Andy Bajadali races at the Stazio Criterium between the Redlans and Gila events.
The small traveling team of Andy Bajadali, John Tarkington, and Chuck Coyle made their mark on the National scene this spring, with superb rides at the Redlands Classic and Tour of the Gila races.
Vitamin Cottage is the best regional team in Colorado, but this year has stepped it up to be a formable force against the biggest professional domestic teams in the Nation.
Any Bajadali, a new addition to the team this year, finished 9th overall at the Redlands Classic. The race, in Redlands California, is considered by many pros to be the toughest stage race in the spring campaign. Not only did Andy have an incredible race, but his team rode so well in support that they solidified themselves as the best overall team on the last day of competition. The final day was a day of attrition, that saw most professional teams with several DNFs, but VC held strong- finishing with all of their men. Beating teams like Heath Net and Jelly Belly as the best overall team was an incredible feat, and one that the team, and the sponsors are very proud of.
The Tour of the Gila, in New Mexico, is the hardest race that the Rocky Mountain region has to offer. With each day containing several climbs around the high altitude town of Silver City, a strong team is essential. Again, the small Vitamin Cottage team of Bajadali, Tarkington, Coyle, and a few Front Range ‘hired guns’ showed the pros that they are a force to be reckoned with. With Bajadali and Tarkington finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively in the opening time trial stage they had their work cut out for them. Their strong team cohesiveness, tactical savvy and sheer strength put Bajadali in the leader’s jersey on stage two. Not even a mechanical on the final climb of day two would deny Bajadali of the lead. The team defended their lead for the remainder of the race, only to lose it on the final climb of the final day. An incredible result for a small team of unbelievably tough men.
Tarkington, who sacrificed his overall placing after his stellar time trial to work selflessly for his team leader, managed to finish the race in 12th place overall- his best ever performance. Coyle, no stranger to high profile races all over the world, played the team game like few can- pure heart and strength, without an ounce of doubt.
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