First Endurance sponsored rider Cadel Evans (BMC Racing Team) secured his third-place on General Classification today at Tirreno-Adriatico, earning the reigning world road champion his second top 10 placing for the BMC Racing Team at a major stage race.

“We really came here to function well more than look at results,” Evans said after finishing 12 seconds behind race winner Stefano Garzelli (Acqua & Sapone) and runner-up Michele Scarponi (Androni Giocattoli). “To scrape through and get on the podium has been a good indication that we’ve been successful.” Evans moved himself into podium position with fourth place on Stage 5 and third on Stage 6.

Director Sportif John Lelangue said the BMC Racing Team supported Evans well in the seven-day race as Evans added to his sixth place at the Santos Tour Down Under in January. “This is a really good result,” Lelangue said. “More than the result, the team has been functioning really well, which is important in the first big stage races of the season. These are some of the guys who will be racing the Giro and the Tour de France, if we are selected.”

Race morning began very early with a 4AM wake up and pre-race meal (peanut butter bagel with banana along with 16 oz of First Endurance EFS drink).  Prior to the race I had another EFS 16oz bottle that included a scoop of First Endurance Pre-Race.  My nutrition during the race consisted of one bottle (16oz) of EFS drink and that was it (simple for Olympic distance racing).  I usually have two bottles, but noticed in the cooler mornings I only drink one bottle (like Dallas last year when it was 50 and raining).  This race I do wish I had another bottle—so now I know at 60 degrees, I would drink two 16oz bottles of EFS!
I raced Miami back in 2008 and finished in first, so the goal was to defend the title from a couple of years ago.  The water was a cool, 69 degrees, but fortunately, I had my TYR’s Sayonara Swimskin. which kept me a little warmer.  I had a great swim and exited just 15 seconds back from the super star swimmers McLarty and Piersol.  I had much better transitions this race and got onto my bike working hard to catch the leaders, but feeling strong on my new Fuji D-6 with Oval concept bars! I also taped my Under Armour Bit Tech mouthpiece and felt great with my mouth guard.  Unfortunately, I went slightly off course about 7 miles into the bike course and lost a little bit of time,  but kept my head in it to get right back on course and back into my riding rhythm.  I ended up exiting the bike about 15 seconds behind McLarty, with Peterson about 40 seconds behind me.  I started off the run at a good pace; not quite sure what was going on behind me.  The run was a two loop out and back, so we were able to see our competition.  I noticed that I was gaining time on the other athletes and was able to back off the pace a little towards the end of the run.  The faster I can recover from a race; the faster I can get back into serious training for Sydney, my first big race of the year!  It was a good feeling to break the tape!

I am currently in St. Louis for a couple days and getting a chance to see the family and celebrate birthday’s with my nieces (Sarah turned three on the `14^th and Anna one on the 17^th).  I have another tough training block approaching the next couple of weeks (and an altitude adjustment since I have been away from home for six weeks!)

Evans Animates Racing on Stage 5

When world champion Cadel Evans caught the two leaders in the last kilometer today on Stage 5 at Tirreno-Adriatico, the BMC Racing Team rider immediately went on the attack to gain time.  Although Evans did not win the four-up sprint that was taken by Enrico Gasparotto (Team Astana), his fourth place did move him up to fourth overall, 18 seconds behind Michele Scarponi (Androni Giocattoli). “I saw Scarponi in difficulty and made an acceleration,” Evans said about the steep climb before the finish. BMC Racing Team Director Sportif John Lelangue said it was either go for the stage and sacrifice important seconds, or go for the GC. “We took the option to go for the GC because Monday is still a big day when everything can change.”

Now, for a limited time, get a free EFS Liquid Shot flasks with every order. Value of $5.99

The First Endurance sponsored BISSELL Pro Cycling Team confirmed its strong form this weekend as the team won the 4 man team time-trial and again when Ben Jacques-Maynes (BISSELL) won the road race in the Merco Cycling Classic Road Race.

BISSELL’s time trial quartet included Ben Jacques-Maynes, Jeremy Vennell, Andy Jacques-Maynes, and Rob Britton. The 20 mile out-and-back course covered rolling terrain from the City of Merced with the finishing time based on the 3rd rider across. BISSELL rode a solid pace on the first half of the course and turned on the after-burners for the final 5k. Andy Jacques-Maynes did a massive lead-out heading into the finish before dropping off. The team clocked in at 38:37 and was 1:06 faster than 2nd place team, Giant Strawberry. The team credits their size and power uniformity, and great team coordination for the win.

BISSELL continued to perform well on Saturday’s 40mile/50 lap Downtown Grand Prix. Paul Mach and Ian Boswell rounded out BISSELL’s squad for the weekend’s races. The 6 man team rode a smart crit. BISSELL was a principal team with AJM throwing out the first early moves and BJM challenging in the decisive break of the day. BJM and AJM finished 6th and 8th, respectively.

The team’s main focus for the weekend, however, was the Foothills Road Race which consisted of 5, 24 mile rolling loops totaling 120 miles. Thirteen riders successfully broke away on the second lap and held the gap around 2 minutes for most of the day. BJM and Paul Mach represented BISSELL in the break which also hosted riders from the other major teams. The break never eased and the consistent pressure eventually resulted in the group splintering on the last lap. However going into the final climb, 9 riders from the original breakaway reunited and Ben timed his move perfectly. With 200 meters to go, BJM blasted from the group for the win. After drilling the day’s break for Ben, Paul finished 8th and AJM put out a great final sprint from the main group for 11th place.

Rounding out BISSELL’s racing efforts this weekend was the 3 man team of Kyle Wamsley, Daniel Holloway and Cody O’Reilly who were off at the OCBC Cycle Singapore. The three BISSELL riders rode a smart race in 100 degree temperatures to finish 11th, 13th, and 15th.

These great early results bode well for a strong season and the team will use these results as motivation. “With this win, we’ll bring some confidence in our ability to race together effectively,” says Ben Jacques-Maynes.

photo credits: Wil Matthews www.wilmatthewsphoto.com

CLERMONT, Fla. – In what proved to be a competitive early-season contest, Brian Fleischmann and Sarah Haskins were victorious in USA Triathlon’s first Elite Development Race of 2010 Sunday at Lake Louisa State Park.

Fleishmann outdistanced a field of 35 men with a time of 53:22 in the sprint distance race, which consisted of a 750-meter swim, a 20-kilometer bike and a 5-kilometer run. Fellow ITU-ranked elites Cameron Dye (53:48) and Jarrod Shoemaker (54:14) took second and third, respectively.

Haskins took the women’s race with a time of 57:54, nearly a minute ahead of the field of 13. Alicia Kaye was second at 58:45, and Sara McLarty placed third in 1:00:09.

Sarah Haskins talks about what the First Endurance product mean for her in her racing as a Professional Triathlete.  “First Endurance is all about the quality of product specific to athletes needs and high end performance.  I trust using every product in the First Endurance line as I know that all the products are tested and safe for athletes.  Knowing that my nutritional and supplemental needs are met with First Endurance;  I don’t have to stress about getting what my body needs and I can focus my energy on racing fast!

The EFS drink is as the best hydration formula I have used for racing and training.  Many other sports drinks I have experimented with in the past have left my stomach feeling bloated and had too sweet of a taste in my mouth bottle after bottle.  EFS has never left me with a bloated feeling, even after long endurance rides lasting over four hours.  I enjoy the “light” taste and my favorite is the grape and lemon-lime flavor.  I love the fact that EFS is not just hydrating me with the proper electrolyte balance, but that each serving is loaded with Vitamin C!  The new EFS drinks have also increased the amount of sodium, which my body needs when I am really pushing the limits, especially when the temperatures climb in the summer months.  When I am traveling for long international flights, I know it is so important to stay hydrated; so I often use 1/2 scoops of EFS in my bottle to hydrate me along the way to my race destination.”

USA Triathlon Elite Development Race #1, March 7, 2010
Lake Louisa State Park, Clermont, Fla.
Women
1. Sarah Haskins, 57:54
2. Alicia Kaye, 58:45
3. Sara McLarty, 1:00:09
4. Amanda Hahn, 1:00:56
5. Tamara Kozulina, 1:01:30

Men
1. Brian Fleischmann, 53:22
2. Cameron Dye, 53:48
3. Jarrod Shoemaker, 54:14
4. Maxim Kriat, 54:41
5. Sean Jefferson, 56:04

“It was nice to be able to pull on the sprint today,” said Teutenberg. “It’s always hard to judge your form before the first race of the season and I’m lacking top-end speed right now so I was a little nervous going into it.

“The girls raced really well to control the race. Kim, Chloe and Evelyn were in every break and did the perfect lead out over the last few laps. It’s also nice that Chloe was able to get on the podium after leading me out.”

After a serious crash with three laps remaining, the race was neutralized for 15 minutes. When the officials restarted the race, they increased the lap count to six. HTC-Columbia controlled the finish.

On the last lap Anderson was setting the pace with Teutenberg on her wheel. Teutenberg let a gap open up forcing other teams to chase. Anderson was caught just before the last corner and Hosking set Teutenberg up for the sprint.

For 19 year old Hosking “it was a good introduction to US racing. I was happy to be able to help Ina in the lead-out and hold on for third place.”

Team Director Rene Wenzel was happy with the team’s second win in two days. “It was a pleasure to see the girls in action today. They all did their job perfectly and when it finishes with a win and a third place, one can only be happy.”

First Endurance rider Frantisek Rabon (HTC-Columbia) moved into the overall lead of the Tour of Murcia in Spain thanks to a convincing victory in stage four’s individual time trial.

Rabon finished 33 seconds ahead of Russia’s Denis Menchov and 48 seconds ahead of Great Britain’s Bradley Wiggins in a flat 22 kilometre course at Alhama de Murcia. With just one stage of the Tour of Murcia remaining, HTC-Columbia’s Czech rider now leads by 38 seconds on Menchov and 53 on Wiggins.

The winner of the same time trial in Murcia in 2009, Rabon said later “my performance was pretty similar, but I think the big difference overall is that last year after winning the time trial I got dropped on the mountains the following day. This time we’ve already had the race’s most mountainous stage and I got through fine.”

“I was feeling confident because I’d done pretty well in my previous race, the Tour of the Algarve [in Portugal], where I was seventh overall. I was third last rider to start, which was an advantage because I had time references on my rivals and knew when I had to go faster.” Rabon said the the time trial was “like last year’s course, just six kilometres longer, so my approach was almost the same.”

As for the overall, Rabon is optimistic, because “although some of the other teams will try to attack me on the last stage, and of course it can be dangerous, but I’ve already shown I’m pretty strong in the climbs. We’ve got a good team here, so if everything goes well I’ll be able to hold on.” Rabon’s victory in the Tour of Murcia is the tenth of the 2010 season for HTC-Columbia men’s team.

About First Endurance:

First Endurance was started by two racing fanatics (a cyclist and a triathlete) with a healthy obsession for sports nutrition. The idea was simple. Give endurance athletes access to formulas that are developed for one specific reason-to maximize endurance performance. First Endurance is committed to using only the highest-quality ingredients and uses the latest scientifically validated technological advancements. First Endurance proudly sponsors the BMC, HTC-Columbia and Bissell professional cycling teams.   These cyclists work closely with First Endurance on new product development. Input and trials from the First Endurance athletes are used to develop new products like the new and improved EFS drinks that were introduced on Feb 1, 2010.

Results:

“The team did a good job in this very technical event,” noted sport director Rene Wenzel. “We had two very experienced TTT riders with Ina [Teutenberg] and Kim [Anderson], and two inexperienced riders with Evelyn [Stevens] and Chloe [Hosking], and considering that it was the first team time trial of the season together, we had an excellent outcome.”

HTC-Columbia women’s team won on the rolling and relatively windy course with a time of 43:51. Tomorrow the team continues the Merco Classic with the Downtown Criterium at 11:30am, followed by the Merco Classic Foothills Road Race on Sunday.

Wednesday this week:  Trevor was flying back from visiting family and catching some of the Olympics in Vancouver;  I was rocking out an 8 hour training day in the best mood ever! Seriously, I had happy goggles on. Nothing could phase me. And this got me to thinking… When do I get grumpy? When I am low on calories, or when my electrolyte balance is off (Trevor and I both notice that we get quite irrationally angry when we need salt). So, First Endurance quite literally makes me happy!! I am fueled and hydrated properly and I can keep training hard day after day and be in a good mood doing it!

Wednesday was actually ridiculous. The last part of this road that I ride frequently called Foxen Canyon (heading toward Los Olivos) is an extremely rough, nasty mix of chunky broken asphalt, divots and potholes that usually has me dropping the f-bomb at least once and feeling sorry for my wrists. I rode the last half of my ride, after some hard hill repeats up Drum Canyon, on a near flat tire (which I was too happy to notice) and managed to ride this section in the aero position. I was like “oh, this isn’t so bad. Geepers why does it normally piss me off? Zippity do da, zippity yay…”.  Ha ha.

Anyway here was my day on Wednesday and how I fueled throughout:

Breakfast:

2 kiwi’s, Mesa Sunrise gluten free cereal with raisins and walnuts, Optygem HP and my Endurance MultiV

5800 y swim with a main set of 3 x 1200 on 16:00 – steady aerobic pace ~ :45 ri.  EFS mild grape drink on deck

Fruit punch Ultragen in a water bottle immediately after my swim – ride home

Avocado and tomato on gluten free bread, orange – out for my ride w/in an hour

4 hr, 105k ride with 4 decreasing time (increasing effort) intervals up Drum Canyon (from the Los Alamos side after climbing from the Buelton side) – did the last interval as a max effort climb in a time of 9:35 max HR of 174 bpm.

I had 2 bottles of EFS drink and one bottle of water, then I stopped at a fountain after the repeats to make another 2 bottles of EFS drink (brought the powder in a little baggy). I also had 1 EFS bar which I ate in little peices from about 1:30 to 2:45 in, and towards the end of the ride I had 2 separate slurps of EFS liquid shot.

Once I  got home I made another bottle of Ultragen which I drank half of while riding easy to the Y for my transition workout. There I ran hard on the treadmill with lots of uphill intervals for 45min and had more EFS drink during. This was followed by a 800m easy swim to loosen up and stretch,  and the rest of my Ultragen.

After a long hot shower I had a bunch of sunflower seeds and a V8 and rode home – still feeling awesome and not ready to chew arm off in hunger. Had a nice dinner of salmon, quinoa and spinach salad and tried to stay awake until 9:30 pm when I had to go get Trevor at the airport.

It was a fantastic training day with no bonking, no gastric distress and I was insanely happy all day! Thanks First Endurance!

Thanks for the kick-ass ride kit too!!  Trevor looking studly…