Experts to offer cycling advice

Riding a bicycle and racing a bicycle are two very different things. While just about anyone who can ride a bike can race one, it takes more than just a passing interest to race well.

For those hoping to take their bike riding to the next level and become a bike racer, two of the world's foremost authorities on the science of cycling are offering their services — free.

Physicians Max Testa and Eric Heiden, of the Orthopedic and Specialty Hospital, are presenting three seminars — one for runners, the other two for cyclists — designed to help athletes of any level become more competitive.

The lecture series begins May 1 in Park City at 7 p.m. with three presentations on running from experts on training, equipment and injuries.

Cycling lectures will be presented May 3 in Park City and May 10 at TOSH. The cycling lectures will cover training, nutrition, technique and other topics.

Testa, the director of the Intermountain Health Sports Performance Program at TOSH, is an internationally recognized expert in cycling performance. He also has been a team doctor for professional cycling teams for nearly 25 years. Heiden, a five-time gold medal winner in speedskating, competed in the Tour de France and is an orthopedic surgeon currently providing medical and training expertise to cyclists, speedskaters and other athletes.

Information on the lectures can be received by calling 435-647-5955 or 801-314-2996.

LOUDER ON A ROLL: One of Utah's best cyclists had one of his best weeks ever in the saddle. Salt Lake City's Jeff Louder placed seventh overall in the recently completed Tour de Georgia, just six minutes behind the winner in the seven-stage, 657-mile race.

Louder, a 29-year-old rider with the HealthNet/Maxxis team, made a huge impression during the third stage as he and a handful of other cyclists made an early break and pulled away from the peloton. Louder held the lead for many of the final miles of the stage before finishing three seconds off the pace.

That stage, though, put more than 20 minutes minutes between the breakaway riders and the rest of the field and kept Louder near the podium for the rest of the race.

Former Utahn Levi Leipheimer (Discovery Channel) placed 12th overall, 24.48 behind, while Salt Lake's David Zabriskie (Team CSC) was 16th at 29.03. Salt Lake's Burke Swindlehurst (Toyota-United) was 78th, 46.08 behind.