March 18/09 8:01 am - Escape Velocity/ dEVo Spring Series 2009

Posted by Editoress on 03/18/09
 

Courtesy Team Escape Velocity

Race #1 River Road Circuit: Beware the Ides of March

March 17th

For 2009, Escape Velocity made the decision to start the Spring Series races two weeks later in the hope that there would be better weather in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland. However, just as Julius Caesar ignored the soothsayer’s warning to “Beware the Ides of March” the first race of the year was scheduled for March 15. The morning started out cold, but like that fateful day in the Roman senate, things deteriorated quickly. The weather turned to rain mid race but the “Et tu, brute?” moment came during the last hour when the rain turned to snow.

Approximately 130 riders participated in Race #1, including 59 in the C Category and 16 Novice racers. It was definitely a tough (wo)man race, as the poor weather combined with strong winds to make conditions less than pleasant.

The A Category race featured a two rider break in the second to last lap that put 40 seconds on the field. In the B Category, dEVo’s Ben Cowburn launched a solo last lap attack and finished just ahead of the charging group. Track star and dEVo rider Curtis “The Hurt” Jung took the bunch sprint, finishing second overall in the B’s. The C Category stayed together the entire race and finished in a bunch sprint. The Novice group, consisting of many riders in their first race, also ended in a bunch sprint.

Results

A Group

1. Jason Fluckiger - 34
2. Mike Rothengater - 13
3. Murray Solem - 18
4. John Markez - 12
5. Chris Squire - 16

B Group

1. Ben Cowburn - 262
2. Curtis Jung - 276
3. Graham Lauri - 257
4. Nick Berry - 254
5. Greg Day - 269

C Group

1. Ian Fillinger - 562
2. Dan Hill - 563
3. Mark McQuade - 593
4. Josh Hall - 553
5. Mike Winkel - 565

Novice

1. Kelly Gilchrist - 766
2. Josef Jonston - 752
3. Jen Brummit - 760
4. Lisa Ingimundson - 759
5. Number Obscured - Orange Jacket

Special thanks to our Spring Series sponsors:

• Powerbar - Be Great
• Louis Garneau - The Global Solution
• Wentings Cycle
• La Bicicletta Pro Shop

Our sponsors provide great prizes for the Spring Series and are fantastic supporters of the cycling community in British Columbia. Escape Velocity and dEVo appreciate their continued involvement and commitment to the sport.

About the Spring Series:
Intended as training races, the Spring Series features some of the toughest competition of the year. With a variety of race courses and categories the series is the perfect venue for those new to cycling to hone their racing skills and for experienced cyclists to test their early season fitness.

For 2009, the Spring Series will consist of seven races on consecutive weekends March 15 through to April 5, culminating with the dEVo Stage Race on the weekend of April 11 and 12. All races will be held in the Fraser Valley area, near beautiful Langley, B.C.

The Spring Series races are organized by Escape Velocity’s youth development program dEVo. All riders in the dEVo program help run the Spring Series races and learn the organization and commitment that is required not only to be successful on the bike, but as an organizer and leader in the sport of cycling. Money raised at the Spring Series races will go to further support of the dEVo racing program.

About Escape Velocity:
Founded in August 1989, Team Escape Velocity is a Vancouver, BC based cycling club committed to promoting and developing the sport of cycling in Canada. With membership ranging from novice Category 5 riders to Canadian National Team members and North American champions, we pride ourselves in our community involvement, race organization, youth development, and leadership activities. For more information on EV see: www.escapevelocity.bc.ca

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