With the team split between Mt Hood and Colorado, on the local race scene this weekend Joe Pinkerton had a pair of breakthrough results. During Saturday’s Rocky Mounts-Izze Criterium, VC riders Sean Bragstad, Chad Taylor and Joe Taddeucci made the initial “from the gun” breakaway. 20 minutes in the original break was caught and Pinkerton joined a counterattack move that would eventually lap the field. With VC rider Dirk Friel patrolling a chase group, Pinkerton would narrowly miss the victory sprinting out the field for second. Veteran rider Kelly Ruddick from Wild Oats/Al’s Barber shop would take the win.
Sunday’s City Park Criterium included a tight technical course that saw a ton of attrition. The DNF list was as big as the list of finishers. Alan McCormack of Vitamin Cottage teamed up with Australian Craig McCartney early on in what looked to be the race winning move. It was not to be however. Several 30mph laps at the hands (legs) of former pro Michael Carter brought the pair within striking distance and again it was Pinkerton along with teammate Christian McCarthy joining a countermove. Pinkerton would finish 5th and McCarthy 10th on the day. An on-form Kelly Ruddick took his second victory in two days.