NorCal Cycling News – Cycling and Racing in Northern California

While we write up our full opinions, prognostications, and analysis of this weekends events here are a couple of quick hits, and updates, from our helpful community of racers.

Early Bird
Joe F. checked in with this quick update. “Nate of the front, pack chased, Nate was faster than pack..Nate won.” I am assuming this refer’s to Nate English who has been attacking every Early Bird like it’s his last race of the season. Nice to see English pull in a win for the Yahoo’s and prove there is more to the English than just climbing, Team Raleigh, and fish and chips.

CCCX #2
Vince Owen’s took the men’s race and Jennie Phillips won the P123, though apparently the combined Women’s 123 and Masters 35+ women’s race was won by Michele Heaton. One of the interesting things is how women’s endurance often improves with age. Even on the men’s side the age groupers were in control this week at CCCX. http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog/cycling-coaching/greater-endurance-with-aging/P>

Colin Samaan and Beth Newell won their respective P/1/2 races in Folsom this weekend. Only update we got was that Mary Maroon sprinted and won the bell lap (1 to go), but recovered enough to manage second for the actual final lap. We’ve all done it at one point right?

Valley of the Sun
Craig Nunes of ArtsCyclery.com/Wild Horse Wine managed 3rd in the GC after the crit which is always a wild hairy affair. Van Houweling successfully defended her top GC spot to win the whole shebang for Metromint Cycling. Michael Jasinski of Fremont Bank Cycling got a huge result for the Fremont Bank Cycling team,in the Cat 2 division with a 4th place finish, only 19 seconds behind the winner. The women’s race was chock full of NorCal riders who rode well including Despas, Robertson, and Kachorek.

Logan Loader placed second in the crit showing his form, and that he is definitely ready for the big show and. Liza Rachetto’s Primal – Map My Ride team won the crit but a strong NorCal showing included Despas (3rd), Drigo (5th), Myers (7th), Rising (9th), and Robertson (10th). Overall strong showing for NorCal contingent at this early season slug fest.