This Just in...
Another spectacular change of events. "Team Shamwow Lehman Brothers" has retaken the top step of our podium from team "Roadsies Roadies"! Only 8 points seperate the two teams now, and since Paris is only a few days away, we could really be in for some fireworks.
In other news...it has been reported that an entire Fantasy League team has tested positive for performance enhancing drugs...check back for details soon as more information comes to light. And be sure to take the new poll on our homepage! Ventoux is tomorrow.
Dave Korus Shamwow Lehman Brothers 1114
Andy Roads Roadsies Roadies 1106
Harry Baggins Special Dead 1027
Chris Arndt Kazakh's Can't Bike 995
James Pradun Nitro 984
Andrew Wolski Banco WLA DYS LAW 980
Ryan Law Turd Fergusen Brunch 975
Eric Howland Hugh G. Rection 971
David Landin Broke Spoke 931
Craig Jankuski CSC 798
Melanie Hertzog Mel's Awesom Team 736
Joe Bloomfield Aint Gonna Win 736
Joy Jusayan Chin Ball 718
Daniel Maitland Rancid Twat Weasles 714
Scott Krizek Liggett Nation 706
Kris Malin Cyclism 689
Ben Stern Quadtastique 679
Eric Hansen Bring Back Jan 679
Seth Frye Fantasy Velo 670
Josh Hertzog Take a Chance on Lance 653
Lauren Toll Two Wheelers 600
Mike Toll Training Wheels 578
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The Alpenrose Velodrome Challenge |
where to start......?.....
Ok, so we (me, Nole, Maurice, Beth Newell, Hanan) had big plans for this after the Encino Far West Championship weekend, but then Maurice broke hisself and money looked tight for a few of us, but in the end I couldnt resist the temptation so I "roped" Nole into it last minute.
Drove up thursday (10+ hrs) arrived at 3:30 am, and got minimal sleep before 4km pursuit. The Alpenrose track is intimidating before you get the flow, steep banking in the turns, rough transitions, bumpy, ect. once you get the feel it is a really fun track.
FRIDAY
4KM
I got zero laps on the track before my start but a good warmup on the rollers. had an awesome (probably much too fast) start and hit the first turn at speed, floated pretty far off the sweet line and thought whee! this track rules, rode the next few laps with a huge shit eating grin and settled in to some consistent lap times (having a caller is essential!) rode a 5:25 which was ok, the track is really slow for timed events and the experienced riders told me it is reasonable to subtract :30 from a 4km time there to compare to other tracks, so not bad but need a lot more practice....6th of 8 racers.
Points Qualifier
cat 1's and pros get a free pass to the mass start events, all the rest of us scrubs have to race our way in. there were 6 spots available for 15 racers. i think it was a 60 lap sprints every 10. I went on the attack way way way too early.......and won the first sprint, but it hurt me, and i was junk through the middle, nearly got dropped twice, Nole pulled me back once and i clawed one back by myself. rested for about 15 laps and then made a desperate attack for the double points final sprint with 2 and a half laps to go.....got a sweet gap on the backside, and was rapidly closing on two riders who were off the front, unfortunately the lap card turner spaced it and when i came around it still showed three to go, fuck! so i woulda won double points cause i passed the two leaders, but I blew up shortly after and got nothing, but Nole used my effort to his benefit and got those points to move up to 4th behind a 3way tie for first. i finished 6th and we both qualified.
 Ben Stern Riding at Alpenrose
rode a 90" gear in the first qualifier heat, drew the toughest field by far. i got bumped at the start and me and another guy hit the deck 5feet from the start line. no worries. restarted immediately, was last wheel at first, but followed McCook up the outside into better position, but we got stopped and Cookie DQ'ed for bumping (cause Rick Adams is an ass, and has a hard on for him) so again restarted, and i got smoked.
Keirin Repechage
switched to a 96" gear and again was last wheel, but got on Pete Bilington as he surged when motor pulled off, but I was a bit late and Pete didnt quite make it over the top in the turns so i got 4th out of 8, pretty decent for me, I'm just not very fast. good experience.
Points Race 110 laps sprints every 10
field was good, Jamey Carney, a Kiwi superstar, a bunch of other fast guys! I rode a 90" and did ok, a break went away 20 or so laps in when the pace ratcheted up and some dbag opened a gap in the middle of the pack. 6 riders took a lap including Hellyer's own Brian Peterson, midway through, McCook rode up to me and said that my right crank arm was falling off...how he could pay attention to that is beyond me, i was just trying not to crash or get dropped...so I swung up track threw my hand up and rolled to Matt Martinez (who worked the races allweeeknd) he fixed my crank in a jiffy and gave me a huge toss back in, problem was it was a sprint lap and the pace was hot!!!! i get the push and am literally flying down the apron straight towards the wall that is turn 1, i kinda freaked but got up on there somehow and had to close a 50m gap to the pack which took me a lap and a half, but once i made it i knew i was golden for finishing this thing. I focused on trying to help Peterson the rest of the way. I marked his main rival the kiwi. I managed to gap him off a couple times and i nailed back a breakaway late in the race. i actually felt pretty good out there over the last 30-40 laps but I just couldn't match the speed on the sprint laps, need to develope more top end. got gapped a bit on the second to the last sprint and rolled solo for the final 10 laps but didnt get caught. felt great about this result.
SUNDAY
10 Mile Scratch race 60 laps
rode the 96" had to be smart and anticipate accelerations on the big gear. I did a great job, didnt take any pulls, stayed well positioned, drafted the biggest guy on the track. and remained calm. I literally coiled up till the last 3 laps and then got the big gear turning over and surged to the front, timing was perfect as Peterson was on the front taking wind as we hit 2 to go. I swung over the top of him and gave it everything I had for a lap, so fun! i hear my effort detached half the field and it worked well for Peterson who was able to hang onto thrid. Carney won of course.
Nole drove the late shift on the way home and we made excellent time. i am exhausted today at work. what a blast of a time this weekend, i am already excited for next year and i have renewed motivation for Masters & Elite Natz. finally. ive been a lacadaisical bum of a bike racer for months......
See you all at the track on tuesday and Wednesday!
Hooked again,
Ben |
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TDF Fantasy League Results Following Stage 15 |
So it's down to the last week cycling fans. The 2009 TDF Fantasy League standings are as follows. This is going to be very close going into Paris and we actually have a tie for points after stage 15. Today is the rest day so get your trades in ASAP!!! Snooze you lose.
Dave Korus Shamwow Lehman Brothers 832
Andy Roads Roadsies Roadies 832
Harry Baggins Special Dead 804
James Pradun Nitro 772
David Landin Broke Spoke 745
Ryan Law Turd Fergusen Brunch 741
Chris Arndt Kazakh's Can't Bike 732
Eric Howland Hugh G. Rection 724
Andrew Wolski Banco WLA DYS LAW 691
Craig Jankuski CSC 607
Melanie Hertzog Mel's Awesom Team 593
Joe Bloomfield Aint Gonna Win 565
Seth Frye Fantasy Velo 539
Ben Stern Quadtastique 539
Eric Hansen Bring Back Jan 536
Joy Jusayan Chin Ball 530
Daniel Maitland Rancid Twat Weasles 530
Scott Krizek Liggett Nation 527
Kris Malin Cyclism 524
Lauren Toll Two Wheelers 518
Josh Hertzog Take a Chance on Lance 483
Mike Toll Training Wheels 452
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It was a sad day for Levi Leipheimer when he broke his wrist this week in the Tour De France. Sitting in 4th place, Levi was posed nicely for another podium spot in Paris but lady fortuna would not have it his way this year. Our European correspondent Harry Baggins caught up with Levi after breakfast with the rest of his Astana team mates.
HB: So Levi, tough luck on the stage yesterday...how did the surgery go?
LL: It went allright Harry, the French doctors treated me well and I should be ready to head back to
California later this afternoon.
HB: It has to be tough leaving the Tour when you're on such good form and having another great
tour. What are your plans for the rest of the year?
LL: Usually I wait until the end of the season to pull out the Magic game cards. Kind of
embaressed to say, but I'm a real fan. I have a number of non-cycling friends that I usually
hang out with in the off season.
 Levi plays the Magic game, his other passion.
training sports. You just play the game Magic? That's a game for nerds isn't it?
LL: Well, I'm looking to change that stereotype; we have a couple of campaigns to make the game more
accessible to kids and we're really working hard to liven up it's image.
HB: Do you think this game could affect your image, maybe your sponsorships in anyway?
LL: I doubt it, I mean if anything this will only confirm the theory that I'm a big, "Magic-Nerd".
It's who I am
and what I like to do.
HB: Well, that confirms this reporter's suspicions...I think this interview is done. (Holding back a laugh)
Thanks for your time Levi, we'll do what we can to support your hobby and liven up the image.
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