Matt Gates takes National Criterium title in mens 40-44 race

On a day that featured many sprint finishes, the men’s 40-44 criterium was decided by a well-timed attack and tremendous endurance to hold it through the finish line. Matthew Gates(Lyons, Colo./Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers Cycling Team) launched the final attack of a race that was very animated with several attacks. Gates broke free from the field with 10 laps remaining and steadily grew his advantage to just under 20 seconds before coasting to victory.

“I've been racing on and off since I was a junior,” Gates, who also earned that group’s Best All-Around Rider, said. “It's only taken me 24 years to win a jersey. I can't say enough about my teammates. They set it up. When I had six, seven or eight to go, I thought there was no way this would stick. They called 15 or 20 with three to go and all of a sudden it started to sink in and the pain went away a little bit. It is still sinking in.”

Gates won the criterium, placed fourth in the time trial and sixth in the road race.

Jim Thies goes for the win!

Firestone:  This was a new race this year and the guys arrived with 4 riders (CJ, Jim, Chad and Josh), to find an interesting course, with lots of corners and some wind.  After the warm up, the plan was to get Jim into a break as this was the kind of race he could win.  Chad attacked right from the gun, dropped the one guy he was with, and really set the tone for the whole race.  We had the largest team and we used it to our advantage.

Once Chad came back Jim attacked, got a good gap and eventually 2 other guys bridged up.  It was a bit too early and that move also came back.  There was a lot of attacking and counter attacking, but eventually the rubber band snapped with Josh and Jim making a 4 man split.  CJ and Chad controlled the field, eventually letting one guy get across, which sealed the fate of the break, as they rode away.

The break rode steady as a group until 2 to go.  We were the only team with 2 guys in the 5 man break, so we had an advantage.  After two to go Jim attacked solo, no one responded, and Josh sat on the other guys in the break away, to remove any incentive for them to chase.  The plan worked perfectly, Jim rode solo to a great win, and Josh just got pipped at the line from the rest of the break, but took 3rd.  CJ cleaned up the rest of the field winning the field sprint for 6th.

Chad on front
Photo by Dejan Smaic

Jim take the win!
Photo by Dejan Smaic

Jim and Josh on Podium
Photo by Dejan Smaic

Next Day Longmont criterium.

The field for Longmont was much larger and stronger than the day before.  The 35 plus guys had won this race the last 2 years, both in a field sprint, so they came ready to race, but again with a small team of 4 guys (CJ, Jim, Josh and Matt Segur).  The plan was for Jim to be aggressive, but to save Josh for the expected field sprint. Boulder Ortho and Groove had large teams and rode aggressive.

About 25 minutes in a small move formed with Jim and Matt in it, eventually the field tired and a break emerged for the second day in a row, with our team again the only team with 2 guys in the break.  Also up there was past national champion Byron Nix from Grove, time trial rider Todd Robertson, and all around strong man Keith Harper from BoulderOrtho, another past national champion.

Just like the day before the break did not mess around, they all rode well together and with the 3 main teams well represented, the field did not have a lot of reason to chase.  Matt Segur attacked later in a bid to draw out the other break riders, but at one to go they were all together.  The race was decided on the uphill into the last corner, where Harper jumped first and held on for a clean win by a few bike lengths, Jim took second, and Matt 4th.  Josh took 7th overall and CJ 9th.  Against a good field it was a good day, with 4 guys in the top 9.  It was also a great weekend for Jim, who is a tireless worker for others on the team, and we were all happy with his 1st and 2nd places for the weekend.

Stages donates power meter to raise $ for Colorado High School Cycling League

This is a really cool, Stages gave us a power meter, the guys The Pro's Closet are auctioning it for free, and 100% of the money raised goes to the Colorado High School Cycling League. We do not know too many sponsors doing this. Please bid on it if you need a power meter. AND PLEASE SHARE THIS POST! Thanks.

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NEW Stages Power Rival Crank Arm // 172.5 ANT+ Bluetooth Road Sram Force Red

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NEW Stages Power Rival Crank Arm // 172.5 ANT+ Bluetooth Road Sram Force Red in Sporting Goods, Cycling, Bicycle Components & Parts | 

35+ Louisville Crit April 2013

The guys came to race this event as it is really the kick off of the masters season for all teams.  We had a strong group of 7 riders to match up with a big group from Boulder Orthopedics and much improved teams from Rally Sport, and Grove Subaru.  The race has been won in a break the last few years, so the guys knew what needed to get done.  The race went off the line single file for a while, with heavy pressure being applied by Boulder Orthopedics.  Jim, Tory and CJ clipped in at the front and covered things.  The guys took turns covering the early moves, Matt S. covered a good looking break with local strongman Michael Gibson from BO.  When that came back Brad from Rally Sport attacked solo, got a gap and he rolled it.  CJ covered the move for our team, along with Byron from Grove and Grant from BO.  As is often the case the breaks that go are not the strongest, but the right combination, and this break had one rider from each of the 4 main teams.

The break took about 10 minutes and established it's lead, with all 4 teams back in the field controlling things and hoping their man could win.  The break had total cooperation, with even pulls and no attacks, with also helps lead to success.  CJ knew he was out gunned in the break, but rode smart and did just enough to not make anyone mad, while he waited for the Calvary to arrive.

Sure enough there was a slowing in the field and Matt Gates sensed it, attacked solo, got a clean gap, and rode solo across to the break over 30 laps, a 25 second gap.  CJ was sure happy to see Matt as RMCC was not the only team with 2 guys in the break.  It also put much more pressure now on the other 3 teams back in the field as they were at a disadvantage.  The group all kept working until the end and everyone was happy to sprint it out.  With one to go CJ put in a last attack, then when caught he pulled the entire last lap to the bottom of the hill, then pulled over and let Matt Gates take it from there.  Matt rode a smart sprint up the hill, as it is a very long developing sprint, where he rode Grant's wheel for a long time, and then easily came by him for the win.  It was a great team effort with Matt taking the win, CJ in 5th, and Josh in 7th.  2013 should be a fun year in the 35 plus field with more balanced teams and great racing.

45+ 1,2,3 Weld County RR

The RMCC 45 squad lined up with five riders.  Peter Ismert, Adam Asnes, Marcel Van Garderen, Matt Vawter, and Pete Lucke.  The team was racing against stacked teams from Rally Sport, Boulder Orthopedics, and a new team, Brookfield Homes.  50 miles awaited the racers and fireworks started the first time traversing the one dirt road.  After the first 15 miles, a lone rider from Brookfield broke away solo from the peloton.  He was able to stay away for another 15 miles before RMCC put 4 riders on the front to bring back the breakaway rider.  Once the field was all back together, everyone started positioning themselves for the finale.  But, with 10 k to go, Peter Ismert was able to bridge up to a small group who slipped off the front with a 10 second gap.  This was a good move for the team and RMCC helped to control the front to allow the break to widen it's gap.  However, with about 8 k to go, the break was closed down.  With a straight run in to the finish, a slight crosswind, and the yellow line rule in effect, the finish was going to be chaotic.  RMCC was able to have it's riders at or near the front to contest the final sprint.  In the end, Pete Lucke was able to open up the sprint really early which allowed for Adam to mark any riders trying to come across.  Unfortunately for Pete, he got passed in the closing meters and finished 4th.  Fortunately, Adam made the second move and finished a strong 2nd being passed at the line by sprinter extraordinaire, Jeff Ofsanko from Rally Sport.  Peter Ismert finished in 11th place after much work.  Both Matt and Marcel road in support for the entire race and kudos go out to both of them for the teamwork.  Although the team didn't get the win it did have a good day out on the road.  Next up will be Federal Center and Deer Trail.

Pete Lucke looking serious! Photo by Dejan Smaic

Bill Kellagher (winner) & Steve Matous (8th) Weld County RR 4-20-13

Photo by Dejan Smaic

Peter Ismert on podium (3rd) Louisville crit April 2013

Our sponsor Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers

Our Sponsor: Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers, https://rockymountaincancercenters.com/

Too often we as master bike racers get caught up in our equipment sponsors, who is gives us a discount on gear or some other ego related aspect of our sport. We are fortunate however to have a sponsor that means so much more than that to all of us, our community, our families and friends. 

We have all been touched by cancer if not directly then with someone close to us. The pain, fear of the unknown, learning to live with constant Dr. appointments and often very invasive and expensive treatments can be overwhelming and traumatic not only for the patient but family, friends and care givers.

Speaking from direct experience, my father died from cancer but was a patient at the Boulder Rocky Mountain Cancer Center for many years, I can tell you this group of doctors, their supporting staff and all the people involved made a difference.  They were understanding but direct and honest in their dealings with us. They provided support on an emotional level, with great medicine, kind words and always a smile.

The facility was welcoming and never felt institutional. Drug therapies can be tiresome and make you feel like a pin cushion but somehow the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center in Boulder, with its great windows facing our mountains, good sunlight and a relaxed atmosphere made it all bearable.

While we hope you never have to go through a battle with cancer if you do think of these folks. They have many centers throughout the front range and we can vouch for their expertise and warmth.

We are proud to represent them in our sport and look forward to wearing their colors for many years to come.

Matt Gates Winning 35+ Frostbite TT 2013

Matt Gates riding well at Frostbite TT for 1st

Photo by Dejan Smaic Near Carr, Colorado. March 2, 2013.
Gallery Link: http://www.sportifimages.com/RoadRacing2013/Frostbite-TT/Frostbite-TT