3/2/2013 spring fling criterium

Saturday's spring fling criterium in Lawrence, KS.  March 2, 2013. 

 

Anita Gonzalez

Abby Olson

Art and Armando

Brendan

Missy

John Finnegan

Well, the news must have gotten out!  March 2nd's Spring Fling Criterium had more riders, in some fields, twice as many riders.  The day started cold - 22 degrees.  Our riders were in good spirits.  

 

The men's masters 35+ saw Art Mathisen, Armando Paralta, Zach Owen, and Brendan Sheehan.  Despite hardwork at the front, numerous attacks and excellent position we came away with no points in this race.  Competition was fierce.  

 

The next race was the women's category 4 race.  The ladies road courageously.  Missy Holstead and Anita Gonzalez rode well but garnered no points.  

 

The juniors stepped up next.  Despite freezing temperatures, they were in high spirits.  John Finnegan and Abby Olson took 2nd and 3rd place respectively.  Great job!  

 

Next was the men's category 4/5 race.  The host team, GP Velotek controlled the race with five riders at the front of the field.  Art Mathisen and Armando Peralta rode strongly at the front of the field as did Zach Owen.  We tried attacks which were brought back.  Armando did take top ten in the final sprint; however, places were only to top eight.  

 

The men's five race saw improvement by every racer on our team.  James Lee won the first sprint.  He caught a "flyer" - that's a rider who has leapt off the front of the pack.  The rider had over a 30 yard lead.  James chased him down, rode his wheel and won the sprint.  He also finished strongly on the final lap to take 5th overall!  Great job by all the category 5 men including:  Matt Doolan, Alex Ardussi, Mike Miller, Bill Cole, Gene Lamb, and Roger Harrison.  

 

There will be no criterium at Clinton Lake March 9th.  Instead there will be road races at Lake Perry, Kansas and Columbia, Missouri on March 10th.  

 

Shawn Morelli raced for our team on Sunday, March 3rd at the Perry Lake Road Race.  This is a cool event.  The race consists of a five mile circuit that Shawn rode five times.  The circuit has a long steep climb, followed by a crosswind section on a damn, followed by rolling hills and then back to the long climb.  Shawn won the climb on the "Queen of the Mountains Lap".  She led the entire race, but lacked the strength on the final climb.  Shawn took second on the final lap.  

 

Special thanks to Roger Harrison for supporting our team with a heater, encouragement and photos.