Dirk Friel left his breakaway companions behind to take a solo pro-1-2 victory at the Deer Trail Road Race on Saturday, April 26. Located on the plains about 45 minutes east of Denver, the Deer Trail course is known for its relentless rolling hills and wide open exposure to the wind. The 2009 course required two laps of an L-shaped route. After a number of attacks and counter attacks a break of six, including Friel, formed after the first turnaround. The break gained about a minute on the field and then hovered there for the balance of the race. The hills and wind took their toll on a few of the riders in the break and thinned out the main field as well. With about 2K to go, Friel made one decisive attack and rode alone to the line.
Ross Berger (Rocky Mountain Elite) and Stefano Barberi took second and third. Finishing 5th and 10th respectively, Joe Pinkerton and Jon Tarkington rounded out a solid day for the Natural Grocers pb XP Companies squad. Renee Eastman finished second in the women's race behind former teammate Sharon Allpress (Value Act Capital).