GERLACH Takes Tour de Nez Overall Omnium;

TALANSKY Best Young Rider

Andrew Talansky & Chad Gerlach on the podium

Chad Gerlach continues tearing up the track in his first year back.  The Amore e Vita (presented by Life Time Fitness/Velo Vie) star won the Tour de Nez in Nevada.  It was the first overall win for Gerlach this year.  He took the overall title on the back of a fantastic Stage 2 crit (criterium: street race) win as well as strong finishes throughout the omnium (multi-race event combining different cycling disciplines/races).

We don’t intend to dredge up what Chad has been through in his four years off from the sport (you can google if you’d like, but you should get the gist by hearing that he was on A&E’s “Intervention”).  Clearly the man is breaking through the storm clouds.  Chad is an incredibly personable guy, approachable and down to Earth.  There is strength in his smile and a steadfast passion as he naturally assumes a leadership role on the team.  By now he calls himself a veteran and has the swagger of humble champ.

It’s no wonder (or small feat) that he won the Omnium.  He described his cycling specialty as being an all-around rider, comfortable sprinting, climbing or enduring and just as satisfied to set a teammate up for a win.  This time around, he excelled at all-of-the-above and took the win himself.  Bravo Chad!  To many more!

Check-in with us again for exclusive Team Amore e Vita content and coverage of the team traveling the country.

Worthy of more than just a post-script; Andrew Talansky took the classification of Best Young Rider.  The kid is true grit.  Expect big things from him in races to come.