Obligatory “at-speed” blurry shot of T-Bird on the finishing climb of Stage 4 of the Tour of Utah.

Tyler Hamilton

Tyler Hamilton, a little closer.

I had to step back after this last shot, afraid of pulling a bonehead move like the guy who knocked down Giuspeppe Guerini on l’Alpe d’Huez several years ago. Funny thing, while the other riders in Tyler’s group followed the curve of the road right towards the finish line, Tyler just kept coming straight at me.

Maybe there was something about me that just screamed “Flahute”, and he was thinking “I’m gonna get that bastard that keeps knocking my team …”

I may have to change at least some of my feelings on the Rock Racing team … while I was wandering around the finish area after the race, the Rock Racing area was completely mobbed by people, and everyone seemed to be handling it with a lot of grace; posing for photos, signing autographs … the whole 9 yards.

Listening to Michael Ball talk to some of the people around, he came across as a lot more humble than he does in print.

And Tyler is still one of the nicest guys in cycling; and he’s certainly a human rider again … although those are some of the ugliest sunglasses I have ever seen. They’re even worse than the Oakleys that George Hincapie wore for the past few years.

T-Bird was in the middle of an interview … kicking back in a lawn chair and relaxing. Right now, he’s sitting in 4th place overall, about 1:07 behind Louder.

More of my photos of the Tour of Utah can be found on Flickr.

Sly and T-Bird say that soy will kill us all … but the next big stage race in the US is known locally as “TOFU” …

Wonder if the winner will be vegan?

As much as I can’t stand Larry H. Miller, I sure am glad that he is choosing to sink some of his money into our little sport. Thankfully, he’s not making sure that the race has a ZZZZZZZZZ at the end like everything else he touches.

But hopefully not all the way down …

Cyclist critically injured in first stage of race | The Bulletin

UPDATE: 4:30 p.m. - A 29-year-old cyclist competing in the Cascade Cycling Classic was in critical condition Wednesday after a fall on Alfalfa Market Road east of Bend.

Race officials believe Ben Brooks, of Beverly, Mass., hit a cattle guard before crashing and suffering head injuries. He was unconscious at the scene of the crash, and a physician attended to him until he was taken to St. Charles Bend.

Brooks was racing as part of a team of professional riders in town for the race, an annual event that will continue through the weekend.

In other, better news, Louder (BMC) in 3rd, and T-bird (Bissell) in 12th (only 55 seconds back). Bryson Perry and Gardie Jackson (both American R.A.D.D.D.D.D.D.D.D.) are both solidly mid-pack.

Why is it that the clearest shots of bike races seem to be the ass shots AFTER the riders have passed you by?

I’ve got about 300 shots to go through, but pulled a few of what I felt were the obvious best to post here. Others will hit Flickr as I sort.

T.Burke Swindlehurst (obligatory at-speed blurry photo)

T.Burke Swindlehurst (obligatory post-win snot-wipe).

Ali “is there anyone behind me?” Goulet, off the front in the 3’s. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to hold it for the last few laps.

Matt Ohran … in a road race? Masters 35+.