Lipscomb and Turner Shine at Tour de l'Abitibi

August 16, 2010 09:39 by Steve Baker

Two Hincapie Development Team riders received guest rides for one of the biggest UCI Junior Stage Races in the world.  Matt Lipscomb and Blair Turner were each invited to ride on a composite team for the Tour de l’Abitibi, a 7 Stage UCI Junior Stage Race in Canada.  L’Abitibi attracts some of the world’s most competitive 17-18 year old cyclists, so the competition is fierce.  It's one of the longest running UCI Junior Stage Races in the world and many top professionals got their start racing l'Abitibi.  Steve Bauer, Andy Hampsten, Bobby Julich, Laurant Jalabert all raced before launching their professional careers.  Even our very own Rich Hincapie pinned a number on in Canada when he was 18.  This year’s race featured national junior teams from the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Thailand, Belize and many other regional teams.  Lipscomb competed on the USA Cycling Southeastern Regional Team while Turner rode with the DIY Music Team.  Both riders made us proud with strong results throughout the week.  In the end, two Hincapie Devo riders finished in the top 10 on GC.  Lipscomb was 7th and Turner was 9th overall.  Big thanks to our friends for giving several of our riders a chance to show their stuff in Canada.  Turner gave us an account of his week.

Hincapie Devo's Turner (guest riding for DIY Music) stood on the podium in 3rd place on Stage 4.

"Tour de l'Abitibi was a race I intended to do starting the season, but as it got closer, it looked as it was not going to happen. Luckily, DIY Music gave me a spot the week before the race start. Going into the race, I had an idea of what to expect. Lots of aggressive racing and chaos. For the first couple of stages I sat in and felt things out. Then, after the time trial, I knew I had to go on the attack. On stage four, I went out on the attack. I got in a good sized move, and we rolled it all day. Coming into the finish, I knew who to watch. I had put in a couple of attacks, but they weren't having it. So with about 1k to go, things got heated up when a US national team rider put in a good attack off the front. Luckily, he was brought back and the sprinter who won the first stage decided to try and take it from about 500 meters out. I jumped on his wheel and came around him with about two hundred meters to go. Unfortunately, I was also overtaken by two riders in the last 25 meters."

Turner Spints to 3rd place on Stage 4 at Tour de l'Abitibi.

"I was disappointed, but at least I gave it a go and made the podium. After this stage it moved me up to ninth in GC. The next days would see us defending the top ten and trying to move up. The last stage sorted out the weak as we drove the pace through the crosswinds and ended up with twenty guys in the front group. I went for time bonuses and tried to stay fresh for the finish.  I ended up 9th on the day and 9th overall. I was satisfied, and it was a good way to end the week. I’m still looking for that win this year, and I'm confident it will come before the year is up."
Blair

Mike Stone Wins Tour du Life Omnium

June 9, 2010 14:25 by Steve Baker

Hincapie Development rider, Mike Stone won the High Country Tour du Life Omnium in NC this weekend.  Mike has been riding very well and turning in some impressive results lately.  He's on form just in time for the USA Junior National Championships in Bend, OR later this month.  Mike won the hillclimb time trial up Beech Mountain and placed top ten in both the Criterium and the Road Race to take the overal omnium victory.  He is certainly showing that his recent category 1 upgrade is well-deserved and we're proud of him.  We're excited about the upcoming trip to nationals.  The guys are riding great and should be on form to make an impact in the races.

Stone on his way to victory in the uphill time trial.

That's our man standing on the top step!  Way to go Mike.

Matt Lipscomb Wins SC State TT Championship

June 9, 2010 14:16 by Steve Baker

Hincapie Development rider, Matt Lipscomb doesn't live in South Carolina, but that didn't keep him from coming into town to beat up on the locals at the South Carolina State Time Trial Championships.  Matt is only 17, but he decided to race the 19-22 year old age group for the day.  He was using the race to tune up his TT form ahead of the USA Junior National Championships later this month.  Matt averaged 27.4 mph over the 16 mile course, placing him 5th overall and the winner of the age group.  We're proud of the way he's riding and we wish him the best of luck at the National Championships.

Mike Stone Racing Tour of the Gila

April 28, 2010 11:18 by Steve Baker

Fresh off his recent Category 1 upgrade, Hincapie Development rider Mike Stone has headed west to race the Tour of the Gila in New Mexico.  Mike's going to be going against some of the best racers in the racers in the country...scratch that...best riders in the world thanks to the presence of Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer and Jason McCartney.  Mike is riding like a real champ, so we are confident he's got what it takes to be competitive.  Best of luck, Mike!