Ivy Ann Gets Her First W !!!!

It's an exciting day for me... a" proud mom". Ivy called me yesterday from Seattle to tell me she was the 2009 WA state Cat 4 Circuit Race Champion.

She said it was a 4 lap course will lots of little steep rollers...just what she likes. Field size was about 25 women. There were several attempts made to split up the field. Ivy said she chased several breaks down. The only break that stuck - was Ivy's. On lap three she attacked on one of the steep climbs and broke clean. One other rider bridged to her and they rode the last lap off the front.

It came down to a sprint and Ivy got her by about 20 meters.

Nice job Ivy!!!

I will post pictures as soon as i get some.

-Tamara

Fish Trail Criterium-State Championships

The only things I enjoy more than riding my bike are 2 foot powder days on fat tele boards, mexican food, a good Shiraz and watching bike racing. This weekend was off the hook with displays of incredible power, patience and wizard like tactics.

 

**Disclaimer** These are only my accounts and I have the attention span of a brook trout. - Scott L.

 Cat 1-2-3

 

Incredible race! Super fast! Josh Tack took a prem created a big gap with Seeley and were off the front. With these two away I knew right away this could stick. Then Brain Williams got a gap and Tamara yelled you got a gap go!!! I couldnt believe what I saw. Brain was able to bridge to Josh and Matt. Seriously one of the most impressive moves I have ever seen in Montana racing. Then the three worked together an were able to build to around 30 seconds and hold it lap after lap. The first time the peloton turned onto the finishing street and lost sight of the three you could just feel the dispair and the will being sucked from the field. Curry took charge for a few laps but was unable to make up any time. In fact the three speed up when they heard Curry had went to the front out of respect to his abilities. The sprint was out of hand. Brian Williams looked like Cavendish (seriously) bombing from 300 meters to take the victory. Seeley took second with Tack in third. Excellent race for NRO. 

Masters - 

This turned out to be an incredible race. At first, Eric Greenberg got off front and built a huge lead. I saw flashbacks to the Roubaix and seriously thought lights out, race over, how could you guys let him go? Then I realized there were some major players in the chase group. 4 out of 5 masters who will be competitive later in the 123 race. They gobbled up Greenberg in the nick of time and positioned for the sprint. John W. got into perfect position and with his sprinting prowess it was over 3 strokes in. Exciting race. Zellmer charged hard all race and Blair missed the break and was stuck doing all the work in his pack with no help and no chances of bridging. 

 

Women Cat 4

 

This was a fast race. Joey and Ivy displayed excellent racing tactics. It looked like anyone in the first break Ivy, Lynette, Anna, and Joey could pull off the win. All very strong women. Lynette coming off a very impressive Cow Country performance was most comfortable in the front and was riding very strong. Highlights include Ivy's flyer that built a significant lead and looked like it just might stick. It became evident no one was getting away and it came down to a drag race with Lynette taking it followed by Joey and Ivy. 1st through fourth were separated by 1 bike length!

 

Women Cat 1-2-3

 

I can't recall who won the first prem Geraldine or Tamara but I do know it was close and it created a huge gap that no one could answer. Tamara and Geraldine traded work and continued to put more and more time on the field. Lyndsay Campbell was enjoying the ride in the chase group not wanting to help the chase on her teammates and was seen waving to the crowd and eatin  M&M's. It was great to see the Prodigy back racing in Montana. Lisa again didn't have the team to ride back into the mix and you could see her frustration. People were on pins and needles- who saved the most matches for the sprint Geraldine or Tamara? Tamara rounded the last corner in the lead and started sprinting from the front. I saw that look on her face which always results in a W and her trademark sprint which would slay most men and easily took the win. Lyndsay Campell showed similar power -sprinting from the back of the chase pack 4 deep to take 3rd! 1-2-3! Nice work ladies.

 

Cat 4-5

 

This was awesome! It was so fast and it was the first 4-5 criterium I have been in that didn't have that accordian effect. The reason was the speed and the fact Big Bad Bryce was off the front within 5 seconds of the race. Jesse D. was able to bridge to Bryce without bringing anyone with him. Which should surprise no one given the size of his calves. Then the race was on for third. It was painful with constant headwinds and strong riding by the whole field. I saw my buddy Tyler creating a gap and thought about going with him and decided he was on a suicide mission alone in this wind and withdrew to the safety of my pack. That was the wrong decision. I know how strong Tyler is but to go solo into the wind and hold off the blood thirsty hound dogs as he did was incredible!! I remember leading the chase group when Jesse and Bryce came flying by lapping the entire field. It was like seeing a Hippopotomoose. My mind could not immediately comprehend what the hell just happened. These boy's earned their titles. The sprint came in mono a mono with JD taking the win ahead of bad Bryce and Tyler Smith taking third. Again 1-2-3 baby!!!

 

NRO nails it at the State Championship Fishtrails Criterium!

Here are a few pictures recapping the day's events.

Cow Country.....Halpin and Matty Ice!!

Halpins Report:

Cow Country Classic has always been one of those have to do races. The race is hard, long, windy and usually attracts the best of the best of Montana racers. I personally love this race because it is a test of true strength. Cow country was also one of my first road races and after quickly being dropped from the field Jason Hobson rode with me and gave me advice and helped get me to the finish line. The race was a learning experience and right then and there I decided I wanted to win that race some day. Well with a couple more years of experience and thanks to some new teammates I almost achieved my goal. I knew that the race was probably going to be between NRO, GAS, and Montana Velo. Sure enough when we hit the first hill and I put down the hurt the selection was made and less than ten of us were at the top of the climb. We rode steady for the next few rollers until we caught Brian Williams who had gone off the front solo.

Once we headed eastbound and had a tail wind I knew it was time to go. I made an acceleration and was solo for the next couple miles. Josh, Curry, and Gonzalez caught me and we worked together for the next section of the race. It was a hot, windy day without very much water and we were all feeling fatigued. On the last climb I was setting tempo and Curry jumped, Josh went with him but could not hang on so I caught Josh and we pace-lined to try and reel in Curry. Frank the tank sat on our wheels not working and when I went with 1k to go he stuck to my wheel and then came around me. I hung on for 3rd and Josh came in 4th. We nearly caught Curry on the finishing stretch but his gap was just enough. Gas retained their dominance of Montana road cycling. Hopefully NRO will be able to bring them down soon!

In the other races Matty Ice continued his dominance of the cat 4 field and Bryce was able to hold on for 3rd place. However the highly anticipated race was among the women. The ultimate work horse Linsey Corbin was able to do some serious work and make the race difficult. It came down to Linsey, Jen, and a Delphine rider. The Delphine rider took the win and Jen was 2nd and Linsey 3rd. Nice work to everyone that raced. See you at the races!

B. Halpin