T-Mobile International - 1.3

San Francisco, USA, September 12, 2004

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Photography

Men Women

Men's race

Images by Jonathan Devich/www.epicimages.us

Pals Fred Rodriguez (Acqua & Sapone, L) and George Hincapie (US Postal/Berry Floor) on the start line.
Beppe Palumbo (Aqua Sapone-Caffe Mokambo) makes an attempt at an early break.
Levi Leipheimer (Rabobank) makes his way up Taylor Street.
Andrea Tafi (Alessio-Bianchi) feels the strain of the Filmore Street climb.
The men's field crests the top of Filmore Street.
Damon Kluck (US Postal/Berry Floor) leads the peloton.
Webcor comes to the front late in the race.
Chris Horner (Webcor) decides it's time to bring back the break.
Lance Armstrong and friends cheer for the group on the top of Filmore.
Jason McCartney (Health Net/Maxxis) looked like he was going to get the win...
... before Charles Dionne (Webcor) surprised everyone with his second T-Mobile International win.
Huge crowds were out for the awards ceremony.
The podium - (L to R) Fred Rodriguez (2nd), Charles Dionne (1st) and George Hincapie (3rd).

Images by Garrett Lau/http://www.pbase.com/garrettlau/cycling

George Hincapie (US Postal/Berry Floor) sizes up Charles Dionne (Webcor) before the race.
Fred Rodriguez (Acqua & Sapone) and George Hincapie (US Postal/Berry Floor) line up together at the start.
Lance Armstrong is interviewed at the start.
George Hincapie (US Postal/Berry Floor) at the post-race interview.
Charles Dionne (Webcor) at the post-race interview.
Fred Rodriguez (Acqua & Sapone) at the post-race interview.

Images by Tim Gasperak/bigempty.com

Fred Rodriguez (Aqua & Sapone) shows off his stars & stripes jersey to the hometown crowd in San Francisco.
Lance Armstrong was spotted amongst the raucous Fillmore Street crowd, although he opted not to race due to tendonitis in his knee.
At 19 years old, Valerio Agnoli (Domina Vacanze) showed impressive form in his first pro race, often cresting Fillmore Street ahead of the peloton without showing the effort.
US Postal Service/Berry Floor made a valiant, last-ditch effort to pull in the breakaway, only to see Webcor Builders capitalize. Here Slava Ekimov (C) and Jose Rubiera (R) work together up the Fillmore Street climb.
Viatcheslav Ekimov (US Postal Service/Berry Floor) has been competitive in San Francisco each year he has raced, and this year was no exception as he leads the peloton up Fillmore Street.
George Hincapie (US Postal Service/Berry Floor) finished third on the day, looking cool and in control, as usual.
Alex Zulle (Phonak Hearing Systems) was a crowd favorite in San Francisco, but he never appeared to be much of a factor in the race.
Master of the Mountains winner Doug Ollerenshaw (Jelly Belly) looked extremely strong, leading the breakaway up Fillmore Street nearly six times. Neo-pro Valerio Agnoli (Domina Vacanze, far R) and Jason McCartney (Health Net/Maxxis) were never far behind.
New York City Championship contender Ivan Dominguez (Colavita/Bolla) looked strong most of the day, but ultimately didn't have enough to overcome the punishing climbs.
John Kelly (Webcor Builders) rode in the early break with team-mate James Mattis
Alessandro Donati (Aqua & Sapone) rounds the turn at the top of Fillmore Street.
Fred Rodriguez (Aqua & Sapone) successfully returned to the peloton after a disasterous double-wheel and bike change. He finished second on the day in an impassioned comeback.
The remainder of the men's field weaves its way up Fillmore Street for the last time.
The strain of the endless number of trips up Fillmore Street shows on the face of Chad Hartley (Jittery Joe's, #122) as Roman Kilun (McGuire Pro Racing, #172) follows behind.
Jason McCartney (Health Net/Maxxis) makes his move and buries Doug Ollerenshaw (Jelly Belly, L) on Fillmore Street. McCartney built a lead of 4'30 over the main peloton, only to lose it via a crushing chase by US Postal/Berry Floor in the final miles.
Jason McCartney (Health Net/Maxxis) looked determined and strong in the final miles, only to be caught by an opportunistic Charles Dionne (Webcor Builders).
Master of the Mountains winner Doug Ollerenshaw (Jelly Belly) succumbs to an attack by Jason McCartney (Health Net/Maxxis), showing the strain of his earlier efforts.

Images by Glenn James/www.glennjamesphotography.com

The men's race gets under way.
The riders descend Union Street just after climbing Taylor.
This Sierra Nevada rider wonders if he is being followed.
The Velo Bella women cheer on the men on Taylor Street.
With Alcatraz as their background the men climb Taylor Street.
A young spectator rings his bell for the racers on Taylor Street.
Jason McCartney (Health Net) shows some intensity while climbing Taylor Street.

Images by Frank Chan/www.pbase.com/frankomania/cycling

George Hincapie (US Postal/Berry Floor) at the race start.
And they're off!
Riders head into Little Italy early on in the race.
Rounding the Taylor St. climb, the peloton ups the pace.
The peloton reach the top of Fillmore.
The dreaded climb of Fillmore St.
Riders slowly make their way up the climb...
... with some resorting to walking.
Taylor St. isn't easy, either.
As riders enter the smaller loop, the peloton picks up speed going down Stockton.
Ted Huang (Webcor) briefly examines his wounds on the penultimate loop.
An esctatic Charles Dionne (Webcor) crosses the line triumphant.
Enjoying the moment.
Yeah, baby!

Images by Bruce Gardner

Jason McCartney (Health Net) drops Jelly Belly's Doug Ollerenshaw with five ascents of Taylor and 40km remaining.
Big Georgie Hincapie (US Postal) leads the pack up Taylor.
Alesio's Andrea Tafi (Alessio-Bianchi) showed all he was here to race, but spat the dummy with a few laps remaining.
Valerio Agnoli (Domina Vacanze) and Daniel Schnider (Phonak) impressed all day long, in the major break of the day and still finishing well.
The winning move - With 6km remaining Charles Dionne escapes on the final climb up Taylor and what is left of the field.

Images by Bob Wilson/www.wilsonphotography.com

Bob, meet George; George, meet Bob.
.. Oh, and not forgetting "Fast" Freddy Rodriguez
The pre-race National Anthem
Lance Armstrong signs autographs
Getting a copy of "Images of a Champion" signed
San Francisco's Mayor Gavin Newsom; the missing Baldwin brother?
One of the messengers sprints for the finish
Some of the crowd awaiting the Men's race
And off for the start of the Men's T-Mobile International
A large field starts, but many won't finish
All those worried faces
Looking down and the pained riders
Jelly Belly puts a rider out front
OUCH! The top of the hill didn't mean the pain stopped
A short rest after a hard climb
An excited crowd enjoying the days racing
Flying up the hill, or a trick with the camera?
Hey! I can see my house from up here
Giddy-up! Powering up Filmore
Ivan Dominguez looked strong early on
An on-the-fly adjustment
Hammering through the corner
The top of climb one; plenty more where that came from
The pain is showing even after the first lap
Now that's a better way to get to the top
Fred Rodriguez hits the line as the first American to cross the line
The sprint for third
Charles Dionne thanks the crowd
Charles the Builder; Yes We Can!
George Hincapie settles for a well placed third
Fred Rodriguez in his National stripes
Yes! I did it! Charles Dionne on the podium
Three happy riders; , Dionne and Hincapie
I wonder how much softdrink I can fit in there?
Webcor start celebrating
Some of the Course Marshals have some fun
The winners tower above Dionne's cheque
Post-race promotional photographs

Images by Russ & Nancy Wright/AbbiOrca.com

The riders race up Fillmore St
Ben Haldeman looked strong early on, but didn't finish the race
Another lap, another climb up Fillmore St
Lance Armstrong learns some sign-language
Wow. Sign-language is harder than I though
Lance reverts to using a microphone
Viatcheslav Ekimov leads USPS up the hill
Ekimov makes it look easy
Chris Horner in among the peloton
An Ofoto rider sweats it out
Now that is a look of determination
Once you have fixed it, can you give me a lift to the top?
Pavel Padmos (USPS) and Ben Jacques-Maynes (Sierra Nevada)
Doug Ollerenshaw makes a break
George Hincapie keeps the pressure on
Andrea Tafi uses the "tongue out the right side" method of racing
A mirror? Or Big Brother?
George Hincapie yakes control
Doug Ollerenshaw rises above the bunch
A comfortable looking Fred Rodriguez
The marshals mess about waiting for the peloton to return
Charles Dionne paces himself perfectly
Fred Rodriguez keeps an eye on Dionne
Alex Zulle is hurting
Jackson Stewart starts thinking of not finishing
Trent Klasna smiles for the camera
Jason McCartney leads the second bunch to the finish
Evan Elken is ready to stop

Women's race

Images by Jonathan Devich/www.epicimages.us

The women get underway in the early morning.
Manon Jutras (Quark) puts some pressure on the field.
Lyne Bessette (Quark) launches off the front of the filed on Fillmore Street.
Stefanie Graeter (Webcor) crests the difficult climb of Fillmore.
Kim Anderson (T-Mobile) feels the pain on the climb.
Pro Cycling Tour winner Gina Grain fights to the top.
Nicole Cooke (Safi-Pasta Zara Manhattan) makes it look easy with her second successive victory.

Images by Garrett Lau/http://www.pbase.com/garrettlau/cycling

The pre-dawn lineup.
Defending champion Nicole Cooke (Safi-Pasta Zara Manhattan) is called up to the front.
Dede Barry (T-Mobile) leads the pack early on.
Lyne Bessette (Quark) on Fillmore.
Stacey Peters (T-Mobile) keeps an eye on Manon Jutras (Quark).
Starr Falk (Los Gatos) on Fillmore.
Lyne Bessette (Quark) leads on Fillmore.
Dede Barry (T-Mobile) on Fillmore.
Kimberly Bruckner (T-Mobile) on Fillmore.
Amy Moore (Quark) on Fillmore.
Tina Mayolo-Pic (Genesis Scuba) on Fillmore.
Gina Grain (Victory Brewing) and Karen Brems (Webcor) on the Embarcadero.
Nicole Cooke (Safi-Pasta Zara Manhattan) takes out her second successive T-Mobile International.
Safi-Pasta Zara Manhattan teammates Nicole Cooke and Modesta Vzesniauskaite ccongratulate each other after placing first and third.

Images by Glenn James/www.glennjamesphotography.com

A lone woman racer warms up with the Bay Bridge in the background.
The McGuire women's team warms up in their tent.
The Velo Bella women spruce up their follow vehicle.
The women's race gets underway, making a u-turn on The Embarcadero.
Katherine Lambden climbs the last pitch of Taylor Street.
Erin Alders (Velo Bella) crests the top of Taylor Street.
Tina Kunstbeck (Aquafina) takes her sponsorship seriously.
Nicole Cooke wins!

Images by Bob Wilson/www.wilsonphotography.com

It is cold, dark, and a silly time to start a race
There has to be a better way to read the writing on the tyres
This is what happens when you poke fun at the team-mechanic
Oh cooool, Aphex Twin
All these layers and I'm still cold
The Webcor girls warm up
Sign-on time, and it's still dark
Hey! Who signed on as Minney Mouse?
The Chief Helmet Adjuster does his job
The Mavic guys pose for a picture
They let anyone in to see these races
An Aquafina rider warming up
Then you say "Got your nose" and the kids will either laugh or cry
Yeah, I'm really warm for the moment
Nicole Cooke prepares for the race of the day
Hey, line up straight or I won't let you start
Brrrr… Those pink flames don't fool anyone
Five hot coffee's and make it quick
The race is on and it's hurting already
A Los Gatos Bicycle Club rider keeps it steady
I forgot how steep this hill really was
I think I can, I think I can
There was the odd flat section but you never remember those
Nicole Cooke wins the 2004 Women's T-Mobile International
A rather exhausted Cooke after the race
Cooke and Modesta Vzesniauskaite looking very happy
Where did everyone go?
It was only this big!
Whoa, that short? Are you sure?
Modesta Vzesniauskaite looking very modest
Tina Mayolo-Pic having a giggle on the podium
More smiles than you can poke a stick at
Lyne Bessette with her Master of the Mountains cheque
Looks like Nicole is buying drinks tonight

Images by Russ & Nancy Wright/AbbiOrca.com

Nicole Cooke hoping she gets this much head start
Lyne Bessette glows for the crowd
Up, up and away! The women head up the first climb
Barb Howe puts everything into the climb
Liz Benishin looks like she's having fun
Christine Thorburn followed by T-Mobile's Dede Barry, Kim Anderson and Kristen Armstrong up Fillmore
DeDe Barry leads a teammate up Fillmore
Those crazy Velo Bellas and their wonderful hair
Looks like the Velo Bella's have taken a few scalps
A shade of normality in a sea of pink
ARGH! I'm scared!
OK, that's enough, now it time to go back to the racing
Christine Vardaros; A Velo Bella without silly hair
Kim Anderson powers on
Kim Cunningham races a Safi-Pasta Zara Manhattan rider up the hill
Nicole Cooke reaches the top first
Cooke puts the power down
Once at the top it's a hard left
Lyne Bessette keeps on climbing
A tight bunch all the way to the finish
With the Women's race over the marshals can have something to eat