Page 22 - Aruba Today
P. 22
A22
SPORTSFriday 25 September 2015
Elite road cycling technology may benefit amateur consumers
DAVE SKRETTA Linda Melanie Villumsen, of New Zealand, rounds a curve during the women’s elite time trials at older who rode at least six
AP Sports Writer the UCI Road World Championships cycling races in Richmond, Va., Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015. Vil- times last year, according
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — In lumsen won the event. to the National Sporting
a sleek, black skinsuit and Goods Association. That
aerodynamic helmet, Lin- Associated Press number doesn’t include
da Villumsen looked a bit children on smaller bicy-
like a superhero as she rode neered, often with millions are designing safer prod- more than $6 billion was cles, which means the true
her carbon-fiber time trial poured into research and ucts to protect cyclists fall- spent in the U.S. on bikes, number of riders is greater.
bike to victory at the world development.” ing at high speeds. parts and accessories in Events such as the world
championships this week. It isn’t just advancements in Eventually, all that technol- 2014. Another $1.3 billion championships this week
The difference separat- bikes, either. Nutrition com- ogy trickles down to the was spent on used bikes, in Virginia, or the Tour de
ing the New Zealand rider panies are constantly de- consumer, who may not bringing the total size of the France in July, are essen-
from silver medalist Anna veloping supplements and be able to afford a $12,000 bike business to more than tially a preview of the ver-
van der Breggen? Just 2.54 drinks to fuel riders. Apparel bike of an elite athlete, but $7 billion — not including sions those recreational rid-
seconds over a 30-kilome- manufacturers are dream- may purchase a less ex- private sales. ers may one day purchase.
ter course that took riders ing up new fabrics that are pensive version. Those bikes were sold to “It’s a great pastime to re-
more than 40 minutes to more comfortable and ef- According to the National the approximately 35 mil- main fit and keep healthy.
complete. Few sports are ficient. Helmet companies Bike Dealers Association, lion Americans ages 7 and Great means of transport,”
as reliant on technology said Brian Cookson, the
as cycling, where fractions president of the UCI, the
of a second often add up sport’s global governing
to victory or defeat. Riders body. “Cycling is not just
are constantly seeking the about the elite level. It’s
best equipment, and com- something that everyone
panies respond by spend- can enjoy and benefit.”
ing millions to develop the However, advancements
lightest materials, the most in technology happen at
aerodynamic frames, and the elite level.
the strongest, sleekest and Take the latest version of
fastest ways to get elite rid- Trek’s ultralight road bike,
ers to the finish line. the Emonda. More than
“The bikes you’re seeing at 100 people were involved
the world championships in its design, from mechani-
are not exactly the first bike cal engineers to material
you had riding down the scientists. Its development
street as a kid,” said Eric took more than two years,
Bjorling of bike manufac- from prototypes to wind-
turer Trek. “These are highly tunnel testing to fine-tuning
developed, highly engi- in labs.q
Sounders reach CONCACAF
Champions League quarterfinals
Seattle Sounders midfielder Lamar Neagle, left, tries to get on by beating Olimpia in Hon- box. Neagle ran onto it en players in coach Sigi
the end of a cross in front of Vancouver Whitecaps defender Tim duras on Oct. 22, but the and one-timed a shot into Schmid’s starting lineup
Parker during the first half of a CONCACAF Champions League Sounders own the tiebreak- the back right corner past who did not play in last Sat-
soccer match, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015, in Seattle. er on goal differential, 4-1. goalkeeper Paolo Tor- urday’s 3-0 MLS victory at
Associated Press The teams drew 1-1 in Van- naghi. Valdez scored in the Vancouver.
couver on Aug. 5. 39th. Marco Pappa curled “It helps him because has
MARK MOSCHETTI Neagle scored two goals Nelson Valdez also scored a free kick from the far right played a lot of minutes
Associated Press and the Seattle Sounders for Seattle. side into the box. Barrett (1,956). We’ve sort of put
SEATTLE (AP) — Lamar Nea- beat the Vancouver White- Neagle had nine MLS goals and Valdez both went up the mantle of all the injuries
gle has had a tough time caps 3-0 on Wednesday in 2014, but has just four in for the ball, Valdez winning we’ve had,” Schmid said.
finding the goal in Major night and advanced to the 29 games this season. His it and sending it off the “His legs were a little fresh,
League Soccer games this CCL quarterfinals. brace on Tuesday gave back of his head into the and also, your mentality
season. It has been much Seattle completed Group him three goals in four right corner. becomes a little fresher.”
easier for him in CONCA- F play at 2-1-1 and seven Champions League group- Neagle made it 3-0 just 1:04 “It’s nice to have a lot more
CAF Champions League points. Vancouver (1-1-1, 4 play games. after halftime when he re- players healthy, so our op-
play. points) still can tie on points “That first goal (tonight) ceived a through ball from tions and choices were a
was unbelievable,” Neagle Barrett, took it into the box lot better,” he added. “We
said. “It was a great ball and beat Tornaghi from 15 played seven fresh guys to-
right in front of me, I was yards straight in front. night out of 11, and those
able to get in front of the “After having nine last year guys acquitted themselves
defender a little bit, and and not having nine this well.
I was able to get a small year yet, it’s nice to have Goalkeeper Stefan Frei
touch on it. two in a game especially in needed to make just two
In the 32nd minute, Chad a game like this one,” Nea- saves to notch the shutout.
Barrett flicked the ball into gle said. The Whitecaps got just six
the left side of the 6-yard Neagle was one of sev- shots all night. q
