Cycling photography for September - Part II The Local East Coast Australian Time is plus 30 minutes Vuelta Espana Mountainbike world championships Tour of the Peak Grand Prix Fourmies Paris-Brussels Grafton to Inverell Cycling Classic Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel's Hour attempt BMC San Francisco Grand Prix Giro di Romagna British National Time Trial Championships Tour de Suisse Féminin  GP de Suisse Féminin BMC Tour of San Rafael Internationale Delta Profronde Coppa Placci Ronde van Nederland Mountainbike World championships Rob Karman of www.mtnbikephotos.com is in Vail for the worlds and rushed these superb shots of the racing to Cyclingnews. More shots by Rob have been added September 19 Senior women cross-country Caroline Alexander leads the bunch up the first climb Alison Sydor takes it carefully down a technical section Alison Dunlap smiles as the crowd cheers her on Alison Dunlap framed by the mountains of her native Colorado Ruthie Mathes and Shonny Vanlandingham, the old hand and the young gun in team USA Shonny Vanlandingham was the third USA rider in the top ten Ruthie Mathes rode to a satisfying top ten. It was the last world's for the 1991 world champion. Laurence Leboucher moved up through the field to take fifth Gunn-Rita Dahle looked to have a commanding lead before falling victim to the Puncture Gods Mary Grigson couldn't quite find the speed she's shown at the NORBA races this season Barbara Blatter put in a surprise late surge to finish just outside the medals Caroline Alexander led the first lap but couldn't maintain the pace Alison Dunlap - followed by on-bike videocam pilot Dave Weins Alison Dunlap waves a US flag as she crosses the line Alison Dunlap walks into the pits after finishing The podium - Alison Sydor (Can), Alison Dunlap (USA) & Sabine Spitz (Ger) Alison Dunlap - salutes the crowd from top spot on the podium Podium flags - flew at half mast all weekend in commemoration An emotional Alison Dunlap - pays tribute to the crowd and her country More photos by Rob Karman of the Senior Women's cross-country, added September 19 Caroline Alexander - from Great Britain on her way to 6th place Audrey Augustin - takes lucky thirteenth place Audrey Augustin - hydrating as the race takes its toll. Just one more flag shot - with Alison Dunlap Germanys Sabine Spitz - powers into 3rd place. AFP photo of Alison's win Doing her home town of Denver proud - Alison Dunlap looks like she absolutely loves winning. Senior Men Cross-country Miguel Martinez - takes an honorary holeshot Roland Green - was right on Martinez' wheel at the start Roland Green - led from lap one and proved unstoppable The bunch - heads out into the Vail woods The Jetta Jump - was a walk for most riders The lead group - in hot pursuit of Green and Rasmussen in the first lap Roland Green - rides the singletrack early in the race, past former Tour de France star Gert-Jan Theunisse Michael Rasmussen - was determination on two wheels Michael Rasmussen - rode hard to hold Green before fading in the final lap. Christof Sauser- powered the chase, eventually earning a bronze Christof Sauser - rides in the evening sunshine The bunch - unusually tight and numerous on the second lap climb Thomas Frischknecht - saved his best till last Roland Green - celebrates as crosses the line alone to take the 2001 world championships The podium - Thomas Frischknecht (Swi), Roland Green (Can) and Christof Sauser (Swi) Roland Green on the giant screen Vast hordes of spectators - cheered on the riders Senior Women Downhill The downhill finish area - riders don't have time to admire the view Anne-Caroline Chausson - speeds to yet another worlds gold medal Anne-Caroline Chausson - lines up for the next curve Anne-Caroline Chausson - with the gold firmly in sight Anne-Caroline Chausson - tucks in for a coaster section Leigh Donovan - hangs out over the back on a jump Fionn Griffith - on her way to her first senior world's medal Fionn Griffith - carries on down the hill The podium - Fionn Griffith (GBr), Anne-Caroline Chausson (Fra) and Leigh Donovan (USA) Senior Men Downhill Nicolas Vouilloz - makes rocks and dirt look like asphalt Nicolas Vouilloz - flows into a bermed corner… Nicolas Vouilloz - …and into the next curve Nicolas Vouilloz - demonstrates perfect on-bike poise Nicolas Vouilloz - heading for the finish with seven seconds in hand Steve Peat - drops in to the rock garden Steve Peat - hangs it out in the berm, trying to make up a second Steve Peat - mid-move, throwing himself around on the bike Steve Peat - blasting off toward the finish Steve Peat - in profile Greg Minnaar - waves a stabilising foot Greg Minnaar - in profile Greg Minnaar - is helped off the course after crashing across the line Chris Kovaric - was fast, but not quite fast enough for a medal Chris Kovaric - negotiates the narrow line near the bottom of the course Chris Kovaric - in profile as he heads for the finish Filip Polc - gets totally sideways in the rock garden. Somehow, he held it together. Filip Polc - points determinedly to the finish after recovering control The podium - Steve Peat (GBr), Nico Vouilloz (Fra) and Greg Minnaar (RSA) Junior downhill Junior men's podium Junior women's podium Under-23 Men's Cross Country Andy Guptill working hard JuJu Absalon - shadowed by Ryder Hesjedal early in the Under-23 race JuJu Absalon - celebrates as he solos across the line in first place Ryder Hesjedal and Julien Absalon - the Canadian struggled to remain in contact Walker Ferguson - concentrates through the rocks on his way to bronze More photos by Rob Karman of the Under-23 Men's cross-country, added September 19 Andy Guptill working hard Adam Craig - looking very glad to be over the hill Would you believe - this is a planned move? Ross Schnell - looking for lift-off over the hill Ryder Hesjedal - showing how the drop-off is done Davy Coenen - in complete control Junior Men's Cross Country (Photos added September 19) Australia's Trent Lowe - leading Lars Petter Nordhaug Inaki Lejarreta Errasti (Spain) - on his way to winning the Junior Men's Cross Country Inaki Lejarreta Errasti - leaving the field in the trees Nick Waite - from the USA leading his countryman, Ryan Edwards Frank Lehmann - looking powerful out of the saddle This climb doesn't look much - but it sorted out the riders! Junior Women's Cross Country (Photos added September 19) The top three placings - in reverse order during the race Liza Winne - given another day, and it looks like a really nice ride. Julie Rajol - kept the French colours flying, taking 4th place Maja Wloszczowska - looking very much in control Magen Long - from the USA pushes hard to take 5th place The USA's Lea Davison - looking very comfortable Dual The men's podium - Cedric Gracia (France), Brian Lopes (USA) & Wade Bootes (Australia) The women's podium - Katrina Miller (Australia), Anne-Caroline Chausson (France) & Tara Llanes (USA) Anne-Caroline Chausson - dualling to yet another world's gold Anne-Caroline Chausson - in splendid isolation Brian Lopes - Provide your own 'shiny helmet' joke Brian Lopes and Cedric Gracia - in the evening's final battle Leigh Donovan and Katrina Millar neck and neck in the Dual semi Leigh Donovan and Katrina Millar any closer and they'll snarl handlebars Leigh Donovan and Katrina Millar - formation flying Katrina Millar - edges ahead of Leigh Donovan on the big berm Cedric Gracia up and cranking Cedric Gracia eyes up the next obstacle Cedric Gracia attempts to evade Mickael Deldycke Cedric Gracia chases a fast-escaping Brian Lopes in the final Australian National Club Championships Photos of the Indvidual Time Trial by Tim Francis/cyclingpics.com Natalie Bates - with her head down towards a national title Kristjan Snorrason - rides into 1st Place in the Men's 40 km Indivdual Time Trial Russell Van Hout - won the bronze in the Men's ITT Andrew Mason winner of the U23 Men's Individual Time Trial Ben Day - secured fourth in the Men's ITT Photos of the Pairs Time Trial by Tim Francis/cyclingpics.com Milostic leads Ebeile - (Penrith Panthers CC) into 1st Place in the Men's 60 km Pairs Time Trial Mongoven and Seiper from Canberra CC, taking 2nd place in the Men's 60 km Pairs Time Trial Robert Crowe and Tim Retchford - from the Balance Carnegie Caulfield CC Kristjan Snorrason and James Taylor - from the Balance Carnegie Caulfield CC Photos of the Road Races by Tim Francis/cyclingpics.com The bunch - leaves the starting area. Riders - in the early breakaway work together against difficult conditions. Robert Crowe (Carnegie-Caulfield) - leads the chase for the breakaway group. Dan Smith (St George) - leads the sprint to the finish line. Dan Smith - salutes the crowd on his way to becoming the Elite Men's champion. Natalie Bates (Parramatta) - Leads the Bunch. Jennifer Mainfield (Parramatta) - touches the line first in the Elite Women's sprint finish. Jennifer Mainfield - looking a little more relaxed after her victory. Jonathon Davis (St George) - leads the break in the Under 23 Men's race. An exhausted David Pell (Bendigo & District) - takes first place. Ashley Humbert (Wagga Wagga) - on his way to second place in the Under 23 Men's event. Jonathon Davis - sprints to take third place in the Under 23 Men's road race. Seatac Cyclo-cross Hyun Lee was at the first Washington state cyclo-cross race of the season in South Seatac. he sent these two pics of the winner and second placed rider. Jonny Sundt - leads Dale Knapp through a turn Eventual winner Jonny Sundt - climbs a sandy trail ahead of Dale Knapp, who finished second Tour of the Peak One of the toughest UK classics is the UCI 1.5 Tour of the Peak, the final race in the Premier Calendar series. Gerry McManus was there to capture the action with some fine shots. The bunch - go at it hard on the Bradwell climb, early in the race Mark Lovatt (ProVision/Ribble/Kairfree) - makes his attack on Bradwell Jamie Burrow (USPS) - missed the main move, and eventually finished 36th The chase group - wasn't strong enough to catch Lovatt Eventual 9th place - Gavin Evans on the Bradwell climb Mark Lovatt - relieved as he crosses the line to win Grand Prix Fourmies Shorter and hillier than Paris-Brussels is the Grand Prix Fourmies, also classed as 1.1 by the UCI. Scott Sunderland (Fakta) scored an important win in this year's race. Scott Sunderland (Team Fakta) - is ecstatic as he scores his biggest career win in the GP Fourmies Scott Sunderland - smiles on the podium of the GP Fourmies. Paris-Brussels This 249 kilometre sprinters' classic between the two capitals did not depart from tradition this year, but the winner surprised all the favourites. Emmanuel Magnien (Francaise des Jeux) - was too quick and too canny for Nico Eeckhout and Romans Vainsteins Emmanuel Magnien - is dwarfed by his trophy Grafton to Inverell Cycling Classic One of Australia's premier one-day races was held on a beautiful spring day, with a hungry pro showing his class after 228km of hard racing. These photographs by Tim Francis of cyclingpics.com and Heinrich Haussler. The start - the 170-strong field leaves Grafton Peter Milostic - one of the favourties looks relaxed at the start David Mckenzie - preparing for the worst Gibraltar Range KOM - Scott Bradburn goes solo to take the major KOM Gibraltar Range KOM - the remnants of the peleton go over the top of the 17km climb Desperate duo - a brave attack by Bradburn and John Baker 30km from the finish - a select group of 13 chases Tony Mann and Brett Lancaster Milostic leads - as the main field approaches Wire Gully Finish line - the winner is? And again - another shot of the sprint for first Tony Brindel - raises his arms in ecstasy as winner of B grade Taxi please - David Mckenzie calling for a cab to take him back home to Victoria The course profile - showing the imposing Gibraltar Range Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel's Hour attempt Close but no cigar. Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel made an attempt on Jeannie Longo's mark of 45.094 kilometres on the Manchester velodrome. She fell short by over 1.5 kilometres, but did ride out the whole hour. Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel - rides during her attempt to break the World Hour Record Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel - is flanked by her husband Michael after failing in her attempt BMC San Francisco Grand Prix Probably the USA's biggest single-day race this year, the San Francisco GP saw a late attack by George Hincapie take the win for US Postal while an estimated 350,000 people lined the route to catch a glimpse of his team-mate triple Tour winner Lance Armstrong. Stephen M McCaw took these pictures from around the course The peloton - struggles up Fillmore St, cheered on by a huge crowd. Trent Klasna and George Hincapie - round a turn in the final laps George Hincapie - attacks on the last lap Tim Johnson (Saturn) - leads Lance Armstrong (USPS) Jim Pravetz was on Taylor St (16 percent climb) for the race and took these pictures Welcome to the wall - the view up Taylor St Henk Vogels (Mercury) demonstrates the fine art of gurning Mike Tillman (NetZero) - gets a helping hand. A NetZero rider - battles the climb, painfully The early break - climbs Taylor St Postal powered pursuit - USPS in the thick of chasing down the break George Hincapie - catapults from the chasing group of Posties to catch the lead break Lance Armstrong (USPS) - Job done. And then there were four - Hincapie (USPS), Barry, Klasna (Saturn), & Walters (Navigators) drop Wherry (Mercury) and O'Bee (Navigators) Jonathan Devich caught the action on the flats as well as the climbs, and a touching moment on the podium. Lance Armstrong - smiles on the start line US Postal - start line domination The Fillmore - yes, it's every bit as nasty as it looks The peloton - battles up Fillmore St George Hincapie - powers along one of the race's flatter sections George Hincapie and Trent Klasna - lead the six-man break Trent Klasna - gritting his teeth with the effort as he rides past the crowds The survivors - Hincapie (USPS), Barry, Klasna (Saturn), & Walters (Navigators) Three to go - Klasna, Barry and Hincapie approach the finale George Hincapie - raises his arms as he crosses the line George Hincapie - and a very proud father on the podium Mark Shimahara took these shots, many on the race's steepest climb Three amigos - USPS' Fred Rodriguez, George Hincapie and Lance Armstrong on the start line. Viatcheslav Ekimov (USPS) - leads up the Fillmore George Hincapie (USPS) - signs autographs before the start George Hincapie (USPS) - leads the break up the Fillmore Mark Walters (Navigators) - leads George Hincapie over the crest of the Fillmore. Mayor Brown - gets moto USPS - on the start line The Fillmore hill - a major struggle for the stragglers George Hincapie - salutes the huge crowd as he crosses the line Carla Geyer hopped in a commissaire's car to take these pics of the action Hincapie, Barry and Klasna - climb Taylor St with two to go Mark Walters - leads the break up Fillmore St Fillmore St - reduces the break to specks Tifosi - cheer on the break as they climb Taylor St Scot Johnson was on Taylor St for a crucial moment The last four - another view of Hincapie, Barry, Klasna & Walters leaving behind Wherry and O'Bee The Four - climb Taylor St British National Time Trial Championships Steve King captured the power and the pain of the UK's top time trialists Stuart Dangerfield - on the first lap Stuart Dangerfield - on the last lap… and the pain is starting to show Yvonne McGregor - was a no-surprise winner of the women's race Natacha Maes - showing the effort on her way to second place Angela Hunter - doing a fine imitation of a high-speed alien. Michael Hutchinson - looking surprisingly relaxed on lap two Julian Ramsbottom - powering to the bronze Carlos Riise - all the way from the far North to fifth place Matt Bottrill - took joint fifth with Riise Richard Prebble piloted one of the most distinctive bikes in the competition to seventh Jeff Snodin - on his way to 22nd place Giro di Romagna Fotoreporter Sirotti captured the action and Rebellin's victory Davide Rebellin (Liquigas-Pata) - leads the breakaway, ahead of Daniele Nardello (Mapei-Quick Step) and Ruggero Borghi (Tacconi Sport-Vini Caldirola). Nardello, Rebellin and Borghi - looking surprisingly solomn on the podium Davide Rebellin - breaks away from the bunch Davide Rebellin - celebrates as he edges out Nardello on the line BMC Tour of San Rafael Jonathan Devich took these pics of the women's race Ina Teutenberg (Saturn) - in solo powerhouse mode The women's podium Tour de Suisse Féminin  Photos provided by Pascal Meisser. This stage race followed the GP de Suisse Féminin World Cup. Stage 1b - September 11: Sarnen - Sarnen, 79.8 km Nicole Brändli (Swiss National Team) - follows an Acca Due O rider during the second half stage Anna Millward (Saturn) - crosses the line to win her second stage of the day Anna Millward - stands on the podium having won both stages on the first day Stage 2 - September 12: Frauenfeld - Frauenfeld, 129.5 km Priska Doppman (Acca Due O) - and Nicole Braendli (National Team) Anna Millward (Saturn) - at the front of the peloton Anna Millward - wins her third stage in a row Stage 3 - September 13: Aarberg - Aarberg, 108 km Nicole Brändli (Switzerland) - leads a group on a climb in the third stage The break - Lucille Hunkeler (Swiss National Team), Kimberly Bruckner (Saturn) and Tina Liebig (German National Team) lead the break that also included Ragnhild Kostöl (Team Sponsorservice) and Katia Longhin (Acca Due O) Kim Bruckner (Saturn) - salutes as she takes the stage and the overall lead. Stage 4 - September 14: Thun - Thun, 130.5 km Saturn's Judith Arndt - sets the pace for Kim Bruckner during the wet final stage Trixi Worrack (Germany) - wins the final sprint in Thun Final podium - Tina Liebig (Germany, 2nd), Kimberly Bruckner (Saturn, 1st) and Ragnhild Kostöl (Sponsorservice, 3rd) GP de Suisse Féminin  Photos provided by Pascal Meisser Anna Millward - retains her overall WC lead Nicole Brändli - begins to string the field out Nicole Brändli leads Susanne Ljungskog - in the lead breakaway The main bunch - working away, and covering the points spread Susanne Ljungskog - looking pretty pleased as she crosses the line to win The winners podium - with Luperini, Ljungskog and Pucinskaite 41st Internationale Delta Profronde - 1.2 Photo's of the race have been provided by Frans Meijer The Netherlands may not be the steepest landscape around, but watch for that wind! The second and third group - with 140 km to go. Have a look at the wind sock, and the line of the riders! The leading group - in Zierikzee with 110 km to go The first and second group - at the Zeelandbrug, again battling the conditions. The leading group of 30 riders - with 50 km to go Nico Eeckhout - as he crosses the line Geert Omloop, Nico Eeckhout and Servais Knaven - on the podium. 51st Coppa Placci Fotoreporter Sirotti has been a busy little bee of late, where he managed to capture the decisive action at the Coppa Placci. Paolo Bettini (Mapei-Quick Step) continued his end of season form, beating another rider with good late season form: Gianni Faresin (Liquigas), with Eddy Mazzoleni (Tacconi) taking third. The race was 200 kilometres long, and was played out over the finishing circuit, four 7.6 km laps around San Marino. After Saeco's Mirko Celestino forced a 10 man breakaway, Bettini, Faresin, Mazzoleni and Gobbi (Mobilvetta) attacked to reduce the group to four. Although he is a strong sprinter, Bettini went again on the final climb to win alone. Mapei's leader for the classics next year shouldn't have to do anything more to make the Italian national team for the World's in October. The winning break of four - goes up the road on the finishing circuit of San Remo Bettini goes again - on the final climb to win alone Paolo Bettini salutes his tifosi Paolo enjoys the moment - as he crosses the finish line Hey Paolo, is that a gun in your pocket - or are you just happy to see me? The Coppa Placci - will make for a great punch bowl at Paolo's house party afterwards Ronde van Nederland Rabobank's Erik Dekker was tipped as a hot favourite in the Ronde van Nederland (Tour of the Netherlands). However in a remarkable finish, fellow Dutchman Leon Van Bon (Mercury) won by just six seconds from Dekker, courtesy of an inspiring ride as part of a six man breakaway in the final stage. The five-day, six stage race - rated 2.1 by the UCI - is characterised by relatively long stages to compensate for the country's noted lack of elevation change, and livened by a split third day with an individual time trial in the afternoon that often proves decisive. Not so in this year's race. Robbie McEwen (Domo-Farm Frites) - interviewed after winning Stage 2 from Tiel to Nijverdal Ludo Dierckxsens (Lampre-Daikin) - going flat stick in the Stage 4 ITT from Nordhorn - Denekamp Sergei Gontchar (Liquigas-Pata) - on his way to victory in the ITT Vjatceslav Ekimov (US Postal Service) - the Olympic champ gives his all in the Stage 4 ITT Zbigniew Spruch (Lampre-Daikin) - in full flight during the Stage 4 ITT Erik Dekker (Ned) Rabobank) - finished a respectable 14th in the Stage 4 ITT, but saved his best till last with victory in the final stage of the RVN Erik Dekker (Ned) Rabobank) - a picture of concentration during the Stage 4 ITT Want some more? For more cycling photography, with events such as Trofeo Melinda, 27th Giro del Friuli, GP Ouest-France Plouay, 73rd Giro del Veneto, Wiesbaden (Jens Zemke's last race), Goodwill Games, 15th Trofeo dello Scalatore, X-Games BMX Jumps, Trophée d'Or Féminin, and The Koppenberg please consult our monthly archives