Olympic Cycling Trials -- U.S. Postal Service Team Fails To Deliver At Road Race

Eddie Boyrsewicz is one of the United States' premier cycling coaches. He served as director of the U.S. National team from 1977-87 and has developed some of the county's best competitors.

But at yesterday's Microsoft Grand Prix Olympic trials road race, Borysewicz saw his U.S. Postal Service team fall apart.

At least its bicycles did.

Perhaps the biggest casualty was Andy Hampsten, one of the favorites on the hilly 126-mile course that drew about 20,000 spectators.

Hampsten was off his bike in the first lap because of cracked handlebars. It didn't help that the Postal Service team failed to bring backup equipment.

Hampsten had to wait for a bike provided by race directors. He was not a factor, finishing 25th.

Then, Eddy Gragus' handlebars cracked on lap 5 and he was unable to finish. Three laps later, Clark Sheehan's shifter malfunctioned.

Instead of hauling equipment across the country, the team left it in Atlanta because the final four trials races are on the East Coast.

"We didn't even have our team cars," said Tyler Hamilton, who finished seventh.

Hincapie fazed at food zone

George Hincapie of Motorola was expected to be one of the challengers at the finish. In the end, however, he was happy to get 10th after crashing on the sixth lap. Hincapie hit an orange cone shortly after a feed zone on the top of Yesler Way.

"I just wasn't paying attention," he said. "I feel like I salvaged something."

Results

(The first of five trials for the U.S. Olympic cycling road racing team, consisting of 10 laps over a 12.6-mile course, with hometown, team and time) 1, Chris Horner, Lemon Grove, Calif., Nutra Fig-Colorado Cyclist team, 5 hours, 20 minutes, 31 seconds. 2, Frankie Andreu, Dearborn, Mich., Motorola, same time. 3, Frank McCormack, Leicester, Mass., Saturn, 5:20:34. 4, Darren Baker, Santa Rosa, Calif., U.S. Postal Service, 5:20:41. 5, Kevin Livingston, Austin, Texas, Motorola, 5:21:05. 6, Jeff Evanshine, Placentia, Calif., Nutra Fig-Colorado Cyclist, 5:26:45. 7, Tyler Hamilton, Nederland, Colo., U.S. Postal Service, same time. 8, Steve Hegg, Dana Point, Calif., Chevrolet-L.A. Sheriff's, same time. 9, Nate Reiss, Fort Collins, Colo., U.S. Postal Service, 5:27:21. 10, George Hincapie, Charlotte, N.C., Motorola, same time. 11, Norm Alvis, Colorado Springs, Colo., Saturn, same time. 12, Cory Domingues, Corvallis, Ore., Team Finlandia, 5:27:40. 13, Esteban Fraga, West Hills, Calif., Nutra Fig-Colorado Cyclist, same time. 14, Bobby Julich, Glenwood Springs, Colo., Motorola, same time. 15, Steve Speaks, Boulder, Colo., Guiltless Gourmet-Higher Gear, same time. 16, Michael Engleman, Boulder, Colo., U.S. Postal Service, same time. 17, Thurlow Rogers, Van Nuys, Calif., Nutra Fig of California, same time. 18, Fred Rodriguez, Westminster, Colo., Saturn, 5:28:55. 19, Michael Sayer, Sacramento, Calif., unattached, 5:29:39. 20, John Peters, West Hills, Calif., Nutra Fig-Colorado Cyclist, 5:30:49. Others - 31, Ronnie Schmeer, Seattle, Ray's Boathouse-Big Time, 5:31:55. 64, Brian Slettvet, Federal Way, Ray's Boathouse-Big Time. 67, Paul Dahlke, Redmond, Ray's Boathouse-Big Time. 70, Matt Thoresen, Emerald City Cycling Club.