by Trish Albert
Date: 4-15-2003
I had the pleasure of talking with Kenny Labbe about the upcoming Tour De Georgia. He gave me some insight on the US Postal strategy and what the Tour De Georgia might mean to cycling in the US.
Southeastern Cycling: There has been a big gap in the US racing calendar with the demise of
the Tour DuPont and the major stage race. What do you think the Tour De Georgia means to racing in the US?
Kenny Labbe: Well, it's a European style stage race, so you have point to point road races,
which we don't see in the States very often. That allows the racing to go through many communities. This race features a large prize list and UCI
calendar points. It also fills a nice void with the racing in May. It's going to prepare a lot of the riders for the Wachovia/Philadelphia US Pro Road Race.
The distances of these races are up and above what we normally do in the US, so I think it's going to raise the level of racing in the US.
Southeastern Cycling. What are your personal goals for the Tour?
Kenny Labbe: To be a solid team rider. We are sending 8 riders to the race, and each rider
has a role. My role is to support my teammates. Each of us has a role whether it be bringing up water and food from the cars or sheltering teammates. The
goal for the team is to win the overall classification. So supporting that goal becomes my goal.
Southeastern Cycling: Who will the GC (overall classification) riders be and will anyone be trying
for stage wins?
Kenny Labbe: We haven't gathered and had our meeting, which we will do when we get there.
Since it's a first year event, we will look at the kinds of riders that will do well on the course. We have some riders that have been racing in Europe all
spring that have the fitness that will put them right near the front.
Southeastern Cycling: Who do you perceive as your toughest competition-both individually and
as a team?
Kenny Labbe: There are a number of US team that have been going very well right now, and I
think most of them have made this their main goal for the season. This is the kind of race that can make or break a season. I think we are going to have to
treat everyone as equally dangerous.
Southeastern Cycling: What is it like riding for the only Division I team in the US?
Kenny Labbe: It's awesome. Riding on this team has been a dream come true for me.
To have my employer of 10 years to sponsor a team that has gone on to become such an amazing team. Being involved with it has been an unbelievable
experience.
Southeastern Cycling: How do you balance working and riding professionally?
Kenny Labbe: I'm very fortunate in the fact that the Postal Service has granted me time off
from delivering mail and allows me to train and race full time. I think that the sport is growing in the US. There are more pro teams now registered than
ever. The hope is in the future that more sponsors will get involved in events and events like the Tour De Georgia. Hopefully this event will prove to be very
successful, allowing other sponsor to consider entering the sport.
Southeastern Cycling: What do you think the biggest challenge to bicycle racing in America
is?
Kenny Labbe: I think that the riders often times have many roles. A lot of riders to get to
the level have to go through so many hurdles in terms of support and training in pursuing the dream. There is no great established system b/c it is much more
of a popular sport in Europe where is an established system. I think that is a big challenge for us racers. But hopefully the Greg Lemonds and
Lance Armstrongs will create more opportunities in the future for children in cycling.