Cycling Illustrated

Haga Second Overall, Second in Final Stage of Volta ao Alentejo

March 25, 2013 by Sprint Finish Leave a Comment

Haga Second Overall, Second in Final Stage of Volta ao Alentejo With Second Overall, Zirbel and Zwizanski 1-2 In Stage Four

Haga Second Overall, Second in Final Stage of Volta ao Alentejo With Second Overall, Zirbel and Zwizanski 1-2 In Stage Four

Optum Pro Cycling presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies continued their assault on the Volta ao Alentejo this weekend, claiming a victory and three of the final six stage placings on their way to delivering Chad Haga to second place overall, ten seconds behind race winner Jasper Stuyven of Bontrager. Haga followed up Ken Hanson and Tom Zirbel’s race wins in stages two and four with his second runner-up finish of the race in stage five, missing the win by a few centimeters in a frantic finish to the five-day, UCI 2.2 ranked event.

“We are a bit disappointed that we could not win the overall, but the team sold out for Chad over the final stages to make things happen, and ultimately it was a great week for us. We won two stages, finished second three times, and delivered Chad to second overall. It’s a confidence booster to ride well against some of the strongest continental teams in the world, and hats go off to the Bontrager team and Jasper for making this a fun, competitive event.” [Read more...]

Video-Tom Zirbel(Optum) wins the 31st Around the the 31st Around the Alentejo Agricultural Credit Riviera

March 23, 2013 by Sprint Finish Leave a Comment

Another American victory! Thomas Zirbel team won Team Optum. This Saturday in the fourth Odemira taken the 31st Around the Alentejo Agricultural Credit Riviera that began in Ourique under heavy rain. The Yellow Jersey Agricultural Credit Riviera remains in the body of Jasper Stuyven (Bontrager) and this Sunday is the decision on the new winner of “Alentejo”.

[youtube]http://youtu.be/D07MmeU1OVE[/youtube]

Filed Under: News, Optum Pro Cycling Tagged With: Optum, optum pro cycling, the 31st Around the Alentejo Agricultural Credit Riviera

Optum Race Coverage Merco Cycling Classic

March 1, 2013 by Sprint Finish Leave a Comment

Both teams commenced stage racing for the first time in 2013 yesterday, taking on the Merco Cycling Classic in Merced, CA. Merco, the traditional Southern California early season opener, is a classic American cycling event celebrating its 20th anniversary this year with a new four-day format.For the women, it will be the first official race of ’13 – a five-women team will tackle the four-stage affair, which commenced yesterday with the Merced Irrigation District Road Race. Men’s Performance Manager Eric Wohlberg and Women’s Performance Director Rachel Heal accompanied their respective teams.”After a great training camp in Oxnard, the team is excited to get the racing started and Merced is a great race to kick things off,” said Heal. “As the first in a block of early season California races, Merco always attracts a high quality women’s field, and we are taking a small but solid team of 5 to tackle the new stage race format, a team I know is well suited to handle the variety of challenging stages we see here.”Chad Haga and new recruit Lauren Hall both delivered top-five finishes in the rolling hills of stage one, putting both riders within striking distance heading into today’s critical 12-mile time trial.

The new 2013 format sees racers tackling two road races, a criterium, and today’s TT, which will hold considerable weight in determining the overall winner. Haga, fresh off of wind tunnel testing in San Diego, sitting 1:01 back on GC, will look to jump places on the 12-mile course.

“It will be interesting to see what Chad can do in the time trial today, especially after working with HED’s Dino Edin in the wind tunnel a few weeks ago,” said Wohlberg. “For our team, Merco is a good way to blow out the cobwebs in a competitive, stage based environment. The first race of the season is normally a pretty low key event for us, and this isn’t our official ‘first race’ – that would be Redlands later this month. Regardless, our guys will be fired up and gunning for the win.”

NOTES:
Ken Hanson and Tom Soladay, getting a jump on ’13 racing last week, took home wins two and three for Optum p/b KBS in Southern California, following up Courteney Lowe’s national championship victory in New Zealand a few months prior. Soloday claimed victory at the inaugural Valley of Fire stage race in Overton, and US Criterium Champion Ken Hanson shed what little rust he had on his potent sprinting legs to raise his arms at the 27th Annual Original Merced Criterium.

Merco Cycling Classic Rosters

Women:
Annie Ewart
Amber Gaffney
Lauren Hall
Leah Kirchmann
Brianna Walle

Men:
Jesse Anthony
Alex Candelario
Chad Haga
Ken Hanson
Ian Moir
Tom Soladay
Tom Zirbel

Filed Under: News, Optum Pro Cycling, Optum Pro Cycling W Tagged With: Merco Cycling Classic, Optum

Optum Pro Cycling Presented by Kelly Strategies Team Presentation

February 17, 2013 by Sprint Finish Leave a Comment

By Kevin Hunter

There was plenty of optimism at the 2013 launch party for the Optum Pro Cycling Presented by Kelly Strategies team at the American Honda Museum in Torrance, CA on Feb. 15. After all, this is a team that in its seventh year of existence (second with Optum) enjoyed one of the best seasons in its history, so there were plenty of smiles all around as well as enthusiasm as the team prepares for its first event of the season on Feb. 28 in the Merco Cycling Classic in Merced, CA.

Last season the Optum Pro Cycling Presented by Kelly Strategies men’s and women’s teams had a combined 90 wins and went to the podium a total of 209 times. The women has a slight edge at the podium going up 109 times to the men’s 100, as Optum Pro Cycling Presented by Kelly Strategies team clearly establishing itself as one of the, if not the best men’s and women’s team in North American and the world. Yes it was definitely a year to look back on with a great sense of accomplishment and to celebrate going into 2013.

But with the season just a couple of weeks away, some of the celebration and optimism could lead to pressure as this team is now faced with the reality of topping last season’s totals and wondering where does it go from here. There will be no room for letdown and last season’s stellar results make the Optum Pro Cycling Presented by Kelly Strategies men’s and women’s teams the ones that everyone else will be chasing. [Read more...]

Filed Under: News, Optum Pro Cycling, Optum Pro Cycling W, Ritte Racing Tagged With: Optum, Optum Pro Cycling 2013 roster

Lighten’ It Up on the Left Coast

October 23, 2012 by Sprint Finish Leave a Comment

Lighten’ It Up on the Left Coast

By Mike Sherer (Optum Pro Racing)

I ventured west to the city of bright lights and busy streets for some cross racing last weekend. When arriving at the course in Pomona, CA I was blown away with what I saw. Dirt jumps, whoops, berms, and fly-overs at a cross race? Amazing!

Saturday’s UCI race started off fast and dusty under the lights. I started at the back due to my lack of points. I had my work cut out the first couple laps just trying to get up to the front group. Once I made it up to the front group I started to put in some digs at the front. The big open sections favored my roadie background. The group of about 10 started to break apart as the laps went on. Attacks were flying but nothing was able to stay away.

Going into the last lap I took over the front hoping I could hold the other riders off. Halfway through the lap, Chris Jackson (Castex Racing) snuck past me. I chased hard and stayed on his wheel. Coming into the last corner Jackson led it out. He was over confident in the sprint and saluted prematurely. I was coming up hot behind him and was able to nip him at the line for the win.

Sunday was much of the same style of racing as Saturday night. I believe the lead group was even bigger and there were more attacks. Once again no riders were able to get away. Going into the last lap I put in a big dig but was countered by two other riders. Those two riders hit it hard and I was unable to reel them back. Still, I was happy to win the sprint out of the front group for third.

I’m super happy with the weekend. I got some UCI points, met new faces, and most importantly, had a great time.

[youtube]http://youtu.be/OYFeJLLNkJo[/youtube]

[Show as slideshow]

Filed Under: Cyclo-cross, News Tagged With: Mike Sherer, Optum, optum pro cycling, socal cycling, SOCALCROSS PRESTIGE SERIES, Spookycross, uci

The life of a “Cycling Soigneur” by Paige DeVilbiss

September 17, 2012 by Sprint Finish 1 Comment

It’s hard to believe Interbike is just three days away and that the domestic road season is over. I wish I could recount every memory from the past eight months, but it would probably fill the space of a novel. I could tell you about Kenda/5-Hour Energy’s amateur barbershop hour right before the time trial at Joe Martin Stage Race. Or the time the juniors from Monster Media Racing tried to set me up with one of their friends in Las Vegas during team camp. I can boast about the Kenda Pro Cycling crit squad winning 8 out of the 11 stages at Tour of America’s Dairyland, and can even talk about Monster Media Racing giving me a fitting gift by winning the first night of Tulsa Tough on my birthday. But I’ll save that for another day when I decide to write my tell-all memoir. (Joking)For those of you wondering who I am, and what exactly it is I do, let me introduce myself. My name is Paige. Southern California readers who follow local racing have likely seen me around. I’m the girl with the fiery read hair, now blonde, with the race-day attitude to match while man handling canopies at 5 AM or screaming time gaps on crit courses for Monster Media Racing presented by MRI Performance. I work behind the scenes as a soigneur, a staff member of a cycling team with a list of responsibilities longer than your mother’s monthly grocery shopping list. I look after riders so they can perform at their highest abilities without having to worry about things like not having water on their bikes or if there’s a wet towel to wipe down with post race. To the juniors I’m a foster mother on the road, taking care of them like they’re my own. One even calls me “mom” from time to time because he thinks it’s hilarious. [Read more...]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: 2012 USA PRO CYCLING CHALLENGE, Aspen Beaver Creek, Astana, Bissell, BMC, Bontrager Livestrong, Breakaway fron cancer, Breckenridge Colorado Springs, Cadel Evens, cashcall, chris horner, Denver, Durango Telluride, epm-une, exergy, garmin-sharp-barracuda, Golden Boulder, Gunnison Aspen, Ladera Ranch Criterium, Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah, levi, LEVI LEIPHEIMER, liquidgass, MMRI, Montrose Crested Butte, Omega Pahrma, Optum, radioshack-nissan-trek, Soigneur, spider tech, team-type-1-sanofi, UHC, Vuelta a España

Press Release!! Kirk Bausch is the new Global Sales Manager for Cyclingillustrated.com.

September 16, 2012 by Sprint Finish Leave a Comment

Please allow me this opportunity to introduce you to the newest leader in our organization, Mr. Kirk Bausch. As the Global Sales Director of Cyclingillustrated.com, Kirk will serve in a variety of roles. His major responsibilities include: identifying future business opportunities, managing relationships with key existing and prospective clients, evaluating our business from a large-scale perspective and developing best practices in Customer Service, Retention and Sales. Kirk, who will continue to be a partner of Wattie Inc. as well, is a seasoned professional and serial entrepreneur. His proven success in multiple management roles throughout the field of sports performance has prepared him to lead our retail efforts. We are honored to have him join our team. On behalf of everyone at Cyclingillustrated.com, I welcome him to our family and wish him the best in his new role. I am confident that Kirk will be an invaluable asset in achieving the level of excellence we desire.

Warmest Regards,

Co-founder

Brandon Hale

Filed Under: News, Road Tagged With: 2012 USA PRO CYCLING CHALLENGE, Aspen Beaver Creek, Astana, Bissell, BMC, Bontrager Livestrong, Breakaway fron cancer, Breckenridge Colorado Springs, Cadel Evens, cashcall, chris horner, Denver, Durango Telluride, epm-une, exergy, garmin-sharp-barracuda, Golden Boulder, Gunnison Aspen, Ladera Ranch Criterium, Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah, levi, LEVI LEIPHEIMER, liquidgass, MMMRI, MMRI, Montrose Crested Butte, Omega Pahrma, Optum, radioshack-nissan-trek, socal cycling, spider tech, team-type-1-sanofi, UHC, usa cycling, Vuelta a España

Bonk & Recovery

September 15, 2012 by Sprint Finish 1 Comment

You are a bicyclist and have been warned about avoiding something called “bonk.” What is it and how do you recover from it?

The term “bonk” is another word used for the medical condition known as hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. Depending upon its severity, low blood sugar can cause all kind of havoc on your body and cycling career. It can happen at any time.

According to cycling experts, bonking occurs when the glycogen (the stored version of sugar known as glucose) level in your muscles diminish. When this happens, your body switches gears and burns other fuel sources stored throughout your burn. This fuel is harder to gain access to, so your body has to work much harder to burn it. This is where the problem arises.

2012 Tour of Britain Stage 6 GC lead changes again. Watch Here!

September 15, 2012 by Sprint Finish Leave a Comment

2012, Caerphilly, England, Tour of Britain, Stage 6 189km, As the break away crumbles on a climb, Jonathan Tiernan-Locke (Endura) attacked to claim the GC lead by 13 seconds, as Leopold Koenig (NetApp) just ahead of him gets the stage win.

[youtube]http://youtu.be/h8XF0QeaWYo[/youtube]

Filed Under: News, Road Tagged With: 2012 Tour of Britain, 2012 USA PRO CYCLING CHALLENGE, Aspen Beaver Creek, Astana, Bissell, BMC, Bontrager Livestrong, Breakaway fron cancer, Breckenridge Colorado Springs, Cadel Evens, cashcall, chris horner, Denver, Durango Telluride, epm-une, exergy, garmin-sharp-barracuda, Golden Boulder, Gunnison Aspen, Ladera Ranch Criterium, Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah, levi, LEVI LEIPHEIMER, liquidgass, MMRI, Montrose Crested Butte, Omega Pahrma, Optum, radioshack-nissan-trek, spider tech, team-type-1-sanofi, UHC, Vuelta a España

Upgrade Races on the Velodrome by Trina Jacobson

September 14, 2012 by Sprint Finish 1 Comment

Last Saturday evening, I attended one of 6 sanctioned races held at the San Diego Velodrome aimed at providing an opportunity for track racers to upgrade. Usually us women don’t get enough racers to earn any upgrade points and this night was one of them. Knowing I couldn’t earn any upgrade points in the women’s field, I decided to do some men’s races. I had my pick of the men’s fields since I’m a Category 3 racer on the track and can race in any race a Category 4 male can. I decided on the 4/5 field as well as the women’s field …it wouldn’t be that hard…WRONG.

The first men’s race was a short scratch race and crazy fast! In a scratch race, the first person across the line is the winner, like a crit. It was faster than Tuesday night racing with the B’s and it was all I could do to hold on until the last lap where I was spit out the back. With the first race done and legs completely loaded, I not so gracefully dug my bar end into my thigh while getting off my track bike. I think I see the Virgin Mary in my bruise. At least I didn’t have the dreaded slow motion tip over. [Read more...]