The Vitamin Cottage Team after their successful defense of the leader's jersey...
L/R: Joe Taddeucci, Christain McCarthy, Jon Tarkington, Dirk Friel, Chuck Coyle, Andy Bajadali, Michael Schilling, Chad Taylor, Joey Pinkerton
Race Coverage: 
Andy Bajadali scored a phenomenal win at the Excel Sports Stage Race in Boulder Colorado ending May 15th. Bajadali, and his full Vitamin Cottage squad, rode like a well drilled professional team to claim the overall win in the biggest race Colorado has to offer.
Chris Baldwin checks to see if he has shaken Bajadali...nope.
Sunday’s criterium was held in historic North Boulder Park, home to stages of epic, and historic, Colorado races like the Coors Classic and Red Zinger Stage Race. Bajadali, added his name to a long list of prolific Colorado racers that have won on North Boulder course.
Vitamin Cottage was a force every day of the four stage race. During stage one, Bajadali and Tarkington conceded less than a minute and a half to 2003 National Time Trial Champion Chris Baldwin on the infamous Morgul Bismark course- positioning themselves as immediate GC contenders. Stage two saw Chuck Coyle fight to a second place on the brutally hard Roubaix Road Race, named because of its circuits comprised, almost entirely, of punishing dirt roads. Bajadali rode to a 9th place in the road race to put him solidly in striking distance for the overall lead going into Sunday’s hill climb. Bajadali did not disappoint as he took the race into his own hands to finish second to Baldwin by only 16 seconds on the third stage at Sunshine Canyon- putting him into the race lead.
The fourth, and final, stage proved to be more of a formality for the powerful Vitamin Cottage Team. Riding on confidence, skill, and the responsibility of protecting the race lead raised the bar for the entire squad. The effects of three brutal stages in as many days didn’t seem to faze the squad as they rose to the occasion, and protected their race leader.
Chuck Coyle rode closely to Bajadali throughout the entire race, proving to be the ultimate bodyguard. John Tarkington and Dirk Friel used their immense talent and race experience to control the front of the race for the entire one hour race. The two road captains never let a threatening break go up the road, and pulled the race into a long, thin, excruciating, line when there was a need to show the others who they were up against. With Michael Shilling, Chad Taylor, and Joey Pinkerton rounding out the policemen duties, they were the most dominant and active team of the day. Christian McCarty pulled off the move of the day, getting up the road in a four man break with fifteen minutes to race, effectively taking some pressure off of the Vitamin Cottage Team. Though the break was caught with three laps remaining, McCarthy still managed to hold on for an impressive 7th place on the day in front of hundreds excited spectators..
Vitamin Cottage is riding the crest of a wave right now, with the culmination of their biggest win to date. The 2004 best team in Colorado, is dominating the local scene, and now making a name for themselves on a National level. The riders, management, and sponsors have come together in fine fashion to make this year one for the history books.
Dirk Friel helped dictate the early pace.
The VC Train.
Christain McCarthy plans an escape.
Baldwin marks dangerman Tarkington
Coyle pushing the others out of the saddle.
Full Tilt!
Tarkington and Bajadali look to be glad it's over.
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