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We hear the questions, at the race and on-line, about medical care.

The Amgen Tour of California is such a large-scale rolling production, with more than 20 separate groups going from one town to another everyday – how could medical care be structured?

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The second car behind the race is a convertible with a doctor in the back. There are several other cars in the caravan and behind it with doctors or nurses in them. They stop at any crash, and the doctor right behind the field can hold consultations with riders either as they rejoin the race after a crash, or when they drop back to talk. Think of it as having an on-call doctor at your work, a few feet away at all times, and available without appointment.

In each city that we visit, this same team sets up a medical suite. Its location is communicated via the Technical Guide that all teams receive before the start of the race. These are, to a normal doctor’s office, what the Jelly Belly Cycling Team’s trailer is to a normal bike shop. Everything is there and it is staffed by the best. This is where allergies are treated, follow-up visits happen, and less urgent matters are dealt with.

After Johnathan Freter’s tumble on Stage 1, his elbow was examined while he rode alongside the medical car and immediately after the stage. At the start of Stage 2, it was Freter’s wrist that was more painful. During the transfer after the stage, team staff were in contact with the medical team making the same journey. On arrival, the doctors let us know where they were set up.

The exam is a little different than at your family doctor, only in that it is very matter-of-fact. There isn’t a lot of time, and the doctors understand that the athletes know the general vocabulary of sports injury. In Freter’s case, the doctor said, “You are most tender here, and I’m not concerned about that at all. You are a little tender here, but that’s a more likely location for a chipped bone or fracture…”

Calls were made to local hospitals and urgent care facilities and one was located that could get the correct x-ray done and return the results fastest. Team staff took Freter over and came back an hour later with a disc of x-ray images. All the while, the medical team are tending to other riders and their own logistics, including dinner. Three doctors came back out to the suite to read the film, and it confirmed their suspicion.

Freter’s injury is not one that mandates stopping – the doctors will only force a rider to stop in the case of concussion or more severe head trauma. He started stage 3 and rode through a great deal of pain, unable to brake with his left hand on some of the most technical and fastest descents of the entire race.

Johnathan has had a restful night and will have a follow-up visit with medical this morning. At this point, the rest of the season is as important as the rest of the race. His pressing onwards yesterday should earn him The Team’s MVP award this morning – we will see.

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Stage 3 was climbing from 0km, so The Team prepared on Kinetic Trainers.

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The four-man break on Stage 1 that rolled an advantage of over 6 minutes at times contained Steve Fisher.

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Steve stayed clear of the field coming into the final circuits in Sacramento.

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Team mechanic Dom Cantin adjusts Steve Fisher’s shifting mid-race.

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Johnathan Freter did some un-planned off-road riding and took a tumble.  After the stage, he was “sore.. but good” and rode back to the hotel with the team.

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The gravel section at mile 50 was picturesque and helped the break stay away.  There were many flats in the peloton, where riders were unable to choose their line.

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Steve Fisher takes a feed in the breakaway from DS Larry Foss.

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The route was flat on Stage 1, rolling along the Sacramento River for much of the day, and exposed to wind from all directions.

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Saturday before the race is given over to local and national media for riders and management alike.  Danny van Haute is talking to Outside Magazine here.

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Brian St. Amant racks car one for Stage 1.

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Ralf Medloff chases one of the many punctures during the gravel section.

GilaTeam

 

Jacob Rathe | Alex Braico | Freddie Rodriguez | Angus Morton | Lachlan Morton | Steve Fisher | Gavin Mannion | Johnathan Freter

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General Classification for Teams Win

The bikes came through the huge pile-up in Saturday's criterium unscathed.

The bikes came through the huge pile-up in Saturday’s criterium unscathed.

Gus morton did stellar work in the bunch all day, protecting Gavin Mannion's GC as well as his brother Lachlan's breakaway.

Gus Morton did stellar work in the bunch all day, protecting Gavin Mannion’s GC as well as his brother Lachlan’s breakaway.

Lachlan on his own for a bit as the break's advantage came down.

Lachlan on his own for a bit as the break’s advantage came down.

DS Matty Rice and mechanic Ralf Medloff help Alex Braico get set up for Sunset Loop.

DS Matty Rice and mechanic Ralf Medloff help Alex Braico get set up for Sunset Loop.

Frankie Andreu interviews Gavin Mannion before Redlands' Stage Five, Sunset Loop.

Frankie Andreu interviews Gavin Mannion before Redlands’ Stage Five, Sunset Loop.

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Having a man in the break, and leader on the road, made it difficult for The Team to guard against threats to Gavin Mannion's GC position...

Having a man in the break, and leader on the road, made it difficult for The Team to guard against threats to Gavin Mannion’s GC position…

RedlandsTeam

Jacob Rathe | Alex Braico | Gus Morton | Gavin Mannion | Lachlan Morton | Steve Fisher | Freddie Rodriguez | Josh Berry

The Redlands Classic on April 8th-12th is The Team’s “home” race; the biggest race in The West for most of its storied history.

Wednesday will be the Highland Circuit Race, with many awesome places to view the course.  Bring your bike and see each lap from a different vantage point.

After Thursday’s Big Bear TT, the race returns to the Oak Glen climb for Friday’s road stage.  The stage is shorter than the classic version, but the climb is still monstrous and the finish still scenic and spectator-friendly.

The downtown criterium on Saturday is one of the best-attended anywhere, and is guaranteed entertainment all day.

On Sunday, the race will be decided by the one-of-a-kind Sunset Loop stage.  Some riders will take the start, only to abandon before The Fire Station a couple of miles in.  After that comes a screaming rollercoaster of laps through the most beautiful neighborhoods in Redlands and a breakneck run back into town for the always-unbelievable sprint finish.

We hope that you can make it out to the race, but we will keep you up-to-date via twitter and instagram.

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New signing Gus Morton has an eye for an image, and isn’t afraid to shoot during hard training rides.  Some shots, from the saddle, warrant uploading here at full resolution.  We hope that you enjoy them.
Gus was behind the film, Thereabouts, chronicling the rediscovery of the pure love of adventure that cycling brought to him and his brother, Lachlan.

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Follow Gus on Instagram and watch for this gallery to grow.

It’s Doc’s Skincare that keeps the entire team looking and feeling fast. The all-natural range goes well beyond chamois cream. You, too, can look and feel this good! Use the code JellyBellyRox at checkout on www.docsskincare.com

2015 Jelly Belly Cycling presented by MAXXIS

2015 Jelly Belly Cycling presented by MAXXIS