News
Sports
ENLARGE
Whether they're devoted cycling fans or tourists on hand for today's 49th annual Nevada City Classic Bicycle Race, folks descending on the Gold Rush- era town this afternoon will be treated to one of the strongest fields in the nearly half century of racing down Broad Street.
Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer and Chris Horner of the Astana Cycling Team will bring their star power to Nevada City, Armstrong confirmed earlier this week.
Armstrong, the seven-time Tour de France winner and noted cancer survivor, made the announcement on the popular social networking site Twitter, writing: “(Leipheimer), (Horner), and myself are racing the Nevada City Classic next Sunday. A great American race!!!”
News of Armstrong and Leipheimer's possible participation first surfaced Monday, as race director and Tour of Nevada City Bicycle shop owner Duane Strawser fielded telephone calls and exchanged e-mails with the Astana team manager to work out logistics.
Leipheimer, who won the Nevada City Classic in 1998 and is the three-time reigning Tour of California champion, helped quell the unrest on Twitter.
“Yes, we, (Armstrong), (Horner) and myself will be racing the American classic Nevada City on Sunday,” Leipheimer wrote. “This is one to come watch, party.
“I'm excited to see Nevada City again, it's been 11 years since I've done it, in the beautiful Sierra Mountains of (Northern California).”
Armstrong's manager called Strawser early Monday to set up a charter flight into the Nevada County Airport, just east of Grass Valley on Loma Rica Road. The famous cyclist has previously raced in the Nevada City Classic on a number of occasions, finishing second in 1991 to Chris Huber.
Along with Leipheimer, three other former Nevada City champions expect to be among the pack of cyclists circling the 1.1-mile course.
Chad Gerlach, the 1996 Nevada City winner who returned to the world cycling scene earlier this year after battling addiction, said he'll be there Sunday.
Burke Swindlehurst, who won the 2005 race, is also among the pre-registered riders.
Justin England, who won his second Nevada City Classic last year, expects to make a strong bid for a third title with seven of his California Giant Berry Farms/Specialized teammates in tow.
“I wouldn't miss it,” said England, who resides in Boulder, Colo. “It's my favorite of all the races I've done. It's the course, the difficulty, the way the community turns out to support the race and just how much fun it is. It just strikes me as the perfect race.
“But (having Armstrong andLeipheimer in the mix), that will definitely change the face of the race. If the legs are good, we could have a good shot. But even if I got a position on the podium behind those guys, I'd consider it a win.”
Nevada City Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cathy Whittlesey has been fielding endless phone calls about Armstrong and Leipheimer from media and interested residents all week.
“It's been a whirlwind,” Whittlesey said. “We expect it will draw a lot more people than what we were expecting before. I've had people tell us that they weren't going to come to the race before and are now coming.
“We need this here,” Whittlesey added. “It'll bring some life to Nevada City.”
Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer and Chris Horner of the Astana Cycling Team will bring their star power to Nevada City, Armstrong confirmed earlier this week.
Armstrong, the seven-time Tour de France winner and noted cancer survivor, made the announcement on the popular social networking site Twitter, writing: “(Leipheimer), (Horner), and myself are racing the Nevada City Classic next Sunday. A great American race!!!”
News of Armstrong and Leipheimer's possible participation first surfaced Monday, as race director and Tour of Nevada City Bicycle shop owner Duane Strawser fielded telephone calls and exchanged e-mails with the Astana team manager to work out logistics.
Leipheimer, who won the Nevada City Classic in 1998 and is the three-time reigning Tour of California champion, helped quell the unrest on Twitter.
“Yes, we, (Armstrong), (Horner) and myself will be racing the American classic Nevada City on Sunday,” Leipheimer wrote. “This is one to come watch, party.
“I'm excited to see Nevada City again, it's been 11 years since I've done it, in the beautiful Sierra Mountains of (Northern California).”
Armstrong's manager called Strawser early Monday to set up a charter flight into the Nevada County Airport, just east of Grass Valley on Loma Rica Road. The famous cyclist has previously raced in the Nevada City Classic on a number of occasions, finishing second in 1991 to Chris Huber.
Along with Leipheimer, three other former Nevada City champions expect to be among the pack of cyclists circling the 1.1-mile course.
Chad Gerlach, the 1996 Nevada City winner who returned to the world cycling scene earlier this year after battling addiction, said he'll be there Sunday.
Burke Swindlehurst, who won the 2005 race, is also among the pre-registered riders.
Justin England, who won his second Nevada City Classic last year, expects to make a strong bid for a third title with seven of his California Giant Berry Farms/Specialized teammates in tow.
“I wouldn't miss it,” said England, who resides in Boulder, Colo. “It's my favorite of all the races I've done. It's the course, the difficulty, the way the community turns out to support the race and just how much fun it is. It just strikes me as the perfect race.
“But (having Armstrong andLeipheimer in the mix), that will definitely change the face of the race. If the legs are good, we could have a good shot. But even if I got a position on the podium behind those guys, I'd consider it a win.”
Nevada City Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cathy Whittlesey has been fielding endless phone calls about Armstrong and Leipheimer from media and interested residents all week.
“It's been a whirlwind,” Whittlesey said. “We expect it will draw a lot more people than what we were expecting before. I've had people tell us that they weren't going to come to the race before and are now coming.
“We need this here,” Whittlesey added. “It'll bring some life to Nevada City.”
Nevada City Classic biographies
Lance Armstrong
• Age: 37. • Hometown: Austin, Texas. • Best finish at Nevada City Classic: 1991 runner-up. • Career highlights: Won the Tour de France a record-breaking seven consecutive years (1999-2005); survived extensive cancer in 1997; World Cycling Champion (1993), U.S. National Cycling Champion (1993); U.S. Olympic Team member (1992); U.S. Amateur Champion (1991). • Recently came out of retirement to help promote a global cancer campaign. • His third child, Max Armstrong, was born earlier this month. Levi Leipheimer • Age: 35. • Hometown: Santa Rosa, Calif. • Best finish at Nevada City: 1998 champion. • Career highlights: Won the Amgen Tour of California a third consecutive time in February; Earned bronze medal for the United States in the 2008 Beijing Olympics; Placed in the top 10 overall in the 2002, 2004 and 2005 Tour de France and recorded his first stage win in the race in 2007; United States National Time Trial Champion (1999). Chris Horner • Age: 37. • Hometown: Bend, Ore. • Career highlights: Three-time USA Cycling National Racing Calendar champion (2002-04); won the Tour de Georgia (2003), Redlands Bicycle Classic (2000, 2002-04) and the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey Bay (2002, 2004). • Fans call him “The Smiler,” but teammates Armstrong and Leipheimer call him “The Redneck.” |
To contact Staff Writer Zuri Berry, e-mail zberry@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4244. To contact Sports Editor Brian Hamilton, e-mail bhamilton@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4240.
