Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Berkeley Hills RR - Podium!

Beth Newell - 3rd
The Berkeley Hills Road Race is a challenging 71 mile course in the East Bay that travels over the "3 Bears" a total of four times. Beth, Susannah, and Catherine were joined by 15 other P1/2 NorCal women for the event. Jane Despas from Yahoo! Cycling Team started the racing by rolling off the front for a 2 lap solo effort. By the last lap, she was caught and the front group was down to about 10 riders. Beth attacked and split the group before the final turn onto Bear Creek, bringing Webcor's Rebecca Werner and Anna Barensfeld with her along with two Metromint Riders. Rebecca's final surge up the finishing climb proved too strong and Beth finished 3rd. Congrats to Beth on another podium finish!

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Wente Vineyards Classic RR - WIN!

Susannah Breen - 1st
Beth Newell - 3rd
Susannah and Beth again joined forces for the Wente Vineyards Classic Road Race. The course is a 15 mile loop near the Altamont Pass, and the P1/2 women completed 4 laps for a total of 66 miles. On the 2nd lap, Susannah attacked from the base of the main climb and brought 3 riders with her, including Beth. The four riders rotated a bit together, but Beth and Susannah did the most work in an effort to stay away. The four were caught and re-absorbed into the pack and were content to ride the 3rd lap at a steady pace. Molly VH from Metromint was able to get a significant gap on the backside of the 3rd lap, forcing Beth to lead and rally the chase. Molly was caught with enough time for Beth to recover and Susannah attacked on the main climb again, bringing 6 other riders with her. Again Beth was right on the competitors wheel, ensuring Fremont Bank had 2 riders in the break. Marley Smith from Touchstone Climbing drove the pace for much of the final lap, and Susannah again attacked from the base of the climb holding off Webcor's Rebecca Werner. Beth rounded out the podium for 3rd. Congrats on a great team victory!