Chris Davidson; the King of Dickies

Cyclingnews.com diarist Chris Davidson has been selected as a finalist in the Dickies American Worker of the Year competition; a contest in which the worker (of five selected finalists) who receives the most online votes, wins a prize package which includes a spanking new 4X pickup truck.

Davidson, 36, of Salt Lake City, Utah, is the team mechanic for Ford Cycling, a US-based women's MTB team. He travels with the team to domestic events providing full technical and, sometimes, moral support.

In his diary entry following the Sugar Mountain NORBA stop, Davidson wrote "Some of the nice folks at Dickies clothing came out to film me working on the Ford Cycling Team bikes on Friday. I have worn their clothes for a long time now while working on bikes... it was an interesting day, with spotlights and all."

But what are Dickies you say? You know, the tough, blue-collar chic and functionally stylish clothing used in the uniforms of both hard-working people worldwide and teenage lay-abouts who want to do anything but work.

As for the contest, the five finalists were selected from among thousands of entries collected online and through the Dickies American Worker of the Year Mobile Tour presented by the Professional Bull Riders, which made stops at PBR events, job sites and retailers as it crisscrossed the nation. Entrants were asked to make audio recordings or write 100 words or less about why their nominee represents “the spirit of the American worker.”

The top vote getter will receive a brand new 2007 Ford F150 truck equipped with a special suspension by FabTech, along with a custom-painted BMC Chopper, an “Ultimate Grill Setup” from Johnsonville Brats, boots from Rocky Boot and a VIP stay at the Mandalay Bay for the PBR World Finals in Las Vegas.

Read more about the contest, view short videos of the selected finalists and, most importantly, vote for Chris online from June 23 through October 7 at www.workeroftheyear.com. Voters are eligible to win a free trip to Las Vegas, Nevada; presumably to attend the final awards ceremony at in the City that Never Sleeps.