2019 Tour de Murrieta: Grand Prix

Well, if you did not find yourself out at Murrieta on Saturday for the Tour de Murrieta Grand Prix, you may have missed out on being treated to one of those "I sure am glad to be living in southern California" kind of days - the dramatic sky with puffed up clouds swimming across the blue beyond, and that warm golden orb playing hide and seek, calling out "Marco" while seeking to avoid the tag that accompanies the inevitable response of "Polo," was perfect foil to the drama taking place along the streets of "old town" Murrieta.

This year marked the 14th of the Tour, which is now run as a two-day omnium format. Both of the day's "main events," the pro/1/2 race for the men, and the pro/1/2/3 race for the women lived up to expectations. Both featured breaks that lasted right up to the end. Holly Breck, perhaps taking a little inspiration from her success last weekend, launched one of her patented solo attacks; she built an insurmountable lead and (I am going to go out on the limb to predict) would have gathered up another win if not for the effort of Jessica Parra of Colombia. The bunch had been slowly closing down on Breck, but not quickly enough to bring her back before the end of race cool down lap. Perhaps sensing this, Parra left the bunch for a solo pursuit of the race leader, gaining her wheel on the final lap. With the benefit of being able to sit in for most of the race, Parra was that much more fresh for that straight line run into the finish where she took a fine win. She played her cards well, waiting until the perfect moment. Congratulations

The finish of the men's race was equally, if not more exciting, with a group of four forming up out front of the chasing bunch. Their lead never seemed more settled than an uncomfortable tenuousness - at best - but with four different teams represented, and strongman Tyler Locke helping to push the pace, there seemed to be some promise of success. But no, the Legion of Los Angeles gathered their forces and, though up against the powerful Elevate / KHS  and Pacific Premier Bank teams, not to mention everyone else looking for some early season glory, were able to out-speed and out-maneuver everyone to claim sole possession of the podium's three steps.

men's pro/1/2 race all lined out along the home stretch

Georgeta Ungureanu on the road in the Women's Cat 3/4/5 race

Woot Roos winning the Masters 35+ race

all you Claremont / Pomona / La Verne locals remember Rigo, don't you. He used to help me all the time over at Coates. Now he does a great job with Stage 2 Cyclery putting on this race

Women Pro/1/2/3

Women Pro/1/2/3

Tyler Locke in the Men Pro/1/2 race

ringing the bell

Day one Grand Prix results:

Men Cat 4/5 (48 starters): 1st, Jesus Rosas (Lider Hecho en Baja), 2nd, Marc Aguilar (Coureur / Canyon Elite Cycling), 3rd, Jake Oswald (Alpine Ride Bike Shop)

Women Cat 3/4/5 (37 starters): 1st, Avry Howes (SC Velo), 2nd Mary Joyce Monton (Sisterhood of Cycling), 3rd, Georgeta Ungureanu (Sisterhood of Cycling)

Men Cat 4 (40 starters): 1st Nathan Bailey (GS Adams Avenue Bicycles), 2nd, Conrad McGArry (San Diego Bicycle Club by Spinergy), 3rd, Read Morse (Velo Vegas Racing p/b NuMale)

Masters Men 35+ Cat 3/4 (30 starters): 1st, Woot Roos (S2C/Bosch Primal), 2nd, Noah Slack (SDBC p/b Spinergy), 3rd, James Qua (HSR Racing p/b Birdworx)

Masters Men Cat 1/2/3/4 (35 starters): 1st, Chad Burdzilauskas (Davis Phinney Foundation Masters), 2nd, Randall Coxworth (Monster Media Elite Masters), 3rd, Jason Meidhof (Methods to Winning)

Women Pro/1/2/3 (30 starters): 1st, Jessica Parra, 2nd, Holly Breck (Go Fast - Incycle), 3rd, Shelby Reynolds (Monster Media Elite Racing)

Men Pro/1/2 (65 starters): 1st Sean Miguel McElroy (Legion of Los Angeles), 2nd Cory Williams (Legion of Los Angeles), 3rd Justin Williams (Legion of Los Angeles)

Men Cat 2/3 (43 starters): 1st Wout Roos, 2nd Osvaldo Mora (SC Velo), 3rd Kevin Cervantes (SC Velo)

Masters Men 50+ Cat 1-4 (40 starters): 1st Tommy Robles (Davis Phinney Foundation Masters), 2nd Aron Gadhia (Coureur / Canyon Elite Cycing), 3rd Bart Clifford (JL Velo Factory Team)

You can find a selection of one-hundred twenty-five more photos in the Tour de Murrieta album.