I somehow missed this in the results until Marc Minasian pointed it out
just now, but alum Eric Barlevav was 4th in the Pro/1 race at Manhattan
Beach! He's on fine form and is off this week to do his first ever 6-day
in Europe, teaming with Jackie Simes.
U25 Tyler Locke was 8th in the 2's.
U25's Joseph and Adam placed 7th and 8th in the Category 3's.
Club alum Antony Galvin won the 35+ race again.
Congrats to all!
Eddie
__._
Monday, June 29, 2009
Spenser Delivers at Canadian U23 Nationals
Velo-Fit athlete and Elite Team Member Spencer Smitheman (U23) impressively made and early decisive break at the Canadian National Championships to finish 7th among U23's and 11th overall. It looks very likely that he will mkae the U23 Worlds team for Canada (he represented Canada at Cyclocross Worlds as a Junior).
Short summary below. Way to go, Spencer!
Eddie
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Canadian Road National Championships
Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 20:24:46 -0600
From: Spencer Smitheman
To: Eddie Monnier, Marc Karzen
I did the Canadian Champs Road Race today. Combined U23 and Elite Men (pro/amateur). Went with a break at km 15 in the race with 8 other riders. 7 of us were U23. We got a maximum gap of about 10 minutes at one point. It stayed away until the end! With 10 km to go, there was an attack and the group fractured a bit. I was on the tail end of that and rode in alone. I was holding on for a great finish. I was only passed by Christian Meier of Garmin (coming off the Dauphine) and Ryan Roth of Planet Energy. I ended up 7th U23 and 11th overall! I rode 165 km off the front today in the 180 km total. I was dead at the finish. I came in ahead of all but 3 pros, beating Svein Tuft (Garmin), Will Routley (Jelly Belly), Cam Evans and Andrew Pinfold (OUCH), 4 Kelly Benefits, and almost all of Planet Energy.
Full Race Report within the next few days.
I was also 11th in the U23 ITT. Should be enough to qualify me for the U23 Worlds 12 man selection pool.
Spencer
Short summary below. Way to go, Spencer!
Eddie
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Canadian Road National Championships
Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 20:24:46 -0600
From: Spencer Smitheman
To: Eddie Monnier
I did the Canadian Champs Road Race today. Combined U23 and Elite Men (pro/amateur). Went with a break at km 15 in the race with 8 other riders. 7 of us were U23. We got a maximum gap of about 10 minutes at one point. It stayed away until the end! With 10 km to go, there was an attack and the group fractured a bit. I was on the tail end of that and rode in alone. I was holding on for a great finish. I was only passed by Christian Meier of Garmin (coming off the Dauphine) and Ryan Roth of Planet Energy. I ended up 7th U23 and 11th overall! I rode 165 km off the front today in the 180 km total. I was dead at the finish. I came in ahead of all but 3 pros, beating Svein Tuft (Garmin), Will Routley (Jelly Belly), Cam Evans and Andrew Pinfold (OUCH), 4 Kelly Benefits, and almost all of Planet Energy.
Full Race Report within the next few days.
I was also 11th in the U23 ITT. Should be enough to qualify me for the U23 Worlds 12 man selection pool.
Spencer
Manhattan Beach GP
Here is VRC alum Sergio leading the Rock Rocket Train:
http://www.velonews.com/photo/93949
Our Women's team put 3 in the top-25 and the Men put one up there.
Unfortunately, neither squad had anyone in the top-10 but we'll gun for
that next year!
Congrats to local junior Coryn Rivera for WINNING the women's pro race.
Unbelievable.
Eddie
http://www.velonews.com/photo/93949
Our Women's team put 3 in the top-25 and the Men put one up there.
Unfortunately, neither squad had anyone in the top-10 but we'll gun for
that next year!
Congrats to local junior Coryn Rivera for WINNING the women's pro race.
Unbelievable.
Eddie
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Race Report-San Pedro Grand Prix CAT 4
Feeling much better going into this race, since I finished a course of anti-biotics for my URI last Wednesday. However, this course had two 50 ft. climbs per lap (with the 180 degree turns killing momentum).....so, it looked like I would be doing a lot of drafting to spare my tank.
The course was challenging. One of the 180 degree turns was very tight and the other off-camber, part of it on cobble-like stones. Hence there were a few crashes early, so I decided to run up front to lessen the chances of getting involved in these melee's. About half-way through the race, I had the chance to work a little bit with Will off the front....good job Will!
As the end neared, I sat in the top 10 and executed a mighty conservative last corner (Barry Wolfe came to mind). Drafting up the 600 meter hill to the finish, I jumped out with about 300 meters to go and took 5th. Overall, pretty happy considering the type of finish.
Bill "Tiny" Thomas
The course was challenging. One of the 180 degree turns was very tight and the other off-camber, part of it on cobble-like stones. Hence there were a few crashes early, so I decided to run up front to lessen the chances of getting involved in these melee's. About half-way through the race, I had the chance to work a little bit with Will off the front....good job Will!
As the end neared, I sat in the top 10 and executed a mighty conservative last corner (Barry Wolfe came to mind). Drafting up the 600 meter hill to the finish, I jumped out with about 300 meters to go and took 5th. Overall, pretty happy considering the type of finish.
Bill "Tiny" Thomas
Monday, June 15, 2009
Race Report Track State Championships ADT
Who: Lauren Jacobsen, Louise Keoghan
What: Masters Track State Championship ADT
Result: Bear Jersey in 500m Team Sprint
As I drove off to base camp at the ADT Velodrome again this morning, I was struck by how fortunate we all are to have such incredible resources and world class support at our fingertips!! In my case I have the Velodrome 30 minutes from my house, a Parkpre track bike that seems to be hot property right now with every track rider, a pair of Zen race wheels from NZ, AND Antony and Lauren --- a world class duo that make the hardest school of knocks seem like summer-camp.
Be warned, when Lauren and Antony ask you to be the second man in a 500m team sprint, you better get serious. They have high standards which is kind of intimidating, yet for some reason completely seductive. Its hard to describe what its like training with these two. For weeks, sweating it out on the track and road I felt I couldn't get anything right, or at least anything that would get more than a slight nod of approval from either of them -- until Friday night!!! The last session before our 500m team sprint it all clicked into place..standing starts, standing up sprints, racing on the black line, exchanges, something about engaging stomach muscles, leg speed, pedal pulling motions, avoiding cones and sponges, and going like mental to the start/finish line, all while looking forward and not down. All we had to do, said Antony, was repeat this combination exactly at the State Championships on Sunday and the rest would look after itself. He has this way of making you believe you'll win. And as he predicted, we did, and were rewarded with a fab 2009 bear jersey and a medal.
Track racing for me, is new and scary but completely exhilarating. It's something everyone should try because its so accessible here in LA, and if you like punishment engage some world champions who won't let you get away with any less than your best.
Thank you Ant and Lauren, and Debbie and Marc for getting us excited about the track!!! I have a feeling your work's not done. Julie is next in line for a State Jersey. She was there today racing her heart out for the very FIRST time? Next victim please.
What: Masters Track State Championship ADT
Result: Bear Jersey in 500m Team Sprint
As I drove off to base camp at the ADT Velodrome again this morning, I was struck by how fortunate we all are to have such incredible resources and world class support at our fingertips!! In my case I have the Velodrome 30 minutes from my house, a Parkpre track bike that seems to be hot property right now with every track rider, a pair of Zen race wheels from NZ, AND Antony and Lauren --- a world class duo that make the hardest school of knocks seem like summer-camp.
Be warned, when Lauren and Antony ask you to be the second man in a 500m team sprint, you better get serious. They have high standards which is kind of intimidating, yet for some reason completely seductive. Its hard to describe what its like training with these two. For weeks, sweating it out on the track and road I felt I couldn't get anything right, or at least anything that would get more than a slight nod of approval from either of them -- until Friday night!!! The last session before our 500m team sprint it all clicked into place..standing starts, standing up sprints, racing on the black line, exchanges, something about engaging stomach muscles, leg speed, pedal pulling motions, avoiding cones and sponges, and going like mental to the start/finish line, all while looking forward and not down. All we had to do, said Antony, was repeat this combination exactly at the State Championships on Sunday and the rest would look after itself. He has this way of making you believe you'll win. And as he predicted, we did, and were rewarded with a fab 2009 bear jersey and a medal.
Track racing for me, is new and scary but completely exhilarating. It's something everyone should try because its so accessible here in LA, and if you like punishment engage some world champions who won't let you get away with any less than your best.
Thank you Ant and Lauren, and Debbie and Marc for getting us excited about the track!!! I have a feeling your work's not done. Julie is next in line for a State Jersey. She was there today racing her heart out for the very FIRST time? Next victim please.
Race Report: Dominguez Hills Crit-Cat 3
Who: Adam M
What: Dominguez Hills Crit
When:6/14/09
Result: 2nd
As promised from my last report...I said I will post more race reports as the results start coming back..
Today was a great sign that my form is definitely coming around. I came to this race very confident in my fitness. Even though this race had no hills I planned to use some tactics and play it safe. I knew it would come down to a sprint, but still played with the field to see if I could ride away. After they kept following my moves i sat in and waited. One lapped to go and I feel this amazingly painful STING on my leg near my crouch and screamed and literally was slapping my leg! It was an ant or bee that had stung or bit me! hahah I was trying to stay focus because I was positioning myself for the sprint..I opened the sprint with about 600 meters to go and was only passed by one super musclley sprinter dude. If your a climber and want some kind sprinting capabilities then head to the track because its definitely helping in these flat fast courses. 115lbs at 40+ mph is very possible.
Thank You
Adam Masters U25
I smell a win soon*
What: Dominguez Hills Crit
When:6/14/09
Result: 2nd
As promised from my last report...I said I will post more race reports as the results start coming back..
Today was a great sign that my form is definitely coming around. I came to this race very confident in my fitness. Even though this race had no hills I planned to use some tactics and play it safe. I knew it would come down to a sprint, but still played with the field to see if I could ride away. After they kept following my moves i sat in and waited. One lapped to go and I feel this amazingly painful STING on my leg near my crouch and screamed and literally was slapping my leg! It was an ant or bee that had stung or bit me! hahah I was trying to stay focus because I was positioning myself for the sprint..I opened the sprint with about 600 meters to go and was only passed by one super musclley sprinter dude. If your a climber and want some kind sprinting capabilities then head to the track because its definitely helping in these flat fast courses. 115lbs at 40+ mph is very possible.
Thank You
Adam Masters U25
I smell a win soon*
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Masters State Track Championships-Lauren and Louise
Where: ADT Velodrome in Carson
What: Womens 500TT
Who: Lauren Jacobsen (Turbo Chicken)
Louise Keoghan (Shebiscuit)
Place: 1st and 5th
Lou and I got to the track this morning and we were warming up by 8AM.
Let me start this whole story by laying some ground work. Louise started training for the 500TT in about April...the end of April. She had never done a standing start, she had never sprinted 3/4 of a lap through the turns out of the saddle, in short, she knew nada about sprinting in this dicipline. We all know Lou, she is a true competitor and a real fighter. No start nor sprint was gonna stop her or even slow her down.
Antony has been training us together as our goal is to do the team sprint which goes off tomorrow afternoon. In Antony's ever "you gotta do it" style, Lou was signed up for the individual 500TT. Her first competition 500TT!
She had a straight start, dug in and did a tremendous ride today. She was beat by the World Champion, the State Champion and a couple of other women who have been sprinting for a long time. What a ride. She still does not get it that she was fifth in her very first 500 with that high caliber roster. Really wonderful work. Now if we can just get her to stay off her legs for more than 5 seconds and be like her wheels and ZEN before the race, I think we will all see her start landing on the podium very soon.
My race was great, my start was good and my legs felt great.
The starts for this race had no count down, it was literally
"rider ready, timer ready, go!". No time to set before the plank splitting first pedal stroke. So you better be on your game or the clock has run 2 seconds and your brain is still saying "did he just say go!!!"
This is my last year in this category, I am happy to have won 2007, 2008 and now 2009. I like to try and follow in Antony's footsteps with the "threepeat" concept.
Thank you to Ant for being there for us both.
Tomorrow, Lou and I go for the team sprint. This is where Lou won the nick name "Shebiscuit". Stay tuned.
Also Debbie Betts was out there today racing as well as Scott.I look forward to their race reports.
Chicken
What: Womens 500TT
Who: Lauren Jacobsen (Turbo Chicken)
Louise Keoghan (Shebiscuit)
Place: 1st and 5th
Lou and I got to the track this morning and we were warming up by 8AM.
Let me start this whole story by laying some ground work. Louise started training for the 500TT in about April...the end of April. She had never done a standing start, she had never sprinted 3/4 of a lap through the turns out of the saddle, in short, she knew nada about sprinting in this dicipline. We all know Lou, she is a true competitor and a real fighter. No start nor sprint was gonna stop her or even slow her down.
Antony has been training us together as our goal is to do the team sprint which goes off tomorrow afternoon. In Antony's ever "you gotta do it" style, Lou was signed up for the individual 500TT. Her first competition 500TT!
She had a straight start, dug in and did a tremendous ride today. She was beat by the World Champion, the State Champion and a couple of other women who have been sprinting for a long time. What a ride. She still does not get it that she was fifth in her very first 500 with that high caliber roster. Really wonderful work. Now if we can just get her to stay off her legs for more than 5 seconds and be like her wheels and ZEN before the race, I think we will all see her start landing on the podium very soon.
My race was great, my start was good and my legs felt great.
The starts for this race had no count down, it was literally
"rider ready, timer ready, go!". No time to set before the plank splitting first pedal stroke. So you better be on your game or the clock has run 2 seconds and your brain is still saying "did he just say go!!!"
This is my last year in this category, I am happy to have won 2007, 2008 and now 2009. I like to try and follow in Antony's footsteps with the "threepeat" concept.
Thank you to Ant for being there for us both.
Tomorrow, Lou and I go for the team sprint. This is where Lou won the nick name "Shebiscuit". Stay tuned.
Also Debbie Betts was out there today racing as well as Scott.I look forward to their race reports.
Chicken
Junior Crit Sate Championships
Just home from Junior Crit States.
Kit was 2nd in 17/18. CJ Williams won, Morgan Ryan 2nd.
Big bumping scramble crash in the last lap.
Kendall Ryan 2nd in the Women's 17/18.
Marc
Kit was 2nd in 17/18. CJ Williams won, Morgan Ryan 2nd.
Big bumping scramble crash in the last lap.
Kendall Ryan 2nd in the Women's 17/18.
Marc
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Debbie Betts takes the Gold!!!
California State Senior (I still HATE that term) Olympics
Who raced - just me - Debbie
This week I decided to race the Senior Olympic California State Championships just for the speed work and as a tune up for Track States this weekend. The course is the Eldorado race course in Long Beach in the park which is beautiful, with good road conditions and mostly flat. You have to be 50 to race so I don't have to say that this was much different than racing a 1-2-3 crit where I am all out just to hang on with the pros and 20 year olds. I raced the 5K TT and the 40K road race. With all the work I've been doing on the track in prep for this weekends pursuit I know exactly how much speed and what kind of heart rate I can hold for 2K so I figure just do the math and translate to 5K. My goal was to break 8 mins which I did and being the only women to break 8 mins gave me the fastest women's time for the day and the gold medal in the TT. The road race reminded me that road racing is a game of patience and stratigy. We spend the first part of the race sizing each other up, finding out who was strong and weak, who could stay on a wheel and which wheels to follow and which to avoid. We soon formed a good pace line and rotated smoothly being sure to have the competition get their time up front on the short hill and into the wind ;) I had promised to try to help one of the La Grange racers out if I could and as we pulled through the start finish for the 2nd to last time I jumped off the front in hopes of taking her with me and dropping the others. Unfortunately she couldn't go with me and though I waited for a little while I quickly realized I better just go all out to the finish (another 2K time trial - my favorite!!). I kept looking back but no one was close, I guess nobody needed to catch me and I came through the finish line well ahead of the pack. A great feeling any day!!! This also earned me the Gold in the road race.
Maybe this getting older is not too bad!! It was inspiring to see so many cyclist age 50-80 and up out racing their bikes, having a great time. This was a good confidence builder for track states this weekend.
PS Some of those old guys are SUPER fast!!!
Who raced - just me - Debbie
This week I decided to race the Senior Olympic California State Championships just for the speed work and as a tune up for Track States this weekend. The course is the Eldorado race course in Long Beach in the park which is beautiful, with good road conditions and mostly flat. You have to be 50 to race so I don't have to say that this was much different than racing a 1-2-3 crit where I am all out just to hang on with the pros and 20 year olds. I raced the 5K TT and the 40K road race. With all the work I've been doing on the track in prep for this weekends pursuit I know exactly how much speed and what kind of heart rate I can hold for 2K so I figure just do the math and translate to 5K. My goal was to break 8 mins which I did and being the only women to break 8 mins gave me the fastest women's time for the day and the gold medal in the TT. The road race reminded me that road racing is a game of patience and stratigy. We spend the first part of the race sizing each other up, finding out who was strong and weak, who could stay on a wheel and which wheels to follow and which to avoid. We soon formed a good pace line and rotated smoothly being sure to have the competition get their time up front on the short hill and into the wind ;) I had promised to try to help one of the La Grange racers out if I could and as we pulled through the start finish for the 2nd to last time I jumped off the front in hopes of taking her with me and dropping the others. Unfortunately she couldn't go with me and though I waited for a little while I quickly realized I better just go all out to the finish (another 2K time trial - my favorite!!). I kept looking back but no one was close, I guess nobody needed to catch me and I came through the finish line well ahead of the pack. A great feeling any day!!! This also earned me the Gold in the road race.
Maybe this getting older is not too bad!! It was inspiring to see so many cyclist age 50-80 and up out racing their bikes, having a great time. This was a good confidence builder for track states this weekend.
PS Some of those old guys are SUPER fast!!!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Bakersfield RR Championships CAT 3
Race: 2009 Bakersfield Road Race Stat Championships - Men's Cat 3
Racers: Adam Masters, Greg Wooten (secret U25 racer)
Result: 4th, 10th
It's been a while since I've posted a race report only because I've been struggling a bit in probably every part of my life, but the fitness is definitely coming back around. I wish every race could have a 5 mile 9% grade to the finish, but it didn't. After realizing my climbing will post no threat in the race I stayed focused on my water and food. I constantly made myself flexible on the bike to stretch my lower back which is my main problem. The back was fantastic today! After going over the climb for the last time the field had split up pretty good. Greg and I managed to stay up front and safe...we kept it together and there was about 12 of the 60+ riders that made it to line for the finish. During our escape Greg and I discussed some options. I wanted to sprint and Greg free willingly was 100% for the plan. He was a MONSTER, he just had raced the day before and still managed to show some great fitness! He constantly attacked and pulled little breakaway attempts back and went solo, he did it all! He pulled up to me and asked if I was fresh..all I could do was smile because I'm used to covering the moves, but this time got the amazing view of a sprinter chillen and waiting for the sprint. Thanks Greg! 1000 meters to go I put my head down a sprinted to the line it was REALLLLY far! I had 3 guys on my wheel and they all managed to come around around with like 10meters to go...photo finish for 3rd&4th but ended up 4th. I guess I can't be to disappointed, Field sprints aren't my thing.
Greg please email me off list I got some dough....adamkmasters@yahoo.com
Thanks,
Adam Masters U25
(more reports/results to come I promise!)
Racers: Adam Masters, Greg Wooten (secret U25 racer)
Result: 4th, 10th
It's been a while since I've posted a race report only because I've been struggling a bit in probably every part of my life, but the fitness is definitely coming back around. I wish every race could have a 5 mile 9% grade to the finish, but it didn't. After realizing my climbing will post no threat in the race I stayed focused on my water and food. I constantly made myself flexible on the bike to stretch my lower back which is my main problem. The back was fantastic today! After going over the climb for the last time the field had split up pretty good. Greg and I managed to stay up front and safe...we kept it together and there was about 12 of the 60+ riders that made it to line for the finish. During our escape Greg and I discussed some options. I wanted to sprint and Greg free willingly was 100% for the plan. He was a MONSTER, he just had raced the day before and still managed to show some great fitness! He constantly attacked and pulled little breakaway attempts back and went solo, he did it all! He pulled up to me and asked if I was fresh..all I could do was smile because I'm used to covering the moves, but this time got the amazing view of a sprinter chillen and waiting for the sprint. Thanks Greg! 1000 meters to go I put my head down a sprinted to the line it was REALLLLY far! I had 3 guys on my wheel and they all managed to come around around with like 10meters to go...photo finish for 3rd&4th but ended up 4th. I guess I can't be to disappointed, Field sprints aren't my thing.
Greg please email me off list I got some dough....adamkmasters@yahoo.com
Thanks,
Adam Masters U25
(more reports/results to come I promise!)
State Road Race Championships
Players: Aaron and Cory
Cat: 1/2
To say that today was a weird race is an understatement. (Did I spell weird right?) Cory and I probably could have had an entire conversation for most of the race, and frequently did. In fact, I couldn't believe how easy a state championship road race could be. Unfortunately, being active during this race was pointless. Everything was chased down because there was a 3 man breakaway that got established less than a mile into the race and the next thing you know it has a 3 minute lead. I wasn't worried in the least becaue it's a 93 mile race. Liquid Fitness controlled the race because they had a guy up in the break. And because it was just Cory and myself I was plenty happy just sitting in and watching people try to make a break for it only to get brought back a few seconds later. The climb was, well, not really a climb, nor was it made very hard by any of the riders. There was a split, which was expected, but the tailwind on the climb really helped the riders catch back on near the top, which made it a large field toward the end.
So we caught the break with about 5 miles to go in the race. A split occurred with about 2 or 3 miles to go. I decided to animate the race a little and jumped across the gap but didn't stop. I opened up a respectable gap but was soon chased down by a Mr. Chris Walker and when he goes, the whole peleton goes. So needless to say I was swallowed up, but was able to recover and was ready for the sprint. Now here's the funny part, if you can look at it this way. I'm in perfect position behind three of the best sprinters in the field, including the eventual winner of the race, when out of nowhere a rider literally gets thrown in front of me by another rider who grabbed his jersey and decided to give a good tug. Did I mention we were going about 33 miles an hour at this point? So that ended my run.
Jeremiah Wiscovitch ( I think that's how you spell it) won the race. Overall, it wasn't a very exciting race, however, I couldn't believe how nice the weather was for Bakersfield. It was perfect riding conditions.
Congratulations to Lufkin for her second place finish in the women's 3's race. And it was good seeing Julia and PC out there. Julia, who unfortunately flatted, was very supportive as we passed by her. Thanks Julia :)
Cheers,
Aaron
Cat: 1/2
To say that today was a weird race is an understatement. (Did I spell weird right?) Cory and I probably could have had an entire conversation for most of the race, and frequently did. In fact, I couldn't believe how easy a state championship road race could be. Unfortunately, being active during this race was pointless. Everything was chased down because there was a 3 man breakaway that got established less than a mile into the race and the next thing you know it has a 3 minute lead. I wasn't worried in the least becaue it's a 93 mile race. Liquid Fitness controlled the race because they had a guy up in the break. And because it was just Cory and myself I was plenty happy just sitting in and watching people try to make a break for it only to get brought back a few seconds later. The climb was, well, not really a climb, nor was it made very hard by any of the riders. There was a split, which was expected, but the tailwind on the climb really helped the riders catch back on near the top, which made it a large field toward the end.
So we caught the break with about 5 miles to go in the race. A split occurred with about 2 or 3 miles to go. I decided to animate the race a little and jumped across the gap but didn't stop. I opened up a respectable gap but was soon chased down by a Mr. Chris Walker and when he goes, the whole peleton goes. So needless to say I was swallowed up, but was able to recover and was ready for the sprint. Now here's the funny part, if you can look at it this way. I'm in perfect position behind three of the best sprinters in the field, including the eventual winner of the race, when out of nowhere a rider literally gets thrown in front of me by another rider who grabbed his jersey and decided to give a good tug. Did I mention we were going about 33 miles an hour at this point? So that ended my run.
Jeremiah Wiscovitch ( I think that's how you spell it) won the race. Overall, it wasn't a very exciting race, however, I couldn't believe how nice the weather was for Bakersfield. It was perfect riding conditions.
Congratulations to Lufkin for her second place finish in the women's 3's race. And it was good seeing Julia and PC out there. Julia, who unfortunately flatted, was very supportive as we passed by her. Thanks Julia :)
Cheers,
Aaron
Friday, June 5, 2009
Coupe des Nations Ville Saguenay
Hello team,
As some of you may be aware, I am currently in Northern Quebec racing a U23 Nations Cup (World Cup) with my Canadian National Team. The race is 5 stages long and started yesterday, finishing Sunday. Yesterday we rode a grueling circuit race for a total of 140 km. I had been active early as well as trying to help out my team leader (Ryan Anderson of Kelly Benefit Strategies) with whatever work was necessary. Towards the latter part of the race, I broke a spoke on one of the less than stellar roads, needing a wheel change. Despite the bad luck and panic that followed, I made it back across to the pack. Unfortunately that left me a little tired and on one of the next steep climbs, I blew up. I rode in with a couple of teammates as well as Kirk Carlsen (Garmin U23) and Jake Keogh (KBS) among others in a rather large group. Germany put down a furious pace to bring back the break and it was within 5 seconds at the line. My teammate Guillaume Boivin won the bunch sprint for 5th.
More to come ...
Spencer
As some of you may be aware, I am currently in Northern Quebec racing a U23 Nations Cup (World Cup) with my Canadian National Team. The race is 5 stages long and started yesterday, finishing Sunday. Yesterday we rode a grueling circuit race for a total of 140 km. I had been active early as well as trying to help out my team leader (Ryan Anderson of Kelly Benefit Strategies) with whatever work was necessary. Towards the latter part of the race, I broke a spoke on one of the less than stellar roads, needing a wheel change. Despite the bad luck and panic that followed, I made it back across to the pack. Unfortunately that left me a little tired and on one of the next steep climbs, I blew up. I rode in with a couple of teammates as well as Kirk Carlsen (Garmin U23) and Jake Keogh (KBS) among others in a rather large group. Germany put down a furious pace to bring back the break and it was within 5 seconds at the line. My teammate Guillaume Boivin won the bunch sprint for 5th.
More to come ...
Spencer
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Junior Women Worlds Qualifier-Kendall Ryan's Race Report
Hey Team,
This weekend was really exciting for me. I raced the Soto Classic which was the Junior World Championships Trials. Saturday was the TT, I placed 3rd, and Sunday was the Road Race. So here's the blow by blow of the Road Race:
The race starts. It's 11:15am, it's 85 degrees, and it's REALLY humid. The race starts out like a Sunday morning tootle, all 13 girls chatting away, for our Junior Worlds Qualifier. I was just thinking to myself how ridiculously slow we were going and then my little sister, Alexis, who's a 15-16 and had to race with us because she was the only one in her age group, gets on the front of the group and starts picking up the pace. Finally everyone gets motivated to start racing.
We are 8 miles into the race, when we hit a climb and Coryn Rivera attacks the group up the hill and keeps on the hammer all the way down the following decent. When we hit the bottom she sits up and so does everyone else.... BUT me. I saw the window of opportunity and I went for it! I attacked the group with the momentum I still had from the down hill and launched off the front gaining 20 seconds almost instantly. It was definitely a NOW moment.
I kept looking back and no one was chasing me or even attempting to chase. I heard from Coryn later that they were all looking at her to chase me down. BIG MISTAKE. She had won the TT the day before, and was automatically qualified for worlds already. By that time I was coming through the feed zone going 25mph, grabbing a musette bag full of water bottles, and then put my head down and kept going. My dad said everyone was shocked to only see me come through, and they were all ready, expecting the other riders to come through, but 2 minutes passed and finally Jessica Prinner and Kaitie Antonneau came through "gased", as my dad says. Then 30 seconds later Coryn Rivera, Jackie Kurth, and Anna Young come through. By the second, and final, lap I had gained 4 minutes on Coryn and Jessica Prinner who were together at that point. During the whole second lap Ben Sharp (USA Cycling Junior Endurance Manager) was driving behind me in his car. He would come up next to me and ask me if i needed water, gave me advice, and was mostly cheering me on. If he had not been there to feed me all those water bottles, I would have cracked. So I made sure to thank him after the race.
The last few miles of the race was the hardest part, it was all uphill. But I made it up the last climb with a bunch of people to cheer me on at the top. I zipped up my jersey and raised my hands! Ben Sharp literally jumped out of his car to congradulate me with a hug. He was truelly amazed. I had soloed almost 50 miles by myself, gaining almost 7 minutes on Coryn and Jessica. And boy did it feel good to stop! Oh Ya, going to Moscow, Russia to race the Junior World Road Race Championships !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am going to submit a
coaches discretionary application to see if I can do the TT also. My focus for the next month is to hone my track skills and try and qualify for junior track worlds in Moscow also.
Thank you all for your support. I am truelly blessed with all the great people from NOW.
Sincerely,
Kendall Ryan
This weekend was really exciting for me. I raced the Soto Classic which was the Junior World Championships Trials. Saturday was the TT, I placed 3rd, and Sunday was the Road Race. So here's the blow by blow of the Road Race:
The race starts. It's 11:15am, it's 85 degrees, and it's REALLY humid. The race starts out like a Sunday morning tootle, all 13 girls chatting away, for our Junior Worlds Qualifier. I was just thinking to myself how ridiculously slow we were going and then my little sister, Alexis, who's a 15-16 and had to race with us because she was the only one in her age group, gets on the front of the group and starts picking up the pace. Finally everyone gets motivated to start racing.
We are 8 miles into the race, when we hit a climb and Coryn Rivera attacks the group up the hill and keeps on the hammer all the way down the following decent. When we hit the bottom she sits up and so does everyone else.... BUT me. I saw the window of opportunity and I went for it! I attacked the group with the momentum I still had from the down hill and launched off the front gaining 20 seconds almost instantly. It was definitely a NOW moment.
I kept looking back and no one was chasing me or even attempting to chase. I heard from Coryn later that they were all looking at her to chase me down. BIG MISTAKE. She had won the TT the day before, and was automatically qualified for worlds already. By that time I was coming through the feed zone going 25mph, grabbing a musette bag full of water bottles, and then put my head down and kept going. My dad said everyone was shocked to only see me come through, and they were all ready, expecting the other riders to come through, but 2 minutes passed and finally Jessica Prinner and Kaitie Antonneau came through "gased", as my dad says. Then 30 seconds later Coryn Rivera, Jackie Kurth, and Anna Young come through. By the second, and final, lap I had gained 4 minutes on Coryn and Jessica Prinner who were together at that point. During the whole second lap Ben Sharp (USA Cycling Junior Endurance Manager) was driving behind me in his car. He would come up next to me and ask me if i needed water, gave me advice, and was mostly cheering me on. If he had not been there to feed me all those water bottles, I would have cracked. So I made sure to thank him after the race.
The last few miles of the race was the hardest part, it was all uphill. But I made it up the last climb with a bunch of people to cheer me on at the top. I zipped up my jersey and raised my hands! Ben Sharp literally jumped out of his car to congradulate me with a hug. He was truelly amazed. I had soloed almost 50 miles by myself, gaining almost 7 minutes on Coryn and Jessica. And boy did it feel good to stop! Oh Ya, going to Moscow, Russia to race the Junior World Road Race Championships !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am going to submit a
coaches discretionary application to see if I can do the TT also. My focus for the next month is to hone my track skills and try and qualify for junior track worlds in Moscow also.
Thank you all for your support. I am truelly blessed with all the great people from NOW.
Sincerely,
Kendall Ryan
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