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February 11 - Cherry Pie Criterium
Race info
Pictures:
Ronald Mariano
Tim Brennan, Service Course Images
Mark A. Adkison, Ph.D, Hors Categorie Photography
Sarah Bamberger and Family
Video:
Damian Gonzalez, XPMultimedia.com, Pacific State Bank/Anderson Homes Racing Team
News coverage:
Napa Valley Register
Reports:
Elite Men's race by Michael Hernandez, Safeway Team Cycling
Women's race by Michael Hernandez, Safeway Team Cycling
short shot of geezer juice
Report by Michael Hernandez
I really don't like Cherry Pie (s#$@ metal bands excluded, of course).
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With only da'PAB, Pasconator, and me on the start line ... i knew we were going to be in for a world of hurt. And, sho'nuff ~ off the front went an early break that looked doomed for us. Spine had 3 in it, a Disco's Nolan and Laberge, leaneyReaney of the Giant Starburries, SteveGargantuous of StanleyMorgan, and EMC's Nat Parks.
That pretty much sucked for us.
So, we took turns smashing the pack in the face with hard accelerations or long pulls. I was not having a good time. Luckily there were lots of dudes willing to put a stake in the break and the gap was finally covered.
ick.
For the duration of the race, there would be strong hits from many different riders. I can't tell you how uncomfortable I was. These #$%*@#*!#(obscene gerund...) Geezer squads are super organized and entirely too motivated to train and whoop on each other. In the end, Laberge won it with a fair bit of class. He's pert near unbeatable in that sprint unless he throws his hands up too early ;)
Michael Hernandez
Women's Cherry Pie
Report by Michael Hernandez
... i think i'll just repeat that in my mind a couple times...
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The promoters decided to run an open women's event for the Cherry Pie crit. It's not a decision I'm in favor of, but ... when you do all the work to put on a race, you get to decide how it's run. I just have to wonder at the mentality, though. Category 4 guys who are 45+ scream and complain that they shouldn't be forced to race with some former-pro 50 year-old.
And yet, we ask total newbie cat 4 women to jump into, arguably, one of the harder crits on the circuit, and fight it out against current professional riders.
Right on ... do what you think is best. demographics n' all.
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Photo by Michael Hernandez © 2007
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Anyway, the racing was intense. The initial laps saw 3 groups forge together: the lead pack of Professionals and some of NorCal's elite, and two chase groups of strong NorCal hotties who worked damn hard to coordinate and stay out front of that lead pack for as long as they could.
Fighting it out for the win were about 10 Colavita riders and a handful of Cheerwine, PROMAN, ValueAct, Aaron's, and individuals like Tibco's Brooke Miller and Velo Bella's Mary Maroon. Colavita would send rider after rider on the attack, but not in a very organized or efficient manner.
For example, the first few laps saw Alysha Powers thundering off the front in a huge solo effort. But on a course with as much wind and climbing on it, a solo rider against a fresh field is sheer folly. The pack split chasing duties between the teams and individuals, either making pace or launching accelerations up the hill, always keeping Powers within spitting distance.
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Photo by Michael Hernandez © 2007
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As the race progressed, more attacks would go off the front - but Colavita would never really commit to making a break stick, often times shutting down moves one would think might have suited them well. The hum of the crowd tilted towards the thought that Colavita would be relying on their Goliath of a sprinter, Tina Pic, to win it straight up. Sound reasoning, usually.
But, David wears baby blue nowadays. In the final lap, Colavita kept the pace high and the leadout was a country mile long. Rider after rider would burn off the pace, stretching the field thin as they powered towards the long finishing climb. Far down the hill, Brooke Miller in Tibco's distinctive kit, with her unmistakable form, could be seen launching away from the leadout to start her sprint.
Cherry Pie is a fitness sprint - and Miller is showing to have superior fitness as we approach the NRC openers. Her slightly higher, more open body position on the bike was clearly noticable versus the traditional field sprinting form of Colavita's Pic - hunched low over her bars, even while her hands on the tops pulled harder and harder in search of that few more ounces of torque.
It was a close sprint between the new Tibco rider and the decorated veteran from Colavita. I couldn't help but leave the race with the impression that a team riding in a one-dimensional fashion, even with a superstar sprinter like Pic, is flirting with danger.
But, that's what February bike racing is for ... figuring it all out.
well, that and the wine.
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Photo by Michael Hernandez © 2007
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Michael Hernandez
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