Jon Baker put together a nice string of results over the last couple of weekends. The good run started with a win at the Sea Otter 30+ Road Race, a race Baker used as a warmup for the following days’ NRC races. In the first stage of the NRC race, Baker finished among the leaders for 9th, though he was not officially placed due to a chip timing error.
This past weekend, Baker followed up his successful California trip with an overall victory in the Haystack Mountain Time Trial, held just north of Boulder, Colorado. Baker also captained the 2nd fastest team of the day a few hours later in the team time trial. A composite team consisting of former Vitamin Cottage stars and current pros Andy Bajadali (Jelly Belly) and Chuck Coyle (Successful Living) along with Dominique Perras (Kelly Benefit Strategies-Medifast) finished ahead of the Vitamin Cottage boys.
In Sunday’s Golden Spring Criterium, Baker quickly lapped the field with Chuck Coyle and Michael Carter (Echelon Elite / Denver Spoke). Baker would finish 2nd on the day after repeated attempts by Carter and Baker failed to shake Coyle, who was the stronger sprinter of the three. Coyle stamped his authority in the sprint by not only beating his three breakaway and field lapping partners, but also being first across the line in the entire field.
Vitamin Cottage newcomer, Syrae Weikle capitalized on a strong leadout from teammate Beth Fisk to take a sprint finish victory in the Golden Spring women’s pro-1-2 race.
Meanwhile, across the border in Nebraska, Jon Tarkington took second place overall in the Linclon Plating Classic Stage Race. Tarkington finished just behind Randy Reichart (HART). VC youngster and recent Cat 1 upgrade Scott Tietzel finished a respectable 8th overall in Nebraska following his previous weekend’s hard fought 5th in the annual Boulder Roubaix and 7th in the USAFA Road Race. Tietzel and VC teammate Peter Horn, also a recent Cat 1 upgrade, continue to make their presence felt in the spring races.
In master’s racing, the Vitamin Cottage 45+ men dominated the Haystack individual time trial owning the top 3 spots. Wayne Watson, the 55+ Master National Time Trial silver medalist in 2006, won with a time of 30:04, 30 seconds over 2nd place rider Vic Williams of Vitamin Cottage. Vitamin Cottage TT specialist Mike Brewer rounded out the podium in 3rd place.
Vic Williams delivered the second win of the weekend for the Vitamin Cottage 45+ men. Vic attacked his breakaway partner on the bell lap of the Golden Spring Criterium to post the win. Bill Herwig proved that he is still the best sprinter of the 45+ bunch by taking the field sprint for 3rd place.