International Tour de Toona - NE

USA, July 23-29, 2007

Photos

Stage 7 - July 29: Downtown Altoona Criterium, 1.2 km

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Images by Mark Zalewski / Cyclingnews

One more to go for Menzies and Health Net-Maxxis.
Straight to business with Nathan O'Neill leading the charge.
Chris Baldwin (Toyota-United) goes for the first time bonus sprint in an effort to make the race interesting.
Mike Creed (Slipstream-Chipotle) had a strong 'Toona.
Menzies with lieutenant Rory Sutherland in place.
Scott Moninger (BMC), a former winner of the Tour de 'Toona.
Tim Johnson (Health Net-Maxxis) spent lots of kilometres in the wind this week.
Menzies and Sutherland -- same position, different turn.
Anthony Colby (Colavita-Sutter Home) did not have to defend his jersey, and worked instead for teammate Charles Dionne.
Charles Dionne (Colvita-Sutter Home) waiting for the points sprints.
The high speed on the day (46.29 km/h) meant this was the largest gap.
Burke Swindlehurst (Toyota-United) with a gutsy but futile effort.
Menzies counting down the laps to the overall win.
A mix of teams led the pace near the end of the race.
In the final laps, as team-mates popped off the back, Sutherland began leading Menzies.
One lap to go and the contenders move to the front.
A pefect end to a perfect week.
Laura Van Gilder (Cheerwine) has won this criterium multiple times.
Allison Testroete (expresscopy.com) had to keep a watchful eye on her rivals.
Theresa Cliff-Ryan (Verducci Breakaway) was only eight points out of the green jersey.
Kristin Armstrong (TEAm Lipton) ready to claim another overall title.
Armstrong sits safely near the front of a dwindling peloton.
Van Gilder pushes the pace, making life miserable at the back.
TEAmmate Laren Franges sets the pace for Armstrong.
Former race leader Kori Seehafer (TEAm Lipton) takes over on the front.
Getting down to business with only a few laps to go.
Meredith Miller (TEAm Lipton) spent some time off the front, but gets caught.
One lap to go and Van Gilder is in perfect position.
Laura Van Gilder (Cheerwine) leads the sprint ahead of Gina Grain (expresscopy.com) and Lauren Franges (TEAm Lipton).
Laura Van Gilder (Cheerwine) takes the victory.
The category fives learn new ways to dismount their bikes...
...and about gravity.

Images by Kurt Jambretz/www.actionimages.cc

Race leader Kristin Armstrong (TEAm Lipton) is all smiles at the start.
The women are set to start in downtown Altoona.
A ValueAct Capital rider pushes hard on the pedals in the early going.
Laura Van Gilder (Cheerwine) matches the move by Kristin Armstrong (TEAm Lipton).
Team Lipton sends Lauren Franges (TEAm Lipton) up the road to push the pace.
An Equpe du Qubec rider leads the second group of riders toward the downhill.
Theresa Cliff-Ryan (Verducci Breakaway) works hard in the front of the peloton.
Rebecca Larson (Aaron's Pro Cycling) rides strong on a hot day.
A Team Kenda Tire rider pushes hard to maintain the fast pace set by the field.
The front of a compact peloton crests the slight uphill on the backstretch.
Catherine Powers (Aaron's Pro Cycling) battled both a hard charging field and intense heat in today's crit
Katheryn Curi (Webcor Builders) approaches the descent with a Kenda Tire rider in tow.
This Advil/Chapstick rider looked hungry for better field position as she worked with a few other riders.
A Verducci Breakaways rider employs her secret weapon..... the tongue as she enjoys the descent.
Plenty of concentration was necessary to safely navigate the final turn.
TEAm Lipton was on the attack today, sending plenty of riders up the road.
A Target training rider climbs the hill toward the finish.
Pure pain shown on the face of this Cheerwine rider as the pace intensifies.
Kristin Sanders (Aaron's Pro Cycling) leads Brook Miller (Team Tibco) out of the last corner.
Felicia Gomez (Aaron's Pro Cycling) in polka-dots leads the peloton late in the race.
Catherine Carroll (Aaron's Pro Cycling) leads race leader Kristin Armstrong (TEAm Lipton).
Brooke Miller (Team Tibco) is all business through the final turns.
Betina Hold (Cheerwine) leads Amber Rais (Webcor Builders) as they set up for the final turn.
Webcor Builders attempts to position themselves for the final lap.
A Bike Hugger rider works hard to keep up in the closing laps.
TEAm Lipton rode aggressively at the front of the peloton all day.
Laura Van Gilder (Cheerwine) sprints home for the win.
Another look at the victory salute of Laura Van Gilder (Cheerwine).
A close up portrait of a true champion Laura Van Gilder (Cheerwine)
Stage winner Laura Van Gilder (Cheerwine)
The women's podium (left to right) Gina Grain (Team expresscopy.com), Laura Van Gilder (Cheerwine), and Lauren Franges (TEAm Lipton)
Kristin Armstrong (TEAm Lipton) wins the Queen of the Mountains competition.
Overall GC winner Kristin Armstrong (TEAm Lipton) receives her trophy from Rick Geist.
TEAm Lipton wins the overall team competition.
A collective shot of all the women's race champions with Rick Geist
Health Net leads the field over the crest just before the downhill on the backside of the course.
Caleb Manion (Toyota/United) tries his luck off the front of the field in the early going.
Toyota/United did a great job in today's race. I wonder what would have happened if Ivan Dominguez would have been in it?
Chris Baldwin (Toyota/United) put in a huge attack on the back stretch.
Ben Day (Navigators) was calm and relaxed out of turn one.
Chris Baldwin (Toyota/United) placed highly in the GC, and rode an aggressive race
Mark Walters (Kodak-Sierra Brewing) makes it safely through the S-turns.
The pace was high and here a Rite-Aid rider sprints out of a corner.
Intense concentration was necessary through the final tight turn.
The safest place in today's race was at the front. The course was challenging with a few very tight sections.
Robert Sweeting (AGE-Toshiba) navigates the final turn.
Burke Swindlehurst (Toyota/United) patrols the field as his teammate is off the front.
Health Net put on a clinic at the front of the peloton shielding race leader Karl Menzies from the wind.
There were several attempts to break Health Net's stranglehold on the race.
This Hagens Berman rider shows the effects of today's high paced race.
This small group of riders was the only organized attack that posed any serious threat.
The Health Net riders safely navigate the dangerous final turn.
A small group of riders try their hand as Health Net eyes them from the front of the peloton.
A Calyon/Litespeed rider tucks in to the pace line on the home stretch.
Ian McKissick (BMC Pro Cycling) eyes the wheel in front of him.
The peloton rolls down the hill in tight formation midway through the race.
Michael Freedman (Slipstream/Chipotle) fresh from a victory on stage 4 rode near the front all day.
Two escapees attempt to break away late in the race.
This solo Colavita/Sutter Home rider was no match for the hard-charging peloton.
A determined Priority Health rider tries his luck off the front of the field.
A team race.com rider out of the saddle as the pace heats up and the field goes singlefile.
Karl Menzies (Health Net) vaults off the wheel of his lead out man for yet another stage victory.
No KOM points up for grabs today..... Anthony Colby (Colavita Sutter Home) finishes strong.
Race leader, Karl Menzies (Health Net) surrounded by his team-mates at the start
The men's podium (left to right) Martin Gilbert (Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast), a Waste Management official, Karl Menzies (Health Net), and Dionne, Charles (Colavita/Sutter Home)
The men's overall GC podium (left to right) Rory Sutherland (Health Net), Karl Menzies (Health Net), and Chris Baldwin (Toyota/United)
Slipstream Chipotle won the men's overall team GC.

Stage 6 - July 28: Altoona/Blair Country Road Race, 158.8 km

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Images by Mark Zalewski/Cyclingnews.com

The first break of the day forms.
Health Net-Maxxis takes up position on the front.
Ben Raby (Kodak Gallery-Sierra Nevada) drives the break.
Equipe Quebec decides to help Health Net keep the break within grasp.
Frank Pipp and Rory Sutherland guard their team leader.
Karl Menzies (Health Net-Maxxis) and teammate Rory Sutherland are all smiles… at least before Blue Knob.
Mike Friedman (Slipstream-Chipotle) is back in a break after winning stage 4.
Scott Nydam (BMC) follows Mike Sayers teammate on an attempt to bridge.
The main peloton rolls towards the first KOM.
Karl Menzies (Health Net-Maxxis) keeps his position near the front and out of danger.
Tim Johnson (Health Net-Maxxis) drives the final moments of the break with the impending catch coming around the corner.
Ian McKissick (BMC), the last of the break, succumbs to the chasing peloton.
Chris Baldwin (Toyota-United) puts the pressure on Menzies, as Anthony Colby (Colvita-Sutter Home) eyes KOM points.
Karl Menzies (Health Net-Maxxis) digs deep to make it over the first of three KOMs.
Rory Sutherland keeps a watchful eye on Baldwin with Menzies not far behind.
Anthony Colby (Colvita-Sutter Home) makes his move for the KOM.
The leading group over the KOM is chased by Lagutin, Chadwick and Wherry.
Karl Menzies (Health Net-Maxxis) takes a breather having made it over the KOM.
Nathan O'Neill guides fellow Aussie and teammate Karl Menzies (Health Net-Maxxis) back up to the leaders behind Mike Creed (Slipstream-Chipotle).
The leaders drive the pace trying to increase the gap to Menzies' group.
Rory Sutherland, up with the leaders, looks hungry.
Mmmmmm, power geeeellllll.
Valeriy Kobzarenko (Navigators Insurance) checks behind as Rory Sutherland rides as a passenger.
Defending champion Sergey Lagutin (Navigators Insurance) chases the leaders with teammate Glen Chadwick and Chris Wherry (Toyota-United).
Karl Menzies descends down to the bottom of Blue Knob to catch the leaders.
Menzies looks calm as his teammates bury themselves.
Four Navigators on the front and Menzies still caught on.
Kobzarenko drives the pace up the rollers with Baldwin and Wherry looking on.
Valeriy Kobzarenko (Navigators Insurance) puts in an attack on the leaders.
Valeriy Kobzarenko (Navigators Insurance) leads Jonathan Gargia (BMC) up the second KOM.
Karl Menzies (Health Net-Maxxis) looking comfortable up the second KOM with the leading group.
Points leader Charles Dionne (Colavita-Sutter Home) follows Tim Johnson (Health Net-Maxxis) up the climb.
Garcia takes over in front of Kobzarenko.
With the race back together, Health Net-Maxxis shows who the best team of the race is.
Kobzarenko puts in one last attack on the final KOM to drop Menzies, but to no avail.
Sutherland and Menzies shadow Kobzarenko over the top.
In the field sprint, it's Taylor Tolleson (Slipstream-Chipotle) taking it ahead of Charles Dionne (Colavita-Sutter Home) and overall leader Karl Menzies (Health Net-Maxxis).
Theresa Cliff-Ryan (Verducci Breakaway) inches closer to Alison Testroete (expresscopy.com) in the points race.
Kathrine Carroll (Aaron's) drives the pace.
Three riders try to break away as Lyne Bessette (Equipe Quebec) reacts.
Race leader Kori Seehafer (TEAm Lipton) stays safe on the front.
Dotsie Bausch (Colavita-Sutter Home) is followed by Laura Yoisten (Webcor).
Kristin Armstrong (TEAm Lipton) shows why she is wearing the number 1.
US champion Mara Abbott (Webcor) was the only one to even stay close to Armstrong.
Amber Rais (Webcor) takes the field sprint for third.

Images by Kurt Jambretz/www.actionimages.cc

Michael Freedman (Slipstream-Chipolte) attempted a solo move in the opening miles of today’s race.
And then there were eight motivated riders in the early move.
Daniel Bowman (Kelly Benefits/Medifast) leads the break through in perfect formation during the early miles.
The break contained a representative from most of the major squads and steadily gained time.
The riders were treated to some of this country’s most scenic roads as they headed to Blue Knob.
David Suiza (BMC Pro Cycling) powers through the corn fields with the small breakaway.
Michael Freedman (Slipstream-Chipolte) instigated the break and did more than his share of the work.
The peloton rapidly absorbed the small group of riders off the front.
Chris Baldwin (Toyota/United) and a Navigators rider climb over the summit of Blue Knob.
Chris Baldwin (Toyota/United) did a great job climbing and now looks forward to the hair raising descent.
A pair of Priority Health riders go over the top of the climb showing the effects of the intense effort.
Frank Travieso (AGE-Toshiba-JetNetwork) displayed great form as he heads for the descent into Altoona.
A pair of CRCA Sakonnet Technology riders crest the climb together.
The volunteers were very popular at the top of the Blue Knob climb as they hand out water to the riders.
The intense effort necessary on the climb was displayed on the faces of the riders.
It’s hard to imagine just how refreshing that must have felt.
Mike Sayers (BMC Pro Cycling) not known for his climbing is probably looking forward to tomorrow's criterium.
Health Net controlling the front of the peloton with race leader Karl Menzies tucked in sixth wheel.
Two Navigators riders dangle off the front of the peloton as they head for the feed zone.
These two Navigators riders were working together well, but they were no match for the hard charging peloton.
Race leader, Karl Menzies patrols the front of the peloton as this Navigators rider attacks.
The fans were treated to a great field sprint this afternoon. Taylor Tolleson (Slipstream/Chipolte) would emerge victorious.
Karl Menzies (Health Net) stands on the unfamiliar third position of the podium for his stage finish today.
Anthony Colby (Colavita Sutter Home) happily in the polka-dot King of the Mountains jersey.
Kristin Armstrong (TEAm Lipton) rode alone for the last 15 miles to a much deserved victory.
Mara Abbott (Webcor Builders) in her road national champion's jersey finished second.
Champions confer...Kristin Armstrong (TEAm Lipton) the world time trial champion has a conversation with Mara Abbott (Webcor Builders) the national road champion.
The lovely and talented Amber Rais (Webcor Builders) emerged victorious in the field sprint for third place on the day.
Alison Testroete (Team expresscopy.com) receives her Army sponsored green sprinter's jersey.
Women's podium (L-R): Mara Abbott (Webcor Builders), Kristin Armstrong (TEAm Lipton), and Amber Rais (Webcor Builders).
Kristin Armstrong (TEAm Lipton) receives her Merrill Lynch sponsored yellow race leaders jersey.
Kristin Armstrong (TEAm Lipton) in yellow yet again as the current race leader.

Stage 5 - July 27: Martinsburg Circuit, 30.9 km

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Images by Mark Zalewski/Cyclingnews.com

An early break in the men's race.
Cornering with local fans cheering the racers.
Greg Reain (Calyon-Litespeed) tried to bridge to the break.
Charles Dionne (Colavita-Sutter Home) on his way to regaining the points jersey lead.
Another day at the office for Health Net-Maxxis.
The break taking pulls.
Mike Sayers (BMC) takes over.
Colavita-Sutter Home chipped-in to bring the break back.
Trent Wilson (Jittery Joe's) has been active this week.
Caleb Manion (Toyota-United) was the danger man in the break,only 19 seconds behind Menzies.
Ben Brooks (Navigators Insurance) attacks the break for a third day of hard riding.
The break disintegrates as Frank Pipp (Health Net-Maxxis) and Mike Sayers (BMC) bridges up to Brooks.
Pipp and Brooks try to survive from the field.
Sayers and Manion make it four.
Pipp and Brooks drop the hammer and drop Sayers and Manion.
The pain of dangling off the front of the peloton shows in Brooks' face.
Pipp gives it 100 percent.
Karl Menzies (Health Net-Maxxis) celebrates his second (or third) win of the week, with leadout man Rory Sutherland celebrating in the distance.
Theresa Cliff-Ryan (Verducci Breakaway) takes the first sprint points ahead of Alison Testroete (expresscopy.com), who spent the first lap chasing after missing the start.
Canadian Champion Gina Grain (expresscopy.com) shows her satisfaction with getting teammate Alison Testroete to the line for the sprint.
Kathrine Carroll (Aaron's Corporate Furnishings) powers the break, followed by Chrissy Ruiter (Cheerwine), Laura Yoisten (Webcor) and Meredith Miller (TEAm Lipton).
The entire break rolls along.
Kristin Armstrong (TEAm Lipton) surveys the front of the field.
Women's Prestige Series leader Lauren Franges (TEAm Lipton) has her lunch.
Laura Yoisten (Webcor) has an unlucky mechanical.
Yoisten waits as the break rolls away.
Annette Bentler (Colavita-Sutter Home) takes the corner in the break.
Armstorng turns on the gas to shrink the gap a little.
Anna Milkowski (Advil-Chapstick) rides well for another day.
Kathrine Carroll (Aaron's Corporate Furnishings) does not look happy to be racing in the rain, but should be happy to have a teammate.
Melissa Holt (expresscopy.com) corners in the rain.
The clouds descend on the women.
Chrissy Ruiter (Cheerwine) puts in the first attack, up the main climb of the course.
The wet roads were not problem for the women.
With one kilometre to go Kristin Sanders (Aarron's Corporate Furnishings) leads out the sprint ahead of Ruiter and Franges.
Lauren Franges (TEAm Lipton) takes the win.

Images by Kurt Jambretz/www.actionimages.cc

A small breakaway formed late in the first lap which was comprised of riders from all the major teams.
The peloton didn't seem too worried about letting the break get up the road.
Darrin Lill (Navigators) in the king of the mountains jersey, takes his turn at the front.
By the end of the first lap the field dialed up the pace and went single file.
There were several attacks off the front of the field early in the day.
The pace and action on the course was fast and furious early on.
This CRCA/Sakonnet rider has his head up and his eyes open to all the action up the road.
Health Net soon went to the front and pulled the break back through the corn fields.
The yellow jersey worn by Karl Menzies (Health Net) pedals through Martinsburg on the front of the peloton.
Dan Schmatz (BMC Pro Cycling) takes the final turn out of town midway through the race.
A Caylon/Litespeed rider enjoys the sunshine out on the roads of Martinsburg.
Caleb Manion (Toyota/United) worked hard in the break all afternoon.
The early breakaway powers off the front to a two minute advantage.
The riders battled a stiff headwind on the backside of the course, leaving everyone scrambling for protection from the wind.
Mike Sayers (BMC Pro Cycling) takes his turn at the front marshalling the break along the rolling hills.
'Are you going to chase? Not my team, you guys should chase.' The peloton gets organised.
Health Net takes up the chase, with Karl menzies (yellow jersey) doing his share of the work at the front.
Frank Pipp (Health Net) climbs one of the many small hills on the front half of the course.
A navigators rider pulls through in the break.
With the break all but swallowed up by the peloton two riders refused to be caught without a fight.
Frank Pipp (Health Net) and a Navigators rider try to hold off the peloton in the final kilometers.
Karl Menzies (Health Net) celebrates his victory and looks forward to another stint on the podium.
Men's podium (L-R): Charles Dionne (Colavita/Sutter Home), Karl Menzies (Health Net), and Keven Lacombe (Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast).
Karl Menzies (Health Net) receives yet another race leader's yellow jersey.
Victoria Bastide (Team Tibco) attempts a solo breakaway on the second lap of four.
The peloton was not that far behind the solo breakaway on the largest climb of the day.
The women's field descends through the corn fields of this beautiful countryside.
Victoria Bastide's (Team Tibco) solo breakaway comes to an end as the field closes in.
Victoria Bastide (Team Tibco) had a great ride today.
Kristin Armstrong (TEAm Lipton) at the front of the peloton riding hard.
A large group of 16 riders go up the road on the second lap. All the major teams were represented.
Katharine Carroll (Aaron's Pro Cycling) leads the dangerous break up the road to a two minute advantage.
The break climbs as the weather threatens in the picturesque Pennsylvania countryside.
TEAm Lipton did a great job out on the road today riding in support of the race leader.
The peloton looked less then enthused about taking up the chase.
Scenes like this are what make the Tour De Toona so popular. The women's peloton enjoys the scenery.
The peloton takes chase with Kristin Armstrong (TEAm Lipton) on the front.
Laura Van Gilder (Cheerwine) had a mechanical and was paced back to the field by her teammates.
Laura Van Gilder (Cheerwine) and teammate Leigh Hobson pace back to the field up through the caravan...
...and then the rains came! The break navigates the final lap in the rain.
Katharine Carroll battles the rain as she heads for the finish on the final lap.
Lauren Franges (TEAm Lipton) takes the soggy sprint victory on the rain soaked streets of Martinsburg.
Lauren Franges (TEAm Lipton) celebrates her victory.
Kristin Sanders (Aaron's Pro Cycling) wet, but happy at the finish line.
Kori Seehafer (TEAm Lipton) didn't make the podium for the stage, but remains the overall race leader.
Women's podium (L-R): Melissa Holt (Team expresscopy.com), Lauren Franges (TEAm Lipton), and Catherine Cheatley (Cheerwine).
Kori Seehafer (TEAm Lipton) in yellow again today.

Stage 4 - July 26: Hollidaysburg Circuit, 32.2 km, 3 laps (96.6 km)

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Images by Mark Zalewski/Cyclingnews.com

Mark Walters (Kodak Gallery-Sierra Nevada) animates the race with a solo attack.
Ben Brooks (Navigators Insurance) has another good day and bridges up to Walters.
Mark Walters (Kodak Gallery-Sierra Nevada) heads to the climb alone.
The peloton strings out on the climb.
The chase group catches Walters.
Michael Norton (Rite Aid) had to fight through Health Net's wall of riders to even attempt to bridge.
Walters takes a rest after joining the chasers.
The break heads up a climb.
Race leader Karl Menzies (Health Net-Maxxis) says, "Where do you think you are going?"
Craig Luekens (Capitol Racing) comes through the technical one-lane bridge.
Luekens overcooked the slick turn and pays the price.
Luekens was both unlucky and lucky the road was wet.
Luekens remounts and tries to rejoin the break.
Health Net-Maxxis looks after their race leader.
Many eyes were on Menzies.
The fast descent made for high speeds.
A full-service neutral service!
Trent Wilson (Jittery Joe's) benefits from drier roads.
James Mattis (California Giant Berry Farms) checks to see when the attack will come.
The break splits on the climb as Mike Friedman (Slipstream-Chipotle) sets the pace.
Mike Friedman (Slipstream-Chipotle) made it up the tough uphill sprint before Mark Walters (Kodak Gallery-Sierra Nevada) and Scott Nydam (BMC).
Friedman celebrates a welcomed win.
The pace was high from the gun in the women's race.
Dotsie Bausch (Colavita-Sutter Home) and Laura Van Gilder (Cheerwine) were again active today.
The single file women's peloton indicated the high pace.
Rebecca Much (TargeTraining) finally got away, but looks back to see how much.
Rebecca Much (TargeTraining) on the climb.
TEAm Lipton patrolled the front, but did not have to work much to make the already high speeds higher.
Van Gilder powers over the climb.
Katheryn Curi (Webcor) puts in an effort in a small break.
The break is patrolled by TEAm Lipton and is about to be caught.
Allison Powers (Colavita-Sutter Home) looking to get more sprint points.
With the break back in the fold, riders prepare for the finale.
The cream rises to the top.
Kristin Armstrong (TEAm Lipton) showing why she wears the number one.
Kristin Armstrong (TEAm Lipton) escaped but not for too long, as the peloton closes in.
Armstrong trying to keep her lead.
Ummm???

Images by Kurt Jambretz/www.actionimages.cc

The idle machines of the powerful Navigators Insurance squad.
The precision parking of the Pennsylvania State Police Motor Patrol.
Mark Walters (Kodak/Sierra Nevada Brewing) attempts a solo breakaway early in the stages.
This courageous rider went up the road in search of the solo breakaway of Mark Walters (Kodak/Sierra Nevada Brewing).
Kevin Lacombe (Kelly Benefits) moves up the peloton on the outside.
This California Giant rider speeds through a gentle turn on the first lap of the race.
Interesting pace car...
This seven man breakaway, comprised of many different teams, went away early.
Greg Reain (Calyon-Litespeed) the current Canadian cyclo-cross national champion keeps an eye on the front of the field.
Jesse Anthony (Kodak/Sierra Nevada Brewing) gets caught by the peloton.
Kevin Lacombe (Kelly Benefits) sits in on the first lap as the peloton decides what to do about the break.
Karl Menzies (Health Net) screams down a short but steep descent on the way back into town.
Health Net goes to the front to pull back the breakaway.
The Navigators team has been one of the most active in animating this race, as they attack the field.
Chris Wherry (Toyota/United) leads the yellow jersey down a quick descent on the second lap.
Mark Walters (Kodak/Sierra Nevada Brewing) stretched his solo breakaway to over 3'30".
Michael Friedman (Slipstream/Chipolte) wins the sprint and takes the stage victory.
Michael Friedman (Slipstream/Chipolte) celebrates his victory just past the line.
Michael Friedman (Slipstream/Chipolte) pauses for a quick photo after winning the stage.
The trials world champion puts on a demonstration at the finish.
The men's podium (l-r): Scott Nydam (BMC Racing Team), Michael Friedman (Team Slipstream), and Mark Walters (Kodak Gallery Pro Cycling).
Kori Seehafer (TEAm Lipton) was all smiles at the start in Holidaysburg.
Felicia Gomez (Aaron's) is called up to the line as the current Queen of the Mountains leader.
The women's peloton wasted no time this morning as the action heated up early on. Webcor leads the charge.
Brook Miller (Team Tibco) attacks off the front of the field on the opening lap.
This Expresscopy.com rider keeps an eye on the front of the field as the attacks go up the road.
Target Training sent this rider up the road early on the first lap, but the peloton quickly responded and caught her.
Would you let this man service you on the road? SRAM Neutral Support does a great job supporting the race.
TEAm Lipton protected its teammate and race leader at the front of the field.
Nicole Wansgard (Bike Hugger) leads the field up a small roller on lap one.
Kristin Armstrong (TEAm Lipton) off the front by seconds on the final lap coming into Hollidaysburg for the finish.
Alison Powers (Colavita/Sutter Home) on the road descends in an effort to hunt down Kristin Armstrong.
A mix of intensity and pain on the face of this Colavita/Sutter Home rider on the final lap.
Catherine Powers (Aaron's) looks great on the descent on the way into the finish.
The Advil/Chapstick women's team was active in animating the race all afternoon.
All the dominate teams were present at the front sending repeated attacks off the front.
Laura Van Gilder (Cheerwine) takes the uphill sprint by a sizeable margin.
Laura Van Gilder (Cheerwine) looked very fresh after winning the day.
Women's podium (L-R): Alison Testroete (Team expresscopy.com), Laura Van Gilder (Cheerwine), and Katherine Carrol (Aaron's).
Felicia Gomez (Aaron's) remains in the polka dot jersey as the queen of the mountains.
Alison Testroete (Team Expresscopy.com) takes the green sprinter's jersey.
The lovely and talented Alison Testroete (Team Expresscopy.com) awaits her sprint jersey presentation.
Kori Seehafer (TEAm Lipton) remains in yellow as the overall race leader yet another day.

Stage 3 - July 25: Galleria Mall - Logan Valley Mall, 154.3 km

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Images by Mark Zalewski/Cyclingnews.com

The men begin climbing early in this hilly region.
The attacks begin.
The first sprint of the day is taken by Charles Dionne (Colavita-Sutter Home) ahead of Martin Gilbert (Kelly Benefits-Medifast) and Dominque Rollin (Kodak Gallery-Sierra Nevada).
Hey Trent, you fancy a breakaway?
Sure Mike, let's give it a go!
The main break of the day powers along.
Health Net-Maxxis did not let anything go early.
'Hey, I saw some great antiquing back there, you guys go on without me.'
Taylor Tolleson (Toyota-United) working in the break with Timothy Henry (Slipstream-Chipotle).
Two Navigators Insurance riders in the break, a running theme these days, Heath Blackgrove and Ben Brooks.
The Health Net machine rolls on.
Race leader Karl Menzies (Health Net-Maxxis) was guarded by fellow Aussie Rory Sutherland all day.
The men reach the second KOM of the day, and it already hurts.
Defending champion Sergey Lagutin (Navigators Insurance) had a tough time with the climb.
The break begins to shred up Blue Knob.
Ben Brooks (Navigators Insurance) sure found his legs after two off days.
Taylor Tolleson (Toyota-United) goes for the KOM points.
Menzies limits his losses on the climb.
After the groups reformed on the top, two more Navigators Insurance riders attack and bomb down horseshoe curve.
The rest of the remaining field lines it up for a tight turn.
Leaning in…
Menzies caught on after a flat and is followed by Chris Wherry (Toyota-United).
Nathan O'Neill sets the tempo for Menzies.
The attacks on the yellow jersey begin on the hills just 10km from the finish.
Karl Menzies rounds the final turn first, but the circumstances are debatable.
Karl Menzies wins his second stage ahead of Dominque Rollin (Kodak Gallery-Sierra Nevada) and Ben Brooks (Navigators Insurance), but under protest.
The new median in question.
The questionable set-up of the final turns.
Race officials confer.
Team managers exchange opinions… and words.
The first break to stick in the women's race.
Other riders see their opportunity to bridge.
Chrissy Ruiter (Cheerwine) gives an effort to make the break.
The break begins to take shape.
Felicia Gomez (Aaron's) leads the break.
Laura Van Gilder (Cheerwine) radios for information.
Kori Seehafer (TEAm Lipton) and Canadian Champion Gina Grain (expresscopy.com), take pulls in the break.
The chase group is close to bridging.
Seehafer sets the pace.
Former overall winner and semi-retired Lyne Bessette (Equipe de Quebec) gets out of the saddle.
Canadian national champion Gina Grain (expresscopy.com).
Felicia Gomez (Aaron's) took second on the day.
Defending champion Kristin Armstrong (TEAm Lipton) sports some polka dots.
Van Gilder giving in her all.
The break climbs the first QOM.
Webcor kept a watchful eye on Armstrong.
Dotsie Bausch (Colavita-Sutter Home) gets looooooow.
Getting aero.
Meredith Miller (TEAm Lipton) made it up to the break, adding a lot of firepower.
Miller pulls the break up the QOM.
It was a long, hard day.
Kori Seehafer (TEAm Lipton) sprints for the win and the yellow jersey.
The yellow jersey group comes in, too little, too late.

Images by Kurt Jambretz/www.actionimages.cc

The peloton snakes through a small town on the way to Altoona.
A small break forms on the descent in the early part of the race.
Heath Blackgrove (Toyota United) bridges up to the small breakaway up the road.
The breakaway gained as much as 3.5 minutes on the main field.
The break climbs one of this stages smaller climbs on the way to Blue Knob.
A frightening moment out on the course as a Mack truck pulls out in front of the peloton.
The peloton successfully navigates around the rolling obstacle, with a rider sharing his thoughts with the driver.
After their close call with a truck Navigators takes a turn at the front of this small group.
This Jittery Joe's rider finishes a tough stage climbing over Blue Knob.
Navigators starts things off with an early attack that would spawn the first break of the day.
Two Navigators riders attacked off the front in the final five kilometres causing a wicked reaction from the field.
Health Net was again actively controlling the front of the peloton and giving chase to the break.
No sooner had the peloton caught the break than a few Navigators riders decided to go up the road.
Nathan O'Neil (Health Net) looked fresh and rode a very strong race.
Health Net decided that they had had enough of the breakaway's antics and brought them back quickly.
A very determined Navigators rider climbs Blue Knob.
The small breakaway continued to work well together. It looked like they may stay away to the end.
Heath Blackgrove (Toyota United) leads them through just prior to the Blue Knob climb.
Chris Baldwin (Toyota United) rode a good race and finished with the peloton.
Karl Menzies (Health Net) makes it two in a row and takes the sprint finish in Altoona.
There was a bit of controversy after the race.... the team directors get together to discuss it.
The officials gather after the race to figure out a fair solution to the issues.

Stage 2 - July 24: Vintondale - Cairnbrook, 78.2 km

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Kurt Jambretz/Action Images

The peloton rolls out for the start of stage two at Waste Management’s Vintondale facility.
The men’s field descends a small hill at the beginning of the race.
The Navigators squad was quite active at the front all day.
Up close and personal with the men’s peloton.
The riders seemed content to take it easy in the early part of the race.
This DBC Elite rider pulls a Fiordfrutta rider around a slight turn.
Navigators on the attack
Team Health Net controls the front of the peloton and work to catch the small break up the road.
Nathan O’Neil takes the responsibility of the yellow jersey very seriously and gives chase.
Two of the four men in the break away were from Navigators.
All the top teams were active at the front of the chase.
The break talks things over as they learn that the gap is coming down.
Health Net smelled blood and turned up the heat stringing out the field.
Today’s stage seemed either to be a climb or a descent , here the peloton descends.
The four man break stretches their lead to several minutes.
Health Net decides that it’s time to bring things back together.
The break is about to be caught as the peloton has them in their sights.
The peloton rolls along the undulating terrain of the Pennsylvania countryside.
The break was caught..and then the rains came!
The race leader Nathan O’Neil (Health Net) climbs in the rain.
There were many rain inspired attacks , a small group of riders respond to a move up the road.
Karl Menzies (Health Net) powers to victory as the rain continued to fall.

Images by Mark Zalewski/Cyclingnews.com

The first attack of the day in the men's race came from John Hamblen (Manulife Financial).
Ah, nothing like giving the big pros a run for their money early.
But the pros responded and launched their own attacks.
Anthony Colby (Colavita-Sutter Home) checks back to see what the reaction from the field is.
The main break of the day: Matt Cooke (Navigators Insurance), Anthony Colby (Colavita-Sutter Home), Ian MacGregor (Slipstream-Chipotle) and Valeriy Kobzarenko (Navigators Insurance).
Ian MacGregor (Slipstream-Chipotle) gets up the climb.
The break traded equal pulls today.
Health Net-Maxxis back in the familiar roll of defending a leader's jersey, with Tim Johnson taking his usual position on point.
Don't look over here, the race is up the road, mates!
It was a short race, but a lot of climbing did not make it easy for Health Net-Maxxis.
Nathan O'Neill (Health Net-Maxxis) had a pretty relaxed day with his team controlling the race.
Karl Menzies (Health Net-Maxxis) is salivating at the chance to avenge last year's misfortune.
The break heads towards dark skies.
One Health Net-Maxxis rider does a cyclocross style dismount to change a flat as the rest of the team pulls the break back.
The peloton heads into the second KOM with the break in sight.
Not so fast boys!
MacGregor dropped off but another Navigator , Darren Lill, bridged up to challenge for the KOM.
Lill takes the points ahead of Colby as the field makes the catch.
With the break caught, the field sprint is on!
Karl Menzies (Health Net-Maxxis) takes the sprint , as well as the bonus points to put him into the leader's jersey.
Alison Powers (Colavita-Sutter Home) broke away to take a solo win, and the leader's jersey.
Give it a little celelbration.
The field brings it home with Alison Testroete (expresscopy.com) taking the sprint.
Katheryn Curi (Webcor Builders) explains to the local media what happened.
The Webcor team is a little colder , especially with the yellow jersey leaving.
Brrrr summer in Altoona!
Some teams were more prepared than others for the changing summer weather.

Stage 1 - July 23: Team Time Trial, 17.1 km

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Mark Zalewski/Cyclingnews.com

The riders give a thumbs-up to the Toona team time trial.
Double pace lines were popular on the descent.
Some of the backdrop was what this parcours will be in the near future.
Priority Health speeds down the hill.
Calyon-Litespeed works up the 4 percent grade.
The BMC team emerges from the clouds.
Jeff Hopkins, the sprinter for Jittery Joe's, gets used early on the descent.
Toyota-United giving it the gas.
Colavita-Sutter Home stays aero uphill.
Health Net-Maxxis' Rory Sutherland leads fellow Aussie Nathan O'Neill and the team down the descent.
Team Slipstream-Chipotle slips between the sun rays.
Kodak Gallery-Sierra Nevada goes for the single pace line up the grade.
Ben Day leads the Navigators Insurance team, with pverall 2006 defending champion Sergey Lagutin.
Sutherland and O'Neill drop to the back on the uphill, possibly as protected riders for the GC, as the team heads to a win.
Slipstream sticks with the double pace line back up the hill.
The sun shines on the Expresscopy.com team.
Swinging off the front of the ValueAct Capital team.
The Equipe Quebec has both a men's and women's team (shown here).
Laura Bowles (Advil-Chapstick) puts in a dig that creates a gap.
The Colavita-Sutter Home women's team took third on the day.
The sun sets as the Aaron's Pro Cycling team heads out.
Cheerwine tries to beat the sun home.
The Webcor team was the strongest team on the road.
World champion time trialist Kristin Armstrong had to work within the TEAm Lipton squad today.
Rachel Heal (Webcor) navigates the third 180-degree turn.
Rainbow Brite brakes just enough to make the final turn.

Images by Kurt Jambretz/www.actionimages.cc

The ladies from ValueAct Capital early in the course under the first overpass.
The ValueAct Capital ladies were all business as they put in a good effort on the day.
Team Tibco puts on a clinic in proper team time trial formation.
The look of concentration in the faces of Team Tibco.
The Bike Hugger team looked great early on just under the overpass.
Bike Hugger rode hard and ended up seventh on the day.
The four member team from Ultralink showed the signs of a hard effort.
A very intense and focused effort from Team Tibco.
Like a missile on the road, team Colavita-Sutter Home in great aero formation.
The ValueAct Capital young ladies coast into one of the three turn arounds.
Aaron's would finish just off the podium in fourth place.
Brooke Miller leads Team Tibco on the final leg of the course.
As darkness settled over the course, Cheerwine led through by Laura Van Gilder in perfect formation.
Cheerwine heads out early on its trip around this triangle course.
The Ladies from Advil/Chapstick head for the finish with great determination.
The white skin suit of the World Time Trial Champion, Kristin Armstrong, rolls through the darkness.
Advil/Chapstick heads into the final turn around in near dark conditions.
Aaron's heads up a slight incline as they rotate the paceline.
The women from Kenda Tire catch their breath as they coast into the last turn.
Team Lipton lost a few members of its team as Armstrong sets the tempo on the front.
Even the failing light couldn't hide the look of pain on the faces of Team Lipton.
Two members of Team Lipton finish in the darkness.
The Colavita-Sutter Home ladies finished third on the day.
Eight seconds separate Team Lipton from the top step on the podium.
The elated faces of the Team Webcor Builders riders, winning a hard fought victory.
Pain etched on his face, Pete Whitlock (Siegler/AxleyUSA) screams down the slight decline.
The Kelly Benefits Strategies/Medifast team lost a few riders as it made its way to the finish.
The Fiordifrutta Cycling Team with all eight riders intact through the mid section of the course.
Team BMC Racing had a few gaps in its formation early on.
Team Priority Health-Bissell held a nice tight aerodynamic double paceline.
The Nerac Pro Cycling Team put in a great ride and ended up a respectable 18th on the day.
Colavita-Sutter Home just a minute off the pace, with an organized effort.
Kodak/Sierra Nevada Brewing enroute to a great result, fifth on the day.
Toyota United with a great ride was just 11 seconds off the pace set by Health Net.
Courage and determination courtesy of Bobby Lea of Toyota United.
Rory Sutherland (Health Net) leads his team through on the way to the finish.
Frank Pipp (Health Net) concentrates on the road ahead as he finishes.
Team Slipstream turned in a great performance just 30 seconds off the leaders.
An intense effort by Jittery Joe's shed a few riders on the way to the finish.
Team Rite-Aid turned in a locomotive like performance.
Nathan O'Neil (Health Net) leads the way to victory and the yellow jersey.
Frank Pipp (Health Net) takes his turn on the front of the missile that is Health Net team.