(photo by AFP Photo from Cyclingnews.com)
Big day for U.S. cyclists in Athens today! First, veteran time-trial specialist Dede Demet took 2nd place in the women's Time Trial, with 30-something teammate Christine Thorburn in 4th, and then old brittle-boned Tyler Hamilton won the men's time trial with a blazing average speed of just over 31 mph for the 48k course! Right behind him taking the bronze medal was Bobby Julich riding with a broken wrist left over from the Tour. Three cycling medals on the same day! Sweet.
Too bad the USA just can't seem to put together a win in the Road Races. This year it was apparent that there was no real game plan - no team leader, unlike the Italians who did just a super job of getting their top guy across the line first. I am always rather amazed at the speeds these guys can go. I mean, for mere mortals, an average speed of 27 for a 48k course would be extraordinary. The difference between 27 and 31 may not seem like a lot, but if you race, you know that it takes a huge increase in power to make that jump. Tyler, I think, was the rider most hungry for this win and it showed, although I would have expected Ullrich to have made the podium. Don' t know what happened there.
On the home front, it looks like I'll be taking abbreviated rides the next couple of days because of some consultant meetings tomorrow and Friday, but I'm sure I'll find some time - maybe in the evenings. Besides, I need some riding alone-time anyway. Still lots of talk about last weekend's time trials. Shreveport is talking about putting on a short TT in late September. Tom Bain, one of the Texas dinosaurs, placed 3rd in the crit last week at masters nationals in Salt Lake City. Pretty good considering the altitude!
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