Tour of Elk Grove - NE

Illinois, USA, August 11-12, 2007

Photos

Stage 2 - August 12: Gullo International criterium, 110 km

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Images by Mark Zalewski/Cyclingnews.com

Canadian champion Gina Grain (expresscopy.com) sprints for a prime.
Sarah Bamberger (Cheerwine) was banking multiple $500 primes.
With most of her teammates in Europe with the national team, Laura Kroepsch (TEAm Lipton) had to freelance today.
Catherine Cheatley (Cheerwine) takes the win.
Cheerwine makes it a podium sweep with the field sprint.
The early laps are for chatting, as Rory Sutherland (Health Net-Maxxis) chats with his neighbours.
The early break is led by Ben Raby (Kodak Gallery-Sierra Nevada), showing off for his mother.
The first intermediate sprint winds up with Dominque Rollin (Kodak Gallery-Sierra Nevada) on the right and Alejandro Acton (Colavita-Sutter Home) in the middle, while Mike Friedman (Slipstream-Chipotle) gets boxed in on the far left.
Slipstream-Chipotle's domestic DS Dr. Alan Lim prefers to use ESP in lieu of radios to communicate with his riders.
Friedman picks a better line for the second intermediate sprint and gains valuable points.
Brad Huff (Slipstream-Chipotle) waves to the throngs of adoring fans that came out to see him.
Ian MacGregor (Slipstream-Chipotle) and Trent Wilson (Jittery Joe's) chase the break.
Overall leader Nathan O'Neill (Health Net-Maxxis) leads the peloton, waiting to see what happens with the intermediates sprints.
Jakob Nielsen (Glud & Marstrands) was the horsepower in the break, along with Jonny Sundt (Kelly Benefits/Medifast.)
Jonny Sundt (Kelly Benefits/Medifast) working in the break.
Toyota-United did a lot of work to kill the break, which paid dividends later.
It's hard being a team director.
Ivan Dominguez (Toyota-United), Freddie Rodriguez (Predictor-Lotto) and Mike Friedman (Slipstream-Chipotle) with only a few laps to go.
The Kodak Gallery-Sierra Nevada team in crisis mode after sprinter Dominique Rollin crashed with five laps to go.
Chris Horner (Predictor-Lotto) moves to the front to repeat yesterday's lead-out.
The dash for the cash...
...who wants some?

Images by Kurt Jambretz/www.actionimages.cc

Sarah Caravella (Aaron's Pro Cycling) didn't have many teammates in today's race, but still rode aggressively.
Cheerwine and ValueAct Capital patrol the front of the field in the early going.
Lara Kroepsch (TEAm Lipton) reaches for her bottle to stay hydrated on a hot day as Brooke Miller (Team Tibco) looks on.
Chrissy Ruiter (Cheerwine) sprints hard out of the corner.
Canadian national champion Gina Grain (Expresscopy.com) takes off in search of the break.
Brooke Miller (Team Tibco) marked closely by Laura Van Gilder (Cheerwine).
Chrissy Ruiter (Cheerwine) leads the Cheerwine train in the closing laps.
Katherine Carroll (Aaron's Pro Cycling) keeps a sharp eye on the action up the road.
A small group of riders escaped from the peloton midway through the race.
Carrie Cash (Xplane/Team Revolution) rode a great race in the scorching midday sun.
The breakaway put over a minute into the field at one point, but it was not to be.
Catherine Cheatly (Cheerwine) went to the front and orchestrated the chase.
Catherine Cheatly (Cheerwine) celebrates a wonderful solo victory.
Laura Van Gilder (Cheerwine) happily occupies the second spot on the podium.
Cheerwine podium sweep (L-R): Laura Van Gilder, Catherine Cheatly, and Kelly Benjamin.
Justin England (Toyota-United) cruises up the slight uphill section toward the finish.
Ivan Dominguez (Toyota-United) spent the early part of the race toward the back of the peloton.
A small breakaway formed after a prime lap and gained considerable time on the field.
Race leader Nathan O'Neill (Health Net) takes a turn at the front in the early going.
Ivan Dominguez (Toyota-United) rides with his first lieutenant Heath Blackgrove (Toyota-United).
Frank Travieso (AEG Toshiba) screams down the back stretch as the pace quickens.
The Slipstream boys were active at the front chasing the breakaway in hopes of putting one of their riders on the podium.
Rashann Bahati (Rock Racing) didn't seem phased by today's intense heat.
Kelly Health Benefits/Medifast did a great job of animating today's race.
Kirk O'Bee (Health Net) contemplates a solo move on the finishing stretch.
Johhny Sundt (Kelly Health Benefits/Medifast) was all smiles in the early going.
Race leader Nathan O'Neill (Health Net) cruises through as the peloton seems content to let the break gain time.
Keven Lacome (Kelly Health Benefits/Medifast) takes off in search of the small group up the road.
Timmy Duggan (Slipstream-Chipotle) leads the field out of the final corner.
Ryan Dewald (Rite Aid) jumps hard out of the final corner.
The small group up the road became a group of six and put almost two minutes into the field.
David McCook (Kelly Health Benefits/Medifast) listens intently to instructions in his ear from team director Jonas Carney.
Slipstream assembled at the front and dragged the break back to the field.
Gilbert Martin (Kelly Health Benefits/Medifast) puts in an intense effort in the heat.
Ben Jaques-Maynes (Priority Health) is obviously feeling the effects of the heat as he rides with his tongue out.
The six man breakaway seemed to be having a hard time getting organized.
Frustrated by the breaks lack of organization, Johnny Sundt struck out on his own for several laps.
In the closing laps Toyota-United assembled at the front to position its sprinter for the finale.
Heath Blackgrove (Toyota-United) leads the Toyota-United train through with two laps to go.
Dominic Roland (Kodak Sierra) had a mishap in the closing laps and his team put on an impressive display attempting to bring him back to the field.
Ivan Dominguez (Toyota-United) takes a very hotly contested sprint finish.
Stage podium (L-R): Taylor Tolleson (Slipstream-Chipotle), Ivan Dominguez (Toyota-United), and Gilbert Martin (Kelly Health Benefits/Medifast).
Overall podium (L-R): Mike Friedman (Slipstream-Chipotle), Nathan O'Neill (Health Net), and Timmy Duggan (Slipstream-Chipotle).
The battle continues with a champagne fight on the podium.

Stage 1 - August 11: Elk Grove Village Bank & Trust circuit race, 80 km

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Images by Mark Zalewski/Cyclingnews.com

Nathan O'Neill (Health Net-Maxxis) wears the leader's jersey while second place Mike Friedman (Slipstream-Chipotle) keeps a close watch.
At least it matches his team colours.
A dangerous break with Chris Horner (Predictor-Lotto) and Rahsaan Bahati (Rock Racing), but too early.
Sterling Magnel (Rock Racing) is an imposing figure in the peloton.
Late in the race the Kelly Benefits/Medifast team put in a lot of work, with Chris Horner (Predictor-Lotto) chipping in.
At 125 metres it's Dave McCook (Kelly Benefits/Medifast) jumping for the line.
But right on his wheel is fast Freddie Rodriguez (Predictor-Lotto).
Mike Friedman (Slipstream-Chipotle) shows off the new time trial bike.

Images by Kurt Jambretz/Action Images

Nathan O’Neill (Health Net) is all smiles on the line wearing his race leaders jersey from this morning
Nathan O’Neill (Health Net) and Chris Horner (Predictor-Lotto) at the starting line.
The peloton was not in a hurry to pick up the pace in the heat.
Ivan Dominguez (Toyota-United) cruises comfortably along in the pack.
This Kodak Sierra rider shook things up early and went away after a prime.
Soon he was joined by a small group of riders from various teams.
Nathan O’Neill (Health Net) demonstrates why he is wearing the yellow jersey and drops the hammer.
Adam Myerson (Nerac Pro Cycling) jumps hard on the pedal as the group strings out.
This Priority Health rider employs his secret weapon...... his tongue.
Toyota-United chased hard at the front of the peloton to bring back the breakaway.
They got a little help for the Slipstream-Chipotle boys.
Sean Sullivan (Toyota-United) spent a lot of time working hard at the front.
Sterling Magnel (Rock Racing) jumps hard out of the last corner to get on a wheel.
The peloton strings out along the bottom of the course as the pace intensifies.
Kirk O’Bee (Health Net) leads the peloton up course in search of the small breakaway group.
The six escapees were working hard collecting primes and putting time into the field.
Sterling Magnel (Rock Racing) takes a pull as the break is now in sight.
I wonder why Chris Horner (Predictor-Lotto) is smiling..... Does he know something the others don’t?.
This Navigators rider is definitely feeling the heat as he puts in a strong effort on the slight downhill.
Late in the race a few primes split the field again.
The peloton seemed to be having trouble getting organized for the closing laps.
No problem.... Say’s Kelly Health Benefits/Medifast as they swarm the front and drive the pace.
Chris Horner (Predictor-Lotto) lends a hand to the Kelly Benefits/Medifast train as darkness closes in.
Fast Freddie Rodriguez (center, with head down) takes an amazingly close sprint after a text book lead out from Chris Horner (Predictor-Lotto).
Freddie Rodriguez tells the crowd exactly how he managed the victory.
The Men’s Podium (left to right) David McCook (Kelly Health Benefits/Medifast), Freddie Rodriguez (Predictor-Lotto), and Sebastian Haedo (Rock Racing).
The Men’s Overall Podium remained the same (left to right) Mike Friedman (Slipstream-Chipotle), Nathan O’Neill (Health Net), and Timmy Duggan (Slipstream- Chipotle).

Prologue - August 11: Citi prologue time trial, 4.5 km

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Images by Mark Zalewski/Cyclingnews.com

Jakob Nielsen (Glud and Marstrands) loves coming to America for the big money crits.
Mike Friedman (Slipstream-Chipotle) surprised himself with a fast TT.
Multi-time Aussie national TT champion Nathan O'Neill (Health Net-Maxxis) prefers longer efforts.
Ben Brooks (Navigators Insurance) staying aero.
Aussie Trent Wilson (Jittery Joe's) working on new material for his Cyclingnews diary.
O'Neill looked to make time along the straights.
Friedman comes in dissapointed in his ride, only to find out later he was the second fastest!
Frank Treviso (AEG-Toshiba-JetNetwork) shows the pain of a short TT.
Even with only 4.2 miles the 30 second intervals showed who was racing and who was saving.
Chris Horner (Predictor-Lotto) stays in the hunt for the overall with a sixth place ride.
Alex Candelario (Jelly Belly) got the honor of starting last as the best finisher from 2006.
Nathan O'Neill (Health Net-Maxxis) does it again!

Images by Kurt Jambretz/www.actionimages.cc

Justin England (Toyoto-United) enjoys the brief downhill on this relatively flat course
Nerac Pro Cycling sent three high power representatives in the race against the clock
Kyle Wamsley (Navigators) tests his mettle against the watch
Frank Pipp (Health Net) fresh from a criterium victory in North Carolina puts in a good ride
This Rock Racing rider has the look of intensity as on the return trip
Sean Sullivan (Toyota-United) employs an all-aero set up for maximum advantage
Fast Freddy (Predictor-Lotto) displays perfect aerodynamic form on course this morning
This Rite-Aid rider must have been paying attention to Freddi as he has similar form
Ben Brooks (Navigators) hunts down his 30 second man
Kelly Benefits/Medifast brought a complete squad of fast man to today's race
This Jittery Joe's rider attempts to gain time on the descent
Alex Candelario (Jelly Belly) hunts down the leaders as he rode last in the order
This Toyota-United rider pain written on his face, battles this short course
Chad Hartley (BMC Pro Racing) eye's his 30 second man, just ahead has he puts in a good effort
This Kodak-Sierra Brewing rider focuses on the road ahead as he heads for the line
This Navigators rider stays in great aero position early on in his trip
Ryan Dewald (Rite-Aid) decides to make his ride a bit more challenging
Ivan Dominguez (Toyota-United) looked comfortable on his machine during his ride.
Ben Jaques Maynes (Priority Health) displays razor sharp focus as he attacks the course
Chris Baldwin (Toyota-United) displays his trademark cat-like time trial form
Jesse Anthony (Kodak-Sierra Brewing) is motivated by the site of the finish line as he passes it
Martin Gilbert (Kelly Benefits/Medifast) displays the look of intensity as he pedals smoothly for the line
Nathan O'Neil (Health Net) Multiple time Australian time trial champion puts in the fastest time on the day
Dan Schmatz (BMC Pro Cycling) a feared criterium specialist, put in a good ride against the watch today
Mike Friedman and Timmy Duggan (Slipstream) flank winner Nathan O'Neill