The names will be foreign to most spectators at today’s United States Cycling Federation Elite National Road Race Championship.

But by the end of the day, names such as Lequipe Cheval/Eisentrant, Chatahooche Cycling and Atomic Living Croll Team will leave a lasting memory on anyone who follows the 120-mile competition from start to finish.

Lequipe Cheval/Eisentrant (a restaurant in Oakland, Calif.) is one of several teams competing in today’s competition and includes cyclist John Walrod of Flagstaff, Ariz.

Waldroff is the 1999 National Track Cycling champion, winning the track event in Trexlertown, Penn., last year. He finished second the previous two years.

Walrod finished fifth in the World Cup last year.

He did not compete in the United States Cycling Federation Elite National Road Race Championship, having just moved over from track to road race.

&uot;Road race is five percent longer and higher mileage,&uot; Walrod said. &uot;It takes more endurance.&uot;

Walrod, 23, did not compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials Saturday in Jackson, but was there to cheer on his girlfriend, Margon Merrick.

Walrod skipped the trials to concentrate on today’s race

&uot;Anytime I line up with a number on my back, I’m aiming to win,&uot; he said. &uot;I’m going for the kill.&uot;

Walrod said there is a certain amount of luck involved.

&uot;If you get a flat at the wrong moment, you’re done,&uot; he said. &uot;You have to be in the right break at the right time. Sometimes that’s the way the cards fall. But I think you make your own luck.&uot;

Walrod said he is looking forward to taking on the course, which includes four laps in Kingston and six laps downtown, including going up Silver Street.

&uot;It’s a pretty challenging course from what I understand,&uot; he said.

Walrod began cycling in 1984 as part of the development program at Lehigh Valley Velodrome.

&uot;I’m just going to race as hard as I can,&uot; he said. &uot;Each weekend I’ve done better than the previous week, so&160;I’m hoping that continues.&uot;

One of Walrod’s teammates who will be on hand for assistance, if needed, is John Slover.

Slover has been racing for a while, winning the Manhattan Beach Championship in 1984. He competed in Jackson as a warm up for today.

&uot;I’m not the caliber of those guys,&uot;&160;he said. &uot;I knew that would be won by a pro. My main goal this year has been to win Nationals.&uot;

Slover said he doesn’t expect a lot of team strategy today because of the caliber of cyclists on each team.

&uot;It’s going to be more one-one-one,&uot; he said.

Slover said he doesn’t know much about the course, but is excited about having to tackle Silver Street six times.

&uot;I’m a good climber and my size (6-foot, 155 pounds) is beneficial for climbing,&uot; he said, &uot;Hopefully that will play a factor.&uot;