Report from Lance Armstrong

Another nail-biting, stomach-churning, heart-flipping, voice-scratching weekend!

I think this weekend marks the evolution of the US Postal Team. George's win was truly a defining moment, for his own personal redemption, as well as a maturation and cohesion catalyst for the entire team.

Last year, George was awarded the jersey on the podium with his entire family in tow. It was Father's day, and Mr. Hincapie senior was a proud man. The glory was short-lived as the honor and jersey were stripped off his back, the result of disqualification for drafting off a team car after replacing a flat during the final lap of the race. This year, revenge was sweet and the day belonged to George Hincapie.

And the team was his chariot. They fought, blocked, scrapped and pushed themselves to stay in the lead the entire day. We shared a victory beer in George's room after the madness settled, and George was still on a high. After Mark Gorski made a toast that recognized the efforts of each of the seven Posties, George said, "This is thanks to Lance. He said this morning that I was going to win. That they were all going to work for me and I could do it." Lance just smiled and said, "That, my friends, is how you race bikes."

Lance felt so satisfied. He rode strong in the lead all day, working hard for his team. I always think of Lance and I as being so young, but I forget that he is a veteran in his sport. He is a guide and mentor to some of the younger riders. He told me, "Some people can work hard and be second place their entire life. It takes something else entirely to be a champion. You have to grow to get there; your confidence has to evolve. But once you become a winner, you are never the same again." I think Lance gave George the boost he needed, mentally as well as on the bike, to bridge the gap between Good and Best.

Believing in someone is a gift that grants the power to do great things. It made me think that Lance will be a wonderful father someday. Of course I already knew that.

From a spectator's perspective, this race was as close to a European experience as you can get. The town shuts down and fans line the course. The announcer blares all day. Motorcycles and team cars squeal around corners. The biggest climb is the Manayunk Wall (nicknamed "The Wall"), which is swarming with people. The entire race is broadcast live all day in Philadelphia. It really makes me wonder why cycling is not huge in the States. Hats off to the city of Philadelphia for a great event!

Today the renewed team heads off to Europe. After riding farther than he has in two years, Lance is beginning to get some of his racing snap back. His schedule includes the Tour of Luxembourg, The Tour of Catalunya, and Rheinland-Pflaz. He returns to the States in early July, and will do the Cascade Classic in Washington in mid July. In February, Lance put too much pressure on himself. Now he approaches things from a better perspective: a more mature, selfless, reasonable, patient perspective. Whatever happened in Paris-Nice, and whatever needed to happen in Austin to overcome it - is like fog lifting to reveal the sun. The forecast is clear.

From Kristin.

Please support:

The Lance Armstrong Foundation - http://www.laf.org
The Testicular Cancer Resource Center - http://www.acor.org/TCRC

Poland, Women's EuroSport Tour

Stage 4, 68.6 kms:

 1. Susanne Ljungskog (Swe) Greenery Hawk                     2.13.26
 2. Hanka Kupfernagel (Ger) Greenery Hawk
 3. Sanna Lehtimäki (Fin) Greenery Hawk                       	 5.21

GC after Stage 4:

 1. Hanka Kupfernagel (Ger) Greenery Hawk                     7.42.06
 2. Susanne Ljungskog (Swe) Greenery Hawk                        1.54
 3. Sanna Lehtimäki (Fin) Greenery Hawk                   	12.06

No Tour for Frank Vandenbroucke

The Mapei team for the Tour will include young hopeful Giuseppe Di Grande who is a potential for the GC in years to come. Other riders selected for Mapei include Jan Svorada, Franco Ballerini, Daniele Nardello, Andrea Tafi and Stefano Zanini.

Tour de Tunisie postponed

Batavus-Bankgiroloterij bus stolen

The six riders of the team can probably start in the Tour of Sweden on Wednesday. The Batavus team will use equipment supplied by the TVM team.

More Weekend Race Results

Belgium, Boom Derny Race, June 5:

 1. Peter Van Peteghem (Bel) TVM-Farm Frites
 2. B. Van Itterbeeck (Bel) elite
 3. P. Spaenhoven (Bel) Palmans-Ideal
 4. J. Buelens (Bel) elite
 5. P. Van Hyfte (Bel) Lotto
 6. P. Voshol (Ned) elite
 7. L. Giesberts (Bel) elite
 8. M. Janssens (Bel) Palmans-Ideal
 9. W. Cretskens (Bel) Vlaanderen 2002
10. K. Van Bulck (Bel) elite
11. B. Marien (Bel) elite
12. E. Smeulders (Bel) elite
13. S. Quinn (GB) elite
14. L. Van Haudt (Bel) elite
15. R. Deraedt (Bel) Tonissteiner

Belgium, Herenthout, Antwerp MTB Cross Country Championship

 1. P. Herijgers (Bel) Tonissteiner (champion of Antwerp)
 2. G. De Knecht (Ned)
 3. F. Meirhaeghe (Bel) Mountain dew
 4. B. Heylen (Bel)
 5. K. Corbeels (Bel)

France, Criterium Lèves:

 1. Philippe Gaumont (Fra)
 2. Gilles Bouvard (Fra)
 3. Frederic Moncassin (Fra)

TVM chases Aerts

Another hit and run...

66th Giro del Piave, Australian Team Report

Yesterday I took a group to the north of Italy where we hooked up with Cadel Evans for the Giro del Piave, a 1 day race which finishes on a 15 km mountain. The team consisted of Cadel Evans, Sean Sullivan, Corey Sweet, Kris Denham, Wayne Kestle and Jamie Drew. Wayne was recovering from a minor illness so was not to push himself too hard. He stopped the race after 50km. Corey and Kris joined the first major break of the day and picked off some primes until they were caught and passed by the main group. Sean and Jamie were to keep Cadel close to the front for an assault on the final climb. With 2 groups of 2 at 1 minute and 30 seconds Jamie and Sean rode on the front to for 20km to start the climb at 30 seconds from the front. After several attacks on the the bunch was whittled down to 3 riders in the last 4km. Smirnov attacked but Cadel elected to follow Vandelli, who has a big reputation in Italy. Smirnov went on to win with Cadel being beaten for second by Vandelli.

66th Giro del Piave, Elite/Under 23, 154 kms:

 1. Maxim Smirnov (Rus) Sonego                               3.37.58
 2. Maurizio Vandelli (Ita) Pasta Montegrappa			0.06
 3. Cadel Evans (Aus) Volvo					0.16
 4. Davide Dante (Ita) GS de Nardi				0.34
 5. Dominico Romano (Ita) Pasta Montegrappa			s.t.
..
31 Jamie Drew (Aus) Casini
32 Sean Sullivan (Aus) Casini

101 starters

Shayne Bannon (ACF Coach) had the other half of the group at another 1 day race called Parma-la Spezia. It was also an elite/under 23 race. I don't have details but Deane Rogers was 4th, Daniel Trinne was 7th and Alan Iacuone was 11th.

Amsterdam Velodrome to open in September

The Velodrome in Amsterdam will be open on September 5. The covered stadium
will be able to hold an audience of 2,600. The KNWU will use this stadium for
a National training centre. On September 9, there will be an attempt on the
the national hour record behind dernies, and in November, the velodrome
will host the GP Peter Post behind dernies.

New Format for Grand Prix Eddy Merckx

A letter from the student...

I said that I would keep you posted on my results this weekend. Thanks to all your advice and the help of everyone else I have finally notched up win number one in Europe! I am absolutely over the moon. I had an Elite race yesterday (Saturday) in which I finished 9th. I believe I would have had a much better result if I had a little support from my team. The next best BANAKA rider was about 30th. I explained this to the riders and today they worked very well and nothing went away without one of us represented in it. I didn’t go with any moves that went on easy sections of road (as I have done many time in the past) but I only put in and went with moves that went on the hills or hard sections of road. 40 kms to go after a hard 5km climb I got in a move with nine of so others, amazingly with one of my team mates. Anyway I didn’t do any more work than anyone else, and our gap stayed and 1 minute until the last climb. This climb was 4 kms long with the finish on top and was very very steep. One rider from the break hit at the bottom, I followed, hit him after about 500 m and rode the next 3 and a half kilometres solo to the top to win.

Now I have tasted victory. And it is oh so sweet. I am a lot hungry now for more. I know what I have to do, and when I don’t have to work for anyone else, I know now that I can win the races myself.

Thanks once again Heiko. I just hope this is the beginning of better things to come.

John Pollock.

US National Racing Calendar Standings, June 8

Men - Individual:

 1.  526    George Hincapie, U.S. Postal ServicE, Charlotte, N.C.
 2.  479    Julian Dean, Mercury, Hamilton, New Zealand
 3.  357    Gord Fraser, Mercury, Ottawa, Ont., Canada
 4.  317    Kirk Willett, Mercury, Pullman, Wash.
 5.  290    Trent Klasna, Navigators, Pine Valley, Calif.
 6.  241    Mike McCarthy, Saturn, New York, N.Y.
 7.  227    Mark McCormack, Saturn, N. Easton, Mass.
 8.  223    Frank McCormack, Saturn, Leicester, Mass.
 9.  183    Jonathan Vaughters, U.S. Postal Service, Englewood, Colo.
10.  158    Roberto Gaggioli, OilMe, Vinci, Italy
11.  156    Eddy Gragus, OilMe, Fort Collins, Colo.
12.  155    Frankie Andreu, U.S. Postal Service, Dearborn, Mich.
13.  141    John Peters, Mercury, Santa Rosa, Calif.
14.  141    Thurlow Rogers, Mercury, Van Nuys, Calif.
15.  138    Derek Bouchard-Hall, Shaklee, Menlo Park, Calif.
16.  137    Fred Rodriguez, Saturn, Piedmont, Calif.
17.  136    Eric Wohlberg, Shaklee, Burlington, Ont., Canada
18.  117    Michael Sayers, Mercury, Sacramento, Calif.
19.  113    Mat Anand, Mercury, Calgary, Alb., Canada
20.  111    Chann McRae, Saturn, Austin, Texas
21.  110    Cadel Evans, Volvo-Cannondale, Plenty, Vic., Australia
22.  109    Antonio Cruz, Nutra Fig, Sparks, Nev.
23.  104    Norm Alvis, Saturn, Colorado Springs, Colo.
24.  104    Robbie Ventura, Navigators, Gurnee, Ill.
25.   97    Tyler Hamilton, U.S. Postal Service, Brookline, Mass.
26.   95    Levi Leipheimer, Saturn, Windsor, Calif.
27.   90    Chris Wherry, Saturn, Boulder, Colo.
28.   89    Lance Armstrong, U.S. Postal Service, Austin, Texas
29.   84    Ashley Powell, GoMart-West Virginia, Greensboro, N.C.
30.   83    Adham Sbeih, Nutra Fig, Pollock Pines, Calif.
31.   83    David Zabriskie, Einstein's, Salt Lake City, Utah
32.   81    Paul Martin, Navigators, N. Royalton, Ohio
33.   80    Brian Walton, Saturn, N. Delta, B.C., Canada
34.   79    Jonas Carney, Shaklee, Boulder, Colo.
35.   77    John Lieswyn, GoMart-West Virginia, Asheville, N.C.
36.   75    Marty Jemison, U.S. Postal Service, Salt Lake City, Utah
37.   74    Scott Fortner, Saturn, Littleton, Colo.
38.   73    Chad Gerlach, OilMe, W. Sacramento, Calif.
39.   72    Jim Copeland, Colorado Cyclist, Colorado Springs, Colo.
40.   70    Bart Bowen, Saturn, Albuquerque, N.M.
41.   67    Colby Pearce, Colorado Cyclist, Boulder, Colo.
42.   62    Olin Bakke, Shaklee, Sierra Madre, Calif.
43.   61    Curt Davis, Kissena, Branford, Conn.
44.   60    Greg Randolph, Team GT, Durango, Colo.
45.   60    Graeme Miller, Torelli-DeFeet, New Zealand
46.   60    Roy Knickman, Mercury, Colorado Springs, Colo.
47.   60    Ron Schmeer, Nutra Fig, Seattle, Wash.
48.   55    Scott Moninger, Navigators, Boulder, Colo.
49.   55    Czeslaw Lukaszwicz, Canadian National, Canada
50.   53    Scott Mercer, Breakaway, Boulder, Colo.

Men - Team:

 1. 1435    Mercury
 2. 1050    United States Postal Service
 3.  939    Saturn
 4.  576    Navigators
 5.  405    OilMe
 6.  381    Shaklee
 7.  319    Nutra Fig
 8.  200    Colorado Cyclist
 9.  173    Breakaway
10.  127    Kissena
11.   65    Wisconsin Ginseng
12.   50    Ikon-Lexus
13.   30    GS Mengoni

Women - Individual:

 1.   297    Nicole Freedman, Shaklee, Palo Alto, Calif.
 2.   273    Clara Hughes, Saturn, Hamilton, Ont., Canada
 3.   242    Susy Pryde, Saeco-Timex, Auckland, New Zealand
 4.   238    Marie Holjer, Ralph's-Klein, Sweden
 5.   235    Dede Demet, Saturn, Boulder, Colo.
 6.   230    Tina Mayolo, PowerBar, Athens, Ga.
 7.   230    Pam Schuster, Saeco-Timex, Northridge, Calif.
 8.   214    Karen Kurreck, Saturn, Cupertino, Calif.
 9.   203    Linda Jackson, Saeco-Timex, Napean, Ont., Canada
10.   188    Karen Bliss Livingston, Saturn, Gainesville, Fla.
11.   173    Jennifer Evans, Shaklee, Austin, Texas
12.   159    Kendra Wenzel, Saeco-Timex, McKenzie Bridge, Ore.
13.   155    Laura Van Gilder, Navigators, Cresco, Pa.
14.   153    Elizabeth Emery, Saturn, New York, N.Y.
15.   148    Leigh Hobson, Canadian National, Kitchener, Ont., Canada
16.   146    Joan Wilson, Celestial Seasonings, Palo Alto, Calif.
17.   143    Cheryl Binney, Ralph's-Klein, Los Angeles, Calif.
18.   141    Mari Holden, U.S. National, Colorado Springs, Colo.
19.   132    Louisa Jenkins, Shaklee, Boulder, Colo.
20.   126    Annette Kamm, Fuji Racing Team, Asheville, N.C.
21.   115    Julie Hanson, Saturn, Boulder, Colo.
22.   104    Tammy Jacques, Schwinn-Toyota, Carbondale, Colo.
23.    94    Nicole Reinhart, Shaklee, Portland, Ore.
24.    92    Ward Griffiths, Safeway-Saturn, Seattle, Wash.
25.    90    Alison Sydor, Volvo-Cannondale, N.Vancouver, B.C., Canada
26.    89    Jeanne Golay, Schwinn Paramount, Glenwood Springs, Colo.
27.    84    Brenda Brashears, PowerBar, Grants Pass, Ore.
28.    76    Julie Young, Shaklee, Auburn, Calif.
29.    75    Sherri Stedje, Ticycles-BBC, Lutz, Fla.
30.    72    Alison Dunlap, Team GT, Colorado Springs, Colo.
31.    66    Emily Robbins, Saturn, Littleton, Colo.
32.    57    Aleka Skouras, unattached, Los Altos, Calif.
33.    47    Kim Erdoes, PowerBar, Oklahoma City, Okla.
34.    47    Andrea Smessaert, Team Wisconsin, Eagle, Wis.
35.    46    Giana Roberge, Saeco-Timex, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
36.    44    Aileen Loe, Start to Finish, Arroyo Grande, Calif.
37.    44    Bonnie Breeze, PowerBar, Columbus, Ohio
38.    43    Cybil Diguistini, Elita, Victoria, B.C., Canada
39.    42    Sandra Kolb, Pacific Velo, Aiea, Hawaii
40.    42    Maureen Kaila Vergara, Shaklee, Soquel, Calif.
41.    40    Cynthia Ferguson, Ralph's-Klein, Palo Alto, Calif.
42.    36    Kathleen Gleason, Potomac, Chapel Hill, N.C.
43.    35    Angela Rodriguez, Ticycles-BBC, Ocala, Fla.
44.    34    Laura Mullen, Safeway-Saturn, Campbell, Calif.
45.    34    Stacey Peters, LeMond-Bike Gallery, Portland, Ore.
46.    32    Sue Palmer, Haro, Hamilton, Ont., Canada
47.    32    Katie Blincoe, Safeway-Saturn, Mercer Island, Wash.
48.    32    Andrea Ratkovic-Bowman, Pedalers, Norman, Okla.
49.    30    Tana Stone, Bingham's, Sandy, Utah
50.    26    Jennifer Dial, Sony Music, Southampton, Mass.

Women - Team:

1.   1063    Saturn
2.    880    Saeco-Timex
3.    723    Shaklee
4.    416    PowerBar
5.    363    Ralph's-Klein
6.    185    Safeway-Saturn
7.    130    Celestial Seasonings
8.    115    Ticycles-BBC

South Australian Cycling Federation, ITT Championships

Mallala Monday June 8th 1998

Conditions  16C, fine, no wind.  Virtually flat course out and back.

Event 1	Junior Under 15 Women 10km
1. K Bryant Adelaide CC.  		17m 24.88s
2. E Hinsliff Adelaide CC. 		17m 53.72s
3. C Smith Kilkenny CC. 		19m 28.85s

Event 2	Junior Under 15 Men 10km
1. D Cheers Port Adelaide CC 		15m 59.56s
2. A Wilsdon Whyalla CC 		16m 42.84s
3. A Key Central District CC 		19m 49.60

Event 3 Junior Under 17 Women 10km
1. B Saint Sturt Holdfast Marion CC 	16m 12.29s
2. K Smith Adelaide CC 			17m 10.66s
3. A Bennett  Adelaide CC 		18m 49.41s

Event 4 Junior Under 17 Men 15km
1. N Graham Adelaide CC 		20m 16.53s
2. I Lockley Central Districts CC 	20m 53.52s
3. G Matulich Adelaide CC 		20m 57.50s

Event 5 Junior Under 19 Women
1. J Robinson Adelaide CC 		21m 30.98
2. T Lang Norwood CC			22m 2.12s
3. R Linke Adelaide CC			22m 6.48s

Event 6	Veteran Women 4 15km
1. M Miranda VLCC 			30m 55.68s

Event 7	Veteran Women 2 15km
K Haasma Adelaide CC 			23m 35.69s
K Codrington VLCC 			29m .14.81

Event 8	Veteran Women 1
1. V Birks Adelaide CC 			23m 2.06s
2. A Brown VLCC 			24m 4.38s


Event 9	Veteran Men 9 20km
1. E Heaver VLCC 			42m 22.63s
2. N Martin VLCC			47m 15.98

Event 10  Veteran Men 8 20km
1. B Sweetman  Kilkenny			44m 55s

Event 11 Veteran Men 7 20km
1. B Worden Port Pirie			32m 53.69s
2. F Moore VLCC				34m 18.18s
3. K Nockells VLCC			34m 37.56

Event 12 Veteran Men 6  20km
1. W Harder VLCC			31m 18.53s
2. V DeLussey Poert Adelaide CC 	34m 2.98s
3. D Semmler VLCC 			37m 37.56s

Event 13 Veteran 5 20km
1. E Smith    time not available

Event  14 Medal Presentation group 1 & 2

Event 15 Junior Under 19 Men 25km
1. G Bates Adelaide CC			35m 39.75s
2. L Varacalli Adelaide CC 		36m 10.09s
3. A Laidler	Adelaide CC		36m 11.87s

Event 16 Women 25km
1. S Johinke Central Districts CC 	37m 22.41s
2. S Peter Central Districts CC 	38m 6.22s
3. K Kelly Adelaide CC 			38m 9.32s

Event 17 Veteran Men  4  30km
1. R Deed VLCC 				44m 42.5s
2. A Bishop Kilkenny CC 		47m 55.47s
3. J DiStefano Norwood CC 		49m 51.75s

Event 18 Veteran Men 3 30km
1. D Gomer Norwood CC 			43m 44.75s
2. A Robins Central Districts CC	52m 46.22s

Event 19 Veteran Men 2 30km
1. D Sucker				44m 4.41s
2. J Watters Sturt Holdfast Marion CC  	44m 29.18s
3. G Chivers VLCC			45m 34.5s

Event 20 Veteran Men 1 30km
1. G Nugent Central Districts CC	43m 1.84s
2. K Meaney Central Districts CC 	45m 58.28s
3. S Nash Norwood CC			46m 20.13s

Event 21 Men 40km
1. B Howell VLCC			51m 20.22s
2. R Van Hout Adelaide CC 		54m 54.62s
3. C Sheldon 	Port Adelaide CC	55m 36.25