In the case of cyclist Leigh Fazzina, she posted messages to Twitter to get help after not getting a signal for voice. That’s just not always possible with a head injury. That’s why we’re looking forward to the release of SenseTech, a helmet-mounted sensor that connects to your phone via Bluetooth and contacts emergency services in the case of impact. “Ours is a device which would help the athlete and his (or her) family to be better informed on the level of impact they are taking, and which oens are of concern,” said Biju Thomas, designer of the SenseTech.

Still under development, the sensor’s designer is Biju Thomas, a team cook who has served meals to Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, among other pro cyclists.

The SenseTech is “a system of sensors embedded in the fused fabric (pad inserts), and a tiny sensor Bluetooth Relay, which transmits activity to a cell phone, which most every rider has in his pocket,” said Thomas.

SenseTech is currently in testing and will likely be released in the fall for use on the field and hopefully on the trail soon after that.

via [Medill Reports Chicago]

And now there are five, as in the first five teams to sign on for the inaugural 2011 Quiznos Pro Challenge professional cycling race that will host as many as 128 professional cyclists from 15 teams.

Today race organizers officially announced the first five teams, which include Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) pro teams: Team RadioShack (USA), Liquigas-Cannondale (Italy), HTC-Highroad (USA), Slipstream Sports/Garmin-Cervelo (USA), and BMC Racing Team (USA). 

Among the racers that are confirmed include seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, world champion Thor Hushovd and former world champion Cadel Evans; along with team directors Johan Bruyneel and Bob Stapleton. 

“It’s exciting to see that the Quiznos Pro Challenge is already considered one of the most important races in the United States,” said Ellen Kramer, General Manager of the Quiznos Pro Challenge.  “Our goal is to connect new audiences in America with the sport of professional cycling; having several of the premier international teams already signed up is a huge step in that direction.” 

Here is the official lowdown about the teams competing:

Team RadioShack (USA)

Team RadioShack is led by Sports Team Manager Johan Bruyneel, the most winning sports director in history with nine Tour de France victories, including seven with pro-cycling legend Lance Armstrong.  The 2010 team was comprised of riders hailing from 16 countries, including Grand Tour leaders, Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer, Andres Kloden, Jani Brajkovic (Slovenia) and Tiago Machado (Portugal).

Liquigas-Cannondale (Italy)

Liquigas-Cannondale is an Italian professional cycling team ranked second in the UCI ProTour for the third consecutive year.  Sport team manager Roberto Amadio has many returning stars including Vincenzo Nibali, who took the overall victory at the 2010 Vuelta a Espana, and Ivan Basso, who earned his second career Giro d’Italia win in May. 

HTC-Highroad (USA)

Led by Bob Stapleton, the HTC-Highroad team has the most victories in professional cycling with 389 wins since 2008, nine national titles and six world champions on its 2011 roster.  HTC-Highroad is comprised of top young talent with 19 riders under the age of 26 making it one of the youngest teams in professional cycling.  The team represents national champions of Germany, USA, Sweden, Czech Republic, Ireland, Italy and Slovakia.

BMC Racing Team (USA)

BMC Racing Team finished as one of the top 10 teams in the UCI world rankings, helping them earn ProTeam status for 2011.  Competing in its fifth season overall, the team is managed by Directeur Sportif John Lelangue and includes former world road race champions Cadel Evans (Australia) and Alessandro Ballan (Italy), and U.S. national road champion George Hincapie.  In addition to many 2010 wins, BMC Racing Team led both the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia in its first participation in both events.  As a recent addition, Colorado native and multi-time world and U.S. national champion Taylor Phinney will join the team’s roster in 2011.      

Slipstream Sports/Team Garmin-Cervelo (USA)

Headquartered in Boulder, Colo., Slipstream Sports and Team Garmin-Cervelo are managed by CEO and Director Sportif Jonathan Vaughters, a Denver resident who had a 10-year career as a professional cyclist.  The 2011 team – a powerhouse in the peloton – includes Ryder Hesjedal, who earned seventh place overall at the 2010 Tour de France; sprint sensation Tyler Farrar; world champion Thor Hushovd and Tyler Farrar.

The Quiznos Pro Challenge promises to become the premier cycling race in North America, and could be the most demanding professional bike race ever held in America, with racers experiencing breathless altitudes and nearly 600 mountain miles, for seven-straight days.  The inaugural 2011 Quiznos Pro Challenge will take place August 22-28, traveling through some of the world’s most famous and beautiful destinations, including Colorado Springs, Salida, Crested Butte, Gunnison, Aspen, Vail, Avon, Steamboat Springs, Breckenridge, Golden and Denver. 

The Quiznos Pro Challenge Official Website

The indoor training bike retails for $1,699, and LIVESTRONG Fitness plans to release a total of 500, each individually numbered, and with each sale $1,000 will be donated to LIVESTRONG.

“This cycle honors those who courageously live with cancer on a daily basis,” said Mike Olson, Executive Vice President of Retail for Johnson Health Tech NA. “We are honored and humbled to support such an important foundation, whose mission is not only to inspire and empower cancer survivors, but to take preventative steps through education and an active lifestyle. We’ve put the same passion and excellence into our line of LIVESTRONG Fitness equipment, allowing people to take responsibility for their own health and join the fight against a disease that is sometimes preventable.”

The LS28IC Special-Edition Indoor Cycle features an exclusive LIVESTRONG Fitness design package, which includes the famous yellow and black color scheme so widely associated with the LIVESTRONG brand. The cycle further incorporates a number of subtle, yet purposeful design features, including a number “28” badge on the front fork, honoring the 28 million people living with cancer, and seven stars on the seat post to represent Armstrong’s record-breaking seven Tour de France wins. In addition to these exclusive design elements, each of the 500 cycles will come with a Certificate of Authenticity indicating its actual production number, and the first 150 cycles sold will come with an autographed picture of Lance Armstrong himself.

The LS28IC features a heavy-duty steel frame and commercial-grade 40-lb. flywheel for the smoothest, most durable riding motion, as well as wrapped handlebars and dual-sided SPD pedals with toe clips to simulate a true road riding experience. This in-door cycle might almost have you wishing for a long winter.

LS28IC at LIVESTRONGFitness.com

For the holidays RadioShack is carrying soft-touch polycarbonate cases that are part of the LIVESTRONG. These cases, which offer robust protection for mobile devices, are available for the Apple iPhone 4 ($24.99) and the iPad ($39.99). The cases boast a slim snap-on design that is form-fitted for the devices, and each adds protection without adding any extra bulk.

The cases feature an impact-resistant materials that provide strength and durability, while the rubberized surface further provides a nice secure grip.

RadioShack

LIVESTRONG

Team RadioShack

About a month ago, my wife and I sat down and watched the Race Across the Sky 2009 movie from Citizen Pictures featuring Lance Armstrong’s win of the Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike race. We both enjoyed the 2009 movie, not because we are huge Lance fans, but because the footage allowed my wife to finally see the course. She has been my number one supporter during each of the five Leadville 100 Mountain Bike races that I have competed in during the past 10 years. I had recently finished race five, so the course was fresh in our minds when we sat down to watch the film. The 73 minute film offered a complete and concise look into not only the racers, but the vast number of volunteers and supporters that it takes to make this event happen.

The Trail 100 Mountain Bike race has been held each August in Leadville, Colorado since 1994 and draws racers from every state and well over 20 countries. The Leadville 100 is the brainchild of former mining shift boss, Ken Chlouber, who in 1982 lost his job along with 3000 other fellow miners when the Climax Molybdenum Mine suddenly closed. With the closing of this mine, Leadvile was plunged into a category no town wants to be in – one on the most jobless communities in the country. Ken had the idea to create a 100 mile foot race that started in downtown Leadville at 10,000′ and race out 50 miles to the top of Columbine Mine at 12,600′; then the racers turn around and head back to Leadville. The first Leadville Trail 100 running race was held in 1983 with 45 competitors – only 10 finished. Since 1983, the race has grown each year to include the 100 mile mountain bike race which traces the same route as the foot race and a series of shorter foot and bike races. These races have brought millions of dollars into the  Leadville community and hundreds of thousands of dollars into the LT100 Legacy, the non-profit arm of the races.

Citizen Pictures is back this year with the release of the Race Across the Sky 2010 movie which premiered November 4th in Denver, Colorado. I walked into the theater thinking that it would be tough to top the 2009 movie as watching cycling on the screen can be, well, frankly boring. This was recently proven to a group of us who attended the premier of a ‘free ride’ mountain bike movie at this years InterBike in Las Vegas. That movie had all of the making to be a great movie… huge jumps, awesome scenery and top tier riders; but ultimately it fell flat.

I attended the Race Across the Sky 2010 with my friend and gold belt buckle finisher of the Leadville Trail 100. Prior to the start of the movie, we were treated to a live panel featuring Levi Leipheimer, David Wiens, Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski, Rebecca Rusch, Bahram Akradi and Erik Weihenmayer (the only legally blind person to complete the race). The panel was introduced to the audience before the screening and answered a few questions regarding the race, but most questions were reserved until after the movie.

The 2010 movie is filmed in a similar manner to the 2009 version utilizing footage from stationary cameras, bicycles, motorcycles and a helicopter. There is plenty of footage of the top tier men’s and women’s racers, but where the 2010 movie deviates from the 2009 movie is the number of personal stores that are told throughout the film. The Leadville Trail 100 is not about what professional rider shows up (though it does add clout to the race), it is about the individual racer and their finishing of this grueling 100 mile course. The stories touched upon ranged from a Leadville female resident who is battling to come back from being hit by a car on her bike to two racers trying to complete the course for their friend who is battling for his life. The stories were told so well that there were a few teary eyes in the theatre – something you would not expect from a mountain bike movie. For me, as a finisher of this race, seeing the footage of those who did not make the cut off times and were ultimately pulled was tough to watch. Apart from the personal battles that those individuals fought to get to the race, I know the pain that they endured on the course up to that point. I know it is just a bike race, but sometimes there is not a second chance to try again and that shows in some of their faces. The 2010 film does follow the entire race from start to finish highlighting the winners, the gold beltbuckle cut off (9 hours finishing for men) and the 12 hour race cut off (men’s silver belt buckle and women’s gold). Towards the beginning of the film, the racer’s meeting is shown, but the end misses the awards ceremony. Though it does not detract from the movie, the viewer does miss the awards that the winners receive – a handmade ore cart trophy, a gold belt buckle (every finisher under 12 hours receives a buckle), a sweatshirt with your time on the sleeve (for every finisher) and a handful of prizes from the sponsors. There is no cash prizes which goes back to what the race is all about – setting a personal goal and achieving it with the help of all of the staff, volunteers and supporters. If you are a cycling fan or need a little personal uplift, catch this film.

The Race Across the Sky 2010 has an encore screening on November 9th, check Fathom Events’s website for local theaters.

For More Information and Where to Buy:

Race Across the Sky Official Website

“We are excited to welcome sports fans and the international cycling community to many of Colorado’s most beautiful regions,” said Governor Bill Ritter. “The Quiznos Pro Challenge will provide a majestic tour of many of the state’s natural treasures while becoming the battleground for one of the world’s most intense competitions.”

The 11 official stage start and finish communities that have been selected for the 2011 race include:

The 2011 Quiznos Pro Challenge Stages

August 22 - Stage 1, Prologue time trial, Colorado Springs
August 23 - Stage 2, Salida to Crested Butte, mountain-top finish
August 24 - Stage 3, Gunnison to Aspen, mountain stage
August 25 - Stage 4, Vail, time trail, former Coors Classic stage
August 26 - Stage 5, Avon to Steamboat Springs
August 27 - Stage 6, Steamboat Springs to Breckenridge
August 28 - Stage 7, Golden to Denver

The initial idea to bring a major stage race back to Colorado is credited to Quiznos Pro Challenge partner Lance Armstrong who expressed interest to Governor Ritter last year. The Quiznos Pro Challenge is now expected to become one of the most significant international pro-cycling events worldwide, created to reinvigorate the legacy of the Colorado-based Coors International Bicycle Classic which took place from 1979 until 1988. 

“We had so much interest from incredible cities across Colorado that we could hold an event of twice the duration,” said Ellen Kramer, Quiznos Chief Communications Officer.  “We worked diligently throughout the selection process to incorporate cities that provide terrain that is unique to Colorado and delivers one of the most exciting cycling events in the world.  The selected cities will make excellent partners and provide a demanding course for the world’s top cyclists.”

Quiznos Pro Challenge Official Website

This new line of equipment comes equipped with Livetrack Interactive USB technology, which will allow users to reach their goals faster with custom training plans, and track workouts on the MyPlate feature of  LIVESTRONG.COM. Users will also be able to download new LIVESTRONG Fitness cardio programs every quarter on LIVESTRONG.COM as well.

“The free training plans that I designed are highly effective and can easily be uploaded from LIVESTRONG.COM to a LIVESTRONG Fitness cardio machine,” said Peter Park. “With the help of these personalized programs, people can train like my celebrity clients and achieve similar results, without setting foot in a gym.”

Users will also be able to track their outdoor workouts as well as daily food consumption by using MyPlate Calorie Tracker, LIVESTRONG.COM’s food and fitness tracking tool. MyPlate allows users to search the largest food and fitness library, helping them track calories, make healthy lifestyle decisions, and achieve weight loss goals.

LIVESTRONG.COM

Johnson Health Tech

Schlek and his brother Frank, who was unable to finish this year’s Tour de France after crashing out early in the multi-stage race, had previously announced that they would be leaving the Saxo Bank team to start their own team based in their native Luxembourg for the upcoming season. This team has yet to announce its full roster or title sponsor.

Trek will join Specialized Bicycles in being a company that will provide cycles to more than one team, as this year Specialized had provided the bikes for Alberto Contador’s Team Astana. Contador, who won the tour, has made the move to Saxo Bank, which was the other team riding Specialized this year. It was also the first time that a Specialized bike was used by a tour winner. Contador and Team Astana had previously ridden Trek, but the company followed Lance Armstrong to the Radio Shack team for this season.

It was announced that Trek would continue to provide bikes for Radio Shack next season, despite the fact that Armstrong has announced that he will be retiring. It isn’t clear if Astana will be in the Tour next season, or if the company will be using Specialized bikes.

Trek Bicycles

Specialized Bicycles

The Aurumania Gold Bike will set you back a mere $25,000. We hope that includes grip tape and pedals!

With the Tour de France is full gear there has been no shortage of expensive bikes on TV and in the news. Think those pricey? Actually, those cycles are small change, at least compared to some of the truly expensive rides that can be hand. Forbes magazine offered a peak at some of “The World’s Most Expensive Bicycles,” complete with a slide-show.

Now in fairness, most of these bikes aren’t the type you’re likely to find at your local bike shop – and although some of the bikes are based on off-the-shelf frames, the bikes included are one-of-a-kind pieces of works, decked out in jewels and featuring exclusive paint jobs. Interestingly, many of these bikes are now in private collections, such as a Trek Madone 7-Diamond, which was decorated with 100 white diamonds in honor of Lance Armstrong’s record-breaking seventh Tour de France victory in 2005. That bike was auctioned for charity and sold for $75,000.

Other bikes included in the slide show feature gold leaf and special finishes. When you consider that most serious riders get pretty upset when they scratch the paint or nick a decal, imagine even thinking about risking these bikes on a road ride!

Forbes.com: The World’s Most Expensive Bikes

Lance Armstrong sporting a pair of Oakley Radar glass

Among the racers wearing the new Oakley glasses will be Lance Armstong, and he’ll be sporting LIVESTRONG versions of the Oakley Radar and Jawbone models. Each is available with quick change-out lenses, including the G30 lens that is being used by Armstrong. There will also be new Clear-Black Iridium Photochromic lenses with new technology that automatically adjusts to changing conditions – like those in parts of France where it can go from rain to sunny skies.

Fabian Cancellara will also  be riding in the Tour with Oakleys and while his chances to get back the Yellow jersey maybe off the radar, it will be the Oakley Radar glasses that will let him see the saw. He won’t be alone, as Carlos Sastre will also have his Radar on. Finally, look for Mark Cavendish to sprint to the finish with a pair of BMX Chrome Jawbone. Let’s just see if he actually can earn the green ones!

Oakley Official Site

BehindTheTour.com to check for information on Oakley riders and daily updates on the race.

The free app offers instant, on-the-go updates and news, exclusive content and photos, behind-the-scenes Tour de France coverage, and video blogs from Lance himself, as well as expert commentary from the entire team. The updates can be accessed with a tap of an app, and easily shared via Facebook and Twitter.

The Team RadioShack iPhone app is available fro free download from the Apple App Store and from the LIVESTRONG.COM website.

This was the 12 annual Tour Down Under, which ran from January 17 to 24, and it was won by Germany’s Andre Greipel (only the second ride to win this race twice) who races for the American HTC-Columbia team, the most winning team in cycling. HTC by the way is the Taiwanese-based mobile phone company that made the first “Google Android Phone,” the G1 for T-Mobile (itself a German company). HTC has a three year sponsorship deal with owners Team High Road. And actually the HTC-Columbia team had formerly been the T-Mobile Team, but following some scandals we won’t bring up, the team switched nationality from German to American, after T-Mobile dropped its sponsorship! Confused? Maybe this is what makes cycling, and those high-tech sponsors, just all the more interesting to viewers.

And while Armstrong didn’t win, he wasn’t expected to do so. He’s just getting in shape for the big show in France!