner of ourmost recent contest. Take the time to wander through that gallery and see if you agree or disagree with our choice of winner. After looking through a remarkable selection of entries, we settled Michael Oryl’s “Crossing Loveland Pass In The Snow,” not because it was the most technically perfect photo submitted that week, but because it just reflected the lengths to which many of us will go to “enjoy” this beautiful sport of ours. Somebody get

The Mailbag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.It's all about the kidsDear Editor,Good for Lance, in the closing remarks of his interviewwith John Wilcockson, promoting bicycle racing for juniors.He knows what stimulated his interest in competitive sports, what weneed more of, and what is good for kids. Everywhere I turn in the

VeloNews Photo Contest: A new Gallery

Capelle in 2004

Compton shot from 41st to No. 1 in less time than it took to write this caption

Knapp fought valiantly, but wound up with silver

Bruno Roy drives into third

What is this, a casting call for the next 'Captain America' remake?

The ferocious weather froze racers to the bone and forced the postponement of two events

Todd Wells wins the elites

Troy Wells takes the under-23 race

Summerhill celebrates his junior title

Illness erased Page's edge

Jesse Anthony saw his unbeaten streak snapped

Brent Bookwalter took the collegiate race and laid down a serious challenge in the under-23 contest

Speaking of 'under-23' . . . .

Um, yes, the weather was inhospitable

Just ask this guy (and his laundry)

The course

'Treefarm' on the march