World record holder Dale Parker hails from Mt. Baker, South Australia. Up next, the 19-year-old supports Trek-LIVESTRONG at the Cascades Cycling Classic, featuring an opening prologue surely suited to his extraordinary talent. Parker’s enjoyed considerable success this season, winning best young rider and the time trial at the Tour of the Gila.

Beyond racing, Parker is one of the team’s most dynamic personalities. Never short of laughter and energy, get to know Trek-LIVESTRONG’s resident Australian and music fanatic as we sit down over coffee…

Fausto Coppi or Gino Bartali? Why?
Fausto Coppi. He was really Euro and a great all-round cyclist. He did it all,  climb, time trial and sprint. And he obviously did it well.

Eddy Merckx or Roger De Vlaminck? Why?
Eddy Merckx. He is CYCLING.

Tour de France or Giro D’Italia? Why?
The Tour De France. It is more well-known to the general public.

Ventoux or Alpe D’Huez? Why?
I haven’t ridden either, but I always used to talk about Alpe D’Huez as a 12-year-old, watching Lance climb it year after year. So I’ll say “Alpe d’Huez,” final answer.

Paris-Roubaix or the Ronde? Why?
Paris-Roubaix!! Need I say anymore?

Sprint victory or solo victory? Why?
SOLO! (Only because I can’t sprint…)

Any Superstitions? Why?
I believe in UFO’s [unidentified flying objects....]

Craziest moment as a team member?
I’m going to say, getting on my Trek Speed Concept time trial bike for the 1st time. Wow! That Trek is fast!

Racing in Europe or Racing in the United States? Why?
I like both, to be honest. I love to mix it up. It’s good for the mind!

White socks or Black socks? Why?
Black socks are good because they make you look more ripped (and Lance wears black). But white socks make you look more tanned! I’m going to say black today, but this could change tomorrow!

White Bar tape or Black Bar tape? Why?
Black. It is easier to keep clean!

Riding in the Rain? Yes or no? Why?
Let’s be honest…only mad people like George Bennett like training in the rain. Racing in the rain is fine though.

Classics or Grand Tours? Why?
Grand Tours for sure. You can go through so many mixed emotions in a stage race that when you finish, no matter the result, it’s a cool feeling.

Good luck charms? What are they and Why?
I have a chain that I have worn in every race since I started cycling at age 11. It was my father’s father’s. My dad used to race in it and gave it to me when I started. I also have a gold bracelet that mum and dad got me for my 18th birthday with “Believe” engraved on it. I believe you make your own luck in life, but I love these two items. They mean a lot to me.

Electric or Manual Razor? (for shaving your legs) Why?
Manual girls’ razors are the best with the soap block on the head. They’re great for times when you forget to pack your shaving cream!

How do ya feel about cobble stones?
They Hurt your hands…A LOT! Mixed emotions.

Grimpeur or Rouleur? Why?
Rouleur, you can win more of a variety of different types of races and be useful in many aspects in racing!

Train alone or with somebody? Why?
I like to train alone while getting ready for a big race that I want to do well in. There’s nothing worse than someone half-wheeling you, or going too slow! But, it’s great to go out with a group every now and then to mix it up!

Espresso? Yes or No? Why?
Yes! Espresso is GOOOOOOOD!

Dave Zabriskie’s mustache? Thoughts?
Love it. I think it’s triply. It suits him! I’d grow one too if I could…

Oakley Jawbones or Radars?
Radars for me. They are more comfortable, but jawbones do look pretty mean!

Gloves or no gloves? Why?
Gloves, but Aero gloves.

Climbs or Descents?
Climbs. Descents can be scary at times, especially on some of those narrow roads in Europe.

Winter or summer riding? Why?
Summer! One word: TAN, TAN, TAN.

Coke or Pepsi? Why?
Coke all the way, Pepsi tastes like flat coke.

Parker pictured with Axel Merckx (right) after winning Tour of the Gila time trial.

The first time you rode a bike, the first time you took the training wheels off, the first time you crashed…we all have these series of “first” that highlight our “biking” lives. Especially for professional cyclists, these “first” stories offer incredible insight into the ups, and unfortunate downs, of their careers.

Get to know Nathan Brown…Nate takes fans through a series of “first” events that shaped him into the champion he is today…

When did you first learn to ride a bike?
I first learned to ride my bike when I was about 5.  Shortly afterward I took off my training wheels, only to discover I had to put my leg down every time I stopped, so I put them back on for a few more months.

Your first race?
My first race was the State Crit which I did when I was 9 years old.  I did it in my tennis shoes and an over sized jersey.  I finished dead last.

Your first victory?

My first victory was in McMinville, TN when I was 12 years old.

Your first crash?
I had just gotten my first road bike and  I wanted to take it out for a test ride down the road, my foot slipped off the pedal and I fell on my top tube, skidded on my feet for awhile before flipping over and busting my lip.

The first time you shaved your legs?
My dad shaved his legs because he raced bikes I knew I needed to too, so my mom bought me a razor when I was 11 years old.

Your first impression of Axel Merckx?
I met Axel about 5 years ago at the Tour de France when I went to watch it with my dad.  I was so excited to have had my picture taken with Axel.   I never would have thought 5 years later he would become my director.

Brown mostly recently won the Under-23 USA Cycling Championships individual time trial in Augusta, Ga. Sporting the iconic “stars and stripes” for the remainder of the year, Brown takes us through his “first” impressions and reactions of being crowned an American champion.

Your first impression of the course?
I loved it! I knew it was my type of course, a flat section sandwiched between rolling hills.

Your first feelings morning of the start?
I was very focused and determined to give my best.

Your first thoughts as you crossed the line?
Eamon was my Minute man and I was about 15 seconds behind him at the finish, so I saw his time and place pop up and he came across in second so I knew I had a good time.

Your first reaction when you realized you had won?
I couldn’t believe it! It was such an amazing feeling knowing all my hard work had paid off!

The first person you called after winning?
I called my teammate Gavin Mannion.

Your first race as American U23 champion?
It will be Cascade Cycling Classic in Bend, Ore. with Trek-LIVESTRONG.

Boswell with teammate Ian Boswell.

Meet Joe Dombrowski
Age: 19
Hometown: Marshall, Virginia
Team Nickname: Broski
Website: http://joe-dombrowski.blogspot.com/

One of our sponsors RadioShack is a provider of both Blackberrys, and iPhones. Which do you use, or neither and why?
I was in the market for a phone recently, and ended up getting an iPhone. I love it, but I feel as though I have come full circle in saying so, as I used to think smart phones were silly and an item of excess.  I’ve had it for a few months, and I am still surprised with the things you can do.

What’s on your iPod? What music do you listen to while training?

I’ll listen to anything and everything. I’m not big on music while training; I like the wind in my ears. I do like to rage to Euro trance before a race sometimes though.

What is your favorite item in your feedbag during a race?
I like the things that Reed makes for us, aside from our sponsor products. I really appreciate the time he puts in to the details. There’s nothing better than an ice sock on a hot day, or a homemade Nutella and jelly roll wrapped in tin foil.

What other sports do you play? What other sports do you watch?
I race cyclocross, and mountain bike as well. I also like to ski in the winter. I watch cycling (obviously), football, and I love everything Olympics.

Do you have any hidden talents?
I play the violin.

How many cups of coffee do you drink a day?
Caffeinated: 1-2, Decaffeinated: unlimited.  I, unlike many cyclists, don’t like the twitchy feeling of being heavily caffeinated…

What’s your favorite home-cooked meal?
Green Chile Burros finished off with Texas Sheet Cake and ice cream.

Are you a morning person or a night person?
I’m a morning person. I like to get up early, have coffee and a good breakfast, and knock out my training early in the day. If I wait around until the afternoon, my motivation starts to dwindle…

If you could live a day as another one of your teammates, who would it be? And why?
Joe Lewis; he’s a real smart bike racer, and he can sprint. I can’t sprint if my life depended on it.

If you had to be stuck on a desert island with one of your teammates, who would you want it to be? And why?
Dale Parker for the party, but Michael Vink to figure out how to get us off.

Photo Credit: Glenn Kasin, Ben Raby

Trek-LIVESTRONG proved yet again the strength of its team, from top to bottom, in the USA Cycling National Championships Under-23 individual trial. Nathan Brown (Covington, Tenn.) earned a well-deserved victory in the event, shortly followed by teammate Lawson Craddock (Houston, Texas) who easily secured silver . The national championships, hosted in Augusta, Ga., featured a 30-kilometer straight-forward course characterized by several rolling hills.

“It is such a honor to be the Under-23 time trial national champion. I am really excited to be able to wear the ’stars and stripes’ for the year!  I have to thank my family, and of course, Trek-LIVESTRONG for all the support,” said Brown.

Twenty-year-old Brown finished in a winning time of 36:10.60, improving off his fourth place finish in the 2010-edition of the event in Bend, Ore. Craddock strongly rode in to second place (36:29.60), nearly 30 seconds faster than Eamon Franck who rounding out the podium. Carter Jones earned Trek-LIVESTRONG yet another position in the Top Five, with a fourth place finish (37:03.20). Trek-LIVESTRONG’s one-two dominance clearly illustrated the strength of the young, but talented, squad led by Axel Merckx.

“I am really pleased with the performance of the Trek-LIVESTRONG team today. We are very excited and look forward to what else we can do in the next two days,” said Merckx.

Brown inherits the iconic “stars and stripes” Under-23 title from Garmin-Cervelo’s Andrew Talansky. Up next, Trek-LIVESTRONG riders content the 60-kilometer criterium on Friday, June 24 in downtown Augusta, Ga.

View the complete day’s gallery here.

Photo Credit: Tom Craddock

Trek-LIVESTRONG’s start list for the USA Cycling National Championship’s Under-23 individual time trial on Wednesday, June 23:

10:02:00 DOMBROWSKI Joseph
10:10:00 AVIS Charlie
10:22:00 MANNION Gavin
10:27:00 EASTMAN Ryan
10:30:00 BOSWELL Ian
10:36:00 CRADDOCK Lawson
10:38:00 BROWN Nathan
10:40:00 JONES Carter

Beginning Wednesday, June 23, Trek-LIVESTRONG will compete at the Junior, U23, Elite & Paralympic Road National Championships, racing within the Under-23 category. Spanning five days, the riders will contest a 30-kilometer time trial (June 23), 60-kilometer downtown criterium and 168-kilometer road race in Augusta, Ga. In addition to national titles in the road race, time trial and criterium, Trek-LIVESTRONG’s American riders will also race for spots on the 2011 UCI Road World Championships team.

Directed by Axel Merckx, Trek-LIVESTRONG representation will feature:

Charlie Avis (Palo Alto, Calif.)
Ian Boswell (Bend, Ore.)
Nathan Brown (Covington, Tenn.)
Lawson Craddock (Houston, Texas)
Joe Dowbrowski (Marshall, VA)
Ryan Eastman (Petaluma, Calif.)
Carter Jones (Maplewood, N.J.)
Gavin Mannion (Dedham, Mass.)

In 2010, Trek-LIVESTRONG’s Ben King (Team RadioShack) took both the Under-23 road race and criterium titles. Then racing for Jelly Belly, Trek-LIVESTRONG’s Carter Jones took silver in the individual time trialm while Nathan Brown (TLS) took fourth.

Ben King, U23 criterium and road race champion, at the 2010 Nationals.

Ben King wins Trek-LIVESTRONG's first U23 national title.

Fleche du Sud is an interesting race, with an interesting mix of riders. The field was full of talented young riders, with big futures ahead of them, and some ex-Pro Tour guys, who have fallen to rejoin the continental, or national team ranks. For some of them, it was a disgraced fall from the top…

The race also follows a distinct pattern. With the exception of a prologue on the eve of the first road stage, each stage features a large loop, usually between 80 and 130k, followed by a set of finishing circuits. By the end of the week, I had grown to like the format. It provided a degree of predictability, in a relatively unpredictable environment. Rather than being a part of a peloton that fully resembles an out-of-control freight train, barreling down an unknown path, littered with roundabouts, islands, and heaps of other types of road furniture (which I don’t know the name or function of), you got to see all the obstructions a few times before dodging them full tilt in the dash to the line.

As my first real European road racing trip, it was the perfectly sloped learning curve. Ronde de L’Isard was relatively easy; that is, to say, tactically at least. The team would start to line it up in the final 5-10 kilometers approaching the major climbs, ride the front, and pull off one at a time, until a select group emerged. Once that happened you were on your own, and the strongest man on the day would prevail.

Good riding at Fleche required a bit more race savvy, but the finishing circuit format made for a bit nicer transition from the selective terrain of the Pyrenees. I don’t mean to make it sound easy, as the team and I made some mistakes that cost us in the end.

Everyone knew stage three was going to be the hardest. It was the shortest stage, at 150k, but it featured a brutal finishing circuit with a one-kilometer and three-kilometer climb. Each lap we rode four times, finishing at the top of the three-kilometer climb on the fourth lap. The stage was in a very hilly area of Luxembourg and Belgium, so while I knew there was going to be some steep punchy climbs prior to the finishing circuit, it was hard to tell on the profile just what we were in for.

In retrospect, it should have been obvious what was about to happen when there was a leadout-esque rush to the front only 50 kilometers into the stage. I thought there had been a big crash ahead at first. The whole peloton hopped a curb onto the sidewalk, dodged two benches and a fountain, went up a narrow alley, and was deposited at the bottom of the steepest, narrowest street I have ever seen. I knew I was in trouble, two thirds of the way back, when I saw riders swinging back and forth like paperboys amidst the wall of bobbing helmets ahead of me.

I put in a massive effort, dodging the dead bodies on the way up the climb, but when I crested the top I saw the damage had already been done, as off in the distance there were probably ten groups scattered down the next kilometer of road. Unfortunately, I found myself in the company of three of my teammates who had also missed the split.  After discussing what to do with Axel, we learned that our remaining two in the front group were not feeling great, in addition, I was with Dale, who was sitting 4th overall after a strong ride in the prologue. We needed to get across, or bring back the gap; a task made difficult by Atlas, an incredibly strong team who had all made the split and were subsequently drilling it on the front.

Over the next hour or so, I took turns with a few others and eventually the gap came back, but not without cost. I was turned inside out when we reconnected, and that was right at the base of the first finishing circuit climb. Our efforts from the mistake made the first time, was going to burn us in the same fashion. I was sitting last wheel, absolutely guttered, in what remained of the peloton going into the steep three-kilometer climb when the attacks started to fly.

The peloton shattered, again, and the next two times up that climb I was riding through chase groups, paying for my poor positioning.  At the base of the final finishing circuit climb, I had made it to the first chase group, but at that point, the break had gone, and the four escapees had a minute on us. I was tapped, and it was game over. I attacked the group with one kilometer to go, and rode in for 5th. I finished that stage with an unsatisfied feeling that was slightly satiated by the valuable learning experience I had gained the hard way. In cycling, it’s not the strongest guy that wins, it’s the smartest of the strong guys.

I’ve still got four hours left on this flight home, but I’m excited to be getting back. I’ll be home for a week, and then make the short trip down to Nationals before taking a week off to reset for the second half of my season, which I’m hoping to fill with river float trips, some fishing, and lots of hamburgers and ice cream…

If you could be anything besides a professional cyclist, what would you be and why?

Maybe an astronaut or a fireman. I still haven’t gotten past that phase in my life! I would actually be trying to take over my dad’s roofing business, Craddock Roofing, one of the top roofing contactors in the Houston area.

What is your favorite item in your feedbag during a race?

Anything with heaps of sugar. I have a massive sugar tooth. I consider it both a strength and a weakness. I’m sure our director Axel only considers it a weakness…

Do you have any hidden talents?

I can wiggle my ears kind of like Dumbo, the cartoon elephant.

How many cups of coffee do you drink a day?

It all changed when my parents got my brother and I an espresso machine for Christmas. Since then, I probably down 2-3 brews a day.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

A hidden motor in my legs. That way I could finally take down everyone in the county line sprints.

Name one thing you miss about being a kid.
Nap time!

What’s your favorite thing to do on a Sunday afternoon?
Absolutely nothing. I’m usually cooked after a long weekend of training, so I usually spend it passed out on the couch.

What’s your favorite home-cooked meal?
My mom’s amazing crab cakes!

If you had to be stuck on a desert island with one of your teammates, who would you want it to be?
That’s like asking a parent to name their favorite child! But if I had to choose, it would most likely be Joe Lewis. He is the team sprinter and probably has the most muscular legs out of all of us. That means when it comes down to crunch time, and we were running out of food, I would have enough Lewis Legs to last me a full month. (I am completely joking. It’s too hard to pick just one!)

Who or what inspires you to ride?
The fact that while out on a bike we are not only fighting a head wind, but also fighting the war against cancer. It is a great feeling to be a part of a team that is trying to make a difference fighting a disease that has affected everyone.

Photo Credits: Glenn Kasin

Craddock at team building in December: Paintball, "East" Coast v. "West" Coast

Coming off a couple weeks of training in Girona, Spain, Trek-LIVESTRONG returned to racing at Fleche du Sud, the five-day, 2.2-rated event across Luxembourg. While in Girona, Spain, riders were graciously hosted by ProTour cyclists: Team Sky’s CJ Sutton (AUS), HTC-Columbia’s Hayden Roulston (NZL) and Team RadioShack’s Levi Leipheimer and Matthew Busche (USA).

Parker, Dombrowski Add to Top-Ten Finishes of Season

Leading off with a strong performance for Trek-LIVESTRONG, Dale Parker (AUS) finished fourth in the opening 6.6-kilometer prologue.  Teammates Carter Jones (USA) and Joe Lewis (AUS) also enjoyed respective 15th place (Jones) and 20th place (Lewis) finishes. Parker’s performance put him in the best young rider’s jersey, and marked his fourth Top Ten finish in a prologue or time trial this season.

Nineteen-year-old Parker finished in the main group through Stage Three to retain his fifth place in the general classification, while teammates Jones and Lewis protected their Top 20 positioning overall as well (Jones – 15th, Lewis – 20th).

Moving in to the mountains, the powerful climber Joe Dombrowski (USA) showed his young talents yet again, riding to a fifth place finish, + 1:06 off stage winner and race leader Lasse Bøchmann. The day’s result marked Dombrowski’s fourth top ten finish on a mountain stage this season. The stage significantly splintered the general classification as 19-year-old Dombrowski moved in the eight place overall.

Despite Stage One’s crash, George Bennett’s performance earned him the lead in the most aggressive rider classification after Stage Three, a jersey he would defend through Stage Four’s 151.5-kilometer course from Belvaux to Esch/Alzette. Lewis continued to add to his string of Top 20 stage finishes with an 11th place finish on the final day of racing.

Concluding the European Campaign

Closing the race, teammate Joe Dombrowski finished with the main pack, securing his second Top 10 general classification on Trek-LIVESTRONG’s European campaign with an 8th place overall. Best young rider heading in to Stage One, Parker concluded his race in 16th position, leaving Trek-LIVESTRONG fourth in the overall team classification.

Next up, Trek-LIVESTRONG’s American riders contend the USA Cycling National Championships in Augusta, Georgia, June 21 – 26. The six-day competition will feature a 30-kilometer time trial course, 80-kilometer criterium and 168-kilometer road race.

Trek-LIVESTRONG from left to right: Joe Dombrowski, Joe Lewis, Carter Jones, George Bennett, Dale Parker, Michael Vink

Axel with former Trek-LIVESTRONG rider Tim Roe (BMC)

By Axel Merckx – Published June 2, 2011 in Canadian Cycling Magazine

I was asked to go and assist direct the Team RadioShack squad for The Amgen Tour of California. It was a good experience for me as a team director to see how one of the best teams in the world functions and how it is organized. What jumps in my mind first when I think back is not only the quality of staff they have on board but the quantity. With Trek-LIVESTRONG, we usually go to the races with eight riders, two massage therapists and one mechanic — plus me, obviously.

In California, Team RadioShack had three massage therapists, three mechanics, one public-relations representative, one team doctor, two sports directors, plus a super-sized, first-class bus. Everything runs so smoothly, like a perfectly oiled machine. Everybody knows exactly their tasks and work for the day. It is not for nothing that the team was so successful for the whole race. With a double stage win and a first and second in the overall classification it was a great boost for everyone’s spirit and work ethic. Seeing former Trek-LIVESTRONG rider Ben King riding hours and hours at the front of the peloton was a real treat for me and a realization of how lucky I am to have such talented riders now and how lucky I was to have them in seasons past.

It is quite amazing to see Chris Horner at almost 40 years old taking the win in such an impressive manner. First time I met Chris was in 1996 when we raced against each other in the Dupont tour, where he won a stage and Lance Armstrong won the overall. The main difference with Chris now and back then is 15 pounds and that he finally got rid of that ponytail. Other than that, he is still that nice easygoing California kid nothing seems to affect. It was a great experience for me as a director and I was welcomed very warmly by everybody.

I have a great amount of respect for “my staff” when I see that they take care of just as much work as the RadioShack crew among the three of them. The Tour of California was a great opportunity for me to catch up with a bunch of riders, managers and other staff members that I haven’t seen for four years.

Meanwhile, under the guidance of Dirk Demol, Trek-LIVESTRONGboys George Bennett and Joe Dombrowski finished second and third respectively at the Ronde de L’Isard in France. It was another great performance by the boys.

I am off to Europe next week to catch up with the team for our last leg of the European experience. Fleche du Sud in Luxembourg will be a tough race but we are going into it with a great moral and a positive attitude. Until then, I will be cheering for the Vancouver Canucks in the hope of seeing them finally bring the Stanley Cup back where it belongs –Canada! Go Nucks Go.

Axel aboard the Team RadioShack bus before the final Stage 8.

A complete team effort from staff to riders, Team RadioShack celebrates Chris Horner's win.

Photo Credits: Glenn Kasin