I received the email below this evening. I think it is a great idea and hopefully precedent setting.

Greetings:

We’ve received requests from a number of teams over the past couple of years to restrict the time trial to mass start-legal bicycles. This simplifies the logistics and levels the playing field. We had the option to do that before, but now there’s an actual rule that addresses this issue:

1M1(h) Time trial events may restrict the competitors to mass-start bicycles in one or more classes, provided that the restriction is stated in the race announcement and technical guide. This includes time trials in stage races.

After consultation with the Chief Referees, the Nature Valley Grand Prix has decided to adopt this rule. We wanted to give you a “heads up” so that you could take this into account as you plan your season.

Looking forward to seeing you all in June!

David

David LaPorte
Executive Director
Nature Valley Bicycle Festival
(612) 625-4983 office
(651) 398-3235 cell
http://www.NatureValleyGrandPrix.com

A update from Iowa. 65 mile road race today in Iowa City. I was pretty mediocre. A little flat from driving I think. 5 laps of a 13 mile rolly course. Hardly any wind.

15 guys got away about half way through. All 3 of my guys made it. I was trying to get feeling better the next hour. I felt a little better, but nothing like the previous two weekends. On the last lap, on the hardest hill, it split apart. I was in a small group of 4 going over the top and Nick (Coil-team mate) came up with Adam Bergman (Texas Roadhouse). Bill was shelled.

Guys started jumping, as it was only 5 miles to the finish. I was pretty marked and not going well enough to overcome that.

Eventually, some guy I don’t know rode away. Nick jumped alone. I thought that was the move, but it didn’t look like he was closing the gap. I didn’t chase a Mercy/Specialized guy when he jumped. Nick and him got together, but ran out a real estate before the finish.

So, Nick was 2nd and I was 6th. Not such a stellar result, but it is bike racing.

Old Capitol Criterium is tomorrow afternoon. It is in downtown Iowa City next to the University and around the Old Capitol It is a super technical course with a pretty good hill on it. I won the race last year. The weather man says a 70% chance or rain. That would make it crazy technical. I’m not sure how I feel about that just this minute.

I brought a ton of tubulars along for last weekend. I just glued two new CX’s on for tomorrow. I need to try some of the new Challenge Tubulars in the rain, but this isn’t the time. I have a couple CG All Weather 24 Pave tires too, which would be perfect, but they would only be good for this one race and I don’t feel like peeling them off before Joe Martin.

Sent by iPhone