Land Park Criterium

Amy Chandos - 4th

Despite a constant drizzle, Amy raced Land Park Criterium on Saturday with about 25 other P1/2/3 women. Although she raced solo, Amy kept out of trouble and finished 4th. Congrats Amy!

Merco Credit Union Cycling Classic

Beth Newell - 8th GC

The 2011 Merco Cycling Classic included 4 stages over 4 days, all located around Merced, Ca and was an incredibly well run event by first year promoter TopSport Cycling. With almost 45 cat1/2 women starting the event and riders like HTC-Highroad's Ina Yoko-Teutenberg racing, Beth and Susannah would be competing against some of the best female racers in the nation. Thursday started well for the women at the MID Road Race, with beautiful warm weather and a hilly course Susannah and Beth stayed with the front group. Susannah finished 8th on the day just 32 seconds from 1st place and Beth wasn't far behind in 16th.

Friday, the Individual Time Trial was held on a 12 mile course with rolling terrain and both riders knew that the GC would be changing after this event. Unfortunately, Susannah flatted in the final 4k and was given the last riders time. Luckily, Beth had a fantastic ride finishing 8th on the day and also taking over 8th on the GC.

 

Saturday was the Downtown Grand Prix, 30 laps over a P-shaped course with a 180 degree turn 400 meters from the finish. Despite a lack of enthusiasm for the hair-pin turn, Beth and Susannah agreed that downtown Merced knows how to put on a bike race! Live music, a beer garden, and lots of cheering fans made the course fun and it was also fast.....Beth and Susannah were happy to finish and maintain Beth's placing heading into the final stage.

Sunday was the Almond Blossom Road Race, a 72 mile rolling course with a wickedly fast finish. The good weather had come to an end and the entire race was rain-soaked. Despite numerous break attempts by various teams, eventually it became obvious that the stage would come down to a sprint. Beth stayed out of trouble without loosing any time while Susannah was happy to finish. Congrats to Beth on a top-10 in her first major stage race!

Snelling Road Race

Beth and Susannah met up for this early season event held near Snelling, Ca last weekend. This would be the ladies first race together and they were up against an entire Tibco/To the Top Women's Professional Cycling Team not to mention numerous other NorCal strong-women. Despite other teams having 4-6 riders, Beth and Susannah were active during the entire race, testing their fitness. Both escaped into early breaks with lots of potential, but Tibco had full control and they waited until 1.5 laps to go before getting Erinne Willock solo off the front for the eventual win. With no other teams willing to chase, it was obvious that Tibco would also be setting up a leadout train for the sprint. Susannah attacked  just before 1km mark, and the pack reshuffled a bit and Beth looked to be in good position amidst the Tibco riders. Unfortunately, the final sprint didn't end as planned and both Beth and Susannah ended up just out of the top-10. Not to worry, the girls knew it was just a warm-up for this weekends Merco Stage Race!

Pine Flat RR - WIN!

1st & 4th Places !!





Cantua Creek RR - WIN!

1st Place !!

Cantua Creek Road Race is held near Coalinga, Ca and despite predictions of cold and rainy conditions, the event was dry and even a little sunny.

Bicycles Plus Early Bird Criterium - WIN!

Elizabeth Newell - 1st

She did it again! Beth scored another win for Fremont Bank Cycling Team over the weekend and we all know she is just getting started. Beth was among a strong group of women, many racing solo, that traveled to Folsom, Ca for the early season criterium. Touchstone Climbing had a strong team that started the racing off with some coordinated attacks - but with solo riders like Mary Maroon, Ruth Winder, and Beth nothing was able to stay away as the group continually chased down any break away attempts. In the final lap, Maroon and Winder had a slight gap on the field, but Beth's patience payed off and once the duo was in striking distance Beth closed the gap and then attacked again, jumping out of the final turn and unleashing her incredible sprint for another victory. Congrats on another win! Next up - the women will be racing in the Central Valley over the next few weekends.

Cherry Pie Criterium - 7th

Amy Chandos - 7th

Amy raced solo at Cherry Pie and was ready for the challenge of racing against some of NorCal's best female riders, showing exactly why we are so excited about having her on the team for 2011. Despite Webcor, Metromint, and Vanderkitten having more riders - none of the teams seemed to take control of the race. Strong efforts by solo riders kept most of the attacks under control except for a solo break driven by a Swiss rider, Pascale Schnider, who would eventually win. Amy maintained her good position in the pack and allowed the bigger teams to lead the chase of Schnider. Amy finished 7th, and was pleased with her race for such an early season event.