Gates Carbon Drive

Team Gates Carbon Drive turned in another weekend of strong riding on Oct. 9 and 10, placing four riders in the top 10 on Saturday and grabbing 2nd and 3rd on Sunday. The results catapulted the team into the early lead in the Colorado Cyclocross Cup team standings.Saturday was the second race in thepopular Boulder Cyclocross Series, and it drew a large field. This racefeaturesone of the more popular courses in Colorado, located in the Interlocken Business Park. The course allows Colorado riders the rare chance to race on grass, in addition to slick sidewalks, sand pits and several tough run-ups. The singlespeed race drew 27 starters includingfive members of TeamGates Carbon Drive Team.

Ben Ollett flew from the start andfound himself in 2nd place chasing cycling journalist Matt Pacocha hard as the first lap sorted out the riders.Pacocha is noslouch, and Ollettsettled back into the group, taking up the chase. Mitch Westall worked his way back up through the field after having an issue with his shoes, putting him in chase mode.Derek Strong was his usual smooth and consistent self, getting faster throughout the race and lurking with the lead riders. Meanwhile Carlos Casali was putting his choice of flat bars to good use by bunny-hopping the barriers and saving himself a few seconds per lap.Garrett Davis was a bit tired this week after his great ride in Frisco the week before, and he hoveredsafely in the middle of the pack.

In the end, Pacocha was on his own for the win whileWestall attacked the group to get 2nd for Gates–a great result in a very competitive field. Strong and Casalicontinued to attack their group,finishing5th and 7th, with Ollett and Davis holding on for10th and 12th as the wet and energy-sucking grass put everyone on the rivet. All and all, and great showing for the team, with every member finishing in the front half of the field!

Oct.9, Boulder Cyclocross Series #2 Team Results:
2nd- Mitch Westall
5th— Derek Strong
7th— Carlos Casali
10th— Ben Ollett
12th— Garrett Davis

On Sunday, Casali and I packed up the car andheaded over the Continental Dividefor Buena Vista, Colo., whereCross at the River was held.This wasthe first race of the Colorado Cross Cup series. With cooler temps and the threat of moisture, especially at the venue altitude of 8,000 feet, the field was smaller than on Saturday.

While the forecasted rain and snow never materialized,there was a strong and steady wind on the course. Being along the river the course was pretty flat, but that was made up for with the constant wind, lots ofsand, some sharp uphill corners and two big run-ups; not to mention the thin air!

While small, the field was extremely talented, withanyone capable of winning.To get into the twisty section cleanly, I attacked hard on the first lap, going into the headwind with three other riders.Unfortunately I got miredin thesandand was forced to dismount as Matty Pronovosthammered the pace. Casalistayedwith Pronovost until he stumbled andPronovostsprang free.Carlos saw me coming and we joined forces, working together to chase Pronovost anddrop another rider hot on our tail.When I saw we weren’t going to catch PronovostI drilled it for two laps,launching Carlos onthe last lap and helping him grab 2nd while I took 3rd.The two podium finishes were enough to get the team into the lead in the Colorado Cup series.

Following another hard weekend of racing, the teamcontinuesto marvel atthe smooth ride, low maintenance and power of the Gates belt drives.I had decided to do a quick gearing change before my race on Sunday, and it wasas simple and quick to do as it would have been on achain-drive bike. Kudos to the great drop-out design on the Spot Brand Mod SS, which helps make adjustments nice and easy.

October 10th, Cross at the River
2nd Place — Carlos Casali
3rd Place — Brian Hutchison

Next weekend watch for TeamGates Carbon Driveatthe On the Cross Cyclocross Race in Denver, and at another high-altitude race in Allenspark, the Aspen Lodge Cross Race.