Louisville Crit
The first real race of the 2011 was the Louisville Crit. It was a BAR/BAT race for the 45 plus guys, so it was important and the 35 plus guys used it as a warm up and to get used to each other.
In the 35 Plus race the guys had the largest team in the event, but made the mistake of letting ex European pro Michael Carter and forever strong man Bob Dahl get away. Once that happened it was race over. The team took it like men and chased without much help, but it did not matter. Carter staid away and took the win and Dan managed to take 3rd overall. It was a good lesson for a team finding it's feet and if the guys continue to ride as a team, results will come.
Here is how the 45 plus race played out from Jeff O: The 2011 ACA cycling season is underway and the men’s 45+ field has already competed in two BAR/BAT races. The BAR/BAT season kicked off two weeks ago at the Louisville Criterium where the squad put in a solid team performance. Matt Vawter got into a three man break early in the race. With a full contingent of Mix 1ers in the field slowing down the chase and marking any attempts to bridge up to Matt’s group, Matt and his breakaway companions managed to hold off the chase. Although Matt’s tank was empty for the sprint and he had to settle for third, Matt’s ride demonstrated that he has been working hard this winter and is ready for a season of aggressive bike racing. Meanwhile, back in the peloton, Peter Ismert and Jeff Ofsanko escaped from the group with two Great Divide riders with around 4 laps to go. Both Peter and Jeff managed to place ahead of the Great Divide duo netting Mix 1 a 3rd, 4th, and 5th. Also placing in the top 20 were Gene (10th), Larry (13th), and Chris (16th), while Peter L, Henrik, Bill K, and Steve put in some strong support efforts during the race.
Grove Subaru Crit
The roles were reversed the next day as it was a BAR/BAT race for the 35's and not for the 45's. As such the 45's sent a small team of just Peter and Henrik. In a repeat of the day before Carter and Dahl got away from the 45's this time, but Peter took our the sprint for 3rd. That was the team's third 3rd place of the weekend.
Earlier in the day Steve and Bill raced the 55 plus race and were up against the large Vic's team. in an amazing story Bill bridged up to two Vic's riders, with 2 more of their team mates on his wheel, and was in a 5 man break, with 4 guys from Vic's. What is amazing about Bill is he did not care, he attacked and dropped 3 of them, then beat the last guy in a sprint for the win. We have never heard of something like that, go Bill.
By the time the 35 plus race started it was 38 degrees out and snowing. As a result half the team chose not to race and the field was only 18 guys. Interesting enough we did not have the largest team, but had CJ, LT and Marc on the line. The small field and horrible conditions blew the race apart right away, with half the field not finishing, and a winning move of 3 staying away and nearly lapping everyone. CJ used his brain, as he could not feel his legs, and made it into the break with Carlos from Westside and Paul from Rocky Mounts. It came down to a sprint and CJ jumped into the last corner first, but was not able to hold of Carlos who was the stronger rider. CJ did take second, with Marc in 5th and LT in 6th. It was the worst condition any of the guys had raced in since college.
Check out some pictures of the race from local photo site Sportif Imagines:
The first real race of the 2011 was the Louisville Crit. It was a BAR/BAT race for the 45 plus guys, so it was important and the 35 plus guys used it as a warm up and to get used to each other.
In the 35 Plus race the guys had the largest team in the event, but made the mistake of letting ex European pro Michael Carter and forever strong man Bob Dahl get away. Once that happened it was race over. The team took it like men and chased without much help, but it did not matter. Carter staid away and took the win and Dan managed to take 3rd overall. It was a good lesson for a team finding it's feet and if the guys continue to ride as a team, results will come.
Here is how the 45 plus race played out from Jeff O: The 2011 ACA cycling season is underway and the men’s 45+ field has already competed in two BAR/BAT races. The BAR/BAT season kicked off two weeks ago at the Louisville Criterium where the squad put in a solid team performance. Matt Vawter got into a three man break early in the race. With a full contingent of Mix 1ers in the field slowing down the chase and marking any attempts to bridge up to Matt’s group, Matt and his breakaway companions managed to hold off the chase. Although Matt’s tank was empty for the sprint and he had to settle for third, Matt’s ride demonstrated that he has been working hard this winter and is ready for a season of aggressive bike racing. Meanwhile, back in the peloton, Peter Ismert and Jeff Ofsanko escaped from the group with two Great Divide riders with around 4 laps to go. Both Peter and Jeff managed to place ahead of the Great Divide duo netting Mix 1 a 3rd, 4th, and 5th. Also placing in the top 20 were Gene (10th), Larry (13th), and Chris (16th), while Peter L, Henrik, Bill K, and Steve put in some strong support efforts during the race.
Grove Subaru Crit
The roles were reversed the next day as it was a BAR/BAT race for the 35's and not for the 45's. As such the 45's sent a small team of just Peter and Henrik. In a repeat of the day before Carter and Dahl got away from the 45's this time, but Peter took our the sprint for 3rd. That was the team's third 3rd place of the weekend.
Earlier in the day Steve and Bill raced the 55 plus race and were up against the large Vic's team. in an amazing story Bill bridged up to two Vic's riders, with 2 more of their team mates on his wheel, and was in a 5 man break, with 4 guys from Vic's. What is amazing about Bill is he did not care, he attacked and dropped 3 of them, then beat the last guy in a sprint for the win. We have never heard of something like that, go Bill.
By the time the 35 plus race started it was 38 degrees out and snowing. As a result half the team chose not to race and the field was only 18 guys. Interesting enough we did not have the largest team, but had CJ, LT and Marc on the line. The small field and horrible conditions blew the race apart right away, with half the field not finishing, and a winning move of 3 staying away and nearly lapping everyone. CJ used his brain, as he could not feel his legs, and made it into the break with Carlos from Westside and Paul from Rocky Mounts. It came down to a sprint and CJ jumped into the last corner first, but was not able to hold of Carlos who was the stronger rider. CJ did take second, with Marc in 5th and LT in 6th. It was the worst condition any of the guys had raced in since college.
Check out some pictures of the race from local photo site Sportif Imagines:
http://www.sportifimages.com/BikeRacing2011/Groove-Subaru-Crit/SM-35/16474165_2oW5R#1239820249_EAaNs
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