A Dream Come True!

Philadelphia, USA, June 4, 1995

1995 Champion: Norm Alvis (USA) 251 kms (156 miles) in 6h20’44” (39.87 km/h)
1995 US National Champion: (1st) Norm Alvis (USA)

A victory at the CoreStates USPRO championships is a dream of every American cyclist. Finishing down Benjamin Franklin Parkway to the roar of 200,000 fans is a thrill only a handful of winners can claim. Saturn’s Norm Alvis joined that handful in the 1995 race.

Alvis was active all day joining several strong breakaway until the ultimate selection was made late in the race on the final climb of the Manayunk Wall.  Motorola's Lance Armstrong jumped away from Saturn’s Bart Bowen over the climb and opened a 30 second gap.  Armstrong stretched his lead to 40 seconds with a small group of four riders chasing.  Slowly the group closed the gap and caught the Armstrong breakaway with six miles to go. 

Immediately Norm Alvis attacked when the capture was made.  With the breakaway expecting Armstrong to chase Alvis was allowed to open a gap.  Riding on his limit Alvis used every ounce of energy.  He came around the traffic circle at Logan Square alone and held off the late charge by Italian Maurizio De Pasquale and Clark Sheehan of Montgomery-Bell to win the CoreStates USPRO championships and the National Jersey by 55 seconds. 

After the race a drained and emotional Alvis said "This is what I've dreamed about since I turned pro."

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