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  • SRAM’s Amazing 2009

    Posted on December 9th, 2009 squadra 1 comment

    We wish our sponsor SRAM an even better 2010!

    SRAM ROAD Newsletter Season 09_Page_1
    SRAM ROAD Newsletter Season 09_Page_2

  • Tuesday Night Track Racing

    Posted on July 18th, 2009 squadra No comments

    Javier reports from the track in SoCal

    Race: TNR
    Field: 7 teams of 2 riders each
    Events: 2 Madisons. First was 60 laps, second was 50 laps with sprints
    every 10 in both races
    Teammates: Brett (1st race) and in 2nd race we both had to change
    partners. I rode with a former body builder with the nickname “The
    Hulk”.
    Placing: 5th in both events

    socal_track

    First Madison was insane. The teams were a bit stacked and they
    included the pairing of Sean Watkins and Mike McMan, who won Masters
    Nat’s in the Madison last year. Shaun Wallace paired with Erick
    Hollenbeck and the rest of the teams were somewhat even. I was having
    a hard time getting my legs going and was suffering a bit in the
    sprints. Brett right before the start took a spill, or more of a
    tumble I should say. He got a nice gash on his forehead, but was okay
    to race. About 20 laps into the race we missed a crucial split and
    spent the next 25 laps chasing back on. With about 15 to go we decided
    to get lapped and context some points that way as we were spending too
    much energy and not closing more than 1/3 of a lap. We got some points
    and managed to finish 5th.

    Second madison was a bit less crazy but more aggresive when it came to
    handling. My partner attacked on lap 3 and I quickly told him not to
    do that again. He didn’t listen and attacked later on. We missed the
    timing on our exchanges and I ended up having to sprint in them,
    which was not a good idea as I didn’t have the snap. We did earn a few
    points here and there, however the other teams were consistently
    winning sprints.

    Not sure why my form is so lacking after having some good recent
    weeks. Could be a combination of having had a week off, stress of
    being at work and recently getting diagnosed with acid reflux, which
    seems to only come out during intense physical activity. I see lots
    of Pepcid AC in my near future.

    I believe Brett and his teammate won the 2nd Madison. He got to ride
    with one of the National Champions.

  • Nevada City Classic – P/1/2

    Posted on June 22nd, 2009 squadra 2 comments

    Teammates: Just me (Angelo)
    Field: About 150
    Place: Don’t ask :-)

    Lance beat me.

    Actually, he and many others crushed me. It was insane how fast the Nevada City Classic was this year. I’ve done this race previously as a cat 3 and it was super-tough. Upgrade the category and add some of the best riders in the world and it gets a bit tougher…

    I didn’t really plan on racing it this year, but when Lance, Levi and Horner announced that they were going to race it I changed my mind. Now I can say that I raced Lance. Even though it was short lived for me, I can still say it. Of ~150 starters, maybe 30-40 finished…most of which were lapped by Armstrong.

    Even the neutral lap seemed to be a race to move up. Here’s a shot of me and Lance hammering it out on the climb: (Click on this to enlarge it and see that it really is me – ha!)
    He utilized his call up to get great position for the start…the announcer couldn’t pronounce my last name and failed to call me up to the front.

    I did get some fame (joke coming up courtesy of my teammate Jan):

    “Look at the two guys in the background. The one guy is proud of his picture that he just took of Angelo, the other is texting his 10 friends about how Angelo is doing…”

    This must be the part of the race where I was putting the hammer down on Armstrong because I’m in the big ring and climbing the steep pitch (the camera angle doesn’t give it justice.)

    Anyway, it was awesome out there this year. The “Lance Factor” created a HUGE crowd that was totally into it. I felt very pro climbing and descending with that many people out watching. I was even asked for my autograph by a young kid before the race started…look for it on Ebay.

    1st place: Lance Armstrong
    2nd place: Ben Jaques-Maynes
    3rd place: Levi Leipheimer

  • 5th Place in The Pro/1/2 Modesto Road Race

    Posted on May 21st, 2009 admin No comments

    Modesto Road Race
    Pro/1/2 Field: 30
    Teammates: Carmi on his lonesome
    Place: 5th

    Here’s the report from Carmi…

    “The course reminded me a lot of Texas; flat and hot. We had to do 8 laps on the 9-mile course consisting of a bunch of corners, it was actually a lot of fun. About two laps in 3 UC Davis guys go off with a couple of other people and looked pretty promising, but eventually Clif Bar and Webcor brought it back after a couple laps. The next lap just consisted of people recovering and there were a couple attacks but
    nothing serious. With 3 laps to go I saw a break go up the road that had a Davis, Clif Bar and a cal giant guy who all had teammates, there’s also a fellow loner Godspeed courier who eventually fell off. I decided to bridge up before they got to far up the road and managed to get up to them by myself. We instantly started rotating evenly and smoothly (I really like racing the p12s) and eventually a Reno
    Wheelman and a Rocknasium guy bridged up and helped with the work. We managed to keep a 30-45 second gap over a 3 man chase group and worked our way up to over 2 min over the main field. With 1k to go the Reno Wheelman attacked the break and caught everyone off guard and held it to the line. I didn’t have anything left to sprint with and rolled in for 5th managing to win 5 bucks and a T-shirt, well worth it.”

  • Cat’s Hill Pro 1/2 Report

    Posted on May 4th, 2009 admin No comments


    From the desk of AG:

     Image copyright Velodramatic.com / Michael Robertson,

    Massive Start List of 100 riders

     


    Mates: Carmi, Jan, Angelo, and myself
     
    Place: Aaron 10th; Carmi/Jan strong pack finish; Angelo DNP
     
    Cat’s Hill is a race that demands a lot of respect.  Virtually everyone that is showing up is on top form in early May and all are motivated to make a mark from last years race.  The town, crowds, level of riders and pressure that we hide well - as we pressure on ourselves on our bodies and mind.  However, the only reason we’re all out there is that 22% climb that makes the race what it has become - CAT’S HILL.  The sheer crazy of going up that hill repetitively is not only torture and sadomasochist, but also can be fun at the same time.  People screaming, drinking, partying, dogs barking over and over again.  The pain is worth all of that – what a greatly supported race and cool little town of Los Gatos.
     
    I felt good during the week leading up to Cat’s Hill (much thanks to Yoga) and our overarching plan was nothing more to hang on.  Sounds simple – but physically demanding. 
     
    Cat’s Hill brings out some of the top Pro riders and experienced 1/2 riders that all have massive strength and bike handling abilities.  To be in the company of these guys is very respectable and earns one some street cred.  Knowing that I’m in company of Pro’sWebcor, Cal Gaint and many more to mention is almost scary, the race was going to be very very painful.  I’m still working on the confidence, lately my results aren’t giving me that extra boost that I need.  Until today! Today I felt we rode well and I’m very happy with my performance as the race went 95% perfect for me and almost everything clicked into place.  
     
    Most of the race was fast and fierce with some crashes near the rear of the race (hope all are ok).  I managed to keep clear of all the stacks and stayed near the front for the entire race.  I knew my legs were filling ok as I would hit the climb around 15th-20th place or so and make up some spots here and there.  Coming into the last 8 laps, I only saw about about 50 plus guys left in the race.  With 5 to go there was a pretty nasty stack 25 meters coming into the climb.  So the only safe thing to do for the down riders and everyone else was to neutralize the field.
     
    After about 20 minutes of trying to keep our legs warm and talking about the last 70 minutes of a godspeed war to one another – they lined us up again.  5 to go – 5 to go!  Most of us were done and just wanted to pack up home.  
     
    With 5 laps left in the race the head count of beasts were around 40 or so guys.  That goes to show you that even the best have off days.  The first lap up the hill was complete hell, lucky not only for myself, but I heard moans coming from the entire field.  Lap 2 of 5 to to was a bit easier and not as shocking on the sticks.
     
    The final laps I tried my hardest to maintain a steady up front position.  Trying not to let anyone come around you is so hard and INTENSE.  The bell lap was fast and the last final punch of a climb was like time standing still (not) only to be over in 30 seconds.  I came around the final corner with some speed and ended up passing one or two in the sprint for 10th.  
     
    All the mates did a great fight and are already getting pumped for more pleasure and pain next weekend.
     
    Nuff said
     
    Aaron