the Ontario Criterium 2012...

It was back to Ontario this morning for the next race in the Ontario Series. Same place as usual, but run clockwise, and on a slightly abbreviated course. With a 9:30 start time for my own race, I missed the first two races of the day - the women cat 4, and masters 55/60+. No photos from either of those. By the time I did get there, the races were behind schedule and I overheard some talk of a heart attack, and an ambulance. Never did find out for sure, hope it wasn't for anyone here, but if it was let it be less serious, and that the person is able to make a full recovery. Just for the record, the Women Cat 4 race was won by Christine Reilly (Helens/Cannondale), ahead of Rachel Cross (Sho-air/Rock 'n Road), with Angel Castillo (UCLA) in third. The 55+ race was won by Kalman Szkalak (UC Cyclery/JW Floors), ahead of Dale Luedtke (Spy-Swami's Cycling Team), and Cyril Hunte (unattached?). For the 60+ men, it was Leo Pettus (Paramount Racing) in first, second went to my Claremont neighbor, Michael Fleming (SouthBay Wheelmen), with Howard Miller (Paramount Racing) taking the third spot.


It was time to warm up after registering, so I left the camera in the capable hands of my son, who took all the photos from the Juniors races, as well as the 50+ race. Why wasn't he out there with the Juniors? You'd have to ask him. Some photos from the Juniors races are below, click here to see the rest. They are all grouped together - men 10-12, women 10-14 and men 15-16 were on the course together, then came the men 13-14, women 15-18 and men 17-18.

The mens 10-12 race was won by Kyle Kirby (ACQUA AL2/SDBC), with Nathan Hickey (PAA/REMAX) in 2nd, and Sean Quinn (CPT) in 3rd. For the women 10-14 it was: 1. Rachel Cross (Sho-air/Rock 'n Road), 2. Roxxanne Peoples (ACQUA AL 2/SDBC), 3. Lauren Stack (GS Adams Avenue Bicycles). The men 15-16: 1. Bailey Eckles (PAA/REMAX), 2. Christian Husband (Sho-air/Rock 'n Road), 3. Quinten Kirby (San Diego Bicycle Club). The Men's 17-18 race was taken by David Munoz (Major Motion) ahead of Scott Cohen (LUX Pro Development, and Aubrey Smentkowski (Sho-air/Rock 'n Road). The Men's 13-14 race saw Lucas Deleon (Encino Velo CC) take the win, with Jeremy Lopez (SC Velo) in second, and Nick Robertson (SC Velo) in third. Finally, the Women 15-18: 1. Rachel Cross (Sho-air/Rock 'n Road), 2. Lucy Peritz (GS Adams Avenue Bicycles), 3. Lauren Stack (GS Adams Avenue Bicycles). Congrats to all.

Next up came the Masters 50+ race for Cat 1-4. The 50+ race started late, and was shortened, possibly due to the reason mentioned above. My experience with shortened races has been that they tend to be faster. Whether due to that, or poor form, I was just no help to the team. During one of the mid-race laps, when we came past the finish line, the rider ahead of me suffered a mechanical - his handlebars busted in two, or that is what I guessed, maybe it was the brake lever. Though there was a severe bobble, he had superior handling skills and did not go down, though it was briefly disconcerting to me right behind him. No harm done though, and the race continued on its way, most people not even aware of the mishap. The 50+ podium: 1. Stephen Gregorios (Pinnaclife Racing), 2. Bradley Jones (BBI-SIC Cycling), 3. Richard Mitchell (UCC/JW Floors). A couple pics, and more.

The women came up next - categories 1-3. The SC Velo/Empower Coaching, Helens/Cannondale, and Velo La Grange Teams were the main protagonists during the day. Other teams made efforts now and again but were pretty well outnumbered by those three. Both Helens and SC Velo looked especially strong and it would have been hard to bet against a rider from one of those teams taking the win. Another racer standing nearby expressed his opinion on how well Helens works as a team, and indeed it was Helens rider, Suzanne Sonye who out kicked everyone else to the line. Jenny Rios (SC Velo) came across 2nd, and Melina Bernecker (Velo Club LaGrange) 3rd. Link click for all photos.

Beatriz Rodriguez (SC Velo/Empower Coaching)

All Helens/Cannondale and SC Velo/Empower Coaching at the front

Suzanne Sonye with a victory salute

Men 30+, Cat 4/5. The rider with the full Grizzly Adams beard was really animating things throughout the race, and I was betting on him for the finish, but whether he used up too much energy earlier, or he was more interested in primes, it was the rider from Predator with a massively ferocious sprint who took the win. Click here for the rest.

Penultimate lap. The next time around, that rider in the middle, foreground (Predator Cycling) would come around the turn with a gap and unleash a massive sprint for the win.

With the family in tow, I knew it would not be a full day of racing, and we left just after the start of the Masters 40+, Cat 1-4. Too bad, judging by who was there, I am sure it was a highly competitive race. There are a few addition random shots on the sidelines here, and that is it for now. Ride hard, or go home.