Shelly Olds, about to win the Women's Pro 1/2 race at Nevada City. Sent this one to Pez for their "Daily Distractions" section but they replied there was too much helmet and too much eyewear.
Levi leading out Lance Armstrong & Ben Jacques Mayne
Chris Horner in the "chasing" group. Chris didn't work for the group until Lance had a lead of about a minute.
A bit later and Chris isn't concerned about holding the group back anymore.
Levi and Lance again...
Always-smiling Chris Horner
Look closely and you'll see he's broken a spoke in his front wheel. You can build a frame out of bamboo, but watch out for steel I guess?
Zoom in on this photo and check out Lance's right leg. It's one thing to see skin stretched across muscle, but this looks like leather. I don't think we have to be too concerned about Lance coming into the TdF too heavy. (This photo is getting a lot of comments. If you could, let me know how you found it. Just curious, especially since many of the comments are coming from Eastern Europe. Thanks! --Mike--)
Probably Ben Jacques Mayne at the front with Levi behind. Lance is just out of the picture, off the front a bit.
Chris Horner in the main chase group, which shortly thereafter shattered apart.
A crop from the last photo, showing Chris Horner's broken leg's not causing much trouble! Unfortunately, it did keep him out of the team selection for the '09 Tour de France. (In a blog, Chris says the leg isn't what kept him off the team, but declined to go further. My guess is that it had to do with the number of Russian and Kazakh riders chosen, probably a deal cut to get the sponsorship $$$ flowing) (Chris later confirmed it wasn't his leg but just not enough spots after Contador insisted on having at least one guy on the team whose loyalty would be entirely to him)
Chris Horner giving the "thumbs up" sign after helping to ensure Lance got off to a good start. This is the semi-official Astana wives & girlfriend & family area, with Odessa (Levi's wife), Lance's girlfriend, baby Max, Lance's two daughters & son all in attendance.
Lance leading an unknown, likely lapped rider
One-half lap to go as Lance passes by his cheering section. You'd normally think close friends & family might have some private hotel suite on the finish, but they were probably more incognito here, at the top of the course, just past the turn with the porta-potties.
Lance's first post-ride kiss from his girlfriend, holding very-new-baby Max
Lance, Max & Anna Hansen, Lance's girlfriend and mother of Max.
If anyone's wondering what that sticky stain is on the back of Lance's jersey...
This kid was pretty happy with the collection of team bottles he was acquiring
A casualty of the course, with a bloody nose and banged-up arm.
Crowds? What crowds?
