Join The Hub Bicycle Shop for a special viewing of the soon to be released DVD “The 9 Ball Diaries”

An awesome new documentary that follows Tim Johnson’s championship cyclocross season

Ride shotgun with road racing’s golden boy, Tim Johnson, as he wraps up his day job and he makes the transition to compete for the National Championship titles in his true love of Cyclocross. Follow Tim and his crew as they tackle the North American cyclocross circuit, kicking off under the lights in Las Vegas, to the soggy courses in New England & Portland and then onto snowy Kansas City to fight for the National title. Four time Emmy Award winning sports documentary producer/director, Don Hampton and his crew from DH Productions captured all of the drama and triumph in pristine high definition.

Special Guest Appearance by M1 National Cyclocross Champion: Peter Mogg!

Sunday Nov. 30th at 7:00 p.m at the Chicopee Ski Centre
(Bar and Food available)
$15.00 entry (Door Prizes!)
(with proceeds supporting the athletes of the Hub/Devinci CX Team)

Saturday night at the Boulder Theatre in Boulder Colorado was all about feeling good. In the words of Kiwi, Julian Dean, the 2008 Team Garmin Slipstream presentation “is for the fans.”

After a week of team meetings, rides and individual rider evaluations and planning, all 28 guys of the 2009 Garmin Slipstream team were ready to put on some argyle other than their kits and sit back and enjoy the team presentation along with the hundreds of fans who lined up around the block for the 7 pm start.

Entering the theatre it was impossible to miss the huge wall poster
featuring 2008’s 4th place Tour de France general classification finisher Christian Vande Velde. The word Garmin ran vertically up the right side, as Chipotle was noticeably absent. On both sides was the amazing F1 FELT bike up for silent auction to be held at the end of the evening. The layout of the Boulder Theatre was perfect, as the front portion of the floor was reserved for the VIP guests with tables and general seating behind. The back center bar was the vortex of activity for those to see and be seen. Most all the Garmin guys mingled with friends and family amidst their fans in attendance.

About 7:30 the sold out audience was told to find seats. The lights dimmed and the presentation kicked off with nice salutation from Shaun McGrath, the mayor of Boulder, who was obviously proud to represent the host city of Team Garmin Slipstream. He was followed by a representative of Garmin who announced their proud commitment to be title sponsor of the team offered the opportunity by Jonathan Vaughters and Doug Ellis despite the corporate sponsor malaise that has settled over the cycling world over the last 2 years.

Team Garmin CEO Director Sportif and always-dapper Jonathan Vaughters took the stage podium and in a short but direct speech laid out the expectations to win in 2009. Gone where any words that could later be used to soothe disappointment in any lack of significant palmares in 2009. “We owe it to our sponsors and we owe it to our fans.” JV’s enthusiasm was the perfect segue into the rough cut of the documentary film on the 2008 season which started exactly a year ago and then onto season highlights from team footage as well as bits provided by VERSUS television network.

The team rider presentation followed and instead of the matching black
tailored suits of a year ago the guys steeped on the stage wearing what they pleased with one consist theme, the obvious argyle. Not surprising, Garmin’s European and Aussie/Kiwi contingent led by David Millar and new signing Bradley Wiggins, spent more time in front of the mirror than the North Americans Riders who almost across the board wore jeans and the obligatory argyle sweater. My vote for most creative representation of argyle went to Aussie Trent Lowe who dressed as AC/DC’s Angus Young in the iconic boarding school uniform, complete with argyle tie.

The microphones then went out across the theatre for the audience’s
questions. Remembering that this was a feel good event, almost all questions were either intentionally soft lobs or answered with indirect answers from the riders including the expected “How do you plan to deal with Lance Armstrong and Team Astana?” David Millar answered that with the obvious good sportsmanship response that Garmin is riding for them and not concerned about any other team or rider. The highlight came when a question was tossed onto the stage asking if anyone of the team¹s Time Trial specialists was willing to step up and pronounce that Team Saxo Bank ­ IT Factory’s Fabian Cancellara would be beaten in 2009. To the delight of the crowd, Garmin’s Big Man and Classic’s leader took the microphone and proclaimed that he along with the Classics squad would handle Cancellara in the spring.

Although all the riders where introduced in alphabetical order and Julian Dean made notice to point out that although there were seats placed in front, no riders took those spots due to the continued emphasis of team over individual. It was clear from the comments of Vande Velde, as well as his teammates, namely David Millar, that Christian was clearly the Boss. In a sport where 90% of winning is mental because every rider in the peloton trains just as hard as any other it was clear that these guys had crossed that threshold of “placing other riders on a pedestal” in the words of Vande Velde himself. Throughout the Q&A segment it was clear that this was a team that has gelled and without being cocky projected a level of confidence that the audience clearly could feel.

With the Q&A section concluding the silent auction began featuring the FELT F1. All 28 riders went out into the audience to meet with the fans and to the last guy, all were gracious and accommodating to all. The enthusiasm in the theatre was high as fans and riders feed off each other in anticipation of a 2009 season that with the proclamations of JV will make pale the accomplishments of 2008.

Chaos Cycling Club¹s Andrew Hershberger reports from Boulder, Colorado

Okay, before going over some recent cycling news events, I must apologize to Roberto Gaggioli after mistaking another driver for him a few weeks ago. Apparently, he was not the culprit on I-70. I am very sorry for the misidentification but I swear there is a Dopple-Gaggioli-Ganger in an Audi out there getting speeding tickets. Mea culpa RG.

Anyway, after spending the last few weeks driving through Costa Rica, there will be no complaining about U.S. drivers any time soon. I truly love Costa Rica and the Ticos are overwhelmingly nice and courteous people but…one could argue that the driving conditions often leave a little something to be desired.
First of all, the roads themselves are almost always dangerously twisty and narrow. Adding to the frightening effect are strategically placed potholes as well as numerous pedestrians and dogs who are deceptively good at keeping you nervous by hiding any recognition that there is a huge metal vehicle whipping past them by inches. The fact that we were driving in a Suzuki Jimny (the smaller, wobblier successor to the old Samurai – I don’t even think they are allowed to sell them in the U.S.) which seemed on the verge of rolling over when sticking my arm out the window, let alone when swerving to avoid a group of school children or pothole, did not enhance any sense of safety.

But these things are trivial compared to the awe-inspiring madness of Costa Rican drivers. I say this out of both fear and respect because I have not been able to fully resolve the lingering psychological effects of my experiences on the road with them yet. They were at once and almost universally, life-threateningly aggressive yet oddly aware and polite, while being hyper-impatient and blissfully unconcerned with the future at the same time. Fascinating in retrospect, frightening in the moment. Oh, and it was also quickly determined that traffic laws are not really “rules” so much as mere “suggestions” about how to avoid killing yourself.

For example, it was not unusual to have a huge bus full of tourists, or an old pick-up truck, or a rusted out Datsun, or a cement truck come roaring up behind us at anywhere from 20-70kph over the speed limit and then just go right over the double-yellow lines into the oncoming lane and then back around us without even touching the brakes. Occasionally, the cars in the oncoming lanes would have to slow down or swerve to avoid the passing vehicle but amazingly, I rarely saw anyone get upset about it. In fact, after witnessing about 200 offenses that would likely result in roadside beatings back in the States, I can’t remember more than a few unsavory gestures or honks. And most of those involved me.

Basically, it seems like everyone in Costa Rica is trying to get to a fire. Speed limits and road conditions are evidently not deemed significant if they impede one from passing any and every vehicle in front of them as quickly as possible. But here’s where the Ticos trick you. Because just when you start to think that maybe the guy who darted into oncoming traffic on a blind corner before a one-lane bridge to get around you (when you are already doing 20kph over the posted speed limit) is actually responding to some kind of emergency, then he is just as likely to abruptly pull over to say a polite hello to a friend or kindly give someone a ride somewhere as if time had no significance whatsoever. Truly amazing.

Anyhow, after successfully negotiating a tire-slashing and near-mugging in San Jose, another flat on the drive from Arenal to Tamarindo, far too many unsettling miles on crazy dirt roads without a spare, a few dozen “This can’t possibly be right” utterances and a near-nervous breakdown on the highway/demolition derby outside of Escazu, I have come back to the relative weirdness of life in Boulder and some rather interesting news stories in the cycling world.

Sadly, I have come home to find that both Stefan Schumacher and Bernhard Kohl tested positive for CERA during the Tour. I had a sense that there was something Fishy about Kohl and have long been suspicious of Stoolmacher, but it was still depressing to get confirmation of their deviance from the retro-vampires.

I keep getting flashes of them, as well as Ricco and Piepoli, up on the podium, happily accepting flowers and jerseys like they had done nothing wrong. It’s pretty disturbing to imagine what was (or wasn’t) racing through their brains as they reconciled their dope-driven success. They all seemed rather pleased with themselves, although it’s hard to imagine how they could have slept at night out of both guilt and anxiety. Especially after they knew that a test had been developed for CERA. I wonder how many other riders are waiting nervously for more results to be confirmed from the Tour and the Olympics.

There is a dull sense of satisfaction that the cheaters are eventually getting caught, although one can’t help but wonder how different the 2008 Tour would have been without Ricco, Piepoli, Schumacher and Kohl in the mix. It’s one thing to remove names from the record books but the reality is that the dynamic of the race is often being dictated by riders who end up getting popped later on. I wonder if there isn’t a subtle subconscious tactic of minimizing reactions to certain “suspicious” riders with the unspoken hope that they will get caught positive at some point later on.

In other news, it seems that Alberto Contador is staying with Astana for 2009. This is pretty surprising on the surface and contradicts what most followers assumed the Spaniard would do upon the confirmation of Lance Armstrong’s return to cycling. Many predicted that Contador would be too insulted to stay on board and jump ship to another team in which he would be the unquestioned leader. It’s bad enough having Levi Leipheimer nipping at your heels from inside the team bus, but can you imagine an alpha-biker battle with Lance while Bruyneel is directing? Kind of a LeMond/Hinault remake?

But as it stands now, there is question as to whether LA will even ride the Tour, perhaps opting to focus on the Giro instead. Regardless, Contador is either confident that he will be the outright leader for the Tour or he realized that he has as good a shot or better to win somehow with Astana (either with or against Armstrong) than he would on any other team anyway. It may be more awkward this way but considering his options, he probably made the right decision.

AC is the real deal athletically and has a lot of subtle psychological similarities to Lance. The whole “recovery from near-death” thing seems like a rather strong unifying force. For the record, I’m still intrigued by the possible effects of Contador’s brain surgeries on his nervous system and pain threshold. If I recall from my numerous Psych classes…brain surgeries are kind of serious (sarcasm) and often carry the potential for emotional and neuro-chemical changes in the patient. I have no idea if this is a factor for Contador in particular, but I think it is a rather interesting consideration regarding performance enhancement in general. Isn’t there a legend that Jens Voigt somehow had his pain receptors removed back in Germany when he was younger? Or was that Chuck Norris?

Anyway, with the possibility of Contador, Armstrong, Leipheimer, Kloden (pending T-Mobile revelations permitting…) and the whole fleet of mercenaries behind them, Astana is going to be rather fearsome in 2009. I am reserving any judgment on the team for the time being and will just simply try to enjoy the show. It should be entertaining at the very least. If there was ever an opportunity for HBO to chronicle a cycling team for a year – this would be it. Come on, jumping from LA to Contador to Levi to Horner to Eki to Bruyneel, it would be reality television GOLD. Gold, I tell ya. Are there any T.V. execs out there reading?

I continue to be somewhat conflicted about the return of Ivan Basso to the pro peloton. While his admission/non-admission of involvement with Fuentes and Operacion Puerto was nearly Clintonian in its boldfaced claims of misguided innocence, one cannot overlook the fact that he has served his time under the current rules and has a right to race again. I can only assume that having to wear that horrendous Liquigas kit is some kind of cosmic retribution for past deeds.

Speaking of unfortunate kits, it seems that Lampre caught fire at the end of the season with victories at the World Championships with Alessandro Ballan and the Tour of Lombardy with Damiano Cunego. Perhaps the thought of being able to wear the rainbow jersey instead of the pink and blue was all the extra motivation Ballan needed to stay away? I also wonder if Cunego had his much-publicized “I Am Doping Free” tattoo covered up with one that says “I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson” in honor of his Fresh Prince nickname.

Well, there were a lot of other interesting things that happened while I was living la Pura Vida and improving my road rally driving skills, but maybe we’ll save the rest of them for the Year End Review or something. It’s cross season now. Te Mucho Gusto.

CaliradoCyclist

11-Nov-2008: Cervélo TestTeam is pleased to announce the signing of Ted King of the United States and Dominique Rollin of Canada.

Ted King had a breakthrough 2008 season, his second as a pro, finishing second overall in the NRC individual rankings. Racing for Bissell Pro Cycling the twenty-five year old from New Hampshire won the Hanes Park Classic wore the KOM jersey for one stage at the Tour of Georgia and won a stage at the Joe Martin Stage Race. He also finished third overall at the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic.

King is also an accomplished cyclocross racer and was a collegiate cycling champion. He hopes to go back to school at some point to pursue a business degree with an emphasis on environmental issues.

Dominique Rollin hails from Boucherville, Quebec. The twenty-five year old six-time Canadian National Champion completed a breakout year in 2008 riding for Toyota-United.

Rollin won stage 4 at the Amgen Tour of California, as well as the Overall Sprint Points Competition. He also won the general classification at the Rochester Omnium Criterium, as well as winning stages at the Cascade Cycling Classic and the Vuelta Ciclista CROC. Dominique just capped an outstanding 2008 closing out his season winning the final stage of The Southland Tour in New Zealand this past weekend.

“From a physiological standpoint, Dom is incredibly talented, a once in a generation special athlete,” said Brian Walton, his personal coach and Vice President of Performance, Cadence Cycling & Multisport Centers. “From a tactical standpoint, Dom has the mental mindset of a winner. I look forward to watching him progress next season and complement the leaders on the Cervélo Test Team.”

content from: Cervélo

Recently Sterling Magnell of Rock Racing took the time to discuss his pro cycling career and his life in general. I think you will find that Magnell isn’t cut from the same cloth as most cyclists which makes his discussion with Chaos Cycling Club all the interesting.

CCC: Live to cycle or cycle to live?

SM: Cycle to live

CCC: Obviously you have great passion for cycling as a professional, considering the commitment it takes to maintain the fitness and mental edge to have the successful season you’ve had but if you “cycle to live” is it safe to say that being a professional cyclist is your career rather than the focal point of who you are as a person?

SM: I think of racing as a blank canvas that I can do anything with. My focus is on how I can make an impact and racing has been my outlet for over half my life.

CCC: I want to complement you on your web site sterlingmagnell.com. How much input did you have in the overall design?

SM: I design everything.

CCC: What is so intriguing about it is that you put yourself out their in a real raw manner. I think few professional athletes present themselves to the public in such a revealing way. It’s obvious you have a lot more to say than you ride a bike for a living.

SM: I like to provoke and inspire. It’s an organic process, I write whatever is on my mind and I say it how I see it. I want my site to be a true reflection of who I am so when people go read it they get the right idea about me.

CCC: You’ve been riding professionally for 8 years yet you found the time to go to school for fashion design at the Academy of Arts in San Francisco. How much does your interest play a part in your life currently?

SM: 6 years. I’m keeping one eye on the fashion world. I still draw and come up with ideas.

CCC: Any specific goals you have in the pursuit of fashion in the future?

SM: I’d like to start a brand in collaboration with my father one day for fashion and furniture. We share the same passion for design but in different areas and I think we could create good product in a very different quality way that would be inspiring to people.

CCC: What area of design does your father focus on? Your father is also a cyclist? It sounds like you have a tight relationship? A guiding force in the direction your life took during your youth?

SM: My Fathers love for design manifest itself in objects, like furniture, cars and houses. He actually built and designed the hillside house I was born in, which to this day remains largely untouched by new owners in Laguna Beach. He’s been riding for a long time and did some racing of his own the first few years I was getting into it. We’re very close… I can’t say enough about him, he’s the shit.

CCC: I can’t resist. Do you watch Project Runway?

SM: No. I’ve seen the show before though and I got enough of that kind of shit in school. Plus I don’t own a television.

CCC: You don’t own a television. Is that a conscious choice or just a matter of circumstance?

SM: Choice. There’s never anything good on.

CCC: besides fashion design do you have any other artistic endeavors you are currently pursuing? I assume much of your photography not only on your web site but myspace page is yours and you write poetry as well?

SM: Yes. I have a huge desire to make music. Taking pictures, drawing and writing I do out of instinct. They’re just different forums, different languages but each one is somewhat limited. They touch on different parts but never the whole picture. Music to me feels limitless, much like riding where there’s actually the capacity to throw your whole self into it. So that’s the next frontier that I see.

CCC: What kind of music? What Instrument do you play?

SM: Stuff I can make by mixing and using a drum machine, then record vocals over. I hear stuff in my head but I can’t accurately give it a genre. I play the piano but for different reasons, I’ve been playing since I was 10.

CCC: It’s a Cliché but for many, popular music can be seen as a soundtrack to their own lives. What would be the soundtrack to your life this past year?

SM: “On Every Street” by Dire Straits

CCC: Favorite Poet, Writer?

SM: Bob Dylan and Spank Rock

CCC: Bob Dylan and Spank Rock. Those are pretty eclectic tastes. If you where to introduce the two at a party what would you say?

SM: I have no idea. I think I’d have to shoot from the hip in that situation.

CCC: You box?

SM: Yes, not competitively.

CCC: What got you into boxing?

SM: I got left off the roster for a race at the last minute two years ago. I happened across a boxing gym and needed an outlet. I like it because it pushes me past my limits and I have to give 100% to get through it.

CCC: So if someone doesn’t like your fashion design, poetry or art you are ready to kick ass.

SM: No I welcome criticism.

CCC: Lover or Fighter?

SM: I don’t see much daylight between the two.

CCC: If I said you are a modern day Renaissance man how do you respond?

SM: I’d ask you what that looks like.

CCC: Someone who finds inspiration in many things and has a thirst for knowledge and experience in all that life can afford. Perhaps you are a Nihilist?

SM: God no. The opposite.

CCC: Man’s Man or Ladies Man or both?

SM: Neither. I just find myself drawn to certain individuals.

CCC: But as a professional athlete and thus a “celebrity” would you say that you are one to be admired by men or desired by women in the way you present yourself?

SM: You’re being optimistic.

CCC: The archetype of style, intelligence, honor and integrity of men changes each generation but in some regards is timeless. What famous icons people do you admire that represent these qualities, male or female?

SM: no one

CCC: You have some ink on your right chest that says “incorrigible.” Should a person take that at face value or is there a deeper story?

SM: Both. In some sense it’s a confession. In another sense it’s about resolve. Anyway you take it you’d be right.

CCC: You are an Aries. How much do you personally subscribe to astrology and if you do are you a dead on Aries or not?

SM: I’m told I fit the bill 100%. My rising sign is Virgo
Though which is supposedly how you are on the surface, so I think I throw people off initially before they get to know me. I believe when and where you’ve been born absolutely would reflect some things about who you are. But I don’t have any thoughts on astrology beyond that.

CCC: When you aren’t on your training schedule or actually racing what do you do in you’re down time and do you hang with other cyclists, specifically teammates or with friends from your hood in Los Angeles and hometown of Laguna Beach.

SM: No stopping anytime. I’m almost always on. I’m always thinking or dreaming of something so in my minds eye there’s really no such thing as down time there’s just time. I go out with a few of my teammates and close friends when I’m home. I love shows and hitting up my favorite bar downtown called 7-Grand. I never pass up a chance to go to the ocean but I haven’t been to Laguna since I was a child. I know most of the bike messengers in LA and I hang with them when I can, there’s always an alley cat race to do and an after party to go to.

CCC: What was the last show you caught?

SM: the “Brazilian Girls” they’re a very eclectic band out of NYC. There aren’t any “Brazilian Girls” in the band. It’s three guys and with a female vocalist that speaks 7 languages always wears costumes with a statement when she performs.

CC: Next time you go to the 7-Grand what are you drinking?

SM: Knob Creek strait up

CCC: You go to Alley Cats. Do you reveal that you are a professional cyclist?

SM: No I just chill and enjoy the whole thing like everyone else.

CCC: How do you like living in Los Angeles and are you intending to keep you home base as it is next year.

SM: I love Los Angeles. It’s chaotic, diverse and a sort of beautiful wasteland. There are many other places I could consider living but I feel that this is where I belong at least for a while.

CCC: The first question I asked was simply. “Live to cycle or cycle to live.” Do you see this shifting if you professional cycling career continues to show success or will you always be looking to maintain a balance of all the things that makes you Sterling Magnell?

SM: Well there are absolutely sacrifices one has to make to be successful in the sport and I’m more than willing to make them. But there’s no reason why that balance can’t still exist. There’s always a way to be creative no matter where you are you just have to be willing. My focus now is on getting the tools and resources I need in place so that I never have to choose between being an artist or an athlete. It takes work to integrate everything into one lifestyle but that’s my goal.

CCC: To reference my first question, Live to cycle, or cycle to live and your answer, Cycle to live. You have been a Professional cyclist for 6 years. Was this what you wanted to be when you were a kid.

SM: Since I was 12. My Father was friends with Tom Ritchey and when I learned about the Ritchey pro MTB team, that’s been my goal. I started training on my Dad’s bike right away doing laps around the 4 acres I grew up on. The idea never occurred to me before that for some reason even though I watched the Tour growing up and rode with my Father on weekends. When I was real little I wanted to be a pilot like my Uncle. A little later I wanted to breed falcons own a zoo and have a pool with dolphins. I always dreamt big but the bike was the first thing that took me anywhere.

CCC: You have a picture on your myspace page where you talk about riding with your Dad in the Dolomites. Has he been a big influence on your professional cycling career?

SM: The biggest. I wasn’t actually there; he and Tom took that trip together. They deserve full credit for getting me into the sport. Sometimes my Dad and I drove all night and slept in the suburban to do some little junior race. Looking back it’s hard to believe how much he’s done for me.

CCC: Have you had many mentors in cycling or have you done things your own way?

SM: Those two for sure. Then there’s a long list, I’ve learned some really important lessons from a bunch of people.

CCC: You have been with Rock Racing for 2 years, is that correct? What has it been like riding for a team that has gotten so much attention?

SM: Ridiculously hectic and fun. Cycling and Fashion are two totally different worlds but I think they deserve each other.

CCC: I hear a lot of talk about Rock Racing from outside the peloton. What is the attitude inside the peloton from riders of other teams?

SM: My experience has been that you’re respected as an individual within the peloton.

CCC: Before you rode for Rock Racing you where with Toyota-United. A team that has had a lot of success but is losing it’s sponsor and is disbanding. First, why did you leave TU and second what are your thoughts in regards to one of the strongest US based teams having to shut things down because of a lack of a title sponsor?

SM: I had a blast with them in 06’. They decided not to resign me so I moved to Rock. I can’t speak to what has happened since then with the team but I remain friends with all my old teammates.

CCC: Do you like where Cycling in the United States is heading?

SM: Hell yeah. It’s gotten so fast. And the level of awareness and popularity in the public eye is rising all the time, I feel lucky being in the sport at such a time.

CCC: Among your Palmares in 2008, including 4 first places you won the Pro-Am Challenge, US Criterium Championships. Was that the pinnacle of your season or was there another highlight for you.

SM: 5 first places. That was definitely one of them but the highlight of my season was winning Downers Ave. Everyone was trying to beat me but I had the support of my whole team and my Father was there watching. I can’t describe how much effort emotional and physical I put into that night. Afterwards I lay on the ground for 5 minutes, and then I cried.

CCC: You rode a lot of Crits this year yet you also were on the Tour of Missouri squad. Do you have any influence on your schedule? What are your favorite types of races?

SM: No. Every race I did this year was on last minute notice and I just did my best when I had the opportunity to race. I love anything fast and technical. Hopefully I’ll have some input on what races I get in the future…

CCC: You were the US Junior Road Race Champion in 1998 and US Junior Time Trial Champion in 1999. That is a pretty high benchmark to start a career. Looking back is there anything different you would have done in channeling your career?

SM: No not at all. I’ve always done it exactly how I felt at the time and gotten direct results, good and bad. If I’d approached it with some kind of formula I don’t think I’d have learned as much and I’d have less to offer today.

CCC: You seem like a guy who is always pushing the envelope. Is that your riding style as well?

SM: No I think I just see the “envelope” differently than most people.

CCC: Outside of actually racing what has been the most surprising thing that you have experienced this year riding for Rock Racing?

SM: How much camaraderie has grown within the organization. I’ve enjoyed the people I work with a great deal.

CCC: What is in store for Sterling Magnell next season as a professional cyclist?

SM: More of the same, but on another level.

For more information about Sterling Magnell visit sterlingmagnell.com

By: Andrew Hershberger Chaos Cycling Club

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 10, 2008 – Land Rover has entered the cycling market with a new sponsorship role for Land Rover-ORBEA, the young cycling development team based out of Portland, Ore. Looking to step into a first year U.S. continental squad for 2009, Land Rover-ORBEA now has the title sponsorship it needs to push them to the next level.

Land Rover-ORBEA benefits the Lance Armstrong Foundation and has two core missions, raising funds and awareness for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and developing young and up-and-coming cyclists. While the team is U.S. based, the riders are from around the globe. The team will be looking to expand its program to Canada in 2009 and have athletes from the U.S., New Zealand, Australia and Canada.

“We are proud to serve as title sponsor of the Land Rover-ORBEA cycling team,” explained Finbar McFall, Vice President Marketing, Land Rover North America. “The resilience and endurance represented by the team are at the core of Land Rover’s ideals and values and we look forward to being part of their inspiring journey.”

“With Land Rover’s involvement in the team and the sport of cycling, team Land Rover-ORBEA, benefiting the Lance Armstrong Foundation will be able to travel the U.S. more and inspire people who have been affected in any way by cancer to take control, face it head on, take no prisoners and reach out to others for support,” said team cofounder and team director Norrene Godfrey, who lost both her parents to cancer. “As a cycling team, we hope to visit as many hospitals as possible handing out as many yellow wristbands as we can, to encourage those individuals to keep fighting, and let them know they’re not alone.”

Each year the team raises funds for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and each year the team gives away it’s spot in the Portland LIVESTRONG Challenge to a cancer survivor. For more information, visit http://www.landrover-orbea.org.

ORBEA, who has been the team’s long time partner and supporter, will also continue its co-title sponsorship role with the team.

“Land Rover-ORBEA has developed into a major league team, doing great things on and off the bike. It’s been fun and feels good to be a part of,” commented Justin Slarks, Marketing Director of ORBEA-USA.

“Our goal is to be that stepping stone or bridge for young riders and will provide them with the tools and education they need to make that jump into the professional ranks,” says Norrene Godfrey. “With Land Rover coming on board, we will be able to grow the team and help a few more young guys make that leap.”

Why do we sometimes feel like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?  We’re on top of our game one minute and feel like quitting the next.  Our confidence gets shattered by our own brains.  We sabotage ourselves until we’re forced to agree with the timeless words of the band Foreigner “I can’t take it anymore; no more head games.”  Here are scenarios demonstrating when your ego takes control and what you can do about it.

 

 

This is a tough one.  Our ego REALLY does not like this situation.  Now you’re battling some cognitive dissonance.  Sticking to your training plan conflicts with how you view yourself and how you want others to view you as a cyclist.  When you see your heart rate moving out of your training zone and the group starting to pull away, your ego interprets you sticking to your training plan as “being slower than everyone else”.  So you change your behavior to relieve this angst (e.g. start to hammer and attack the group on the hill to make sure everyone knows that your strong and can keep up if you so choose!).  You have to override that ego response with the more rational side of your brain.  If you let your ego take control and start comparing yourself to others you end up sabotaging your training. 

 

 

 

When you transition to a higher level of competition, you sometimes remain stuck with a former view of yourself.  When you move up the ranks, you need to redefine who you are as an athlete.  Confidence starts with believing in your own ability.  You need to view the competition as your peers.  You have to make the shift from the “We’re not worthy!” attitude of Wayne and Garth, to knowing that you are exactly where you belong.  You have no control over who shows up to a race.  If you’re on the start line sizing up the competition stop and think about what is in your control at that moment.  Who you’re lined up next to doesn’t change what you need to be doing in that moment to focus on your race.

 

 

 

As soon as you think about another guy and how much you think he’s not suffering, you start to feel your own suffering even more.  You were feeling strong and suddenly your legs are burning and you’re fading.  In one second your entire attitude and outlook changes.  (Think about how much it sucks to have someone pass you while they’re barely breathing and put your game face on next time you pass someone on a climb!)  Comparing yourself to others is the fastest way to let your ego take over and sabotage your confidence and your performance.  Your ego wants you to compare yourself to the person next to you and see how you size up instead of focusing on your own goals.  When you gauge your success you need to make sure that you’re doing it based on your own personal goals for your performance in that race. 

 

Don’t let your ego mess with your head.  Remember that YOU ARE IN CONTROL if you can put your ego in check.  If you can’t, your ego will be in control and suck all of the joy out of riding your bike.

(C) 2008

 

Carrie Cheadle, M.A.

Mental Skills Coach

www.carriecheadle.com

 

 

Congrats to Mike Gnatek from Washington D.C. for being our friend in our Community. Mike was randomly drawn for the contest and win the slipstream Jersey Signed by the 2008 Tour De France team.

Stay tuned for our next drawing during the the next 2 Johns Podcast