Atomic News & Events

Monday February 6, 2012

BREAKING NEWS! Contador rumored to be looking at Atomic Racing Club

Vancouver, February 6

Unconfirmed rumors circulating around the cycling community today suggest that recently banned Spanish rider Alberto Contador is interested in signing with Atomic Racing Club.

It was announced late last night that the Court for Arbitration in Sport, or CAS, has ruled against Contador in an appeal brough to the international body with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the world cycling body, the UCI. After a long-running saga, CAS announced that it had upheld the UCI and WADA’s joint appeal against the Spanish Cycling Federation’s (RFEC) decision not to suspend Contador.

The UCI and WADA both dissagreed with the governing Spanish cycling agency that Contador’s positive finding of the use of the steroid clenbuterol was a legitimate error and that no doping infraction had occured.

As a result of the CAS ruling, Contador has been stripped of his 2010 Tour de France title, as well as his Giro d’Italia win, and a number of other regional races. He is banned from competing at UCI sanctioned cycling events until August 5. As a result he will not be eligible to ride any of this year’s grand tours, or the Olympic cycling events.

However, a close friend of Contador’s who wished to remain anonymous said Contador was “seriously considering moving to Vancouver, Canada and riding with Atomic Racing Club until his ban is over”. The source went on to explain that “Alberto has always admired the Vancouver club – especially the way the executive group is managed – and some summer training with the team will keep him sharp and in shape for competition when all this nonsense is over”.

Atomic Racing officials could not be reached for comment.

Sunday October 9, 2011

Atomic Hosts 2011 BC Cyclocross Championships

Atomic will be hosting this years BC Cyclocross Championships at Mahon Park in North Vancouver. The race goes Sunday November 27, 2011. Please check out the Race Webpage for all the details.

Friday September 23, 2011

Atomic Member lays down some smack in 2011 Triathlon racing

Vancouver — Atomic Racing Club member Matt Fieldwalker chalked-up a stellar 2011 racing season, with strong results in triathlon competition across the province.

Fieldwalker’s results include 3rd overall in his age group at the Island Runner Team X Westshore Sprint Triathlon, 3rd overall and 1st in his age group at the North Shore Spring Sprint Triathlon, 2nd overall and first in his age group at the Iron Mountain Triathlon, tied for first overall in the Triathlon of Compassion, 2nd overall and 1st in his age group at the Self Transcendence Triathlon – BC Sprint Champs, and first overall at the Kelowna Apple Triathlon – Canadian National Short Course Championships.

In addition to these unheard of feats (for an Atomic member), Matt had exceptional results in his point series racing as well.

Well done Matt! Fantastic results, and we’re delighted to have you on the team.

“I owe it all to Andrew, our President. I couldn’t have done it without him”, Fieldwalker said when reached for comment [this may not be entirely accurate – Ed.]

For those of you in particular shock and awe, have a look at his blog, which gives more detail to the events and captures the mind of the man himself.

http://fieldracer.blogspot.com/

Monday July 11, 2011

Atomic Racing Club Members drop Eddy Merckx at race

Penticton, July 10, 2011 – Atomic members Neil Winkelmann and Andrew Wilson drew swords over the weekend against the likes of Svein Tuft, Trevor Linden, Axel Merckx and cycling legend Eddy Merckx.

Battling hard on a demanding 160KM course around the south Okanagan, Winkelmann and Wilson came in under 5 hours for a strong finish. Atomic Member Geza Baranyi also had a strong showing, behind the Winkelmann/Wilson juggernaut.

The race started off under sunny skies in Penticton, and made a turn through Summerland before speeding south for a long loop down past the lakes to Oliver and back up, finishing 162KM later in Penticton. Canadian road and TT champion Svein Tuft attacked at the front and took an impressive solo trip around the circuit, finishing at 3:57:03. Former Vancouver Canuck Trevor Linden finished a very impressive 4:18:56.

Ex-pro and former Belgian National Champion and Olympic medal winner Axel Merckx finished at 4:12:22.

But the real drama on the course happened around KM 50 when the Winkelmann-Wilson duo passed cycling great Eddy Merckx in a ball of dust.

“He was going pretty hard sure…I mean, he’s a 5 time Tour champ and has won pretty much everything there is to win”, explained Atomic president Andrew Wilson in a post-race interview. “It’s not that easy to get the Cannibal in your sites, reel him in and then blow him away, but to be honest that’s pretty much what we did”.

Race officials declined to comment, but an anonymous source confirmed Eddy was crushed at the obvious defeat, explaining that he’d trained “hard” for the inaugural event and wanted to impress the crowds on hand.

“I heard someone high up say that he had worked with some pretty famous coaches and had regained much of his past form in a bid to dominate the race”, said Winkelmann when reached later by telephone. “It was pretty hard alright…Wilson and I had to dig deep into our suitcases of courage to pass him, but we did. Hell, that’s what Atomic’s all about, isn’t it”.

Mr. Merckx couldn’t be reached for comment.

Event organizers said the race was a success and they are looking forward to increased participation in next year’s ride. It is unclear whether Eddy will return to ride.

Monday May 9, 2011

Atomic members melt in recent downpour

Vancouver – unseasonably hard rains over the weekend unleashed furry on a group of uber hard-core Atomic Racing Club members out training this Saturday. Following close on the wettest Vancouver April in recent memory was what must have been the wettest Saturday in recent Vancouver memory.

The riders, including current and past presidents, did what they do best and put aside their fears and pain and rode on through the hurricane conditions. The rain proved too much for the group, however, and they melted.

“We were riding along at our usual 55 – 60 kph pace”, explained president Andrew Wilson, “when I noticed what I thought were bits of meat or fruit pulp coming from the front of the train. When the guy out on the front swung off to let someone else pull I could see he was actually melting – or dissolving I guess – from the water”.

Wilson stopped the training ride immediately and encouraged the group to slow to 50 kph and wait for the rain to subside. “Sure, that’s awful slow for most of us, but hey, it’s better than having some of the membership wash down the drains”, he said later when reached by phone at the Atomic executive offices.

Once the rain stopped the riders were able to re-form and complete their training ride.

Wednesday April 13, 2011

Atomic Racing Club tipped to challenge Hour Record

Mexico City, April 2, 2011 – Rumors circulating in the cycling community point to a new Hour Record attempt by a member of Vancouver based Atomic Racing Club. Though no one has been able to confirm a challenge is in the making, various sources have spotted club president Andrew Wilson on location in Mexico City recently, visiting the velodrome. “No one has come forward to book the velodrome for anything at all”, said Velodrome manager Victor Gonzalez de Tepango Rodrgiuez Chichural, through an interpreter, “but certainly it’s available, and we do have the history to support the idea that it would be a worthy place to give it a shot”.

The historic velodrome in Mexico City has been home to a number of various attempts and world records, including those made by Ole Ritter, Francisco Moser and the great Eddy Merckx.

It has long been known that Atomic Racing has members with the calibre to seriously threaten the record, but to date a serious announcement of intent has not been made.

Representatives of Atomic Racing Club could not be reached for comment.

Thursday November 18, 2010

Bicycle theft continues - fingers pointing again at Atomic Racing

Vancouver, B.C., November 16

Vancouver police are once again directing allegations of bicycle theft towards senior members of Atomic Racing Club. Following an incident in a local park several weeks ago, witnesses report seeing someone wearing Atomic Racing team kit running away with a bicycle at a park in the GVRD.

“We were really surprised”, said one woman who wished to remain anonymous. “This guy just suddenly appeared, running like crazy carrying a bike, jumping over some sort of fence or something. We wondered why he didn’t just ride away with the thing, but my husband pointed out that he looked slow and not really capable of riding a bike very fast, so I guess he just decided to run it”.

Officials at Atomic Racing could not be reached for comment.

Sunday October 31, 2010

Atomic Hosts Cross Race November 14

On November 14, 2010 Atomic Racing will present the first annual atomiCX cyclocross race. Held last year as Coastal Cross at Aldergrove Lake Park the action kicks off at 11:00am with the Open Citizens race and continues until 1:00pm with the start of the Men’s 1-2/Masters race. Come out to race, watch or volunteer and be a part of cycling’s fastest growing discipline. Pre registration opens at Speed Theory on September 15.

For more information, please visit the race website at:

http://www.atomiccross.blogspot.com/

Bring your cowbell!!

Friday October 29, 2010

Atomic Racing member sought for bird violence

Vancouver, October 29 – Following an incident involving birds this morning, British Columbia Fish and Wildlife has requested a member of Atomic Racing Club come forward to answer charges of bird obstruction and cruelty.

Witnesses say a “slow man” on a bicycle was chasing seagulls around Moody Park, and succeeded in hitting one bird chest on.

“We watched with amazement as this guy pedaled his bike around the park, driving right towards the birds. We didn’t think he had a chance in hell of hitting one, as he was just so slow and clumsy on his bike, but to our surprise he actually nailed one as it took off”, said a woman who wished to remain anonymous.

“The bird he hit was clearly injured or maimed…or retarded or something, because otherwise this guy wouldn’t have been able to catch it. Which makes it even worse really, chasing after a sick bird”.

Officer John Smith of BC Fish and Wildlife said at this time charges had not been recommended to the RCMP, though the Atomic rider is being sought for questioning.

Andrew Wilson, Membership Director of Atomic Racing confirmed he had been contacted by authorities but said as of yet no one has come forward to offer information.

“We’ve got a lot of slow guys in the club really, so I’m not sure who it could have been. A lot of the guys smell bad as well, which I guess could have attracted the birds. I’ve seen plenty of members riding around with food on their chins so sure, could have been one of us I guess”.

The BCFW is asking members of the public who may have information pertaining to the investigation to come forward.

Thursday October 14, 2010

Atomic President on the run?

Vancouver, October 14 – Vancouver police are looking to question the Atomic Racing Club president in a matter related to a recent theft. Several items of value were reported stolen from a local park, including a bicycle, and police say witnesses are pointing fingers at a man seen running from the scene with a bike over his shoulder, wearing Atomic team kit.

“A number of individuals at the park say they saw the president of the local club running away up some steps, trying to get out of the park as quickly as possible”, said Office Ryan O’Malley of the Vancouver Police Department. “At this point no charges have been laid, but the president is wanted for questioning and is definitely a person of interest”.

Officer O’Malley was able to confirm that “several” park-goers have come forward to make statements regarding the incident and have offered eye-witness accounts.

One witness, who wished to remain anonymous, was initially confused by the thief’s mode of transport when fleeing the scene. “At first I couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t have just jumped on the bike and taken off that way”, explained the witness, “but then I just guessed he was probably able to run faster than he was able to cycle…he just sort of looked like someone who might have trouble pedaling with much strength, you know what I mean?”.

Atomic Racing officials could not be reached for comment.

Thursday September 16, 2010

UCI provides proof against Atomic Racing

Vancouver, September – The UCI today released an updated laboratory report with a long list of riders who have been proved to be guilty of doping and using other performance enhancing substances. Implicated in the dragnet were two of Atomic Racing’s most prolific members.

“We’ve known for a long time that systematic tampering has been going on in Atomic, and now we have proof. Pictures don’t lie”, a UCI official remarked under the condition of anonymity.

“Just take a look at this picture…it’s clear proof”.

Atomic Racing officials could not be reached for comment.

Friday September 3, 2010

Atomic continues its worldwide Climbing Dominance

Yukon, Canada – Atomic Racing Club president Dominic Walsh chalked up another mountain ascent in the past week, continuing the plan he helped launch to climb every one of the world’s mountains on a bicycle.

Walsh was forced to swap road bike for mountain bike on the club’s latest endeavor, encountering roads too steep and ferocious for the average roadie.

“Oh yeah, tough climbs, lots of rocks and gravel”, said a tired but jubilant Walsh. “There’s no way I could have gotten up any of those northern monsters on my road bike, so I had to haul out the mountain bike to lay a beating on those crags”.

Atomic Racing club initiated a campaign to climb all the world’s mountains in the spring of 2010, and is well on its way with a total accumulated count now of 1,435 mountains [this may not be accurate – ed.].

Atomic membership director Andrew Wilson explained: “A lot of people thought we were nuts when we announced our plans…but little by little, we’re showing them it can be done”.