I withdrew the report when I came back home (I had been away racing) and had time to check a fact that was in the report about Greg's father. Once I confirmed my suspicions I took the report down.
I do not think the report was factual and cyclingnews.com does not in any way connect Greg with doping. He never tested positive and has consistently said he never used any performance enhancing substances as a cyclist. Any implications to the contrary are false and regrettable.
1. Oscar Stenström (Fin) TuUL 4.34.17 (Under-23) 2. Andres Lauk (Est) TuUL 0.47 3. Kjell Carlström (Fin) TuUL 3.04 4. Esa Skyttä (Fin) TuUL 3.04 5. Markku Ainsalu (Est) Eesti 4.04 6. Esko Salminen (Fin) RuY 4.50 7. Sami Hiltunen (Fin) RuY 5.17 8. Tapio Niemi (Fin) TY 5.56 9. Jannne Mustonen (Fin) CCH 6.09 10. Matti Helminen (Fin) CCH 6.58 Started: 42 Finished: 29 1st sprint: 1. Andres Lauk (Est) TuUL 2. Janno Aksin (Fin) Eesti 2nd sprint: 1. Andres Lauk (Est) TuUL 2. Tapio Niemi (Fin) TY 3rd sprint: 1. Andres Lauk (Est) TuUL 2. Janno Aksin (Fin) Eesti Women and Women Juniors, 72 kms: 1. Mirella Harju (Fin) TuUL 2.02.22 (N-18) 2. Päivi Karhu (Fin) Akilles 3. Sirpa Kouko (Fin) IK-32 4. Kirsty MacIntosh (Fin) JäPy 0.12 (N-18) 5. Katja Pakarinen (Fin) IK-32 7.21 6. Charlotte Uppgård Kraft 11.49 7. Eva-Kristina Lindberg (Fin) SibboV 11.49 (N-18) 8. Maija Launila (Fin) TaSi 11.50 (N-18) 9. Anna-Lena Lindberg (Fin) SibboV 11.50 (N-18) Started: 16
OP Grand Prix Criterium, June 5:
Oscar Stenström also won the criterium OP Grand Prix in a bunch sprint the day before:
1. Oscar Stenström (Fin) TuUL 1.07.10 (Under-23) 2. Kjell Carlström (Fin) TuUL 3. Andrus Aug (Est) TuUL 4. Jyrki Terävuo (Fin) TuUL 5. Esa Skyttä (Fin) TuUL 6. Markus Karvonen (Fin) LprPy U-23 7. Andres Lauk (Est) TuUL 8. Marek Salermo (Fin) TuUL U-23 9. Patrik Hänninen (Fin) Akilles 10.Tero Hämeenaho (Fin) Akilles s.t.
The experience was familiar for Brutsaert who won the downhill season opener in May, but Rockwell had to re-acclimate himself, as the 27-year-old rider hadn't won a national race since 1995.
Rockwell qualified first during his semi-final run Sunday morning, giving him the advantage of starting last in the finals. His Giant teammate, Jurgen Beneke, Longmont, Colo., took the top spot early in the race and anxiously watched as nearly 40 competitors failed to overtake him.
Beneke held more than four seconds over the field before Rockwell beat his time by 99 one-hundredths of a second.
"Myles (Rockwell) was the only one left, so from then on I didn't care. I wish, though, that I would win one soon," said Beneke.
For Rockwell, Sunday's race-win comes after nearly three frustrating years. He missed most of the 1996 season with a knee injury, and in 1997 suffered a broken leg in a moto-cross accident.
"I have my confidence back and I think that was the key to my race today," said Rockwell, who took the bronze medal at the 1993 World Mountain Bike Championships. "It's been four seasons since I won a race, and I could only be at the bottom for so long.
He added that Sunday's win could be a precursor of things to come.
"I've got my fitness back up and I'm feeling strong, which is good since we're going into a World Cup in two weeks. If my bike cooperates and I stay strong, I think I could win it," Rockwell said.
Much like Beneke, Lisa Sher, Laguna Beach, Calif. (Foes/Azonic) led for most of her race. The 30-year-old rider fended off 18 competitors before 1998 Seven Springs winner Marla Streb, San Geronimo, Calif. (Yeti) took over the top spot.
Streb's stint at the top was short, as Brutsaert squeaked across the finish line nearly three seconds faster.
"I'm stoked to win because I was so frustrated with my race here last year," said Brutsaert, who has nine national race-wins to her name. "I had a good feeling coming out of the start and I was able to get in a good groove."
Brutsaert, like many of the riders, commented that Sunday's downhill course is one of the most unique in the national series. The 1.2 mile-course is the shortest of the six-race Chevy Trucks National Championship Series. Riders dropped merely 340 feet from top to bottom.
"This course requires a lot of pedaling, and because it's short, you have to use a lot of mental skills. It's good course to have in the series because it's not just about sheer speed. You can't afford to make mistakes," said Brutsaert.
A new addition to Sunday's downhill action was the Shimano Youth Downhill Race. The series, which helps introduce kids to mountain biking, created the event after receiving requests from young riders. Pittsburgh, Pa., rider Alec Sauers, age 2, was the youngest rider on the course, speeding down on a modified tricycle. Austin Diner, Lancaster, Pa., wanted more.
"The course was awesome. I just wish it was longer," said Diner, age 8.
At last year's Seven Springs event, Mongoose rider Nicole Grant, Boulder, Colo., tore her ACL during competition and had to undergo reconstruction surgery. One year later, Grant is back on her game, finishing fourth in Sunday's downhill.
"I had no clue what to expect or where I would fit in when I returned. I've noticed that a lot of the women have stepped it up out there. It's a definitely a boost though to do so well here today. I've got my confidence up and my mind set is going. My knee's back to about 80 to 85 percent. I think by the end of the year, I'll feel good," said Grant.
Schwinn-Toyota rider Dave Cullinan, Mission Viejo, Calif., was absent from competition Saturday and Sunday after he separated his shoulder during Friday's practice. He expects to return to action in about three weeks.
Day 3, June 13
Pro Women: 1. Elke Brutsaert, Durango, Colo. (Schwinn-Toyota) at 2 minutes, 36 seconds; 2. Marla Streb, San Geronimo, Calif. (Yeti) @ 2.80 back; 3. Lisa Sher, Laguna Beach, Calif. (Foes/Azonic) @ 5.48; 4. Nicole Grant, Boulder, Colo. (Mongoose) @ 7.10; 5. Leigh Donovan, Capistrano Beach, Calif. (Intense); 6. Vanessa Quinn, New Zealand (Giant) @ 7.98; 7. Mercedes Gonzalez, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. (Team GT); 8. Cheri Elliott, El Dorado Hills, Calif. (Maxxis/Tomac) @ 9.08; 9. Tara Llanes, Newport Beach, Calif. (Mt. Dew/Specialized) @ 10.04; 10. Daamiann Skelton, Pemberton, BC, Canada (Rocky Mtn. Bicycles) @ 11.05 Pro Men: 1. Myles Rockwell, Durango, Colo. (Giant) at 2 minutes, 16 seconds; 2. Jurgen Beneke, Longmont, Colo. (Giant) @ .99 back; 3. Mike King, Vista, Calif. (Haro Bikes) @ 4.27; 4. Eric Carter, Temecula, Calif. (Team GT) @ 4.28; 5. Oscar Saiz, Spain (Mt. Dew/Specialized) @ 4.97; 6. John Kirkcaldie, New Zealand (Schwinn-Toyota) @ 5.49; 7. Brian Lopes, Laguna Beach, Calif. (Volvo-Cannondale) @ 5.72; 8. Pete Loncarevich, Orange, Calif. (Vans/Ironhorse) @ 6.34; 9. Steve Peat, Great Britain (Team GT) @ 6.51; 10. Shaun Palmer, S. Lake Tahoe, Calif. (Mt. Dew/Specialized) @ 6.60 Overall Standings, after 2 of 5 events Pro Women: 1. Brutsaert, 400 pts.; 2. Streb, 350 pts.; 3. Donovan, 330; 4. Gonzalez, 330; 5. Quinn, 300 Pro Men: 1. Beneke, 360 pts.; 2. Peat, 336; 3. Rockwell, 332; 4. Carter, 320; 5. Kirt Voreis, Twin Peaks, Calif. (Mt. Dew/Specialized) 308Thanks to Patrice Quintero, USA Cycling for the data