January 21 - Cal Aggie Criterium, Davis
Race website

Elite 3/4 report by Ted Brooks    Pro/1/2/3 and Master's 35+ report by Michael Hernandez

Elite 3/4 report by Ted Brooks, Mako-Galaxy Granola Racing Team

The first crits of the season certainly dodged the rain, but not the wet pavement which probably helped take down at least a couple riders in the back technical turns - including one snapped-in-two frame. Add a couple hinges, and that could be a great commuter bike.

The event was very well-attended, so much so that field limits were increased and overflow fields were created for the 4/5 Elite. It looks like many racers have been enjoying training hard in our relatively dry winter - at least in comparison to last year's storms.

I did more than one event, the fastest being the Elite 3/4 race. We averaged 25.5 mph, with peak speeds of 33.5, and a max heart-rate of 173 (according to my computers, reading my 49 year-old body). The race started out pretty quick from the start, with everyone ready to begin the 2006 season in great condition. I was hoping to find a few more turkey-bellies left over from the holidays that would be easily dropped, but there weren't many to be found.

Several breaks were attempted, none survived very long. It was around 50 degrees or so and everyone was happy to work hard to stay warm. Every lap found a hard sprint out of the technical corners in the back and that really began to take its toll later in the race. There were a few teams there with enough support to try working together, but still the field was too strong and unwilling to let anyone get away.

Finally, the bell lap is on and there are many desperate attempts to position for the finish. Down through the last hairpin corner and the sprint begins very early. Several go off full-power here and we all do our best to keep on the wheels in front. It comes down to a massive, beautiful full field sprint to the finish - I get boxed in, then get a little window,\ and drive as hard as I can. I end up taking 18th, which I was happy for, all things considered.

Land Park is a great place to race and this event was a great treat to have so early in the season.

Pro/1/2/3 and Master's 35+ report by Michael Hernandez, SAFEWAY/GA Communications

The tale of two juniors ...
a couple u-23's ...
a bunch of college kids ...
and, geeze i'm getting old.

Men Pro,1,2,3

Robert Pasco (SAFEWAY/GA Comm) stirs up the 35+ race Photo by Soni Poulsen

Conditions - dampy mcSnot-cicles in the morning ... but, it cleared up later in the afternoon.

A very, very aggressive field of around 50 - 60 riders lined up for the elite event (note: i was lucky enough to get to watch all the races up to the p1/2/3 race; every field out there on Saturday was top notch). After a solid 20 minutes of attack, counter-attack ... a move of 7 riders pulled out of the pack and kept a 30 second gap for the remaining hour of racing.

The group rotated well with every rider pulling as they could. The winning break consisted of a 15-year old Davis Bike Club rider, Trevor - a junior rider from Spine, a young rider from Lombardi I've seen at many, many races, a calAgg college rider (uber strong pulls), Mike Brown (old n' crotchety like me), and an EMC rider who also doubled up his training by riding bull-style in the 35+ crit before he hopped into the p1/2/3 meat grinder.

Straight up and please take notice - the junior riders who made the winning break at the Cal Aggie were strong, well-disciplined, smart, and good-natured riders. It was an absolute pleasure riding with them and I speak for all who were there when we applaud their courage to ride hard in a 40 minute breakaway at an elite crit. Impressive it was to see how they attacked in the final moments of the race. These young riders were fearless in their attempts to win the race and generous in their spirit of good-sportsmanship. Accept my congratulations on a fantastic day's work. [similar-like: only great things to say about the level of competition at this year's Cal Aggie criteriums ... in all fields. It was very, very good racing out there ... and it's only Jan. 21st ... yikes, I'm gonna get dropped. The officiating was strong (even with an old-generation camera), the registration guys were cheerful and energetic, and there were TONS of porto-potties ... thanks, Davis folks - good event.]

Trevor from Spine was especially strong in his pulls at the front of the race (... better said would be that this kid was pulling his eyeballs out to keep our break up the road. What a little horse. Big potential.). But, it was the young winner from the Davis Bike Club who had the coolest head and rolled out the smoothest attack of the day. His counter attack at 500m, the last of 2 laps' bloody warfare amongst the break, was an inspired effort. We in the break stalled to see who would be the first to chase ... but, we weren't bluffing. That kid just flat out got in the last word. A very cool victory.

All of the riders in the break on Saturday were committed and rode freely. But, it is always refreshing to see young riders riding so ... professionally. Not in an "oh, I've got the license now" sort of way ... I'm talking about the friendly confidence and quiet strength of character that truely defines a professional athlete. These two young guys were showing that kind of potential.

And then there were the masters

Definitely a 'wag of the finger' to anyone who rides like a chump or breaks any rules.

Chump who breaks rules = me, le oops.

I went on the attack in the masters race for the final 2.5 laps and ran out of gas (big-time) in the final meters. At about 20 meters to the line, the pack snatched me up and was about to spit me out the back ... when, my hang-dog head turned right and I was pleased as punch to see that the first and second placed riders were none other than my black-ulous dressed compatriots, Jeff the Poulsenator and Michael "don't complain to me, I'm not your" Ma.

Jeff Poulsen and Michael Ma (SAFEWAY/GA Comm) finish one-two Photo by Soni Poulsen

The one-two SAFEWAY/GA Comm combo shot shivers down my cord and sent reverse-like jolts up my arm, erupting in clebratory glee. I got protested against for applauding my 'mates victory and for what the protester apparently termed, 'sitting up in the sprint.'

Hmm... 2.5 laps is an awful long sprint to hold. I'll try better next time.

But, what I did do wrong was stray from my line in the final 10 meters. As the very cool Morgan Stanley rider who was inhibited said, "well, it didn't allow anyone to overtake me, but I couldn't advance, either."

True enough - I told the ref's I was more than happy to take any relegation they wanted and there'd be no hard feelings at all. They had no problem with the sprint and told me I looked goofy anyway. I mean, cm'on ... a buck-skinny schmo, shivering in his over-sized district champy skinsuit, raising up his hand in salute to his teammates' awesome ride is something to get so bent out of shape about?

c'est la vie.
hernando

(yeah, so it's January - this was a damn good race)

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