Monday, September 22, 2008

Bunch-O-Results: Blair 4th in Fort Mill, Justin 2nd at Columbia, Girls rack up!

Fort Mill, SC 9-19: This was the first event of the Dylan Mitchell Memorial Criterium sponsored by John Deere. Dylan was a local category 2 racer who was killed by a motorist while on a local training ride. Know by his characteristic strong riding style and that cool tribal flame tattoo, Dylan was a good friend to the local cycling community. Eric Peterson, Dylan's coach on the John Deere Development Team, organized and funded the event. Great course, great prizes...great folks to support. Spread the word on this event and lets make it bigger and better next year. Our rider Reid Beloni (Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley) and Alder Marcs (Hot Tubes Development) were both teammates with Dylan before he was killed. It was awesome to see them racing in their old John Deere team jerseys to honor Dylan in this event...class act!

Gals did an awesome job in their 1,2,3 criterium. Marriane and Lori got in the lead break of 7 girls, and took 5th and 6th. Deb and Lisa were at the front of the chase group taking 8th and 9th.
After missing the lead break, the men's team dug deep to chase it back. With 10 laps to go, we abbandoned the win and started setting the field sprint for Blair. The boys did a great leadout with Bruce punching up the back hill and Justin turning on the gas to the finish. Blair won the field sprint for 4th, while Justin (only passed by one other rider) took 6th. Chris Knetche came just behind for 9th.

Sunday's Criterium in Columbia was a great ride for Justin, who took 2nd place in the Pro 1-2 event just behind a member of the Slavanian National Team after lapping the field.

Sat: Women's Pro 1,2,3
5th -Marianne Holt
6th - Lori Harkey
8th - Deb Elliott
9th - Lisa Preaslar

Men's Pro 1-2
4th - Blair Craig
6th - Justin Beard
9th - Chris Knetsche

Sunday: Men's Pro 1-2
2nd - Justin Beard

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Interbike Preview - Product Goodies you really need

On the eve of the famous Interbike Trade Show (starts next week) in Vegas, lets take a look at some of the new products that you are going to start hearing a buzz over. May not be a bad idea for your early Christmas lists either.

SRAM, who we all know are already for producing the best, lightest groupos on the planet, have recently added to their lineup for 09 with race wheels. After purchasing ZIPP a month ago, SRAM has decided to dress up the Flash Point line from ZIPP as the new SRAM aero wheels for 2009. The wheels come in 40mm, 60mm and 80mm depths with an aluminum braking surface and carbon deep rim. We have tested the 60mm version and found it to be an awesome wheel. See Link for pictures. Booth 1339

BELL Sports introduced the new Volt road helmet at a little race called the Tour de France this year. Remember that Sastre guy? With massive vents, it's structure is built around sculpted Composite Fiber Intakes to keep the air flow coming. The Volt is made even more comfortable by Bell’s new Twin Axis Gear (TAG) fit system that allows riders to both dial in the exact fit as well as adjust the mechanism’s horizontal position on the back of the head. Booth #3553 http://www.bellbikenews.blogspot.com/
VETTA: Inside sources tell me that VETTA is planning to unveil a new computer for 09 that will detect power functions. The top secret computer is designed to work with both Quark and Powertap powermeter systems and uses the ANT+ technology to pick up all the digits you need. You heard it here first! Booth 4819

Timbuk2 must have forseen the hike in gas prices on the horizon. Already know by racers, commuters and bike messengers as a go anywhere, do it all bag, Timbuk2 raises the bar with the new Covert bag. The bag features the new Covert Reflective Fabric on the center panel to show those gas guzzlers where you are. Check out the video of the bag in action.


If you are lucky enough to attend Interbike this year, take a close at the "superlight" display bikes that various vendors build up for show. You will notice that nearly all of the 9-10lb bikes on display will have the super light KMC X10SL-TI Gold chain. At only 240 grams, this is the lightest production race chain on the market. Its easy to use "missing link" quick link lets you pull the chain off easily for repairs or cleaning. Hollow pins, machined links and smooth shifting make it a great chain for your own super bike. If you are lucky you might get the gold one. Also look for the DX10 chain with solid pins and solid links for a bombproof training and race chain. http://www.kmcchain.us/ Booth #2951





Liquid Gold

Ok, let's all try to commute to work next week at least once...you in with me? $0.00/gal

Winning Streak Continues! Conn Wins at Wake Forest. Weiss 4th in Asheville

After very successful weekend for the Hincapie/Coca-Cola/BARKLEY Team, Jeremy Conn ensures that the winning streak is kept alive Sunday. Jeremy lapped the field with a small group at the Wake Forest Pro 1-2 Criterium and then jump free to solo in for the WIN! Don't let the smile fool ya, Jeremy is one tough cookie on the bike. Great job "Conn Man" for the well deserved win.Saturday the Team had a great race at the 1st running of the Asheville Grand Prix in Asheville close to the Biltmore Village. The team was very active from the gun in the hilly, technical course. Scottie got in a break chasing down three leaders (Toyota, Jittery Joes, T-type1). Scottie hit it to the line from his group to win the field sprint for 4th place. Other results for the team - Justin 12th, Harkey 14th, Monte 18th.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Harkey 3rd at 100K Classic (NRC Road Race)

7:00am - Line up with a sea of close to 200 Pro and Elite racers from the US and abroad.

8:00am - Toughing it out over the climbs in the main loop as 10,000+ runners race by cheering you on. Justin and Chris are in a break up the road.

9:12am - Flying into last lap. Chris is going on his 2nd lap off the front with one Time Pro rider, Jelly Belly Pro rider, and Bajadali from Kelly Benefits Pro team. Colavita Pro Team and Jittery Joes Pro Cycling have missed the move and are chasing fast!

9:23am - Field closing down, but Chris is still away through the feedzone, dropped the Time rider, now only 3 up the road. Justin, Blair, Knetch holding position.

9:24am - Final last turn, left onto the finishing 3/4 mile.

9:25am - Harkey leads it out...sprint for the chicken. Jelly Belly and Kelly Benefits on his wheel down the final desent(look closely behind the Publix flag). Field only 100 ft behind, closing fast. Blair is in the grass. Crashes start.

9:25:27am - 3 up sprint at the line. Baj. and Jelly Belly jump Chris and start to come around.
9:25:31am - Harkey takes 3rd at the 100K Classic! Field only feet behind as Huff, Heckman, AC, HealthNet, Barajo and Travisio duke it out for 4th place. Lemond bikes finish 2nd(Baj) and 3rd(Harkey)10:05am - Podium pictures on stage...opening act for Jordin Sparks (Blair starts dancing at this point) 50 screaming teenage American Idol fans go nuts. Harkey can't put down the 100K Cup.

10:08am - Hammin' it up with some Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley fans (Bruce jumps in on the dancing kick) Local Coca-Cola fans Cornelia Nicholas and Tammy Wright jump in the pic after running their 6th 10K Classic in ATL. Note cup flex pose.10:09am - Everyone dancing! Go Jordin

10:48am - 6 mile bike ride back to the hotel never seemed so easy.

Congrats to Chris and the Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley Team doing us proud in the heart of Coca-Cola country Atlanta, GA. Thanks to Cornelia for some great pics. See you next year! Andy, wish you could have been there. Next year you are road-tripping with us.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Super Big weekend - 5 WINS!!!

Saturday:
-1st place Pro 1-2 TN Omnium Road Race - John Delong (Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley)
-1st place Cat 3 TN Omnium Road Race - Roger Troyer (Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley)
-1st place Pro 1-2 Walnut Cove Criterium - Chris Harkey (Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley)
-2nd place Wmn's open Walnut Cove Criterium - Marianne Holt (Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley)

Sunday:
-1st place Pro 1-2 TN Omnium Criterium -Geri Mewett (Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley)
-1st place Wmn's Cat 4 Carolina Cup Criterium - Bridgette McLean (Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley)
-5th place Pro 1-2 Carolina Cup Criterium - Chris Monteleone (Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley)

...nuff said?