Now that the Olympics are over it is time to get back to talking about the best sport there is (even if the USA only won two medals) and that is cycling. It is too bad that NBC didn't figure that out, but we all know it and that is what counts.  BTW, Craig Hummer, who shared the mike with Paul Sherwen at the cycling events is a pretty mean cyclist himself. Originally a swimmer and top Southern California lifeguard, Craig can definitely ride a bike.

The pro bike racing scene is still in full swing, but events like the Tour of Germany and Vuelta a Espana don't seem to evoke the same level of excitement of those early and mid-season races. Hey, Levi will be riding the Vuelta, but his teammate and Giro winner, Alberto Contador, will also be riding.  Given that Contador is Spanish and the race is in Spain, look for Levi to be riding super-domestique duties unless Alberto is having a bad race. Hopefully Levi can get the OK to give it some gas in the time trials and potentially also in the high mountains.He can clearly win a stage, but will probably need team approval.

Also, the US Professional Championships (USPRO) is coming up. Just who will wear the Stars and Stripes jersey next year is anybody's guess because at this time of year form is fleeting.  Maybe Christian Vandevelde will back up his fine finish in the Tour and get that Captain America jersey. Can anybody beat Dave Zabriskie in the time trial? Chris Baldwin has come very close and he needs to find a new team for 2009 so the motivation is there.

Hey, I am off to Europe to help Andy Hampsten lead a bike tour in the Italian Dolomites to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his Giro d'Italia win.  Look for some sporadic blogs from the land of pasta and red wine.

Bruce