Articles, News, and Stories About Nathan O'Neill, Pro Cyclist

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July 14, 2006: O’Neill set for Saturday's Dual Stage.

BEND, OR - Nathan O'Neill sits comfortable just 24 seconds in 5th overall behind teammate Jeff Louder, who took the yellow jersey from Chris Wherry (Toyota-United) in Friday's stage. Nathan looks to move up in the GC after Saturday's time trial and evening crit.

July 13, 2006: Louder, Moninger and O’Neill in position for run at top spot at Cascade.
Courtesy Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis

BEND, OR - "...That group contained Louder, Scott Moninger and Nathan O’Neill of Health Net Presented by Maxxis, all well-placed after Stage 1, in which they finished 3rd, 5th and 6th respectively. Moninger and O’Neill each moving up a place on GC after today"...more

July 12, 2006: O'Neill 6th in Cascade Cycling Classic Opener

BEND, OR - Nathan O'Neill finished the first stage of the Bend Memorial Clinic Cascade Cycling Classic, the Prineville Road Race, in a respectable 6th position, just 00:26 of the time of race leader Chris Wherry (Toyota United).

June 18, 2006: Health Net presented by Maxxis Sweeps Nature Valey Grand Prix
Courtesy Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis

STILLWATER, MN - It's unusual for one team to sweep the final podium of a hotly contested NRC stage race. It's just as unusual for the leader's jersey to rest on three different riders from the same team in three days. But with his fourth place finish in the final stage of the Nature Valley Grand Prix, Karl Menzies of the Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis took over the lead from teammate Greg Henderson, who in turn, had taken over the lead from teammate Nathan O'Neill on Saturday...more

June 14, 2006: O'Neill, Health Net Smoke Field
Courtesy Cyclingnews.com

ST. PAUL, MN - Waiting for an hour after posting the fastest time, Navigator Insurance's Bernard Van Ulden just shook his head as Health Net/Maxxis' Nathan O'Neill blazed through the finishing chute to post the winning time. more

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June 4, 2006: Moniger takes Stage 6, O'Neill takes Overall Win at Mt. Hood Cycling Classic!

HOOD RIVER, OR - Another cool day for the Stage 6 Three-Summit Road Race with Nathan O'Neill finishing 5th and retaining his lead and the overall win for the GC in the Mt. Hood Cycling Classic. Teammate Scott Moniger wins the stage.

June 3, 2006: O'Neill takes Scenic Gorge Time Trial Win!

HOOD RIVER, OR - The high winds of Scenic Gorge couldn't stop Nathan O'Neill as he powered through for the win in today's Mt. Hood Cycling Classic Stage 4 TT keeping him at #1 in the GC.

June 2, 2006: O'Neill, Bausch prove they can climb
Courtesy Cyclingnews.com

HOOD RIVER, OR - If there's a chink in Nathan O'Neill's armor thus far at the Mt. Hood Cycling Classic, it's not easy to spot...more

May 31, 2006: O'Neill, Powers win first stage of Mt. Hood Cycling Classic
Courtesy Mount Hood Cycling Classic

HOOD RIVER, OR - Health Net's Nathan O'Neill and Rio Grande/Sports Garage's Alison Powers won the opening stage of the Mt. Hood Cycling Classic on Wednesday in Hood River, Ore. O'Neil covered the three-mile time trial stage in 6 minutes 7 seconds. Powers did it in 7:17. The course gained only 150 feet in elevation, but it was not flat. Riders were greeted with a steep hill immediately out of the start house followed by a descent of more than a mile and a steep climb at the finish.

May 18, 2006: Health Net presented by Maxxis on top of latest NRC team standings...O'Neill and Fraser second and third
Courtesy Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis

Nathan O'Neill (793) and Gord Fraser (682) of Health Net Presented by Maxxis are sitting second and third respectively on the NRC individual standings behind Floyd Landis (Phonak), who has earned 1270 points on the strength of his overall titles in the Tours of California and Georgia. High placings in both California and Georgia, as well as the overall title at Redlands have given O'Neill his ranking, while a recent string of wins, including three stages and the overall title of the Joe Martin Stage Race, have put Fraser in the top 3. Scott Moninger, last year's overall NRC individual points champion, is 9th with 396 points.

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May 14, 2006: Joe Martin Stage Race Update - Nathan O'Neill finishes 4th Overall.

Fayetteville, AR - Health Net Presented by Maxxis comes away from a great weekend of racing with Nathan O'Neill finishing 4th, Scott Moninger finishing 3rd and Gord Fraser finishing 1st in the overall GC.

May 13, 2006: Joe Martin Stage Race Update - O'Neill second in Individual Time Trial. Fraser sweeps first two road races

Fayetteville, AR - Nathan O'Neill finishes 2nd in today's Individual Time Trial at the Joe Martin Stage Race just 2 seconds behind teammate Scott Moninger and moves into 4th in the GC. Health Net Presented by Maxxis is dominating the stage race after Gord Fraser's wins on both Friday and Saturday's Road Race and Moninger and O'Neill one, two for the TT. Sunday's criterium should be a battle as the team tries for their 4th win this weekend.

April 23, 2006: Ford Tour de Georgia Stage 6 - Health Net Presented by Maxxis on the Throttle...Nathan O'Neill takes 7th Overall in the General Classification!

Alpharetta, GA - Nathan and the Health Net boys throttled it in the final laps of Stage 6 to put Gord Fraser at the number 2 spot on the podium today. O'Neill finishes the 2006 Ford Tour de Georgia at 7th place in the GC and the top US based, non-PRO Tour rider again!!

April 22, 2006: Ford Tour de Georgia Stage 5 - Nathan O'Neill fans out in force.

Brasstown Bald, GA - Attack after attack split the field on the final climb up Brasstown Bald and Team Phonak, along with a strong showing from Team Discovery, were able to advance their riders up the GC. Nathan powered in at 16th and sits now at #7 in the GC, 3'45" out from race leader Floyd Landis.

April 21, 2006: Ford Tour de Georgia Stage 4 - Now, the climbing starts...O'Neill sits on Landis, remains 4th.

Dahlonega, GA - Mother natures strikes again in a virtual repeat of last year's stage where rain and fog socked in the riders at the summit of Fort Mountain. Nathan O'Neill spent much of the day on the wheel of Floyd Landis and the entire Phonak squad had their eye on Nathan at the summit of Fort Mountain. Tomorrows stage could be the deciding factor. With Phonak controlling things for race leader Floyd Landis, some of the pressure will be off team Health Net Presented by Maxxis allowing them to set up Nathan for the hors categorie climb up Brasstown Bald.

April 20, 2006: "I Can't Drive 55..." A ride on the wild side with Team Directeur Sportif Jeff Corbett
Courtesy Bob DeLong, Nathan O'Neill.com

And so, the song says, ride along in the Team Car for the Stage 3 Time Trial and video of Nathan's blistering descent of Lookout Mountain...Coming Soon!

April 20, 2006: Ford Tour de Georgia Stage 3 - Lookout" is fitting...Nathan O'Neill sitting tight in 4th!!

Chattanooga, TN - Donning the Australian National colors, Nathan O'Neill set a blistering pace in today's time trial over Lookout Mountain and held on finish 4th in Stage 3 of the 2006 Ford Tour de Georgia. Commenting on the descent, Nathan stated " I was either going to make up time, or crash..." and he crossed the finish with the 4th best time of the day and the top US based, non-PRO Tour rider sitting at 0.55 seconds behind race leader Floyd Landis (Phonak).

April 19, 2006: Ford Tour de Georgia Stage 2 - O'Neill readies for tomorrows Time Trial!

Rome, GA - Yet another lead out for Menzies by the Health Net boys puts Karl in 4th overall. Nathan O'Neill cruises in at 25th in the GC after today's stage just 22 seconds off race leader Yaroslav Popovych (DISCOVERY) and placing him in prime position to take the lead after tomorrow's Time Trial. The length and profile suits Nathan's style and this may be the decisive stage in the 2006 TDG.

April 18, 2006: Ford Tour de Georgia Stage 1 - Welcome to Georgia! O'Neill gets set for GC Contention!

Macon, GA - Nathan O'Neill and Karl Menzies led out the final closing moments of today's inaugural stage of the Ford Tour de Georgia setting up Health Net for the sprint but a crash in the final lap broke up the field. Nathan finished respectably at #30 setting him up for GC contention only 10 seconds off today's stage winner Lars Michaelson (CSC).

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April 08, 2006: Maxxis Georgia Cup - Nathan O'Neill brings his own Tornado to GA!

Gainesville, GA - Despite the looming weather, Nathan O'Neill wins todays' Maxxis Georgia Cup Thurmond Tanner Time Trial.

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March 26, 2006: Redlands Bicycle Classic - Stage#3 Final- Teamwork Pays off for O'Neill as he holds on for the Overall Win at Redlands!

REDLANDS, CA - Protecting their race leader, Nathan O'Neill, the Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis worked together to keep Nathan in the Yellow Jersey for the 2006 Redlands Bicycle Classic win. The team hunted down Chris Baldwin (Navigators), Nathan's threat for the GC crown, in the final 2 laps and reeled in the 30 second gap to get O'Neill in position for the finish and retain his overall lead in this 3 day event.

March 25, 2006: Redlands Bicycle Classic - Stage#2 Update- GC Looking Good - Nathan O'Neill Number One.

REDLANDS, CA - Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis controlled today's stage, the Beaver Medical Group Criterium and protected their Race Leader, Nathan O'Neill who will retain the Yellow Jersey. Teammate Karl Menzies wins the stage with a BIG sprint solidifying Health Net's standing in the 3 day event.

March 24, 2006: Redlands Bicycle Classic - Stage#1 Update, Another BIG WIN for Nathan O'Neill!!!

REDLANDS, CA - Nathan O'Neill dominates the field to yet another 1st place finish this year in today's 1st Centennial Bank Time Trial at the Redlands Bicycle Classic. Nathan finished 11.9 seconds ahead of Toyota United Pro's Chris Baldwin. 3rd in the stage was Scott Moninger, Nathan's Health Net teammate.

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March 21, 2006: It's Gold for Nathan at the Commonwealth Games!

Nathan O'Neill brings home the Gold Medal at today's Time Trial in Melbourne, AU. Fellow Aussie Ben Day finished 2nd 24.38 seconds behind Nathan's winning time of 48.37.29!

March 21, 2006: Trust Nathan to ride for his life...
Courtesy Jim Wilson, Melbourne Herald Sun

AUSTRALIAN cyclist Nathan O'Neill is set to complete a remarkable comeback tomorrow. O'Neill will ride for gold in the men's time-trial and is considered a genuine contender for the Commonwealth title. But the fact he's back on a bike is a miracle in itself after he nearly lost his life in a race accident three years ago when he broke his neck...more

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February 26, 2006: Amgen Tour of California Stage 7 - FINAL

Redondo Beach, CA - In his first stage race on US soil in 2006 riding for the Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis, Nathan O'Neill finishes 5th overall in the inaugural Amgen Tour of California!!!

February 25, 2006: Amgen Tour of California Stage 6 -

Nathan O’Neill finished safely in the bunch to retain his 5th place position in the general classification.

February 24, 2006: Amgen Tour of California Stage 5 - O'Neill holds steady when fireworks fly on San Marcos
Courtesy Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis

San Jose, CA – Everybody expected the final climb of today's Stage 5 of the Amgen Tour of California to be decisive. It also came as little surprise that it was the Gerolsteiner team of Levi Leipheimer, sitting 6th overall just two seconds behind Nathan O'Neill of the Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis, that lit the fuse on the fireworks...more

February 23, 2006: Amgen Tour of California Stage 4 -

Nathan O'Neill finishes strong today in the peleton and retains his 5th place in the General Classification at 1'.08" behind Floyd Landis.

February 22, 2006: Amgen Tour of California Stage 3 - O’Neill vaults to 5th overall in California.
Courtesy Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis

San Jose, CA – Nathan O’Neill of the Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis had been targeting this stage for weeks. “I knew it would be decisive for the overall classification,” he said.

The seven-time and current Australian national time trial champion also knew the 17-mile Stage 3 individual time trial would be an opportunity to make a run at the top of the general classification. He made the most of that opportunity, placing 5th in today’s time trial with a time of 36:55.74, to move up from 18th to 5th overall.

Stage winner Floyd Landis (Phonak) flew through the course to a time of 35:58.91 – the only rider to break the 36-minute barrier – to assume the overall race lead from George Hincapie. David Zabriskie (CSC), winner of an individual time trial at the Giro d’Italia, finished second at 36:24.53. He was followed by his teammate, 2004 Olympic time trial bronze medalist Bobby Julich at 36:33.59. Hincapie came in just 2.7 seconds ahead of O’Neill for 4th place...more

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February 22, 2006: Amgen Tour of California Stage 3 - O’Neill vaults to 5th overall in California.
Courtesy Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis

continued from Page 1...“I had a pretty good ride today,” O’Neill said. “Given the level of talent here, it was about where I expected to be. It would’ve been a bit of a surprise to do better, but a disappointment to come in farther down. I’m never satisfied with fifth place, but taking everything into consideration, it was good.”

The 17-mile course was an undulating affair, starting off almost immediately out of the start house with a winding, 300-foot climb in the first 2 km. It was followed by a second, more gradual climb that gained about 300 feet as well. But the final 12 km of the course was almost dead flat, but into a steady headwind coming from the northwest.

“The last 12 km was a bit rough because of the wind,” said Hayden Roulston, who also posted a strong time of 37:06.66 to finish 8th on the day, and move to 22nd overall. O’Neill agreed, describing the course as “honest.”

“The wind was definitely a factor,” O’Neill commented. “The first part of the course was about power. With a block headwind for the last 12 km, the last part was about aerodynamics. I think my time in the wind tunnel in January helped out a bit today. It showed me some things I suspected and gave me more evidence of some small things that I needed to change. But those small changes, with a second here, a second there, add up after a while.”

Thursday’s stage will be the longest of the tour at 130 miles from Monterey to San Luis Obispo, and while it may not change things on the overall, there should be plenty of fireworks. With Levi Leipheimer dropping down to 6th overall after his 9th place finish in the ITT, he now sits only two seconds behind O’Neill on GC. “I’m sure he’d like to finish top-five in his home state tour,” O’Neill said. “It’s definitely going to be on tomorrow. CSC will try to light it up, but I expect Phonak to take a lot of responsibility with Floyd in the lead. The race isn’t over, but it’s definitely getting narrowed down.”

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February 22, 2006: Amgen Tour of California Stage 3 Time Trial -

Nathan O'Neill takes 4th in today's Time Trial stage with a time of 36'55'74. Nathan moves into 5th in the General Classification at 1'.08" behind Floyd Landis, who finished 1st and took over the Gold Jersey.

February 21, 2006: Amgen Tour of California Stage 2 - O'Neill poised for a run at the Overall in California
Courtesy Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis

San Jose, CA - Nathan O'Neill of the Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis dug deep on the final grueling climb of Stage 2 of the Amgen Tour of California to finish with the elite front group in San Jose.

"It was definitely a hard day," O'Neill said. "Levi (Leipheimer, Gerolsteiner) put a lot of people in difficulty on the last climb up Sierra Road."

The fireworks actually started on the second to last climb of the day, going over Calaveras Road just after coming out of the town of Sunol.

With a break of three riders, who had been away since the first KoM in Lafayette just 12 miles into the stage, still over three minutes up the road, Discovery and CSC put their guys on the front and strung out the pack on the long, gradual climb up Calaveras. "It was fairly civilized up until then," O'Neill commented. "But I guess they wanted to pick up the pace and shed some guys."...more

February 20, 2006: Amgen Tour of California Stage 1 -

After driving the train in the last few laps of Stage 1, Nathan O'Neill finished today and retained his placement in the General Classifiaction at #25, just 17 seconds off Levi Leipheimer. Health Net Presented by Maxxis is now 5th in the Team Classification.

February 19, 2006: Amgen Tour of California Prologue -

Nathan O'Neill finishes at 5'10.80 in today's Amgen Tour of California Prologue. After the turn onto Lombardy Street, Nathan went down with 150 m to go but recovered quickly to finish the stage. “I had just shifted back into the big chain ring for the final sprint,” O’Neill explained. “I stood up to go and the chain slipped."

"It pitched me a bit awkwardly and the next thing I knew I was falling into the barriers. I think conservatively, I lost at least 10 seconds because of it.” This places Nathan at #25 in the GC and only 17 seconds behind stage winner Levi Leipheimer.

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January 27, 2006: HealthNet Names Nathan O'Neill to the Inaugural Amgen Tour of California Squad
Courtesy Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis

...“We’ve put together an eight-man team for California that we feel can contend for the win in just about every stage, as well as a place on the final podium,” said team directeur sportif Jeff Corbett.

“New guys like Nathan O’Neill and Hayden Roulston give us even more power, while Tim Johnson gives us another highly talented and experienced tactician on the road...”

The Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis Amgen Tour of California Roster:

Gord Fraser, CAN
Greg Henderson, NZL
Tim Johnson, USA
Mike Jones, USA
Scott Moninger, USA
Nathan O’Neill, AUS
Hayden Roulston, NZL
Mike Sayers, USA

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Tim & Jeff on the Podium - Tour de Georgia Stage 3
© Bob DeLong Photo

One to Go! - Stage 2, 2007 Tour de Georgia
© Bob DeLong Photo

Nathan's Ride for 2007
© Bob DeLong Photo

Determined & Ready to Roll - 2007 Tour de Georgia
© Bob DeLong Photo

Nathan Chats it up with Dave Towle at the 2007 Tour de Georgia - Stage 1
© Bob DeLong Photo

Versus TV takes a turn with Nathan - 2007 TDG Stage 1
© Bob DeLong Photo

The starting gun is fired - 2007 TDG Stage 1
© Bob DeLong Photo

A testament to seatbelts - 2007

Out of the saddle for the win!
© Mark Gunter Photo

Nathan O'Neill wins his 8th National Championship
© Mark Gunter Photo

Nathan gives Dave Towle a hand as a guest commentator at the USPRO TT
© Pelotonsports.net

To quote Arnold.."I'll be back"
© Bob DeLong Photo

This way Gord!...
© Bob DeLong Photo

O'Neill at Stage 6 start
© Bob DeLong Photo

Nathan's autograph was in demand
© Bob DeLong Photo

O'Neill thrashes Ekimove
© Bob DeLong Photo

Fans took to the streets
© Bob DeLong Photo

The Phonak boys keep Nathan in check atop Fort Mountain
© Bob DeLong Photo

Nate and Karen's dog Reilly, the newest Team O'Neill member!
© Bob DeLong Photo

Lookout Mountain Looms Ahead
© Bob DeLong Photo

Warm-up and dial in
© Bob DeLong Photo

Drilling it near the split
© Bob DeLong Photo

On the rivet for the catch
© Bob DeLong Photo

The fans love Nathan
© Bob DeLong Photo

O'Neill and Menzies Drive the Peleton
© Bob DeLong Photo

Nathan gets called to the start of the 2006 TDG
© Bob DeLong Photo

Nathan's Official Roster Number
© Bob DeLong Photo

Redlands 2006
© Steve Cohen

©Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us

© John Veage

January 27, 2006: O'Neill's time for squad
Courtesy Michael Stevens, Herald Sun

SEVEN-TIME national cycling road time-trial champion Nathan O'Neill is available for the Commonwealth Games. And Mark French will make another attempt to ride a flying 200m qualifying time at Sydney's Bankstown Sports Carnival tomorrow night. O'Neill, 31, has a release from his American professional trade team Health.Net, and will compete in only the time-trial, not the road race. National coach Shayne Bannan, who made a concerted effortto secure O'Neill after his brilliant national title win at Mt Torrens in Adelaide on January 11, confirmed yesterday his availability...more

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January 12, 2006: No luck needed by O'Neill in winning Australian TT title number 7
.Courtesy Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis

Nathan O'Neill stormed the tough Mt. Torrens (AUS) time trial course to win his seventh career Australian National Time Trial title Thursday. He completed the 40Km run in 53:14.74 (45.07 km/h), finishing almost three minutes ahead of second place finisher Luke Roberts (CSC), despite dropping his chain before the final climb...more

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January 11, 2006: O'Neill in 7th Heaven
Courtesy the Courier-Mail

Queensland cyclist Nathan O'Neill won his seventh Australian time trial championship with a dominating performance today. O'Neill clocked 53min 14sec over the 40km course to beat South Australian Luke Roberts by 2min 59sec on day one of the national road championships at Mt Torrens, near Adelaide. Ben Day of Queensland was third in 56min 26sec.

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January 11, 2006: Nathan O'Neill wins 7th Australian National Time Trial Championship!!!!

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January 11, 2006: Got legs, knows how to use 'em
By Warren Partland, The Advertiser

The king of Australian time trialing Nathan O'Neill will be aiming to continue his reign when he takes on the nation's best at Mt Torrens today.

The Queensland cyclist will start favorite to claim a seventh national crown when he takes to the road for the testing 40km challenge. And he is confident he has the "legs" to repeat last year's ride to glory in Echunga. "If you prepare properly things will fall into place," said the U.S. based rider. "Barring misfortune I stand a chance to win"...more

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December 22, 2005: Finding a home with Health Net-Maxxis...An Interview with Nathan O'Neill
By Mark Zalewski
Courtesy Cyclingnews.com

Aussie Nathan O'Neill enters the 2006 season with a new team, his fifth in just five years. However, his new contract with Health Net-Maxxis is a two-year deal, a rare feeling of job security in the often less-than-secure field of professional cycling. Cyclingnews' Mark Zalewski nabbed a quick chat with the six-time Australian time trial champion at the Health Net-Maxxis/Cannondale presentation in Santa Monica earlier this month...more

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December 6, 2005: America's Fastest Team, Just Got Faster! Introducing Health Net
...Courtesy Cannondale Bicycle Corporation

Santa Monica California - Not a bad place to be on a regular day. But if you happened to be at the annual event at Helen's Cycles, it was what a road cyclist's dreams are made of. Here, in classic Cannondale style, Cannondale Bicycle Corporation just announced a three-year sponsorship agreement with North America's top team: HEALTH NET presented by Maxxis.

Delivered to the front door in stretch hummer, complete with red carpet treatment, the Health Net Presented By Maxxis team riders; Gord Fraser, Mike Sayers, Scott Moninger, Nathan O'Neill, Kirk O'Bee, and team director Jeff Corbett found themselves in front of 200 + people, including cycling media, photographers and sponsor VIP's...more

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November 1, 2005: Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis Announces 2006 Roster...and it includes Nathan O'Neill !!!
...Courtesy Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis

The Team also added one of the revelations of the 2005 season, Australian Karl Menzies, who finished 6^th in the individual NRC standings in just his first full season as a professional in North America.

Tim Johnson is another key off-season addition. He was added as much for his leadership skills as for his riding ability, which obviously is good enough for him to ride at the highest levels of cycling. Johnson, who in 2004 rode for Pro Tour Team Saunier Duval/Prodir, is also one of the best cyclocross racers in U.S. history, having won national championships at every level he’s ridden.

The roster has been rounded out with four young, up-and-coming riders. Kyle Gritters comes over from Seasilver as the reigning U.S. U23 national criterium champion. Garrett Peltonen, a teammate of Menzies on the Advantage Benefits/Endeavor Team, was part of the 2004 national collegiate TTT championship team at the University of Wisconsin. Roman Kilun comes over from McGuire-Langdale to join his hometown team. The Oakland-based rider, who also attends the University of California’s Hastings College of Law, finished third overall at the Sea Otter Classic in 2005 and also won the NRC stage race Tour of Shenandoah in Virginia. Finally, the Team has signed young Swiss rider Alberto Tibero, who was a neo-pro with the Swiss Professional Continental squad LPR in 2005.

Returning Riders

The Team returns the core group of riders who were instrumental in earning its second consecutive NRC team title, including NRC individual title winner Scott Moninger. Moninger is joined by veterans Gord Fraser (4^th in NRC) and Mike Sayers. The Team also returns Kiwi Greg Henderson (7^th in NRC), as well as stage race standouts Doug Ollerenshaw and Mike Jones.

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November 1, 2005: Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis Announces 2006 Roster...and it includes Nathan O'Neill !!!
...Courtesy Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis

Oakland, CA – The Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis has spent the past two seasons as the top team on the NRC calendar. The results of the Team during the 2005 campaign were perhaps the most dominating ever by a domestic professional team, and the Team is likewise gunning for a third consecutive NRC title. According to Team Director Jeff Corbett, “We’ve put together a roster that once again positions us as the team to beat in North America.” The 2006 Team Roster includes:

Gord Fraser, Canada
Kyle Gritters, USA
Greg Henderson, New Zealand
Tim Johnson, USA
Mike Jones, USA
Roman Kilun, USA
Jeff Louder, USA
Karl Menzies, Australia
Scott Moninger, USA
Kirk O’Bee, USA
Nathan O’Neill, Australia
Doug Ollerenshaw, USA
Mike Sayers, USA
Alberto Tibero, Switzerland

The Team signed several marquee talents in the off-season to supplement an already strong core of returning riders.

The Team added Australian veteran Nathan O’Neill, the seemingly perennial Australian National Time Trial Champion, who won the overall title at the Grand Prix Cicliste de Beauce in 2005. O’Neill is joined by two of his Navigators teammates: all-around threat Jeff Louder, as well as strong man Kirk O’Bee. Louder placed second at U.S. Time Trial Nationals and posted podium finishes at the Cascade Classic and G.P. Beauce in 2005. O’Bee finished 5^th in the USPRO Championship in Philadelphia in 2005, and also took two stage wins each in the Cascade Classic and BC Superweek...more

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July 26, 2005: Nathan O'Neill gets Pez'd! Part 2- Jered Gruber chats with Nathan about all things racing in part 1 of his interview at pezcyclingnews.

Hackettstown, NJ: July 8, 2005: Cascade Classic Stage Race - Stage 3 (NRC 2.3)...Courtesy Navigators Insurance Cycling Team

Stage 3: Navigators Sweep the Tumalo Time Trial

Navigators Insurance riders took 1, 2, 3 to score the podium sweep earlier today in Bend, Oregon, at the 7-mile, rolling, stage-3 Time Trial. Australian National Time Trial Champion, Nathan O'Neill took the top honors with a 13:26 followed by U.S. National Time Trial Champion, Chris Baldwin, and perennial strong-man Jeff Louder filling out the podium. The racing action continues this evening with a crowd pleasing criterium under the lights in downtown Bend.

Stage 3:

1. Nathan O'Neill (Navigators Insurance)

2. Chris Baldwin (Navigators Insurance)

3. Jeff Louder (Navigators Insurance)

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Bend, Oregon: July 8, 2005: Cascade Cycling Classic Stage 3 TT: Nathan O'Neill takes the win at the Tumalo Time Trial!!! finishing in 0:13:26.00 just 00:23 ahead of teammate Chris Baldwin. Jeff Louder finishes 3rd and the Navigators sweep the podium with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd!

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Bend, Oregon: July 6, 2005: Cascade Cycling Classic Stage 1: Nathan O'Neill grabs 5th place as the Navigators squad finish Stage 1 with Phil Zajicek 2nd and Cesar Grajales 3rd.

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June 27, 2005: Nathan O'Neill gets Pez'd! - Jered Gruber chats with Nathan about all things racing in part 1 of his interview at pezcyclingnews.

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Tour de Beauce Update

QUEBEC, CANADA: June 18, 2005: Stage 6 FINAL - Nathan O'Neill Takes the Overall Win for Tour de Beauce! The Navigators squad was able to keep Nathan in the Maillot Jaune today and he takes the podium in 1st Place Overall in the GC. Teammate Jeff Louder will be sharing the podium with a 3rd Place Overall, David O'Loughlin winning the Points Classification and the Navigators squad takes the Overall Team Classification!

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additional news articles here

G.P. Cycliste de Beauce - Stage 6 Finale (UCI 2.1): Navigators Takes the Race
...Courtesy Navigators Insurance Cycling Team

Stage 6: 132km Ville de Saint Georges

The final stage of the Tour de Beauce has long been notorious as the stage that breaks the camel's back. Many riders in the 20-year history of the event can point to the St. George circuit as the stage that shattered their dreams. In some cases that meant ending the dream of finishing the 6 day event, for others it meant a spot on classification and a piece of the generous prize list, and for still others, it has meant losing the most coveted prize, the maillot jaune…the leaders jersey…the race.

The Navigators Insurance team realized how dangerous a stage this was and how difficult it would be to protect the :12 lead that team leader Nathan O'Neill held over Symmetrics' Svein Tuft... more

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QUEBEC, CANADA: June 18, 2005: Stage 5 - It's Yellow for O'Neill! Nathan O'Neill will be wearing the Maillot Jaune at the start of Stage 6 tomorrow after a great showing today from the Navigators squad. Teammate David O'Loughlin will be alongside wearing the Maillot Blanc.

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G.P. Cycliste de Beauce - Stage 5 (UCI 2.1): O'Neill in Yellow - 125 km Ville de Quebec Circuit...Courtesy Navigators Insurance Cycling Team

In sport, there is always something to be said for the value of home field advantage. Today, the 4th day and 5th stage of the 20th Tour de Beauce moved north to the Provincial Capital of Quebec City for 9 laps of a very challenging 13.9 km circuit. Situated in the Old City historic section of town, the race started in the Parc de la Francophonie and after running 3km southwest towards the city center, plummeted down to the Flueve Saint-Laurent. The course then reversed direction and ran along the waterway past the docks and marinas before entering the Old City again.

The circuit then turned left and hit the narrow entrance to Cote de la Montagne, and the 1.5 km ascent back to the start. The climb hit its steepest pitch, around 20%, near the bottom, and then gradually leveled as it approached the sprint line.

The course had a certain similarity to a "baby San Francisco" giro, and if there is one guy who's certain to know how to handle that terrain, it would be Quebec's native son…Charles Dionne.

Dionne has been relatively quite in this year's tour, sitting over 10 minutes back on CG, but today it was clear from the gun that Dionne was hoping to impress the hometown crowd. Almost from the gun, Dionne joined a group of twelve riders that shot away from the pack on the opening descent. Health Net sent Mike Sayers and GC threat Doug Ollerenshaw, Jittery Joes had Elken and Sundt. The Navigators team was busy doing damage control as 3rd placed Jeff Louder had flatted in the first km, so they sent Oleg Grichkine to patrol the break while the team waited to give Louder a safe return to the peloton. Symmetrics went directly to the front and began riding tempo for their race leader Tuft, but the group of twelve was able to open the gap with relative ease. A fierce wind blowing off the water was smacking the Symmetric juggernaut in the face, and they needed to keep the pace steady so as not to blow too early in the race. The gap opened to 4 minutes in the first 3 laps before an attack by the Cyclingnews.com team pulled 5 riders clear, including 2nd placed Nathan O'Neill of the Navigators Insurance squad. Symmetrics had to drill into the headwind to limit the damage, and they were able to absorb the 5 escapees by the top of he climb. The escape and chase had closed the gap to the twelve breakaway riders to 1'30", and it was clear that a serious effort would have little difficulty controlling the lead group. With Ollerenshaw the best-placed GC rider at 5'24", there was no need to panic.

Panic did strike for the Navigators squad on the next lap though. In the middle of the climb, at its steepest section, O'Neill's chain broke. A quick bike change and alert riding by Davidenko and Louder, enabled O'Neill to return to the main group just after the sprint line, and by the time they had reached the bottom of the descent, O'Neill's bike was repaired and he was ready for another change. Things remained status quo until the penultimate climb. A hard charge up the climb sent 4 of the Symmetrics riders to the back, and a surge over the top split Navigators' Irish champ O'Loughlin and MBK's Mermer of the front. Both were just over 2 minutes back on GC, and a real threat to Tuft. In the meantime, the front group had split with Dionne, Grichkine, and Amore & Vita's Passuello gaining 1'30" over six chasers including the two HealthNets. O'Loughlin drove into the wind catching the Ollerenshaw group just before the final climb.

Dionne attacked the climb and soloed to the victory in front of an ecstatic home audience. Grichkine tried to match his acceleration, but the effort cost him, and Passuello rolled in 2nd for his second podium of the week. Mermer and O'Loughlin came in 4th and 5th at 1:53, ahead of Ollerenshaw and the rest of the daylong break. The real battle was behind them though as Tuft had been isolated when what was left of his team was forced to chase O'Loughlin. As the main group turned the corner and shifted to their little rings, O'Neill punched the 53X 23 and rocketed away from the field. Tuft tried to respond but O'Neill was flying up the hill. At the line, O'Neill had 12" on Chadwick and Lieswyn, another :02 on his team-mates Louder and Walters, and :18 on Tuft's Yellow Jersey. The effort puts O'Neill in the yellow going into tomorrow's difficult final stage. Navigators' O'Loughlin continues to hold the Sprint/Points Competition Jersey.

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QUEBEC, CANADA: June 17, 2005: Stage 4a - O'Neill! O'Neill! O'Neill!!!! Nathan O'Neill takes the Individual Time Trial win at an average speed of 45.7 kph in 35:24. This places Nathan at 2nd in the General Classification and The Navigators Team at #1 with 4 riders in the top 10.

Stage 4b - Nathan finishes the Saint-Georges Criterium in 19th place at 0:17. He retains his 2nd place in the GC only 00:06 behind Svein Tuft (Symmetrics).

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Flash: O'Neill takes Beauce Time Trial ...Courtesy Navigators Insurance Cycling Team

Earlier today, Navigators Insurance's Australian Time Trial Champion, Nathan O'Neill took the win in stage-4a of the G.P. Cycliste de Beauce. O'Neill smoked the 27km course with a time of 35:24, which was :52 seconds ahead of former Canadian Champion Svein Tuft (Symetrics). In addition to O'Neill's strong ride, Navigators' Jeff Louder finished the stage in 3rd place, with teammate David O'Loughlin in 4th. O'Neill's stage-win, the team's second of the race, moves him into 2nd place in the Overall GC, :05 behind Tuft. This tough 2-stage day continues this evening with a Criterium in downtown St. Georges.

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QUEBEC, CANADA: June 16, 2005: Stage 3 - Teammate David O'Loughlin takes the stage win and Nathan O'Neill finishes in 31th place moving him up to 13th in the General Classification, still at 1:17. The Navigators squad is now placed at #1 in the Team Classification after 3 stages.

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QUEBEC, CANADA: June 15, 2005: Stage 2 - Nathan O'Neill finishes in 11th place in Stage 2 moving him up to 15th in the General Classification at 1:17. The Navigators squad is now placed at #2 in the Team Classification after 2 stages.

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Dodge Tour de Georgia Update


ALPHARETTA, GA: April 24, 2005: Stage 6 - FINAL - Nathan O'Neill Takes 8th in the final Overall General Classification! Thousands turned out today for the final stage of the Dodge Tour de Georgia and the competition rose to the occasion. At 500 [meters to go] it was Navigator's Davidenko, Floyd Landis, Gord Fraser and Greg Henderson. Fraser took the win. The Navigator's official release stated that it was a fine week for the Navigators Insurance squad, in their first event on American soil in 2005.	Nathan signs in at Blairsville © Bob DeLong Photo
The loss of Mark Walters from injuries sustained in a high speed crash during the hail storm in stage 4 was a big loss for the squad, but having riders place 3rd, 5th and 11th in the stage-3 Individual Time Trial, was a sign of the team's GC strength.
Nathan with Andrea Tafi	Nathan O'Neill carried the torch for the Navigators team and finished in 8th place overall, just 3:14 behind race winner Danielson. This accomplishment is made even more significant as the competitive field was probably the strongest stage-race lineup in North America, ever. In addition, the Navigators Insurance team was the only non UCI Pro Tour squad to place in the top-10 in the General Classification.

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BRASSTOWN BALD, TOWNS COUNTY, GA: April 23, 2005: Stage 5 -


Nathan O'Neill on Brasstown Bald © Bob DeLong Photo	Although the Navigators squad hasn't managed a TDG stage victory this year, a stellar ride by Nathan O'Neill saw him in the final selection of 15 following the category-1 climb of Hogpen Gap. On the main climb, the fireworks began and the gap to Vande Velde evaporated. With world-class climbers racing up a world-class climb, the fans had a great opportunity to see exciting racing by top competitors and teams.
Grinding up through the many curves, the group splintered and the tactics became a mere formality as the fastest climbers charged up the hill, leaving each rider to survive the best he could. The first to the summit was Tom Danielson, followed by Leipheimer, then Armstrong. O'Neill crossed the line in 14th, with one more day of racing in The Peach State.	Nathan fans are everywhere! © Bob DeLong Photo

This moves Nathan to #8 in the GC at 3:14 and the Navigators Team to #7.

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DAHLONEGA, GA: April 22, 2005: Stage 4 - REVISED