Fitting winner as Father's day approaches.

This past weekend was a high point for American cycling, and yet Lance Armstrong was only a sideshow. The two biggest races of the week were taking place with the first stage of the Dauphine Libere stage race in France and the Wachovia USPRO Cycling Championship one-day race in Philadelphia, PA. The Wachovia USPRO race has been on the same course the last 21 years and boasts as being the richest one day race in the world. The winner's paycheck was $142,000.

The USA took the top 5 spots in Philly, the first time the podium has had an all USA showing in its history. Meanwhile, across the pond in France, the Americans were four of the top 5 in the Dauphine opening prologue. Lance Armstrong was 5th and his teammate George Hincapie took the win over Levi Leipheimer and Floyd Landis.

Philly (USPRO) was won by Chris Wherry of Health Net as he soloed away from his breakaway companions Danny Pate and Chris Horner. Having lived and raced in Boulder Colorado I knew both Chris Wherry and Danny Pate. Danny was a young quiet amateur but everyone knew if he kept at it he would be something. Of course they thought the same about Chris as he won US Amateur National Championships in 1996 and was always tangling with the big pros in any race he entered.

I met Chris while he worked at the local Buchanan’s coffee shop on the Hill in Boulder biding his time before turning pro. Our team attempted to pick up Chris when he decided to turn pro and his father was the one negotiating the deal. Chris’ dad was always at the local races and you could pick him out as he stood over 6 ft and wore an English style driving hat. Chris ended up signing with Saturn, but we had nothing but respect for the way his dad treated our team and the way Chris handled the situation. Chris’ dad died in 2002 of Leukemia and I’m sure that his memory has kept the cycling fire burning within.

Ironically the person that Chris took the USPRO title from was a former amateur teammate (Taya Chain) of Chris and friend while in Boulder, Fred Rodriguez. Chris is a well deserving winner and I’m sure a win that would have made his father proud. Congratulations Chris.