Rough roads put Johnson, Murphy in leadership position for OUCH Presented by Maxxis at Battenkill

With a quarter of its 200km course run over eight sections of dirt roads, this Sunday’s Tour of Battenkill favors riders who can handle the changing conditions, especially if weather is a factor. Multi-time U.S. National Cyclocross Champion Tim Johnson is just such a rider.

“Tim is a phenomenal bike handler, especially in sketchy conditions,” notes team directeur sportif Mike Tamayo. “His ‘cross background will be an asset in a race like this.”

Johnson is showing good form after taking a very close second place to Cervelo Test Team’s Teddy King at the Marblehead Road Race two weeks ago.

OUCH Presented by Maxxis will also look to another big diesel who has shown he can handle changing course conditions. John Murphy, who is starting to come into form following recent victories in the Redlands Criterium and the Long Beach Bicycle Festival, twice finished in the top 20 of the U23 version of Paris-Roubaix. With race promoters billing Battenkill the “Queen of the Classics” in the U.S., Murphy should feel right at home.

“Murph is a big, strong guy who excels in tough races like this,” Tamayo said. “He can handle these conditions and still have the punch at the end for a sprint.”

Johnson and Murphy will be working with the big man from Tasmania, Karl Menzies, as well as have the big engine of Jonathan Chodroff for support. Olympian Bobby Lea and super domestique Roman Kilun round out the squad.

Floyd Landis, who was originally part of the Battenkill lineup, was set to make the trip. However, during training on Wednesday, he suffered a laceration on his shin.

Dr. Brent Kay, his personal physician and co-founder of title sponsor OUCH Sport Medical Center, determined that, with an open wound on his leg, “it would be better for Floyd to remain back in southern California to heal and not risk infection to the laceration,” Tamayo said. “It’s just a bit of random bad luck.”

The team will also contest the 100km Pro Am race Saturday, over many of the same roads featured in Sunday’s main event.

OUCH Presented by Maxxis for the Tour of Battenkill:

Jonathan Chodroff, USA
Tim Johnson, USA
Roman Kilun, USA
Bobby Lea, USA
Karl Menzies, TAS
John Murphy, USA

Photo: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us