Jeff Louder and Marc de Maar Remain in the Top 10 Overall

Clovis, CA – Four stages into the 2012 Amgen Tour of California and two UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team riders still sit in the top 10 overall. Jeff Louder (USA) is in 3rd place and Marc de Maar (CUR) occupies 8th place in the General Classification as the Team heads into Thursday’s 18-mile individual time trial in Bakersfield. Louder is 34 seconds behind Tour leader and winner of the first four stages, Peter Sagan (SVK) from Liquigas-Cannondale and 18 seconds behind Garmin-Barracuda’s Heinrich Haussler (AUS), who sits in second place overall at 16 seconds behind Sagan.

Zack Carlson (enduro) and Daniel Gay (sprint) Top Standings

The USA Cycling National Track Calendar (NTC) got off to a rollicking start over the weekend. The calendar's first of eight stops was the Matrix Track Cup presented by Richardson Bike Mart at the Superdrome in Frisco, Texas

May 18-20 are the Dates and Superior, Colorado is the Site

The Superior Morgul features the infamous Morgul Bismark Road Race on Sunday, May 20th and is back from a 20 year absence. The 13.3 mile loop has 750 vertical feet of elevation gain with significant grades and finishes at the top of the Wall. This year, the "Wall" will be packed with spectators, vendors, an Avery Beer Garden, and the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. This truly is the "can't miss" road race on the Colorado Calendar.

Sebastian Salas Shines in California for Team Exergy

-by Rebecca Reza

Sebastian Salas remains in the King of the Mountains polk-a-dot jersey at the AMGEN Tour of California for the second day. From the beginning of the race, a battle ensued when Salas was in a breakaway along with Spidertech’s David Boily; they went 1-2 on each KOM of the stage. Unfortunately for Salas, Boily ended the day slipping on the jersey and keeping it through to Santa Cruz County. During Stage 3 out of San Jose, Salas was able to make the breakaway, along with six other riders, without Boily in tow. Spidertech had Pat McCarty in the break to try and defend Boily’s jersey, but it proved unsuccessful. While McCarty had a challenging start to the season due to illness, Salas has been in top form having his best season so far.

May 7th, 2012 - May 13th, 2012

 The past week of racing wasn't as busy for the American men and women as it was with my last report but, with the Giro well underway and the Amgen Tour of California start this past Sunday in Santa Rosa, it was an exciting week none-the-less.  But, before I get to the road races, I need to cover a bit of mountain action first.

New Gran Fondo Ride and Shortened Race Distance for 2012

For the first time in 28 years, the TD Bank Philadelphia International Cycling Championship will look different to the hundreds of pro cyclists and thousands of fans who line the race course each June. This year on June 3^rd, the race will again draw top cyclists from around the world to compete for the championship title, but it will be on a shortened, more exciting and faster course.  Not only will this change increase the drama factor at the finish line, but it is also making room for a ride on this iconic course that anyone, from casual riders to serious amateurs, can try for fun before the professional race begins. 

Well Did He? Oh Yes He Did Four for Four for Sagan

-by Michael Hopkins

Coming the day before the time trial stage four, the longest stage of the race, had all the ingredients necessary to provide a surprise winner. The gold rush town of Sonora hosted its first ever stage. The riders started by heading south on historic Highway 49, the saw-tooth course profile provided multiple climbs along a 65.2 mile stretch known as the Mother lode. The question of the day was whether or not Peter Sagan could win his fourth straight stage. In addition to being the longest stage of this year's race, six KOMs and two sprints were also thrown in for effect.