Hot Tubes Cycling

I do my best to summarize these five hour 120 miles races in brief readable reports, but last time I cut a few notable occurrences.

I forgot to mention how I rode nose wheelie for 30 meters while leaning into the back of my teammate at 60 kph to avoid crashing into a fallen rider in the chaotic final 10 km. Our team doctor silenced a worrisome knee pain with a somnolent mental therapy and more hard-nosed anti-inflammatories and a massage on twisted tendons that made my eyes water. Also in the first report, Jose and Azevedo are the same person, Jose Azevedo, our legendary Portuguese director who placed 5th in the Tour de France.

Stage 3: 195 km
After the queen stage, Jose Azevedo delivered my roommate, Andreas Kloeden, and I tomorrow’s schedule. He talked about my race in his easy Portuguese accent.

“You always give your best. It was a hard day- the third hard day. Always up and down. Team Sky, they never went easy. You stay up front in the beginning and this expends energy, also. When you dropped on the climb, some guys would have gone easy, but you fought and came back to help the guys. This is the first race of your second season at this level. Don’t worry, man. I’m happy with you.”

Having watched the drama from the car following the peloton, he had known I would appreciate the feedback. Team Sky, confident in their leader, had clobbered everyone on the climbs before the final summit. On one climb, the elastic snapped, but I caught the front group again on the decent. Then I dropped again with 15 km to go. I rode up the final summit with two riders from Sky.

“Impressive what you guys did,” I remarked.
“Yeah,” grinned Nordhaug. “I think we made some guys suffer today.”
“You’re lookin’ at one of them.”
“Know who’ll win today?” he asked.
“The way you won in Mallorca, I thought you might. I don’t know. Tony Martin?
Machado?”
“No,” he paused almost thoughtfully, “Riche Porte. The way he rode at training
camp- I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Near the top, Sky supporters gave thumbs up. Porte had won with our own Portuguese, Tiago Machado, in second.

Stage 1: 151 km
I should have discerned the consternation in Asevedo’s tone as he gave tips to anticipate the critical narrow roads and steep climbs, but his confidence in a sprint finish hoodwinked my hopes for a moderate to easy first stage. We followed Jose’s advice, and it saved us energy. As predicted, the race did end in a pack sprint. Everyone, however, arrived at the finish tweaked by relentless undulations. Jan Bakelants, our top finisher, placed 10th.

Stage 2: 187 km

Despite another jagged profile, we set off at a relaxed jaunt. The yellow jersey’s team took firm control of the peloton after three riders escaped. Wider and smoother roads, afforded margin to catch up with other Americans and friends in the peloton. Breathy conversations passed the first two hours. Then we turned into the mountains on a narrow road. After driving hard through loose corners and stomping up the climbs, the road spat us out on a large costal road.

When the TV cameras flicked on to televise the race, a Portuguese team tried to animate the race riding full gas on the front and stringing the peloton into one long line. At that moment, I was filling my jersey with bottles from the team car. Delivering those bottles to the front of the peloton caused pain. When the Portuguese team blew themselves up, a dangerous fight for position lead to another large bunch sprint finish.

Hello everyone and welcome back for another season.

We love doing the TOB. Firstly, it’s in the Bahamas. Secondly, for me at least, I get to visit my friends, the Holowesko’s there and Liam, their oldest son is our youngest team member.

This year we brought five riders, all were on the team last season. The TOB is a pro 1/2 race which is good for us. It’s high level, very fast racing which is good training but it’s a flat race and we have junior gears so we are at a distinct disadvantage. Add to that that this race attracts the southern speedsters from Florida who are on mid season form and we are, for the most part northerners and you get an idea of why it’s a hard race for us.

The race is three stages, a three mile Eddy Merckx style time trial, that means no aero anything. Stage two is a circuit race around the western most tip of the island and on Sunday a long, hard road race basically on the same course as the previous day but with an added loop making it longer and a bit more exposed to the wind.

Everyone got to the Bahamas, for the most part, without any problems. The courses were as I remembered but the roads around the airport, which would be included in Sunday’s road race, were “under construction”. That looked like it was going to be a problem. Just before you pave a road, it looks like hell and that was the case here. The road was eaten by these massive grinders that cut two inch deep channels in the surface. I drove the course with Stephen Holowesko when we arrived and it looked bad. The race promoter, Jeff Major said that it would be paved before the race in two days but I had my doubts.

The main competition, on paper looked to be the BMC development team. They had a lot of guys registered, their primary sponsor lives in the Bahamas and they looked to be on good form. Last years race had the same team and they raced like a development team a bit over their heads. We would see if that was still the case. There were a couple of other good teams and several very good professional riders with one or two man teams. Nobody was going to be paying attention to us in this race.

First off was Liam Holowesko. The older guys had had a chance to ride with Liam for two days before and came out to watch Liam race his TT. In all three stages Liam was solid. Liam not only rides his bike, he plays soccer, is a top student and is in the running for the Bahamas Primary School Student of the year award so he has a full plate. Liam finished fourth overall as a solo rider against others who raced with team mates.

The record time for the time trial was set by Floyd Landis at 5:38. Some of the times coming on during the masters races and the younger racers we in the mid to upper six minutes. First in for us was Cameron McCormack who’s training consisted of trainer rides and an hour or two, at best outside; 6:16. Brendan McCormack, Cameron’s twin, was next in for us at 6:11. Not a bad start. The BMC buys were making a show of it getting in the upper five minute range. Jake king, Ben King’s younger brother and still sixteen came in at 6:02. Things were looking better for us. I had my two, on paper, fastest guys due up last. Sometimes I wish we raced on paper but in the real world, unexpected things happen.

Colin Joyce was next up for us and as his start time approached, no Colin. I sent some of the guys to look for him and nobody found him. In the distance I saw the Hot Tubes blue riding my way; it was Jake. Still no Colin. I’m sure I looked like some crazy guy you sometimes see in cities walking around having intense, animated conversations with themselves pushing shopping carts; That was me. The starter kept calling, “Joyce! Colin Joyce, next up!” With ten, maybe fifteen seconds to spare he rolls up, straight up on the starting ramp and he’s off. We would talk later.

Thomas was off shortly after and that was it, we were all out there and we would see how it went. The Florida guys were fast but the fastest of the day came from BMC Holowesko Partners with a new course record 5:35. Colin came in at 5:55. Last in was Thomas. His time was 5:52. I forgot to mention that Thomas told me the night before the start that his right shift lever had broken off in transit so he couldn’t shift. We, fortunately for us, had two OFBITS supporters down to watch the race and had brought their bikes. Alston had brought his Cervelo, as it happens, the perfect size for Thomas. All we had to do was change pedals but the problems were not done yet.

The afternoon circuit race was, for the most part uneventful. BMC did a professional job keeping the race together and it came down to a field sprint won by a Cuban sprinter from a very strong Florida crit team. All the guys got out of the race with their skin in tact and Colin even got up there in the sprint. Alston went for an afternoon ride with John Crumpler and somehow managed to rip off his rear derailleur so Thomas was S*** our of luck for the next day. He would be able to race but he would have one gear and that’s it and he was our tip guy in GC in ninth place. He’s still racing so it could have been worse.

The last stage was a bit windy and full on sun so it was going to be a long stage. We had nothing to lose and the race was ripe for something out of the norm to happen. BMC was leading but not by much and there was a lot of speed and fitness in the field. The big teams were watching each other and we were going to take some chances. Colin, Thomas and Jake were our break guys. Cameron, our fastest sprinter was instructed to sit his butt in and wait for the finish. He didn’t have the l miles to get in a break and last.

Stephen had given me his scooter for the day so Liam and I had the best seat in the house to watch the race. We moved from the field to the breaks, getting gaps and, in general, having a great time. We watched as the first serious move went up the road. We watched Thomas bridge across to it and ten miles later it was all back together. A second move went away and the gap started to grow quickly. Liam and I got to watch Colin bridge solo across a one minute gap and that was it. It was the move of the day. Eight guys, two BMC, three from one other team, two from the team that won the day before and Colin. All the credit in the world goes to Jeff Major and the Bahamas DPW or whoever is in charge of the roads. They were all done on time and great roads to race on.

I bounced between the break and the field watching for a reaction and was confused by BMC’s tactics. They had two guys in the bread riding and four guys in the field chasing. on the last lap two riders, both from Florida, attacked the break and that was it. The break was done except for the two away. The two BMC guys went back to the field and started working with the rest of their team to bring it all back together. If it finished in a bunch, they win.

With three or four miles to go it was all back together due to the very professional chase by BMC. I give them credit, they looked to nobody else to help or do the work, they just went about doing their job as race leaders. With two kilometers to go BMC surprised me and probably everyone else. Everyone was sure that the Coco’s team that had won the day before was going to win again so BMC sent off the GC leader in a break. He was joined by a professional rider from the Jamis team and they looked like they would stay away. Jake King made a move to go across to them with one kilometer to go and brought the entire field back together and that was it. It came down to a massive field sprint won by Coco’s.

I’m very happy with how the team looks this year and think we will have one of our best seasons ever. I have this friend in New York who told me once that I say the same thing every spring and say it as if it’s the first time I’ve said it and I guess it’s true. The thing is I think I’m better now than I have ever been and there is a lot of talent in the junior fields so why can’t this be one of our best years to date?

As always, thanks for reading,

Toby

My American cycling compatriots and I pedaled over green Tuscan hills striped with vineyards and paused to sip cappuccinos at sunny cafes. In our 8th month of competition, this type of anti-stress training serves as a mental shot of espresso for the final race. It was the perfect combination of saddle time, wine, and pizza.

A chartered flight of European cyclists landed in Beijing Sunday morning for the first edition of the Tour of Beijing. On the first day training in the massive city proved impossible, so the next day we organized a caravan and drove 1.5 hrs out of the city for a ProTour group ride. A few of us explored the silk market for knock-off electronics and name brands.
Read more…

Road Race: 266 km 36 km then 17×14 km circuit

Honored to be selected for the team, nervous and motivated to contribute to the team, and confident in our team leader, Tyler Farrar, I prepared for a battle against 210 riders which my coach, Jim Miller, claimed would cost 6000 calories. For an hour at 50 kph, I followed or helped neutralized every attack from the powerhouse teams. Teams without sprinters hoped to make the race hard, but there seemed to be a terminal velocity on the circuits which we held for most of the race, allowing the protected sprinters a comfortable draft and smooth pace.

Unsure of my ability to aid in the finale, I asked Tyler if I should pitch in up front. He said, “ask Sayers (our director).” I dropped back to the car and Sayers said to wait a lap or two. With 145 km remaining I slithered to the front and swapped steady pulls with GB and Germany. 15 km later Belgium, Australia, Italy, Netherlands, and Denmark started hurling guys off the front. We lifted the pace and lost the Germans. More than once I gave what I thought might be my last ditch effort. During one pull, I overshot a corner and barely held it up on the curb without causing trouble. I felt amateur and embarrassed. When I got back to the front, I apologized to the Brits. Back in the rotation they even offered a, “nice pull” or “good job” every now and then.

With 60 km to go, another flurry of attacks upset the rhythm, and I sagged off the front. With 3 laps to go, I tried to work again, took one pull, and fell back. Phinney did what he could for Tyler in the finish, but Cavendish (Great Britain) won motivated by his team. Farrar took 10th.

I managed to finish in the front group. It is the furthest I’ve ever ridden (170 miles including the ride back to the hotel) with an average speed over 29 mph. Tenth is a mediocre result for USA, but considering the young team we have here, it’s a result.

Hello everyone,

I need to be brief because internet is hard to find in Vermont.

The first stage was a five mile time trial with a fair amount of climbing. The long and short of it is we won. Yannick was fast, slightly faster that Gavin and Nate Brown’s winning times from the recent past. Thomas finished sixth, Austin tenth and Paul eleventh.

We are lucky to be here after the intense flooding Vermont had during last weekends bad weather.

Next up is a good circuit race that we, in the past, have won on several occasions.

On a quick note, it was just announced that Ben King will be representing the US at the World Championships later this month in Denmark. Also racing for the US in the U23′s is former Hot Tubes riders Nate Brown, Lawson Craddock, Ian Boswell and Gavin Mannion. in the juniors we have Paul Lynch so we are well represented. I am very proud of all our guys. This is a big country with a lot of talent now and for us to have so many at the top tells me we are doing something right.

Thanks for reading,

Toby

Stage 2: 210 km

After his untouchable victory, we felt confident in Levi. We just had to get him over the gravel Cottonwood Pass (12,100 ft elevation), and deliver him into Independence Pass (12,000 ft) 110 miles from the start. For an hour we followed breakaways and chased them down. We wanted no more than seven riders in the breakaway. More than seven would have too much horse power for us to chase. I drifted back to recover from dragging back an attack. Just behind me Levi said, “great job. Keep riding strong.” The next second we hit a cattle guard. The rider to my right caught his wheel in a gap. He went from 40 mph to a standstill- deep face, chin, and lip lacerations, less teeth, two broken hands, concussion. Riders plowed into him. I panicked and looked for Levi. He survived.

The riders collectively neutralized the race for ten minutes. Then seven riders attacked and were gone. Murayev, J-Mac, and Hermans rode tempo for the next sixty miles. The team wanted to save me to help Levi on Independence Pass, a big responsibility. I went back and forth from the car to the front of the peloton getting information and water bottles from our director. He recommended pulling the breakaway back to two minutes before the climb.

On the first gradual slopes of Independence Pass, Bennet and I swapped pulls. As soon as the road pitched up 8 km from the summit, Vande Velde and Columbian bottle rocket, Henao, attacked. I suffered in 5th position on Gesink’s wheel. Then Levi said, “go, Ben.” Way above my limit, brain oxygen deprived, my vision narrowed. I emptied myself pulling back the attack in three minutes. The world spun, as I regained my breath and settled into a comfortable pace, leaving Rovny and Deignan to fend for Levi.

Massive, out of control, crowds parted to reveal the road, as we climbed the last mile through the rain. They shouted, “Levi’s on a great ride!” Lightening licked the mountains below us. We shivered on the wet 20 mile descent into Aspen. A small group had escaped on the descent and Levi lost the jersey by 34 seconds. Murayev suffered from altitude sickness on the climb and abandoned the race. Tomorrow is the time trial. Levi is hungry.

Stage 2: 16 km Time Trial

I rode easy tempo, along with the other domestiques, banking on Levi’s ability to reclaim yellow and call on every bit of our strength to defend. We watched Levi’s dramatic ride on TV and a cheer went up from our bus when he hit the line to win the tt by half a second and win back the yellow jersey. Big days ahead for us.