Oh for pete's sake....

Double stage Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana)learned Tuesday that he had tested positive for homologous blood doping following his victory in Saturday's individual time trial. Vinokourov and his Astana team have reportedly withdrawn from the Tour. ...

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I am so close to just forgetting the Tour is even going on.

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Racing Updates

July is a busy month for bicycle racing in Nebraska. With several races already run and more to come, it’s hard to keep up with the action. Here are some updates to keep readers in the know.

Mountain Bike Update:

Elkhorn Valley Cycling powered by Monster team member Tim Powell (Wayne, NE) raced in the Manawa MTB Mayhem Psycowpath race at Lake Manawa on July 7. Tim reported that the conditions were hot and humid, a condition made even worse by the course's location deep in the trees next to the Missouri River just outside of Council Bluffs, IA. After a poor start, Tim battled to make up for time lost getting stuck behind an early race pile-up and was never able to close the gap on the leaders.

In the final results, Tim ended up with seventh place in the Sport Masters 45+ category. That place solidifies his hold on 2nd place in the same category in the 2007 Psycowpath standings. He currently sets at the mid-point of an eighty point spread between first and third in the series.

Tim Powell clears a ridge at Lake Manawa.

Photo courtesy of John Peterson

 

Road Racing Update:

A short squad of five EVCpM riders competed in the inaugural Papio Twilight Crit in Papillion, NE July 14, all in Cat 4. The Cat 4 field, much like Powells' Sport Master 45+ field the week before, was quite large, possibly the largest this year with 30 starters. As seemed to be typical of the evening's races, leaders jumped out early in the race splintering the field from the beginning. The course was extremely short and fast which compounded confusion caused by the large field sizes and interesting race tactics of the night.

John Spray leads Joe Savoie into a turn during the Papio Twilight Crit.

Photo courtesy of Mark Stursma.

After an early race prime lap, won by Dan Spray of Norfolk, several riders in the middle chase group were inexplicably pulled from the race, including some EVCpM riders. Final results were protested as was the procedure of the race, with final results not being posted for several days. John Spray (Norfolk) ended up taking 5th place, Joe Savoie (Omaha) 11th and Duane Blair (Norfolk) 15th. Dan Spray and Scott Blair (Pierce), both previously pulled from the race, were awarded 20th and 21st places. No substantial reason was offered for why riders from mid-pack were pulled and others left in and one wonders what the eventual outcome of the race would have been if it was allowed to be run without intervention.

With the season past the halfway point, Elkhorn Valley Cycling powered by Monster continues to excel due to the talent, hard work, and dedication of its members. With the Cornhusker State Games underway and the Dave Babcook Memorial Stage Race next week, the racing excitement continues.