2011 CYCLO VETS SUPER MASTERS CRITERIUM SCNCA CHAMPIONSHIPS

By John McKee

It was April 10th, 2011 and the date on the race calendar for the Cyclo Vets Criterium. This race was chosen to host the Super Masters SCNCA Criterium Championship for men & women.The men's

Women lined up to race- That's Trish "The Dish" on the left

categories were- 65+,70+, 75+, 80+ and 90+ just for Gordy Shields. Gordy has a very impressive resume which includes 3 Natz titles and 3 top 10 World races. Gordy holds the national time trial record for 20k in 80+, 85+ and 90+. Gordy is 93 years young this year on April 20th. Gordy was not only the oldest rider but the only entrant in 90+. There wasn't even anyone 85+ racing although Link Linquist is 84 this year and plans on competing until he is a 100 or.... but he definitely plans on making it to 100. You should see him skip rope. Damn.  Definitely better than Rocky. The women's categories were 40+(skipped 45+ which will be July 17th), 50+, 55+, 60+,65+ and 70+.
The 60+ men racers would be racing at the same time as the Super Masters and scored separately for $200 cash and no championship. Their championship will be with the rest of the masters categories at the Paramount race on July 17th, 2011. The women's championship races started at 7 am. The rain that has plagued or threatened to  damper earlier SCNCA races was no where to be seen. Clear skies and cool temps although it felt like it was warming up quickly.
The women had 11 racers total for the 6 categories. All the gals looked fit and rode well. The 2nd oldest in the group was Trish Kimper and she had no problem keeping up eventhough she was giving up possible 25 years. Nice job by all the women. I know there are other fit women riders out there these ages but getting them to race is near impossible. Paramount has had several but..... The word criterium strikes fear in so many riders from its reputation but I know from reality that training rides are where the worst accidents happen. Complete results for the women are below. 6 champ jerseys can be purchased but some of our women have so many that they may not bother.

Hylton leading the field around

Following the women were the 60+ men's race along with the 65+ group and up. Racing at 7:45 am for 40 minutes. The race was off on time and of course Hylton Murphy(60+) tried to jump ship like Claudette Colbert in "It Happened One Night". Everyone knew he would and in fact he told me he would Friday by message and wanted me to follow. I got on his wheel and another rider who I can't identify got on me.  I had a target on my back. Everyone knows me and figured I was the favorite in 65+ so it was always the green light for a full on chase. I caught Hylton soon after he started his move with the other rider on my tail and we had a little gap and Hylton was really laying the wood down. My tongue was hanging out and I couldn't pull through yet but it didn't matter because everyone else got on us quickly. I later asked who was chasing me because there were 2 other escape attempts by myself and the answer was "EVERYONE". LOL.

Phil Richards drilling it and leading the field

Phil Richards(60+) is riding quite strong and he attempted a solo effort half way through the race and I tried to come across to form a twosome but when I got near Phil everyone else was very close so I quit. Phil was tired as well. Hylton later tried another escape attempt soon after John Magnanti(65+) had made his move off the front with about 10 laps to go(See pic). John was not that far away to begin with so I thought to leave him there but he added to the distance and Hylton started to close on him and this looked very dangerous because Mags is 65+. I couldn't let this go so I put in a super chase and got everyone else close and went back to recover. When Hylton got to John he was pretty much out of gas so Hylton didn't want to burn too many matches trying too hard or try to get away again because he was John Rubcic's(60+) lead out man. They have done this so many times they could be napping and connect up out there and their strengths play perfectly to a long lead out by Hylton and sprint for home by JR. JR gets a super draft and you might imagine by looking at the podium pic. In the old days Hylton use to lead out and hang on for 2nd while JR got first. Hylton almost did as well here but that's later.

Mags off the front with Hylton ready to team up

The pace actually hadn't been that bad or slow  as far as I was concerned but my legs felt the 3 efforts but had plenty left for a finish. Once the lap card went to 5 laps to go it was slow city. Hylton wasn't going to jump and the 65s were going to sit in for a bunch sprint which usually is my thing but not in a slow build up. I am better in a fast build up. I know there were some guys trying to keep the pace up like Don Kimper but there wasn't enough of this. Counting down from 2 laps to go Phil Richards thought he would steal the show and jumped hard on the back side. Fred Nicolet jumped on his wheel and I was 4th wheel and we were going fast. Once we turned for home Phil threw in the towel and of course no one wanted to give themselves up so the pace went WAY down. Riders were coming around me on both sides. I should have used a tip that Mike Birditt gave me but I went brain dead. JR was lining up on Hylton and I couldn't get to them. I tried to back out and get to the first corner on the inside and move way up. Once around the corner it is all over because the riders go back to the curb. I didn't make it in time and got caught in the inside tar pit. I always like to race from the outside here and at most places but especially here. Mike Duck of Paramount and Monty lined up on JR. They weren't "given" their wheels but they got them anyway. This was the move that mattered. Fritz Tomasello was in the middle somewhere and Mario Seri also was stuck on the inside but ahead of me.

Pettus, Edwards, Lapped 80+ rider, Lang, Rubcic and McKee

Most of the riders in this event do one race a year like one this so it was chaotic in the bunch. When the pressure was put on riders were going backward left and right. Most riders left in the pack were 60s and 65s with a few 70s and 75s. Most 70+ and over had been off the back from the beginning. Thankfully no one went down and I don't remember anyone going down in this race which usually finishes off the Cyclo Vets Ominium over the years.
The 60+ racers were now driving the last lap. Hylton took JR around the last turn and started to slow and John went into his patented sprint that made him look like he hadn't missed a race although this was only his 3rd race and really his 2nd competitive race of 2011. John won 60+ going away by a long shot. Monty had been on Mike Duck's wheel and shouted for Mike to go after rounding the last corner. Monty came off Mike's wheel to finish 2nd by a long ways in 60+. Mike Duck was the 3rd person across the line and the winner of the 65+ race. This was Mike's first race this year and was an underdog but Mike has been training at the Encino Velodrome and his track training showed. Good job by another Paramount member. Hylton Murphy rolled across for 3rd in 60+ followed by David Lang for 4th in 60+.
I finally found my way to the outside near the second to the last turn. Way too late but I started to sprint anyway. I went way wide to pass lots of riders and was coming for home and saw Mario Seri coming in on the far left side. I was shooting to pass Mario and had Fritz Tomasello on my right. Fritz and I have raced many a races together and I hadn't beaten him many of those. Fritz and I were running up on 2 60+ riders that were going "backward" near the finish. They were trying but Fritz and I were gaining on them. We tried to squeeze between them but couldn't catch Mario. Mario Seri was 2nd in 65+ and Fritz was 3rd. I finished 4th. In 70+ David Benner won the race and is a Cyclo Vets member but lives in Virginia so the SCNCA champion was Jacobo Melcer. The 75+ champion is Robert Paganini, the ageless one. The 80+ cat was won by Jack Palmer who just aged up this year. He beat out Link Linquist who was 84. Link will be alone in 85+ next year. Gordy Shields of course won the 90+ category. There is a good video below of the finish of the 60+/Super Masters race. Compliments of Alicia McKee. Thanks, hon!
The Cyclo Vets always put on a great event and this year was a limited program but they did a nice job none the less. Gary DeVoss was the race director and asked for some advice from this 55/60+ bike racing guru(many months ago) that writes a blog and has promoted the Paramount race many times. He was glad to help if he did. Complete results for the 60+ and all the women and men's championship races are below. Podium pics for the men's super masters championships are below except 70+ plus 60+. Unfortunately no podium pics of the women were available before I published. There was great confusion at the time of the 70+ podium so I didn't take a picture.

The 55+ race followed the 60+/Super Masters and it was fire works from the start. There was always riders off the front and UCC had 11 riders out there. In the end Mark Helvie and Kim Bleth stayed off the front to the end with Mark taking the sprint for 1st place. Mike Birditt won the field sprint for 3rd. Complete results for 55+ are at the bottom of the page.
Going to finish with a non bike racing item. Reading the LA Times on Monday I saw something I had to share. Tues. April 12th, 2011 is the 50th anniversary of the first human orbiting the earth. After his flight, Yuri Gagarin made this statement "Circling the Earth in my orbital spaceship, I marveled at the beauty of our planet. People of the world, let us safeguard and enhance this beauty-not destroy it." That's all for now folks! Train hard and race safe!

80+ Podium- John Sanmartini, Jack Palmer, Link Linquist

75+ Podium- Kurt Steiner, Robert Paganini, Stuewe Hurst -between 75 & 80 guys have trouble with podium salutes

65+ Podium- Fritz Tomasello, Mike Duck, Mario Seri

60+ Podium- Hylton (Long legs) Murphy, John Rubcic, Monty Pettus

Super Masters Criterium  (Rank 3.0)
Women 40+
Place	License	Name	Team	SoCal Points
1	334358	Therese Ellsworth	CALCOAST Bikes San Diego	0
2	271884	Anne Lorenzana	CALCOAST Bikes San Diego	0
3	203336	Michelle Rhea		0

 

Super Masters Criterium  (Rank 3.0)
Women 50+
Place	License	Name	Team	SoCal Points
1	271515	Jane Faulkner	Team Cycles Brixton	0
2	171362	Alexandra Tabata	Team Redlands	0
3	214038	Julie Hamilton	SD Cyclovets	0

Super Masters Criterium  (Rank 3.0)
Women 55+
Place	License	Name	Team	SoCal Points
1	141377	Suzanne Bowers	San Diego Cyclo Vets	0

Super Masters Criterium  (Rank 3.0)
Women 60+
Place	License	Name	Team	SoCal Points
1	51985	Vickie VanOsdol-Castaldi	Ironfly	0
2	193139	Sherry Newsham	San Diego Cyclo Vets	0

Super Masters Criterium  (Rank 3.0)
Women 65+
Place	License	Name	Team	SoCal Points
1	202346	Patricia Kimper	ACQUA AL 2/SDBC	0

Super Masters Criterium  (Rank 3.0)
Women 70+
Place	License	Name	Team	SoCal Points
1	235409	Patricia Baker	Cal-Pacific Export Packers / LV	0

 

Super Masters Criterium  (Rank 3.0)
Men 65+
Place	License	Name	Team	SoCal Points
1	58170	Sydney Duck	OCW/Paramount Racing	0
2	61278	Mario Seri	Herbalife LaGrange	0
3	177453	P (Fritz) Tomasello	Pinnaclife Racing Team	0
4	180386	John McKee	Paramount Racing	0
5	57571	Dale Harless	Cycle U	0
6	71812	John Magnanti		0
7	198617	Roger Springer	San Diego Cyclo Vets	0
8	171652	Stephen Whitsitt	South Bay Wheelmen	0
9	186694	Butch Richardson	San Diego Cyclo Vets	0
10	138501	Thomas Gardner	San Diego Cyclo Vets	0

Super Masters Criterium  (Rank 3.0)
Men 70+
Place	License	Name	Team	SoCal Points
1	18933	Robert Kenner(Out of State)	National Capital Velo Club/UnitedHealthcare	0
2	207024	Jacobo Melcer(SCNCA Champ)	San Diego Cyclo Vets	0
3	46904	Daniel Wulbert	UC Cyclery/JW Flooring	0
4	one day	Ed Renger		0
5	99513	Edward Camarena	Veloce Santiago	0

Super Masters Criterium  (Rank 3.0)
Men 75+
Place	License	Name	Team	SoCal Points
1	45763	Robert Paganini	Pasadena Athletic Assoc (PAA)	0
2	one day	Stuewe Hurst	Pasadena Cycling	0
3	261008	Kurt Steiner	San Diego Cyclo Vets	0

 

Super Masters Criterium  (Rank 3.0)
Men 80+
Place	License	Name	Team	SoCal Points
1	55524	Jack Palmer	San Diego Cyclo Vets	0
2	235545	Link Lindquist	Team Velosport Club	0
3	50695	John Sanmartini	Velo Avanti Cycling Team	0

Super Masters Criterium  (Rank 3.0)
Men 90+
Place	License	Name	Team	SoCal Points
1	46810	Gordon Shields	San Diego Cyclo Vets	0

CycloVets Criterium  (Rank 1.0)
Masters 55+
Place	License	Name	Team	SoCal Points
1	15760	Mark Helvie	Sun Coast Velo	14
2	49191	Kim Bleth	Swami's Cycling Club	11
3	47255	Michael Birditt	Swami's Cycling Club	10
4	54522	Kalman Szkalak	UC Cyclery/JW Flooring	9
5	48760	John Rubcic	UC Cyclery/JW Flooring	8
6	13802	Michael Gourley	Santa Clarita Velo	7
7	46255	Alex Collins	UC Cyclery/JW Flooring	6
8	58847	Paul Rodriguez	UC Cyclery/JW Flooring	5
9	45403	Steve Grossman	Team Bicycles Plus	4
10	46688	Michael Mueller	UC Cyclery/JW Flooring	3
11	125061	Michael Hines	Ranchos Cycling Club	2
12	204724	Steve Cahill	Celo Pacific	1
13	1254	Mark Ainslie	Ranchos Cycling Club	0
14	178495	Steve Diamond	Swami's Cycling Club	0
15	23055	Reed Mayne	Swami's Cycling Club	0
16	171362	Alexandra Tabata	Team Redlands	0
17	271515	Jane Faulkner	Team Cycles Brixton	0
18	61353	Reed Moore	UC Cyclery/JW Flooring	0
19	312566	Steven Turner		0
20	303394	Fred Provence	San Diego Cyclo Vets	0
21	61504	Andrzej Fidelus	Ranchos Cycling Club	0
22	180041	Angela Wimberly	CALCOAST Bikes San Diego	0
23	225555	Michael Holcomb	San Diego Cyclo Vets	0
24	238828	Phillip Richards	Citrus Valley Velo	0
25	45763	Robert Paganini	Pasadena Athletic Assoc (PAA)	0
26	51026	Theodore Lee	San Diego Bicycle Club	0
27	55591	Mitchell Weinstock	UC Cyclery/JW Flooring	0
28	61193	John Wagenaar	UC Cyclery/JW Flooring	0
29	46547	John Edwards	UC Cyclery/JW Flooring	0
30	126668	Joey Valdivia	UC Cyclery/JW Flooring	0

11 55/60+ VLEES HUIS RR WON BY EXPERIENCE & LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

By John McKee

The 2nd De Vlees Huis Road Race was scheduled for Saturday April 9th 2011 and there was a category for 55 and 60+ racers. There was a scheduling conflict in 2010 with the Torrance Criterium so the attendance wasn't that great but in 2011 the race had an open date. The location is 15 miles outside of Bakersfield on Hwy 58 which goes to Lake Isabella. I was quite surprised when I got on the course to see that there are many beautiful spots along the way with a river along the course and under the parts of the road way. No oil wells. Open space and ranch land though I didn't see any cattle. The course is 29 miles for one lap and gains 2400 ft. in that lap. No grade is over 8 or 9 present. There is some pretty rugged looking terrain just north of us. The course takes you into a valley at the second turnaround where you can see the river. Lots of water this time of year.  I forgot to put my road cluster on and did it in my crit cluster which is 11/21 and didn't have a problem. Great looking and challenging course. Of course road racers love it but bigger riders with lots of sustained power can do it well. The 55/60+ group was to do one lap. The start time was 8:20 am.

55+ Podium- Benner, Shuey, Mueller, Baron & Birditt

21 55+ racers and 11 60+ racers lined up. It was quite cold Saturday morning. Upper 30s to low 40s but with sunshine the air temp was going to rise quickly. There was a cold front that came into the southland on Friday and brought snow flurries to the Grapevine which most Socal riders had to travel through to get to Bakersfield. The highest point is 4,000 ft and there were snow flakes when I went through about 3 pm on Friday. When Bruce and Teresa Steele went through a few hours later it was snowing harder. When Mike Birditt tried to drive through around 8 to 9 pm there was more snow and traffic accidents. The north bound lanes that Mike had to drive on were closed down to one lane. The CHP had contemplated closing it completely down because of the accidents but kept it open. Mike didn't get to my room in Bakersfield until around 11 pm. Luckily it didn't rain Sat. morning. It was cold but would warm up and be a decent day for a bike race.

Map and Profile of De Vlees Huis Road Race course

The racers were off on time. You start down the steepest part of the course going out which means you have to climb it coming back and then it's 200 meters to the finish line. Going out there were a lot of bad spots in the pavement but after a couple of miles the pavement was actually good. Good thing when you are flying downhill and cornering downhill.
Everyone stayed together going out except Mike Birditt of Swami's. He went off the front by himself. No one paid much attention to him since there was over 2,000 ft. of climbing left. Maybe he could hook up with a mini break group?
As the road started to tip up more a few of riders went off the back including myself. The first climb is the longest and about the length of the climb in Bakersfield at the championship course. At the top of the climb and the turnaround there was 4 riders off the front and 2 major chase groups. I formed a group with Mike Crystal and Al Shorts to ride in for the crumbs. There were a few riders behind us.
Mike Birditt was caught before the end of the first climb and Bob Wilcox of UCC was giving it his all to catch him. Right behind him was David Brenner of Wolfpack. Wolfpack?? They have a all black kit and are from Solana Beach. Mike Mueller of UCC was behind him and the rest of the field was really strung out.  The lead group at the turnaround had Gary Shuey, Mike  Mueller, Richard (Skid lid) Barron, and Kim Bleuth. Behind were 2 pods of riders with a mix of 55 and 60+. Further on the course Gary Shuey hit it hard and dropped....Kim Bleuth. Oh no! Another Swami's rider. 
I could see the small groups going the opposite direction twice because there were 2 turnarounds. I could see Gary, Mike and Richard together with Kim looking stressed a little behind. Then the other 2 pods. Kim finally came back to the main chase group and there was no other movement throughout the race. The course going out to the 2nd turnaround has been described as "rolling" but that was not what I call "rolling". A little harder than that. Lol.
After the groups made the last turn for home it was all downhill except for the finish uphill kick. The front group was working together coming back and Richard Barron said he wouldn't contest the finish. Up to Gary and Mike to fight for the win in 55+. Coming into the last short hill Gary decided to hit it hard going up the hill. Mike sat on and when it leveled out and there was 200 meters to go, Mike turned on his jets and finished several bike lengths ahead. Gary was 2nd and Richard was 3rd.
The 2nd group came in with Socal points heavyweights Mike Birditt and Kal Szkalak. Also were 4 60+ riders to decide on their podium finish. Mike Marota(60+) of the host squad  Action Sports took it up the left side with David Benner on his tail. Bob Wilcox lead another string up the right side with Birditt on his wheel and Kal right behind him. Mike Marota and Bob tailed off and Mike Birditt got on David Benner. Once the course leveled out Kal clicked up his gears and started his sprint and Mike jumped on him. There was a hole to the left of Kal that he started to close but Mike made a statement and Kal leveled out and Mike sprinted by and finished a half a bike length ahead of Kal.
Mike Marota hung on for first place in 60+. Mike showed how strong he was at Roger Millikan and this was his backyard and he knew the course well. A win here was no surprise. Glenn Baldwin rode a great race and was 2nd in 60+ with Phil Richards taking 3rd and George Chester getting 4th in his first race of the year.
The promoters and his club did a great job with this event. Registration which was at the promoters front lawn the evening before was smooth. He also had food for anyone that wanted it. Packet pick up and same days were still possible the morning of the race. The course was well laid out with signs and volunteers that knew where and how to direct you. There were even some cool Flanders flags out on the course. There was a snafu with payout for 60+. Don't know if that ever got squared away. No good photo of the 60+ podium because the winner from the host team didn't show. Bad form. All in all a great event that should be ridden by more riders.
Going to finish with a short story. The winner isn't always the person that comes across the line in first place. It may even be the guy that comes across in last place. I am referring to John Sinz. John finished a tough course and was happy to be out there. 5 years ago John weighed 240 lbs and had a heart attack. Of course he survived and turned his life around and got on a much better diet and started riding his bike again. He weighs 195 now is looking to get back to his former racing weight of 180. Good job, John and keep coming out. It isn't always about finishing ahead of everyone. It's way cool to be part of the racing peleton. Fun and motivating that nothing else will do. Complete results below. That's all for now folks! Train hard and race safe!

Vleeshuis Road Race  (Rank 2.0)
Masters 55+
Place	License	Name	Team	SoCal Points
1	46688	Michael Mueller	UC Cyclery/JW Flooring	28
2	44197	Gary Shuey	Swami's Cycling Club	22
3	2734	Richard Barron	Southern California Velo	20
4	47255	Michael Birditt	Swami's Cycling Club	18
5	54522	Kalman Szkalak	UC Cyclery/JW Flooring	16
6	274212	David Benner	Wolf Pack Cycling	14
7	69952	Robert Willcox	UC Cyclery/JW Flooring	12
8	162650	Jim Parkhurst	Team Simple Green/Bike Religion	10
9	187845	Henry Pfister	Action Sports/Simply Fit	8
10	49191	Kim Bleth	Swami's Cycling Club	6
11	46255	Alex Collins	UC Cyclery/JW Flooring	4
12	206734	John Huber	Velo Avanti Cycling Team	2
13	52251	Ricky Shorts	Velo Allegro	0
14	247382	Richard Gentili	Citrus Valley Velo	0
15	1254	Mark Ainslie	Ranchos Cycling Club	0
16	49110	Rino Barbagiovanni	Santa Clarita Velo	0
17	277180	John Roest	Rock N' Road Cyclery	0
18	230085	Albert Shorts	Velo Allegro	0
19	177958	Kevin Ryan	The TEAM - SoCalCross	0
20		Tom Ackerley		0
21	66553	John Sinz	Canyon Velo	0

 

Vleeshuis Road Race  (Rank 2.0)
Masters 60+
Place	License	Name	Team	SoCal Points
1	72880	Mike Marotta	Action Sports/Simply Fit	28
2	45047	Glenn Baldwin	SLO Nexus-Gym One	22
3	238828	Phillip Richards	Citrus Valley Velo	20
4	196820	George Chester	LIVESTRONG Army KC / Midwest Cancer Care	18
5	48760	John Rubcic	UC Cyclery/JW Flooring	16
6	39024	Bob Wright	Santa Clarita Velo	14
7	236498	Bruce Steele	South Bay Wheelmen	12
8	269972	Fred Haim	Herbalife LaGrange	10
9	180386	John McKee	Paramount Racing	8
10	8283	Michael Crystal	METALMTN Cycling	6
11	189814	Leo Longo	South Bay Wheelmen	4

HE WAS ABSOLUTELY SUPERB! & HE'S STILL GOT THAT SNAP!

By John McKee

55/60+ racers waiting to start

It was April 3rd, 2011 and the Redlands Criterium is on the SCNCA calendar. It is a big race that the 55s worked into a few years ago and now the 60s have their own category. Raced together and scored separately. Both categories were to be paid a total of $225 for 4 places. The showing was around 35 plus or minus a few. Not that great considering the showing in Brea for the Roger Millikan Criterium  sold out at 75. Redlands is harder to get to but half the number is troubling. We will see if we come back in 2012. The weather was overcast and a little cool but quite comfortable compared to the weather that some of us raced in during February. The pro stage race was going on up and through Sunday and helped create a exciting atmosphere. The women pros started their road race about 60 minutes after the finish of the 55/60+ criterium race. The organizers do a great job with a fun feel to the whole event. The course is somewhat technical with turn one at 120 degrees and a downhill slalom after that. 2 quick corners coming off the downhill and you head back uphill to the start/finish. Bike handling does come into play on this course and the uphill section isn't that steep or hard but will wear on you especially the larger fellas.
The 55/60+ race was to start at 7:55 am and last 40 minutes. After a few words from SCNCA official Greg Alden the group was off. It was expected that the first 5 laps would be blistering but they weren't that hard. Hard enough that a few riders fell off the back. UCC was there with almost a full squad and started to animate the race early. Mike Mueller, John Wagenaar, Robert Willcox and Alex Collins of UCC and Kenny Fuller in his National Championship jersey(60+ criterium ) started the fireworks early with shots over the bow but nothing seemed  too threating or got that far away. The 55+ national criterium champion from Minnesota had talked about racing but didn't like his form at the SDSR and didn't show. It looked like a pre race stragery of UCC was too get Mike Mueller off the front a decent distance and Kal Szkalak jumped across the gap and off they go like at San Marcos last year. Mike Birditt was watching for this closely and when Kal jumped to do just this, Mike was right on him and Kal shut it down quickly. There was a lot of churning in the field even though this course made movement up through the pack more difficult. Swami's sprinters Mike Birditt and Dale Luedtke were somewhat naked but had strongman Gary Shuey to muscle the field to their team benefit. Santa Clarita Velo was also light with 2 riders and Velo Allegro didn't have their full squad there with 3. UCC definitely had the 55+ field out numbered. John Rubcic also of UCC was doing his first 60+ race of the year. John won the Redlands criterium in 2010 and was rather anxious about getting back into action after taking the early part of the season off.

Mueller in solo effort

Hensler & Mueller

A little over half way through the race Mike Mueller went off the front again and stayed there for over 2 laps. Kal tried again to get across but was quickly covered my Mike Birditt and that was shut down with Mueller still out there. Mike was then joined by Steve Hensler. This was a dangerous move as Steve is riding quite strongly this year. Mike Birditt had Gary Shuey go to the front and not just pull but pull with near max pressure. It took several laps and I believe that Kenny Fuller also lent a hand at the end of the chase and the twosome for reeled back in.

Kal & Mike after twosome

The minutes and laps were now counting down and a 2 place cash prime was announced. I didn't hear the amounts but it turned out to be $170 for 1st and $25 for 2nd. John Wagenaar of UCC lead a small group around the course and toward the finish line. Glenn Baldwin(60+) who looked in good form was on his wheel and jumped the small group and got the big prize. That has to be the biggest cash prime in the history of 55/60+ racing. John W. didn't even get the $25 2nd place prize money. Oh well. Nice try.

Double prime sprint

The last major move off the front teamed up Gary Shuey and Alex Collins. They weren't far off but Kenny Fuller saw this as an opportunity. He jumped on the right side of the pack right after the start/finish line. John Rubcic was right on him. John knew that Kenny was by far the most dangerous 60+ rider in the race as he would be in any 60+ race in the country. Mike Birditt jumped onto JR. Between turn one and two the 5 riders were together and JR was gassed. He used all his strength just to stay on Kenny. Kenny wasn't too happy that John didn't pull through but he was doing all he could to hang on. Once together this very strong group couldn't get it together. At first Alex thought this was the move to the end but no one else felt the same and it fell apart quickly. It seemed Swami's had an advantage here but they were playing it conversative. Maybe not Scott Walker conservative but conservative none the less.

Late action being lead by 60+ Natz champ

With less than 5 laps to go it was obvious that a bunch sprint was going to decide the race. Advantage Swami's in 55+ and UCC in 60+. That is if JR still had that magic snap in his legs. No one knew including himself. Pretty darn sure about that.
The last lap came and UCC started to set up a classic leadout train. Between the start/finish line and turn one Mike Mueller went to the front to lead the team around. John Rubcic was on Mike and Mike Birditt jumped on JR. Birditt is super hot nowadays and was riding his new 2011 Cannondale with the Swami's paint scheme. It is 4 pounds lighter than his former bike and much stiffer as well. Look out!

55+ Pod-Szkalak, Birditt & Shorts, R.

The pace was moderately fast. Kenny Fuller had himself in good position but a number of riders behind his rival JR. Between turn 2 and 3 I tried to move on Fred Nicolet but couldn't get around him. Fred is also 60+. Fred had a 8th place finish at the Imperial Criterium out of 9 racers but showing himself to be quite strong here. I should have used more energy at this point to move up but was a bit stressed and held off. After turn 3 Kal moved over the top of Mike Birditt to "cut in line" and get behind the UCC train. At some point John Wagenaar also got in the train with 4 UCC riders lined up. Perfect right. NOT! Mike Mueller ran out of gas after turn 4 and the train stalled. Mike Birditt saw this as an opportunity and jumped with a maximum effort. 100%. No holding back now. 2 corners to go but once around the last corner it is only 125 meters to the line. Mike was already going a lot faster than Kal once he went by him and Kal knew this was major trouble. All hell broke loose from here to the finish line. Every man for himself now. Kenny also jumped hard and when he went by JR, John was able to jump on his wheel. Kal got himself going but by the last turn Mike Birditt was all by himself. As Phil Liggett would say "He was absolutely superb!" The rest of the 55+ field was racing for 2nd now. Kal was able to muster enough speed to finish 2nd. Ricky Shorts after racing a rather quiet event showed his finishing speed for the last podium spot. Ricky was followed in by Collins, Hoblit and Hensler in 55+. Alex was bumped on his right side between the last 2 corners and leaned into Fred Nicolet. This happened right in front of me which was the 5th time this year some like this occurred right in my path.

60+ Pod- winner- Rubcic

John Rubcic came around Kenny for 1st in 60+ and another blue Redlands winner jersey. Kenny was 2nd with the last pod spot left between Fred and myself. Fred had to take the corner wide but you can hold more speed that way. I cut closer to the corner and got out of the saddle. Dale Luedtke was ahead of me and also had gotten out of the saddle. At the line I looked to my left and Fred was ahead of me for 3rd place. Nice finish after being bumped. Glenn Baldwin came in a couple of bike lengths behind me for 5th place in 60+.
This is a first quality event and the racing was hard and challenging. Full results are below. The photos are courtesy of Jodie Borer. Thank you, Jodie! There are more race photos at Ken Hill's photo site-http://public.fotki.com/quatre24/road--mtb-2011/redslands-crit-and-/race-2-masters-55-60. That's all for now folks! Train hard and race safe!

Redlands Criterium  (Rank 1.0)
Masters 60+
Place	License	Name	Team	SoCal Points
1	48760	John Rubcic	UC Cyclery/JW Flooring	14
2	46765	Kenny Fuller	Cycles Veloce	11
3	26089	Fred Nicolet	ACQUA AL 2/SDBC	10
4	180386	John McKee	Paramount Racing	9
5	45047	Glenn Baldwin	SLO Nexus-Gym One	8
6	3793	Raphael Gomez	Rage Cycling	7
7	238828	Phillip Richards	Citrus Valley Velo	6
8	243425	mark wisnosky	ACQUA AL 2/SDBC	5
9	107852	David Lang	DARE	4
10	101582	William Carvin		3
11	48278	Donald Davidson	Citrus Valley Velo	2

 

Redlands Criterium  (Rank 1.0)
Masters 55+
Place	License	Name	Team	SoCal Points
1	47255	Michael Birditt	Swami's Cycling Club	14
2	54522	Kalman Szkalak	UC Cyclery/JW Flooring	11
3	52251	Ricky Shorts	Velo Allegro	10
4	46255	Alex Collins	UC Cyclery/JW Flooring	9
5	16360	Fred Hoblit	Santa Clarita Velo	8
6	15874	Steve Hensler	Team Redlands	7
7	47262	Dale Luedtke	Swami's Cycling Club	6
8	61193	John Wagenaar	UC Cyclery/JW Flooring	5
9	107559	Rodney Malloy		4
10	206734	John Huber	Velo Avanti Cycling Team	3
11	69952	Robert Willcox	UC Cyclery/JW Flooring	2
12	230085	Albert Shorts	Velo Allegro	1
13	245777	Steven Borer	ACQUA AL 2/SDBC	0
14	167453	Bob Estupinan	Citrus Valley Velo	0
15	177958	Kevin Ryan	The TEAM - SoCalCross	0
16		Gary Shuuey		0
17	49110	Rino Barbagiovanni	Santa Clarita Velo	0
18	46688	Michael Mueller	UC Cyclery/JW Flooring	0
19	50765	Richard Roberson	UC Cyclery/JW Flooring	0