Local pro among world’s best in Tour of California

Northwest Portland resident Doug
Ollerenshaw competing in
the Tour of California.
(Photo: Stefan Heymanns/Flickr)

The Amgen Tour of California — a seven stage, 650-mile race that featured the world’s top teams and riders — wrapped up in Pasadena California on Sunday. Among the finishers were all the big names of elite international racing including the legendary sprinter Mario Cipollini, World Champion Paolo Bettini, and Paris-Roubaix winner Tom Boonen.

Also mixing it up in the Peloton was a name familiar to many Portlanders; our very own hometown hero Doug Ollerenshaw.

The Northwest Portland resident is a member of the controversial and star-studded Rock Racing team and he rode to a very respectable 37th place overall finish.

Still in California after the grueling event, Ollerenshaw said he had hoped to get into a breakaway, but missed two opportunities in the final stages. “Since I’m not a sprinter, and I can’t climb with the likes of [two-time winner of the race] Levi Leiphemer, breaks are my only chance for personal glory.”

Doug O at the Tour of California. He shaved his beard before the final stage, “Hoping it’d make me faster, but it didn’t really work.”
(Photo: Craig Swarthout/Flickr)

Ollerenshaw might have done better if it weren’t for some crashes early in the week. He went down twice, with a spill on Tuesday being “especially rough.”

As if the top-notch competition and dangerous riding weren’t enough, Ollerenshaw said the weather also proved challenging. “We did seven and a half hours [135 miles from Seaside to San Luis Obispo] in a driving rainstorm. You’d think I’d be used to that living in Portland, but it’s hard to race all day in heavy rain.”

Cross Crusade #4

When he’s not busy being a world
famous bike racer, Doug O likes to
dress up like Pac-Man and
race cyclocross.
(Photo © J. Maus)

But Ollerenshaw is not complaining, he’s known for his gritty performances and a tough, aggressive racing style that belies his humble, nice-guy demeanor.

That demeanor has made him popular with bike racing fans, some of which followed his efforts in California. “There were a fair number of Portland folks down here,” he said, “I heard my name being yelled quite a bit from the side of the road, and a lot of people took the time to say hi…It’s always great to get a little connection to home.”

Regardless of his results, Ollerenshaw said it was “a unique experience” to be with his famous teammates for a week, “It’s been sort of surreal having breakfast with Mario Cipollini. That guys a legend, obviously.”

Read more about Doug’s trip to California, and stay in touch with his season at DougOllerenshaw.com.

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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kevin hedahl
16 years ago

Great job Doug! It was great to see you and Creed given free hand to attack over the two final stages!

Jon Bridenbaugh
Jon Bridenbaugh
16 years ago
jeff
jeff
16 years ago

Yeah Doug! That\’s a great finish. The Seaside to SLO stage was epic. Never shall I complain about riding in crap weather again.

Andrew
Andrew
16 years ago

Congratulations to Doug. I think the beard spoke a great deal about your Oregon awesomeness.

Too bad your on a team that is both an abomination in and of itself and indicative of what is so wrong of much of professional cycling (sports).

\”Bikes, jeans, and Balls don’t mix. Please take your bling back to 2002 and leave cycling alone.\” BS NYC

Portlander\’s should love this photo.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos.php?id=/photos/2007/interviews/frankie_andreu_sep07/1113

Ena
Ena
16 years ago

Very Awesome, Doug!

I enjoyed watching you and all the guys in the race.
I\’m from California and I never saw that much rain there. That must have been a years worth in one day.

No more woosing out and driving to work when it rains….I\’m pedaling for sure. Thanks for the setting such a good example.

Quenton
Quenton
16 years ago

Dougie,
you know that we love you. Especially us IC\’ers… Dave makes us sign an oath in blood to love you. 😛

Congo Rats man,
I can\’t wait for you to put the smack down in P-town again.

Brad Ross
16 years ago

Doug,

Did Cipo teach you any of his Dance moves?

Don\’t listen to the other dude, Rock Racing is rad.

Ross

Darren
Darren
16 years ago

Doug,

Take the Rock Racing dollars and run (for your life and soul).