Since the poor Subway guys didn't get much recognition for their
efforts down in San Dimas I thought I'd mine some data and come up with
some positive spin. Here goes:
Stage One: Cipollini Cima Coppi Award
To Omer Kem
A 15:45 in the uphill TT by Omer Kem would have tied for 10th in cat 2,
landed 4th in cat 3 (mtb podium - they go five deep), third in cat 4
(true podium), and...Yellow jersey in the cat 5 race!
Side note for all of you that feed on negativity: Peter Femal (Subway)
came in 122nd at 19:31 and would have almost cracked the top 10 in
Women's cat 3/4 race. I heard he was overgeared.
Stage Two: Christian Van de Velde Teamwork Award
To the Whole Squad (Minus Omer & Remi McManus)
So as not to miss out on a probable stage win, most of the team dropped
off the back of the peloton to pace back one of their stars resting
comfortably in 75th place. Unfortunately they overestimated their TTT
prowess and effectively took themselves out of the race '98 Festina
style. Stage One award winner Omer Kem and Remi McManus were the only
non-casualties, left to carry the torch, commando style two-up.
Stage Three: Simoni 2004 TdF Stage 14 Damage Control Award
To: Remi McManus
Cost to join Subway Pro Team: $4500. Hours driving in team van to San
Dimas: 15. Number of teammates left on Sunday 1. Number of teammates
that could help with leadout train in crit: 0. Top 15 in an NRC crit:
Not Priceless but actually worth a $4500 refund from Wenzel.
Seriously, dude represented and threw down a respectable 12th in a
slammin NRC crit with zero help. I give him props.
GC Award: [censored] Pound Anti-Doping Poster Boy Award
To: Entire Subway Team
They're clean damnit. I keep tellin' ya.