Preliminary 2010 Arizona Masters Points Series Announcement.

The primary focus of the 2010 Arizona Masters Race Points Series is to include as many Arizona Mass Start Races as possible where the race fields are likely to be more than 10 racers! Team tactics and positioning will be pivotal to optimizing success in this Points Series.

The schedule will include races whose teams are participating in the Masters Point’s Series and offer race categories of Men’s 30plus, 40plus and 50plus.

The 2010 Points Series will be geared towards a more competitive environment where small teams will have just as much chance to succeed as large teams. Points will be harder to come by in 2010 trying to keep it close all season long. For points to be awarded a race must have a minimum of 10 racers finish the Masters Race category posted on the official scorebook. The 10 racers can include Registered Masters Racers and Non – Registered Masters Racers.

To encourage greater participation; race fields with more than 40 racers will earn 1.5% points.

Series Points

Points are awarded in the order of Registered Masters Racers Only. So, the points are awarded in the finishing order of Registered Masters Racers Only. Yes, you can get 3rd place in a race and get first place points if the 1st and 2nd place finishers are not Registered Masters Racers.

Points will be awarded as follows:

1st Place 3

2nd Place 2

3rd Place 1

4th Place 1

5th Place 1

All Teams Must register there team prior to the first race of the 2010 season.

There is no limit to the number of Men’s Masters Racers that you may enter.

All racers must have a valid USAC 2010 Racing License with the designated team on the license. No changes to the roster are permitted after the final team registration.

A rider may change teams during the season however all points earned from that rider will remain with the previous team, no points may be earned on the new team

There will only be CASH PRIZE PAYOUTS!

100% of any entry fee monies or sponsor donations will make up the cash purses.

The sole intention of this Arizona Masters Points Series is to encourage greater participation and better Masters Racing here is Arizona. For more details and updates go to www.azmps.com. If you have any questions comments or input please email Bryan Staub @ bryanstaub@cox.net.

Just in… a mini-race report and write up of the USA Crits final in Las Vegas, courtesy of Andy Sniegowski:

USA Crits Final Vegas

If you’re reading this, then you already know that the USA Crits series is the premier criterium racing series in the United States. Starting way back in April with the prestigious Athens Twilight, and finishing last Thursday at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. A huge part of the Interbike tradeshow.

What you may not know is that there were a number of AZ racers throwing down in the 2/3 crit in Vegas last week. Knowing that this was an extremely technical, and sometimes crash riddled course, the Bicycle Ranch was active early, putting riders into several breaks. Unfortunately, the extremely aggressive and hypermotivated pack did not allow any of these moves to last more than half a lap. Ultimately the race came down to 5 super fast finishing laps. With 3 to go Matt Sniegowski (Taser Racing) and Michael Castro (Bicycle Ranch) went to the front and set about shattering everyone whose legs were anything but fresh. At the finale, Michael scored the Bicycle Ranch a 6th place, and Matt was able to bring home 2nd for Taser Racing to go along with the 2nd place he had earned in the 3s at Athens in the beginning of the season. Not bad against a tough field all wanting to show their stuff at one of the biggest cycling industry events in the country. Especially considering these guys are both still 3s racing in a 2/3 field.

Later in the evening Oakley’s Rich Weis of Chandler was one of the most aggressive riders in the Industry Cup race. In the end of the race reserved for the cycling industry’s wheelers and dealers Matt Sniegowski, riding for Bicycle Ranch was again the best placed AZ racer, with an impressive 5th place only 2 hours after his previous race.

“Soap opera stories run concurrently, intersect and lead into further developments. An individual episode of a soap opera will generally switch between several different concurrent story threads that may at times interconnect and affect one another or may run entirely independent of each other.”

You probably deciphered from Wikipedia’s initial paragraph, I am referring to the Arizona off-season and the teenage theatrics of your local cycling team.

If the CW is looking to unearth another scandalous fall season pilot, then lycra and chain lube should be in their future! (mental images of Liz Hatch covered in Tri-Flow come to mind).

There is enough jealousy, deceit, and self righteousness in the AZ peloton to cause Heidi Montag premature menopause and grant Tyra Banks psychological credibility…..(It’s a stretch).

“Each episode may feature some of the show’s current storylines but not always all of them. Especially in daytime serials and those that are screened each weekday, there is some rotation of both storylines and actors so any given storyline or actor will appear in some but usually not all of a week’s worth of episodes.”

The majority of us do not get compensated for cycling. A shop discount, logo plastered water bottles and an continuous supply of saddle sores is about all the working man cyclist is guaranteed. People change and many riders have made new friendships and altered goals. Some riders have evolved and need a team that can offer more; whether that is financial, tactical or geographical. Other riders just want a different kit to match their anniversary edition Sidi’s.

Soap operas rarely “wrap things up” storywise and generally avoid bringing all the current storylines to a conclusion at the same time. When one storyline ends there are always several other story threads at differing stages of development. Soap opera episodes typically end on some sort of cliffhanger

Coming to a decision concerning leaving an old team, joining a new one, or starting your own won’t please everyone. True friends will respect who you are and will probably continue to ride alongside you regardless of your choice of team……..and then proceed to come around you at the finish line.

Rusty Chain

Results for the 2009 Arizona State Hillclimb Championships have now been posted.

Click here [(20 mile event) - (10 mile event)] to see which riders were crowned state champs after scaling the dreaded Mt. Graham…

This just in…

Yuma Bike Club founder Doug Flynn was hit by a car this morning and has passed away.

More here: http://www.yumasun.com/news/cyclist-53014-flynn-yuma.html

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Doug’s friends and family.

An update from West Valley Cycle organizer David Herzog;

All,

Start time for Saturday moves to 6:30am this week. Enjoy the extra sleep, cool weather is upon us with an expected start temp of 72 degrees.

(note the web site start time is incorrect due to technical difficulties)

Last week Highlights and Notes:

· 30+ riders, I missed out on who won sprints because I was in B group cruise mode hanging with Dan V, which was a personal highlight.

· I will state that our camaraderie effect is in full swing. Numerous times over the last two weeks I saw a rider fall back to help another. Way cool!

· Other notes were Kathy won the Luke Airforce Triathlon last weekend. Not just the female category, but the entire race. Another Way Cool!

· Heather dominated the 4,000 open water swim in her category

· This week, Matt, Amy, Dan, and Kathy all have big races in Las Vegas, Tempe, and Mission Viejo respectively. Wishing them the best of luck!

Finally, this Saturday is Goodyear in Action day: http://goodyearinaction.com/default.htm

Let’s support the City by all getting out on the road in our group ride or one of the family activities listed within the web site above.

Steve Donaldson

Founder Cyclists Against Reckless Drivers (and now IRS taxable donation approved!)

www.CyclistsAgainstRecklessDrivers.org (correct site)

Velocity Group Cycling Link:

http://velocitygroupcycling.com/

Saturday route:

West Valley Cycling Saturday Group Ride

Web Site:

http://members.cox.net/westvalleycycle/

Sprint Points:

1. Cotton: after you crest the top of Cotton, approx 100 yards from the end, there is a sign that says, BUMP

2. Estrella Parkway: approximately 100 yards from the end, there is a White no parking sign.

3. WestStar: 50 yards before the end there is a sign that says 35 MPH.

4. San Gabriel: the short climb before the first Market stop, at the beginning of the Center divider, 50 yards from stop sign.

5. Verrado: the far end of the second bridge. Where the pavement turns black.

Thanks!

David

949 212 4000 Mobile

david.herzog@aspect.com

The 2009/2010 Arizona School League Championship Series Dates have been posted.

Click here to see the series flyer.

For more information, please visit www.NovaYouthCycling.org

The Kitt Peak Hill Climb results have been posted.

Check out the Saguaro Velo website to see who’s climbing well!

Thanks.

Team WM To Restructure for 2010

Racelabu23 Cycling Team, also known as Team Waste Management is announcing changes to their team structure for 2010. Despite the incredible growth and success on a national level, the sponsorship funding agreement for Team WM’s Elite U25 Team has come to an end with the finish of the 2009 season. Team WM has announced on its website that the team will continue as an Arizona based racing club only in 2010.

In the past 2 years the team’s Elite U25 squad achieved national prominence by appearing and competing at a very high level at many races on the national racing calendar. Highlights include sending 6+ members into the pro ranks in these last 2 years. The team earned Best Young Rider jerseys and Best Amateur jerseys and achieved a number of top stage finishes among the NRC events.

Waste Management, Inc of Houston, TX has been the primary sponsor of the program since the team’s rebirth in 2004. Waste Management has contributed generously to help youth in the U25 category reach higher and go farther with resources that are uncommonly available to young riders. “WM has done a great service for the cycling community and they continue to support cycling here in Arizona with our ongoing club operation as well as their sponsorship of events like the Nevada City Classic”, added RacelabU23 Cycling Team President Steve Cullinan. Barney King of Phoenix has served as Race Director of the Elite Team and traveled with the team to the NRC races. Mr. King is credited with helping to bring in top talent including several members of the National U23 team he also helped pave the way for a successful partnership with Jelly Belly Professional Cycling.

Team WM will continue to race in Arizona and remain a team of young riders with a core group of masters racers who provide race support and limited financial support. Team WM won the 2008 Copper Cup points series and is currently leading the series in 2009 as well. For more information about Racelabu23 and Team Waste Management, visit the website at www.racelabu23.com.

Manufacturer and Sales of High Performance and Racing Bicycles Online
Velo Vie Sponsored Team Amore e Vita Pb Life Time Fitness Claims Complete Sweep in Univest Grand Prix

September 16, 2009

Scottsdale, AZ – Velo Vie, a leading manufacturer and consumer-direct marketer of high-end carbon fiber bikes, has announced an exciting win for its Amore e Vita cycling team presented by Life Time Fitness (lifetimefitness.com). Amore e Vita claimed a complete sweep of the three-day Univest Grand Prix (UCI race) in Pennsylvania.

This intensely competitive event included a team trial on Friday, September 11 in Allentown, the Univest Grand Prix on Saturday, September 12 in Souderton and the Univest Criterium of Doylestown on Sunday, September 13. Velo Vie, Life Time and the Amore e Vita team emerged the winner each day.

The first day of the race was a TTT of 7.7 miles with the Amore e Vita team taking the lead with a time of 16′.21″ as German rider Philipp Mamos crossed the finish line just in front of the national champion of the Ukraine and teammate, Volodymyr Starchyk.
Commenting on this victory, Amore e Vita Team Manager Cristian Fanini said, “I knew we were going to be the best team, so this victory isn’t something unexpected. Now we can look further and I am confident we can reach important results. I would like thank our sponsor Life Time Fitness and Velo Vie for their incredible support. Without their help this wouldn’t be possible. This amazing victory is for them!”

Amore e Vita riders came back the next day to claim the first place title again in Allentown. This second stage of the Univest GP included a road race of 100 miles and is the overall classification of the competition. Starchyk dominated the race ahead of Swedish rider Petter Stenberg and Friday’s champion, Philip Mamos. Starchyk won the overall classification, while the Amore e Vita team won the Team Time classification.

Said Fanini after Saturday’s win: “It was absolutely incredible and special thanks to our sponsors. I am sure that with their help we will overcome again in America also next season. Meanwhile I enjoy these victories hopefully that tomorrow our sprinter Metlushenko will win the criterium for a ‘perfect’ race ending.”

Fanini was ecstatic by the end of the Sunday race as sprinter Yury Metlushenko won for the second year in a row. In addition, the Amore e Vita team won everything possible, taking TTT, road, race, criterium, overall classification, best sprint jersey and team classification, making the overall race weekend a major victory for the Amore e Vita team and sponsors Life Time Fitness and Velo Vie.

“This victory is an exciting win for our team and our partner, Life Time Fitness as it demonstrates the value this relationship presents to the industry,” said Homayoon Farsi, CEO of Velo Vie. “Our commitment to our teams and our partners helps to drive success in this arena. We are thrilled that these riders have the drive and desire to perform over and above not only the competition, but also our expectations. We can’t wait to see what will happen next.”

Velo Vie works to promote a healthy lifestyle in conjunction with competition through state of the art bicycles that offer exclusive and innovative features unmatched in the industry. The company’s relationship with Life Time Fitness emphasizes the support of the universal needs of all levels of riders. The sponsorship of the Amore e Vita racing team is an extension of this partnership, benefitting the team with nationwide support and high-quality racing equipment.

About Velo Vie

Arizona-based Velo Vie manufactures and markets high performance and racing bicycles direct to the consumers through its online marketplace. Founded in 2006, Velo Vie offers highly customizable bicycle frames featuring Velo Vie™ Carbon Axis technology. Velo Vie offers consumers top quality components through its relationships with manufacturers such as Shimano, Campagnolo, SRAM, Fulcrum, Reynolds, Easton, Vision, Profile, Ritchey, FSA, Deda, Rolf, Time, Speedplay and Look. For more information about Velo Vie visit www.velovie.com. Contact info press@velovie.com or call 1-877-VELOVIE.