Redlands Bicycle Classic 2013 : SUCCESS

Robin Farina and Oliva Dillon are ready to rock it before the criterium (Photo: P. Payne)

 NOW and Novartis for MS not only continued to help Alison Powers keep the Yellow Jersey through the 3rd (criterium, downtown Redlands CA) and 4th (road race, Sunset loop, Redlands CA) but the Green Sprinter's jersey ended up coming along with it.  Alison Powers is now also the leader of the NRC classification, as well as the NRC sprinter's classification. 

Pre-podium chit chat after the final stage of the Redlands Bicycle Classic (Photo: K. Stockton)

All in all, Powers was actually awarded with a total of FIVE different jerseys to slip on during the podium ceremonies on the final day of the Redlands Bicycle Classic.  How often do we see that?

As an added bonus, NOW and Novartis for MS also achieved a first place in the Team Classification, meaning we were awarded with the status of the best team with the fastest cumulative time *(the total combined time of the top 3 riders in the GC for each team is taken into).

Getting to celebrate atop the podium as a team is definitely one of the coolest ways to end a bike race.

I hopped on the Red Eye flight home from LA to Montréal where I will spend 2 weeks resting (a bit!) and training at Power Watts' Premier studio in Montréal.

The next races:
Joe Martin Stage Race (Fayetteville, Arkansas) : April 25-28
Tour of the Gila (Silver City, New Mexico) : May 1-5

 

Redlands Bicycle Classic: Stage 2

Our goal was, and still is to keep Alison Powers in the lead for the General Classification at the Redlands Bicycle Classic.

It was very cold at the start of stage 2, in Beaumont, California. I was shivering like a madman before the start.  I remembered hearing  that it was snowing at home in Québec Canada this morning and keeping that in mind I started to find the weather a little balmy.  Nice trick, "eh"?  (See Jonathan Devich's photo that shows how cold it was HERE)

Our goal wasn't to launch attacks, or aim to be a part of any breaks.  We just wanted to have enough control over what was going on in the big scheme of things, and keep Alison safe.  We followed moves, and let some go instead of burning matches chasing every little thing that went.  We rotated through on the front of the pack to keep any riders who went up the road in check.  It was taking a lot of energy to do it, but that was part of the strategy, and that's what we train for.

Alison went for the sprint points (and the time bonuses that came with them), and scored on each of the 3 laps of the course.  She's tied with Brianna Walle from Optum now for the sprinter's classification, but Alison is the official leader since she's higher up in GC.

On the last lap a break went and we let it go, rolling at the front to keep it in check.  None of the riders in it were threating to Alison's lead.  We brought the break back slowly, calmly, and surely.  Then things split up the final uphill section.  I ended up in that front group with Alison Powers and Robin Farina.  Before the second last corner, Robin was leading hard it on the front.  In the long stretch leading up to the ultimate corner into the uphill finishing section Robin attacked, then I took the front and drilled it into the last corner.  Just as I got there, Powers came by me, and sling-shotted off of me.  She sprinted to the finish, and WON.  Bingo.   I kept pedaling to the finish line

Stage 2 podium at Redlands.  Alison Power of NOW and Novartis for MS wins again! Photo credit: Redlands Classic Twitter. 

10seconds of time bonus, another victory, and she keeps the lead, by even more than she started with today. 

The second place finisher in today's stage protested the sprint to the commissaires, but did not win.  I think she believed Alison cut her off.  Alison was the first out of the corner, chose her line, and kept it.  A fair and square win for NOW and Novartis for MS. 

This was the last race I'll ever do when I'm 25 and I'm satisfied how this year of my life has went out ;).  Next goal, bring in 26 with a bang as well.  Tomorrow is the penultimate stage: a criterium in downtown Redlands

Robin getting some quality recovery in after today's tough day on the Specialized S-Works Amira!

Redlands Bicycle Classic : Stage 1

This year, stage 1 of the Redlands Bicycle Classic was held in Big Bear, CA for the first time ever.  It was a 10km time-trial at altitude, on a slightly rolling, and twisty course. 



Erik prepared our Specialized S-Works SHIV bikes the day before the race, as always. Here they are out by the team car, near his workspace.

It was a good thing that NOW and Novartis for MS made the 1hr drive up the mountain to Big Bear to pre-ride the race course a day early with our Specialized Shiv time-trial bikes.  That way we knew what to expect, and weren't suprised by any of those twists and turns on race day.  It probably would have been an even better idea ride it with race wheels on our bikes.  Having a full disc on the back, and deep dish (high rims) on the front kind of changes how the bike handles, mostly in sharp corners. 

It didn't matter much because we still arrived early enough on race day to ride on the road with our Specialized Shivs and race wheels.  Afterwards, I warmed up a little less intensely than I normally would for a time trial.  I figured that it would be a good idea considering how thin the air was up at 7000ft.  Your body just doesn't react the same way...

Alison Tetrick from the Exergy2016 team started 30seconds behind me.  The problem with that was that it was her birthday.   I know what birthday magic can do.  It can work wonders.  Plus, she's already fast.  Nobody likes getting passed in a time trial, so I knew I had to haul ..."keister".  Okay, it wasn't the first thing on my mind but I still thought about it.

 

I ended up finishing 5th place in the day, and passed a few people instead of getting passed (phewf.  OK, I'm joking, but I'm not).  However, the highlight was definitely my teammate's VICTORY.  Alison Powers SMOKED the field, winning with a 30second gap over the second place athlete (Taylor Wiles of Lululemon)  Alison is now the current leader of the race, and our goal is no secret.  We want her in the yellow jersey all of the way until Sunday, when the race ends.   

 

 

I got home and pulled out my Travel Roller, like always, before my massage from our soigneur Michelle.  (Want one? Click the link below)  Stage 2, here we come. 

 



Top 10 Results:
(for the rest: click HERE)

1	Alison Powers (NOW and Novartis for MS)	0:16:10
2	Tayler Wiles (Specialized lululemon)	0:00:31
3	Rhae Shaw (Vanderkitten)	0:00:44
4	Brianna Walle (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies)	0:00:49
5	Lex Albrecht (NOW and Novartis for MS)	0:00:55
6	Amber Neben (The Dare to Be Project)	0:00:56
7	Janel Holcomb (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies)	0:00:59
8	Alison Tetrick (Exergy Twenty 16)	0:00:59
9	Robin Farina (NOW and Novartis for MS)	0:01:02
10	Denise Ramsden (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies)	0:01:07

Redlands Went Out With a Smash

Redlands went out with a smash.

The four stage race finished with a circuit race of 9 laps around the "Sunset Loop".  It has a reputation for being the toughest stage of the entire race.  Optum Pro Cycling raced it hard and raced it well.

On the first lap, Joëlle hiked the pace up, scoring the only precious time bonus to be won during the stage.  This caused the field to shatter, and only at the beginning of the race.  6 of the 8 Optum riders made the selection.  Thanks Joëlle, you made my legs burn.  But I stayed in for the fight.  I wanted to race this puppy.  Later, Leah who was part of this group as well, went off the front for a few laps with another girl.  Jade scooped up some extra Queen of the Mountain points securing her jersey, as Leah was brought back into the group. 

With a couple of laps to go, I skidded out on a downhill, regained control of my bike, then skidded out and crashed only meters further.  After just recovering from a concussion only a couple of weeks earlier, I felt lucky that I didn't whack my head.  It would have set my training back considerably, for a second time this season.  I was adamant about getting back on my bike but I couldn't move my arm.  Some paramedics and a firefighter named Kevin came to my rescue.  I was mangled, but alive and relatively well.  Just not in shape to ride.

All wrapped up to immobilize my bashed up shoulder.

I got a ride back in a cop car to the feedzone to join the Optum staff until the end of the race.  I asked to sit in the back, like a criminal.  It was fun. 
The girls finished the stage without me, and with 5 remaining Optum riders in the lead pack, Joëlle sprinted to a 2nd place stage finish, and got up on the 3rd step of the GC podium with the help of the Optum Pro Cycing presented by Kelly Benefits Strategies women's team.  Jade kept the Queen of the Mountain Jersey, and Joëlle the sprinter's jersey, as well as the Best Young Rider, and Sprinter in the Women's Prestigue Series.

Good job girls!

Stage 3 Criterium: 2012 Redlands Bicycle Classic

The criterium course at Redlands is known for it's CORNERS.  9 of them, on each mile-long lap.  The women's field raced for 60 minutes, and Optum Pro Cycling presented by Kelly Benefits Strategies tried to make the best of each second.  There are some cool pictures on the official team site for both the men's and women's races: Optum Pro Cycling Redlands Criterium Race Report and Photos

Pedaling through the corner with an "emergency" Clif Shot gel stashed away under my Champion Systems short band, just in case

We went into the race with Joëlle in the sprinter's jersey, and Jade in the climber's jersey.  There were no climber's points to be gained on the flat, speedy course.  (In fact, the average speed of the women's race was over 26mph, which is quite a bit considering how technical the course is relative to most other criteriums)

We raced well.  We attacked, we covered, we initiated breaks.  Halfway into the race, I attacked and pounded around the course for two laps solo.  When the field caught me, Denise Ramsden went off the front for over 7 laps with one other rider.  Courteney, Jade and Joëlle worked together to score points, and Anna and Kristen rode a great race too.

In the final lap there were two crashes, one somewhere behind me that I could only hear, and one in front of me, and everyone else.  Coming into the finish line, Joëlle was second wheel (the second rider from the front).  It was the girl in front of her who went down, and Joëlle managed to avoid going down with her, cranked up the speed again, and still managed to sprint to a super 1st place finish.

Excellent racing girls.  That was fun.

Redlands Bicycle Classic, 1st and 2nd Stage in The Bank

Stage 1: Uphill prologue.
5k and just over 11 minutes of speed and power was the plan for the day.  I put on my Champion Systems speedsuit (like a skinsuit, but even faster), my special Lazer time trial (TT) helmet, and my most aero Mavic shoe covers on.  I wasn't expecting to win the darn TT (hey, it's not my specialty), I just wanted to give it my best shot.
Out of the gate everything was going well.  Our mechanic Adrian set up my Orbea TT bike (outfitted with HED bars that I chose earlier in the season, and a set of HED wheels) perfectly.  I was keeping an aero position with my head down low, only looking a few feet ahead at a time.  I hugged the right side of the road.  I figured it was the best line. Then, BAM.  An orange fence appeared in front of me and I rode into it.  Embarassing, frustrating, disappointing?  I don't know. I just convinced myself not to let it get to me, to refocus, and keep going. Easier said than done.
The orange fence was a baracade that closed off the sides of the racecourse to cars and pedestrians.  At a certain point where I obvioulsy wasn't expecting it, the orange fence cut into the road, tapering the width of the course somewhat.  That's where it caught me, like a rodent trap.
Looking back I hope that somebody saw me and got a kick out of the whole deal.  At least I'd feel like it was somewhat worth it. haha.

Stage 2: City of Beaumont Circuit Race
Traditionally, this stage is heavily influenced by the winds in Beaumont, especially in the long, straight, flat, unsheltered sections.  In 2012 it wasn't windy.  Just breezy.

Optum Pro Cycling presented by Kelly Benefits Strategies rode a super race.  We were agressive, attacking and counter attacking, and getting into every significant break attempt throughout the day.  We don't race with radios anymore, so halfway into the race, Denise dropped back to get some news from our director Rachel in the race caravan.  Denise brought all of us extra bottles.  It's easier to "feed" from the caravan sometimes than to grab a feed (a bottle!) in the feedzone on the course when all of the other riders are struggling to find their soigneurs posted at the side of the road, and grab their bottle as they whiz by.  It's a hectic area of the racecourse most times. 

It was important not to give up a good place in the peloton in the feed zone because shortly afterwards, the race went into it's most technical section.  There were a few twisty uphill pitches with a bit of narrow downhill roads thrown in which make me think of Europe.  It's best to be at the front of the pack at this point in the race.  Especially because the battle for the Queen of the Mountains (QOM) intermediate sprint points would happen at the top of the final ascent, so the pace would be cranked up significantly on the tough-ish climb.  Jade and Courteney scored all of the QOM points for the day, and we set up Joëlle on every lap to get her the maximum amount of points at the intermediate sprints.  The result was: Green Sprinter's jersey for Joëlle Numainville, and Red Queen of the Mountains jersey for Jade Wilcoxson.  I took a flyer at the end of the race, misinterpreting Jade's "GO Lex!" which meant, ramp up the pace, not crank it like a wildwoman.  I knew that I had a gap on the field, and it was taking a while for it to be filled.  I wondered if I would stay away, and wondered where Joëlle and Jade were too but I didn't dare look back, I wanted to keep the speed up.  Specialized-Lulu Lemon brought me back in the final corner with several hundred metres to go, with Joëlle and Jade on their wheels.  Joëlle just barely, barely missed the highest step of the podium for the day, crossing the line in second place. 

A super finish, two jerseys, and a great day.  There are two stages left, the downtown criterium and Sunset, another circut race...  We want orange EVERYWHERE.  Good job girls.