Midweek Cycling Club Criterium Bicycle races, Mississauga, Ontario, 26May2009
Slightly less than perfect weather, a slightly smaller crowd, and a slightly slower pace. No successful breakaways tonight. Light rain, 12C, winds E@20kph. Not bad, but not perfect.
The Midweek gang consistently delivers a quality event. Happy Birthday to Michelle!
About 30 reported to the starting line for the beginners B race. The group stayed together until the bell lap, logging laptimes of 1:20 to 1:27.
At the finish, the camera shows last week's 2nd place (B race) Dawid Kurzawinski, riding for Kursawinski Coach, winning, and 2nd place was Independent rider Chris Kirk.
Figure 1. B race finish, Kurzawinski wins, Kirk 2nd.
Deja vu, was the Elite race. An early break started by La Bicicletta's Chris Freeland in the first lap, developed into a 4 man runaway train which included Freelands teammate Ed Veal and three others. By this time, alas, sans Freeland, as his wheel was literally screwed.
Figure 2. Chris Freeland's sheet rock screw, through the tire, through the wheel. Anybody got a phillips head screwdriver?
Some tape, and tube, tire and some air was all it took to get Chris back out there.
Meanwhile, the break, which contained Jan Zak from Mazur Coaching Senior 3 racer, Jamie Smith Ciclo works BMC, was reduced (deliberately, take a pull or you get sent back to the pack, break ettiquette) from 4 to 3.
Freeland rejoining the break, brought the break back to 4 until Freeland's knee issue reasserted itself, alas, the break was again 3.
Meanwhile, the break, which contained Jan Zak from Mazur Coaching Senior 3 racer, Jamie Smith Ciclo works BMC, was reduced (deliberately, take a pull or you get sent back to the pack, break ettiquette) from 4 to 3.
Freeland rejoining the break, brought the break back to 4 until Freeland's knee issue reasserted itself, alas, the break was again 3.
The break was long lasting, holding a highly reproducible 15 second lead for many laps. Valiant efforts to bridge by Sweet Pete's Mark Palma, Midweek's Oscar Reinas, Coach Chris' Peter Kofman, Midweek's Tovi Heilbronn, and Midweek's Toni Fisher were observed. All these bridge attempts helped to bring the pack back up to the break. With 7 laps to go, all riders were one group.
After a few attempts to attack were mounted, it was clearly going to be a bunch sprint. The sprint was a ripping juggernaught, won by Ed Veal, a very close 2nd was the B race winner's father, Krzysztof Kurzawinski, riding for Kurzawinski Coach.
After a few attempts to attack were mounted, it was clearly going to be a bunch sprint. The sprint was a ripping juggernaught, won by Ed Veal, a very close 2nd was the B race winner's father, Krzysztof Kurzawinski, riding for Kurzawinski Coach.
We present video of the sprint finish.
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