Monday, February 19, 2007

One Down - Cherry Pie Recap

The new Cherry Pie has come and gone. Man, nooooo tailwind. That hairpin at the north end of the course just killed. As expected, a few pro's showed and dictated the day's main moves. Chad Hartley of the brand-spankin' new BMC team took the win on his fly-ass BMC bike.

As expected CMG was strong, really strong. Seth managed a great second place, outlasting Evan and Seattle fast guy Lang Reynolds for second. CMG has a big team and they are for the most part, very fit. With Donald driving the bus (and looking quite trim himself), they also have some race savvy. It will be interesting to see what happens to their race smarts if Donald fails to show.

There was a guy in CMG colors that I didn't recognize riding like a total ass, not Aaron but the other guy that came in with him. I saw him take a flying lunge into Doug O. among others, as well as continuing to make the race a full-contact sport in what was left of the peloton after BOTH breaks got off.

I don't think the pro's need me to stick up for them, but I do think it's cool that they show for some of these local races, raise the level of racing and offer a few tips on the right way to ride. It's stupid to put their livelihood at risk. It's equally stupid to continue to try and put guys in the ditch when you're racing for 15th and some early season miles.

CMG also had a fleet of shiny new Giant TCR's. Zach Winters was even on one, so you know the riders didn't have to pay for them. Bike'n Hike looks to be their homebase.

The Valley Athletic guys from Olympia showed and are apparently no longer the Valley Athletic guys. Plain blue jerseys and a switch to Giant bikes, they're listed with "Bob's Bicycles.com" as their sponsor. Archibald rode strong.

The Hagens-Berman crew were, for all intents and purposes, not involved in the race. Andy got tangled up with the Donald in the first 5 miles of the race and broke his chain. He then gave his wheel to Donald, who had broken a few spokes in the ordeal. What a nice guy.

Solomon might need a few more weeks before he starts to come around.

Sal Collura's bike no longer matches his kit. Never thought I'd see the day, but it looks like First Rate Mortgage is his new crew. I believe he's in Portland now, is FRM also expanding their operation southward? I'd seen a few more guys around the Portland races last year. Will Dan and Billy build you a red and blue one?

Speaking of Billy Truelove, how much of him will we see this year?

Thanks to the new promoters, race and course were very cool. As always send me your gossip. I'll be updating this again when I have a little more time later this week.

Oh yeah, Omer Kem 160k off the front. That one's gonna hurt. Great ride.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Get ready to rumble, Marcroft.

Anonymous said...

Seems like I saw a lot of Oregon's Strongest Team off the back Sunday.

Anonymous said...

There is no need to talk smack here. 3 riders in the top 7 seems like a decent result, but what do I know.

Anonymous said...

this blog is somewhat counter to what OBRA and amateur racing is all about...
judgements and critiques of individuals riders is not helpful to promoting the organization..

teams have riders at all levels nad in all positions in any category..so what's up with the criticism?

jza said...

It's more a commentary on Cat. 1/2 racing in Oregon and Wahington. Tactics effect the race, many teams would have better reults if they used better tactics.

I also see calling out dangerous racers as productive to amateur racing in general. Amateur cycling is a high risk/low rewards activity. There are a few guys out there making it more dangerous than it needs to be. I think it's actually the community's reponsibility to marginalize racers who are trying to make the sport even more danerous than it already is.

Anonymous said...

keep it up! good blog.

Anonymous said...

I agree that calling out dangerous racers is important also, but how effective is it to do it on a blog sed racer will probably never read?

I mean, isn't the parking lot immediately following a bit more effective...?

OBRA is also not totally comprised of Cat 1/2 races...there are good showings from all levels...

Anonymous said...

You should definitely do more of this type of stuff... but maybe, I dunno... interview some of the riders who you are calling out and get their take on what went down from their perspective during the race? I know that may actually be counter to what you're trying to accomplish here on your blog (semi-journalistic), but why not? Seems like it might be kinda interesting. :)

Keep it up, dropping names, rubbing wounds, etc. Just don't make it into a personal vendetta or a black list. There are plenty of other aspects of our fun racing to highlight.

Anonymous said...

Good to see that Sal Collura is no longer w/ Hutch's. It was beginning to get a little old w/ same'ol-same'ol tactics down south in the Eugene Tuesday Crits.

Skenzick, Collura, Rosenburg, Truelove, Dan V., Paul B., Hammel, Schartz, etc...

Maybe there will be fewer episodes of team mate bickering and screaming. Shoot, split up Rosenberg and Skenzick and maybe the racing will get interesting again.

Will this be the year to see the Paul's and Collins teams step it up w/ a win???? (Or, more importantly, will there even be a Eugene Tuesday night race series for 07?)

Anonymous said...

I need a new paint job, I admit it.
Probable FRM Oregon Squad - Mick Walsh, Carl Roberts, Sal Collura, Kenny Williams.

Anonymous said...

The CMG guy was over the top. Not sure why you want to shove around the same guys you are going to race all year. It's not much fun to race when no one wants to see you do well after shoving people around.

You might not be popular but its your opinion, mostly postive and the bit of negative was true. Takes a risk to put it out there but its great to see the other opinion.

Anonymous said...

I agree the CMG rider(SB) was out of line but also out of gas. What do you expect he rode for Noreen last year. Hope you all enjoy this blog. It is good stuff! And to those who don't find it amusing... quite being such soft cocks!!

Anonymous said...

running out of gas has nothing to do with who you ride for and everything to do with how much you ride. training for kilos doesn't do much for your road fitness...

Anonymous said...

Sure, but let's face it: Norrene G is notorious for being dangerous, something of which she seems blissfully oblivious. The youngsters she's "teaching" are bound to pick up some of that.

Anonymous said...

can't be a critic? why the fuck not. people learn from mistakes. there needs to be goveners. the tool bags can better themselves. if i were a tool, i would want to improve. I still am a tool. the cmg guy is a tool and the bag all in one. shit; he is cocky too. Maybe he'll ditch the tools and become more cool.

Anonymous said...

sounds like someone's pissed about getting beat by a chick...

Anonymous said...

Why don't we try to be constructive with our criticism and avoid getting personal. I admit I found some of the comments amusing, but if you are going to get personal and rip on someone don't hide behind the "anonymous" moniker.

Anonymous said...

Counter productive? We are trying to make this guy feel like a shitbag. It will be pretty productive when this toolbag loses his CHEST!

Anonymous said...

Hey inquisitive...
There's nothing new in Eugene. Sal always chased down Hutch's breaks when he was on the team. And half the time he rode in someone elses jerseys (not sure they approved of that). Also, you contradict yourself. You want to split up Rosenberg and team, but you want more interesting racing. The most interesting part of the Tuesday crits is Rosenberg screaming at teammates. One last thing: Sal leaving Hutch's does nothing to help Paul's or Collins learn how to win a bike race.

Unknown said...

Nick breaking a leg might help us win a crit... although we did got ONE with Brian last year :-)

Gary Malcolm

Paul's

CDB said...

I think what it takes to win one of the eugene races, if you're NOT a Hutch's guy... is to work together to pull the breakaways back. I.E. Pauls/Collins/EWEB etc... we got'sta quit handing it to them.

It was so predictable last summer, I could literally say out loud within half a lap who/when/where Hutch's will attack next!?!?! And even still, I can't get em! If I anticipate the move and hop on, they kill it. If I wait, then bridge up to three, even though they outnumber me, they still kill it. It's like a Mapei stranglehold. Grrr. There are only about 5-7 guys who can usually stay away. So, WATCH THEM! I think we had them up against the ropes only one occasion last year and it was due to a beautifully orchestrated effort by Pauls riders. And oh, did it ever taste so sweet! I learned from one moment of poorly timed hesitation... but... I think 2007 is gonna be the year.

hehehe. BRING IT! It's a lot of fun down south and I encourage other portland riders to come down and mix it up now and then.

Oh, and I think we need a top secret online discussion forum to brainstorm some new Hutch's bunker-busting tactics. Anyone game? :)

CDB