We’re pretty lucky to have such amazing cyclocross racing throughout New England. However, when in pursuit of “points” one must eventually travel beyond the comforts of a 1-2 hour drive, the collection of essentials in the back of their “race mobile” (know to me as my Yaris) and their social circle of bike friends. I decided to head to the North Carolina Grand Prix, happy to embrace a new comfort of warmer weathered racing as the end of November neared.
North Carolina Grand Prix Trip Report
Posted in Race Reports, Team News
Tagged Allison Snooks, Christina Tamilio, Cyclocross, North Carolina Grand Prix
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LadiesFirst Finishes Up at the Downeast Cyclocross Race Weekend
Day 1
All were happy to have dry, sunny weather in ME this weekend as they lamented on last year’s mud fest. The new serpentine-like course seemed to favor the LadiesFirst racers as all had strong rides. With only one off-the-bike for a set of fast barriers, LadiesFirst was able to demonstrate their on-the-bike skill and power.
In the Women’s 3/4 race, Nancy finished strong in 3rd while Devon had her best race of the season finishing 22nd.
In the Women’s Elite Race, Crystal and Andrea battled with the crossresults.com duo, Sally Annis and Sara Bresnick-Zocchi, taking 3rd and 4th respectively despite each of them crashing during the second half of the race. Christina worked her way up from 10th to 5th after tough start while Anna came in solid behind her in 6th. Allison had her best UCI race finish yet, nailing 10th. Ann finished 11th, despite struggling with an injury.
Day 2
Another dry, sunny day, but with deceiving slick corners and off camber sections, making today’s more technical course challenging. Today’s race featured a set of uphill barriers, an off-the-bike for a set of four consecutive logs and a rock wall ride-over for the mountain bike savvy.
In the Women’s 3/4 race, Nancy just missed the podium after a crash on a slick corner lost her a few seconds. However, her series of strong Verge race finishes this season earned her the Verge series leader jersey for the Women’s 3/4′s! Devon found her legs today and had a stellar start. She battled to hold her position and finished 26th, making this her best race to date!
In the Women’s Elite race, Andrea made a strong come back from yesterday as she set out to defend her Verge series leader jersey. She did just that finishing 2nd! Crystal and Christina worked through the top women, riding today’s technical course smoothly and finishing 5th and 6th respectively. Anna made a strong recovery from a slip on an off camber section which resulted in a mechanical, finishing 8th. Allison battled it out with Rebecca Wellons, finishing just behind her in 11th. Fist bump to Ann for giving today’s race a go, despite being injured.
LadiesFirst is looking forward to defending their Women’s 3/4 and Women’s Elite Verge series leader jersey’s in Northampton!
Posted in Race Reports, Team News
Tagged Allison, Andrea, Ann, Anna, Christina, Crystal, Downeast Cross, LadiesFirst, ME, New Gloucester, Verge Series
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Great Brewer’s Grand Prix of Gloucester Photo Album
Many thanks to Rob Bauer of Minuteman Road Club for these photos!
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- Andrea Smith
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- Devon Fitzgerald
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- Allison Snooks
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- Christina Tamilio
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- Ann D’Ambruoso
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- Christina Tamilio
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- Anna Milton
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- Anna Milton
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- Crystal Anthony
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- Anna Barensfeld
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- Allison Snooks
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- Anna Barensfeld
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- Andrea Smith
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- Crystal Anthony
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- Anna Barensfeld
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- Christina Tamilio
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- Ann D’Ambruoso
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- Andrea Smith
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- Crystal Anthony
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- The team lines up
Grand Prix of Gloucester Development Team report
Report contributed by Nancy Labbe-Giguere
When I decided to buy a road bike two years ago, I was told by many people that I should try ‘cross and I should register for The Great Brewers Gran Prix of Gloucester. At that time, I thought it was stupid. I couldn’t be a racer: I had no fitness, I was too old, I had no skills and it sounded painful. I still had no idea what ‘cross was about; but what everyone that was talking about it had in common was their passion for the sport and it attracted me. I did not really understand how they could be so passionate, so I decided to try it. My first time at Gloucester featured a beautiful and scenic site on the ocean that was spectator friendly with a nice and challenging course and the famous beer tent. My racing experience itself was not very memorable, other than the pictures of my crash in the sand pit found later on the web. But the most important thing for me was that I had a good time, and I decided to continue.
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