I saw a couple days ago that the Tour of California selections were out and Chris Horner’s new domestic team, Airgas/Safeway, was absent.   That really surprised me.  I meant to post about it then, but got caught up in life.  There are a lot of reasons that they should/need to be in the race.  You can see some of these reasons, here, at RKP. 

Anyway, I looked over the list and can’t really see a domestic team that needs to be omitted.  That would only leave not having one of the Pro Tour Teams left out.  I’m not sure the ratio of Pro Tour to domestic teams is mandatory, but I’m sure they have that correct.

I read a couple articles about Chris’ response to being snubbed by the Tour of California.  He is vocal and adamant about the injustice.  He’s not shy about saying his thoughts.

“I don’t know what the promoters are thinking. They’ve obviously done harm to the race by not bringing me. You left the only current rider with a grand-tour résumé who was going to show up, and I’m a past champion there.”

He also said, “…I’m the No. 1 rider in the US and certainly the strongest and have the best résumé for stage racing.”

You can go to Peleton and checked out his whole interview if you’re interested.

I’ve written a couple posts on Chris Horner.  I like the guy.  But he has made some career errors and bad decisions.  First and foremost was winning the Tour of Spain.  And calling it before he did it.  That was maybe a short term achievement, but it has caused him more harm than good since.  A Tour of Spain winner riding for a US domestic team is the result.

And, like all the articles about this snub have stated, he has a cloud hanging over his head.  He’s never been officially sanctioned, but his name is always there  and has been associated with doping. I haven’t seen it, but I guess George Hincapie said something about this in his new book.

That really must be there reason for his team being left out of the race.  They are trying to stay away from a potential controversy.  I don’t really blame them.  But, leaving his team out, really is a blow to domestic sponsorship.

Photo: Graham Watson | www.grahamwatson.com

Chris isn’t smiling so much right about now.

I’m in Arvada staying with Vincent.  I really normally like the drive across Nevada, Utah and Colorado, but with a underlying worry that the car I’m driving could break down at any time, it was more stressful than enjoyable.

The people I bought the van from have no intention to “make it right” so I’m weighing my options now.  I need to get back to Topeka before I decide exactly what I’m going to do.  It’s really about principles now. The transmission is now making a low whinning noise and it is obvious that there is an expensive fix coming along soon.  Thanks to all that gave me legal advice.  I didn’t realize how much different laws can be state to state.

Vincent and I went for a pretty good ride yesterday.  Vincent is weird riding with.  He is usually either on or off.  He was off yesterday, which was fine.  I had a wicked headache all day.   Actually, it started the two nights earlier right after I got the check engine code read and then checked into Treasure Island in Las Vegas.  I wasn’t in the mood for any people watching in Vegas and went directly to the room and stayed there.  I still have a remnant a headache.  I’ve never had a headache this long in my life.  It might be from altitude now, but I don’t really know.

Anyway, we rode up Lookout Mtn. super easy and did a lap around Genesse Park.  On the way back, we stopped by Vincent’s new vintage motorcycle repair business, Old World Bikes, which is in a commercial storage condo area.   The Optum Pro Cycling Team has a service course just across from Vincent’s.  The door was open and there were three guys working.

I rode over and there is Bob Gregorio.  He is a mechanic for Optum and was packing up bikesfor the Tour of Qatar, which starts in a little over a week.  I‘ve know Bob for a long time.  He was John Tomac’s personal mechanic when John was smearing all of us racing MTB.  He told me he has been to over 40 countries now, mainly through the sport of cycling.  He was inducted into the Mountain BIke Hall of Fame back in 2006 and is just an all around good guy.  It was good catching up a little.

I‘m think I’m going to limp back to Kansas later today.  Not sure if I’m going to ride first of just start driving.  I’m not looking forward to it.

The drive is super scenic.

It makes you realize how big this country actually is.

I was just shooting these pictures out the van window my iPhone.

Vincent makes me a crazy great breakfast every morning.

Old World Bikes.

The Optum Service Coure.

Bob and Ben packing up bikes.