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Prologue
Recap & Results
Showing
that his form has been unrivaled by any previous tour rider, English strongman
Jeramia Bishoup shattered the course record and took home not only the
cash but the mysterious Corn Nut bonus as well. In front of countless
spectators on a pleasant July day, Bishoup assaulted the 4 miles of Trimble
Mtn on a scorching pace, setting a new world record of 24 minutes and
26 seconds. A fervor of excitement was in the air as riders arrived and
received their starting positions for the opening prologue time trial
that would surely forecast the fate of the peloton over the next 9 days.
Despite rumors of unexplainable prerace "maintainance'" by the desperate
team green squad, the course was in stellar condition providing for maximum
suffering and minimum lap times. The cleannies managed a "clean" sweep
of the top three, with Buschetti barely breaking the 25 minute barrier
and Vimpty in close behind at 25:39. Although the skeptics have been criticizing
the Belgian and his new 6 figure bagel contract, today he showed the form
that made him a previous tour champion and a man capable of eating a million
bagels. Could Vimpty's strong 3rd place finish be foreshadowing a miracuolous
come back from the ape blood doping incident? Rounding out the top five
were the top two contenders from the team green squad. Italian Joel Maynario,
who settled for a heartbreaking 2nd place in last years tour, showed that
his "reconstructive" surgery was worth the effort and grabbed fourth place;
and close behind was Miguel Carpellini at 26:02. As usual controversy
surrounded Carpellini to begin this years tour. Only moments before he
was slated to start, a team clean supporter grabbed his bike and disappeared
into the throngs of pulsating fans. Carpellini's faithful domestique and
man servant, Von Keehner completed his lap in impresssive time, despite
a puncture, and provided his bike to Carpellini. Miraculously the spaniard
was able to finish in the top 5 despite having to change bikes and suffer
the incredible emotional distraut that today's incident caused. Many other
contenders were stricken with troubles this afternoon, including a flat
tires by the ever squirrly Italian Tomas Jenkini and tour faithful Chris
Scott and the road specialist Patrick McMiller suffered a painful crash
to dampen his tour hopes. Riders will go home and ponder today's finishes
but as we all know the yellow jersey is only safe for a matter of hours,
Everyone is subject to the uncontrollable horrors that will confront the
riders during both of tomorrows out of category climbs and ruthless decents.
1: Jeremiah Bishop 24.26 2: Paul Bushetti 24.42 3: Jerome Vimpty 25.39
4: Joel Maynario 25.5 5: Miguel Carpellini 26.07 6: Mikael Bvcnis 27.21
7: Tim Richardson 27.27 8: Mikhail Hurlikoff 27.37 9: Chris Scott 28.04
10: Bryan Hall 28.2 11: Ed Dickenson 28.38 12: Patrick McMiller 28.4 13:
Billy Armstrong 28.52 14: Mark Myracled 30.06 15: Christi Lhentholo 30.22
16: Josh Vimpty 31.56 17: Sam MuhammedYoder 32.04 18:Kevin Keane 32.19
19: Thomas Jenkini 32.37 20: Ryan Ketchum 35.25 21: Dylan Johnsonia 35.26
22: Jamie Von Keehner 36.15 23: Ken Bell 37.56 24:Lynn Manion 43.4
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Stage 1 Recap
& Results
This morning at the Stokesville Church riders of the 2001 Tour De Burg
came together to begin the new Buck Mountain Stage. But the real reason
to gather at the worship center was to morn the first tour stage in history
to leave without Miguel Carpellini. Carpellini annouced his departure
late last night after the Substance Raid done by local law enforcements
at Team Green's home. Saying that "bling-bling" runs the whole show Miguel
Carpellini refused to complete the whole tour but says he will return
in later stages "to discipline Team Clean". When the stage did get underway
riders were only concentrating on the upcoming climb of Little Bald Knob.
No rider exceled the way Paul Bushetti did as he picked his way through
the riders and then later found himself entering the Buck Mountain decsent
with a comfortable lead. Not far behind on Little Bald Knob was a chasing
group of Mike Compraro, Jeramia Bishoup, Jerome Vimpty and Mikael Bvcnisand
then first of these two riders would later find themselves with flat tires,
which seem to plauge the majority of the field. But all riders later found
themselves battling the new cut trail for the final run to Hearthstone
Lake. Bushetti would find himselft at this lake side resort first with
a finishing time of 1 Hour and 23 minutes and taking the first time section
of Stage One. The departure from this popular resort to time section two
would be under protest after the race, racers are still gathering together
to find the guilty party involved with premature start. No matter what
the committee finds out there will be no disputing Paul Bushetti's fitness
as he powered his way up the Sand Springs Climb to the summitt of Hearthstone
Ridge. The only riders to even remain close to his demanding pace were
the popular British rider Jeramia Bishoup,Jerome Vimpty and the veteran
Mike Compraro. When the second time section came to completion and the
bone jarring descent was over a new tour leader emerged. Paul Bushetti
is no stranger to leading the Tour and is confident that his power house
road team of Andy Rhodes and Bill McCarrick will lead him to victory during
the Stage 2 assault on Reddish Knob; allowing him to remain in the leaders
jersey. No matter what happens this evening in the late hours riders will
not be able to deny that the tour has just started and that there is still
eight stages 1. Paul Bushetti 5:24:00 2. Jerome Vimpty 5:32:09 3. Jeramia
Bishoup 5:33:04 4. Mikael Bvcnis 5:45:47 5. Chris Scott 5:49:10 6. Tomas
Jenkini 5:52:21 7. Ed Dickenson 5:56:42 8: Mikhail Hurlikoff 5:58:57 9.
Jamie Von Keekhner 6:00:16 10. Bryan Hall 6:05:20 11. Chris Lhentholo
6:06:28 12. Mark Myracled 6:06:49 13. Josh Vimpty 6:17:30 14: Kevin Keane
6:20:12 15: Ryan Ketchum 6:24:00
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Stage 2 Recap & Results
Riders were awakened this morning by terrential rains and lightening .
This stormy weather would be the cause of a large number of riders abandoning
the GC before the start of Stage 2. For the first time in this year's
tour, racers put away their mountain bikes and switched to the thin tire
machines. The first of the day three sprints would take place in the once
booming metropolis of Stokesville. With three km to go before the Dr.
Pepper sprint line, Team Green intiated a brutal pace that road legend
Andy Rhodes would soon take over. But when it came down to the final meters
nobody was faster then the Brit Jeremiah Bishop, who would collect the
1st of his three sprint bonuses for the day. Just behind tall slender
Bishop was the endurance legend from Norway Chris Scott and a meter behind
was Ireland's sprinting sensation, Patrick McMiller. The parade pace would
take the riders along the North River Gorge and lead them to the resort
of Elkhorn Lake; here the "Assault on Reddish Knob" would begin. This
2500 foot climb would be contested mostly on the fire roads of the George
Washington National Forest along the border of West Virginia. Along this
scenic border, two riders would emerge with a demanding lead; Paul Bushetti
and Jeremiah Bishop. Behind them two other battles were forming, consisting
of Jerome Vimpty and Mikael Bvcnis as well as McMiller and Jenkini. When
the lead duo of Bushetti and Bishop reach the final 1/2 mile pavement
section the thousands of spectators knew a final sprint would determine
the victor. Knowing that this climb slipped through his hands last year
Bushetti went the extra effort and barely nipped his rival who he had
been with for the past hour. Even though the two would end with the same
time of 1:06:00 Bushetti knew he had won the prestigous climb to Reddish
Knob. Rounding out the three new podium spots were Jermone Vimpty, Mikael
Bvcnis and McMiller. With his podium finish the Irishman would show the
world that his climbing game is becoming as strong as his sprinting powers
making him a man to watch in the upcoming stages. The Peloton would regroup
after the technical pavement descent of Reddish Knob and begin their way
to the second sprint line of the day. Road sensation Andy Rhodes would
once again string out the pack, but this proved only to help Bishop take
his second sprint victory of the day and accumlated another minute time
bonus. Taking the 30 second bonus and 15 second bonus would be the Italian
Pony Jenkini and the man from Keezeltonia Dylan Johnsonia. To end what
had become a sweltering day Bishop would walk away with his 3rd sprint
victory with Rhodes and Buchness close on his wheel. Soon after the race,
GC leader Paul Bushetti, expressed his concerns over tomorrow's technical
stage on Massanutten Mountain. But the biggest news that stunned the reporter
filled press room was the departure of Team Green's domestique Kevin Keane.
Keane told the crowd that his departure was due to the "lack of participation"
of Team Green's leader Carpellini. Carpellini still has yet to make a
statement or appearence since his fifth place finish during Friday's Prolouge.
The remaining riders will enjoy their second day of no traveling and begin
preparing for tomorrow's technical stage 3. 1. Jeramia Bishop 5:11:00
2. Paul Bushetti 5:14:00 3. Mikael Bvcnis 5:17:55 4. Jermoe Vimpty 5:18:10
5. Patrick McMiller 5:22:15 6. Tomas Jenkini 5:23:34 7. JacqueStrap Gezttier
5:24:25 8. Dylan Johnsonia 5:24:56 9. Chris Scott 5:26:10 10. Tim Richardson
5:30:20 11. Joel Marynario 5:30:20 12: Andy Rhodes 5:30:40 13: Bernd Aus
Kopf 5:38:36 14. Michael Compraro 5:38:36 15. Christi Lhentholo 5:38:36
16. Ryan Ketchum 5:44:00 17. Kevin Keane 5:44:00
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Stage 3 Recap & Results
Confusion and controversy surrounded tody's stage as it rolled out of
Shenandoah Bicycle Company well behind the scheduled 2pm departure time.
Jenkini, the orchestrater of the stage was absent, reported due fear of
another humiliating defeat on his home turf, instead West Viriginian Tim
Sherman Richardson was sent to show his superior technical form on this
"line picking" course. Also absent from s today's stage is Miguel Carplellini,
despite a promise made to team members to return to the tour. Caprellini
attended the mandatory medical safety chack, but did not appear at the
starting line for the stage. Norweigan Chris Scott inherited the responsibility
of guiding the peleton along the route using the adage "follow your nose"
when all else failed. Jay Duffy, joins the tour today after missing the
previous stages due to contractual commitments with underground figures
in New jersey. The rest of the peleton are wary of the cocky American's
strong pedealing form and bold descending skills. Also joing the tour
are Larry Campagnolo from Italy and Steve Vierstein from Bavaria. Rumor
has it that these characters were recruited by Team Green in a desperate
move to thwart the relentless attacks by Team Clean member Bushetti and
Bishoup. The peleton followed contry roads to Massanutten Mountain and
stops to regroupd at the top of "Nut" ridge over looking the popular four
season resort. Massanutten reportedly pormised a hefty sum for the right
to host today's stage, but the money was never received. George Willetts,
spokesman for the resort reported that the fudning had been seized to
cover certain expeneses incurred by Team Green. Despite this controversy,
Willets joins the tour at the overlook. The first timed section follows
the extrememly technical Massanutten ridge up to Kaylor's Knob then descends
on the steep twisty single track to Boones Run. This is the stage for
the technical riders to shine as the climbers will have little opportunity
to showcase their talent. Bishoup, Bushetti, Duffy and Vimpty got the
jump on the rest of the field and quickly built a sizeable gap in the
technical singletrack. Sadly trouble beset Bushetti in the form of a flat
tire, despite the predictions of the usually reliable magic 8-ball. Bishoup
went on to win this stage, followed by Vimpty and Dylan Johnsonia, who
made strong moves on the ridge to pass through much of the peleton. After
the completion of the first timed stage, confusion set in once again as
the group did not know what Jenkini had intended to do next. It was rumored
that Jenkini had intended for tthe peleton to descend the treacherous
Fridley's Gap downhill. Perhaps that is exactly the reason for sending
techincal master Richardson instead of Jenkini on this stage.. What better
way to discard the competition than to send them down a trail that could
lead to their dimise. Scott decided to cancel the second time segment
of the stage due to the potential danger as well as the fact that he did
not want to pedal hard anymore. The stage ended with a squirelly sprint
on the way back to town. Determined to stop Bishoup's dominance in the
green jersey competition, Josh Vimpty attempted to box in Bishoup. However
Bishoup gave Josh a stiff arm, crossed his tire, and exploded through
the peleton to win the sprint, followed closely by Duffy and Jerome Vimpty.
Riders will go back to their hotels knowing that todays technical stage
is nothing compared to what is waiting for them tomarrow on Elliots Knob.
1. Jeramia Bishoup 0:00 2. Jerome Vimpty 2:12 3. Jay Duffy 2:34 4. Dylan
Johnsonia 3:33 5. Tim Richardson 4:56 6. Mikael Bvcnis 5:20 7. Paul Bushetti
5:47 8. Chris Scott 5:57 9. Larry Camp 7:14 10. George Willets 7:48 11.
Pat Miller 8:32 12. Josh Vimpty 9:20 13. Steve Viers 13:01
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Stage 4 Recap & Results
Today's stage was delayed due to the intense afternoon thunderstorms that
rolled into the Shenandoah Valley. This delay however allowed new comer
Jeff Chang to make his first appearance in the 2001 Tour. Chang is said
to be using this year's tour as a training session for later season one
day classics like the "Rowdy Dawg" and "Potts Mountain". When stage 4
finally rolled underway the peleton was treated to sunny skys while headed
south into the Deefield Valley. The break in the weather only showcased
the looming Elliots Knobs and it's peak that stood 3000 foot above the
valley floor. When the first time section got underway an immediate division
of the peleton formed, their was the lead group who had decided to attack
the 4800 foot summit and they rest who wished only to survive. The main
players of Bishoup, Bushetti, Vimpty and Duffy had to deal with constant
attacks from each other along this long fireroad section. Well behind
the lead group another battled was forming as Mark's Bike Shop Team of
Johnsonia and McMiller continually attacked Jenkini and Bvcnis. No matter
what was happening on this easy grade fire road the riders would all have
to deal with the grassing steep climbs that would bring them to the feared
Elliots Knob. Every rider entered the end of the first time section cursing
the thorns and nettles while blood dripped from their arms and legs. The
rider who had it the worst was leader Jeramia Bishoup who had the duty
of "making a path" through this unused terrain. His finish time of just
over 51 minutes would allow him to keep working the lead for the overall
GC. Not far behind was the cocky American Duffy with Bushetti and Vimpty
finishing before the hour time mark. Dylan Johnsonia was starting to come
appart on the last steep climbs allowing Bcvnis to escape but still holding
off Jenkini. Knowing that the difficult sections had not been seen riders
regroup and discussed the treacherous conditions they were all about to
experience. Leading into the second time section was Vimpty who last year
captured the lead of the tour on this very same stage. Bishoup tried to
stay with Vimpty with hopes of seperating himself from Bushetti, but he
would lose touch of the eventual stage winner. Behind the lead duo a group
of three consisting of Scott, Johnsonia and Jenkini were taking turns
trying to clean the repeated rocky sections. Jenkini would take over the
lead of this group only to become victim of a flat tire. Johnsonia gap
over Scott on the Crawford Mountain "hike-a-bikes" would prove pointless
and he would later missed the turn to the Chimney Hollow Trail where he
would be later joined by lost team McMiller. Johnsonia later said he did
not know they had done any hike-a-bikes which was the reason for his confusion.
With a winning margain of over 6:00 minutesVimpty proved that he has recovered
from this year's blood doping incident. Tour directors are going through
the record books now to see if this is the largest time gap ever for a
time section of any tour stage. Riders left today's finishing line on
Route 250 bleeding, llimping and smiling knowing they had accomplished
the most brutal stage of the 2001 Tour. Tomarrow the thin tire bikes will
once be used as the remaining tour riders battle over 5 climbs that range
from Cat. 3 to Above Hors. 1. Jerome Vimpty 0:00 2. Jeramia Bishoup 1:22
3. Jay Duffy 11:55 4. Paul Bushetti 12:33 5. Mikael Bvcnis 23:11 6. Chris
Scott 24:03 7. Tomas Jenkini 25:48 8. Dylan Johnsonia 35:22 9. Pat McMiller
40:35 10. Larry Camp 44:14 11. Steve Viers 49:32 12. Jeff Chang 1:00:00
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Stage 5 Recap & Results
Two years ago the Tour De Burg was plagued with temperatures over 100
degrees but this year the weather has been perfect with low humidity and
cool temperatures. These ideal conditions have only made the tour pace
faster and more brutal, this was never more evident then during today's
stage five road event. The new host town of New Market brought the media
out in masses which created delays in the departure of the peleton. Soon
after 3:30 pm EST, the riders rolled north on Route 11 into a gusty headwind
before heading north east on route 730. This is were the first time section
would begin as the riders enter a six mile section of pave'. A lead group
formed but three riders could not make the brake so Jenkini, Scott and
Change would be force to battle this first climb individually. Up front
disater struck road legend Andy Rhodes as his protype road frame cracked
forcing him out of stage five early. This left four riders: Bushetti,
Bishoup, Vimpty and All American Duffy, to battle out the mountain top
finish near Tucker Gap. Team Green member Duffy would fine himself fighting
low air pressure (in the rear tire not the lungs) which left Bushetti
making a break at the water feed zone against GC leader Bishoup. Bushetti
would receive the first time section win but would gain any time toward
regaining the GC lead. The first and only sprint lead was over a high
speed river bridge near Edinberg. The sprint speed that made Duffy famous
in last year's tour would bring him to victory over the river bridge with
Bishoup and Vimpty picking up the other two time bonuses. What riders
saw next was the western wall of Massanutten Mountain, a 1000 foot climb
mostly contested on pave' with countless switchbacks. These switchbacks
proved to steep for the support vehicles would have to find an alternative
route to the finish line in Fort Valley. This lack of support would prove
fatal to Bishoup and Duffy who would be force to fix their own flats which
occured on the high speed pave' descent. Bushetti notched his second win
for the day but more importantly took a valuable four minutes out of the
GC lead of Bishoup. Seen back in the pack were the decending skills of
Scott who bridge the gap to finishing with Armstrong and Mikael Bvcnis.
At the feed zone in Fort Valley in looked like a bad red neck campsite
with chocolate milk, potatoe chips and soda containers lining the course.
This type of fuel might have been what gave Jenkini the short lived section
three break away. Hoping one or two Team Green members would join, the
Italian Pony made a solo attack 2 miles before the 8 mile pave' climb
to New Market Gap. Just before reaching the forest section of Lions Tale
the chasing group went by Jenkini like a convict from the cops. Team Clean
exercise the pain with Bushetti at the lead where he would remain until
most riders begged for mercy. Bishoup saw this display of power as an
opportunity to later break away which he did on the last steep section
before the final 500 foot descent to Route 211. Duffy was close on the
Brit's wheel but would settle for second with Bushetti droolling in for
third. Tomarrow willl be a short and new stage as riders attack Second
Mountain at one minute intervals for the individual time trail. Team Green
has contacted their lawyer Ryan Ketchum to investigate the foul play by
Team Clean in both cases of Duffy's flats and Rhodes mysterious frame
failure. When contacted late last night Ketchum yelled, "I will come down
and bring justice to Team Clean" . 1. Paul Bushetti 0:00 2. Jeramia Bishoup
3:32 3. Jerome Vimpty 5:14 4. Mikael Bvcnis 8:31 5. Billy Armstrong 9:40
6. Chris Scott 12:09 7. Jay Duffy 12:41 8. Tomas Jenkini 12:52 9. Jeff
Chang 34:25 10. Andy Rhodes DNF
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Stage 6 Recap & Results
The tour switched back to mountain bikes today, riding from town out to
Second Mountain. New to the tour today was Oliver Quinn, who was personally
responsible for many of the questionable and scary stutters in the peleton's
sporadic pace. Also rejoining the tour today was Jamie VonKeener, Mike
Hurly and former Team Green Leader Michael Carpelini. All of these rider's
fresh legs and skittish road skills contributed to a extremely nervous
peleton. At one time Quinn and Hurley almost wrecked into oncoming traffic
and onto the pavement. After a stern speech from Thomas Jenkini, the two
continued to be squirly at the request of Carpelini. Carpelini seemed
to be mad about the recent Jenkini-led coup that over through him. When
asked about his current alliances, he mumbled something about the bling,
bling and the lack of cyclist willing to volunteer to enter the drug tent.
Ken Bellerina strutted his stuff on his second stage in this years tour
tying Carpelini's weak no show attempt in this years tour. This was the
second and final time trial for this year's tour. The Director Sportife
decided to have the non-racers start first followed by the reverse order
of the GC. Jay Duffy started first and quickly realized the horrible condition
of the course. Fresh gravel covered much of the first part of the climb
and the remaining miles had a sand like consistency because a bull dozer
had recently been through. When asked about the trail conditions, local
resident Mark Nissely, said: "I have not seen any of my employees in a
week, I hoped that by making the climb as discouraging as possible that
at least one of my employees would show up tomorrow; I mean, I've got
a lot of bikes to build, and I can't run the shop by myself." Bishoup
ended up taking the stage, his superior climbing skills and tree hiding
skills allowed him to catch many of the people in front of him. When passing,
in an attempt to save oxygen, he silently moved past the slower riders.
Paul Bushetti and Jerome Vimpty, other contenders, lost valuable oxygen
and time by saying hello to the riders they passed. Team Mark's Bike Shop
has continued their assault on Team SBC, after flatting their rivals tire
prior to today's stage, they brought themselves to within 20 seconds of
SBC. Their assault began on the Kaylors knob stage when the Keezletonian
crashed SBC's Richardson and has yet to culminate….look for more team
tactics to play havoc in this battle as we ebb towards the end of this
years tour. 1. Jeramia Bishoup 0:00 2. Paul Bushetti 2:20 3. Joel Maynario
4:10 4. Jerome Vimpty 4:30 5. Dylan Johnsonia 4:49 6. Mikhail Hurlikoff
7:10 7. Mikel Bcvnis 10:07 8. Chris Scott 16:10 9. Oliver Quinn 18:30
10.. Pat Miller 18:30 11. Michael Carpellini 23:40 12. Ken Bell 30:00
13.Jamie VonKeehner 30:00 14. Tomas Jenkini 30:00 15. Jeff Chang 30:00
Back to Schedule
Stage 7 Recap & Results
The riders arrived back in Harrisonburg late last night after a long travel
day to the western side of Woodstock, the town know for it's Super Walmart.
There was one rider who did not even make it to the start line, defending
tour champion Jerome Vimpty. His Team Clean teammate Paul Bushetti also
exited the GC after the first time section of Stage 7. Both riders are
not commenting on thier departure from the tour which leaves us to speculate
that they were scared of a Team Green comeback as reinforcements arrived
from Northern Virginia to as far south as Georgia. But those who did survive
the seventh stage were taught a lesson about technical riding by Keezeltonian
Dylan Johnsonia. After finishing just behind GC leader Bishoup on the
first time section along the Big Schlous Ridge, Johnsonia took over the
day with the fastest time after dominating the thin ridge line along the
Great North Mountain. Johnsonia brought home his first tour stage win
ever and in celebration he was seen parading the streets of Keezeltonia
in his new Red, White and Blue skin suit that represents his countries
colors. We will give more reports of this stage later but for now all
we know is that as the tour comes close to an end riders are hanging on
by a thin wire. Who will prevail? Will Team Clean's Bishoup be able to
hang on for the win or will the presure from Team Green be too much!!
For stage 8 riders will bring out their road bikes for the last time and
enter the Wild, Wonderful State of West Virginia, stopping at land marks
like Sugar Grove and Confederate Breastworks. The end is near! 1. Dylan
Johnsonia 0:00 2. Jeramia Bishoup 3:59 3. Tim Richardson 6:00 4: Mikel
Bcvnis 7:12 5. Oliver Quinn 11:41 6. Josh Vimpty 11:59 7: Chris Scott
12:29 8. Kevin Keane 19:38
Back to Schedule
Stage 8
Recap & Results
Stage nine, the third and final road stage of the 2001 Tour de Burg. Originally
scheduled for Wednesday, the West Virginia road stage was moved to Saturday
in order to make it easier for spectators to watch the classic Reddish
Knob ascent. At times the crowd swelled to five deep near the top of the
climb; written on the pavement were words of encouragement for the riders:
"Vive la Italia" and "Hurry up you ponies". New to the tour today was
kiwi Matt Lenahike, who vowed to destroy the climb after Brit Jeramiah
Bishoup talked about colonialism and the British Empire. The riders approached
the climb slowly, knowing the next five miles would be grueling. First
to attack was Irishman Patrick McMiller who went off the front while the
Asian Train, Jeff Change blocked for him. Minutes later McMiller was joined
by Bishoup, Italian Maynaro and the always dangerous road legend Andy
Rhodes. The chasers quickly dropped McMiller and continued their fast
pace over the mountain. At the top of the climb the pavement turned to
gravel and the riders prepared for a seven mile decent on one of West
Virginia's beautiful dirt roads. Because of the bumpy conditions and tight
turns team tacticts would do little to propel riders. Not flatting was
the main objective, though few riders achieved this goal. Consumed by
pinch flats were: Richardson, Mikel Becvnis (x3), Rhodes (x3), O. Quinn
(x2), and Bishoup. McMiller passed Bishoup on the final downhill; Bishoup
tried to follow McMiller's line, but flatted yards away from the finish.
McMiller's win was a major step for Team Green's rider development program.
After the riders regrouped and ate, they began their ascent of l'alp de
Vild, the famous category one climb. After the climb the peloton powered
along for 20 miles of the most beautiful road this country has to offer.
Grahm Watson was going to photograph this section, but a rival tour in
Europe offered him slightly more money. Andy Rhodes recovered from his
punctures and pulled the pelaton for the next forty miles. At times the
other riders had to tell Rhodes to slow down as he was dropping many riders.
Rhodes later said he wanted to get to home so he could resign his contract
with Team Green/Mr. J's Bagels. Although Tour organizers were disappointed
by Watson's absence, the director sportife received a phone call later
that evening from OLN executives who wanted to dedicate live coverage
to the tour next year. Said OLN Executive Ronald Lang: "We want to cover
events that are not tainted by drug use and abuse, the Tour De Burg seems
to fit this requirement well. The athletes are not just great riders,
but are open and honest about what they put in their bodies." 1. Pat McMiller
0:00 2. Jeramia Bishoup 0:05 3. Joel Maynario 1:02 4.Matt Lenahike 1:27
5. 1 :48 Chris Scott 3:13 6. Tim Richardson 6:15 7. Bryan Hall 7:20 8.Steve
Vier 10:13 9. Mikael Bvcnis 15:15 10. Jamie VonKeehner 15:52 11. Christi
Lhentholo 25:37 12. Jeff Chang 29:22 13.Christain Quinn 30:00 14. Oliver
Quinn 30:00 15. Andy Rhodes 30:00
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Stage 9 Recap
& Results
The final day of the tour put riders in yet another surreal Stage. The
sticky green carpet amid the lush green ferns was the tell tale sign of
the pain that team Green would dish out on this memorable day. Thomas
Jenkini who was set to take SBC on to victory in the team GC suffered
a critical blow to his hopes with a mentacanical, a sort of mental mechanical
he had running from Saturday night to the race start on Sunday morning.
After the dust settled around Jenkini he found himself a proud man engaged
to be married. Jenkini, at the awards ceremony said, " this years tour
has been a great experience, but now that I am marrying my coach Julie,
I will be twice as strong next year and a force to be reckoned with".
Billy Armstrong, the Texan representing Mark's Bike Shop in the final
stage, sneered at Jenkini saying, "old man freeride we will meet again
another day and you will not find such an easy way out!" Team Green played
the Peloton like a fiddle from the start along the Shenandoah Mountain
Trail. Chris Scott Team Greens leader on the trail distracted the Peloton
with 3 flats within the 1st hour. "He should receive an Oscar for his
performance", declared Oliver Quinn his Lieutenant as he hung back and
appeared to be assisting Scott. Since all the team cars have TV's the
Peloton was transfixed on Scott and his difficulties while Von Keehner
led out the the Russian Mikhail Hurlikoff. Von Keehner launched Hurlikoff
at the saddle of Benson Hollow and the peloton was unable to respond in
time to limit their damages. Hurlikoff soloed to Jerkemtight almost 10
minutes clear to claim the stage victory. The Peloton rolled in slowly
aloof to what had just happen knowing that is was the end of the tour
and Team Green did infact hand them a proper beating. Later in the evening
at the $1500 a plate awards banquet at the Sol de Wolfe, Hurlikoff received
the award for the most devastating stage victory in tour history. Patrick
McMiller the feisty Irishman received the award for the most aggressive
stage victory as a result of his Stage 8 upset of Jeremia Bishoup on the
above catagorie climb over Shenandoah Mountain and down the legandry above
categorie descent into Sugar Grove on the famed dirt roads. McMillar said,
" I give my victory to my fans who must of seen me on the front page of
the Saturday morning paper and cheered 3 deep for me up and over the climb
and all the way down the 5 mile descent, it will be a memorable experience
of my 1st grand tour". Bishoup, Bvcnis, and Scott stood on the podium
in that order and saluted their fellow riders while wondering, what if
Vimpty and Bushetti had not cracked this year, would we still be on the
Podium? The team GC title went to the crew of Marks Bike Shop as Patrick
McMillar, Billy Armstrong, Dylan Johnsonia, and Josh Vimpty declared themselves
a powerhouse for yet another year. 1. Mikhail Hurlikoff 0:00 2. Jamie
VonKeehner 9:32 3. Mikael Bvcnis 11:44 4. Oliver Quinn 5. Jeramia Bishoup
16:15 6. Paul Bushetti 16:30 7. Billy Armstrong 16:33 8. Matt16:34 9.
Erik A. 17:44 10. Christi Lhentholo 21:58 11. Ryan Ketchum 24:13 12. Chris
Scott 25.30 14. Kristin 25:40 Back to Schedule Final General Classifiation:
1. Jeramia Bishoup 0.00 2. Mikael Bvcnis 1:25:06 3. Chris Scott 1:58:59
4. Mark's 1:59:45 Back to Schedule
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