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Cycling photography for May - Part I

Giro d'Italia
Volta ao Alentejo
Tour of Japan
Koppenberg Circuit Race
Hawaii State Criterium Championship
Joe Martin Stage Race
US Collegiate Championships
NORBA NCS #3
Tour of Connecticut
Tour du Languedoc-Roussillon
Tour of Belgium
Rund um den Flughafen Köln-Bonn
Olympia's Tour
GP de Lys lez Lannoy
NORBA NCS #2
Tour de L'Aude Feminin
San Diego Sprint Challenge
Asheville Mellowdrome Rumble on the River #2
Red Bull Downtown
Olympus DH
Boulder Stage Race
Peace Race
Wortegem Koerse
Cat's Hill Criterium

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Volta ao Alentejo

Stage 1 - May 26: Beja-Beja, 181.5 km

Images by João Dias

• ASC Vila Do Conde rider Claudio Faria before the start
• Imoholding's new rider Troy Glennan (Aus)
• The peloton just before the start
• The start in Beja
• The peloton led by Milaneza during stage 1
• The finish at Beja: Benito (L) getting ready to win the first stage
• Alberto Benito was the winner of stage 1 and yellow jersey wearer

Tour of Japan

Stage 3 - May 26: Special Circuit in Japan Cycle Sports Center, Shuzenji, 120km

Images by Miwako Sasaki/Japan Cycle Sports

• The winner of stage 1, Mariusz Wiesiak (Team Nippo) wears the blue points jersey as he is second place behind (GC leader) Beppu.
• The Shimano Racing Team has two leader's jerseys: The yellow sprint jersey (Masamichi Yamamoto) and the red mountain jersey (Shinri Suzuki).
• The third stage started under clear skies.
• Yoshiyuki Abe (Shimano Racing) always aggressive in the breakaway.
• Miguel Luis Pena (Team Etxeondo) and Australian David Betts try to attack from the peloton.
• Australian David Betts accelerates in front of the peloton and checks the gap.
• Roberto Lozano (Team Etxeondo) crosses the finish line to win stage 3.
• Roberto Lozano (Team Etxeondo) hugs his teammate Miguel Luis Pena after the finish.
• Roberto Lozano (Team Etxeondo) on the podium (but he can't kiss a podium girl, because there is no girl for the podium today...)
• Takumi Beppu (Aisan Ind. Racing Team) celebrates as he kept the leader's jersey.

Stage 5 - May 29: Utsunomiya Forest Park Circuit, Utsunomiya, 154.5km

Images by Miwako Sasaki/Japan Cycle Sports

• Junichi Shibuya (Team Bridgestone Anchor) received a bouquet before the start, because he will be retired on Sunday
• Australian Aaron Kemps wearing the yellow sprint jersey before the start
• The winner of the 5th stage Andre Schulze (VC Frankfurt-Radteam-Bruegelman) celebrated his win with his teammate drinking champagne named 'Andre'
• Takumi Beppu (Aisan Ind. Racing Team) kept the green leader's jersey for three days
• David Betts (Australian National Team, C) can ride well in Japan, finishing in 6th place
• Robert Lozano (Team Etxeondo) won the race ahead of Shinri Suzuki (Shimano Racing) and Shinichi Fukushima (Team Bridgestone Anchor)
• Shinichi Fukushima (Team Bridgestone Anchor) finally gets the green leader's jersey
• Small supporters of the Fukushima brothers (Team Bridgestone Anchor) are on the top of mountain with a flag 'Shinichi & Koji, Cheers!!'
• Robert Lozano (Team Etxeondo, L) can't leave Shinichi Fukushima (Team Bridgestone Anchor, R) behind in the hilly stage
• Three jerseys on the podium (L to R): Blue Points jersey Robert Lozano (Team Etxeondo), Red Mountains Jersey Aitor Galdos (Team Nippo) and Green Leader's Jersey Shinichi Fukushima (Team Bridgestone Anchor)

Stage 6 - May 30: Hibiya city - Ooi Wharf Circuit, Tokyo, 149.1km

Images by Miwako Sasaki/Japan Cycle Sports

• Race Leader Shinichi Fukushima (Team Bridgestone Anchor) is relaxed with his teammate Takehiro Mizutani in the morning.
• The Australian Team in the morning.
• Only Guozhang Wang (9th on GC!) could start as one of the Chinese National Team in the final stage.
• The final stage started in the centre of Tokyo, the capital of Japan.
• Japanese Champion Yasutaka Tashiro (Team Bridgestone Anchor) leads the peloton for his team leader Shinichi Fukushima (Team Bridgestone Anchor).
• Australian Aaron Kemps was in the break and kept his Yellow Sprint Jersey.
• The break lead by Ngai Ching Wong (Hong Kong National Team) and Stefano Guerrini (Team Nippo) behind him.
• There were a lot of spectators at the finish.
• Final stage winner Stefano Guerrini (Team Nippo) smiling on the podium.
• Shinichi Fukushima (Team Bridgestone Anchor became the first Japanese winner of the Tour of Japan.
• Roberto Lozano (Team Etxeondo) is smiling on the podium, although he couldn't take the green jersey
• Roberto Lozano (Team Etxeondo) drinks champagne with his team after the protocol, as he must to go back to Barcelona on the night flight today.
• Aitor Galdos (Team Nippo) won the climber's competition.
• Australian Aaron Kemps got the special souvenir of the sprinter's competition.
• The whole of Bridgestone Anchor is satisfied in the press conference.

Koppenberg Circuit Race

Images by Brandon Dwight

• Colorado's cobblestones.
• The Vitamin Cottage engine of Jon Tarkington and Chuck Coyle put the hurt on Will Frishkorn and company.
• Chris Wherry attempts to hide the pain.
• Will Frishkorn leads the shattered pack of 12 up the climb.
• With only two rideable lines, there was little room for error.
• Ann Trombley has a comfortable lead the last time up the hill.

Hawaii State Criterium Championship

Images by Yoko Zagorski/www.mikezagorski.com/blog/

• The men's 1/2/3 field in sunny Honolulu, HI.
• Things get strung out in the men's 1/2/3 field.
• Triathlon phenom Chad Seymour (Hammer Gel) shows his road skills.
• Eric Takayama (UMass Amherst) leads Mike Zagorski (Velo LaGrange).
• Mike Zagorski (Velo LaGrange) leads Ray Brust (Boca) and Ricky Armstrong (Try Moving).

Joe Martin Stage Race

Stage 4 - May 16: Criterium, 90/60mins

Images by Paul Forsythe/www.teamkendatire.com

• Catherine Walberg of Team Kenda Tire
• Lynn Gaggioli was the only T-mobile rider present at Joe Martin, and still managed a GC win
• Laura van Guilder won Sunday's criterium in an amazing uphill sprint

US Collegiate Championships

Day 1 - May 21: TIAA-CREF Criterium

Images by Beth Seliga/www.3catsphoto.com

• Nicky Wangsgard (Northern Colorado) leads a group of Division II women...
• ... on her way to the win in that field.
• The Division I women get on their way as the skies begin to darken.
• The women round a corner of the course.
• Jenna Shoemaker (Harvard) corners.
• After winning three out of the four primes, Wangerin was looking good for the finish...
• ... and came through with a win after leading out for the entire last lap.
• Then, shortly after the Div II Men started their race, the rain came.
• The racers all took cover and waited...
• ... and waited...
• The CSU guys rode back to the hotel where they waited patiently for the rain to stop...
• ... while other racers tried to keep warm on their trainers.
• At last, the Div II men restart their race.
• Andrew Fischer (Whitman) rode to a strong sixth place.
• Michael Barton (Dartmouth) took the win...
• ...while one of his teammates finished the race on foot.
• John Eisinger (Cu-Boulder) and Dan Bowman (Ft. Lewis) look strong.
• Anthony Colby (Ft. Lewis) rode to ninth place, despite a few mishaps.
• Marc Collard (California-Davis) rode to seventh.
• Bryan Smith (Wisconsin-Madison) was clearly the hometown favorite.
• Coby Peterson (Ft. Lewis) looks focused.
• Despite a crash early in the race, Jay Ku (Harvard) was able to finish the race.
• Local winner, Bryan Smith (Wisconsin-Madison) couldn't ask for a warmer reception as he rides in from his victory lap.
• The Wisconsin-Madison team...
• ... celebrates...
• ... with teammates...
• ... friends...
• ... and family.

Stage 2 - May 22: Qdoba Road Race

Images by Beth Seliga/www.3catsphoto.com

• The Div I men were anxious as their start time approached.
• The men's Division 1 field make their way around the 15 miles loop.
• Nate Ziccardi (Ohio State) powers up the climb.
• An Indiana State rider tries to stay with the field as they hit the climb.
• Matthew Heleco (Arizona) burns a few matches in the final laps of the race.
• James Hibbard (UC-SC) tries to ease the cramp in his leg as they head into the final lap.
• David Mitchell (New Hampshire) gets up the climb anyway he can.
• A few breaks were attempted in the last laps of the race.
• Jay Ku (Harvard) drove one of them.
• The race featured some beautiful rural Wisconsin landscapes.
• The field pushed hard to bring the breaks back.
• In the final lap, Marc Collard (Cal-Davis) and Chris Montague-Breakwell (Stanford) managed to get away...
• ... and stay away.
• Collard is clearly driven to win this race.
• Marc Collard (California-Davis) outsprints Chris Montague-Breakwell (Stanford) in what turned out to be a very risky game of cat-and-mouse.
• No guts, no glory - Marc Collard's face says it all.
• Meanwhile, in the Div 2 race, Michael Barton (Dartmouth) wins the race. Followed closely by, Todd Yezefski, TIAA-CREF/5280's newest addition.
• Many thanks to the Shimano guys for all of their support at the race.
• The Trek banquet had plenty of goodies for the attendees.
• Trek rolled out the red carpet for the racers.
• Jonathan Vaughters and Matt Murphy go through the results to determine the lucky 13th rider for the TIAA-CREF/5280 cycling team.
• Greg Lemond signed a few traditional yellow jerseys...
• ... as well as a few less-traditional items, like Anna Kelso (Penn State's) gown.
• Anna wasn't the only one dressed up for the evening: these super heroes claim to be from the Army team.
• Road race winner Collard, decided to play "podium girl" for Ft Lewis's Dan Bowman.
• Race Promoter, Jeff Rowe, started the evenings festivities...
• ... which included a speech from UW-Madison’s provost, Peter Spear. Here he shows a slide of his crowning achievement, the ascent of 14,000 foot mountain Mt Bross in Colorado.
• Greg Lemond talked to the racers about his career and the importance of education.
• Mike Mitchell, Provost Spear and Jonathan Vaughters present the Lucky 13 award to Todd Yezefski: a coveted place on the TIAA-CREF/5280 cycling team.
• Yezefski tries his new jersey on for size...
• ... and checks out his new ride.
• He is all grins as Vaughters announces that Yezefski will be riding with the team at Beauce this June.
• Vaughters awards Dan Bowman (Fort Lewis) with his medal for the Omnium.
• The Men's Division 1 podium.
• Jenn Wangerin (Indiana) is awarded a place on the Quark team.
• The women's Division 1 podium
• The top four tables in the trivia contest challenged each other in a different kind of bike race - the TTTT: Tricycle Team Time Trial.

NORBA NCS #3

Images by Andy Lee/USA Cycling

May 21: Time Trial, 4.5 miles

Men

• Cesar Grajales
• Jimi Mortensen
• Douglas Ryden
• Canadian Max Plaxton
• Carl Decker sporting the goggles.
• U23 National Team rider, Sam Schultz finished just off the podium in sixth place.
• Aussie Paul Rowney
• Andreas Hestler
• Ryan Trebon finished in second place.
• Jay Henry
• Frank Mapel
• Jason Sager
• Travis Brown
• Brent Miller suffered a flat.
• Chris Sheppard
• Barry Wicks
• Peter Wedge
• Alan Obye
• John Devine
• Carl Swenson
• Derek Wilkerson
• Mike West rode to third place.
• Charles Jenkins
• Warren Gravely
• Curtis Keene
• Troy Wells
• Charles Pendry
• Men's TT Podium: (L to R) Decker, Trebon, Mortensen, West, Weir.

Women

• Heather Irmiger rode to her first NORBA win.
• Ford Cycling's Lisa Matlock
• Gretchen Reeves
• Katerina Hanusova
• Kerry Barnholt
• Jimena Florit used sufficient protection.
• Dara Marks-Marino
• Kelli Emmett.
• Willow Koerber
• Women's Podium: (L to R) Emmett, Vanlandingham, Irmiger, Hanusova, Barnholt.

Tour of Connecticut

Stage 1 - May 16: Litchfield Hills road race, 220km

Images by Jonathan McElvery/http://www.jsmcelvery.com/

• Waiting for the start at the first stage of Tour of Connecticut
• And they're off for the start of Tour of Connecticut
• The peloton heads through town
• Mike Jones (Health Net) takes a look back at Todd Herriot (Colavita Olive Oil)
• National Champion Mark McCormack (Colavita Olive Oil) takes the win in the starts and stripes
• Marty Nothstein (Navigators Insurance) at the front of the bunch as an attack goes
• Dominique Perras (Ofoto/Lombardi Sports) and Todd Herriott (Colavita Olive Oil) after breaking away on the steep climb out of Sharon
• Shawn Milne (Fior di Frutta) Mark McCormack (Colavita Olive Oil) and Mark Walters (Navigators Insurance) on the podium

Tour du Languedoc-Roussillon

Stage 1 - May 19: Maury - Port-Vendres, 167 km

Images by AFP Photo

• Lance Armstrong (USPS-Berry Floor) in the peloton during stage 1
• Lance Armstrong (USPS-Berry Floor) talking on the batphone
• David Millar (Cofidis) rides in the peloton during stage 1
• Christophe Moreau (Credit Agricole) adjusts his helmet during the first stage of the Tour du Languedoc-Roussillon
• Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) just gets past Samuel Dumoulin on the line
• Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) in yellow at the end of stage 1
• Walter Beneteau (Brioches la Boulangere) was the most combative rider of the first stage

Stage 2 - May 20: Port-Leucate - Narbonne, 188 km

Images by AFP Photo

• Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) kept his yellow jersey after stage 2
• Christophe Edalaine (Cofidis) attacks after 4 km
• Lance Armstrong (USPS-Berry Floor) behind yellow jersey wearer Thor Hushovd during stage 2
• Lance Armstrong (USPS-Berry Floor) rides next to teammate Benjamin Noval
• Viatcheslav Ekimov (USPS-Berry Floor) working hard to bring the break back
• Walter Beneteau (Brioches la Boulangere) kept his polka dot mountains jersey today
• Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) rides in yellow during stage 2
• Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) wins his second stage in a row

Images by velopalmares.free.fr

• Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) ready for battle
• David Millar (Cofidis) looking mean
• David George (Barloworld) enjoying the heat
• Jef Peeters (Vlaanderen-T Interim)
• Tomas Konecny (T-Mobile) stands ready
• Alex Zulle (Phonak) is always prepared
• Carlos DaCruz (FDJeux.om) before stage 2
• Benjamin Noval (USPS-Berry Floor) getting ready for stage 2

Stage 3 - May 21: Ganges - Aigues-Mortes, 162 km

Images by AFP Photo

• Lance Armstrong (USPS-Berry Floor) attentive as always
• Alexandre Botcharov leads the Credit Agricole train
• Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) bides his time in the peloton with Armstrong keeping a close eye on him
• Jean-Cyril Robin (FDJeux.com) was one of the last survivors of the break
• Sylvain Calzati (RAGT) tried together with Jean-Cyril Robin to hold of the peloton in the final kilometres
• Martin Elmiger (R) wins the sprint ahead of Krivtsov (C)
• Stage winner Martin Elmiger atop the podium

Stage 4 - May 22: Pont du Gard - Mende (Côte de la Croix-Neuve), 161 km

Images by AFP Photo

• Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) in yellow during stage 4
• David Millar (Cofidis) rides during the fourth stage
• Lance Armstrong (USPS-Berry Floor) during stage 4
• Lance Armstrong (USPS-Berry Floor) takes a drink during the stage
• Christophe Moreau (Credit Agricole) leads Maryan Hary (Brioches la Boulangere) and Manuel Beltran (USPS-Berry Floor) during stage 4
• Didier Rous (Brioches la Boulangere) leading the peloton
• Pierrick Fedrigo (Credit Agricole) doing the job for Moreau on the last climb
• Iker Flores (Euskaltel) made a bid for victory with 2km to go, but was caught by Ekimov and Moreau
• Christophe Moreau (Credit Agricole) wins the fourth stage ahead of Viatcheslav Ekimov (USPS-Berry Floor)
• Christophe Moreau (Credit Agricole) now in the yellow jersey

Stage 5 - May 23: Florac - Sète (Mont Saint-Clair), 203 km

Images by AFP Photo

• The peloton rides together during the last stage
• Lance Armstrong (USPS-Berry Floor) in the peloton during the final stage
• Christophe Moreau (Credit Agricole) had to work hard to defend his leader's jersey
• Lance Armstrong (USPS-Berry Floor) leads Egoi Martinez (Euskaltel) during the last stage
• Lance Armstrong (USPS-Berry Floor) wins the last stage of the Tour du Languedoc-Roussillon
• Lance Armstrong (USPS-Berry Floor) on the podium after winning the final stage
• Christophe Moreau (Credit Agricole) enjoys a podium kiss

Tour of Belgium

Stage 1 - May 19: Oostende-Oostende, 184 km

Images by AFP Photo

• Gianluca Bortolami (Lampre) wins the first stage of the Tour of Belgium
• Gianluca Bortolami (Lampre) on the podium as the winner of stage 1 of the Tour of Belgium
• Geert Omloop (MrBookmaker) is the leader of the Tour of Belgium after stage 1

Stage 2 - May 20: Oostende-Knokke Heist, 179 km

Images by AFP Photo

• Tom Boonen (Quick.Step-Davitamon) wins stage 2 of the Tour of Belgium
• Stuart O'Grady (Cofidis) on the podium as the leader of the sprints classification

Stage 3 - May 21: Knokke Heist-Buggenhout, 194 km

Images by AFP Photo

• Max van Heeswijk (USPS-Berry Floor) wins the sprint for stage 3 ahead of Janek Tombak
• Gianluca Bortolami (Lampre) crosses the line in a bit of pain
• Max van Heeswijk (USPS-Berry Floor) on the podium
• Gianluca Bortolami (Lampre) on the podium as the new leader
• Victor Hugo Pena (USPS-Berry Floor) was carted off in an ambulance. It was later found that he had no broken bones, despite fears for a broken arm.

Stage 4a - May 22: Mechelen-Mechelen ITT, 13 km

Images by Luc Claessen/Cyclingnews.com/actiefotos.be

• Sylvain Chavanel (Brioches la Boulangere) finished third and moved into the overall lead
• Bart Voskamp (Chocolade Jacques) rode himself into second on GC
• Gianluca Bortolami (Lampre) rides to try and keep his leader's jersey
• Max van Heeswijk (USPS-Berry Floor) had a solid ride in the TT and is now in third overall
• Jurgen van den Broeck (USPS-Berry Floor) was one of four Postal riders in the top 10
• Tom Boonen (Quick.Step-Davitamon) in the yellow points jersey
• Peter Van Petegem (Lotto-Domo) finished a solid 26th
• Belgian champion Geert Omloop (MrBookmaker) goes all out in the time trial
• Wouter van Mechelen (Vlaanderen-T Interim) was 71st in Mechelen
• Stefano Zanini (Quick.Step-Davitamon) gives it some gas
• Ludo Dierckxsens (Landbouwkrediet-Colnago) suffers during the TT
• Roger Hammond (MrBookmaker) keeps a low profile in the TT

Images by Elmar Krings

• Sylvain Chavanel (Brioches la Boulangere) concentrates hard
• Gianluca Bortolami (Lampre) guides his machine around a corner
• Gianluca Bortolami (Lampre) powers out of a corner
• Axel Merckx (Lotto-Domo) lost 1'29 to finish 72nd
• Stuart O'Grady (Cofidis) in the red sprints jersey
• Marco Pinotti (Lampre) in a world of pain

Stage 4b - May 22: Mechelen-Mechelen, 115 km

Images by Karen Lambrecht

• Sylvain Chavanel (Brioches la Boulangere) talks to race organiser Rob Discart about the protest
• Samuele Marzoli (Lampre) won the half sprint at the end of the stage, but the results were later annulled

Stage 5 - May 23: Ans-Eupen km, 224 km

Images by AFP Photo

• Sylvain Chavanel (Brioches la Boulangere) crosses the line behind Bart Voskamp in the last stage of the Tour of Belgium
• The final podium (L to R): Bart Voskamp (2nd), Sylvain Chavanel (1st) and Max van Heeswijk (3rd)
• The jersey winners (L to R): Boonen (points), Chavanel (GC) and O'Grady (sprints)

Images by Mani Wollner/foto-grafik-satz.de

• The peloton working hard at the redoute
• Sylvain Chavanel (Brioches la Boulangère) always attentive
• The leading group at Stockeu
• Johan Van Summeren (Relax-Bodysol) attacks in the streets of Eupen
• Tom Boonen (Quickstep) in the second group
• Rik Verbrugghe (Lotto-Domo) leading the front group with 3local laps to go
• Sylvain Chavanel (Brioches la Boulangère) controlling in front of the second group
• Rik Verbrugghe (Lotto-Domo) powering with one lap to go
• Björn Leukemans (MrBookmaker.com-Palmans) crosses the line first
• Tom Boonen (Quickstep) looking exhausted
• Sylvain Chavanel (Brioches la Boulangère), winner of the Tour of Belgium
• Björn Leukemans (MrBookmaker.com-Palmans) on the podium
• Winners on the podium; Bart Voskamp (Chocolade Jacques-Wincor Nixdorf) second, Sylvain Chavanel (Brioches la Boulangère) winner, Max Van Heeswijk (USPS), third
• Janek Tombak (Cofidis) points, Sylvain Chavanel (Brioches la Boulangère), overall, Stuart O'Grady (Cofidis), sprints on the podium

Rund um den Flughafen Köln-Bonn

Images by Mani Wollner/foto-grafik-satz.de

• The two riders still between the leading group and the peloton
• De Nardi working in the peloton
• The leading group splits with 55 kilometers to go
• Torsten Schmidt (Gerolsteiner) tries to keep contact
• The peloton following about four minutes behind
• A group of nine riders crossing the line with 25 kilometers to go
• The peloton finishing the race quite relaxed
• Pascal Hungerbühler crossing the finish line first
• David Kopp (Team Lamonta) suffering on the finish line
• Pascal Hungerbühler gets the compliments of his teammates
• The podium: Jef Peeters (Vlaanderen-T Interim), Pascal Hungerbühler and Harald Morscher (Volksbank Ideal Leingruber)
• The riders looking relaxed before the start
• Corey Sweet leading the peloton over the second GPM
• The peloton at the second GPM
• Corey Sweet (winner of the GPM overall) also leads the group of about 25 riders over the third GPM
• Team Volksbank Ideal controlled the race
• Sven Krauß (Gerolsteiner) and a guy from Team Cyclingnews attack from the peloton
• The leading group working on a flat passage

Olympia's Tour

Prologue - May 15: Den Bosch ITT, 7 km

Images by Remko Mulder

• Rabobank's bikes ready for tomorrow's stage
• Nico Verhoeven tries to convince the jury
• A member of the jury enjoying his power
• Matthieu Heyboer taking his start
• Junior World Champion Kai Reus
• Jukka Vastaranta waits
• Originally wrong, but later good enough to ride
• Thomas Dekker preparing for start
• Two seconds left for Thomas Dekker
• The first 300 metres of the TT
• Start of TT at SintJan in Den Bosch
• Rory starts off on his regular road bike
• Final times in the prologue
• Thomas Dekker waving to the audience
• Bas Gilling, Thomas Dekker, Jukka Vastaranta and Peter Mazur

Stage 4 - May 19: Surhuisterveen-Veendam, 93 km

Images by Dick Soepenberg/www.wielerfoto.nl

• Fulco van Gulik (Green) defending his sprint jersey
• Eventual stage 4 winner Arno Wallard during the stage
• Arno Wallard (Axa) wins stage 4

Stage 5 - May 19: Veendam ITT, 27.5 km

Images by Dick Soepenberg/www.wielerfoto.nl

• Is it a TGV? No it's Thomas Dekker
• Rabo on the move - look at the helmet!
• Maarten Lenferink finished third in the TT
• Fulco van Gulik hates the time trial

GP de Lys lez Lannoy

Images by Jean-Francois Quenet

• Ian McLeod (HSBC) goes solo with 18 km to go
• The HSBC team delighted with its success
• Nic White (HSBC) describes how it happened
• McLeod on the podium flanked by Mickaël Leveau (2nd) and Nicholas White (3rd)

NORBA NCS #2

Stage 4 - May 16: XC

Images by USA Cycling

• Shonny Vanlandingham early in the race
• Gretchen Reeves descends on her Rocky Mountain
• Alison Dunlap powers up one of the climbs
• Willow Koerber about to hit then switchback
• Gretchen Reeves takes the corner
• Alison Dunlap throws up some dust
• Kelli Emmett heads down on her Epic
• Alison Dunlap keeps the power on
• It can't be that hard, Alison is smiling!
• Dunlap losing some altitude on the way to a win
• Malanie McQuaid powers her K2 up the climb
• Dara Marks-Marino looking good for second place
• Kerry Barnholt of Team Subaru-Gary Fisher
• Dunlap takes the win in 2.01.23, 33 seconds ahead of the nearest rider
• The men's field takes to the XC course
• The pace was fast to the base of the first climb
• Riders negotiated a stiff climb four times on the day
• Early leaders Horgan-Kobelski and Todd Wells
• Chris Sheppard and Carl Swenson on the chase
• Australian Paul Rowney gains ground
• Andreas Hestler on the gravel
• Wells and JHK maintain a solid lead on the second lap
• Sheppard and Swenson still chasing
• USA Cycling U-23 National Team rider, Sam Schulz
• JHK and Wells before Wells suffered a mechanical taking him out of the race
• JHK is all alone with a big advantage
• Paul Rowney at the top of the climb
• Another group of chasers survive "that climb"
• The climb required most riders to dismount and climb on foot
• A stiff climb split the field like a bhot knife through butter
• "It's just a gentle climb" they said. "It isn't that bad" they said.
• Even Cesar Grajales had to walk it up the hill
• Horgan-Kobelski takes his first-ever NORBA XC win
• Men's XC Podium L to R: Decker, Rowney, JHK, Travis Brown, and Ryan Trebon

Tour de L'Aude Feminin

Stage 1 - May 14: Gruissan - Gruissan , 95km

Images by velopalmares.free.fr

• The Australian National Team are presented
• Team Basis try to stay warm
• The Canadian National Team sign in
• The French National Team smile for the cameras
• Are we finished yet, it's cold?
• Sonia Huguet prepares
• The Lithuanian National Team head for the team presentation
• The Lithuanians finish up on the stage
• The jerseys that are up for grabs
• The Inter-region Pruneau team and the "dalmation" jerseys
• Priska Doppmann heading for fourth place
• Doppmann pushes to beat the peloton home
• The peloton early in the race
• Andrea Bosman of Ondernemers Van Nature
• The nsprint for the finish, with Alison Wright in front
• Alison Wright crosses the line to take the win
• Followed by Anita Valen and Angela Brodtka
• Anita Valen early in the race
• Alison Wright on the podium
• Ghita Beltman puts on the sprinters jersey
• Beltman poses for the cameras
• nita Valen of Team S.A.T.S with the mountains jersey
• Alison Wright hold her flowers high
• Angela Brodtka of the German National Team in her young rider jersey
• Alison Wright once again
• The jersey winners on the podium

Stage 2 - May 15: Port La Nouvelle to Port La Nouvelle ITT, 5.7km

Images by velopalmares.free.fr

• Suzanne De Goede waits for her turn in the ITT
• De Goede concentrates
• Dede Demet-Barry looking as serious as possible; and it worked
• Mette Fisher Andreasen of Team S.A.T.S. keeps hydrated
• Debby Mansveld prepares before her run
• Francis Newstead of the British National Team
• Sandra Rombouts of the Basis-Aude Mixed team
• Martina Ruzickova sits and thinks
• Irene Van Den Broek of the Therme Skin Care team
• Sara Carrigan warms up
• Olivia Gollan begins her ride
• Margaret Hemsley gets her countdown
• Jolanta Polikeviciute of the Lithuanian National Team
• Polikeviciute moments before her run
• Madeleine Lindberg corners during her ride
• Jessica Philipps on the two-count
• Rasa Polikeviciute waits for her count
• Hayley Rutherford about to hit the go-button
• Helen Saunders psyches up
• Trixi Worrack heads down the ramp
• Edita Pucinskaite and her "Marvin" helmet
• Ghita Beltman on the podium
• Dede Demet-Barry with the leaders jersey
• Kristen Armstrong wears Dede's white jersey
• Dede again, and a smiling official
• Dede puts on her white jersey for the cameras

Stage 3 - May 16: Rieux Minervois to Rieux Minervois, 109km

Images by velopalmares.free.fr

• Sharon Van Essen smiles for the camera
• Kathy White Of Team Basis
• Dede Demet-Barry is all smiles
• Mette Fisher Andreasen wins some hearts
• Loes Gunnewijk strikes a pose
• Sonia Huguet flies the French colours
• Susanne Ljungskog relaxes
• The riders await the start
• Trixi Worrack takes the win
• … and gives herself a clap to celebrate
• The rest of the peloton sprint for the line
• The Nobili Rubineterie Guerciotti team on the podium
• Hanka Kupernagel is all smiles
• Anita Valen dons her jersey
• Trixie Worrack in the leaders jersey
• Anita Valen waves to the crowd
• Valen and Hanka Kupfernagel pose for the cameras
• The jersey winners on the podium

Stage 8a - May 21: Conques sur Orbiel to Conques sur Orbiel, 46km

Images by velopalmares.free.fr

• Mette Fischer Andreason (Team S.A.T.S) wears the pink jersey of stage winner.
• Sara Symington (British National Team) finished second to Mette Fischer Andreason.
• Deidre Demet-Barry (T-Mobile) happy to hold on to the race lead.
• Mette Fischer Andreason (Team S.A.T.S) and Sara Symington (British National Team) await the verdict of the photo finish.

Stage 8b - May 21: Conques sur Orbiel to Pic de Nore, 45km

Images by velopalmares.free.fr

• Nurnberger team-mates Trixi Worrack (R) and Judith Arndt cross the line hand-in-hand in Pic de Nore.
• Trixi Worrack (Nurnberger Versicherung) celebrates her second stage win, with Valentina Polkhanova (Nobili Rubineterie-Guerciotti) close behind.
• How d'ya like them apples? Trixi Worrack's face seems to imply.
• Anita Valen (Team S.A.T.S) and Deidre Demet-Barry (T-Mobile) cross the line for ninth and tenth place respectively.
• Jolanta Polikeviciute (Lithuanian National Team) and Erinne Willock (Canadian National Team) come in for 12th and 13th place.
• @Home Cycling Team's Saskia Elemans and Aneke Hassink finished almost 11 minutes behind the winning time of Trixi Worrack.
• Natalie Bates (Australian National Team) and Diana Elmentaite (Lithuanian National Team) bring home the peloton, 17 minutes in arrears.
• Trixi Worrack (Nurnberger Versicherung) is delighted to be back in the race lead, and also leads the young riders' classification by a massive six minutes.
• Oops! Looks like Trixi's team-mate Judith wants to wear the white jersey.
• Nurnberger team-mates Trixi Worrack (L) and Judith Arndt all smiles.
• Olivia Gollan (Australian National Team) wears the mountains jersey as the second-placed rider in another competition Trixi Worrack is leading.
• The various jersey wearers stand happily on the podium.

Stage 9 - May 22: Couiza to Arques, 132km

Images by velopalmares.free.fr

• A slightly nervous Lara Kroepsch (T-Mobile) before the start in Couiza.
• Ramune Lipinskaite and Diana Elmentaite (Lithuanian National Team) also showing trepidation.
• The field on the start line in Couiza.
• The breakaway trio of Susanne Ljungskog (Team S.A.T.S), Kristen Armstrong (T-Mobile) and Judith Arndt (Nurnberger Versicherung) at the 64.5 kilometre mark.
• Erinne Willock (Canadian National Team) leads the peloton through the same checkpoint, who were over four minutes behind at one stage. Kathy Watt is in third position.
• Susanne Ljungskog (Team S.A.T.S) takes the penultimate stage in a typical display of power riding, followed by Kristen Armstrong (T-Mobile) and Judith Arndt (Nurnberger Versicherung).
• The chase group come into Arques 56 seconds down, with Anita Valen (Team S.A.T.S) outsprinting Priska Doppmann (Vlaanderen T Interim) for fourth and fifth place.
• Race leader Trixi Worrack (Nurnberger Versicherung) comes in, and does enough to retain her lead in the Tour de l'Aude.
• Stage winner Susanne Ljungskog (Team S.A.T.S) stands happily on the podium.
• Susanne Ljungskog (Team S.A.T.S) wears the white jersey of stage winner.
• Trixi Worrack (Nurnberger Versicherung) looks worried, but shouldn't be - she and team-mate Judith Arndt are first and second on GC.
• Claudia Stumpf (German National Team) pretty in pink.
• The various jersey wearers salute the crowd.
• "Aww, shucks - you shouldn't have... " It was Jessica Philipps (Nurnberger Versicherung) birthday yesterday, so she was asked to go on the podium to receive a "peignoir" and a "casquette" from the Pruneaux d'Agen.
• "OK, you should have" Jessica Philipps (Nurnberger Versicherung) likes surprises.

Stage 10 - May 23: Limoux to Limoux, 111km

Images by velopalmares.free.fr

• Team T-Mobile displays the kind of team-work that landed them the teams prize
• Trixi Worrack (Nurnberger Versicherung) at the start
• Erika Vilunaite & Rasa Polikeviciute (Lithuanian team) roll up their sleeves ready for work
• The Lithuanian team waits for the gun
• The break of Angela Brodtka, Nicole Demars & Loes Gunnewij rides through the streets of Limoux
• The peloton chasing and led by the Nurnberger team
• Angela Brodtka (German National Team) takes the final sprint
• The bunch sprint saw disagreement between Beltman, Grain and Valen who was disqualified to last place
• Olivia Gollan (Australia) - queen of the mountains
• Angela Brodtka (German National Team) in the pink jersey of stage winner
• Trixi Worrack (Nurnberger Versicherung) in the race winner's yellow jersey
• Anita Valen (Team S.A.T.S) and Trixi Worrack on the podium
• Trixi Worrack cracks the champagne...
• ... and gets stuck in
• Olivia Gollan demonstrates Aussie drinking technique
• Anita Valen takes the points jersey - and her share of the champers
• Anita Valen gets kitted up for a trip to San Francisco
• Anita Valen and lots more flowers
• Trixi Worrack (Nurnberger Versicherung) was a very happy winner - and not just because of all the bubbly!

San Diego Sprint Challenge

Images by Mitchell Clinton/www.clintonphoto.com

• Vic Copeland (USPS Masters) takes a good look at the word for the day.
• Bill Eagan (Landis Cyclery) did not have the best day in the sprints, but did take second in the group 2 Keirin.
• Todd Boussom (Cyclo-Vets) won the group 3 Keirin and took second in the group 3 sprint.
• Darrel McPherren (Cyclo-Vets) was hell-bent on beating his training partner Bill Ziegler in this early heat in the group 2 sprint.
• Chris Henderson (24 Hour Fitness) posted the fastest 200 time (11.53) and finished fourth in the group 1 sprint.
• Vic Copeland (USPS Masters) keeps a close eye on Todd Boussom (Cyclo-Vets) in the group 3 sprint final.
• 1984 Olympian and cycling coach, Mark Whitehead, was narrowly beat by Darrel McPherren (Cyclo-Vets) in the group 2 final.
• Coach John Ledford rode the moto for the Keirin events.
• Chris Remaly and Adam Smith (Squadra) demonstrate the art of racing with one eye looking forward and one eye looking backward.

Asheville Mellowdrome Rumble on the River #2

Images by Asheville Velodrome Group

• Constructed over the winter, the bridge, also known as Woody, makes for a much safer track environment as well as a good viewing location.
• Woody also makes a good location to heckle the racers, but no spitting please.
• Blair Hobgood, a.k.a. "Frodo", is batting a thousand after two nights of racing.
• Marc "the Axe" Mullinax in real life is a mild mannered college professor, but hopes to end Blair's dominance.
• Recently joined in matrimony, Don Lux and Nancy Daigler hook up on the track as well.
• The Taxman Herb Young checks in with a smile before the first race of the evening.
• Shawn Smith in his first few track races is quickly learning the fast way around the speedway.
• The race of the night was the B field Miss-n-Out. The Master's 150+ combine of Kamm, McMillan and Smith put on a show from the start and schooled young 'uns from the front. Jim McMillan took top honors.
• A shot from April 27. Richard Dunn checks the front of the 60 lap road bike points race as, up the road, team-mate Kent Willams tries for a lap on the 491 meter oval.
• Ensuring that the little diesel is brought up properly, track regular George Riedesel plans to make sure his son can spot a foul or sprinter's lane violation from a distance.

Red Bull Downtown

Images by Red Bull

• Anne-Caroline Chausson was once again unbeatable in the women's event
• Anneke Beerten was a surprise runner-up... well, not too surprising from this car conquest
• Helen Gaskell takes steps to secure third
• Steve Peat won yet another Red Bull Downtown
• Cedric Gracia set the fastest time in qualifying
• Steps are less bumpy this way
• Mick Hannah looked as comfortable on steps as he does on trails - and as fast
• Greg Minaar piloted his unusual Honda rig to seventh place
• Guido Tschugg on the way to eighth
• Greg Minaar's Honda really does look like all that's missing is the engine
• The women's podium - Anneke Beerten (Ned), Anne-Caroline Chausson (Fra) and Helen Gaskell (GBr)
• The men's podium - Mick Hannah (Aus), Steve Peat (GBr) and Cedric Gracia (Fra)

Olympus downhill

Images by Robert Gelo

• Down in the woods
• Drop in any time!
• I think I'll stop for a picnic
• Going down
• Quick despite the trees
• That pad must look very comforting
• Classic slippery Euro downhill conditions

Boulder Stage Race

Stage 1

Images by Rob Karman/www.roadbikephotos.com

• Micah Thompson (Excel Sports) on the way to third place
• Mark Southard (Excel Sports) led the local charge with second behind moninger
• Kimberly Bruckner (T-Mobile) was two minutes clear of her nearest rival
• Katrina Grove (RONA) finished second to Bruckner
• Scott Moninger (Health Net/Maxxis) dominating the opening time trial

Peace Race (Course de la Paix)

Stage 1 - May 8: Brussels - Brussels, 143,1 km

Images by Miwako Sasaki/Cycle Sports Japan

• The cheerful Domina Vacanze team at the presentation in Brussels
• There weren't too many spectators at the start of the Peace Race in front of Brussels' Palais Royal
• The first stage of Peace Race finished under the Atomium in Brussels
• The top three: Slawomir Kohut (2nd), Lars Wackernagel (1st), Eric Baumann (3rd)
• The jersey wearers after stage 1 Massimo Giunti (mountains), Lars Wackernagel (GC), and Eric Baumann (most active rider)

Stage 2 - May 9: Hannover - Hannover, 132,9 km

Images by KlaDi

• T-Mobile directeur sportif Olaf Ludwig looks like he's come across a doozy of a question.
• Tomas Konecny (T-Mobile) dons the appropriate headgear at the chilly start in Hannover.
• Stephan Schreck (T-Mobile) deep in thought.
• Eric Baumann (T-Mobile) is a bit of a Vino-lookalike.
• Ralf Grabsch (Team Wiesenhof) happy to be here.
• Eventual stage winner Lars Wackernagel (Team Wiesenhof).
• Erik Zabel (T-Mobile) with Gian Matteo Fagnini (Domina Vacanze) on his wheel.
• Hey Tafi, the hotel's this way!
• Eule, one of the well-known T-Mobile staff, with Serguei Yakovlev and Jan Schaffrath.
• Jan Schaffrath (T-Mobile) receives his goodies from Eule.
• Cyclingnews diarist Scott Sunderland, sporting a goatee at the start in Hannover.
• Erik Zabel (T-Mobile) looks like he's running late.
• Now that Erik's made it to the start on time, he's much more relaxed.

Stage 8 - May 15: Bílina - Karlovy Vary, 184,6 km

Images by Jirka Urban

• Ralf Grabsch (Wiesenhof) tries to preserve his lead
• David Loosli (Saeco) en route to victory
• The Domina Vacanze team up the pace in the peloton
• Michele Scarponi (Domina Vacanze) in yellow after stage 8
• The various jersey wearers (L to R): Seweryn Kohut (mountains), Michele Scarponi (GC), Eric Baumann (most active rider) and Christian Knees (best U23 rider)

Wortegem Koerse

Images by www.megafoto.be

• Dutchman Michel Kreder (Dgr Ct Vorselaar) wins comfortably, outsprinting Pieter Vanspeybroeck (Avia Wielerteam Waasland) and Arjan De Baet (Zeeuws Vlaanderen).

Cat's Hill Criterium

Images by Len Ramirez/CineAlta/www.cinealtapictures.com

• A large field was present for the 30th anniversary Cat's Hill race.
• Riders are treated to smooth new asphalt on the Cat's Hill.
• Ben Jacques-Maynes (Sierra Nevada) shows that he has good form early in the race.
• The hill starts to put the hurt on.
• Eric Wohlberg (Sierra Nevada) makes a break.
• Future riders enjoying a fine race.
• Eric Wohlberg (Sierra Nevada) and Mike Sayers (Health Net/Maxxis) rode away from the field for most of the race.
• Glad to be at the top of Nicholson.
• Ben Jacques-Maynes (Sierra Nevada) makes it look easy.
• A crash at the top of Nicholson claims several riders.
• A McGuire rider checks on two teammates who are down.
• The beat goes on at the front.
• It was a long day for some.
• The cheers of the crowd echo the rider's response to the hill.
• Ben Jacques-Maynes (Sierra Nevada) had many admirers today.
• The women pose on the podium with sponsor Michael Takatsuno.
• Ben Jacques-Maynes (Sierra Nevada), David McCook (McGuire) and John Hygelund (Sierra Nevada Cycling) on the pro men's podium.
• Eric Wohlberg (Sierra Nevada) is the King of the Mountain.
• The competition was fierce, but friendly after the race.
• A massage to relieve the pain of another tough race.
• McGuire Cycling hold a post-race team meeting.
• Dave Zabriskie (USPS) digs deep.
• Eric Wohlberg's (Sierra Nevada) descents were a blur...
• ... and his climbing is all muscle and guts.
• The lactic acid starts to build up in the late stages of the race.
• Ben Jacques-Maynes wins the 2004 Cat's Hill Classic.

Images by Al Williams

• Women's winner Karen Brems (Webcor/Alto Velo) on the 23 percent grade of Cat's Hill.
• Karen Brems (Webcor/Alto Velo) looking comfy on the recently repaved Cat's Hill.
• Karen Brems (Webcor/Alto Velo) was away with Kathryn Curi (Rona) for much of the race.
• Karen Brems (Webcor/Alto Velo) stretches her legs.
• Karen Brems (Webcor/Alto Velo) hunched over her bike on the Cat's Hill climb.
• Karen Brems (Webcor/Alto Velo) follows the wheel of Kathryn Curi (Rona).

Images by Russ Wright/AbbiOrca.com

• Katheryn Curi (Rona) leads Karen Brems.
• Karen Brems on her way to her 7th Cat's Hill victory
• Laura Charmeda (Dewars) got 2nd place
• Crowds gathe where the pain is found - on the climb.
• Dave Zabriskie (USPS)
• The effort shows.
• McGuire starts pushing to reel in the break
• Eric Wohlberg (Sierra Nevada) and Mike Sayers (Health Net/Maxxis) kept in front of the pack much of the race
• Adam Switters won the junior race and made the final cut of the 1/2 race.
• Ben Jacques-Maynes (Sierra Nevada) alone in front on the last climb of the hill. Most of the crowd has moved to finish.
• Ben Jacques-Maynes has plenty of time to celebrate as the pack sprints for second.
• Ben Jacques-Maynes wins Cats Hill 2004!
• Ben Jacques-Maynes after the race.

Images by Garrett Lau

• Defending Champion Karen Brems (Webcor) at the start.
• Sandra Kolb (LGBRC) has a gap on the hill.
• Katheryn Curi (RONA) racks up Queen of the Mountain points.
• Beverley Harper (LGBRC) crests the hill.
• Karen Brems is glued to Katheryn Curi's wheel late in the race.
• Karen Brems starts to wind up...
• ...puts the hammer down...
• ...gets alongside Laura Charameda with a wheel-length to go...
• ... and just gets it on the line!
• Mike Sayers (Health Net) sets a fast pace up the hill.
• David Zabriske (USPS) grimaces on the hill.
• Eric Wohlberg (Sierra-Nevada) leans over the handlebars while climbing.
• Eric Wohlberg (Sierra-Nevada) racks up King of the Mountain points.

For more photos, e.g. Tour de la Manche, CSC Classic, Four Days of Dunkirk, Historic Roswell Criterium, Museeuw's farewell criterium, Souvenir Magali Pache, GP S.A.T.S., Giro di Toscana, Tour of the Gila, Rund um den Henninger Turm, GP Industria & Artigianato-Larciano, Tour de Romandie, La Vuelta de Bisbee, Aust. track nats, Athens Twilight Criterium, Ruban Granitier Breton, Baw Baw Classic, Week In, Weak Out Dirt Crit Series 5, Giro dell'Appennino, Tour de Georgia, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Contre la montre pour le coeur , Fleche Wallonne, Amstel Gold, Paris-Roubaix, Giro del Trentino, Tour de Vendée, Copperopolis, Veenendaal-Veenendaal, GP de Denain, Scheldeprijs Vlaanderen and Rund um Köln please consult our archives