Next RTWC Event Will Feature Nine-Time Tour de France Veteran Andreu and Local Hellyer Track Champions; Video Coverage by CyclistVillage.com

Marin County, Calif., – PROMAN riders Shelley Olds and Nicola Cranmer traveled to Manchester, Great Britain, to compete in the first World Cup track event in front of a sold out stadium and electrifying crowds. Olds was able to build on PROMAN’s growing prominence in track cycling’s most important international series by taking 6th and 8th in the Scratch and Points races, respectively.

“We are very excited,” reported Olds from Manchester. “Everything seems to be falling into place for our racing squads at just the right time. It is also humbling and inspiring to be here in Manchester, one of the world’s track racing Meccas. The British Track Program is absolutely without equal; after dominating the Beijing Olympic track events, they’ve swept the highest podium steps in almost every event at this World Cup opener.”

For PROMAN, timing certainly seems key, as Olds and 30+ National Team Pursuit Champion/General Manager Cranmer return to the San Francisco Bay Area just in time to prepare for the third Ride the World Cup fundraiser. Like the first two editions, the event promises to showcase some exciting track racing, as well as spotlight local Hellyer track heroes at the Junior, Elite, Masters National and even World Championship levels. 2008 champions have been invited to show up with their complete collections of jerseys and medals for group pictures, including Daniel Holloway, Shelley Olds, multiple-event Masters World champion Larry Nolan and many others, which will make for unique photo opportunities. The photo session (all photographers are invited) will take place before the racing begins sometime between 12 noon and 2pm.

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Contact:
Nicola Cranmer, General Manager
Email: ncranmer@aol.com
Tel: 415.246.8791

NATIONAL TEAM RIDER SHELLEY OLDS’ BIKE IS STOLEN TWO DAYS BEFORE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS IN PREPARATION FOR WORLD CUP
September 30, 2008 – Grave misfortune has struck within the PROMAN Women’s Professional Cycling Team and UCI Professional Track Team. Shelley Olds determined this morning that her bike was stolen from her car in Gilroy, California, Her car was parked in a driveway near the Eagle Creek Golf Course.

“I love that bike,” explained Olds, shaking her head in disbelief. “You work hard to get yourself set up on a bike, then you get used to it and grow to appreciate everything about it. It wouldn’t be quite the tragedy it is if not for Track National Championships just two days away. I don’t know yet what I’ll do. We hope to recover the bicycle and I am offering a reward”

Bike Specs:
BMC Trackmaster 47cm Carbon frame, Cane Creek 50mm Carbon wheels, white Ritchey Syncros stem, 38cm FSA Bars, Dura ace 165mm cranks, gold Izumi Chain

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When the start gun fired at the inaugural San Francisco Twilight Criterium on September 13th, the pro women’s race posted an incredible lineup that included Olympians and national champions.

Photo by Ken Conley

Two-time Olympian and 2004 National U.S. Time Trial Champion Christine Thorburn (Webcor) who placed 5th in this summer’s Olympic Time Trial, made the San Francisco Twilight one of her last races before she retires at the end of September to concentrate on her “other” full-time career as a rheumatologist. Also riding for Webcor was Gina Grain, a member of the Canadian Olympic Team, 2007 Canadian National Road Champion and 2008 U.S. Open Track Omnium Champion.

Included in the lineup with Webcor were Kat Carroll (Aaron’s), Shelley Olds (Proman), Laura Van Gilder (Cheerwine), and Kelly Benjamin (Cheerwine).

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This year’s race marked the 10-year anniversary for the Carrera de San Rafael, a criterium bicycle race circling an eight-block radius in downtown San Rafael, California. Racing began in the afternoon with amateur categories and continued until the pros battled it out as the sun went down.

Proman dominated the race early on.

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By Mark Deterline

Women’s cycling: It is time
In Disney’s animated classic, The Lion King, the sovereign’s most trusted advisor could sense when the moment had come to anoint the king’s successor. “It is time,” he would declare, leading to a solemn assembly in which the Dauphin – or Dauphine! – Would be anointed. All the animals would assemble at Pride Rock, the kingdom’s hallowed ground, for the ceremony. It heralded the coming of a new age, and of a new order, built respectfully upon the one before it.

Marin County is that kind of hallowed ground for cyclists around the world; a real-life land of legend and tradition. Its sacred landmark, Mount Tamalpais, is every bit as mystical and magical as a Disney invention, looming above the countryside and often crowned itself by a wreath of fog floating in from the headlands’ rugged coast. Marin’s fertile soil has nurtured a passion for Continental road cycling for decades, finally inspiring some to seek the freedom of off-road riding in a sort of free-love version of the sport in the 70’s, which – to make a long and intriguing story very short – ultimately contributed to the birth of the mountain bike.

Like snowboarding infused skiing and the ski industry with new life and innovation in the 80’s and 90’s, so has mountain biking stoked the fires of road cycling and racing in the US, as well cyclocross, triathlon and track racing. In fact, there is enormous crossover between the disciplines: one of this year’s Tour de France favorites is a former World Cup mountain bike champion, Aussie Cadel Evans.

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PROMAN Racing, in its third year, is pleased to announce a partnership with Swiss bicycle manufacturer BMC. The team does not operate under a large corporate umbrella but by generous donations from product sponsors, small businesses, family friends, Marin County BMC dealer Paradigm Cycles and even fellow racers; it is truly a community effort. To receive support from an industry giant such as BMC is a tremendous boost.

Frankie Andreu”The PROMAN Women’s Team is a fantastic and unique program that BMC is proud to support,” said Scott Thomson, General Manager of BMC North America. “Their grass-roots approach brings together a potent blend of elite and developing athletes. They ticked all the right boxes in building this program, so there was no question about BMC getting involved. We are excited to support these outstanding athletes with the best technology. It has been an exciting season thus far, and we’re looking forward to having them race in our back yard at theNature Valley Grand Prix.”

With a stellar roster for the upcoming Liberty Classic, PROMAN Racing is ready for the challenges of Manayunk and Lemon Hill. “PROMAN has a great roster and I think they are ready to have a great showing at the upcoming Liberty Classic! This team could be the underdog team gone wild. Look for a rider like Shelley Olds to be on the podium.” Said Robin Zellner, technical director for the race, “ I have watched this team develop at a steady pace over the last few years, there is a lot of depth and dedication, they are here to stay”.

Following Liberty Classic the team returns to Minnesota for its second shot at the Nature Valley Grand Prix. The team claimed podium spots and a 6th place GC last year. “ In 2007 we were a young green team, with a stronger roster this time around and lots of racing under our belt we could spring some surprises” commented Olds.Nature Valley GP is the accomplishment of David La Porte and his tireless team. “ Its not just a race it is spectacular entertainment.” Phenomenal crowds and great support for the women’s event draws top caliber female racers from around the world.

Joining the team for these races is former U.S Postal rider Frankie Andreu who will be taking the directors seat. Although very familiar with the pro men’s peloton he is keen to experience women’s racing.

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Team High Road’s Emilia Fahlin won her second race of the weekend in the Merco Cycling Classic Road Race on Sunday March third in Merced, California. Fahlin easily won the bunch sprint ahead of Tibco’s Rushlee Buchanan who also finished second in the Saturday Criterium, and Proman’s Virginia Perkins.

Her teammates Kim Anderson and Anche Wichman kept the pace fast at the front of the field and then Fahlin looked after herself in the final meters. “I had Anche and Kim with such good help in the last corner and the climb so that just perfect. I headed off from Anche’s wheel and then I didn’t see anybody.” said Fahlin.

With her back-to-back wins, Fahlin was enjoying the weekend. “It’s been a really good weekend for all, the team is racing really strong, it’s been fun and we learn to race with each other.”

The 72 miles, or 3 loops of a rolling hill course surrounded by blooming almond trees were raced aggressively. Attacks were unsuccessfully launched until High Road’s Mara Abbott launched her solo foray on the second lap just before the feed zone.

“The plan was to try and be aggressive, we did a lot of attacking in the second lap, but it’s really windy so if you don’t have anyone with you, it’s hard to stay away. Mara managed to stay away for the most significant break of the race but she was on her own.” said High Road directeur Kristy Scrymgeour.

Mara Abbott attacks the field

The other teams including Tibco and Proman let Abbott dangle in front always in view and gobbled her up in the last lap.

“Mara Abbott was up the front, we had some people at the front, and Proman was at the front and we were just watching Mara, making sure she didn’t get out of sight.” said Buchanan.

After the catch, the peloton slowed down, preparing for the final attacks and counter moves and the final bunch sprint.

“With 10k to go, some attacks again were started from my team, we tried to get something going, otherwise we go for the sprint.” said Fahlin.

In the last kilometer, Amber Rais (Tibco) and Abbott attacked, increasing the speed of the peloton, and launching the sprinters.

“Coming about 1k out there, it’s a bit rolly and Amber and Mara attacked and they crested the hill first and then I just jumped on the High Road train, but Emilia just got the jump on me, she’s really strong.” said Buchanan.

Fahlin doesn’t consider her form to be close to one hundred percent. “Because I’m used to starting my season in April, so I didn’t think I was ready to race at all at this time of year but it has been going better than I expected so that’s just great, maybe I can hope for a good year.”

Emilia Fahlin enjoys his victory

Top 10 Results

1. Emilia Fahlin (Team High Road - Women)
2. Rushlee Buchanan (TEAM TIBCO)
3. Virginia Perkins (PROMAN Racing)
4. Laura Charameda (Dewars Racing Team)
5. Taitt Sato (ValueAct Capital)
6. Amanda Seigle (code 3 racing)
7. Ginger Hsieh (Team Rock)
8. Ashley Dymond (Team Rock)
9. Morgan Kapp (South Bay Wheelman)
10. Heather Sborz (Vanderkitten)

All photos copyright Lyne Lamoureux.

See also:

• Merco Cycling Classic Men’s Road Race Report and Photos
• Merco Cycling Classic Men’s Crit Report and Photos
• Merco Cycling Classic Women’s Crit Report and Photos

by Lyne Lamoureux

The second day of the third round of the 2007-08 UCI Track World Cup Classics in Los Angeles started early at noon with the fourth Session including the qualifying rounds for Men’s Team Pursuit, Men’s Scratch and Women’s Points Race. As a newcomer to the sport of track racing, I find it difficult to follow and understand certain events, so to help me out I asked a cyclist to explain certain events. The first thing to remember is that track events are divided into two disciplines, sprint disciplines and endurance disciplines.

Proman-Paradigm’s Shelley Olds was relaxing watching the races and took the time to explain the differences between the Points race and the Scratch, with both considered as endurance disciplines. Olds recently achieved 2 podium spots at U.S Track Nationals including bronze in the team pursuit and fifth place in the points race. She finished thirteenth in the Women’s Scratch held on Friday, January 18, 2008.

Lyne Lamoureux: What are you trying to accomplish today?

Shelley Olds: First off, I’m trying to make it to the finals, that’s the number one goal, nothing else matters until the final is made. And then, what I am trying to accomplish is…race my heart out trying to make it an aggressive race if I could, it is to my advantage to do that. I can’t hold back out here.