Banana Belt 2, Photo courtesy Pat Malach, Oregon Cycling Action
Men’s CAT3: by Mike Stockton
So this last Sunday was Banana Belt #2 and what a race it was. We had great weather for the am races and the course was swept as well because of the opening of the park to the public this weekend. For the second race of the 3 race series, the race was in the counter clockwise direction with a Hill Top finish instead of the usual fast downhill. The Cat 3 race started with Team Oregon going to the front and setting the pace around for the first lap. Sage was very active in the race going with several break attempts and taking a solo flyer as well. On the 3rd lap a group of about 10 riders went off the front just before the dam which included Sage, Kurt had come up to me and asked what we should do and we decided that we would sit and wait to see what was to come of it…..looked promising but could quickly see that there were only a couple guys working together of which included Sage but the otheres were just getting in the way and the break was pulled in by the top of the hill after the damn crossing. Kurt was riding very strong in the group and was able to move around in the group with ease and this is after driving a total of about 7 hours of driving and his 4th place finish at Echo on Saturday. I was feeling awful during the race and didn’t honestly know if I would even make to the finish, My head felt like it was going to explode so I was in survival mode just making sure I was staying to the front and staying in position in case the group was to split after the climb up from the damn. With about a lap to go a Ironclad rider made a big effort and ended up off the front by about 45 seconds, don’t think anyone expected him to stay off and kind of let him dangle out there, but he did have just enough gap to make it to the line. With about a K to go Sage, Kurt and myself put ourselves twords the front, I saw a group moving up the left side and figured this was it so I jumped hard to get the back of the group, next thing I know were at the 200m flag and everybody took off up the hill for the sprint. If the line would have been just another 50m longer we would have caught the Ironclad rider…but there is always BB#3! Overall Capitol Velo/PB Lifesource team had a great race and good results!
BB#2 Results for Cat 3
Mike Stockton: 7th
Kurt Haas: 22nd
Sage Freeman: 37th
BB Series Standings Cat 3
Mike Stockton: 6th tied for 5th
Sage Freeman: 14th
Kurt Haas: not available
Men’s CAT5: By Matt Jones
Here is my race report for BB2. Looks like Cap Velo had another good turnout with several top 10 finishes! I felt a bit off Sunday morning, almost to the point of staying home, but figured I would drive up and give it a go anyway. This weeks race was much faster than last week and I was just happy to hang on the back of the main group. Warren and Zach were near the front the entire time and I tried a couple times to move up to them but the wind and my flip flopping gut made it difficult to say the least. By the last lap I was feeling a bit better and at around 3 or 4K to go I pushed up to the middle but was hedged in pretty tight. We hit the finishing hill and much of the group was struggling, I don’t know what got into me but I found a gap with about 400M to go and stood in a big gear and just hammered it with everything I had. I passed a bunch of racers and ended up in sixth place crossing the line! My best road finish so far!
Masters 50/60+: by Craig Beavers
Wow! What a crazy day for the masters 50/60+ Two crashes! One on the second lap and one on the fourth lap on the flat section just before the finish.Phil L. and myself were present to represent cap velo.As the race unfolded Ivan Meadors went off the front on the first lap early.The pack eventually caught him after almost a full lap.Laps two three and four he and others would go off the front making everyone chase them down.Each time up the dam hill we would get stretched out with lap three being a huge effort to stay in contact.As usual after going over the bridge on the last lap the pace gets very fast.Thanks to Mike Stockton tip that the left side was better.Was able to avoid the crash and sprint up the left side unimpeded.Pretty sure I placed fourth.Hope Phil L. didn’t get caught up in the crash. Again Phil is riding very strong and looking good in our colors. Way to go Phil!
