Downer's Grove US Pro Crit Championships

Okay, first I need to say, the recruit is a Marine now. I have to get a pic downloaded. It takes me so much time to figure out the hows and how-to on the pictures, it might be at least this weekend before I try.

What a great trip to Downer's Grove!!! The weather was perfect. I met my newest Chicagoland friend, Nikki. She loves bike racing! Janann came from Iowa, and Cat came both days, and even brought hubby on Sunday for the Pro race.

Jelly Belly felt like they were being stalked, I'm SURE! I wanted to meet Brad's new teammates, and Danny is a pretty cool guy for a boss. Funny too. Brad looked great, and Nikki surprised me with an 8x10 pic of Brad and I (autographed without telling me....I was getting pissed, the girls left me forever.....I knew Nikki had been up to no good while I was enjoying the race, and wondering what was going on that I was being left out on!!! ( I don't know if that sentence is properly written...but I hope it makes sense.)

We met a lot of racers, some from teams we didn't know anything about. Great guys. I also met 2 guys from Team Type 1. They looked important to me, knew what they were talking about, and invited me to visit the Team after the Pro race...I didn't make it, damn. And they are not going to be at the Tour of MO. Found out that they will have a women's team next year! And Ian Macgregor is having a great season. I love the mission of the team.

I met Christian VandeVelde!!! So cool. Got my picture with him too! Such a sweetheart, and a hero in American Pro cycling. Of course I scared him to death when I found him over by Jelly Belly, trying to get ready for the race. I did the typical "Theresa meets one of her favorite riders" welcome, which consists of screaming his name! Poor guy...but he took it well.

And then I went to wish Brad good luck. And he said, "it's gonna be a crapshoot." Boy, did that turn out to be true. He was racing with wings! Brad in the best shape, I've ever seen him, and keeping a good position during the race. Then before the 8th corner on the final lap, his chain jumps off. I had no idea at first, but I knew something happened, when he finally passed us going to the team car. I did not follow.....he looked like he needed his space. I may be a crazy fan, but I'm not totally insensitive!! We really didn't find out what happened till we got back to the hotel room and checked VeloNews....but the email response from Brad and his blog post told the real story. Shit happens; that's bike racing. That's what they all say. But it's a bummer. He really wants that jersey back!
But since he finished rehab on his knee, he has had the greatest, winning season! And I do believe he made a little money along the way, with the winnings, and podium placings!
I can hardly wait to see him here at home in the Tour of MO. I'm going to be at every stage this year! All the starts and finishes, and KOM on the way to St Charles! It's going to be great!

Well, if I can get thru my pictures and Nikki's pictures, I'll try to make a Photoshow.

This weekend taught me more about racing and how much I love this sport!!! What is wrong with the majority of the American people...they are missing out on the best athletes we have to offer on the domestic teams...I'm glad I found the secret club; the best sport EVER!!!