Women's bike racing

OK, I know absolutely nothing about this sport. But I have a very close relative who is involved, and is sponsored by Vanderkitten, BH Cycles and Oakley.

She wants to win the De Ronde and the Tour of Flanders (she races in Belgium in the summer).

She will ride on NRC circuit and the Southeast Crit Series in 2008.

Is this big-time women's cycling, or like Triple A or Double A?

 

It seems like these women's events are new, the fourth running of the Women's De Ronde was this year. Same thing for the Tour of Flanders, although it appears to be part of the Women's Road World Championship.

 

tour of flanders is pretty big. The NRC is as big as the U.S. has. But women's cycling is not very big here, there or anywhere -- unfortunately.

There are a handful of top-knotch women in the states and they are, arguably, the best in the world. Idaho product Kristen Armstrong is pretty much the Lance Armstrong (no relation) of women's cycling in some ways.

Regional series don't mean too much other than a chance to race and win some money without spending a lot on travel.

 

It hasn't been the same since Jeannie Longo retired. (She has retired, hasn't she?)

 

Tour of Flanders?

 

Boy, didn't see that one coming at all.

 

Yes.

 

Longo retired professionally but I hear she's tearing up the age groupers in New Mexico.