Philly Week - Stage 1: Lehigh Vally Classic

Just when I thought there would be no more viewing until the 8th, the gang finds a live stream for Philly Week! Yeah! With month end close going on, I probably shouldn't have paid as much attention but once my entries were in and cleared, I was so glued to the race today.

I tuned in right around the time that Meatball was hauling butt to try and get up with the 4 break away guys. He got so close. Right after that more counters went and Martijn got up in a break. It looked like it could've been solid as it had a larger group but they didn't work together so it too was sucked back in. At some point Will got a flat. I miss good coverage but we got to see the guys racing so few complaints! At the end the tempo was flying (not that it hadn't been already) and it was exciting to watch. The finish was left to a photo. Yuri had his hands up but it looked like Menzies might've just gotten it. After a few minutes they said Yuri did get it first. It was GREAT to see Brad up in third!

I dropped the guys an email and might need to separate the notes later this week. With Brad and Will & Meatball now on different teams it gets harder to express congrats to them all for a great race. I was excited to see Brad in third and so proud of the Slipstream guys giving it hell. I guess it's similar to Papa Meatball congratulating Brad on his site and asking him why he didn't bring Mike along! I love the guys and love following them and it's great to see them all at the same races again!

Just prior to the coverage cutting off, it was really cool as we got to see a bunch of shots of Slipstream. Even Mike and company congratulating Brad. I think Michael Barry says it well in his diary below. These guys are good friends that even train together. On the course though, it's a battle to be won (oh Will I said it, oops!) and it gets hot, but then when they're done, they all congratulate each other. Good stuff. :-)

Emails this afternoon and tonight have been enjoyable reading. This morning I got a nice one from Phil Liggett. That was pretty cool. A huge congratulations to both Dave Z and Randi on little Waylon born on Saturday. I saw the announcement and pics this weekend but we'll have to wait for him to post one on his site, hopefully soon! :-)

Live Chatter: CN - Podium Cafe

Race 1 - June 3: Lehigh Valley Classic (Men), 136.8km/85mi
Results - provisional
1 Yuri Metlushenko (Amore & Vita-McDonalds Pro Cyc) 3.05.35
3 Brad Huff (Jelly Belly)
6 Fred Rodriguez (Rock Racing)
8 Tyler Farrar (Slipstream/Chipotie p/b H3O)
56 Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing)
57 Rory Sutherland (Health NEt p/b Maxxis)
88 Jason Donald (Slipstream/Chipotie p/b H3O) 1.52
91 Michael Friedman (Slipstream/Chipotie p/b H3O) 2.10
92 William Frischkorn (Slipstream/Chipotie p/b H3O)
96 Martijn Maaskant (Slipstream/Chipotie p/b H3O)
97 Blake Caldwell (Slipstream/Chipotie p/b H3O)
102 Steven Cozza (Slipstream/Chipotie p/b H3O) 2.40
114 Magnus Backstedt (Slipstream/Chipotie p/b H3O)
DNF Jason McCartney (Team CSC)
DNF Michael Sayers (BMC Racing)
DNF Michael Creed (Rock Racing)

Slisptream: CB Lehigh Valley Classic: Farrar 8th
RahsaanBahati: Lehigh Valley Classic
PodiumInSight: Ukraine's Metlushenko wins the Men's Triple Crown opener
TheMorningCall: Picture-perfect ending
ROAD: The Neil Shirley Report - Commerce Bank Triple Crown - Lehigh
Bicycle.net: Karl Menzies of Health Net/Maxxis Second in Photo Finish in CBLVC
TheMorningCall: What did Valley Classic cyclists drink and eat?
RoxReview: Pro cycling returns to Phila.
TheServiceCourse: Haves and Have Nots
TheMorningCall: Riders say inaugural race a classic

Other reads:
I think I would be okay if Michael would find a way to write everyday. :-)
VN: Michael Barry's Diary - The passing kilometers
GeorgeHincapie: Waiting for the Baby
TeamCSC: Giro d'Italia: An Extreme Experience
PEZ: Giro Wrap: Week 1 Outtakes!