May 18/06 10:13 am - Garneau Optik Weekend Race Report

Posted by Editoress on 05/18/06
 

Courtesy Phil Cortes, Garneau Optik

I know its been awhile but I am now settled in the Quebec City area, near my team's head quarters for the summer. We have a pretty good setup that allows Jamie Lamb, David Veilleux and I to train, race and live under the same roof for the summer. Not only has this been great for training it is showing in our results as well, with our team putting a guy on the podium every weekend since our Team Announcement in April.

This past weekend was one that was, honestly, the best team weekend I've seen in a long time. Saturday we went to Granby, Quebec for a 20km Individual Time Trial. I, being on my brand new time trial bike, was anxious to see how the Stealth machine would roll. It did not disappoint as I rolled over 46.5 km/h and finished 2nd behind our 18yr old phenom David. So 1-2 for Garneau Optik was a great result to this time trial.

As soon as the podium presentations were finished we hopped in the car for what was to be a long drive to our Sunday race at Bear Mountain, 35 miles north of New York city. We got in late (1am) and the night was short. I could hear echoes from our manager all night saying that this trip was going to be a waste. Well to our suprise I woke up with great legs, and decided that I had a game plan. After the neutralized 3km descent we switched back and began the long climb of the day. I took a risk by attacking from the get go and quickly found myself in a group with 2 Americans, and my teammate Alex Lavallee.

We rode the climb as hard as we could and to our suprise, after a quick look over the shoulder, I saw a lonely pink rider bridging to our breakaway. It was a huge risk with 155km left to race and many good Pro teams behind, our work was cut out for us. Coming into the final lap there were 3 of us and an American. But our gap was decreasing and knew that it was the former baby Giro D'italia winner Colavita Climber Davide Frattini, and the Kodak strongman Scott Ziwanski leading the chase behind.

Alex not having the legs knew that if we didn't get caught we had the race, fell off on the last climb, leaving Dave and I to battle the American boy. With 5 k to go I lauched an attack into a headwind and quickly opened up a gap-then looked back to see only Dave riding as we had both left the American Guy asking questions. We crossed the line 1-2 and I took my 2nd win of the year. We were over 3 minutes ahead of the elite climbing group and to our suprise Alex snuck in there for 5th place. Jamie Lamb my Atlantic Canadian roommate, training partner, came in the front of the pack for 11th.

So Garneau Optik, with 2 wins on the weekend, shows how teamwork really pays off. Up next is Lake Sunapee Road race in New Hampshire Saturday and the North Stonington Classic in Connecticut on Sunday. Then on to continue preparations for the Tour de Beauce and the National Championships, goals of mine for the year.

www.philcortescycling.com

Bear Mountain Spring Classic, May 14th, Harriman State Park NY

Pro 1/2 Men, 98 miles/157.6km

1. Phil Cortes (Can) Garneau-Optik, 4:16:28
2. David Veilleux (Can) Garneau-Optik, at s.t.
3. Roger Aspholm (USA) Westwood Velo, 0:37
4. Davide Frattini (USA) Colavita Olive Oil/Sutter Home, 2:54
5. Alex Lavallee (Can) Garneau-Optik
6. Scott Zwizanski (USA) Kodakgallery.com/Sierra Nevada, both s.t.
7. Matt Cooke (USA) LSV/Kelly Benefit Strategies, 2:59
8. Eric Pearson (USA) Kenda/Raleigh Racing, 3:03
9. Brendan Matthias (Can) Bikesports - Canada, 3:07
10. Daniel Zmolik (USA) ACT - Cuevas, 4:10
11. Jamie Lamb (Can) Garneau-Optik
12. Sonke Thiel (Ger) Team Ideal Tile/Wendy's/Liquid Lightning
13. Alexi Richer (Can) Premier Tech
14. Alejandro Acton (USA) Targetraining Pro Cycling Team
15. Ariel Decardenas (Can) Premier Tech, all s.t.

1/2/3 Women, 56 miles/90km

1. Emma Nelson (USA) Team Advil-Chapstick, 2:51:18
2. Heather Labance (USA) Team Advil-Chapstick
3. Rebecca Wellons (USA) Gearworks/Spin Arts Cycling
4. Beth Miller (USA) North Atlantic Velo/Mercury Web Solutions, all s.t.
5. Barbara Buenahora (USA) America's Cycling Team, 0:10
6. Joanie Caron (Can) Elicycle Louis-Garneau, 3:46
7. Mara Miller (USA) Team Advil-Chapstick
8. Elisa Gagnon (USA) Team Advil-Chapstick
9. Heather Peck (USA) Independent Fabrication/Kempner
10. Becky Koh (USA) CRCA/Comedy Central-New Canaan Cyclery, all s.t.
11. Beth Renaud (USA) CRCA/Comedy Central-New Canaan Cyclery, 4:09
12. Beth Leasure (USA) Team Spirit Cycling, 4:23
13. Karen Ulrich (USA) CRCA/Comedy Central-New Canaan Cyclery, 5:20
14. Caryl Gale (USA) CRCA/Comedy Central-New Canaan Cyclery, 8:40
15. Julia Farell (Can) Wheels of Bloor Cycling Team
16. Lisa Jellett (USA) Verducci/Breakaway
17. Heather Davidson-Meyn (Can) Wheels of Bloor Cycling Team, all s.t.