The racing season is easing into gear here in Colorado. With a break in the action on the Front Range this weekend, here's a look back at the last couple of weeks.
Dirk Friel leads Jon Tarkington at the Coal Miner's Classic
Photo © courtesy of Deirdre Moynihan - check out more great shots @ dmoynihan.smugmug.com
WHEELS OF THUNDER & COAL MINERS - Last weekend the Wheel's of Thunder (WOT) Classic took place on Saturday and Sunday was the Coal Miner's Classic, both on new courses. Renee Eastman pulled off a pair of 4th places in the women's Pro-1-2 races. In the men's WOT race, Dirk Friel and new teammate Randy Reichardt found themselves as the only team with two in a breakaway initiated by Henk Vogel's (Toyota-United). Before Dirk and Randy could turn the situation to their advantage, the break split and they found themselves on defense, which ultimately resulted in 7th and 8th place finishes, respectively. Zak Grabowski (THF Cycling) took the win ahead of some very experienced riders.
Friel turned it around in Sunday's Coal Miners classic, finishing on the podium in second place behind winner Henk Vogels. Friel's breakaway companion and teammate Jon Tarkington took 4th.
SUNSHINE HILLCLIMB - Jon Baker finished 2nd behind Phil Zaijeck (Healthnet Maxxis) and ahead of 3rd place and former VC rider Scott Tietzel, who now rides for the Jelly Belly Professional Cycling Team. The course takes place on a 9 mile climb starting at the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine and climbs over 3000 ft.
RABBIT MOUNTAIN TIME TRIAL - The VC men's and women's team took the Rabbit Mountain team time trial (full disclosure - VC was the only team to enter the men's event). In the individual Time Trial held on the same day, first-year VC rider Carol Hutton took the win with Renee Eastman taking second. Speaking of time trials, Jon Baker took the following Wednesday Boulder Time Trial Series win with teammate Dirk Friel taking second on a super windy night.