Milan-San Remo

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It is the eve of one of the greatest traditional classics and spring season opener, Milan-San Remo. I just read that Lance Armstrong will be riding in this the 100th version, traditionally he has not done well...always in his preparations for a Tour de France.

My cycling mentor Jacques Emplaincourt once explained the different strategic points in the race where it was won or lost. Turchino, La Manie, Cipressa and the infamous Poggio. Eddy Merckx on every one of his seven victories made the same attack on the La Manie. Each one of these points in the race are small climbs compared to the passes of the Grand Tours but are raced at speeds exceeding 40 km/hr. Survival is making it to the Poggio and the run to the finish after the screws have been tightened on all the tests.

I was San Remo a few years ago and fortunate to ride the last 50k of the race course, I had heard so much about he Poggio and actually was disappointed until I thought about hitting It after 292 km of racing.

Below are a few pictures from our week of training in Cullman. There were several flats this week and a little night riding.

Austin Oliver and Chandler Mountain

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Cullman's Austin Oliver competed this past weekend at Sumatanga Training Race #3. What makes this race special is the treat of climbing to the top of Chandler Mountain after a 45 mile road race. Its mountain top finish is a brutal climb of close to two miles which ranks among North Alabama toughest.

The weather was perfect so this years race had a strong field of 65 riders. Austin made the selection only to see 15 guys make an attack on the last lap. He reeled in all but eight on the climb up Chandler Mountain. Very impressive for a 16 year old. The next stop for Austin will be the Tour de Tuscaloosa, March 28th and 29th.

Team BikeWork's "SuperDave" trying to absorb some wattage in Austin's wake.

Spring Training

The weather was here over the past couple of days, perfect for cycling. With the time changing to Daylight Savings Time its time to be back in the saddle. I think everyones in the same mode its time to put up the rollers and hit the roads. I rode with a couple of Madones Sunday on the Hanceville loop.

The "Tunnel" near Hanceville, Alabama.

Cayce and Mandy sporting their new Trek Madones.