Sunday, April 24, 2011

Copperopolis RR - Podium!

Susannah Breen - 2nd
Beth Newell - 3rd
The Copperopolis Road Race is a Velo-Promo spring classic for NorCal racers. Held in Milton, Ca the course is a 21 mile loop that includes two significant climbs and a fair amount of bad pavement. Beth and Susannah were joined by 15 other P1/2 women, including a handful of Metromint and Webcor/SportVelo riders. Despite both riders efforts to split the group on the main climb over the first two laps, many of their competitors were not interested in working together and the group stayed mostly intact for the first 40 miles. Susannah got a rear flat on the 2nd lap, but was quickly back in the group due to the excellent follow-car support (thanks Rob Van Houweling and Michael Hernandez). Beth attacked at the beginning of the third lap and the group let her go. She held her gap for most of the main climb where she was joined by Susannah and Webcor's Rebecca Werner. Susannah took over the pace-making and the 3 riders went clear of the others and quickly built up a minute gap. Unfortunately, Beth suffered a bit of cramping and dropped off. Susannah and Rebecca continued to share the workload and Rebecca jumped first and was able to hold her gap for the win, Susannah 2nd, and Beth stayed clear of all the other women for 3rd. Thanks to Lynne Lamoureux of Podium Insight for the great pictures.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Chico Stage Race - Podium!

Beth Newell - 2nd
Beth raced in Chico, California over the weekend with a group of cat2/3 women. Despite the smaller field, Beth started the road race by constantly attacking the group but was unable to get away. Metromint had the most riders in the field and they kept everything under control. The course contains a 4 mile gravel section that the group hit together and unfortunately Beth lost some time, as the other women charged ahead. However, she was able to catch most of them by the finish, ending up 1:20 behind first place.
Sunday morning in the TT, Beth won by 50 seconds - making up valuable time going into the afternoon criterium. Beth needed 36 seconds to win the overall, so she started attacking early to try to get away. Metromint responded each time to protect their riders overall placing, until finally Beth got a good gap with one of their riders. Despite only a small gap, Beth was committed and the other rider was also looking to move up a spot in the overall so they worked well together. Unfortunately with only 1.5 laps to go, Beth overlapped wheels and went down. Thankfully, she wasn't hurt and finished the crit, her 2nd place GC finish intact.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Bariani Road Race - 5th

Amy Chandos - 5th
Amy was joined by Tanja, Francesca, and Susannah for the Bariani Road Race, held in Zamora, Ca. Almost 50 P1/2/3 women started the race, and with windy conditions many of the larger teams were not willing to set pace. Susannah kept the pace high on the first lap and attacked a few times as well but it seemed like none of the other teams wanted to spend time off the front. Unfortunately, Tanja was caught up in a crash on the first lap and spent the entire race chasing down riders. Amy put in some good attacks, but was only able to take one rider with her each time and was eventually chased down. Francesca stayed near the front and followed wheels, while Susannah continued to set the pace so that Amy could get ready for the final sprint, where she ended up 5th. Congrats on a great weekend of racing for Amy!