Wow...so, I am back home from what was a crazy...crazy week! I actually slept until 11am EST time on Saturday because I was so knackered from the week.

Got off the deck with a run/strength and then a ride with Lizard on Monday. After talking to her she needed a"motivational speech" in the form of a bump drill at the Las Vegas High football field. I was looking to get a easy victory, but she wanted none of that and proceeded to push me around as much as I was pushing her around. Amazing balance and mix of Kiss my arse did something because she really raced great at the finals. 

Why the bloody smile?

The week was full of meetings and video shoots with Chris Fowler and  his trusty video camera. We went on Wednesday and Thursday to ask people what they thought a "criterium" was. We interviewed Bahati, LVG, Cleve Blackwell, Rich Hincapie, Tina Pic, Nathan Oneill....tons of others. Look for that reel (went there) soon! We also talked to friends of the USA Criterium series and their thoughts on what their involvement was in the overall grand scheme!

Finally the day had come for the USA Crits finals. After copious amounts of walking and interviewing,Michael Aisner, Chris and I headed back to "camp" (Mandalay Bay). Aisner and I had a quick bite of pasta to charge up for the evening. We arrive pouring sweat already!!! Michael sets up his sound thingy with his apple (pretty impressive that he runs his own music from his laptop!)

We (I) then settle in for a rough and rocky first 3 races. My voice was suspect. 7 days in the dry air and doing 2 days of talking before the big Criterium and I was not in a good spot.Richard Fries went over to the VIP area and got me some tea and C Fred got me some throat lozenges and it was like....BAM I was back. Aisner and Fries really picked me up on the Industry cup race and then...it was on.

I was worried about the callups because it was going to require a punch. I somehow found a voice for it and then some. The race started off with a 500$ prime and then it was on. BIt's and pieces jumped away but nothing could get rolling. Ivan Stevic was always on the attack....nasty hard racing from him.  Just always looking to slip away but never got to rolll away with anyone. Jumbo (Mark Hekman) of Toshiba Santos kept pinning it with no result either. Travieso was active as well as Bazzana and Escuela.

The race was to be decided by a bunch and it seemed like my darkhorse, Aldo Ilesic of Slovenia was in the battle for the win?! It came to the end and Hilton had too much for Aldo and Myerson......and got a nice big win...again!!

Here is a pic of the old dudes who talk too much. 

Fries/me/Hall of fame