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Chris Horner on the Nevada City race.

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Anonymous

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http://blog.oregonlive.com/horner/2009/06/nevada_city_classic_diary_watc.html#more

Today started the same as any other day of racing, with breakfast followed by some stretching. Of course, today's race was in Nevada City, Calif., and we were waking up in Aspen, Colo., which meant this day was going to be different from most race mornings from the moment we left the house.
After loading up the cars in Aspen, we headed to the airport, which is only 10 minutes away. When we got to the airport, they opened up the gate for us and we drove straight up to the plane. That's right, we were flying to California on a private plane - something a little different than the usual transportation!

With the people, bikes, and a serious amount of gear loaded up in the eight-passenger jet, we were on our way to California. It was going to be an hour and 30 minute flight each way, which would not only end up saving us an incredible amount of travel time (about two days worth), but also keep the general wear and tear of travel to a minimum. Also, it got us back to Aspen tonight right after the race, where we are able to sleep in familiar beds and be back on our high-altitude training plan first thing Monday morning, in preparation for the upcoming Tour de France in less then two weeks time.

Lance Armstrong had the whole family along for the trip, with his girlfriend, Anna; twin girls, Grace and Bella; son Luke; and their new baby, Max. Immediately as the kids boarded the plane, you could see the transformation that all fathers make, going from just one of the guys hanging out with the boys, to a dad in charge of keeping the peace. The familiar transition reminded me hugely of my own kids. Along with the Armstrong family were Levi Leipheimer, Dave Bolch (Lance's main man, who keeps life rolling along smoothly), and, of course, me. When the plane landed in California, we loaded up in a couple Suburbans and headed straight to our host family house for the day, located conveniently right on the course of the Nevada City Classic.

With the first half of the travel done it was time to get down to business. The course is known as one of the hardest in the country and today it didn't disappoint. The thousands of fans lining the course were treated to a serious show. The fireworks started on the first lap, with attacks immediately lighting up the race. Unfortunately, I was feeling the lack of racing form right away, as the legs just were not firing the same as usual, and today's race wasn't going to give me any time to ease them back in.

Levi went on the third lap, following an attack from another rider, and nobody could respond. In the next lap, some riders attacked and Lance was right on the wheel following the move. I was just behind in a third group of riders trying to get across to Levi. In the meantime, Lance was riding guys off his group with each turn of the pedals. As he caught up to Levi only one rider was capable of staying with Levi and Lance. They immediately went to work in their own two-man team time trial, leaving a wake of destruction behind them. I leap-frogged through the carnage, going from rider to rider, until I finally caught up with two strong guys who were ready to go. The three of us stayed together until Levi and Lance lapped us, with only six or seven laps remaining in the race. Right away I talked with Lance about attacking Ben Jacques-Maynes, the only rider who had been able to stay with Lance and Levi. He was game for putting the hammer down yet again, and the next time we hit the climb he took off like a bullet.

There was no response from the group as Lance's lead grew bigger and bigger with each passing lap. Ben was trying with everything he had left to bring Lance back, but the only direct effect was that our group was getting smaller as the riders that had been lapped were giving up the fight.

Alone up front, Lance was putting on a display of power that no one could respond to, and the crowd lining the course was going crazy, loving every minute of the show. Everyone knew that they were seeing a preview of what could be ahead at next month's Tour de France.

Lance rode across the finish line solo, which any rider will tell you is the best way to win. Levi finished third, and I think I was fifth, but with all the lapped riders it was getting hard to tell who was where.

As soon as we could, we loaded the cars back up and headed back to the airport for the trip back to Aspen. It was a great return trip, as morale was high. The day was a success as Lance showed that his form is fantastic, Levi showed that his is still going strong and after only one good week of training since breaking my leg, I have nothing to complain about.

Now, hopefully, it is off to France and the big show! Thanks for reading. Until next time....
 
Apr 3, 2009
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jackhammer111 said:
Alone up front, Lance was putting on a display of power that no one could respond to, and the crowd lining the course was going crazy, loving every minute of the show. Everyone knew that they were seeing a preview of what could be ahead at next month's Tour de France.
Contador putting on a display of power that no one could respond to, not even Armstrong?
 
Jun 19, 2009
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Nevada City

Beating up on amateurs? This is risky USA crit riding at it's finest that frighten GC specialists from any country. It's also fun to survive it. Don't diminish the race because you don't like the victor.
 
Apr 3, 2009
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Oldman said:
Beating up on amateurs? This is risky USA crit riding at it's finest that frighten GC specialists from any country. It's also fun to survive it. Don't diminish the race because you don't like the victor.
Sure, but if god forbid Ben-Jacques Mayne ends up being the best of the rest, beating him (in a tag team effort even) is hardly a basis to conclude that Lance's form is 'fantastic'. That's just presumptuous, but in that way of course a trademark part of the Armstrong promotional machine. I bet Sastre and Schleck are trembling after reading this! :p
 
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It sounds like everyone, riders and spectators alike . . . . had a damm good time to me:)

What more could you ask for?


I wish I could have been there.
 
Jun 18, 2009
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Oldman said:
Beating up on amateurs? This is risky USA crit riding at it's finest that frighten GC specialists from any country. It's also fun to survive it. Don't diminish the race because you don't like the victor.

Holy crap. USA crit riding! Can't imagine anything scarier than that. Makes Paris-Roubaix look like a ride in the park.
 
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I expect the Tour of Gila and the Nevada Classic to be full of Euro riders preparing for the Giro and Tour next year - after all, these races are obvioulsy so much more demanding and against so much tougher competition than the silly old Dauphine and the like :rolleyes:
 
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When I saw Levi failing at the Giro I thought that's due to his Northern California spring schedule. You can't race in the states and be competitive at a Grand Tour. Nevada City is like a pimple on a gnat's *ss compared to any pro euro race.
 
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Oldman said:
Beating up on amateurs? This is risky USA crit riding at it's finest that frighten GC specialists from any country. It's also fun to survive it. Don't diminish the race because you don't like the victor.
I've ridden Nevada City, it's not like a normal US crit. It's a selective hilly course that spits out the punters pretty quickly. Despite LA's win, its certainly not indicative of pro tour form.
 
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Oldman said:
Beating up on amateurs? This is risky USA crit riding at it's finest that frighten GC specialists from any country. It's also fun to survive it. Don't diminish the race because you don't like the victor.

It's why they attacked early.
 
JayZee said:
He probably ate their kids as well.
FIFY.:D

Azdak6 said:
What a predictable response (yawn).

The guy is a racer. He probably makes a portion of his living going to these races, and gets great pride when he performs well. To have someone show up like this and humiliate you isn't very fun no matter who they are.

I find this happening akin to Tim Linecum showing up to a Single A baseball game to "tune up" his arm, and tossing a one hitter. I wouldn't be impressed, or surprised, or happy to see it especially if I was playing against him. But others might be. And yes, a lot of fans would probably enjoy it.
 
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bianchigirl said:
I expect the Tour of Gila and the Nevada Classic to be full of Euro riders preparing for the Giro and Tour next year - after all, these races are obvioulsy so much more demanding and against so much tougher competition than the silly old Dauphine and the like :rolleyes:


Yeah! Those sandbagging, dog kicking, old lady mugging marauders should have prepped for the Tour Day France with that 3 week long race in Italy!
They clearly have no idea what they are doing...Oh...er,wait...uhhh

Cant wait to see the reaction around here when Lordstrong BLOWS FUXKING DOORS OFF in the Monaco tt...probably sumthin like this----> :eek::mad:
 
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grimpeur said:
Lookout! Early attack in a 50 mile race!

i guess you didn't get it... the safety issue... they went early to put the danger, and it is real danger in a crit, behind them.

you do know that's not normal crit strategy right?
 
Mar 19, 2009
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bianchigirl said:
I expect the Tour of Gila and the Nevada Classic to be full of Euro riders preparing for the Giro and Tour next year - after all, these races are obvioulsy so much more demanding and against so much tougher competition than the silly old Dauphine and the like :rolleyes:

Just because theirs not on a top Euro team doesnt mean their not very very fast... There's lots of talented riders that were jacked for that race and some very talented riders that are stronger than lance or Horner if they were clean... seriously.

Just because somebody is a cat 1 rider or not a top pro doesnt mean they couldnt be if they wanted to be.

The reason Lance looked so strong is because he is about to win the TDF... Or get a very good position.