Bethel Training Series week 5

Cat 1,2,3

    The team had a great showing today with Hunter, Tim, and Larry lined up for the race. Tim did a great job patrolling the front of the race for several opening laps. A couple of moves tried to sneak off and either Hunter or Tim were there to get involved. The field came together in time for the 2nd prime and Hunter was in a good spot to go for it. Tim provided a short lead-out to the base of the hill and Hunter hit the afterburners and rode away with it with plenty of room to spare. The prize was a sweet Thule back-pack worth 115 bones. Thule rocks! As Hunter retreated to recover Tim stayed up front and continued to represent the team at the sharp end. The wind was taking its toll today and attacks were getting slowed to a crawl on the backside section. Eventually a split did happen with about 10-12 riders getting a gap. Tim was still up front, Hunter and Larry mid-pack. Tim rode across the gap at the last possible moment and with all the GC contenders in the group the break looked good. Hunter and Larry immediately went into defense mode at the front. Taking their turns in the rotation, keeping the pace controllable. Larry stayed first or 2nd wheel for 3+ laps, despite already raced the Cat3 race earlier in the day.
    Up in the break, more than the usual amount of prime lap prizes were shaking things up and keeping the group volatile. Mike McGinley from Zane's deserves props for smartly riding his teammate, Eric Merrill, into an attack that ended up shedding a couple of guys, including Tim. So the lead group was down to 7 or so and Tim moved back into the field. He stayed right up front for the final 5 laps and made a bold move on the bell lap, into the wind, but couldn't keep the swarm from getting him. Hunter finished 21st with Tim and Larry right behind him.

45+ Race

    Antonio and Bruce did this race. The speed of the masters race is somewhat comparable to the 123 race. A few of the top finishers in the 123 race are winners from the 45+ race. So Antonio deserves some congrats for finishing 15th overall, 13th in the field sprint. A good result for sure, showing Antonio is ready to get some results in the Cat 4's during the next phase of the season.