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.

Santa Cruz Classic Criterium - 4th

4th Place !!

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.

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!

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!