Racing News posted as it happened...
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posted Jan 31, 2012 11:17 AM by Santa Clarita Velo Club Checkout
Fred Hoblit, John Luke and Rino Barbagiovanni did the 55+ RR. It was an out and back course with a climb near the end, then about 2 or 3 kilometers flat and a 150 meter uphill sprint to the line. The group was together until the climb where the expected split came. John Luke, who is riding very well, had no difficulty getting over with the leaders. Fred and Rino were just behind the leaders along with two other riders, and with a few encouraging words from Fred, we were able to re connect with the leaders. (Actually he yelled at us). At the line we were Fred 7th, 8th and 11th. I was 11th. At Mothballs the next day, John Luke was in a two man break with until two to go, and still managed to get 7th. Fred finished in the money in 6th and I was way, way, back. Charity Chia, Paul Chia, Sean Ekens and Chris Waggoner were also at Mothballs. They did much better than us old guys. Paul was 4th and Sean 9th in the masters 3/4 race, and the pride of Santa Clarita Velo, Charity was 5th in the Cat 4 race and she is now promoted to Cat 3.
Great job Charity--RINO |
posted Jan 26, 2012 3:33 PM by Santa Clarita Velo Club Checkout
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updated Jan 26, 2012 3:33 PM
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CBR Race #1 Mens Cat 3 - 22-Jan-2012
Paul Chia and Chris Waggoner
Race started off fast and single file right out of the gate. After the testosterone was burned off the pace returned back to a normal speed and the field stayed bunched. Paul stayed top 20 most of the race, while I was still getting my Cat 3 learners crash course near the back end of the field. Multiple breakaways and counter attacks picked the pace back up. Last few laps Paul and myself got together which made me feel good because I know Paul always finds a good finishing position. Final lap and we catch a small break with 2 corners to go. Paul is sitting behind me going into turn 3. Pack was single file going into last corner and staying to the right. I knew they were going to push wide so I pulled out of the pack and kept my speed up through the corner. The race ended up in the far gutter like I had figured leaving no room to sprint. Elbow to elbow in the gutter Paul and I just put the power down and managed 3rd (Chris) and 11th (Paul). We had fun and were satisfied with our results. Two guys in a field with teams of eight or more and we held our own. SCV!
--Rino Barbagiovanni
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posted Jan 26, 2012 3:23 PM by Santa Clarita Velo Club Checkout
ONTARIO - 15-Jan-2012 by Rino Barbagiovanni
The race season is starting
earlier and earlier in the year. It used to be March, then February, then at
the end of January, now it’s January 15. Pretty soon, we will be racing on Jan
2. Anyway, we complain about it, yet we still show up and do it.
Santa Clarita had 3 races
line up for the 55+ race, Kirk Freeman, Tom Riley, and Rino Barbagiovanni. Fred
Hoblit, our number one sprinter was unable to make it due to arthroscopic knee
surgery and should return next week. The rest of the team, perhaps wisely so,
decided skip this week, maybe because it’s so darn early. UC Cyclery, and Spy-Swamis saw to it that
we have no “get reacquainted” civil laps and decided that 7:30 AM, from the get
go, is not too early to race. So here we are, going at it from the gun. Spy Swamis
brought their A team with Dale Luetke and Mike Birditt. The speed was fast and
all break attempts were covered and it
became apparent that this was going to be a field sprint. With 4 or 5
laps to go, Tom Riley and Kirk decided
to roll off the front. This was much welcomed by me because I would not
have to chase anything. They were caught on the bell lap and everyone is now
positioning themselves for the field sprint. Spy-Swamis took control as usual
and Mike Birditt took the victory. Rino managed a 9th place in the
field sprint with Tom and Kirk a little further back due to their 3 lap break.
We all stayed for the 50+
race, and our real 50+ team was
there as well, Bob Blaswich, Francisco Vidal, and a new member this year, Steve
McDonald. There were 82 starters.
I usually do the 50+ as a good training race and I got my money’s worth, as the
speeds were very high and it seemed as though every time I looked, we were at
30mph. This race was very active and because of all the strong teams, including
Amgen, and Pinnacle, breakaways were always kept in check. Bob, Francisco and Steve were always
near the front keeping an eye on things. Tom, Kirk and myself were only able to
offer minimal assistance, and it became clear it was all up to them. This also
wound up in a field sprint won by Mike Birditt again, yes, the same Mike that
won the 55+ earlier. Bob, always a strong finisher took 9th and
Steve was just a couple of places behind.
In the first race, the women
cat 4, we had our own Charity Chia mixing it up. As I was waiting for the start
of the masters race, I watched the finish and there was Charity, missing a
victory by half a bike length. Great job Charity, a strong second place in her
first race of the year.
Later in the cat 3 race, we
had Paul Chia, Chris Waggoner, and Sean Ekens representing Santa Clarita. Paul
took 13th, Chris was 25th and Sean came in at 45th --Rino
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