Pros Dominate Fresca National Championships INSIDE
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THE VOICE OF NORTHWEST CYCLING JULY 95 • FREE Pros dominate Fresca National Championships New Microsoft Teams work at Grand Prix road Thunderbar Crit course still brutal Championships BY NOEL ZANCHELLI BY ERIC G.E. ZUELOW The thirteen mile course may have been The 1995 Thunderbar National Criterium slightly altered, but competitors in the 1995 championships provided an excellent introduc- Microsoft Grand Prix National Road Champi- tion to team tactics for the massive crowds of onship endured difficult tests none the less on spectators surrounding the straight-forward and Sunday, June 11. One hundred and sixty men flat 1.1 mile circuit in Seattle’s Alki Point began on a quest that covered eight grueling laps neighborhood on Friday, June 9. (104 miles) and eventually crowned an amateur Timex rider Laura Charameda took advan- National Road Champion. tage of a superbly executed lead out to win the At the completion of lap one, Saturn’s women’s championship. Later in the afternoon, Mike McCarthy appeared poised to continue at the men’s race saw a perfect lead out net Saturn’s his blistering pace. A small chase group trailed Mike McCarthy a first and teammate Robert by a minute and twelve seconds. Remarkably, “The Rocket” Ventura second. the main bunch stayed together for more than PHOTO BY JOHN PRATT/PURSUIT PHOTO The women’s race suffered from nervous half of the second lap, and finally regrouped Fresh from his victory at the Haggen Foods Time Trial, Steve Hegg (Chevrolet/LA Sheriffs) led riding and several resulting crashes which took after the Madrona climb. the pack for a while at the Sports Pep Thunder Bar National Criterium Championships. out many top local riders. Nancy Bruce suffered Montgomery Bell pro Eddy Gragus, who the worst crash and was transported to the had a superb ride in the 1994 Microsoft Grand Complete coverage of the Time Trial, Criterium and Road Race continues on pages 16-17. hospital and treated for injuries which included Prix, tried to best last year’s performance on lap compressed vertebrae. four as he challenged the others to match his Gragus had built a lead of 26 seconds by the at one minute twenty-five seconds and then While riders repeatedly attempted to get pace up Yesler. Reacting with fervor, the speed time he made the right turn off of Yesler, and he lingered around a minute fifteen seconds for away in the corners and on the “hill,” it quickly of the peleton increased and was strung out to a gained 22 more on the MLK descent. The pack almost another half of a lap. became apparent that the race would yield a single paceline for the first time in the race. The was nowhere in sight as Gragus sped under the Six chasers had assumed the pursuit nearing bunch sprint. With four laps to go the field chase was seriously on, and this would later old trolley tunnel in Frink Park, enjoying a one the end of the fourth lap. Eventually, seven seemed to have resigned itself to this fate. prove to be the decisive move in the men’s event. minute fifteen second lead. His advantage peaked others would bridge up to the chase group, Crossing the start finish line, however, PLEASE SEE "ROAD" ON PAGE 17. PLEASE SEE "CRIT" ON PAGE 16. Trek Bicycle Corporation purchases Chehalis' Klein Bicycles BY DENISE ONO improve its efficiency. Trek is constantly look- world class distribution network,” explained Chehalis, WA—In a statement made “Gary didn’t have to sell,” “We saw ing at ways to grow its busi- Burke. on June 19, Klein Bicycles announced said McCullough, “but he ness,” Burke continued. “We As for recent criticism regarding Trek’s that the Trek Bicycle Corporation com- wants the company to grow in Klein a saw in Klein a company with latest purchases, Burke said, “I think that’s pleted an agreement to purchase the high and do more product testing company with great people, great product and a very cynical viewpoint. Trek’s taking two end aluminum mountain and road bike and development. Trek has a a great image.” He said that great companies (Klein and Bontranger) company. Under the terms of the deal, much larger volume and tre- great people, with Trek’s backing, Klein has and breathing a lot of life into them. You’ll Klein will continue as a separate opera- mendous purchasing power.” great product the opportunity to grow faster see greater selection for consumers and tion. Most production as well as research “We’re still determined to that it has. “There aren’t a greater competition in the marketplace and development will stay at the Chehalis stay in the high end markets,” and a great whole lot of Klein dealers out because of Trek’s backing.” He stated that factory. Sales, marketing and adminstrative McCullough stated, “but our image.” there. We will help with ex- Trek is not out to destroy smaller busi- offices will be based at the Trek head- line may change a bit.” pansion of the dealer net- nesses by swallowing them up. “If I was a quarters in Waterloo, Wisconsin. Burke agreed, announc- — JOHN BURKE work. Current Klein dealers big monolithic company, I would not buy “This is going to be a very successful ing that Trek plans to add VP SALES, TREK will get more marketing sup- the company, put money in the factory and merger for both companies and especially the three lower priced models to port and you may see more keep R&D going. I would take the designs, dealers,” said Phyllis McCullough, Klein’s the line, which will be built in Klein advertisments in na- slap our name on them and close the fac- Marketing Director. “Trek wanted to get Wisconsin. “But all other production will tional magazines. We will offer 800 numbers tory,” said Burke. “The company has grown another brand to fill the niche aluminum remain in Chehalis. In fact, Kleins built in to talk directly with customers. “Trek will with great relationships with customers, great market,” she added. “Klein has the most Chehalis may drop in price because of better make investments in Klein factory to make it customer service. We stand for some real prestigious reputation in the world.” deals on components.” more efficient and develop a world wide, positive things. I don’t think it’s bad at all.” “Dealers will get a lot better service, and we will be conducting a continuing evalua- tion of markets to expand our dealership Current Klein dealers have mixed reactions base,” McCullough stated. She added that INSIDE The announcement of the Trek-Klein We have a strange insulation in Southern they will be building a sales staff in the next deal has current Klein dealers watching California,” said I. Martin Imports manager couple of months. Klein currently does not Out Spokin’ ...................................... 3 develoments closely. One of the most im- Eric Gottesfeld. He explained that his Los have a field sales force and conducts business portant aspects of the merger is the possibil- Angeles store should not feel any pressure Advice .............................................. 4 with dealers over the phone. ity of increasing the number of Klein dealers from new Klein dealerships popping up in “We have tremendous respect for Klein. throughout the country. Southern California. “Los Angeles is so spread Health .............................................. 5 They have a great product line, great R&D “I think greater availability will reduce out and consumers aren’t willing to drive for capabilities and unparalleled owner loy- prestige of Kleins. I worry that if they put hours just to buy a bike.” Regional Reports .............................. 6 alty,” said John Burke, Vice President of more dealers around it may hurt existing As for the promised increased marketing Sales and Marketing for Trek. “We’re basi- Travel ............................................... 7 dealers,” said Andy Thomas, manager of support from the Trek corporation, Gottesfeld cally giving Klein financial and marketing Overlook Mountain Bikes in Woodstock, said, “I don’t see any advantages or disadvan- resources so Gary Klein can focus on re- Cycling Calendar ......................... 8-12 New York. “I think that dealing with Klein tages, unless they come to us with a ridiculous search and development,” said Burke. currently is very simple. Customer satisfac- dealer package. I think they’ll go slow.” Klein’s president, Gary Klein will con- Innovators Northwest .................... 13 tion is 100% and I don’t see any reason to Closer to home, Lloyd Goodin, a man- tinue as president of the firm. “This is an change it,” he added. Thomas said his shop ager at Seattle Cycles said, “I don’t want Sports pages ............................. 14-17 opportunity for Klein Bicycle. We have services a large area. More dealers may mean Klein to be a commonplace bike. It’s kind of developed a number of exciting prototypes, a decrease in sales for him. Coincidentally, a specialty bike and I wouldn’t want it to Classifieds ...................................... 18 but haven’t had the financial capability to his store also sells Trek and Bontranger bikes. become just a regular bike.” As for the actual fully develop, test and bring those products On the other side of the country, one corporate purchase, Goodin said he has yet Marketplace .............................. 18-19 to market. Trek offers us the opportunity dealer has a different opinion. “I don’t see how to form an opinion. “We’re just waiting and to do that,” he said. He added that Trek Maynard ......................................... 19 the dealer base in L.A. could be increased. watching,” he said. plans to invest in the Chehalis factory to LAWY ER ~ CYCLIST BICYCLE INJURIES ■ INSURANCE NEGOTIATIONS, MEDIATION & TRIAL OF CLAIMS ■ 24 YEARS AS TRIAL LAWYER ■ BIKE COMMUTER & CHINA TOUR LEADER ■ CASCADE BIKE CLUB MEMBER ■ NOWBIKE BOARD & L.A.B.