Weekend Wrap Up, originally uploaded by sevenpelicans.

Nydam scores Mt. Hamilton KOM. BMC 2nd and 4th.

Memorial Day Crit - A solid group got away and almost stuck it to the line. Actually they might have made it I don’t know. I was preoccupied with Andy’s crash. Big thanks to Scott McKinley for the 15 second last lap sellout close down. Sorry for not executing.

On a sad note, Andy Jacques-maynes had a horrific crash in the final turn of the Memorial Day Criterium. He lost control some how and face planted a street light post and I am pretty sure he was knocked out for a good while. They medivac’d him out. Hopefully he is okay.

It seems like this year has been full of doping news. Its interesting how quick in unravels. I think its getting to the point to where no one can keep quiet anymore. Regardless if they have a conscience or not they are going to get caught or ratted out soon. And all those guys that doped, know they are going to get caught soon. There is just too many people admitting and too much effort looking into the past for all the past cheaters to remain silent, eventually they will be unveiled. I think it can lead to a new rebirth of cycling. Clean cycling.

I asked her….she said yes.

Italy was pretty awesome. We had some highs and some lows. Winning the TTT was awesome. I think we could of actually fixed a few things to take a few more seconds off but, it was nice to win as a team. It was also a plus to have the 1st and 2nd GC locked up. But, then we started to unravel a bit. We controlled the 4th stage with basically just Hanson, McKissick, and Myself, throwing Nydam in when we really needed to drill an important guy back. I had a nice little crash as we got swarmed through a narrow section and some dude decided to fall over in the middle of the pack. But, all was good the roads are so nice you barely get cut up. At the end of the day we spent 3.5 guys and didn’t have much left to help Garcia in the final kickers that day. The next day was crazy. Luppi had the Jersey and instead of trying to control it themselves it was obvious they had some previous arrangements with other teams. With only 5 man teams they got some Borat team to help them drill it to the base and then they ripped it to shreds on the 18k climb. Garcia was having some trouble that day and he and I just went backwards as we got to the top. The next day was very similar but, instead it had two narley climbs just not as long Nydam had a spill that day as well and got tore up a little bit. All in all I think the guys came away with a taste of success and a thirst for more.

In the end we were a little dissapointed but, I think it went very well. 4 out of 5 of our guys are neo pros with no Euro experience and they go over to their first race in europe and take a stage win and the leaders jersey. I think that is pretty impressive.

Italy, originally uploaded by sevenpelicans.

I’m sitting in the restaurant of our hotel this morning in Grado, Italy. All my guys are still sleeping and I’m enjoying a nice cup of italy’s finest instant coffee. Even the instant coffee here is good and they serve it with a carafe of steammed milk.

Some of our bags were lost yesterday and should arrive today. Good thing we left a few days early. Italy’s awesome lots of things bring back memories of when I livede here. Grado is right on the coast and pretty awesome. I am listening to a group of 20 elder german tourists right now just charging away with there morning discussions. The funny thing is the decibels have slowly gone down over the course of the meal.