So for those of you who missed my award winning 2012 ToC route analysis (here), our generous friends over at AEG and Amgen have released more details and given me another excuse to blather on pointlessly continue my crack analysis of the "greatest stage race the world has ever known being held in the greatest place on earth, ever"*, the Tour of California!

Now in order to write this properly, for the proper ambiance, it was necessary for me to pack my bags and move to Beverly... Hills that is... you know, that place with the swimming pools and the movie stars? Here's some video to help you orient yourself. Go on, I'll wait....

And since you all know how seriously I take my responsibility to really cover the story right, and also because Chris lent me the Cafe charge card (wOOt Chris!), I was able to come correct and rent one of these, and get one of these, and also there was this (don't judge me). Also, I'm working on a screenplay about a hooker with a heart of gold who meets an unhappy rich business man who needs a date for some business meetings, etc. and I'm having trouble with the ending. She either gets killed by evil drug dealers, or the rich guy marries her. The first seems more realistic but the second seems more box office. Hmm, decisions...

Wait, where was I? Oh, the race details! Sorry. Grab some snacks and join me after the jump...

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Since the other sites are doing 2011 retrospectives, it seemed appropriate that The Cafe have one. It became clear that a year long photo essay was too much so instead Cyclocross gets first exposure. A road collection will follow in the coming days.

Meredith Miller - Cross Vegas

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Guess what, there are big cross races outside Belgium! No, I'm not talking about Igorre, Spain (besides, that was last weekend). I'm talking about the US Grand Prix (USGP) of Cyclocross series, by far the most prestigious series this side of the Atlantic. Think about it as America's version of the GVA or Superprestige series.

Anyway, the fourth and final round of the USGP is this weekend in Bend, Oregon. Unlike the European series, the USGP clusters its races into two-day weekends. Which means two days of great racing in the same venue, which is just awesome. Follow below the jump for a look at the course, the players, and where to follow the racing on the interwebs!

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Though we're already one month into the North American cyclocross season - in the better late than never category - here's a little primer to keep track of the racers. (btw found out that primer in this case pronounced pr-ee-mer and not pr-i-mer because that's the stuff on the wall before you pain... but I digress)

The big story at the start of the season was the expected crossclash between Jeremy Powers and Tim Johnson. After years of racing on Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com team and simply dominating the last couple of years,  Powers moved to headline the Rapha-Focus squad, and it's a big deal. Last year, we saw an inkling of what the racing could be like when the two really battled for the win, a  nail-biting, on the edge of your seat racing.

Well, that clash hasn't happened – yet - as Johnson is having a very slow start to the season, but another battle did ensue.  To the pleasure of the fans, the Ryan Trebon of old is back. Trebon  who dominated the scene a couple of years ago decided to strike on out his own after many years of racing on KONA, creating his own team LTS/Felt – a team of one at the moment. The eponymous LTS is named for the two principles Dusty Labarr, the team manager & mechanic and Ryan Trebon.

It's been a no holds barred duel between Powers and Trebon with neither dominating. With the European season starting later,  Belgians Bart Wellens and Rob Peeters (Telenet-Fidea) came over to check out the racing  one year ahead of the 2013 World Championships to be held in Louisville, KY. Wellens came away with three wins and new few found respect for the extra hurdle the US racers face with all the traveling.

We still have three more months of racing, and I fully expect the Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com trio to come into their stride and start being players for the wins. And of course, there are a lot more racers, including the working men that often battle for the 5 to 10 positions, so here's brief who's who of North American cross racing, XY edition.

Note: having issue with image formatting - but will be adding some soon! I promise

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Men's Elite Saturday

Men's Elite Sunday

Women's Elite Sunday

It was an angels, devils, heaven and hell, AC/DC sort of weekend in Fort Collins Colorado for USGP #4. 45º and driving rain on Saturday followed by broken clouds and mid fifties in Sunday. The baby poop mud of Saturday dried out to yield a firm fast surface for Sunday's elite races.

Luna Chix Katerina Nash went head to head with Rabobank's Katie Compton both days. The two split time on the podium's top step. Nash displayed her series leader jersey while Compton answered with the Stars and Stripes of US national champion. Saturday's podium was Nash, Compton and Georgia Gould (Luna Chix). Sunday Compton would best Nash with Meredith Miller claiming third.

On the men's side Ryan Trebon (LTS) swapped wins with Jeremy Powers (Rapha- Focus). Trebon had the better ride in Saturdays sloppy mud, but was unable to hold off Powers on Sunday. Geoff Kabush (Maxxis/Rocky Mountain) rounded out the podium with a second place on Saturday and third on Sunday.

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Bart Wellens (Telenet Fidea)

Katerina Nash (Luna Chix)

Meredith Miller (Cal Giant) 

Prettty In Mud breast cancer charity

Last week was the start of North American CX season. Cross After Dark opened with two of four scheduled events, Cross Vegas and Starcrossed CX. Rapha-Focus GP finished the week in top style.

Lars Van der Haar (Rabobank) struck first blood taking a field sprint over Christian Huele (Cannondale/Cross World), Rob Peeters (Telenet Fidea), Jeremy Powers (Rapha-Focus), Ryan Trebon (LTS/Felt),  Bart Aerenouts (Rabobank) and Tim Johnson (Cannondale/Cross World). Vander Haar's win at Cross Vegas, in front of a couple thousand fans set the tone for the week.

Meredith Miller (Cal-Giant) On the Run At Cross Vegas

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As Cycling fans we go to see the races for several different reasons. Many go to just see their favorite rider, others go for the excitement of the race or maybe the play of team tactics in a deciding move. I have heard some explain that just the physical feats that the riders are capable of leave them stunned and only want to witness it live. Of course you also have the rabid fans who go for the roadside parties that go along with a large spectacle like a professional race. Witness the Dutch corner or even more recently the continually developing Tanner Flats in the Tour Of Utah. Last year it was a fan giving a hotdog to a rider, this year the menu included: Powdered donuts, raw steak, pizza slices and even a whole pickle along with of course the ever popular beer. Personally and from the people that I have talked to it is not common knowledge what goes into that rider being were they are performing like they do. The behind the scenes work that gives us this great sport we love, Professional Cycling.

Special Chair made for Stephanie by Team Jamis-Sutterhome

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