By John McKee
The Super Masters Criterium Championship was being held under the production of the long time masters cycling club the San Diego Cyclo Vets. All men 65 and over and women 50 and over would have a race to determine the SCNCA champions and the right to buy a state championship clothing kit. 2 races would take in all the age groups and provide multiple champions. One race for the men with winners in 5 year increments and one race for the women with the same increments but stopping at a lower age. The men had to go up to 95+ with Gordy Shields entered to race.
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| Gordy Shields still riding at 95+- Nice going Gordy! |
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The fly in the ointment was the 7 am start time for the men. I realize that the group or groups that have the fewest riders are often put early to put out the fewest riders but time in grade should count for something. Make the new guys(cat 5 racers) go first.There were a few no shows because of this but my wife and I decided to stay in the local area at a motel so we wouldn't have to leave our house before 5 am. It worked out fine for us though. We had something to eat at Islands and went to the Edwards IMAX cinema complex and watched the new movie "42". We really enjoyed it as it seemed the 200 or so other patrons did as well.
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| Saw this movie the night before the race. Loved it! |
The Cyclo Vets have things pretty well in hand and the early morning processing went well. There was a smaller turnout then 2012 which was disappointing but you can only race against who shows up. There were about 20 total riders in the Super Masters categories and half that were 65-69. The "younger" guys would drive the race of course and riders would be expected to be all over the course.
Health issues of course become greater problems for everyone as we get older and that has been the case with masters bike racers as well. Kenny Fuller is out with heart problems(plans on coming back and is riding fairly well right now), Fritz Tomasello is retired because of eye problems that have been plaguing him for years and the list could go on and on. John Rubcic had to work as a motor ref at the road race in Bakersfield or he would have been the favorite here as John just "aged up" this year. There was on bright spot and that was to see Hylton Murphy out there racing again after many years of health issues and a bad crash(bike vs car).
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| John McKee with long time bike strongman Hylton Murphy-I first met Hylton at the Bulldog bike race series at Camp Pendleton many years ago. Hylton was a one person wrecking crew there. |
The race was off at near the start time of 7 am. The time of the race would be 40 minutes. Hylton took off at the start of the race and that was to be expected. That was ALWAYS his style of racing. Go out as hard as he could for as long as he could. Didn't matter the pre race counseling of teammates. Save yourself, Hylton. Don't blow it all at the beginning of the race. OK. Got it! Check! No problem! I understand.... then the race starts. Off he goes. Smoking it as fast as he could which was lung searing tough for everyone trying to keep up. Time has set in and it is always apparent as the years pile on the speed goes down for each older age group. At least the overall speed.
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| Super masters start group- Cindy Morgan raced with us before her championship race |
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| Hylton Murphy doing what he does best at the start of a race |
Hylton took the pull for the 1st 2 laps and then pulled over for someone else to take over and since I was on his wheel I decided it was my turn to pull for a lap. I did and then Hylton took off and started a solo effort. I tried to get on but couldn't without going really deep so I hung back after one effort. Mike Jenkins came to the front to take a pull but it was father time that brought Hylton back. A younger Hylton would have been gone. Time trial mode and off he would be. Of course I wouldn't have taken a pull and gone into oxygen debt but none the less the big man came back to the field. I figured this meant that we were in for a field sprint.
There were minor efforts through the race but Hylton did the lion's share of the work at the front. Don Kimper, Mike Edwards, Robert "The ageless one" Paganini, Mike Jenkins, Butch Richardson, Cindi Morgan(for a second there I saw Cindi jump and I thought...is she going to beat the men?) came to the front to do some work keeping the race going as did a few others. It seemed like a long time to race with the pace rather slow as compared to say a 50+ race where the time flies by.
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| Mike Jenkins leading the group |
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| Don Kimper taking a turn at the front |
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| McKee even was seen at the front |
The race group got the 7 lap to go card. Who was going to win this year? Hylton Murphy was the lead out man for John Rubcic when they raced together. No Rubcic today so his wheel was up for grabs. I took it and sat on for the last few laps. The bell lap came and I was still on "The Man" with Don Kimper on my wheel. Didn't see much of Rick Lilliberg during the race. I saw some really good form from Rick at Red Trolley earlier this year and just down the road from the Cyclo Vets race location.
The back stretch saw Hylton ramp up the speed and I clicked up a few gears but since we had been going slower than I usually race I was under geared. Hylton took us to the last corner and off I went. No hesitation like last year. I got out of the saddle and got going pretty good but felt undergeared with 50 meters to go. I sprint in a bigger gear than my main man Monty Pettus. I just hung on and hoped that no one would come by me. Fritz wasn't in the group. Fritz has nipped me at the line several times in the past and here as well. Don Kimper has done it also like at LA Circuit in 2012. For a while being nipped at the line was called a "Kimper". None the less I held on for my 1st SCNCA championship. It felt good coasting after coming across the line. Don Kimper rolled across for 2nd with Mike Fleming taking 3rd. Mike has also beaten me many times in the past but this Sunday was my day. I didn't even feel good out there but used my experience to do what I needed to do. 4th place went to Rick Lilliberg and 5th to Hylton Murphy. Hylton was followed in by Cindi Morgan who came back the very next race to win her own category.
Also racing were the 70-74 ,75-79, 85+ & 95+. Butch Richardson won the 70 race and Pags won the 75 race. Link Lindquist was the only 85+ rider and Gordy Shields was the only 95+ racer. In women's masters races Cindy Fenton won the 50-54 age group, Mimi Sheean 55-59, Cindy Morgan 60-64, Tricia Kimper 65-69 and Pat Baker 70+. All good for those out there racing!
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| Men's 65-69 podium- Fleming, McKee & Kimper |
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| 70-74 podium- Martin Katz, Butch Richardson, & not shown James Fitzgerald |
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| 75-79 podium- Ed Camarena, Pags, & Leon Sowers |
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| Link Lindquist won the 85-89 category. You should see Link on a trampoline or with a jump rope |
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| Gordy Shields won the 95+ category |
Besides the Super Masters Championships the Cyclo Vets Criterium had other races including the 55/60+ race. The turnout for this race was also lower than in the past. On the same day was the popular Vleehuis Road Race so the turnout was bound to be lower than times past. At the Vleehuis Road Race Steve Hensler won the 55+ category and Gary Shuey won the 60+ category(full results below). There were 19 total riders at the Cyclo Vets 55/60+ race of which 11 were 60+. More 60+ riders than 55s. Wow.
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| A scant 19 riders line up for the 55/60+ race |
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| Randy Liechty leads the pack around the course |
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| Lothar Cramer leading the field which is passing Link Lindquist |
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| Mike Birditt and Mike McConnell chatting during the race |
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| Lothar Cramer tried his hand at a solo breakaway midway through the race |
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| Mike Birditt and Cyril Hunte going for a cash prime |
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| Same sprint as above but further along. McConnell looking to counter |
The 55/60+ criterium was slated for 40 minutes. There was $300 paying out to 7 places overall. No separate purse for 60+(I would prefer to see some money just for 60s. They pay the same entry fee and being older have less of a chance against younger racers). The 2 categories were scored separately for Socal Cup points. The race got off on time which was scheduled for 9:20 am. The pace was lively and definitely faster than the Super Masters race. This race wouldn't be any different than many of the races we have seen this year. The decisive points in the race would come from the primes especially the cash primes. The 1st cash prime came about 15 minutes into the race. I knew to stay tight near the front and watched Mark Huffman. For the all racer cash primes Mike Birditt and Cyril Hunte would sprint for the prize. The 1st prime sprint was won by Birdy and created a break opportunity. There was about 6 of us including Mark Huffman, Birdy, Hunte, McConnell and not sure after that. There was a gap but the field and I believe it was Randy Liechty of SDBC that chased the small group down before a lap had gone by. The next cash prime was a similar situation with Birdy winning the money and a bigger group formed this time but the main pack wasn't that far behind and everything fell apart and it was all together again. The standard churning took place between primes. The last cash prime for for 60+ only. This was cool. Mark Huffman was riding near the front and him and Mike Birditt conferred. I knew what this meant. Mike lead the pack around the course with Mark on his wheel and Mike McConnell behind Mark. I was behind Mike McConnell. If the sprint was going to be easy I might partake but I wasn't going to go all in to try for the $25. Birdy took Mark to around the last corner. McConnell soft pedaled putting me too far from Mark. Mark sprinted for the line and won the $25 and got a gap on his own. He kept going on his own. There were about 7 laps to go at this point. A lone rider or riders off the front will often set the pace. The field will stay a short distance away and ride at the same pace letting the rider or riders dig themselves into a hole. Since Mark is 60+ you wouldn't think the 55s would care where he was and leave it to the 60+ racers but the purse was overall. 1st place money or $100 in green stuff was out there. Dan Yeager did some work to keep Mark close but on the last lap Swami's went to the veteran Dale Luedtke to do the dirty work. Trench warfare. The hard stuff. Dale use to do this at Labor Power for Butch Stinton. Dale knows his stuff. Dale went to the front with about one lap to go. He had to bring back Mark Huffman and lead out Mike Birditt if possible.
We were speeding down the back stretch with Dale zeroing in on Mark Huffman. He was a dead duck. We hit the up slope and Cyril Hunte starts to make a move. Just as Cyril and Birdy come near Mark, he moves to his left thinking he is getting out of the way. Racer tip. It is just like at the track. If you are being passed, just hold your line. Everyone knows where you are at and will go around you. When you move to try and get out of the way, no one knows where you are going or how far. Anyway Cyril and Mike jumped to their left to avoid a crash and everyone else also went wide. Mike McConnell and Randy Liechty are tight to Mike and Cyril and I am pretty close. Cyril was the 1st to the last corner but within 100 meters Mike Birditt was taking control of the sprint and was to win the race and the 55+ category. Cyril was 2nd, McConnell 3rd, Liechty 4th, Cramer(Lothar came around me near the line)5th, myself 6th and 1st in 60+, Kimper was 7th and the last paying spot and 2nd in 60+. The last podium spot for 60+ went to David Rillie of the Cyclo Vets. Never seen David before but he obviously is a base sticker. Same could be said of the SDBC riders. Let's see you race OUT of San Diego County.
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This is the finish sprint. Mike Birditt is picking up speed. Photo courtesy of
Durward Dunn
www.facebook.com/dunnphotos
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The day saw a light showing of racers all ages over 55. The common date for a popular road race obviously hurt the turnout. The standard thinking is that the 2 races were quite far apart but many racers will go most anywhere is Socal to find a good race so having 2 events like this on the same date hurt both. I know Vleeshuis has been raced on Saturday before so I am not sure of the issues involved in getting back on a Saturday. Criteriums almost always have to be on Sundays because there are much fewer employees that have to get to the buildings on the course. The races were fun and lively but not well attended. Thanks to the Cyclo Vets for putting on the races but please move the new guys first. Put the cat 5 racers before a championship race. Thanks! Full results are below plus the women's masters podiums. That's all for now folks! Train hard and race safe!
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| 55+ podium- Birditt, Hunte & McConnell(not shown) |
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| 60+ podium- Rillie, McKee & Kimper |
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| 50+ podium- Cindy Fenton |
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| 55+ podium- Mimi Sheean & Karen Christoffersen |
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| 60+ podium- Cindy Morgan & Vickie Vanosdol-Castaldi | Ci |
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| 65+ podium- Tricia Kimper |
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| 70+ podium- Pat Baker |
| Cyclo-Vets Spring Classic Crit (Rank 1.0)
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| Masters 65+
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| Place
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License
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Name
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Team
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SoCal Points
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| 1
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180386
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John McKee
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Paramount Racing
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0
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| 2
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195498
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Donald Kimper
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UC Cyclery/JW Floors
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0
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| 3
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129293
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Michael Fleming
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South Bay Wheelmen
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0
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| 4
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64127
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Richard Lilleberg
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South Bay Wheelmen
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0
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| 5
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72995
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Hylton Murphy
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UC Cyclery/JW Floors
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0
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| 6
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56189
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Cindy Morgan
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Cal Coast Bicycles
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0
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| 7
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266647
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Allen Kizuka
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Michelob Ultra - La Grange +21
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0
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| 8
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198617
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Roger Springer
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San Diego Cyclo Vets
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0
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| 9
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50406
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Michael Edwards
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Michelob Ultra - La Grange +21
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0
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| 10
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17745
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Michael Jenkins
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Adams Avenue Bicycles
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0
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| Total # of riders
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10
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| Cyclo-Vets Spring Classic Crit (Rank 1.0)
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| Masters 70+
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| Place
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License
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Name
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Team
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SoCal Points
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| 1
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186694
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Butch Richardson
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San Diego Cyclo Vets
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0
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| 2
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168704
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James Fitzgerald
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PAA/REMAX
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0
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| 3
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305131
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martin katz
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0
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| Total # of riders
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3
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| Cyclo-Vets Spring Classic Crit (Rank 1.0)
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| Masters 75+
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| Place
|
License
|
Name
|
Team
|
SoCal Points
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| 1
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45763
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Robert Paganini
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PAA/REMAX
|
0
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| 2
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351238
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Leon Sowers
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San Diego Cyclo Vets
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0
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| 3
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99513
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Edward Camarena
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Veloce Santiago
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0
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| Total # of riders
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3
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| Cyclo-Vets Spring Classic Crit (Rank 1.0)
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| Masters 85+
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| Place
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License
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Name
|
Team
|
SoCal Points
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| 1
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235545
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Link Lindquist
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Team Velosport Club
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0
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|
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| Total # of riders
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1
|
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| Cyclo-Vets Spring Classic Crit (Rank 1.0)
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| Masters Women 50+
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| Place
|
License
|
Name
|
Team
|
SoCal Points
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| 1
|
379132
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Cindy Fenton
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UC Cyclery/JW Floors
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0
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| Total # of riders
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1 |
| Cyclo-Vets Spring Classic Crit (Rank 1.0)
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| Masters Women 55+
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| Place
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License
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Name
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Team
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SoCal Points
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| 1
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140934
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Mimi Sheean
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Michelob Ultra - La Grange +21
|
0
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| 2
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40398
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Karen Christoffersen
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LiVe Well p/b Bountiful Bicycle
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0
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| 3
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30367
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Pamela Houle
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Team 101
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0
|
|
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| Total # of riders
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3
|
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| Cyclo-Vets Spring Classic Crit (Rank 1.0)
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| Masters Women 60+
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| Place
|
License
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Name
|
Team
|
SoCal Points
|
| 1
|
56189
|
Cindy Morgan
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Cal Coast Bicycles
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0
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| 2
|
51985
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Vickie VanOsdol-Castaldi
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Ironfly
|
0
|
|
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| Total # of riders
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2
|
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| Cyclo-Vets Spring Classic Crit (Rank 1.0)
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| Masters Women 65+
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| Place
|
License
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Name
|
Team
|
SoCal Points
|
| 1
|
202346
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Patricia Kimper
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ACQUA AL 2/SDBC
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0
|
|
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| Total # of riders
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1
|
|
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| Cyclo-Vets Spring Classic Crit (Rank 1.0)
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| Masters Women 70+
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| Place
|
License
|
Name
|
Team
|
SoCal Points
|
| 1
|
235409
|
Patricia Baker
|
San Diego Cyclo Vets
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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