August 5/13 13:45 pm - Tom Jehlicka Memorial Criterium, report and results

Posted by Editoress on 08/5/13
 

Every year the open men's race gets better and better. This year Travis Samuel (Jet Fuel Coffee/Norco) won the event hands down! Along with one other racer, he bridged to a 4 man break. Then, with two laps to go Travis Samuel attacked the break taking one more rider with him. In the end, he won solo, attacking his breakaway mate and winning with a strong solo effort.

The flat course proved its worthiness. When the wind picked up many racers first found themselves in the gutter chasing, then they found themselves out of the race altogether. The break stuck from early on. However it was not without efforts of resistance from likes of Chris Firek, Ian Scott and Arron Fillion. The break was defended well by TDI-Zuck Bike's Eduardo Maset and Brent Aquino. The end was a spectacular show and some old school hard racing.

Well done to all that raced. Thanks must go to The Town of Cobourg for use of the streets. As well, the race would not have been held if not for the help of all the volunteers and officials that made the race happen.

Each year The Cobourg Cycling Club welcomes new participants. Each year, more and more people love to do this race. The best praise we can receive is the sounds of happy bike racers.

If there were any disappointments at all, it was that we were not able to hold a women's event again. This was a let down for the CCC. Mostly because a golden opportunity for the women racers of Ontario slipped by again. This is a low key event, but that Jennifer Stevenson, Julia Bradley and Summer Sandford pre-registered for the event leaves us with an air of optimism for next season. Altogether, 6 women took part in the open categories. We just need 4 more to have a race for women only. Maybe next year!

Thanks again to all of you that took part in every small way, parents included, because it makes the effort worth while. I hope to see you all and more in 2014.

Courtesy Greg Cushing

Results