Tria Cycling presented by DonohooAuto

The weather outside was cold – but the action was HOT with multiple attack zones and KOM points at the top of Vandiver. We had a small, hearty group of riders battling for the points. Here’s how it all played out:

AZ #1 – the cat 5 / women AZ only had four people sprinting it out for points. I was too far back to see exactly who placed where – but here is my best guess: 1st – amy gravlee, 2nd – mike reeves, 3rd – katherine herring, 4th – tony robbins

AZ #2 – we extended the normal sterrett attack zone, by starting as soon as we crossed the bridge into shelby county on hwy 43 and then finishing at the normal spot. Darryl (Tria team 1) started things off with a strong attack, covered by Mike Lackey (Tria team 2). Jimmy Prentice, Joseph Greenway, and Talty Shannon from Red Mountain Wheelmen worked hard and brought the early break back at which point Wes Douglas (Tria team 2) and Jacob Tubbs (Tria team 1) counter attacked and got a good 20+ second gap. Again, Red Mountain Wheelmen got to the front and brought it back. Darryl attacked HARD at the base of the kicker hill to start the sprint. Wes and Jacob were quickly swallowed up at this point with me (Tria team 2) and Sammy (Tria team 1) riding Darryl’s wheel. As soon as Darryl let off the gas, I attacked hoping to hold it to the line, but Sammy came around me like a freight train taking 1st with me in 2nd, Darryl holding on for 3rd, Wes holding on for 4th, and Terry coming in for 5th place. [edit – actually it was Will Hibberts chasing down that first break even with an out of true wheel from a broken spoke!]

KOM – Jacob animated things early with Joseph bridging up to him. The two of them extended their lead to maybe 10 seconds, but were swallowed up on the steep bottom slopes of the Vandiver climb. I then went to the front and set a hard tempo with only Wes and Darryl able to follow. I set the pace all the way up the climb. Darryl ended up edging me for the points at the top with Wes coming in 3rd and Sammy and Mike behind for 4th and 5th.

AZ #3 – Terry launched an early move with Mike bridging up to him. Jacob, Joseph, and Wes also bridged up. Behind in the group, Timo Stark set the pace keeping us rolling and within striking distance of the front group. Mike and Wes attacked and counter attacked Terry but he was able to respond to each move and eventually took the sprint solo with Mike and Wes coming in behind. As the front five whittled down to four, I set a hard tempo at the base of the hill with Darryl and Sammy following. Then after I got a short breather behind them, I attacked hard to attempt to bridge catching Jacob – but Joseph stayed just ahead for 4th with me coming in 5th.