February 23, 2007 (Santa Rosa and San Jose, CA) — We caught up with Charles Dionne for an interview at the Amgen Tour of California but he didn’t realize we’d be taking a few photos as well. He jokingly commented that his hair was messed up and his stubble made him look shabby – I replied “let’s shoot you casual” and he laughed, “Ok, casual”. That’s the Dionne I found, casual, not worried after a numbing ’06 season, ready to build himself back up slowly this year on US and Canadian soil. A Canadian who is considered a legend on the streets of San Francisco.

Charles Dionne is oblivious. He reminds me of one of those handsome daytime TV actors who the girls go for without him realizing why; seemingly effortless, he’s a natural with low-key charm. Yet, here is the one man whose name in cycling – at least in my native San Francisco – rivals that of the fiercest of cycling competitors, Lance Armstrong, who Dionne beat to win one of his two SF Grand Prix victories.

We met up with Dionne after his dinner and massage, lounging at his suite, tv on, but volume off – he’s very attentive for a rather late evening interview as the Tour of California is in full gear.

How’s the Tour going so far?

Charles Dionne: It was a hard day for me today, I haven’t raced since California last year, although I did others like Flanders and Roubaix but I was already injured”¦I’ve been out for a long time, so I had no idea until today about my form. Today one of my teammates was ten meters ahead of me on a climb, and normally I can close it and suffer a bit more, but today I couldn’t”¦

Your goals were shattered after your injuries, and Saunier Duval let you out of your two-year contract. How did that change your focus on 2007?

CD: Both, thinking about the future, and taking one day at a time: My goal this week (ATOC) is to be in it and to improve – you know, put my face in front a bit. But this is an early part of the season, you have to time it for later in the season, if you want to peak by July or even later. After my crash and then surgery on October 26th on my leg, I was out almost for the whole season. My surgery was big, so I didn’t begin riding again until this December — and I didn’t start riding five hours a day — in the beginning it was just twenty minutes a day, skipping days, doing a bit more. It’s a slow process and very early for me. It’s only been, what, less than three months back on the bike, so my scars are still healing”¦

Are they big scars?

CD: Yeah, more than one (shows me a thick abdominal diagonal scar), and it runs down my leg.

Can I shoot it ? (laughing)

CD: No! Some other journalist shot it off-camera and it looked bad!

I understand, I have a few nasty ones myself, but like the Chinese proverb, “crisis brings opportunity”, you now have time to focus on the burgeoning US Cycling scene”¦

CD: Yeah! It’s really good this year! The season and competition in the US looks great. I’m happy to be here with more international races than before”¦and we’ll see a lot of California, Redlands and others – but not Sea Otter.

Why not?

CD: It used to be a much longer race, now it’s so small, I don’t think we’ll send a team out this year.

And the new Eastern US races?

CD: I’m excited about the Montreal to Boston race! That’s cool, right in my area! It’s the first year for the race.

But you’ll miss the Spring Classics – no regrets?

CD: Yeah, Roubaix, the Classics, the history is exceptional, but with the ToC you couldn’t ask for more”¦this really could be a classic in Europe.

You’d equate this with the Tour of Germany?

CD: Sure, look how many pros are here! Bettini, Hincapie, Paolini, Voigt”¦so many top riders, like last year.

You are the only cyclist to win the ill-fated SF Grand Prix twice. Why was the SF GP such a good race for you as opposed to other one-day races?

CD: Ahhh, I wish they could bring that back”¦ the best one day race in the US”¦.tough, compact, short and steep stuff was great. My form was better in September.

I remember the first time they had the race, I was in a breakaway with Hincapie and Lance on the Fillmore hill – I was 22 then – and I got dropped right there by them. I was thinking about that all winter. Since there are no hills in Quebec I had that motivation on my trainer”¦and skiing. I don’t keep any of my bikes, but I’ve kept the one when I beat them.

Which could be a relic one day in a future bike museum here in SF or in Quebec (both laughing). What about a big one-day race like the GP in Quebec? As we saw in Hamilton in 2003, Canada can pull off big events with national funding and TV programming, something we don’t have here (yet) in the States.

CD: Maybe”¦but the crowds wouldn’t be as big like they are in San Francisco.

Do you have plans to end your career in the States or is the the mud and lousy weather of Europe simply too tempting to give up before your jersey is retired?

CD: I’d like to return on a Protour team before I retire, but after this year I’ll see whether I’ll stay here or maybe return”¦I still have good relations with Mauro Gennetti, the big cheese from Saunier Duval – but I’m not deciding until later.

Any thoughts about coming out with a book?

CD: (lights up) That’s funny you should say that, I was just thinking about that, and actually, yeah, I have a friend who is a journalist”¦I’m not a good writer, but I have some great stories (laughing).