By Cathy Mehl

The UCI Pro Tour has arrived in Canada by crossing the Atlantic Ocean ….in a chartered jet, no less.  Twenty-two teams have arrived in Québec City to ride in two one-day races, the first coming up on Friday.  Team RadioShack, along with all other teams, have all settled in at the beautiful Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in the heart of Old Québec.  The hotel  is teaming with activity as riders come and go, wheeling bikes through the lobby and bundling up for training rides.  Morning rain fell hard and fast, but cloudy skies are holding off on dumping more rain for now and the streets are drying.  It’s afternoon and with most of the riders and staff still not adjusted to the time difference, it’s quiet now while the boys get massage, catch up on emails and in general just take it easy.

So who’s here anyway?  The riders are Chris, Jani, Levi, Tiago, Haimar, Markel, Popo and Sergio with Eki directing from the car.  Also making the trip is Dr. Dag, soigneurs Elvio and Choppi and mechanics Craig and Francisco, all from Europe.  Also on hand is Brenda Phelps, who joins the team for all USA-based races, plus Glenn Kasin providing photography and me, hoping to share some behind the scenes happenings with the fans for a few days. 

This evening a limo is coming to pick up the guys for a Trek-organized special reception, so we’ll give you more info on that next time.  Stay tuned; there is plenty of racing to come!