Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Natural Grocers pb XP Companies riders Dirk Friel, Joe Pinkerton and Jon Baker
The NGXP team capped a succesful weekend with Jon Baker finishing sixth in the Nevada City Bicycle Classic, a race that in 2009 included Astana teammates Chris Horner, Levi Leipheimer and Lance Armstrong. The Astana trio was using the race as part of their final tuneup for the Tour De France, which starts in July. In front of an estimated 20,000 spectators, Armstrong took the victory ahead of Ben Jacques-Maynes (Bissell Pro Cycling) and Levi Leipheimer. The Nevada City Classic is the second oldest race in the US, and past winners include the likes of Greg Lemond. The race takes place on a tight hilly criterium course. With or without the pro-tour riders, the race typically shatters early into small groups. The 2009 edition was no different with only one third of starting field finishing the race. All four NGXP riders (Jon Baker, Dirk Friel, Joe Pinkerton and Randy Reichardt) had solid races and did not look at all out of place racing against the worlds and the nations best.
Sunday's Nevada City Classic followed on the heels of the Tour De Nez, which took place on three stages over the same weekend. The team rode well in support of Jon Baker. Baker's second place in Friday's Truckee criterium along with his overall win of the sprinters jersey (not bad for a climber) were the highlights of the weekend. Other noteable performances included Friel, Reichardt and Pinkerton all finishing in the top five of the field sprint in the Reno Criterium (stage 2), a stage in which Baker finished 10th. See race reports and photos for the weekend on cyclingnews.com (nevada city classic, tour de nez) and pezcyclingnews.com. Also check out Dirk's SRM power file from Nevada City at trainingpeaks.com. Dirk's peak 5 minutes was 409 watts and he held 307 watts for 90 minutes.
Lance Armstrong leads Ben Jaques-Maynes, Jon Baker and Chad Gerlach at Nevada City
Jon Baker gets a starting line callup at Nevada City
Riders at the start of the Nevada City Classic - Joe Pinkerton (Natural Grocers) starts near Armstrong
Friday, June 19, 2009
Natural Grocers pb XP Companies rider Jon Baker lapped the field with breakaway partner Chad Gerlach (Lifetime Fitness/VeloVie) in the opening stage of the Tour De Nez. Gerlach took the victory ahead of Baker. Click here for a complete Velonews.com article and race photos. The photos include some great shots of Jon Baker and teammate Dirk Friel in action as well as Baker on the podium.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Beth Fisk, Maegan Daigler and Jon Baker (Natural Grocers pb XP Companies) have accumulated several victories so far in June of 2009. Beth Fisk started the tab in the women’s pro-1-2 race at the June 7 - Denver City Park Criterium. Fisk was delivered to the line via a perfect leadout from teammate Maegan Daigler. Fast forward a week and it was Daigler receiving a full-on team leadout from her Natural Grocers teammates, including Fisk, to win the Glenwood Springs Road Race, part of a three day omnium held from June 13-15. Fisk made another podium visit by taking second place in the Glenwood Springs Criterium, the third day of the Omnium.
In men’s racing, Jon Baker won the Glenwood Springs road race, criterium and the overall omnium. Baker took the road race with a solo move in the final kilometer following a race-long series of attacks by his Natural Grocers teammates. NGXP teammate Christian McCarthy was off the front for much of the race. Once caught by the lead group, Jon Tarkington countered, which set the table for Baker. The road race, which saw several Colorado based pro racers in the field, finished with Baker in first, Tarkington third and Dirk Friel fifth. Baker doubled up on Sunday in the criterium by lapping the entire field in commanding fashion. The NGXP boys swept the podium on Sunday with McCarthy in second and Tarkington in third.
The Glenwood Omnium proved to be a good test for the team’s equipment. Half of the road race took place on dirt roads with numerous potholes and the criterium included a winding descent with four tight ninety-degree turns. The Blue Competition Cycles – RC8’s and Rol Wheels nicely handled everything the courses dished out.
Next up, the men’s team races this weekend on the national stage in the Tour De Nez and Nevada City Classic races. They will have their hands full as Lance Armstrong, Chris Horner and Levi Leipheimer are rumored to be on hand for the Nevada City Classic.
Friday, May 01, 2009
Dirk Friel left his breakaway companions behind to take a solo pro-1-2 victory at the Deer Trail Road Race on Saturday, April 26. Located on the plains about 45 minutes east of Denver, the Deer Trail course is known for its relentless rolling hills and wide open exposure to the wind. The 2009 course required two laps of an L-shaped route. After a number of attacks and counter attacks a break of six, including Friel, formed after the first turnaround. The break gained about a minute on the field and then hovered there for the balance of the race. The hills and wind took their toll on a few of the riders in the break and thinned out the main field as well. With about 2K to go, Friel made one decisive attack and rode alone to the line.
Ross Berger (Rocky Mountain Elite) and Stefano Barberi took second and third. Finishing 5th and 10th respectively, Joe Pinkerton and Jon Tarkington rounded out a solid day for the Natural Grocers pb XP Companies squad. Renee Eastman finished second in the women's race behind former teammate Sharon Allpress (Value Act Capital).
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Beth Fisk won the women's pro-1-2 Air Force Academy Road Race on Sunday April 19. After another Colorado spring snow storm tooks it toll on the weekend race calendar (4 out of a possible 5 Colorado races were cancelled), Fisk and teammate Renee Eastman emerged from the snowmelt to finish first and second for the Natural Grocers presented by XP Companies squad. The win would actually be Fisk's second of the year after she won an earlier Saturday training race in Highlands Ranch Colorado. In the men's race, Jonathon Baker's (Natural Grocers presented by XP Companies) first lap escape lasted the better part of 5 laps on the demanding 1986 World Championships course. It wasn't to be, however, and Phil Zaijeck (Fly V Australia) took the top honors on the day.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
The Natural Grocers Cycling Team pb XP Companies announces its 2009 rider and sponsor lineup. The men’s and women’s elite teams both return to action in ’09 with the men defending Colorado’s Best All Around Road and Cyclocross Team Titles.
The Men’s Elite Team consists of returning veteran riders Jon Baker, Alan McCormack, Christian McCarthy, Dirk Friel, Joe Taddeucci, Joey Pinkerton, Jon Tarkington, Derek Strong, Randy Reichardt, and Steve Forbes.
The Women’s Elite Team will consist of Renee Eastman, Beth Fisk, Lisa Strong, Carol Lucking and Jenna Allen and welcomes new team member Maegan Daigler.
In 2009, the team will continue its focus on being the top Elite Amateur Team in the Colorado Region and will expand its focus on travel races with the addition of XP Companies as a sponsor. The team will look to continue its numerous wins in the Masters and Category 3 and 4 fields.
Keep up with the team at naturalgrocerscycling.com.
The team is pleased to announce its 2009 sponsors:
Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage continues its dedication to cycling and healthy living as the team’s title sponsor. Natural Grocers is a multi-store chain with over 1,000 employees in Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Utah (coming in 2009), and naturalgrocers.com brings high quality products at every day affordable prices to people everywhere.
XP Companies is a privately-held company headquartered in Denver, Colorado. XP is a leading and rapidly-growing provider of authentic branded merchandise for major sports and entertainment events including the Olympics, Little League Baseball, MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL franchises, and a manager of venue retail outlets. The Company has organized its business operations under three subsidiaries, which are: (i) XP Apparel, LLC; (ii) XP Retail, LLC; and (iii) XP Entertainment, LLC..
Industry Partners:
Blue Competition Cycles – Frames
Giordana – Clothing
Rudy Project – Glasses and Helmets
Rol Wheels – high-performance wheelsets
Clif Bar – Energy bars, drinks, and gels
Pelotonphoto.com - Photography
Specialized – Shoes and Saddles
Trainingpeaks.com – Internet training software and training plans
Vecchio’s Bicicletteria – bicycle shop specializing in service and repair
Supporting Partners
NOW Foods – Manufacturer of vitamins, minerals, and supplements
The Boulder Center for Sports Medicine – World class sports medicine
2008 Vitamin Cottage Cycling Team (Photo Copyright Pelotonphoto.com)
2009 photos coming soon...
For more information about the team, contact Bob at vitamincottagecyclingteam@yahoo.com.