BAR & BAT Year End Awards

Report and photos from Peter Ismert. 

The end of the 2011 bike race season was marked by the annual American Cycling Association Awards Party.  Best All-Around Team (BAT) and Best All-Around Rider (BAR) awards were presented to all the junior, senior, and masters categories.  The mix1 Masters Team received BAR/BAT awards for all their respective categories and had a couple first place wins. 

For the individual awards, mix1's Bill Kellagher's won the first place BAR award for the 55+ category.  Bill is new to mix1 this year and he gave racing his all by racing from March through August, winning races throughout the season.  Because he was racing against strong competitors from various teams, his first place BAR win wasn't decided until the last race of the season. Also, Matt Gates from the mix1 35+ team and Peter Ismert from the 45+ team each took 2nd in their respective BAR categories. These guys also raced a long season against great competition from several teams.  They were often seen winning races or getting into the top 3 placings. Bill, Matt, and Peter did will this year due in a large part to their teammate's support during the races, enabling them to ensure high-placed finishes. Congrat's to Jeff Hartman (P2P/Westside Cycling) and Rod Yoder (Natural Grocers Cycling Team) on their first place BAR wins in the 35+ and 45+ categories.

For the team awards, the mix1 45+ squad won the first place BAT award for the 3rd year running. The team showed consistency throughout the season by winning races and often placing in the top three spots.  A hard charging Great Divide cycling team kept the season exciting as mix1 and Great Divide often exchanged the lead for BAT from week to week.  Also, the Mix1 35+ team got 2nd place in BAR due to their ability to race as a team and posting many key race wins by several of their riders throughout the season.   Congratulation too the Westwisde P2P team who not only had the best rider, but also a very deep team and deserved their team awards.

The ACA BAR/BAT awards was a good way to mark the end of the bicycle road-race season for Mix1. Great competition and race venues, along with our many generous sponsors, made this season one to remember.  The Mix1 team is looking forward to some enjoyable non-racing cycling this off-season in preparation for another exciting year in 2012.

 Peter Ismert on the podium for 2nd in 45 Plus Open BAR and representing the whole team on their BAT win, for the 3rd year in a row.

 Matt Gates took 2nd in the 35 Plus Open BAR for the second year in a row, with Jeff Hartmann winning for the second year in a row.

 Bill Kelligher taking the win in the 55 plus BAR, which a big credit to his team mates Steve, as it was often just the 2 of them again much larger teams.  look out in 2012, they are bringing in the reinforcements.

Steamboat Stage Race 45 Plus

45 Plus race report from Peter Ismert.

While much of the Mix1 team was racing at the National Masters Championships in Bend, Oregon,  Mix1's Matt Vawter and Peter Ismert decided to race closer to home and participated in the Steamboat Springs Stage Race.  The fields were a bit small, but the racing was still big.  Matt had the best overall success by claiming second place in the end, propelled by a solid time trial result, a good second place finish in the road race, and a hard fought 3rd place finish in the final criterium.  After four days of racing, he was only 14 seconds out of first place overall.  Peter just missed getting into the top 3 spots on the podium for the final overall, but was able to come away from the weekend with success by winning both criteriums.  Matt and Peter's performance put the final stamp on the Mix1 45+ team's successful season which ultimately ended in winning the ACA Best All-around Team competition and Peter coming in second in the Best All-around Rider competition for the 45+ category.  The 45+ team is due some well-deserved down time for the remainder of the year as 2012 is just around the corner.

 Podium for the final stage with Peter taking the win and Matt in 3rd.   We apologize for Matt's belly sticking out!

 Podium from the road race with Matt taking 2nd overall and moving into the top 3 on GC.