Hello Gang,
I have lots to talk about this week with news from the show, Everest
Challenge, the UCI Cyclocross race, and the US Crit Finals here in Vegas,
as well as some local news on teams and rides and all kinds of stuff. It
is that time of year for the Christmas Stars to start searching for teams
for next year and the rumor mill is just beginning.
Everest Challenge:
Once again the boss and Schafer proved that they are two of the best
climbers on the West Coast. This year's event was epic with the weather
and cold being as much of a factor as the course and the racers. In the
35+ race we had the Fatman and the Boss to go for the win. In the 45+ race
we were well represented with Magoo, Balchesaurus, and the Desciple Mark
Schaefer. The first day saw scattered storms with rain and hail as well as
cold temps on the peak. Louie took off on the first climb with a skinny
guy from Team Spine never to be seen again the rest of the day. The two of
them crested each of the peaks together until the last climb where the Boss
put on the gas to put two minutes into his opponent to take the W. Mark
was caught up in an epic battle with Zimbleman from Team Z. The Z launched
an attack on the first climb with Mark in hot pusuit. In typical PT style,
Mark let him fry and than put a ton of minutes on him when he cracked on
the last climb to take the win. Balch and Magoo both had strong rides to
finish not far behind and I dragged in dead last just to make sure our team
did not look too dominating.
The second day was exceptionaly hard with the promoter adding in some extra
distance to make up for having to shorten the first climb on the first day.
Mark and Louie both won their respective races as well as the overall for
both categories for the stage race. Balch and Magoo had solid rides to get
in the finish. I cracked like humpty dumpty with three miles left on the
last climb to take home a very rare DNF for the Fatman. It looks like I
will be going back again next year cause I can not end on that note. DAMN
Other Vegas notables were Dave Ellis from CES. He had a very good first
day to get in the finish but was unable to complete the second day. He
rode hard but the mountain was not kind to those of us with that did not
prepare well. There was a guy from Allegiant in the Cat 4 field. I know
he completed the first day but I did not see if he finished the second day.
if anyone knows who this guy is, drop me a line and give him a pat on the
back for accepting the challenge.
Cyclocross race:
The UCI put on a bad ass cyclocross race here in Vegas with some of the
best riders in the world coming down to Vegas during the show to contest
this first race for UCI points. I have never been to a cyclocross race but
i am now truly a fan. THAT WAS AWESOME TO WATCH!!! Our own Little Hurt,
Andy B, was able to secure a spot in the race. He did an awesome job to
stay in that stacked field. The elite group at the front applied a ton of
pressure to the group and Little Hurt got caught behind an initial crash
that split the field. He hung in as long as possible and lasted much
longer than some of his competition. GREAT JOB ANDY. The race was won by
Ryan Trebon and I think I speak for everyone when I say props go out to
Little Hurt for a great effort against this top field.
US Crit Finals:
The US Crit finals were here in vegas on Thursday night. It was a tight
course set up in the parking lot of the Mandalay Bay and held at night
under the lights. Vegas locals in the womans race included Ashley Diamond,
Alicia Boland, and Hillary Crowley. Top sprinter Laura Van Gilder was in
the field with her Cheerwine team fully stacked to go for the win. Alicia
did a great job of moving up during the race on the tight course and ended
up around 25th place for the best placing out of the local girls. NICE
JOB. I am sure that is the best field she has been up against and their
pace was hot. Hillary and Ashley both finished in the main field and had a
good race to come in without a mishap and to finish with the group. Laura
Van Gilder took the win behind a solid lead out train by her team.
The mens race had Little Hurt, Lance Coburn, the Boss, and Chicken all
representing Vegas. The call up was a who's who in the crit world with
some of the top sprinters in the Nation here to go for the win and the
Title. The men had to do 60 laps and the pace was insane from the
beginning. Lance must have floated some bling bling to the promoter to get
a call up and start on the front so he had the best position at the start.
With a crash on lap one to shuffle any stragglers to the back the PT boys
were tailgunning the rear of the field with Little Hurt holding great
position in the middle of the field. About 30 minutes into the race Little
Hurt had an unfortunate crash on corner two to get taken out of the race.
Lance exited a little before that which left Chicken and the Boss to fight
to the finish. The pace was insane and they both did an incredible job to
avoid crashes and stay in for a much deserved 44th place for the Chicken
and Louie in 55th. Amazing that these two hard core climbers were able to
knock boots with some of the best crit riders in the country. GOOD JOB
BOYS!! I guess all that road racing must be good training for crits. Go
Figure
Saturday Ride.
WOW what a day. I am still a little smitten. The PT gang ended up doing
80 miles of tempo climbing with arguably one of the best stage race riders
in the US, Mr Chris Horner. He could not have been more gracious as we did
mile after mile swapping stories, talking tactics and laughing the morning
away. We ended up doing loop Potosi loop. Horner was very cool to ride at
our pace and no question was off limits. He got a good look into why our
team is so tight and I am sure he enjoyed hearing all the stories about how
everyone got their nick names. Talking tactics and getting the inside
scoop on how to ride as a team was awesome and I know I walked away from
the ride, just a little more savvy than when I started. I am not sure if
chris will end up racing on the domestic scene or back in Europe fighting
it out in big stage races, but I am glad that he took the time to make our
ride just that much better on Saturday. I have tons of stories from that
day, but the most interesting was the pride he took in being Cadel's
lieutenant in the Tour. You can tell that he takes his job seriously and
how important his role is. That is what builds team character and helps
put W's on the books.
Sunday Ride
Myself, Chicken, and Robocop rode out to Green Valley to check out the
Treadmill ride to Jean and Goodsprings. I saw some new faces as well as
some of the old crew out for the ride. It was a good group and the pace
was moderate until Spider Monkey started pushing the pace on the road to
Jean. As the group split, we had a small group pushing the pace with most
of the field content to spin easy behind us. On the rise to the railroad
crossing the Chicken decided to attack with me and Jeffon in tow. As we
pulled away from the field on the descent, a rider from McGhies bridged
with Robocop on his wheel. When he made the bridge he promptly decided to
start screaming his praises at the top of his lungs. Squack Box kept
screaming about how bad ass his bridge was so Chicken promptly attacked and
we left him to twist in the wind byhimself in peloton time out. The pace
to Goodsprings was hot with Chicken putting up a killer tempo. We all
regrouped at the gas station and than had a nice leisure ride back to Vegas
in a stiff headwind.
Random Thoughts:
The show was exhausting as usual but the team did a good job of securing
our sponsors for next year and it looks like we should be able to build on
the foundation already started.
How bad ass did Cipo look in the Industry Cup race. I swear he was smiling
the whole time, right up until he got clipped and went down. I am sure he
could have used some of the alcohol he had the night before to clean up the
road rash.
Mark Schafer and Louie are insane climbers. Everest was epic and as usual,
it tests your mental strength more than your physical. I failed the test
this year so I will be going back again next year.
best wishes out to Little Hurt on a speedy recovery. He had the best
position of all the vegas gang in the race and really looked good before
his crash. The Cat I status that you earned was confirmed this weekend.
GREAT JOB ANDY. Can not wait to see you back on the bike.
Chuck from Allegiant had a lot of veins popping out of those skinny legs.
Somebody has been training. Look forward to big things from this kid if he
can get some good training.
It was nice to see Terry out on his retro rider on Sunday. Viva Steel
bikes baby!!
Spider Monkey is starting to look good again. Good to have you back to
training boy.
Mrs. Diamond has secured a spot on the Rock Racing womans team for next
year. Not quite pro but a damn good ride with a lot more perks than most
of us get. Wish her the best of luck as she makes the attempt to go pro.
Jonathan, how did you like that 16 hours on the trainer??? RS rules.
I have lots to talk about this week with news from the show, Everest
Challenge, the UCI Cyclocross race, and the US Crit Finals here in Vegas,
as well as some local news on teams and rides and all kinds of stuff. It
is that time of year for the Christmas Stars to start searching for teams
for next year and the rumor mill is just beginning.
Everest Challenge:
Once again the boss and Schafer proved that they are two of the best
climbers on the West Coast. This year's event was epic with the weather
and cold being as much of a factor as the course and the racers. In the
35+ race we had the Fatman and the Boss to go for the win. In the 45+ race
we were well represented with Magoo, Balchesaurus, and the Desciple Mark
Schaefer. The first day saw scattered storms with rain and hail as well as
cold temps on the peak. Louie took off on the first climb with a skinny
guy from Team Spine never to be seen again the rest of the day. The two of
them crested each of the peaks together until the last climb where the Boss
put on the gas to put two minutes into his opponent to take the W. Mark
was caught up in an epic battle with Zimbleman from Team Z. The Z launched
an attack on the first climb with Mark in hot pusuit. In typical PT style,
Mark let him fry and than put a ton of minutes on him when he cracked on
the last climb to take the win. Balch and Magoo both had strong rides to
finish not far behind and I dragged in dead last just to make sure our team
did not look too dominating.
The second day was exceptionaly hard with the promoter adding in some extra
distance to make up for having to shorten the first climb on the first day.
Mark and Louie both won their respective races as well as the overall for
both categories for the stage race. Balch and Magoo had solid rides to get
in the finish. I cracked like humpty dumpty with three miles left on the
last climb to take home a very rare DNF for the Fatman. It looks like I
will be going back again next year cause I can not end on that note. DAMN
Other Vegas notables were Dave Ellis from CES. He had a very good first
day to get in the finish but was unable to complete the second day. He
rode hard but the mountain was not kind to those of us with that did not
prepare well. There was a guy from Allegiant in the Cat 4 field. I know
he completed the first day but I did not see if he finished the second day.
if anyone knows who this guy is, drop me a line and give him a pat on the
back for accepting the challenge.
Cyclocross race:
The UCI put on a bad ass cyclocross race here in Vegas with some of the
best riders in the world coming down to Vegas during the show to contest
this first race for UCI points. I have never been to a cyclocross race but
i am now truly a fan. THAT WAS AWESOME TO WATCH!!! Our own Little Hurt,
Andy B, was able to secure a spot in the race. He did an awesome job to
stay in that stacked field. The elite group at the front applied a ton of
pressure to the group and Little Hurt got caught behind an initial crash
that split the field. He hung in as long as possible and lasted much
longer than some of his competition. GREAT JOB ANDY. The race was won by
Ryan Trebon and I think I speak for everyone when I say props go out to
Little Hurt for a great effort against this top field.
US Crit Finals:
The US Crit finals were here in vegas on Thursday night. It was a tight
course set up in the parking lot of the Mandalay Bay and held at night
under the lights. Vegas locals in the womans race included Ashley Diamond,
Alicia Boland, and Hillary Crowley. Top sprinter Laura Van Gilder was in
the field with her Cheerwine team fully stacked to go for the win. Alicia
did a great job of moving up during the race on the tight course and ended
up around 25th place for the best placing out of the local girls. NICE
JOB. I am sure that is the best field she has been up against and their
pace was hot. Hillary and Ashley both finished in the main field and had a
good race to come in without a mishap and to finish with the group. Laura
Van Gilder took the win behind a solid lead out train by her team.
The mens race had Little Hurt, Lance Coburn, the Boss, and Chicken all
representing Vegas. The call up was a who's who in the crit world with
some of the top sprinters in the Nation here to go for the win and the
Title. The men had to do 60 laps and the pace was insane from the
beginning. Lance must have floated some bling bling to the promoter to get
a call up and start on the front so he had the best position at the start.
With a crash on lap one to shuffle any stragglers to the back the PT boys
were tailgunning the rear of the field with Little Hurt holding great
position in the middle of the field. About 30 minutes into the race Little
Hurt had an unfortunate crash on corner two to get taken out of the race.
Lance exited a little before that which left Chicken and the Boss to fight
to the finish. The pace was insane and they both did an incredible job to
avoid crashes and stay in for a much deserved 44th place for the Chicken
and Louie in 55th. Amazing that these two hard core climbers were able to
knock boots with some of the best crit riders in the country. GOOD JOB
BOYS!! I guess all that road racing must be good training for crits. Go
Figure
Saturday Ride.
WOW what a day. I am still a little smitten. The PT gang ended up doing
80 miles of tempo climbing with arguably one of the best stage race riders
in the US, Mr Chris Horner. He could not have been more gracious as we did
mile after mile swapping stories, talking tactics and laughing the morning
away. We ended up doing loop Potosi loop. Horner was very cool to ride at
our pace and no question was off limits. He got a good look into why our
team is so tight and I am sure he enjoyed hearing all the stories about how
everyone got their nick names. Talking tactics and getting the inside
scoop on how to ride as a team was awesome and I know I walked away from
the ride, just a little more savvy than when I started. I am not sure if
chris will end up racing on the domestic scene or back in Europe fighting
it out in big stage races, but I am glad that he took the time to make our
ride just that much better on Saturday. I have tons of stories from that
day, but the most interesting was the pride he took in being Cadel's
lieutenant in the Tour. You can tell that he takes his job seriously and
how important his role is. That is what builds team character and helps
put W's on the books.
Sunday Ride
Myself, Chicken, and Robocop rode out to Green Valley to check out the
Treadmill ride to Jean and Goodsprings. I saw some new faces as well as
some of the old crew out for the ride. It was a good group and the pace
was moderate until Spider Monkey started pushing the pace on the road to
Jean. As the group split, we had a small group pushing the pace with most
of the field content to spin easy behind us. On the rise to the railroad
crossing the Chicken decided to attack with me and Jeffon in tow. As we
pulled away from the field on the descent, a rider from McGhies bridged
with Robocop on his wheel. When he made the bridge he promptly decided to
start screaming his praises at the top of his lungs. Squack Box kept
screaming about how bad ass his bridge was so Chicken promptly attacked and
we left him to twist in the wind byhimself in peloton time out. The pace
to Goodsprings was hot with Chicken putting up a killer tempo. We all
regrouped at the gas station and than had a nice leisure ride back to Vegas
in a stiff headwind.
Random Thoughts:
The show was exhausting as usual but the team did a good job of securing
our sponsors for next year and it looks like we should be able to build on
the foundation already started.
How bad ass did Cipo look in the Industry Cup race. I swear he was smiling
the whole time, right up until he got clipped and went down. I am sure he
could have used some of the alcohol he had the night before to clean up the
road rash.
Mark Schafer and Louie are insane climbers. Everest was epic and as usual,
it tests your mental strength more than your physical. I failed the test
this year so I will be going back again next year.
best wishes out to Little Hurt on a speedy recovery. He had the best
position of all the vegas gang in the race and really looked good before
his crash. The Cat I status that you earned was confirmed this weekend.
GREAT JOB ANDY. Can not wait to see you back on the bike.
Chuck from Allegiant had a lot of veins popping out of those skinny legs.
Somebody has been training. Look forward to big things from this kid if he
can get some good training.
It was nice to see Terry out on his retro rider on Sunday. Viva Steel
bikes baby!!
Spider Monkey is starting to look good again. Good to have you back to
training boy.
Mrs. Diamond has secured a spot on the Rock Racing womans team for next
year. Not quite pro but a damn good ride with a lot more perks than most
of us get. Wish her the best of luck as she makes the attempt to go pro.
Jonathan, how did you like that 16 hours on the trainer??? RS rules.
Jim Robbins
