[Professional Blog] Wheely?

Im always filled with a sense of pride when I hear about ex-pat Newfoundlanders competing and succeeding abroad. The latest is cyclist Danny Martin. The slide-seat rower turned semi-pro road cyclist has wheeled his way alongside the likes of Levi Leipheimer, Chris Horner and the legendary Lance Armstrong. At annual race in Los Galos California last year, all three were in the field. But it was Armstrong who attracted the attention of scores of cycling pros who were otherwise uninterested in the short one-mile loop course. It was completely crazy, 50,000 people lines the sides of the road. People were going mad, ringing bells the whole two hours we were out there. At the end of the race, I went to my car, shut the doors, closed the windows and just listened to the quiet. Not surprisingly, Martin has never bested any of the trio. Though he did finish 12th to their Horners 8th in a Nevada City event last year. (Armstrong won it with Leipheimer finishing 3rd) When they put it down, the power is totally different, Martin says of racing against the modern-day cycling stars. I tried to make the first selection with five guys who went, but couldnt stay with it. It was 50 watts more power. You can keep track of Martin and his Team Safeway here.