VeloReviews.com – PROBIKEWRENCH

USPRO Time Trial Photo Gallery

USPRO Time Trial Start List

Looks like there’s only 15 starters for the USPRO Time Trial Championships tomorrow. Notable names included in the bunch include Phinney, Leipheimer, Zwizanski, and Mumford. This is Phinney’s first Elite TT Nationals, and he is an AMAZING time trialist, so plan on a podium from him. Supposedly, he was seen recon riding the course yesterday, so he should be well prepared.

Looking at the start sheet, I noticed there were NO BMC RIDERS RACING THE TIME TRIAL. Stand by for a full frontal assault by BMC in support of Greenville local, George Hincapie, at the Road Race on Sunday.

I think I’ve got a ride in a team car figured out for tomorrow, so stay tuned for updates on Twitter at @VeloReviewsTech and @probikewrench.

Order Start Last Name First Name Team

1 11:30 JONES Carter Jelly Belly p/b Kenda

2 11:33 KING Benjamin Trek Livestrong U23

3 11:36 WILLIAMS David Bissell Pro Cycling Team

4 11:39 FREY Nicholas Jamis-Sutter Home

5 11:42 STETINA Peter Garmin-Transitions

6 11:45 MACH Paul Bissell Pro Cycling Team

7 11:48 POWERS Jeremy Jelly Belly p/b Kenda

8 11:51 TIETZEL Scott Mountain Khakis/Jittery Joes

9 11:54 HEGYVARY Adrian UnitedHealthCare p/b Maxxis

10 11:57 BUSCHE Matthew Team RadioShack

11 12:00 MUMFORD Jonathan Kelly Benefit Strategies

12 12:03 VANULDEN Bernard Jelly Belly p/b Kenda

13 12:06 ZWIZANSKI Scott Kelly Benefit Strategies

14 12:09 PHINNEY Taylor Trek Livestrong U23

15 12:12 LEIPHEIMER Levi Team RadioShack

USPRO Kickoff Press Conference

The 2010 Greenville Hospital System USPRO National Championship weekend kicked off today with a press conference, featuring past champions, ProTour riders, and Elite level up-and-comers, all with an eye on the Stars and Stripes jersey after the racing concludes.

Representatives from the City of Greenville, The Greenville Hospital System and Medalist Sports began the conference with a series of comments that reinforced how great the partnership with the USA Cycling Professional Cycling Championships is, and how well the City’s emphasis on health and wellness aligns perfectly with the atmosphere and environment that the race weekend has encompassed for the past four years.

The profile athlete introductions and question and answer period started with Oz Sanchez, current World Handcycling Road Race and Time Trial Champion. Speaking on behalf of the US Handcycling Association, Sanchez expressed the excitement of combining the USPRO National Cycling Events with the National Handcycling Criterium Championships, saying that the collaboration takes handcycling to a whole new level.

Road cyclists that attended the press conference included Scott Stewart (Team Type 1), Ted King (Cervelo Test Team), 2010 Tour of Utah and 2010 Leadville Trail 100 Champion Levi Leipheimer (RadioShack), 3-Time USPRO Champion and Greenville resident George Hincapie (BMC), and one of the brightest up-and-comers on the professional racing scene, Taylor Phinney (Trek Livestrong U23), racing in his first Elite Road National Championship events.

The USPRO Time Trial Championships, being held Saturday at Clemson University’s ICAR (International Center for Automotive Research) Facility, is usually very lightly contested due to the road race’s precedence the following day. It is also affected this year by the participation of some high-profile US ProTour riders in the Vuelta A Espana (Tour of Spain), finishing this weekend. Reigning USPRO Champion, Dave Zabriskie (Garmin-Transitions) will not be defending his three consecutive titles because of his inclusion in the Vuelta.

Two of the riders being favored for the victory at the Time Trial were Phinney and Leipheimer. The two joked about the “young dude vs. the old guy” comparison and Leipheimer was ribbed about not wearing a proper skinsuit in the Tour of Utah Time Trial (which Phinney won), but both were very humble, and being the consummate professionals that they are, stated that “anyone could win.”

Of the riders attending the press conference, Hincapie was, without question, the rider that any smart cycling fan would put their money on for the race on Sunday. “Big George” said that the Paris Mountain climb was “his climb,” and that he rides it daily while training on the roads of Greenville County.

This year, unlike years past, Hincapie has a big team to support his quest for a fourth USPRO title. The most team help that Hincapie has had in the past has been one or two team riders and maybe a ProTour alliance with some other lone riders. Having won the race in Greenville on two previous occasions with the cards stacked against him, it’s safe to say that the odds are in George’s favor, and the sparks will definitely fly this weekend in Greenville.

Here’s the link to the recorded footage of the LIVE broadcast from the USPRO Kickoff Press Conference this afternoon:

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/9635207

*Cross-posted at http://www.veloreviews.com

UTAC Velo – PROBIKEWRENCH.COM Sponsor

UTAC Velo is an official sponsor of PROBIKEWRENCH.COM. UTAC Velo is a group of cycling friends who participate in the annual AIDS/LifeCycle Ride, which travels from San Francisco to Los Angeles, CA (545 miles) over the course of 7 days (June 6-12). To date they have raised upwards of $100,000 for this year’s event.

Some of you may be asking, “What does UTAC mean?” UTAC means, “Until There’s A Cure.” My fellow VeloReviews.com Podcaster/friend, Jen Moore, is a team captain for UTAC Velo, and she does an amazing job with fundraisers, training rides, and being wholeheartedly committed to doing her part in finding a cure for AIDS. There’s not too many people I know that are as completely sold out to a cause they believe in like Jen, and I’m proud to be involved.

If you’ve got a few extra bucks floating around and would like to make a last minute donation (the ride is next week), please visit the UTAC Velo Sponsorship page and donate to help beat this disease.

Stuff in the Hopper

Don’t have a lot of time to post anything really substantial, but here’s a few things that are in the works at the moment:

Georgia Rides to the Capitol – Advocacy ride from several locations in Metro Atlanta, converging on the State Capitol tomorrow around noon. I’m riding with the RAMBO guys out of Roswell, and will meet up with a bunch of folks there and along the way. Going to show Atlanta what great numbers of cyclists think… Hopefully, we’ll get the “3 Foot Law” passed pretty soon.
FredCast Interview – I’ve got an interview with David Bernstein from “The FredCast” lined up for mid-week. He helped launch the VeloReviews Podcast, and asked me to come on the air with him to discuss some Spring Bike Tune-Up ideas. Link to be posted when it airs.
MS150 Class – Thursday, I’m teaching a basic maintenance/cycling tips class to a group from the Knights of Columbus that is doing the MS150. Several members of the group have already come by the shop to get outfitted for bikes and gear. It’s always good to educate more cyclists and teach them good maintenance and cycling habits.
Beginner Track Class – Taking the Beginner Class at the Dick Lane Velodrome on Saturday and Sunday. It’s only 3 hours per day, and I know my way around the track (having even officiated races at that track), but… it will be a whole different world riding on the track. Pray for good weather…