May 21 - Ronde Van Brisbeen, Brisbane
Race website & results
Pro/1/2 report    Master 35+ category 4 report    Elite 5 report

Photos of the Pro/1/2 race by Chris Patterson

Matt Dubberley (McGuire-Langdale) takes the win	Andy Jacques-Maynes (Webcor Builders) was second	Gregor Mraz (Club One/Pmax) was fifth ahead of Matt Willinger (RHVilla.com)

More photos: PK Photography / Squadra Ovest

Pro/1/2 race report by Tim Larkin, Kodak Gallery/Sierra Nevada Professional Cycling Team

After racing one May race in a cold rain, a race called the Ronde van Brisbeen conjured images of another cold hard day. Thankfully, it appears that summer has finally arrived for good although a nice strong sea breeze along with a deceptively tough course would ensure a tough, competitive race. I was without any of my Kodak Gallery/Sierra Nevada teammates as they were off competing on the other side of the country along with most of the other local professionals who tend to fill a lot of the typical Northern California races.

The other two professionals who had shown up were also unable to make the cross country trip and were looking for some good hard racing to prepare for the upcoming USPRO championships in Philadelphia. The remainder of the deep field was a strong collection of local amateur teams and individuals.

Lombardi Sports had the largest team and tried to control things in the early going, but attacks on the climb primarily by Andy Jacques-Maynes (Webcor Builders), Matt Dubberley (McGuire-Langdale) and myself eventually formed a group of 10 after about five or six laps. Despite further attacks, the group didn't split any more but left the remainder of the field too far behind to contend for the win.

My race took a turn for the worse when at five to go, I cramped on the hill. I was able to stay with the group but had to ride conservatively the rest of the way to avoid further cramping. Matt put in a timely attack near the bottom of the descent on the last lap and got a 10 second lead heading into the hill.

Andy appeared to be the only one left strong enough to potentially bring him back but didn't get any help on the final climb and appeared worried about towing the four or five riders left in contention to the line. Matt rode strongly up the climb and stayed clear for a well deserved win.

Andy led out the sprint from about 200 meters to go and held it all the way to the line for second place. I latched on to his wheel but didn't have the strength to challenge him and ended up third. Chris Greene (California Giant) and Gregor Mraz (Club One/Pmax) came in a strong fourth and fifth.

Master 35+ category 4 race photos by Chris Swan

Dave Schaefer (Pen Velo) takes the win	The 35+ cat 4 pack heads down the hill

Master 35+ category 4 report by Erik Salander, Peninsula Velo

Sixty-six starters lined up for the 35+ category 4 race at Ronde Van Brisbeen. Many teams were represented by 3-5 starters such as: EMC/Documentum, Webcor/Alto Velo Racing, Berkeley Bicycle Club and
host club Cycle Sports/Trumer Pils. But Peninsula Velo had the numbers in their favor with eight strong starters, including Mike Lampe, fresh off a podium finish at Cat's Hill just two weeks ago.

The pace was steady and fast for the whole race. On the first prime, Chin Chao (Cycle Sports/Trumer Pils) jumped away from the field and won handily. Chin then dropped back and let the pack gather him up on
the descent.

There were many breakaway attempts in the middle of the race, as the pack was stretched thin while rolling over the top of the hill. But none of the breakaway attempts succeeded. The Pen Velo team was using their numbers to keep the pace high.

With three laps to go, Chin Chao and another rider took off to contest a prime. Chin won the prime and this time the two riders tried to stay away from the pack. The breakaway still had 100 meters on the bell lap. Then Mike Lampe went to the front and worked hard on the descent to pull back the break for Pen Velo. After Mike, Murray Swanson (Pen Velo) pulled through to further close the gap. Then a number of other riders went around, including Eric Peterson (unattached) and Dave Schaefer (Pen Velo). In the final 100m, those two riders were clear from the others and Dave Schaefer outkicked Eric Peterson to get his first victory.

Elite 5 report by Graeme Macalister

On a gloriously sunny day, it was an 8.00 AM start for the Elite men's Cat 5 race. The dramatic change in weather (from rain earlier in the week), meant that the expected strong headwind on the ascent of S. Hill drive, had turned in to a five mph tailwind. This was my first circuit race, and having not done any crits either, I was a little apprehensive. As if sensing this, the race officials eased the pre-race tension by making fun of a few riders ill-placed numbers and before the nervous laughter had faded, the start whistle sent everyone scrambling down the descent.

The first lap of the 1.7 mile loop, allowed us to get used to the left turn on the descent of Valley Drive, and the more critical right, at the bottom of the descent onto S. Hill Drive. Everybody seemed to take this corner with caution; this caused the 'slinky effect', as riders at the rear (including myself) panicked and felt obliged to sprint just to get back on to the tail of the group.

On the climb the pack calmed down; everybody found their climbing rhythm and had a chance to survey the competition. A few teams had two or three riders represented, notably; Peninsula Velo, Team Z and Webcor but I knew this was going to be every man for himself. I was having no real difficulty, and so I was content to watch proceedings from the back of the pack. I anticipated any accelerations, so I did not feel any danger of being dropped .

As we began the second lap a predictable pattern emerged . With a healthy 23 mph average speed, a few guys were getting dropped on the climb, but it was pretty much, 'gruppo compacto'. I had decided (since I have more of a diesel engine) to hope my legs would start to feel twitchy in the latter part of the race, and when the race official announced ,"four laps to go!" it seemed pretty clear it was going to end in a bunch sprint.

When we were greeted with the bell for the final lap, I knew it was time to make a move if I wanted to place in the top ten; which was my goal. We were now whittled down to a group of twenty or so and I had to almost sprint to come up on the left, to take the lead on the descent. I heard a shout of encouragement from my friend Ben Lyon (unattached), who thought I was making an attack. A Webcor rider must have thought the same thing ,because he was quickly on me and cut through on the left turn. I suddenly thought we could maybe work together, since the pack was a little hesitant to react. However he slowed ,and the headwind - which was getting stronger - caused me to give up any heroics. As if to remind me of this, the pack swallowed us up like a black hole and I found myself near the back again.

One more time around the sharp right-hander onto S. Hill Drive and the electricity began to crackle as the pace on the final climb hit over-drive. Just as I saw Ben was in a good position (around fifth or sixth), I realised that I had no chance of contesting the sprint at the front. I was now focused on getting up as high as I could in the overall placings.

With 200m to go, Matt Allie (unattached) gave it everything he had to get away. He told us afterwards that he couldn't sprint and that an attack was his only chance. This caused the lead group to splinter - but six guys held on to his wheel. I had managed to rush by ten or so riders, but I had used everything left in the tank trying to hold on to the lead group. As we approached the finish line, only Chris Swan (Peninsula Velo/Kondra Systems) had the strength to leap off the front and won the sprint convincingly. Ben held on to a fifth place which got him his first podium spot. I was happy to come in 10th.

Time to break out the 'leffe'!

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