Team Results & News – JAN 2013

Masters 35+

Ontario Grand Prix Race Series #1 – Jan. 13, 2013

As the first race of the season and quite early in the year, this wasn’t a focus for the 35+ team but ended up being well attended, with several riders doing more than one race. Lining up were Dave Bautista (after his 45+ 3rd place), Ruben Meza, Ben Petzoldt, Jim Stark, Chris Bennett, Anthony Morrow, and new team additions Noe Alcala and Tom Brown.

Typical of early season racing, it started tentatively, but didn’t take too long to get moving. Surf City had the largest number of racers, followed by Monster Media/MRI and us. Our team was sharp, putting in attacks and making sure to be in all moves, including a promising one with Brown and Petzoldt. But also typical of early season racing, there wasn’t enough cooperation going around in any break to help them stick – so they didn’t.

Into the final laps, Surf City assembled and successfully lead out their sprinter, Charon Smith, for the win. Ben Petzoldt, showing his early-season form and ability to kick, worked himself into the sprint for 6th, followed by Meza at 11th and Stark at 13th.

Anger Management Crit – Jan. 20, 2013

Second race of the year and 71 racers in this event including our own Ben Petzoldt, Chris Bennett, Mike Onkels, Anthony Morrow, and help from some guys who just did the 45s: Dave Bautista, Steve Landry, and Joe Dagostino.

Surf City appeared to have a full squad of at least 10 racers, Helen’s around 8, us 7, and Monster Media/MRI had no racers as its team was at camp. It was apparent Surfy City was going to largely influence the race, and before it was half way through, clear they wanted to have it be a sprint. Surf City had the numbers to make a good break stick, but their guys wouldn’t work in any breaks. Despite being outnumbered, we were active and represented in the most promising moves.

Faced with a field sprint, the team worked to put Ben into a good position. Surf City assembled its lead out train and the action behind them was extra-spicy. Surf City’s Charon Smith took the win, followed by Aaron Wimberley (Team Helen’s) and John Wike (Surf City). Ben did an awesome job of staying in the fight and punching his sprint, just missing the podium at 4th.

 

Masters 55+

Kirk Freeman takes 2nd at Poor College Kids Road Race in Sisquoc, CA!

An early six-man break stayed away but was made up of only 55+ racers and no 60+. For the 60+, the win came down to a bunch sprint with the remaining 55s (around 31 riders). Kalman Szkalak (UC Cyclery) was 1st and Kirk was 2nd, finishing ahead of all the rest of the 55s and 60s.

 

Masters 45+

Coming soon.

 

Cat 3s

Awesome finish to the first month of racing in 2013!  Two (nearly 3) top 10s to start off the year:

• 9^th – Sean Ekins @ Poor Kids RR
• 4^th – Sal Maciel @ Mothballs
• 13^th – Paul Chia @ Mothballs

Poor Kids Road Race – Our plan was to get Sean (our best climber there) in the best possible position over the last climb.  We were a little short-handed but managed to utilize our resources well to get him there for the last climb before a downhill sprint.  Raul started our team effort by getting in an early break of 4.  We supported that effort by working with a few other teams to control any bridge attempts.  Ultimately his effort was unsuccessful but it took a lot of pressure off of the rest of us.  When Raul came back, Mike Smyth put in some solid efforts to motivate the rest of the field to chase down the remaining 2 man break.  Finally on the last lap Aaron managed to pull Sean back up to the main field after it split on the tough tailwind section.  Sean paid us all back by fighting for the top 10 in a tight sprint where he finished only 1 bike length behind 2^nd place.  Job well done in an extremely tough race from a team that wasn´t necessarily built to compete in Road Races.

Mothballs Crit – Our plan was to be aggressive, make a break if possible, and then organize for the final sprint.  Even with a tough RR in their legs from the day before Raul and Sean attacked and bridged multiple times to try and make a break.  Sean was a part of a good looking break for 15-20 minutes while the rest of us tried to control the field.  There was even some harsh words exchanged with other teams that were not happy with how successful we were.  Unfortunately the break became too large to manage and it was brought back.  Near the end the team showed its strength by getting organized at the front.  We went a little too early again with our lead out effort but Sal & Paul were able to make the best of it with a solid finish.

 

Cat 4s & 5s

Ontario Grand Prix Race Series #1 – Jan. 13, 2013

The season started early when several members of the Cat 4 squad came out to race at the first Ontario series.    The first race was the new Category 4 race which had a sold out field of 120 racers.  Typical of Cat 4 race, several attempts to establish a break was brought back by the field and it came down to a bunch sprint in the end.  Charles Sutphin finished at 23^rd followed by David O´Brien at 27^th.  The team came back out after less than an hour to race the 30+ 4/5 and this time came out more aggressively.  The team kept several people close to the front and covered the attacks by Win-Team Racing.  Two Win-Team racers attacked and were followed by Heith Masters, Mike Findlay, and Rich Mendez, but Win-Team backed off as fast as they started.  Once again, it became apparent it was coming down to a bunch sprint and Rich followed by Charles, Mike, Heith, and Dave O´Brien set up for the final lap.  Dave and Mike took off on the left and Charles went for the right side followed by Heith.  Charles had an open lane for a sprint but was taken out by another cyclist who swerved into his path.  Heith was able to avoid the crash but was taken out of contention.  Dave finished at 9^th followed by Mike at 12^th, and Rich at 24^th.  Charles, who refused to let a crash stop him, picked up his bike and ran across the finish line.  Luckily, he only had road rashes and abrasions and will be back for the first focus race in February.

 

Anger Management Crit – Jan. 20, 2013

Since this is not one of the focus races of the Cat 4 squad, Rich Mendez and Michael Cleveland were the only ones who came out to play.  It was decided that if the opportunity presented itself, Rich will lead out Michael for a sprint at the final lap.  The race was fast for a Cat 4 with an average speed of 26mph and several attempts were made to establish a break.  At the last two laps, Michael latched on to Rich´s wheel and Rich kept Michael close to the front.  Rich got boxed in and Michael was able to jump on another wheel at the last lap and successfully finished at 5^th place.  This was an outstanding finish for Michael considering he is in the early stages of his training.  Well done Michael!

 

Triathlon Team

Coming soon.

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