Santa Cruz Criterium- Podium and Primes!

Santa Cruz Criterium
W 1/2/3
Field Size-approx 25
Teammates-Brianne, JV, and Erin

A small but strong women’s field turned out for the Santa Cruz Crit, including racers from Proman, Tibco, Velo Bella, Vanderkitten, and Alto Velo/Webcor. Although the smaller field made maneuvering through the technical course easier, it did not provide shelter from the wind, making it a fairly hard race.

Brianne, Erin, and myself planned to use this as a training race so there was no diabolical race plan like usual J . However we always look for results opportunities and knew that Brianne was our go to girl. Rachel Lloyd from Proman started fast and immediately strung out the field for the first two laps. The pace settled down at the base of the start/finish climb and lucky for me I managed to remember that it was a prime lap for a box of strawberries. Unlike some competitors, I will sprint for food. So off I went, up the right side and won the prime. I had a decent gap and worked to stay off the front for another two laps. It was fun while it lasted, but cost a lot of energy as I spent the next few laps recovering. At one point, Bri came by and gave me the slightest push just to make sure I stayed on…thank you teammie!

JV looking pained off the front (photo courtesy of Steve Woo)

Brianne attacked the field and held off the chase with her solo effort for about three laps, winning a prime in the process, a huge, impressive effort.

Brianne looking happy off the front! (photo courtesy of Byron Services, check his stuff here.. http://ebyron.smugmug.com/Sports/314482)

Once she was caught, Proman launched various attacks resulting in the pace remaining high as chase efforts were shared among the field. With two to go, Lauren from Alto Velo attacked and immediately had a large gap. On the descent I moved up and chased to bring the gap down, then Proman and Tibco took over pulling Brianne along. As we came through the final turn, Brianne stayed patient and let the lead out continue as people began their sprints. She jumped hard to the right and flew by people as they started to fade on the long uphill finish, winning the field sprint and taking second overall.

This course proved to be one of Erin's less favorites, but she is one tough lady that never gives up!

Erin focused and determined (photo courtesy of Byron services, check it out http://ebyron.smugmug.com/Sports/314482)

Overall a great day of racing, thanks for reading,
JV

JV and Brianne with their sweet prime prizes...thank you California Giant Strawberries!

Brianne on the podium for 2nd place.