Spills and Thrills Mark Another Exciting Weekend as Team Gates Carbon Drive Sweeps Podium and Leads Colorado Cup
It was another great weekend in Colorado for Team Gates Carbon Drive as the singlespeed cyclocross squad swept the podium on Saturday and followed that with a first-place finish on Sunday. Congratulationsto Mitch Westall and Derek Strong for their impressive wins.The team is now leading the Colorado Cupteam competition, and Carlos Casali istied for first in theColorado Cup ridercompetition and leading the Boulder Series standings.
Saturday’s course in Denver at On the Cross Cyclocross was relatively flat and featured a mix ofgrass, sand, pavement and lots of tight turns. Carlos Casali attacked hard right from the gun in an effort to break the field and he couldn’t have asked for better results. Turning around after the first lap, his effort had caused a split, pulling justStrong andWestall with him and dropping the field.Westall’ssmooth and consistent ridinglet him gap his teammates with about ten seconds in hand, allowing him to take adecisivewin. Behind, Casalicrashed in one of themany tight turns. But the big strong Brazilian joined forces with Strongand the twoworkedtogether for the rest of the race, holding off challengers and taking second and third behind Westall.
Sunday’s race at Aspen Lodge near Estes Park was even more challenging, and the team put their belt drives to the test on the technical course at alung-searing 9,000 feet. Eyeing the course, I knew it would be a tough day in the saddle.Casali made another screaming start, taking the hole shot from a Moots rider asGarrett Davis and I slotted in behind him. Right away, I knew the decision to bring lower gearing for this course was going to help, as I was able to churn up the tight and technical sections that left most riders struggling.
Then,mayhem broke loose as we quickly caught the back of the Cat 3 field, making a difficult course that much more of a nightmare as we fought our way through the quagmire of riders. I remained patient and followed the leaders,waiting for the right moment to pounce. Davistangled with another rider and went down, then the Moots rider andI sneakedpast Carlos in the gobs of traffic. On the next lap, I saw my chance as the rider in front of me hit a barrier while cutting a corner tightly, allowing me to pass and take the lead.Feeling strong, I was planning when to put in my attack when, suddenly,my rear tire flatted!Casalicame past as I yelled for him to go for it, and I assessed the situation. Unfortunately, in running my lower gearing, it meant that I didn’t have a spare rear wheel in the pit this one day. Race over.
Thankfully, Derek Strong was feeling strong and he surged on the final lap to open a hugegap andtake win.Casalimanaged to retain 4th place, though we’re not sure how much he remembers of the second half of his race due to a crash that bloodied his face and required stitches.Davisfought to finish 5th and Ben Ollett rounded out the team standings in 14th, battling through illness that sapped some of his strength.
Stay tuned for next week’s team update, which should be a colorful one! While Casaliwill remain in Colorado to represent the team at a duo of great local races, the rest of the squadwill head to the mud and rain of Seattle for the 2010Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships! The SSCXWC are a colorful and crazy weekend of racing. Many competitors wear costumes and the coursefeatures an urban, alley cat style qualifier in downtown Seattle onSaturday followed by the championships on Sunday on a course that will be thronged with spectators.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve gotta head off and pick out a proper “race costume.”
