I find it unbelievable that neither Velonews or Cyclingnews has an article, or even just the results, of the US Elite Road Race National Championships that were held yesterday in Madison. Both did a little post on Tanner Putt winning the U23 race, that was held at 7 am yesterday morning, but neither have a thing about the Elite race. Even USA Cycling gave it only one paragraph – In the second and final race of the day, Emerson Oronte (Boulder, Colo./GS Ciao) pulled away to win the 140km men’s cat 1 race by 13 seconds. Erik Stack (Meridian, Idaho/Canyon Bicycles-Shimano) nipped Walton Brush (Portland, Ore./Team Mike’s Bikes p/b Equator Coffees) to claim the silver medal.

I guess the media thinks that no one gives a shit about the results of our Elite National Championships. Velonews arranges to have the US Pro Road Nationals shown live, but don’t even bother to post the results of the Elite race. I finally found the results from the races at USA Cyling. If you interested, click here. Kevin Fish, KCCX cross racer, had a stellar result finishing 6th in the U23 race, along with Nick Torraca, my temporary Boneshaker Team mate from Joe Martin, who finished 13th. I was a little surprised that the Athlete Octane Team didn’t have anyone in the mix for the win. I guess those guys are focusing on the criterium. I will be shocked if they don’t win that race.

In the Elite race, I really don’t know any of the guys that finished near the top. But, that doesn’t necessary mean anything. I don’t know a lot of good riders. You have to remember than Eric Marcotte, our US Professional National Road Champion this year, finished 11th in the Elite National Road race last year, so it shows that on any given day, a race can be won by a large number of riders. That is one of the best aspects of the sport, in my opinion.

Cycling is a participatory sport and there are a lot more readers of the these websites that are interested in the results from the National Road Championships than that of the US Pro Nationals. They are doing a disservice to their readers by not, at least, listing the results.

Anyway, shame on Velonews and Cyclingnews for ignoring our US Elite Nationals. Junior Nationals too, for that matter. The National Championships, that are held in Madison, is the highlight of many riders season. It is too important to be ignored by the cycling media.

Hope all you guys have a great 4th of July!

Where I’m sitting right now doing this post.

My view. The blue is the ocean.

This is Hank and Kaya back from their walk.

Out in California, the coverage for the Tour starts at 3 am. And it goes for over 6 hours. That is truly amazing. It’s a huge change from what it was just a couple decades ago. I guess we have to thank Lance for that???

I was talking to Tom Schuler, ex-7-11 Professional, about things he might regret in his career. He said first that he never rode the Tour. Tom was US Pro Champion and won lots and lots of races. But, he said he gets little respect from the young riders because he never rode the Tour de France. And he could have, very easily. Like so easily that he actually had to strategize or lobby how to NOT ride the race.

Back then, other than Andy Hampsten, Davis and a few others, no one wanted to spend a month in France racing a 3 week stage race. There was no media coverage and it really did nothing for a rider’s American contract. Plus, you lost out on thousands of dollars of prize money you would have won racing here in the United States.

Back then, I too, was never really interested in racing the Tour. One year, between my Levis Team and Schwinn days, I made a few phone calls to try to get on a Tour team. I called Phil Liggett, who was the point man of British Cycling at the time. There was a British team, sponsored by, I forget the exact name, maybe ANC or something. It was a trucking service I think. I knew that Malcollm Elliot and Adrian Timmis, guys I’d ridden the British Milk Race with a couple times, were on it. Phil told me that he thought it wouldn’t be a problem to ride the race, but there was something screwy with their support, pay or something. I decided to drop the whole thing and ended up riding for the Wheaties/Schwinn team for the next 3 seasons. I think most of the British guys riding the Tour that year race quit the race early, so it would have been just survival, at best.

The Tour wasn’t what it is now. It was shitty hotels, with only cold water. No team buses, just a couple team cars. It was a completely different deal that the race is now. The race is as much an made for TV entertainment segment as an athletic event. I guess that’s okay. Whatever it takes to get a bicycle racing main stream is alright??

Watching the Tour today, I was surprised how many people were out for the race. It was amazing. It seems like Britain has really signed off on the bike racing thing. I guess having the last two winners of the Tour coming from your country gives it a real boost.

The finish today was indicative of what field sprints have become. The riders started the ball rolling and the officials never did anything to stop it. Head butting, elbowing, leaning and contact seems to be the current state of field sprints. And the guys laying on the ground is the result. I didn’t watch the replay too many times, but it looked like Cavendish was at fault. He seemed to be behind Gerrans and initiated the contact. It was intentional contact for sure. The sport needs to address it, like I wrote here a couple weeks ago. The sport is dangerous enough on its own. This needs to stop.

And, how about Chris Froome finishing 6th on the stage. Maybe he is going to go for the Green jersey later on in the race? It’s been awhile since the GC riders participate at the front at the end of a sprinter’s stage. I’ve always thought, if you get to the end of the race, why not put out the energy the last minute to get a result. Plus, at the front, you are usually out of trouble a little more than further back. That might not be true now.

Okay, anyway, I’m glad the Tour is on. I’m still sleeping poorly and it is always something to look forward to. I’d much rather just be out riding my bike myself, but if that isn’t possible, then watching the Tour de France isn’t a bad alternative.