Sunday, March 27, 2011

Western Canada Games and 4th Weekend of the Spring Series


In the latest spring series race weekend the Grants, Van der Vliets, Ellsays, Merrick, and Duncans went over and raced on the challenging Atomic road race course, 272nd Course, or the Western Canada games spring camp.
In the Western Canada Games spring camp junior riders Jordan Duncan, Andrew Grant, Jake Van der Vliet, Kia Van der Vliet, and Gillian Ellsay participated the two day camp that included a hill climb, time trial, and track time on the Burnaby Velodrome.
In the novice 272nd road race Kia Van der Vliet began her 2011 season by working together with another older rider too finish midpack after reeling rider after rider.
In the U17 272nd road race James and Mark Grant attacked from the get go and took 1st and 3rd after 5 laps on the course.
The Saturday “C” Atomic road race Jake Van der Vliet, and Andrew and Steve Grant lined up on the challenging Atomic road race that featured tough climbs, narrow roads, and wickedly fast descents. Steve, Jake, and Andrew were all dropped after numerous surges strung out the field.
In the “B” atomic road race John Van der Vliet, Nigel Ellsay, Doug Merrick, and Jordan Duncan lined up on the challenging course. Just as in the “C” race the challenging course took its toll as John, then Nigel, then Doug were dropped during the race. Jordan Duncan took a top 10 in the sprint finished that featured a fast descent coming into a narrow, winding finish.
Sundays 272nd course had riders racing around the hilly Aldergrove Lake Regional Park on a 7km circuit that had rough roads, winding climbs, numerous potholes, and some fast corners that help decide the race.
In the “C” 272nd road race rider Andrew and Steve Grant, and Jake Van der Vliet lined up under sunny weather to contest the 63km race. Steve was dropped earlier on as surges, and potholes stretched out the field. In the finishing sprint Andrew came in for a top ten finish while Jake, after riding his wheel as it flatted, took a top 15 finish.
In the B finish Doug Merrick and Nigel Ellsay (Trail Eatmore Sprouts Cycling Team) lined up for the 105km road race that featured numerous pinch flats from the potholes, and careful positioning in certain narrow sections to come out on top. Just over half-way through the race Doug dropped out after the surges deadened his legs. Nigel Ellsay overcame some early knee pains, and the tough pace to come out on top in the sprint finish as he took his second road race win of the season that has only seen him on the podium four times of the five races he has started.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

2011 Comox Cup

Hi Everyone
The first two Comox Cup races are being held on Saturday, April 30; and Sunday, June 5.
Saturday, April 30 features the Dove Creek Road Race.
Sunday, June 5 features the Tsolum River Road Race.

The time trial series:
May 4 Headquarters
May 11 Dove Creek
May 18 Forbidden Plateau
May 25 TTT
June 1 Headquarters
June 8 Dove Creek
June 15 Forbidden Plateau
June 22 TTT
NO TIME TRIAL JUNE 30 DUE TO JULY 1!!
July 6 Headquarters
July 13 Dove Creek
July 20 Forbidden Plateau
July 27 TTT
August 3 Time Trial Championships

IMPORTANT! 
Please register as a club member before the first road race/time trial of the season. You cannot officially ride with the club, as a group, or join a group ride until you do so. CyclingBC is enforcing stricter rules, so we must as well. The club membership form can be found here. Please fill out the form, and pay the membership fee before the first race of the season!

Why No Further Comox Cup's Announced?
The Comox Valley Cycle Club still needs race directors for the the July/August events. Due to new rules and fees put in place by CyclingBC we cannot hold an event without an official race director or apply for a race without one. If you want these events put on, please volunteer as race director for either of the July/August races. The race director will have the full support of the executive and the club, and will have access/advice from previous race directors on what to do and what needs to be done.