Cycling photography for June (part II) The Local East Coast Australian Time is plus 30 minutes Olympic Showdown Colorado State Criterium Championships Giro d'Italia Femminile National Championships Vuelta a Colombia Postgirot Tour of Sweden US Espoirs Championships American Cup Criterium Series Tour de Suisse Hewlett Packard LaserJet Women's Challenge Columbia Plateau Stage Race Mexico City Track World Cup Vuelta a Catalunya Route du Sud Olympic showdown This track meeting on the Trexlertown velodrome was billed as a showdown between Australia, the USA and New Zealand. Douglas Sheppard caught some of the action. Tanya Lindenmuth and Fiona Ramage - No love lost off the track Words of encouragement: A father cheers his son Giddeon Massie - Stretching before a race Action - Amongst the juniors Marcelo Arrue and Marty Nothstein - Warming down Ben Kersten - Battles with Marty Nothstein The women - In a tight finish Giro d'Italia Femminile The Giro d'Italia Femminile is taking place in Italy from June 25-July 9, 2000. Mark Carter sent us this photograph courtesy of the Australian women's team. Cyclists preparing - At the start line, ready for a challenging race The leading bunch - During stage 2 Diana Ziliute (Acca Due O) - Pulls off a clear sprint win in stage 3 Colorado State Criterium Championships The Colorado State Criterium Championships were on in May and Neal McQuarie sent us the following photographs, of cyclists from the 7 UP/Colorado Team 7 UP/Colorado Cyclist -Speeds by Clark Sheehan -Taking the bend National Championships The French Championships were held in Poiré-sur-Vie between June 22-25, this year. Included in this batch is also a picture from Spain, and a couple from Sweden, courtesy of Anders Sisell, who runs Nicklas Axelsson's fan site. Jeannie Longo - Riding strongly during the race Jeannie Longo - Crossing the line to win the French Women's title again Edil Savino's Catherine Marsal - Satisfied with second place The women's road race podium: Marsal, Longo-Ciprelli and Magali Le Floc'h Christophe Capelle (Big Mat) - Ecstatic at winning the French Championship Christophe Capelle - Proudly shows off his gold medal jersey on the podium The French Men's podium: Durand, Capelle and Morin Alvaro Gonzalez de Galdeano (Vitalicio Seguros) - Clear winner in Spain Magnus Bäckstedt and Nicklas Axelsson - Climbing the Gesundaberget Michel Lafis - On the final climb with Stefan Adamsson Vuelta a Colombia Colombia's biggest tour is the Vuelta a Colombia, 16 stages long and attracting the nations best riders, as well as several internationals. This tour is nearly always won by a Colombian, although sometimes they are upstaged. These pictures were made available to cyclingews.com by www.elcolombiano.com, one of Colombia's best known newspapers. Special thanks to Haroldo Camacho with the reports and pictures as well. Leader Palacios - Succumbs to exhaustion at the finish line Hector Ivan Palacio - The agony of ... victory. Team Orbitel 05 - Took: 1,2,3,4 in the overall G.C. Hector Ivan Palacio - Is given a heroe's celebration Finally the thrill of victory - For 31 yr. old Colombian: Hector Ivan Palacio Ancient walls - Frame the peloton on the way to Barranquilla The heat takes a toll on the riders - 30 C and 95% humidity The peloton rides through Cartagena - Towards Barranquilla on stage 2 The "blonde beast" - Andris Nauduzs (Selle Italia) suffering on a climb The 05 Orbitel team - Dominant at the front of the peloton Raul Montaña - Catching the Medellín metro rail in the TT Race leader Palacio - Holds his own in the Medellín TT Marlon Pérez - Unstoppable in his 50 kph TT win in Medellín Marlon Perez - Celebrates his TT win in Medellín Julio Bernal (Ciclistas de Jesucristo) - Suffers on a mountain stage Alejandro Cortés (Aguardiente Antioqueño) - Aerodynamic on a descent Fans - Urge 05 Orbitel riders up the wet mountain slopes in stage 8 Edgar Quiñonez (Mixto Tolima) - Leads a team mate over a stage 9 climb Elder Herrera (05 Orbitel) - Works to sustain his 2nd place on the G.C. Got milk? - An unusual fan poses the all important question Raúl Montaña (Aguardiente Néctar) - sets the pace on stage 9 Manizales - A festive city, did not disappoint A future Vuelta a Colombia leader Water bottles fall upright The peloton - Through the valley of the Cauca river, stage 10 First aid or horseplay -You decide what's going on? The final sprint in Cali - Jhon Freddy García takes it Near the summit - La Línea, stage 12 Palacio follows team mate up La Línea - Others struggle behind Elder Herrera - Wins the toughest mountain stage at Ibagué (stage 12) Herrera had no monkeys on his back - After winning the stage Palacio and Herrera - "Dynamic Duo" on the toughest mountain stage The peloton - Descending at 70kph Aguardiente Nectar's - Team director's car was drafting too close... Don't try this at home - Duván Ramírez (05 Orbitel) shows how to descend The peloton - Arrives at colonial Villa de Leyva Going all out - Along the vast plateau of the "Sabana de Bogotá" Race leader Ivan Palacio - Guards his tri-colored jersey in the middle of the peloton Postgirot Tour of Sweden The Postgirot Tour of Sweden was won this year by local favourite, Michael "Roddarn" Andersson. These photos were provided by the official site. A Jean Delatour rider - Warms up for the prologue Lauri Aus (Ag2r) - Rides during the prologue Erik Dekker (Rabobank) - In yellow after winning the prologue Director and manager - Team Crescent A couple of Team Crescent riders - Petter Renäng and Tobias Lergård Michael Andersson - Prepares for stage 4 Michael Andersson - On the start ramp before the time trial Michael Andersson - On the podium after the time trial Jonas Ljungblad - Best young rider in the time trial Niklas Axelsson - During the stage 4 time trial The following shots of the prologue were taken by Tomas Nilsson, the man of the moment. Michael Lafis (Farm Frites) - Smiles before the start Glenn Magnusson (Farm Frites) - Looking keen for the ride Andrea Noé (Mapei) - On the start ramp Stuart O'Grady - Relaxes in the Credit Agricole team car. Gabriel Rasch (Norway) Petter Renäng (Team Crescent) - A smile for the camera Petter Renäng - Looking confident before the prologue Petter Renäng - Sets off in the prologue Alain van Katwijk (MGI Fietsen) - Rides in the bunch on stage 1b US Espoirs Championships The US Espoirs Championships - CN New York, USA, was held from June 16-18, 2000. Thanks to Douglas Sheppard for the photographs. Late breakaway -Michael Creed and Ryan Lane On the podium -Smiling and cheering Brice Jones -Mercy Cycling Team The final 7 man break - going strong Congratulations -After the race American Cup Criterium Series The American Cup held in the USA, June 6-11, 2000 has nearly $20,000 in prize money and valuable NRC points on the line. Jonathan McElvery shared the following action packed photos with us. Onlookers - Watching the cyclists pass The American Cup - Drew the best field in its four-year history The American Cup - A six-day series of evening criteriums The bunch - Cornering hard On the way - Up a hill climb The bunch - Cycling hard A bird's eye view - Of the cyclists Onlookers - Watching the cyclists pass The witch - Spying on the cyclists Sylvain Beauchamp (Shaklee) - Cornering tightly Frank McCormack (Saturn) - Wearing the leader's jersey Mark McCormack (Saturn) - Riding hard Andrew Randall (Jet Fuel Coffee) - Winning race two Kevin Monahan (7 UP/Colorado Cyclist) - During race 4 in Salem Shawn McCormack (CCB/Volkswagen) - Race 5 in Somerville Scott Mercer (G.S. Mengoni) - Wins race 5 in Somerville Mercury's John Peters - During race 5 in Somerville The final GC - Frank and Mark McCormack, and John Peters The sprint to clinch the GC - John Peters teammate Mike Sayers Tour de Suisse The Tour de Suisse is one of the last Tour de France preparation races, as well as being probably the fourth hardest stage race after the three Grand Tours. Stage 2 - June 14: Uster-Rheinfelden, 197 km Fred Rodriguez (Mapei) - Winning the stage clearly Markus Zberg (Rabobank) - Overall leader after stage 2 Stage 3 - June 15: Rheinfelden-Fribourg, 182 km A farmer - Watches the competitors as they pass by Wladimir Belli (Fassa Bortolo) - Winning the stage Michael Boogerd (Rabobank) - Puts on the yellow jersey Stage 4 - June 16: Fribourg-Verbier, 156 km Pascal Hervé (Polti) - Climbs towards Verbier Pascal Hervé - Winning the stage Jan Ullrich (Telekom) - 7th, but second overall Pascal Hervé - Celebrates on the podium Stage 5 - June 17: Sierre ITT, 30 km Jan Ullrich (Telekom) - Powering during the stage Raivis Belohvosciks (Lampre) - Riding in the time trial Jan Ullrich - Very happy on the podium Stage 6 - June 18: Ulrichen-Ulrichen, 103.1 km Eddy Mazzoleni (Polti) - Success in Ulrichen Spectators - Watch the riders go up the Nufenen pass Stage 7 - June 19. Locarno-Lugano, 171 km Jan Ullrich (Telekom) - More comfortable in the yellow jersey Marco Fincato (Fassa Bortolo) - Goes it alone Marco Fincato - Elated to win Stage 8 - June 20: Locarno-La Punt, 170 km Stefano Garzelli - Wins stage eight in La Punt Oscar Camenzind - Celebrates on the podium The pack pass a herd of cows - On the ascent of the Albula Pass Stage 9 - June 21: St.Moritz-Arosa, 150 km Oscar Camenzind - Leads Jan Ullrich and Michael Boogerd The pack - Approaches the Chur Castle on Stage 9 Francesco Secchiari (Saeco) - Wins the stage by a healthy margin Gilberto Simoni - Congratulates his teammate Oscar Camenzind Stage 10 - June 22: Herisau-Baden, 175 km Oscar Camenzind - Finishes in the yellow jersey Mapei's Stefano Zanini - Wins the final stage The final podium: Belli, Camenzind and Frigo Hewlett Packard LaserJet Women's Challenge One of the best known and prestigious women's events on the calendar, this 11 day race takes place in Idaho USA over a wide variety of terrain. The following photos have been provided courtesy of the official site. Stage 1, June 8: Boise - Idaho City Road Race, 69.6 mi/112.1 km Laughs before the start Eventual winner, Anna Wilson (Saturn) - Just after the start The peloton - Climbing Lucky Peak The break - Establish their lead under dark clouds Rasa Polikeviciute (HP European) - Riding in the break Rasa Polikeviciute - Crosses the finish line on foot after crashing Stage 2 - June 9: Lowman - Stanley Road Race, 58.5 mi/94.3 km The start - Rasa Polikeviciute bears the scars Just after the start of the second stage - Riders in sunshine Mari Holden - Follows Diana Ziliute (HP European) in their break Jeannie Longo (Office Depot) - During her successful escape Jeannie Longo - Concentrates hard Stage 3 - June 10: Elkhorn Circuit Race, 29.6 mi/46 km Saturn's Lyne Bessette - Cornering hard Jenna Lloyd (Proctor & Gamble) - Looking a little relaxed Cheryl Binney (P&G) - A hug for finishing Race motorbike - Monitoring the action during the stage The peloton - Squeeze through a narrow gap Stage 3 podium: Jeannie Longo, Diana Ziliute and Karen Kurreck Stage 4 - June 11: Rupert - Pomerelle Road Race, 56.4 mi/90.2 km Crash - carnage during stage 4! Jeannie Longo (Office Depot) - On the move during stage 4 Total concentration - The midst of the peloton Timex's Kim Smith - Rewarded with a 4th placing Trixi Worrack and Jolanta Polikeviciute - Head to head at the finish Saturn's Clara Hughes - Exhausted at the end Stage 5- June 12: Burley South Individual Time Trial, 15 mi/24 km Nicole Freedman - Shows her time trialing technique Katrina Berger - Past the half way mark of the 15 mile Burley Time Trial Diana Ziliute - Goes for a strong finish in the Burley Time Trial Rasa Polikeviciute - A battle for domination Master Team - Head on Stage 6- June 13: Burley - Buhl Road Race, 84.2 mi/135 km Stage 6 -Started in brutally gusting winds Talking cycling -Many riders succumbed to the wind On your marks -Getting ready to start the stage Smiling -And ready for the big challenge ahead Racers -This stage will undoubtedly be their last, as time cuts will be enforced. Smiling -As goals are set and ready to be met Stage 7- June 14: Twin Falls - Glenns Ferry Road Race, 76.7 mi/125 km This 123 km Stage -Testing the mettle of the sprinters A hill climb - In this aggressive, high-powered race Kimberly Bruckner -And in the background: Annabelle Vowels After the Stage -Enjoying a thirst quenching drink Eager onlookers -Cows watching the cyclists charge on past Kristin Armstrong -Relaxing after the 125km road race Stage 8 - June 15: Payette Valley - Firebird Raceway Road Race, 79.4 mi/127 km Zita Urbonaite -Gets cheered on Brooke Blackwelder - After the race Rasa Polikeviciute - And other riders Timex cyclist - In preparation for Stage 8 Petra Rossner - And Ina-Yoko Teutenberg Stage 9 - June 16: Mountain Home Air Force Base Road Race, 71.5 mi/114.4 km Cyclists pass B1-bombers - Parked on the runway Dede Demet Barry and Diana Ziliute -During the four-lap circuit on the landing strip Diana Ziliute - (HP European) is still defending her leader's jersey Sue Carter - Fast, aggressive racing. Leah Toffolon -Standing by, as racers gather at the start line Stage 10 - June 17: Statehouse Criterium, 34.7 mi/55.5 km The race winning breakaway - Five women drive the train Jeannie Longo (Office Depot) - Tries to bridge Dede Demet (Saturn) - Burying herself to ensure the break's success Anna Wilson (Saturn) - Leading the break The bunch - During their pursuit of the break Sarah Ulmer (Elita) - Wears the pink sprint jersey Anna Wilson - A big smile Anna Wilson - Extremely happy afterwards Stage 11 - June 18: Middleton - Boise Hyde Park Road Race, 55.2 mi/88.3 km Anna Wilson (Saturn) - On the podium Katia Longhin - And fellow Master Team-Carpe Diem rider, cycling hard Dede Demet Barry - And Lara Ruthven Jeannie Longo (Office Depot) - Reaches the top of the ascent alone Receiving prizes - And roses on the podium Smiles everywhere - From the girls on the podium Sanna Lehtimaki - Followed by Karen Kurreck and Jolanta Polikeviciute Columbia Plateau Stage Race It's not all UCI racing on cyclingnews. The Columbia Plateau stage race was held over 3 days (June 9-11) in Portland, Oregon. Reporter and photographer, David Morgan sent us these pictures. The lead group - During the Ione Road Race stage Two riders - Attempting to bridge up to the lead group The peloton - Approaching the feed zone near Condon, OR Track World Cup - Mexico City Round three of the track World Cup was held in Mexico city from June 16-18. Here is a little of the action. Johnny Bairos (USA) - After a nasty fall Roberto Chiappa - Leads in the final sprint for the Keirin title Vuelta a Catalunya This is a Spanish 'hors categorie' stage race that is one of the oldest such races in Spain. The Vuelta a Catalunya gives the Spaniards and those others not riding the Tour de Suisse a last chance to sharpen their legs before the Tour de France. Erik Zabel (Telekom) - Wins his second successive stage (3) Gabriele Missaglia (Lampre) - Winning stage 4 David Cañada (ONCE) - On the podium after stage 4 Giovanni Lombardi (Telekom) - Makes it three stages for the team José Maria Jimenez (Banesto) - On his way to the overall lead in stage 7 José Maria Jimenez (Banesto) - During the final time trial Route du Sud This 2.3 class race runs from June 17-20 and is the last French race before the Tour de France. Several Tour favourites participated in the race. Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) - Wins stage 1a Francisco Mancebo (Banesto) - Overjoyed winning the final stage Tomas Brozyna (Banesto) - Puts on the final winner's jersey   Want some more? For more cycling photography, please consult our monthly archives