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Toyota-United riders, at the Tour of Utah, react to team’s woes
Before the Tour of Utah's stage 4 twilight criterium began Friday, the start line was buzzing with the news that Toyota-United would not be returning in 2009. “Maybe some guys are more surprised than others, but I’ve been in this game long enough to know that the sponsorship search is not an easy one,” Toyota-United team director Scott Moninger said, adding that he didn’t foresee other domestic teams being able to absorb Toyota’s roster into its own.
End of THIS road for Phinney and Hammer
American Taylor Phinney held his head high as he rolled off the wooden track at Beijing’s Laoshan velodrome. The American’s quest for an Olympic medal had just fizzled in the semi finals of the men’s Individual Pursuit, as Phinney fell to New Zealander Hayden Roulston. Above the American, his parents — cycling greats Connie Carpenter and Davis Phinney — chanted “We love you buddy!” as Phinney stepped off his bike to end his whirlwind 2007-08 season.
Wiggins earns pursuit gold
Britain's Bradley Wiggins of Britain successfully defended his Olympic crown when he won the individual pursuit track cycling gold in Beijing on Saturday. New Zealand's Hayden Roulston took silver with Britain's Steven Burke winning the bronze medal. American Taylor Phinney missed a spot in the medal rounds, riding 4:26.6 in Round 1. The 27-year-old Wiggins clocked a time of 4:16.5 in Round 1 to secure his place in the final against the New Zealander, who finished in 4:19.2.
Ricardo Escuela wins the Tour of Utah’s twilight criterium
Disproving critics that downplayed his Successful Living team’s chances of taking victory at the national level in 2008, Argentinean Ricardo Escuela won the stage 3 criterium of the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah Friday evening in downtown Salt Lake City. It was Successful Living’s third NRC win of the 2008 season.
Toyota-United releases riders
Toyota-United team riders are free to seek new teams, and — though the team's owners continue to search for a new title sponsor for 2009 — the team is unlikely to continue next year with anything resembling its current lineup. And the team's owner says the UCI is partly to blame. Managers told team members in a conference call on Friday that they are released from their contracts because the team will be unable to sign up a new title sponsor in time to meet a UCI team license registration deadline.
Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team Continues Search for Title Sponsor in 2009
Bend, OR – As a follow up to the team’s announcement released May 2, 2008, when the team stated they were in search of a new Title sponsor for 2009, Team Owner, Sean Tucker, held a conference call earlier today with his riders, staff and management. He announced to the team that although there were ongoing discussions with two potential Title sponsors, the team would not be able to have a contract signed within the UCI team license registration deadline for Pro Continental status in order to keep this specific group of riders together for the 2009 season.
The Coach(ed) Corner: Training the brain
In a loving but very matter-of-fact tone my girlfriend said to me the other day, “Babe, I think you’re kind of accident prone.” Sadly, she’s right.
More on Horner and the Olympics
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Brits dominate opening track tests
Scotland's Chris Hoy anchored Britain to an historic victory in the coveted Olympic team sprint final in Beijing Friday to leave world champions France with the silver. Hoy, who is aiming for a further two gold medals in the five-day, ten final race anchored the team home after stunning rides from England's Jamie Staff and Jason Kenny in a time of 43.128. France took the silver in 43.551 with defending champions Germany beating Australia to the bronze medal.
Hammer ready to roll
In the lead up to the Beijing Olympics, American track pursuit cyclist Sarah Hammer graced the pages of both Sports Illustrated and ESPN magazines. As her sport’s world champion in both 2005 and 2006, Hammer was touted in print as America’s best shot at grabbing a medal in track racing.