U.S. Handcyclists to Race in France

Friday, 24 August 2007 05:53

Five American handcyclists are in Bordeaux, France this week, racing at the UCI Para-Cycling World Championships (formerly known as the IPC World Disabled Cycling Championships). The team includes Alejandro Albor of Elk Grove, CA (defending his 2007 win in the road race), Oz Sanchez of San Diego, CA (looking for a good result in his second international event), Matt Updike of Denver, CO (on his best form since 2002), David Lee of Cardiff, CA, and Todd Richardson of Raleigh, NC. Both Lee and Richardson are competing internationally for the first time.

Word from Richardson early Thursday was that he has come down with a bug and is “iffy” at best to start Friday’s Time Trial. Albor is the man to beat tomorrow, and he has plenty to prove after not being allowed to start in the 2006 time trial due to an equipment regulation. Thanks to the great racing all season long at various U.S. Handcycling events (the Rocky Mountain Omnium and Sadler’s Ultra Challenge to mention a few), the boys have had a chance to race together….ALOT. This should help with team tactics Sunday’s road race, particularly on the home turf of the crafty Europeans.

Look for Updike to “open a can” in the time trial, and it should be interesting to see where Lee pops up mashing that big ol’ gear of his. If Richardson is healthy for Sunday’s race, he and Lee could get Updike in the mix for a victory, and Sanchez thrives on mixing it up in the pack….of course if it rains (rain is indeed forecasted off and on all weekend), Albor will look to sneak away and avoid danger just as he did in 2006.

Check back **HERE** regularly for updates, or visit the OFFICIAL EVENT WEBSITE.

Five American handcyclists are in Bordeaux, France this week, racing at the UCI Para-Cycling World Championships (formerly known as the IPC World Disabled Cycling Championships). The team includes Alejandro Albor of Elk Grove, CA (defending his 2007 win in the road race), Oz Sanchez of San Diego, CA (looking for a good result in his second international event), Matt Updike of Denver, CO (on his best form since 2002), David Lee of Cardiff, CA, and Todd Richardson of Raleigh, NC. Both Lee and Richardson are competing internationally for the first time.

Word from Richardson early Thursday was that he has come down with a bug and is “iffy” at best to start Friday’s Time Trial. Albor is the man to beat tomorrow, and he has plenty to prove after not being allowed to start in the 2006 time trial due to an equipment regulation. Thanks to the great racing all season long at various U.S. Handcycling events (the Rocky Mountain Omnium and Sadler’s Ultra Challenge to mention a few), the boys have had a chance to race together….ALOT. This should help with team tactics Sunday’s road race, particularly on the home turf of the crafty Europeans.

Look for Updike to “open a can” in the time trial, and it should be interesting to see where Lee pops up mashing that big ol’ gear of his. If Richardson is healthy for Sunday’s race, he and Lee could get Updike in the mix for a victory, and Sanchez thrives on mixing it up in the pack….of course if it rains (rain is indeed forecasted off and on all weekend), Albor will look to sneak away and avoid danger just as he did in 2006.

Check back **HERE** regularly for updates, or visit the OFFICIAL EVENT WEBSITE.