As the European-based riders climbed a mountain for their first official rider meeting, American-based riders also went off the beaten path for their first team get-together. It’s safe to say all Team RadioShack riders have a “need for speed.” And Tuesday morning this urge was answered…While attending camp, our sponsors at Nissan wanted to add a little “innovation” to traditional team-building activities and training rides, so they invited us to the Nissan Arizona Test Center in Scottsdale.


With over 3,000 acres and 46 miles of test roads, it remains one of the largest and most innovative automotive testing centers in the world…And as we soon found out – the perfect place for a cycling team with a “need for speed” to do some team-building.

The day began as Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer, Chris Horner, Matthew Busche, Bjorn Selander and Ben King took turns experiencing the Nissan and Infiniti line-ups. Each rider rode passenger as professional test drivers reached speeds up to 110 mph around the track.

Naturally a competitive bunch, several challenges quickly unfolded. With bikes on hand, the riders raced a two-mile time trial course. Despite the veteran field, Bjorn Selander took the win. Perhaps Lance and Levi were saving up for the real competition of the day….the AutoCross Challenge. Each rider would race along a course marked by orange cones in a Nissan 370z. As the rules allowed each driver three runs, the best posted time would be taken for each rider.

And so the competition began! Levi, a proud owner of a custom Team RadioShack GT-R, was feeling confident in his ability to “master the shift” and maneuver the course like a true professional. However earlier that day, Chris Horner raised a few eyebrows becoming the first person the Test Center has ever seen to strip the tires off a Nissan Leaf. One thing was clear: Redneck Horner was not afraid to take the turns full-gas. 

Despite Horner being deemed the day’s “biggest dare devil” and Levi’s taunts, Lance edged both longtime teammates and friends to win the Challenge. Also on hand was Trek-LIVESTRONG director Axel Merckx. Axel represented the team directors of the world with an aggressive-style of driving unmatched by any of the riders. Congrats to Axel for taking the day’s “Most Aggressive Driver” award. Trek-LIVESTRONG is lucky to have him behind the wheel...

Special thanks to our sponsors from Nissan - Jay Schaffer, Brian Carolin and Jeffrey Kowalcyzk - for helping us kick off our 2011 season with such style.  In addition, a special thanks goes out to the entire Nissan Arizona Test Center team - specifically Steve Monk, Mike Bourne and Anita MacFadden - for organizing both an exhilarating and memorable day.

Stay tuned as we continue to bring you pictures and reports from both Arizona and Calpe training camps!




Levi, Jason, Horner and Axel Merckx await their turns around the track.



Nissan takes the guys for a quick loop aorund the track.



Lance's 370z awaiting its driver.



American champ Ben King riding in his first (unofficial) time trial for Team RadioShack.



As a director, Axel Merckx has a few driving tips for the riders.


Nissan takes Horner for a test drive in his favorite colored car - red.



Lance Armstrong on the Nissan Time Trial Course.



Bjorn Selander driving it home to win the time trial competition.



Horner congratulates Bjorn on his victory, but sets his sights to winning the 370z race.



Safety first: JMac, Axel and Chris listen intently to the rules of the road. Max speed: 110mph / 177 kmph.



JMac, Levi and Matthew Busche looking forward to a drive, instead of a ride.



Bjorn stepping up first.



And he is off...


Quite the dare devil. Guess who....





Levi's confident and up next.



Always one for preparation, Lance keeps a close eye on his competition.






Lance gets focued...



Congrats to Lance Armstrong - the fastest Team RadioShack rider behind the wheel of a Nissan 370z.


Some Team RadioShack guys are simply better on two wheels...




Team RadioShack did an autograph signing to conclude the day.



Team RadioShack with the entire Nissan Test Center staff. Thanks for having us!

Photo Credit: Glenn Kasin