News

World champion Bart Wellens

The ever-present Richard Groenendaal

Captain America: Jonathan Page

Barry Wicks

Ryan Trebon

Wicks finished in the money

JP was tired, but happy

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.Two thumbs upDear Velo,You ask, at the end of the Dick Pound interview (see "VeloNewsInterview: WADA's Dick Pound") for "thoughts? Comments? Opinions?"Well, here's mine. Two thumbs up for focusing on doping, and also for publishingsuch a long interview in it's entirety.I agree completely

Even by his lofty standards, Lance Armstrong's return to the mountaintop in 2004 was pretty special. The question now facing Armstrong and his legion of fans is whether he'll return to challenge the Pyrenees and the French Alps again in 2005. Already recognized as one of the truly inspiring athletes of his generation, Armstrong took his cycling legacy a step further when he won a record-breaking sixth consecutive Tour de France in July. And for his accomplishment, he was honored Monday as The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for the third straight year. Armstrong joined

Vervecken takes it

Sven Nijs still leads the series

Sven Vanthourenhout

Groenendaal

Maarten Nijland

Ben Berden

Davy Commeyne

Jonathan Page didn't finish Sunday

Interview by Charles Pelkey Photos by Chris Milliman As the year’s first issue of VeloNews reaches your mailboxes and newsstands around the country, you may notice something of a break with tradition. Indeed, the first cover of 2005 should have gone to Jonathan Page for winning his third straight U.S. cyclo-cross championship in Portland this month. Instead, we start the year with an issue dedicated to a topic that has dragged the sport of cycling through mud much deeper than anything Page encountered at ’cross nationals. Anyone who follows cycling has become accustomed to scandal, but with

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.A breath of fresh airDear Velo,I read Megan's letter with great interest (see "Jonesin' for a ride"in Wednesday'sMailbag), because I had to deal with the same thing years ago, untilour employer finally eliminated all smoking from the premises. I would suggesthooking up the American Lung

VeloNews Interview: WADA's Dick Pound

VeloNews Interview: WADA's Dick Pound

VeloNews Interview: WADA's Dick Pound

VeloNews Interview: WADA's Dick Pound

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.CONGRATULATIONS!!! And, uhhhhhh, here's your billDear VeloNews,Here is something for the Hot/Not Hot column in the magazine: Hot - Velo Bella racers at U.S. Cross Nats - Two Velo Bella racersbeing named to the U.S. Women's team for cyclo-cross world'sNot - Having to pay your own way:

It’s not an overstatement to say that Rebecca Much is something of a hot commodity these days. In October, Much earned a silver medal in the time trial at the 2004 World Championships in Bardolino, Italy. In December, she finished up her racing season with an under-23 victory at the U.S. National Cyclocross Championships in Portland. And with the ink just drying on a new contract to race for the T-Mobile women’s professional cycling team next year, Much seems poised for even greater success in cycling. No bad for 18, eh? Much dabbed in triathlons while still in high school in Chicago but

Organizers announce 2005 Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of CyclocrossSeriesBOSTON - Coming off a highly successful inaugural season, organizersof the U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross have unveiled a sequel campaign in2005 that promises even more excitement for riders and fans alike. Withsix C1 events in the Pacific Northwest, New England and Northern California,the series will bring North America's best cyclocross stars to the sport'sfeverish hotbeds. "With nationals coming to New England next year, we wanted to createa balanced schedule for racers and fans," said co-organizer Paul

Colorado Springs, Colo. (December 22, 2004)—Following Tuesday’sannouncement regarding American-based UCI Continental Teams, USA Cyclingannounced today the final two teams whose applications will be submittedto the UCI in consideration for the 2005 season.The Advantage Benefits Endeavour Cycling Team and the Ofoto/Sierra Nevada Professional CyclingTeam will give the U.S. 14 UCI Continental Teams in 2005.Operating as two separate UCI tier III trade teams in 2004, the NorthernCalifornia-based Ofoto-Lombardi Sports squad and the Sierra Nevada outfithave combined their efforts to form a single

WADA COLLECTS MORE THAN 90 PERCENT OF DUES FOR 2004  (12/22/2004)U.S. Payment of $1.44 Million ReceivedAdditional $3.7 Million Received for 2002 and 2003Montreal, December 22, 2004 – The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)announced today that it has collected approximately 94 percent, of itsdues from governments and the Olympic Movement for 2004. This figure isthe highest percentage of payments collected by the Agency in a calendaryear since WADA was founded.The United States recently paid its dues of U.S. $1.44 million, thesecond highest amount paid to WADA by a government this year. The

The silver was 'total shock,' says Much.

December 21, 2002Gerard Bisceglia has been at the helm of USA Cycling since July 2002, when he took over as Chief Executive Officer of the struggling organization. Over the next few issues of the print edition of VeloNews we hope to examine the issues and challenges facing Bisceglia and USA Cycling in 2003. In this interview, the CEO discusses some of these challenges, which include a declining NORBA membership, strained relations with some regional road racing organizations, and a failed attempt to merge USA Cycling’s BMX association, the NBL, with the ABA. On the bright side, Bisceglia

Kona’s Buck-A-Bowl Fun Raiser Earns $11,000 for Kona/IMBA Freeride GrantsKONAWORLD – The Kona Bicycle Company today announced that theproceeds from the 7th annual Kona Buck-A-Bowl Fun Raiser exceeded $11,000.The record take means that more Kona/IMBA freeride grants will be fundedand more money will be available for each grant than last year.More than 500 people competed on teams representing IBDs, manufacturers,media and friends of the industry. The crew filled all 70 lanes at thefabulous Orleans Bowling Center, and the bar.“Selling out 70 lanes for three years in a row is super exciting.

Colorado Springs, Colo. (December 21, 2004)—USA Cycling has submittedregistration materials to the UCI on behalf of 12 potential UCI ContinentalTeams, and one UCI Women’s Team in consideration for the 2005 season.Under the UCI’s road cycling reform plan, teams formerly recognizedas tier III trade teams will now be registered by the international governingbody under the new ‘Continental Teams’ moniker.Paperwork has been sent to the UCI on behalf of the following potentialContinental Teams:Colavita Olive Oil/Sutter Home Pro Cycling TeamJittery Joe’s/Kalahari Pro Cycling TeamTeam Nerac.comJelly

Technical Q&A with Lennard Zinn - Rake, trail, offset

Technical Q&A with Lennard Zinn - Rake, trail, offset

Technical Q&A with Lennard Zinn - Rake, trail, offset

Pound: Hamilton 'dodged a bullet.'

Weekend 'Cross Wrap: Armstrong versus Santa; Jingle 'cross in Iowa

Greek prosecutors have opened investigations into how an Athens laboratory blunder allowed Olympic time-trial champion Tyler Hamilton to escape a charge of alleged blood doping. The American tested positive for a blood transfusion in Athens in August after winning the Olympic time-trial gold medal. However, he was able to keep the medal because the International Olympic Committee said the result of a follow-up sample was "non-conclusive" because the sample had been destroyed by being deep-frozen. Prosecutors said they wanted to determine if the deep freezing was deliberate, negligent or

Euro Cross Camp II23 December, 2004 to 4 January 2005Goals: to provide top U.S. cyclocross riders with race preparationfor the World Championships and/or valuable European race experience ina supportive environment based in Belgium12 Riders Selected for 2004-2005:Elite Men: Ryan Trebon* USGP Champion (Kona), Barry Wicks (Kona),Erik Tonkin (Kona), Ben Turner (TIAA/CREF-Clif Bar).U-23: Jesse Anthony* (U.S. Champion/USGP Champion; cyclocrossworld.com),Jeremy Powers* (Jelly Belly), John Hanson* (NCC/Bike Reg)Juniors: Bjorn Selander* (U.S. Champion; Alan Factory Team),Charles "Toby" Marzot* (USGP

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.Put up or shut upDear Velo,Dick Pound needs to be set straight. I don't give a rat's rear whatyou think of Tyler Hamilton or his medical practices, but you need to shutyour mouth (see "Greekofficials investigate Hamilton case").I am not defending a possible doper - what I am doing is

Hamilton on his way to winning the time trial stage at the Vuelta in September.

Facing a lawsuit charging that he diverted more than $370,000 of AltoonaBicycle Club funds to his own use over a 12-year period, former Tour de’Toona race director Kirk Leidy defended himself during a series of televisioninterviews last week. During the interviews, Leidy leveled allegations of his own, chargingthat ’Toona was operating as a non-profit corporation while paying itsrace committee members high commissions from sponsorship money. Leidy alsosaid he plans to bring a defamation action against Tour de ’Toona promoterRick Geist, race director and club president Larry Bilotto, and

Battle of 'Toona continues as Leidy rebuts charges

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.We’re all cyclists – even downhillersEditor:I live in San Diego, and have had quite a laugh at many of the letters from readers regarding the recent ban on downhilling at Big Bear. All I can say about my fellow cyclists is this: All forms of cycling are related. I'm personally not fond

You don’t really need to find out what’s going onYou don’t really want to know just how far it’s goneJust leave well enough aloneEat your dirty laundry–Don Henley, Dirty Laundry It’s the slow time of the year, which means there’s not much going on in the cycling world outside of the gravity gang getting the bum’s rush from Big Bear, extortionists with false mustaches skulking around at Tyler Hamilton's website, the UCI’s ProTour galloping off in three different directions at once, and unicyclo-cross in Oregon. Jeez, what the hell is a guy supposed to write about? The big news out of Big

Francesco Moser (L) has written to UCI president Hein Verbruggen (R), to ask that riders be given a voice in the ProTour talks

'I say, one goes around with a big black mustache...'

Dear Bob,While I was away for a long weekend, I brought my bike with me on a rooftop rack. About a mile from my home, as I came down an exit ramp from the highway, an overhead telephone wire snagged my bike from the carrier. I watched my bicycle tumble across the road in my rear-view mirror. I’m now sure how much damage was done—the rear wheel is definitely bent, and the bike rack is pretty twisted. Do I have any recourse with the utility company or am I on my own?C.O.,Massachusetts Dear C.O.,There are actually two important questions here: 1. Can you go after the utility company? It is

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.Hincapie lends a hand to fund-raiserEditor:Thank you for your part in sponsoring the fund-raiser at the Frostig School in the Pasadena area this past Sunday with George Hincapie as the guest. As an amateur rider it was a a thrill to take a 20-mile ride with George, get an autograph, ask

Durand during the 2004 Giro

The 2005 Vuelta a España

George and the gang at Frostig School

The 2005 USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships will return to Mammoth Mountain, California, the U.S. governing body announced Tuesday. The championships will be held September 15-18. More than 1400 athletes raced at Mammoth this past September as USA Cycling unveiled its new one-day format for crowning national champions. “We were very pleased with the outcome of the first one-day national championships in 2004,” said USA Cycling CEO Gerard Bisceglia, “Mammoth is an ideal location and we look forward to another great event in 2005.” The resort's management was happy,

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 two-wheeled joyEditor:I just couldn't help but respond to the two letters you posted fromMichael Jones and Chris Whippern (see "Friday'sMailbag").First of all I would like to thank Pat Follett and Tom Spiegel for givingus the chance to do what we love, and that is to ride and

For the first time, a state east of the Mississippi River has taken top-honors in the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) Report Card. West Virginia received the highest grade in the 2004 edition of IMBA's annual survey of mountain biking. The Mountain State has everything a mountain biker could want: endless miles of backcountry singletrack, stunning Appalachian Mountain scenery and a community of avid riders. The West Virginia Mountain Biking Association has emerged as one of the top mountain bike advocacy groups in the nation, balancing trailwork, advocacy, riding and

Sand City, CA – Effective immediately, Veltec Sports, Inc. will extend its distribution of Look Carbon Fiber Frames, Pedal Systems and Components into Canada. Veltec Sports and Look Cycle reached this agreement after reviewing the needs and opportunities of the Canadian market. “With Veltec’s proven success with the Look brand in the United States and the strength of their sales force in Canada, it is a natural expansion of our relationship” says Christophe Jouffret, Sales Director for Look Cycle of France. “Increasingly the North American market is seen as one market, so this was a

Bourgain took the sprint

The team pursuit went to Germany

Now that's what we call a velodrome

Bos and the Dutch charge to a team-sprint win and the overall victory

Germany took the Madison

Nothstein and Pearce began strongly, but saw the Germans lap the field

Reed led it out in the keirin only to see her competitors rocket past

Arustamova took the scratch race ...

... while Pendleton got the women's keirin

Colorado's Compton surprised the field

One more time!

'Cross nats: Page makes it three in a row; Compton surprises 'em

Pearce gives the U.S. its second podium of this World Cup

The points race drew a big crowd

Mirabella just missed medaling in the individual pursuit

That win went to Mactier

Mirabella took gold in the points race

Tsylinskaya won the women's sprint