This weekend is the last US Pro Cycling championships in Greenville, South Carolina. We had a good seven-year run here in the Upstate. Next year the championships is moving to Chattanooga, Tennessee, remaining until 2015. In addition to the move the women’s professional championships will be contested for the first time next year. Yeah – about time…

This year there are a couple of changes. The finish in Greenville has previously been in two different locations – both in downtown. It has finished on Broad Street beside city hall. It has also finished on Main Street just south of the Reedy River. This year the riders circumnavigate Cleveland Park as usual, come back into downtown, make a left on West Broad and then a 90 degree right turn onto Main Street to finish just before McBee. This isn’t a big change, however it does alter any possible sprint if, for some reason, a group are still together fighting for the win or a decent placing.

The finish on North Main Street this year is narrower than previous year’s finish. Last year it finished on South Main St – a wide two lane road with a median. Also, this year the finish is a slight uphill gradient – only a couple of degrees at most – but a contrast to the previous year’s that was a downhill run. I remember 2008 champion Tyler Hamilton told me he sprinted for his win in the 53×12 after getting his momentum on that short descent. Not sure if that will be the case this year as the tight turn before the finish, slight uphill and a long hot day in the saddle, will take the snap out of the sprinting legs. Weather.com is predicting 88 degrees Monday.

Also new this year is the Volkswagen King of the Mountain competition. The first five riders over the top of Paris Mountain will be awarded points toward the competition. The winner of the KOM will undoubtedly receive a large cardboard thousand dollar check and a blue polka dotted jersey – part of the Germany car company’s “messaging” of creating environmentally friendly products and solutions. In case you didn’t know, “blue” is the new “green.”

Picking favorites is always a challenge – part science, but with a fair amount of b.s. mixed in. One favorite is of course BMC’s George Hincapie. It’s the last time in his hometown so you know he’s motivated. Also Hincapie rode really strong in the Amgen Tour of California. Also riding super strong is Liquigas-Cannondale’s Tim Duggan and teammate Ted King. King was third last year, so he knows the loop well. Garmin-Cervelo has Tyler Farrar lining up after dropping from the Giro d’Italia. He could be a factor in this race. And frankly, if he wants to be considered for the Olympic team, a strong performance will seal the deal with the coaches. As always there’s the spoilers like the Optum presented by Kelly Benefits team. Alex Candelario and Andrew Bajadali have both been on the podium in Greenville. Another spoiler is Kenda Pro Cycling’s John Murphy. He told me he’s fired up for this race and has the ability to power up Paris Mountain.

But really who knows? Someone gets away early, no one reacts and before they know it – game over. I can’t imagine that happening again (2010 anyone), but that’s bike racing for ya.

During Monday’s race I’ll be commentating on US Pro Cycling UStream channel. I’ll scan Twitter for any questions you might have. I’m not sure at this point what the hashtag might be (maybe #uspro) or just follow me at @neilroad and I’ll try to answer. If you are at the race, stop by the booth (I’ll be located downtown) and bring me snacks.

Time Trial

Frank Pipp UCI CT: Bissell Pro Cycling Team
Andrew Baker UCI CT: Bissell Pro Cycling Team
Christopher Baldwin UCI CT: Bissell Pro Cycling Team
Christopher Barton UCI CT: Bissell Pro Cycling Team
Andrew Dahlheim UCI CT: Bissell Pro Cycling Team
Benjamin Jacques-Maynes UCI CT: Bissell Pro Cycling Team
Carter Jones UCI CT: Bissell Pro Cycling Team
Chase Pinkham UCI CT: Bissell Pro Cycling Team
Isaac Enderline UCI CT: BMC/Hincapie Sportswear Development Team
Tyler Karnes UCI CT: BMC/Hincapie Sportswear Development Team
Nathan Brown UCI CT: Bontrager LIVESTRONG Team
Ian Burnett UCI CT: Competitive Cyclist Racing Team
Maxim Jenkins UCI CT: Competitive Cyclist Racing Team
Nathan King UCI CT: Competitive Cyclist Racing Team
Michael Olheiser UCI CT: Competitive Cyclist Racing Team
Taylor Shelden UCI CT: Competitive Cyclist Racing Team
David Williams UCI CT: Competitive Cyclist Racing Team
Travis Livermon UCI CT: Mountain Khakis/SmartStop
Christopher Monteleone UCI CT: Mountain Khakis/SmartStop
Benjamin Zawacki UCI CT: Mountain Khakis/SmartStop
Alister Ratcliff UCI CT: Chipotle-First Solar Development Team
Menso de Jong UCI CT: Jelly Belly Cycling
Sean Mazich UCI CT: Jelly Belly Cycling
Nathaniel English UCI CT: Kenda 5-Hour Energy Cycling Team
Phillip Gaimon UCI CT: Kenda 5-Hour Energy Cycling Team
Andy Jacques-Maynes UCI CT: Kenda 5-Hour Energy Cycling Team
Paul Mach UCI CT: Kenda 5-Hour Energy Cycling Team
James Stemper UCI CT: Kenda 5-Hour Energy Cycling Team
Robert Sweeting UCI CT: Kenda 5-Hour Energy Cycling Team
Michael Friedman UCI CT: Team Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
Chad Haga UCI CT: Team Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
Jonathan Mumford UCI CT: Team Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
Thomas Zirbel UCI CT: Team Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
Scott Zwizanski UCI CT: Team Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
Craig Lewis UCI PCT: Champion System Pro Cycling Team
Joseph Rosskopf UCI PCT: Team Type 1
Adrian Hegyvary UCI PCT: UnitedHealthcare
Timothy (Timmy) Duggan UCI PT: Liquigas-Cannondale
Brent Bookwalter UCI PT: BMC Racing Team
Tejay Van Garderen UCI PT: BMC Racing Team
Thomas Danielson UCI PT: Garmin-Cervelo
Andrew Talansky UCI PT: Garmin-Cervelo
David Zabriskie UCI PT: Garmin-Cervelo
Matthew Busche UCI PT: RadioShack-Nissan
Benjamin King UCI PT: RadioShack-Nissan

Road Race

Andrew Baker UCI CT: Bissell Pro Cycling Team
Christopher Baldwin UCI CT: Bissell Pro Cycling Team
Christopher Barton UCI CT: Bissell Pro Cycling Team
Andrew Dahlheim UCI CT: Bissell Pro Cycling Team
Benjamin Jacques-Maynes UCI CT: Bissell Pro Cycling Team
Carter Jones UCI CT: Bissell Pro Cycling Team
Chase Pinkham UCI CT: Bissell Pro Cycling Team
K Frank Pipp UCI CT: Bissell Pro Cycling Team
Eric Young UCI CT: Bissell Pro Cycling Team
Isaac Enderline UCI CT: BMC/Hincapie Sportswear Development Team
Tyler Karnes UCI CT: BMC/Hincapie Sportswear Development Team
Parker Kyzer UCI CT: BMC/Hincapie Sportswear Development Team
Tyler Magner UCI CT: BMC/Hincapie Sportswear Development Team
Alder Martz UCI CT: BMC/Hincapie Sportswear Development Team
Andrew Meyer UCI CT: BMC/Hincapie Sportswear Development Team
Tanner Putt UCI CT: BMC/Hincapie Sportswear Development Team
Michael Stone UCI CT: BMC/Hincapie Sportswear Development Team
Edison Turner UCI CT: BMC/Hincapie Sportswear Development Team
Nathan Brown UCI CT: Bontrager LIVESTRONG Team
Chad Beyer UCI CT: Competitive Cyclist Racing Team
Ian Burnett UCI CT: Competitive Cyclist Racing Team
Cole House UCI CT: Competitive Cyclist Racing Team
Maxim Jenkins UCI CT: Competitive Cyclist Racing Team
Nathan King UCI CT: Competitive Cyclist Racing Team
Michael Olheiser UCI CT: Competitive Cyclist Racing Team
Taylor Shelden UCI CT: Competitive Cyclist Racing Team
David Williams UCI CT: Competitive Cyclist Racing Team
Thomas Brown UCI CT: Mountain Khakis/SmartStop
Jonathan Hamblen UCI CT: Mountain Khakis/SmartStop
Travis Livermon UCI CT: Mountain Khakis/SmartStop
Christopher Monteleone UCI CT: Mountain Khakis/SmartStop
Jerome Townsend UCI CT: Mountain Khakis/SmartStop
Benjamin Zawacki UCI CT: Mountain Khakis/SmartStop
Alister Ratcliff UCI CT: Chipotle-First Solar Development Team
James Driscoll UCI CT: Jamis/Sutter Home
Carson Miller UCI CT: Jamis/Sutter Home
Philip Mooney UCI CT: Jamis/Sutter Home
Kyle Wamsley UCI CT: Jamis/Sutter Home
Tyler Wren UCI CT: Jamis/Sutter Home
Menso de Jong UCI CT: Jelly Belly Cycling
Alexander Hagman UCI CT: Jelly Belly Cyclingen’s Road Race Rider List
Sergio Hernandez UCI CT: Jelly Belly Cycling
Charles Huff UCI CT: Jelly Belly Cycling
Sean Mazich UCI CT: Jelly Belly Cycling
Emerson Oronte UCI CT: Jelly Belly Cycling
Scott Stewart UCI CT: Jelly Belly Cycling
Jeremy Powers UCI CT: Jelly Belly Presented By Kenda
Nathaniel English UCI CT: Kenda 5-Hour Energy Cycling Team
Phillip Gaimon UCI CT: Kenda 5-Hour Energy Cycling Team
Andy Jacques-Maynes UCI CT: Kenda 5-Hour Energy Cycling Team
Roman Kilun UCI CT: Kenda 5-Hour Energy Cycling Team
Paul Mach UCI CT: Kenda 5-Hour Energy Cycling Team
Shawn Milne UCI CT: Kenda 5-Hour Energy Cycling Team
John Murphy UCI CT: Kenda 5-Hour Energy Cycling Team
James Stemper UCI CT: Kenda 5-Hour Energy Cycling Team
Robert Sweeting UCI CT: Kenda 5-Hour Energy Cycling Team
Jesse Anthony UCI CT: Team Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
Andrew Bajadali UCI CT: Team Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
Alexander Candelario UCI CT: Team Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
Michael Creed UCI CT: Team Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
Michael Friedman UCI CT: Team Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
Chad Haga UCI CT: Team Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
Kenneth Hanson UCI CT: Team Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
Jonathan Mumford UCI CT: Team Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
Christopher Parrish UCI CT: Team Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
Thomas Soladay UCI CT: Team Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
Thomas Zirbel UCI CT: Team Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
Scott Zwizanski UCI CT: Team Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
Craig Lewis UCI PCT: Champion System Pro Cycling Team
Lucas Euser UCI PCT: Spidertech p/b C10
Jonathan McCarty UCI PCT: Spidertech p/b C10
Kiel Reijnen UCI PCT: Team Type 1
Joseph Rosskopf UCI PCT: Team Type 1
Alex Bowden UCI PCT: Team Type 1 – Sanofi
William Dugan UCI PCT: Team Type 1 – Sanofi
Adrian Hegyvary UCI PCT: UnitedHealthcare
Christopher Jones UCI PCT: UnitedHealthcare
Jeff Louder UCI PCT: UnitedHealthcare
Jason McCartney UCI PCT: UnitedHealthcare
Bradley White UCI PCT: UnitedHealthcare
Timothy (Timmy) Duggan UCI PT: Liquigas-Cannondale
Ted King UCI PT: Liquigas-Cannondaleen’s Road Race Rider List
Brent Bookwalter UCI PT: BMC Racing Team
George Hincapie UCI PT: BMC Racing Team
Tejay Van Garderen UCI PT: BMC Racing Team
Thomas Danielson UCI PT: Garmin-Cervelo
Tyler Farrar UCI PT: Garmin-Cervelo
Alex Howes UCI PT: Garmin-Cervelo
Thomas Peterson UCI PT: Garmin-Cervelo
Jacob Rathe UCI PT: Garmin-Cervelo
Andrew Talansky UCI PT: Garmin-Cervelo
David Zabriskie UCI PT: Garmin-Cervelo
Matthew Busche UCI PT: RadioShack-Nissan
Christopher Horner UCI PT: RadioShack-Nissan
Benjamin King UCI PT: RadioShack-Nissan

Starters: 95