Race Report: Merco Road Race
W 1,2,3
Teammates: Maura Kinsella
Place: Lauren 7th/62, Maura 58th/62
Merco is one of my favorite road races in California. The course is perfect: flat to rolling with a very interesting finish. After a short warm up I lined up next to Ina Teutenberg. After a short, goggly-eyed introduction, I tried to focus on the race.
There were several attacks on the first lap. A few things got away for a short time but nothing really stuck for long. My order of events is a little fuzzy so from here on most moments are in no particular order... Ina attacked the field and got of solo probably for about 20 minutes or so. Up until then I had been sitting in, hiding from the wind but saw the chance to open up my legs and test the field. I knew there was no way I was going to catch Ina as she was at least 20 seconds off the field (not to mention she is insanely strong). But, I decided to attack the field anyway to see if, by chance, they would let me try. No cheese. Now my legs were feeling opened up, though.
The rest of the race unfolded much like the first lap. Columbia and Tibco were making sure they knew who was where and if they knew the breaks were no threat they let them dangle for a bit. The Webcor gals had an AWESOME race. They attacked the field more than any other team and with only three riders. Unfortunately nothing stuck but they certainly kept it interesting.
The last lap came around and we were still grupo compacto. Again Webcor attacked like crazy which kept the pace up and the race safer (for the most part). I made sure to pay attention to the great sprinters in the field: Shelley Evans, Brooke Miller, Ina Teutenberg and more. I tried to hold a position in their near vicinity and most of the second half of the lap we all formed a little pocket in the sweet spot. Things got hectic as the lead-outs tried to get organized and every solo rider was fighting to join the party.
On the downhill into the left hand turn to the Merco feed zone hill, I made my move to get to the front. From that point it was on. I did the best I could to stay in the frontish end of the field and managed to do ok with the help of Lindsay Meyers (Webcor). Crossing the bridge I heard a crash behind me and had a feeling Maura was in it. Between the final left, then right hand turns I could tell the right side of the road (where I was) was getting jammed up. Just then I hear Ally Stacher (Webcor) yell from the left side and look over to see her blocking a space for me to squeeze by. I made it over with Lindsay’s help and sprinted like hell up the final hill. I made it over on the wheel of a Colavita rider who was on the wheel of a Touchstone rider. We sprinted seated and FINALLY hit the 200 meter sign. Those had to be 200 of the longest meters EVER. I didn’t have anything left to jump around the two girls ahead of me so we rolled in for 5th, 6th, and 7th behind Ina Teutenberg, Shelley Evans, Kelly Benjamin and Brooke Miller. Not a bad day considering those four names...
Unfortunately Maura was taken out from behind by a couple of riders on the bridge and broke her new Specialized frame and took a nice chunk out of her elbow. Luckily no bones were broken, though. She had an AWESOME race patrolling the front and maintaining great position throughout the day. This is going to be a very fun year!
--Lauren
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Merced Cycling Classic
Merced Cycling Classic
Crit: Women's 1/2
Place: 20th
This past weekend, my team and I went to Merced, CA for the Merced Stage Race. Ange, our token Aussie, came for support since she broke her wrist and is out for a few weekends of racing. Thankfully, the team opted out of doing the TTT on Friday due to school, work, and a very jetlagged Aus. So instead we headed out Saturday bright and early. On Saturday afternoon, we had a 6-corner, flat crit in the heart(if you can call it that) of Merced. HTC-Columbia was there, getting ready for Redlands, along with the other top dogs: TIBCO, Peanut Butter and Co, and Webcor. The race was fast, but not as excruciating as I had expected. In the 40 lap criterium, I attacked with 25 laps to go, not afraid to put my nose in the wind, and to see what kind of damage I could do. Not much. I was off the front for like half a lap and then was brought back by Evelyn Stevens (HTC-Columbia). I recovered well after that attack and so I decided to go for a prime at about lap 15. I was 2nd to the prime, outsprinted by TIBCOs Megan Guarnier. After that, I led at the front for half a lap and then slowly moved back. After this dig, it was harder to recover, feeling totally gassed. I kept good position, top third of the peloton for the rest of the time. There was massive carnage with 3 laps to go, completely stopping the field for about 15-20 minutes. We were off again, starting at 5 laps to go. It was really hard to go full gas again after stopping for so long. I wound up finishing top 20, still in the money, which was pretty cool in an 80-person field of the top women in the country and world.
Merced crit race report from Maura on the Bridge Team
Crit: Women's 1/2
Place: 20th
This past weekend, my team and I went to Merced, CA for the Merced Stage Race. Ange, our token Aussie, came for support since she broke her wrist and is out for a few weekends of racing. Thankfully, the team opted out of doing the TTT on Friday due to school, work, and a very jetlagged Aus. So instead we headed out Saturday bright and early. On Saturday afternoon, we had a 6-corner, flat crit in the heart(if you can call it that) of Merced. HTC-Columbia was there, getting ready for Redlands, along with the other top dogs: TIBCO, Peanut Butter and Co, and Webcor. The race was fast, but not as excruciating as I had expected. In the 40 lap criterium, I attacked with 25 laps to go, not afraid to put my nose in the wind, and to see what kind of damage I could do. Not much. I was off the front for like half a lap and then was brought back by Evelyn Stevens (HTC-Columbia). I recovered well after that attack and so I decided to go for a prime at about lap 15. I was 2nd to the prime, outsprinted by TIBCOs Megan Guarnier. After that, I led at the front for half a lap and then slowly moved back. After this dig, it was harder to recover, feeling totally gassed. I kept good position, top third of the peloton for the rest of the time. There was massive carnage with 3 laps to go, completely stopping the field for about 15-20 minutes. We were off again, starting at 5 laps to go. It was really hard to go full gas again after stopping for so long. I wound up finishing top 20, still in the money, which was pretty cool in an 80-person field of the top women in the country and world.
Merced crit race report from Maura on the Bridge Team
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Snelling Road Race
Race Report: Snelling Road Race
Womens 1,2
Teammates: Maura Kinsella
Place: Lauren – DNF, Maura – DNF
First road race of the season and we started in a mud pit. Literally. We started out carrying our bikes through the swamp back and forth to the road but eventually gave it up. The weather cleared up a bit for our afternoon wave but standing water remained throughout the course. Tibco brought almost their entire team, which made up a third of the preregistered women. About 45 women started for a total of 5 laps.
The neutral rollout was edgy and almost as soon as the moto took off the attacks began. Tibco had split into two “teams” and were going off the front in pairs. The field thinned out pretty quickly which left fewer places to hide. The tailwind section was very fast and was probably where most people were getting shelled. Unfortunately, at the beginning of the second lap Maura had a mechanical in this section and could not catch the group again despite her efforts.
The first three laps were all the same. Tibco attacked and kept the pace high. A few breaks formed but were caught and several times single riders got off for a few minutes. There were very few moments of real rest. On the first leg of the fourth lap the peloton kind of took a breather and then the fun really started. I was on the right side of the peloton on the edge of the road. The last thing I saw was a girl come from the middle of the pack straight out to the right. Next thing I new I was face down sliding through a big, dirty puddle (ok, really it was a pond). Luckily I escaped unbroken with some scrapes and golf ball for an elbow. The things I was probably most upset about were losing my glasses to the pond and tearing up my brand new arm warmers. Needless to say my race was over. While the day did not go quite as planned, it was good to get out racing again.
Womens 1,2
Teammates: Maura Kinsella
Place: Lauren – DNF, Maura – DNF
First road race of the season and we started in a mud pit. Literally. We started out carrying our bikes through the swamp back and forth to the road but eventually gave it up. The weather cleared up a bit for our afternoon wave but standing water remained throughout the course. Tibco brought almost their entire team, which made up a third of the preregistered women. About 45 women started for a total of 5 laps.
The neutral rollout was edgy and almost as soon as the moto took off the attacks began. Tibco had split into two “teams” and were going off the front in pairs. The field thinned out pretty quickly which left fewer places to hide. The tailwind section was very fast and was probably where most people were getting shelled. Unfortunately, at the beginning of the second lap Maura had a mechanical in this section and could not catch the group again despite her efforts.
The first three laps were all the same. Tibco attacked and kept the pace high. A few breaks formed but were caught and several times single riders got off for a few minutes. There were very few moments of real rest. On the first leg of the fourth lap the peloton kind of took a breather and then the fun really started. I was on the right side of the peloton on the edge of the road. The last thing I saw was a girl come from the middle of the pack straight out to the right. Next thing I new I was face down sliding through a big, dirty puddle (ok, really it was a pond). Luckily I escaped unbroken with some scrapes and golf ball for an elbow. The things I was probably most upset about were losing my glasses to the pond and tearing up my brand new arm warmers. Needless to say my race was over. While the day did not go quite as planned, it was good to get out racing again.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Berkeley Hills TTT Race Report
Berkeley Hills TTT Race Report
Place: 3rd, Women's 1/2
Lauren and I ventured to Berkeley to compete in our first real TTT together. Unfortunately, neither of us was feeling too hot after a long, brutal Training Camp. While warming up, I could tell that I wasn’t going to be able to bring much to the table with a perceived exertion much higher than normal and legs feeling like concrete-jello.
Before the start, we kept telling ourselves that we were going to push really hard only on the second half. But… I was on my new, beautiful Leopard TT bike and got excited, jumping ahead, and completely throwing off any rhythm. Throughout the race, we quickly realized that as little legs as I had, Lauren had even less (which never happens).
We wound up finishing third out of four teams in the Women’s 1,2… which was clearly all due to our huge disadvantage of not wearing TT helmets!
Next time we’ll have our rhythm so BEWARE.
Tata,
Maura
Place: 3rd, Women's 1/2
Lauren and I ventured to Berkeley to compete in our first real TTT together. Unfortunately, neither of us was feeling too hot after a long, brutal Training Camp. While warming up, I could tell that I wasn’t going to be able to bring much to the table with a perceived exertion much higher than normal and legs feeling like concrete-jello.
Before the start, we kept telling ourselves that we were going to push really hard only on the second half. But… I was on my new, beautiful Leopard TT bike and got excited, jumping ahead, and completely throwing off any rhythm. Throughout the race, we quickly realized that as little legs as I had, Lauren had even less (which never happens).
We wound up finishing third out of four teams in the Women’s 1,2… which was clearly all due to our huge disadvantage of not wearing TT helmets!
Next time we’ll have our rhythm so BEWARE.
Tata,
Maura
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Cherry Pie 2/7
Race Report: Cherry Pie Criterium
2/7/10 2:10pm
Women’s Pro 1,2,3/35+
Teammates: Maura Kinsella, Lindsay Meyers (Webcor Builders)
Place: Lauren – 2/35, Maura – 11/35, Lindsay - 9/35
It was like the weather knew this was the first race of the year. We had a bright, sunny day with temperatures in the high 50’s. Perfect racing conditions. There was a slight head wind on the second half of the course. We arrived VERY early and watched Coach Dan kick butt in the 45+ Masters race. We warmed up in the sunshine and then headed to the start, leg-warmerless and arm-warmerless, showing off our winter white legs.
We started with about 35 women (plus some masters). The first lap was relatively uneventful as everyone checked out the course. Then the fun started. Tibco came with four riders and spent most of the race attacking the field, trying to get off in pairs. While there were several groups that could have put some time into the field, nothing stuck. I made every effort to follow all attacks that included Tibco or any other rider that I knew could hold off the field. A little over half-way through the race, a Specialized rider made a great attack and immediately gapped the field considerably. Tibco let her dangle out there but I knew if anyone could stay out in the wind it was her so Lindsay and I tried to jump start a chase. Several times, Tibco tried to bridge but either myself or another rider were all over it. Eventually the attacks were enough to close the gap and we brought her back. Then there was 5 to go and I was sure there would be a bunch kick for the finish.
Tibco set up on the front with three to go and I was close behind. A crash around the 180 turn at the top of the hill with one to go put a small gap in the field. I crossed it and got back into position with Lindsay’s help. We made the last two turns and the final leg of the lead-out took off. I watched Brooke and as soon as she launched I did as well. Unfortunately, I didn’t maintain as good a position as I should have and had to sprint around the lead-out rider. Brooked maintained a 5 bike length gap on me and took first. I crossed in second the sound of the announcer saying, “...some Webcor jersey”. Even though I was gassed I let out a laugh. That’s my secret code name from now on... “some Webcor jersey”. It was a fun race (with an even more fun prize) and great to see fellow women in green (and Sport Velo red). I’m looking forward to a great season!
2/7/10 2:10pm
Women’s Pro 1,2,3/35+
Teammates: Maura Kinsella, Lindsay Meyers (Webcor Builders)
Place: Lauren – 2/35, Maura – 11/35, Lindsay - 9/35
It was like the weather knew this was the first race of the year. We had a bright, sunny day with temperatures in the high 50’s. Perfect racing conditions. There was a slight head wind on the second half of the course. We arrived VERY early and watched Coach Dan kick butt in the 45+ Masters race. We warmed up in the sunshine and then headed to the start, leg-warmerless and arm-warmerless, showing off our winter white legs.
We started with about 35 women (plus some masters). The first lap was relatively uneventful as everyone checked out the course. Then the fun started. Tibco came with four riders and spent most of the race attacking the field, trying to get off in pairs. While there were several groups that could have put some time into the field, nothing stuck. I made every effort to follow all attacks that included Tibco or any other rider that I knew could hold off the field. A little over half-way through the race, a Specialized rider made a great attack and immediately gapped the field considerably. Tibco let her dangle out there but I knew if anyone could stay out in the wind it was her so Lindsay and I tried to jump start a chase. Several times, Tibco tried to bridge but either myself or another rider were all over it. Eventually the attacks were enough to close the gap and we brought her back. Then there was 5 to go and I was sure there would be a bunch kick for the finish.
Tibco set up on the front with three to go and I was close behind. A crash around the 180 turn at the top of the hill with one to go put a small gap in the field. I crossed it and got back into position with Lindsay’s help. We made the last two turns and the final leg of the lead-out took off. I watched Brooke and as soon as she launched I did as well. Unfortunately, I didn’t maintain as good a position as I should have and had to sprint around the lead-out rider. Brooked maintained a 5 bike length gap on me and took first. I crossed in second the sound of the announcer saying, “...some Webcor jersey”. Even though I was gassed I let out a laugh. That’s my secret code name from now on... “some Webcor jersey”. It was a fun race (with an even more fun prize) and great to see fellow women in green (and Sport Velo red). I’m looking forward to a great season!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
2010 Webcor Alto Velo Bridge Team p/b SportVelo
In its drive to support elite level women’s racing, the Alto Velo Racing Club is proud to present the Webcor Alto Velo Bridge Team presented by SportVelo for the second straight year. The “Bridge Team”, as it is called by those close to the program, was set up to help young women riders interested in progressing from regional-level races to races on the US National Racing Calendar (NRC.)
The inaugural year was extremely successful by any program’s standards, with outstanding performances from all riders. The team capped a successful season with several end-of-season wins, including the Berkeley Criterium, Colavita Criterium, Spring Hill Road Race, and a third place podium spot at the U23 National Criterium Championships. In addition to strong individual performances, the “Bridge Team” was 5th overall in the NCNCA Women’s Elite 1/2 Best Area Team competition.
For 2010 the team has a mix of new and returning riders on the roster. Lauren Hecht (23 Menlo Park, Ca) is returning in her 4th year on Webcor Alto Velo. Lauren will be riding in Europe this spring and return to the US to improve upon her 3rd place Criterium finish at the 2009 U23 Nationals.
Santa Clara Freshman Maura Kinsella (19 Webster, MO) is joining the team to race her first year in the senior ranks. Maura is an accomplished junior with outstanding results from 2009 US Junior National Championship which include a 3rd in the criterium, 5th in the time trial, and 6th in the road race. In addition to her strong performance at nationals, Maura had several wins and podiums in the Elite 3/4 and junior ranks while racing in Missouri.
Ange McClure (19, Adelaide, AUS) will be joining the team in the spring from Australia where she is an aspiring pro cyclist and full time student. The Bridge Team is excited for Ange to join the team as the first “international” member to participate in the program. Ange is finishing up the summer racing season in Australia and turned in an impressive performance at Australian U23 nationals 5th place finish in the RR
The “Bridge” program is funded by Webcor Alto Velo and SportVelo, which are committed to helping women riders of all abilities develop their racing skills. A major focus of the Bridge Team is to enable riders advancing through USA Cycling categories to participate, race and train with the Bridge Team once they upgrade to Elite 3 racing category. This program is open to all women club members, who are encouraged to contact the Team Director (Dan Smith - dan@sportvelo.com ) to learn more about coaching and racing opportunities. The Bridge Team continues to recruit Elite level riders interested in joining a focused program that offers race and travel subsidies to qualified team members.
The inaugural year was extremely successful by any program’s standards, with outstanding performances from all riders. The team capped a successful season with several end-of-season wins, including the Berkeley Criterium, Colavita Criterium, Spring Hill Road Race, and a third place podium spot at the U23 National Criterium Championships. In addition to strong individual performances, the “Bridge Team” was 5th overall in the NCNCA Women’s Elite 1/2 Best Area Team competition.
For 2010 the team has a mix of new and returning riders on the roster. Lauren Hecht (23 Menlo Park, Ca) is returning in her 4th year on Webcor Alto Velo. Lauren will be riding in Europe this spring and return to the US to improve upon her 3rd place Criterium finish at the 2009 U23 Nationals.
Santa Clara Freshman Maura Kinsella (19 Webster, MO) is joining the team to race her first year in the senior ranks. Maura is an accomplished junior with outstanding results from 2009 US Junior National Championship which include a 3rd in the criterium, 5th in the time trial, and 6th in the road race. In addition to her strong performance at nationals, Maura had several wins and podiums in the Elite 3/4 and junior ranks while racing in Missouri.
Ange McClure (19, Adelaide, AUS) will be joining the team in the spring from Australia where she is an aspiring pro cyclist and full time student. The Bridge Team is excited for Ange to join the team as the first “international” member to participate in the program. Ange is finishing up the summer racing season in Australia and turned in an impressive performance at Australian U23 nationals 5th place finish in the RR
The “Bridge” program is funded by Webcor Alto Velo and SportVelo, which are committed to helping women riders of all abilities develop their racing skills. A major focus of the Bridge Team is to enable riders advancing through USA Cycling categories to participate, race and train with the Bridge Team once they upgrade to Elite 3 racing category. This program is open to all women club members, who are encouraged to contact the Team Director (Dan Smith - dan@sportvelo.com ) to learn more about coaching and racing opportunities. The Bridge Team continues to recruit Elite level riders interested in joining a focused program that offers race and travel subsidies to qualified team members.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Reports for Cal Cup 2009 Road Races
Reports for Cal Cup 2009 Road Races
Hello! Hello! This was my first year at racing the Cal Cup and it was a blast! I did only the road races due to my work schedule. Annie Fulton raced all of them with me. Lauren did Dunnigan Hill and covered most of the crits and she did amazing! For a few of these events, we were lucky to have Katheryn racing with us and mentoring us. It is such a great race series. They were very challenging races, mainly at the end of the season! Tough courses, harsh weather condition, and very strong women fields. At the beginning of August, I was in good shape after Cascade Classic, though my legs were for sure fatigue in the last few stages. For the overall Cal Cup: I placed 3rd overall (Women 1-2), Lauren Hecht finished 10th and Annie Fulton 17th.
Woohoo!
Patterson Pass Road Race
Women 1-2, Katheryn Curi-Mattis, Annie Fulton, et moi.
The race started at a strong steady pace up the first climb. Katheryn was at the front leading us up the hill and occasionally standing up and doing some acceleration. Mid- way through the hill only a few of us were still with Katheryn and the rest of the group was behind climbing. 2/3 into the hill going to the last steepest section, Katheryn stand up and started accelerating further. None of us could keep up and she dropped us. I watched her going up the final steep portion, hoping that she would slow down and wait for us at the top or regroup on the descent. No way, she was gone and she was going to race the next 66 miles by herself. So, within 5 miles into the race, we had a little break of 5 women (2 Touchstone, 2 Wells Fargo and me) going. Katheryn was up the front and we were chasing. Though, she was out of sight. Mid way through the first lap the peloton caught us, but up Patterson for the second time, our little break reformed. Jane Robertson and Jane Despas rode with us for a while, but flat tires and lack of water made them abandon the race break. Five miles into the last lap, there was Olivia Dilon, Susannah Breen and I in a break, the main peloton was far behind us (like more than 6 minute apparently) and the motorcycle informed us that Katheryn was 3.5 min in front of us. We kept our good pace going. About 3 mile before the finish, Olivia attacked, while Susannah was fishing a gel out of her pocket. I had just taken a long pull up the front in the head wind. I couldn’t accelerate fast enough to get on her wheel. So she went. Susannah and I rode the rest toward the finish. Just before the finishing zigzag, I jumped, took the 2 corners as fast as I could and started the sprint. Total screwed up! I thought the sprint was right there at the first blue tent, but no, it was about 300m away at the last blue tent. Susannah sprinted for the 3rd place and I finished 4th. Yes, I know, next time I will make sure where the finish line exactly is!
Dunningan Hill NO hill
Women 1-2, Lauren Hetch, Annie Fulton et moi.
There were about 30 women in our field. Well Fargo and Touchstone teams were well represented. This race is in Yolo, 30 minutes from my house: so Sweet! I had heard the course would be somewhat flat despite the name for this race. Lol!
Our race start was about 45 minutes delayed. No too long after the neutral start, there were many attacks. No one could get away because of crazy strong omni-directional winds. The pace was fast through the rollers. Lauren, Annie and I took turn to bring back (and help chasing) the attacks. After the first over pass, after many attacks and counter attacks a break succeeded to get away (Stacey Sims and Mary Maroon from Vanderkitten). Lauren, Annie and I formed a pace line and started chasing the break. I then got into a small break after someone in the peloton made an attack. Soon after, while passing by the route to the finish, an official yelled at our small chase group to make a right turn. Which we did, mistakenly. None of us had done the race before. We went up the overpass towards the finish and realized what was going on: while the main field was passing us on the road below, going forward in the right direction. At that point, several girls dropped out. Marley Smith (Whole Food Market Team) and I worked together and time trialed very hard to get back to the main field. The wind was very strong, but we met them back at about 2 miles after the start line. That was a hard effort and I burned many matches there. We continued to roll with the main field. An official notified us that the initial break (Stacey & Mary) had also made the wrong turn and had dropped out of the race. On the last laps the wind was still strong and it was very hot. Water was rare and became a delusion! A few women had mechanicals and flat tires and dropped out. About 5 miles before the second feed zone there was a few attacks and a group of 4 women got away (Olivia Dillon, Heather Pryor, Jane Robertson, Jane Despas and Amy Chandos). I made it with this lead group initially, but got dropped with 2 others (Marley, Laurel green (Bici)). We pacelined spinning so looking forward to see the end of this race: exhausted, overheated and dehydrated. Completely out of water with about 12 miles to go. Laurel flatted a few miles before the finish. There was no other women in sight behind or in front of Marley and I. Within 500 meter of the finish line, i.e. on the uphill of the overpass, I attacked, but she sprinted by me on the downhill sprint. I was worried that this was going to happen! I finished 7th. Lauren and Annie were not too far behind, finishing 13th and 14th.
University Circuit Race
Women1-2, Katheryn Curi-Mattis, Annie Fulton et moi.
It was a 42-mile race on a 3-mile circuit. Basically, a 1.5 mile downhill and 1.5 mile climb, great course! On the 3rd lap of the race, at the beginning of the climb, Allison Stern attacked. Olivia Dillon and I jump on the occasion and we all got away. We maintained that break for the remaining of the race. We worked well together and we gained about 2 minutes on the rest of the field and maintain our gap. Two laps before the end of the race Allison and Olivia started attacking the break. We all regrouped in the descent of the last lap. Going up the hill for the last time Olivia attacked and took the win, following by Allison and then me. I finished 3rd. Annie finished 10th.
Thank you Dan and Lauren for the cheers and the feed!!
Winters Road Race
Women pro 1-2, Katheryn Curi-Mattis, Annie Fulton et moi.
The race started at an easy pace. Katheryn (as she had planned and informed me at the start line) attacked the first time up the hill, I jumped with her, but my legs felt awful (AWEFUL), 4 other women got away with her (Jane Despas, Jerika Hutchingson, Davis bike club and Tibco). The rest of us coasted up the hill and all the way, through the first lap. The second lap we rode it at a steady pace, 2 women from the break fell back with us (Tibco’s). There were about 10 of us riding a paceline. Annie Fulton really pushed the speed up the hill. On the third lap, I continued at a steady pace through the feed zone (we had made an agreement to keep the feed zone neutral so everyone could get a bottle of water. It’s was a baking 115F out there, woa!). I grabbed 1 bottle and after the feed zone, I looked back and I was alone. Somehow, I could not see the remainder of the field! I continue to go up the hill and down the descent solo. BTW, up the hill was the Davis bike Club women who had been dropped from the break due to a mechanical. She was on middle of the road fixing her bike with 5 dudes. I almost ran into them. Anyway, I continued solo, not too sure how I was doing, but at least every time I looked back I could see no one, down the hill, on the flat portion of the course... Suddenly, at the horizon, in front of me, appeared Jane Despas. I passed her, but she caught my wheel. She said she was cramping and couldn’t do any work. So, I just continue to go. Really, she was the one I had to beat to improve my Cal Cup standing. After a few miles, she was still there behind me. So I asked her to help a bit with the work, she rode in front of me, stretch out her hamstring and slowed down. I went back up front and continued riding. I was starting to get tired and slowing down, I think. I again looked back and she went up the front for a bit. But that that time, disaster, I could see the main peloton coming up behind us. There was nothing I could do. They rode by, Annie was riding at the front, I sat back in for a few miles. Jane Despas did the same. Up the last roller, Jerika attacked strong. I tried really hard to go with her, but I couldn’t. She went away by herself and finished 2nd. Then, about 3 miles before the finish, Emily Kachorek (Wells Fargo) jumped and I went with her. We were unfortunately accompanied of Jane Despas, Jane Robertson and Kimberly Fong. At 200m to go, we started the sprint. Jane Robertson won, followed by Jane Despas and I. I therefore finished 4th. Tough race. Katheryn won. Annie finished 10th.
Challenge Road Race
Women 1-2-3, Annie Fulton et moi.
A small field of 10 women started the race. Apparently, we were going to gain 3000 ft of altitude every lap. Top altitude was 7000 ft. It was a race by attrition. Great technical bumpy downhills and long uphills. Annie Fulton raced super strong and made the first lap very difficult for every one to complete. Many women dropped after the first lap. At the feed zone of the second lap, I was in the lead group with Jane Despas, Laura Fenech and Erin Moeschler. We were barely spinning, everyone looked burned out. I was an up hill sprint, I had checked the finish before the start of the race (lesson learned from Patterson and Dunnigan, right!!), and I had a few visual markers. At 300 meters, I jumped and started sprinting. Yes, I know, kinda early, but I was hoping to surprise them, and to get a gap (my only way to win the race probably, defying the better sprinters!). I had kind of a second wind and after the jump, my legs felt great for about 225 meters… Then, all of sudden I thought I was going to pass out, I started seeing stars... saw Jane… and then Erin, riding pass me and then the finish line. I finished 3rd and Annie finished 5th. This was my last race for this season! I think I need a break!! This was a great season! Thanks for reading.
Hello! Hello! This was my first year at racing the Cal Cup and it was a blast! I did only the road races due to my work schedule. Annie Fulton raced all of them with me. Lauren did Dunnigan Hill and covered most of the crits and she did amazing! For a few of these events, we were lucky to have Katheryn racing with us and mentoring us. It is such a great race series. They were very challenging races, mainly at the end of the season! Tough courses, harsh weather condition, and very strong women fields. At the beginning of August, I was in good shape after Cascade Classic, though my legs were for sure fatigue in the last few stages. For the overall Cal Cup: I placed 3rd overall (Women 1-2), Lauren Hecht finished 10th and Annie Fulton 17th.
Woohoo!
Patterson Pass Road Race
Women 1-2, Katheryn Curi-Mattis, Annie Fulton, et moi.
The race started at a strong steady pace up the first climb. Katheryn was at the front leading us up the hill and occasionally standing up and doing some acceleration. Mid- way through the hill only a few of us were still with Katheryn and the rest of the group was behind climbing. 2/3 into the hill going to the last steepest section, Katheryn stand up and started accelerating further. None of us could keep up and she dropped us. I watched her going up the final steep portion, hoping that she would slow down and wait for us at the top or regroup on the descent. No way, she was gone and she was going to race the next 66 miles by herself. So, within 5 miles into the race, we had a little break of 5 women (2 Touchstone, 2 Wells Fargo and me) going. Katheryn was up the front and we were chasing. Though, she was out of sight. Mid way through the first lap the peloton caught us, but up Patterson for the second time, our little break reformed. Jane Robertson and Jane Despas rode with us for a while, but flat tires and lack of water made them abandon the race break. Five miles into the last lap, there was Olivia Dilon, Susannah Breen and I in a break, the main peloton was far behind us (like more than 6 minute apparently) and the motorcycle informed us that Katheryn was 3.5 min in front of us. We kept our good pace going. About 3 mile before the finish, Olivia attacked, while Susannah was fishing a gel out of her pocket. I had just taken a long pull up the front in the head wind. I couldn’t accelerate fast enough to get on her wheel. So she went. Susannah and I rode the rest toward the finish. Just before the finishing zigzag, I jumped, took the 2 corners as fast as I could and started the sprint. Total screwed up! I thought the sprint was right there at the first blue tent, but no, it was about 300m away at the last blue tent. Susannah sprinted for the 3rd place and I finished 4th. Yes, I know, next time I will make sure where the finish line exactly is!
Dunningan Hill NO hill
Women 1-2, Lauren Hetch, Annie Fulton et moi.
There were about 30 women in our field. Well Fargo and Touchstone teams were well represented. This race is in Yolo, 30 minutes from my house: so Sweet! I had heard the course would be somewhat flat despite the name for this race. Lol!
Our race start was about 45 minutes delayed. No too long after the neutral start, there were many attacks. No one could get away because of crazy strong omni-directional winds. The pace was fast through the rollers. Lauren, Annie and I took turn to bring back (and help chasing) the attacks. After the first over pass, after many attacks and counter attacks a break succeeded to get away (Stacey Sims and Mary Maroon from Vanderkitten). Lauren, Annie and I formed a pace line and started chasing the break. I then got into a small break after someone in the peloton made an attack. Soon after, while passing by the route to the finish, an official yelled at our small chase group to make a right turn. Which we did, mistakenly. None of us had done the race before. We went up the overpass towards the finish and realized what was going on: while the main field was passing us on the road below, going forward in the right direction. At that point, several girls dropped out. Marley Smith (Whole Food Market Team) and I worked together and time trialed very hard to get back to the main field. The wind was very strong, but we met them back at about 2 miles after the start line. That was a hard effort and I burned many matches there. We continued to roll with the main field. An official notified us that the initial break (Stacey & Mary) had also made the wrong turn and had dropped out of the race. On the last laps the wind was still strong and it was very hot. Water was rare and became a delusion! A few women had mechanicals and flat tires and dropped out. About 5 miles before the second feed zone there was a few attacks and a group of 4 women got away (Olivia Dillon, Heather Pryor, Jane Robertson, Jane Despas and Amy Chandos). I made it with this lead group initially, but got dropped with 2 others (Marley, Laurel green (Bici)). We pacelined spinning so looking forward to see the end of this race: exhausted, overheated and dehydrated. Completely out of water with about 12 miles to go. Laurel flatted a few miles before the finish. There was no other women in sight behind or in front of Marley and I. Within 500 meter of the finish line, i.e. on the uphill of the overpass, I attacked, but she sprinted by me on the downhill sprint. I was worried that this was going to happen! I finished 7th. Lauren and Annie were not too far behind, finishing 13th and 14th.
University Circuit Race
Women1-2, Katheryn Curi-Mattis, Annie Fulton et moi.
It was a 42-mile race on a 3-mile circuit. Basically, a 1.5 mile downhill and 1.5 mile climb, great course! On the 3rd lap of the race, at the beginning of the climb, Allison Stern attacked. Olivia Dillon and I jump on the occasion and we all got away. We maintained that break for the remaining of the race. We worked well together and we gained about 2 minutes on the rest of the field and maintain our gap. Two laps before the end of the race Allison and Olivia started attacking the break. We all regrouped in the descent of the last lap. Going up the hill for the last time Olivia attacked and took the win, following by Allison and then me. I finished 3rd. Annie finished 10th.
Thank you Dan and Lauren for the cheers and the feed!!
Winters Road Race
Women pro 1-2, Katheryn Curi-Mattis, Annie Fulton et moi.
The race started at an easy pace. Katheryn (as she had planned and informed me at the start line) attacked the first time up the hill, I jumped with her, but my legs felt awful (AWEFUL), 4 other women got away with her (Jane Despas, Jerika Hutchingson, Davis bike club and Tibco). The rest of us coasted up the hill and all the way, through the first lap. The second lap we rode it at a steady pace, 2 women from the break fell back with us (Tibco’s). There were about 10 of us riding a paceline. Annie Fulton really pushed the speed up the hill. On the third lap, I continued at a steady pace through the feed zone (we had made an agreement to keep the feed zone neutral so everyone could get a bottle of water. It’s was a baking 115F out there, woa!). I grabbed 1 bottle and after the feed zone, I looked back and I was alone. Somehow, I could not see the remainder of the field! I continue to go up the hill and down the descent solo. BTW, up the hill was the Davis bike Club women who had been dropped from the break due to a mechanical. She was on middle of the road fixing her bike with 5 dudes. I almost ran into them. Anyway, I continued solo, not too sure how I was doing, but at least every time I looked back I could see no one, down the hill, on the flat portion of the course... Suddenly, at the horizon, in front of me, appeared Jane Despas. I passed her, but she caught my wheel. She said she was cramping and couldn’t do any work. So, I just continue to go. Really, she was the one I had to beat to improve my Cal Cup standing. After a few miles, she was still there behind me. So I asked her to help a bit with the work, she rode in front of me, stretch out her hamstring and slowed down. I went back up front and continued riding. I was starting to get tired and slowing down, I think. I again looked back and she went up the front for a bit. But that that time, disaster, I could see the main peloton coming up behind us. There was nothing I could do. They rode by, Annie was riding at the front, I sat back in for a few miles. Jane Despas did the same. Up the last roller, Jerika attacked strong. I tried really hard to go with her, but I couldn’t. She went away by herself and finished 2nd. Then, about 3 miles before the finish, Emily Kachorek (Wells Fargo) jumped and I went with her. We were unfortunately accompanied of Jane Despas, Jane Robertson and Kimberly Fong. At 200m to go, we started the sprint. Jane Robertson won, followed by Jane Despas and I. I therefore finished 4th. Tough race. Katheryn won. Annie finished 10th.
Challenge Road Race
Women 1-2-3, Annie Fulton et moi.
A small field of 10 women started the race. Apparently, we were going to gain 3000 ft of altitude every lap. Top altitude was 7000 ft. It was a race by attrition. Great technical bumpy downhills and long uphills. Annie Fulton raced super strong and made the first lap very difficult for every one to complete. Many women dropped after the first lap. At the feed zone of the second lap, I was in the lead group with Jane Despas, Laura Fenech and Erin Moeschler. We were barely spinning, everyone looked burned out. I was an up hill sprint, I had checked the finish before the start of the race (lesson learned from Patterson and Dunnigan, right!!), and I had a few visual markers. At 300 meters, I jumped and started sprinting. Yes, I know, kinda early, but I was hoping to surprise them, and to get a gap (my only way to win the race probably, defying the better sprinters!). I had kind of a second wind and after the jump, my legs felt great for about 225 meters… Then, all of sudden I thought I was going to pass out, I started seeing stars... saw Jane… and then Erin, riding pass me and then the finish line. I finished 3rd and Annie finished 5th. This was my last race for this season! I think I need a break!! This was a great season! Thanks for reading.
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