Lezyne

Sarah, Olivia, Pat and Carol lined up for Touchstone Climbing in Santa Rosa on Sunday with a stacked international field for the Women's Tour of California criterium, which represented the start of the 2009 Women's NRC schedule. It was pouring rain at the start and well under 50 degrees. At the gun, Sarah, Carol and Olivia got a good start and were patrolling the front thinking a break could form early given the conditions.

 

There were a flurry of attacks and a break formed in the first few laps with Sarah and Olivia present. Not many in the break were aware that we had a gap as it was so difficult to look back and see as the rain pelted down and the spray from bikes blurred our vision. It was only when we noticed that it was the same people together at the front for a few laps that it clicked and then the announcer said we had a 20 sec gap. After a quick analysis of those present we realized that Columbia had 2, Tibco had 2, Valueact had 2, Webcor had 1, Colavita had 1, Sugar CRM had 1 and Proman had 1 so it was clear with all major teams represented that this break would work. Columbia were really working the break as they had the advantage with Fahlin as sprinter and legendary Kim Anderson to set her up. Later Vanderkitten bridged across making it a breakaway of 13. The pace was high and the attacks were constant.

 

At one point, Lauren Franges and Kim Anderson had a large gap on the breakaway and Olivia jumped across knowing they could easily stay away, this resulted in the breakaway coming back together. We knew, Webcor were likely not happy with the mix given they did not have a sprinter in the break so the pace stayed high throughout to prevent a chase working. Sarah and Olivia tag teamed to cover all the attacks from the break which mainly came from Tibco and Valueact. With 2 to go, Olivia jumped on the right side but Valueact stole her thunder with an attack on the left side and the breakaway went after Valueact. Then Kim Anderson started her lead-out at a ferocious pace and everyone tried to move up. Fahlin probably went after the last turn with Franges on her wheel, Lloyd behind her. Sarah was in great position and sprinting for 4th but Karla Kingsley came around her before the line. Olivia crossed in 8th having been too far back into the last two turns. Carol finished a respectable 34th from the field and had a really good first NRC race experience. It took us about 2 hours to warm up after the race.

 

-Touchstone Cycling