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Yep, This About Sums Up Dawg Days
This picture was snapped by District Velocity Racing p/b Bicycle Pro Shop teammate Marcus during the Cat 4 Men’s race, which was shortened for pretty obvious reasons. And oddly enough, this marks the second year running that a race has been cut short at the Dawg Days of Summer Circuit Race due to rainstorms of death. Last year, it was the 1/2/3 field that got the axe.
Regardless, it was another successful running of the circuit race that we’ve co-promoted alongside Artemis for the last three years. Despite the soggy ending, there was plenty of exciting racing to be had, including an impressive ABRT win in the Women’s 35+/45+ race. Our own Sarah took second in the Women’s Cat 4, racing intelligently against a strong field of contenders, and Tom S. placed fourth in the shorter-than-usual Men’s Cat 4. Grayson got some props for being “animated,” and we welcomed three new DVR racers to the 1/2/3 fold.
Honestly, we all consider it something of a miracle that no one was struck by lighting after the monsoon started.
Thanks to everyone in MABRA and beyond for coming out to the race, which has become something of an end-of-the-season celebration. Big props are due to everyone at Artemis for putting up with us for another year, and we look forward to keeping the race going far into the future, deathly weather or not.
Second Place is the New Victory
There’s something about second-place finishes at Page Valley for District Velocity Racing p/b Bicycle Pro Shop, it seems.
Over the weekend, Grant finished second in the Cat 4 road race, capping off a strong season that saw him land second place in the Tour of Washington County road race and crit and third overall in the GC. But much like in 2010, being runner-up this year had its perks.
See, Grant’s a Virginia resident, and he was the first Virginia resident to cross the line. That means that he not only nailed a podium spot, but walked away with as the Virginia road race champion! Last year, Corey also finished second in the Cat 4 road race at Page Valley, but being that the one guy that beat him wasn’t a MABRA racer, he also walked away with the championship jersey. And in showing that finishing second at Page Valley is our business, back in 2009 Dennis was bested by only one other person in the Cat 4 road race. Freaky.
Otherwise, another great weekend in Page Valley, and as usual, fantastic organizing and promoting by Chris Gould et al. It was especially nice of them to arrange for weather that didn’t hit the 100-degree mark on Saturday.
Race Report: Giro di Coppi
After weeks and weeks of what seemed like crit after crit after crit, we’re solidly in the road racing segment of the season. First up was Giro di Coppi, where District Velocity Racing p/b Bicycle Pro Shop rolled up in a number of fields.
Our best showing was in the Cat 4 race, where Matt R. took a very respectable sixth after the team did a bunch of work to make sure things stayed together over the 50-mile race. He’s looking stronger as races go by, so we’re hoping for big things in the coming weeks. No pressure, buddy.
In the Cat 3 field, Grayson nailed a solid 11th after staying tucked in the field throughout the race.
Race Report: Reston Town Center Crit
In last week’s Tour of Washington County, the District Velocity Racing p/b Bicycle Pro Shop Cat 4 men put on quite a display, finishing first, second and fourth in the Sunday crit. At yesterday’s Reston Town Center crit, that same show of force yielded another win for the team (by the same guy that won the ToWC crit, no less), along with third and fourth place.
Rez again powered his way to the win by launching a solo bid late in the race, taking advantage of a field worn down by persistent DVR attacks in the early laps. He crossed the line as the field came around the final turn, with Grant snatching the last spot on the podium and Tom S. claiming fourth right behind him. Not only did Rez repeat with the win, but both Grant and Tom doubled up on their top five finishes from the week prior. That’s some fine racing, boys.
Some great pics from the Cat 4 race are here.
Race Report: Another Stellar Tour of Washington County
The Tour of Washington County just seems to suit District Velocity Racing p/b Bicycle Pro Shop. After a strong showing in a variety of fields in 2009, our strong Cat 4 squad showed up this past weekend feeling motivated and ready to do some damage.
After the prologue on Saturday morning, Grant emerged as our go-to guy, sitting in the Top 10 GC. He followed that up with a second-place in the road race that afternoon, pushing him into the top three. A solid time trial the next morning kept him on the podium; all the team had to do was keep him out of trouble during the Williamsport Crit.
They did more than that. From the gun, Chas, Tom, Matt, John and Rez launched a barrage of attacks that saw the field strung out and whittled down after only 10 laps. With a small and tired field to contend with, Grant sat in the top 10 wheels for the remainder of the race, content to protect his third place.
With five to go, Rez launched a bold solo attack, and the field couldn’t respond. A cross racer who just got back from three months of leading bike tours in Mallorca, Rez, who admits himself that he’s not much of a crit racer, powered to a strong and surprising victory almost 20 seconds ahead of the field. Back in the field, Tom took control and led the pack into the final turn, where Grant sprinted for second place and Tom held on for fourth.
With his own strong riding and the team’s concerted efforts, Grant remained on the podium for the 2011 ToWC Cat 4 GC.
In the 3/4 field, Grayson and I remained in the mix throughout the various stages against a tough field. Congratulations are certainly in order to the guys from Bike Doctor, who won Friday’s Hagerstown Twilight Crit and Sunday’s Williamsport Crit. They’re an impressive outfit of crit specialists, and this season has certainly shown that.
Also, a big and hearty salute is due to Joe Jefferson and all of the promoters, officials and volunteers that put on a full weekend of exciting racing. The Twilight Crit was a knock-out success, and the ToWC again proved to be both exhausting and exhilirating.
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