Made 2 copies of background image: first in screen mode to brighten bike, second in normal mode for simplifying the background.
Applied Buzz simplifier to the top "simplify" layer and masked to reveal the sharp, brightened bike.
Added PWL layer. Added dark vignette to background and brightened the back tire
Add new top layer to create frame in a color to pick up the blue sky reflections in the bike paint.
forum discussion: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1006&message=25717284
original image by Nick: