Back to the Track at the FSA Grand Prix

After a good stint at BC Superweek, I headed down solo to Seattle this weekend to check out some track racing and start getting ready for Track Nationals which are to be held in Dieppe, New Brunswick at the beginning of September. We had a bit of an adventure getting down to the States as the border proved to be a lengthy obstacle, but we did eventually make it down to the Group Health (Marymoor) Velodrome in time.
My first (and only) race for Friday night was a 40 lap points race with point sprints every 5 laps. I started off strong, but I kept making silly mistakes and despite seeming to hold my own well on the sprints, I ended up 7th. This was partly due to tactical error on my part as for some reason I seem to have forgotten how to race on the funny oval tracks-like things, but it was also that there were a number of rather speedy sprinter types hanging around including a girl I met in Australia a few years ago. It was funny to run into two girls that I had met on the other side of the world, but as they are super good people, it was nice to see them. The racing wrapped up around 12:30am and we were nicely settled into our beds by 2am....I don't know if I remember the last time I was up until 2am! Luckily we didn't start the next session until 7pm the following evening.
Session 2 promised fun in the form of the miss-and-out to be followed by a 20 lap scratch race. For those unfamiliar with track racing, a miss-and-out is where they eliminate the final rider across the line each lap until only 3 riders remain - then the three riders sprint it out for top honours. I was impressed at the size of the women's field - coming it at 17 competitors, which made for a longer race. I enjoy the event, and the level of skill in the women's pack was high - which was neat to see. There were a few girls who were being a little unnecessarily rough (in my opinion), but that may have been a slight miscalculation on their part as getting pushed around doesn't intimidate me so much as anger me...regardless, I was happy to make it down to the final three with two Australian compatriots - Laura McCaughy and Monique Hanley. Unfortunately for me, they both bested me to the line and I picked up 3rd.
Going into the final race - the scratch race, I was hoping that the girls would be aggressive over the 20 lap race. The organizers had sweetened the pot by offering $3 for the first across the line each lap and $2 for the second placed rider. I tried to exercise a bit of patience to start off, but about 7 laps in Annette Hansen took off and it appeared that no one was going to chase her. I bridged the small gap as I felt Annette would be a good breakaway buddy. Soon enough we were working well together and it looked like the pack was going to let us get away. Unfortunately Laura McCaughy and Erica Allar (both of Salamandar Racing) were not keen on letting us go and they bridged up to us with about 7 laps to go. On the same lap as they made contact the announcer called a $15 prime for the first across the line. Since we had the top sprinter in the field out front with us, I wasn't interested in keeping the break going and so I went for the prime and took it. Shortly thereafter the remainder of the field caught up and from then on in it was a sit and wait for the end type of race. I was keeping my eye on the super-sprinter and with 1.5 laps to go I was positioned really well. Unfortunately with 1 to go I let myself get boxed in and I was at the mercy of those around me as to when the sprint was to start. Once the speed picked up, I was out and around, but it was too late as there was only 100m remaining to the line. I came close to the podium, but my earlier breakaway companion nipped me by a few inches to take 3rd behind the duo from Salamader Racing.
Overall it was a great weekend. It was nice to spend a little time outside and see the sun (although today was supposed to be my beach day and I woke up this morning to RAIN again). It was particularly good for me to become reaquainted with the track and the subtleties that aren't as present on the road. I'm looking forward to a bit of a rest - but I'm stoked to head up to Kelowna with the team this weekend for Fantastic 4!

Giant attacks Delta's rainy criterium

Just when we thought Gastown was the rainiest it can get in July, a the rain warning issued by Environment Canada materialized and the streets of Ladner were sopping by the time the Women's Criterium got rolling. Hometown girl and Giant Team member Claire Cameron was called to the line, along with our top hill-climb finisher Leah Guloien.

We knew that we had the numbers and the skill to win the race, and we started out on the attack from the gun. Multiple splits got away and were brought back, including one particularly dangerous one containing Steph Roorda (Giant) Sarah Stewart (Symmetrics), and a Jazz Apple girl (I don't know them so well yet). It looked like it might stick, but the Trek Red Truck and BH Bicycles teams brought it back.

The Giant Bicycles Team showed itself to be the most dominant team, scooping up almost all the primes in the process. Hometown girl Claire Cameron showed her sprinting prowesse - winning every prime she contested!

With two laps to go, our selfless Alena Radomsky launched a glorious attack, forcing the chase from Jazz Apple and Symmetrics. Jazz Apple's Rushlee Buchanan blazed to the front for the last lap, with Leah Goldstein (Symmetrics) hot on her wheel. Rushlee showed her formidable speed, acting essentially as her own lead out and winning the field sprint - with Giant's Jenny Trew and Lisa Howard in second and third place.

Two steps of the podium was a considerable improvement from our previous criterium showings, but left us hungry for a win.


photo c/o Greg Descantes

hills are for climbing

DELTA HILL CLIMB ( STAGE ONE ) 7PM JULY 20 2007

well once again we race in the rain

Though at least this time it was only a brief exposure to the wicked weather,

that's the great thing about hill climbs the faster you climb the less time you spend in the rain.

Though no one spent less time in the rain than Malindills Maclean ( jazz apple ) next was our own Leah Guloien followed by Alison Shanks ( jazz apple ).

Jenny Trew proved that she too was a formidable foe climbing her way into 6 th place with a 700m time of 1:35. GOOD JOB GIRLS

The Best Birthday Present Ever!!!

Ahh yes, today is Monday July 23rd which means that I am officially 26 years old and I must say that my last weekend as a 25 year old was pretty awesome. This last weekend the Team Giant girls have been very busy racing in the Tour de Delta which consists of a hill climb, criterium and a road race. Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate, however, on the flip side, us BC/Alberta girls know how to ride in the rain and know how to take advantage of the girls that don't!!! Our biggest competitors, the Jazz Apple Team, seemed to be a little freaked out by the rain and the slippery conditions. The criterium was by far the worst racing conditions of all three races. The race ended late and the drive home was long and dark and wet outside and all I could think about was food and sleep. In other words, I arrived home, ate some yams and hit the sheets with dirt still in my hair. I figured I was getting up at 5:30am to get dirty and wet again so what was the point in taking a shower. Okay, by now I am sure most of you think I am disgusting, but I would like you all to know that my new ritual is not showering the night before a race and if you continue to read on you will find out that it works- haha! During the team meeting before the road race, our team manager, Jeremy Storie, discussed the logistics of the race including who had the most points and what we needed to do in order to win the overall and the road race. Jenny and I had the most points on our team, so it was up to one of us to win the race. Rushlee Buchanan on Team Jazz Apple had the most points overall and following close behind was myself, teammate Jenny and Leah Goldstein on Team Symmetrics. All of the Team Giant girls were aware of who to watch and if any break was to get away we needed to make sure that break included myself, Jenny or both of us. I had spoken with Leah Goldstein before the race and she was determined to get away from the field in a small break and wanted me to be with her. I knew this would be a good move as long as I could stay with her on the climbs and outsprint her in the end. As we had discussed, not long after the start, the field had strung out and a small group of seven riders including myself, Jenny, Leah Goldstein and the leader in the omnium points had formed. Unfortunately, everyone wasn't cooperating and taking their fair share of pulls so Leah and I decided to set the tempo hard up the climb in hopes of dropping as many people as we could. Unfortunately, we were unable to drop the omnium points leader and soon one of her teammates chased back on to form a group of four. Fortunately for Leah and I, the leader's teammate went over the yellow line TWICE and was disqualified. I hate to say it, but when I saw her get pulled, I knew my chances of winning this race improved dramatically. The omnium leader started suffering on the climb and Leah and I took advantage by setting the tempo harder and eventually we dropped her. For the last 4 laps, Leah and I worked really well together. We kept the pace steady and I followed her up the climb every time watching her every move. My climbing legs were on and I felt super strong throughout the entire race. On the final corner, I was on Leah's wheel listening to Jeremy's instructions on the radio. As soon as he told me to go, I got out of the saddle and hammered as hard as I could right through the finish line, ignoring Jeremy's instructions for me to settle and put my arms up in the air because I had just won the race. It was a great feeling to win this race and as a result I also won the Tour de Delta overall. It was a very successful day for the Giant girls. I was very proud of how my team worked together this weekend. The team effort in the criterium and the road race was amazing and I think with each race it is only going to get better.

Coming Together

At the Giro di Burnaby, it all came together - almost... After a number of team efforts that were almost there - Thursday night was a race of beauty for the Giant team. We were constant aggressors of the race - although we did not succeed in breaking up the pack over the 20 laps of the 1.85km course. The race was fast and the weather held for us to have a dry one as we ripped around the streets in Burnaby.
I, for one, found it very cool that they were able to shut down Hastings Street for a number of blocks to showcase the sport of cycling. I'm very familiar with that stretch of road as it lies between my house and the Burnaby Velodrome - so to be able to race on it was very cool. The highlight of my evening was going after a $200 prime against Gina Grain (expresscopy.com). It came down to a bike throw between the two of us, but I came up victorious by 0.004s - they had to go to the finish camera and it took half a lap to determine the winner - I didn't even find out until we were in the tent at the end of the race!
Despite a fantabulous race - we have yet to get the finish dialed in. We were however given a clinic by the Jazz Apple squad on how to do a lead out. With 1 to go the whole team got to the front and strung it out - I was moving up, but didn't realize it was the final lap until I was well around the final corner. Luckily I was well positioned, and was able to come across the line in 4th with Lisa hot on my heels in 5th. The top three were a repeat from the previous night's field sprint with Shelley Olds (PROMAN/Paradigm) topping the podium, Malindills Mclean (Jazz Apple) in second and Grain in 3rd. I want a Giant rider on the podium here at Superweek! This weekend is our time to shine :P

Criterium: White Rock

The first criterium kicked off in sunny White Rock on Saturday evening. Being a new member of the team I felt quite nervous. However the experience of all the other girls quickly calmed me down and gave me the security I needed. I have to say I was feeling like a rock star rolling up to the start line with the screaming fans, the radio in my ear, and not to mention the sweet kit.

The race consisted of 30 laps, with 4 corners and a small hill each time around. With riders making consecutive attacks the pace was fast and the hill was taking it’s toll on the riders. At 18 laps to go one girl escaped. It was Rushlee Buchanan from the kiwi team, Jazz Apple. With the main pack not committed to chasing her down, she maintained a 30 second lead for the remainder of the race and won. Unfortunately after massive attacks made by the Giant girls earlier in the race, no one had the legs for the final sprint.
The race didn’t go according to plan and the team was disappointed. But this is only the beginning. And hopefully next time my rock star radio will actually be working.

Hill Repeats AKA White Rock RR

What would be more fun for a team whose riders are all sprinters, except for one climber and one sort of unclassified rider who has horsepower if used correctly, than to do a 80km road race with 16 significant climbs. The White Rock Road Race is the toughest hilliest course on the BC Cup Circuit. A figue 8 course loops around the spectacular water front of White Rock, each loop includes two climbs, false flats, two descents, and a very short flat section. The other unique feature is that the men's and women's fields actually get to cross paths on the same road after the men come flying down a descent into two 90 degree corners. I don't know how all the other women feel, but I personally have a moment when 80 or so men are going over 50km/hr 1 foot away from me in the opposite direction.
The team took the line ready to help Leah get into the top group. The field had some big names from Expresscopy.com and Jazz Apple (New Zealand), that included the National Champions from both Canada and New Zealand, as well as Leah Golstein Symmetrics Cycling who dominates on the climbs in any race in North America. The first climb was aggressive as the QOM points started on the first climb of each loop and continued that way for the rest of the race. The significant move went on the second lap through the feed zone and included Leah Golstein Symmetrics, Rushlee Buchanan Jazz Apple,Shelly Olds PROMAN/Paradigm, Erinne Willock and Alison Testroete Expresscopy.com, Leah narrowly missed the move and righ away Jenny and Alena (me) went to the front with Leah to chase. This was the beginning of the most painful cycling experience of my life. The Chase group gradually shed riders and somewhere around lap 3 or 4 Leah and myself were left with a group of about 10 riders who were content to let us do all the work as most of the riders had a teammate in the break. Leah drove hard the entire time frustrated because she missed the break and wanting to give it all she had to get there, I pulled through and helped her as much as physically possible, while all the other riders had a free ride and watched us suffer. About lap 5 killed me I was dropped from this group 3 times and chased back on, the whole time thinking about how much our only climber really needed a teammate and if Thomas Voeckler got dropped 8 times in the mountains of the 2005 Tour de France and chased back on so could I. At this time I had established a fan club of people who probably felt sorry for me and I had more cheers than any other bike race every before, including people in the feed zone and the guys in the follow car, thanks to all of you who helped me reach my max HR 3 times in 2 hours, I almost died. At this time Leah is still driving the pace hard and it is starting to have its effects on her, Jenny, Claire, and Stephaine all managed to chase back on with a few others and reached us on lap 7. I had recovered enough from the last effort to roll to the bottom of the first lap 7 climb and explode. I fell off the back of the group, rode sideways, almost off the road, the follow car asked if I was okay, then managed to ride switchback style up the climb at about 5 km/hr. The main group finished off the race and Jenny took 4th in the bunch sprint for 9th overall. The next two races are Crits and I can't wait!

Bumpy Roads At Road Nationals (July 10) RR

Tuesday July 10 the Giant Girls Jenny, Leah, Alena (me), Laura, and our guest rider for BC Super Week Steph Roorda took to the heat and rough roads for the 127km road race. The first 100km of the race had some small rolling hills and two longer climbs before the final kilometers in the town of St. Georges Quebec where a 3 lap circuit with a 1.6 km gruelling climb made the final decisions of the race. The race started out steady and eventually lead to a few attacks where Steph, Jenny, and myself were patrolling the front with the goal of keeping Leah fresh for the final circuit. Laura had a few mechanical problems which were fixed and she was back at the front for the later half of the first 100km. Steph and myself found ourselves off the front with Emily Roy who eventually maintained a solo break until the final circuit, we were called back to the pack to keep our legs fresh for later efforts. There was little action until the first main climb where the race leaders from Expresscopy.com pushed the pace up the climb, most of the riders stayed on, and the Giant girls were active at the front watching for any significant moves. After the feed zone at 75km when most of the field was feeling the heat the attacks started to become more significant. The team had one goal of keeping Leah at the front and protected until the final circuits. All was successful until the eventual winners Gina Grain Expresscopy.com, Marni Hambleton Symmetrics, and Moriah MacGregor AE Sport Development, broke away from the field. Despite a few attempts to organize a chase the peleton did not catch the break and went into the final circuit chasing. Expresscopy went to the front at the first climb and the field quickly split, Leah was in the final top selection going up the first climb, and the remainder of the team was sitting in the middle of the second group. Leah put in a huge effort to stay with the top Canadian girls and ended up 14th. The rest of the team finished off the race as hard as they could and came in mid field with small groups. Laura and Steph finished 5th and 7th in Espoir, good results for the U23's! Overall another day of excellent team work and we are on to great things.

Tough Luck at the Nationals Crit (July 6th)

Today was one of those days that has to be chalked up to experience. We had the horsepower and the teamwork to be in contention for the win, but luck just didn't cooperate. We went into the race without knowing what to expect. The night before we went over who would be a threat and Jeremy pretty much called how the race was going to go down. It was a wide open course with a decent sized hill in it that turned up the finish straight into a MASSIVE headwind and then back down and around - we were up for 35 laps - 42km and we were feeling confident on the line.
Over the opening laps we paraded around the course for awhile and Jeremy made the call to start attacking, so we did. Leah made a great attack and was joined by a powerhouse from Ontario and eventual winner Merryl Collins (La Bicicletta) and they were up the road. I was somewhat surprised that people just let the two of them off the front, but I wasn't complaining. Soon enough Alex Wrubleski (Colavita Cooking Light) started attacking everytime over the top of the false flat and down around the corner. I watched vigilantly and soon enough we brought the top two girls back, but realized that we were down to only 7 girls including Leah and myself, Alex, Merryl, Laura Yoisten (Webcor), Joelle Numainville and Alison Testeroete (both expresscopy.com). It was actually a perfect situation with 2 girls out of 7. It was rolling around fairly hard and then we went through the bottom corner and the two girls in front of Leah and I went down and we were gapped. In hindsight we should have taken a lap, but we didn't and Leah and I were left in no man's land. The two who crashed got given too many laps (and were later relegated to 4th and 5th) and in a couple of laps Leah and I were absorbed into the pack. Eventually the pack was close to 40 seconds up the road so Jeremy had us try to bring it down. So first Alena gave it everything for a lap before I took over, and over 3.5 laps we reduced the gap to 10 seconds - it was awesome. But Alena and I were pretty done after that.Leah stayed strong in the chase group (despite frustration) and won the field sprint for 6th. Also, our Laura is still having difficulties with the injuries sustained at Yaletown, but we'll have her up and running in no time flat!It was a hard day, but we rode strong and we rode well as a team. We are now focusing on kicking butt in the TT (sauf moi - french for "except me") and then the roadrace.

A Sunday of Pain and Success

After spending Saturday racing in Victoria in the sun I was a little worried about how i was going to be feeling for the Future Heros Crit on Sunday. My warm up was slow and my legs felt very tired and heavy. Jenelle and I were the only two Giant riders at the race and for the first time we were out numbered by a few other teams. I was hoping that i would get my legs to come around during the race so i opted to sit near the front and try opening up the legs a little by closing down some of the early attacks. Jenelle and i switched covering everything that tried to go up the road and when the prime lap rolled around we found ourselves in the perfect position. Jenelle took the prime and as soon as she rolled across the line i counter attacked and took Stephanie with me. Our break didn't last long, which was the theme of the rest of the race with a few more attempts by a few other riders to get away. When it became clear that it was going to be a bunch sprint i started thinking about where i wanted to position myself for that final sprint. There was a significant head wind so i knew that it would have to be left very late. Coming around the final corner Stephanie started to take it long and i sat on her wheel with Stacey Spencer right on my wheel. With 50m to go i started to come around Steph and took my first win of the season. It felt great!

A Sunny Weekend

While a lot of our team was out east at road nationals i stayed at home and raced locally.

Saturday was the second race in the BC Cup Track Series and i headed out for a day in the sun at the outdoor velodrome in victoria. Racing is a little different in Victoria than at Burnaby. I am not use to having to deal with the wind when racing on the track and this weekend there was some major winds, especially in the afternoon, which caused speeds to be slower and tactics to change. The most exciting race of the weekend for me was the mixed madison. The madison is an exciting race because there are partners trying to do exchanges, sprints every few laps and trying to time everything requires you to think while racing at max speed. I had a partner who was 100lbs heavier than i was so when he slung me in it was such a rush of speed!!! When the day was done i had ridden 3 madison races, a points race, a scratch race and a tempo race. I came out on top and was the overall B Omnium winner!! What a great day at the track.

Firing on all cylinders

Check the girls driving it! This is a picture of the break at Yaletown where we were able to capture 2nd, 4th, 5th, 7th and 8th - a pretty darn good showing if I do say so myself. It was an action packed day where we unfortunately lost Laura B. to a crash about two laps in. The two of us (Laura and Jenny) decided to take the second corner rather quickly as we were capitalizing on a small gap and ended up visiting the fence. Laura took the brunt of the crash, but she's a fighter and will be ready to rock on Friday when we take on the Nationals field.
So back to the race. Shortly after I took my free lap, Team Giant started animating the race. In what would be indicative of how she rode all day, Leah laid down a killer attack going up the short steep hill on the backside of the course and splintered the group. Fairly quickly we found the six of us (Leah, Lisa and myself from Giant, the Symmetrics duo of Marni Hambleton and Sarah Stewart, and Expresscopy's Gina Grain) off the front with a comfortable lead that would reach a maximum of around 40 seconds near the end of the race. The Giant girls (lead by Leah) ended up initiating a great deal of the work, but we also came away with the first prime as I jumped Gina at the top of the hill (a move that I would see repeated 3 more times in the race, 2 primes and the win - why did I have to show her the move?!?) As you might be able to tell from the gimaces on the faces of all the girls in the break, we were working hard out there, but we were unable to shake our three breakaway companions.
As the race was coming into the final 4-5 laps, Alena made a brave and bold move from the main pack where she and Claire had done an exceptional job of patrolling and controlling the other racers. Alena managed to jump her group and solo the remaining laps for 7th place - while we were jockying with the others out front. The girls got the lead out going with 1 lap to go and I thought we were golden. I knew that Gina would try to jump us wide going into the 2nd last turn, but at the time (with the lack of oxygen) was a bit at a loss as to how to stop it. She did indeed jump where I thought (next time I'm going to have to anticipate that better) and got a good gap going into the downhill section. Coming out of the final turn it is essentially three strong pedal strokes and the finish line. Gina took the win, with myself in second and Marni in third. Also a notable mention to Claire who showed the main field how it's done by taking the sprint for 8th.
All in all, I think it was a great day for the Giant girls and a super warm up for the hometown racing we will be doing in the next month. The crowds at Yaletown were awesome and I can't wait for Nationals and Superweek!