Weekly Report

Hey Gang,
Sorry this is a little late but I have been slammed with work today. I know this may be shocking news but I do not get paid to write thiswonderful column so it has to take a back seat to the job that pays for mybike racing. I will open by once again highlighting the recent categoryupgrades. The Troll achieved his Cat III upgrade and has now put himselfat the same level as many of his rivals. Good Job Troll. Keep up the goodwork and start working for that Cat II. Nathan ( McGhies JR rider) alsoachieved his Cat III. This kid is up and coming so keep an eye on him.Nathan if you ever need rides to races or any kind of support let us know.We are always willing to support Junior racers. Ask Chris Carlson, I hadto write him off on my taxes.

TNW Report:
This week saw really hot temps here in Vegas and the field was much smallerthan we have had lately. A break got up the road with Chicken, Lance,Balchesaurus, Cesar(McGhies), The Christian, and Mexican Snaggle Tooth.The three strong men of Lance, Chicken, and Balch kept the pace high todrop the others and ended up staying away for the sprint. Lance used histremendous large calves to pull away from the Chicken and keep the belt foranother week. Good Job Lance.

Nationals:
I only know of two brave souls from Vegas that went to Nationals. I have a sneaky feeling that Carlson will be going to do under 23 nats but I havenot heard from him so I will have to examine results to find out. Louieand Mark took 2nd place in the Tandem Time Trial. If you know Louie andMark, they were pissed!! They came out to the Tandem RR today and whoopedass to take the National Championship Title. AWESOME!! I do not know howmany Jerseys Mark has won but that is 8 for Louie. Not bad for a shortCuban with a bad temper.

La Mirada Grand Prix:
This was a good race. The course is a 2 mile circuit that undulates witha nice little hill after the first corner. I did the Pro 1-2 race withLance and Little Hurt. Lance spent most of the day doing various choresfor the guys on his team. Little Hurt was bad ass. He was in severalchase groups and was working on the front like a mad man. Vampy (ChrisWalker) got away and Rock Racing waited too long to chase. Vampy wasincredible to hold off Team Zoolander (this is Andy's term for Rock Racing)and won solo on a really hard course. Andy finished in the field and did agreat job to be a player most of the day. Myself and Lance ran out of gaswith three laps to go and was not involved in the finish (that is a niceway of saying pussed out and DNF).

In the Master 40+ race Kenny Bingham had a solid race to place 13th. Herode the front of the race and held good position all day. Just a littlebetter position in the sprint and he would have been top 5. Good JobBingleheimer>

I did the Master 35+ race, missed the break and got 16th overall with a10th in the field sprint. Not sooo good.

Michelle did the Cat 4 race and placed 5th to win some money. She did agreat job and was leading up the climb for most of the laps.

Dash For Cash
The 35+ race had myself, Bingleheimer, Troll, Lance, Gagne, and AshleyDiamond in the race. There was a 20 cash preem every lap. Kenny was active early but 5-star dominated the race and won most of the laps either off the front or just outsprinting various riders. I tried a move a coupleof times but no go. I ended up somewhere in the top 20 in the sprint with Lance and Gagne somewhere in the same area. 5-Star was impressive and really controlled the race. It was tough with only me and Kenny in the race but the speedwork was good.

Ashley did the Pro Woman but I did not get her placing. She can update us late but I know she won some money.

Michelle did the Cat 4 woman and placed 5th and won several laps to bring home the gas money to get home. Her strong surge split her field and shewas the main protagonist in her break. Good Job.

Random Thoughts:
Carl Bordine is the Man. i know he is not from Vegas but many of us racewith him and he just won the National Masters Crit Title. Nice

I heard there was a huge turn out at the charity rider for Treina thisweekend. COOL. I am glad to see the cycling community pull together.Lets take that spirit and participation to races.

Vampy is incredible. the way that old man punked Team Zoolander wasimpressive. I am sure Rashan will be having some second thoughts aboutletting him up the road again.

Word on the street is that Ashley Diamond is shopping around for a ProContract. Hope you get it and do not forget us dreamers back here inVegas.

Tour De Gap and Mt Charelston is just around the corner, who will step upto the challenge. Hey Chicken, is Everest on your mind on those trips upPotosi. The squirrel has identified this event and advised that he will be putting on a climbing clinic for the Chicken.

Kenny looked solid this weekend. Tour De Gap may sport some placings for Bingelheimer. Keep up the training and the speed work.

See you guys when I get back from Cascade.