Before the start of SRAM Tour of the Gila’s Tyrone Time Trial, Dale Parker tweeted, “Time trial today at the Tour of the Gila equals time to get in the ‘cage of rage.’” Whatever this might mean for the 18-year-old from Australia…he did just that and delivered Trek-LIVESTRONG’s second consecutive win in the event (Jesse Sergent, 2010).

Parker is coming off a knee injury at Redlands Bicycle Classic that side-lined him for nearly three weeks. Despite the slow process of returning to form, he delivered in the time trial he’d been eyeing since February’s training camp in Solvang, CA.

The Adelaide native raced the 26.6-kilometer time trial course in a winning time 34:39, ahead of Bissell’s Jeremy Vennell (34:45) and current race leader RealCyclists.com’s (34:46).

“It was a tough day and went into it sitting further back in the GC,” Parker said. “I’m only 18 so I come in here with not too much pressure on me and I expected these guys to smash my time. Congratulations to these guys, but today was my day, and it is an honour be next to these damn good riders.”

Also with a strong performance, teammate Michael Vink (New Zealand) set one of the fastest times early in the day, with a 35:41. Parker assumes the best young rider (U25) jersey from teammate Joe Dombrowski, who held the honor since his third place finish on Stage 1.

Click here for the complete day’s gallery.

_{Photo Credits: Shawn Lortie and Ben Raby}

Joe Dombrowski and George Bennett celebrate with soigneur Reed McCalvin.

Parker faces the media after his win.

Trek-LIVESTRONG's George Bennett and Joe Dombrowski warm up.

Trek Bikes's Matt Shriver works with riders on positioning.

Mechanic Bill McPherson cleans the Trek bikes.

Podium bound - director Axel Merckx walks with Dale Parker to the award ceremony.

Josh Atkins in action on the 26-kilometer course.

In to the mountain top finish of SRAM Tour of the Gila, Trek-LIVESTRONG climbed the 2,000-foot ascent with three riders in the Top 20 to lead the general team classification after Day 1 in Silver City, New Mexico.

Nineteen-year-old Joe Dombrowski climbed his way to the podium on the 94-mile Mogollon Road Race, slightly behind stage winner Francisco Mancebo (RealCyclist.com) and Tyler Wren (Jamis-Sutter Home). Originally earning accolades as a mountain biker, today only marked the Virginia-natives eighth day of racing professional National Racing Calendar (NRC). With that, on his ninth day of NRC racing, he starts the day in Best Young Leader’s jersey.

Talking about his podium finish, Dombrowski was quick to thank his teammates who organized at the front of the peloton, stringing out the main group before the base of the climb. now leading the team general classification. Also coming in with the lead group, George Bennett (NZL) and Dale Parker (AUS) climbed to respective 5th and 20th place finishes.

“The team strung out the peloton leading into the base of the climb, to set up George Bennett and I for the finish. Their hard work paid off. It was a great result for the team, and I was proud to see our hard work come to fruition in the form of some good results.”

After hitting the local Chinese buffet (for the second time) in the small town of Silver City, New Mexico, Trek-LIVESTRONG looks  to build on their performance in Stage Twp’s Inner Loop Road Race (129 kilometers).

View Stage One’s complete gallery here.

Matt Shriver talks Bontrager shoes with Joe Lewis, pre-race.

George Bennett pins on his race number.

Trek-LIVESTRONG's custom UNITY Madone 6.9's

Dale Parker finished 20th on the opening stage.

Dombrowski awaits a strong day on the bike - climbing to a third place finish on Stage 1.

Axel Merckx talks to George Bennett, pre-race

Into the feed zone

Photos courtesy of Shawn Lortie.

Words and Images by Shawn Lortie

The day before the race is crazy windy. One of the roads into town is closed due to dust and blowing debris. The airport is closed, forcing Team Bissel to fly into Albuquerque and make the 5-hour drive down to Silver City, New Mexico. By the time the sun is setting, the wind is still blowing as hard as ever and the horizon is nothing but a glowing orange cloud of dust.

Race day breaks to calm and sunny skies, and Axel Merckx , the team director, is prepping the boys for the days stage. It’s a 94-mile point to point road race finishing with a stiff 2000-foot climb up the narrow twisty road to Mogollon. One of the days obvious favorites is Francisco Mancebo, riding for Team Real Cyclist. But Axel and team soigneur, Reed McCalvin, have some favorites too. George Bennett, a 21-year-old rider from Nelson, New Zealand, and Joe Dombrowski, a 19-year-old from Marshall, Virginia.

Continue reading Shawn Lortie’s complete report here.

Trek-LIVESTRONG will race the 25th-edition of the SRAM Tour of the Gila in Silver City, New Mexico. The five-day stage race kicks off Wednesday, April 27, 2011 with Stage One’s 151.3-kilometer Mogollon Road Race, last won by Team RadioShack’s  Levi Leipheimer.  Stage three features a grueling 25-kilometer time trial, one of the two stages won by Trek-LIVESTRONG in 2010 (Jesse Sergent). After Stage four’s Downtown Silver City Criterium, won by Trek-LIVESTRONG’s Taylor Phiney in 2010, the race concludes with the infamous 170-kilometer Gila Monster Road Race. Directed by Axel Merckx, Trek-LIVESTRONG’s line up is:

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

Check the website daily for exclusive reports, pictures and videos of the team in action at SRAM Tour of the Gila. For more spectator and detailed race information, visit www.tourofthegila.com or follow them on Twitter.

Selection taken from: Mountain Flyer Magazine

BOULDER, Colo.-The Trek/Livestrong U23 team hosted a media ride last Wednesday to introduce it’s Boulder based squad, and give some insight into what makes the team tick. While some of the team members are living elsewhere for the season, at least six riders are calling Boulder Colorado home for the 2011 season. The Trek/Livestrong team was created by Lance Armstrong as a project to help develop the next generation of great young cyclists. It is a hand picked squad chosen from over 1000 top U23 cycling resumes from around the world. Needless to say, this is a serious group of young riders who are being groomed to become top riders in the Pro Tour.

Mountain Flyer was honored to be invited to the event, consisting of a meet and greet at the team condo in South Boulder, then a ride on the famous Morgul Bismark loop, followed by sandwiches and a question answer period back at the condo. Team RadioShack’s Director of Sports Science, Dr. Allen Lim, who also works with the Trek/Livestrong team, had to catch a plane, but before he left, he talked a bit about what the team does to prepare for races, and how much they eat and drink during races.

“Eat till you puke” is one way that these riders learn what their threshold is for eating during races. Often times during races, the riders are burning more calories than they can replace while they are…

Read the rest of the article here: click here.

Following Redlands Bicycle Classic, Trek-LIVESTRONG took a morning to visit the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Pediatric Cancer Treatment Center. Here, the team visited with some very special friends in their playroom. Between treatments, the kids retreat the playroom to play games, read books, watch movies and simply enjoy the company of their family and friends. The riders and staff felt fortunate to share the playroom with them this morning, bringing Trek-LIVESTRONG cycling caps and LIVESTRONG bracelets for the center’s patients and staff.

The Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital is the sole children’s hospital for almost 1.3 million of California’s youth (San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo, and Mono Counties).  The pediatric hematology/oncology unit is a 33-bed unit dedicated to the specialized medical needs of children, from birth through adolescence,with cancer and blood diseases. For cancer patients where proton radiation is appropriate, it is provided on site at the James M. Slater, MD Proton Treatment & Research Center.

Trek-LIVESTRONG also had the pleasure of spending the week at Redlands Bicycle Classic with Jon and Myrna Slater, family to Dr. James Slater, the founder of the Proton Treatment & Research Center that provides direct service and treatment to thousands of cancer survivors seeking radiation therapy.

In this experience, it was great to take a moment off the bike to visit and support these young survivors. Trek-LIVESTRONG rides for the 28 million people affected by cancer across the world today. Who do you ride for?

For more information about Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, please call 1-800-825-KIDS (5437), or visit www.lomalindakids.org.

View the complete gallery of pictures from Trek-LIVESTRONG’s visit here.

Trek-LIVESTRONG introduces themselves to the kids in the Pediatric Cancer Treatment Center.

Michael Vink, Joe Lewis, Dale Parker play with a new friend.

Michael Vink and Joe Lewis get put right to work building some blocks with their new bud.

Josh Atkins and Robin Eckmann play Uno.

Sporting our team colors, we were excited to spend out day with the kids.

LIVING STRONG

Thanks to all the staff and families at the Loma Linda University Children's Hospital for sharing your day with us.

Virginia-native Joe Dombrowski joins Trek-LIVESTRONG after a stand-out performance at the Tour of Utah, when he first rode as a stagiere for the team. With a big year ahead, the 19-year-old takes fans through the ins, outs, ups and downs of his day-to-day life as a professional cyclist. Keep up with his personal blog here.

Here Joe talks about his crash in Stage 1 of the Redlands Bicycle Classic…

We cyclists are a resilient bunch. Resiliency was the first thing that crossed my mind after I picked myself off the ground, and collected my senses in Friday’s stage here in Redlands. I knew my race was over, but I already had questions pouring through head. How long until I can ride? How long until I can race again? Always pushing forward.

It’s a double-edged sword. Success in this sport takes a lot of mental drive, but that same motivation and fervor can be your downfall. Just as it takes discipline to keep pushing forward, it often takes more to take a step back.

I’m fine now. I didn’t break any bones, and I am just left with a lot of road rash and soreness. The thing that really hurts is watching your teammates going at it for another day from the sidelines, anyway. We lost Dale Parker as well yesterday, in a late race crash, as well as Michael Vink. Dale i’s especially bummed as he rode a fantastic prologue that put him sixth on GC.

It’s not so bad. I’m sure we wounded warriors will find some nice diversions over the next couple days here in the California sunshine…

Joe suffers a contusion to his elbow, ending his race.

No broken bones, and five teammates to still support, is enough to keep you smiking.

Trek-LIVESTRONG off the front in Stage 2, the Beaumont Circuit Race.

Trek-LIVESTRONG lines up for final day of racing at the 27th Annual Redlands Bicycle Classic today. The Beaver Medical Group Sunset Road Race concludes the four-day stage race with 150 kilometers on tap. After Friday’s grueling 190-kilometer stage took out three Trek-LIVESTRONG riders due to crashes and illness, five teammates look to continue to build off of Australian Joe Lewis’s two Top Ten finishes with an 8th place finish in Friday’s circuit race and 10th place in the downtown criterium. Teammate George Bennett (NZL) sits in 21st place overall, 47 seconds off race leader Fransisco Mancebo (Realcyclists.com).

Joe Lewis finishes 10th in Stage 3, a 90-minute downtown criterium.

To help riders recover each day, especially Joe Dombrowski and Dale Parker suffering from road rash and minor contusions, Trek-LIVESTRONG has relied heavily on the support of chiropractor Dr. Rhea Zimmerman. Dr. Zimmerman is new the team support staff, coming from Napa, California where she runs the Blossom Chiropractic Studio. Having worked with the team at the Solvang training camp, she has been crucial in assisting with rider recovery after each day in the saddle. She uses the Zone Healing technique to balance the six major systems that control bodily functions – glandular, eliminative, nervous, digestive, muscular and circulatory. Visit her website for more information on her practice and techniques. Thanks to Dr. Zimmerman for joining us this week.

Also, a special thanks goes out to our host families, Becky Clark and Bob Laird and Myrna and Jon Slater. Without their support, this week’s success would not be possible.

On to the final day of racing…Good luck to Trek-LIVESTRONG. Thanks for checking in!

View the complete gallery here. Photo Credits: Glenn Kasin.

Dr. Zimmerman clearing Dale's wrist

Dr. Zimmerman performing a knee adjustment on Robin Eckmann

You are officially clear and connected.

Dr. Rhea helping Dale connect to his dreams

George Bennett relaxes at the host house

Joe Lewis enjoys the view from the Redlands, CA host house

By VeloNews.com
Published Apr 2nd 2011 7:56 PM UTC

Trek-Livestrong’s Lawson Craddock won the first of two half-stages on Saturday at the Triptyque Mont et Chateaux in Belgium.

Racing for the USA Cycling National Development Program U23 squad, Craddock won the morning’s time trial and led out the sprint in the afternoon’s road race. Teammate Larry Warbasse took third in the race against the clock.

Craddock, a two-time junior world championship time trial medalist racing for the first time in the U23 ranks, covered the 8km stage 2A course in 10 minutes, seven seconds.

“So far it’s been an awesome step up (to U23s),” said Craddock. “It’s been a great trip and I’m really happy with the win in the time trial. The winds picked up a bit later; good for me, not so great for the other guys.”

BMC’s Warbasse finished just 12 seconds behind Craddock to join him on the podium. Other Americans finishing in the top 20 included Trek-Livestrong teammates Nathan Brown (14th) and Gavin Mannion (20th).

The afternoon’s stage 2B saw Craddock and another Trek-Livestrong teammate, Ryan Eastman, attack on the final climb in the 120.7km road race, with Eastman finishing just short of the podium in fourth.

‘Lawson and I were solo off the front,” said Eastman, who finished 15th on Friday’s stage 1. “He led it out with one K to go and put me in perfect position. I think I probably had 10 or 15 seconds on the group and he just screamed, “Go!” and I went all out to the finish. One guy came around me with 300 meters left. Then a couple of guys came around in the sprint but I held on for fourth.”

Warbasse also cracked the top 10, finishing eighth.

‘They did a super job; I’d say it’s one of the best moves I’ve seen from under 23s,” said Marcello Albansani, USA Cycling men’s U23 team director and a veteran of espoir cycling.

“Craddock took him on his wheel and brought him to the last kilometer. It was a super tactic. He couldn’t pull out the win, but for me it doesn’t matter because it was a huge move and they did a really, really good job. We had a fantastic day today overall.”

The Triptyque Mont et Chateaux concludes Sunday with a 162.8km road race from Château de Beloeil to Tournai.

Trek-LIVESTRONG riders in Europe with USA Cycling U23 national team - Gavin Mannion, Nathan Brown, Ian Boswell, Lawson Craddock and Ryan Eastman

Joe Lewis recaps Trek-LIVESTRONG’s day in the saddle at Redlands Bicycle Classic, Stage 1 – the City of Beaumont Road Circuit.