Trek Red Truck Racing Team Newsletter 2010

spring/summer 2010 NEWSLETTER

Big Wins for Red Truck Racing at the 2010 Westside Classic June 6th, 2010 - Vancouver, BC The weather forecast was bleak but the racing was hot at the West Point Grey venue of the 6th annual TNA Westside Cycling Classic presented by Shape Properties and Mosaic Homes.

The men’s race saw strong team performances from Trek Red Truck Racing p/b Mosaic Homes, Garnaeu Evolution and Team H&R Block. Each of these powerhouse outfits took their shot at establishing a break away but a persistent pack kept bringing the group back together. The King of the Mountain prize was a battle between Geoff O’toole (Garneau Evolution) and teammate Jason Thompson. O’toole won the coin toss and took the KoM win and the $200. Attack after attack after attack failed to establish a lead group and only succeeded in shedding riders out the back. The second to last lap saw fireworks on the Camosun climb and the pack rolled through start/finish absolutely shattered, but once again nothing stuck and the remnants of the group came back together for one final assault up Camosun.

The last hurdle managed to bring out the top twenty riders for the final sprint and with his powerful punch Tyler Trace (Trek Red Truck Racing) took the win ahead of Jacob Swingboth (Team H&R Block) with Jesse Reams (Garnaeu Evolution) in third.

The rain started just as the final tents came down so once again the Westside Classic was contested in fine conditions. The Wedgewood Cycling Team put on a great show and thanks to their sponsors as well as The Bike Gallery for providing neutral wheel support with help from Mavic.

During the women’s race field split into 2 around mid race and all the while Jean Ann and her teammate Sandra Walter were gobbling up the Queen of the Mountain points at the top of the Camosun climb with Jean Ann taking QoM at the end. A good size group stayed together until the end and a strong sprint finish by Leah Kirchmann (Trek Red Truck Racing) gave her the win over Claire Cameron (Mighty Racing) and strong Jean Ann McKirdy filled out the podium.

Nic Hamilton Takes the Win During Stage 2 of Mt. Hood!

June 2 2010 - Mt. Hood, OR. The Mount Hood Classic has a long history on the west coast as a very difficult and very spectacular race. Trek Red Truck has shorter history with the race, but no less spectacular. Last year the team was able to notch two stage wins and finish with four riders in the top fifteen overall. This year, against a slightly more competitive field, the results were still very strong. In a relentless downtown Portland circuit race Tyler was able to reach the podium, and on the first road race Nic Hamilton was able to crack a stage win. These results not only show the calibre of our program as the most winning team in the Pacific Northwest, but also our versatility. The team has seen success in all aspects of the sport and in a variety of situations but this is not solely attributed to our roster or individuals abilities. Our success has been a result of a complete commitment to each other, and has been established mostly through our time together as a team off the bike.

Photo credit: Pat Malach/Oregon.CyclingAction.com

Bastion Square Cycling Grand Prix May 30, 2010, Victoria, BC - The 60 km race was fast and furious - a technical 900m course meant that a breakaway was likely to lap the field if it was left unchecked. The team had an aggressive strategy with Nic and Tyler as our protected riders we were going to drive a break with either of them in it and go for the win.

The course was initially dry but some mid race showers brought chaos in the corners, bringing down a large number of riders in crashes. Unfortunately this was the case for Nic. With the number of laps ticking down and the pack not letting anything move off the front, we keyed up for a pack sprint for Tyler.

Late race attacks by Total Restoration riders were kept in check by Matt, Dan and myself and Tyler lined up with two to go behind a charging H&R Block. Coming into the finish, Tyler railed the final corner and launched his powerful finishing kick to take the win in front of a hometown crowd.

On the women’s Cat 1-3 elite side, Port Moody’s Leah Guloien (Total Restoration Cycling Team) spoiled Beijing Olympian Erinne Willock’s (Webcor Builders) Results ( Top 10 ) Women Cat 1, 2, 3 - 45 laps 1. Leah Guloien (Total Restoration Cycling Team) 2. Erinne Willock (Webcor Builders) 3. Amy Dearden (Keller Rohrback) 4. Julia Garnet* (Local Ride) 5. Naomi Cooper (Trek Red TruckRacing) 6. Andrea Bunnin (Devo) 7. Leah Kirchmann (Trek Red Truck Racing) 8. Claire Cameron (Mighty Riders) 9. Jasmin Glaesser (Solo) 10. Sarah Stewart (Total Restoration Cycling Team) Men Cat 1,2 - 75 laps

Photos courtesy: Caity Muc

1. Tyler Trace (Trek Red Truck Racing) 2. Justin Kerr (H&R Block,) 3. Jacob Schwingboth (H&R Block) 4. Dan MacDonald (Total Restoration Cycling Team) 5. Marcel Aarden (Total Restoration Cycling Team) 6. Dylan Sebel (Team Coastal) 7. Scott Laliberte (Westwood Cycle/Cannondale) 8. Christopher McGarity (Garneau Evolution) 9. Chris Worsfold (VACFSS) 10. Sebastian Salas (H&R Block)

Russ Hay’s Sooke Classic Road Race May 29, 2010, Victoria, BC - For the second in as many days, a Victoria world-class cyclist came home to showcase why they are world class.

Beijing Olympian Erinne Willock added the Russ Hay’s Sooke Classic Road Race elite women’s title to last night’s ProCity Bear Mountain Hill Climb win. The Webcor Builders Professional Cycling Team rider finished the 95-kilometre women’s race first in two hours, 57 minutes, seconds ahead of Jasmine Glasser and Jessica Hannah (Total Restoration Cycling Team) who finished second and third respectively.

On the men’s side, Garneau Evolution rider Tim Abercrombie, from New Westminster, beat one of the largest men’s elite field at a BC race, finishing the 140-kilometre men’s race in 3:28, seconds ahead of Trek Red Truck riders Nic Hamilton and Jamie Sparling, both of Vancouver (finishing second and third respectively).

With their wins today, Willock and Abercrombie, secured the 2010 BC Road Race Championship titles as the race doubled as the province’s road championships.

“Having Ryder (Hesjedal) lead the field last night, and Erinne lead the women’s field in both races really shows how the excitement and success of local riders can motivate young riders and grow the sport,” said Series Race Director Jon Watkin.

Results (Top 10) Women 1. Erinne Willock (Webcor Builders) 3. Jessica Hannah (Total Restoration Cycling Team) 4. Leah Guloien (Total Restoration Cycling Team) 5. amy dearden (Keller Rohrback Cycling) 6. Leah Kirchmann (Trek Red Truck Racing) 7. Naomi Cooper (Trek Red Truck Racing) 8. Laura Brown (Total Restoration Cycling Team) 9. Annie Ewart* (Trek Red Truck Racing) 10. Jenny Lehmann (Mighty Riders) Men 1. Tim Abercrombie (Garneau Evolution) 2. Nic Hamilton (Trek Red Truck Racing) 3. Jamie Sparling (Total Restoration Cycling Team) 4. Curtis Dearden (Garneau Evolution) 5. Rob Britton (Bissell Pro Cycling) 6. Tyler Trace (Trek Red Truck Racing) 7. Cyrus Kangarloo (Total Restoration Cycling Team) 8. Garrett McLeod (H&R Block) 9. Mathew Bell (Trek Red Truck Racing) 10. Aaron Schooler (H&R Block)

Walla Walla - A true team win

Nic hamilton Makes the Break

April 27 2010 - Walla Walla, Washington The race began with the first stage with an understanding that the team could not win the race on this day, but you could lose it. The strategy for the day would be to stay at the front of any selection but not trying to force a move and waste energy. the plan paid off with Tyler placing third in a chaotic sprint finish.

Saturday was a TT and criterium day which is fairly standard for weekend stage races. The morning TT was pivotal to the race Tyler and Marsh literally and figuratively dusted off the TT bikes (which saw a long hibernation in their respective garages) and put in solid rides to potentially press for the overall the following day. Mat Bell, a new addition to the team, proved why he is a TT specialist and put in a good ride to finish seventh in a very closely contested 2nd through 10th. Nic rolled in at second, but was still 44 seconds down on the leader.

The crit was wet and our boys who are accustomed to riding in the rain enjoyed it. Team members found it not very taxing and after it was cut short due to visibility we were quick to get packed up and looking forward to the following day.

The final day started with a team plan which was brief, simple and motivating. There were 150 km of hills and wind to breakdown Lenovo (McKissic’s team) and put in enough time to hop into first without losing anytime to anyone else.

The last 3 kms of the race are up a 6% grade hill and there was only one GC threat in the move. This allowed a Hagens Berman rider Soren Peterson to launch a strong attack uncontested as I was fixated on the overall win. In the end Nic placed 3rd on the day andclinched the overall win for the event. At the end of the day it was official that Trek Red Truck had won a third Tour of Walla Walla. A true team win.

May 2010 - Maple Ridge, BC Trek Red Truck stormed the podium once again at Local Ride’s Race the Ridge. In only his second race on BC soil this year, newcomer Matt Bell showed his skills by claiming the top overall spot for the weekend.

The 2010 edition of Race the Ridge had a new format that created some anxiety as the organizers ran the 100km hilly road race on the same day as the 21km time trial. The anxiety turned to dread as we woke up Saturday morning to heavy rains and strong winds. The team rode a strong race with everyone working hard on the front to bring back the break.

Nic Hamilton had a strong finish in second place, only a few seconds behind the leader.

After all of the complaining about the weather, the sun came out and it was beautiful in the afternoon for the time trial. Nic Hamilton threw down another strong ride placing second only 8 seconds away from first, while Matt Bell finished 3rd.

The rest of the team all had good times over the long rolling course.

Going into the crit the men were 2nd, 3rd, and 5th overall.

There were a few cards to play but to win the overall, in the words of Matt Barth, was going to take some ‘Ballistic’ or ‘SuperNuke’ riding. The men attacked from the gun and eventually a break formed with Craig, Matt and Tyler who almost lapped the field. In the end the break put in enough time for Matt Bell to jump into the overall lead with Tyler first and Matt fourth in the crit.

Matt Bell Claims Top Spot at Race the Ridge

Canadians Impress in Tobago

Campbell Heights Road Race

April 26, 2010 – Trinidad The Canadian Team of Daniele Defranceschi, Jean-Michel Lachance, Trek Red Trucks own Adam Thuss, and Stephane Cossette returned to Tobago this afternoon from Trinidad where they have been posting strong results at the Beacon Festival.

May 2010 - Campbell Heights, BC The Trek Red Truck showed up in Surrey ready for battle at the Campbell Heights road race.

The athletes did the Tobago crit and scored another podium, this time placing Adam Thuss on the finishing steps. The plan was to be aggressive and mark the Europeans/Beacon All Star team and the break went early. “I bridged across to the original three with Sabastien Donadio and made it 5, eventual winner Emile Abraham bridged across to make an even 6. Jean Michel tried to bridge once the break was established but the Europeans were driving the break and he couldn’t quite make it across.

We lapped the field within with 15 laps to go and worked well together until 7 to go. Leif Lampater was the first to strike, and went solo until 4 to go and I launched a counter attack with 3 to go. It wasn’t to be, I was reeled in within the lap and lined it up in the sprint to take a third.”

The Canadians have had a great time at the Beacon Festival and the Petrotin Games with several podium finishes while racing against some of the best track racers in the world.

During the mens road race attacks started as soon as the gun went off. Adam Thuss, Dan Skinner and Marsh Cooper were especially active in the first 20 kilometers. The flurry of attacks quickly wore down the pack and eventually four riders, including Matt Bell from Red Truck, were allowed to escape the field just after the feed zone climb.

With all the big teams represented, the group was given free rein and quickly built up a two-minute lead on the peloton. The leading group rolled well for the next 100k as the riders behind were content to let them stay away and decided the podium.

Unfortunately the finale didn’t go as planned and Matt Bell got out sprinted to the line managing only third place. With the final podium decided, the race for 5th place was on and Nate Macdonald soloed away from a late chasing group to take the first spot behind the breakaway.

The womens team had a fantastic race during their 10 lap, 80km Race, with Leah Kirchmann and Shoshauna Laxson finishing first and third and sixth respectively.