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Cyclingnews'
correspondent Odessa Gunn was at the US PRO week in Philadelphia last
week and spoke with a number of the riders to gain their impressions
of participating in the USA's major week of road racing.
For those who could not attend and party on with the vocal locals, it
provides some insight into what it's like to be in this cycling-friendly
American city.
JUNE 10, 2001: Once again the streets of Philadelphia were peppered with over 700,000 people eager to witness some of cycling's best talent in action. The city hosted the 17th annual First Union USPro Cycling championship for the men and the First Union Liberty Classic for the women.
It is the largest and richest cycling event in North America and without question, the most exciting. For the men there is a total prize pot of US$125,000 and for the women US$50,000. It is also the only World Cup event for women in the USA.
Philadelphia is one of my many homes. I've never actually lived there but I claim it as one of my heart's many homes. It is a familiar place with special memories, wonderful people, and a place where I meet up
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It was early in the morning the day before the race and I had just rolled out of bed and onto my bike and needed a little coffee to kick start the day. Levi (Leiphiemer, a member of US Postal Service team) pulled up with his teammates Mike Sayers and John Peters and I joined them for a ride. My hair was a mess and my jokes were bad but Levi laughed and stole my heart on that morning.
I then proceeded to chase him until my legs fell off. I'm borrowing that expression from Jonathan Vaughters. I guess I didn't have to chase all that hard but you can see why Philadelphia is special to me. It is also the place where I first saw Lance Armstrong in person. We were riding along the bike path and happened upon him and his teammates. I almost rode into a tree and nearly forgot to clip out when I stopped. He had a flat and was looking for a tubular. I said I had a tube (which would be of no help) like an idiot but I always seem to blurt out stupid things around Lance.
A picture of Lance in a bike shop inspired me five years ago to buy a bike and race it and he has always been one of my heroes in the sport. I bought a replica of the jersey he was wearing in the photo of him winning the worlds (in the US Champions' jersey) and wore it on every ride for a year. I am not easily intimidated that is for sure, but Lance manages to do it.
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I walked the eight blocks from our flash hotel to the course in my uncomfortable heels after giving Levi a good luck kiss as he ate his pre race breakfast with the team. I arrived long before the riders and just after the sun, for that matter, but it gave me some quality time alone with the city before the streets filled with people.
I wanted to hear what the riders thought of the city, the course, the race in general and how it compares to other one day races around the world. Although there are no big climbs on the course, there is one famous climb that is also host to one of the city's biggest parties of the year. It is in the community of Manayunk and is appropriately named the Manayunk Wall. It rises 250 feet in a half mile. A 17 percent grade. It is steep and tough but the crowd is so amazing and loud and enthusiastic that you almost forget the effort it takes to get over the hill.
The community gets so excited about the race and they take their parties seriously so they are out in full force the entire day. I was able to chat with a sample of the riders. Some who have done the race many times and some who were doing it for the first time. Here is what my panel of riders had to say about the city and the race and of course animals. ( You'll see what I mean)
OG: What is your favorite thing about the city of Philadelphia?
Scott McGrory (Mapei, Australian): It's a very historic and large city and there is no good training but the people are friendly and aware of the race. It's a fantastic atmosphere.
Leon Van Bon (Dutch, Mercury): It's a nice city.
Baden Cooke (Australian, Mercury): It's beautiful. A lot like my home, Melbourne.
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Geert Van Bondt (Belgian, Mercury): It's a big city. Much different from Europe. A very nice town.
Jan Koerts (Dutch, Mercury): The shopping. I wanted to see the fountain from the T.V show "Married With Children," but I guess it's in Chicago, not Philly. I'll have to go there to see it.
Mike Sayers (American, Mercury): The town of Manayunk. It's such a cool neighborhood. I would live there.
Chris Horner (American, Mercury): The design of the buildings.
Levi Leipheimer (American, US Postal): I met you here. ( So cute)
Viatcheslav Ekimov (Russian, US Postal): The coffee chop on the second floor of the mall attached to our hotel.
Matt White (Australian, US Postal): Lots of things to do. Good coffee.( spoken with his best east coast accent) Frank McCormack- The deafening sound of "Manayunk Wall."
Trent Klasna (American, Saturn): The crowd, the energy and the prestige.
Roberto Gaggioli (Italian, Defeet LeMond): The crowd definitely. Especially on the wall.
Andrea Ratkovic (American, 800.com): It is rich in tradition and history. Lots of shops and museums.
OG: How would you compare this course to other one day races you've done? Some of the riders were racing this course for the first time so they gave their opinions based on their training rides on the course in the days leading up to the race.
McGrory: The circuit is difficult. The atmosphere is as good as any race in Europe. Better than some World Cup Races.
Van Bon: Just the same as Europe. Just as tough as the European races.
Millward: It is one of my favorites. Lots of people. It's a huge spectacle and a fast course. The wall makes it aggressive.
Cooke: Like a worlds course. It suits me if I am going well. My type of course.
Van Bondt: I'm from Europe so I'm not stressed. It's a normal race for me but it's difficult for here.
Koerts: The wall is steep. The difficulty should come after the wall when people chill out. The
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Sayers: It's in a big city which supports the race very well. Like it is a national sport.
Horner: Every bit as big and well organized as any other race. The crowd is great here.
Leipheimer: It has as good or better organization, money and publicity. It lacks the same quality field. Otherwise it should be a world cup.
Ekimov: I've only ridden it once so far so I cannot compare.
White: The atmosphere is great. The race is long and it's challenging in a different way because it is fast.
Frank Mc Cormack: Superior.
Trent Klasna: It's the world championships to me. I had a shot of doing well at the '98 worlds but I was overwhelmed. I have a shot to do well here today. I would compare this race to a classic. ( I guess he was not so overwhelmed since he took second).
Gaggioli: It's the hardest one day race in America but it's nothing compared to a European classic.
Ratkovic: All world cups are challenging but this one is very challenging. It requires tactics and attrition since it's long with lots of change ups.
OG: If you could be an animal what kind would you be and why? ( I always have to get an idea of their personalities).
McGrory: A kangaroo, because I'm Australian.
Van Bon: A dog. I have a dog and he has a good life.
Millward: A seal because I love the way they surf through the waves.
Cooke: A bulldog crossed with a Rotweiller. No explanation.( I'm afraid of him now-OG)
Koerts: A black panther. They are quick, smart and can climb.
Sayers: A dolphin because they have the entire ocean. I like to travel.
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Leipheimer: Our cat Elmo because he is so spoiled.
Ekimov: Not an ugly one. A little pussy cat.
White: A chameleon. I could lay low wherever I wanted.
McCormack: A teddy bear because everyone loves a teddy bear.
Klasna: A dog. I would like to know what my dogs think about all day. They are my best friends.
Gaggioli: A tiger because they are fast and agile. ( I should have guessed this one since he was wearing a tiger pendant - OG.)
Ratkovic: A Gazelle because I like the way they run.
And that was all I could squeeze in before the riders lined up for their race. I will make up for my lack of input from the women in an up and coming article. Petra Rossner won for the fifth time here in Philadelphia in a field sprint and Fred Rodriguez blew the doors off the break when he bolted to the line with a kilometre to go, winning the overall race and keeping his stars and stripes jersey for yet another year. I ran into Fred in the airport the next day. He was heading back to Europe for the Tour of Luxembourg and offered to do a follow-up interview. So stay tuned to hear Fred's thoughts on the race in my next story.
The Philadelphia 76er's didn't have quite as good a day as Fred but they sure did give the Lakers a run for their money. We had a blast at the game and anyone who has ever been to an NBA playoff game knows what I am talking about. It's a pretty exciting thing. We were sitting two rows back in these amazing seats and George's (Hincapie) cell phone rang. It was Mark Gorski, the general manager of the US Postal Service. He was sitting directly across from us and spotted our conspicuous group. He was about 12 rows directly below Bill Clinton and we were just down from Will Smith and his wife Jada.
It was a star studded evening and a fantastic game. We all went for drinks after the game which is something cyclists don't get to do very often which made it even more special. A perfect ending to another perfect week in Philadelphia. I simply must leave you with a quote I recently stumbled upon by Rebecca Wells. "Life is short but it is wide" Take from that what you will, but in my opinion it means, explore and live well.
Until next time, cheers from California.
Odessa
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