|
|
FEATURES: BEING THERE:TEAM HTC-HIGHROAD'S MT. BALDY RECON
Zap
May 19, 2011
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
When word leaked out that the HTC squad was planning a run up the stage seven route to see what they would face ten days later, the RBA Power Rangers jumped into action and headed off to the start town of Claremont for a little meet & greet. There was a wide mix of bikes (race/training/Tarmac SL3/Venge) present for the HTC team recon of Saturday's Amgen Tour of California's Stage 7 on Mt. Baldy. The 76k course will start in Claremont and then lead the riders up steep sections of road (at 8.9% grade) to an elevation of just over 6400 feet.
BUT FIRST A CUP OF JOE....
Stage 7 will start in downtown Claremont which is a quaint old section of town next to the famous Claremont Colleges. Besides a Jax Bike Shop, there is also a variety of cool cafes and restaurants. Our current fave is the Some Crust Bakery - a local institution since 1916. Good coffee, baked goods and egg sliders to start off your day.
If you happen to be driving the roads of California this week, keep your eyes peeled for the sweet HTC-Highroad motor coach that will be home to some of the fastest riders on the planet.
RBA ad guy Robb gave a copy of the new RBA with the Milan-Sanremo/Specialized Venge story to race winner Matt Goss before he, no doubt, also gave the Aussie some climbing tips for the Baldy challenge.
Ten time Tour de France vet and current Team HTC Highroad team director Ralf Aldag started the ride pedaling his Venge alongside U.S. National TT champ Evie Stevens.
Bert Grabsch was riding a Venge sans the cosmetic head tube cap.
What's the sense of doing course recon without any film footage? A couple of the bikes were outfitted with Go Pro cameras mounted on the handlebars and the back of the saddle.
It's pretty amazing (strange/impressive really) that HTC continues to eschew potential sponsorship money from the highly lucrative world of wheel deals in favor of full autonomy to run whatever wheels they want wherever and whenever they want. As team owner Bob Stapleton told me at their winter team camp, the only goal is to win so they want access to whatever wheel product deemed best for a particular race. On this particular day, there were more Zipp wheels than any other, all shod with the Pro Limited Competition tires from Continental.
Danny Pate running the Shimano Di2 battery down low along with his SRM power meter.
Little seen in America, the Pro Components (a division of Shimano) brand in what the HTC team relies on for seatposts, stems and handlebars. There was also a full mix of Fizik saddles used: the Aliante (here), Arione, and Antares.
Ralf Aldag was alone in riding a real-deal Specialized/McLaren Venge. The higher end McLaren model won't be available until much later in the year, but we're told the S-Works verssion ($3800 frame/$8800 w/SRAM Red/$9200 w/ Shimano DuraAce) should be in your local Specialized dealers in June.
Shimano's Wayne Stetina points HTC rider Ally Stacher and others not familiar with the route skyward. Besides acting a route guide, Wayne was also delivering some spare 25t and 27t rear cogs for the riders to use - they'll definitely come in handy!
And off they went.
For best viewing points, where to catch the riders up close, a complete
list of events and lodging accommodations, follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
For details about the Tour and information about volunteering, visit
www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|