Trek-LIVESTRONG’s Dale Parker rode to an impressive fourth place finish in Fleche du Sud’s opening prologue. Going in to the day, Parker remarked that the 6.6-kilometer course suited him well. His performance also earns him the “Best Young Rider’s” jersey.

Teammates Carter Jones (USA) and Joe Lewis (AUS) rode to respective Top 20 finishes, Jones in 15th and Lewis in 20th position. Trek-LIVESTRONG looks to build of their strong start in tomorrow’s Stage One, a 162-kilometer road stage from Schifflange – Rumelange, Luxembourg.

Trek-LIVESTRONG’s George Bennett makes up one third of our “Kiwi-trio.” He calls Nelson, New Zealand his hometown, but is currently exploring the in’s and out’s of life as a professional cyclists in Boulder, Colorado. Get to know “GB” below as he answers fan questions. Have more questions for our team? Tweet them to us @treku23. We’ll be here all summer…

One of our sponsors RadioShack is a provider of both Blackberrys, and iPhones. Which do you use, or neither and why?

I’m the only one in the team house who has an iPhone. I love that I can play “stick cricket” and crank some beats at the same time. [Michael] Vink thinks I’m immature.

The best thing about being New Zealandish is…

The population of New Zealand is smaller than the population of Phoenix, AZ, so everyone’s either your cousin or your buddy.

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

A pro rugby player. They have the better groupies than us.

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

I mainly listen to old school… Bruce Springsteen, Pink Floyd, etc, but I also like some new rock like The Black Keys. For the summer time, I like the kiwi beats, like Fat Freddy’s Drop and Katchafire.

Over your career, what was the most difficult situation you’ve experienced?

Once I arrived alone in Switzerland without a team—just me and my bike. It was almost impossible to get to races since I couldn’t speak a language anyone understood.

What other sports do you play? What other sports do you watch?

I’m a big hunter and fisher, and in the summer I like to play touch rugby. I love watching footie and rugby.

Where do you like to live or vacation in the off-season?
Nelson, New Zealand. Mum’s cooking, friends and family, the beach, the sun, bike races that keep you on your toes… what else could a boy want?

What’s your favorite thing to do on a Sunday afternoon?

Get home super cooked from a ride, smash some food and watch rugby with the boys or hit the river.

If you could have one song be the soundtrack to your life, what would you choose?

“Hold Me In Your Arms” by The Black Keys. It fits well with all the pedaling.

Who or what inspires you to ride?

I’ve always been inspired by the prospect of “making it.” I want to be able race through the Alps and spend every day pedaling on my bike. I guess there’s a large element to ride for the people who have supported me over the years, especially when things aren’t going well.

Bennett with director Axel Merckx at Tour of the Gila

Virginia-native Joe Dombrowski takes fans through the ins, outs, ups and downs of his first European campaign as a professional cyclist. After a standout performance at the SRAM Tour of Gila, the 19-year-old finished third overall behind teammate George Bennett and secured the best climber’s jersey at Ronde de l’Isard. Now posted up in Girona, Spain at newly crowned American champion Matthew Busche’s Girona apartment, the 19-year-old offers a glimpse in to his teammates training (and social) regiment in between races. Keep up with his personal blog here.

My stay here in Girona has been just right. I’m chomping at the bit to race again, and see somewhere new, but I haven’t been here so long that the magic of the place has worn off. The city sits southeast of the Pyrenees in the Catalonian region of Spain. I’ve tried to soak up every bit of the city that so many of the pros call their European home.

Most of my afternoons have been spent relaxing in the Spanish sunshine, on La Rambla downtown – a maze of narrow cobbled streets full of shops, restaurants, cafes, and most importantly gelato shops. I’ve been clipping away at a steady one to two gelats per day and accompanying those cold, creamy post-ride snacks with a coffee most days. While these events have become circadian in my stay, I’ve had a few incidents that have shaken things up.

In my first week here, George and I went out for a big one. It was to be a day of exploring in the mountains. As we rolled through the village of Angles, a small hamlet at the base of the mountains, I swerved to avoid a driver pulling out a bit prematurely. In my flustered state, I failed to lookup and see the family making their way into the crosswalk ahead of me. At the last second, I saw them, locked up both brakes, and tagged the young girl with my shifter. The girl was fine, but as any five-year-old would expectedly react, she was wailing. George and I stopped to make sure things were okay, but the girl’s father was fuming. I know Spanish well enough to get around quite well, but obscenities were the only thing that I could extract between the man’s snarl and his Catalan dialect.

George stepped in, but the situation only devolved. The man spat in George’s face, and was retaining us by the collars of our jerseys until the police arrived. In the interim, I was thinking the whole situation was a little ridiculous. The arrival of the authorities only confirmed that. Two squad cars, and an ambulance arrived promptly. Luckily, I was able to explain to the police that it was a mistake, and they were understanding. If anyone was in trouble, it was the child’s father for being overly aggressive, and, well, spitting on George.

We were escorted to the police station, where I filled out a report, signed some papers, and eventually was allowed to go on my way. The whole experience seemed a bit surreal, but it wouldn’t be the last time I would be in the local police station…

About a week later, I was sitting with the boys at La Bombonera, a gelato shop that had become a favorite of mine in the Girona town square. With a gelato in both hands, I set my wallet on the counter for a second before delivering the goods to our table. In my haste, I forgot to put my wallet back in my pocket, and while I was sitting just a few feet from the counter, someone snatched it. The purloined wallet only dawned on me as I got up to leave, and at that point it was too late. After searching frantically for a bit, I rushed back to our apartment to cancel cards. I also stopped by the local police (again) to see if anything had turned up. There I was, a week later, filling out the same “denuncia” paperwork I had after the crosswalk incident. Deja vu.

I don’t mean to make it seem like my time here has been bad, because it has certainly had it highlights. The Champion’s League game featuring Barcelona, and Manchester United was a sight to be seen and heard. George and I were sitting in our apartment that night, when we heard a massive roar erupt. It was earth-shaking. The roar was followed by the beeping of car horns, and the launching of fireworks. We weren’t sure exactly what was going on, but we went down to the Rambla to investigate. In the park downtown, a massive projection screen had been setup displaying the game. It seemed everyone and their mom in Girona was there for the spectacle. I got a chance to see the reaction to a Barcelona goal when we were down there. Fireworks were lit, flags were flown, and those Spaniards were going nuts.

I’ve also crossed paths with a number of pros since I’ve been here. My teammates and I are being hosted by guys like Levi Leipheimer, Matthew Busche, Hayden Roulston and CJ Sutton while we are here. I’ve gotten to tag along on some training rides, and I’ve noticed that if you keep your ears and eyes open you can absorb some prize advice. Most of the guys are quite open, and willing to share their experience with us young guys, and help point us in the right direction in the navigation of our budding careers.

I fly to Luxembourg on Wednesday. Stay tuned for the ups and downs, in the ups and downs of Fleche du Sud.

Returning to Flèche du Sud after appearing in the 2009-editon, Trek-LIVESTRONG’s flagship season, the team returns to the Luxembourg race June 9 – 13, 2011. The race will feature a 6.6-kilometer opening prologue in Kayl, Luxembourg. The race continues across four stages, peaking with Stage Two’s 174.5-kilometer course from Mamer to Roeser. Directed by Axel Merckx, Trek-LIVESTRONG’s line up is:

George Bennett (NZL)
Joe Dombrowski (USA)
Carter Jones (USA)
Joe Lewis (AUS)
Dale Parker (AUS)
Michael Vink (NZL)

For detailed information, visit the race website at www.http://www.fleche-du-sud.lu/:

Prologue: Kayl, 6.6 kilometers
Stage 1: Schifflange – Rumelange, 161.9 kilometers.
Stage 2: Mamer – Roeser, 174.5 km
Stage 3: Troisvierges-Bourscheid,  149.5 km
Stage 4: Belvaux – Esch/Alzette, 151.5 km

After former Trek-LIVESTRONG rider Taylor Phinney won the last two editions of the race, the team returns again to Paris-Roubaix Espoirs on May 29, 2011. The squad will feature 2010  UCI Nations Cup Paris-Roubaix podium finisher Lawson Craddock (USA). The one-day race across the most infamous cobbles in cycling history  runs 179 kilometers from Perronne to Roubaix.

Trek-LIVESTRONG will be directed by 1988 Paris-Roubaix champion and Team RadioShack director Dirk Demol. Demol has directed alongside Johan Bruyneel since 2000, beginning one of the greatest partnerships in cycling history. Demol’s Paris-Roubaix victory was the longest and earliest breakaway in the race’s history to date. Demol is extremely well-versed in Grand Tour strategy, assisting Bruyneel in directing Trek-LIVESTRONG team founder Lance Armstrong to six of his seven Tour de France victories.

Trek-LIVESTRONG’s line up for Paris-Roubaix Espoirs:

Charlie Avis (USA)
Lawson Craddock (USA)
Robin Eckmann (GER)
Joe Lewis (AUS)
Dale Parker (AUS)
Michael Vink (NZL)

Trek-LIVESTRONG looks to build on it’s outstanding performance at Ronde de l’Isard. George Bennett rode to a strong second overall, while teammate Joe Dombrowski secured third place on the final podium as well as the best climber’s jersey.

The first stop on their European campaign, Trek-LIVESTRONG will race Ronde de l’Isard, May 20 – May 22, 2011. The three-day stage race takes place surrounding Saint-Girons, France, with a challenging course that encounters the infamous Pyrenees of southwestern France.

Trek-LIVESTRONG will be directed by Team RadioShack director Dirk Demol. Demol has directed alongside Johan Bruyneel since 2000, beginning one of the greatest partnerships in cycling history. The winner of the 1988-edition of Paris-Roubaix (the longest and earliest breakaway in the race’s history to date), Dirk is extremely well-versed in Grand Tour strategy, assisting Bruyneel in directing Trek-LIVESTRONG team founder Lance Armstrong to six of his seven Tour de France victories.

Trek-LIVESTRONG’s line up for Ronde de l’Isard is:

Josh Atkins (NZL)
George Bennett (NZL)
Joe Dombrowski (USA)
Carter Jones (USA)
Joe Lewis (AUS)
Dale Parker (AUS)

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RIDE Cycling Review recently presented Dale Parker the opportunity to write a column, sharing the personal story of one of his most trubelent years in the sport. His article entitle “Being Thrown a Lifeline by LIVESTRONG” recounts his months leading up to the 2011 season. From breaking the world junior track pursuit record to one night when a mistake threatened to ruin all hopes and dreams, Parker opens up about placing a difficult call to ten-time Tour de France veteran Axel Merckx and the team that was willing to listen and offer a second chance.

This is a column from the latest issue of RIDE Cycling Review. For more about this Australian title, visit www.ridemedia.com.au/.

Read Dale’s story here.

More than a cycling team to riders and founder Lance Armstrong, the Trek-LIVESTRONG family visits with pediatric cancer patients after Redlands Bicycle Classic.

Without a doubt, Trek-LIVESTRONG became the team to remember in the 25th Annual SRAM Tour of the Gila. The squad, whose median age doesn’t even crest 20 years of age, either outright won, or finishes in the Top Three in all but one of the five stages. Beyond the podiums, the team led the best young rider and overall team classification the entire race.

Joe Dombrowski first held the best young rider’s jersey after his third place finish atop Stage One’s mountain top finish (Mogollon Road Race, 151 km). From Day One, the 19-year-old from Marshall, Virginia proved he could contest some of Gila’s toughest climbs alongside eventual race winner Francisco Mancebo (Realcyclist.com) and Lachlan Morton (Chipotle Development).

Dombrowski continued to build form throughout the race, finishing in third place yet again on Stage 5’s coveted Gila Monster Road Race, an epic 170-kilometer course complete with 9,131 feet of climbing and 8,252 feet of descent.

Trailing Dombrowski across the finish line on Stage 5 was teammate Dale Parker (AUS), the day’s current best young rider jersey holder. Parker had inherited the best Under-25 jersey from Dombrowski after his stunning performance in Stage Three’s individual time trial. The junior track world record holder completed the course in a winning time of 34:39, ahead of Bissell’s Jeremy Vennell (34:45) and overall champion Mancebo (34:46). Parker’s consistent strength on the Gila Monster ensured his hold on the best young rider competition.

“After crashing out and injuring my knee at Redlands Bicycle Classic, I was forced to take about five days off the bike,” explains Parker. “So going into Gila, I was unsure of my form. On the first stage, I worked for George [Bennett] and Joe [Dombrowski]. And to my surprise, I climbed better than I expected and ended up 20th myself.”

Parker continues, “The morning of the time trial, I figured I’d maybe go Top Ten and that would be a good result coming off of my injury. Once I finished, I was asked to sit in the ‘hot seat’ and wait for the big guys to finish. The whole time I was thinking, ‘These guys will be quicker than me…’ Once Mancebo came in and realized I’d won, I couldn’t believe it. It took me even longer to realize I’d also moved from 20th to 4th in the general classification, taking the lead as the best young rider.”

This stage one year prior, Trek-LIVESTRONG’s Jesse Sergent won the time trial in an ironically similar fashion, stunning a professional field that included Tour de France time trial champion’s Lance Armstrong and David Zabriskie. With a new squad and clear new time trial power from Adelaide, Australia, Trek-LIVESTRONG defended their title on the stage moving in to Stage 4’s Downtown Criterium.

In 2010, Trek-LIVESTRONG’s Taylor Phinney charged forward in the final kilometer to win the Criterium making it two in a row for the Under-23 development squad lead by Axel Merckx. And like that…history repeated itself, again. This time, Australia Joe Lewis enjoyed an open-arm post-up across the finish line in downtown Silver City, NM.

“Coming in to the Tour of the Gila, I expected to be competitive. I hoped to help the climber’s position themselves for the climbs and then race for myself in the sprint stages. But I was actually quite surprised at the outcome for myself in the end.”

Not something he envisioned as part of the plan, Lewis’ first day of racing ended in the local hospital’s emergency room receiving stitches following a crash in the race convoy. Thankfully able to finish the stage, he immediately bounced back on Stage 2 and spent valuable time collecting points in the breakaway. Lewis quickly arose as a contender for the sprinter’s jersey.

Fly V-Successful Living director Henk Vogels’ said of Lewis, “I’ve known Joe for a few years, he’s got a big future. I like his style, he’s aggressive. He had a crash the other day and got straight back up and it didn’t really rattle him. I like riders with a good attitude; nothing phases him, you know.”

After winning the criterium and moving in to the best sprinter’s green jersey, Lewis and teammates protected the jersey through the Stage 5’s Gila Monster.

“I picked up some bonus points in the crit and took the maximum points for the win. So going in to Stage 5, there was only one guy who could beat me. I followed him in the road stage and secured the jersey. But my focus immediately turned to doing my part for the other boys.”

Throughout the final stage, Trek-LIVESTRONG worked tirelessly to position all-around talent George Bennett (NZL) and protect Dale Parker’s positioning in the general classification.

“After Joe secured the green jersey, George and Mancebo hit the climb early and opened up a gap that was great for me as George was only 13 seconds down. All I had to do was follow Lachlan Morton and Alex Howes to protect the white jersey,” said Parker. “Joe Dombrowski was instrumental in helping me climb with them and looked after me until the finish. He ended up third on the stage and was fourth. I sealed up the white jersey and moved in to second overall.”

As an impressive performance at Tour of the Gila has come and gone, Trek-LIVESTRONG looks to their upcoming races in Europe – Ronde de L’Isard (May 20-22) and Paris-Roubaix Espoirs (May 29).

Parker’s final thoughts on Gila, “None of these results would have been possible without my team’s help. To top it all off, we won best team. Every rider did their job, to their very best. I think you will see more from us boys yet. This is only the beginning…”

Photos courtesy of Shawn Lortie and SRAM.

Dale Parker wins the time trial and moves in to the best young rider's white jersey.

Joe Lewis atop the podium after Stage 4's Downtown Criterium.

Green jersey leader Joe Lewis and best young rider Dale Parker, pictured with race leader Francisco Mancebo.

Trek-LIVESTRONG wins the overall team classification.

Joe Lewis won the bunch sprint to take Stage Four’s Downtown Silver City Criterium, marking the second consecutive day and year Trek-LIVESTRONG has come out on top (Taylor Phinney, 2010). Lewis moves into the best sprinter’s jersey, while teammate Dale Parker remains the best rider Under-25 and Trek-LIVESTRONG protects their lead in the team classification.

“I knew what lap we were on because I was counting from five to go in my head,” said Lewis with regard to the incorrect official lap counter during the final laps of the race. “I had help from my teammates through out the race but in the end the our concern was the young riders jersey. I was by myself with one lap to go and handled myself well, coming out of the last corner in sixth wheel. It is my first win of the year and I am absolutely stoked.”

Lewis’ early efforts in the day and throughout the five-day stage race gives him a six point lead in the sprinter’s classification over Anibal Borrajo (Jamis Sutter Home p/b Colavita).

“I placed in two intermediate sprints and won the last one,” Lewis said. “I didn’t want to go for them so hard that I wouldn’t be able to be there at the finish. I wanted to be able to do well at the finish.”

Parker sits fourth overall, 1:53 behind race leader since Stage One – Francisco Mancebo (Realcyclist.com Cycling Team). Teammate Bennett is in sixth overall, 2:08 down.

The fifth and final stage, the Gila Monster Road Race, runs for 170-kilometers across the peaks of Silver City, New Mexico. Trek-LIVESTRONG looks to protect their team classification and two of the coveted four jerseys awarded to 190-man field at the SRAM Tour of the Gila.

Click here to view the day’s complete gallery. Photos courtesy of Shawn Lortie and SRAM.

Joe Lewis with his first victory of the season.

Best Young Rider Dale Parker signs autographs after Stage 4.

Director Axel Merckxx and Trek-LIVESTRONG has won two of the four stages at Tour of the Gila

Joe Lewis atop the podium.